Thanks To All Your Prayers, Kyla's Home . . . Eating Broccoli!

Thanks to everyone who has been and continues to pray for granddaughter, Kyla Jayne. She telephoned tonight to let us know she was at home, sitting up on the "big bed", watching TV and eating broccoli! Earlier she had been playing with friends. That makes us all smile!

Sisters In Christ Dinner - A Beautiful Tradition!

Well, when I was selling AVON, there was a pretty set of royal blue glass dishes that took my fancy. I ended up with twelve settings and some serving pieces. We like them because they go into the microwave and dishwasher and none have "bitten" the dust. I have used them about three times to set a patriotic table for our Sisters in Christ Banquet.

Well, our annual banquet is being held tonight and I have turned the required pieces over to my friends Kathleen and Sandy and they have set a total of four tables with four different sets of dishes. (Won't they be a little crazy by the end of the day?) Our table will be patriotic again!

Our Angel of Joy Lutheran Church Sisters In Christ Dinner has become a tradition for us. Several of the women of the church set tables, each with a different theme. The women come to be pampered and the Men of the Church serve us.

This year, a Christian Group called Ransomed will entertain us and there will be lots of door prizes too.

We have a beautiful buffet where we pick up our main course. The men - dressed in white shirts and black bow ties - bring us our water, coffee and dessert. It is an excellent fundraiser for us and Thrivant Lutheran Financial Services matches the money made.

This might be a concept your church could use to raise money!

Fund-raising and a good time - what a nice combination!

Old Rugged Cross - or Should We Do It My Way?

Today, there is a report from London, England on most popular music used at funerals.

As we go further and further away from traditional values, how much better is our life?

When I walk away from a funeral where a tape of Frank Sinatra singing, "My Way" was played, what is in my heart? Am I thinking that the deceased was some sort of rebel? Am I wondering what his life was all about?

When I listen to someone singing Old Rugged Cross or Amazing Grace, I know that my late friend knew where he was going. I appreciate that indeed he lived each day the best he could. I know he (or she) reached out to others every day.

Unfortunately, I have had to arrange several funerals. I have never used anything but traditional hymns for the music.

Each funeral has been overseen by a minister and there often has been a lay person speaking about the deceased.

Is there some value to getting away from traditional funerals?

We are at a time in North American History when we need to remember America was founded on Christian principles. We have welcomed immigrants in both Canada and United States from just about every nation in the world. Although I don't know the music from every religion of every immigrant, I am pretty sure that "Bat Out Of Hell" by Meatloaf and "Highway To Hell" by AC/DC are not in anyone's religious repertoire.

As Dave Barry would say, I am not making this up! These two songs are showing as being choices of some people for funerals.

Also, in case you are wondering, the definition of religion is, Belief in a divine being or beings or specific form of belief and practice ( Webster). So, just about everybody has some form of belief or religion.

If we are believing in or have made our religion pop culture such as musical groups with unusual names; drugs, sex and rock and roll (per Father John Corapi) then perhaps this explains why things are going rather badly right now.

How about a call for, Back to Basics?

Please feel free to leave a comment - which may or may not be published - if you think you know a better way of believing!

Leon Hale Doesn't Use Pictures!

Those of you who read this blog regularly must sense that I enjoy writing it!

Sometimes I use pictures and I have a feel that in general people like the pictures. The old saw is that a picture is worth a thousand words and I often think that inserting a photo adds to the blog.

One reason I started the Fido and Fifi blog was that every time I wrote about dogs, I had a good volume of readers. Some people told me they really enjoyed the pictures of the dogs even if they didn't know a lot about dogs.

Well, Hubby has asked about the pictures and commented that Leon Hale does not use pictures.

Hmm . . . you gotta love that Hubby even thinks that I am doing something similar to what Leon Hale does!

