Hello my friends! Didn't do much work today being yesterday I was so busy, felt good to just relax - taking care of Ollie today too, Lori is over at a friend's house sewing - learning more and more about sewing - making her sister a Christmas table runner. She has a portable sewing machine and so she took it with her. Tomorrow afternoon sometime we'll make our second batch of wine - Cranberry Apple. Talked on the phone today to the man at the place we buy supplies for wine making, today was wine yeast. Told him I plan on using our frozen apples, he suggested that I food process them until they look like apple sauce to get the most benefits of the apples. The cranberries I bought there in a 94 oz. big can. I asked him if I could use stevia instead of sugar because it calls for so much sugar and he said stevia could even be better than sugar so that's what we are going to do. Hopefully this time we can make some good wine to give as gifts to others after bottling it. It's interesting to do this, and Lori is so excited about it and we all three do this together. Oh by the way, I promised to bring some to Texas when we go for Christmas!! Darla will like to try it for sure, and Greg, too. Greg makes beer - one year Linus bought him a beer making kit, and he sure enjoys that! His beer is always so good - better than the ones you buy. Too bad she is still sick - fluish, low fever, some cough, feels it in the chest - I told her if she doesn't get better, to head out to the doctor. Good thing Greg is there to take care of her. Praying for all of you for all your intentions. May God answer our prayers all according to His Holy Will which always is the best way.
God values us so much that He gave us all that He has; His son Jesus. Show
that you value Him, too, by putting Him first in all aspects of your life.
Lord, when I put You first in my life, order and peace follow.
Scripture for the Day
"Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; O LORD, heal me, for my
bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is struck with terror, while
you, O LORD — how long? Turn, O LORD, save my life; deliver me for the sake
of your steadfast love." — Psalm 6:2-4
Meditation for the Day
I believe that all sacrifice and all suffering is of value to me. When I am
in pain, I am often tested. Can I trust in God, no matter how I feel? Can I
say, "Your will be done," no matter how much I am defeated? If I can do
these things, my faith is real and practical. It can work in bad times as
well as in good times. God's will can work in a way that is beyond my finite
mind to understand, but I can still trust in it.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may take my suffering in my stride. I pray that I may accept
pain and defeat as they come, and grow spiritually as I receive God's
strength to make it through.
Mary, Mother of Jesus,
give me your heart
so beautiful, so pure,
so immaculate,
that I may be able to receive
Jesus in the Bread of Life,
love Him as you loved Him,
and serve Him as you served Him
in the distressing disguise
of the poorest of the poor.
Amen.
Prayer composed by
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
The Fire
A couple, who we shall call John and Mary, had a nice home and two lovely
children, a boy and a girl. John had a good job and had just been asked to
go on a business trip to another city and would be gone for several days. It
was decided that Mary needed an outing and would go along too. They hired a
reliable woman to care for the children and made the trip, returning home a
little earlier than they had planned.
As they drove into their hometown feeling glad to be back, they noticed
smoke, and they went off their usual route to see what it was. They found a
home in flames. Mary said, "Oh well it isn't our fire, let's go home."
But John drove closer and exclaimed, "That home belongs to Fred Jones who
works at the plant. He wouldn't be off work yet, maybe there is something we
could do." "It has nothing to do with us" protested Mary, "You have your
good clothes on lets not get any closer."
But John drove up and stopped and they were both horror stricken to see the
whole house in flames. A woman on the lawn was in hysterics screaming, "The
children! Get the children!" John grabbed her by the shoulder saying, "Get a
hold of yourself and tell us where the children are!" "In the basement,"
sobbed the woman, "down the hall and to the left."
In spite of Mary's protests John grabbed the water hose and soaked his
clothes, put his wet handkerchief on his head and bolted for the basement
which was full of smoke and scorching hot. He found the door and grabbed two
children, holding one under each arm like the football player he was. As he
left he could hear some more whimpering. He delivered the two badly
frightened and nearly suffocated children into waiting arms and filled his
lungs with fresh air and started back asking how many more children were
down there. They told him two more and Mary grabbed his arm and screamed,
"John! Don't go back! It's suicide! That house will cave in any second!"
But he shook her off and went back by feeling his way down the smoke filled
hallway and into the room. It seemed an eternity before he found both
children and started back. They were all three coughing and he stooped low
to get what available air he could. As he stumbled up the endless steps the
thought went through his mind that there was something strangely familiar
about the little bodies clinging to him, and at last when they came out into
the sunlight and fresh air, he found that he had just rescued his own
children.
