Old Dog; New Tricks

We have an older dog that some friends gave us several months ago. My children absolutely love her and I find myself enjoying her too. The fact that I actually like her is no small miracle, just ask anyone in my family. The most hated chore around here is having to scoop poop. The kids have to do it and with a big dog comes big--- well, you know. I have contemplated this for awhile and decided that I want her to learn to poop in our side yard. No one ever goes there except Hubby when he's mowing. I figure if it's all together it will be easier to gather and if we have young children over they will not be stepping in it while playing in the main yard.

So today I put her on a leash every time she went out and took her to the side yard. She was very excited at first thinking we were going for a walk. But as the day wore on she was not so thrilled with the leash. After a long morning of trying to get her to go, she finally peed in the right area. I had treats ready! The rest of the day she continued to pee there but was still not going number two. Somewhere late in the evening, she finally gave in and pooped in the proper place. Yippee!! I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks. Or perhaps we just have an unbelieveably brilliant dog. :)

Update

It's been ever so long since I've blogged. I'm not sure why it's been so tough to sit down again. I haven't even been able to keep up with some of my favorite bloggers and for that I'm sorry. I will try to catch up!

I just wanted to update you all on my progress as of late. Not too long ago I shared my struggle with being a glutton. It's really more than that, it's an overall feeling that I deserve things to go my way. I feel God has been showing me so much about surrendering. Surrender to Him and His plans whether or not I understand them. It's difficult. I fight it so hard.

I felt led to fast for some days to seek Him and take the focus off myself or food. I cried before I started because I really didn't want to do it. I tell you this only to explain my journey. I pray it isn't for bragging rights. It broke me. Fasting has a way of doing that. You're suddenly not as strong as you thought you were. I felt weak and a shaky. It made me realize how 1/3 of the world feels daily. No wonder they struggle. It improved my compassion. If you'd like to read more about fasting, I love what Mark Buchanan says about it.

Throughout those struggling days I began to see how desperately I depended on God when He was my only strength and I didn't have chocolate to save me. I continue to learn about how to submit. It's so difficult. I wish there was a way to do it once and be forever done. I continue to walk baby step by baby step. On the upside, I am steadily loosing weight in very SMALL portions but at least the scale is going down. I am loosing inches too. Again, I'm not trying to brag but it's such a victory in my life that I have to give glory to God. I will say that it's improved my faith. Hopefully not just because things are going good but because I saw in a very miniscule way how through pain, I can learn to trust Him.

Well, I've rambled enough. I guess I'm making up for lost time. ;) Hope to read up on all of you soon!