Now, those of you up on Yonge Street - in Canada, that is - just may not know about Leon Hale. Mr. Hale writes a blog that is posted on the Houston Chronicle website. He also has a website and has written about eight books. What if I told you Leon Hale has written a column for the Chronicle for 20+ years and before that, wrote a column for the Houston Post for 32 years? No flash in the pan, this man!

What does Leon Hale write about? He writes about what he knows and what he lives and lots of everyday stuff.

There is a link to the right of this column - just scroll down and you can go to Mr. Hale's blog today. He wrote about backing over his Dell laptop with his pickup truck! There you go . . . doesn't get any more ordinary or homey than that! Of course, I'm going to make you go to his blog to find out what happened to the computer!

Now, I do feel obliged to tell you that you will at least find a photo of Mr. Hale at his blog, but no, he doesn't use any photo service or post any photos of his grandchildren like I do. I guess if I had been continuously writing a column as long as he has, I wouldn't do that to get your attention either!

www.leonhale.com
http://blogs.chron.com/leonhale/

Praying For Kyla!

We asked everyone to PRAY . . . and they did! Please keep praying for our precious Kyla.

Today she spoke to us in a joyful and strong voice:

"Hi Grandma . . . Hi Grandpa!"
(How are you doing, Kyla?)
"Fine, Grandma!"

Please keep praying for Kyla, that she will get stronger and stronger and be well! Pray that no injury has harmed her brain and that her heart will be fine! Pray for all children who are sick, that they may be well and healthy and strong!

Thank you so much!

Another Texan In The White House!

Here is "Bo", the Presidential Portuguese Water Dog given to the Obamas by Sen. Ted Kennedy. Happy to hear that Bo was bred right here in Texas!

Why?

Please pray for Kyla!

Children are precious gifts from God. Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me." We know this. So, it is so very hard for us to understand why a child would be sick . . . very sick.

Our precious Kyla has had heart surgery and now she is not communicating well.

Please pray for Kyla and ask your friends to pray for Kyla. Please put Kyla on your prayer list.

Why does God let little children be sick? We don't know. We may know some time. Or, we may never know.

When we hear of a child being very sick, we feel a lot of emotions. Because I had two very sick little children - and lost both of them to congenital disorders - I know that this evokes every emotion we can imagine.

We cannot govern how others feel about something as serious as this. Someone has to be to blame, right? So, would that be God? How can our God, a good God, a loving God let these things happen?

Why were my children born sick? Why did my children die? All these years, there really has been no really sensible answer for me.

When I go, will I see those children - Carrie & Robbie? We don't know. You don't know. I don't know. Maybe. Perhaps. And by the time we know, we won't be able to communicate it back to our families.

While we are alive, we can only guess, wonder, contemplate why bad things happen to good people. And they do . . . all the time, every day!

Is our life a major test? Are obstacles to happiness put in our path so we can learn? While we are on earth, we cannot answer that.

I cannot possible answer to her mother why Kyla is sick . . . very sick. With age comes some wisdom and some knowledge, but we never truly learn all the answers.

What we do learn is that we truly have very little control over a lot of things that happen to us. We try to make good choices as much as we can, but every time someone is very very sick, we see how little control we truly have over our destiny.

So, we try to be as kind to everyone as we can. For tomorrow is promised to no one.

Blessings to all, especially all who are grieving or have someone they love very ill.

He Is Risen Indeed!

The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

The Value Of Just Showing Up!

Had a note on Twitter the other day from a fellow who was heading for a memorial service for a child of a friend.

His friend will never forget that he was there.

Yes, it is terrible to go to a memorial or funeral for a child. I know because my own two children both died in infancy. I have never forgotten those people who came.

Sometimes - a lot of times - as we go through life, we have to step outside of - as they say - our comfort zone.

Hubby Keith and I try to "show up" when someone has lost a loved one, when someone is sick or might like a visit. I know a lot of people who also make sure they get there when someone needs them.

You might be surprised how much just showing up counts in your life. I think the percent was put at 95% by a person not otherwise known for pithy sayings.

