We Say Ouch For Jesus

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy – Cheryle M. Touchton


Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-14 NIV

Mommy and I spend a lot of time in our tiny camper, Halleluiah. Sometimes Daddy and Rascal the Cat travel with us. Our job is to travel America, telling people about Jesus. Outside of Halleluiah, the word I hear the most is “Jesus.” Inside, I hear “ouch.”

“Bob,” Mommy said. “My head always hurts right on top. It feels like a bruise.” Maybe Mommy doesn’t know how many times she says “ouch” when she steps into Halleluiah. By now she should know to duck her head.

“Ouch!” Daddy said. “You left the cabinet open again.” Daddy wasn’t talking to me.

“Bob,” Mommy said. “I’m so sorry. You’re bleeding again.” By now, Daddy should know that Mommy leaves cabinets open.

I yelled “ouch” later when she left that same cabinet open and everything came flying at me when Mommy turned a corner.

They keep Rascal the Cat’s food up on the counter because they know I like his food better than mine. If Rascal is eating and we stop quickly, Rascal yells “ouch” as he falls off the counter. Personally, I think they could solve that problem by letting me eat Rascal’s food.

The table has 4 corners that pop up to make it bigger. Mommy and Daddy both yell “ouch” about half the time they open a corner because it has a spring that pinches. If they worked less at that table, they’d get pinched less.

When Daddy joins us, he spends most of his time fixing things on Halleluiah. I hear “ouch” a lot when he is working in such tiny places. Those hammers and screwdrivers look like they hurt so I guess I can’t blame Halleluiah for fighting back.

If we’re parked on a hill and Mommy opens a cabinet, she yells “ouch” when cans fall on her. She could solve that problem by eating dry food like me.

Mommy yells “ouch” when she dumps Halleluiah, plugs Halleluiah in, hooks up the water, plugs in cable, climbs on the hood to wash the window, swats a bug, or sits up in bed and hits the light. She stays bruised, bitten, scratched, bleeding, and sore. I yell “ouch” when we stop quickly and I fall off the seat or Mommy trips over me because we try to stand the same place at the same time. Living in a tiny camper is painful. You may be wondering why we are willing to say “ouch” so often.

The answer to that is easy. We say “ouch” for Jesus. Saying “ouch” is the price tag for doing what God tells us to do. When someone says “yes” to Jesus, saying “ouch” for Jesus seems like a small price to pay.
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

Donate

They Were Both Right

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy – Cheryle M. Touchton

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:2-3 NIV

Mommy and Daddy are funny when they camp. Mommy spends more time in the camper so she thinks she knows more about camping than Daddy. Daddy is used to knowing more about everything so he thinks he knows best. When they get to talking about how to do something on Halleluiah, they don’t listen to each other. Being a dog, I know there is more than one way to skin a cat. Most of the time, they are both right and either way would work just fine. I get bored waiting on them to pick a way.

That last time Daddy camped with us, we needed to dump Halleluiah’s holding tanks. Daddy was in our little car and Mommy was driving Halleluiah so Mommy followed Daddy to the dump station. Daddy pulled in first, got out of the car, and waved for Mommy to drive around the circle to the left.

When Mommy pulled to the right, Daddy jumped in front of her and used both pointer fingers to try to make her go left. Mommy didn’t want to run over Daddy and she didn’t want to go left so she stopped.

Daddy got that smile he gets when he explains something to two-year-old Abigaile and walked over to the window. “Honey, the hose is on the driver’s side. If you pull to the right, you’ll be on the wrong side.”

“Honey,” Mommy said. “I know what side the hose is on. I live in this camper five months a year. If I pull to the right, the hose will be next to the dump station.”

“Cheryle,” Daddy said, making a wide circle with his arms. “You have to go that way or you’ll be turned wrong.”

“Bob, what are you talking about? Look!” Mommy pointed to the dump station.

Daddy looked to where Mommy was pointing and said, “Oh. They have two. Look over there.” He pointed to the other side.

It was Mommy’s turn to say, “Oh.” They were looking at two different dump stations. They were both right. They went to laughing and Mommy decided to give in. She went left. Good thing no one was waiting in line behind us.

