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Dana Rongione 07/06/2023 Dana Rongione 07/06/2023

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Tess is undeniably adorable, but she's got a bit of a disobedience problem. She can't resist the urge to find a way out of our yard and into the sheep pasture behind us. Despite our best efforts to contain her, our mutt just can't help herself. Sound familiar? Observing Tess's behavior can give us valuable insights and lessons from a biblical perspective.

First and foremost, Tess's antics remind me of our human tendencies to wander from God's plan for our lives. Just like my pup can't resist the allure of exploring beyond her boundaries, we often find ourselves tempted by worldly distractions that lead us astray from God's intended path.

Dana Rongione 06/02/2023 Dana Rongione 06/02/2023

Too Much of a Good Thing

I absolutely love my office in our Welsh home. Unlike my workspace in our house in Greenville, SC, this room is entirely dedicated to office work. No bed, closet, piano, or anything else. Just desks, filing cabinets, and bookcases. And don’t let me forget the beautiful view of the Welsh hills beyond the sliding glass doors that occupy the entire front wall of my office. Breathtaking!

The one thing I noticed about this room is that it gets chilly in the winter. Because of the wall of glass, it can be a tad drafty, especially on windy days. That being the case, I have a small electric heater I can turn on whenever the need arises. And it didn’t take long to discover Tess’s favorite spot in my office is snuggled up right in front of the heater.

Dana Rongione 17/12/2022 Dana Rongione 17/12/2022

When the Enemy Won’t Quit

Yesterday was our weekly hike date, but it was a bit unusual. We had a couple of light snowfalls over the previous weekend, and the temperatures had remained sub-freezing all week. That being the case, there was still some snow and ice dotting the landscape around us, but we knew the surrounding areas weren’t bad at all.

Unfortunately, the area we had planned to hike had gotten considerably more snow than we had. The winding roads were white and icy, and when we arrived at our destination, we discovered the trails were buried under at least three inches of snow.

Dana Rongione 05/10/2022 Dana Rongione 05/10/2022

The Valley of Distraction

Typically, walking with Tess is a piece of cake. She doesn’t pull on the leash. She minds well when I tell her to leave something alone. In general, she’s very chill. This morning’s walk, however, offered several more challenges to tempt and distract my well-mannered terrier.

The first distraction came from the stinky leakage left behind by the trash trucks. I don’t know what the appeal is, but I haven’t had a single dog that could pass by without wanting to roll around in that nasty goop. Gross!

Dana Rongione 07/09/2022 Dana Rongione 07/09/2022

Not One Is Missing

For the past few months, I haven’t witnessed the starry sky for one simple reason—it wasn’t dark enough. Yes, one of the things that has taken us by surprise since moving to Wales is how long the days are in the summer. With Wales being so far north, the sun rises around 4:00 in the morning and doesn’t set until well after 10:00 in the evening during the summer months. Even after the sun sets, it never truly gets dark. This is one of the main reasons we have light-blocking curtains on the windows. That being the case, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the stars. At least, it had been until a few nights ago.

Dana Rongione 10/08/2022 Dana Rongione 10/08/2022

No Sign of Hurt

Over the weekend, Jason and a couple of friends tackled the much-needed yard work at our house. They cut the grass, trimmed the weeds, and cut back the hedges. We have a long line of hedges that run the length of our house and are filled with nasty briers. Taming them was no easy task. When they were done, Jason came inside, and I immediately noticed the many scratches and scrapes all over his arms, legs, and stomach. In just a few hours, my poor hubby looked like he'd gone head-to-head with a porcupine in a cactus. . .and lost.

Dana Rongione 05/08/2022 Dana Rongione 05/08/2022

If You Only Knew

I’m reading a book for teens and pre-teens called The Camelot Code. Being fascinated with Arthurian myths, I’m drawn to anything about that topic, and this book was no exception.

In the story, young Arthur—who has no idea he is the rightful heir to Camelot—falls into the magical Well of Dreams and is transported to the future—our time. Despite his peculiar dress and behavior, he quickly becomes Mr. Popular at the local school and even joins the football team. Before long, the young boy, who had only known loneliness and servitude, vows he’ll never return to the past.

08/07/2022 08/07/2022

What's In a Name?

I must admit, I'm adapting to Welsh life far quicker than I expected. As one who fights change, I feared my transition to a new way of life would be slow and painful. But, I'm delighted to say that's not been the case. I've become accustomed to life here and am enjoying it immensely.

25/04/2022 25/04/2022

Wonderers and Wanderers

The little lambs here on the farm are growing by leaps and bounds. They’re also doing their fair share of leaping and bounding, which is adorable and hilarious to watch.

04/04/2022 04/04/2022

The Cleft of the Rock

Over the past couple of weeks, the weather here in Wales has been beautiful, so I’ve taken to walking the property here on the farm. Not only are there various hiking trails available within walking distance of our temporary home, but there is also a beautiful little lake with views overlooking the mountains and other scenery. So, each day, I pull on my boots and stroll along the winding paths. Some days, I pray. Others, I think. And some, I just watch the world around me.

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Dana Rongione