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Three For Tea

Posted by eph21920 on October 19, 2024 in Faith, Family, Food, Grateful, Opportunity, Relationship

A few weeks ago, my son’s fiancee invited me to tea with her and her mom. We went today. It was in a “castle” that belonged to one of the city’s founders. The property was 700 acres set back into the foothills with beautiful scenery. It had been acquired some years ago by a Christian organization. They host retreats, overnight guests, and teas as well as many other events. It was a very fancy setting in the dining room with fine china and antique artwork. We each chose a different tea from the dozens that were offered. Then we were served soup, salad, miniature sandwiches and pastries. Everything was unique and delicious. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know my son’s fiancee’s mother. I had met her a couple of times, and had chatted just briefly. We talked about kids, travelling in the military life, holidays, and our Christian faith. It was a very easy and comfortable conversation. I thought about how blessed my son was to meet this young woman and to have the support of this family. I was blessed to spend this time with two lovely women.

I Found God today spending time with my son’s fiancee and her mom.

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The 3 P’s

Posted by eph21920 on October 18, 2024 in Faith, Friends, Grateful, Prayer

I talked with my friend today who is a Stephens Minister. We have been meeting together, talking, and praying for many months. We chatted for a while and she asked me some pointed, reflective questions. She helps me to think about where I’ve been, where I’m going, and my relationship with God. When it came time for prayer, I asked for the 3 P’s – peace, patience, and perseverance – for myself and for my son and his family as his wife recovers from her ankle surgery. We prayed for complete healing for my daughter in law and for my friend as she is recovering from knee surgery. I was grateful to spend the time with her.

I Found God today talking and praying with a friend.

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Baking With Grammy

Posted by eph21920 on October 17, 2024 in Children, Family, Food, Fun

My granddaughter didn’t have school today, so we planned a baking day. She has a Harry Potter baking book with recipes for foods that mimic those in the movies. I told her we could make one of them today. She looked through the book and chose one named Honeydukes Haul Cake. The recipe was for a basic sweet bread dough made into small balls, baked in the oven, and filled with jelly. The finished product resembled jelly doughnuts. Since the recipe used a yeast dough, the whole process took the entire afternoon. She wanted to try filling some with chocolate too, so instead of making a hole and squeezing in strawberry jelly, she put chocolate chips in the hole. Then the chips melted. After dinner, she chose one of those to try. I was thoroughly enjoying my jelly filled pastry, which was more like a sweet roll than a doughnut, when I noticed she had a strange look on her face. I asked her what was wrong. She said, “I’m sorry. I know you worked so hard on these, but I don’t like it.” She was so sweet. I think she was expecting them to be more doughnut-like than they actually were. I assured her it was ok if she didn’t want to eat them and that we had a lot of fun together. Also, her mom, dad, brother, and I liked them so it was still a great treat. We’ll try a different recipe next time, but we really did have fun.

I Found God today baking with my granddaughter.

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Relating to this Reflection

Posted by eph21920 on October 16, 2024 in Connected, Death, Faith, Family, Past

I woke up this morning thinking about my father and my sister’s dream. When I turned on the daily reflection that I listen to most mornings, the speaker, Jeff Cavins, talked about his father. He recently died and today would be his funeral. I cried through most of it. Here are a couple of thoughts that were shared that really tugged at my heart.

“After my dad died, his life seemed as though it is amplified, and all that he said and did enveloped me as I move forward to live my life as he had hoped.”

As Jeff shared details about his father’s life to others, he realized they didn’t know him that well and  “… it took a son to reveal the father.”

“As I get older…I grow in appreciation for all that he has done in our family.”

These words and more had me starting out my day thinking of my dad’s death, but also the blessings of thean that he was.

I Found God today remembering my father.

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Sister’s Dream

Posted by eph21920 on October 15, 2024 in Connected, Death, Family, Joy

My sister told me about a dream she had. She was with my dad. He put his hands on her shoulders and just looked at her with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. What a beautiful dream – or was it? This is how I like to remember my dad. Smiling, happy, whole. With the twinkle in his eye that says he’s got a little something deep down that he knows and needs to share.