The Bible says we should be humble. I think part of being humble means you listen to the people around you. Would someone tell Mommy and Daddy that camping would be easier on all of us if they would just listen to each other? After all, they are both pretty smart.
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

Donate

Stop and Smell the Bears

By Belle Touchton
The Missionary Dog

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Ps 23:2-3 NIV

Why is Mommy always in a rush? Doesn’t she understand that life was meant to be lived one sniff at a time? We live in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is full of lovely smells. Squirrels, deer, raccoons, chipmunks, cats, dogs, and even a bear play in our yard. God would not have given me such glorious smells if He hadn’t wanted me to take the time to enjoy them. Would someone tell Mommy to stop rushing me?

“Belle!” Mommy demands. “Walk! Hurry up and walk!”

I keep sniffing. I know I’m supposed to mind Mommy but she doesn’t understand. If I hurry up and walk, she’ll make me come inside. I’ll never get to stop and smell the bears. Life is too short to miss the bears.

Mommy is not the only human who rushes. You know who you are! Mommy and I travel all over the country and I see you. When you walk, you usually stare straight ahead and rush. When you drive and have to stop for a red light, why do you stare at the light? You can’t make it change. Why not look around and enjoy the world?

I wish you could see what I see. Did you know that if you look into the eyes of a homeless person, you can tell they’re good at giving hugs? By the way – they smell good too. Sometimes I bark just to try to get you to look up. You couldn’t really want to miss the birds, squirrels, and butterflies. Did you know that tiny flowers peek their heads through cracks in the sidewalk? Sometimes a mouse is hiding behind a rock hoping that snake doesn’t see him. Spiders catch flies and children play hopscotch. God sends adventures everywhere and most people miss them.

God said to take the time to lie down in green pastures. I don’t just lie down in green pastures, I stretch out and roll over and over. Sometimes Mommy gets mad about that too but I listen to God. He knows what feels good. God promised to lead us to still waters and restore our souls. Bears go to those still waters to drink. Maybe God leads us to still waters so we can stop and smell the bears.
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Belle’s mommy is Cheryle M. Touchton. Cheryle is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries and known as the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady. She and the Missionary Dog Belle travel the country as missionaries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Belle the Missionary Dog and the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Dog People Need Dogs and People Dogs Need People

By Belle Touchton
The Missionary Dog

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; Isa 43:1 NIV

Some people are dog people. They like and need us. You know who you are and so do I. Most people like me. I’m clean, smell good, and let’s face it, I’m cute. To a dog person, I’m completely irresistible.

I’m a people dog. I love attention. I want to sit in your lap. I love it when you hug me cheek to cheek. Barry Edwards is a dog person. I’m a people dog. You’d think that we’d get along great but every time I see him for the first time, I dart behind Mommy’s legs. Does anyone want to know why?

I have a problem. Maybe if I admit it, it will get better. I am afraid of things – silly things. Since I’m an adventurous traveler, a writer, and a TV star, I know this surprises you but it’s true. I don’t like umbrellas. Tall people scare me to death. I love children and most women but it takes a while to relax around men older than age 40. I love Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds but Chihuahuas scare me to death. I love homeless men and women but a tall man wearing a suit sends me scurrying behind Mommy’s legs. I told you it was silly.

Barry is married to my Mommy’s best friend, Nancy, so sometimes, we spend time together. I should love Barry but Barry is tall and always wears suits. Poor Barry. When he sees me, he begs me to get into his lap. He feeds me people treats, even though Mommy and Nancy scold him. It makes no sense. Nancy isn’t even a dog person and I love her.

On our last visit to Atlanta, I didn’t get over my Barry fear until I faced it. Mommy and Nancy left me at Nancy’s house alone all day. I was so lonely. When I heard someone in the garage, I started barking with joy. When Barry came through the door, my heart went to pounding and my barks changed.

“Hi Belle,” Barry said as he leaned over to pet me. I jumped back. He sat on the couch and called by name. “Belle, here Belle.” He patted the couch.

I didn’t to know what to do. I knew what he wanted. I’d been alone all day and needed a hug. Barry seemed nice and he wasn’t so tall when he sat down. Maybe it would be OK. Finally, I got up my nerve and jumped on the couch. It was wonderful. He put his arms around me and I turned over on my back so he could rub my tummy. Barry cuddles even better than Mommy. Why had I been afraid? What was wrong with me? I’ll tell you what – the devil uses fear to keep me from wonderful Barry hugs.

