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Cool Air

Posted by eph21920 on August 23, 2025 in Creation, Happiness, Weather

It has been so hot lately. I have been able to open the windows in the morning for maybe a couple of hours but then have to close up the house and run the air conditioner most of the day. Last night, a cold front blew through and cooled things down significantly. It was so nice to have the windows open all day today and let the air come through. It just feels more energizing to me and I enjoy the sounds of life happening outside. There were birds, dogs, children, neighbors, lawnmowers, cars and trucks etc. Ordinary perhaps, but so much better than the sound of the air conditioner.

I Found God today in the cool air and sounds of life outside.

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Chocolate Pinata

Posted by eph21920 on August 22, 2025 in Birthday, Food, Friends, Fun, Joy

Today a friend and I met for lunch. Unfortunately, the place she chose was not open. We talked about going another time when she told me that her birthday is next week. She said she usually celebrates for a whole week. I told her we should start today then. So she chose a Mexican restaurant for lunch. When we arrived, they had a big sign by the front door advertising a “Chocolate Pinata”. Of course, we decided to get one. We sat outside in the beautiful weather with a beautiful view of the mountains and exchanged stories of healing trips we had taken this summer. We both had a light lunch and ordered the pinata. It was much more of an event than either of us anticipated. The waiter brought out a giant tray that covered almost the entire table. The tray was decorated with chocolate and marshmallow syrup and whipped cream with a couple of containers of chocolate sauce. In the middle was the large, round, chocolate pinata suspended by a metal stand with a curved hook on the end. The waiter gave my friend a wooden stick. She gave the pinata one hard whack, and the whole thing came apart. Inside were little custard filled churros, fresh strawberries, and pineapple. They now covered the tray along with the broken pieces of chocolate. My friend and I had long forks to retrieve the goodies and dunk them in the chocolate sauce. It was quite a treat and a great way for my friend to start her birthday week. Both of us were so happy to have spent the time together and have such fun.

I Found God today spending fun time with a friend.

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Dancing Dad

Posted by eph21920 on August 21, 2025 in Children, Connected, Humor, Laughter, Music, Stranger

As I was out and about today, I was stopped at a red light near the elementary school. This particular light is very long, so I have time to look around and notice things. Across the street was man walking with a little girl. I assumed he was the dad. As they approached their crossing walk which was also red, the man started doing marching and backwards steps and such. The little girl was amused and tried to do some of the same steps. What was really funny was that the man was doing his steps right in time to the music I was listening to. I wondered if he was also listening to it. It was an amusing scene that made me laugh.

I Found God today in a funny and ironic dancing man.

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Silent Retreat

Posted by eph21920 on August 20, 2025 in Bible, Faith, Food, Intimacy, Prayer, Uncategorized

Many years ago, I was on a retreat with a pastoral council. In the evening, someone put in the movie, “Into Great Silence”. It was filmed in the Grande Chartreuse, a monastery nestled deep in the French Alps. For approximately six months, the filmmaker immersed himself in the daily rituals, prayers and tasks performed by the Carthusian monks, considered to be among the most ascetic of all orders. The majority of their lives and the film was silent. Most people on the retreat couldn’t watch the full movie. However, I was enthralled by it. Today I talked with a woman who recently made a 5-day silent retreat. She said she usually does a silent retreat for 8 days. I couldn’t even imagine. Her retreat was led by her spiritual director via the Internet. She did actually speak to him a couple of times as a check in. She said her time was spent Jesus. She was in Eucharist Adoration for several hours. Some time was spent walking, but even then she was praying. She said by the time dinner finished, she was exhausted. So she did some light reading, which was about Catholicism and the New Testament. But, she said she loved every minute of her time away with Jesus. She highly recommended I take one. Perhaps some day I will.

I Found God today in a woman’s faith.

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Granddaughter’s Birthday

Posted by eph21920 on August 19, 2025 in Birthday, Children, Family, Grateful, Happiness

Today was my granddaughter’s 10th birthday. We went to a restaurant where she received a balloon, a happy birthday song from the employees, and an ice cream sundae to go along with dinner. I gave her a necklace that belonged to my mother that I thought would look nice with the dress she is wearing for the upcoming wedding. She felt pretty special and we reminisced over photos and stories from the past. Now she is double digits and feeling pretty big. It is a blessing to spend time with her.

I Found God today celebrating my granddaughter.

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Painful Best

Posted by eph21920 on August 18, 2025 in Answer, Faith, Healing, Life, Struggles

I saw a quote today from C.S. Lewis that read, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”  That reminded me of my thoughts over the past several years. I always knew God was along side us in our struggles, but it didn’t seem right to me that it all should have been so difficult and painful. During this past year since my mom’s death, part of what I have been working through is fearing God’s plan for the rest of my life. I know His ways are good. I know life is difficult and painful. It’s that painful part that I would rather not experience. At the same time, I do have faith that God works all things for my good and for the good of those around me.

