22 Feb 2026 Didn’t Work

Hello to you. It’s Sunday again! I went to church this morning and was so happy to see and get to hug my friends to include dear Jeannie. With everything that’s been going on with Roy she’s been through it! He is in rehab and physically he’s on track but mentally he’s not. Jeannie was able to take his dog to visit and I’m sure that lifted his spirits.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I am on my own healing journey. I am kind of disappointed as today is the last day of my ear drop treatment and I’m still having fullness in my ears. I had so hoped my doctor had figured out was wrong with me! I keep praying that Jesus will heal me and believe he will. I’m trying to act as if he already has. I see my primary care doctor next month and we shall see how I’m doing.

I found out my cousin Heidi is coming home Tuesday from rehab and she will be needing help adjusting. I keep her in my prayers everyday!

Today Pastor Jason went through the second part of the blind man Jesus healed in John 9. He emphasized a relationship with Jesus isn’t a vending machine, transactional or something just for Sundays. It’s an everyday relationship. Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough but with my physical state I am limited. I do what I can. I have to remind myself that I am enough! Here is all of John 9:

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

John 9New International Version

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath.15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,”they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

13 Feb 2026 Good Day

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today was a good day. I met with my Aunt, two cousins and their spouses at The Rare Steakhouse in Star. I was the first one there so I had plenty of time to look over their extensive menu. My Aunt and cousin Laura came in next and there were pictures and little gifts. I am really a stickler for stuff in my house since it’s so small so they try to respect my wishes. Then came my other cousin and his wife and there were cards and chocolate candy since tomorrow is Valentines Day. They gave me a gift card for the Sunrise Cafe which was extremely thoughtful. I ordered The Rare Burger and it was really messy but good. It was a burger with bacon, avocado, bacon and bbq sauce. The girls ordered cob salads and the two guys got chicken dishes. All the food was good and generous portions. For dessert, which my cousin and I got on the house since it was our birthdays, was really good too. I got coconut cream pie, my cousin got apple cobbler and my other cousin and Aunt shared a piece of lemon meringue pie. We were all very full! it was so nice to be together. I love hearing all the laughter. My family are sunshine people that just light up the place! We were missing cousin Heidi who is still in rehab in Salt Lake City Utah. She has been really working hard in her physical therapy. Lots of talk about what her life will be like when she comes home. What a blessed day. I got to talk to my Uncle Bill before lunch – so good to hear his voice! I sent him a picture of all of us. We miss him too!

I got an update about my friend Jeannie’s brother-in-law Roy. He’s having a rough time – a lot of pain. They are going to scan him again to make sure there aren’t broken bones they missed. We just need to keep praying for him! Jeannie gave me a nice card that showed up right on my birthday! I am so blessed!

3 John 2New International Version

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

12 Feb 2026 You Never Know

Hello to you. How are you? I am doing ok but just found out my dear friends brother-in-law had another bad fall today and really hurt himself. I just was with him this past Sunday! You never know when you are going to see people again so cherish the moments! He is in his 80’s and lives alone with his dog Pepper. If you pray or just vibe healing please send all the good you can to Roy.

Dear Jesus please wrap Roy in your loving and healing presence – he loves you so much. I also ask for healing for my cousin Heidi, Aunt Ruth, Uncles John and Bill. I pray for this dark and heavy world that needs you now more than ever. Let there be unity, peace and love. We are all your children. Let there be healing for the sick and injured. Let there be food, clothing and shelter for the less fortunate of this world to include animals. With you all is possible! Amen.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

9 Feb 2026 Why So Serious?!

Hello and good evening to you. It’s the end of the day and I figured I would write to you before trying to go to sleep. How was your day? Did your team win the Super Bowl? I only saw part of the game and missed the half time show that got mixed reviews. I was glad to see Trumps feathers got ruffled by the show. I am so sick of him! Way to go Bad Bunny! I don’t get reception for NBC and refuse to pay for Peacock – so no Olympics either.

https://youtu.be/G6FuWd4wNd8?si=ouzbTCWxbwvhz_BK – half time show

The subject of my blog is poking fun at myself as I have become such a serious person. I used to have a sense of humor! Every day now there is something going on in the world that ticks me off. There just doesn’t seem to be an end in sight! We are expected to wait out 3 more years of this nightmare fuel?! So the challenge is to not let the headlines get to me without putting my head in the sand and pretend that these goings on are normal. I want to reclaim my middle name – Joy!