Mommy says fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. God says not to be afraid. God calls us by name just like Barry called me by name. I think fear causes me to miss the fun God has planned for me. Maybe if I trust God and Mommy more, I’d meet more dog people like Barry. Dog people need dogs and people dogs need people. None of us need fear.

I’ve decided to let go of fear. I’m trying really hard to trust God and Mommy. You may be wondering why do I do so well as a Missionary Dog with so many fears. That’s an easy question. I’m well trained and love treats. I obey Mommy and God so I do my job anyway. I just think I’d enjoy it a lot more if I let go of my silly fears. Would you pray for me?
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Belle’s mommy is Cheryle M. Touchton. Cheryle is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries and known as the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady. She and the Missionary Dog Belle travel the country as missionaries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Belle the Missionary Dog and the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

I'm the Star

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:2 NIV

Finally, someone realized how important I was. We arrived at the television studio and my name was on the dressing room door. I was the star of the show.

“She’s so pretty,” the woman at the front desk cooed as I pranced in.

Of course I am, I thought. Do you know how many hours I spent at the groomers?

“Can I pet her?” a little boy asked. I sat down and allowed him the privilege of rubbing my adorable head.

Usually Mommy makes television shows alone and I have to wait in Halleluiah. I wondered when someone was going to recognize my star quality. I’d been preparing for this moment all of my life.

My name is Belle Touchton and I’m the Missionary Dog. I travel with my mommy telling people about Jesus. We live in our camper, Halleluiah several months a year. My job is to look cute, do my tricks, and let everyone know how happy you can be when you follow Jesus.

This was my first TV show but I’m not new to the stage. I help Mommy at Bible Schools and children’s camps and events. We sing songs and tell people about Jesus. When Mommy sings “My Best Friend is Jesus,” I bark every time she sings Jesus. We sing ,“If Belle loves Jesus she can sit (or speak or get my tail or whatever Mommy says)” to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Mommy tells boys and girls how to take Jesus’ hand and I offer my paw to Mommy to demonstrate. It’s pretty cool and I’m good at this, if I do say so myself.

The boys and girls loved me. The cameraman loved me. In fact, everyone loved me. We practiced ahead of time so the children would know when they could touch me and when to sing. Mommy didn’t want me distracted but she didn’t have to worry. I knew my job. The name of the show was Smile of a Child and I know how to make a child smile.

The set was cute. It had colored blocks all around the word Jesus. Mommy and I did our thing on a rug surrounded by children sitting on the blocks. It took all day but I didn’t mind because Mommy fed me treats. Mommy keeps treats in one pocket and quarters in the other. I don’t understand why the children liked her pocket full of quarters best. They wouldn’t even try my pocket full of treats.

I was good. No – I was fabulous. I barked, danced, twirled, sat, and lay all at exactly the right time. When we left, everyone knew who the real star was. I knew my life was about to change. No more waiting on Mommy. I’d be invited into churches, television stations, and even restaurants. After all, I was Belle, the star Missionary Dog.

We finished the show and drove to a campground in Pittsburg. Mommy was supposed to speak on Saturday morning. When we woke up, she got dressed and I waited for her to brush me. She never did. We drove to the Community Center and she parked Halleluiah. I stood by the door waiting for my leash. When Mommy turned on the air conditioner, I started barking. Had she forgotten I was the star? Then, she locked Hallelujah and left me. Nooooo, I howled as she left.

When she finished, we drove to our house. Our missionary journey was over. Rascal the Cat greeted me at the door, smug that he’d been with Daddy all summer. Mommy put my food on the floor next to his. On Sunday morning, she didn’t take me to church. No more TV shows. No restaurants. In fact, now that we’re home, Mommy doesn’t take me very many places at all. What happened?

Lying next to the back door, waiting for Mommy to get home, I finally figured it out. Everyone who loves Jesus is His star. Sometimes we get to go on stage. Sometimes we wait alone by ourselves. We can do everything Jesus asks because He makes us strong. If we do what Jesus tells us to do, we are His bright and shining star. I don’t like getting humble but God wants me humble. At the TV station, all I did was my job. Mommy prepared me by teaching me tricks. I was obedient to Mommy and God so the show was good. Maybe I’ll get another turn to make a TV show, but right now, my job is to stay home and keep Rascal out of trouble. Trust me – it’s easier to make a TV show.

