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Relaxation

Posted by eph21920 on January 1, 2026 in Angel, Baby, Faith, Family, Jesus, Mary, Prayer

On New Year’s Day, my son’s tradition is to have a Lord of the Rings marathon. I love the movies, so this year I decided to join him. All of them take about 14 hours, so they have to start pretty early. When I arrived in the morning, my son and his wife had made an impressive, delicious breakfast. We filled our plates with Dutch baby pancake, bacon, sausage, and blistered cherry tomatoes, then headed to the couches and started The Fellowship of the Ring. I stayed for about half the day, making it through 1 1/2 movies. Then I went home, watched another movie and just relaxed. It felt nice to unwind after the busyness of the holidays. The church tradition for today is to honor Mary and tell the Nativity story again, including when Mary and Joseph had their baby circumcised according to their tradition of it being the 8th day after birth. They also gave him his name of Jesus as instructed by the angel. One of the scriptures for today is from the book of Numbers and is one of my favorites. It seems particularly valid as we start a new year:

The LORD bless you and keep you!  
The LORD let his face shine upon      
you, and be gracious to you!  
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

I Found God today in a relaxing day and prayer for peace.

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Craft Time

Posted by eph21920 on December 31, 2025 in Children, Connected, Family, Fun, Grateful

For Christmas, my granddaughter received some new craft kits. We decided we should have craft time, so we got together at my house today. My daughter in law brought a crocheted blanket she has been working on. My granddaughter brought a rainbow unicorn latch hook rug. I got out a diamond painting I have been working on. We worked on our things for a while and talked. Then my granddaughter wanted to try the diamond painting. I showed her how and we traded crafts. She worked on the diamond painting and I worked on her latch hook. After a bit, I opened a new kit that I got from a friend this summer. It was a kind of wooden puzzle. There were 4 sheets of wood that had different thickness and colors. They each had lettered and numbered pieces that were cut into the sheet. It only took a bit of prompting to get them completely out. The directions were basically a picture guide and I had to look at them carefully to put the pieces together properly. I kept telling myself it was good for my brain. I completed the first step – which was actually about 8 – and it was going together pretty well. It will be a sunflower in a box stand when it’s completed. While we crafted, we chatted and had snacks and talked girl talk. My granddaughter is 10 and I have seen a huge change in her this year. She was wearing some new pants that she bought with some of her Christmas gift cards. She also got some stick on nails that were very pretty. It was such a fun afternoon and I am grateful to spend this time with them.

I Found God today spending time with my daughter in law and granddaughter.

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The Church Pew

Posted by eph21920 on December 30, 2025 in Faith, Friends, Generosity, Grateful, Prayer

Today I visited an elderly friend. While I was there, my 12:00 noon timer went off. Many years ago, my mother said she remembered when she was in school as a child, they would pray the Angelus when the church bells rang at noon. So, I set the alarm. My mom and I and whoever else was around said the prayer together. I still do. While I was at my friend’s house today, she was familiar with this tradition and said she would be happy to join me in the prayer. She showed me a small, personal sized pew kneeler that she had tucked away in her room. We pulled it out and set it in front of her little personal altar. She didn’t use the kneeler anymore as she was unable to get up and down. So, she sat in her comfy electronic chair and I used the kneeler as we said the short prayer. Afterwards, she said she wanted me to have the kneeler. I thought perhaps she should save it for one of her children. She answered that they don’t attend church anymore and that she wanted it to be put to good use. I thanked her profusely and packed it into my car before I left. When I got home, I brought it down to my room with my statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I’m making quite a little prayer area in my room and I love it.

I Found God today in the gift of a pew kneeler.

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Holy People and Families

Posted by eph21920 on December 28, 2025 in Angel, Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Family, Grateful, Jesus, Love, Relationship

The Sunday after Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family. As a divorced woman, I sometimes cringe at the readings, feeling like they don’t apply to me, or that I have somehow messed it all up already. But today I watched the homily of Fr. Mick Schmitz, which I loved. It made sense to me. He talked about the roles of Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the scriptures, Joseph never says a word, but he listens to the promptings of God. He takes Mary and the baby Jesus to different locations to protect them. He accepts his responsibility and is the protector and provider of the family. Mary nurtures the baby Jesus as mother and puts her trust in her husband Joseph, trusting that he is looking out for their best interest. Seems simple enough. Yet, in our current world, “roles” as mother and father, husband and wife, or even as woman and man seem to be invalid. That leaves us all grasping for an identity, a purpose, a guide. That is not to say that all people, marriages, and families should and do function the same. The big take away for me was that when we human beings follow the plans God has for us, our lives are more free, loving, and peaceful. Here are some of the statements that particularly struck my heart:

Joseph and Jesus are incredible examples of masculinity – strength developed and put at the service of the people around them.

