omg … where does time go?It’s been almost a week since I wrote part 1 about time. I was planning to finish part 2 in a few days, but that hasn’t happen. But now hopefully, it will be up in a few days 🙂
Time – I have 24 hours in a day, no more and no less. Time is something I think about from time to time 🙂 Everyone has the same amount – young or old – from presidents to refuges to celebrities to nomads. What do I do with the time…
It’s a new day – a new day to take care of my body by eating healthy, so this will be my breakfast. Delicious Smoothie1 cup fresh strawberries1 banana1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt1 packet splendaDash of cinnamon (optional)2 cups ice Mix in a blender – enjoy!
Without hope, it’s almost impossible to keep going on this roller-coaster of life. Many days, I’ve lived on the thought that, “Tomorrow will be better than today” – that’s hope. Hope in something I don’t see, but I believe in.I recently read these thoughts about hope. In Erma Bombeck’s book…
The path of life has many turns – and one thing about turns is that we should always keep learning or we’ll get lost and confused. Sometimes I learn things fast and other times, I learn incredibly slow – slow like the coffee pot on an early morning. One thing…
Surgery on my foot, followed by a cast and crutches, forced me to sit more than normal for about two months. The time passed with ease at first as I enjoyed reading and watching movies. But after a while everything annoyed me – the cast, the pain and the options…
Yesterday I closed my eyes and drove over an animal. Let me explain – I was a million miles away in thought and … yes, I saw that groundhog come running across that road, but I didn’t do anything to avoid it other then leave off the gas for a…
A morning like this has the potential to cure many ills, especially of the mind and spirit. Hopewell Lake is in French Creek State Park – this morning I watched the sun come up here. (a privilege owed to taking a son to work nearby at 5:30AM) Walking at the…
I walk slowly along the edge of the Chesapeake Bay when the tide and my energy level are at their lowest. The desire to spend a day seeking God led to the decision to fast lunch and spend a few hours in quiet reflection. Now at three in the afternoon,…
Some Things I Like … (in random order)the beach prayer my men paths leading to new places contentment in the middle of tough circumstances books committed workers coffee trees this chair What are some things you like?
I’m not an expert in this, but in thinking about the passing of Robert Miller – I put together these thoughts* about what might be appropriate to say and/or put in a card when expressing sympathy to a family member or a friend. Your comments should express sorrow at the…
The family of Robert Miller posted this on his site recently … “Robert has already received over 50 units of blood, straining a blood supply system that has been struggling to stay ahead of demand. Please give blood regularly if you can! We aren’t sure if Robert’s insurance will pay…
With running and biking lately,I’ve been eating more bananas and this solution caught my attention. An answer to a tough problem involving bananas
In January, I started to run and I’ve been running 2 to 3 miles a few times a week since then. It’s been nice to feel my body get stronger slowly, but surely. I have to balance my runs and the rest of life carefully – if I’m on my…
I’ve had this experience a few times the past 5 years, and it’s back – praying for someone after they’ve been severely injured in an accident. It’s always an odd feeling – realizing this is what my family and friends went through 5+ years ago.Today prayers are needed for Robert…
I am happy to call myself a follower of God and of Jesus. But at times, I don’t want to call myself a Christian, because there are so many negative associations with being a Christian. Below is a portion of an article that lists five of them. After I read…
After noon, it will be 12:34:56 7-8-09 And later today it will be 04:05:06 07-08-09
Over the past few years, I have written a lot of words – I’ve written the SFD (borrowed from Anne Lamont) about our 6-month trip across the country, our accident in California, my ‘almost death’ and my recovery from severe injuries. Now I am in the middle of rewriting and…
Feeling ‘torn to pieces’ these days? You are probably tempted to think – if only you had lived 50 years ago, life won’t have been as busy then. Like 1955 – that had to be a less stressful time because it was back in the ‘good old days’ when life…
For a time, I’ve been thinking about how I live ‘hand in hand’ with God. Yes, he is God and I am not, but I think when he created me in his image with a free will of my own … I’ve was given the choice to do what I…
I have a question. When you are listening to a speaker – whether it be a motivational speech, a teaching, in a class, a sermon or a political speech – what’s most important to you, that the speaker be real, engaging, authentic, have answers, done good research on the topic,…
Our purpose, my purpose, your purpose – there have been many conversations about purpose over the past few years. For the most part, they have been good conversations; they have helped me look beyond myself and beyond today. I found comfort in the fact that my life has meaning, that…
This weekend at a local high school – we’ll all be pulling together as a community for a Relay for Life event. Together we will raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Scroll down on the home page to see the schedule – the organizers have done a great job…
Too many days this is how my attempts to write go …. “Usually, writers will do anything to avoid writing. For instance, the previous sentence was written at one o’clock this afternnon. It is now a quarter to four. I have spent the past two hours and forty-five minutes sorting…
Some food for thought from quotes I’ve read recently about happiness … The great problem in the United States is not repression or neurosis, which it was in Europe when Freud wrote about everything. No, the great problem here is not repression. It’s narcissism and addiction. Those are our great…
I’m always impressed with healing – healing of our physical body.* Sometimes its minor, other times its major. Something is cut/bruised/broken. All the nerves are sending pain signals to your brain. Your normal activities are interrupted, done slower or even need to be stopped for a time.But with time, when…
Toe pain continues – feels best when leg is propped up. Slight black/blue coloring happening now. Didn’t go for x-rays – because even if it’s broken, there’s not much that can be done. Using a hard-soled boot I have from surgery last year (though I never wanted one – my…
It was a dark and stormy night. Lights were out. Candle was burning. Sleep called. Moved across room to blow out candle. Toes met ottoman. Pain! Question now is – is it broken or just badly bruised? UGH!!!
