HAPPY EASTER

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED !!!!

What an awesome blessing to wake up this morning!  There will always be someone richer than me, and someone poorer than me.  All I know is that I am as rich as God wants me to be, and I am good with that.

Last night was so overwhelmingly amazing.  I have been involved with RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation) for several years.  As such, I have witnessed and participated with many people seeking a deeper connection with God.  During this time, I have grown and learned more, not only about my faith and self, but also much from those in the classroom.  Easter celebration is always an experience to be in awe of.  I always come away from Easter Vigil inspired and blessed.

We only had five participants in the RCIA process this year.  As such, we got to know each other maybe a little better than in previous years.  Watching our seekers receive the sacraments for the first time, and watching them experience spiritual joy was, and is an experience that is hard to describe.

As I said, I have learned as much from them as they from the classroom.  Knowing that I can never know enough is motivation in itself.  Hearing heartfelt insights of newcomers and peers can be eye openers for me.  We can never truly know what is in the hearts of any individual, but to hear what is in their hearts is to experience their experience.

Deciding to sit down and write my thoughts today, I had so many things I wanted to relate, but now I know that I can re live last night, today and every day, and that's good enough.  (2 Corinthians 12:9  My Grace is good enough for you).

I pray today for everyone reading this, and for all of God's people.  Turns out, we are all God's people. Blessings to everyone, and thank you Lord for your selflessness.  

ALLELUIA  

UGH! Daylight saving time

Is this me😆? Or this😟?, or this😎? ←
Disruptions in life can be challenging.  I came upon the following saying some time ago: 'is this the hill you want to die on?'.  I don't have to look far to realize that little things like time change, while it may be a disruption or challenge, it's pretty small in the big picture.
We got word a couple of days ago about a long time friend that passed away suddenly.  Apparently very healthy till the end, very unexpected.
Approaching the third trimester of my life gives me perspective of what is important.  (I added the third emoji above ↑ after thinking about this).  Hey, I'M BREATHING, I have full use of my hands and feet, and I'm able to play golf!
Challenges now center more around how I will use the rest of my time.  Taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually are the important things.  While I still find criticism difficult to listen to, I try to look for the value that the criticism might hold for me to consider.  Self criticism, or discernment is also important to me.  As I start my day, I hope to seek tolerance and guidance  in all that I do.  Dear yellow bus driver, guide me well.  Thank you

Hang on, we're going for a ride!

When I'm told by someone that they have tweens or early teens, I tell them "Hold on, you're going for a ride!"

Turns out, that life is like that almost at any age.  Even as a "ripening" adult, I see the roller coaster of life.  It is all around us.  Look at the stock market in the last week or so.  Panic? Brace? Hold on and ride it out?

So much is out of our hands.  One of the hardest lessons to learn.  I'm learning, but not a scholar of patience.  Facing challenges I've found is best handled by turning it over to God, (my Yellow Bus Driver).

Recently family members were faced with potentially serious challenges.  Much worry as a parent, (even though they are all fully adult, I can't quit being a concerned parent).  In addition, I have had to evaluate my commitments to ministries that are near and dear to me.  Recently I've felt my Yellow Bus Driver pulling up to a couple of stops on the route.  Sometimes it is really hard to get back on the bus and trust the Driver to be my tour guide.   When I love something, but realize that I need to prioritize my service in order to do best at whatever I am guided to, I feel torn.

Thankfully, due to prayer and guidance from trusted friends, the prayers for the well being of my children, and the answers to ministry commitment have come to fruit.  My family concerns turned out well, by the Grace of God.  My direction, and directive (by virtue of guidance of my Yellow Bus Driver) has become clear.  Don't know where the next Bus stop will be, but I know that it can only be a good place.

A shelter guest view

Staff: “Good morning Jane. Time to get up. Get a cup of coffee and a donut. We'll see you in a few hours.”
Jane; “Ugh! It's cold outside. like 25 degrees. Can't I stay just a little longer?”
Staff: “Sorry Jane, we need to get the shelter cleaned up for services later, and for tonight.”
Jane: “I don't feel well. Can't I stay inside?”
Staff: “The clinic will be open in a while. Maybe you can get a voucher to stay inside. Till then, you need to leave.”
Jane: “Hey, I just found a few dollars in my pocket. Maybe I'll go to McDonald's for some coffee to stay warm. It's about a 2 mile walk. Ugh! I know, I'll get a day bus pass and ride around all day until time for the shelter to open again. Beats getting arrested for loitering.”