I Found God today remembering to have faith through life’s painful moments.

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Double Digits

Posted by eph21920 on August 17, 2025 in Birthday, Children, Family, Friends, Fun, Joy

My son and his family hosted the birthday party for my granddaughter today. She will be turning 10 years old in a couple of days. Her mother reminded us that she will be in double digits now for the rest of her life – unless she lives to be 100 years old. I never thought of it that way before. My granddaughter was super excited to officially be a “pre-teen”. And she was excited for her party. She has friends at school, but for whatever reason, she usually only has 1 or 2 attend her birthday parties. Perhaps it is because it is so close to the start of school. I was happy to see that she had 5 friends come over – 4 girls and 1 boy. They all knew each other from previous years and were all in the same class this year. All of them seemed to have a great time just running around, screaming, piling on top of one another, and chasing one another. The noise level increased exponentially. At the same time, when things got too rough and one child got hurt, everyone calmed down and were concerned for them. And at one point, one child was kind of left out of the group. When my daughter in law made my granddaughter aware of it, she went over and got them all together again. So, while they were all full of energy, laughter, and hyperactivity, they were also very caring and concerned for each other. One little girl wrote a heartfelt note in the card expressing how she was excited to start 5th grade with my granddaughter. Another one gave her a cross that she had decorated. It made me happy to see the joy and love of all the “pre-teens”.

I Found God today in the joy, love, and care of children.

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Spiritual Afternoon

Posted by eph21920 on August 16, 2025 in Angel, Connected, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Priest, Stranger, Struggles

A friend and I had lunch with a priest friend of ours today. I see him often as I volunteer at the Newman Center where he is assigned. However, my friend had not been able to sit and visit with him for quite some time. She lives with and cares for her mother. However, she had a few days to herself as her mom was away visiting her granddaughter and great-grandchildren. I thought how wonderful it was that the granddaughter and family would house her, entertain her, and care for her for several days like that. My friend said that she usually gets anxious for a day when her mother is elsewhere. But she felt anxious today also for whatever reason. As we chatted, she shared some of her more recent spiritual stories that our friend had not heard, such as the angels unaware who visited her in the emergency room when her mother was in a bad way. And of her nephew who seems to be spiritually gifted, has had visions, and has wanted to be a priest since he was very young. He was recently Confirmed and my friend recalled how she could feel the Holy Spirit in the church that day. As she talked, she became more emotional and teary eyed. Before we left, our priest friend gave her a medal of St. Benedict – which was the Confirmation name her nephew chose – and gave her a blessing. As we were getting ready to leave, she said she did feel better. Perhaps she just needed to share those stories. For me, sometimes talking about God’s grace brings peace to my heart as I remember how good He is. I felt blessed to share the afternoon with them.

I Found God today sharing a spiritual afternoon.

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Housing More Children

Posted by eph21920 on August 15, 2025 in Children, Generosity, Life, Love, Struggles

I was visiting with my neighbor tonight when she received a call from her daughter in law. She was asking if she could borrow the small mattress that her son uses when he spends the night at “Mimi’s”. My neighbor explained that her son and his wife are involved in an organization that is similar to the fostering program, but different. This organization does it’s best to help families before they get into a situation where the children are taken into the foster care system. They offer classes and training to help the mom and dad be good parents. And they offer respite, which is why they needed the additional mattress. My neighbor’s son and his wife will be housing 4 children from a household in which the mother really needs a break. The children will be with them for the weekend, along with the 2 young boys of their own. I was in awe of the love, generosity and courage of this family to host 4 additional children in this way. They are truly doing God’s work.

I Found God today in a generous and loving family.

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So Blessed

Posted by eph21920 on August 14, 2025 in Doctor, Faith, Grateful, Healing, Struggles

I had my annual appointment with my primary care physician today. There are always many forms to complete and today was no different. As I went through each questionnaire, I became increasingly grateful. First there was the mental health assessment. I remembered when I went through it last year and realizing there was cause for concern. I was grateful that I had access to the help I needed and was feeling much better at this point in time. I completed the alcohol/drug addiction evaluation and was grateful that has not been a problem. The last form was a new one asking about home life. I was grateful that I live in a safe environment and that I am not lacking for care, food or shelter. I thanked God for His blessings, particularly during this past year. As I became more grateful, I also became more concerned and empathetic for those who are struggling with such things and prayed for them as I waited. Perhaps it isn’t a physical solution for someone, but I believe that my prayers can help in some way.

I Found God today grateful for His blessings.

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