Say that title 5 times fast 🙂 Third Thirsty Thursdays is a race that is run once a month from May to September on the Thun Trail in Reading, PA Had a great time last week running my first 5K (3.1 miles) with others from our running club. It was…
1I will always praise the LORD. 2With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. 4I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. 5Keep your eyes…
The unfairness of life can be so crushing, at times. A gentleman from my church was in an accident a few days ago. He’s stable, but still in ICU with two small brain bleeds, a broken neck (thankfully no spinal cord injury) and some broken ribs. I know this man’s…
Whether it is a friend, family member, the neighbor down the street, or our own personal experience, unfortunately we have all been touched by cancer in some way. That is why the running club I’m a part of – Running … Because I Can has chosen to join our community…
Wonderful spring honeysuckle along the trail. Running is feeling better and better – yippee! At first, I walked more than ran, but now it’s reversed. Today Jerry and I ran on the Thun Trail, starting at the parking lot at Ridgewood Soils (Take Exit for Route 724 off of 176,…
I’ve organized an event called iHope the past two years. It’s an evening of hope for women – hope shared through stories and beauty. I’ve directed ten iHopes and I always encouraged the speakers to share ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ because we can all learn so much…
Anne Beiler and her mother dancing during intermission. This past weekend I attended 7 Women 7 Stories – first conference hosted by Anne Beiler – the soft pretzel queen . Anne believes in the power of sharing our stories to help ourselves heal, along with encouraging others to be real…
Great run tonight at running club. Love these temps and my knee is feeling better! Most times, I have done more walking than running at club, because every week something hurt, but tonight the planets finally lined up and I went to club feeling great and was happy to do…
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.So he sent them each on a quest, in turn,to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.The first son went in the winter,the second in…
Union Canal Towpath Trail This body of mine defiantly feels better after running on a trail surface versus on a road. So I’ve been scoping out all the trails I can find near my house. Wow, I live in a great area for trails – I didn’t know there were…
“Dig in!” ZigZag leans forward, his hands crossed, looking intently at my omelet. It smells good. It has a lumpy appearance. I pick up my fork, and start to unfold it. “Uh uh!” ZigZag holds up one hand. “You don’t want to spoil the surprise.” “Surprise?” He looks furtively in…
The muscle behind my knee feels good until I run about a mile, then I feel pain again. So I walk most days and every few days run until the point of pain, then I stop and walk home again. Hopefully doing this will strengthen that muscle to the place…
The pain in my right knee was bad, really bad during the last mile on Saturday. I tried everything – stretched/massaged/etc. to make it feel better so I could run (not walk) to the finish. I’ve ignored a lot of pain in the past 5 years, but this pain was…
It was windy today.Wind, wind and more wind!As Pooh would say … “It’s a blustery day.”Jerry’s assessment – the wind felt like a tornado without a funnel.So windy you could sail from New Jersey to England in about 30 minutes.When you used a porta pot – you made sure someone…
Webcam for the Garden Spot Village Marathon Today! Picture at 6AM
Race Course This is the course I will be running in 12 hours … omg, am I ready? About 1 to 2 miles south of New Holland, I will be starting at the corner of Peters and Mentzer Road around 9AM. I go west on Peters for a short distance,…
Well, the training is done for now … and these are the rest days. Part of me loves a few days of no running (especially in the rainy and/or windy weather we’ve been having) but the other part of me finds it hard to rest because I want to go…
Marathon story on WGAL
This morning, I saw a brief blurb on WGAL with Jere Gish saying the report about the running club I am in and the Garden Spot Village Marathon will air tomorrow (Wednesday) morning between 6 and 7AM.
