A Good Listener

Oh God, I want to be a good listener. I want to ask, hear, and obey what you have to say to me.

Our full purpose will happen when we are willing to listen to God and do what he has to say.

I know at times we may not hear back fully what he has to say. In those circumstances think what would Jesus Christ do if he were in our place.

Our lives will be so exciting to ask, hear and obey. Not just for ourselves but for others too. Have a great week everyone. Let it begin with today. Amen!

Mt. Rainier and the Space Needle

Mt. Rainier and the Space Needle are the two most recognized landmarks in the Seattle area. I can see Mt. Rainier from my home in Gig Harbor almost every day depending on the weather.

The Space Needle and Seattle, on the other hand, I can’t see from my home. I would have to drive 15 miles to Port Orchard to see the Space Needle. The best view is from the waterfront of Port Orchard.  So I don’t see the Space Needle very often. In fact, I drive to Seattle more often than I do to Port Orchard though 15 miles is more convenient.

Though both landmarks are awesome to see they are nothing like seeing ourselves in the mirror. We are meant to be awesome as well. We just have to remember it. So the next time you see an awesome landmark in your city remember how awesome you are too.

Getting Older

We all know it isn’t easy getting older. For those like my mother at 99 years old, it is really tough. I am fortunate mother is still around and doesn’t have any longer-term illness.

I have friends and classmates who can’t say the same about their parents. So many have dementia; I had an aunt who now has been gone for a while had dementia. My dad who has been gone a while himself said he would never want to live in a nursing home and he never did.

My mother would have to live in assisted living if I wasn’t taking care of her.  She prefers living in our apartment.  It isn’t always easy to see her especially having a fall like she did a few days ago. She will probably have to move into a rehab center when she gets out of the hospital. It hasn’t been determined yet but most likely. The wound on her left leg has to be treated every day.

She used to have a very sharp mind. Her long term memory is still in good shape just her short term memory isn’t that good anymore. Yesterday she told me when waking up in the middle of the night she couldn’t remember who she was and where she was at. She wondered where I was at as well. She thought she was at home but I wasn’t around which really worried her.

When I saw her though she knew who she was and she was in the hospital. She asked me what hospital she was in. When I told her it was St. Anthony’s she was glad about it.

I know at times when I take a nap when I wake up it takes me a little while to realize where I am at and who I am. For mother, it is the same way but takes her longer to realize where she is at and who she is. I just hope her mind is still in the state it is now when she dies. I asked her what her name was and she told me so it rests assured me. Not easy seeing how she is cooping but I am thankful mother is doing well most of the time though her leg is hurting.

It is so important we look after each other as we get older well as our loved ones who are old. We need to stay in good physical shape as well as keeping a sharp mind. Amen!

Early Mornings

I find waking up early in the morning a good time. I usually go back to sleep, however, I am able to think and ponder for a few minutes before doing so.

The rest of the day it is hard to get the mind going like early in the morning. It is easy to get distracted. So whether it is five, ten, fifteen minutes or longer I find it good.

Mother was quite talkative yesterday in the hospital. Usually, she doesn’t talk a lot but she did yesterday. After a while, she said, “I should stop talking because I am not making any sense”. I told her it was OK to talk even if it wasn’t all making sense.

She had a friend stop by for a few minutes. Her friend I didn’t recognize at all. I don’t even know her name and mother couldn’t tell me her name.  Her friend just returned from a trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Jasper Park.  I have been to both but I was only 12 on the long summer trip. I look forward to visiting again someday.

I actually have known several people who have visited Calgary and Jasper this year. It is a wonderful place to visit if you have never been there before.

Amazing to think it is Friday once again. It has been one of those weeks with my mother falling on Monday and being in the hospital. The doctor said yesterday she will be moved to a rehab center either today or tomorrow likely. We will decide which one to go to.  I expect the one closest to home.

