Prayer:
Prayer for A Deceased Mother
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our Father and our Mother; in thy mercy have pity on the soul of our Mother, and forgive her her trespasses; and make me to see her again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed throught the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Gratitude:
It was eleven years ago today that our mother was taken to Heaven and ended her journey upon this earth.
I'm sure I speak for my sisters when I say we are thankful for all the years we had her on this earth as our mother. I knew her the longest since I am the oldest and maybe I have the most memories. I am thankful I was able to spend her last Mothers Day with her and she was in the hospital at that time. She was very sick from all the complications of years of rheumatoid arthrits- she had suffered in pain for many years. When I saw her for Mother's Day, I always thought I would see her again in life but that was not to be. She is resting in peace now and we rest with our memories.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Prayer:
God's promises are intended not to supersede but to excite and encourage our prayers.
Matthew Henry
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
Romans 15: 4 NIV
Gratitude:
I am so thankful I was able to attend a Women's Lenten Retreat last Saturday at one of our local parishes. It was an all-day event and I'm not used to being out of the house and actually thinking at 8:30 in the morning, I'm so glad God guided me there. I only called the day before to see if there were any openings. (I am really getting good at the art of procrastination!). But it was meant for me to be there. I was invited by a friend I used to work with who attends that parish. Our family were members there in the 1980's and there were many ladies I knew then who still attend there. I was also able to meet some new ladies so it was very nice. The retreat master was one of our dioscene deacons we have known since coming to Lubbock in 1980 and he gives a dynamic retreat. He sings and plays the guitar and is a great speaker and a great man of God. The theme was Prayer- exploring our personality types and using that to explore our prayer types. It was a very good and holy experience.
God's promises are intended not to supersede but to excite and encourage our prayers.
Matthew Henry
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
Romans 15: 4 NIV
Gratitude:
I am so thankful I was able to attend a Women's Lenten Retreat last Saturday at one of our local parishes. It was an all-day event and I'm not used to being out of the house and actually thinking at 8:30 in the morning, I'm so glad God guided me there. I only called the day before to see if there were any openings. (I am really getting good at the art of procrastination!). But it was meant for me to be there. I was invited by a friend I used to work with who attends that parish. Our family were members there in the 1980's and there were many ladies I knew then who still attend there. I was also able to meet some new ladies so it was very nice. The retreat master was one of our dioscene deacons we have known since coming to Lubbock in 1980 and he gives a dynamic retreat. He sings and plays the guitar and is a great speaker and a great man of God. The theme was Prayer- exploring our personality types and using that to explore our prayer types. It was a very good and holy experience.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Prayer:
Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Gratitude:
I have been to two funerals in one week. Last Sunday I went to a memorial service at a Baptist church. It was for a friend of my mother-in-laws- her name was N. (don't want to put real names on the internet) She was 89. It was a wonderful tribute to a very special lady who touched many lives in her journey.
Today I went to mass of Christian Burial at my church of St. Elizabeths. It was for a man I will call D. I didn't know him that well but Tom liked talking to him after mass on Sundays. I knew his wife a little more. It was a wonderful celebration of his life which was very interesting. He was 79. I don't know many people who have received all 7 sacraments in their life time. He was a priest for 26 years then marrried in 1987 and had two daughters who are now college age.
I find comfort in the mass of Christian burial but it does bring sadness too.
Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Gratitude:
I have been to two funerals in one week. Last Sunday I went to a memorial service at a Baptist church. It was for a friend of my mother-in-laws- her name was N. (don't want to put real names on the internet) She was 89. It was a wonderful tribute to a very special lady who touched many lives in her journey.
Today I went to mass of Christian Burial at my church of St. Elizabeths. It was for a man I will call D. I didn't know him that well but Tom liked talking to him after mass on Sundays. I knew his wife a little more. It was a wonderful celebration of his life which was very interesting. He was 79. I don't know many people who have received all 7 sacraments in their life time. He was a priest for 26 years then marrried in 1987 and had two daughters who are now college age.
I find comfort in the mass of Christian burial but it does bring sadness too.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Prayer:
Sometimes I must drive her crazy, but she loves me anyway and never lets on. She continuess to guard my heart and nurture my soul. My sister is a true blessing in my life.
Betty Pearl Hooper from the "Always My Sister" flip calendar
Gratitude:
I get a lot of my quotes from a sister calendar that my sisters and I each have and look at each day. It's a way for us to stay connected despite the distance.
