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Friends Still Lunching

Posted by eph21920 on June 13, 2022 in Connected, Food, Friends, Fun, Joy, Life

Today my mom and I met some of her long time friends for lunch. One of the ladies picked up another who just turned 91 years old. She was struggling a bit to recognize her friends and remember where she met them. She is very sweet and has a very quiet voice. One of the other ladies was having a hard time hearing, which was unusual for her. Everyone really enjoyed their time together, but as I looked at the group from the outside, it was somewhat comical. The oldest woman of the group spoke very softly and was wondering how she met everyone. I interpreted to my mother who has difficulty hearing, and the other woman interpreted to the other friend who was suddenly having a hard time today. As we helped them to hear what each other was saying, we were trying not to be too loud so as to disturb those around us. I was really happy that the ladies were still able to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

I Found God today in enjoyment of long term friends.

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Another Strange Mass

Posted by eph21920 on June 12, 2022 in Eucharist, Faith, Grateful, Opportunity, Priest, Problem, Struggles

There weren’t very many people in the pews when we arrived at Mass this morning. That was strange to begin with. When it was time to start Mass, the music director announced that, unfortunately, there was no priest present to celebrate Mass. A deacon was there, so we went ahead and started with the Liturgy of the Word. The deacon was a little nervous and very apologetic. He explained that there would be no Holy Communion, as the Bishop of our Diocese won’t allow it if a priest isn’t present. A couple of people left right away. But. the scripture readings were proclaimed and the deacon gave the homily he had already prepared about the Holy Trinity. So far, pretty much like a normal Mass. Then it came time for Communion. There was no preparation of the gifts, no Eucharist on the altar. We all said the prayer of Spiritual Communion together and the deacon led a closing prayer. I thought about how there are likely millions of people who don’t have the luxury of receiving Jesus every weekend and felt a bit of solidarity. And I was grateful that we were able to walk into a Catholic church freely. We were fed as we “gnawed” on the Word of God. Just as they were processing out, the priest walked in. It was the same one who had such difficulty last week. He spoke with the deacon and it was announced that the priest would complete the Mass with the Liturgy of the Eucharist if people wanted to stay. About half the people were already on their way out the door, but the other half stayed. I was glad we didn’t leave at the procession as we usually do so it’s easier for my mom. The priest apologized that he didn’t have the Mass on his calendar. I wondered why he was having such a rough go of things and prayed for him. My mom and I stayed, participated in the rest of the celebration, and received Holy Communion. It was a blessing for us, and I’m sure for everyone. I thought about how lucky we are to have been able to receive Communion when we thought we were not going to.

I Found God today in the blessing of Holy Communion.

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Chicken Hatching

Posted by eph21920 on June 11, 2022 in Begin, Birthday, Children, Connected, Creation, Life

My sister and her husband sold their farm last year to a wonderful family who they keep in touch with. They have two little girls who love taking care of the chickens. My sister was here today and told us that the family had purchased an incubator. They had taken a couple of eggs from the chickens and put them in the incubator to see if they would hatch. Not too long after she told the story, she received a picture of the first baby chick. The family was so excited as my sister walked them through what to do next. I remembered how exciting it was when my brother hatched a chicken egg using an incubator when we were kids. It was a great life lesson.

I Found God today in the amazement of a new life.

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Moving Forward

Posted by eph21920 on June 10, 2022 in Answer, Hope, Life, Plan

Today I saw a quote by Toby Mac that touched my heart:

You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.

I Found God today in a reminder to keep moving forward.

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Time For Time

Posted by eph21920 on June 9, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Family, Friends, Grief, Hope, Opportunity, Past

Today I was a couple minutes late for the grief support group that I have been attending. It seems that I rush too much and we talked about it at the beginning of the session. At the end, the leader read the reflection for today. Once again, it really hit home.

‘When you become anxious that you are running out of time to complete something, this calming routine will help to halt any sense of panic and re-focus your mind. Say “Stop” out loud and pause from your activity. Breath in slowly and deeply. Then imagine that with your exhalation time is expanding. Repeat this with your next two breaths, each time spending a little longer breathing out. Resume your task with a greater sense of calm.

I Found God today in time.

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Learning English

Posted by eph21920 on June 7, 2022 in Bible, Children, Connected, Faith, Friends, Generosity, Life

Today I had a visit with one of our neighbors. She has a ministry of teaching English in foreign countries. We have heard about some of their trips in the past. She and a team are getting ready for another trip at the end of the month. During their time teaching English classes, they also share the message of Jesus Christ. When I was at her house today, she showed me her basement full of materials as she is putting together her lesson plans. It reminded me of when I worked for the church and was getting ready for Workcamp or vacation Bible school. I loved listening to her stories of how her ministry has changed lives.