Enjoy your weekend. Take a little time to think when you first wake up in the morning whether you intend to go back to sleep or not. A good way to get the day going.

Leavenworth Wa

One of the most popular spots for those living in Western Washington go visit during the year.

Leavenworth Washington is located in the eastern part of the state in the Cascade Mountains. It is a German looking town with places to shop and eat. You like German food then it is the place to go.  A couple gals I knew as schoolmates are moving to Leavenworth shortly. One has lived in central California for thirty years while the other one has been in Gig Harbor all her life.

Yesterday morning at my favorite coffee shop one of the guys said he was going to Leavenworth this Sunday with a few buddies. They plan to hike one of the trails which is 18 miles long. He wasn’t sure whether he will do the hike or not since they are expecting some snow.

It may be September, however, the Cascade Mountains which includes Mt. Rainier has snow already falling. I thought about taking Mother up to Mt. Rainier in October, however, since she fell on Monday not a good idea at this time. I may decide to go by myself or wait a little longer.

Early December is a good time to visit Leavenworth. They have a parade and the lighting of the trees. You like snow they will have a good abundance of it in December. There is a nice crowd of people who come in December.

So you ever decide come to Washington state visit Leavenworth and see what the natives do.

Hello Fall

I know fall started a couple days ago; however, now I am acknowledging it.

Here in Gig Harbor, we will start to see more rain in the days ahead. It will be nice to see the sun when it decides to come out.

When I was a kid we had one city park. Now they have six parks in the city. The city park when I was a kid is still the largest one. It is the only one with a baseball field, basketball court, and tennis court. There is a swing set as well; a good place to take your kids still.

Five of the other six city parks are along the waterfront as well. Good places to stop, relax and view the harbor. Brings me back to my childhood where we walked around the harbor, rowed one of the boats or went sailing.

Walking around the harbor this time of the year is to see the beautiful new leaves on the trees.  Great memories while enjoying the fall still.

A Long Day

My mother’s leg banged up worse than we either thought so had to go to Emergency. They decided to keep her overnight for observation.

The doctor called about her heart well as the leg then a couple hours later the nurse called with mother on the other end. She put her on the phone with me. She wanted to see her pastor because she said time was short; she wasn’t going to be around much longer. The nurse came back on to apologize because what mother was saying isn’t true.

I am sure at 99 years old she felt time was about over. So I was able to get hold of her pastor who went to see her last night. A little later this morning I will go see her. Not sure how much longer she has to be in the hospital.

It isn’t always easy to help take care of an elderly parent; those who do have to commended along with being the right thing to do. Amen!

Life Lessons

I never really thought about it much until a few minutes ago but every day we should have a life lesson.

Why today? Well my mother fell in the middle of the night. She is OK by the way; although she is a little banged up.

Mother fell because she was in a hurry. So today’s lesson “don’t be in a hurry”. 

I am not going to give a lesson every day but I figure this is a good place to start.

So whatever you are doing on this day don’t be in a hurry OK!

Comfortable In Our Own Skin

There are different factors that make who we are.  When and where we live are two of them.

I was born growing up before the technology we have today. Also, I lived here in Gig Harbor, Washington a small town. It has grown quite a bit since I was a child but it is still a small town. Technology has changed how we live as well.

Another factor is my family. I grew up in a family that loved each other though we didn’t always communicate that way. I had a hearing problem at a young age so I didn’t start talking normally anyway until I was five years old. My parents encouraged me to be me instead of trying to be someone else. They loved me for being me. I considered myself fortunate.

Mother would take my brothers and me to church each Sunday.  We really didn’t learn to have a relationship with God. I didn’t get that until I was 17 years old.

For me growing up was playing a sport like baseball, basketball, football, and tennis. I was interested in all four sports.

I have always had a good sense of humor as well. I didn’t get into academics like my two brothers. My older brother Dick was very smart, especially in math. He wasn’t really into sports though we played tennis together. He enjoyed chess and other board games. Our younger brother Jack had the same interests as Dick as well as with me.  He played football, wrestling, baseball, and tennis.

