March ...

 

 

Monday Musings ...compassion

"Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to a place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it. "

Henri J.M. Nouwen  

Blessed

 Blessed

is the one

who comes 

in the name

of the LORD.

Matthew 21:9

Sacred holidays

"Passover and Easter are the only Jewish and Christian holidays that move in sync, 

like the ice skating pairs we saw during the Winter Olympics. 

Marvin Olasky 

For Jews, Passover began  the evening of March 27 and ends the evening of Sunday, April 4. 

For Christians, we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday on March 28. Holy Week ends with the celebration of Jesus's Resurrection on April 4.  

 

Friday Fun

 Do you have a favorite memory of a childhood game?  Do you remember Hide and Seek, Freeze Tag, Musical Chairs, Mother May I ? Red Rover, Red Rover or maybe it was Red Light Green Light. 

My favorite childhood game was  Duck, Duck, Goose. I love when I was selected to slowly going around the circle touching each person's head saying, Duck, Duck, Duck, and then touching one person and saying Goose! Then, taking off running as fast as I could to return to the empty seat. 

Today, as I was walking around the city, the name of this upcoming restaurant was a trigger to uncover the joy of childhood games. 

My sister ...

 "If you have a sister and she dies, 

do you stop saying you have one?

Or are you always as sister, 

even when the other half of the equation  

is gone?

Jodi Picoult 

Remembering Beth on what would have been her 72 birthday.

We hope for light

 Isaiah 59: - 9-13

 

So justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not reach us.

We look for light, but all is darkness; 

For brightness, but we walk in deep

shadows,

Like the blind we grope along the wall, 

feeling our way like people without eyes.

At midday we stumble, as if it were 

twilight ;

among the strong we are like the 

dead.

We all growl like bears;

We moan mournfully like doves.

We look for justice, but find none;

for deliverance, but it is far away.  

Friendship Friday

 

Ayse is a dear friend. 

Over the years, we have enjoyed countless cups of tea, lunches, and conversations. 

When I was recovering from surgery, she took me to  physical therapy sessions. 

When, I was unable to walk my dog, she walked Josie. 

What a friend! 

Since, my friend is Turkish, I thought I would share a Turkish Proverb,

"A wise man remembers his friends at all times, but a fool only when he needs them." 

Tea Time

 "The very act of preparing and serving tea encourages conversation. The little spaces in time created by teatime rituals call out to be filled with conversation. Even the tea itself warm and comforting-inspires a feeling of relaxation and trust that fosters confidences."

Emilie Barnes 

Saint Patrick's Day

 May the Strength of God pilot us.

May the Power of God preserve us.

May the Wisdom of God instruct us.

May the Hand of God direct us.

May the Way of God direct us.

May the Shield of God defend us.

May the Host God guard us.

Against the snares of the evil ones. 

Against temptations of the world.

Christ be with me 

 Christ within me

Christ behind me,

Christ before me,

Christ beside me

Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort me,

and restore me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ in quiet,

Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts,

of all that love me,

Christ in mouth

of friend and stranger  

Aldi

What are the core values of Aldi? "Our business  approach is based on three core values, which are consistency, simplicity and responsibility. Consistency leads to reliability. We say what we mean." 

Last week, I shopped at Aldi. It fun shopping for goodies for my charcuterie board. What!  I forgot to take a picture!   This is my new favorite grocery store. (Next to Trader Joe's) 

Monday Musings... rules for wandering

 

Outside this building, I read a familiar scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I was wondering, why is this New Testament scripture quoted on the outside of the Jewish Community Center?  Underneath the scripture the source of the text was given: Leviticus 19:18.  Yes, one of the most familiar scriptures often quoted by Christians is found in Leviticus. 

Sometimes, I am guilty of having spiritual amnesia.  How is that possible? Everything in the New Testament finds it origins in the Old Testament. The entire sacrificial system of Christianity is based on the truths found in the scriptures as recorded in Leviticus. 

I recently listened to Erin Davis and the series she is teaching on 7 Feasts; Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament. She has also authored a book with the same title. 

 Erin state the Jewish Festivals are objects  lessons of the faithfulness of God. I am looking forward to learning more in the series that is available on You Tube. In the video, she mentioned her conversations with a Rabbi. In her conversation with him, she said, he frames  Leviticus as Rules for Wandering.  Take time and listen to her teaching it is well worth your time. I especially enjoyed her reflections from her conversation with the Rabbi. 

Do you wonder why I was visiting the Jewish Community Center? We visited the JCC to see our granddaughter's first swimming lesson. 