So I am thinking of my sisters today and continue to be thankful for them in my life. What I like about this quote/ prayer is that you can substitute many other names for sister like..... cousin, friend, spouse, brother, parent, neighbor. You choose!!
Sometimes I must drive her crazy, but she loves me anyway and never lets on. She continuess to guard my heart and nurture my soul. My sister is a true blessing in my life.
Betty Pearl Hooper from the "Always My Sister" flip calendar
Gratitude:
I get a lot of my quotes from a sister calendar that my sisters and I each have and look at each day. It's a way for us to stay connected despite the distance.
So I am thinking of my sisters today and continue to be thankful for them in my life. What I like about this quote/ prayer is that you can substitute many other names for sister like..... cousin, friend, spouse, brother, parent, neighbor. You choose!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Prayer:
Tuck this thought into your heart today. Treasure it. Your Father God cares about your daily EVERYTHINGS that concern you.
Kay Arthur
Gratitude:
It is so comforting to me to know that God cares about my everythingS! Just like my earthly father took care of me, so does our Father God. Even though I am alone in my house, God is with me. And I can talk out loud to him and no one will ask who am I talking to- ha!! This thought reminds me of Teveya from Fiddler on the Roof !! Remember how he had those long conversations with God- he really got a lot of things worked out didn't he?? I don't have to be on the roof to feel close to God and to feel his love and care for me.
Tuck this thought into your heart today. Treasure it. Your Father God cares about your daily EVERYTHINGS that concern you.
Kay Arthur
Gratitude:
It is so comforting to me to know that God cares about my everythingS! Just like my earthly father took care of me, so does our Father God. Even though I am alone in my house, God is with me. And I can talk out loud to him and no one will ask who am I talking to- ha!! This thought reminds me of Teveya from Fiddler on the Roof !! Remember how he had those long conversations with God- he really got a lot of things worked out didn't he?? I don't have to be on the roof to feel close to God and to feel his love and care for me.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Prayer:
Take time today, if only for a moment, to lovingly encourage each one in your family.
Gary Smalley and John Trent
Gratitude:
I am so thankful for all my family... children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters, cousins and those not related by blood but have become family! It would be hard to lovingly encourage each one every day, but not hard to do it for one or another every now and then.
Take time today, if only for a moment, to lovingly encourage each one in your family.
Gary Smalley and John Trent
Gratitude:
I am so thankful for all my family... children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters, cousins and those not related by blood but have become family! It would be hard to lovingly encourage each one every day, but not hard to do it for one or another every now and then.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Prayer:
I am thinking of the souls who were lost this day eight years ago in the Challenger disaster. God grant them eternal life oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. We remember their sacrifice and the wonderful lives they led while on this earth.
Gratitude:
I remember the day of February 1st, 2003. It was a Saturday. I was at the computer at 8 am. and felt the window shake as from a sonic boom. I had the news on and they reported that the space shuttle Challenger lost communication and came to find out later it had exploded during its re-entry to earth. It was going to land at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Something happened pretty close to the air space in Lubbock and debris from the shuttle was later found in surrounding areas. This was just the beginning of a bad day to come.
Tom was reading the paper while I was watching this news unfold and he informed me that one of our neighbors had died and his funeral was that day. We didn't really know him but Tom recognized the name. I called some other neighbors and we made plans to go to the funeral that afternoon. Tom wasn't feeling that well so he stayed home. In the meantime, it was also my friend Maureen's birthday and I wanted to get her a little gift so I went in search of it. I went to the funeral then went to give Maureen her birthday gift. I told her and husband Mike that Tom wasn't feeling well and I wouldn't be surprised if he would have to be taken to the ER before the weekend was over. Sure enough, when I got home, Tom said he thought he should call his Dr. and before the day was over, he was admitted to the hospital.
Where does the gratitude come in? I think I am grateful that I was able to be there for so many people in one day. My heart was with the astronauts who died that day and to be at the funeral of our neighbor. I was able to celebrate my friends birthday and then come home to take care of my husband who needed my help in getting to the hospital. Gratitude comes in remembering.
I am thinking of the souls who were lost this day eight years ago in the Challenger disaster. God grant them eternal life oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. We remember their sacrifice and the wonderful lives they led while on this earth.
