So… I apparently have a cat that loves to sit on my computer or climb into my lap when I am trying to do work.  It is hard to just ignore it… especially when Cami (the cat) is on my computer.  Apparently, she likes to tap on the computer keys when she isn’t laying on top of the keyboard.  So, if there are any typos or anything weird in this post and future posts, there is a reason… I am not having a stroke… I just have a cat.

But having a cat, another animal in the house is a big change for me.  It’s another being to take care of, and my mornings get busy with getting the kids ready in the morning, making breakfast, now getting them ready for school, and also taking the dog out, feeding the dog, feeding the cat, cleaning up the litterbox and also anything Cami decided to knock over in her nightly activities, and the morning to do list is just getting longer and more extensive.

Mornings are more work, and my routine has changed a lot.  It is amazing how one little change in your life, can change a lot in your daily life.  Since my morning routines are longer, it pushes everything around just a little.  Some things I normally do in the morning, I no longer have time to do it, because I don’t have the time anymore, so that means I have to shuffle my schedule around.

Honestly, I don’t like changes in my life, never did.  God knows this as well.  God knows that I am a creature of habit, and I do not like deviating from my daily routine much.  But, I also know that God is teaching me to adjust to life changes that is always occurring.  Whether it is caring for a cat, or answering a call to do a random visitation, I have to adjust my life accordingly.  I have to be willing to change because life isn’t always about routines, and habits. 

If we know anything about God in the Bible, we know that God is not all about routine and habits.  God is always creating, changing, and doing something different.  Even when we cannot understand what God is doing… God continues to go His path.  We are along for the ride, and we can either learn to adapt and accept His plan, or we can fight against it, and eventually feel stress, anger, and disappointment. 

Living life well is not always about habits and routines.  Living life well includes habits and routines, but also our ability to adapt to any changes that occur in life.  Do not get overwhelmed with change, instead know that God is with you when change occurs.  And have confidence that God operates and thrives amid change, because He is the author of life, creator or habits, routines, and change. 

So embrace the moments in life and depend on God who is an expert in overcoming change and creating change.  God calls on people to adapt to all things that happen in life.  From Abraham moving way from his hometown to follow God in the desert, from Moses answering Gods call to suddenly be a leader for God’s people, to a young prophet named Samuel, and the list goes on.  David, Solomon, Mary, Joseph, the calling of all the disciples, and apostle Paul… he narrative of God’s revelation continues through the people that answered the call when their routine and lives changed because of God. 

So find peace in change, find the voice of God in change, find your mission God may be giving you in the midst of change.  

So, Cami is the new addition to our family.  She is a cat about 2 years old and we have had her for almost one week.  Many thanks to Deb from Mending Heart for matching our family up with the perfect cat for us.  If anyone is looking at get a cat, give Mending Hearts a call.  They can help you find the right one for you. 

Cami came into our lives, and everything changed.  And to be honest change is difficult and scary.  For Cami, she was taken out of her place of comfort and familiarity, transported into a car, and placed into a totally new home, that had new smells, new sounds, new territories.  And what romped around the home was a big 95lb yellow lab named Suzie. 

For Cami to feel safe and comfortable, we took baby steps.  We placed her in a separate room from Suzie.  We basically placed a gate between the living room and dining room.  Suzie had access to the living room and everything upstairs, while Cami, the new kitty, had access to the kitchen and dining room.  The gate allowed both cat and dog to see each other but not be in each other’s faces. 

Cami came home and Suzie was super excited to have a friend.  Cami… not so much.  Cami came to our home scared.  She spent the first few hours hiding in the kitchen, under a shelving unit.  And soon, she moved into a little cubby area in her cat tree, in the dining room and stayed there all evening.  At night she came out, when everyone was upstairs, found her litter box, which she enjoys tossing litter around… yay for me… and used the nighttime and darkness to explore her safe place. 

