This morning was beautiful. Chloe and I got up early to finish up her assignments for the day, she had a play date this afternoon. As we took out the trash and tended to some plants I'm attempting to keep alive...we were overcome with the smell of smoke. It hit us the moment we stepped outside. Our eyes started to water, and we both got a little choked up. I later heard on the news it was from the fires in South GA and Florida. I can't believe we can smell it all the way up here!! It makes me so thankful for the rain we're receiving now, I just pray that those areas south of us get it too.

Anytime I think about wildfires, I think about how powerful they are and how hard it must be to fight them. But I also think about how fast they can destroy God's creation. I have a neighbor who is kind of like a powerful wildfire. At the point I'm typing here, I don't know her name and it's not from being unfriendly. She walks everyday with her pepper spray in one hand and her cell-phone in the other. She has 911 and the Gwinnett County Animal Control on speed dial. Fortunately, she lives around the corner from us. She doesn't like animals or children. In the past 6 weeks, she has called the police, and/or animal control at least 10 times on our neighborhood pets. She has complained specifically about two families each time. Those families were told if they were called again they would take the dogs and the owners would have to pay $200 a dog to get them back. Now, I'm not an animal lover, but that's a little extreme.

Since our driveway has become the "hang-out" for the bike gang, (on any given night there are 5-10 kids riding bikes and our driveway is like home-base for parents and children alike) we have heard all sorts of stories. We listen and smile, say oh my and do not add to the stories. (We're trying to stop a little of the gossip that goes on)

I've decided to try and befriend this lady known as the Dog Nazi. I was helping Emma with her handwriting yesterday and she was copying Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It hit me, the only time people around here are talking to her is when there is a confrontation. So, I've asked God to give me a "situation" to speak kindness to her. So far, the girls and I have been able to get a half-hearted wave and a very forced "hello" when she's walking. That's a start!! We are putting Proverbs 15:30 into practice. "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." I'm praying that we can bring a little joy to her heart and that God will open the doors to share the GOOD NEWS with her. I believe she is just like us, she has a hurt that needs God's touch.

If you have any creative ideas, leave a comment. I'm thinking of a small flower basket to hang on her front door knob.