Had a great run on Sunday with Jerry. We ran on the Exeter Scenic River Trail – it’s a soft packed gravel/dirt surface and my legs feel so much better after running there than on a road. My knee felt good, but slightly sore after running up and down a…
Linda Wingard, Loretta Parson, Carolyn Stoltzfus, Deborah Kurtz, Bev Shantz, Joseph and I were at Garden Spot Village to be interview and filmed while running on Friday morning with Jere Gish and Rick the photographer from WGAL. At the time, it was fun and seemed to go well, but we…
Yesterday I got a phone call from Scott Miller, the director for the Garden Spot Village Marathon. He said a reporter from WGAL is coming to interview him about the marathon and they want some runners there training for pictures. Scott wondered if a few of us could come up…
On Sunday – 10 of us did a training run on the marathon course. We met at Garden Spot Village and then dropped cars off at the end of the 3 sections that we had people planning to run. The groups for each section started together and I gave everyone…
Today was a day with weather beautiful enough to make me say, “Okay I’ll live in PA the rest of my life.” The sun was bright and temps were in the low 60’s and I walked for about 10 minutes along the Wyomissing Creek which runs through the gardens of…
I was interviewed a few weeks ago by Dan Kelly from Reading Eagle. The article is in today – story and picture are on the inside of the front cover.
I love living in this day and age – a short 2 1/2 hour flight and I’m transported to the sun and warm temps of Orlando, Fl. I arrived here three days ago for the Synergy Conference. It’s been a weekend of meeting new friends – I’m a people person,…
Finally, we are having warmer temps in southeast PA. Today was sunny, beautiful and about 50 degrees. When a day is like that, it pulls me outdoors. I ran on the Union Canal Trail from Gring’s Mill to the Red Bridge and back. It was a good day. I am…
I walked half a mile and ran a mile and a half on my treadmill today – further than I have since February 9th. The muscle beside my knee is feeling so-so. I wore this brace on it today and it felt a lot better than it has been. But…
YES – YES – YES!!! I just ran about 3/4 mile! Three weeks of no running – but lots of ice, walking, ice, exercises and stretching – did I say ice? I hardly felt any pain from it the last two or three days, so I felt safe trying to…
I walked about two miles yesterday and I’m feeling good!! I plan to walk 2 to 3 miles today. The pain of the strained muscle is almost a memory – I only feel it slightly every now and then. I am tempted to run today, but my dear husband is…
My strained muscle is feeling much better – and therefore I am feeling optimistic again 🙂 Through a neighbor, I met Monica, a massage therapist, last fall. I connected with her instantly – you can’t help but like her sweet personality and feel her love for everyone. Plus there’s some…
No running yet – I stretch and ice the muscle on the inside of my right knee a few times a day. Yesterday I thought it was feeling better – today I’m not sure. I ran a few errands this morning and was in and out of the car a…
A strained muscle on the inside of my knee – ugh. According to my chiropractor that’s what is going on with my right knee. As he was telling me the care for it – my memory slowly came alive and I remembered that I dealt with an injury like this…
Today was a mixture of odd emotions. I am happy and scared that my story might bring hope to others through an article in Reading Eagle sometime in the next few weeks. I had been interviewed by the reporter by phone on Tuesday. Then today I had pictures taken of…
When I ‘came to’ in the hospital about 12 days after the accident, I saw that both my legs were in bandages from my hips to my ankles. I remember thinking that they must have decided to put dressings everywhere because that was easier than putting a few small ones…
Loving our February weather right now! Over the weekend, we’ve had temps near or in the 50’s both days! On Saturday I ran around the Berks County Heritage Center. The trail along the river was still too slushy/muddy, so I ran loops through this bridge, the parking lot and the…
Jerry and I flew home from CA on July 1, 2004 – 6 weeks after our accident. My parents picked us up at the airport in a wheel-chair accessible van. When we got off at the Morgantown exit of the PA turnpike, I saw a police officer in his car…
Winter Beauty Last April when I took my first steps (running) I was on the Union Canal Trail along the Tulpehocken Creek about 10 miles from my house. I love water, plus this trail is soft gravel and almost no hills, so it was a perfect place to begin my…
I ran outside on Sunday afternoon with two friends – it was cold, and we ran longer and further than I’ve done before, ran 4 minutes, walked 1 minute – 6 times. Everything hurt, but the accomplished feeling at the end was good! Then Monday night I ran with the…
This is where I like to run this time of year –inside where it is between65 and 70 degrees.I don’t mind the heatand the sweat!The lights are on andI can see what I’m doing! But last night I ran outside – in the dark with temps in the low 20’s.Why…
Today my corner of the world, in southeast Pennsylvania was given a surprise! The sun was bright and beautiful – the temperate was close to 50 degrees (about 45 degrees warmer than the 3 degrees we had on Saturday morning) I usually don’t ran two days in a row and…
