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Racing

Posted by eph21920 on October 8, 2022 in Uncategorized

I had promised my teenage grandson an adventure for his birthday. He chose to go to the indoor go-cart track and race. Today the schedules worked out and we were able to go. Neither of us had been there before and were excited to try it out. We got all checked in and received our head socks. Then we watched the races ahead of us and took mental notes. My grandson kept saying he was going to crash as he had never done it before and I kept trying to encourage him. When our turn came up, we watched the “training video”, learned all about what to do, put on our helmets, and got strapped into our go-carts. I just happened to be in the first car of the line up. I already strategized that I would take off and leave everyone in my dust. However, when the green flag was waved, the 4 of us made a couple of turns and crashed. Once we got untangled, my grandson who was right behind me sped past, as well as the other 3 drivers. So much for my strategy. At the end of the race, my grandson came in 2nd place and I came in 4th. I was so happy for him that he did so well and he was pretty proud of himself too. It was entertaining and exhilarating. The best part was that we got to spend some fun, quality time together.

I Found God today enjoying a fun time with my grandson.

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Whatever You Want Day

Posted by eph21920 on October 7, 2022 in Family, Humor, Life

It was a cold, foggy, drizzly day today. Mom asked this morning what was on the agenda. I answered that there was nothing on the calendar, no appointments, no commitments. Mom could do whatever she wanted to. The day went something like this – “Do you mind if I play the piano?” Of course, I never do, but answered, “It’s whatever you want day!” “I would like to exercise.” “I can’t eat anymore.” “I’m going to take a nap.” “Can we turn the heat?” “I would like to watch TV.” “I would like some ice cream.” Every response was the same. “It’s whatever you want day!” Which is very different from every other day . . .

I Found God today reminding my mom that she can do whatever she wants.

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Sweet Dog

Posted by eph21920 on October 6, 2022 in Dog, Family, Fun, Joy

My son went out of town for the day, so we said we would take care of his dog for the day. She has come over several times and we are getting to know one another pretty well. When my son left her in the morning, she looked out the window and door for him for a while. Then she settled down. It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed taking her for a long walk. She sat outside with my mom and I for a while and just watched the activity. When mom and I went for a walk, she came too and walked so nicely and slow with the walker. She was so gentle and well behaved, but also had some energetic times and entertained us as she chased her toy. And she’s so soft and fluffy, we loved petting her as much as she loved us petting her. It was nice to have a dog for the day.

I Found God today enjoying a dog for the day.

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Sweet Outing

Posted by eph21920 on October 5, 2022 in Food

I took my mom to get her haircut today. We have been going to this woman for only a few months. She is super nice, gentle, and she does a great job. Today my mom told her how hard it is for her to keep on weight. She told her that she already eats ice cream and an ensure every day. The hairdresser asked if she eats a lot of pastries, which she does not. She told us of a French bakery that would be on our way home. So, of course we had to stop. We bought some beignets which I had never heard of before. Basically they are little filled doughnuts – but better. We brought them home and heated them according to their directions. They were filled with chocolate, white chocolate, and Nutella. What an unexpected sweet outing we had.

I Found God today in delicious treats.

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Appreciating Birds

Posted by eph21920 on October 4, 2022 in Connected, Creation, Music, Peace, Prayer, Saint

When mom and I got home from our walk today, there was a huge flock of blackbirds in our trees. We watched for a while as they flew away in large groups. Later in the day, we made a quick trip to the post office. On the way home, we stopped by a reflection pond that is owned by a local church. We parked for a while and watched the ducks and geese. The ducks were taking turns dunking and shaking themselves off. We imagined they were taking their evening baths. Some ducks from the other side of the pond started to make their way to the larger group. My mom counted and described them. The water was still, so the swimming ducks made a small v-shaped wake. My mom commented on how soothing it was to watch them. Later in the evening, we said the Prayer to St. Francis to honor his feast day. We knew there was music to the prayer as we had sung it many times in church. I found the song on YouTube and played it. We sang along and even harmonized. It’s funny how some things just stick with you. We appreciated the birds God gave us today and it fit right in with St. Francis’ feast day.

I Found God today appreciating His nature.

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Many Vocations

Posted by eph21920 on October 3, 2022 in Faith, Priest, Saint

During the days leading up to her Feast Day on September 30, I had learned some details about the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. She lived in the late 1800’s and came from a very prayerful family. I was surprised to learn that she had 3 sisters who also joined a convent. I thought how foreign that would be in today’s world. My mom’s friend came over today and said over the weekend she spoke with her cousin who is now in her 90’s. She is a nun and she has 2 other sister’s who also were nuns. My mom’s friend also has 3 cousins who became priests. And even more surprising, 1 of them is considered a martyr as he was killed in South America while he was spreading the faith. I thought how faithful and generous these families were who entrusted their children to God in such a way.

I Found God today in families who gave many children to Him through religious vocations.

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Born to be Courageous

Posted by eph21920 on October 2, 2022 in Bible, Faith, Life, Love

One of the readings in Mass today was a letter from St. Paul to Timothy. Paul was in and out of jail as he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was reminding his student Timothy that “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” Our pastor reminded us that we, too, have been given courage and that we are to stand firm on the teaching of Jesus Christ. We were not born into this world to just get through it and die, but we were born for God. Our mission in life is to get to Heaven and help others do so as well. This requires more than a mediocre sliding into church for an hour on Sunday. We – everyone – is made for more. It takes courage, love, and self-control to live a vibrant, meaningful life and return to God. But He will provide us with what we need when we make that choice.

I Found God today reminded of the life we are meant to live.

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Triple Threat

Posted by eph21920 on October 1, 2022 in Family, Grateful, Home

After a busy week, both my sisters were here today. The three of us took care of cleaning, cooking, projects, and mom. It felt good to have the support and get things accomplished that need to be done. I am so grateful for my sisters.

I Found God today in my sisters.

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Made It

Posted by eph21920 on September 30, 2022 in Begin, Family, Grace, Grateful, Home, Life

My sister started her first full week of working remotely from the house. When my brother was here some months ago, he started setting up a nice work space in the basement. My sister added some of her components and that’s what she’s been using. My mom and I barely heard her until she would come upstairs for a break and to eat. All of us reaped the benefit of having another person to talk to and interact with. But it was a long week, a new job for her and a new routine for us all. We were happy to have made it through.

I Found God today in grace through another new transition.

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New Vision

Posted by eph21920 on September 29, 2022 in Answer, Doctor, Family, Grateful, Happiness

My mom received a new prescription for eye glasses the last time she visited her ophthalmologist. She had been using reading glasses, but they just weren’t working well any more. Then we made a trip to get some glasses set up for her. Today we picked them up. When my mom put on the glasses, she said, “WOW!” in the loudest voice I have heard come from her in a very long time. The glasses are bifocals, so they will take some getting used to. But, she played with them a lot once we got home. She described what she could see at a distance and up close. She said she hadn’t been able to see so good in years. I was overjoyed that she was so happy with the new glasses. At the same time, I felt bad that she had been having such a hard time. We’re all hoping that these will work out well for her.

I Found God today in my mom’s new vision.

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