I Got a Report Card

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Mic 7:7 NIV


Who ever heard of a Doggy Vacation Report Card? And what is a doggy vacation anyway? Mommy left me at Doggy Daycare for 7 days. Doggy Day Care is better than a kennel. I get to play with other dogs but I’m still without my mommy. Why would they call it a vacation? My vacations are with Mommy.

When Mommy got my 7 Doggy Vacation Report Cards, she read every word to Daddy over the phone.

“She got an excellent every day,” Mommy bragged.

What did she think I would get?

“On April 26, she played well with others!”

What else was there to do?

“She was the teacher’s pet!”

Aren’t I always?

“They say she is pretty.”

Is mommy just figuring that out?

“On April 27, she ran laps!”

No, that yappy dog ran laps. I chased him hoping to make him be quiet.

“She barks for attention,” Mommy said, sounding worried. “They said she was a bark-o-holic on Wednesday.”

Hello, I can’t talk. I have to bark.

“They said she was working on her tan on the 29th.”

Give me a break. I have hair.

“She likes snuggling.”

But I’d rather be snuggling with mommy.

Mommy picked me up on Monday. I could tell Daddy had been there. I could smell him. Why didn’t he come see me? I missed my Mommy but I guess I should stop whining. If I had to go somewhere, the Doggy Day Care was the best place I could go. 7 days felt like forever but Mommy finally came home. I did my best until she came back. I don’t know why Mommy left me but I trust her.

Sometimes I think I trust Mommy more than humans trust God. Don’t they know that God is always taking care of them? Don’t they know that even when they have to wait on God, He is working to make all things work out for them? I wonder if they get excellents on their report card while they wait.


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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call at 904 614-3585.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Mommy Is Discoraged

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 NIV


Poor Mommy. I heard her tell Daddy that she thinks she is too disorganized to do this job. She wants to quit and go home. She had such a good day yesterday. She was excited because of the 5 new Christians. It seems like whenever we have a day that good, bad things happen for the next few days. I think Satan wants Mommy discouraged.

Mommy spoke at a church today. In the middle of her presentation, she hit the cord that connected her computer to her projector and the projector went flying off the table, bounced onto the stage and then onto the floor below. Mommy told Daddy that everyone gasped when it happened. Mommy looked at the expensive projector lying on the floor and said aloud, “That isn’t good.” Everyone laughed and she continued her presentation without her pictures. At least she was almost done. Pieces of the case and one of the feet broke off but the projector works. Mommy blamed herself because she’d put the projector on unevenly stacked hymn books on a tiny table.

We’d lived in hotels for 2 nights because Mommy had to speak early in the mornings. We drove all day yesterday. We were rushing to get to each place so Mommy just threw everything in the back of Halleluiah. It was such a mess that I had trouble finding somewhere to sleep. When we got to our campground today, Mommy started fixing Halleluiah. People had donated money, bought books, and filled out cards to be on our mailing list. When Mommy gets in what Daddy calls “Speak Space,” she gets forgetful. She had stuffed left over books, money, and information cards in brief cases, boxes, on the seat, and in her purse. I also saw her put both sets of camper keys in her purse. Daddy’s warned Mommy to always keep one set in the camper and I knew this wasn’t going to end well.

After about 2 hours of organizing, Mommy got worried. She was missing a business card from a pastor who wanted to be on our mailing list, a $25 donation check, and worst of all, Daddy’s camper keys. She searched for 2 hours. The good news is that her computer and projector cases, the 3 book boxes, and the shelves of Halleluiah are completely organized again. The bad news is that Mommy didn’t find anything she was missing.

Her best friend Nancy called while she was in the middle of searching. Nancy tried to calm Mommy down and when that didn’t work, she called our hotel from the night before to ask if they had the keys. They didn’t.

Mommy told Nancy that the only way to get more keys is to put in a different alarm system. Mommy told Daddy that only having one set of keys messes up her whole system because she keeps 1 set on a rope to wear around her neck when she goes to the shower and the other in her purse.

“I feel terrible,” Mommy told Nancy. “That woman was nice enough to give us $25 and now I lost it. I can get the preacher’s information from my cousin but the big problem is the keys.”

To Daddy she said, “Maybe I can’t do this. My life is too confusing. What if I can’t keep up with things anymore?”

