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Remembering Progress

Posted by eph21920 on April 16, 2018 in Answer, Family, Healing

My mom has been getting dizzy on and off again. We were happy to be able to get into our favorite physical therapist who has helped her in the past. The last time we saw her was about a year ago. At that time, my mom had come out of the hospital and rehab. The physical therapist worked with her on balance, strength, and dizziness. When she discharged her, she encouraged her to keep up with the exercises. Today as we spoke to the therapist, we were happy to report the progress that my mom has made over the past year and that she was attending an exercise class. Even with the small medical incidents that have popped up during the year, it gave me a realization of how far she has come. It is helpful to remember that from time to time. And yes, the therapist evaluated her and I’m sure will be able to help her get over this hurdle as well.

I Found God today remembering the progress my mom has made.

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From Pain to Blessing

Posted by eph21920 on April 15, 2018 in Faith, Grief, Healing, Past, Struggles

This morning at church, the deacon told a touching story of a young woman. When she was a young teen, she was raped and became pregnant. Her parents made her get an abortion. When she was in college, she found herself pregnant again from her boyfriend. This time, she chose to get an abortion. As time went on, her regret and guilt grew. She eventually connected this pain to God pulling her toward conversion. Once she reconciled with Him, she began to heal. She got married and had 3 little girls. Two of them were born on the same date three years apart. That was also the same date that she had her abortion when she was in college. She felt that God doubly blessed her once she had made amends. Her boyfriend from college even called her years later and apologized for not being supportive. She now volunteers with the pro-life organization and works with women who are in pain from their past abortions. It was a beautiful story of how God’s grace and mercy can move a person through pain to a place where they can be a blessing to others.

I Found God today in a story of His grace and mercy.

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Playing Police

Posted by eph21920 on April 14, 2018 in Dog, Fun, Grateful, Job

It has been super windy outside, but it calmed down enough this evening to take a decent walk. As I passed a park, I saw a police car parked in the adjacent empty parking lot. I saw the police officer out of the car and then spotted a dog running towards him. I saw K9 on the side of the vehicle and realized the German Shepard had a vest on. The officer gave the dog a command and he lied down. The man then picked up a ball and threw it. The dog ran like crazy to retrieve it. I watched them play as I walked by and smiled. I thought about what a tough job they both have and how nice it must be for them to take some time out to just play. I lost sight of them as I turned the corner and when I came to a place where I could see the street again, they were gone. I wished I could have thanked the officer for his protection, but I said a prayer of thanksgiving and protection for the 2 officers.

I Found God today watching a police team enjoy some play time.

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Telling Letters

Posted by eph21920 on April 12, 2018 in Family, Life, Past

My mother has put together several scrapbooks with my sister’s help. She sat down and looked through one of them today. She wrote many letters to her parents many years ago. Her parents kept them and they now have a safe place in a pocket in the book. My mom took out the letters and read some to me and my dad. The one that struck me was written on Thanksgiving when we lived in Germany. Evidently it was during the time when my mom had broken her toe and was in a cast. She told her parents how us kids helped prepare the meal. She went on to share an update about me and my 4 siblings individually. Then she said my dad who was in the military just learned that he needed to take a trip the next day, so she had to help him get ready for it. As a child, I vaguely remember these things happening. As an adult, these memories coming from my mom’s perspective give me an even greater appreciation, respect, and awe for the way she handled every situation.

I Found God today in a greater appreciation of my mom.

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Tiny Prayer Plants

Posted by eph21920 on April 11, 2018 in Connected, Creation, Happiness, Joy

For the past couple of years, I have planted flowers in the pots outside the front door. I need to wait until after the possibility of frost, so I have been putting them out Memorial weekend. Last year I planted some seeds directly into the pots. They grew beautifully, but it took such a long time. By the time the plants were full grown and in full bloom, it was almost Fall. This year, I got some seeds and decided to give them a head start indoors. The other day I got a tray of soil pods and filled them with the seeds. When I checked on them today, I saw a couple of little sprouts popping up. I was pretty excited. Later in the morning, I read a reflection of the day. It said, “Prayer is the soil in which grace can grow,” and it included a picture of tiny plant buds in small soil pods. I loved the connection.

