A Big Mess

Pocket Full of Quarters Journey 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans
A Big Mess

Gallop, New Mexico
By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18


I just wanted to help. OK - maybe I wanted to eat the bacon grease too. After all, I smell the bacon every morning and Mommy doesn't share. But I mainly wanted to help Mommy clean up her mess and Mommy wouldn't let me.

Mommy says the bar is raised for her definition of a "Big Mess." Every morning Mommy cooks 2 pieces of bacon. She says it isn't as unhealthy as it sounds because it is organic, nitrate and sugar free, and center cut but I can tell from how good it smells that it probably isn't good for her. She has a camper sized container made just for bacon grease. Inside the container is a throw away liner. Every day, after she cooks the bacon, she pours the grease into the liner and puts the airtight lid on.

I saw it happen. The camper is small and Mommy moves fast. She opened the cabinet and slid the container out. She has to tilt it to get it under the lip of the cabinet and when she did, it slipped out of her hand. The lid fell off and bacon grease poured onto the 4 shelves, down the cabinet, and onto the bed and floor below.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Mommy said as she grabbed paper towels. She tried soaking up the bed first and realized it was still dripping on the bed from the cabinet. She put paper towels on the bed and started cleaning the cabinets. Then she realized it was on the floor and she was stepping in it.

Mommy was in trouble and I wanted to help. I jumped on the bed and started licking.

"Shiloh! Get down."

No problem. There was plenty on the floor.

"Shiloh no! Get back."

Really? Where was I supposed to go? Did she think I wouldn't help? I could clean it up a lot faster with my tongue than she could with her paper towels. I started licking her feet.

"Shiloh! No! You'll get sick. Go to the front seat!"

I had grease on me and wasn't sure she really wanted me on the front seat.

That was how it went for the next hour. Mommy went through an entire roll of paper towels. She got most of it up and then used soap and water. I don't think water on the bacon grease was her best idea. She finally used the disinfecting wipes to get the last part up. For days, I've been finding tiny places to lick. Mommy has been scolding me and quickly cleaning it up.

I'm amazed at how quick Mommy is to stop me. I guess she doesn't want me sick. I know Mommy is right but she needed so much help and the bacon grease tasted good. I have to admit that my stomach hasn't been exactly right for a day or so.

I watch people as we travel and listen to what they tell Mommy. I think some people do what I tried to do when Mommy made her mess. When someone they love makes a mess, they jump right in and try to clean it up even if the other person doesn't want or need help. If people don't want or need help, when we try to help anyway, it just gets us in trouble and makes a bigger mess. People sometimes get their feelings hurt because their help isn't wanted or needed and like the grease possibly making me sick, they even get so upset, it makes them sick. As hard as it was for me to believe, my Mommy was better off without my help. I think some people have trouble believing they can't fix people's messes.

People sure can make some big messes. They tell us about their messes all the time. At first, they tried to clean it up themselves and when that didn't work, they gave up and decided to lie in the mess. What if Mommy hadn't cleaned up the bacon grease? She could have still slept in the bed and used everything in the cabinet. I would have run around the camper and tried to clean it up. We would have both been sticky and I would have been seriously sick.

Mommy tells people that no matter how big their mess is, if they call on the name of Jesus, He will clean them up from the inside out and make them as white as snow. She says that God and the Bible will then give them the wisdom they need to know what to do next.

I wish God had just cleaned up our camper and made it as white as snow but I suppose I'm glad He gave Mommy the strength she needed to stay calm and the wisdom for how to best clean it up. I'm glad that she didn't let me eat more of that bacon grease.

Mommy says you have to keep your sense of humor if you live in a camper. That's true but I still think she needs to slow down. She is always moving and sometimes moves too fast.

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When Do We Get Our Nap?

Pocket Full of Quarters Journey 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans - When Do We Get Our Nap

Written In Banning, California
By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:22

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

My mommy wears people and animals out, including me. People like Mommy to visit but they are usually headed down for a nap as soon as we walk out the door. Even the children and dogs nap when we leave. While they are napping, we are moving to our next place. What I want to know is, when do we get our nap?

Mommy says she has what she calls "the spiritual gift of energy." She pays attention everywhere. No matter how tired we are, if she recognizes what she calls a Divine Appointment, she keeps it. Sometimes they last until the middle of the night. As near as I can tell, these appointments are everywhere - in people's homes, Star Bucks, bathrooms, parks, churches, and stores. It can be 100 degrees outside and Mommy will stand out with no hat and talk for as long as necessary. She'll even let her food get cold. No matter how hard I whine or pull, she finishes. When do we get our nap?

When we go evangelizing with a group for the first time, Mommy limits the time to an hour and a half. She says the emotions of giving the Gospel and watching people meet Jesus wears people out the first time they do it. She likens it to Moses not being able to look directly into God's face or taking your shoes off on Holy Ground. After we evangelize, she sends people home for a nap but she's off to her next assignment. If she takes a nap, it means she is sick. When do we get our nap?

Mommy blogs most nights. She also answers and writes emails, texts, and checks out Facebook and Twitter. I have a twitter account and a blog but I'm usually too tired to write. I must not have the spiritual gift of energy. Mommy says I don't have it yet. Mommy works until way into the night and doesn't walk me until she finishes. Doesn't she know I can't go to bed until after she walks me and goes to bed? When do we get our nap?

Mommy woke up this morning at 5:00 AM after working until after midnight the night before. She tried to go back to sleep but it didn't work. So, she turned on her computer and went to work. I heard her tell Daddy that if she got tired, she'd pull over and take a nap. Ha! I'll say it again. When do we get our nap?

Tonight, she told Daddy that she was tired and was going straight to bed. I was hopeful until she opened up the computer. Mommy! Please! When do we get our nap?

Mommy says I could nap while she is driving or working but she doesn't understand. I have to watch and protect her. If she would take a nap, I could too. Wait...maybe I understand. I want a nap but I don't take one because I have to do my job and watch mommy. Maybe that is how it is with Mommy. She has to do her job.

