It has been a rough week, Friends. Our Sweet Rita lost her sister, Jackie. She is the first sibling (I think out of seven) that she's lost. Rita's "Jenga Tower" was definitely shaken this week. Rita, I hope that you have been able to read this week's lesson. If not, it is waiting for you when you have the chance. I think it's a very apropos lesson for us when we experience loss.
I made the soup recipe early in the week, and I'm so glad that I did because the wheels came off our wagon later in the week. It was nice having something already cooked on those nights I was too tired to cook.
This is pretty much all of the ingredients for the soup. What's missing are the beans: I already had them cooking on the stove when I made this photo. I didn't use lentils like the recipe suggested. Instead I used some of the delicious Rancho Gordo beans I had on hand, the Santa Maria Pinquito Bean.
I also added beef Polska Kielbasa sausage to it as well.
Here is this week's Bible verse:
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Rita as she mourns the loss of her sister.
- Please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer. She is recovering from a 2nd surgery to remove what is believed to be another cancer on her lung.
- Kitty's son Mike and his friend are working on a game for a company and need to have it done in three months and have a verbal agreement for another game. Prayers that they can get this done. Also, pray that they will get good news on a proposal (a separate project).
- Keep Rita's daughter Megan in your prayers as she delves into her 3rd and final year of Nurse Practitioner program. Her anxiety is pretty high with the new schedule of work, school and home life balance.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer. She is struggling, y'all. UPDATE: She was denied chemotherapy for a second time this week due to low white blood cell count.
- Kris has a praise and a request: Her little grandson and daughter and SIL are loving their new home in Michigan. Her daughter landed a great job running a huge 9 practitioner clinic in Michigan. Hoping the learning center that her grandson went to will open the new one very soon near their new home in Michigan so he can go to the same daycare and structure.
- Carla's prayer request is for all the young people entering the military, the love they feel for the USA to become warriors to fight to keep us free. She is so thankful, as we all are!
- Carla and her husband has decided to stay in their home and not sell it and move. Pray that God will give them peace in their decision.
- Pray for my mother. She is really declining.
- Rita asks that we pray for her oldest daughter's Jewish friend. She dropped out of her 2nd masters' program at Michigan due to the anti-semitic tension she experienced last year, and is planning to move to Israel in October (she has dual citizenship) to see if a budding romance will work over the next 1-2 years. Please keep her in your prayers for her safety, relationship fulfillment, and eventual safe return to the US (with, perhaps, a soulmate for life).
- A tragedy has hit a small town just 3 miles from Carla's home in Cameron. A young man shot up his girlfriend's family and while doing so recorded it LIVE on Snapchat!!! They live in such small towns, that this shakes our communities. The shooting took place in Barron, Wisconsin Wednesday at 2pm.
- Rita's daughter Megan had rotator cuff surgery a couple of weeks ago. Pray for her speedy recovery.
- Pray for Jenna Meon.
- Pray that the peace will hold in the Middle East.
I hope all of you find a little bit of joy this weekend.
I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you've had peaceful week. This week's lesson was very peaceful, wasn't it! Entitled "Faith Gazing," Farrell talks about an outing to a remote beach with her family in 2016 to watch the Perseid meteor shower. She began the lesson with this quote from Barbara Taylor Brown. It's from the book I have pictured, above (An Altar in the World), and it was our book club selection this fall at my church. Here is the quote:
Earth is so thick with divine possibility that it is a wonder we can walk anywhere without cracking our shins on altars.
I enjoyed discussing this book with the ladies in our group, and one of my favorite chapters was the one entitled "The Practice of Walking on Earth" which focuses on groundedness. Barbara Taylor Brown writes quite a bit about walking in the book, whether it's walking in a labyrinth or out in nature. Getting out in nature is a healthy way to commune with God. It gets us off our devices, and it allows us to focus on God's creation. God speaks to us through his creation, and I can't think of a more pleasant way to ponder God's presence in our lives. Here is a favorite quote from this chapter:
It will help if you do not expect God to speak to you. Just give your full attention to where you are, for once. Walk as if your life depends on it...
This weekend, we are going to the lake for a much needed break. We are planning to spend lots of time outside in nature and taking several walks. It is my prayer for our little prayer warrior group that we will spend some time experiencing God and his creation this next week. We might not see a supernatural sign of God's presence, but hopefully autumn's beauty in our respective neighborhoods will encourage us and strengthen our faith that he truly has a loving plan in place for us all.