Loving others first have to begin with loving ourselves. We can’t love others if we can’t love ourselves. So we have trouble in that area we need to become more comfortable in our own skin. Amen!

                                          Gig Harbor, Washington 

Give It All You Got

Over many years, I have watched a lot of sports on television whether it one of the local teams playing or a national game shown or the Olympics.

The athletes I sure feel it is all worth it even when the victory eludes them.  You can see the agony of defeat on their faces. It is always tough when the defeat is out of their control. This is especially true in a team sport where you have done all you can but not enough points or goals or runs were scored or the game looks in hand but something happens that takes victory away.

This shows to me we should never give up no matter what. No matter how many times we lose when victory was right in front of us. It takes determination along with faith to keep moving on but it is what we must do. Amen!

Another Friday

It always seems like Friday’s come along so fast. Of course, it means the same for the other days of the week as well; however, Friday’s are more noticeable because it is the end of the workweek. I guess can say the same for Monday is the beginning of the workweek.

The importance is to enjoy every day. So many look forward to Friday or Saturday for that matter which is understandable but our lives shouldn’t be based that way. No more preaching I promise. LOL!

My mother had her 99^th birthday on Wednesday so now we can count Friday’s until her 100^th birthday. So we are at week 52. I promise I am not going to count down every Friday. For one thing, I will probably forget which week are at and mess it up.

I have set up two parties for her 100^th birthday. One in the summer for the family who can only come then and another on her birthday for friends; I don’t know when the parties will start.  The decision will be made when the dates are closer all depending on her health. She is in pretty good physical health for her age. In fact, she does better than a lot of people I see twenty years younger than her. She does have times where her balance isn’t as good as other times. It may have to do with getting tired.

Besides doing your life purpose I am sure you are sometimes wondering whether there is more to it. Also, thinking about what your life purpose would be like if you were still alive at one hundred years old. Most of us don’t have to worry about that but is still a good question.

I wouldn’t mind being alive at one hundred years old if my quality of life is like my mother’s. Not easy for her but not as bad as others do. I guess the question of what could I contribute to family and friends at that age. We have to figure most of our generation would be gone. It certainly is for my mother.

She mentioned on the phone on her birthday to her granddaughter Leslie she doesn’t do a lot. In some ways the statement is true but she does get out playing bridge twice a month.  Also, she belongs to a book group and the American Associated University Women which she founded the Gig Harbor branch around the time I was born. You would have thought I would have been enough. LOL!

It is some for us to ponder over the weekend if we like; enjoy the weekend for whatever is planned and unplanned. Until next time Peace be with You!

Evolving

Everyone and everything seems to always be evolving. The same goes for websites and blogs. 

I find the viewership here has gone down since Google ended up dropping their google plus which was similar to Facebook but obviously felt they couldn’t compete.

I like the fact you all have kept on viewing on a regular or semiregular basis.

I do plan to continue posting here on a regular basis. Just more than about look at life purpose. I will do as much about my daily walk on this earth of ours.

For those of you on Facebook, I do have a page called Living in Your Life Purpose. There I write three times a week Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

If you have any questions or statements feel free to post in the comment section. In the meantime enjoy your life journey like I try to do with mine. Until next time many blessings to you.

Went To The Doctor For Answers

On Tuesday I decided to go to the doctor for answers on my cold. Having a history of high blood pressure though thankfully it is right around normal most of the time these days many cold remedies have a caution for those with high blood pressure.

The doctor said it was more than the common cold but a respiratory problem. Other words, it had gotten into my lungs. The doctor gave me a respiratory machine to breathe into for five minutes which made me feel better.  I was prescribed an antibiotic to take for six days.

