Sunday Scripture

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your heart. For as member of one body you are called to life in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3: 12-17 ( New Living Translation) 

Pets of the week

I met these adorable pets at a
local Kroger. Sadly, I lost their names.
I am grateful that pet owners are often gracious
and willing to share a moment of conversation.
This lady is a widow. Her pets have been helpful as
companions after the death of her husband.
Do you know someone who
has  recently lost a loved one?
They might welcome a call or note from you.

"If you want someone who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to and loves you unconditionally:
Buy a dog."
Unknown author

A thankful heart

“The unthankful heart … discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

I discovered this poster in a restaurant in South Carolina. 

Monday Musings

"It is easier to build strong children that repair broken men."

Fredrick Douglass

Sunday Scripture

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
Colossians 3:15 ( NLT)

Pet of the week, Alvin

Adorable Alvin is this week's pet! What a cutie! Barbara uses the following adjectives to describe Alvin... loyal, playful, hyper, and affectionate.  Alvin often follows her around her home all day.  If she is resting he will be sitting  at her feet. By the way, do you remember the Bubbles the Pug? Well, they live in the same household.

Barbara and her daughter are the owners of Alvin. Barbara is a committed Christian, loving mother, friend, and most recently a teacher for a  Bible Study during Wednesday night. Her amazing daughter is student at a local high school. I has been a joy to see this family serving at church.

Last month, I joined Barbara and other church members as we participated in a prayer walk. I look forward to joining her and other church members during our next outreach effort.

Balance... exercise and nutrition

"If we could give, every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we have found the safest way to health."

Hippocrates 460 B.C. – 370 B.C.

What is the balance of exercise and nutrition in your life? Has the balance in your life shifted? As you have grown older, have you found that it is more challenging to gain a balance?

A few years ago, walking was my favorite exercise. Then, I enjoyed the elliptic machine. Now, I love water aerobics and stretching. Recently, I have found a new exercise, POUND.

In the next few weeks, I will add physical therapy to my routine.  Recovering from surgery will require physical therapy. J

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Dinner conversations…

I have long believed that people from the south are the best storytellers. I had a theory that they crafted their art of storytelling by sharing tales on porches with their family. Instead of watching television, I can visual them sitting on a porch sipping sweet tea and swapping stories. 

I was pleasantly surprised to discover my Connecticut friends are amazing storytellers. 

We met Tim and Joan three years ago while we both were vacationing in South Carolina.  Last week, we were able to share dinner with them.   

They share delightful family stories! In sharing part of their lives, I see how their faith and trust in God has sustained them in difficult times.   They are beautiful examples of a joyful life that is focused on living a life pleasing to the Lord Jesus.

Last week, we celebrated our birthdays.

Tim's birthday was on November 8 and Joan's was on November 7. 

Monday Musings

Who in the world would want to be President of the United States? Anyone reading a newspaper or  watching news can observe we face enormous difficulties.  Yet we have more than a dozen Republican candidates who are racing around the country giving speeches, standing on debate stages, answering questions, dealing with campaign budgets, addressing town hall meetings, giving television interviews and sleeping on airplanes.

Senator Tim Scott is hosting Presidential Town Hall
meetings across South Carolina. 

What drives the candidates to vie for a position where they will face endless demands, legislative challenges, and opposition from outside and within their own party?  There is something unique about women and men who possess qualifications and the appetite to enter this political arena.  

Last Wednesday, November 11, I attended a Presidential Town Hall meeting at the Sonesta Resort in South Carolina. I heard about the Town Hall event in an exercise class Monday morning. 

On Tuesday evening, Gov. Kasich was on the Republican debate stage in Wisconsin. After the debate, he met with his campaign staff and prepared for his trip to South Carolina. After this Town Hall, he will fly to New Hampshire. Later in the week, he will fly to Florida.

This is just a taste of the schedule of every candidate. What a grueling campaign life.

Pray for the candidates.

“ I want to tell you ladies and gentleman, the actions we took were not always easy. The actions we took were not always popular. But when you get yourself in public office, your must lead, you must do what’s necessary.”

Gov. John Kasich