Mommy says it is more exhausting to say no to God than it is to follow Him into the wee hours of the night. She suspects that many people who say they are tired all the time are ignoring God about something. She says she has tried it both ways and when she says no to God because she thinks she is too "tired," she gets even more tired. When she says yes to God, she gets more of that spiritual gift of energy. No matter how tired she is, when God sends an assignment and she takes a deep breath and does it, when she finishes, she isn't tired any more.

Mommy says that God invites people who are tired to come to Him. She says His burden is always the lightest and His yoke the easiest. Maybe that is what the spiritual gift of energy is - accepting God's light burdens and easy yoke. Maybe even a nap is a heavy burden that wears you out if God has told you to do something else. Mommy says God will give us rest but sometimes that rest is accepting the burdens that might seem hard and trusting that if those burden are from God, they will be lighter when we accept His yoke and rest in Him.

Before you get too worried about Mommy, she knows that she also needs physical rest and that she needs to take a Sabbath. It's just that she has two speeds - fast and off. She does take a day off a week. The rest of the time, she goes until she hits what she calls a "wall" and then she just stops - for an hour, a day, and occasionally a week. After a long journey, sometimes she stops for a month. I understand what Mommy means when she says God sends all kinds of "rest" but I still like it when His "rest" is a nap.

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If You Want a Doggie Door, Stay Inside the Fence

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans
If You Want a Doggy Door, Stay Inside the Fence

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the ways which I command you, that it may be well with you." Jeremiah 7:23


I learned about doggy doors. Mommy has a friend named Margo. Margo has a dog named Floyd. Floyd has a doggy door. That means Floyd can run outside any time he chooses. We stayed at Floyd's house this week and Floyd taught me how to use a doggy door.

I was confused at first. One minute Floyd would be there and the next, he'd be gone. It was like he vanished. I watched and noticed that he used his nose to open the tiny door. I didn't want to try it at first. My nose is sensitive and I thought it would hurt. When I finally got up my nerve and pushed with my nose, an entire world opened up before me. I didn't have to depend on Mommy walking me. If I saw a bird through the window, I could go outside and chase it. I could chase the stars all night if I wanted to. If I got tired or cold, I could come back in. I was free. Yes, there was a fence there that kept me safe but I felt free. I'm sorry I wasted two days of my time there being afraid.

I think some people are afraid to walk through their people doors. They long to be free in Christ but a door stops them. Like my doggie door, their door might only need a tiny tap, but they waste time letting fear of that tap keep them from having the freedom God gave them in Christ.

I've asked Mommy if I can have a doggie door back home but she says Rascal would use it. Rascal isn't afraid of anything so he'd learn to use it the very first day. I reminded Mommy that there was a fence in our backyard but Mommy says that Rascal won't stay inside the protective fence. Mommy won't put in a doggy door because Rascal won't stay inside the fence and she wants to keep Rascal safe.

I think some people are like Rascal. They're mad because God won't give them a people door but it's their own fault. God knows they wouldn't stay inside God's protective fence. God loves them enough to protect them by not giving them a people door. Like Rascal causing me not to have a doggie door, that probably means the people close to them aren't getting to enjoy a people door either.

I think people and cats would be happier if they would stay inside their protective fences. That means more of us could have doors that open too. Would someone please tell Rascal that we would both be better off if he would learn to stay inside Mommy's protective fence? Then, I could have a doggy door.

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Beautiful Feet

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans - Beautiful Feet

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:13-15


I loved Auntie Valeria instantly. She climbed into the camper and she belonged to me. I could smell Woody on her so I knew there was another doggy in her life but I didn't care. I was with her. She even let me sit in her lap.

Auntie Valerie is amazing. She talks to me and gives good hugs. People respect her and because of her, people came to hear Mommy talk about Gospel Conversations. I think Auntie Valerie must care just as much about people meeting Jesus as Mommy does because she sure did work hard to make sure people learned about it.

I didn't have to wait inside Hallelujah because Auntie Valerie invited me inside. She trusted me to run around upstairs at Mommy's publisher, Redemption Press. I tried to be really good so she would invite me back. She cooked lunch and dinner for us and fed me real people food. Now I understand why humans eat too much food sometimes. Chicken is really good!

I did learn a few things about Auntie Valerie. She is just like Mommy - she doesn't like kisses in the mouth and doesn't want me licking her feet. People just don't understand how good feet taste and Auntie Valerie has beautiful feet. I don't understand why they pay so much money for foot massages and pedicures when they could just let me lick their feet.

Just before we left, I met Woody and Woody's daddy, George. I could tell right away that George likes dogs. He understood what I was saying. Woody is blessed like me. His mommy and daddy really love him. I didn't want to like Woody because he belonged to my Auntie Valerie but I have to admit that I did like Woody. He was fun and didn't seem to mind when Auntie Valerie kissed me.

Mommy says every person that meets Jesus has a Gospel Team. She says leading people to Jesus takes all kinds of spiritual gifts. Auntie Valerie worked hard to help all of those people learn how to tell other people about Jesus. I think that means that Auntie Valerie is on the Gospel Team for every person they help lead to Jesus. The Bible says that the people who help share the good news have beautiful feet. I love Auntie Valerie's beautiful feet. That is why I want to lick them.

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Did Mommy Miss the Mark?

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans
Did Mommy Miss the Mark?

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Mommy tells people that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. She explains that sin means missing the mark. I might not understand what that means but Mommy must have sinned because it sure seemed to me like she didn't do what she intended to do. Isn't that what missing the mark means?

Mommy tried to blame what happened on a speed bump. She quickly explained how slowly she was going, which is true. But I was watching the entire thing and I saw what really happened.

Mommy went through her regular packing routine. It isn't easy. She turned off the lights, opened the curtains, checked the door and cabinet latches in the circle order that she always uses, and checked the fridge and microwave doors. She went outside, unplugged the water and electricity, curled up the hoses, put them away, latched the 2 cabinets underneath and pulled on the cabinets to check them. She climbed in the driver's seat, put on her seat belt, and remembered her cup of tea. She groaned, took off her seat belt and carefully twisted to step over my food bowl. She must be getting more limber because she only knocked out a few pieces of food this time. She grabbed her tea from the microwave and quickly - too quickly - closed the door. She knows it doesn't always close completely but she didn't pull on it to check. Sure enough, it didn't latch all the way. When she slowly drove over the annoying speed bump, Hallelujah threw a fit and bounced the glass plate out of the microwave and to the floor in a crash. Glass shattered and went everywhere.

