Kap & Pen

Sadness befell our family today while we were busily printing, punching, and coiling a large book order. My 12-yr old son came running in the door yelling, “Mom, Mom, all the chickens are gone! Completely gone!” After a moment of calming him down, reality was that, indeed, most of our two chicken coups had been completely dragged off and consumed. I hadn’t gone outside yet this morning, but apparently the dastardly deed was done last night by the band of roving dogs in my country neighborhood. There are now about 10 dogs in the pack, and they treed our cat last week. The poor thing lay dead of an apparent heart attack the next morning. The dogs have been responsible for killing countless chickens in my neighborhood. Today, they left us 5 carcasses to bury, the other 10 I have no idea where they are, but there are feathers still afloat in my yard. It would serve them right if they all got chicken bones stuck in their necks. My hens were to start laying in the next week or so … I’ve been caring for them since they were three days old.

We’ve had chickens before, both for meat and for eggs, and never had this problem. But suddenly, my area of SC seems to be the place for animal owners to dump unwanted pets. Instead of finding a home or having them put down, people just dump them in the country, assuming someone will adopt them. Well that’s not what happens. What happens is exactly what IS happening: they form a pack and kill local livestock.

This has been a hard week in many areas….socially, animal-wise, financially, just to name a few. Elly is pretty much using her entire savings to repair the transmission on the mini-van so she has a vehicle for her cleaning business. She got an eye infection so can’t use her contacts, but her glasses broke so she can’t see at all right now. Business has been hectic although that’s a good problem! I received the wrong item on an order so I have to wait for the correct item to show up (the good news there was that I got to keep the incorrect shipment!). I printed 500 brochures, tri-folded them by hand, and gave them to the customer. 30 minutes later, they called to inform me that I had left off an entire line of type on the back of the folder. I had to print 500 more and tri-fold them. Fortunately, this time, my kids all pitched in so it went pretty fast, but still….hazards of the trade!

In all of this, there have been blessings, too! God does not leave us alone – He is with us, ever reminding us of His love, even in frustrating circumstances. I had a wonderful heart-to-heart talk with my oldest son this week. I got to hold a one-day old baby yesterday! Sooo sweet!! My friends let me come pick bunches of figs and I made my first every fig-strawberry jam and it came out delicious! A dear friend GAVE me an entire Brio train set and my 2 year old plays with it constantly! I was so thankful for that – I’ve always wanted a set.

So….I am reminded once again that my Saviour loves me and thinks of me, despite the storms that may buffet me. I’m so glad to have Christ as my fortress and shield from the blows of life! Praise the Lord for all His goodness!!!