If you do nothing else today – watch this! I did another walk/run workout this morning – it was tough, but I made it. Ran 2 mins – walked 1 min – 8 times
What a difference the correct information can make! After the miserable run on Monday, part of me was ready to quit this idea of running again – who’s great idea was this anyhow?! But there was also part of me that knew I wanted to continue. I also ‘sensed’ that…
Running for me now (post-accident) involves different issues than it used to, but I found out on Monday night one thing that hasn’t changed is the exercise-induced asthma I’ve dealt with since the day I started running in 1994.I’ve been running indoors on my treadmill the past few weeks, but…
Running on treadmill – thinking of the marathon relay …(hey, no noticeable leg issues) Okay, there’s scars on the upper legs – but not that bad.Now, the big question – do I really want to show the lower half? Yea … if it wasn’t my own, I won’t believe it…
My friend Linda and I are starting a Running Club for Beginners.(Linda’s really the energy behind this club – I’m thrilled she’s pulling the details together and that she has a hot tub at her house 🙂 When: Monday nights at Linda’s house* at 7 PM starting January 12th Why:…
January – 1996My girlfriend Sharon and I enjoyed a few days of vacationand I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles) in Bermuda. (as soon as I get a pic – you’ll see what these legs look like now and then you can pray with me that they can run 4.6…
I love surprises like this – on a sidewalk in Reading this morning I bumped into one of the docs that helped save my leg in Reading Hospital 4 years ago. It started out as a normal Saturday morning of errands and as I walked out of a store, I…
I’m generally reflective at the end of a year – I like to think back over the year and further process some of the pros and cons of it. 2008 was a full year of life for me – joy, laughter, pain and loss. Seeking God through it all has…
He was just a little boy,On a week’s first day.Wandering home from Bible school,And dawdling on the way.He scuffed his shoes into the grass;He even found a caterpillar.He found a fluffy milkweed pod,And blew out all the ‘filler.’A bird’s nest in a tree overhead,So wisely placed up so high.Was just…
Interesting – the day after I question whether or not I should write, I see this short Profound Video about words and the power they can have when chosen correctly. I need to ponder this today.
When I was fifteen, I read ‘Julie’ by Catherine Marshall. I distinctly remember closing the book and purposefully saying to myself “I will be a writer someday!”Then life got crowded – marriage, three boys, business owner, traveling, caregiver, etc. – writing only happened in my journal. Then an accident that…
Thoughts by Rosene Hoover1969 – 2008In March, 2008 my sister and niece traveled with me to Belize to see friends. One day we went sightseeing to Barton Creek Caves where you explore a cave in a canoe. As we talked about going into the cave, I was excited to try…
Politics – they are all around us. And that’s a good thing. As someone wise said one day, this country is “for the people, by the people.” So, politics and voting is a privilege that we need to take seriously. Too often we vote for the same person our uncle/mother/brother/friend…
“Help.”Blueberry looked to see where that voice came from. She was surprised to see an apple clinging to a branch in the blueberry bush.“What are you doing here?” She asked.Apple shot back, “Why are you asking me that, you’re always hanging around in this bush.”Blueberry paused a second after hearing…
God says to Mack, “Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me.…
Trees are items of wonder to me. They can start with a seed as small as this word and grow to be much taller than a house. Only an amazing creator could do that! Trees give us endless resources – paper, your house and many items in it. Dyes and…
I am running – on my own two feet! I can run! My thoughts were much more than the excited thoughts of a couch potato getting off her duff and putting one foot in front of the other. Words from doctors were swirling in my mind; “Your leg might need…
Recently, I had corrective surgery on my foot to repair an injured tendon. Prior to surgery, I had two consultations with the surgeon, and I must have tuned out or been thinking about dinner during his conversations about recovery. So, on the day of surgery, I nonchalantly walked into the…
The pain and sadness around me, makes me want to ask – what is the meaning of life? No wait … I’m not ready to ponder that question today. I just want to deny all the hurt and pain. I want to put my head in the sand and stop…
I love New Years! It represents a new start … that to me is hope. Some things in life can’t be started over, so getting a new year every 365 days is a great gift! I like the ‘clean’ feeling that I have as I look at a whole year…
When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends. One friend is needed…
Christians by Maya Angelou When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’” I’m whispering “I was lost, Now I’m found and forgiven.” When I say… “I am a Christian” I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to…
“Of all those arts in which the wise excel, nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.”