Mary is an example of courage and trust, “Let it be done to me.”

Proverbs 31 describes women as “the woman of valor”… she’s trustworthy, she’s strong – physically strong, spiritually strong, emotionally strong.

A holy man and a holy woman are not the same, but are complementary.

All individuals are called to be holy… to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bear with one another and forgive one another. … over all these put on love. (Colossians 3:12-21)

Even though I am divorced, I can still take Mary’s lead by being courageous and trusting in God and His path for my life. I am incredibly grateful that He is my provider and protector and has been for many years. When I can let go of my attempts to control and simply trust I am allowing God to be merciful in my life and the lives of those around me. Today, I prayed for all the families I know in all the situations and circumstances that may be.

I Found God today in examples of Holy people and a Holy Family.

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Safety and Peace

Posted by eph21920 on December 27, 2025 in Creation, Grateful, Peace, Travel

At one point, we planned on spending Christmas at the cabin. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So today I decided to make a trip up there and take care of a couple of things. It may snow tomorrow, so I thought this would be the best time. When I arrived at the top of the driveway, I noticed 4 cute small fuzzy deer just off the road in the woods. I slowly drove past the driveway to assess the entrance and exit before deciding to park there. It was snow packed on one end with some patches of snow and ice in the driveway itself. It didn’t look too bad. I knew I would be able to make it down the gravel driveway just fine, but was still a little uncertain about the snow packed incline getting out. I turned around and drove by slowly the other direction and decided my SUV should be able to make it. When I came to the top of the driveway again, I noticed the deer were still busy munching away on the other side of the road. I stopped and rolled down my window to take some photos. Luckily I had my camera out and ready. They didn’t seem bothered in the least and I took many pictures that I still need to sort out. It was so peaceful to just watch them. When I had enough, I straightened out the car and went down the driveway. I realized that what looked like snowpack was actually ice. Never the less, I didn’t have any trouble going down. Once I parked, I walked up to check out the exiting path. It was also pretty icy but didn’t cover a large area. I decided not to worry about it and enjoyed being at the cabin. Later in the afternoon, the wind started howling and I could see the snow in the distance. It was time to go. I packed up the car and locked up the cabin. I put the car in snow/gravel mode and headed up the driveway. I got up a bit of speed and went right over the snow/ice pile with no problem. Going to the cabin is always an adventure. I thanked God for the little get away, the peace and the safety.

I Found God today in safety and peace at the cabin.

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Joyful, Grateful, Peaceful

Posted by eph21920 on December 26, 2025 in Faith, Family, Food, Friends, Grateful, Jesus, Joy, Laughter

I have had a wonderful week full of Christmas joy, gratitude, and peace. Last weekend my oldest grandson came home for a few days. I decorated the house, made goodies, and hosted Christmas dinner for my family. We played Christmas song charades, laughed a lot, and ate a lot. Before the meal, I led the prayer as usual, but I found myself choked up and teary as I have just felt so grateful this year. After explaining to my family, my son finished the prayer. Earlier this week, I spent an afternoon with some friends. We watched Christmas movies, laughed a lot, and ate a lot. I found myself teary eyed during the movies as well – even through Charlie Brown’s Christmas – thinking of God’s love and humility coming to be with us as a baby. On Christmas eve, I went to Mass with my son and his wife. We worshipped God, prayed a lot, and sang the Christmas songs that we wait all year to sing. It was difficult to get through all the verses as I was choked up again and teary with gratitude for God’s goodness. On Christmas day I went to my son’s house for breakfast. He, his wife, and the kids were all up bright and early. I had made some of my mom’s traditional Sugarplum bread and shared it. They showed me their Santa presents, we visited, and ate a lot. It was just joyful. In the afternoon, the whole family including my siblings got on a Zoom call. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts, laughed a lot, and everyone sampled the goodies I mailed them. It was good to see everyone joyful. That evening, my boys and families gathered at my son’s house for Christmas dinner. We exchanged some gifts, played Christmas song charades again as it was so much fun, laughed a lot and ate even more. I loved seeing my son and his wife celebrating their first Christmas together as a married couple. They were starting their new traditions and getting things all figured out. By the time we left, everyone was exhausted, but in a good way. I felt so much peace driving home in the starlit sky humming, “Silent Night”. This morning I read a quote by Pope Leo XIV from his Christmas homily:

If all of us at every level, would stop accusing others and instead acknowledge our own faults, asking God for forgiveness, and if we would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change.”