Anyway, it is always good news when you start feeling better. I am not out of the woods yet but should only be a few more days. I believe prayer will bring it to full restoration. It is a good idea to go to a doctor no matter how much faith you have in your own healing. Amen!

Beckon Call

I usually don’t have a problem with it when I am on beckon call for my mother. Yesterday though with a cold I told her she would have to wait for an hour or two because of my cold unless it is something serious.

I was going to take a nap hoping to feel better which I really didn’t. I am not on beckon call a lot and she is good at thanking me too.

There are some of the regular things like helping her up from her chair or getting her into bed. I have to do those things regardless of how I feel. I am sure others have to do the same thing especially parents.

What’s Up

Do you like this title? I find figuring a title the hardest part of writing. I have heard the title can make or break your story. I sure hope not anyway or that is how it goes.

This weekend I caught a cold at the reunion. I have felt hot all week probably because of some humidity so I didn’t wear a jack at all which turned out to be a mistake since it was colder than has been for a while.

It shows I am vulnerable to being not perfect. Can you imagine that! Often we put on an act pretending we are perfect. Sorry we are not.

Being imperfect shows us there is a perfect God we can rely on and who loves us despite the mistakes we make.

Our main purpose in life is to honor God and the rest of it is to show others God loves them too. Amen!

RE + Union

Saturday afternoon I went to a reunion of a former church I attended for many years that doesn’t exist any longer. I won’t get into details of the church no longer around.

A reunion should be those you had a union with in the past whether school, family, or in this case church.  There is a special bond with some people you have known in the past or you haven’t seen in a while.  I don’t understand why some people refuse or don’t like going to reunions. I feel anytime I see someone I know regardless of the situation it is important. It is sad not everyone feels that way.

Some of these people I saw at the reunion I hadn’t seen in a couple decades or longer. It felt though things hadn’t changed a lot since the last time I saw them.  We met at the city park in Gig Harbor which I spent a lot of time at as a child. The park is less than a mile from the house I grew up in.

There were several people who didn’t attend that I thought would be there. I am not sure why they weren’t in attendance unless something came up or the weather was the reason. It didn’t rain though the temperatures felt like fall and cloudy the whole time.

If you are someone who doesn’t like reunions and you haven’t been to one in a long time I recommend you go to the next one. It doesn’t matter how things went the last time you saw them they are people who were part of your life and you have union with them regardless of how things ended. Amen!

                                    Gig Harbor Crescent Creek Park 

Out Of The Funk

I remember when I was young the Beatles album “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band” came out.

I asked my older sister about how I could become a member.  I don’t remember her giving me the answer. I became an honoree member though. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of young people did.

There are millions of people with lonely hearts. You don’t have to be single or divorced. I am sure there are many married people who are lonely as well.

I am sure psychologists have a clinical word for it. Depression can fall in with having a lonely heart.

So it is time for those of us with lonely hearts get out of the funk. We must decide we are no longer live with a lonely heart. Not an easy task because we probably have lived there for many years.

A good reason we are on earth for a purpose is to help those with lonely hearts. Who else can help but someone who has a lonely heart.  So keep your eyes open for those who do and talk with them. Amen!

You Will Know

It does take time to know your life purpose or how to use it effectively. At some point, you will realize it by how you are working with others.

Another name for life purpose is your original design. God designed you specifically for a purpose. Having a mentor or someone who knows you well or they hear from the Holy Spirit you will find out.

I have a good sense of humor so I use it as much as possible to make people feel at ease. This goes well with encouraging others too.

There is more to my original design; however, I am learning day by day.  This is really all we can do. Amen!

Calling It

In the sport of baseball, they have a term “calling it”. This means when there is a pop up in the infield or between the infield and outfield or a fly ball to the outfield one of the players has to call it or they may run into each other where one or both parties get hurt and the ball drops in for a hit.