"Shiloh stay!" Mommy said firmly. I'm flattered that her first thought was for me but I was already staying. I knew what glass did to my feet. Mommy took a deep breath, reminded me again to stay, put the camper in park, got the swish broom and dust pan, and started picking up glass.

"I should have listened to Bob and bought that dust buster," she muttered. "Why don't we have gloves in here?" We found glass for days. That first night, she forgot and walked barefoot on the floor. She still winces when she steps down on her middle toe on the right foot. She can't see the glass in her foot but she knows it's there. Mommy used to have serious feet problems and Daddy says she is never to go barefoot. Did she miss the mark again when she went barefoot?

So you tell me. Don't you agree, Mommy missed the mark or is there something I don't understand? She meant to close that microwave all the way. She knows it doesn't always latch. She knew not to go barefoot, especially after that much glass, but she forgot. Mommy says the wages of sin is death and that microwave plate sure did die. Mommy says there is a difference between sin and accidents but she's had things like this happen to her before.

Mommy called Daddy and confessed. "I think the speed bump caused it but Shiloh is going to tell you that I didn't close the door all the way when I got my tea out."

"You're probably both right," Daddy said kindly. It never seems to surprise or bother him when Mommy tells him what I say. "You probably didn't close it completely but that plate fits down in a groove. When you went over the bump, it bounced the plate out. "

Daddy couldn't resist adding, "Bet you wish you'd bought that dust buster now." Daddy loves being right, which he usually is, but I had to wonder if reminding Mommy he was right was also an example of missing the mark.

Daddy immediately went to helping Mommy solve the problem. "Measure the space. If you see an appliance repair shop, stop and see if they have one. I don't think the camper stores will have one. I'll order one if you can't find one." He's also offered several suggestions for getting the glass out of the toe, but so far, Mommy still winces if she steps just right.

Mommy also says, "All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved." She explains that the Greek word for saved is sozo She says it means much more than saved for an eternity. She says it also means healed, delivered, and preserved. I think that means God is going to heal Mommy's foot.

Why do campgrounds put in speed bumps? Hallelujah really doesn't like them and it makes him act out. Since he is usually the smallest camper in the campground, I suspect that other campers don't like them either. Aren't campgrounds supposed to try to delight their customers? Doesn't that mean that campgrounds are missing the mark too?

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Pocket Full of Quarters Journey 2015
She Was Listening

In Twin Falls, Idaho
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6


"Be careful not to slip! They don't have a rug in there and when I bent over to dry my feet, I slipped right down on the floor. Be careful."

"I'm so sorry you slipped. Are you hurt?" I asked. I had just walked into the KOA bathroom with my shower supplies.

"I will be tomorrow. I think I'm going to tell the office."

"Good idea," I said as she walked out. I was surprised that it didn't turn into an encounter after that lead in but oh well. What do I know? God's ways are mysterious.

I carefully stepped in and out of the shower, noticing that the shower curtains were too short so all of the floors were wet. I dried off and dressed. When I came out of the shower stall to put on my makeup, the same woman said, "You were fast! It doesn't look like you slipped."

"I didn't. I was careful. Thanks for the tip. I thought you left."

"I did but I forgot my blow-dryer." We began talking. You can probably guess that it did indeed turn into an encounter. She was pretty sure she was going to heaven because she'd been good - not perfect - but good. She went to church occasionally. I spoke Gospel scripture to her about salvation by grace and not by works. She got it instantly and wanted to pray for forgiveness and salvation.

The entire time we'd been talking, I was aware of a young woman standing behind me. She was slowly putting on her makeup and using a curling iron while listening carefully. I kept glancing at her in the mirror out of the corner of my eye as I talked to the other woman but hadn't spoken a word to her yet. When I saw that she was getting emotional, I turned to her and said, "Would you like to pray with us?"

"Yes," she said gratefully.

"May we hold hands?" I asked both women. There in the bathroom, standing in a circle, both women prayed to receive Jesus. I got their contact information and the first woman left.

"Where are you from?" I asked, deciding that I needed to know more about this lovely, tattooed, thin woman who had met Jesus so quickly.

"I'm from all over," she wept. "I can't seem to settle down. I'm here with my boyfriend but I don't think it is going to work out."

"How long have you been with him?" I asked.

"A year," she said, continuing to cry. "He is rude to me. I think he wants me to leave. This keeps happening to me."

"It isn't going to happen anymore," I said firmly. "You are leaving this room changed from the inside out. You are a princess of the King of Kings and deserve to be treated accordingly. I can't tell you what to do but I know who can. The Bible promises us wisdom. It is in the book of James. It says that if you ask for wisdom, you will get it. There is a catch however. It also says that if you don't act on that wisdom, you will feel like you are being tossed about in the waves - you will feel seasick. The Bible also promises strength and courage. May I pray for your wisdom, strength, and courage?"

"Yes," she whispered.

I put my arms around her and could feel her trembling. I asked God to grant her the wisdom to know what to do about the boyfriend and the strength and courage to act. After I prayed, I encouraged her to act immediately on the wisdom she received.

"If you decide to leave, do you have somewhere safe to go?" I asked.

"I do," she said. "I could go home to my mother." I have a feeling that will be one happy mother. I have her contact information and can't wait to find out what she did.




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Mommy Works Harder on the Road

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans - Mommy Works Harder on the Road

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23


"Oh no," Mommy exclaimed. "The camper isn't charging." She called Daddy and he gave her a couple of things to try. I could tell that neither of them thought it would work but they were dreading what Mommy was going to have do to really fix it. Finally, Mommy took a deep breath. She crawled up on the bed and took off the sheets. Then she moved the heavy mattress over, lifted the door underneath and flipped a switch. Next came the putting the bed back together. She crawled, lifted, tugged, tucked, and finally said, "This is going to have to do." The bed sure didn't look like it did when Daddy made it up. It was easy for her to talk. It wasn't her side of the bed that was messed up. Oh well, Daddy will be here in a couple of days to fix it.

