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Pie Note

Posted by eph21920 on September 8, 2019 in Faith, Friends, Grateful, Happiness, Love

The other day, a friend said he was thinking of and praying for me. That same day, another friend mailed me a note. I received it today and lit up immediately. The envelope and card displayed a berry pie topped with crust cut-outs designed to look like the American flag. It looked just like the pie I made for the 4th of July. My friend said she saw the note and thought of me as I had shared a picture of my creation. That in itself was very thoughtful. We lived in the same neighborhood until I moved, so she filled me in on the latest happenings as well. She also encouraged me and told me she is praying for me. In church today, the priest talked about really loving one another. To me, the note was a perfect example. My friend not only thought of me, but took the time to write and mail an encouraging note.

I Found God today in a thoughtful friend.

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Found Flag Football

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2019 in Children, Happiness, Joy, Teacher

I went for a good long walk today that took me through the nearby park. During the week, the place is pretty uninhabited except for an occasional adult with children on the playground. As I neared the park, I saw that the parking lot was completely full and vehicles were parked along the busy street as well. When I arrived I saw that the large flat grassy area had been partitioned off into 4 fields. Each field had two teams of children playing flag football. The kids were probably from about 6-8 years in age. I stood for a while and watched the coaches getting each child in place and giving them their specific instructions. The ball would snap and the play would last about 2 seconds. Then the whole process would repeat. I was impressed by the patience of the coaches as they shuffled the kids around, told them what to do, and encouraged them. The sidelines held the rows of parents looking on. Periodically I would hear someone call out a child’s name or a cheer for the team. I enjoyed seeing the business and happiness of the park.

I Found God today in a bustling joyful group of kids and adults.

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Healing Dog

Posted by eph21920 on September 6, 2019 in Answer, Doctor, Dog, Family, Healing, Prayer

A while ago, we noticed that my brother’s dog had a funny lump on her back that seemed to be getting bigger. My brother took her to the vet who said it looked suspicious and should come off. She had surgery last week which left about a 6″ wound on her back. We have been waiting in anticipation for the results of the biopsy. In the mean time, we have been praying for her and even dabbed her with holy water from Lourdes. Tonight we were praying the Lourdes prayer and as soon as we finished, my brother announced that he had a voicemail from his vet. They said the mass was a cancer, but one that was easily treated, doesn’t metastasize, and very rarely reoccurs. When they did the surgery, they made sure they took out tissue around the border of the mass, so there would be no need for any other treatment. That was great news. We are all looking forward to her getting the stitches out so she can get back to her rambunctious self.

I Found God today in good news about my brother’s dog.

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Jesus, A Friend, and Two Deer

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2019 in Creation, Faith, Friends, Peace

When my son’s best friend died, I went over to my church and scheduled him to be specifically prayed for during the petitions at a couple of Masses. Today was one of them. Mass was at 7:00 am. Even with all my good intentions, I was a little late. I heard the Gospel, there was no homily, and we went right into the petitions. I was glad I was there to hear his name and know that he was personally included in the sacrifice of the Mass. After Mass, they brought out the monstrance and there was a time of Eucharistic Adoration. To me, that is one of the most meaningful ways to pray, so I stayed for a few minutes extra. As I was leaving I saw a friend and we chatted for a bit. I’m always happy to talk with a friend. In the parking lot on the way to my car, I saw 2 young bucks walking through. They were beautiful, calm, and peaceful. All this happened before 8:00 am. It was such a wonderful way to begin my day.

I Found God today in a blessing of a morning.

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Paint on the Plane

Posted by eph21920 on September 4, 2019 in Answer, Children, Patience

I read a story today about young girl who was travelling by airplane as an unaccompanied minor. The storyteller was sitting across the aisle from the little girl who everyone avoided at all costs. Eventually, a young couple sat by her for the duration of the flight. Instead of being impatient or ignoring the girl, they painted with her while she decorated the young man with stickers. There was even a photo that showed just that. The story was a beautiful example of the true goodness that people can offer.

