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Go Left

Posted by eph21920 on March 26, 2025 in Answer, Friends, Hope, Struggles

A friend of mine continues to struggle through a divorce and move. I went to help her get some final things out of her house today. Another friend was there as well. We loaded up all our vehicles and headed over to the new place. When we were there, I saw her friend taping a piece of paper on a shelf in the kitchen cupboard. She wrote little encouraging notes and was putting them around the house. So when our friend opens up a cupboard or cabinet, she will see a little consolation such as, “When things aren’t going right, go left.” Her friend was so thoughtful, supportive, and considerate.

I Found God today in a thoughtful friend.

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Death is an Encouragement

Posted by eph21920 on March 25, 2025 in Death, Faith, Grief, Hope, Life, Stranger

In the Lenten meditation today, the story continued of Takashi Nagai who lived in Nagasaki when the atomic bomb was dropped. In this part of the story, he had a cancer diagnosis and was told he had possibly 2 years to live. He had converted to Catholicism and left his life in God’s hands as he continued to work. The man was a doctor and had gone to work at the hospital as usual when the bomb was dropped. Now he was desperately trying to save others. Along the same topic lines, my sister and I watched a couple episodes of The Chosen tonight. They also dealt with death. It is something we all struggle with and will face on our own. The meditation quoted Josemaria Escriva from his book The Way, “For others, death is a stumbling block, a source of terror. For us, death is an encouragement and a stimulus. For them it is the end; for us it is the beginning.” It was a beautiful reminder.

I Found God today in a beautiful reminder of what is to come.

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St. Anthony Pulls Through

Posted by eph21920 on March 24, 2025 in Answer, Friends, Prayer

I have been helping a friend pack and move for several weeks. It is a painful process as she just got a divorce and is moving out of the family house of 20 years. She also cares for a mentally impaired woman who lives with her. The woman has been in respite during the big move over the weekend. My friend wanted to get her new room all set up for her so she feels comfortable. I went over there today to give her a hand with things. She was searching and searching for 1 missing box that had important items in it for the woman. We moved boxes from here to there and searched the house, but could not find it. My friend was actually contemplating going out and purchasing the missing necessities. Finally we sat down and took a breather. I suggested praying to St. Anthony, so we did. Afterwards, I went back out to the garage and decided to open the boxes that I had not packed to see what was actually inside. The second box was it. There was everything that was needed to complete the setup for the woman’s room. My friend and I were ecstatic. I was so happy that St. Anthony pulled through and gave my friend a little more hope.

I Found God today in an answered St. Anthony prayer.

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Disney on Ice

Posted by eph21920 on March 23, 2025 in Children, Family, Fun, Grateful, Happiness, Joy

The other day my son asked if I wanted to go to Disney on Ice with him, his wife, and my granddaughter. It sounded like a pretty fun time, so I accepted his invitation. We went this afternoon. In the car was playing all Disney music and we sang along. I loved hearing my granddaughter sing as she really does have a gift for it. My son would sometimes sing a duet with her. I loved seeing the way he loves her. As we waited in line to enter the venue, I enjoyed seeing all the different people and children with Disney attire. Of course many little girls were dressed as princesses. My granddaughter is probably on the older side now, but she wore an outfit that resembled Belle’s before the stunning yellow ball gown. She was just as beautiful, in my opinion. My son bought some fun accessories and I got cotton candy that included a hat that was the face of Olaf the snowman. We found our seats, which were pretty close to the ice and took a couple pictures. The show itself was geared towards the kids for the most part, but the adults also appreciated the ice skating skills. At times they would pick a couple children out of the crowd to participate in the show, which gave them and their parents an even more special memory. Everyone was having a good time. On the way out, we came across a woman pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair. She was carrying several souvenirs on her lap and had the biggest smile on her face. It was a simply joyful afternoon and I was grateful for the invitation.

I Found God today in fun family time.

