Who knows?

When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future!...Ecclesiastes 7:14 Well, 2020, has brought us good as well as bad times, mostly bad. As we look back at this year we cannot help but feel sad, depressed, lonely and isolated. Why did so many have to die from COVID 19, and why did so many have to lose their businesses. Many young and old have commited suicide out of desperation, all around the world. The highest it has ever been. Why have we had such division in our country, and why has the election caused such mistrust among the voters? These may be questions we all ponder. We wish we had answers, but we don't (at least partially, we don't). Once I read a Chinese story. A man had lost one of his prized horses, and a friend expressed his sincere sorrow. However, the man was not worried or concerned. Who knows? It may be a good thing for me, he said. Surprisingly, the lost horse returned after a while with another horse. This time his friend came by and congratulated him. The man replied: who knows? It may be a bad thing for me. As it turned out, his son rode the new horse and he fell and broke his leg. This seemed like it was a bad thing, until the army came to the village to recruit all abled-bodies to fight in a war. Because of the son's injury, he was not recruited, which ultimately was a good thing, because it may have saved him from death. This is the legend behind the Chinese proverb which teaches us that sometimes a tragedy can be a blessing, and sometime, a blessing can turn into a tragedy. This ancient wisdom also expressed in the Old Testament of the Bible. In Eccleciastes 6:12, King David observes "Who knows what is good for a person in life?" Very true. none of us know the future and why things happen. An adversity, such as what we have experienced this year, might have some positive benefits. We have been able to make a vaccine in record time, which nobody thought was possible...From now on we can combat other health issues faster. If we did it once, we can do it again. On the other hand, a good thing may end up having a bad outcome. You get the idea. Galen, my husband, when things happen and I get frazzled, always says to me: calm down. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Only time will tell. Indeed, only time does tell. Every day offers new opportunities, joys, struggles and suffering. All we can do is trust God through the good, the bad and the ugly. Like King David said 3000 years ago, God has made the one as well as the other. Things always work out at the end. We sold our home in California and moved to NW Arkansas permanently. The escrow took a lot longer than we had anticipated and we were getting frustrated and discouraged. However, when we finally departed for our 1600 mile road trip, we had the most beautiful weather all the way to our destination. This is December, I was very worried about getting stuck in bad weather. In the weeks prior to our trip, there had been bad weather, heavy rains and snow, on Interstate 40, where we drove. It would have been challenging driving under those conditions, and we could have been in an accident, as well. So, we learn to be thankful, for the curve balls, life throws at us. Ecclesiastes 6:12 "For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?" So true. As we bring in the New Year, may we be blessed and protected, and know that we will get through whatever comes our way! Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

Eight (8) gifts you can afford

The gift of Listening
BUT you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening...(Not always easy, is it)?

The gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. (May be a little challenging for some, but try it anyway). 

The gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Tell a funny joke. Your gift will say, "I enjoy laughing with you". (My bother and a couple of our friends love telling jokes, and we enjoy them a lot).

The gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.  (This is something I really enjoy doing, because I love buying pretty cards, and also receiving them).

The gift of a Compliment

A simple and sincere, "You look great in red", "You did a great job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day. (This is especially nice to do for young children and the elderly, but why not to anybody in between?..we all need an encouraging word).

The gift of a Favor
Everyday go out of your way to do something kind. (Anything...my husband makes me coffee every morning).

The gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. (For sure, something I treasure). Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The only way to feel good is to make others feel good. (My husband, Galen, always says, "I am happy to be here", when someone asks "How are you doing today?" And when he comes out of the Doctor's office he says to the patients in the waiting room "The Doctor says I am going to LIVE".
(Both of these statements take people off guard and they always laugh and say something positive too). So, try to have a sunny disposition even when things are not going your way, it will make YOU feel a little better.

Hope you can use some of these gifts, especially since they will not cost you anything.'

Have a Great Day!

What type of a listener are you?

