Sometimes you learn the hard way.

Cameron,
We were officially welcomed to our neighborhood last night by some thieves. Mommy came home from bible study (obviously not where these guys were) and Daddy had the garage door open. I had picked up some drinks that Daddy needed to put in a cooler, so I left it open assuming he would be going back out to deal with those. He assumed I would close it, and we all went to bed completely unaware that it was a big flashing sign that said "Come rob us!"

Your daddy was so upset this morning. They stole all his tools (some of which belonged to my dad), our lawnmower and weedeater, and worst of all, his two saddles that he won many years ago. They are truly one of a kind and irreplaceable. He totaled up a list to give for the police report and said it was worth over $3000. I am just sick to my stomach. I am sure all those things are long gone and have been sold to pawn shops by now. I hate knowing that your daddy has been so hard-working and helpful to fix things around the house, and now we will have to buy all new things. It's not like we can just stop mowing the grass until Christmas!

Even more frightening, I realize that we probably haven't been all that attentive to locking our cars or the door leading from the garage into the house. Whoever was in there most certainly could have walked right in and taken whatever they wanted from INSIDE the house too. We had Joe sleeping in our bedroom, and he wouldn't have barked or been able to do anything. It's just horrifying to think about it.

Never having lived in a neighborhood like this, we are going to have to start a new evening routine of making sure every door and window are locked and secure, garage is closed, dog is sleeping out in the yard, cars are locked. (Sorry Joe.) I am a little surprised that no neighbors would see anything or let us know that it was wide open. Maybe we just need to make an effort to talk to them all and let them know to watch out for us and we will do the same.

I am trying to see the positives. They only took things that can be replaced. For some reason, they left your daddy's very expensive Ping golf clubs sitting right in the middle of the garage. They didn't break or damage any car windows or the garage door. They didn't hurt any of us or Joe Dog. They didn't make a mess or even wake us up! (How nice our burglers were!)

And the Bible tells us this in Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

So this morning, I prayed for whoever did this to us. That if they are in a desperate situation, that God would provide them a job and an honest way to care for themselves or their family. That they would not put themselves in risky situations where a homeowner might hurt them. That God would forgive them and show them how to live a better way.

Things are just that - things. They can be replaced (though definitely not all at once!) And we will hug eachother tight and be thankful in all situations.