Jim

Poor Blackie the fish wasn’t feeling well this morning.  We gave her some food, and she perked up a little.  But the situation was critical.  As soon as the local pet store opened, I zipped over hoping that I could get her some passable living quarters, in clean water, in hopes that she would survive.

I found a little kit, half price at that, and headed home.  As I pulled into our parking lot at home, I got a call on my cell.  It was “the” call, actually.  Blackie had passed away.  Without ceremony, She who came from the sea returned to the sea.

So, I picked up Hannah and we returned to the pet store.  The first time I had bought a tank to match the fish . . . now we looked for fish to match the tank.  Originally, we planned to get 2 or 3, but it was a 2 for 1 sale at Petcetera, so we squeezed 4 fish into the tank.  It was actually a good activity for Hannah and I as we carefully set up the tank, cleaned everything, purified the water, and introduced the fab four to their new home.  They seem to be doing well now – much better than Blackie ever did.

Hannah was happy with the fish, and Nathanael was very excited (more like obsessed).  At suppertime Hannah prayed,”Please thank you for the fish not to die” (she always includes a thank you in her requests – better theology than grammer).  So far, so good.

That’s the end of our fish story for now.  Hopefully no news will be good news for a while.  But we’ll be watching to see what happens.

It’s been a weekend for pets around here.  Yesterday Hannah went to a birthday party, and the children all got fish to take home.  That’s right, fish.  Now that’s all very well, but being the soft hearts that we are we’ve spent all weekend feeling very sorry for this poor goldfish that’s stuck in a little jar with nowhere to go.

So, yes, looks like we’ll have to go out and get her some better living quarters.  I hear there are some sales on at the pet store, so we’ll have to check it out tomorrow.

I’ve included a picture of Hannah’s fish here (I’m not sure if it has a name yet, though I think the very original “Blackie” is currently in the running), so that, if it actually happens to survive (we don’t have a lot of hope really), we can remember from where it came, and how its lot has improved.

 Doesn’t she just look like she’s saying,”Please, let me out of this prison!”?

Today our friend Sheena came and brought the second pet.  It’s a fake dog named Princess, with its very own carrying bag, leash and doggie-jacket.

Pets aren’t actually allowed in our apartment, but I don’t think fish and fake dogs count.  We’ve also had sea monkeys, I might as well admit it.  And the occasional bug.

Now, originally we thought that the dog would be Dad and Mom’s favourite pet because it’s fake and therefore doesn’t require the care that messy goldfish require.  However, we’ve noticed that it sheds.  So I guess Hannah will have to pull out her vacuum and be responsible for the new pets that she’s caring for.

As long as she doesn’t vacuum the wrong pet.  That could be a disaster.

Anyway, I’d better go.  It’s time to get the children to bed.  The pets may just have to fend for themselves for now.

This week Hannah was able to go to a kids club at our church.  Today was the last day.  It was a “Vacation Bible School” put on by Child Evangelism Fellowship, and the theme was Solar Express.  No doubt churches all across North America have been doing the same thing!

Hannah had a great time and worked hard to finish her activities at home (she even tied for second prize at the end of the week).

As for me, I’m just about to get started on another course from Briercrest Distance Learning.  I have two courses to complete before we move to Mexico.  It looks like I’ll be working on a little bit of basic theology.

I have come up with a definition of “theology”.  You can let me know what you think.  Of course, I haven’t taken the course yet, so maybe you shouldn’t listen anyway!

Theology is…getting to know God.  What do you think?  I think that’s about it.  Anything we’re doing to get to know God is theology.  And since that’s one of the most basic purposes of life, I’m looking forward to continuing th journey.

So how have you been doing theology this week?