Kaitlin received her first CTR ring a few weeks ago in Sunday School. CTR stands for 'choose the right'. The CTR ring serves as reminder to make the right choices, just as a cross necklace or 'WWJD?' bracelet. Kaitlin was overjoyed to get this ring. Upon arrival at home, we decided together where the ring would go for safe keeping. Kailtin's new good conscience reminder was treasured... so much so, that she placed the jewelry in between her underpants and skirt whilst playing outside because of her lack of pockets. I am fairly certain
that spot was not the one decided for safe keeping prior to her jaunt in a
field. It broke my heart to see Kaitlin's tears when the ring was nowhere to be found. Less than twenty four hours after receiving her special piece of jewelry, it had been lost. I felt terrible. I wanted to help in any way I could. However, scourging the green ground over acres for a green ring was a little beyond traditional help. My sweet girl suggested that we pray to find her ring. Surely, the God that loved her would help her find a reminder of Him in the vast expanse of grass. We prayed together. Kaitlin prayed fervently while I just felt so bad that her ring would never be found and she would feel like God didn't answer her prayers. We didn't find the ring that day. In fact, I went to go buy her another ring. Unfortunately for me, those particular rings were out of stock both times I tried to buy a new one. Kaitlin continued to pray nightly that she would find her treasured ring. My heart broke in two hearing her pleading for a tiny adjustable thing that, if washed, would turn her finger an unnatural shade. These prayers reoccurred every night for almost a month. Last night we were on a family walk, when my sister-in-law, Lynda, asked, "what is that?", pointing at the front of her shirt. The thing Lynda was pointing at was a tick! I flicked it off and we continued on our walk. Because of the previous insect on her shirt, Lynda kept looking down as we walked to prevent another freeloader trying to hitch a ride. Lynda bent down and said, "What's this?" It was Kaitlin's CTR ring!!! I cannot describe in words the look on Kaitlin's face. It is equally difficult to describe how I felt knowing that Heavenly Father had answered her prayer. I know I felt indescribable joy and shame rolled into one. Joy for her faith. Joy for Kaitlin's answer to a humble prayer. Joy at her happiness.Yet, shame for my unbelief. Kaitlin knew all along that the Lord would grant her righteous desires. I doubted the pure faith of an innocent child. I am sorry to say that I did not pray for her to find the ring. I did try to solve her problem by replacing what was lost. But, the perfect parent taught me more in a silly cheap piece of metal than I had learned trying to fix everything myself. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from Kaitlin. I hope that her faith grows more and more each day and that the special experience she had will always remind her how much her Heavenly Father does love her.
The Real Housewives of the Napa Valley!!! 
I would be the fabulous gourmet chef. Everyone else can call what housewife they want to be in comments. I will submit my formal request to Bravo this week. Whatever deal they give us, I am not having a botox party at my house.