We'd been so busy that Mommy hadn't had time to do her daily cleaning of the camper. The floor was dirty and my hair was everywhere. She grabbed the sponge she uses for dog hair and wiped the bed spread, chairs, carpets, and curtains. Next, she grabbed the tiny broom and swept. Then she got down on her knees with a wipe and scrubbed the floor and under the chairs and counters. Then, she wiped down all the cabinets, the microwave, and the stove. Finally, she cleaned out the fridge and the bathroom. She looked exhausted. This sure is easier when she has time to do it every day.

Now it was time to tackle the key alarm. It was only working some of the time and it needed to be reset. Mommy called Daddy and he told her where to find the manual. They interpreted the instructions together and finally, Mommy got both of the keys working.

Since we were to be here a couple of days, Mommy decided to put out the stake with my leash on it so I could sit with her. We are in Colorado and the ground is made of rocks. Mommy got the hammer and after 30 minutes, she finally said, "This will have to do." I had news for her - I could have totally pulled it up but I didn't have the heart.

It was laundry day. She dragged the heavy laundry bag and soap to the laundry room. She forgot the dryer sheets so she had to come back. She went to the office to get quarters. Laundry took several hours. "Shiloh," she said as she was shoving clothes into cabinets that looked too small to me. "I know this came out of these cabinets so they have to go back in."

We left to go meet with a sister of a friend of Mommy's. I watched her go outside, unhook the camper and carefully curl up the cords. They always fall out. Daddy can keep them curled but when Mommy tries to put them in, they uncurl and she ends of shoving. "Ouch!" I hear her holler. Poor Mommy.

The hardest to watch was her sorting her supplements and putting them in their weekly container. The camper is never completely level and the table is wobbly. That means that things spill so I wasn't surprised when an entire bottle of tiny supplements spilled all over the floor. "Stay!" Mommy commanded as she got down on her hands and knees. I was on the bed and had no intentions of getting down. I had already tried these and they tasted terrible. Mommy got a broom and reached under the chair and cabinets. She lifted the drain and picked out the pills. There were even some on the step and under the fire extinguisher. Just as she got the last one in, she put the bottle on the table and tried to stand up. It is a small camper and she stumbled and caught herself on the table. Sure enough, those tiny little devils spilled again and Mommy had to start over.

"These are expensive," Mommy said aloud. I hoped she was talking to me. "I know they've been on the floor but I'm taking them anyway."

Mostly, Mommy laughs at the things that go wrong. The only time I see her cry is when she has to dump the waste water. She usually ends up needing a shower but eventually, she even gets that done. Whenever possible, she waits on Daddy to do that. He makes it look so easy.

Camper life isn't easy for Mommy but she does it anyway. She just doesn't seem very natural at mechanical things. She says she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and that it is even harder not to obey Jesus. She says that when she is crawling on the floor fixing something, she is working for God. When I watch people cry and hug her right after they pray to receive Jesus, I suppose that makes it worth it. I know she enjoys being outside, sitting in her chair, and talking to God so that helps. Pray for my Mommy as she stumbles around with buttons, cords, wrenches, hoses, pliers, user manuals, computers, latches, leaks, holding tanks, key fobs, batteries, switch boxes, and engines. Pray for Daddy as he tries to help her long distance.

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What Is Peace and How Do You Get It?

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans - What is Peace and How Do You Get It?

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7


I am trying my best. Mommy is happy that I do my Jesus tricks and then sit while she gives the Gospel. She is happy that I behaved myself inside Jeanette's house. What did she expect? They kept slipping me steak from the table. Of course I behaved!

However, Mommy keeps using this word "Peace." She uses it when cows walk by. Really? Doesn't she know that I'm made to herd? Cows are a lot like sheep. How am I supposed to be peaceful when squirrels get close to us and hold those tiny feet up begging for food? I thought I was the one who was supposed to do the tricks. The only food Mommy had was my treats. I wasn't sharing. Any respectable Sheep Dog would want to chase them off.

And let's talk about those tiny yappy dogs. They aren't peaceful. They bark at me first and that bark is just annoying. I have wondered why Mommy doesn't bark at them.

I'm not peaceful when Mommy leaves the camper. So far, I've resisted the urge to bolt through the door. Surely, that is progress but I wouldn't call it peace. Mommy wouldn't let me off leash on the farm because she thinks I'd chase the big trucks racing down the highway. She's probably right about that. I'm not very peaceful around trucks or motor cycles.

So, what is this peace thing and how do you get it? I hear Mommy talking about a peace that passes all understanding. She says it guards hearts and minds. I don't understand peace yet. I'm pretty sure my job is to guard Mommy and it is usually when I'm trying to guard her that she commands, "Peace!" Besides, I'm not sure Mommy understands peace either. She isn't very peaceful when I go crazy and bark and scratch windows or try to jerk her arm out of the socket as she desperately tries to hold onto my leash. "Peace!" Mommy.

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And We're Off - 2015

Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2015
Shiloh’s Shenanigans - And We're Off - 2015

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton
Written From Streetsboro, Ohio

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10


I'm so happy. We're on the road again. I saw Mommy and Daddy packing and I was getting worried. Were they going to leave me behind? I'd been working so hard. Surely they noticed I wasn't barking as much. I tried not to run off when Mommy opened the door. Surely no one can expect me to not chase motor cycles and squirrels. Mommy prays every day asking for knowledge of God's will for her and the power to carry that out. I'm starting to understand what it means to be the Shepherd's Sheep Dog and I wanted them to give me a chance to do my job. When they put my leash on to take me to the camper, I leapt for joy.


Then, Mommy brought out the harness. Nooooooo. I wanted to roam the camper. I wanted to sit under Mommy's feet. I don't understand why she gets so mad when I crawl under her feet when she is driving. I've read my big sister Belle's blogs and I don't think she ever wore a harness in the car. Why did I need to be harnessed to the seat?

