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Love Yourself

Posted by eph21920 on October 23, 2017 in Answer, Faith, Life, Love

Tonight I met with a “Small Church Community” that I connected with a few months ago. I really enjoy being with them and discussing faith. Tonight we talked about the scripture when Jesus announces the two greatest commandments – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself. I remembered a young woman who asked me what if you don’t love yourself? That led to a whole other discussion about loving yourself. Sometimes people feel like if they have faith, everything will work itself out. However, sometimes people get very depressed or struggle during a difficult time in their lives. Then, if they can’t pray their way out of it, they think there is something wrong with them. Sometimes we just need to go get help from others to make it through. One of the people in the group pointed out that even doing that is loving yourself. You find yourself worthy enough to seek the help you need instead of doing nothing about it, or just worrying. You want what is best for you. That made so much sense. One thing I love about meeting with the group is it helps me to see things in a different perspective.

I Found God today in a reminder of the ways to love yourself.

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What Belongs to God

Posted by eph21920 on October 22, 2017 in Answer, Creation, Faith

Today, the Gospel reading at church included Jesus’ famous response, “… repay (render) to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” I thought the priest gave a great interpretation of the message. Perhaps I had heard it before, but it really struck me. The coin that was used to pay the Roman tax had the image of Caesar on it. Jesus acknowledged that belonged to Caesar and should be given to him. However, what belongs to God? Those with God’s image. What is that? All of US. We are told in the very beginning of the Bible that God made man in His own image. Every person in the world bears God’s image and belongs to God. It should be our response to first give ourselves to God in prayer, contemplation, and a loving heart. Then we can help give others to God in prayer and action. The message just touched my heart and reminded me that all of us regardless of race, income, physical ability, age, political ideas – we all belong to God and should be treated as such.

I Found God today in the reminder that all people were created by God for God.

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Birthdays

Posted by eph21920 on October 21, 2017 in Birthday, Family, Food, Fun, Happiness

Today was one of my sons’ birthday, so I wished him a Happy Birthday from afar early this morning. My other son’s birthday is in a couple of days and he lives in the same town, so we celebrated his birthday today. His girlfriend was visiting from the east coast, which made it even more special. My son, his girlfriend, my sister, and I went to a local Halloween Brewfest in the afternoon while my other sister and her husband visited with my parents. My sister brought a box of costumes and as we picked something out to wear, my dad – even my mom – would try on assorted things. At the event, there were lots of people dressed in clever costumes – a scary clown on stilts, Barbie dolls in boxes, Bob Ross the painter, and two guys in those funny t-rex blow-up outfits. I went with the basic cat. This was the first time I went to an actual “adult” type event with my son. We all had a great time. Once we were back at home, I called my other son on video chat while I still had on my cat face. My granddaughter looked a long time before she said “kitty”! We made meowing sounds back and forth for a while. My son said he wanted a pumpkin birthday cake. I thought for a long time how I might decorate it. Then I saw a an idea on one of the TV programs and took off from there. I made small pumpkin shapes using small bundt pans and pumpkin cake batter that I got from a woman who made cupcakes. Once baked, they were drizzled with orange colored cream cheese icing. Last night my mom covered strawberries in melted white chocolate, which I put faces on to make ghosts. We made scary trees out of licorice and wire and fence posts out of pretzels dipped in chocolate. All the accessories went on top of a thin brownie topped with chocolate frosting and crushed Oreos to resemble dirt. It all came together very well and was delicious. It was such a fun day for everyone.

I Found God today in a fun family day.

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Caring Support Group

Posted by eph21920 on October 20, 2017 in Friends, Stranger, Struggles

I have missed the monthly Parkinson’s Caregiver support groups recently due to various reasons and was happy that I was able to attend today. There were some new faces and some familiar ones. One woman who I chat with frequently told us that her husband has been in a long-term medical facility for about a month now. She told us the story of how he fell and hit his head. He was in the hospital for a couple of weeks and then moved to a facility in another city. He is in a pretty bad way, but there are signs of improvement. Of course, she is really struggling. Everyone in the group let her know that she is not alone and offered ways to help. People asked how she was taking care of herself and encouraged her to do what she needs to stay healthy. This is such a wonderful group of people who truly are there to support one another.

I Found God today in a group of caring, supportive people.