I Found God today in a caring, patient couple.

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Unexpected Prayer

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2019 in Faith, Friends, Prayer

Today I received a quick note from a young man I worked with for a while. He was just letting me know that he was thinking of and praying for me. That really touched my heart.

I Found God today in an unexpected note of prayer.

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Respite Retreat

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2019 in Answer, Creation, Faith, Grateful, Hope, New, Opportunity, Peace

This weekend I was truly blessed to be able to take a personal respite retreat. I was really desiring some time to just be alone and take a little break. As I thought and prayed about the best way to do this, I was reminded of a monastery I had driven by several times that had retreat facilities. I contacted them, worked it out with my siblings, and made the arrangements. When I arrived in the morning, I got a little tour of the place and a key to one of the houses. There was another woman there too, but she was gone by noon, so I had the whole house to myself for the rest of the time. The site was on 100 acres of forest. The buildings were connected by walking paths that also led to several different prayer sites. I was glad the weather cooperated and spent a lot of time walking and experiencing each of the different sites. I prayed in about every way I knew and then more. I also spent time resting alone, reading, and napping. There was no internet and my cell phone reception was spotty, so I didn’t use my devices at all. I brought some of my own meals, but I also joined the Sisters for a few. They were super friendly, welcoming, and peaceful. They talked about some of their recent experiences. One of them grew up speaking Spanish. They recently loaded up her car with toothbrushes and toothpaste that they had collected and she brought them to one of the detainment centers that holds refugees. She visited there often to help in any way she could even though she is 80 years old. They said there is almost always a Catholic presence in the center helping to care for the people there. Interesting that we never hear that on the news. The Sisters also have a thrift shop. A couple of weeks ago, their van holding bins of merchandise was stolen. The police found the van, but it had been destroyed and all the products were gone. One of the Sisters spoke to a local car dealer who donated a van to them. It was so uplifting to be among the women whose hearts were sincerely focused on the good of others. Their goal is to be “A place of hope and hospitality for the world.” It certainly was for me. God brought the place to my mind, everything worked out for me to go, and it was exactly what I needed and was hoping for. Of course. God is good.

I Found God today in countless ways, but most of all in His care and love for me.

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Old Time Cousin

Posted by eph21920 on August 30, 2019 in Answer, Connected, Family, Grateful, Joy, Life

Last year we were visited by my dad’s first cousin once removed – he is the son of my dad’s immediate cousin. I received a surprise phone call today from his wife who had visited with him. While they were here, we talked about my blog and they have been following it. They read the blog about my grandfather and his bakery to my dad’s immediate cousin. He told me he remembered that his mother would bake a pie or cake here and there, but all the other baked goods came from my grandfather. He said he would walk by the bakery every day on his way to school. He also remembered that my mom and her family lived in the upstairs part of the building. My dad also chatted with him a bit. The man will be 95 years old in a couple of weeks. I have never met him, but I loved receiving the phone call and hearing his memories of the same places I am familiar with through my parents.

I Found God today connecting with a distant relative.

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Soft Heart

Posted by eph21920 on August 29, 2019 in Answer, Life, Love

I think in our world, it can be very easy to be suspicious of people and circumstances we encounter. It can be our tendency to be hard-hearted and protect ourselves. I saw a quote today that challenged me and gave me something to strive for, “Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness.”

I Found God today in a reminder that it is OK to be soft.

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Dad’s Group

Posted by eph21920 on August 28, 2019 in Connected, Friends, Joy, Laughter, Life, Opportunity

Last night, one of the neighbors called to remind and invite my dad to the monthly men’s group. So, this morning, my dad decided to go. When he returned, he told us of some the new guys he met. He explained how the meeting was run and that everyone there was friendly and respectful of one another. He said there was also a lot of laughter. I don’t know exactly what they discussed, but I do know that doughnuts were involved. And I know that my dad enjoyed the company and conversation of his neighbors.

I Found God today in my dad enjoying socializing.

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