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Better Than Social Media

Posted by eph21920 on August 16, 2019 in Answer, Connected, Friends, Life

Today I talked to a friend who I worked with about 30 years ago. She told me about some others that she had talked to and what they were doing. She is so good at keeping in touch with everyone, she amazes me. She said that she knows people have lives and are busy, but we all have a history together. People still love to stay connected and see what others are up to. My friend not only stays in contact, but gets people together in person as well so they can enjoy one another’s company. I think she is so much better than social media.

I Found God today in my well connected, encouraging friend.

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Set Up Phone Call

Posted by eph21920 on August 15, 2019 in Connected, Friends, Life, Tragedy

Today I sent a text to a friend and inadvertently sent it to another as well. The latter one gave me a call and we chatted for quite a while. It had been a long time since I talked with her, though she pops into my mind often and then I bring her to prayer. She was in a horrible accident some time ago and continues to battle the permanent injuries. She also told me of all the people who have helped her, been by her side, and prayed with her. She is trying to figure out how best to live her “new life”. It was great to talk with her and I felt that God had set it all up.

I Found God today in His Divine Providence.

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Super Patient Boy

Posted by eph21920 on August 14, 2019 in Children, Doctor, Family, Home, Patience

My mom has been struggling to recover from diverticulitis and is still tired and weak. Today, she felt her heart rate was very low. I checked it and even though she has a pacemaker, it was very erratic. Needless to say, we ended up spending the afternoon in the Emergency Room. All the testing came out fine, so we are thanking God we were able to come home and will follow up with her cardiologist tomorrow. While we were waiting, there was a little boy with his parents and grandmother waiting too. The little boy had banged his head and had a big gash above his eye. At one point, the nurse took him back, cleaned it up, and put a bandage on it. When he returned he announced, “I feel SO much better!” He was a character and cheered up everyone around him. He was super cute and super patient.

I Found God today by my mom not staying in the hospital and in a super patient boy.

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Across Borders

Posted by eph21920 on August 13, 2019 in Answer, Connected, Generosity, Grateful, Joy, Life

One of our neighbor’s has been hosting a couple of Chinese teachers in a program where they are learning to teach English. I got to meet and chat with them for a bit. They were very joyful, respectful, and grateful. Today there was a story on the news of our local Fire Department who has “adopted” a Fire Department in Mexico. The firefighters from Mexico came and spent time with those from my area. In the broadcast, those from Mexico were so appreciative and said, “God bless these people”, a couple of times. It reminded me that while politicians and those with “authority” are battling it out, there are regular people reaching across borders and helping one another without prejudice or expecting anything in return.

I Found God today in people graciously and generously helping “foreigners”.

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Wedding Cookie Table Record

Posted by eph21920 on August 11, 2019 in Connected, Food, Fun, Generosity, Opportunity

A couple weeks ago a friend told me she was making a trip to a small town in PA where some of her family lives. A lot of people in that area are from Italy and carry out the tradition of having a cookie table at their wedding where guests bring plates of cookies to share. The community decided to try to set a world record for the biggest wedding cookie table. I sent 120 coffee toffee chip cookies with my friend to be included in the amount. The event was today. The last I heard, there were over 19,000 cookies there and they weren’t done counting yet! People could buy a box for $10 and fill it with cookies. The money would be donated to the local historical society who helped organize the event. Any cookies leftover are to be donated to food pantries and first responders. As required by Guiness, there would be nothing wasted. I touched base with my friend during the day and watched some of the highlights on social media. It was fun to be involved in something so big without actually being there.

I Found God today being involved in a fun event.

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Mom’s Magnificent Music

Posted by eph21920 on August 10, 2019 in Family, Life, Music, Past

My brother and my dad got his new TV set up including almost all of the old components. One that was left out was the old cassette tape deck. This prompted my dad to get out and sort all his cassette tapes and decided what was worth keeping. I interrupted him today with his earbuds in listening to one of them. He gave them to me so I could hear what was playing. It was beautiful piano music. With tears in his eyes, he said it was my mother at her prime. I got teary eyed then too. It was beautiful music, a beautiful memory, and beautiful to know we still have this little piece of history.

I Found God today hearing my mom’s music.

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Encouraging Strangers

Posted by eph21920 on August 9, 2019 in Happiness, Life, Opportunity, Stranger, Struggles

After we got the new TV set up and working properly, we were left with the giant box. Today was trash day, so my dad cut the box in half and put it outside with the garbage can. When he heard the truck coming, he went outside to meet the driver. My dad showed the box to the trash collector and asked if he could take it. The man said he could and threw it into the big bin. My dad watched and was fascinated with the new truck that could grab the trash can and dump it right into the receptacle. He thanked the trash collector for his work. He said he really needed that. Later, I took the car in to get a good wash. As I meandered to the counter to pay for the service, I heard the cashier on the phone. She got off quickly when she saw me coming. She asked how I was doing and I asked her as well. She said she wasn’t doing so good and was crying and couldn’t wait for the day to be over. I said I was sorry she was having such a hard time. She told me that another customer had bought her a card when he heard she was having a rough day. I thought that was so nice and encouraging and it put a smile on her face.

I Found God today as people encouraged strangers.

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Fruits of My Labor

Posted by eph21920 on August 8, 2019 in Family, Food

About 2 weeks ago, I went to the farmer’s market and bought some delicious fresh peaches. A few days after that, my mom received her monthly box of fruit that my brother signed her up for. It was a box of 10 large beautiful organic peaches. The other day, my dad brought home his large box of goodies included in the subscription my brother sent him. It included 3 boxes of fruit – nectarines, peaches, and plums. Needless to say, we had a houseful of luscious summer fruit and it was all ripe. I have spent the last couple of days preparing and cooking it all up so we don’t loose any of it. We have had several pieces raw and more in smoothies. I have made 3 different kinds of crisps and a pflaumenkuchen to honor my mother’s German heritage. It kept me busy, but was well worth it. And we will be able to enjoy the “fruits of my labor” for a few more days still.

I Found God today in delicious food.

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Carrying the Box

Posted by eph21920 on August 6, 2019 in Generosity, Grateful, Mail, Stranger

At the complex where we live, the mailboxes are located all in one place. This just happens to be the furthest point from my parent’s home as you can get. It makes for a 1/2 mile total loop. Every evening my dad makes the walk after he feels the mail person has been there. Tonight when he returned, he was carrying a large, heavy box. It must have just been able to fit in the bigger mailboxes assigned to packages. Then, I heard another voice on the porch. My dad said when he was walking back carrying the large box along with the rest of the mail, 2 people offered to give him a ride home. He politely declined. Then a woman came out of her house and walked right up to my dad and said, “Let me carry some of that for you.” So, he handed her the mail. When they got to our house, my dad came in with the box and the woman sat outside and visited with my mom. The package was one of the monthly subscriptions from my brother. Inside were 3 smaller boxes containing peaches, nectarines, and plums. My dad chose 1 of each and gave them to the woman to thank her. She was super chatty and super nice.

I Found God today in a helpful neighbor.

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Missed at the Pool

Posted by eph21920 on August 5, 2019 in Friends, Life, Relationship

A couple of weeks ago, I had a basal cell skin cancer spot removed. I was most upset about the fact that I couldn’t go into the swimming pool for a while. This morning, I headed back to the aqua aerobics class. It felt great to get back into the pool and exercise that way. It was also great to see and talk to the people who were very concerned that I had been missing. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that others are thinking about you.

I Found God today being able to be back in the water with caring people.

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