Back To School

It is hard to believe this is Labor Day weekend. Here in the USA this weekend is to give honor to those who are working making things right for their families.

It is amazing to think summer vacation is over and the children are back to school. For some, they already started while others begin this coming week.

Remember to keep your eye on the children’s purpose. Not only do you have a purpose so do they. When it comes to keeping an eye on them don’t forget the teachers and the other students around them.

It is important to have teachers that have concerns for their students including your’ s. Each child should be encouraged to do their best.

 I didn’t enjoy school especially the early years because the teachers were not interested in me or in another way they didn’t understand me. My best teacher was Mrs. Eaton in fifth grade. Even after I graduated from high school I still had a relationship with her. Wouldn’t it be nice if every child had a teacher they could count on.

I am not putting down teachers and I know to it isn’t an easy job, however, the more students they can encourage the better. This is especially true for students who struggle in class like I did. Who knows with good guidance how far a child can go. I know from my experience. Also, it helped I had parents who kept an eye on me and loved me for who I am. They did not try to mold me into someone I wasn’t.

Some good advice on this weekend to parents and teachers alike.

Writing My Life Story

I have mentioned before when it comes to writing it is important to do so about including my life story.

Even the famous fiction writers the stories often have something to do with their own life. They base their characters or the storylines or both on what they know and what they have experienced.

Another area of our life story has to do with our purpose. Others will learn from our life experiences a part of our purpose.

I hope you learn from my experiences and I will continue to learn at the same time.  Remember you do the same. Amen!

Believe In Yourself

One of the great tools we have is to help others believe in themselves well as we believe in us.

What we can do and to tell others as well to speak out loud who we really are. 

Did you know our names have real meaning and it speaks to us who we are. This has been going for as long as mankind has been around.

Give this encouragement to your family and friends to speak out loud who they are. We may be surprised by how different we will feel over time. Amen!

A Celebration

On Tuesday I went to a memorial service for my friend and sister in Lord Connie Schafer. She was a fantastic woman who had joy in her at all times.

The service was called “Celebration of Life”. Made me realize we should celebrate life at all times and not wait until someone has passed on from this life till the next. Wouldn’t it be great if the joy of the Lord were on us at all times. Connie had joy even at the times life wasn’t good to her. It made who Connie was.

It is never easy to celebrate life in the tough times especially we are in a dark place. It is time we are in the dark where we should see the light. Amen!

Always Give A Kind Word

Our world often it is hard to hear a kind word these days. Whenever I hear a kind word I feel so good about it since doesn’t happen as often as I would like to hear it.

A kind word is like a smile we give out. We can make someone’s day better than they expect.

I do hear kind words on occasion from friends, however, getting one from someone you don’t know really makes the cake as you may say.

I hope whatever I say will change someone to be a better person to care for others. I am not here to say no one is giving out kind words but many are not. If you are doing so you are ahead of many and keep doing it. I am sure those in your life whether they know you well or not really appreciate it. Amen!

Always Be Ready

As a caregiver for my elderly mother, I always have to be ready for anything. In some ways, she is like a child now. Though she has a good memory for her age there are times she does forget things.

On Sunday I took her to urgent care than emergency as a precaution. She had an issue on Saturday which looked like it cleared up but wanted to be sure everything with her was fine.

We were in emergency for two and a half hours. They checked her out and found she was OK. All the tests showed she was good. The doctor said at her age there wouldn’t have been much they could do for her anyway had there been a problem. Request to see her prime physician so I will set up an appointment on Monday afternoon.

So our purpose shows we must be ready at all times to do whatever we must. Something we should be aware of. Have a great day and many

Never Give Up

Often in college football when a player especially a quarterback is beaten out as the starter the guy decides to transfer to another school. This happened over the weekend at University Washington the backup quarterback decided he was going to another school a week before the first game of the season. 

Many thought he wasn’t going to start before training camp. You would have thought he transfer early in the year. Being the backup quarterback isn’t a bad thing. The starting quarterback doesn’t perform well or he gets hurt you are ready to go.

I am sure he left in part by the pressure of his parents or others. I really hope he changes his mind because he will have to wait another season before playing. Also, he will lose a year of eligibility as well.

This shows me we should never give up and believe in ourselves no matter the situation or whoever may be in our way. This doesn’t matter whether it has to do with our professional life or what is personal. We should continue having faith in us.

So I want to say right now never give up on yourself even when things look like you should. I have had at times thought about giving up on certain things; however, I have decided to keep going on. I hope this really helps you today.