Mommy speaks for a nursing home tomorrow and a television show on Tuesday. I think Satan wants her to stop doing what she is doing and I also think Mommy should just stomp her foot at that nasty old Satan. I don’t know why mommy is surprised she lost things. She has always has trouble keeping up with things after she speaks. When she leads people to Christ, she doesn’t come down to earth for hours. My opinion is that when she gets that close to God, she forgets about human things like zipping her purse. I was worried when she planned events for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in 3 different states. I knew Mommy would do a good job but I also knew she was going to lose and break things.

If you know my Mommy, I’d like to ask some favors. First, pray for her. Next, would you remind her that that she is good at what she does and God wants her to keep doing it. Also, remind her that she’s always gotten discombobulated about details when she is in that place where she steps outside herself and lets God work. If you have some suggestions for how Mommy can keep up with things, you could pass them on to her. Tell her that she has been sick, that her mother-in-law just died, and if all this happened to anyone else, she’d be offering comfort and encouragement. It is silly for Mommy to feel so incompetent the day after she helped 5 people get to heaven. Even losing the keys isn’t the end of the world. The Devil is lying to my Mommy. Would you help me help her?
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

My Mommy Doesn't Work This Hard At Home

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13 KJV

“Bob, where is my projector?” Mommy said into her ear bud. She must not have liked the answer. “But you wouldn’t have put it there. You knew I needed it and I can’t lower the spare tire. Even if I could, I can’t get it back up. Besides, the pin won’t ever come out for me.”

The back door was open and I stood on the seat with my head out the back window for moral support. I barked at the French Poodle across the street because I knew Mommy didn’t need company. She starts out thinking she can’t do things and by the time Daddy talks her through it, she gets it done. I know the Bible says she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her but for Mommy, I think it takes Christ and Daddy.

“Bob, I have on white pants. If you oiled the pin, I’m going to get dirty.”

Even I could guess what Daddy said next. Mommy ignored Daddy’s idea to change clothes and tugged on the pin. Of course, it popped right out.

“The pin is out and my hands are dirty. I’ll never lower the spare tire. It’s too heavy”

Poor Daddy. He can’t see Mommy but she had it lowered before she stopped whining about it.

“Those boxes of books are too heavy. I can’t lift them over the seat,” Mommy said as she pulled, grunted, and hoisted them at me.

I backed up none too soon as they plopped right where I’d been standing. Some books went crashing to the ground, knocking the phone from the back bumper to the ground.

“Shoot,” Mommy said. “Now I’ve dropped books everywhere.”

Daddy only slept 4 hours the night before and I knew his blood pressure was rising. He gets upset when Mommy messes up books. Mommy left the phone on the ground and picked up the books. They were fine.

“I found 2 boxes of books and the projector. I might as well put the camp chair back inside while I’m here. Which end of the chair goes in the bag first?”

Why does Mommy do that? She puts that chair in the bag all the time when Daddy isn’t here. OK – I’ll admit that she sometimes starts out backwards but she gets it in there. She folded up the camp table and put it behind the front seat. She pulled my leash stake out of the ground, twirled the leash around it, and put it under my seat.

“I’ll never get the tire back up,” Mommy wailed as she started lifting. “No, I’m not going to go find a man to do it for me. What do you mean use leverage? I don’t even know what leverage is and if I did, it probably involves getting my white pants dirty.” In a second, she had the tire back up, the pin back in, and her pants were still white.

“Hey, Bob,” Mommy said. “I found the Fresnel lens for the back window. It had fallen inside the back of the camper. I’ve been having trouble backing up. How does it go on?”

She listened, sighed, and said, “You know if you were here, you’d be doing all of this.” Of course he would. Daddy would rather do it than tell Mommy how to do it.

She went in the camper and got a bottle of water, a sponge, and some glass cleaner. She cleaned the window and the lens. Daddy talked her through rest. She poured water on the lens, slapped the lens on the window, and started mashing the lens to get the bubbles out. I’ve seen Daddy do this before and it took him seconds. It took Mommy 10 minutes but she did it.

Next, she went to the front of the camper and stared at the my seat. We’d been parked for days so Mommy had turned it around to sit and work. We were leaving early the next morning and I was glad Mommy was doing it now.

“I’ve never turned this front seat back around. I hope I can do it,” she said as she whipped it around and popped it into place. She went to the back of the camper and lugged all the boxes of books to the front seat floorboard. She stepped back and looked at it.

