Visiting with two nice ladies at nursing home - 03.17.2011

March 18, 2010       


                                     We had planned to post a pic of Luci at the beginning of this blog !


                                                                         Didn't happen !



                                                                Just scroll down for the story/blog



                                                                           Thank you !


                                                         New Pics inserted in  text and at end !
                                      








Yesterday, Luci and I got in the car to drive a mile to the nursing home.  Luci was beyond happy, she was ecstatic !  I told her she would have to calm down before we entered the front doors.  We took a short walk around the facility before we made our entrance.  Thankfully, she had calmed considerably and was ready to say hello to the people who live there.


We asked at the front desk about Ms Nice because we didn't see her in the Commons area.  The greeting lady directed us to her home, # 0, close to the nurses station.  As we knocked on  her door, she invited us to come in.  She was dressed nicely in a bright pink warm-up outfit and her home was sparkling clean.  She wanted to go visit in the Commons so Luci could sit next to her and  we could talk and catch up on things since last week's visit.  

After getting situated and comfortable, Luci was in my lap, and placed her head so that Ms Nice could reach her head to pet it.   Luci liked the attention and didn't want to move away.  Ms Nice lady told Luci that she had a dog a long time ago and she loved dogs.  Luci and I could tell that was right because she talked a lot about her special dog in the country.  It was apparent that Ms Nice loved our visit and liked to feel Luci's thick white fur collar. 

It is amazing how much life is in these elderly folks because it comes out as they interact with Luci !  One might think that a person on hospice wouldn't want a pet therapy visit, but they do and their whole persona changes from :(  to :) faces ! 

When we told Ms Nice it was time to go visit another lady, she smiled and asked us that we be sure and come back next Thursday.  We told her, "For sure we'll come back!"  She thanked us several times and said she enjoyed our visit.

When Luci hears the word, GO, she is ready !  We walked down the first hall and knocked on the other lady's door.  I knocked gently and she roused from a nap.  She recognized us immediately.  With a little sleep in her eyes, she began to smile and wanted Luci to sit in my lap. This allowed our friend to pet Luci's head.   Luci jumped up to my lap and laid  her head on our friend's lap.  Luci gave her a few puppy kisses on her left fingers, just to say hello and I love you.    It was evident that it was a good visit for both Luci and our friend.    Luci wanted to get down and walk around a bit in her home.  Our friend said that was fine, but to be sure and watch out for any chocolate candy that might be on the floor.  There was a new assortment of  mini chocolate bars that filled her large basket !  Luci noticed her roommate in the room and was curious.  I told Luci that this lady was asleep and we would say hello next visit.   We said our her goodbyes, hugged, and kissed her.  "We'll be back next Thursday."  Our friend said, "Thank you so much and I'll be looking for you !"

Until next week,  Luv to everyone who reads about our ministry with our visits to nursing homes, home bound, and more.

Proverbs: 21: 3  To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than Sacrifice.

Springtime arrives in Central Texas

One wonders when and if springtime will arrive in whatever part of the country we live !  Weather affects our moods, productivity, spontaneity, creativity, and much more.  Sunshiny days with moderate temperatures, little or no wind constitutes the 'perfect day'! 

I  admit that cold, dreary, overcast days with a weather forecast of the same can be a downer.  I begin to yearn for the sights and sounds of Spring !

Yesterday, we had one of those perfect springtime afternoon, just right for an hour's walk.  Luci had been walking by her collar and leash in the kitchen and nudging it with her nose for me to see !

  Walking with Luci can be a challenge, even with her short corgi legs !  This little pup can RUN FAST !  Walking/Running is our exercise of choice !

We arrived at our destination, Rolling Meadows and the Dog Walk within 15 minutes.    We noticed a male  Mocking Bird, high up in a tree, singing his little heart out !  I made a couple of pics and we moved on down the walk.   A few minutes later we rounded the walk and was back with the Mocking Bird, sitting the same limb, singing staccato !   Luci's antics didn't appear to affect him as he was focused on attracting his mate ! 

I marvel at God's world of clear running water in the creeks, greenest of grass, singing birds, trees budding, weedy plants with pretty yellow flowers,  purest of air,  kids playing baseball, and parents coaching them !

 Reflecting back... thanking God for the arrival of Spring !


Psalm 149 :  Praise to God from All Creatures...

Ash Wednesday - written in 2006 - reposting from www.dailybreadoflife.net

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3/1/2006

Devotional for Ash Wednesday

Dear Family and Friends, Today marks the start of Lenten Season. Lenten season is the solemn Christian religious season from Ash Wednesday to EASTER, 40 weekdays, kept as a time of fasting and repenting of sins. Some people like to give up something in their lives that would be pleasing to God. Whatever, and however you chose to observe and honor this sacred season, is your choice. It is a wonderful time of starting over, purging ourselves of sin through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection to eternal glory. We have that promise for our lives. Our church offers a time of open communion on this Wednesday evening from 5-6 PM. My husband and I will be in attendance. I hope that each one of you reading this devotional will find time this day to mark in your lives the beginning of the Lenten season, with a new beginning for your life, with hope and joy! Scripture I Corinthians 15:50-59 (NKJV) Key verse: 51-52 Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ( The Resurrected Body) Prayer Dear Father, Help us to remember that our lives on this earth is but a mere shadow and the things to come, eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, the reason for Lenten/Easter season. In Jesus holy and precious name.

Gray Skies in February

March 4, 2011
Marcia Piepgrass has graciously allowed this blog to be published on Daily Bread of Life - Devotional.  Although it was written last month for the events that happen in February, I believe you will enjoy it and be blessed.  Thank you Marcia for this wonderful story. 

