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Another Illness Kicked

Posted by eph21920 on August 24, 2017 in Doctor, Family, Healing

A few weeks back, my mom started having problems with her stomach. Unfortunately, she is prone to diverticulitis, and after a couple days of issues, the infection reared it’s ugly head – again. She took 10 days of antibiotics, but the problem persisted. The doctor ordered another round and was concerned that additional treatment may be necessary. My mom finished the last antibiotic 2 days ago, has no more pains, and is starting to regain her strength. She saw the doctor today who gave her the all clear. We are once again rejoicing in her recovering from another illness!

I Found God today in my mom’s healing from another illness.

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Back From the Eclipse

Posted by eph21920 on August 23, 2017 in Creation, Family, Fun, Grateful, Happiness, Travel, Weather

After their eclipse adventure, my dad and brother made it home safe and sound tonight. They spent a lot of time driving, but the place where they were able to view the eclipse was perfect and clear. They all had a great time, besides the 90 seconds of totality that they experienced. They were able to stay at a cabin in the mountains that belonged to some of my brothers’ friends who were also there. My dad very much enjoyed the company and talked about the engaging conversation – even with the two children. Evidently, the little girl and my brother’s dog really hit it off. Although the encounter with the other dogs didn’t go so well. Both my brothers and my dad had high-powered cameras pointed to the sky to get that perfect picture. My dad downloaded the 159 pictures he took and we looked at a couple of them. They were awesome. The next project – after getting some much needed rest – will be to pick out the most spectacular and make some prints. I am so happy that they had a wonderful time and traveled safely.

I Found God today as my brothers and dad had a safe and enjoyable trip.

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My Old Shovel

Posted by eph21920 on August 22, 2017 in Connected, Faith, Friends, Life

The other day, a far away friend texted me unexpectedly. Before I moved 3 years ago, I gave away most of my things. He took several of my tools and was outside using my old shovel. He just texted me to let me know. About a year before I moved, a friend of mine moved into a smaller place and was finding homes for her abundance of kitchen utensils. I have one of the spatulas, which I kept. Every time I use the spatula, I think of her and say a prayer for her and her family. I told my friend that and asked if he would do the same for me. He assured me he would. It is such an easy and meaningful way to stay connected.

I Found God today in a meaningful way to stay connected to far away friends.

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Eclipse Day

Posted by eph21920 on August 21, 2017 in Creation, Life, Miracle, Weather

My parents and I – along with the majority of the United States – have been looking forward to viewing the eclipse today. My dad and brothers were able to go to a place where they could see totality and captured some outstanding pictures with their technologically advanced equipment. At home, my mom and I watched from our porch through the safety of our eclipse glasses. We witnessed 90% totality from our house. Even though it wasn’t the full effect, we experienced it getting darker and cooler. When we were at the height of the eclipse, I noticed the strange light shining through the leaves of the trees and onto the sidewalk. All the holes of light were in crescent shapes. That was really strange and unexpected. We also watched the weather channel as they reported the total eclipse in different parts of the country. Each time we saw it, it was overwhelming, and I was crying by the end of the 2 1/2 minutes. So were many of the reporters. Another friend of mine who witnessed it in person said that she was crying then and just thinking about it. I don’t really know why it had this effect on people – myself included. Perhaps because it is an unusual thing to see and such a beautiful phenomenon. Perhaps we realize how small we are in this awesome universe. The experts said that the moon is the exact size and in the exact place in the sky in order for us to witness a total eclipse. What an amazingly and wonderfully ordered world we have the privilege of existing in.

I Found God today watching a beautiful incident in the sky.

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They Are Dogs

Posted by eph21920 on August 20, 2017 in Connected, Faith, Healing, Jesus, Life, Love

The Gospel reading at church today was Matthew 15:21-28 – The Canaanite Woman’s Faith. When Jesus and his disciples went out of their town, they met up with a woman who was hounding Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus’ disciples (Jewish) and this woman (Canaanite) were from different areas, different cultures. They despised one another. The Jews even referred to the Canaanites as “dogs”. Jesus seems to be very rude to the woman, but eventually gives into her request. He is showing His friends and all those around that God’s mercy, love, and healing is for everyone. We are all loved the same by God who created us and should treat each other as such – beloved children of God. With all the craziness going on this week with demonstrations and protests, this message seems to be screaming out to us. I know it did for me. It is amazing how after 2000 years, the things that Jesus taught are still valid and speak to today’s society.