Making An Impact

God desires for us to make an impact on the world around us. The reason he created us and loves us at the same time.

We all have difficult times; however, sharing the story of our life can help others deal with their difficult times as well.

Not everyone is comfortable in sharing their story, but doing so can be an impact in a way we can’t imagine. How you share the story is up to you. There is more than one way to do so. Find out what it is in your way. Amen!

Wearing Shorts

I figure to get off the topic once in a while. I want to be sure you will have a good time here.

I get amazed some of the older men I know wear shorts almost all year long. I can understand doing so in the summer but when it is raining especially in late fall and winter makes me shake my head. I guess they enjoy wearing shorts all year long. They are like large women who wear inappropriate clothes. You could say they are not aware or care what other people think.

I don’t wear shorts often except around the house. I think though I have nice legs you would have to ask someone who has more expertise on the subject besides me.

Anyway I just wanted to mention this without offending anyone. The importance is to wear something that brings out your attractiveness. Until next time have a good weekend.

Interesting Summer

Here in Western Washington, we have had an interesting summer.  I am sure some would say what summer.

We have had some hot days along with normal or below temperatures. We have had sunny days along with cloudy and raining days.

Right now we are having a couple rainy days. I am sure we can use the rain but how helpful really be. Over the weekend the sun will return with temperatures in the mid to upper seventies. Next Wednesday and Thursday be up to the mid to upper eighties.

This reminds me of a sport’s team rooting for having its ups and downs. The team wins for a while then goes on a losing streak then back to winning again for a little while. Makes you wonder if it is a good team having some bad luck or a bad team having some good luck along the way. When the season is over you figure the team was mediocre. I guess this summer we could look at the weather the same way.

I hope everyone’s life though is more on the plus side right now. It is important to back encourage yourself well as those around you. Have a good time before the children and teachers go back to school.

Healthy Relationships

I have nothing against those having animals; however, I have known people love their pets more than other human beings.

I am sure they had issues growing up where they were rejected by classmates. They found being accepted by their dogs or cats. Not a good thing to have poor or no relationships with others. These people need to be loved and cared for just in the same way they feel from their pets.

I am sure there are more people with healthy relationships having pets too. I would call it the better of two worlds. For us to live in our life purpose we must have healthy relationships. Amen!

Relationship Continued

I am no expert on the subject, however, I do know relationships are important to all of us.

The number one thing I believe is we take our time in a relationship. This is especially true when we find someone who really likes us a lot. A good start is to be friends, in the beginning, to see where things lead. Otherwise, you may find the relationship isn’t long-lasting and was a mistake.

One thing for sure we don’t want to have heartache. Unless it is long-lasting the relationship will turn into a heartache for one of the couple if not for both and none of us want that for sure.

Taking our time in a relationship is especially true when we find the other person really likes us. I know I have been in a few relationships because the other person likes me. I found out I didn’t like them as much as they did me.

I have had friends tell me about someone who likes me or they think we would be a good couple. In most of those times, I haven’t had any interest in them at all. I had learned just because they liked me I didn’t like them in the same way. I thought they were nice people but I didn’t find them to be attractive to me.

I don’t think we have to be picky when it comes to a relationship, however, we do need to find the other person to be attractive to us. What we find attractive in the other person doesn’t have to be all about their looks it can be in other ways as well but this is an important factor though.

Anyway, this is some free advice to you even though I am not an expert at all. Have a great day and may you be blessed in your relationships in whatever manner they are. Remember some relationships can be just as friends though you have to be careful if that is all it is meant to be. Amen!

Relationships

When it comes to our purpose relationships is one of the most important parts.

First of all our relationship with God is at the top of the list. Next would be our relationships with our spouse, children, parents, friends, and others.

God desires to have a relationship with us in the same way our spouse does, however, at a higher level. How we relate with God and our spouse tells us how we will relate with others as well.

Our relationships are what drive our purpose. Without having anyone to relate we have no real purpose. So make sure your relationships get better every day especially with God. Amen!

Going Forward

We have four months remaining in the year.

What do you want to finish you started at the beginning of year?

Is there something you would like to begin now you can finish at the end of the year?

Do you have goals you wanted to accomplish for the year and how are they going?

Do you have plans you began a few years ago and you are continuing to complete the next stage?

Are there people you want to mentor or someone to be mentored by before this year is over?

Do you have plans for next year you want to goals for or begin to implement right now?

These are good things to think about for the next four months. Best to you as you do all things in your life.

Meant To Be

We are meant to be a lot. What amount of success you have accomplished you have only scratched the service.