Gratitude:
I remember the day of February 1st, 2003. It was a Saturday. I was at the computer at 8 am. and felt the window shake as from a sonic boom. I had the news on and they reported that the space shuttle Challenger lost communication and came to find out later it had exploded during its re-entry to earth. It was going to land at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Something happened pretty close to the air space in Lubbock and debris from the shuttle was later found in surrounding areas. This was just the beginning of a bad day to come.
Tom was reading the paper while I was watching this news unfold and he informed me that one of our neighbors had died and his funeral was that day. We didn't really know him but Tom recognized the name. I called some other neighbors and we made plans to go to the funeral that afternoon. Tom wasn't feeling that well so he stayed home. In the meantime, it was also my friend Maureen's birthday and I wanted to get her a little gift so I went in search of it. I went to the funeral then went to give Maureen her birthday gift. I told her and husband Mike that Tom wasn't feeling well and I wouldn't be surprised if he would have to be taken to the ER before the weekend was over. Sure enough, when I got home, Tom said he thought he should call his Dr. and before the day was over, he was admitted to the hospital.
Where does the gratitude come in? I think I am grateful that I was able to be there for so many people in one day. My heart was with the astronauts who died that day and to be at the funeral of our neighbor. I was able to celebrate my friends birthday and then come home to take care of my husband who needed my help in getting to the hospital. Gratitude comes in remembering.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Prayer:
There's another angel in heaven today, she's the one they all adored.
There's another angel in heaven today, laughing and singing with Our Lord..
(part of a poem I wrote years ago for a family member)
Gratitude:
A young woman was laid to rest today in Lubbock. She was only fifteen and she was the victim of a a terrible murder by a family friend. She was missing for two and 1/2 weeks before her body was found. She had been babysitting for the family and the father took her from the location she was babysitting his children and strangled her to death. Her body was finally found in a remote area outside of town. There was a prayer vigil held at the high school she attended last night and the funeral was today. There has been an outpouring of grief and sorrow from those who knew her and those who didn't. She had a beautiful voice and she was a member of the school choir.
What is there to be thankful for? The family will certainly think back on all the memories they have of her and be thankful for her short time on earth. She left them much too soon. The mother was quoted as saying "She is home" and now she is safe and singing for the Lord.
There's another angel in heaven today, she's the one they all adored.
There's another angel in heaven today, laughing and singing with Our Lord..
(part of a poem I wrote years ago for a family member)
Gratitude:
A young woman was laid to rest today in Lubbock. She was only fifteen and she was the victim of a a terrible murder by a family friend. She was missing for two and 1/2 weeks before her body was found. She had been babysitting for the family and the father took her from the location she was babysitting his children and strangled her to death. Her body was finally found in a remote area outside of town. There was a prayer vigil held at the high school she attended last night and the funeral was today. There has been an outpouring of grief and sorrow from those who knew her and those who didn't. She had a beautiful voice and she was a member of the school choir.
What is there to be thankful for? The family will certainly think back on all the memories they have of her and be thankful for her short time on earth. She left them much too soon. The mother was quoted as saying "She is home" and now she is safe and singing for the Lord.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Prayer
More and more I realize that everybody, regardless of age, needs to be hugged and comforted in a brotherly or sisterly way now and then. Preferably now.
Jane Howard
I don't know who Jane Howard is but I think this is a wonderful quote that could also be a prayer.
I am still thinking of the people here in Lubbock who were displaced by that fire last week. Some of the news clips showed them being hugged by family and friends as they cried when they saw their loss. They will need a lot of help in different ways to get back on their feet but I'm sure those hugs helped at that moment.
Gratitude
I am thankful when I see a friend and get a hug from them. I don't have anyone in my home to hug any more. But I cling to the memories of hugs and I wish I gave Dora more hugs and that Tom would have been more comfortable in giving and recieving hugs. Dora was a good hugger!
More and more I realize that everybody, regardless of age, needs to be hugged and comforted in a brotherly or sisterly way now and then. Preferably now.
Jane Howard
I don't know who Jane Howard is but I think this is a wonderful quote that could also be a prayer.
I am still thinking of the people here in Lubbock who were displaced by that fire last week. Some of the news clips showed them being hugged by family and friends as they cried when they saw their loss. They will need a lot of help in different ways to get back on their feet but I'm sure those hugs helped at that moment.
