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Hey, it’s Jett, your favorite furry athlete and boy do I have a bone to pick with my humans.  They turned my beloved tennis court into…pickleball!  Who does that?! Gone are the fuzzy tennis balls I could sink my teeth into.  Now, it’s these hard, weird pickleballs with holes.  I tried catching one, but it kept slipping out of my mouth like soap.  And those holes?  My teeth got stuck in them!  Not cool, humans.  Not cool. Then they yelled, “Out!” So naturally, I thought, “I’ll just eat the ball.”  Nope!  Worst. Snack. Ever. But don’t worry, I’ll figure it out – right after my nap. Your pickleball – challenged pal, Jett

Hey there, it’s Jett, your favorite furry visitor! Last month, you got to meet me, and this month, I’m back to spill the beans on my hilarious summer adventures! With the thermometer hitting triple digits, I’ve become quite the cool canine – literally! I love tearing around in the sunshine, but even us energetic dogs need a break. My top trick? Dashing through the hose stream while Mom waters the plants. Picture this: a soaked, grinning me and a very unimpressed Mom. Classic, right? But wait, there’s more! I’ve discovered that rolling around in the shaded grass is the ultimate cool-down move. It’s like my version of a spa day, with the added bonus of looking absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, it’s a sight to behold! And my pièce de résistance? Chilling indoors and chomping on ice cubes. I stare longingly at the ice cream, but alas, that’s off the menu for this pup. I hope you’re getting your fair share of ice cream to stay cool, while I dream of what could have been! But I’m not alone in my cooling escapades. My fellow dog buddies get pretty creative too! Some dig holes in the yard to find cool soil, others splash around in kiddie pools, and a few even try to catch the sprinkler’s spray. It’s all part of the fun of summer when you’re a dog! So, next time you see me, just remember: staying cool is an art, and I’m the master artist!

Hi there, I’m Jett! You might have seen me wagging around the cottage recently. Traveling, visiting the cottage, and saying hi to everyone are some of my absolute favorite things to do—well, besides munching on my kibble! My full name is Jett Von Prufenpuden. Fancy, right? I’m a Giant Schnauzer, and my birthday is on July 2nd. I’ll be turning five this year! I love cake, but my people say it’s a no-go for me (so unfair!). I was born in Kentucky and spent my first two years at PDS Training School learning how to be the best dog ever. I learned all sorts of cool things like staying on my bed, heeling, following my people, and even protecting them. I got to visit all kinds of places and meet loads of people—over 100 families! No boring kennel for me. I met babies, horses, tractors, and bicycles and learned to stay safe around all sorts of farm equipment and animals. I played with other dogs like German Shepherds and Dobermans and was part of a big doggy pack. Now, I live on a farm in Pennsylvania with my people. There’s so much grass to run on! But I’m not allowed to chase the deer, turkeys, or squirrels. I do get to bark at them sometimes, though! The only thing I’m allowed to chase is groundhogs, but honestly, they’re not much fun. My people have lots of kids and grandbabies, and I love the babies, especially when they come for lunch or dinner and drop food on the floor. Score! I can nap with the babies and play fetch with the bigger kids. Swimming isn’t really my thing, but I do love getting wet at the pond when it’s hot. And oh, I love truck rides and meeting new people! I can’t wait to visit the cottage again and say hi to everyone because you’re all so nice!

1909 Spokane Washington, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father was a Civil War veteran, raise her and her five siblings after her mother dies in childbirth.  The idea came to her in 1909 while attending a Mother’s Day sermon in church. She thought her father should have a similar church service to honor her father.  She went to local churches, the YMCA, and shopkeepers to drum up support for her idea.  Local religious leaders supported the idea, so she was successful: Washington state celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father's Day on June 19th, 1910, because her father’s birthday was in June.  In 1924 U.S. President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observation and in 1966 President Lyndon B Johnson issued A proclamation that recognized the day, and it became a national holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed legislation designated the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. It was originally largely a religious holiday; Father's Day has been commercialized with sending greeting cards and giving gifts.  Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a White Rose to indicate that he is deceased. Other males for example grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles have also often been honored on the same day this year we celebrate Father's Day on June 16th, 2024. It's almost like Father's Day is half Mother's Day because of its origin and start now here's a good question who remembers how Mother's Day started? Here's a hint North and South. So have fun remembering your father's and try to remember the origin of Mother's Day.