We are not meant to fail. The reason the three main gifts given to us is hope, love, and faith with love being the greatest.

Tell yourself every day I am a success. Today I am loved. I have hope and faith in myself.

Enjoy your weekend. May what you hope for come true. May love be the center of your life. May you have faith in what you don’t see right now. Amen!

Cares Of The World

My home meeting on Wednesday evening we discussed our life purpose and the influence we should have.

We realized and talked over the reason many of us don’t live out our purpose in the way we should is because of the cares of the world.

The cares of the world can be politics, news, worries, and everything else taking priority over our purpose.  It is important we have our eyes on the things that should matter in our lives.  Beyond the issues, we can be so busy not to enjoy what we should find enjoyable.

So let’s take the focus off the things we are troubled about and focus on what will make life good. Amen!

Life Is Interesting

Off and on for several years, I have thought about this older man what he has been up to or whether he is still alive. Not expecting anything different last night I went to my home group, and I saw a couple who I hadn’t seen before.

When we came to introductions I found out the man was the guy I had wondered about off and on. I didn’t let him know I had thought about him for many years, however, I was glad he was still around.

A couple reasons I didn’t recognize him and his wife it had been quite some time so he was much older and the last time I saw him he had a different wife.  I knew he was divorced because I see his ex-wife at church but I didn’t want to pry into her life by asking where he was or if he still were alive. I certainly know now so I can relax and to know him again. By the way, he doesn’t really remember me either which is OK.  It may take time for him to do so.

So this is my story for finding life interesting on occasions. I am sure everyone has gone through similar situations before. Enjoy your day and many blessings to you. Amen!

Heating Up

The weather is heating up for the next couple weeks as summer is coming to a close in five weeks though the children will go back to school in the next two or three weeks.

As usual, summer seems to go by so fast. This year the temperatures have been going up and down here in Western Washington along with an occasion time of rain. I don’t mind at all though the sun is always welcome.

This all comes to our lives where we should have a positive attitude regardless of the weather and the time of year it is.  As we know not an easy task at all.

We may look and act like we are happy and joyful on the outside but not necessarily on the inside. It all leads to where our relationship is with God and others.  We encourage others with our gifts and talents or keep them to ourselves.

Circumstances happen where it feels impossible to share our lives with others but it is an important thing to do. May your life increase while you decrease. This means you serve others above yourself. Amen!

What Is Important?

I figure the most important things we should make a list of.  They should be recorded not for our benefit but for the history of it.

My dad didn’t make lists very often so when he did you knew it was important. He kept most things in his mind. He was a sharp guy for sure.  I try to do the same thing but I am not sure I have the same success rate.

I remember as a kid a slogan I saw on ads often. They said, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste”.  It was put on by The Negro College Fund. Of course, they were trying to raise money to send black young people to college. It was catchy because I still remember it.

Yesterday I decided to do a search for it. I found the slogan came out of the Bible. They referenced Romans 8:5-8 which speaks of living according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  It makes me not want to waste my mind on unimportant things.

This is really something to think about. Go ahead write and put down on paper what is important. Amen!

Not An Ordinary Summer Weekend

Here in Western Washington most would not call it a summer day. We sometimes have these types of days in August though.

Late Friday night we had thunderstorms with a heavy downpour of rain. It lasted until Saturday morning around 7 am. We needed the rain and having it at night isn’t a bad thing.

Though we didn’t have any more rain after Saturday morning it was cloudy most of the weekend. The temperatures did reach the low 70s some would not call it summer.  Several times I felt hot, however, it was because of humidity which we don’t get a lot of either.

Though it wasn’t the normal summer weekend I was fine with it. I did miss seeing the sun. This made me realize regardless of the weather or other circumstances we should and can live extraordinary lives. This is what our purpose is all about. We were created not to live as ordinary people but extraordinary.  Often circumstances get it in the way of what our lives are intended to be. The importance is to take one step at a time and enjoy the ride of being extraordinary. 

Comes From Our Hope

Though we may never have solutions about mass shootings or any other evil doings in this life we know where our hope comes from.

Jesus Christ is the one gives our purpose in life along with hope. He is the one gave us a new life away from all the crazy problems in this world. Things will probably get worse, however, he is the savior of our lives. Whatever we have done he died for it all on the cross and we can know things will be right and where we go when our life ends here.

Answers for the problems in this world our faith in him will overcome all things. Our purpose is to let others know we can live with peace even with war around us.  Amen.