I Found God today learning about my neighbor’s ministry.

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Tickling the Keys

Posted by eph21920 on June 6, 2022 in Friends, Life, Music

My mom’s friend came over today and they played the two pianos as usual. But today, when they were finished, her friend played a couple solo pieces that she had memorized. I can’t even remember the last time I heard her play alone like that. There were several runs up and down the keyboard. I was fully enthralled. She’s only a couple years younger than my mom and still lives alone in her big house and drives. She goes to church almost every day and visits friends. You can’t help but be encouraged by her stamina and perseverance. Before they started playing, my mom asked her friend if she was ready to tickle the keys. Tickle she did!

I Found God today in the music my mom’s friend was still able to perform.

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A Different Pentecost

Posted by eph21920 on June 5, 2022 in Faith, Life, Prayer, Present, Priest, Problem

I have been to some amazingly vibrant and exciting Pentecost celebrations and always look forward to today’s solemnity. However, today’s Mass was quite different. The priest started by saying how nice it was to use a microphone, because when he celebrated Mass earlier at a different church, their sound system wasn’t working. It was more than ironic when he stood at the podium to deliver his homily and the power went out. No one knew what to do for a minute or so til it was announced that everything was ok- just the power had gone out. The priest talked in his loudest voice and everyone was super quiet as we strained to hear what he had to say. We sit near the back and I only caught a few sentences. Since it was Pentecost, he wanted us to say a few extra prayers, which we did, but he struggled through them as he couldn’t see the words very well. As I thought about why this would happen to this elderly, gentle priest and on a day that should have been vibrant, I of course didn’t have an answer. But I did start to notice God all around. He was in the flames on the candles that lit the altar and podium. He was in the skylight that prominently lit the Tabernacle. He was in the breeze that flowed through when they opened the doors. He was in the prayers, our intentions and efforts, and in the Eucharist. He was in the collective “Amen” when the power clicked back on. While Pentecost is associated with driving wind and tongues of fire, I was reminded that isn’t always how God shows up. He is in the stillness, the quiet, the unusual, the ordinary, and in our observations.

I Found God today in an unusual Pentecost celebration.

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I Did It

Posted by eph21920 on June 4, 2022 in Bible, Faith, Family, Grateful, Hope, Life, Opportunity, Struggles, Teacher

At Mass 4 years ago, I heard an invitation from the Biblical School to attend an informational meeting. I decided to go. As I was listening to the course outline, my heart was “burning within me”. Even though it was 4 years of classes, I knew it was something I should do. I didn’t know if I would make it to the end, and I didn’t really think that much about it. I figured I would just take it one class at a time. I worked it out with my parents that I would take one night a week for the course and started the class in person. I met several new people and enjoyed sharing faith stories and struggles with them. Each lesson brought the Word of God more alive and relevant. My faith and relationship with God grew deeper with each homework assignment, reflection, and prayer time. There were plenty of challenges. Halfway through the second year, my dad had a stroke. I missed several weeks. But my teacher encouraged me to keep going and another student recorded the classes so I was able to listen to them. Then COVID hit. Classes were halted, then quickly changed to online which had its own problems. My father’s death a few months ago set me back as well. Again, the teacher encouraged me as well as the people I met in my small groups. I managed to get all the work done and attended the graduation Mass today. Thinking about how much has happened in the past 4 years, I found myself incredibly grateful for the time I was able to spend taking the course. I was also grateful that my mom was feeling better and that my sister could come stay with her. They watched the celebration online and even spotted me. It was great to be with so many people who I had only seen online for 2 1/2 years. Both the Bishop and the head of the Biblical School said that we should be proud of our accomplishment and be better equipped now to share God’s message with others. I am humbled by the thought and hope and pray that I’m up for whatever God sends my way.

I Found God today graduating from Biblical School.

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Wonderful Weather

Posted by eph21920 on June 3, 2022 in Creation, Family, Grateful, Joy, Weather

It has been several days since my mom and I have been able to enjoy being outside. The weather has been cold, or windy, or rainy. This afternoon we had our first full on thunderstorm of the season. The thunder boomed and rumbled as the clouds let loose their rain and small hail. It made my mom nervous, but I thought it was wonderful. In the evening, things dried up and my mom and I were able to go for a walk. When were returned, it was wonderful to sit outside in the calm, cool evening air. Just before it set, the sun peaked out and lit the tops of the trees so they glowed. We enjoyed being able to get some fresh air today.

I Found God today enjoying the weather.

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