My wife and I have an unspoken rule that whoever is first to stumble out of bed on Saturday morning that they assume the responsibility of starting the kettle and preparing the French Press with 8, yes 8 scoops of Peet’s Organic Decaf Terrena coffee.  Well this past weekend, I somehow made it out to the kitchen before my wonderful bride and, despite not quite thinking clearly, I was awake enough to move towards something that will help unscramble my thoughts and got the hot water going.  While enjoying my second cup of this freshly brewed coffee, it struck me that God performs a similar function for us when we ask Him to clear out the confusion and unscramble our thoughts.  Some people assume they don’t have time to begin their day with God… they don’t realize how much He can facilitate their lives.  God is sovereign over every aspect of our life, so I encourage us all to open up so that He can remove obstacles and clarify our thinking. Jim

The adage “let go of grudges” is so easy to say but quite difficult to accomplish.  Everyone knows people who cannot let go of the hurts they experienced.  Their bitterness shows on their faces; in their actions.  My grandfather would say,”...nurturing unresolved anger toward someone who hurt you creates infection in the victim, not the perpetrator.”  He would go on to say that making peace with the past can give you a renewed sense of purpose, a lighter step, and a healed heart.  I think that we all could appreciate having a lighter step as we go about our day.  So… I encourage you all to take off the glasses of old hurts and ask God to reveal any resentment you might be harboring.  To be more specific, think of someone who hurt you, forgive that person, and ask God to heal your hurt once and for all. Jim

What is your passion?  What makes you so excited and filled with joy and life that you can hardy keep your feet on the ground?  Remember the passionate interests that you had when you were young?  Find time to pursue those passions once again or develop your natural inclinations, the things that fill you with a sense of peace and satisfaction every time you put them to work.  Do you love to draw? Draw with everything you have.  Do you love to manipulate numbers? Calculate with enthusiasm.  Above all else, instill excitement into what you do. Jim

Taking Control Many of us seek out the opportunity to step in and take control of a particular situation or event.  Whether it is leading a sports team to the World Series, running a fast-food restaurant, or even caring for an elder family member, when things are going smoothly, it’s easy to feel as if you’re in charge.  The more you perceive yourself as your own master, and the more comfortable you become in this role, the harder you will fall as it is said that storms will come, and uncertainties will loom on the horizon.  If you cling to control and feel entitled to having things go your way, you are likely to sink when difficulties surface.  I believe that we are encouraged to enjoy times of smooth sailing and to be thankful for them, but we need to be equally warned not to become addicted to this sense of mastery over your life as we are being trained to always trust in Him – for He is your Refuge.  He uses adversity to set you free from the illusion of being in control.  When your circumstances and your future are full of uncertainties, look to Him.  Therefore, we are encouraged to find your security in knowing Him, the Master who is sovereign over the storms of your life – over everything.

As the joy and excitement of preparing for the holiday season nears, please remember to share the special gift that each and every one of us possess – Love.  Love is so important to God that it is mentioned hundreds of times in every translation of the Bible.  I remember during my early days at Sunday school that our instructors would pull the classroom in a circle and tell stories of how Christ referred to love as the greatest commandment of all, and how he spent his ministry demonstrating love to his followers. Learning to love God’s way provides the most tangible picture of him available to the world.  Nothing will draw you closer to him or to others than walking in unconditional love.   As my wife and I are raising our two beautiful and inquisitive young girls, we try to demonstrate that true love encompasses enthusiasm and passion, and it bases itself more on trust, commitment, and action. I encourage all of us to love someone today through your actions: give a gift, a loving touch, a personal note, or an act of kindness.  For it was Saint Thomas Aquinas who shared that to love is to will the good of another. Jim

The older you get, the more you realize your parents are a lot smarter than you thought they were.  People who love you – friends, parents, cousins, siblings – are on your side and usually want what is best for you.  I truly believe that God places friends and family around us to help us discover our purpose.  He gave us loved ones who know us and can share with us a different perspective when faced with difficult situations.  Loved ones with different experiences and opinions help to broaden our world and enable us to continue down the path of self-discovery.  I would encourage you to write a thank-you note to loved ones today for their valuable input into your life.

One of the many joys our team members cherish is the ability to engage with our residents and to listen to the truly unique and all-inspiring life stories.  Given that no one has ever experienced exactly the life you have, I encourage us all to consider that God’s purpose for you may be for you to share your special story and the good things God has done for you or a loved one.  Be willing to tell others about what He has done as every day you may encounter hurting people who have no idea who God is or where to find Him.  You can be a unique instrument of peace by telling them how much He loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.  So, write a letter or e-mail to someone today and share your story!

We can find joy in the most unexpected places but living joyously is quite challenging.  This is especially true during difficult times.  When something happens that breaks the pattern of comfort and happiness in our lives, we are being put to the test.  Such trials can strengthen our faith for He said that I am training you to consider it pure Joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.  I encourage us all to stay in communication with Him through our spoken words, thoughts, and songs (although my daughters strongly discourage me with the latter).  Spend time absorbing His Word and let it speak into your heart, where it changes the way, we think and live.  In His presence, we can find fullness of Joy, perfect Peace, and unfailing Love.