This Friday I will be another year older with my cousin Tony. We are going out to eat at a restaurant in Star my Aunt and I stumbled across a couple years ago. It was the Rustic Table and is now The Rare Steakhouse. I’ll celebrate with joy that I even have loved ones to share the day with! I am going to pray that Jesus, through my loved ones, friends and Link, will soften my heart.

Dear Jesus please soften my heart in these trying times. Help me reclaim my inner child. I ask you to put your loving arms around all those who are sick, hungry, in the healing process, those without shelter to include animals. Please shine your love and mercy through each of us that we would be worthy vessels of your will here on earth. Please be with all the leaders of this world – give them wisdom! Amen.

6 Feb 2026 Getting Honest With Yourself

Hello to you. I’m not tired yet so figured I would write to you. In the hours before sleep seems to be a time I get clarity enough to gather my thoughts. I tried to watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics but don’t get channel 7 (NBC) and don’t feel like signing up for Peacock. From the snippets I saw it looked like Italy did a great job with it.

My thoughts tonight turn to the feeling I get inside when I am honest with myself. For example during my recent doctors visit I was honest with her about my lifestyle choices – may be spending too much time on social media. May be not being as active as I could be because of the ear condition I have. She recommended trying to limit my time on social media and trying to walk more each day. What I wasn’t open to her about was my addiction to Grub Hub and how easy it is to order food that isn’t healthy for me. I am vowing to myself that the last time I ordered food is my last time caving in to the convenience. I get hungry late in the day and rather than making my own food I will order a pizza from Papa John’s. In my garbage right now is like 5 empty boxes from weekly orders! Pizza is no help for my weight issue nor my cholesterol levels. The two medicines I’m taking – Depakote and Olanzapine are notorious for weight gain. I never feel full or satisfied. The next time I see my doctor I will have a clear conscience as I am vowing to kick the habit! I have a month before I see her again. I am hoping the scale will budge in the right direction and to save some money too. Grub Hub doesn’t come cheap! After delivery fees, tax and tips each order is over $30!

Dear Jesus please continue to surround my cousin Heidi and my Uncles John and Bill with your healing love. Please be with my friend Jeannie who keeps getting sick. Please be with her brother-in-law Roy who seems to be making preparations to go home to you. Please be with all the vulnerable to include animals in the extreme cold – let there be shelter, food, clothing and warmth. Please be with all people and animals healing from sickness and ailments of any kind. Please be with my Pastors daughter Harper. Please be with the leaders at all levels of government throughout the earth. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Romans 15:13New International Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peaceas you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

30 Jan 2026 Emma Hugs

Hello to you. I am writing from the Sunrise Cafe. I walked over as I couldn’t stand my own company any longer. My ear condition is real bad today too. I got what I needed even before my meal – a big hug from Emma the manager! She is such a joy! Sometimes that’s all we need is a big hug and a warm hello and Emma does just that. When I left I thanked her for the hug and she thanked me back! She needed the hug too that’s why she did it.

Their slogan is so true! I feel like family when I go here.

When you live alone like I do physical contact is rare. I cherish every hug I get! I’m grateful for Link but he can only do so much.

