Hello to you. How is your week going so far? I went over and helped a tiny bit at the Middleton Food Pantry this morning. The two gals there were really nice and the place seemed really well organized. I dated some items expiration dates. My lower back wasn’t happy but I wanted to help. They need help on Saturdays also – that’s the day they give out food but I didn’t commit to that – at least not yet! It’s so easy to get over committed to these places – that’s what happened to me before and I ended up quitting. I will pray about this.
I am trying out volunteering at our local Food PantryStopped at the Sunrise Diner on the way home
Proverbs 22:9New International Version
9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok – just back from a walk around the block – it’s really sunny out. I took a few pictures so you could come along with me!
The neighbor that these belonged to recently passed away Something cheerful amidst the sorrow – the house is being sold The Pom poms being cared for by a beeTiny berries are forming – almost ready to be picked! Some of the sights on the walk today
Todays prompt brought to mind “little things.” If I were to have a tag line that would be it. I believe it’s the little things that mean a lot. I’ve talked about that before here. How often is there significant or big events in a life? So much of life is little things and those are what I like to dwell on. How many mornings I wake up to my sweet Link with his messy furry face after emerging from underneath the covers. Stopping to notice and smell flowers big and small, “weed” or cultivated roses. Recently I found out one day for us is a week in a dogs life! No wonder they appreciate everything so much!
Link enjoying a little time outside
One of my favorite Saints lived her life valuing the little things too:
What is the main message of St. Therese?
Saint Thérèse is known as the Saint of the Little Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is represented by roses. May everyone who receives this message be blessed.
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
Hello to you. How is your weekend? I just got back from church – it was good. We met in the cafeteria and they did a phenomenal job of setting things up in a smaller space. There was room for everything and everyone! They are putting new wax on the gym floor where we normally gather. Getting to use the cafeteria is an answered prayer!
When I think on todays prompt, the first thing that popped in my head was you need love – both to be loved and to love. I have been fortunate enough to have been and continue to be surrounded by people that unconditionally love me. I know what love looks and feels like. In that love I know is God too. No matter my short comings I know God loves me – my family and friends are a physical manifestation of Gods unconditional love for me. When I get a hug from my Aunt, Uncle or cousins it’s like God reaching out to me through them.
John 15New International Version
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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.
My Auntie and me sharing in Gods love at Grace House – Ladies Tea
Hello there. How are you doing? I’m doing ok. It’s a beautiful Saturday. Lots of sunshine!
Who do I spend the most time with? My dog Link and my cell phone! Being divorced and untrusting of the internet dating apps and I don’t get out much means spending a lot of time by myself….staying at home.
I would say the other being I spend the most time with is God. I will say though that for the past couple of years my relationship with God has been different. Almost strained if I can use a word for it. I have to work at it more than I used to. This last episode really tested my relationship. I know everyone thinks God didn’t abandon me but that’s not what it felt like to me getting tased by people I was always praying for – the police and fire fighters. May be that’s just what needed to happen to prevent a complete downward spiral and God knew it. I was not safe on my own. I just know our relationship isn’t what it used to be. I try to stay close but some days God seems so far away. Thankfully I have beautiful family and friends to remind me of Gods love for me.
My best friend with paws – Link is Gods feet on the ground to help me not be completely alone day to day
Isaiah 59:1-2New International Version
Sin, Confession and Redemption
59 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok. Link and I are moving kind of slow today and it’s raining. We need the water so grateful for the rain!
Todays prompt is about changing your name. I honestly don’t think I would change it! I already changed my maiden name to my married name. I kind of flirted with a name a couple of years ago for a Facebook profile Julia James. Julia was my confirmation name when I was a little girl still practicing Catholicism.
I was looking at my pictures love this two tone rose.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Hello to you. Hope this finds you well as you visit me here today. I just finished an intake appt for behavioral health through the VA. Fun! Fun! So many questions!
Today my mind turns to thinking about finding happiness where you find yourself living. Blooming where your planted. This is something I’ve tried to do most of my life. Next week I’m going to see about a volunteer opportunity at the local Food Pantry here in town. I have been praying about an opportunity to serve my community that wasn’t politics and this showed up on Facebook. What’s pretty cool is the gal I talked to is medically disabled too . She said she really likes helping out at the pantry. Like her I need a purpose in life – a reason to get up in the morning!
Plants and Trees bloom where they are planted and so can we!
