More Snakes!

Huimin saw two more rattlesnakes by their house today. Both of them much bigger than the snake she saw the other day.

One was in the neighbor's grass, which was getting mowed. It slithered up onto the neighbor's patio, to get out of the way of the lawnmower.

The other one was in the grass by the road. It was eating a baby bird.

Its going to be a long spring and summer being trapped in the house and watching for snakes everywhere you go.

House of Death

Yesterday was the day for the Lutherans to stand in vigil outside of Planned Parenthood for the 40 Days for Life campaign.

From http://www.40daysforlife.com/splash.cfm:

The 40 Days for Life mission – and the life-changing decision made by Abby Johnson – are featured in a two-part edition of the Focus on the Family radio program. Abby is the former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Bryan/College Station, Texas ... the community where 40 Days for Life began.

During the 40 Days for Life campaign in the fall of 2009, Abby witnessed an ultrasound-guided abortion. She quit her job at Planned Parenthood, as she realized she could no longer be involved in the abortion industry.

See the website for Abby Johnson's testimony.

This day was a nice spring day. The wind a little nippy, but we do still have snow on the mountains!! Young ladies came dashing in and then came out with something in their hands. I am pretty sure this crowd was the "birth control" crowd. Barb stood in the corner and was able to keep an eye on the parking lot. We were told, prior to this, that no abortions were performed at their office; rather, that abortions were referred to local doctors. However some girls came and stayed for extended periods of time. I stood by one of the exits and I saw, in a couple of the cars, that the drivers were brushing what looked like tears away from their eyes. About 4:30 Barb witnessed a man come out of the clinic in white pants and a blue top and get into the van that had been parked in the parking lot. We are pretty sure that abortions were performed this afternoon.

At our next day of vigil, we will remember gloves and something for our ears. When the sun drops out of sight it gets very cold. Also, to bring a hat or visor for that bright life-giving sun.

This was a bitter-sweet day. Spring is all around us with the newness of life with its smells, the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of squirrels chasing each other around the trees. While just on the other side of the wall one small DEFENSELESS baby is losing his or her fight with the abortionist and the weapon of his choice to kill the child. And there we stood with life all around us...not able to lift one finger to help this little baby!

This baby's cries are not going unheard. All these innocents will be avenged.

Psalm 94:

1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud.
3 LORD, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?

4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, “The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”

8 Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.

12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the LORD had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence.
18 If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.

20 Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,
Have fellowship with You?
21 They gather together against the life of the righteous,
And condemn innocent blood.
22 But the LORD has been my defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
The LORD our God shall cut them off.

Guardian Angels kept Busy

Yesterday Huimin went out to mow the lawn. Leaves had blown into a corner and she was going to reach down and pull them out; but, then decided against it--she didn't want to get dirty. She got a rake and went to rake the leaves out. Then, from out of the pile of leaves, A COILED UP RATTLESNAKE BEGAN HISSING AT HER. She dropped her rake and flew to the house, shutting herself, the kids, the cat and the dog inside.

Huimin then called housing, which could not help her. She called services and they had the on-call technician call her back. It must have been about an hour, altogether, before he arrived. He had a snake stick and scooped up the very angry snake and then took it to dispose of it. It was hissing and rattling its little tail and definitely was in an attack mode. They had to put the snake back in its natural habitat, because of some type of protection. I later went online and did not find federal or state protection for it--which does not mean it is not there.

This is the second snake they have had in their yard THAT THEY KNOW OF. The neighbors across the lawn had one right outside the back of their house. Huimin drives Serena to and from school, or else walks with her, in case there are snakes on the road.

There is really no way to protect yourself from rattle snakes, unless you buy a bull snake or king snake, which will eat them. My sister once saw a rattler trying to get into a chicken yard. The snake was crawling up the fence and was 10 feet high and still going up. It was after the eggs in the chicken coop.

Here is an interesting article on rattlesnake vs gopher snake.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue/2009/07/09/rattlesnake-vs-gopher-snake-can-you-your-kids-tell-the-difference/

The article states that rattlesnakes don't hiss, so this may not have been a rattlesnake, but one pretending to be by, also, shaking his tail. Huimin said she did not get close enough to see if it had "cat's" eyes or not.

No matter what kind of snake it is--they will all bite. A man north of town, a few years ago, got bit by a rattler out in the country. By the time he walked back it was too late. He died from the venom in the snake bite.

The kids were just playing out in the yard where the snake was, before Huimin started mowing. If the kids got bit by a snake, it is doubtful that they would know what type of snake bit them! It would have took off before Huimin would have seen it. And, then, even adults have difficulty with snake identification.

Huimin is taking precautions: Shots for the dog, finding closest medical sources in case of a bite and snake bite kit. Hopefully, that will be the last snake they see!