14 July 2026 A Beginning

Hello to you. I’m just back from the MOVE orientation at Caldwells VA. After going through everything, I had the option of asking to be put on a GLP-1 but I decided I’m going to take the 16 week class starting on 6 Jan of next year. I want the weight loss to be lasting and going to a class will make me stay accountable! I have already started a food journal to track my calories. I need to make lifestyle changes and going to a class each week I hope will help me achieve that goal. Another benefit to go to class will be getting me out of the house another day of the week. I am proud of myself for taking this step – it’s a beginning.

Spin of the prayer wheel today:

This is the beginning of a new day.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not a loss;
good, not evil;
success, not failure —
in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it today.

author unknown

13 July 2026 Learner

Are you a lifelong learner?

Hello to you. There has been difficult news today. Another person was shot and killed by ICE agents in Biddeford Maine:

https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-maine-immigration-dhs-f26f8c2256aa6f0748582ea4adbb515c

I feel so bad for his little girl who is only 3 years old! Her dad was shot right in front of her. When is enough enough?!! My prayers go out to her and her mother.

Changing gears…..

Todays prompt is so true of me. All my life so far I’ve been in school – life school. I have experienced both the good and bad lessons life has to teach. I believe we don’t go through things for no reason – especially difficult things. When we approach difficult things as learning opportunities we grow as people. We become the sort of person that can then turn around and use what we’ve learned to help other people facing similar challenges. When we face difficulties we can choose to shut down and become bitter or we can bloom where we are planted.

Turning to God during trials makes the load lighter. There has been so many times when I turned my trials over to God that doors previously closed flew open! The way was made smoother than it would be on my own. These past couple of years I have really been using the power of prayer to help me and others get through difficult times.

Spin of the Prayer Wheel today:

God, help me to be 
a pure vehicle for your love,
and light, 
and wisdom.

steven sadleir

12 July 2026 Remarkably Bright Creatures

Hello to you! I hope this finds you well. I have had a really good day. For church we were in John and Hebrews. Jesus is the perfect bridge and anchor of the soul:

https://youtu.be/zIrqMc2_Fj8?is=2YG6o5Uzo6LzaG3q – High Priestly Prayer Part 1 – Jason Boyd

I got to sit with my friend Jeannie and we got caught up on things. Her brother-in- law Roy is still not doing good – still losing weight. His daughter has been here and that’s made a nice break for Jeannie. He needs practically everything care!

I went over to my Aunt and Uncles in the early afternoon and that helped me so much. Sundays can be lonesome for me ! We had fajitas for linner and watched a wonderful movie on Netflix called Remarkably Bright Creatures starring Sally Field and an Octopus named Marcellus. Sally was perfect for this role as a widow named Tova. This is one of those movies you can watch more than once. My Aunt and Uncle loved this movie and so did I!

Here is from the Internet about it:

The feature film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 bestselling novel Remarkably Bright Creatures is an emotional drama directed by Olivia Newman. Starring Sally Field as a grieving widow, Lewis Pullman as a wayward young man, and Alfred Molina as the voice of an observant, elderly octopus, the film was released on Netflix on May 8, 2026. [1]

The Plot and Themes

Set in the Pacific Northwest town of Sowell Bay, the story follows Tova Sullivan (Field), an elderly woman who cleans a local aquarium at night to help process the lingering grief of her husband’s passing and the mysterious disappearance of her son years ago. While working, she forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, an intelligent, captive Giant Pacific Octopus who longs to return to the wild. [1234]

Their routine is altered when Cameron (Pullman), a directionless young man looking for his estranged father, arrives in town and is taken under Tova’s wing. Through their intertwining lives, narrated in part by the dry and opinionated Marcellus, the characters help each other navigate grief, family dysfunction, and the search for purpose

https://youtu.be/b14IFe4an5k?is=Rfni_4-ySfoUd7Zs – official trailer Remarkably Bright Creatures

Spin of the Prayer Wheel for today:

I lift these hands, dear God, to You,
in praise and thanks for all you do.
You light the path through all my days
and bless me with your loving ways…

I lift these hands dear God, to You,
in troubled hours when joys are few.
You bear me up on eagles’wings and see
me through each test life brings.

I lift these hands, dear God, to You,
please grant me wisdom, patience, too.
Then fill my heart with love and caring,
precious gifts you’ve made for sharing.

poet – emily matthews

11 July 2026 Hard Years

What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years” — and what got you through it?

Hello to you. It’s morning here as I write to you. Today’s prompt is kind of difficult to answer because throughout my life I have had difficult things happen. I have lived a life where hard times have been sprinkled with the good and easy times both of my making and not. What has gotten me through the most is my faith in God – now specifically Jesus. Jesus used those close to me to help me get through what I was facing. When I first got to Idaho , my family helped me escape the grip of what had a hold on me in Texas. I literally felt like the enemy had a hold on me! It was a physical AND spiritual battle. Then living with my Aunt and Uncle for 6 months helped me so much. More earth angels that treated me with loving care.