I don't know why I doubt Mommy but I don't think many of you can judge. I've done my job long enough to notice that you sometimes doubt your Daddy. I started noticing that I felt safer in the harness. I knew my place. My harness has enough length so I can sit on the seat, get on the floor to eat my food, and get close enough to Mommy for her to touch me. I can't get under Mommy's feet anymore but I figured something out. Fear was what was making me get under Mommy's feet. Mommy says it was dangerous so I've figured out that fear makes me do the wrong thing. With this harness on me, I knew exactly where I belonged and Mommy didn't get mad at me once. I might actually like it.

Mommy was quiet today. We drove about 4 hours. She stopped at all the rest stops and we visited creeks and walked trails. Mommy was happy and that made me happy. She listened to sermons and music praising God. I think she was preparing herself to hear and respond to God.

Maybe that harness allows me to be still enough to hear what Mommy wants me to do just like Mommy has to be still long enough to hear God. I really do want to be the Shepherd's Sheepdog. Would you pray for me?


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Following Jesus Has Taken the Fun Out of Sinning

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:14


I had a slip today. I didn’t mean to do it but it happened so fast. I saw the opening and I just took it. A few weeks ago, I finally understood my job. Mommy follows Jesus and I follow Jesus by following Mommy. We tell people about Jesus. When I started listening and obeying, life became good. Mommy is happier and gives me more freedom. I’m also getting a lot more treats.

So what happened today? It all started with going into Camping World. Mommy turned on the generator and then surprised me by pulling out the leash. Camper World is Dog Friendly and that meant I was Camping World Friendly.

They didn’t have the light bulb Mommy needed so we went back to Hallelujah. The generator was off. 

“I thought I left that on,” Mommy said as she pushed the button. It didn’t work.

“On no! I can’t leave you in the camper with no generator. I need help.” We rushed back inside.

“It’s OK,” a nice man wearing a Camping World shirt said soothingly. “It’s broken at just the right place. Come on back and we’ll check you in right now.”

It was easy. Mommy was already in their computer. They took Mommy’s keys and we sat down. For the first two hours, I had fun doing my tricks and helping Mommy tell people about Jesus. Then, I got tired of being on a leash.

I barked. Mommy ignored me. Then I howled. She shushed me. I twisted to get out of the collar and she scolded me. She started reading her book and I tried to chew my way out of the leash.

“Stop it Shiloh!” Mommy commanded. “Leave it.”

Finally, the nice man sat by Mommy. “We have your generator running. It’s perfect for now. Your fuel pump had gone dry and we had to prime it. We think it overheated and shut off. It probably means the fuel pump is going bad but we can’t be sure. It may work fine for 6 months or may break tomorrow. It’s expensive to replace because we have to take out the generator. What do you want us to do?”

“I leave my dog in there. I can’t take chances. I can’t do my work if I can’t leave her in the camper.”

“I understand,” the man said sadly. “A bad air conditioner cost me the best dog I ever had.”

“In a camper?”

“No, it was a garage shed,” he said with tears in his eyes. “It was too hot outside so I put my dog in an air conditioned garage shed. I was trying to keep her safe but the air conditioner broke." Best sales pitch ever (just kidding - he was nice and sincere) but Mommy had already decided to replace the fuel pump.

“It’s too late to put it in today. You can stay behind our building. We have hook ups and everything. I’ll drive your camper around back.”

“Stop it Shiloh!” Mommy said as we walked to the camper. Didn’t she understand that I wanted that leash off?

“Walk with me!” I quit pulling but wasn’t happy.

Mommy opened the door and I jumped in. She took off the leash while she was stepping in. We both spotted the open refrigerator door at the same time.

“How did that door get open?” Mommy wailed trying to beat me to the food scattered all over the floor. In her haste to keep me from eating everything, Mommy forgot to close the camper door.

This was when I lost it. Freedom was within reach. Mommy grabbed food and never even saw me leave.

 “Shiloh, Shiloh, where are you? Here, here!” I turned and looked but ran.

She ran and called louder and I could tell she was scared. She pulled the treats out of her pocket. “Treat, Shiloh. Treat!”

Really? I’d passed up the chicken salad and bacon for freedom. Did she think I was going to give up freedom for mere treats? The campers were bigger than Hallelujah and I ran under and around them. A man tried to catch me. Mommy kept running and yelling. People were staring. A big truck drove by pulling a camper and Mommy screamed. I looked but ran again.

Here’s the problem. Running away used to be fun. I’m fast and I forget about Mommy. Everything was different now. I still ran but it wasn’t as fun. Mommy says that following Jesus might not stop you from sinning but it will ruin it for you. I found that out. I kept looking back at Mommy and pinned my ears back. I made sure I could always see her.

All of a sudden, Mommy ran in the opposite direction. “Bye Shiloh. I bet you can’t catch me.” I chased after her. She slowed and tried to catch me and I jumped back just in time. She started running away again. She stopped and I backed up. She showed me the treat and I ran away again but she ran away from me again. This time I got too close. She lunged and right there on the cement, she fell on top, picked me up, and carried me back to the camper.

Here’s the real truth. I was glad to be in that camper with Mommy. It was hot outside. I ran to the water bowl and drank. Chasing Mommy was just what I needed to get her to carry me home.

Mommy and I meet people all the time who are running from God. They are doing things that the Bible says in sin. Mommy says sin is missing God’s mark. These people try to act like they are having fun but I’m a dog. We sense things. They aren’t happy. Sin is like that. It sucks you in by promising fun and then traps you by whispering that you can’t get out.

If you are running from God, try chasing someone running in the opposite direction. Jesus will joyfully fall on you, put His arms around you, pick you up, and carry you back to safety.

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Rough Road Ahead

By Shiloh The Shepherd’s Sheep Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

“Traffic jams in the mountains usually mean something terrible has happened,” Mommy muttered as we sat there. We waited for over an hour as one by one, they turned each car around. I warned Mommy about everything passing us but she didn’t seem to appreciate it.

“I have no idea how to get where I’m going,” Mommy told the man when it was her turn to turn around. Since Mommy usually tells people how to get to heaven, I knew she probably wasn’t talking about heaven.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

Mommy, I thought. That’s what you usually ask.