I Found God today in tiny plants connected with prayer.

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Prayers for Missionaries

Posted by eph21920 on April 10, 2018 in Faith, Friends, Grateful, Prayer, Problem

Today I thought about some of our friends who left for a mission trip a couple of days ago. The wife goes on a mission trip every year and her husband joins when he can. Last year, she took her granddaughter to Africa. This year, the husband and wife team went to Greece to help the large numbers of Syrian refugees who are there. The problem is so vast, one has to wonder if there is any help or hope for them at all. But the purpose of the trip is to meet their basic needs – food, water, shelter, and in addition help with medical and educational needs. They will share their faith when it is appropriate and the opportunity presents itself. It sounds like a daunting task. I am in awe of their courage and selflessness. I think of them often and say a prayer of thanksgiving and protection for them, and help for the refugees as I did today.

I Found God today thinking and praying for friends who are on a mission trip.

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Making Phone Calls

Posted by eph21920 on April 9, 2018 in Answer, Connected, Family, Joy, New, Relationship

My mom gave her new phone a good workout today. We practiced checking messages a couple of times. Then my brother called. Both my mom and dad were fascinated with the captions as they could read the words that my brother was saying. A little later, my mom called a neighbor and left a message. Then she called her sister and kept up with the whole conversation. I hung out for moral support, but she had it all under control. It was still tiring for her to concentrate that long, but it was so much easier to have the written words in front of her. The new phone has been so helpful already. I can see how it will give her more independence and enhance her relationships.

I Found God today as my mom enjoyed a new tool.

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ABC Mercy

Posted by eph21920 on April 8, 2018 in Faith, Forgiveness, Mercy

Today at church the priest talked about Divine Mercy Sunday. He said to help remember what to do, use the ABC’s. A – ask God for His Mercy. He wants to shower His love and mercy on us, but we do need to ask. B – be merciful to others. If we want to receive mercy, we need to show it as well by forgiving others and treating each person with respect. C – completely trust that God will hear and answer you. He will shower his love upon you and give you the ability to be more merciful. I liked this simple and helpful tool.

I Found God today with a reminder of the availability of God’s unending Mercy.

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Caption Phone

Posted by eph21920 on April 7, 2018 in Uncategorized

My mom has a very hard time hearing conversations on the telephone. A while back, the audiologist said that she could get a phone that has captions on it so she could read the words that are being said by the caller. We looked into it, and had the phone set up yesterday. We waited for a phone call, but never received one. I was out running errands today and thought it would be a good test so I called-a couple of times. It took my mom and dad a little bit to figure it out, but it seemed to work well. My mom read the captions back to me. When I laughed, the caption said, “laughing”, which made us laugh more, which it wrote out again. I was glad that it seems to be helpful so far. It will give her a little more freedom to have phone conversations.

I Found God today in the help my parents receive.

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Gushed Over

Posted by eph21920 on April 6, 2018 in Family, Happiness, Joy, Stranger

Today I took my mom to get new eyeglasses. We dropped off my dad at his favorite hair cutting place for men with a Starbucks next door. When my mom and I had finished ordering her glasses (which took longer than anticipated), I tried calling my dad to let him know that we were on our way. There was no answer, so I sent him a text and headed over. When we arrived at Starbucks, we didn’t see him coming out so I went in to look for him. He wasn’t there, so I went next door to the Sport Clips. He was still sitting in the hair stylist’s chair. She immediately reacted by saying that she was making him look like a movie star. She was finishing him up with plenty of combing and some spray. She kept saying, “Doesn’t he look great?” and “Ohhh…” in the tone of voice you use when you see a puppy. My dad was beaming and did look particularly handsome. After we left, he told my mom and I that he received the works – not because he asked for it, but because that is what she provided. He got a shave, hot towel facial, eyebrow and even ear hair trim, head massage, shampoo, and yes – finally a haircut too. She changed the cut to one she thought would be best. Like I said, he did look particularly handsome, so she did a great job. All the pampering and gushing over made my dad feel pretty special.

I Found God today in the happiness my dad received from a particularly attentive person.

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