There are two types of listeners:

1. The passive listener
2. The active listener

The passive listener is the one who is listening but is not really paying attention or hears what is said. Have you ever watched the news on TV and you realize you have not heard a word they said?  (and I would not blame you for that one). How about being at church, listening to the sermon, but your mind is wandering? (well, I wouldn't blame you there either sometimes). You may be watching the people, or thinking about what you will be serving for dinner tonight, or maybe thinking about your kids and what homework they haven't finished. It happens to all of us at one time or another. I used to have a boss who was like that. You knew she wasn't listening, her mind was on the next task. My own mother used to do that sometimes. Watching her favorite TV program was more important than listening or talking to me. It is annoying when people do that, and it makes you feel unimportant. I am ashamed to admit that there are times, I find myself doing the exact same thing. 

On the other hand, an active listener listens to every word you say, and goes to church excited and ready to hear what God is going to say. She/he may be taking notes, or following along in her/his Bible. God communicates in different ways, and when he talks we should always be ready to listen actively. When we listen passively, we actually come away empty and uninspired.

There is a great example in the book of Nehemiah. We read how the Israelites were desperate to hear from God. After they had been in captivity for 70 years, in Babylon, they finally returned to their land, Israel.  They rebuilt their homes, the Temple and Jerusalem's walls. Then they gathered around Ezra, who was a Prophet and a scribe, as he read God's Word. The Bible says that .....

1. they listened patiently, as Ezra read, from morning until midday.
2. they listened attentively, eager to hear what God had to say.
3. they listened humbly. When Ezra opened the scrolls, they respectfully stood, and they bowed low to worship. They showed repentance, felt sorry for their sins, and they wept.
4. they listened purposefully, and they wanted to obey what they heard.

I remember when I was younger, and I would be watching TV or just sitting around visiting with my parents They would be sharing stories about their lives and stories from their past, and their families. I would nod as if to show I was paying attention, but I wasn't. I was too "busy" with other things on my mind. I had heard the same stories before, and they were boring, or irrelevant to my life. Fast forward 30 years. My parents are long gone, and now that I have "time", I reminisce about some things and wonder about some of those stories or people they talked about. However, regretfully, I cannot remember much. Now I want to know, now I am interested, but they are not here to answer all these questions that I have. Now I am sorry I didn't listen more attentively. 

I was a passive listener. I cannot recapture the moment or the story. I will never know, no matter how much I want to. Unfortunately, this is the life cycle, it seems. Others are now doing the same thing to us. They are "too busy" to listen. Our stories are "boring" them. Maybe sometime in the near future they will be interested, but it may be too late. 

Like anything else in life, we make decisions and our decisions have consequences. From now on decide to be a better listener. Be an active listener and not a passive listener. You will not regret it!

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished....Lao Tzu

Nature teaches us so many wonderful things, and life lessons, if we only take time to observe them. From the smallest seeds to the tallest trees, we are amazed and in awe of each and every season. Having experienced the four seasons in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and living on the lake and in the forest, gives you a different appreciation for nature.

We get to enjoy all the different birds,such as bald eagles, ducks and geese, blue herons, blue birds (they nest in our bird houses), hummingbirds, cardinals, and a variety of  others that I don't recognize. We see lots of wildlife, such as  deer, fox, mink, ground hogs and armadillos, to name a few. Oh yes, and sometimes the snakes and the bugs (which I don't like to think about, and rather forget). However, the most amazing thing I have experienced is the changes of the water. They are amazing. Sometimes the water stands still, and other times the wind makes it go one direction or another, it is never the same. The colors of the sky is another awesome sight. I have never experienced so many beautiful colors. Especially after a storm or a light rain. The sky turns into turquoise, red, orange, purple, blue and indigo. All the colors of the sky are then reflected in the water of the lake. I have been lucky to have been able to capture some of that on my camera. It is an unbelievable sight. 

Speaking of beautiful sights, the other day, I saw the most beautiful double rainbow right in our back yard. Galen brought it to my attention. I had my back to it and would have missed it, if he had not pointed it out. So, I went outside and  took a bunch of pictures. I sent them to a couple of my neighbors. One of them, Susan, responded with the most beautiful scripture from the Bible, which I would like to share with you. It was awesome.

"Worship me in the beauty of holiness, I created beauty to declare the existence of my Holy being. A magnificent rose, a hauntingly glorious sunset, oceanic splendor-all these things were meant to proclaim My Presence in the world. Most people rush past these proclamations without giving them a second thought. How precious are My children who are awed by nature's beauty; this opens them up to My Holy Presence. Even before you knew Me personally, you responded to My creation with wonder. This is a gift, and it carries responsibility with it. Declare My glorious Being to the world. The whole earth is full of My radiant beauty - My Glory!"  

"Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness"     PSALM 29:2

 "And they were calling to one another: holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty: the whole earth is full of his glory" ISAIAH 6:3

I hope we don't rush through life so much that we miss some of the natural beauty all around us. In some ways the lock downs due to COVID19 has forced many people to slow down, spend more time with family, enjoy the outdoors and discover God's creation.

"The new normal"

We hear about the "new normal" every day! But what exactly is it? I don't exactly know, YET!

Back in the 70's and 80"s, when we traveled and flew commercially, I can recall going to the airport, with my paper ticket in hand, walking all the way to the departure gate without anybody challenging me for security reason. When family and friends came to see me off, they were also allowed to go to the gate, no questions asked. Security was pretty lax those days. When people started hi-jacking planes, we responded by placing metal detectors at the airports. THAT was the new normal. Then we had 9/11 and the terrorist attacks. Our government established the TSA, and now we have all kinds of security checks. That was another "new Normal".. When we went to Europe last December,we had to go thru Xray machines and TSA checks, and taking off our shoes and all the things in your pockets, and placing things in plastic baskets, and waiting in LONG lines. I don't like it, but we got used to it. We know what to expect.

So now we got COVID-19. We self-quarantined. We stopped shaking hands or hugging. Stores and restaurants closed. Businesses conduct meetings via Zoom, and employers found out that their employees CAN work from home. Families now have zoom accounts and chat on the phone or computer. Wearing masks has become a fashion statement for some, and a 'new' business for others.Oh, yes...and another common term we hear today: Social Distancing!  Restaurants,, theaters and other businesses opened with reduced number of guests, and masks are for the most part optional, but recommended. In many States Governors put out orders that they ARE mandatory, due to increased cases again.....I don't like wearing a mask, I can't breath and it gives me a headache, I like having the option to wear one or not wear one...but it seems like the "new normal" will be to wear one for a long time to come. Also, one of the major things is the churches not being able to assemble, or even sing in their choirs? Why? Going to a place of worship, weather it is a church, synagogue, temple or mosque is not allowed and it's not "essential", but protesting in big crowds and rioting is OK? WOW! Is that going to be the "new normal"?  How come nobody is protesting about that? I guess some groups are starting to protest and I say GOOD FOR THEM! We all need to voice our opinions without fear of being arrested. This is still, or should be, a free country where ALL citizens have freedom of speech. 

One good thing out of all this, is that people are more cautious now and they are practicing better hygiene. People are washing their hands more often, and staying 6 ft away. I like that. I don't like people being too close and invading my 'space'. Also, with all the unrest around the country we are finding out how hateful some groups are and how some groups would like to destroy this country and what it stands for. We need to stand up and be counted.

Hopefully all the people who lost jobs, will be able to either get back to their old jobs, or find new employment. Small businesses that suffered a lot of loss, may recover, but it will take a while. Unfortunately, some will have to close their doors forever. I hope there is no more lock downs, and I hope kids get to go back to school soon. Schools are very essential for the development of young children, and the more they stay out, the more they will suffer in the long term, Some of these decisions made by our government officials may have saved some lives from the virus, but have destroyed lives in other ways. Crime is up, suicides are up, alcohol and drug abuse is up, child and spousal abuse is up....all the bad things are up..We need to get back to normal and we have to re-unite as a nation, as ONE people.

We will find out what the future will bring. You never know. As we saw in the last few months, when we thought all was well, we got the unexpected protesters and looters, rioters and destruction. What a total shock. Destroying property, killing people, and getting rid of the Police is NOT going to make things better, it will make things worse. Getting rid of our history, destroying statues, changing names of our military bases, or naming hurricanes with "black" names (I just heard about that one today..one of the Congresswomen suggested that), is NOT going to make things better. It looks like people care, but they don't. If they did, all these things would not been happening today. It should have all been fixed long time ago, with all the different people in power. We better wake up and get our senses back before it is too late.