Any Real Solutions

Several days ago I asked the question on Facebook if anyone had any solutions when it came to stopping mass shootings. I found in a way a waste of time asking the question because those for guns gave statistics about other things that kill people like cars for instance.

Those on the other side being anti-guns were not much better either. It seems people here in the USA have no idea what solutions should happen. I know other countries don’t have the 2^nd amendment like we have in our constitution allowing bearing weapons to protect us. I heard they don’t have the number of mass shootings either.

I have read a number of remarks from people on social media about guns whether to limit the kinds of guns. People write the craziest answers. Shows me a lot of people in the USA want to keep things like they are.

There is talk about adding laws for those caught or attempting to shoot in this manner; however, I feel most of those shooters already know they are likely going to be killed doing so and don’t really care. So making a stiffer law concerning mass shootings won’t work.

Another idea which I would be OK with is banning assault weapons. The pro-gun people, in general, are not for that either because of our constitutional rights.

So I will be surprised if anything changes. I am sure more mass shootings will continue to happen unless the answer is to have more security in place. The world is getting harder to live in.

Tired Out

Leslie, mom and I had a wonderful trip to Mount Rainer on Thursday, however, at the end of the day I was tired out.

This is what happens when you drive five hours round trip plus a little of hiking as well. I expect my legs will take a day or two to recover after taking Leslie to the airport this morning. She will be going on to Eugene, Oregon for her best friend’s wedding. She said it would have been nice to stay for several more hours; however, she has help with the decorating.

Mount Rainier was beautiful as usual though most of the snow was gone. Imagining in a couple months or so Rainier will have new fresh snow. The sun was shining when we arrived, however, when we left in the late afternoon fog rolled in. It was so foggy for an instance I could not see in front of me while driving. I had to drive slow and carefully. The speed limit is 35 mph because the road for the last 10 miles up to the mountain is very winding.

The three of us had a nice lunch at the Paradise Inn. Leslie had salmon on a salad while mother had clam chowder with a baked potato, and I had a salmon sandwich. We had dessert as well. Leslie and mom had blackberry pie while I had raspberry sorbet.  I actually had a little blackberry pie finishing mothers off.

Both Leslie and I took pictures along the trail which I will show you on another day. It was nice meeting a couple who asked me to take a picture of them together with his camera. I enjoy watching other people as well. I could tell they were from different parts of the world.

The hostess at Paradise Inn I found out is from Spain; a nice way for her to spend the summer in another country.

When I arrived home it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep. It was worth the time being tired.    

What To Talk About

Sometimes it isn’t easy to know what to say when you meet someone for the first time or a person you haven’ seen for a while. At least for some people anyway.

I figure the first thing is to find out where they are from or what they have been up to lately. You can ask what they did on their vacation as well.

I think it is best to find out about them especially if you are the one starting out the conversation. Of course, they start out the conversation than it is you talking about yourself. You can tell them what you have been up too. Hopefully, it comes around finding out about them. Usually, you find something in common with each other.

I read that today is International Cat Day. So you can ask them whether they have a cat or a dog if you prefer. It does help if you like animals yourself. The important thing is to have the other person get talking. Some have a hard time talking to a stranger while others no problem at all. It all comes down to our personalities.

So enjoy your day, and I hope you meet a new friend.

Remembering Stories

I am amazed by some of my classmates who remember specific things in high school or earlier. I do remember a few important ones but the details some remember are quite fascinating.

I remember certain events but to get down to exact detail is extraordinary in my mind. It is like those who are in the sciences especially working with DNA. Some remember where they were at and what they were doing at the exact moment.

I do in one instance though I don’t think of it as far as they do. When I was in fourth grade we had a large earthquake, which my brother Jack researched three weeks ago when we were talking about it. The earthquake measured over 9.0 in Alaska where it was centered. Although it may have not been that high here it certainly was a big one. We had another large earthquake fifteen years ago but I don’t remember it quite so much.

On the earthquake back when I was in fourth grade Jack and I were on swings when it hit. The doors at our elementary were swinging back and forth for several seconds. Our dad had left us off at school like he did many times because it was on his way to work. I know we rode the bus to school on some occasions but Jack doesn’t remember doing so at all.

My teacher had arrived when the earthquake hit. We were having popcorn and candy sale at school that day so I ran to help her bring the stuff in. I am not sure what Jack did.

I am sure I could go on and on but I will leave it at that. I am sure everyone has stories about certain events happening in their lives but I know some of my classmates remember details of events that are more obscure. It is certainly stories to talk around the coffee table for sure, and quite impressive as well.

Poetry In Motion

This is something wonderful about poetry. Every poet has their own style of writing.

