Serving One Another

Loving One Another

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3 Things You Need

What do you think might be three things you need in life?

Freedom of expression is one of my needs.

You NEED food, air and water. But do you need to impress? Is recognition one of your needs? That’s linked to that need to impress.

I found this quote some time ago and saved it. Sorry I don’t know who said or wrote it:

“To thrive in life you need three bones.
A wishbone.
A backbone.
And a funny bone.”

I saved the wish bone from our Thanksgiving turkey!
I’m waiting for the right person to share it with.

I’ve got the funny bone – carry it with me always.

Think I’ll borrow that backbone up there!
(Actually mine is pretty sturdy!)

How about you?

It’s been a busy season in these six days of December so far. What have you been up to?

Today I invited a friend come to our house mid-day, and she helped me decorate our Christmas tree.. It looks great, don’t you agree?

Last night we helped my friend, Bernice, celebrate her 87th birthday. Take a look at her. Don’t you agree she could pass for 70?

This morning I baked cookies to donate to our Madison County Library. They gave them to people who came by the Library during this afternoon’s “Christmas Stroll” in Ennis.

After baking cookies, I met with our Madison County Writers’ Group – and we spent a delightful hour and a half together. We started with a “Free Write” on the topic we drew from a hat… My Favorite Season. We had 15 minutes to create an essay, poem, or some kind of reflection on the topic. This is what I wrote:

My Favorite Season
Seasons come and seasons go
There are winters, summers, falls and springs;
But the season that appeals most to me
Is the one that stays because of what it brings.

It brings my favorite music and stunning colors.
It brings loving generosity and untold joys.
It prompts people throughout the world
To open hearts with gifts for needy girls and boys.

The trees all sparkle with snow and lights.
The houses hang wreaths and let candles glow.
The bells ring out to announce the reason
For my favorite season: the birth of Christ, you know?

The season brings out the best in us.
It helps us open wide our arms in love
To show gratitude for the gift He promises
Eternal life with our God above.

Merry Christmas!

After Writers’ Group, I went home to do the Christmas tree decorating before going to meet with the “Ennis Ringers.” We had our picture on the front page of the local paper this week. Can you see me front and center back row?

The Madisonian, our local newspaper published a nice article about us this week. I am first in the picture below. My bells are the smallest ones (notes of F and G ring out when I am in the right spot in the music).

I would post a video so you can hear us, but for some reason, WordPress is not allowing me to include it here. I’ve posted videos in the past, so I don’t understand the glitch.

Oh well, maybe it will let me post the video tomorrow. As the news article indicates, the “Ennis Ringers” will play again this Sunday at our church.

Yesterday I had fun at our annual Madison Valley Woman’s Club Christmas luncheon. My buddy, Lucy Ennis can be seen here in red with one of our new members who is an activities director at our local nursing home.

The ladies from the nursing home really went all out with their Christmas costumes. There’s evidence of that “Funny Bone” we all need!

Below is one of my favorite people, Bev Claussen. Her reindeer antlers light up and blink!

Remember a second bone we all need is a “Back bone.” Our Woman’s Club Executive Board is the “back bone” of this very active group of ladies. They provided a delicious lunch for the more than 50 ladies who showed up for this event. (Remember, we are a community of only 1,000 residents in Ennis – so this is quite a lively organization!).

Besides the back bone and the funny bone, we need a wish bone, right? And we need food, air and shelter. Here you see the food; earlier you saw the butterfly that adorns the air we breathe. And in my home, with the tree decorated, you witnessed my beautiful “shelter.” What about the wish bone?

Before she blew out her candles. my friend, Bernice made a wish.

I don’t know what her wish was, but I know my wishes are for you:

May you always have
all the good food,
clean air,
and lovely shelter you need.
May you always have
a back bone,
a funny bone,
and a wish bone.
And
May the bells of joy
ring in your land
and bring you peace…
… now and forever.
Amen!

Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow!

Category:

blessings, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, Love, Montana, peace, Poetry, prayer, Serving One Another, Sharing, writing

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Why Practice Giving?

Why practice giving? What’s in it for me?

Many Ways

There are many ways to “give.” My mailbox is overflowing everyday this time of year for requests to give – donate to St. Judes or St. Joseph’s Indian School; donate to Foot and Mouth Painters or Salvation Army; make an extra donation to Guideposts or my church or the Food Bank. And don’t even ask me how many text messages and e-mails I receive each day from political candidates! Yes, giving money is one way to practice giving… and if you have dough to spare, there are needy, worthy causes out there.

But do you know for sure what percentage of your hard-earned bucks are going to the intended cause? Can you see the light in the eyes of the recipient?

