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Who Is Your Neighbor

Posted by eph21920 on July 14, 2019 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Grateful, Life, Youth

This morning on my phone, photos popped up from 5 years ago. They were from the last Workcamp I attended before I moved. I remember it well when I told the youth I was leaving and we all cried. Those were the best of times, best of people, best of experiences that forever changed me. As I thought about those mission trips, I became more grateful for God sightings, incredible selfless youth and adults, road trips, rainy Wednesdays, “Get Down”, daily devotions, paint fights, work accomplished, lives touched, and mostly to be a part of something MUCH bigger than myself. At Mass this morning, the Gospel reading was the parable of the Good Samaritan who helped a robbery victim when no one else would. Jesus laid out for us that people in need are our “neighbor”. I, along with thousands of others each summer, served our neighbors. It was interesting how this all tied together.

I Found God today realizing how I and thousands others served out neighbors.

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The Rodeo

Posted by eph21920 on July 13, 2019 in Prayer

It had been years since I went to the rodeo and was excited to take my son and a couple of his friends tonight. To start the evening, the president of the organization – who also happens to be an ordained minister – led the crowd in a meaningful prayer. It was just as exciting as I remembered. It is hard to believe the human body can take the kind of abuse that the bronco riders and bull riders endure. However, tonight one rider got bucked off the horse and after he was on the ground, the horse kicked him in the head. The cowboy was still on the ground while the medical team rushed to help. As they strapped him on the backboard, the MC encouraged everyone there to pray for the young man and led a short prayer himself. It seemed that the cowboy was conscious, so hopefully that was a good sign. I had a good time and it was nice to have prayer just honestly and comfortably interjected.

I Found God today in public prayer.

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Prayer on the News

Posted by eph21920 on July 12, 2019 in Prayer, Weather

My mom makes a point to listen to the local news station first thing in the morning. This morning the meteorologist was talking about the warnings and risks for the communities that will be affected by the latest tropical storm. He said to make sure to keep those people in your prayers. That comment really made an impact on my mom as she made sure that she shared it with each of us. We were surprised to hear “prayer” mentioned and encouraged on the news.

I Found God today in a public encouragement for prayer.

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Yes Ma’am

Posted by eph21920 on July 11, 2019 in Humility, Life, Stranger

My mom had physical therapy today. As her therapist was walking us out, a young man was walking in with another therapist. She asked him a question and he responded, “Yes, Ma’am.” A man said hello to him and he responded, “Hello, Sir.” My mom’s therapist said that the young man told them that his father ingrained it in him that it was proper and respectful to address others in this manner. She told him at one time that it was ok for him to call her by her first name. He responded, “Yes, Ma’am,” but really couldn’t do it. There are a lot of military people around here, and it is common to hear them use the same salutation. But it is not very often that a young person greets people in this way. I thought it was refreshing and respectful.

I Found God today in a respectful young man.

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Turtle Helper

Posted by eph21920 on July 10, 2019 in Begin, Creation, Friends, Life, New

A couple I know went on vacation and stayed on a beautiful ocean beach. Today, the husband told a story of one of his experiences. One morning he got up early to take pictures of the sunrise. Once the light hit the beach, he saw lots of tracks in the sand leading to the water. Evidently, it was sea turtle hatching season. As he meandered, he saw one set of tracks that ended in a hole. One little turtle had fallen into another large nest and couldn’t get out. He scooped up the baby and set it back on the path. Unfortunately, as he watched, a sea gull swooped down and nabbed the little one. He was devastated. He continued walking and found another set of tracks that led into a big pile of seaweed, but did not lead out. He carefully took apart the seaweed and found the baby turtle stuck in the fronds. He untangled the turtle and put him back on the ground to continue his trek. This time, he kept a close escort to ensure his safety. The burly man said not only was it fun to see the turtles begin their life, but it was an emotional experience as well.

I Found God today in a man’s experience of new life.

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Remembering the Newman Center

Posted by eph21920 on July 9, 2019 in Children, Connected, Faith, Family, Grateful

I remain on the mailing list for my son’s college as an alumni parent. It can be interesting to see the new programs and ideas for the school. Today I received an email from the Newman Center regarding their annual fundraiser. The mail included testimonies from the young people and photos of some of the events. It brought back memories of going to Mass with my son there and meeting many of the people who he practiced his faith with. I was then and am still grateful for the Catholic presence on the campus and that he was involved with the community there.

I Found God today remembering and being grateful for the Catholic presence at my son’s college.

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Double Happy Dance

Posted by eph21920 on July 8, 2019 in Dog, Friends, Happiness, Joy

My brother was getting ready to take his dog for a walk this evening and invited my mom to go along. When they returned, they said that one of the neighbors was outside so they stopped to chat a bit. The woman’s husband died a few months ago and she said she was getting along. My brother’s dog was so happy to make a new friend, she did her “happy dance” – basically running around in circles like crazy. I guess it was quite the show. Later tonight, when my brother took his dog for her before bed walk, they went past the neighbors house again. The dog had to stop and wait to see if her new friend would come out. She did not. But that didn’t stop the dog from doing another “happy dance”. I guess she really like the woman. She is an amusing dog.

I Found God today in my brother’s amusing dog.

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A Miraculous Healing

Posted by eph21920 on July 7, 2019 in Answer, Doctor, Faith, Friends, Healing, Miracle

Today I visited my neighbor who came home from the hospital yesterday. She was happy to sit outside on her porch, breathe the fresh air, and feel the warm breeze. She told me about the first time she had a hospital stay several years ago. At that time, the doctors wanted to do surgery. But she knew the potential consequences as she had learned about her condition, and did not want to have the surgery. She and her husband tapped into their faith community and had a lot of people praying for them. She started healing and was able to go home in a week. The doctors could not believe that she had recovered without the intervention. She said it gave her an opportunity to talk with them about her faith and God. Evidently, they agreed that it was nothing short of miraculous. Thankfully, even though she was in the hospital for longer this time, the condition was not as severe.

I Found God today in a story of miraculous healing.

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Effective Prayers

Posted by eph21920 on July 6, 2019 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Healing, Sick

Our neighbor has been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks now. We have had her husband over a couple of times for dinner and good conversation. We have also been praying for her. Last night my mom got out the prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes and the holy water. We said the prayer for my parents, my friend who was treated for cancer and is technically in remission now, and for our neighbor. This afternoon we received word that the neighbor was to be discharged as she continues to slowly improve. She arrived home this evening. That was very good news.

I Found God today in effective prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes.

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Keep Laughing

Posted by eph21920 on July 5, 2019 in Answer, Family, Humor, Laughter, Life

Communicating around here can be difficult with the hearing loss both my mom and dad experience. Also, with my mom’s Parkinson’s disease, her voice has become very quiet and she has to work hard to speak in her “loud voice”. Many times during the day there are repeated phrases, misunderstandings, and dare I say yelling. We do all try to be patient, but we are only human after all. Case in point: It was a stormy, rainy evening tonight with lightning, thunder, and even a little hail. After dinner, I offered my mother some dessert. The words were, “Would you like some pie?” She was surprised and responded, “You’re going to sit outside?!” We all had a good laugh and remembered how important it is to keep a sense of humor.

I Found God today remembering to keep laughing.

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