One thing is certain, whatever the "New Normal" is going to look like, WE will survive. We are a nation of survivors. We are a nation of diverse backgrounds, natives as well as immigrants, and a people in search of the American dream. In the meantime, let us practice what we learned, be kind and patient with people, stay safe and healthy, and may God forgive us and bless us ALL.

Aunt Jemima

What is going on in our country and around the world? First we got the Wuhan Chinese virus (COVID-19), then the unrest, protests and riots all over the place. Now people are destroying statues of generals and historical figures. Activists want to destroy stained glass windows at churches depicting Jesus as a baby, with his mother, because it is too offensive and represents "privilege" of some kind. WOW. Where will this all end ? Knowing our history doesn't mean we always like it, but we learn from it, so we don't repeat (hopefully) the things that are not right.

So when will it end? Who knows. But here are some other sad and stupid things companies are doing to be politically correct. They are actually giving in to the masses, and doing things that will not make any difference in people's lives. They are taking out the names off of famous labels, such as Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, Escimo pies, and others, too many to name, I am sure. So, how is this helping, I wonder. I also wonder, if people know the history behind these names. Some have been in our culture for over 100 years.

For example...let's see who Aunt Jemima was.

The world knew her as "Aunt Jemima," but her given name was Nancy Green and she was a true American success story. She was born a slave in 1834, in Montgomery County, Kentucky. She became a wealthy superstar in the advertising world, as its first living trademark . Green was 56 years old when she was selected as spokesperson for a new ready-mixed, self-rising pancake flour and made her debut in 1983 at a fair and exposition in Chicago. She demonstrated the pancake mix and served thousands of pancakes...and became an immediate star. She was a good storyteller, her personality was warm and appealing, and her showmanship was exceptional. Her exhibition booth drew so many people that special security personnel were assigned to keep the crowds moving.

Nancy Green was signed to a lifetime contract, traveled on promotional tours all over the country, and was extremely well paid. Her financial freedom and stature as a national spokesperson enabled her to become a leading advocate against poverty and in favor of equal rights for folks in Chicago.

She maintained her job until her death in 1923, at age 89.

Nancy Green was a remarkable woman ...and has just been ERASED by politically correct ignorant people.  Her story should be an inspiration to us all, especially considering her background. Instead of erasing her name, we should be telling her story, so more people can work towards a better future and find HOPE in adversity.

I pray that people will wake up and come to their senses, and soon, before it is too late.

Stay well, and find something to be grateful for TODAY and EVERYDAY!

What do we do when adversity knocks on our door?

Everything seems to be going in the right direction according to the CDC...I think....I have stopped watching all the briefings. Total overload for me. But it is good news that the states are starting to open up. We are all getting a little restless, and tired of "Staying home safe". Galen and I have ventured out a few times to get groceries and things at Lowe's, post office and the like. We are thankful that we have not been affected that much, unlike other families. In Los Angeles County, the "safer at home" order remains until May 15th, but I believe, longer for other parts of California.

We have heard many conflicting instructions: don't wear a mask, wear a mask, stay inside, no get air and sunshine, go outside, stay six feet away, no ten feet away...2 million people will die, no 60 thousand, no wait it may be up to 100 thousand...and so on and so forth. So, the "experts" tell us all these things, and we are supposed to believe them, but it can be confusing. Some orders are good and others don't make any sense. For example, some people have been arrested at the beach (and our beaches ARE beautiful), because they were not walking, or jogging, in other words they needed to be moving. You were not allowed to sit...WHAT??  When I go to the beach I love sitting in my beach chair and listening to the waves crashing, and feeling the ocean breeze on my face. I guess it is a good thing I did not go, because I would have probably ended up in jail!  (I was tempted though, we have had 100+ degree heat in the San Fernando Valley, for the past week). This makes no sense. If you sat at the beach to sunbathe you went to jail, yet, the "authorities" that people have voted in, have been releasing prisoners, because they did not want them to be infected by the virus.Well, we know our prisons are overcrowded, so I supposed this would be one good excuse to empty them. I can't imagine that they could not quarantine them somewhere else! Many of these criminals committed crimes as soon as they got out! The mayor of New York, could not figure it out. He was "surprised". Really?