Here is this week's Bible verse:
Prayer Requests
- Please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer. She is recovering from a 2nd surgery to remove what is believed to be another cancer on her lung.
- Kitty's son Mike and his friend are working on a game for a company and need to have it done in three months and have a verbal agreement for another game. Prayers that they can get this done. Also, pray that they will get good news on a proposal (a separate project).
- Keep Rita's daughter Megan in your prayers as she delves into her 3rd and final year of Nurse Practitioner program. Her anxiety is pretty high with the new schedule of work, school and home life balance.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer. She is struggling, y'all. UPDATE: She had a bad fall, and broke a tooth, jaw, and nose. Please pray that she will monitor her strength, blood sugar, and blood pressure to help minimize her chance of falling.
- Kris has a praise and a request: Her little grandson and daughter and SIL are loving their new home in Michigan. Her daughter landed a great job running a huge 9 practitioner clinic in Michigan. Hoping the learning center that her grandson went to will open the new one very soon near their new home in Michigan so he can go to the same daycare and structure.
- Carla's prayer request is for all the young people entering the military, the love they feel for the USA to become warriors to fight to keep us free. She is so thankful, as we all are!
- Pray for one of my daughters. She is struggling spiritually right now.
- Carla and her husband has decided to stay in their home and not sell it and move. Pray that God will give them peace in their decision.
- Pray for my mother. Pray for God's will concerning her placement, whether she should stay in the facility she's in now, or whether we should pursue having her committed to a long-term mental health facility.
- Rita asks that we pray for her oldest daughter's Jewish friend. She dropped out of her 2nd masters' program at Michigan due to the anti-semitic tension she experienced last year, and is planning to move to Israel in October (she has dual citizenship) to see if a budding romance will work over the next 1-2 years. Please keep her in your prayers for her safety, relationship fulfillment, and eventual safe return to the US (with, perhaps, a soulmate for life).
- A tragedy has hit a small town just 3 miles from Carla's home in Cameron. A young man shot up his girlfriend's family and while doing so recorded it LIVE on Snapchat!!! They live in such small towns, that this shakes our communities. The shooting took place in Barron, Wisconsin Wednesday at 2pm.
- Rita's daughter Megan had rotator cuff surgery last week. Pray for her speedy recovery.
- Travel mercies for Rita's oldest daughter and sil. They are traveling overseas.
- Pray for Jenna Meon.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and week!
Now go outside! ;P
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, and Welcome October! How was your week, Friends? I'm still spending lots of time taking care of my mother's business. It's a challenge, yet I'm thankful that I'm healthy enough to do all the things. So many people I know are having health problems, and I think stress is to blame for some of it.
I'm trying very hard to manage my stress level. What about you? Do you have any tips or tricks about stress management to share with us? I think hugs given and received help. I loved Farrell's story about Mikey's Deli on the Santa Monica Pier. Hugs are the best, and I am totally there for a café serving hugs.
This is a photo I took of the Santa Monica Pier on December 30, 2023.
I did not go to Mikey's Deli, and I hate I missed out on it!
Loving others and showing affection is so important in our world. Love overcomes hate, and it is a constant choice on our part. This week I read a devotion from Richard Rohr. This is what he said about making "a choice for love."
I'm giving you a new commandment so you'll know where I am, and who I am: "You must love one another."There is no other way we can know who God is---- or who we truly are--- but to love and be loved. Love is not something we decide to do now and then.Love is who we are. Our basic, foundational existence --- created in the image of the Trinity--- is love. Remember, Trinity is saying that God is not anisolated divine being. God is a quality of relationship itself, an event of communion, an infinite flow of outpouring.Love, like forgiveness, is a decision. It's a decision in our minds and in our hearts. And we better make it early in the day, because once we're given a few hours into low-level resentment, anger, or disappointment, it's too late. When we are not choosing love, we'll use any excuse to be unhappy or irritated.We have to recognize ahead of time when we are not living in love. This is surely why a morning prayer or practice is so important--- to allow us to choose to love each and every day.
Speaking of expressions of love.... I made the Moelluex au Chocolat recipe. Molluex means "soft" in English, and these soufflés are super soft and delicious. They are like a hug in a ramekin, I tell ya! They were easy, although the folding-in of the meringue was a bit slow and tedious, but OH! so worth it!
