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Giving Tree Gifts

Posted by eph21920 on December 10, 2023 in Advent, Generosity, Opportunity, Present, Shopping, Stranger, Struggles

My son and grandson were also sick this week, but my daughter in law and other kids were able to pick out some gifts for the church giving tree. They brought them by yesterday and my mom and I enjoyed wrapping them. I was happy I felt well enough to go to church today and brought the gifts. I loved seeing all the presents under the tree for those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. I pray that the gifts would bring them joy and that the thoughts of others would help bring them some peace.

I Found God today being able to provide gifts and prayers for elderly in need.

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Strength

Posted by eph21920 on December 9, 2023 in Children, Family, Life

My son has been working hard to be able to participate in power lifting competitions. Today he competed in a local meet and was aiming to qualify for the national competition. He not only qualified for nationals, but for the world competition as well. This was a result of both physical and inner strength. Of course I’m proud of him, but his strength truly amazes me. We have talked about what a gift it is.  He realizes that and ponders how he can use it to benefit others. I was a sickly child and have always felt compromised and weak. I was somewhat concerned when I had children that they may have to face the same physical issues that I did. So to have a son who has such strength is incredible to me. I feel God has blessed him indeed.

I Found God today in the strength of my son.

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Starting to Prepare

Posted by eph21920 on December 8, 2023 in Advent, Angel, Begin, Bible, Connected, Creation, Faith, Family, Jesus, Mary, Miracle, Opportunity

Today was the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Mom and I watched the Mass as I still haven’t been feeling well. We listened to the homily and then listened to the homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz as well. I find him very enlightening and relevant. Part of the message was how God reversed the sin of Adam and Eve who were tempted by the devil – the fallen angel. God preserved Mary from sin to bring us His son Jesus. They are the new Adam and Eve and Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel. I don’t think I had ever made those correlations before. Another part of today’s homily was preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus. During Advent we get our homes and hearts ready for Christmas. We had not yet done any decorating. Tonight we had time and the opportunity to set up the nativity set and my mom’s collection of carolling figurines. It is a heartwarming scene.

I Found God today starting to prepare.

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Trusted Caregiver

Posted by eph21920 on December 7, 2023 in Family, Grateful, Rest, Sick, Trust

I have been trying to recover from a stomach virus the last few days and not been much help around the house. My sister has been taking care of our mom and trying to do some work besides. We were both super grateful for the caregiver who came in for a couple hours today. Mom likes her and we trust her. She knows her way around the house and just came in and took over for a few hours. I napped, my sister worked, and mom was safe. It was a particular blessing today.

I Found God today in the blessing of a trusted caregiver.

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Officially Adult

Posted by eph21920 on December 6, 2023 in Birthday, Family, Grateful, Relationship

My oldest grandson turned 21 years old today, which makes him officially an adult. I have been spending some time going through old pictures and seeing how this transformation occurred. He has always been a positive and happy person from the beginning. Being the oldest of the siblings and his niece naturally made him the overseer. In the photos he often stood behind and had his arms around the younger ones as if to show he had their backs. And when he was old enough, he spent a lot of time caring for them. He actually still does. Perhaps this is what made him such an empathetic person, in my opinion. Since they moved here a few years ago, he has spent time caring for my mom until it was beyond his skill set. She still enjoys seeing him, though, and can’t believe he turned 21. We called him this morning and sang Happy Birthday to him. He was gracious as usual. He has a good and loving heart and I am grateful for our close relationship.

I Found God today in my grandson.

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Grateful to Rest

Posted by eph21920 on December 4, 2023 in Family, Food, Sick

I woke up in the middle of last night with a stomache bug and fever. I am so grateful for my son and daughter in law who picked up some food. And I am most grateful that my sister is here to take care of mom so I could stay in bed all day. Praying this illness doesn’t last.

I Found God today grateful to rest.

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Advent Ready

Posted by eph21920 on December 3, 2023 in Advent, Faith, Family, Jesus, Music

Last week I picked up an Advent calendar with a picture of baby Jesus on it that I thought my mother would love. I was right. We have it placed on the kitchen table with some purple flowers behind it where she can look at it a lot. Today we added the Advent wreath. We lit the first candle and said the blessing prayer. Then mom and I sang a verse of O Come O Come Emmanuel. I was tearing up and had a hard time getting through it. It was a beautiful moment.

I Found God today singing with my mom.

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Unexpected Reunion

Posted by eph21920 on December 2, 2023 in Connected, Friends, Fun, Grateful, Relationship

My daughter in law and I went to a craft fair today at the high school I graduated from. A friend of mine attends it every year and sells her fun crocheted hats and other items. I met her working at a retail store about 30 years ago. We worked with a great group of people and spent time together outside of the store. I was so happy to reconnect with many of them after I moved away and returned. Today at the fair, my old boss was there from out of state who I hadn’t seen in years. She and her daughter had come to see my friend. It was so fun to catch up. Then I saw another woman we used to work with. We have been talking on social media, but I had not seen her in person for over 25 years. Her daughter attends the same high school I did and is in the band. It was wonderful to give each other a big hug. I got much more than anticipated at the craft fair. I had a good time with my daughter in law and the unexpected reunion.

I Found God today in an unexpected reunion.

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Surrendering More – Again

Posted by eph21920 on December 1, 2023 in Uncategorized

We had a particularly rough night with my mom last night. Both my sister and I were up with her for 2 hours as she was frightened, angry, and very confused. We tried all the distractions and redirecting that we could think of with very little effect. Finally after an additional dose of sleep medication we all were able to go back to bed. With the lack of sleep and emotional distress, we were beyond exhausted today. When my mother laid down to take a nap, I tried to rest as well. I put on the Surrender Novena to day 6 which is where I thought I might be in the rotation. This is what it said,

Jesus says, “You are sleepless; you want to judge everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse – to men themselves, trusting in their intervention – this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh, how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you; and how I suffer when I see you so agitated. Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything.”

As I was thinking about last night, I realized that the only time I asked for God’s intervention was when we finally got my mom back into bed. I resolved to remember to go to Him first thing. I have also been working on getting a caregiver to come in a couple of afternoons during the week. A woman was supposed to start today. However, she did not show up. The representative from the company did come and apologize profusely and said they were going to continue looking for the perfect fit. I was very disappointed and frustrated by this. Then I remembered the Surrender Novena and Jesus’ words today. I’m not sure where this will all lead, but I will try my best to surrender the whole situation to Him, knowing and trusting that He holds us close and has everything under control.

I Found God today in the Surrender Novena.

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Good Fortune

Posted by eph21920 on November 30, 2023 in Food, Friends, Happiness, New

My sister has been busy making her annual delicious coffee toffee. The house smells amazing. Our regular caregiver was here this morning who is from Japan. I got out a piece of toffee for her to try before I left on my errands. When I returned, she said she liked it. She said if you smile when you taste something new, you have good fortune. I love hearing the different perspectives that she shares with us.

I Found God today in a new and positive perspective.

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