Anyway, I am glad we are seeing progress being made in many areas, and if (although I hope not) we get another pandemic, we will be more prepared. More things are now in place, and we have more of the necessary equipment to deal with it.

What is also amazing is that the stock market seems to have rebound enough in April, to have erased all of the March losses. Let's hope it continues to move in the right direction. It is very sad to see people being forced to file bankruptcies, close their businesses, lose their employment, not being able to pay their mortgages and other bills, not to mention increased depression, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. It must be absolutely devastating!

How are people coping?  I don't know. Everyone is different. I will share a little story, where the "author" is unknown. The Title is : The lesson of the coffee bean. You may be familiar with it.

A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her. "As soon as I solve one problem, she said, another one comes up". I am tired of struggling.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second, eggs, and in the last one, ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter waited impatiently, wondering what he was doing. After a while, he went over and turned off the burners. He took out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. He pulled out the eggs and placed them in a bowl. Then he poured the coffee into a bowl.Turning to her he asked , "Darling, what do you see?"

Carrots, eggs and coffee, she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft.  He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee.. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavor.

She asked, "What does it mean Father?" He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but after being subjected to boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg was fragile. Its thin  outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside hardened. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. By being in the boiling water, they changed the water.

He asked his daughter, "when adversity knocks on your door, which are you?"

I guess that is a good question to think about and ask ourselves....when adversity knocks on our door, which one are WE?

Have a great, healthy Day!

Choices we make in the middle of a tragedy (aka Pandemic)

I don't know if you are familiar with the story of Job, in the Old Testament. It is a fascinating story. If you haven't read it, it will be worth your while to look it up. I will attempt to give you a short summary of  what happened.

The book of Job starts with introducing him. He is a man with a life well lived, and a man God marked out for his upright character. (Job1:1-5). He was not an ordinary man. He was successful, a man of influence in his community and very prosperous. He had many servants, cattle, camels, donkeys, sheep and whatever else rich people had back in those times (early 5th century BC...or thereabouts, or some say he lived at the same time of the Exodus in Egypt, or even in Abraham's time...we don't know). He loved his family. He was blessed with seven sons and three daughters. Job did not take God for granted, since he was very wealthy. On the contrary, he was a godly man and he was special to God. He was maybe in his 50's or 60's (according to scholars)...

Then suddenly, all this wonderful life changed overnight. Suddenly and unexpected,

• he got a report that all of his cattle had been stolen
• all of his servants were killed
• fire destroyed his sheep and his shepherds
• the Chaldeans stole his camels and killed his herdsmen
• a tornado like wind killed all his children

WOW! His prosperity, security, lifestyle, social standing and his family had vanished in a moment's time. Within minutes he had been changed from the greatest to the least. (What would we do in such a tragedy?)

As if this wasn't enough, the next thing that happened was an attack on his health and well being. The Bible says that his condition was extremely painful and socially isolating. He had boils all over his body and his skin was somehow destroyed. This doesn't look good! His family and friends were convinced he had done something wrong. They thought he had committed a very serious sin towards God and he was being punished. They accused him relentlessly.They were wrong. He had done nothing wrong. His wife asked him to curse God!...but he would not have any of it..Back in those days, there were lepers and they were isolated from society and shunned by their families. The belief was that they were under some kind of curse for sins committed by them or their families.

Anyway, doesn't his suffering resemble a little bit of what we are going through with the Pandemic? Doesn't this sound a little bit familiar? What Covid-19 is doing to people around the world is devastating and many people may be relating to poor Job!

I don't know about you, but I don't know that I could have endured everything he went through; Faith or no Faith. Yet, although Job's view of God had been threatened, it was not lost! The book of Job helps us maybe answer the question: How do I go on?  He was sick and near death, he says his hopes and dreams have disappeared and his friends still accuse him of wickedness. He says, "I scream for help and no one hears me. Those I love have turned against me. Everyone mocks me". He was a desperate man. Everyone had failed him. However, he also says: (Job 18:23...) "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives" (referring to God).

Job's response challenges us to fix our eyes on God, when we face unexplained and unexpected tragedies. It also raises the question: Do I still follow God when I am in the middle of suffering? Do I still love Him if He is not protecting me from pain and disease? Job did. 