In the morning, she was meowing and immediately crawled into my lap and started to play with her toys and with the kids.  She learned that she is super gentle and loves to explore.  Then after a couple of days, we would open the gate because we started to notice that Cami was getting more comfortable.  So now the cat and dog will be able to interact without a barrier.  Suzie, excited, but patient, waited for Cami.  Cami cautiously navigated new territories, going around Suzie, avoiding her, and occasionally, hissing at her.  Which was normal, I assume.  I didn’t expect Cami to warm up to Suzie so quickly.  But I was surprised at how well she navigates and explores the house, downstairs and upstairs.  Also impressed, how Suzie just stays calm and watches her. 

When we had to leave the home, we put Cami back into the safe rooms and closed the gate.  But after Sunday, we took away all barriers after I saw how Cami got close to Suzie without any fear.  Cami is still not excited about Suzie, but I think this relationship between the two will warm up at some point. 

But I learned a lot from observing Cami and how she quickly adjusted to change and how she overcomes fear.  Cami came into our home with a lot to fear about.  Every new noise startled her, a big dog is scary, unfamiliar territory is unnerving. 

Cami could live her life always in fear.  Running away and scampering away from all that scares her, but she doesn’t.  One step at a time, she moved forward, towards what gives her fear to learn and adapt and overcome.  Can we all be brave like Cami?  Yes, we can!  We can overcome our fear, one step at a time.  We can have the power to adapt to our environment when it changes.  We can have the power to be active to what gives us fear.  Even if it means we must be a bit brave.  But bravery is about moving forward, making big decisions, and taking the steps necessary to not overcome fear, but defeat fear. 

Sometimes, we must learn to take risks, like Cami.  Risks are costly.  It can cost our lives, time, and money.  But when we face fear, we have to choose.  Run and hide or Move forward and do whatever it takes to live free from fear.  

So… our family is growing.  Yesterday we welcomed Cami into our home.  Thank you to Mending Hearts for matching us with the kitty cat that is right for us.  Cami loves all people, but so far not a big fan of Suzie.  Which I know will take some time.  She loves climbing and finding cozy hiding spots.  She is still trying to get used to her environment, and I know that will only take some time. 
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I am excited to have Cami part of our family, and I pray that she will be comfortable around Suzie.  But patience is necessary.  I also learned that she is more active during the nighttime.  So, she explores, splashes around in her litter box, and eats.  She might be more active at night because it is quiet, and she feels more comfortable in the quiet night.  Which is fine.  I am just going to let her do her thing. 

So fun times so far.  Just to let everyone know… I know nothing about cats, but so far so good.  Apparently, they just seem to take care of themselves.  But I haven’t gotten bitten or clawed at, so I must be doing something right. 

Right now, I have a big gate separating our dining room and kitchen from the living room and upstairs.  So, Cami is only able to explore the kitchen and dining room and is constantly keeping an eye out for Suzie.  I am separating the two animals in hopes to get them comfortable with each other.  Hopefully Cami can see that Suzie isn’t going to be a threat. 

Anyways exciting times and also found out that apparently cats eat a lot less than dogs, or at least less than Suzie, which makes sense.  Suzie is 95 lbs. and Cami us about 7lbs maybe?  I don’t know how to weigh cats.  But she is easy to pick up, or at least tolerates it when I pick her up. 

I have always been a dog person which speaks to my personality.  I like training dogs, have being in control when having a dog.  But I learned quite quickly, you do not really train cats and that cats just kind of do their own thing.  And apparently cats like more quiet environments, which is not something I am used to.  I am loud, I know that my dog Suzie fits my loud behavior.  Yet, Cami is more delicate, soft, quiet, and calm… which is something I cannot train out of her, but something I need to adjust.  Which is totally fine. 

I am thankful to God that Cami seems to be very gentle with the kids.  Even when Ben pets her in the “wrong” direction.  Cami doesn’t seem to mind or at least tolerates it. 

I pray that Cami will have a good life with us.  Again, thanks to Mending Hearts.  And I do recommend anyone that is looking for a dog or cat to give Mending Hearts a try.  Especially cats and kittens.  I honestly wish I could take more cats into my home; they have a lot of gentle cats over there that are looking for a good home.