In the outfield generally the rule is the centerfielder has the right to any ball he can get to; however, when the ball is hit between left and center field or center field and right field the centerfielder has to call out so the other fielder knows it is his ball. Sometimes though the other fielder thinks he can get it or he doesn’t hear the centerfield. The same goes on in the infield as well.

This can happen in our everyday life as well where we are calling it but another person isn’t hearing us or vice versa where we don’t hear them. There is miscommunication because we may feel like the centerfielder where we are in charge. The ball ends up dropping and everyone is upset. The best thing though someone should apologize whether they in the right or wrong. Often it doesn’t happen either so hurt feelings happen.

Another learning lesson we can all get from a sport or another lesson. It is so important for us to have communication among each other but sometimes it doesn’t happen then comes hurt feelings. This is when we should apologize whether we are right or wrong. Other words, we should be the bigger person. Amen!

This Day We Will Always Remember

Today is the 18^th anniversary when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon, and a plane crash in Pennsylvania. It cost the lives of over 3000 people who had no idea it would be their last day on earth. This day we call it 9-11.

Those on the flight in Pennsylvania were heroic taking down the terrorists who took over the plane. There may have been hundreds or thousands of more people losing their lives that day.

It is amazing to think a whole generation has been born and raised since that day. We let them know what a day it was.

I still remember waking up on September 11, 2001, hearing the news on the radio a plane had crashed in one of the World Trade towers. I went and turned on the television right when the second plane went into the other tower. I am sure many were like me couldn’t believe it. I thought I was watching a movie.  I spent most of the day hearing about what more conspired that day.

We have to continue to fight against evil. A part of the problem though so many consider evil as good these days; a sad situation and hopefully remember 9-11 we will return to knowing what is evil and what is good. Amen!

Looking Back

We all have fond memories from childhood well as not so good. The good and bad experiences have all shaped who we are.

The good experiences have given us confidence in certain areas while the bad experiences haven’t.  We have to identify both the good and bad.

The bad experiences where we may have trouble in especially if it has to do with relationships we need to resolve them. I am sure we have taken care of some of the experiences but not them all. This is what I did on Sunday evening in my prayer session. 

I know there is still some stuff I have to still take care of but what I did on Sunday evening I feel so much better now. I feel as though a cloud has been lifted. I can get on with life now in a more positive way.

Rex one of my classmates from high school passed away four years ago. Another classmate Dave shared on the anniversary of his memories of Rex. Dave and Rex were neighbors so they spent a lot of time together during our childhood. So I learned more about Rex then I knew before.

It is interesting to note most of the kids you interacted with were those living in the same neighborhood.  My best friend Gary lived just up the street from me. It took less than five minutes to walk to his house. At some point, he decided to build a treehouse, so Gary and I spent time in the treehouse looking at the baseball cards we both had purchased over time. We were especially interested in the cards where we each had more than one of the same players. Gary and I would exchange cards of the players we were most interested in getting which we didn’t already have.

Gary had a good size yard where we could hit the baseball. We would warm up as you can imagine throwing the ball to each other. I remember once feeling bad because I hit him in the face.  I think he was distracted by his mother calling him out from the house.

After warming up we would pitch to each other to help each other’s hitting. Gary and I played on the same little league baseball team. The batter would be facing away from the house toward the treehouse.  We would try not to hit the ball too hard because there were blackberries around the treehouse and we didn’t want to hunt for the baseball. Of course, there were times the ball would land in the blackberries.

Gary had an older sister but she wasn’t around very much. So in a way, I was like a brother to Gary. At school whenever we picked teams no matter the sport and Gary was a captain he always picked me first. It wasn’t the case when Gary wasn’t a captain.

I haven’t seen Gary for a long time now. I understand he lives in Idaho and is retired. One of my other classmates Paul who went to college with Gary as well runs into him at the college reunions. So whenever I see Paul I ask him about Gary.

Looking back thinking about the memories is a good thing. It helps live in the present time as well. Although I have good friends in the present time there is still something about those who knew you from way back when.