“The KOA Campground.”

 “It sure is going to take you a lot longer to get there,” he said.

Mommy sighed. “It really will take a long time if I don’t how to do it. I don’t see but one way there on the map and I tried reprogramming the GPS with a roadblock but it just says route unavailable.”

The man rattled off a series of several highways, towns, and turns. I’ve traveled enough with Mommy to know she still didn’t know how to get there. It sure would have been easier just to tell him how to get to heaven.

“Please say that again,” Mommy begged. The man looked hot and tired but he repeated it.

Mommy turned Hallelujah around and immediately called Daddy.

“Reroute Tom Tom using the roadblock feature,” Daddy suggested.

Mommy sighed again. “That was the first thing I tried. Tom Tom doesn’t think it can be done. The worker seemed to think it could.”

“Where are you?” Daddy asked.

“I don’t know. Hang on.” I knew Daddy was sighing. Everyone is happier now that Tom Tom has a Where Am I? button.

When Mommy finally told Daddy where she was, he was quiet for a few minutes. “It sure is going to take you a lot longer to get there.”

 “That’s what the man said. I know the first two turns but remember nothing after that.”

“What are the turns he told you about?”

“I’ve already made them.”

“But what where they?”

“Bob!” Mommy said. “Breathe. I can hear your blood pressure rising through the phone. I’m safe.” She told him what the worker said.

“OK,” Daddy said. “I see what he’s doing. Here’s what you do.” He repeated the instructions a couple of times. Mommy kept getting confused and suddenly lost cell coverage. Poor Daddy and Mommy.

“Shiloh, we’ve got to do this on our own,” Mommy said. No we weren’t. We had God. He would help Mommy remember. Besides, eventually Tom Tom would find us.

“This road sure is bumpy.” She didn’t have to tell me that! Mommy quietly concentrated on navigating the bumpy twisty roads, remembering what Daddy said, and avoiding colliding with the bumper-to-bumper frustrated drivers in both directions having the same problem.

“Oh no,” Mommy wailed. “The sign says rough road for the next 3.5 miles. How much rougher can it get?” I’m young but even I have learned not to ask that.

I thought about our first year together. It was like that bumpy road. We thought it was bad with all the twists and turns but along came a sign that said Rough Road Ahead and sure enough, the road got rougher.

When I first moved in, Mommy had been on a bumpy road. She was still sad about my older sister Belle and her Aunt Ka Ka dying. Mommy tried to train and play with me but it was hard to enjoy my puppy antics when she was so sad.

Just as she was getting better, the road got rough again when Granpap got sick. We rushed to Jacksonville to take care of him. Mommy went to the hospital and I spent most of my days in the laundry room. When Granpap got better, we went back to State College and I was happy because I had Mommy back.

Then Mommy got sick. She was in the hospital a week. This time, I was locked in the apartment bathroom during the day. When Mommy finally came home, she had to rest. I kept doing what puppies do and Mommy wasn’t very happy.

Finally, Mommy got better and we left for our first journey. I’ll admit I didn’t behave very well that first week but in my defense, Mommy’s rough road had caused my training to be bumpy.

We had enjoyed the first 10 days of the trip when suddenly the phone rang and there was another sign –Rough Road Ahead.” Grandpap had had a stroke. We were in Texas and made a mad dash for Jacksonville. Mommy went to the hospital and I went to the laundry room. In just three days, Granpap went to heaven. I stayed in the laundry room as Mommy and Uncle Vaughan made funeral arrangements and tried to take care of Ginny.

I wondered if our rough road would get smoother but it got rougher when Ginny was rushed to the hospital. Just 29 days after Granpap went to heaven, Ginny joined him there and I went back to the laundry room while Mommy and Uncle Vaughan made more funeral arrangements.

Mommy was sad a long time. She leaned on God and gradually got better. She started training and playing with me again. I got to meet a Mommy who wasn’t having to concentrate so hard on navigating bumpy roads. This Mommy was fun and I wanted to learn from her. I got excited when I realized what an important job I had – I got to tell people about Jesus. We were both excited when we led the first person to Jesus together.

But back to the rough road in New York. We arrived safely and Mommy finally got to call Daddy. His directions had saved the day but you and I both know that it was nothing short of a miracle that Mommy found her way through dozens of mountain roads without Daddy or a GPS.

Since we left home 6 days ago, Mommy and I have led 5 people to Jesus together and talked to many more. I’m not perfect – I still get too excited about birds and Mommy doesn’t like it that I can get out of every restraint she puts on me but at least I’m listening to her. We’re a team! Mommy says all Christians are a team too and everyone needs to do their part proclaiming what the Bible says about salvation.

We found out later that like Mommy suspected, a terrible accident had caused our roadblock. I sure hope someone had told the people who died in that accident about Jesus. Their rough road either ended forever because there are no more tears in heaven or the road just became unbearably horrible.

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Incorrigible

by Shiloh the Shepherds Sheep Dog

 
He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Rom 13:2

Mommy says I am incorrigible.  She says it because I won’t listen to her. I chew up carpet, shoes, and baby toys. What can I say – it is fun. If they leave a door open, I run outside and dare them to catch me. You have no idea what it feels like to streak through vacant lots, across streets, and in lakes. I bark – at stars, airplanes, geese, animals, and even the fog. Barking is the only way I have to express my joy, fear, or interest. I refuse to walk quietly on a leash and have been known to pull Mommy down. Is it my fault if I am stronger than her? I don’t like it when Mommy has her prayer time because she ignores me so I’m especially bad then. If I bark loud enough, she will eventually get out of her prayer chair and give me attention. I also steal food. I climb up on the table and stand up to counters to snatch anything I can find. Daddy says he isn't fast or smart enough to be be my daddy. What that means is that I stay in trouble all the time with Mommy and Daddy.