Gratitude
I am thankful when I see a friend and get a hug from them. I don't have anyone in my home to hug any more. But I cling to the memories of hugs and I wish I gave Dora more hugs and that Tom would have been more comfortable in giving and recieving hugs. Dora was a good hugger!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Prayer
Family is of the utmost importance.... we love, trust, get hurt, sometimes outraged and love and trust anyhow, because that's the best way to let our love grow.
Madeleine L'Engle
Gratitude
I am so thankful for family and in spite of the times that don't go well, there are times that make up for it. My cousin Brenda had a great party last night to celebrate her retirement and birthday and from early reports from my sister Jan, it was a great party!! On the way to the party her nephew Mike and wife Cindi had a car accident to deal with- thankfully they were not injured and were able to continue on to the party. They live in Chicago so it was a labor of love to continue on. Thank you God for family!
Family is of the utmost importance.... we love, trust, get hurt, sometimes outraged and love and trust anyhow, because that's the best way to let our love grow.
Madeleine L'Engle
Gratitude
I am so thankful for family and in spite of the times that don't go well, there are times that make up for it. My cousin Brenda had a great party last night to celebrate her retirement and birthday and from early reports from my sister Jan, it was a great party!! On the way to the party her nephew Mike and wife Cindi had a car accident to deal with- thankfully they were not injured and were able to continue on to the party. They live in Chicago so it was a labor of love to continue on. Thank you God for family!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Prayer
This is a prayer that came to me in my grief journey after Tom died. I wrote it down on a note card and keep it on my desk. I just came across it again and it brings me comfort every time I read it. I want to share it with you and ask you to pass it along to anyone you know who might find comfort in it.
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds ( Psalm 147: 3)
Jesus, it's hard to imagine I will ever be healed. Help me to remember that healing is not forgetting, but it is remembering with love and tenderness and joy.
(from Grief Share- Your journey from Mourning to Joy)
Gratitude
There was a big fire today at an apartment complex in Lubbock and about 60 people got out alive but some with just the clothes they were wearing- some without shoes or coats. It was cold at the time- below 35 degrees. I am so thankful I have a safe home and all the clothes and food I need. Thankfully, the Red Cross and others are helping the people and things can be replaced. I know I can help out with taking coats and clothes to the Red Cross so they can give them to those in need. It will help me also to pass along Tom's sweaters, jackets and shoes to those who need them now.
I am thankful.
This is a prayer that came to me in my grief journey after Tom died. I wrote it down on a note card and keep it on my desk. I just came across it again and it brings me comfort every time I read it. I want to share it with you and ask you to pass it along to anyone you know who might find comfort in it.
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds ( Psalm 147: 3)
Jesus, it's hard to imagine I will ever be healed. Help me to remember that healing is not forgetting, but it is remembering with love and tenderness and joy.
(from Grief Share- Your journey from Mourning to Joy)
Gratitude
There was a big fire today at an apartment complex in Lubbock and about 60 people got out alive but some with just the clothes they were wearing- some without shoes or coats. It was cold at the time- below 35 degrees. I am so thankful I have a safe home and all the clothes and food I need. Thankfully, the Red Cross and others are helping the people and things can be replaced. I know I can help out with taking coats and clothes to the Red Cross so they can give them to those in need. It will help me also to pass along Tom's sweaters, jackets and shoes to those who need them now.
I am thankful.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Prayer
Have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called- that you might inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3: 8-9 nsrv
I think this is a good prayer in light of last weeks tragedy in Tucson. If any good will come of it, it will be that we will be more mindful of others and how we treat each other. This could be in politics, our workplace, our schools, our personal daily lifes with family, friends and those we just come in contact with. I like the idea of repaying with a blessing and inheriting a blessing. I pray that when you read this, you will inherit a blessing within the next 24 hours!!
Gratitude
Today I have gratitude for a break in the cold weather. It felt like spring this afternoon when I finally ventured out. The sun was shining and there was no wind and the temp was close to 60. Very nice!
I received my first issue of Oprah magazine today! I haven't subscribed to a real magazine in years (except for AARP- ha!) I look forward to reading it from cover to cover and just enjoying it a little bit at a time. I think she has one of the best magazines ever and this months copy tells me I can make my dreams real!! There is a nice quote from Oprah on the cover also. She says "Life is a big ol' canvas. And you have every combination of colors to paint with."