So, next time you see that someone you know is perhaps just needing a hug or a pat on the back, do be the one who shows up!

You'll feel good about yourself, even if the event was not a happy one and the other person will remember you always!

"Crucify Him!" - Matthew 27: 22 - Good Friday, Saddest Day In The Christian Calendar

I have never understood or been given an explanation of why today is called, "Good Friday". It is in fact, the saddest day in the Christian calendar. This is the day when Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross that we might live. This is why the Cross became the universal symbol of Christianity.

When you read the biblical account of Jesus' last day, you have to wonder why he was not saved. Think of people casting lots for Jesus' clothes! Truly He was treated as a "common criminal".

The pain must have been beyond what any of us has felt. Jesus was dangling from wrists nailed to that cross. Think of the humiliation of being hung with common thieves in full view of all! Imagine being so thirsty and handed a sour drink.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" So, for a brief moment, Jesus - just like one of us - wondered why God would let this happen.

Then, think about how much he suffered that Christians might live on and worship God as we choose. Unlike most stories, we are privileged to know that Jesus will rise again on Sunday. Yes, we will again visit that empty borrowed tomb at Sunrise on Eastern Morning.

What a beautiful day that will be . . .

With Increased Following Comes Greater Responsibility! KTRE-TV - Lufkin/Nacogdoches Following Me???

Today has been a busy one. We all have busy days - nothing so unusual about that. So, I got a bit tired and had a real afternoon nap. After that, Hubby and I were off to the Maundy Thursday Service - the service that celebrates the Last Supper of Our Lord. It's a very moving and sad service. Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans held services tonight.

Still feeling pretty somber, I did not come immediately to my computer. No . . . we had a little snack, caught up on general news on the TV. Here I am now, writing today's blog.

The first message that I saw was from Sharon who said she was crying while reading about our two little girls whose hearts are not quite right - her daughter and our great-granddaughter. I was thrilled that Sharon liked that blog. I know everyone is indeed praying for Kyla and Sarah.

As a writer, I know that if I evoke emotion, I have done my job. You who read me know I pretty much avoid controversy and even try to make you laugh some of the time.

As a person, I have pretty much the same worries and fears we all have - or perhaps I worry more than most. I like to do my best.

Well, here comes some major responsibility!

I am on Facebook and I am on Twitter. With Twitter, I try to keep up with the news, the weather, the interesting stuff happening everywhere. I tend to read a lot on Twitter and generally I mention that I have posted my blog and what it is about. I say "Good Morning" and I say "Good Night". I do follow a few individuals as well.

A Newfoundlander (a man, not a dog) found me the other day and confirmed that I knew a Lhasa Breeder in St.John's who was his school teacher in Grade Nine! Hmmm - made me feel a little old.

I really enjoy Facebook and have been able to get caught up with a few people I knew through selling Avon a few years ago or from my Physical Therapy, or from the Lufkin Daily newspaper. Facebook is nice and casual and right now I am following my sister-in-law and niece's travels to Singapore and beyond. So I have old friends, a few relatives and new friends.

Today, our local television station, KTRE sent a message that they are following me on Twitter! Hmm. Now the bar is raised.

KTRE caught us one Valentine's Day, at Election time, when I became a citizen . . . hmm . . . what am I doing now that is really interesting?

I see they have a person now in charge of their website. I get a lot of updates from their website, generally after first seeing a prompt on Twitter.

So, well, that means, if they like some topic I'm writing about . . . guess they will come here and see what I am on about tonight.

How we communicate and how we get our news is changing. I try to make good use of the computer to know what is going on and then make up my mind as to what I'd like to investigate further.

As for social networking, well, as I've said, I've made new friends and found older ones. I used to do a lot of letter writing and I know people really enjoy getting real mail but it is very time consuming not to mention the increasing postal rates. Even more, especially to Canada, regular mail takes a long time. On the computer, news is instant! (Yes, I know that's more stressful, that that is how life is lived these days and we seniors hate to fall behind!)

