Leave a comment

It’s Time

Posted by eph21920 on July 10, 2020 in Connected, Family, Friends, Life, Love, Music, Relationship

This morning I listened to the radio for a bit and heard a special session with Sidewalk Prophets. They introduced one of their songs by saying that they felt one of the biggest things that robs us from love is the screens we put in front of our face. Instead of spending time with the people we love and cultivating that relationship, we are busy watching the lives of other people. They wrote a song about it titled, “Don’t You Think It’s Time”. Some of the lyrics are:

Love deep and daydream
Go make some memories
Look each other in the eye
Let’s turn off the TV
We’ve got the real thing
We were made to live this life
Don’t you think it’s time?

I thought it was a true and timely message.

I Found God today in a song encouraging human interaction and love.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Interviewing Intern

Posted by eph21920 on July 9, 2020 in Grateful, Hope, Joy, Life, Youth

My mom’s Parkinson’s exercise class includes a partnership with the local college. Each semester, they get new interns who help with the class. They also have projects that they work on during that time. The other day, one of the interns contacted us to interview my mom. She is gathering information and learning more about Parkinson’s. My mom talked to her today. It was a short interview, and the young woman was polite and tried to be engaging. When I see these young people interacting with the participants, it always gives me hope for the future of not only the disease, but in general.

I Found God today in a caring intern.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Staying Focused

Posted by eph21920 on July 8, 2020 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Knowledge, Life, Struggles

Tonight I talked with a friend who always comes up with great advice that I like to try to remember. Tonight she said, “When things become difficult, it is important to have a focus. What better focus than to do what God is calling you to do right now?” In other words, when I become distracted, in despair or depressed by the negative reports or images that can seem to be everywhere, I must remember that my focus is right in front of me in caring for my parents. That’s what God has called me to do right here and right now.

I Found God today in a reminder to remain focused.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Not a Reader

Posted by eph21920 on July 7, 2020 in Friends, Life

I talked to a far away friend today who I haven’t spoken to in a long time. She asked what was new and I asked if she was reading my blog. She said no, so that gave me plenty to talk about. It was kind of nice having a conversation with someone who didn’t know most of what was going on in my life. Of course she had much to share as well. Talking with her was the highlight of my day.

I Found God today catching up with a friend.

Permalink
2 Comments

Not My Control

Posted by eph21920 on July 6, 2020 in Answer, Faith, Happiness, Life, Struggles

Today I read a short reflection early in the morning that I think helped me to keep my focus and not let my mind get carried away with negative thoughts. It read:

“Moral of the story; we’re not in control. God is. Forget that and we’ll lose our way and our lives to fear and anxiety. ” Chris Stepien from Dying to be Happy

I Found God today in a reminder that I am not in charge, nor should I be.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Between the Storms

Posted by eph21920 on July 5, 2020 in Car, Family, Home, Prayer, Travel, Weather

After spending a couple of days in the serenity of the mountains at the cabin, it was time to head home. We didn’t get out early and when we were ready to start packing the car, it started raining. And lightning and thundering and pouring for a long time. Finally there was a lull in the storm and we packed up quickly and headed out. Once we were on the road, my mom grabbed the rosary and we started praying. All during the rosary, the roads were dry and the traffic was light. However, we joined the traffic when we came to the first major city. It also started raining lightly. I’m not sure why we didn’t start the rosary over again. But, in any case, we arrived back home safely in between major storms. We were very happy about that and thanked God.

I Found God today in a safe drive, particularly during prayer.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Relaxing Fourth

Posted by eph21920 on July 4, 2020 in Connected, Family, Life, Peace, Weather

Today was pretty relaxing – not like the way I would celebrate the Fourth of July years ago. My sister and I cooked and went for a walk and took some pictures. My parents read and did some projects. We all watched the rain showers for a while and napped. Later we listened to the annual concert in the park and watched the fireworks online. Everything is very different this year, but we are doing our best to stay connected.

I Found God today relaxing.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Fast Track

Posted by eph21920 on July 3, 2020 in Family, Fun, Joy

Today we heard from my brother who was super excited and pretty exhausted as well. He was able to participate in something he has always wanted to do. A couple of days ago, he made a trip to racing track in Nevada and took a course on the vehicle he purchased. He learned more about the details of the car and got to drive similar cars very fast on the track. Listening to him enthusiastically describe his experience and elation was very joyful for us as well. We were glad he was able to take the trip, that it was safe, and that he had a great time.

I Found God today experiencing joy with my brother.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Funny Memories

Posted by eph21920 on July 2, 2020 in Children, Family, Humor, Laughter, Life, Past

I was happy to get together with my sister today. As she was driving, she was thinking of all the fond memories she had at the cabin. One time, she was putting her son to bed and saw a bear on the deck. She yelled and my mom ran and got a pot and a spoon and pounded on the pot. That scared the bear and it climbed down the post of the deck. My dad was downstairs and heard my mom and sister yelling. He turned in time to see the bear climb down the deck and run off into the woods. Another time, my nephew was sitting outside very patiently while the chipmunks were scurrying about. He had a coffee can with some seeds in it. One of the chipmunks went right into the can. My nephew quickly put the lid on and caught him. He thought he would take it home for a pet and was pretty upset when his mom told him he couldn’t keep it. There were other funny cabin memories as well that we talked and laughed about.

I Found God today remembering fun and funny times.

Permalink
2 Comments

Love the Giver

Posted by eph21920 on July 1, 2020 in Faith, Life, Love, Relationship

Last week, my prayer group discussed the Gospel for this past Sunday. One of the ladies watched Mass with Fr. Mike Schmitz who posts videos through Ascension Press. She told us she thought it was very powerful and that we might enjoy watching it as well. She was right. First of all, he is incredibly energetic and engaging. He had much to say. But what struck me was the message that all we have – including our relationships – are gifts from God. We can love our things and love our relationships, but we are to love God more as He is the one who gives us them all. More than that, as we live our lives, we will need to let go of everything we have in some way, whether that be health, money, or our desires. In the end, all we have will be gone and there will only be God. Will we let go begrudgingly, or with love as we look forward to spending eternity with Him. The more time I spend in prayer, the more I get to know Him, and the more I trust Him with everything and everyone that He has lovingly put into my life.

I Found God today reminded that He is the giver of all I have.

Permalink