The baby-sitter had left them at this home while she did some shopping.
Author unknown
The father, a well digger, strong was he,
And as loving and kind as a father could be.
And Mary his daughter, Just five years old,
Was very much dearer than millions in gold.
To Mary her father was big, grand and nice,
So each had a treasure, beyond any price.
One day to the well, little Mary was sent
To take daddy's lunch, how gladly she went.
But when she looked down, not a thing could be seen.
The well, like a pocket, was dark as could be.
The father saw Mary and heard her voice, too,
But made not a sound, just to see what she'd do.
She dropped to her knees, the dear little soul,
And called down, "Oh, Daddy, are you down this hole?"
"Why, yes Mary darling, I'm here at your feet,
Just drop my lunch for I'm ready to eat.
Just let it go easy, I'll catch it all right."
She did and she saw it fall out of sight.
"Why Mary," said father, "There's enough here for two,
Now this is the thing I would like you to do.
You jump down here to me and we'll eat it together,
Down here in the cool and away from the weather."
"Oh, daddy, I'm afraid, I can't see you at all,
Be sure now you catch me and don't let me fall."
'Twas just for a moment she wavered in doubt,
Then closing her dear little eyes she jumped out.
In the darkness, yes, that was the test,
She trusted in faith At her father's request.
And both were so happy he kissed her and smiled
Because of the sweet trusting faith of his child.
"Oh, sweet little Mary, you put me to shame,
How often my Father Has called me the same,
But because it was dark I turned back in doubt.
Refusing the call, though his arms were stretched out."
(Author Unknown)
A WALK IN THE RAIN
She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful brown haired, freckled-faced
Image of innocence. Her Mom looked like someone from the Walton's or a
moment captured by Norman Rockwell. Not that she was old-fashioned. Her
brown hair was ear length with enough curl to appear natural. She had on a
pair of tan shorts and light blue knit shirt. Her sneakers were white with a
blue trim. She looked like a Mom. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain
that gushes over the tops of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the
Earth it has no time to flow down the spout. Drains in the nearby parking
lot were filled to capacity and some were blocked so that huge puddles made
lakes around parked cars. We all stood there under the awning and just
inside the door of the WalMart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated
because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rain
fall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt
and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child
come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her voice
was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom,
let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Let's run through the rain!" she repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated her statement.
"Mom. Let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl
said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get
wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you
said, "If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but
the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few
minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.
Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even
ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young
child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will
bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God lets us
get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said. Then off they ran. We
all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and
yes through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just
in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few believers who
screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. Perhaps
inspired by their faith and trust. I want to believe that somewhere down the
road in life, Mom will find herself reflecting back on moments they spent
together, captured like pictures in the scrapbook of her cherished memories.
Maybe when she watches proudly as her daughter graduates. Or as her Daddy
walks her down the aisle on her wedding day. She will laugh again. Her heart
will beat a little faster. Her smile will tell the world they love each
other.
But only two people will share that precious moment when they ran through
the rain believing that God would get them through. And Yes, I did. I ran. I
got wet. I needed washing.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the
heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
-- Author Unknown
If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope.
If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have
hope.
If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have
hope.
If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.
If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.
If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you
still have hope.
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you
still have hope.
If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips,
then you still have hope.
If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you
still have hope.
If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope.
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your
life, then you still have hope.
If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise,
then you still have hope.
If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then
you still have hope.
If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you
still have hope.
If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you
still have hope.
If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the
turkey, then you still have hope.
If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you
still have hope.
If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.
If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still
look up and end the conversation with the phrase...."yeah....BUT.." then you
still have hope.
Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but
rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us
reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd
rather give in.
Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.
Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.
Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.
Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and
something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us,
and it can bring light into the darkest of places.
NEVER LOSE HOPE!
Author Unknown
Meditations by Padre Pio
It is a great grace to be able to serve this good God when youth renders one
susceptible to everything. Oh how this offering, by which one offers the
first fruits of the tree, is appreciated. And what can restrain you from
making a total offering of your entire self to the good God, by deciding,
once and for all, to give the world, the devil and the flesh a kick, as our
god-parents did for us in a determined manner when they held us at Baptism?
Perhaps the Lord does not deserve this further sacrifice from you?
Mother Teresa Said...
I believe that God has created each soul, that that soul belongs to God, and
that each soul has to find God in its own lifetime and enter into His life.
That is what is important.
All of us need to seek God and find Him.
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