Dear Jesus thank you for Emma and the staff at the Sunrise. Thank you for them being your body that comforts people like me in the world. I pray for all those in the parts of the country experiencing extreme cold – may there be warmth, food, clothing and shelter. I pray the same for any homeless and wild animals. I pray for any and all regions of this country and world experiencing unrest. Lastly I pray for my cousin Heidi and all who love her as she will be having surgery on her brain Monday. Guide her surgeon and staff and grant her a speedy and complete recovery. Amen.

John 15:1-8New International Version

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

27 Jan 2026 Being a Light

Hello to you. It’s bedtime as I write to you, I hope there was good in your life today. My day was good. I forced myself to take an extra 1/2 mile walk in addition to the 1/4 mile with Link this morning. It was quite chilly but there was sunlight which was welcome!

As I lay here contemplating recent events near and far away I am determined to stay in the light. To be a light and rest in my hope of Jesus. No matter what is going on we know who won the battle against death and darkness. This world right now presents a great opportunity- the more the enemy leverages against us the more we can lean into Jesus.

I’m not going to let myself be brought down by fear mongers. I am trying more and more to be careful what I consume via social media. I’m not sticking my head in the sand and acting like everything is hunky dory either! We must not be afraid to speak up when that challenge is placed before us. I have this blog and I am using it to be my voice.

Dear Jesus I pray for this world that is so lost right now. May what we are facing in every facet of our lives be an opportunity to love you more and trust in the plans you have for us. Please be with all who are hurting and need you right now. Amen.

John 1:5New International Version

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

26 Jan 2026 Alex and the Might Macs

Alex Pretti

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you tonight. Another innocent person was murdered by ICE in Minnesota. He, like Rene Good, being labeled as a domestic terrorist that deserved to be shot. This madness needs to stop! Everything I’ve seen about him shows a kind and compassionate person. My prayers go out to his family, friends and the people of Minnesota.

Changing gears to Sunday afternoon. My Aunt invited me over for soup and to watch a movie. This was a happy time for me and welcome reprieve from being alone. The chicken soup she made was really good. Afterwards we watched a feel good movie called The Mighty Macs:

The Mighty Macs” refers to the women’s basketball team from Immaculata University(formerly Immaculata College) which won the first three women’s national college basketball championships in the early 1970s. Their inspiring true story was also the subject of a 2009 sports drama film of the same name. 

The movie was really positive and worth seeing more than once. I was surprised that David Paul Boreanaz, who was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was in the movie. Since we don’t have Sister Boniface and Father Brown to watch it was nice to see some nuns! Auntie made me a delicious cup of coffee and we had peppermint stick ice cream as a treat while we watched. Link was happy as always to be with his favorite people. Spending time with my Aunt and Uncle helps me see there is good in the world despite all the negative news. They are so gentle and kind!

25 Jan 2026 Roy’s Rainbow Slippers

Hello to you. It’s a sunny Sunday here in Idaho. I hope you are safe and warm where this finds you. I’m just back from church and a short walk with Link. My back isn’t being friendly today. Church was nice. I was joined by Jeannie AND Roy! He had a present for me – rainbow colored slippers he crocheted. The ones he made me for Christmas didn’t fit so these are replacements. These fit nicely and are so pretty! It was so good to see Roy and Jeannie. Today was baptism Sunday. There were 6 young ladies who were baptized – got me teary! It’s beautiful to see young people profess their faith.

Slippers from Roy

Today we were in Luke 5:17-26:

Luke 5:17-26 New International Version

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

The question Pastor Jason had for us was who do we have in our life that would be willing to carry us on our mat to the feet of Jesus. I have several people that have been those type of people in my life. My cousin Tony and his wife Tawna are the first to come to mind and my Aunt and Uncle. When I have needed help they have been there for me no questions asked. Before surrendering to Jesus, they were loving witnesses of his love for me. They were patient and kind.

Dear Jesus I pray for the people of Minnesota and other parts of the world that are full of unrest and turmoil. May there be your peace. I pray for your help for all the people and animals affected by the winter storms and extreme cold. Thank you for this day. Amen.