Continue Encouraging

I have mentioned before it is important to continue encouraging others and that can include us as well.

I figure whatever I write here whether it is memories that I recall or what is going in my life or ours as a unit it is meant to encourage.

In the beginning of this year I mentioned about pressing on and that is the key to encourage. We can’t ever give up even when it feels like we should. Pressing on is like running a race and never stopping until we finish across the line. We may fall and have injuries however we will make it. We do this not for our own self but for others.

Encouraging others can come in many different forms. It can be with our character on how people see us do things on a daily basis or our speech. It can go beyond them as well. Like I say encouraging others is what we do twenty-four hours a day.  Often people see us for our actions not necessarily our words. I have had people encourage me just by saying keep it up. They are more encouraged by what I do instead of what I say. Peace be with you until next time.

Summer Memories

We have just over two weeks remaining of summer here in the USA. It ends on the September 21. In Western Washington we have had temperatures over seventy for about seventy days and the least amount of rain ever for July and August. We don’t get much rain anyway for those two months. In fact if we got any rain in this period it was under a tenth of an inch.

September had started out very hot with the temperatures mainly in the upper 80s however we may have over ninety degrees this week for three days which has never happened before in September.

It is quite amazing to because I don’t remember having so many days in the 90s during the summer at all. On Saturday talking with my brother I asked him if he recalls having many times being the 90s when we were growing up. He said that he doesn’t recall having lot days in the 80s even. Of course we were kids but I think that is true. I believe it must have something to do with global warming. Not only have we been breaking records over the last few years during the summer for temperatures we had more rain ever between last October thru March. We had about forty-five inches and that is below are normal for the year. Also we had little snow as well. I wonder how it will go this winter coming up.

Most people consider summer over after Labor Day because the kids are back in school. Like I said we have just over two weeks remaining so we can still make more memories. This year the plan was go to British Columbia in late July however the wild fires cancelled that trip but I am going now in three weeks. It will be fall so I have to make some fall memories. Most of the memories I remember about fall is around Halloween and Thanksgiving. I am sure that is the way for most of us.

When it comes to summer memories if you go back to my earliest posts I write about a trip our family took where we spent the whole summer traveling throughout all of Canada and Eastern USA. I was twelve years old then. I would like someday to make that trip once again though probably won’t take as much time though. Also I remember summers where we went to YMCA camp and going on Boy Scout hikes. We had one summer where our family and my cousins in Seattle where we sailed to Victoria B.C. and then to the San Juan Islands. I don’t remember exactly how old I was on that trip.

I am sure everyone has some wonderful summer memories. Go back into your mind and remember those fond memories. In many ways they feel like a different life time.   

What Would You Want to Say

We all have something to say that importance is to figure out what it is. Another thing is whether anyone wants to hear what we say as well. The truth is that people do want to know what we have to say however we have to decide what it is.

I believe it goes back again to our gifts and talents. Like I will say over and over again we are here for a purpose and destiny. We are here right now because this is time that God wants us  to be here and that we can make a difference. So it is through these gifts and talents along with our purpose, destiny and being here in this time that we share them all along with our experience.

I let you know it is not all easy because what we say it is important that we think about what we want to say. You can do that by meditating throughout the day and have a journal next to you where you can write down your thoughts. They can be a paragraph however a sentence or one word if that is what you want to do. The important thing is to write it down so you can remember. It is like your grocery list or if you want to go further your bucket list.

Thinking of bucket list just came to my mind that is what you can share with people as well. You can let them know what you have done and what you would like to do.

 

OK I am going to stop here and allow you to start thinking what you want to say. Remember you don’t have to say it in front of a large audience you can say it to a few friends or even one person. Best to you I know those you choose to share with will enjoy it. Also have a great day!

Have a Good Hug

I know that not everyone is into having a hug however I think it is a good thing. I know this because I don’t get as many as I would like. I was told once that at least one good hug a day is healthy for us and makes us feel good.

My dad was known as Uncle Hug by my cousins. I didn’t get as many hugs from him as I would have liked but it was always good when I did. It is interesting because in my family not a lot of hugging happens. I am not really sure why not but it must be something about families.