iHope is …one woman telling her storyin a setting of creative beautywith ongoing connections with otherwomen that are walking on a similar path. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, God … my hope is in you all day long.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tuesday, October 23rd at 7pm The Gathering Place at Hopewell…
Life seems to be about change every day. Some days I can go with the flow and allow the changes to be absorbed into my plans and most of the time, I look back and I like what I see. Yet, other times I look around and see the changes…
Being organized is not a skill I was born with and it was not part of my environment while I was growing up. But over the years, I have wanted to be organized, efficient and on-time.A few years ago, it hit me that if I do whatever it is that…
Our purpose, my purpose, your purpose … there has been many conversations about purpose over the past few years. For the most part, they have been good conversations; they have helped me look beyond myself and beyond today. I find comfort in the fact that my life has meaning, that…
This is so true … You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however. -Richard Bach I think I have found that most times the word ‘may’ in the last sentence is actually the word…
I groaned as I headed to physical therapy – again. Following surgery on my foot, I was only two weeks into the process and the exercises were already tedious. 40 times left, 40 times right, up and down, around in circles – boring details of all the exercises that I…
Dare to care David Servan-Schreiber It’s Saturday night in the Paris métro. Two friends, Etienne and Sophie, are on their way to dinner. After sitting down in the crowded train, they discover the body of a homeless man curled up at their feet. How did he get there? How long…
“Forgiveness does not change the past but it does enlarge the future.”– Source unknown We moved in the past month, so I am not doing much writing, so enjoy the quotes.
“We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here’s how to dance the dance of life, he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes,…
We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. -Marian Wright Edelman
“Walking on the turning wheel of the earth, living under the ever-rotating sun, man expects a peaceful life.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan We need to find the balance of trying to live in peace in all we do, but yet know that because this is earth, total peace will not…
I spent five days in Florida last week … I have a sister Rosene who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. My parents spent about two months at their house in Florida each winter. Rosene enjoys going down with them and spending a week or two there, but…
Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth.We are happy when we are growing. -William Butler Yeats So many people walk around with a meaningless life.They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the…
I walked along the edge of the Chesapeake Bay when the tide was at its lowest, along with my energy level. The desire to have a day to ‘be still’ had led to the decision to fast lunch and spend about five hours in quiet reflection at a friend’s vacation…
I will love the light for it shows me the way. Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars. -Og Mandino
Our purpose, my purpose, your purpose … there’s been a lot of conversations about purpose over the past few years. For the most part, they have been good conversations, they have helped me look beyond myself and beyond today. I find comfort in the fact that my life has meaning,…
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Trust is such a lovely word in a world thoroughly self-indulged and complicated. it is quiet. simple. it represents freedom. rest. letting go. there are many unknowns in life. our children’s struggles, a tentative move. critical talk behind our backs. a search for our own identity. bills to pay. aged…
“May Peace Flood Your Soul” Merry Christmas~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ May you have a season of peace,May your joy increase,May you stop and look around,At the blessings that can be found. As a baby was here years agoWhen he came to us here below,God is still all around usIt’s a promise we can…
Quiet Time I’m one of those seekers.So I’ve read the books, heard the speakers.Even asked my mentor how’s it’s doneDecided it’s time for me to do one. A quiet retreat, alone with GodSome might think it is rather oddBut I know that it will be goodJust like they all said…
The last few days I have been thinking about something that Philip Yancey said when he was in town … “When you wake up in the morning, it is easy to tell God what you want to do that day and asking him for help to make it happen ……
When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself. -Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief
Savoring the moments of … Saturday, October 28, 2006 perfect fall day a gorgeous and comfortable home of a friend the leaves on the trees sparkling in the sunlight excellent camaraderie in preparing and assembling food ‘Living Room Conversation’ from two to four dual roles – committee member and quest…
I am fairly sure this video will make you look at your day differently … take the time to watch the whole thing … it is inspiring for many reasons. “I can only Imagine”
I am very excited that on Saturday, October 28th, there will be a world-class author about a mile from my house. Philip Yancey is coming to Twin Valley High School is here for an evening speaking event from 7 to 9 pm. It is a fund raiser for Bridge of…