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A Welcomed Invitation

Posted by eph21920 on October 19, 2017 in Creation, Grateful, Happiness, Joy

Today I took my mom to her exercise class and sat in the waiting area as always. There are usually a couple other caregivers there, but today I was alone as I watched the class. After about 20 minutes, a woman who I have met a couple of times walked in. She invited me to go outside for a walk. I happily accepted. As we walked, we compared notes about doctors and medication and such. I enjoyed walking and talking and taking in the sunshine and fresh air. I was so glad she invited me to join her.

I Found God today in a welcomed invitation.

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Still Walking

Posted by eph21920 on October 18, 2017 in Answer, Family, Healing, Life

Due to her physical ailments, I think my mom has come to the grocery store with me maybe once or twice since I moved here 3 years ago. I had to make a grocery store run today and she decided to come along and help. So off we went. We split up the list and headed in different directions. When we reconnected, I was surprised that she still had more energy in her. We finished the shopping and went back home where she took some nice long rest time. She said she was exhausted from the experience, but at the same time it was so good for her. She had to figure out where things were, how much to get, and how to open those crazy produce bags that are so difficult (to me anyways). It was a challenging outing for her, but in a good way. She even took another walk around the complex this afternoon.

I Found God today as my mom challenged herself and is able to do more than anticipated.

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St. Anthony Comes Through Again

Posted by eph21920 on October 17, 2017 in Answer, Faith, Family, Miracle, Prayer, Saint

A week ago Sunday, we went to church, then out to lunch as usual. Later that day, my mom realized she was missing an earring. We looked all over the house and the car to no avail. We said a prayer to St. Anthony and called the restaurant and the church. Neither had the earring, but I left a description and my information just in case. Nine days went by and we gave it up for lost. This morning as my mom took a necklace out to wear, a necklace with a St. Anthony pendant came out with it. My mom looked at the pendant, remembered her lost earring, and said a prayer to St. Anthony as he is the patron of lost items. This happened without my knowledge. As I was running errands this afternoon, I received a call from the restaurant saying they found an earring that sounded like the one we lost. I headed over there and sure enough – it was the missing earring. When I arrived home, my mom was elated and told my dad and I the story of her prayer. That made it even more amazing.

I Found God today in an answered prayer.

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Super Supportive Mom

Posted by eph21920 on October 16, 2017 in Birthday, Uncategorized

I brought my dad to a doctor’s appointment this morning and as we sat in the waiting room, we met the woman sitting next to my dad who was having the same dermatological procedure. We started talking about what beverages there were available and noted there was no coffee. She said she always has enough coffee as her daughter owns a coffee shop. I asked where it was and found that it is right up the street from our house. We have seen the sign and talked about stopping in, but never have. The woman said her daughter is special needs and the coffee shop is her way of being productive in the community. There is a regular group of men who meet there every morning. The place employs other special needs people and many of them will come to hang out. It is their safe space. I asked how it came about and she said they prayed a lot. They wanted the girl to have an outlet and also do something of value. The woman worked at one of the local food pantries. She met the people who owned the coffee shop, and when it went up for sale, they were able to purchase it. She had a background in accounting for a non-profit and was able to use that to help the restaurant. She was very proud of the shop and her daughter, and very supportive as well. The story was beautiful and I will definitely be visiting the coffee shop.

I Found God today in a faithful, supportive woman.

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Thoughtful Teens

Posted by eph21920 on October 15, 2017 in Food, Hope, Opportunity, Youth

Today I went to a monthly cooking event with high school youth who are in the Foster Care system. The group split into teams to prepare a chili dinner with cornbread, corn jalapeno popper salad, and pie. I have seen these kids for several months now – a couple for over a year. It is wonderful to experience how they have matured and changed over this time. They take on a lot of the cooking responsibilities and put their own personal touch on the dish they are making. For example, a few of them tasted the salad and added what they thought would make it better. A couple of the girls made apple pie popovers and cut some of the apple bits into little hearts to place on the top of each little pie. As we enjoyed our meal, we talked about all kinds of things. One topic was about earning a living and making money. We talked about how selfish people can be and not even give a thought to helping others. But then we also talked about how there are people doing good for others all the time in the world, but it is not something that is broadcast. It is up to each person to good to those around them. The kids said they were committed to doing so and changing the world for the good. I was impressed.

I Found God today in thoughtful teens.

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Family Game Night

Posted by eph21920 on October 14, 2017 in Family, Joy, Laughter

My sister and brother were both at the house this evening, so we decided to play a game. I called my son and he came right over and joined us. It was a fun night full of laughter. There is something so joyful about playing games with family. I loved it.

I Found God today having fun with the family.

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