They have tried to teach me. They took me to puppy school. I know what the words mean but those silly words are meant to stop me from having fun. They have tried everything to stop me from chewing and barking. Squirt guns, shock collars, bottles filled with pennies, newspaper, and the word no don’t scare me at all. I have to admit that the muzzle stops me from barking and chewing but I know a secret – Mommy and Daddy feel guilty for using it so I’m not really worried. Mommy says I am the strongest willed dog she has ever had.

Here is the thing – I am tired of being in trouble all the time. I know Mommy and Daddy are supposed to be the boss but I want to do what I want. Mommy said according to the the Bible, if I am rebelling against authority, I am rebelling against God. That can't be good. I heard Mommy and Daddy talking and they say I am getting a little better but they still don't think I'm ready to be a Missionary Dog. I hope they are right that I'm getting better. I do want to be a Missionary Dog. I also like it when they cuddle with me or give me treats. The problem is that I don’t like cuddling and treats as much as I like chewing, barking, escaping, and stealing food. Would you pray for me?

I Can't Stop

Checotah, Oklahoma By Shiloh the Shepherd's Sheepdog

 

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. Romans 7:14-17


I know what is right. I want to do the right thing. Why don’t I do it? I try and can be good for a little while, but something builds up inside and suddenly, I’m doing what I don’t want to be doing. I can’t stop.

I Ruin Our Walks

Take our lovely walks outside. Mommy says, “Look at me. Walk with me.” At first, I walk with her. With each step, it gets harder. Finally, when I think Mommy isn’t watching, I snap and bolt as fast and hard as I can. I’ve jerked the leash out of Mommy’s hands. Usually she hangs on, which means I jerk Mommy. I jerked the leash when she was stepping down out of the camper and now her back hurts. She tried using a short leash and wrapping it around her hand. Her hand is swollen and has a red welt around it. Once, I’ve even made her bleed. When I run, I know what is coming. If Mommy holds onto the leash, when the leash runs out, that nasty collar is going to grab my neck. It hurts – really hurts. I don’t like the pain but I do it anyway. Oh – and I’ve chewed through one leash and have started chewing through another one. Mommy says she can’t afford to keep buying leashes.

I Fight the Collar

I kept slipping out of a regular collar so Mommy bought a harness collar. Not only could I get out of that harness, I chewed through it. Mommy bought a harness that clips to the leash and collar. When each metal clips clangs into place, I feel like I’m being put in shackles. It is my own fault. Why do I keep doing these things?

I Am a Bad Houseguest

We visited our new friend, Ruth. I loved her. When we got inside her house, Mommy let me go free. I know how to act in a house so why did I keep chewing things up, eating her plants, and chasing the cat?  I even knew what was coming. Mommy finally had to use the leash inside. Neither of us liked that. When she heated up her milk at night, I jerked her and the hot milk burned her. Isn’t that terrible?  I love Mommy.

I Bark Too Much

I’m supposed to help Mommy tell people about Jesus. I want to help and yet, when they walk up, all I seem to be able to do is bark. I’m a really good barker so they can’t hear Mommy talk.

Is something wrong with me?  I do the things I don’t want to do. I hurt Mommy and me. I long to be good. I agree with Mommy about what is good which makes me feel even worse when I do the wrong thing.

I got a little hope when we went to the dog park. Mommy let me go free and when she called, I came back every time. It felt good. Also, I’ve learned to potty outside. Don’t you think those are good signs? Is there hope for me?

The amazing thing is that Mommy still loves me no matter what I do. She scolds me when I do the wrong thing but she loves me anyway. She lets me sleep with her and cuddles with me when we wake up. She kisses me and buries her face in my mane. When I mind, she gives me yummy treats. When I get dirty, she washes me. She picks burrs out of my fur and checks me for vermin. She feeds me and gives me water. Now that I think about it, I love Mommy even when she scolds me.

Maybe if Mommy keeps teaching me, I will eventually be able to do what I really want to do – to delight my mommy. If you have any suggestions for me, tell my mommy, Cheryle and she’ll tell me.

My Side of the Story

By Shiloh the Shepherd’s Sheltie  

 See How Dirty I Got!

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

First, I have to tattle. Mommy is making me write this story. I think she hopes that I will have some kind of spiritual “aha moment” and realize how wrong it was. Well, I knew it was wrong when I did it. I chose to do it anyway. Also, I want to be honest with you. It might not be right but I will do it again at the very next chance.

I do hope that this story might help some of you. My mommy is a “Worried Mommy.” I am the cause of that worry. Maybe some of you are “Worried Mommies” too. If I share my story and why I did what I did, it might help you to understand the children you are worried about.

Even though I just admitted that I did something bad on purpose, let me assure you Mommy is a good mommy. She loves dogs and knows how to train us. She has done her best. I understand what she wants me to do. The problem is, like people, dogs have free will too. I know what mommy wants me to do. I even know why. It is just that I want I want so much, I ignore her

Are you wondering what I did? I scared Mommy to death, caused her to miss church, made her so mad that she threatened to leave me at the campground, embarrassed her because she had to chase me in her pajamas, and caused her to have to clean the camper, herself, and me. Mommy would never leave me. I knew she would always be waiting for me with open arms.

She told me to “wait” and opened the camper door just wide enough to step outside. I bolted. I heard her call my name but I saw the woods, mountains, and stream. There were birds in the trees and berries to eat. I felt free. It had been raining and I’d been cooped up in a tiny camper. This was my moment and I deliberately ignored my mommy’s wail. I did feel bad about scaring her but it was too much fun to stop.

The water in the stream felt cold on my shoulders but tasted so good that I couldn’t stop drinking. Why does Mommy pay money for my water when I could drink something this wonderful? Mommy screamed as I ate berries. Didn’t she know that they were delicious?

I am bred to run up and down hills chasing sheep. It seemed crazy to waste these wonderful mountains and woods.  I was vaguely aware of things sticking to and onto me as I ran through the thick bushes but the sheer joy of racing free made the pain worth it.

Mommy got my treats and yelled, “Treats Shiloh.” Nothing was as big a treat as running up and down those stairs and teasing Mommy by hiding behind the chairs in the campground amphitheater. Occasionally, she’d throw a treat hoping I’d get distracted. I wasn’t fooled by her tricks.