Some people are really into hugs while other people think it is a disease or something. I don’t see my family a lot however we do give hugs when we first meet though it doesn’t feel comfortable or at least that is my impression any way.

I have known other people besides my dad who are really into hugging. It is though they have to need one any time. I am not sure whether that is a good thing either however I will take one from them anytime.

A few weeks ago four women at church were giving themselves a group hug. I didn’t know the women very much because my church and their church merged at the beginning of the year however I asked them if I could join into the hug and they were more than willing for me to join in.

I am wondering whether more women hug than do men. I believe it is a cultural thing. I believe some places men do more than women while other places the women hug more however you go to a country like France where everyone gives a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. Can’t you love France? LOL.

So if you feel uncomfortable in giving or receiving a hug I recommend that you get involved into some hugging where you can. Maybe you can begin with your wife or mate and go from there. I believe a hug is like receiving a smile. Yesterday my mother again asked the question for the second time this week why people don’t smile. Next time I hear her say that I will reply why don’t  people hug.

Anyway if this  isn’t what you want to do is hug and someone comes to hug you go ahead let them it is not like you will get one every day.

Love Is

What we know about love it is a strong emotion. The strongest we know that is for sure.

The other is hate which is the opposite of love. I have to say that we can dislike someone but hate them would go too far. The reason I say that with hate if we let it go too far we can go crazy.

Although love is an emotion it is still something we have to choose to do so. I feel that love overshadows everything else in life. We love people for many different reasons. Our family we love in a special way as well as the husband or wife or boyfriend or girlfriend. They have a special place in our hearts just like those who we consider friends since childhood. The lifelong friendships are very special even for those we don’t see often or we haven’t seen in a long time. They were ones that help shape our lives besides our families.

I enjoy the friends that I have now but those from childhood I have a place in my heart just for them. This I can say for my cousins as well since they were my first friends besides being family.

I have to say that I would not replace love with anything else. Love is what’s important to me above everything. God says that there is faith and hope however love is the greatest of these three things.

Let those that you love know how important they are to you. All we know is today and we are never sure of tomorrow. Give out love whenever you can! Amen!

Welcome to September

What can you say about September? I have to say probably back to the same routine unless you are in areas like Houston, Texas with the Harvey Hurricane. I am sure things there won’t be back to normal for a while.

I guess you could say routine and normal is the same thing in some ways. Summer is over and kids are back in school while the parents come off of vacation as well. Labor Day is the last holiday in the USA until Veterans Day in October and then Thanksgiving along with Christmas in November and December.

Before Fall comes at the end of September here in Western Washington we have a fair in Puyallup called Washington State Fair. It has had several names over the years however it is now for everyone in the state or it represents everyone anyway. The Fair as it is called by most now runs for the month of September. When I was a kid it ran for two weeks. Besides going on different rides along with eating food the reason I liked the fair was that I was able to get out of school early. My dad would take us to the fair because our mother was a teacher in another district so they had a different day for the fair. Every school district has a chosen day for the kids to get out early and go to the fair. We sometimes went to the fair with mom but it was on a Saturday instead.

I know that some kids are excited to get back to school though more likely the parents. You are meant to chuckle here. I wasn’t a big fan of school so September I didn’t look forward to. I have to be honest right! I did like seeing my best friends though.

September the weather is nice most of the month here however we will probably have a few rain drops. It gives us the taste for when it really comes in October.

Now that we are back to our so-called normal lives enjoy September while you can remember it will go by so quickly. Depending where you live it will be fall in three weeks while other places it will be spring. So welcome aboard September nice to see you again.

First Responders

When it comes to disasters like the Harvey Hurricane that came to Houston area most of all I realize how important that first responders and others are to help out.

It is quite a sacrifice for them all because they can speak days if not weeks away from their families. For the first responders they go in when the place is still in danger. They have to be experienced in rescue to get everyone out that is still alive. Depending on how large of a disaster the time could be for a while.

I honor these men and women because they sacrifice their time, lives and being away from their families. We should do all we can to honor them and let them know how much we appreciate the work that they do.