I Found God today in a beautiful  dream of my dad.

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Doing Well So Far

Posted by eph21920 on October 14, 2024 in Doctor, Family, Grateful, Healing

My daughter in law had surgery on her ankle last week. Today I took her to her doctor’s appointment. After carefully getting her out of the house and into the car, we packed up her knee scooter and off we went. She initially had fun on her scooter as it rolled much easier on the sidewalk than on the carpet in her house. In the office, the medical assistant removed and replaced the bandage that went up to the knee. She said everything looked good and sent us on our way. By that time, my daughter in law was starting to feel some pain. Getting back to the car was not quite as fun as going in. When we arrived back at her house, she couldn’t wait to lie back down. I was glad I was able to help, grateful that my daughter in law is doing well, and happy she got up and out safely.

I Found God today helping my daughter in law.

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A Holy Moment

Posted by eph21920 on October 13, 2024 in Death, Faith, Friends, Grateful

I was happy to see a friend to sit with at Mass this morning. Afterwards we decided to go downstairs to partake in the Knights of Columbus breakfast. Today they served breakfast burritos, which were pretty tasty. As we ate, a gentleman approached my friend and gave her a big hug. I got to know the other people at our table while they chatted a bit. When he left, she told me that he used to bring Communion to her and her husband when he was in home Hospice care. The gentleman was actually scheduled to come over the day that her husband died. When he called to confirm, my friend told him that her husband has just passed away. He answered that he could still come over and bring her Communion if she wanted. She agreed. My friend and the man had a prayer service and he gave her Communion while her husband laid beside them. She said it was a beautiful, holy moment and she was so grateful. We both cried.

I Found God today in my friend’s story of a holy moment.

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The Dark Drive

Posted by eph21920 on October 12, 2024 in Answer, Car, Children, Family, Grateful, Joy, Relationship

Since my daughter in law is incapacitated from her ankle surgery a few days ago, I have been helping them out. Tonight I picked up one of my grandsons from an event. It was the first time I drove at night with my new glasses. It was wonderful. I don’t usually even drive at night. But I could certainly tell the difference. I felt so grateful. As a bonus, I got to spend some one on one time with my grandson. I learned a long time ago that when I am with kids in the car they are pretty chatty. I very much enjoyed the drive.

I Found God today in clear vision and spending time with my grandson.

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Made of Music

Posted by eph21920 on October 11, 2024 in Children, Connected, Family, Life, Love, Music

I have had the pleasure of spending much time with my granddaughter the past couple days. She is always humming and singing and tapping in rhythm. She has always loved singing and has always been quite good. Last year she started taking singing lessons and is really improving her tone. Even so, she hasn’t really learned how to read music. Today I brought over some music theory books that I came across the other day to see where we could start. My granddaughter had, in fact, already learned about notes and rhythm, so she has a good start. As I spent this time with her, I thought about how her love of music was similar to my mom’s. It’s more like a a passion and just seems to be a part of who she is. It is ingrained to her very soul.

I Found God today experiencing my granddaughter’s passion for music.

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Safe in the Storm

Posted by eph21920 on October 10, 2024 in Family, Grateful, Weather

My sister and her husband live near the eastern coast of Florida. Earlier this week we talked with them about the incoming hurricane. They were going to sit it out in their home. It is a fairly new house and made of concrete blocks. They brought in all the outdoor furniture and plants and anything else that could become a flying projectile. They had food and water and were prepared for a power outage. We heard from them this morning. They said it was very difficult to sleep last night as the storm came roaring through. This morning they discovered that many of the screens on their covered porch were torn and flapping in the wind, but that was all the damage that was immediately apparent. They didn’t lose power and were doing well – except for being exhausted. It was quite a ride as they prepared, constantly watched weather updates, and experienced a sleepless night. I was so glad to hear that they were safe.

I Found God today as my sister and her husband were safe in the storm.

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