Leave a comment

Back From Mission

Posted by eph21920 on July 15, 2022 in Bible, Children, Connected, Friends, Jesus, Knowledge, Teacher

Our neighbor’s returned from their mission trip in Ecuador. My mom, sister’s, and I helped get some of the materials ready for the English Bible Camp before they left. We have been praying for them every day. I received an email from the wife today. She thanked us for the help, the prayers and said it was a very successful time. The school that hosted the camp is supported by a local Christian church. The camp boosted the school’s English immersion program they plan to begin in the Fall. And 5 of the high school youth made a decision to become Christian. Unfortunately, her husband became quite ill as they made their way back home. So, we will continue praying for him. She included photos of the camp in her email. Some were pictures of the kids working with the materials that we prepared. They had big smiles and it was fun to see that the little bit of help we gave made a difference for them.

I Found God today realizing a small amount of help can make a big difference.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Blessed Memories

Posted by eph21920 on July 14, 2022 in Connected, Faith, Family, Friends, Life, Saint, Uncategorized

Today is the memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. She was from the Mohawk tribe. When Jesuit missionaries came to the area, she asked to be baptized, even though it caused her to be an outcast. Various miracles and supernatural events are attributed to her intercession. She is the patron saint of a good friend who I especially prayed for. Once in my travels to visit my son in college, I stopped by the shrine to St. Kateri. It was in New York where she was a child in the 1600’s. It was a peaceful place and I felt blessed to be there. Her Feast day brought back many wonderful memories.

I Found God today remembering St. Kateri Tekakwitha and the memories surrounding her.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Grateful Reminder

Posted by eph21920 on July 13, 2022 in Doctor, Grateful, Healing, Life, Mercy, Struggles

I went to get a bone density test today, which I have never had before. It was just like a low powered x-ray. I have had x-rays on my back at different times during my life for different reasons. The technician today said the same thing that the others have said… “Um…did you know your back is crooked?” Yes. I explained that all the joints in my body are crooked due to the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis I was diagnosed with at 4 years old. It gave me another opportunity to talk about and remember how good God has been to me and how I could be living a very different life right now. I can too easily get caught up in the pain and inabilities I have. Instead, I should be grateful every day for the way I can move, for the things I can do, for the lessened amount of pain, and for God’s grace and mercy. It was a beautiful reminder.

I Found God today in a reminder of how grateful I need to be.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Sin to Good

Posted by eph21920 on July 12, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Grace, Hope, Life, Love, Struggles

I have been listening to a reading or Fr. Jacques Phillippe book, “Searching for and Maintaining Peace.” Yesterday’s reflection was about how we cannot be discouraged because we make mistakes or sin. I remember people saying to me that there were only 2 perfect people who live on this earth – Jesus and His Mother Mary. Our Catholic tradition teaches that, while both were tempted, neither of them sinned. They followed God’s plan for them perfectly. So, the thoughts they I am never going to sin or that I am a terrible person when I do, are both incorrect and will pull me away from God. Tonight’s reading followed that subject further by explaining that God can and does use our sins and misgivings for good. “So great is the mercy of the Lord that He uses our faults to our advantage!” Furthermore, we should be more disposed to love others when we are aware of our failings, as we shouldn’t be too quick to judge others who are imperfect as well. I am enjoying these reflections as I ponder the messages and pray for a more peaceful heart.

I Found God today reminded that I do and will sin, but that God can and does work all things for our good.

Permalink
Leave a comment

In The Follow Through

Posted by eph21920 on July 10, 2022 in Answer, Begin, Grateful, Knowledge, Life, Present, Priest