One person has already done a magazine article on social networking and she put me in there. It was a good article even if she did refer to me as a senior! I really don't mind that because I like for people to know that Hubby and I try to keep up with current things. (You have that point, now - don't you?)

Well, KTRE - welcome to my followers on Twitter. Of course, this means that I will have to raise the bar to make my posts interesting for you to want to see!

Now, KTRE - you just keep those Weather Forecasts and News Bulletins coming to my Twitter and my e-mail inbox.

By the way, later this week, if you think you see a pretty, dimpled news reporter with long black hair who lives in Raleigh now, you are not seeing things . . . she'll be here in Lufkin for a few days. She'll probably be checking out some of our great restaurants. Just remember to say, "Hi Jessica!"

Remember The Name: Scott McIntyre

Haven't followed American Idol other than what I read about winners like Carrie Underwood who is doing so well. There are a few others who I know have either competed or won the contest but this round is the first time I have been watching and following to any degree.

I think everyone is taken by Scott McIntyre. He is a melodic singer and very attractive. He also plays the piano and (as we learned last night) guitar. He comes across as a very gentle person and that may be a problem for today.

Scott is blind but one soon learns he does not "use" his impairment but rather tries to make you forget it. Last night in his endeavor to show his versatility, he did play the guitar, standing - not sitting on a stool - and he played it fine. The problem was that in his endeavor to make us see him as "unimpaired" and standing alone in the middle of a stage, he steps out of his comfort zone. In doing that, I think Scott - who picked a song I did not know with a few high notes to reach - did not reach those notes very well. I know from my own singing - pretty much limited to church choir and duets with Hubby - that I have to be relaxed and comfortable to easily reach the high notes.

I didn't think Scott was truly comfortable last night and did not sing as smoothly as he usually does. Last week, he was superb and the panel felt so too. He was at the piano which he has played since he was very young and was totally at ease.

Although they tell us to stretch ourselves to do better, perhaps last night was not the night to do that. Scott should have stuck with what made the judges happy last week.

If I were in the biz, I would pick up Scott in a New York minute because he is just so very pleasant as well as being attractive and low-key. I am sure someone will retain him and I think he will do very well.

Let's hope so because we need a few nice ballads and a little melody in our lives. Good luck to you, Scott!

american idol.com

We Will Pray For The Children

(Children Playing On The Beach . . . Mary Cassat)

Children should be carefree. Girls should be able to play and imagine and talk to their dolls. Boys pretend they are cowboys. I don't know much about cowboys but I do know about dolls and how much, as an only child, my dolls meant to me. I would dress them and talk to them and pretend they were real people. One was Beth and one was Sally.

I had a little car that I could pedal down the sidewalk with my feet. My hair was blond and Mother put little barrettes to keep it out of my eyes. There were no worries.

Pretty dresses and lovely big hair bows . . . that's what little girls should have. They have pretty pink bedrooms and parents who love them! There's a table to draw on and crayons and markers and singing and dancing and pretending whatever they want. They should play hopscotch and watch cartoons.

So, why are two little girls - both little more than four - why are they going to hospitals tomorrow? Why are their hearts not as healthy as we wish they would be?

Why are their parents looking so sad? They just want the best for their girls - to be healthy and happy. See how the parents put on a smile and look for something special to do with them?

Now the children are in bed and the Mothers are crying. They wonder why this is happening. It seemed like their daughter was doing so well . . . what has gone wrong? Did we do everything we could?

So, you and I pray and ask our friends to pray. Children are God's precious gift to us and most of us get to raise them and then we get to watch their children and perhaps even their children . . .

Why do things go wrong? Why do bad things happen to innocent little children?

You know and I know that we have no answer for this.

We know we have to place these children in God's hands and we pray that he will guide the doctors so they can use their skills to help these little girls to health.

Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world . . . When you can barely speak, try to hum this wonderful hymn everyone knows. Then pray some more for Kyla and Sarah.