Forgiveness … it is so personal and yet can be so public. It needs to be a mental decision and yet deep feelings are involved. It’s hard for me to fathom forgiveness without help from the Spirit of God, but he doesn’t do it magically, we need to make the…
Death is an obvious loss that needs to be grieved. There are also many other losses we as people experience that need to be grieved. As for the old saying ‘time heals everything’ … not true. Time and proper grieving will change the depth of the hurt, but some losses…
Pray for the families who have children at this school. They must all be dealing with tremendous trauma right now, along with a zillion questions. Pray for each child that is hurt … they are in critical condition.Also, the gunman’s wife and children most be going through deep suffering (This…
As the people cry out to him, the creator is listening and into the picture comes a leader/savoir in the form of a baby in a basket found by the Pharaoh’s daughter. She names him Moses and as an adult, he chooses to obey his creator after a unique brush-fire…
The plot of the Bible and the story of life – a spiritual being with unlimited power and no restrictions such as time, space and energy creates a universe. The third rock from the sun in this universe is a planet called earth. The creator makes plants that produce seeds…
I was thinking about prayer recently and here are some thoughts about prayer that I like … There is a vast difference between saying prayers and praying. To be a Christian without praying is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer is…
The first half of August has been very busy for me … good, but busy. Went to a cabin the 1st to the 4th with my family – Dad, Mom, 4 sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, 12 nieces/nephews – noisy, hot, no air-conditioning, too much food – but family is family. Had…
I went to Cape May, NJ Sunday eve to Monday eve. with my mom and two sister. We went to see my Aunt Mary who is a cook at a church ‘camp-type’ ministry. It is an old hotel and dining room only two blocks from the beach. This ministry allows…
Since the cast is off my ankle, this is where I spend time almost every day … Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park. We have two kayaks, so I enjoy the company of one of several friends most days. I love being out in nature, plus I like the…
This morning I walked down the hallway in my house to the kitchen. I live in a small ranch style house, so it is not a long hallway, probably not even 20 feet. As I walked I was celebrating the fact that I was walking without assistance (no cast, crutches…
I had a check-up with my doctor on Friday … it was a good report. I can now walk a hour or two a day without my cast. At first my ankle felt so ‘wobbly’ and weak, but now after a few days it is already feeling stronger. I walk…
Thankfully physical therapy has a few new aspects to it this past week. I still need to do the same tedious movements with my ankle, but along with them I have been on the stationary bike! The first day I pedaled slowly for 5 minutes and didn’t really feel any…
I have been doing physical therapy on my left ankle for the last two weeks. What can I say about it? It is repetitive and tedious. I move my ankle 40 times to the left and then to the right. (I would rather run 5 miles) I then take a…
Last month I spent a day at this quaint cottage close to my home. It is owned by an acquaintance and a group of ladies from my church used it for a ‘day retreat’. We spent the day brainstorming about what is and what can be offered for women in…
Today I was out delivering something to a friend’s house and I was driving on a road that I used to run on a lot. The road runs along the mountain and overlooks a valley filled with farms, complete with a creek at the bottom. It is a beautiful stretch…
I’m back home …Though Joseph and Brandon didn’t advance to the finals at the Debate Tournament, they did great … holding their own against the other competitors, some being 2 to 3 years older. It was a joy to be at the tournament with Joseph, though it was very tiring.…
I should smell better now … I finally had a bath after 8 weeks of only ‘sponge-bathing’ 🙂 Dr. Sauer was happy with the healing of the Achilles tendon and the cast is gone and in it’s place is a walking ‘boot’. It looks something like a ancient ski boot,…
Monday the 5th, I go to Georgetown Hospital in Washington DC for a check-up from my surgery. The plan is that I get a walking cast … I am so tired of these crutches. I will not miss the fact that ever time I want to get anything or go…
In Ezekiel there are some interesting stories … one being in chapter 37, where God shows Ezekiel a valley of dry bones. God then asks him, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel replies, “Oh, Lord, you know, I don’t.” That is the attitude I want to go through life with ……
Sit Still …But there are other blessings that will be ours only if we stop chasing after them and let them come to us, like the butterfly that eludes our grasp when we try to catch it, but comes to perch on our shoulder when we stop chasing it and…
My boys are home-schooled, so when it comes to proms and graduation, things are done slightly different. We have been a part of the ‘Community Homeschoolers’ for years. It is a group of about 100 students from 1st to 12th grade that meets every Wednesday. Classes are offered for all…
I just finished reading two books about overcoming difficult physical issues … ‘Trading Ashes for Roses’ by Connie Pombo. (Our church is looking into having her as the speaker at our ladies retreat this fall) ‘A Gift of Mourning Glories’ by Georgia Shaffer. Both are about their journeys through cancer…
