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Offering Candy

Posted by eph21920 on November 2, 2019 in Children, Fun, Generosity, Humor, Saint

We had a great family get together today to celebrate birthdays and send off my brother on his next adventure. One of the things we talked about was the recent Halloween antics. It reminded me of something the priest said yesterday at All Saints Day mass. The church had a “Trunk or Treat” event. Participants met in the parking lot, decorated their vehicles, and passed out candy to the kids who came. The priest said there were a lot of children who came dressed as saints. At one point, he walked around with his bag of candy to hand out. A little girl dressed as a nun looked at him and the bag of candy he was offering. But, instead of taking the goodies, she took candy out of her own bag and put it in his. That was a very sweet story.

I Found God today in a generous child.

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Thoughts to Phone Call

Posted by eph21920 on November 1, 2019 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Happiness, Life, Marriage

When I go back to the state I used to live in, it is impossible to visit with all the people I would like to see. There was one person in particular who I was unable to catch up with and he had been on my mind. He gave me a surprise phone call today. He just called to touch base and share the good news that his daughter is getting married. He was especially pleased that the couple had decided to marry in the Catholic church. The future husband had not yet received his Confirmation, but was happy to complete the preparation. So many of us worry about our kids – if they will remain faithful, or even return to the faith that they once knew. But, God is bigger than our worries and able to answer our continuous prayers. It was great talking with my friend and I was happy that he thought of me.

I Found God today in a thoughtful friend who was on my mind.

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Halloween Memories

Posted by eph21920 on October 31, 2019 in Children, Family, Love, Past

A few years ago, I was travelling on Halloween with a friend of mine as we made our way across the country so I could move with my parents. The next Halloween, I made “scary face pancakes” for breakfast. That tradition stuck, though I try to mix it up a little each year. This morning we talked about the different ways we celebrated over the years. My brother was very much into haunted houses for a while and did amazing creepy makeup. He would come up with new ideas to interact with the kids who were out trick or treating. Then my mother told us a story about a Halloween many years ago and I realized where my brother got it from. My dad had placed the jack-o-lantern outside on the porch as usual, but put a speaker behind it. He sat in the window watching the kids with the microphone and would talk to them. It was as if the pumpkin was talking. Evidently, one little girl stood and talked with the jack-o-lantern for quite some time until she put her arms around it, gave it a hug, and said, “I Love You!” That was too cute.

I Found God today in a cute story about childhood innocence.

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Impact Made

Posted by eph21920 on October 30, 2019 in Answer, Family, Life, Music, Past

As we listened to old recordings today, my mom remembered how the microphones were positioned on the stage of the high school gymnasium. She also remembered the man who was in charge of the sound system. She said she would always get so nervous before she was to go out on that stage to sing. The kind man would give her a pep talk. She would have more confidence after he spoke to her and she always appreciated that. While she didn’t remember exactly what he said, she knew exactly how he made her feel all these years later. He may or may not have ever realized the impact he made in her life.

I Found God today realizing the difference encouraging words can make in a life.

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God’s Reminder

Posted by eph21920 on October 29, 2019 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Grace, Life, Patience, Prayer

Today I read 2 messages from 2 different places that really struck me.

“The more you know God and trust in His eternal ways, the more you are able to be patient with the other people around you.”   Allen Hunt

“Before this day even began, God knew what we would face, what we would need to get through – and He provided for that…As we trust and praise God, we are able to draw on all His blessings for today – and all the days to come.”  from Strength & Grace devotional

As often happens, I felt God speaking directly to me, reminding me of what I need to do, and what He can do.

I Found God today in God’s reminder of His grace.

 

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Project Day

Posted by eph21920 on October 28, 2019 in Family, Grateful, Opportunity, Weather

It was a snowy day today, so we stayed inside all day. It was a good day to get some projects done. I had specific cleaning I was able to get done in the kitchen. My dad worked on getting copies of some old photos with my mom’s help. My brother continued cleaning up the sound in old audio cassette tapes. Sometimes it’s nice to just be in and watch the snow.

I Found God today being warm inside and getting projects done.

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Loving Appreciation

Posted by eph21920 on October 27, 2019 in Friends, Happiness, Joy, Life, Marriage

I spent some time today with a new friend and met her husband. They will be celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary soon. As they talked, their love and support for one another was obvious. She has had some health issues, but still enjoys making homemade treats for people including her husbands co-workers. He has had to limit her production as he knows it is difficult for her. He told me that he loves his job and that when he gets home, he enjoys doing “home things”. He said how much he appreciated her taking care of the household so that when he is home they can just spend time together. It was super sweet – especially after 30 years of marriage.

I Found God today in a loving married couple.

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Compassion

Posted by eph21920 on October 26, 2019 in Children, Connected, Faith, Generosity, Life, Stranger

My parents and I took advantage of the gorgeous day and went out for a walk. On the way, we met a neighbor who told us of her exciting upcoming trip. She will be going to a small country in Africa that I had never heard of before. When I asked her why, she explained that she and her husband had sponsored a boy there through the organization Compassion International. They started when he was 6 years old and now he is 18. They are going to meet him face to face. She said she couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate her 74th birthday.

I Found God today in a compassionate and generous woman.

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Hockey Game

Posted by eph21920 on October 25, 2019 in Family, Friends, Fun, Happiness, Joy, Laughter, Life

My son invited me to a hockey game tonight featuring his alma mater. Before the game, he and 2 of his friends came over for dinner. At one point they were talking work and technical things and to me it sounded like a foreign language. They were also funny and energetic. I very much enjoyed their relationship and had a lot of fun hanging out with them. My parents said they really liked having them over.

I Found God today enjoying time with my son and his friends.

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Sharing Caring

Posted by eph21920 on October 24, 2019 in Connected, Friends, Sick, Struggles

A friend is struggling with her own health as she worries about and is caring for her husband who is ill. She called me today as she received an invitation for a caregivers seminar coming up soon. She said she thought of me and wanted to give me the information in case I wanted to go. In spite of her difficulties, she thought of me.

I Found God today in a thoughtful friend.

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