Dog Training!

We have decided that if we are going to take our dog, Shadow, through Mexico, we need to get her used to riding in her kennel in the truck. It will take us close to 45 driving hours to get to the location of the ministry in Guatemala so Shadow needs to REALLY enjoy the ride!  "Why are you taking your dog through Mexico?", you ask.  Keep reading!

Shadow has only ridden in the car for vet appointments so, needless to say, she does not enjoy it at all.  However, she LOVES to go for walks. She knows when I come out and grab her leash that we will be on our way around the neighborhood. We decided to use this fact to our advantage.  

First, the 'coaxing' . . . "Let's go for a walk Shadow!"

Then the encouraging . . . "Come on, Shadow, let's go for a walk"

Then the commanding . . . "Up, Shadow!"

 Then she kisses me . . . she really wants to but it is just so hard!!

 "Rinse and repeat" . . . many, many times!  It finally took Don getting behind her to 'encourage' her to jump up into her kennel.  Doesn't she look a little pathetic??

We drove to a reservoir close to our house so that her first 'fun' ride wouldn't be so long!  Then she received her reward!  A nice walk around the lake plus a little swim at the end!

Once we were done, she walked right over to the truck . . .

. . . waited for her leash to be taken off . . .

. . . and jumped right in!

We are considering that sufficient progress for the first day!!  

So back to 'why?'  

In case you haven't heard, our family will be moving to Guatemala in January 2015.  We plan to drive our suburban and a trailer loaded with all of our belongings (including our dog) through Mexico. If you have been following our blog, the ministry is building a  hospital.  Don will serve with a Guatemalan doctor in the hospital full-time.  I will help with finances as well as continue to homeschool our kids.  We will also help with the teams that come to work with the ministry.  

Here is a link to a video that was made to spread the word about the hospital.  The land has been purchased and the ministry has been preparing and securing the property so that construction can begin.  

As I watch this video again, it stirs something deep within my heart and brings tears to my eyes. We have a long way to go (both physically and emotionally) to get to the place where we are ready to move our lives, but we know that this is the Lord's plan for us. We are taking one day at a time and focusing on the little steps (like training our dog!) so that we don't get overwhelmed with all that the Lord is calling us to do.  

Please join us in this journey. We have committed to 3 years in Guatemala and we need your support and prayers to make that happen.  Stay tuned as we simplify our life, reduce our belongings and step into the plans and purposes of the Lord!