I realized recently what I do with my blog. I post on the days when ‘life is good’ or I have an update on my physical issues. On the days when I am struggling with something, I just avoid writing here or I post quotes from others. Is that called…
I came across a verse similar to this today, and then I changed it slightly to add some of my own values to it. Live With Intention Walk to the edge. Listen hard Listen within Laugh. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Choose with no…
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest…
My fifteen year old son Joseph has been in a Debate Club for the past three years. The club he participates in is in a national highschool, homeschool league and parental involvement is a big part of it. He loves the challenge of articulating his viewpoint and presenting it well…
I went to Georgetown today to see my doctor for a checkup. It was a good/bad day. Here’s the explanation of good/bad … Good … when he took my cast off and I was able to move my foot for the first time since the surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago,…
We are all captivated by the beach because … Each of the elements of the ocean is part of the character of God The wind of the beach will gently push you onward,As you hear gentle whispers in your ear that inspire you. The warmth of the sun saturates you,And…
We are created to exist in the time and place that we are. Along with creating us to be here – now God provides a way for us. I also discovered this morning that according to Amos of old, “God reveals His thoughts to us.” How cool is that? It…
The strength and the happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going in that way too. – Henry Ward Beecher
In my last post I mentioned how in Paul’s writing, it talks about each person being born in the time and the place that God set. He determined that I should be here – now and that you should be there – now.To continue along that thought, I read in…
I read in Paul’s writing (Acts 17) this morning that God had determined in advance both the time and the place that each person should live … wow, that is mind-boggling. He determined that I should be here – now and that you should be there – now. Guess it…
Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. – Eddie CantorHere in southeast PA, it is a beautiful day … sunny, temps in the high 70’s. My living room…
Saw this quote this morning and my thoughts are along this line today … “Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is.” Yes, this chapter in my recovery, this pain and these crutches are yet another ‘storm’ … but God is…
Recovering since Thursday has been okay. No major issues … just taking it easy, taking pain meds and antibiotics. Thankfully, I am not nauseated anymore. I spend my time on the recliner or laying down, with a little walking on my crutches. I have stitches at four different places, two…
Surgery went well and we will be home around 7pm today. I am in pain so pray for that. – posted by josh Yes, home the same day. Though I was nervous about driving home today, I am now very happy to be back in my house on my recliner.…
A few days ago, I read this … Art is not a Thing; it is a Way.I have been learning recently … Forgiveness is not an Event; it is a Way. Step by step, I am learning that forgiveness is a choice … that it doesn’t just happen on its…
My surgery is this Thursday, the 13th at 8 AM at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC.Jerry and I will head down on Wednesday morning as I have appointments with both specialists in the afternoon. Then I need to be at the hospital at 6 AM on Thursday morning, so…
Enjoying God’s presence in solitude – by Lance Witt You were designed to enjoy the presence of God, but that’s easier said than done. Everything in our culture seems to keep us from experiencing that solitude. We live in an age of continuous activity that consumes all of our time…
I have scheduled a surgery on my left leg … another chapter in my recovery. It will be in three weeks on Thursday, April 13th at Georgetown University Hospital in Washingtown, DC. I will be in the hospital for a night or two. After a consultation a few weeks ago,…
It really doesn’t matter if the person who hurt you deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. You have things to do and you want to move on. Real Live Preacher
Forgiveness is an ironic thing … so opposite from what the tapes/thoughts in my head would tell me. If I say something that I realize later was unkind and might have hurt another person, I think that if I don’t quite feel forgiven, then I will be ‘better’ from now…
Do not worry … when you realize that you have not yet arrived. After all, there would be no journey if you had nowhere left to go. Reallivepreacher.com
The last few days had been warm … this morning winter is back. It is in the 30’s and cold and windy. I am waiting … waiting for warmer weather and waiting to hear back from my doctors about the potential surgery. My husband reminds me, “They are busy, you…
Last evening, I heard an amazing woman speak … Lori Todaro. This is a woman that has dealt with too many losses in her life and yet she moves forward triumphantly. She knows ‘it is not all about her’ but as she so passionately told us ‘it is all about…
This was the world in our area yesterday morning. We had a combination of rain/ice/sleet overnight and as the sun came out, this is how the trees looked. Reminds me of scenes from ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’.