“I think if I slam on brakes, these boxes are going to crush Belle.” She listened to Daddy. “Yes, the boxes are taller than the seat. Yes, the bottom of the top box is higher than the seat.” She frowned and listened again. She took out the boxes and rearranged them the way Daddy said. I felt much better.

“Now I can’t find my phone,” Mommy said, looking everywhere. Boy did I wish I could talk. I went to the back and barked but she thought I was barking at the poodle again.

“Yes, I’m still talking on the ear bud. It can’t be far.” I relaxed when Mommy found it on the ground.

“Bob, my life is hard. I don’t know how you stand staying on the phone while I do all of this. I don’t work this hard at home.”

She’s right about that. At home, she has to go to a gym to get exercise.

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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

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It Takes a Village

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. Matt 10:11

Mommy may say yes to God about taking these trips but it takes a worthy village for Mommy to go. Our village works hard. My friend Barbara works for weeks on mailings and handouts. Gail looks for places for us to go and speak. Our Board of Directors helps us decide what to do. People send us money. Daddy works really hard on Halleluiah, Mommy’s computer, and the website. Mommy’s church commissions her. A prayer team prays. Mommy’s best friend Nancy takes all of Mommy’s frantic calls and helps her figure out what to do next. Mommy’s friend and mentor Judy keeps her focused on the next right thing God wants her to do. By the time we leave, the entire village is exhausted.

I like it when Daddy goes on the first few days. No matter how hard Mommy and I try, we need Daddy. First, Halleluiah doesn’t much like sitting still so he always starts out grumpy. He also doesn’t like Pennsylvania so making him go back to work after he thaws out from winter is tricky. He started out grumbling, groaning, and leaking. We needed Daddy to make him stop whining and do his job.

Second, we need Daddy for the technology. Mommy and I spend hours every day writing our stories and putting out pictures. This year we added blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. I think Mommy is getting carried away but she didn’t ask me. It didn’t help that the company that hosts our website moved it to a different server just before we left. Poor Mommy. Nothing worked right on the first couple of days and she doesn’t like it when people go to our website and can’t find what they need. She needed Daddy and someone at the computer company named Chris. After phone calls and e-mails, Daddy and Chris got our website working but we couldn’t have done it without Daddy. Whew. Maybe we should elect Daddy the Mayor of our village.

In case Mommy forgot to say thank you, I’ll say it. Thank you, God for asking us to go into the world and tell people about you. Thank you, Daddy for being so smart and helping so much. Thank you, Gail and Barbara for loving, praying for, and working for God with Mommy and me. Thank you to everyone who sent money to help us tell people about Jesus. Thank you, Calvary Baptist for commissioning Mommy, donating money, and praying for us. Thank you to our Board of Directors for donating, giving guidance, and praying for us. Thank you, Nancy and Judy for keeping Mommy sane. Thank you to the rest of the family for being a good sport about Mommy’s crazy ideas. Thank you, the reader, for reading this, praying for us, and letting us minister to you. Thank you to the people on the street for talking to us and petting me. Thank you Mommy for taking me with you. I love our village.

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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

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Why Do I Need Shots To Get Ready For the Journey?

By Belle Touchton The Missionary Dog
Mommy: Cheryle M. Touchton - The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. Luke 12:47 NIV


Yes - I know we have to get ready but why do I have to get shots and a bath? Every year, as Mommy gets ready for our next missionary journey, she takes me to the vet. They poke on me, stick needles in me, and look places no one should look! Then they give me a bath and clip my long lovely toenails. Would someone please help me understand why I need shots to do my job as a missionary?

Mommy and Daddy are busy. Daddy is working on Halleluiah. The door was broken so Daddy put him in the camper hospital. We live in Pennsylvania now so some of Hal’s pipes froze and Daddy had to get that fixed. Hal needed an oil change, water in all his tanks, and two different kinds of gas. Poor Halleluiah! They poked on him as much as they poked on me. He also got a bath. Is he is whining too?

Mommy went to something called a Commissioning. It must be good because she was excited. I’m a missionary too. Why doesn’t someone commission me? Aren’t I important?

Mommy is washing clothes, packing, shopping, praying, and writing. She is also getting her hair and nails done. I’m not really sure how that helps either but it seems to make her feel better. Personally, I think it is a waste of time and money but no one has asked my opinion.