His words towards God are incredible. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the Lord be praised". WOW! Through tears, Job maintained his focus on God, and he chose to praise Him in the middle of his pain, and viewed everything as part of a divine plan.

Like we said earlier, Job had done nothing wrong, and yet he was faced with all kinds of tragic events. Life is full of mysteries, and Job's suffering and our sufferings is a mystery as well. Maybe our question should not only be: HOW can I get out of this? but also WHAT can I get out of this? In other words, is there a lesson I need to learn?

Finally, Job's nightmare comes to an end. In the powerful conclusion, we see that God returned everything to Job and double what he had before. The Lord blessed Job at the end of his life more than at the beginning. He restored his health and wealth and gave him seven more sons and three daughters. Job lived 140 years after that, living to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren too.

God hears our every prayer, and we cannot go wrong when we rely on Him. I don't mean that we just sit on the couch and do nothing, and let God do it for us. No, we actively have to seek God's protection against worry, fear and anxiety. We can ask for peace during anxious times, and we are in anxious times right now. Suffering may be undeserved, but there is always a purpose to it. When we come out of this Covid-19 Pandemic, it may take a while to get back to our 'previous normal', but we will come out of it stronger and wiser and with better and healthier daily habits.

A friend send me this little joke:

"I never thought the comment I wouldn't touch him/her with a 6 foot pole
 would become a national policy, but here we are". 

Funny, but so true.
Hang in there !

How do you navigate/respond to life's storms?

How do you react to a thunderstorm? Do you tremble in fear under the covers? Do you go hide?

Do you recall the words in Psalm 29: verse 3..."The voice of the Lord echoes from the clouds. The God of glory thunders through the skies.....or verse 7... "The voice of the Lord thunders through the lightning". If you are like me, you may be praying to God for his protection and for the storm to pass quickly, and to give us strength to endure it. Just as our reactions to bad weather vary according to our perspective and personal experiences, so do our reactions to trials and tragedies that come into our life.

At our lake home in Arkansas, we have experienced MANY thunderstorms. They seem to come out of nowhere. We constantly check the weather radar, because the weather can be sunny and beautiful and thirty minutes later it can change without any warning. Just like the "Pandemic" which came so unexpectedly.

I have to confess that thunderstorms scare me, especially in the middle of the night. They can be VERY loud. First you hear the rumble, then you see the lightning across the sky, and then the rain starts pouring down and the wind starts to blow violently. You realize you are at God's mercy. It is quite an amazing display, but at the same time very frightening! Why frightening? because there is NOTHING you can do to stop it. All you can do is pray and wait patiently for it to stop. Praying may not make it go away, but it seems to give you some sort of comfort and peace, while you are in the midst of it. Remember that you are not alone.

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous, right hand".

We are now in the middle of the "Pandemic". We have been staying home, isolated, bored, fearful of our future, afraid to venture out, in case we run into someone who will infect us. We are talking to friends, family and business associates via text, phone and zoom! We are trying to keep ourselves occupied and entertained, so we don't go crazy...It seems like every 100 years we have some kind of a pandemic. But the world goes on.  All we can do right now is to keep calm, follow the guidelines given to us from our local, state and federal leadership, and hope and pray it will soon end. AND it will end soon!.If each one of us do our part, it will all work out. Panicking, worrying, stressing out and hoarding toilet paper and food, will NOT change anything. By the way, when you buy all the extra products, you are being selfish. Every time I have gone to the market, the paper goods shelves are ALWAYS empty. I refuse to get up at 4AM just to get there when the stores open so I can get toilet paper and disinfecting wipes..Good grief!....some of our friends have gone at the time designated for "seniors" and the lines are around the buildings already and there is NO Parking! Please, be considerate to other people's needs ...not just your own.

Anyway, last year we had one of the worst storms in over 10 years. We were out of power for four days. Huge trees came down, blocking roads and destroying homes. We were forced to stay indoors and wait patiently for the clean up crews to remove the fallen trees and for the Power crews to restore our electricity.
Eventually everything returned to normal, and believe it or not all that anxiety we experienced is already forgotten. It will be the same with what we are going through now. I know this is something we have never experienced in OUR lifetime, and it is very serious. It is not just the physical impact of the virus, but also the psychological and financial consequences we will have with us for a time. But there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel, and we will exit victoriously. Hopefully, we have learned some things that will make us stronger, wiser and more spiritual as well.