If we pay attention, God is always speaking to us... through our study of the Scriptures, prayers, teachers, and when we are visit family. 

 

they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 65

"Praise awaits you, our God in Zion,

to you our vows will be fulfilled.

You who answer prayer,

to you all people will come.

When we were overwhelmed by sins, 

you forgave our transgressions.

Blessed are those you choose

and bring near to live in your courts! 

We are filled with the good things of 

your house,

of your holy temple.

You answer with awesome and 

righteous deeds,

God our Savior, 

the hope of all the ends of the earth

and the farthest seas,

who formed the mountains by your

power,

having armed yourself with strength.

who stilled the roaring of the seas, 

the roaring of their waves, 

and the turmoil of the nations.

The whole earth is filled with awe at 

your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening 

fades,

you call forth songs of joy. 

You care for the land and water it, 

you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water 

to provide the people with grain,

for so you have ordained it.

You drench its furrows and level its 

ridges;

you soften it with showers and 

bless it crops.

You crown the year with your bounty,

and your carts overflow with 

abundance.

The grasslands of the wilderness

overflow,

the hills are clothed with gladness.

The meadows are covered with flocks

and the valleys are mantled with 

grain,

they shout for joy and sing."

Hawkeye

 

What is a Hawkeye? According to Merriam -Webster, a  Hawkeye is native or resident of Iowa. Hawkeye is a mascot for  the University of Iowa. 

Let me introduce you to Hawkeye, the pet of the week.  This seventeen year old is a Shitzu, He is a gentle dog. His eyesight is failing and walks a little slow.

Rather than put him in a kennel when they travel, his owners stay at pet friendly hotels. 

Family Friday

In July of 2017,  we were in Charleston, South Carolina on vacation when our granddaughter made her  appearance. She arrived early. For the first days of her life, she was in the NICU unit.  We had to wait quietly to hold her. 

From the moment of her arrival, our life has shifted and expanded. We have attended  her gymnastics classes, soccer shot classes, and most recently swimming lessons.  As grandparents, we savor each visit. 

"From the moment you hold your granddaughter in your arms for the first time everything changes. She makes your world grow bigger, and your heart fuller, and life simply means more because she is in it. " Source: Proud  Happy Mama 

 

Thursday Thought ...

"CHANGE

is not easy " 

"But remaining in a 

constant state of 

grief, heartache,

and resentment 

is harder."

source:thrivingsistas.com

Walking

  "If you are in a bad mood go for a walk.

If you are still in a bad mood go for another walk." 

Hippocrates

A view from my  walk today.  

Tasty Tuesday

 

Monday Musings ...

 "Every women has the capacity to make a unique impact for the Kingdom of God. No matter your age, stage, or season of life, our prayer is that you will treasure your God-given gifts and talents and influence and never stop pursuing your calling and purpose with joy, strength, passion, and boldness."

"To every women - today and every day - we see you, We honor you. We celebrate you."

 Source: Propelwomen

#InternationalWomensDay 

I will be joyful in God my Savior

 Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

through the olive crops fails

and the fields produce no food

through there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls, 

yet,  I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD Is my strength,

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3: 17 - 19 

Franklin ... longing for his owners to return

Franklin is making another appearance as the Pet of the Week. He looks longing out the window... when will his owners return.

What are you longing for? Where is your hope?  We often find ourselves in difficult places.  There is good new for those who are longing. God's grace is more than enough. 

Family Friday ...

 Today we celebrate the birthday of our son. While we are not celebrating together, we will have a virtual celebrate. It will be complete with a birthday dinner, cupcakes, songs, a party hat and games. Celebrating with his three-year old niece makes celebrating fun. 

Live in such a way... you will be an example to others. Love God .. Love People...

 

Sun, shorts and flip flop shoes

Last month, Omaha residents shoveled sidewalks, endured below zero temperatures, and navigated icy streets.  This week, residents and visitors  of Omaha are enjoying sunny days and  warm temperatures. Yes.. shorts and flip flops shoes are replacing snow boots, mittens, and parkas. 😎

... become real

"My prayers become real 

once I realize that prayer 

was not a place to bypass

my pain, but enter it. "

Ann Voskamp 

Tasty Tuesday

Monday Musings ...

 Forty trips around the sun. 14609.688 days. Forty years ago, I gave birth to my daughter. As I reflect on the gift of my children, I am humbled and grateful. 

For the success of our children, we cannot take credit. It is every parent's hope that we foster those God given gifts.  We are grateful that she is a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. 

 To our daughter... Happy Birthday  Enjoy your birthday month! 😀