Throughout my life I feel like God was waiting for me to make a decision – to choose Jesus specifically. Going through hard times without faith is just so hard! It can seem so senseless! Before turning my will and care over to Jesus I was so vulnerable – porous. I was under attack without a shield!

Lately I have been going through a bought of hard times with my health. I am leaning on Jesus about it and gradually he is helping both directly and indirectly. He asks me “Do you want to be healed” like the lame man at the pool in Bethel. My answer is “YES!” I wish healing was as simple as picking up my mat and going home. There is stuff I need to do for the healing to take place. Yet, I believe he will! I believe he is!! I have a wonderful support system with my family and church family. It’s not how I would have it but as he would have it. It’s not in my time but his. I am hoping the MOVE program I’m starting on the 14th of this month will be a great beginning.

Prayer wheel prayer for today:

May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.

bodhisattva prayer for humanity

10 July 2026 Coconut

What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?

Hello there! How are you? I hope you are keeping cool with the heatwave that seems to be everywhere! If it’s not heat it’s floods and earthquakes! My prayers go out to anyone suffering through a catastrophe.

When I saw this prompt what immediately came to mind was coconut. When I was a kid I never liked coconut- didn’t like the taste or especially the texture of it. Now as an adult I love it. I even buy coconut milk and water to drink! It’s truly one of Gods perfect creations! So good for us.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coconut-benefits – 7 Health Benefits of Coconut

Prayer from the wheel today:

Our children who live on earth,
Holy are each and every one of you.
May good dreams come,
Your way be found,
And heaven and earth rejoice with you.

May you be given
All you need for life
And may you accept our mistakes
As you allow yourself
To make mistakes and grow.

Lead us with imagination
And true integrity,
For yours are the minds, the hearts, and the souls
To heal the world
Now and forever.

our children – a prayer for the world

https://youtu.be/6L43P1MY2KA?is=jZw73iTr_9XfeZlS – Don Fiore 8 min Tai Chi

9 July 2026 8 Days To The Moon and Back

Hello to you. It’s another hot day here. I will get my walk in when the sun goes down! This morning prayer was good. We stayed a little extra time to pray over the 21 Days Of Prayer prayer requests. The prayers ranged from health to requests for people to return to their faith. A lot of atheists! One request that touched my heart was from a lonely person reaching out in a world where it’s difficult to make lasting friendships. The older you get the harder it is!

Last night I was able to watch an interesting documentary on PBS about the Apollo 11 mission to Mars. I have been one of those people who was skeptical of the mission even happening and it being a hoax. The documentary did a good job of bringing the mission to life. It put my skepticism to rest.

https://youtu.be/ls2No9izqAA?is=0ork4Gxhs8YEXXWN – 8 Days- To The Moon and Back – BBC Trailers

8 Days: To the Moon and Back is a 2019 documentary-drama that recreates the Apollo 11 mission, blending declassified cockpit audio, NASA archives, CGI, and dramatic reenactments to tell the story of the first moon landing. Directed by Anthony Philipson, it stars actors like Rufus Wright as Neil Armstrong, Jack Tarlton as Buzz Aldrin, and Patrick Kennedy as Michael Collins, bringing the astronauts’ experiences to life through their own words. The film covers the full eight-day journey, from launch to return, revealing details often unseen in historical footage. 

From the World Prayer Wheel today:

In the joy of your heart,
Your light remains.

In the gift of your caring,
Your light remains

Where you reached out to help,
Your light remains.

Where you sat in silent peace,
Your light remains.

In the place where you worked,
Your light remains

In the stillness of the starry night,
Your light remains

In the light of each day fully embraced,
Your light remains.

Like the touch of an Angel,
Your light remains.

When you live as a light,
Your heart is joined in the Infinite Light of Love.
And that about you which is eternal … remains.

your light remains – rev. jacquie riker – 2003

6 July 2026 Chaos

Is a little chaos actually good for us?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well and if not, you are in my prayers!

Today’s prompt is thought provoking. When I think of chaos I think of things being completely out of control. Not a good thing. Things can be a bit shook up and we can learn and grow from the resulting outcome but not because of complete chaos. That’s just my opinion.