And now, I will try to hang on to the joy, gratitude and peace. But I must stop eating so much.

I Found God today in a joyful, grateful, peaceful Christmas week.

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He is Here

Posted by eph21920 on December 24, 2025 in Advent, Baby, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Life, Love

The reflection from Hallow today was beautiful. For thousands of years, people have cried out to God for help to save us from our struggles, from our suffering, from our own self destructive ways.

“What broke the silence of generations was the cry of a baby – something so innocent, something so delicate, something so relatable.”

Glory to God! He is with us! Love was born this night!

I Found God today in the miracle of God coming to earth.

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Tomorrow I Will Be There

Posted by eph21920 on December 23, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Family, Hope, Jesus, Peace

This evening, I listened to the final podcast of the O Antiphons leading up to Christmas. The last verse brings us right back to the one we know:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

I learned that the 7 titles for Jesus in this song are Wisdom, King of Israel, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Rising Dawn, King of the nations, and finally Emmanuel. If you look at the first letter of these names in Latin – Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, Clavis, Oriens, Rex, and Emmanuel – and reverse the order, you get the statement “Ero Cras”, which means “Tomorrow I will be there”. I loved learning about this hidden meaning. It seems that there is much that is hidden in the faith life, just waiting for us to discover it and bring us closer to God, filling us with hope and peace. Tomorrow He will be here!

I Found God in the meaning of a favorite Advent hymn.

This first photo from the Holy Family Shrine shows a portrait of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. The portrait is etched into the glass window behind the altar. Hopefully you can see it in the second photo.

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King of Peace

Posted by eph21920 on December 22, 2025 in Advent, Begin, Jesus, Peace

I heard verse 7 of “O come O come Emmanuel” today. I sat quietly and just let the words and melody permeate my heart and mind. I thought the lyrics were particularly relevant as we get closer to Christmas Day.

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace

In the reflection of this “O Antiphon”, it was pointed out how Jesus is a different kind of king. He didn’t live in a fancy palace wearing fancy clothes. He was born in an animal stable and wore plain swaddling clothes. He didn’t force people into His service, but instead offers His people truth, life, and peace. Peace is what we truly desire, in our world, in our own country, our families, and within our own souls. Jesus Christ came into our world and offers us this peace that we so desperately want and need. This is what we celebrate in just a couple of days. Ready?

I Found God today in His Kingship of Peace.

These photos show the inside and outside of the Holy Family Shrine.

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Holy Family Shrine

Posted by eph21920 on December 21, 2025 in Advent, Angel, Answer, Faith, Family, Jesus, Love, Mary, Relationship, Travel, Trust

The Gospel reading for today was about Joseph’s encounter with an angel in a dream who told him not to be afraid to take Mary into his home. I love when the spiritual world meets the human world and the first message is of peace, ” Do not be afraid.” Joseph was a faithful man and did as he was encouraged to do. Thus, the Holy Family was created. They lived with trials and tribulations from the beginning as they had to travel a long distance with Mary about to give birth. Then, the place that was provided for them was an animal stable. Quite a difficult start to their marriage. But, they were faithful and trusting. Joseph emulated selfless love as he cared for Mary and her son.

For the next few days before Christmas, I’ll share some photos of one more place I was blessed to visit – the Holy Family Shrine located in Eastern Nebraska, off of Interstate 80’s Gretna exit. I thought it would be appropriate given the name and focus of this extraordinary place. From their website:

“The Holy Family Shrine is a retreat, a faith-filled experience, and a peaceful setting designed to help visitors strengthen their faith through prayer and reflection. Consisting of a Chapel and a Visitor Center, every aspect of the Shrine was designed from a holy vision and brought to life for pilgrims on the highway. The Shrine provides an opportunity for quiet contemplation in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as a unique and sacred space for church-oriented meetings and family events. Truly a one of a kind sanctuary to draw closer to nature, your faith and the Lord.’

There is a water feature that begins with a large corkscrew type metal structure hanging from the ceiling. Water follows the corkscrew from the top to the bottom where it drips into a pool. This pool feeds a stream that flows from the visitor center outside to the walkway that connects to the chapel. The visible stream continues underneath the pews and collects in another small pool under the altar. Then it is recycled back to the visitors center to start all over. Walking around the outside you can hear the drone of vehicles on the highway. But inside the glass and wood chapel, there is only the peaceful sound of water trickling.

I Found God today remembering a beautiful shrine dedicated to the Holy Family.

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