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Early Presents

Posted by eph21920 on August 18, 2023 in Birthday, Children, Family, Joy, Life, Present

Tomorrow is my granddaughter’s birthday. She and her mom stopped by after school today so my mom could give her gifts. Before they arrived, my mom practiced playing the Happy Birthday song on the piano. When they walked in the door, I told my granddaughter that her first gift was at the piano where my mom was seated. She stood beside her as my mom played happy birthday to her. They were both thrilled. My granddaughter made sure we knew that she won’t actually be a year older until 14 minutes after midnight. Then she opened the photo album that we made for her. She went through and commented on each picture with her mom and my mom looking on. We were so happy she came over so my mom could spend the one on one time with her.

I Found God today as my mom and granddaughter spent time together looking at the photo album we made.

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New Red Car

Posted by eph21920 on August 17, 2023 in Answer, Car, Family, Grateful, Problem

A few months ago, my sister decided to purchase the car she was leasing. She got everything worked out for the financing, but somehow there was a miscalculation and the amount she had to pay it off was incorrect. So it didn’t happen at that time. A few days later the car was in a hail storm and received thousands of dollars of damage. My sister was then trying to decide if she should fix it and keep it or return it. A few days after that, she got in an accident. It was the other driver’s fault and thankfully no one was hurt. Now there was so much damage that the car was totalled. My sister waited and worked with the insurance company for a couple weeks until they finally paid her. She had contacted her finance guy who put her in touch with a car broker. She told him what she wanted and how much she could spend. He found her a car that met her needs and my brother took her to test drive it today. She came home with the shiny new red car. It was strange how things worked out, but evidently there was a reason that she didn’t purchase the other car and found this new one instead. I was happy the whole thing ended with a good resolution.

I Found God today in a new car provided for my sister.

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The Dizzies

Posted by eph21920 on August 16, 2023 in Family, Grateful, Life, Struggles

I woke up this morning, got part way up, and started spinning. I had vertigo. I breathed slowly and waited for it to pass. It kind of came out of nowhere, on the other hand not surprising as I can feel the stress in my body. I was so grateful that my brother was here and my sister was available in the morning. I was able to take something to try to calm everything down. After more sleep, I started to feel better. The feeling gradually subsided during the day. I was thankful for that and for help of my siblings.

I Found God today in my siblings’ help and feeling better.

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Precious Cargo

Posted by eph21920 on August 15, 2023 in Baby, Car, Life, Patience, Stranger

It felt wonderful to take a walk in the sunshine today. As I went through a parking lot, I heard an exchange between a man and a woman who were parked side by side. The woman was getting a toddler out of her car. The man was waiting for her so he could get into his car. The woman apologized and offered to move. The man told her not to worry and to take her time because she had “precious cargo”. I thought that was such a kind and loving thing for him to do and say.

I Found God today in a kind man.

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Children’s Blessings

Posted by eph21920 on August 14, 2023 in Children, Friends, Life, Love

Today my brother was talking about his upcoming travel plans. He wants to go through and visit some native American sites. He has always had a place in his heart for the people and helped to finance a school in South Dakota, which he visited. Not long after our conversation, he went through his mail and found a birthday card from them signed by some of the children. He was also gifted with an insulated bag that was beautifully decorated and included a quote by Sitting Bull, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” Well said. Today was also the first day of school for my granddaughter. She and her mom and dad stopped by after the day ended. She told us about her new teacher and friends in her class and her favorite part of the day – STEM. I thought about how children all over the world in all different circumstances have the same basic desires and need to be loved. It would do us all well to heed the advice of Sitting Bull and strive for a more peaceful, loving world.

I Found God today in a reminder of our responsibility to care for our children.

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Inspirational Reflections

Posted by eph21920 on August 13, 2023 in Connected, Faith, Jesus, Life, Miracle, Prayer

This past week, my Wednesday night prayer group had an inspirational discussion about today’s Mass readings. Today, I went to church while my sister stayed home with my mother and they watched Mass online. I also listened to a podcast about the Gospel and read the homily of a friend. There were a lot of great takeaways from all these people. Here are a few of them. It is important to get away from the chaos of the world to pray and hear God. Even when we hear God and follow His directions, it is still too easy to fall away. Keep your eyes on the prize – Jesus and Heaven. Get out of your boat and step into the unknown with trust and confidence that Christ won’t let you fall. It is harder to live with 1 foot in and 1 foot out of the boat. God loves us and wants us to live our lives to the fullest. He speaks to us and guides us on His good path, but it is up to us to follow. We can do seemingly impossible things when we listen to and follow God.

I Found God today in uplifting reflections about His Word.

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Photo Album

Posted by eph21920 on August 12, 2023 in Baby, Birthday, Children, Family, Happiness, Joy, Life, Past

My granddaughter’s birthday is coming up next week. The other day my mom found a small photo album she had with pictures of my granddaughter soon after she was born. There were many empty pages left. My mom said she had wanted to fill up the rest of the book and give it to her great granddaughter for her birthday. That was so thoughtful. I was able to spend some time today joyfully looking through and printing pictures. Then my mom picked out which ones she wanted in the album and we put it all together. We reminisced and loved seeing how all the kids have grown over the years. It made my heart happy to work on this little project with my mom.

I Found God today working on a photo project with my mom.

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Refiner’s Fire

Posted by eph21920 on August 11, 2023 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Struggles

We have been visited by several people from Hospice this week. The support they offer is amazing and honestly, a little overwhelming. Today the CNA came to help mom in the shower. She also provided lots of helpful information. Then, the chaplain came to check in. During our chat, he talked about God’s refining fire, referencing Zechariah 13:9 “I will bring the one third through the fire; I will refine them as one refines silver, and I will test them as one tests gold. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them; I will say, “They are my people,” and they will say, “The LORD is my God.” and Malachi 3:2, “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand firm when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like fullers’ lye.” The chaplain explained further that a material like silver is placed in a fire to cleanse and burn away any impurities so that it becomes more pure. It is often referred to the Christian life during trial when the heat is turned up making us rely more on him and less on ourselves. That lit a spark in my heart.

I Found God today in a reference to His refining fire.

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More Rest

Posted by eph21920 on August 10, 2023 in Answer, Connected, Grateful, Rest

After giving mom a new medication last night, thankfully she slept very well and felt better today. It’s amazing how a good night’s sleep can make such a positive difference. I slept better as well, but woke up with hip and back pain. I thanked God when I realized I already had a massage scheduled for today. The therapist worked her wonders and said, “You’re taking good care of your mom and I’ll take care of you.” That hour and a half felt amazing on so many levels. Later this evening, mom read the devotion for today from Jesus Calling. “Relax in my healing, holy Presence,” was the first sentence. Tonight I’m grateful for the rest God provides.

I Found God today resting.

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Really Rest

Posted by eph21920 on August 9, 2023 in Answer, Faith, Family, Life, Rest, Struggles

After my mom came home from the hospital a little over a week ago, my sister and I put an extra bed in my mom’s room. We want to make sure someone is there for her during the night if she needs help. We’re taking turns, but it has been very difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Today I read a beautiful, timely quote to keep in mind by St. Edith Stein – Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She was born of Jewish decent, stopped believing in God as and adolescent, and later converted to Catholicism after reading about the life of St. Teresa of Avila. During WWII, she was hunted by the Nazis, was eventually captured and died in the gas chamber. Yet her faith was unwavering.

“Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it to Him – really rest – and start the next day as a new life”.

I Found God today in a timely reminder to rest in Him.

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