When tragedies strike, such as rain storms, diseases and personal losses, some people cry out to God, while others get angry and frustrated with Him. Yet others totally ignore him. Maybe God sometimes brings storms across our paths to teach us to rely on Him and to thank him for His mercies.

This past weekend many celebrated Easter around the world. It was an interesting way of worship. Some of us watched the services on-line. What a blessing that we can do that, thanks to our technologies. I "invited" friends to join in, and they enjoyed it very much. Some had not been to Church for a long time. Who would have thought! There were also other Easter services that took place in church parking lots. WOW. Everyone is getting creative instead of feeling defeated.

Don't let unexpected events throw you off course. Rather respond calmly and confidently. (I know this may be difficult to do while you are unemployed, worried about paying bills or home schooling your young children). Remember that God is with us.

Psalm 112:7-9 "He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.For he knows God will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can face his foes. He gives generously to those in need".  

Be assured that He will help us cope with whatever is before us. We are put on this earth to help each other. People have helped us along the way, now is our turn to help others. Everyone has been given a gift...lets make use of it whenever we can.

And Please......"Do not call the police on suspicious people in your neighborhood. 
Those are your neighbors without makeup and hair extensions!"
                  hahaha...a little humor never hurt anyone
                  Have a blessed day and enjoy another week in isolation.......................

How much control do we have?

Yes, we all think we are in total control of our lives, until a world wide pandemic hits us, and then we realize how little in control we really are.

While the stock market was going higher and higher in record figures, our 401K's, IRA's, Annuities etc..were doing great and we and we felt confident of the future. Now that all the gains have plummeted, and the market is crashing more an more every day, we ask the Question: How much control do we have?

The answer is obvious: WE HAVE VERY LITTLE CONTROL, IF ANY, over certain events, and our lives can change in a split second. So, WHO IS IN CONTROL? My answer would be GOD! Some of you may disagree with me, but do you have a better answer?

Although my husband and I are considered "seniors", we don't see ourselves as that. We have been blessed with overall good health and we are thankful for that. However, having been on earth as long as we have, we have experienced our share of similar events and even worse, which I will not go into. The point is, that there is NO reason for panic and fear. What will happen will happen. We don't need to be standing in line for hours to get all the toilet paper from the shelves, THAT in itself can cause you to get infected by someone.

The control we have is to listen to our leaders and follow their guidelines, for a brief period of time in our lives. This too shall pass. This is a temporary crisis, and hopefully we will come out of it stronger and wiser. Hopefully, we will learn some lessons. We are in a situation we don't want to be in. Our routines and our world is upside down. All we can do is deal with it the best we can. PRAY TO GOD.  Again, there are people who mock prayer, that is too bad. God never said we would have no challenges and difficulties in our lives. What God has always said though, is that He will be with us and will help us through it. There is nowhere in the Bible that God says fear this or that, but there are 365 passages (WOW...one for every day) where He commands us to NOT fear and to be Courageous!

Buying toilet paper, wipes, all the alcohol and canned goods from the grocery stores, will not give people control! It is pointless. Fighting with other shoppers for cutting in line, is a total waste of time, and not a good thing to do, especially at a time like this. Aren't we more civil than this? Everyone is going thru the same challenges, and their nerves are stretched to the max. By all means, I am not downplaying any of this, it is very serious.

Don't live with the illusion that you are in control. It is not reality...you are to some extend, but only on the small stuff. The rest you need to leave to God and trust he will protect and deliver you. Our government from the top down is doing all they can  and doing a great job!

Galen and I came down with a bad cold and seasonal allergies. YES, I have to confess it was a little scary, because of all the non-stop news we hear. So, we called and talked to our Doctor, just for a little re-assurance. So, bottom line is this: Things happen. It is part of life. How do we deal with it? We just do. Take a day at a time and do your part. Now is the time to learn. Enjoy your family, before things go back the way they were..Do some reading, watch some movies, catch up with your friends who are also prisoners in their homes. The only control we have is to do the next RIGHT thing. Help each other, stay calm and center
ourselves on God. I enjoyed many on-line sermons this weekend. All the churches are coping in an amazing way. Worrying on something we have no control over is wasteful energy. Don't be anxious, Trust in God. Change your Fear to Faith.

