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Beginning Holy Week Again

Posted by eph21920 on March 29, 2026 in Begin, Death, Faith, Grateful, Jesus, Past, Tradition

Each Palm Sunday offers something new. I’m sure part of it is due to the fact that I’m in a different place of life each year spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Today at the beginning of Mass, we all went outside where the deacon read the Gospel, then gave the homily. Even though there were so many people huddled around a pretty small area, the mood was peaceful and holy. The children and infants were quiet as well. After the reflection, we started processing into the church. Everyone was funneled into 1 open door and stopped to pick up their palm branch along the way. The mood for the rest of the long Mass continued to be peaceful and holy. Year after year on Palm Sunday, we begin holy week with the scripture reading of Jesus entering Jerusalem as a hero and end with His crucifixion and death. As part of the reflection, the deacon talked about his visit to the concentration camp in Auschwitz. He learned that as part of training young people in Germany, they are brought to the camp and told of what happened there. It was important for the young people to understand the atrocities in hopes that they don’t forget and repeat the same horror. So do we repeat the same Mass readings and Holy Week structure every year, to remind us of what Jesus went through for us, what He endured to defeat death for us and offer us eternal life. I know I am grateful for and need reminders of how much Jesus loves me.

I Found God today beginning Holy Week again.

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Beauty of Songs

Posted by eph21920 on March 28, 2026 in Connected, Faith, Music, Prayer

I have loved the voice and songs of Lauren Daigle since I heard her best selling song, “Look Up”. Her music is different, a little bit of soul, gospel, and praise, but very much her own style. Plus she has a quirky sense of clothing that I just love as well. Today I saw an interview with her on my favorite Hallow app. She spoke of her faith in a matter of fact way as her relationship with God is just a natural part of who she is. Yet, I thought that a lot of what she said was very deep. She is truly trying to give all of who she is to the glory of God. Here is a quote that struck me:

“That’s the beauty of songs – you can put language in the mouth of someone who’s been longing to connect the words to the feeling, the experience to the prayer. For me, the highest honor is to be able to give people language to pray to God.”

I Found God today in a young woman dedicated to helping others connect with God through her music.

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Empty Me, Fill Me, Use Me

Posted by eph21920 on March 27, 2026 in Faith, Lent, Life, Prayer

During Lent, the Hallow app has been focusing on the simple prayer, “Empty me, Fill me, Use me.” The first 4 weeks, the challenge was to empty ourselves from the things that keep us from allowing God fully into our hearts and lives. Last week we were encouraged to then ask God to fill us with all that He wants for us. This week, the goal is to live each day as an instrument in God’s hands. Everything that God has filled us with, we are now to share with others. More specifically is God’s love. God IS love. So, if we are filled with Him, we are filled with love. And just as Jesus commissioned His disciples before he ascended to Heaven, it is our turn to go out into the world and make disciples. How do we do that? Simply by loving those we are in contact with. I pray that I am able to live up to the challenge. Sounds easy – just love. However, we know it isn’t. I think I need to remember the prayer every day, ” Empty me. Fill me. Use me “

I Found God today in a valuable prayer and concept.

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Feeding Time

Posted by eph21920 on March 26, 2026 in Creation, Friends, Fun, Grateful

Yesterday after work, a friend and I went to the zoo. It’s school break, so there were many families with children there too. But we saw many animals up and about. Since it was later, near feeding time, there was a lot of activity. My friend mentioned how amazing God is, creating all the different kinds of animals. And we only saw less than a fraction of the different species that live on this earth. It really is mind boggling if you think about it. And they each have their own language and ways that they work together to survive. The meerkats always have one of them standing guard to alert everyone else of any danger. It was so cute watching him stand on the highest point and looking all around. The two old elephants were very vocal when they were next to each other as they touched each other with their trunks and gently rubbed their foreheads together. The male lion came out of his den and looked in the giant kong hanging from a big rock. He pushed it around, but it was empty. When it swung back and hit him, he snarled at it. Seemingly frustrated and/or calling for food, he started roaring. As the hippos were being fed, the big male ate first while the baby and mama waited in the water. The orangutans seemed to enjoy sitting down together to have their meal. It was really a great afternoon at the zoo and we were grateful to see and appreciate the different animals that we were able to see.

I Found God today in some of his amazing creations.

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Everyone Has Someone

Posted by eph21920 on March 24, 2026 in Friends, Generosity, Life

Tonight I went to dinner with the friends that I used to work with 40 years ago. The group still gets together every month. But we’re all getting a little older and people are having health issues. One of my friend’s mom comes too, who is coming up on her 91st birthday. She can’t see very well, so struggles to get around, but still keeps going. One man was having trouble with his legs, a woman was walking with a cane. After dinner, people helped those who needed it by giving them an arm or hand to use. One woman commented, “Ok, everyone has someone.” It kind of reminded me of the Toy Story movie when everyone had to find their “moving buddy”. It was kind of funny, but endearing at the same time. I was happy that those struggling still showed up and didn’t just hide away in their house. And I was grateful for all those generous, caring people that I get to see every month.

I Found God today in those looking out for others.