Thank you!

A special thanks to all who are praying for Kyla and all who have placed her on their lists! We will keep you posted!

Another Precious Gift From God

Here is another precious gift from God, our great-granddaugther, Kyla. As you can see, she is very attractive and at 4-1/2 she can conduct a pretty intelligent conversation. We don't get to see her as often as we'd like, but we sure do think about her and her little sister every day.

Children are a special gift from God and as such deserve our respect, care and prayers. We pray that they will be safe from harm. We pray they will grow wise - smart, if you will - and have a fine, happy life. Kyla will do well in life because she has such a special and sweet manner about her. She doesn't care the brand name or how much it cost, just that you brought it for her! She greets you as royalty! She smiles and loves to run, jump and skip.

First, Kyla has to jump some hurdles. She got over one last week where the doctors put in a temporary fix to help her. The day after tomorrow, Kyla goes back to the cardiac people with the training and skill to help her have a more normal heart.

We have been asking everyone to pray for Kyla and of course, that includes her medical team and her family.

One friend said she was, ". . . Praying the touch of God's hands, through those of the surgeons, the nurses and all who attend her; for quick healing and strengthening of her, mind, body and spirit, and Him to sustain her parents and grandparents."

Beautiful! How blessed we are to have friends like that!

We don't know why children are sick. We are told adversities strengthen us. It just always seems a little harder to understand that a child could be born so sick. I know. And I have friends who know this too.

We take each day - one day at a time - and when, as in Kyla's case, we are told that this must be done today, we pray.

We feel a little calmer knowing we have so many people pulling for this beautiful child of God, so precious, so special. Please pray for Kyla - and may God Bless You!

Let's Teach Them How To Eat Politely!

At lunch at a local restaurant, I was reminded that some families no longer teach children the niceties of eating with a knife and fork.

With so many mothers working and so many youngsters helping themselves to something to eat, which may not require any "silverware" or cutlery, are young people not learning this basic skill? Are families never sitting down to a quiet family meal at the dining table?

There is no other explanation for young people in their teen years stabbing food with brute force with a fork. That is such an ugly site!

We have lost so many of the niceties of life, surely children can be shown nicer ways of eating a regular meal that is not a sandwich or a pizza.

As Mother used to say . . . some day you'll meet someone you want to impress. You won't impress them by eating as though you were attempting to spear your opponent and run them through to the death!

Doris Day Had a Birthday Yesterday - Get Out Your Poodle Skirt!

Yesterday was Doris Day's 87th birthday! How can that be? Wasn't it just yesterday this perky blond with the enormous smile sang her way through musical after musical? She lives in Carmel, California and still is active in the Doris Day Animal League.

Originally, Doris Day was a band singer with Les Brown. Many 50s entertainers had sung and toured the country with the "big" bands.

On a personal note, I see she could have been first lady . . . since she dated Ronald Reagan between Jane Wyman and Nancy Davis. She says he was one of the few men she knew who genuinely liked to dance!

She was the bubbly blond is so many musical films like The Thrill of it All, The Pajama Game and Calamity Jane. All of us teenagers saw every film she made and could sing all of her songs. Her wardrobe of clothes and her jaunty hairdos were fresh and clean and our parents were happy with this.

Between 1968 and 1973, she had her own weekly television show, The Doris Day Show and her theme song was Que Sera Sera (Whatever will be, will be).

Does it make you feel young to remember those movies? Were you wearing a poodle skirt and sweater with penny loafers when you went to the theater?

www.ddal.org - Doris Day Animal League website.

Holy Week in The Christian Calendar - Leading to Easter

This Sunday - called Palm (or Passion) Sunday - is the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian Calendar. On Sunday, we will enter church in formation with palm branches raised, celebrating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem.

This is a very somber week that leads to Easter Sunday, a joyous celebration.