Enjoy your day and think positive. Change your life in the areas that have been negative for so long. Amen!

Peace In the Heart

Here in the USA, we have the privilege of living in freedom and peace along with prosperity like no other country.

Most Americans though don’t have the freedom and peace in their hearts.   Even many of us Christians have to deal with areas of our lives where there is no feeling of freedom and peace.

In my church, we have what is called freedom prayer where we help people get free of what bounds them. We are helping people in other countries as well.

I know some of you who live outside of the USA and read this faithfully live in countries where freedom, peace, and prosperity isn’t anything like the USA; however, you live in peace in your hearts or you are working on it.

I feel as though you are brothers and sisters of mine even if we never meet. Find friends who can help if you’re struggling with areas in your life where peace is not in your heart.

I am on a prayer team at my church to bring freedom to others whether a member of the church or not. We even have prayer members who go to other churches. I felt it was important so I had prayer myself Sunday evening. I still have a ways to go like we all do but I feel much better today.

I continue to appreciate you ready here. Have a blessed week and may God hear you today. Amen!

Lightning Strikes

Saturday night we had over 1200 lightning strikes in the Seattle area beginning around 7:30 pm.

I believe this is the first time lightning has taken place in September or at least in a long time.

The Washington Huskies football game had to be delayed for more than two and a half hours. They had to restore power as well.

I stepped outside for a moment. It was quite a sight to see. It was north of where I was standing and saw a bright light beyond the trees.

The lightning strikes went on for at least an hour and a half. I am sure many people lost power. Fortunately, where I live the power lines are underground so didn’t lose power.

The weather forecast never mentioned lightning would happen so they were surprised as anyone.

It shows anything can and probably will happen at any time. Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

                          I told you how fantastic nights look in Seattle!

Memories of Seattle

Growing up in Gig Harbor, Washington thirty-five miles south and west of Seattle it was always a big deal to go to the big city.

In those days most people in Seattle didn’t know where Gig Harbor was. In fact, nearby Tacoma many didn’t know of Gig Harbor. I am surprised now when Gig Harbor is mentioned during the weather forecast on TV.

Gig Harbor is at least twice as big now as when I was growing up. It is still a small town just not as small.

We used to go to Seattle at least once a year because we had relatives in the city. I always felt Seattle was in another country. Even today I feel that way.

The Space Needle has been the main landmark though there is the Smith Tower as well.  The first time I remember going up the elevator in the Space Needle. A very uneasy feeling since I wasn’t good with heights.  The observation at the top wasn’t easy to deal with either. When arriving at the top it was good seeing places near and far. You can see Mt. Rainier to the south and east, Bremerton to the west, and the San Juan Islands to the north.

We had relatives in Bellingham, Washington which is near the Canadian border, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I always enjoyed the drive back going into Seattle. Often I would sleep on the way; however, I made sure my parents would wake me up before getting to Seattle. At night, it was a spectacular sight seeing Seattle all lighted up. Something I have never forgotten.

The Destination

The journey is exciting; however, the destination is the most important. Where we arrive in the end is what counts the most.

Our purpose begins with the journey. The destination is what we want the most. The journey is what gets us to the destination. Our success comes when we arrive at the destination.

So enjoy the journey; however, have your eye on the destination. Amen!

The Journey

Whatever we do whether it is travel, looking out for others, or life, in general, it is a journey.

The most important thing is to make the best of whatever we do.

All this leads us to our purpose is what comes about. I have mentioned before our purpose is what we enjoy the most.

God wants us to live in him. Put our heart toward him. This is the journey we should enjoy the most.

We will enjoy the people, the places and life when we do what God wants us to do.

He does give us free will in the process. We likely will lead a life of selfishness; however, at some point, we realize it isn’t what we should have done.