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart …Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. – Carl Jung Through-out each of our lives, we are on many different journeys … education, marriage, careers, parenting … just to mention a few. Those are all good and…
I love the wacky, unplanned way life works sometimes … unplanned to me, but not unplanned to God, I assume.Right before Christmas I was shopping and ran into Martha. Martha is a women that I causally knew over the past decade or so. She is a friend of a friend…
I have a friend Bev, in Morgantown, that has a house in Florida near Orlando. They use the house mostly for her husband’s workers that work in Florida during the winter. She goes down a few times a year and she coordinated her trip with mine this year. So along…
I am enjoying some warmer weather right now. My parents go to Florida for a few months each winter. Last Saturday my sister, my son Jonathan and I flew down for twelve days. We have spent a few great days on the beach … weather was sunny and near 80’s.…
I have been asking questions since the day I could talk … and I like answers to everything. My thought used to be, if I just keep asking, searching, reading … someone, somewhere should somehow be able to answer all my questions. Lately I have been hearing another message from…
I am doing a study for 8 weeks called ‘Fingerprints of God’ by Jennifer Rothschild. This week is focused on God creating us as His Masterpiece and on the fact that he sees us, hears us and wants us to recognize His touch in our lives. When God created the…
Today my limitations and pain are discouraging me. Damp, dreary weather is one factor … the pain in my leg is more acute during such weather, but there was something else I could not quite put my finger on. Then I received an email from a dear friend and she…
How we spend our days is – of course – how we spend our lives. Annie DillardI guess that is true … it is a dreary, cloudy day and when I am 95 and look back over my life I will be happy to remember that I spent as many…
“There’s a crack in everything and that’s how the light gets in.”-Leonard Cohen I keep that quote handy in my mailbox. It gives me a sense of contentment and always makes me smile. And I feel proud of myself every time I read it. Proud–because I’m a little bit strange…
I have always liked New Years Day. It is a day to start fresh … to begin again. I used to do a list of resolutions and goals, I don’t do that anymore. It is more of a resolution in my spirit now … a thirst and desire to understand…
A month ago, I was not looking forward to Christmas … the whole scene looked overwhelming. I didn’t have the energy to make it happen, the decorating, shopping, etc. I am now happy to say because of the love of God and the kindness of friends and my family, I…
Due to the injury to my left calf in the accident I was in 18 months ago, I lost one of the two main tendons in my lower left leg. These tendons normally work in tension with each other and help stabilize our feet. One draws our foot inward and…
Happy Thanksgiving … a phrase I heard and said many times the last few days. It has become so familiar, I don’t even think about what it means. Maybe if I switch the words around …. giving thanks happily… now that sounds refreshing. I can give thanks happily. I am…
Life can be like a game, with many voices coming at us. People in the stands yelling, screaming and pointing in the direction they want us to go. They are not all pointing in the same directions or yelling the same instructions, so we twist and turn to try and…
Happiness keeps you Sweet,Trials keep you Strong,Sorrows keep you Human,Failure keeps you Humble,Success keeps you Glowing,Only God keeps you Growing. – Anonymous
I like this tree … it is just a few miles from my house. Years ago I had worked with the guy that lives at the house where the tree is. I ran into him at the local grocery store recently and I told him I admire the tree and…
I love the colors of the leaves in the fall. The ones in this area are just starting to change colors. This a picture taken down the road from my house. When we moved here last year this garden was already established. This spring Joseph and I planted (well, I…
Thanks to Jerry and my friends and family, I celebrated my 40th birthday this weekend in a wonderful way. Now, I need a nap 🙂
Rome wasn’t built in a day … good things take time … eventually, even the snail reached the ark … one step at a time … the mighty oak didn’t grow in a day … slowly, but surely. All sayings we have said or heard many times … much easier…
“A strong person knows they have strength enough for the journey, but a person of strength knows it is in the journey that they will become strong.”
Melissa(speaker) Linda (pastor’s wife) myself and Bev This past weekend I went on a ‘Extreme Makeover’ Ladies Retreat … the soul edition, not the home edition, so Ty Pennington was not there 🙁 though we did have a wonderful young lady named ‘Sky’ show up from time to time to…
Jerry’s first week in Alabama has been good. He is exhausted in the evenings when he calls. He has been cutting up trees that were blown over, fixing roofs and cleaning up houses that were flooded. He is working with four other men for MDS, a disaster relief organization headquartered…
I like this essay and want to share it with you. I am beginning to understand that God is all around us … we just need to be aware, to think about, to look for Him in the midst of our lives. A formula or a set of rules is…
I have always loved to read and I was thrilled recently when I heard two friends, Pearl and Mary talking about starting a book club, so I volunteered to do it at my house. We had our first meeting, basically a brain-storming session, last week. A lot of my friends…
Jerry is on his way to the Gulf Coast tonight. He will be gone for three weeks. I have had mixed emotions the last few days as he prepared to go and again today as I watched him leave. I am glad he can go and help, but I am…
God gave us… God gave us the sun and the stars and the winds, and people worshiped the sun and the stars and the winds, instead of the God who made them. Then God gave us the Law (in the Bible) and people worshiped the Law instead of the God…
I have been sad at all the destruction and sadness in the south, wondering what can be done to help. Jerry has wanted to go help since the day of the hurricane. I want him to be able to go, but I don’t know if I want him to not…
“Help me, wherever I may be, to spread your perfume. May I preach you without preaching – without words but with my example, through the force of attraction, the example of my actions, the obvious fullness of love that carries my heart to you” Mother TheresaIn order to spread the…
Saw this posted somewhere … The smallest drop creates a ripple. The simplest thought can cause a change reactions of events. The air I breathe in, you had breathed out. What I do touches you and what you do touches me. Exploring these connections and tasting our overlaps is the…
Prayer for all the people in the path of wind, rain, water and more water. Prayer for all the officials, rescue and aid workers … For both safety and wisdom. Wisdom that the best choices would be made as to how to response to the myriad of situations this presents.…
I think I have successfully attached this blog to my website. I am looking forward to posting some thoughts and/or essays in the future.
Accept that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.. If you can’t be kind,…