Praying Mantis

Last night sitting out on the patio, I looked down and saw not one, but three praying mantis.  I can't remember the last time that I saw one.

They are such an interesting looking insect.  If you weren't careful, you would think that is a small twig.  It is the only known insect that can turn its head and look over its shoulder.  As well as having great vision and they see in 3-D.  Pretty impressive!

I am always curious about all the different insects that God created.  Why would God create a praying mantis?  To find out, these magnificent insects help farmers and gardeners by eating moths, mosquitoes, roaches and flies.  

There life expectancy is from a few months to a year.

And also, who doesn't like a little good luck.  Seeing a praying mantis is a sign that you will experience a stroke of good luck.  It is also a symbol of calmness, focus and concentration.  Its magical color is is a symbol of the Earth and it is a symbol of peace and harmony with a nature.

Go out into your garden or look in the shrubby and see if you can find one of God's creatures, the praying mantis!

Celebrate Life!

Today, I am celebrating life.  I am learning not to dwell on the past or being anxious or worrying about the future.  If anything I have learned in life is to enjoy each day and the moment.

One can take life and people for granted.  Don't miss the opportunity to be with family and/or friends.  How often have you wished you would have taken the time to go visit someone?  We have all been in that place.

Sometimes we make life too complicated.  We think that we don't have time or maybe that person doesn't really want to see you, etc.  The question is was your heart picked?  Did you have that thought that I should go see that person?  I want to encourage you to "just do it"!  You can analyze everything later.  You may just be what that person might have needed in their life at that moment.  They are probably exactly what you need.  You will never know.

Just remember "life is too short" and every moment is precious.

Today is the day to celebrate the life that God has given you!

Shana Tova

Shana Tova to my Jewish friends.  Happy New Year!

No, it is not New Year's Eve.  This is the Jewish celebration of the New Year.  And it leads up to Yom Kippur.  Rosh Hashanah will begin this evening and ends on the evening of September 8th.

The two day celebration is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.  Customs include sounding the shofar(a cleaned-out ram's horn), as well as attending synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva(repentance).  Eating symbolic foods is also a part of the tradition.  Such as apples dipped in honey, hoping to have a sweet new year.  

May this be a blessed year for you and your family!

Today is A Day of Being Quiet

As I celebrate the Sabbath, I am reflecting on the week and the rollercoaster of emotions for the week.

Tuesday was a day of rejoicing.  My brother-in-law, George was so much better and stronger.  He was recovering well from COVID.  It is going to be a slow process, but we knew he was on the road to recovery.

And then Friday came and George called to tell us that Adele, his wife, had passed away that morning in the hospital due to COVID/pneumonia.  We were in such shock.  Such shock that I was not able to cry.  Also thinking in thirteen days, Adele would have turned "71".  And next year, George and Adele would have celebrated fifty years of marriage.

Forty-five minutes later, I received a text that a dear friend, who was "95" had just passed away.  Tears began to flow.  I was rejoicing for V, as I knew he was finally with the love of his life, Erma.  Erma had passed away in December of 2019, at the age of "93".  They had been married almost seventy-five years.  They were now together.

Today is a day of being still and resting and exalting God for who He is.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalms 46:10

When Your Heart is Sad

Everyone has gone through times of sadness.  There are periods where there are situations with family and friends, work isn't going well, some challenging times at home, the break-up of a relationship or the death of a family member or friend.

Right now, I am experiencing sadness due to the death of my sister-in-law, Adele.  Yesterday, my husband's brother, George, called to let us know that she went home to be with Jesus.  Adele had been in the hospital for almost a month with pneumonia.  

Adele was a God-fearing woman and loved and shared Jesus with everyone she knew.  Family and friends were praying for her divine healing to come home to her home that she had lived in for almost fifty years.  God had other plans.  Praise God!  She is healed.  She just will not be with us, but she is rejoicing with other family members and friends and Jesus.

We are not alone.

Isaiah 43:2 says "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.  And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fires, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."  The Lord will hold our hand and walk through these sad and dark times with us.

What now?  We will treasure the sweet memories of Adele and all that she has done for others.  Life is short and that is why you enjoy your time with family and friends.  I will treasure the thirty-six years that I had with Adele.  Some fond memories are when she made the flowers for Kenny and mine's wedding.  We spent a day picking out flowers and deciding on the designs for my bridal bouquet, as well as the bridesmaid's bouquets and the table arrangements.  She was never selfish of her time.  She was always willing to assist others.  Our time with family(dinners, holidays, reunions, working puzzles and so much more).  But what I will miss the most is just having a conversation of certain matters going on in my life, talking about family and friends and sharing our faith.