I have no artistic talent but I can paint in my mind and fill the canvas!! I wish the same for you too, whoever you are reading this blog!!
Have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called- that you might inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3: 8-9 nsrv
I think this is a good prayer in light of last weeks tragedy in Tucson. If any good will come of it, it will be that we will be more mindful of others and how we treat each other. This could be in politics, our workplace, our schools, our personal daily lifes with family, friends and those we just come in contact with. I like the idea of repaying with a blessing and inheriting a blessing. I pray that when you read this, you will inherit a blessing within the next 24 hours!!
Gratitude
Today I have gratitude for a break in the cold weather. It felt like spring this afternoon when I finally ventured out. The sun was shining and there was no wind and the temp was close to 60. Very nice!
I received my first issue of Oprah magazine today! I haven't subscribed to a real magazine in years (except for AARP- ha!) I look forward to reading it from cover to cover and just enjoying it a little bit at a time. I think she has one of the best magazines ever and this months copy tells me I can make my dreams real!! There is a nice quote from Oprah on the cover also. She says "Life is a big ol' canvas. And you have every combination of colors to paint with."
I have no artistic talent but I can paint in my mind and fill the canvas!! I wish the same for you too, whoever you are reading this blog!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Prayer
My Prayer:
I pray for those who were shot last Saturday (Jan. 8) in Tucson, AZ. Six people died and many others were wounded . The main target of the attack was Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was shot in the head at point blank range. She survived and is making remarkable progress. I pray that she continues to recover and can find her way back in some way to her family and her life before this tragedy. I pray for the friends and families of those who died, that they may find some comfort in the time they had together.. Their ages ranged from 9 years to 79 years and it's not necessarily the quantity of life they had because the youngest one touched so many in her short stay on this earth. The older ones had more time to make special memories.
I pray for the family of the shooter. They did not raise their child to be a killer and they can not make sense of it themselves. I also want to pray for the shooter and ask God why this happened. This person never found his way to God - not everyone is on the road to God.
My Gratitude:
I am thankful for those who put themselves in danger to save others. Congresswoman Giffords had an intern who was on the job for only 5 days and he put himself between bullets to save her. Other people did the same and lost their own life's in the process. I am thankful there are more good people in the world than those who will shoot down good people in cold blood. I am thankful for the medical technology we have to save life's of those who suffer catastrophic events like this. I am thankful my family and friends are currently safe to my knowlege and I am thankful that I had another day on this earth to think about them.
I pray for those who were shot last Saturday (Jan. 8) in Tucson, AZ. Six people died and many others were wounded . The main target of the attack was Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was shot in the head at point blank range. She survived and is making remarkable progress. I pray that she continues to recover and can find her way back in some way to her family and her life before this tragedy. I pray for the friends and families of those who died, that they may find some comfort in the time they had together.. Their ages ranged from 9 years to 79 years and it's not necessarily the quantity of life they had because the youngest one touched so many in her short stay on this earth. The older ones had more time to make special memories.
I pray for the family of the shooter. They did not raise their child to be a killer and they can not make sense of it themselves. I also want to pray for the shooter and ask God why this happened. This person never found his way to God - not everyone is on the road to God.
My Gratitude:
I am thankful for those who put themselves in danger to save others. Congresswoman Giffords had an intern who was on the job for only 5 days and he put himself between bullets to save her. Other people did the same and lost their own life's in the process. I am thankful there are more good people in the world than those who will shoot down good people in cold blood. I am thankful for the medical technology we have to save life's of those who suffer catastrophic events like this. I am thankful my family and friends are currently safe to my knowlege and I am thankful that I had another day on this earth to think about them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Here I go!!
This is my first attempt at writing a blog. I have been thinking about it because of my sister, daughter, and cousins writing their wonderful blogs. I have been keeping written journals almost my whole life. I have a bright, shiny pink diary that I kept when I was 16!! I kept a journal on Caringbridge when Tom was sick and even after he died and it was very helpful to me and those who read it too Ithink. Last year, I kept a written journal which I wrote in everyday and continue to write in so far everyday this year. I think I will continue it but not write in it everyday. I think I will do the same with this blog and see how it goes!! The theme will be two very important things in my life and thus the title. I have so much to be thankful for and I pray the Lord will continue to be with me and to bless my family and friends. I pray I will be guided to continue on a good path that will bring me to my authentic self in a new way!! Here I go!!
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