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.
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.
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.
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
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
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
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.
Hello to you. How was your day? My day began with my prayer group at Grace House. We were blessed to have two new people join us – Missy and Linda Burk. We prayed our personal requests and for the church, the town of Middleton, the state of Idaho and for this country and world. We are a growing church and with growth comes special needs. Lots of volunteer opportunities! We prayed for my cousin Heidi, Missy’s husband Ray, pastor Jason’s daughter Harper and other church members undergoing illness or surgery recovery like our dear Cheryl Hargan.
Lately I have been hungry for positive visual content and I found some. Tonight I watched :
Jonathan Roumie and Jeff Cavins visit the Holy Land
What an experience to be where Jesus walked and breathed his last! I love how Jonathan Roumie lives his faith. It was worth watching!
Luke 22:39-44New International Version
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a
Hello to you. I am writing to you after listening to Jonathan Roumie praying a prayer from Saint Padre Pio – it’s beautiful and spoke to me. May be it will speak to you too:
Saint Padre Pio
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes; death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.
It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all it’s dangers. I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You!
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen
Dear Jesus I give you thanks for this day. I lift up to you my cousin Heidi as she continues to heal. I lift up this world and all of the uncertainty and chaos – all the most vulnerable be they human or animal to your loving care. I pray for all your children. I pray for this planet and all of its majesty. I give you thanks for all my blessings. Amen.
Hello to you. Today has been good. It started by my waking up in time to get to the ladies coffee time at Grace House. It was good to see everyone and get caught up. I took the opportunity to share about my cousin Heidi and we prayed for her and also I asked that we pray for this country and world. Especially Minneapolis and Iran. Also I am very concerned about what Trump is doing with Greenland and our European allies! What he wants isn’t what most Americans want. I feel like he’s acting like a spoiled child! We want affordable housing, food and healthcare! Every day I live in regret for having anything to do with this administration. I let myself be influenced and that won’t be happening come midterms!
Today was Martin Luther King Day – hopefully not our last! My grandparents would be so sad to see what is going on in our country. Both of them fought for civil rights. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
On Love & Hate
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
On Justice & Injustice
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
“A right delayed is a right denied.”
On Courage & Action
“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
On Dreams & Reality
“I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.”
“You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.”
On Service & Humanity
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
“We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”
Hello to you. It’s late as I write to you. I can’t sleep so figured I would write to you. How was your day? My day was long but uneventful. I got Link out on a walk today. He’s been willing to go lately and I like that!
Yesterday was prayer group day but because of fog and icy roads we did a conference call and were still able to pray together. We have a lot to pray about. My prayer request was for my sweet cousin Heidi who is recovering from a burst brain aneurysm. We also prayed for our dear friend Cheryl Hargan who had surgery today – a double breast mastectomy. We also prayed for Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper. We are a growing church so lots of leadership spaces need filling. Our time praying isn’t just about needs but also giving praise. Local police and fire departments are picking up their bibles and more are coming to Christ. In a time of great turmoil in our country and world there is much comfort to be had in following Jesus.
Dear Jesus please be with our leaders at all levels. Please help them navigate this increasingly violent and confusing world. Let your will be done in all these affairs. Please be with all our friends and family going through health and wellness challenges. Please be with the people of Iran and all parts of this world who are in turmoil and chaos right now. I pray you would help those who give sanctuary to animals. . I pray all this in your name. Amen.
Hello to you. Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we are in a new year already. The past couple of days I have been having trouble with the pooling sensation in my ears. It makes me feel anxious. Writing helps take my mind off of it.
I was brainstorming with my friend what I should write about today. She suggested memories of when I was growing up in South Dakota. I had mentioned to her about us getting so much snow we tunneled through to our neighbors house! I can remember having snacks with Marie and Wayne to pass the time. We use to get so much snow my parents couldn’t get to work which was rare. The snow was thick and crunchy when you walked on it. I learned how to drive on snow – Datsun 210 with stick shift!
The other place I have got snowed in was base housing at Peterson AFB Colorado. There was so much snow it blocked the door to the house. It went from the roof to the ground! The other places I lived – Germany, Delaware, Texas and now Idaho have all gotten snow several times. We never got snow in Florida. I don’t mind snow except driving in it!
Links paw print in the snow
Dear Jesus I ask for your continued care for our family members and friends right now. Please send your healing love to us. I ask for your wisdom to guide leaders at all levels of government. Please help the people of Washington State and the Philippines with their recovery from natural disasters. Thank you for hearing our prayers.
To be 