Here is the internets answer to my question if chaos is a good thing:

Chaos isn’t inherently good or bad; it is a vital catalyst. While unchecked chaos is destructive, controlled or balanced chaos—often called “self-organized criticality” in science—is highly beneficial. It drives creativity, evolution, and personal growth by breaking us out of stagnant patterns and forcing necessary adaptations:

Biology and Science: In living systems, like the human brain, seemingly chaotic electrical patterns indicate health, whereas over-organization can signal disease. Chaos theory also shows that hidden patterns and self-organization exist within random events. [12]

Life and Personal Growth: Embracing uncertainty allows you to break free from old mindsets, sparking profound personal transformation. You can learn to manage the unexpected using practical problem-solving mapping. [123]

Systems and Organizations: While pure anarchy leads to collapse, a complete lack of chaos leads to oppressive rigidity. Balancing the two generates novelty, prevents stagnation, and fosters new solutions.

Prayer from the prayer wheel today:

May those without voice be heard.
May those without food be fed.
May those who are harmed be healed.
May the earth’s health be restored.
May all have peace, equality, inclusion for all.

mi’kmaq – alycia longriver davis

A band I recently found – takes me back to the 80’s:

https://youtu.be/JNiXMcloNn4?is=KiSJeFv6ALS8aC31 – Nightcrawl – Lost Highway

5 July2026 The Art Of The Cast

Hello to you. Hard to believe another Sunday is here and about gone already. Link and I cuddled our way through neighborhood fireworks last night. He just stayed by my side through it all. I always feel bad for the pets, birds and squirrels! Some of the fireworks sounded like gunfire and sounded like they were in the house. We got to bed about 2 am. Things had pretty much stopped by then

At church today we were in Matthew 6:5-13 again:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A5-13&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/4XAYJpRGGJc?is=vFVH2QPNoUUCmYnh – The Art Of The Cast – Pastor Jason Boyd

How we view prayer matters. Prayer is a conversation not a negotiation.

One of the songs we sang:

https://youtu.be/5_aIauL2xKA?is=1FIDlbTCkjIBdjdr – Hillsong Shout to The Lord

4 July 2026 Reason to Celebrate (250 years)

Hello there! How are you? If you’re American you are probably having a cookout and preparing for fireworks tonight. I hope if you are reading from America and you have pets that you secure them. I know a lot of people have to give their pets tranquilizers to get through this night. Thankfully my Link doesn’t get worked up like most dogs. So many people like fireworks! They are pretty to watch but aren’t very eco friendly!

There has been quite a hoopla over today marking 250 years – we made it this far and I have hope for the future despite everything going on right now. Freedom isn’t free! It’s good to see so many people loving our country.

I had a wonderful meal and visit with my Aunt, Uncle, cousin and his wife and two of my Aunts Granddaughters Richelle and Tatum, Tatum’s husband Kyle and baby Liam. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit, watermelon and ice cream and brownies for dessert. Liam was definitely the star of the show. Once he got acclimated to everybody, he had a great time. Great Grandma my Aunt gave him some metal measuring cups he loved clanging together. We all know what he’s getting for Christmas! My Uncle, Great Grandpa said he’s going to get Liam a drum set! lol! 😂 We made a special memory today! So special!

My sweet Auntie and I – Grandma Becker would be so proud! She loved celebrating the 4th in her backyard in Ft. Collins CO
My beautiful Grandma Becker (I couldn’t flip picture!)

If God could talk
it wouldn’t be in English
or Latin or Arabic
It wouldn’t be in Yiddish
or Spanglish or pidgin

If God could talk
the words would crack like thunder
pour down like a torrent of jewels
flooding our basements with shining ideas,
sparkling conclusions.

If God could talk
a thought would be a redwood
a word an ocean
a sentence a century.

If God could talk
I would not have to
for all the words today requires
would flow in on the morning breeze
and find their way to the morning news.

If God could talk
God’s word would be carried
on the wings of eagles
the ankles of gnats
in the pouches of kangaroos
and the paws of polar bears.

It would spread through the sound
of honey bees and hyenas
be translated into a rainbow
by blue herons and cardinals,
blackbirds and yellowjackets
pink flamingos and gray whales,
purple martins and chameleons.

It would cause rivers to flow,
tides to rise, moons to wax,
suns to set, sparrows to fly,
planets to revolve,
universes to expand
if God could talk.

if god could talk – jan phillips

2 July 2026 Young Washington

Hello to you. I’m home from going to see the movie Young Washington with my Aunt and Uncle. We got sticker shock that the movie tickets were less than the soda and popcorn! The movie was an Angel Studios production that consisted mostly of battle scenes and George being a sort of superhero. There was clapping in the audience at the end. My Aunt and Uncle are patriotic and this film had that appeal to them. I couldn’t get over how much William looked like a young Stuart Townsend and how much taller he was compared to other people in the film. The way they portrayed George was like he was super human to have survived so many battles.

William Franklyn-Miller was the very handsome George – he was so tall! There were other recognizable actors like Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer and Mary Louise-Parker.

https://youtu.be/-s8mqW03geo?is=IOBaNb9wfUb-FStK – Official Trailer for Young Washington

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

blessing – bible – numbers 6:24-26