A New Puppy!

We had headed out to western Virginia to check out some model homes for building.  As I turned toward South Mills on Route 58, I noticed a black spot on the side of the highway.  When I recognized it as a puppy, I immediately pulled to the side of the road.  As I approached it by a guardrail, it backed away and squeaked a few barks.  It was no more than five weeks old, and there were no houses nearby.  As it concentrated on my feet, I reached over the guardrail and picked it up.  From the squeals, you would have thought it was dying!  But it quickly quieted in my arms as I took it back to the car and set it on Susan's lap for the pleasant ride home.  After being relieved of a few ticks, she was dubbed Mercy by Susan since God chose to grant her to us instead of allowing her to become another highway casualty.  Yes, she's cute and she must have mostly Lab in her, though we don't think she'll be more than 50 lbs or so.

Mercy at 2-1/2 months -

3-1/2  months:  meal training -            vocal training -                           water training -

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The Lakecrest Fire

December 3, 2000

Sadly, one puppy died. Everyone else is okay.  Good news is that insurance completely rebuilt the house!  I prayed that God would turn this tragedy into something good.  Considering that Mike and Becky wanted to upgrade to central air and heat, and that the oven was in need of repair, their prayers have been answered with a few extras like a bay window and a finished garage.  However, I did tell Becky that when she prays for improvements, to be more specific about the procedure.  (Note: This is the house we lived in from December 1984 until September 1998.  Mike and Becky bought the house in July 1999.)

This is the extra room adjacent to the garage (thru sliding door) where the fire started.

Part of the living room wall and ceiling.  Very little of the roof panels were charred indicating good ceiling containment.

Living room front window.  Half the damage was done by the fire, half by the firefighting methods.

A closet containing the remains of books.

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