Face-to-Face

Giving face-to-face changes your life as well as the recipient’s. Pay it forward in the grocery line. Give a hug. Share your talent at a nursing home … maybe it’s a visit and a hug or a half hour of your time to read a little from your favorite poems. Maybe it’s a meal in your home with friends you’d like to have a chance to know better. And you’d like them to know each other. Maybe it’s transportation to an appointment for someone without a car. Perhaps it is time with a child (yours or someone else’s… doesn’t matter… just be there!).

Think of giving in non-monetary terms. Give of yourself. Give joyfully! Why?

Give as the Lord’s Example

Generosity Encouraged

2 Corinthians 9:6-9
⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

God Bless You, dear Friends.
Have you decided on
an answer to “What’s in it for me?”

I hope you’re having a “good” day.
Thank you for being such generous givers!
Tell me about the last time you “gave” – what was it?

Merry Christmas!
See you tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, Giving, God, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Serving One Another, Spiritual Gifts

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A Thought for Each Day

Many of you know that I spend my first hour each day up in my sanctuary.

If you’ve been a follower for awhile, you may remember that one of the devotionals I read each morning is:

And I have posted in the past a list of “Take-Aways” for each day of the month. It’s been a few months since I did that. I did not post my list for November yet. Today would be a good day to do that. Perhaps you can find this list helpful. Adopt one a day, and take that message with you as you walk this rocky road called LIFE. Let it help you focus on a direction God is calling you.

November’s Take-Aways from Daily Guideposts

Remember Incredible Moments
Really “See” People
Choose Peace – Even in Chaos
Bee still to Hear/Feel God’s Grace
Keep Faith in Love
Accept God’s Extravagant Grace
Let Children Move, Moo, Climb & Clamber
Keep Your Faith Childlike
Always Give Your Best Effort
Let Your Life Praise God
Live in Grateful Peace
Unclog Your Life; Clean Up!
Bee Mindful of Relationships
Maintain Your Body
Know “Retirement” is a Misnomer
Use Your Reservoir of Love
Know God as Your Guide
Speak Only Tender, Kind Words
Hope Always in Him
Keep Eyes and Heart Open
Take Time to Feel God’s Presence
Serve Heartily!
Always Find Joy in Work
Bee Still and Listen
Let Space Be Transformed
Add Exercise To Your Routine
Cherish Family
Thank God For Your Many Blessings
Know God’s Working in You
Look into The Hearts ❤ ❤

I hope “A Thought for Each Day” will inspire you to be your best self, the person God made you to be, every day this month… and create a thoughtful habit for the New Year.

By the way, which of those “Take Aways” will you adopt for today?

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Family, Giving, God, Gratitude, happiness, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, prayer, Serving One Another

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Feeling Blessed

I am truly blessed
With a talented family.
They’re so generous!

My daughter-in-law,
The day after Thanksgiving,
Helped transform the house.

This is just a glimpse
Of her decorating skills.
I feel very blessed!

There are touches of Christmas everywhere I look.

I hope you are feeling blessed
by helpful family and friends, too.
What are your December plans?

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Christmas, Family, Gratitude, Haiku, Poetry, Serving One Another

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My Gerber Baby

Every great-grandma

Would love to be fortunate

Enough to have one:

Her very own Gerber Baby!!

This is Sienna,
daughter of Hope,
my granddaughter.
Isn’t she the cutest?
Did you know that the original “Gerber Baby”
just celebrated her 93rd birthday?

Wonderful long life!
I pray our Gerber baby
has as full, happy, and memorable life!

Today was a day for babies in our home. Such fun!

Our granddaughter, Faith, with her husband’s cousin’s baby, Andy..

May your life be filled with new life, too. God bless you.

See you tomorrow.

Category:

children, Family, Haiku, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, prayer, Serving One Another

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Preparing for Thanksgiving

As you are preparing for Thanksgiving,
That annual day when THANKS is clear,
Don’t forget to put an extra chair
At your Gratitude Table this year

I am thinking of Carol Orr
and Marcelle Zufferey
and our angelic ancestors
during this Thanksgiving season.
I thank God for their presence in our lives.

Who will you imagine to be at your empty chair this year?

Back in Jodie’s kitchen in Sewickley PA.
I’m preparing tonight’s dinner for the family. What are you up to today?

See ya later.

Category:

Family, food, Gratitude, Love, Memories, Poetry, prayer, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Granddaughter’s In-Laws

We’re so grateful that our granddaughter, Faith, married into this beautiful McSparron family! Such a gift to the Beekmans to extend our hearts into Kutztown, PA!! This is a sweet, quaint college town.

Their house was designed by Allen & Lisa and built by the McSparron boys & dad.

The stained glass window was created by an artist inspired by a picture Allen took in Switzerland. It’s the church where Lisa’s ancestors, the Caveltis, worshiped.

Such fun to have Lisa’s heritage also be in Switzerland where our DeDe and her family lives.

After a delicious breakfast topped off by the wonderful pear dessert left from last night, we went “hunting and gathering” in the gorgeous countryside.