Since Mommy was ignoring me, I decided to write this story. We’re leaving on Thursday. We’ll be gone 40 days. We’re heading south and then out west. Daddy will be with us for 5 days and on Easter Sunday. He’ll fly back to State College. We probably won’t see Daddy again until we get back home. I’m worried about him because he doesn’t have many friends there but he does have work, church, and his Life Group. Oh – and I guess I forgot about God – Daddy has God. Now that I think about, I have God too. Maybe I should trust God and quite whining about everything.

Mommy and the Bible say that when we know what we are supposed to do, we have to get ready and then do it. Mommy says God wants us to go on this journey and that my shots are part of getting ready. Getting ready is a lot of work and sometimes it hurts but I trust Mommy and God. When that doctor shoved that nasty needle into me, I didn’t even cry. I still don’t understand why I need shots but Mommy and God know what’s best.

We need help getting ready for this journey to share Jesus with America. We need prayers and Mommy says we still need some money. Would you help us by praying or sending money?

Donate

Thanks – I’ll be looking for you on the missionary road.


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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462. Money is ministry tool that enables us to continue this work. If this story helped or inspired you or you feel called to join forces with The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady and Belle, The Missionary Dog as they travel the missionary road, leading people to Christ, you can donate at:

Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

My Mommy Is A Tattletale

By Belle Touchton - The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. NIV

I didn't feel good.I tried to tell Mommy but she was too excited about visiting her friend Julie to pay attention. The winding steep road to Mercer Island in Washington didn’t do much good for my ailing tummy.

“Belle, this is a nice house. Mind Mommy!” she said as we drove up. As if I didn’t mind her most of the time.

This was a big house. When we got there, Mommy’s friend said, “Welcome to my palace.” It was a palace. There were pictures of Jesus everywhere so I liked it right away. Looking out at the water reminded me of our old home, Sanctuary, in Jacksonville, Florida. It was also peaceful like my Sanctuary. I could see why Mommy wanted me to mind. Everywhere, there were things I could play with if Mommy would let me. I knew she wasn’t going to let me so I didn’t even try.

What I didn’t like was that Mommy locked me in the laundry room. I didn’t understand why she kept me on a leash when we walked around the house. We don't use leashes inside. I don’t really mind my leash because it keeps me close to Mommy so I relaxed. I was relieved when she brought in my doggie pen. Mommy says dogs are cave animals. I don’t know what that means but I like my pen when Mommy leaves me alone. Mommy and Julie left me alone on Sunday. They went to church and to tell people about Jesus. I stayed in my pen without even complaining. Overall, I thought I was a pretty good sport.

Over Saturday and Sunday, my tummy got worse. I stopped eating to try to get it better but it didn’t help. I don't think Mommy noticed until it was too late. On Monday, my tummy won. I had an "accident" on the floor and it should have been obvious to Mommy that I was sick.

“Belle, what have you done to this beautiful carpet?” She sounded like she cared more about the carpet than me. I hung my head in shame. I know better but I couldn’t help it.

Mommy started cleaning, but I’d made a big mess. I couldn’t believe it when she said, “Out Blank (I can’t use the word she said) Spot.”

"Belle, don't look so shocked. I wasn't using a bad word. I was quoting a line from Hamlet’s Macbeth"

I still didn’t think it was very nice. She put her face on the carpet. Was she praying?

“Belle,” she scolded. “Why didn’t you come get me?”

I wondered why she didn’t pay more attention to me. She should have figured out I wasn’t feeling good.

“We have to tell Julie,” Mommy said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

I didn’t want Julie to know. She’d only had one dog in her entire life and here I was giving all dogs a bad name. Now another dog would probably never get to visit this beautiful peaceful palace and it would be all my fault. She’d probably never invite me back again.

“Belle, I don’t want to tell her either but it is the right thing to do. We're supposed to always tell the truth.”

She put me in my pen, marched out, and told Julie about the mess I had made. How could Mommy be such a tattletale?

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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.

© Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Discrimination Is Wrong

By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28-29 NIV


OK – I get it that some places don’t allow dogs. Many dogs are not as polite, well trained, or careful as I am and they spoil it for the rest of us. And yes – I’ll admit that dogs shed more than humans so I can understand people not wanting dog hair around. Some dogs even have disgusting fleas but I certainly don’t. Besides, some people have fleas.