We will now rise up and carry the torch.  What would Adele want us to do?  She would want us to go forth and continue to share the gospel that Jesus lives.

It is hard to see the blessings, but I know they are there.  God promises me that.  Matthew 5:4 says "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."  Blessings are more than happiness.  It is about finding hope and joy and to follow Jesus no matter what.

Adele has faced a physical death, but she lives and will always live in our hearts.

John 5:24 - "Jesus said that Adele heard His word and believed in Him who had promised her everlasting life.  Adele will not come into judgment, but she will pass from death into life."

You will be missed!  Until we see each other again!

Adele, George and their beautiful grand-daughters

Don't Worry Be Happy

Today the song "Don't Worry Be Happy" popped into my mind.  I haven't heard this song in years.  The song did bring a smile to my face.  Of course, I had to google it and listen.  This song was released in 1988.  That was thirty-three years ago.  A lot was happening back then.  I was living in Austin, Texas and had been married for two years.  Life was going well and the only worries I had were taking courses at the University of Texas.

The lyrics are "Don't worry, be happy.  In every life we have some trouble.  But when you worry you make it double.  Don't worry, be happy...."

Now that I have this tune in my mind, it will help me keep everything in perspective of what is going on in the world.

Who doesn't worry?  I realize some worry a lot more than others.  When I begin to worry, I think what can I do to change the situation.  

I have a friend who tells me "When you begin to worry, pray.  When you are praying, you don't worry".  That does make sense.

If you are worrier, what can you do?  Begin to smile.  There is something about smiling.  Your whole body changes.  The weight is lifted, your breathing changes and you have a twinkle to the eye.

Exercising is also something you can do.  Exercise strengthens your heart and your increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body.  

Being grateful keeps your mind off of your problems.  What is something that you are thankful for? 

And just like my friend, praying is the main ingredient.  God tells us to give him all our troubles and burdens.  Matthew 11:28 says "Come to Jesus, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  How would you like to feel loved, healed and peace with God?

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22  When you have something at task that you don't want to do and you are worried about it, remember encouragement, enthusiasm and a positive outlook will make all the difference.

This photo represents letting go and letting God handle our troubles.  Take a minute to walk outside and enjoy the surroundings.  Remember that the God who created nature is also the same God that will carry you through the troubling times.  Start whistling "Don't worry, be happy".

Happy Birthday!

I wonder how many people had birthdays today?  I know of three good friends who are celebrating.  One is celebrating her 50th; another one is celebrating her 60th and my other friend is celebrating reaching 72.  And to think somewhere, a baby is being born today and will celebrate a year from now.

Do you ever wonder where birthday celebration began?  Well, I do.  I am always curious, how things got started.

One thing that I did learn was that birthday festivities did not begin until calendars were created.  That makes sense.  No one had a way to keep track of time except by the sun, moon, seasons and other events.

The first reference to a birthday were the Egyptians when they celebrated Pharaoh's birthday.  The actual date that was celebrated was when Pharaoh became King.  This date was more important than their actual birth.  The Greeks felt that each person had a spiritual god that would be with them throughout the years.

The Romans would celebrate men turning 50 years old and they would receive a special cake baked with wheat flour, olive oil, grated cheese and honey.  Women did not begin to celebrate birthdays until about the 12th century.

If you are going to have a birthday celebration, you need a cake and candles.  The Greeks would offer up moon-shaped cakes filled with candles.  The flames from the candles gave a radiance glow of beauty.  The blowing out of the candles was a prayer to the gods.

In earlier years, sugary cakes were only enjoyed by the wealthy.  Sugar use to be a luxury only enjoyed by the wealthy.  It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution when everyone was able to afford sugar.  After that everyone enjoyed having a sugary cake to celebrate their special day.

"Happy Birthday" was written by two sisters who were school teachers.  They wrote the song "Good Morning to All" in 1893 and it was published for other teachers.  The song was to be sung in class before students started their day.  The lyrics of the song became what we know as "The Birthday Song".

The gathering of friends and family and noisemakers were welcomed to protect the birthday person from any harm.  The gifts that were brought would ward off evil spirits.

Some interesting facts.  October 5th is the most common birth date in the U.S.  Are you asking "Why?"  Think about it.  Nine months before is New Year's Eve.  A time of celebration.  May 22nd is considered to be the least common birthday in the U.S.  Nine months before May 22nd is August.  I guess August was too hot and no one wanted to be close to each other.

Now you know why birthdays are celebrated.  This year you can play a little trivia on your day of celebration.

"You are beautiful, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made."  Psalms 139:14  God has made you and His Spirit lives within you.  He wants you to celebrate life and a new year!