Be sure to continue to pray for these people when they are out in the field and when they are at home. It is a great calling in their lives. They are doing a wonderful service. Also give whatever money or supplies to the cause. We are praying for those all in the Houston area that are going through a tough situation. Seeing the flooding they could be homeless for some time. We hope that most of them have family they can be with or a good shelter.

We all have a calling in our lives and none is any greater than another. Do the best that you can do for others. Amen!

Thank You!

 Besides someone giving a smile or saying hi the next best thing is hearing thank you. This means that the person appreciates what you have done for them or coming by to purchase something.

I want to thank all of you who have read my post here whether you have many times or this is your first time. Also makes me realize that I am doing a good thing here and that lives are being changed for the better.

Yesterday a barista that I see about once a week when I take my mother for a doctor’s appointment thanked us for being a good and faithful customer. Today is going to be her last day because the small coffee shop she works at is opening another one in Port Orchard which is about twenty minutes from this location and so she will be working there because it closer to where she lives. Another barista will be taking her position at this one. Not only was she was thankful she came out and gave my mother and I each a hug. She hopes that we can come see her once in a while in her new location. We don’t go to Port Orchard very often however it is a good excuse to go and we can go out for dinner in the area as well. It is nice to know someone appreciates us coming. My mother said a few moments later that it would be nice if more people gave her a smile when they stop by. It is mostly employees in the health center that stop to get a drink and a sandwich or other goodies.

So next time you see someone say thank you to them. I am sure they will appreciate it and you have gained a new friend. I am sure they will return the thank you or say you’re welcome. Again thank you for being right here and that everything is going well for you.

Being Good

 

 

 

 

In life most of us try to be good. The truth is we are not that good at it. At least I am speaking for myself anyway.

As much good we do I think for most of us it an act. There is always motive being behind us being good. I am not saying this to say that we can’t be good we just do it for the wrong reasons most of the time which is OK because that is who we are.

One thing for sure is that God knows that we are not good. You see he knows everything about us. It is not though he is fine with us not being good however he understands we are not and for all the times we try to be good he loves us anyway.

We should try to be good but if we fail it is OK because God forgives us though people may not always.

I am saying all this to say that we should not try to be good we need to be ourselves and if things work where we are not being good ask forgiveness and move on.

The reason things do go well is not because of our goodness it is because we have laws that can keep us in order as much as possible and most of us have a conscience. This is where the difference between us and those who do terrible things is our conscience. Those who do terrible things most of the time don’t have a conscience. So our conscience and the laws keep the world safe to some degree. Also God’s grace is probably the foremost reason the world isn’t crazier.

So try being good because we will be better persons but don’t beat yourself up when you’re not; again this is part of life where we encourage each other. Oh yes remember to keep your smile on!

Speak Loud

 I have written about speaking loud and clear along with being bold as well. I mentioned having wisdom too. I realize that in our world today we must speak with wisdom. I have been told that I am a wise person however at times I feel inadequate.

There are those that know a subject much more than I do. They sound like they are speaking the truth however they are not. There are plenty of people in the world today that can speak like they are telling the truth because they are out of their own minds. I am one that doesn’t want to speak what sounds like truth but I want to speak the truth.

Also I don’t want to convince people of what sounds good. I want others to make up their own minds that it is truth. Our will often be led astray by untruths that sound to be right. I know that there are subjects that I can research and I can learn a lot about but it doesn’t mean the truth will prevail. I know to that there are those who are convinced they are speaking the truth but aren’t because of bitterness or out of wrong motives. This is something else I don’t want to do.

So what I must do then when I read what others may be saying and believing that it is truth to ask God to reveal what is the real truth to me along with the correct words to contradict what the other person is saying. At the same time I want to speak the truth with love. If I am speaking not out of love than I am not actually speaking the truth in the right way; I want them to feel convicted and not condemned.  We all have heard the truth will set us free and that is what I want others to hear.

I believe part of speaking truth and being wise is to think over the words we will speak before saying them. Often we get into trouble because we speak without thinking first. I know that has happened to me on many occasions. I really hope this helps you out because the world needs to hear us with the truth along with the right motives and love behind it. This will be how they are convinced. Remember to that it can take time so we may make mistakes along the way but more we listen before speaking will help us out too. Amen!