My complaint is about parks that allow other animals to roam freely but they put restrictions on dogs. We went to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the only place I was allowed was on concrete. I couldn’t walk on a trail, get in the grass, and I certainly wasn’t allowed inside their buildings. I also had to be on a leash at all times. What is their problem with dogs?

While I was there, I saw prairie dogs running all over the grass. They laughed at me standing on the pavement while they got to stand on top of their hills. The buffalo make a much bigger mess than I do and their mommy wasn’t near as careful about cleaning up after them as my Mommy is. Other places make horses stay inside a pen but not this park. Theodore Roosevelt National Park allows horses to run free anywhere they please. The deer and the elk run free across the trails and leave little presents for the people to step in. No one even considered trying to keep the birds on a leash. I didn’t want to believe it but it is true. That park discriminates against dogs.

Discrimination is wrong. I know it is because the Bible says so. When Mommy reads Galatians 3:28-29, I think to myself – there is no dog nor cat, buffalo nor elk, deer nor bird, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. For people, there are laws against discrimination, so why aren’t there laws for dogs?

It isn’t fair but Mommy says life isn’t always fair and I just have to accept it if I want to find any peace. The Bible also says I’m supposed to forgive and not judge. I guess I’d better listen and forgive the park or my anger will ruin trips with Mommy. That Bible sure is smart.

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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.

© Pocket Full of Change Ministries

My Mommy Is a Duck

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "Tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matt 14:28-30 NIV


Daddy is an eagle and Mommy is a duck. Daddy loves eagles. They're all over his desk and hanging on his walls. He used to write a column called “The Eagles Nest.” He talks about soaring and soars through his life. He never gets lost. He doesn't lose anything and he can open a cereal box just the right way. Things are easy for Daddy.

Mommy wishes she were an eagle. Mommy doesn't always like it when Daddy tries to help her. He won’t let her open cereal boxes because if she does, they won't close back. He goes along behind her closing things and if she gives directions, he takes the map and checks it for himself.

Things were extra bad in Washington. Mommy was tired and woried because I was sick. She was working long hours and I was too sick to help her. In fact, she spent a lot of extra time cleaning up after me. When Mommy gets tired, she forgets things like closing cabinets, drawers, or zipping her purse. What that means is that when she drives, our van, Halleluiah, throws things at me. It also means that things fall out of her purse. That drives Daddy crazy.

“Cheryle,” he said. “Zip your purse.”

“Who do you think tells me to zip my purse when you aren’t here?”

“I don’t know, but zip your purse.”


A few minutes later, Daddy said, “Did you close that cabinet?”


“Bob,” Mommy said as she closed the cabinet. “Leave me alone.”


“But I’m just trying to help,” he said. “Remember that service is my spiritual gift. What am I supposed to do when I notice things?” Poor Daddy. I think she hurt his feelings.

“When you remind me about everything, I feel bad,” Mommy said.

Poor Mommy. Everything Daddy said was right. Her purse was open and so was the cabinet.

I think Mommy and Daddy are both smart. They both can empty the holding tanks on Halleluiah but I have to admit that when Daddy does it, it looks easier. It makes me tired to watch Mommy do it but she gets it done. Mommy gets lost but always finds her way back. She says she doesn’t have a sense of direction but it seems like it is backwards. Daddy goes somewhere once and never forgets how to get back. Maybe Mommy wishes she were more like Daddy.

I think Mommy is fine the way she is. I just think she is a duck married to an eagle. She waddles through life, having fun, looking calm, but always paddling under the water. Ducks can fly too but it looks harder. When Mommy quacks, people quack back and some even follow her. Personally, I like ducks a lot. I love Mommy. I don’t even get mad when she leaves cabinets open and things fall on me. If she would just accept the fact that she is a duck, I don’t think she’d mind letting the eagle help.

It doesn't matter if they waddle or soar, when Mommy and Daddy keep their eyes on Jesus, they both walk on water. When God gives them a job, He makes them able to get it done. Mommy and Daddy work hard to say yes to God and they help each other say yes to Him. They also love each other and both love me. Mommy is the wind beneath Daddy’s wings and Daddy is the mud beneath Mommy’s webbed feet.


==========================================================

Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.

© Pocket Full of Change Ministries