I Found God today as He still tries to capture our attention with valid messages.

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No Strings

Posted by eph21920 on August 19, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Love

This morning a daily reflection that I receive read simply, “God loves us, no strings attached.” It just really touched my heart.

I Found God today in a reminder of His unconditional Love.

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Praying Against Discrimination

Posted by eph21920 on August 18, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Prayer, Saint

We seem to be living in a world of chaos. When I watch the news, I can get discouraged, angry, or even fearful. Yet, I have an ordinary life to live – things must be done, people need to be taken care of. I do my best to nurture my spirituality and be persistent in prayer, but I can wonder if I am doing anything that is making a positive impact in the culture – in the world. Today I came across an article about St. Katharine Drexel. She was the first US born citizen to become a canonized saint. She was very wealthy, but became a nun and gave all her money to helping those less fortunate – specifically those who were being discriminated against such as the Native and African Americans. This did not fare well with the KKK who was not only anti-black, but also anti-Catholic. But when the KKK threatened one of her schools, the nuns got to praying. Evidently a tornado came and destroyed the headquarters of the KKK. They were never threatened again. I know there is power in prayer. This story reminded me of that and to continue being persistent doing what I can do.

I Found God today in the story of St. Katharine Drexel.

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Born During an Eclipse

Posted by eph21920 on August 17, 2017 in Connected, Creation, Family, Life

“The sky went dark. When the sun came back out again, there you were!” That is the way my grandmother explained the birth of my father during a solar eclipse in 1930. Ironically – or maybe not so much, he has spent his life watching the sky. He worked in meteorology and space science, even writing a college text book. He and my brothers are getting ready and excited to watch the upcoming “Great American Eclipse”. We had been watching all the eclipse stories on the local news, and I felt my dad’s story was top-notch. He agreed to let me share it with the local TV news stations and I was super excited when we received a response. The reporter came to the house with his camera and had a nice conversation with my dad. Not only did my dad share his personal story, he gave a lesson on the solar eclipse phenomenon. We watched the coverage last night and found the story on the internet. The station did a great job with the information and we were all thrilled. It was just another part of my dad’s legacy and I was happy that we were able to share it so easily with friends and family.

I Found God today celebrating part of my dad’s legacy.

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Woman in Distress

Posted by eph21920 on August 16, 2017 in Answer, Problem, Stranger

Today I took my dad to a doctor’s appointment. As we were waiting to be seen, an elderly woman came in who was distressed. She was almost in tears as she tried to explain why she was late. She said she had to walk over from a nearby convenience store as her car broke down. But then she also said that she couldn’t get into her car because she lost her keys – she thought she had left them at home. The woman at the desk was doing her best, asking specific questions to try to understand what exactly was happening. Finally, she told the woman that she was fine for now and to sit down and relax. I was wondering if we should give her a ride to the convenience store. After my dad saw the doctor, as we were checking out, the upset woman who was calmer by this time was sitting at the front desk. She was on the phone calling to get some help. I asked the office worker if they were able to help the woman and she said they were. I was glad to hear that. I could leave with my dad, knowing that the anxious woman was being taken care of.

I Found God today as an office took care of a distressed elderly woman.

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Clothed With the Sun

Posted by eph21920 on August 15, 2017 in Creation, Eternity, Faith, Hope, Mary

Today, the Catholic Church celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so my parents and I went to church this afternoon. One of the scripture readings was from Revelation. The book is about a vision that the Apostle John experienced. It describes, “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” This line struck me as we have been talking a lot around here about the upcoming eclipse. Of course, one of the main topics on the news is to make sure to use the proper glasses to protect your eyes and not to look directly at the sun. I thought about how God and Heaven are so far above what we can fully understand. We often think of them as being “out there” or “up above”, and scripture seems to confirm that. In any case, having faith that God does exist, as well as a place those who have left this Earth is comforting and fills me with hope.

I Found God today contemplating Heaven.

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