Normally most people, especially with young kids, are too "busy" on Sunday to go to church. They put sports before God. Maybe this will show us, that not having all these activities on the weekends is not bad. No games, no theaters, no restaurants, no parks, no going to the beach...and NO malls for shopping!...so many things we put before God. I heard in one of the sermons that an IDOL is anything we put before God..That should make us stop and ponder for a few minutes. Hmmmm, all of our gods have stopped...eating, partying, playing...maybe now that we are at home, we will not have any excuses.

Tune in to some uplifting sermons on-line, you won't even have to leave your couch!
And remember:

This is the day the LORD had made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let's turn the negatives into positives!

God Bless us All!

Little things you will not forget

I think we have all been there one time or another...done something that will stay with us for a long time.....Hopefully it will be a good experience. I remember a few instances when I wrote a letter that I decided NOT to share, and ended up destroying it. It was the best thing I did. Sometimes we may do something in haste that will have negative consequences. We must think before we act, especially if we are angry. Being kind to your family and friends is always something that feels good too, even if we sometimes don't think they deserve it. They probably think the same thing about us. After all, we are not perfect humans.

Well, here are a few little things you will probably not forget: 

•  Showing kindness to an old person (it makes us feel good too)
•  Destroying a letter written in anger (always good thing to do)
•  Offering an apology that will save a friendship (been there)
•  Stopping a scandal that was ruining a reputation (you would not want that to happen to you now, would you?)
•  Helping or guiding a child to follow what is right (you can never go wrong there)
•  Taking time to show consideration to parents, friends, brothers and sisters (we take them so for granted..and don't always treat them nice)
•  Refraining from gossip when others around you delight in it (hard to do, right?)
•  Refusing to do a thing which is wrong, although others do it (so tempting at times)

Throughout our lifetime, I am sure we all have experienced a few of these things, or will at some point. It would be good to at least be aware and act accordingly!

Have a great day

The Sandpaper....AND when things go wrong

When you have to put up with mean people,
             think of them as Sandpaper.

They may scratch you, rub you the wrong way...
              BUT eventually YOU 
         end up smooth and polished.

And the Sandpaper???
   It will be worn out!



When things Go Wrong

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high;
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;

When care is pressing you down a bit;
Rest if you must, but  DO NOT QUIT!

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are;
It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit;
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit;

                 "DON'T QUIT"
                               Author Unknown

The Ten Paradoxical Commandments, by Kent M. Keith

Kent M. Keith wrote a book a few years ago with the above title.

The book is about grace, wisdom, and happiness that come from facing the worst in our world with the best in ourselves. These principles are as appropriate today as they were in the 1960's when Mr. Keith articulated them as a young student at Harvard University.

Little did he know that over the years they would be used and quoted by so many people all over the world, even posted on the walls of Mother Teresa's children home in Calcutta, India.

If we follow his philosophy we can do good regardless of our circumstances and live a happier life.

1. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs...Fight for a few underdogs Anyway
2. What you spend years building may be destroyed over night...Build Anyway
3. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them...Help them Anyway
4. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth...Give the world the best you have Anyway
5. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered...Love them Anyway
6. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives...Do good Anyway
7. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies....Succeed Anyway
8. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow....Do good Anyway
9. Honesty and frankness make you  vulnerable...Be honest and frank Anyway
10. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds...Think Big Anyway

Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and often that's how life is. Sometimes very disappointing. However, if we try to follow what he says, as much as we can, as often as we can, our lives will be happier and more peaceful. The satisfaction you will experience, for following the ten suggestions, will be worth the effort.

Make it a Great Year!

Happy 2020...

Here we are already in a new decade, and the new month of January is almost over. Time goes too fast.

Let's decide that this will be a great year and a great decade! I am sure we will encounter some ups and downs along the way, and new people will come into our lives. How we handle them will be the important thing.

• Time decides who we meet in life,

• Your heart decides who you want in your life,

• and your behavior decides who stays in your life

               e-buddhism.com