My mom didn’t feel well today, so we participated in Mass with Fr. Mike Schmitz online. The Gospel reading was about the person who questioned Jesus about how to get to Heaven. He basically knew the answer – love God and love your neighbor. But he pushed further asking Jesus who exactly is my neighbor? Jesus responded by telling the parable of the man who was attacked on the road. Several people saw him, but didn’t help. Finally, the Good Samaritan helped the injured man. We should be treating all people like the Good Samaritan did – regardless of race, creed, color, etc. Fr. Mike Schmitz said that we tend to overcomplicate things. We know what is good and right most of the time, and what God wants us to do, but it is in the follow through that we run short. We know what we should do, we may even make a plan, but so many times, we fail to actually do it. So many times in the “moment of action”, we don’t do what we should. This resonated with me as well. I think my biggest struggle is going to bed so I can get up early. I want to go to sleep so I can get up early and pray and exercise. But often I get stuck on social media, which does nothing for me except suck my time away from following through on my plan. Then I cut short my prayer time, my exercise time, or both. There are plenty of reasons and excuses why we cannot do what we know we should. Fr. Mike shared a great quote from Dr. Peter Kreeft, philosopher at Boston College, “When you start making excuses, that proves that the time has come for you to do the thing you’re making excuses for.” His words rang true to me for sure. Fr. Mike gave a thoughtful, relevant homily and I am glad we watched him today.

I Found God today in a reminder of the importance to follow through on the things that I know I should do.

Permalink
Leave a comment

How Much We Love

Posted by eph21920 on July 9, 2022 in Answer, Life, Love

There is much confusion and division in our world and it can seem like there is no real answer. I heard a quote today that put it all in perspective. “On the eve of our life, we will be judged by how much we loved.” St. John of the Cross. As my mom always says, “Just be kind.”

I Found God today reminded to just love.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Songs Scouts Sing

Posted by eph21920 on July 8, 2022 in Connected, Family, Happiness, Life

My mom has been wanting to clean out her bookcase. Today my sister helped her go through it. They came across the book, “Songs Scouts Sing” published by the Boy Scouts of America in 1941. It is just what it the title describes – a song book for scouts. Inside the cover is stamped with my grandfather’s information, “Property of Jim Damon & Co.; Magical Entertainers: Oshkosh, Wisconsin”. It was a wonderful find that brought up many fun memories about both my dad and his dad.

I Found God today in a fun memorial book.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Sibling Hike

Posted by eph21920 on July 7, 2022 in Creation, Family, Fun, Grateful

One brother and one sister were here today and our friend was coming to spend a couple hours with my mom. It was a gorgeous day, so my siblings and I went for a hike. My brother brought his dog as usual, but she’s been having problems with her hip, so we weren’t sure how she would do. And my sister said she hadn’t been on a hike since she broke her leg 5 years ago, so we weren’t sure how she would do either. We went to a place that is always busy, but thought early on a Thursday morning perhaps there wouldn’t be too many people there. We were right. Several groups of people were at the beginning of the trailheads, but the further we went, the less there were. It was quite hot in the sun and we took many shady water breaks. At the end, we all made it almost 3 miles. Then we found a place for lunch where we could sit outside with the dog. It did rain a bit, but it felt good. It was great to spend time with siblings. And I was so grateful for our trusted friend who I know cares well for mom.

I Found God today in an enjoyable sibling hike.

Permalink
4 Comments

Key Lime Pie

Posted by eph21920 on July 6, 2022 in Family, Food, Joy

My mom receives recipes in her email on a regular basis. The other day it included a recipe for key lime pie. She mentioned it to me and my sister. She told us that her father loved key lime pie, but even as a baker, he never made one. They did, however, make it to Florida where he was able to indulge in the dessert. Since the email didn’t get deleted, my mom saw it many times and would point it out to us. Today, my sister decided to make one. She found a recipe in my mom’s old cookbook that sounded good to my mom. It turned out delicious! Even though my mother can’t smell and has trouble tasting, she said she could taste especially the lime in the pie. That in itself made it all worthwhile.

I Found God today in my sister making a pie that my mom enjoyed.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Spirit in Your Heart

Posted by eph21920 on July 5, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Prayer, Saint

Today I read a quote from St. Anthony Zaccaria. It is his feast day in the church. He was a very spiritual man who incited a movement to understand the Gospel simply and clearly. Pope Benedict XVI, in a preface written about Saint Anthony wrote he was, “an authentic man of God… a true leader, able to convert others to good.” I liked the quote by him, “Prayer is not knowledge and human understanding but the Spirit present within your heart.”

I Found God today in a simple, but beautiful explanation of prayer.

Permalink