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Trust in God’s Timing

Posted by eph21920 on March 22, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Death, Friends, Hope

I just happened to be with a friend of mine when she got a call that her sister had died unexpectedly. Of course, she was pretty distraught and I was glad I was there for her. The next day when I was talking with her, she said she realized that her sister died on their mother’s birthday. That gave her some comfort that her mother may be bringing her to be with her. My friend had been speaking with her niece who was making the out of town arrangements. She said that she found her mother’s daily planner. On the same day that she died – which was also her own mother’s birthday – she had written the words, “Trust in God’s timing.” It is unknown when she actually wrote those words and what exactly she meant. But, it was quite a spiritual experience for the niece to find and for my friend to hear. It was as if the woman knew she would die that day and wanted to leave a comforting thought behind. The message did indeed bring them hope. I felt privileged that my friend shared that with me and we shed a few more tears.

I Found God today in a spiritual message left behind.

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Faith Story

Posted by eph21920 on March 20, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Hope, Life, Present

Today I listened to Gwen Stefani telling part of her faith story. I felt it was so real and relatable. I connected with her quote of the day:

“I’ve learned to look at each situation…and seek to understand where God is at work within it. The one thing I know for sure is that He’s there in all of it.”

I Found God today in a faith story.

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Doing Squats

Posted by eph21920 on March 18, 2025 in Grateful, Healing, Hope, Life

I have been going to physical therapy for a couple of months now since I was experiencing so much lower back pain. I have been doing my best to take it slow and build up my stamina and strength, being kind to my joints. Today the therapist challenged me to do some squats. They have always been very difficult for me, but I have been including a few in my daily exercise routine. To my surprise, I could do 10 actual squats using good form. The therapist was impressed as well. He said that exercise alone shows that I have really improved and it will serve me well as I age if I keep it up. Before I left, he once again told me that I made his day. I left feeling grateful, happy with myself and very encouraged.

I Found God today grateful for physical improvement.

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Country Music

Posted by eph21920 on March 17, 2025 in Eucharist, Grateful, Humor, Laughter, Life

Today I brought Communion to the elderly woman who I have been seeing every week. I told her it was St. Patrick’s day. She said she went to St. Patrick’s church a long time ago. I told her I do too and that is where Communion came from. After she received, I showed her some St. Patrick’s day prayers, which she enjoyed and read perfectly. Then she was very chatty. She likes to talk about the farm she grew up on with her family. We found a prayer card and a funeral brochure in one of her books. The leaflet outlined the funeral celebration, which included a couple of country music songs. The woman said she remembered the artists. I asked if she liked country music. She said she did. Then thought about it and responded that she had to because that was the only thing that was played. Then she laughed and laughed. It was a joy visiting with her today.

I Found God visiting with a very chatty woman.

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Unknown Pilgrimage

Posted by eph21920 on March 16, 2025 in Grateful, Joy, Travel

Today I went to Mass at the old church in the small town near the cabin. I had been there several times and would take my parents when we spent time at the cabin. As I looked around at the church, it appeared brighter to me. There were lights behind some of the statues that really enhanced them. Also, there were golden details in the multi-tiered altar that seemed particularly shiny. I wondered if I had not noticed those things before. Then, during his homily, the priest talked about the renovations they made to the church. So, it was actually more glorious than I remembered. The bishop of the diocese named the church as a place of pilgrimage for this Jubilee year. I had made a pilgrimage unknowingly – actually I’m not sure that would even count. In any case, I enjoyed being there.

I Found God today in a beautiful old church.

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Middle Children

Posted by eph21920 on March 15, 2025 in Connected, Family, Fun, Grateful, Life, Relationship

I am spending this weekend at the cabin with my son and 2 grandsons. Today when we left the house to go into town, the gaggle of turkeys practically met us at the door. They didn’t have much fear and got very close to us. When we arrived in town our first stop was for ice cream at the favorite general store. Then my son and older grandson went to casinos while my younger grandson and I walked around the town. We made our way down to the local museum which had a huge amount of western history. My grandson and I enjoyed looking at all the artifacts and learning about the old mining town. Then we went back to the cabin and played some games and chatted. We feel a special connection as “middle children”. I was grateful to spend this time with him.

I Found God today spending good time with my grandson.

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