Even puppies

"We are in agreement, Lord,

that you are worthy of all praise."

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook on Friday. It came at a great time for me as this week has been yet another lesson in trusting God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I know that God has promised victory for Victor. I trust that promise. I trust that it will come. And some days I am willing to wait to see it come to pass.

Other days I'm done. I'm very done. I can't take it any more. For the past few months, on the really bad days, I'd think (sadly) that I just wanted him medicated and a zombie. I'd wish (ashamedly) that he was zombie-like instead of so angry and aggressive.

As I've prayed for Victor and for that victory, I've felt like 2019 is going to be a year to see change. I've been asked to wait patiently. But I'm not a patient person. I wanted to call a neuro-psych and get the kid medicated. I'm not opposed to meds but I'd rather try everything else first. I told myself that we've tried everything else, it's time for medication. But I felt this still, small voice telling me to wait. I dismissed the still, small voice, because, well, that whole patience problem. So I called anyway. And hit brick wall after brick wall after brick wall... Doctor's office couldn't find a specialist currently accepting new patients, insurance company never sent me the promised email with a list of doctors taking new patients, insurance company finally sent a list but then no one was accepting new patients, Hershey told me they'd only take him if another Hershey doc referred him, his Hershey ophthalmologist said they'd send over a referral, neuro-psych said they'd call us to schedule an appointment but never did...

Then a few weeks ago, I felt like I was supposed to look into getting a dog. I dismissed it. I'm the dog lover and certainly didn't want to be the driver of this idea and besides, I argued, I don't have time for a dog right now. But that voice kept coming. I kept dismissing it. Then last Wednesday, Victor was listening to an Adventures in Odyssey cassette, a story about someone getting a dog. Okay, Lord, I'll look into it.

I checked out the local dog rescue but didn't really see anything that looked like a good fit for our family. Fine. But one click led to another and somehow I wound up on another rescue site and found myself looking into these puppy dog eyes.

Oh dear. And she was a jug (jack russell terrier and pug), a breed I've often said I'd like to get. Her name was Ocean. Everyone knows I love the ocean, right? But no, there's no way the Good Doctor is going to go for this idea. But he did. "Well," he said, "It might be the best thing for Victor." Seriously, God? But the more I read about Ocean, I saw that she was the most energetic in the litter of three. And more expensive than I'd like to pay for a rescue. And 10 weeks old? Really? A puppy? Now? Oreo, on the other hand, was the calmest of the bunch. So I looked to inquire about Oreo. But first I had to apply and be accepted. Three hours later I got my acceptance email and the next day received a phone call. Apparently all the dogs were taken but Ocean. Was I interested?

There was that one little issue about energy level. "Oh," the foster mom told me, "I have to put down characteristics for all the dogs. I wrote that because she's always the first one to great someone who walks in the room. She's no more energetic than a normal puppy. In fact, we'd take any of these girls ourselves. They're great."

Okay, God. I'm listening. Yesterday morning found us in Ocean's living room. Even though we went there saying we were just looking, we came home with a dog. And I may or may not have pre-purchased a few necessities "just in case". Hey, I saved the receipts!

Lucy Ocean King

Because the Kings have a habit of keeping birth names as middle names

And I do love the ocean, after all

Lucy and Victor had a great day yesterday. I never would have guessed. And I am amazed that God uses puppies in His plans. A neuro psych and meds might be in our future. We'll see. But for now, all are enjoying puppy snuggles and puppy playtime and puppy kisses. And as far as puppies go, she only woke up once last night and after just one housebreaking accident when first arriving home, she's gone outside every. single. time. Oh, and she already knows how to sit.