She yelled things like, “Sit Shiloh!” “Here!” “Wait!” Yea, right. I knew what was going to happen if I listened to that.

I knew Mommy was desperate when she resorted to lying. “Shiloh, Daddy’s here! He has Rascal.” Sorry Mommy. I was with you when you took Rascal to the Doggy Hotel and know that daddy is on a ship in the ocean. If he can run free in an ocean, why can’t I run free in West Virginia?

I was worried that Mommy kept chasing me up and down mountains and amphitheater stairs so every few minutes, I ran back and got about 10 feet from her before running again. She accused me of taunting her, which wasn’t fair. I wanted to let her know I was OK so she would stop running.

I will admit that running through the barbed wire fence and into the warehouse parking lot wasn’t one of my better ideas. That barbed wire hurt.

I might still be free if that silly beagle hadn’t tricked me by barking to call me over. It was a total set up. I ran over to play with him and Mommy snuck up behind and grabbed me.

Mommy hugged me and scolded me all at the same time. I was muddy and covered in sticky stuff so she got muddy and covered in sticky stuff. I suddenly realized how much the thorns hurt. I was cold. Mommy tried to clean me up with a towel and water but it was hopeless. My fur had never been dirty before and I didn’t like it. Mommy had missed the 9:45 church but she dumped me in the camper and ran to the shower to get dressed for the next service. I sat there alone thinking about what I did and wondering if my romp had been worth it. I got the answer a few minutes later when Mommy opened the camper door just a tiny bit. I took off and started the fun all over again.

Mommy is mad but technically, I was still doing my job as a evange-dog. I heard Mommy stopping to talk about Jesus with the people who were helping her try to catch me. Does it really matter how I help her give the Gospel as long as I help? Without me running away, she would never have met those people.

My fun lasted an hour and a half. I played an hour before the beagle tricked me. I played thirty more minutes the second time, decided I was done, and used my free will to come home. Mommy has spent the last two days picking things out of my fur, the camper, her hair, and her pajamas. She bought special antibacterial soap and a dog brush and comb and bathed me in a hotel bathtub. 

I know Mommy is scared every time she opens the camper door. She is worried that I’ll get lost, that a car will hit me, an animal will eat me, or that I’ll eat poison berries and die. I suppose those things could happen but they didn’t so if I get the chance, I will run again. I watch that door when she goes in or out.

If you are a "Worried Mommy" too, maybe your child is like me. Maybe he or she just likes being free too much. I love my mommy. Mommy has taught me that we are only truly free in Christ but trust me, it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like I’m free when I’m running wild. It feels like I’m trapped when I’m doing what Mommy says to do. Mommy says that I’ll enjoy life more when I learn to follow directions and live right but until I figure that out for myself, I’ll just keep running free and scaring my wonderful Mommy to death.

If your child is scaring you, it probably isn’t because you did anything wrong. It isn’t personal and doesn’t mean your child doesn’t love you. It just means that doing what we want feels really good, even when it is causing us pain. I know you are probably hoping that the pain of running free will teach us a lesson but once you’ve tasted that kind of sheer freedom to living without rules, it takes a lot pain make us stop. I know it sounds dumb but it is the truth.

If you are a “Worried Mommy,” there are things you can do. You can pray. If you are really brave, ask God to do whatever it takes for us to get on the right track. Keep loving us. Stop the lectures because they don’t help and you already taught us those lessons anyway. Quite feeling like you are a bad mommy. You taught us right. If we truly come home, welcome us back with love.

If you are a “Worried Mommy” and want to talk about the child that is scaring you to death, my mommy has lots of experience with that and will be happy to talk to you. Email Cheryle
Pray for Mommy while I am growing up. I can’t promise to always do the right thing but I’ll tell you the truth about what I’m doing and learning.


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Preparing For God’s Work

Written in State College, Pennsylvania

By Shiloh the Shepherd’s Sheepdog

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. --Ephesians 4:10-13 (NIV)

Hi. Mommy wants me to introduce myself so I will. I’m Shiloh the Shepherd’s Sheepdog. I was born on March 4, 2013. My mommy is an evangelist and she helps prepare God’s people to evangelize. God was preparing me to help Mommy even before she had to say goodbye to my big sister, Belle the Missionary Dog, on March 15, 2013. I moved in with my new Mommy and Daddy on April 29, 2013. I have big shoes to fill but Mommy assures me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Mommy is working hard to teach me what to do. I don’t like the words “sit,” “no,” and “drop it” but I understand them. Mommy says that if I wouldn’t run off with everything, she wouldn’t have to say, “drop it.” She says “no” when I drag Rascal the Cat around by his tail. She has no idea how much fun that is. She tells me to “sit” when strangers walk up to us but so far, I haven’t been able to do that.

Apparently, people on Facebook helped Mommy pick my name. Shiloh means “The Gift.” The Shepherd in my name refers to Jesus. I think my entire name means that I’m a gift meant to serve Jesus. Mommy says that if she hadn’t already picked my name, she would be calling me “Sassy.” Okay, I’ll admit it. When she tells me what to do, I like to talk back. I guess I’m still being “prepared” for my work.

I think I’m going to like my job because I love traveling. I’ve already driven from Pennsylvania to Florida and back twice. It was fun. My first missionary journey begins in July 15, 2013. Mommy says that campers are small and my most important job in the beginning is to remember to potty outside. Mommy needs to remember that I’m still a puppy and have to be walked more often than my big sister Belle. If we work together on this, I think I can reach that goal.

Mommy also says I have to stop barking at strangers, sit, and let them pet me. We need to share Jesus with strangers. That is really hard because I’m a sheep dog. I’m built to protect. Mommy keeps reminding me that she isn’t a sheep. Maybe if she would introduce me to a real sheep, I would understand the difference.

The only writing I’ve done so far is Tweeting but Mommy encouraged me to write this. She says I’m supposed to write what I see, learn, and think. That seems easy enough. I see Mommy working hard to train me for our journey. I’ve learned that I have to lot to learn to prepare for this special calling. I think I am blessed to be Shiloh the Shepherd’s Sheepdog. You can follow my journey at missionarydog.blogspot.com.