Asking for prayer…

on this Sunday morning.  My cousin Bryce in south central Missouri is undergoing chemo for cancer.  My dear blogging friend Janice ( who calls me mama Beth) has just finished a round of chemo and is pretty well worn out.  She hasn’t been able to do her blog for sometime now.  My sis’s dear friend Joy is battling cancer and dealing with chemo.  I know what these folks are going through because I lived through it with my husband for 2 years.  Cancer does not discriminate when it chooses its victims.  It is a cruel painful disease and shows no mercy.  All kind thoughts and prayers will be gratefully appreciated.

Love,

Beth

Sunshine and 50 degrees…

on this Friday afternoon in the heart of Illinois.  Yes, where I live is called the heart of Illinois.  Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?  We are under a winter weather advisory for Saturday afternoon and evening for freezing rain changing to snow.  Oh Yuck, I just got my car all cleaned off from the last snow.

I have been busy this morning.  I can’t seem to stay away from the grocery store.  I try to limit myself but I get carried away.  At Food Depot this morning my cash register receipt showed that I saved over $35  on this shopping trip.  I was surprised to see that Food Depot is still carrying all kinds of Green Giant canned veggies for 49 cents a can.  I don’t use many canned goods and I am pretty well stocked up.  I also got the large size box of Post Raisin Bran for $1.67.  I thought that was quite a bargain and that was without a coupon too.

There is not much news around here today.  Several of you asked for updates on my sister and my niece.  My sister is doing well except that she has caught a cold.  I am hoping that is all it is and not the flu.  My niece came home from the hospital today and she is doing well.  Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers.  I do believe that prayer can move a mountain.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!  Don’t forget the tips for avoiding the flu.  And if you haven’t got a flu shot yet, what are you waiting for?

Beth

It’s the next year already…

What do you say at the beginning of a new year?  Probably in my case I would just say “Thank you God for allowing me another day.”  That is it!  I try to live one day at a time the best way I know how.  Hopefully that involves showing kindness to my fellow man.  I do try to understand and sympathize thinking all the while that for the grace of God that might be me in some unfortunate situation.

It is a new year and I am filling my calendar with appointments.  Doctor, dentist, tests, etc.  Like I said before, one day at a time.

It is a beautiful bright sunshiny day today.  It is very windy though and the temps are to keep falling all through the day.  I can live with the wind.  Keep away the snow.

I did mention to a blogging friend in England that I would choose one subject to film at the same time each day in the month.  It is too windy out this morning to try and do that but before the month is over I will try to choose a day for this. 

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A New Year’s Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

Dear Lord, please give me…
    A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
    A work to do which has real value,
        without which the world would be the poorer;
    A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
    An understanding heart;
    A sense of humor;
    Time for quiet, silent meditation;
    A feeling of the presence of God;
    The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
    With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.

Beth

A Memorial Day Prayer

By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)
First Congregational Church of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN.

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your loving kindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

A Monday Gift From Me To You

A Monday Gift From Me To You
by Mark Anthony Kernan
I send to you this morning a gift of words, like a cloud delivering rain.
May they fall upon you ever so gently and wash away your pain.
For you and all your loved ones, I bow my head and pray.
May these prayers somehow guide you and help you find your way.
My thoughts and prayers are also with you, as you begin your day.
Only You and I, and God, know what these words attempt to say.
Never look into the past – move forward and straight ahead.
Do as your heart tells you, your soul will be fed.
Always remember how very special you are.
Your friendship to me is a beautiful, bright shining star.
For this friendship that we share, I send this small token,
May it somehow help you repair all that is broken.
There is a power on this earth greater than You and I,
He is the one who stirs your emotions and allows you to cry.
Mark Anthony Kernan
Copyright 2003

  Beth

Real News

The following is from an email that I received from my sister.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Today, on the last day of the year 2010, let these words touch your heart.

“Lindsay Lohan, 24, and Paris Hilton got their names and faces all over the news because they went to jail for a few short weeks or days for acting out, negative behavior, resisting arrest, cocaine possession, being drunk and disorderly, not to mention their insolent attitude.

What do you know about these men?

Justin Allen, 23

Brett Linley, 29

Matthew Weikert, 29

Justus Bartett, 27

Dave Santos , 21

Chase Stanley, 21

Jesse Reed, 26

Matthew Johnson, 21

Zachary Fisher, 24

Brandon King, 23

Christopher Goeke, 23

Sheldon Tate, 27

Do you recognize any of their names? No? None of them starred in a movie or made a record album, hit a homerun or scored a 3 point conversion or did a celebration in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. None of them brags about "showcasing their talents for their fans" while being paid millions and millions of dollars.

Did that help? No? Well then I should tell you that they are all Marines who gave their lives for YOU this week. They died for honor and country. They are all heroes of the highest magnitude. How much did you read about them ?

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december042010/marines-darkhorse-tk.php

We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days.

Semper Fi, God Bless America and

God Bless the United States Marine Corps...

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever”

  Beth