Maundy Thursday is a very somber service. It recognizes the last supper - the last celebration of our Lord, Jesus Christ with his twelve disciples. We hear about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, including "Doubting Thomas" and the one who would betray Him, Judas. This was the Last Supper. Most of us know that painting of Jesus and his disciples sitting around the table.

We will celebrate communion. Communion represents this meal - simple bread and wine - representing Jesus' body and blood.

At the end of this service, during a Psalm reading, the alter will be stripped of all linens, candles and ornaments. It is left bare.

We leave the church in silence after the service this night.

The next evening, we will have Good Friday Service. This is the Blackest of Days. Jesus is nailed - through his hands and ankles to a rudimentary cross between two common thieves. He is offered vinegar to drink. His Mother, Mary and the other two Marys are watching this crucifixion. This is a very grim service. A man from our congregation will carry a heavy, plain wooden cross with the appropriate nails and place it at the front of the sanctuary.

We will likely sing the old hymn everybody knows: The Old Rugged Cross.

This service represents the crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We believe that he died that we might live.

Again, we will leave in silence.

On Easter Sunday, Jesus, who had been buried in a borrowed tomb where a huge boulder sealed the entrance, rises! We believe HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED. And so we celebrate!

Sunday morning, we return to church and are served family breakfast. The children will have an Easter Egg hunt.

Easter Sunday is the day most Christian churches are filled. This is such a happy day in the Christian calendar:

"Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!"

This is a very upbeat service with an upbeat sermon and beautiful hymns everybody knows. We will celebrate communion.

On Easter afternoon, families will celebrate - perhaps with lunch and a gathering together. It is truly one of the happiest times in the Christian time. In North America it also represents the rebirth of the land with all the flowers back in bloom - everything is reborn!

"You Can Always Tell A Torontonian By the Gum Wrappers In His Pocket!"

When I was a kid, Toronto was known as a city of churches. Particularly, Sundays were very quiet and there was no shopping and you could not get a drink. It was a city, where they liked to say, "They roll up the sidewalks at midnight". (The population then was about 500,000 and today is 5.5 million.)

Whenever I would go to Montreal, I would be amazed that you could "carry on" till the wee hours of the morning.

As more and more immigrants came and more and many businesses set up head offices, Toronto grew and became one of the major cities of the world with a little of everything happening there.

One thing that Toronto is still pretty much known for is its cleanliness and for being a great place for people to stroll. Some call it "People City".

We had one Toronto Mayor, David Crombie, who gave an address selling Toronto in New York City one time where he defined this for Americans:

"You can always tell a Torontonian by the gum wrappers in his pocket."

Several years ago when Keith and I were driving near Eglinton and Yonge Streets, we pulled up to a corner to turn left onto Yonge. There was a man walking briskly, about to cross the street and Keith made a full and careful stop so the man would know he could keep on walking across.

"I want to see what he does with the wrapper from that candy bar he just finished."

The man carefully folded the wrapper and placed it in his shirt pocket. Keith still loves to tell that story. Let's hope Toronto keeps its reputation for cleanliness - bet you'd like to see that in every city!

A Few Hundred Dollars: What Am I Missing Here?

In today's police column of the newspaper, two items caught my eye.

One was, "Several hundred dollars were stolen from a teenage girl . . . (from her wallet in her back pocket)".

The other was, "Several Hundred dollars cash . . . in a bank envelope inside a woman's car stolen . . . at a car wash" was stolen.

SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS???? Hello??? Has everyone forgotten what "Mad Money" is?

Do we really mistrust the banking system so much, that we are carrying all our savings around with us now?

Perhaps everyone's credit card is either maxed out or revoked?

You can talk about Blonde Jokes but this, well, this sort of behavior calls for a sensibility or reality check of some kind! No Blonde, Brunette, or Redhead would carry several hundred dollars in cash in her flimsy back pocket or in the glovebox at the car wash. Or would she?

I must be missing what is current in the real world out there? Last time I looked you could still buy yourself a little something with "a few hundred dollars".