I read some poetry every day since about half of the Old Testament in the Bible is written in poem form.  The majority of the Psalms were written by King David of Israel. He is mostly remembered as the young boy who killed Goliath the giant with his sling shot.

Most of David’s psalms were written about what was going on in his life especially escaping from the hands of King Saul his predecessor.  Usually, in the psalm, David talks about how he feels in the first portion than praises God for what he has done in the last part of it.

I know at least three people who write poems on a regular basis. My cousin Jennifer who recently wrote and published her first novel has been writing poems for many years. I suggested she submit or publish her poems in a blog.

A young lady Emily who I knew as a young child writes a lot of poems she publishes on social media.  The third one is a woman I went to high school with.  She writes and publishes her poems. Many of her poems are about animals.

An idea for us all is to do a search for the lyrics of our favorite songs. Lyrics really are poems. All of King David’s psalms were put to music.

My cousin Jennifer has sung for many years with a Welch choir. Her mother’s side of the family is welch. Jennifer has a lovely voice too. Although I am not familiar with welch songs I figure to do a search on them too. I figure it will open a new world to me.

Anyway, I hope you are having a good week, and take my suggestions to heart. Amen!

Looking Forward To Seeing My Niece

This coming Wednesday, August 7 I get to see my niece Leslie who is flying in from Virginia. It has been almost three years since I last saw her.

Life hasn’t been easy for Leslie since I last saw her. Her health hasn’t been good having migraine headaches for several years. She has changed her diet to help out the situation. Also, last year her husband asked for a divorce. I heard in April it had not been finalized. It is a matter of time though.

Leslie spent three weeks in France enjoying herself though she had her purse taken. I look forward to not only seeing her but to encourage her as well. She is heading to Eugene, Oregon for her best friend’s wedding next weekend.

This will actually be the first time seeing Leslie on her own. I have always seen her with family. It will be a good experience for sure.

It is so important to see family whenever you can no matter how far they live away. I am expected to see my sister Barb in September or October as well.  Always good to visit sites in the area when family comes this way; remember are days are short so be with those you love as often as you can. Amen!

Meeting Your Goals

I hope you are able to meet your goals this summer. It is always a good thing.

Make your list on what you want to do and accomplish. It doesn’t matter what because we are all different so we have goals that are not the same either.

The reason God created us for purpose so we would be different. He doesn’t want us to be the same, other than loving him with all of our hearts.

So remember you are loved by God even when you are not doing well or not thinking of him a lot. His desire is great for you though you may not believe it or not.

Remember it is not God that harms you. Satan is the enemy and he uses others to give you doubt. The battle is on so forgive those not treating you right. They don’t know what they are saying or doing.

Peace be with you and may God’s love be shown you today. Open your heart to him and let him in. Amen!

Saying Good Bye

It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you know.

Friday a member of my church and homegroup I have known for several years passed away suddenly from pulmonary fibrosis. It spread so fast she was gone within hours.

This woman was about fifteen years older than me. I am sure her husband and family will miss her a lot. Every time I saw her she had a smile on her face giving out encouraging words. She loved life and her savior Jesus Christ. I know she has great joy being with Jesus.

It does show how short life is and how fast we can be gone. I look forward to seeing Jesus, family, and friends when my purpose has been completed. Amen!

A Team Sport?

This thing we call life purpose be a team sport? I believe so.

Though we have different gifts, talents, and purpose we do have the same goals.

The goals are to help others out and the world to become a better place.

As a team, we can do what God has asked us to do as well in encouraging one another. Lifting each other up to finish this race called life.

Find others to work with as a team. Life is short and difficult; being a team will make it much easier. Amen!

A Gathering

Wednesday night our home group got together at one of member’s home for a barbeque and potluck. Most everyone brought meat and a side dish. I brought chips myself.

The women sat around talking into the evening while the men played a couple games. Both are good ways to share how life is going. Everyone has issues within their families. This is a good way to encourage one another things can and will get better.  A battle is going on with faith can be won.

Here in Western Washington, we are learning to be more social where so many other places in the world have been doing it for so many years. I know when I visited France about 15 years ago how social gatherings within families happens all the time. Families will spend all afternoon into the deep evening together on a Sunday.

I can’t say other places in the USA but in Western Washington, we have to get into our socializing before the meal is served. After finishing eating everyone goes their separate ways. This kind of gathering may last two hours at the longest. I like the way the French gather together.

Anyway enjoy your day and be blessed in all you do. Thanks in making a difference with those around you Amen.