Me. I have never been homeless, and I am grateful for the warm home I have. I have witnessed the challenges people face when they have nowhere to go. When I go out to get my paper, sometimes I feel the shock of cold air and if feels good. Only thing is, I’m back inside my home within seconds, and no one is asking me to go back outside. I grab my hot coffee and sit and read the paper. I also use this time to pray, often remembering my friends at the shelter. When I start to lament any discomfort in my life, I fall back on remembering what I do have instead of what I don’t have. Praise God.

Winter is coming

A new day. I woke up to a dusting of snow on the street. Quiet time of year. Time to slow down (especially when driving, LOL). A friend (you know who you are ;-))sent me a meditation yesterday, and I didn't open it till this morning. I am finding that I'm not in such a hurry to open every email and text immediately. "I have a flat tire and need help now" type of email I will look at right now, but other stuff, not so much. Not that they aren't important, but I think I've reacted to NOW stuff for so long, that I'm trying to take care of what needs immediate attention, and savor the other stuff more. Turns out that after thinking about things, there is more "other stuff" that is just as important as "emergency", but also important to pay attention to. I've been enjoying the "Indian summer" weather lately, and playing plenty of golf. Sort of not looking forward to cold and snow, until I saw it this morning. A reminder to self. Snow, cold, and winter are "other stuff" that needs accepting and enjoying for it's own merits. Thankfully, I CAN enjoy. When I go by the homeless shelter, I realize that my perspective is different than the clients at the shelter. I can enjoy nature as God gives. Not everyone can and does. Then again, how do I know what is going on in their minds. For now, I will do what I can to help those who need, and praise God for his blessings every day. As we go into the holy season, and new year, I pray that everyone is safe and healthy. As Father Earl says "Peace to the whole place)

A new day!

I woke up ready to pray today.  Does that make me any better than anyone? No, just lucky first of all that I woke up, ;-).  Secondly, that I am able to pray, and know that there is a purpose for prayer.  Being in touch with and surrounded by people who pray, and being gifted by my Yellow Bus Driver, I am here today to celebrate my 67th birthday.  Not looking or asking for lauds, just aware that God has blessed me in so many ways.  Thank you God.

I started my day - OOPS, Pam just waked in.  Talk about a blessing!  What a gift!  Another of many reasons to be grateful for today.  Anyway, I started my day ready to pray, and as sometimes happens, my mind wandered off of the "prayers" I was going to read and recite.  I started thinking about a subject we were supposed to present to the high school catechism class tomorrow.  The four marks of the Church.  One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic.  How does one present in a meaningful way the idea of Holy? Music is one way, so I searched "Holy" on YouTube.  Lots of songs.  I listened to a couple, and as YouTube works, I was threaded to "Be not afraid".  If you are reading this, even if you have heard the song, take a minute to listen to it. Years ago, my youngest son was sent into Iraq, (first of three deployments).  In one of my correspondents I wrote the lyrics of the song to him.  In his situation, it was amazingly appropriate.  As I go through life, I know that the words are also amazingly appropriate for me to consider every day of my life. 

We worked at the "shelter" last night, and I was talking to one of the "guests".  She was thanking me for volunteering and helping out.  As I talked to her, I realized that she and all of the homeless that we serve at the shelter are as much for my benefit as I am there for them.  Their burden of homelessness is my Yellow Bus Driver's assignment to do His work.  How bless I am to be here at this point in time to ride the Bus. Thank you God.

God's Special Children

Special Needs People.
I have the privilege to work with Special Olympics athletes. The fact that they participate in Special Olympics does not make them unique among special needs people.  There are many people in this demographic that do not participate for various reasons.  For me, getting to know and work with my special friends is a blessing that I receive more than I can return.

This past weekend, Farmington hosted the annual Four Corners Regional Special Olympics.  What an amazing event to experiences.  HUNDREDS of athletes from across the four corner region gathered to be among their peers to participate in a wide range of athletic events.  It is a sight to behold.  The participants range from highly functional disabled, to severely limited functionality.

My participation is to coach the swimming event.  Over the years, I have seen many of our team develop from having high anxiety of water to swimming independently.  I have also experienced the physical deterioration of functionality of some of our athletes.  Both experiences are extremely emotionally challenging.

It is incredible to see the desire and exhilaration of these awesome people as they participate in their chosen events.  Equally, it is inspiring and touching to see the pure innocence of children in fully (physically) grown adults.  The trust and love they return to us coaches and their care takers is something that is impossible to describe.  My Yellow Bus Driver dropped me off at the pool several years ago, and left me to participate with these Special People so that I may learn from them.