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Listening and Laughing

Posted by eph21920 on March 22, 2026 in Connected, Friends, Humor, Laughter, Life, Past

I was talking with an elderly woman today about my job. She said that she once worked for a high-end department store up on the 3rd floor. When the more sophisticated ladies would arrive to do their shopping, they would take the elevator to the 3rd floor where the woman would greet them. She would find out what they were looking for and take them to the appropriate department. There, they would connect with the salesperson who specialized in those items. We talked about how different our shopping experience is now. Of course, I don’t know how it works for those with more wealth than me. But when I shop, perhaps I am greeted by someone who works there, or perhaps not. If I am looking for something specific, rarely does anyone ask if I need any assistance and if I find someone to ask, they may or may not be obliging. Not only that, most of the time I am encouraged to check myself out, bring my own bags, and load my purchases myself. Sometimes there is someone at the exit wishing me a good day (or checking to make sure I’m not stealing anything.) There are exceptions, but for the most part this is the way it goes. I’m on my own. Perhaps I’m shopping in the wrong places. In any case, we laughed at comparing her experience to mine. She enjoyed being able to tell her story and I enjoyed listening and laughing with her.

I Found God today enjoying listening to and laughing with an elderly woman.

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Long Lost Cousin

Posted by eph21920 on March 21, 2026 in Connected, Family, Grateful, Past

My dad started his photography when he was still in high school, doing yearbooks and such. He even  participated in camera clubs, submitting his best photos. We have a beautiful, large framed photo that he took of his “baby sister” in 1949, when she was 17 years old. My dad won an honorable mention for that picture and the award is framed with it. I have been wanting to get it to my aunt’s family, but have lost touch with them. When I visited our mutual cousin a few months ago, she said she had some of their contact information. I tried sending a mailing to one and it was recently returned. I touched base with our cousin again who was able to get in touch with one of the siblings. He gave me a call today. We had not actually seen each other in well over 50 years, though he did stay in some contact with my parents. I was glad to hear from him. We chatted a bit and I told him about the large picture we had of his mother, as well as some other memorabilia. He was thrilled to connect and grateful that I thought about his family. After we hung up, we shared photos. I definitely saw the family resemblance. I was also happy that we connected and that I will be able to share some family treasures.

I Found God today connecting with a long lost cousin.

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Starting Phase 1

Posted by eph21920 on March 19, 2026 in Answer, Begin, Car, Connected, Creation, Faith, Family, Grateful, Job, Life, New

My older son and his family are beginning phase 1 of their grand adventure tomorrow. They have been wanting to move further east and my son got a job in the area they were looking at. Since my granddaughter is starting school break, this was a good time for them to all go out and take a look. They packed up a small uhaul trailer with things they can put in storage for a couple months and will start driving out tomorrow morning. My son starts his new job on Monday. They will just stay for the week and my son will do some travelling and some remote training. My son told me an amazing story about getting tires on his truck. He just wanted to have his tires balanced and rotated, but the tire people said they were dangerous for them to work on and dangerous for him to drive on. My son was frustrated as they are on a very tight budget and said he couldn’t afford new tires and was going to leave and take his chances. However, one of the employees overheard the conversation and said he had just replaced some tires on a new truck. He sold those tires to my son for the price that he could pay. The first thing he said when he told his wife was, ‘God is Good”. My daughter in law was excited to tell me about a house that they were looking at. It was painted the same way that her mom’s house was. It wasn’t available yet, but will be on May 15, which is the anniversary of her mom’s death. Later in the evening when we were outside, my son looked up and saw the constellation Orion, which we always attribute to my dad. It seems that there are many signs of intervention on their behalf, keeping them safe, directing them, and affirming their decisions.

I Found God today in signs affirming that God is watching over my family.

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Persevering and Independent

Posted by eph21920 on March 18, 2026 in Family, Life, Weather

The other day I saw some photos that my cousin took of the recent blizzard they had which dumped over 30″ of snow. It has been a long time since I have seen that kind of snowstorm. Knowing my aunt experienced the same thing, my sister and I called her this evening. She said she was amazed at all the snow too, but mostly she couldn’t get over the fact that it was all piled up right in the front of her house. Evidently when the guys came to plow out her driveway, which includes 2 other houses, one of the piles of snow they made was literally in front of her window. She said they just kept adding to the giant mound and it is so big now that she can’t even see out of her front windows. Never the less, she still went out today to get her hair done. She said the roads were so icy and bumpy that it was making her car sick. She didn’t finish all her errands, but was happy to be back home. She is the definition of an independent, persevering woman.

I Found God today in my persevering aunt.

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Having Guests

Posted by eph21920 on March 17, 2026 in Baby, Family, Food, Fun, Grateful, Home, Saint

I really had a hankering for shepherds pie for St. Patrick’s Day and wanted to make some Irish soda bread to go with it. That makes so much food and I thought it would be fun to share it. I invited my sons and their families over. Most of them had other plans. So my daughter in law and her mom came over. We enjoyed the food and the conversation and they went home with leftovers. My daughter in law is starting to get a little belly now as the little life grows inside of her. She talked about how their dog – who used to be my son’s dog – is by her side every minute of the day now. Perhaps she is being a protective mother too. I haven’t had guests over to the house for a meal in quite some time, and I was grateful for the company. I remembered how I used to make every holiday special with my parents, mostly to have a reason to celebrate. Perhaps I could start doing that even just a little more.

I Found God today celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

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