Hosea 14:5
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
Hello to you. How are you today? Todays prompt is about fears I’ve overcome. The biggest one I have had to overcome is the fear of death. I think we all have a healthy fear of that! Ever since death took so many that I have loved – people and animals, I have had to accept that death is a part of life. At some point I too will have to let go of my clutch of this life and go and see what’s next.
Nature and animals have shown me a lot about life after death. I can remember after spreading Sam and Blondies ashes around our oak tree in the front yard millions of pale flying insects came forth. Seeing that happen was kind of like seeing proof of life after death. From ash comes life.
Delicious peonies – these smell so good! Flowers I’ve never seen before A large garden is underway There is always something to see on the walk. It’s interesting to see life springing from seemingly nothing sometimes. Spring and summer are a nice reminder of life after the death and slumber of winter.
Revelation 21:4. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. …
Psalm 34:18. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Hello to you. It’s Friday again – the week went fast! Todays prompt is a pretty easy one. The trait I look for the most in a friend is honesty. I value people in my life that tell the truth even if it’s someone thing I don’t want to hear. The worst thing a friend of mine can do is lie to me! One of the Ten Commandments is about lying:
Exodus 20:16New International Version
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Happy tree Bright sunshine A bush full of rose blooms!Some sights on the walk last night
Hello to you. How is your week going? Can you believe it’s June already? This year is flying by.
So todays question is what jobs have you had. The only job I had was for 16 years active duty in the United States Air Force. I was a Personnelist or a secretary. I worked in the MPF (Military Personnel Flight) at the bases I was stationed at. Personnelist were responsible for taking care of other military members on base – their careers, evaluation reports, retention contracts, training, retraining, assignments and more.
When I worked in Customer Service I would have to do Identification Cards for widows and widowers. It was such a sensitive thing I would cry after they left. I was a very sensitive person! My favorite job was Personnel Systems Management- working with computers and really fun guys was way better than Personnel. It was short-lived bliss though as they outsourced our jobs to civilians shortly after I retrained into the job! Being the highly sensitive person that I was, I just wasn’t cut out for military life; I didn’t make it to a full retirement. I got so attached to people, places and things that when it was time to say good-bye it was just so hard each time. The people you work with you grow to love like family! I hate good-byes!
My first duty assignment was a Travis AFB California and that’s were I met and married my first husband. Our second assignment was in Germany at Bitburg ABS I really loved being in Europe – didn’t want to leave! Our third assignment was in Colorado. I was stationed at Falcon AFB and my husband Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs. I was at Falcon then HQ Air Force Space Command and then the MPF at Peterson. I loved Colorado because I got to see my Grandma and my Uncle Bill more often, she lived in Ft. Collins and he was living in Golden and was a CEO at Coors. The natural beauty of Colorado was amazing. My first husband loved to fish and I would go with him. I loved falling asleep on the shore of a lake on Pikes Peak – the quaking Aspens would lull me to sleep. My last assignment was at Patrick AFB. I had my breakdown there and was medically retired. I was doing some really unhealthy things trying to cope with my failing marriage and too much work. I liked Florida but missed Colorado! Living in a beach type world is definitely a different lifestyle.
Link doesn’t make it far before we have to stop Love the colors of this rose Some colorful sights from last evenings walk
Colossians 3:23-24 says: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Hello to you. How are you today? Today is my Dads birthday! I hope he has a good day. In birthdays past my Mom would make chocolate pudding dessert. We both love it and also chocolate cream pie. My Grandma Schmidt used to make that. Some of my favorite memories with my Dad are us dueling over the piece sizes of the dessert!
Todays prompt asks a question that has more than one answer. Yes I practice religion but I also practice spirituality which is more than just reading a Bible and following rules. For me the word religion kind of has a negative connotation associated with it. Religion has been at the root of many wars and continues to be so. That’s why I choose to think of religion more as having a personal relationship with God. There are so many interpretations of the Bible and so many different denominations of a religion with God at its center! Which ones are the right ones?! I was raised Catholic which is really different than the church I’m attending now. With the church I’m attending belief in Jesus is the focus to be saved whereas that’s not the case with Catholicism. It’s taken me some time to say Jesus is my savior; the only way. I’ve come a long way – I’ve tried a lot of different walks of faith to get to the point I’m at now. I still question things!
My neighbors two tone treeA two tone rose blooming Beauty on the walk last night
To be 