We might enjoy free-loving for a while but we realize it is meaningless. King Solomon who was the wisest man on earth said that everything is worthless. This includes being wise as well. We end up being responsible in everything we do and it is meaningless as well.

King Solomon said in the end the important thing is to fear God. He said it all and we find out this the more we go on this journey.

Ready For Fall?

Now school is back in session it reminds me of fall. It is one of my favorite times of the year.

I remember playing flag football which must have been sixth grade because parents didn’t want us to get hurt. I caught a pass for a touchdown. The main reason the kid covering me wanted to tackle me instead of pulling my flag. He wasn’t big enough to do so while at the same time his teammates were yelling “pull his flag.”

In junior high, my neighborhood friends and I played football at the city park. We all lived real close to the park so we played almost every day after school. I caught a lot of passes because I was the tallest and one of the fastest kids in the neighborhood. We played tackle football though our parents thought we were playing touch football. We wanted to be real men.

Another reason I like fall is the changing colors of the trees. Just like in spring they are so beautiful. I liked the rain to though it does get tiresome after a while.

What is great living in the Pacific Northwest we have all four seasons. Some places go from summer to winter back to summer. Winter isn’t always as cold or we lack the snow but we do have it.

There is something good for all the seasons. They each have something to look forward to every year. I feel so blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest.

Continue To Press On

Life can have so much pressure on us we sometimes forget why we are here.

Whether our purpose is to encourage others through mentoring or other means it is important to let others know how we all should continue to press on. 

It is important we don’t go back into old habits. We are in a battle every day in our thoughts well as our deeds.

We are on a path but other paths want us to join them instead. It is important really to know who is on our side and not those that don’t really care. All they want to do is distract us.

Besides pressing on we can never forget to have fun on the journey as well. Sometimes we may have to laugh at ourselves. Joy is good medicine for us.

Have a good day and never give up. It is so easy to do so because sometimes we may not feel significant. The purpose we were created for was not just to hold on to us but for others to know how significant they are. We are all in this together. Amen!

Hello September

I am sure we all say it every year “it is hard to believe it is September already” and it is true.

The weather here is still really nice in September for most of the month.  I don’t understand why have school in September or at least start in late September. They can take one of the spring breaks away. Yes they have a week off twice. Technically the first one isn’t spring yet since it is in February. We used to get a day off to celebrate President Washington’s birthday than another for Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  Eventually they combined the two birthdays into one day, and now they give the children the whole week off. The other week is around Easter which is technically spring.

In September we have the “Washington State Fair” in nearby Puyallup Washington.  Most people refer to it as the “Puyallup Fair” or “the Fair”.  I enjoyed the fair going on the rides as a child especially the bumper cars. Of course, there is the food you don’t really get anywhere else or at least the portions are a lot larger. They have animals like the pigs, chickens, and horses to name a few.

We always got a half-day off from school to go to the fair. A major point in my book since I figured any day you got to get out of school early was a good day. Oh yes, I wasn’t a big fan of going to school. Though the weather was good for most of the fair there were at least a couple days where it rained. You just hope it wasn’t on your school day or any day you decided to go. I was involved in a few of those wet days.

Besides going back to school September you start looking toward October when the raining season really begins, Halloween, Thanksgiving in November, and Christmas in December.

Outside of having to attend school September has been one of my favorite months so I will be enjoying you until October comes. I am sure you will go by fast but I say hello anyway.

Good Times Ahead

I certainly hope there will be some good times ahead although doesn’t always look it.

My advice for us all is making the good times right by us. We can make things good even when others try to make it impossible.

Having joy in our lives is a choice we make. I know we can’t do it on our own so when we wake up in the morning ask God to help this day be better than the day before.

Since God is the one who created us to have a purpose and he loves us dearly beyond what we know it only makes sense to ask him to help us out.

God has given us the free will to do and feel whatever way we want. It may not be ideal but this is how the program works. His will is for us to ask for his assistance at all times. We do so the good times should roll. Amen!