Maria's blogspot:  http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com  Please visit her site and read all about this talented and Godly woman.




Why does February seem like the longest month, when it is the shortest?
Could the lingering of gray skies and frigid temperatures contribute to the
interminably show passage of time from February 1 to 27 or 28?  No matter what
the groundhog predicts, winter usually lingers for six long weeks after his
sneak peak outside his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

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http://Bill'sblogs.woodtv.com

I don't know about you, but a trip south--far south--seems like a good idea
at this time of year.  Alas, no reservations have been made, so I will have to
make my own sunshine.

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http://mrmen.wikia.com

Here are five simple suggestions for chasing away winter's chill: 

1.  Write and send lots of Valentine greetings.  Making other people happy is
a sure cure for depression. When I was in grade school, my mother helped me make
the same valentines each year for everyone in my class. Supplies included:  lace
doilies, ribbon, and sticks of cinnamon-flavored gum. (These are easy enough for
preschool children to make.)

2.  Begin each day with a thanksgiving breakfast. Make a habit of praising
the Lord with your first sip of coffee.

3.  Wrap up, go outside, and take a walk. Even if the sky is cloud-covered,
the daylight will lift your spirits.

4.  Think happy thoughts.
No, this isn't just for Pollyanna.  It is biblical.  See the verse inscribed on
the poster?

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The Catholic Faith Education Society makes wonderful posters illustrating
Scripture.

5.  End your day by praying for
others, thanking the Lord for his faithful goodness, and turning your
anxieties over to him who is loving, powerful, and in control of all things.





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The Prayer--artist unknown

These suggestions for chasing away the
cold, because they are biblical, are sure

A day of Joy with Jill Briscoe 02.26.2011

I would like to have Picasa build a picture gallery on this website. How is this done ?
sherideloach@gmail.com

A Day of Joy with Jill Briscoe - 02.26.2011 - Regional Women's Conference- Central Texas

OASIS - A Day with Jill Briscoe         February 26, 2011 
               with worship leader
               Stephanie Seefeldt

Jill Briscoe is one of my favorite Christian writers and speakers.  Our community was blessed to have her come and present a study on Phillipians.  For those who know Jill and have heard her speak know how dynamic she is with her knowledge, wisdom, wit, and communication. She has written and published over 40 books !   For those who don't know her,  I pray this devotion will be a blessing and you will meet her through her website:
www.Tellingthetruth.com

Highlights :

Jill started by reading the first chapter of Phillipians, time was four and half minutes.  However, when her publisher saw this, she edited it to only a minute ! Her lastest book, written about  Phillipiao, her most recent.   That's the way things are in the publishing world today.  Short and to the point, lest a writer be not published !  

Phillipians 2 - Within the body of Christ, bitterness, confusion, trouble among warring women in the church.  Spiritual Art of Maturity, tranquility, was Paul's admonishion to these women and the church.

' Make peace with people who are at odds in the church.' 

Spiritual Disciples:  "If I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it."  stated the speaker as she continued, "My view on some American Women. 

Gift of Encouragement :  Everyone can do this !  Timothy to Paul !  If two women are at odds within the church, ill feelings going on, STOP it, and talk it out. 

Phillipians 4 :  We were challenged to memorize this chapter.  Find the 14 times that Paul used joy and rejoice in this chapter. " In all our days, celebrate God - good days and bad days - Go Deep into the soul - that is something that can't be taken away."  "Praise God in trouble, not praise God for cancer but thank God in the cancer, for His presence, His endurance.  Practice His presence - Look for God - and Praise Him." 

Look at trouble through God - put Him first !

Get up in the morning and be a blessing to someone !  Talk about Jesus !  Isiash 58...'make me like a well watered garden when dealing with difficult people...'   Put courage and heart into them.

"Courage is doing the right thing without courage." 

"If you want to be big, you need to be small."

"LEARN THE GIFT OF HUMILITY." - (before we can be of witness as a Christian.)

www.stephanieseefeldt.com

What a gifted person,   Stephanie Seefeldt,  with her beautiful voice and piano talents !    She and Jill are currently participating in Anne Graham Lotz's 'Just Give me Jesus' revival events.  They travel the world with this ministry. 

Stephanie met her husband, Scott, in college.  He is a rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Baraboo, WI, where she lives with her family.  Scott and Stephanie have two adopted sons and (biologically) welcomed a baby girl on Christmas Day, 2004, and another son in September 2008 !

Stephanie stated several times that Jill Briscoe was her mentor !  They make a fine team and compliment each other beautifully.

I have challenged myself to start memorizing the fourth chapter of Philippians.  I've always had a love for this chapter and know by memorizing it, it will be with me forever - into eternity !

Green Figs in December

It was the end of December when, aha, appeared two lovely green figs on the Fig Tree!  My first impression was...why is this tree producing figs this time of year?  My only logical conclusion was...our weather has been unseasonably warm and mother nature had 'fooled' the tree into springtime!
Miraculously, the birds didn't bother them.  So, I picked them, saved them, with hopes of riping as in the green tomato.  When I picked them, I had on our church's logo braclet, 'God is Big Enough' and made the photo with my iPhone!  Nothing is a coincidence with God, it was meant to be that this braclet was in the photo!  There are many mysteries in life, especially in nature, most of which we aren't supposed to find answers.  Discovering the twins made me think of the scriputre, "Two is better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor."  Eccesiates 4:9.  Although this scripture is referring to people, support and friendship, it can be applied to the mystery of  green figs in late December !  Only God knows why twin figs were produced on a leafless fig tree in late December!