Summer is Almost Over

It is hard to believe that summer is about over and the children go back to school. I think we all say that every year though.

The weather here in the northwest stays pretty sunny through September though the temperatures are cooler than the summer. Great place to come for a visit and enjoy the mountains, the ocean and Puget Sound. Hiking and boating are two great activities to enjoy along with biking. The Olympic and Cascade mountains are wonderful places to see along with the San Juan Islands and Pacific Ocean both in Washington and Oregon.

With children back in school and there is just a couple of you nice to come because not a lot of people to make it crowded. I enjoy this as my native land where I grew up and I have lived all my life. I look forward to visit other places however this is home for me. In the Northwest we have four seasons though winter can get tiresome because of rain. Last year we had enough rain that was more than our total for the year from October through March however the weather has been fantastic during the summer. We have had only one day of rain in July and August and it was not very much.

I enjoy the fact that I can help people as well. More and more I am getting to know my purpose and destiny. I still have areas of improvement however I am getting there. Until next time Amen!

What Should I Write About?

I have to say that a lot has gotten in mind the last twenty-four hours. Usually I know exactly what I want to write about however this time not so much which is Ok because I think in the long run it is good.

I hope that you have plans for a good weekend. Here in Western Washington we continue to have good weather and I find it good news because the temperatures are in the 70s. I have to say just right for me. We haven’t had much rain since June. We broke a record that the previous time without rain was fifty-one days and now the new record is fifty-five. I have to say what ended the new record wasn’t much but any rain counts as long as it is measurable.

Tonight I plan go to my favorite coffee shop because they will have live music and one of my friends will be playing. I went last Saturday night because I had friends who played as well. I had heard them play several times before however my friend tonight I haven’t heard play before so I look forward to hearing how good he is.

Whenever possible I recommend going to hear live music no matter how big a venue it is or isn’t. I enjoy closing my eyes on occasion to hear the music. I believe music is one of the greatest things we can do or listen to in our lives.

OK what else do I want to mention now. Well when it comes to life because this is what my intention is with this blog is to talk about life and encourage everyone to be best they can be and to live a life of purpose. I can admit not always an easy thing to do.

I met a young man at the coffee shop the other day that I have seen a few times. He asked how I was doing and I replied pretty well. He asked me what my plans were for the day. I mentioned that I was going to doctor for blood work to see how my level was because of blood clotting. He asked me if he could pray for me that I would be healed. I said yes of course. After his prayer I asked him if anything I could pray for him. He said that his sixteen year old sister was having problems with depression and eating disorder. Also he asked me if I believed in generation curses and I said that I did. So I prayed for his sister. It will be interesting to find out she is doing the next time I see him. Oh yes my blood level was right where it should be. Last week it was a bit high and sometimes it gets low too.

Anyway I will leave it at this now. Enjoy the weekend by having a good time.

Putting Others Down

I know it is common and I am sure this has been going on since George Washington was President however I don’t understand how some of my friends continue to be so critical of President Trump.

They say that people need to know how evil and dangerous he is. I am not a big fan of his however do they need to mention it on a daily basis. I am sure that all of us that have read or at least seen the headline on each of their posts that we get it. If we didn’t the first time we certainly have now. I know to that being the President of the USA or any country for that matter being unpopular is part of the job. I have heard from others who voted for Trump that people like them should realize that they lost and get over it. I am not sure I would go that far.

Anyway the reason I am mentioning this really has nothing to do with President Trump whether you like him or not. My point is that we need to watch ourselves on how critical we are others in general. Will we put others down as easy as we do President Trump? I know they say that they would never do so that he is the exception to the rule. That might be true however I don’t think it is good practice to put others down no matter who they are. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes though President Trump is at a higher scale because of his position.

My point is that we should treat everyone the same regardless of who they are. If you feel the person is evil like they do Trump it is fine to warn others however not day after day. People have to come to their own conclusion. Also it is the majority in the voting process that elected him President. Oh by the way I didn’t vote for him or Hillary Clinton. I believe that prayer for President Trump is the most important thing. If for nothing else that God changes his heart.

Anyway thank you for letting me vent here a little bit. Remember to treat your fellow man in the way that you want to be treated and do it with a smile.