I enjoyed this lesson so much this week. What are your thoughts about the lesson?
Here is this week's Bible verse:
Prayer Requests
Our list is getting rather lengthy, but that is okay, y'all. It is a privilege to pray for you, your families, your communities, and our nation. Thank-you for being a prayer warrior!
- Please pray for our blog friend Emily (McGriff) and her husband Jim because they both have COVID. Emily's blog is The French Hutch.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer. She is recovering from a 2nd surgery to remove what is believed to be another cancer on her lung.
- Kitty's son Mike and his friend are working on a game for a company and need to have it done in three months and have a verbal agreement for another game. Prayers that they can get this done. Also, pray that they will get good news on a proposal (a separate project).
- Keep Rita's daughter Megan in your prayers as she delves into her 3rd and final year of Nurse Practitioner program. Her anxiety is pretty high with the new schedule of work, school and home life balance.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer. She is struggling, y'all. UPDATE: She had a bad fall, and broke a tooth, jaw, and nose. Please pray that she will monitor her strength, blood sugar, and blood pressure to help minimize her chance of falling.
- Kris has a praise and a request: Her little grandson and daughter and SIL are loving their new home in Michigan. Her daughter landed a great job running a huge 9 practitioner clinic in Michigan. Hoping the learning center that her grandson went to will open the new one very soon near their new home in Michigan so he can go to the same daycare and structure.
- Carla's prayer request is for all the young people entering the military, the love they feel for the USA to become warriors to fight to keep us free. She is so thankful, as we all are!
- Pray for the victims and families of the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic Church who were attacked in an act of despicable hate by the young man this week. Please pray for the safety of our Christian children in this country.
- Please pray that the violence from trans activists will end, and that they will get the mental health help that they so desperately need.
- Pray for the victims of the Colorado school shooting.
- Pray for Charlie Kirk's family, friends, and our nation as we heal from his assassination.
- Pray for one of my daughters. She is struggling spiritually right now.
- Carla and her husband has decided to stay in their home and not sell it and move. Pray that God will give them peace in their decision.
- Pray for my mother. Pray for God's will concerning her placement, whether she should stay in the facility she's in now, or whether we should pursue having her committed to a long-term mental health facility.
- Rita asks that we pray for her oldest daughter's Jewish friend. She dropped out of her 2nd masters' program at Michigan due to the anti-semitic tension she experienced last year, and is planning to move to Israel in October (she has dual citizenship) to see if a budding romance will work over the next 1-2 years. Please keep her in your prayers for her safety, relationship fulfillment, and eventual safe return to the US (with, perhaps, a soulmate for life).
- A tragedy has hit a small town just 3 miles from Carla's home in Cameron. A young man shot up his girlfriend's family and while doing so recorded it LIVE on Snapchat!!! They live in such small towns, that this shakes our communities. The shooting took place in Barron, Wisconsin Wednesday at 2pm.
- Rita's daughter Megan is having rotator cuff surgery this morning. Her prayer is for a successful outcome and speedy recovery.
- Travel mercies for Rita's oldest daughter and sil. They are traveling out of country today, and let's pray the government shutdown does not complicate their travels.
- I am having out-patient surgery this morning at 8:15 CDT. As always, y'all's prayers are appreciated!
I'm treating myself to a PSL after surgery this morning.
YUMMY!
I will have to put my feet up a little this weekend, and I'm planning to binge watch a few British TV shows and watch Cubs Baseball and Alabama football.
What are your plans?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
All of my heirloom roses are in bloom.
Happy Friday and autumn, Friends! I think Monday was officially the first day of autumn, and it has been slightly cooler here in Central Alabama. We've also had a few thunderstorms this week, including yesterday morning.
Didn't y'all love the lesson this week! I have seen beautiful examples of kintsugi in museums, and I think it is a lovely allegory for brokenness and healing. Here is an example I found on the internet, and if you haven't googled it yet, I suggest you do and look at more kintsugi pottery. I have included a link below the photo to a site that explains all about it.
I have been struggling with my mom's situation quite a bit lately. I have felt broken emotionally. This week she got a new roommate, and she is an angel. M is an artist, and she loves to color. She is trying to encourage Mom to color with her, but Mom doesn't want to do anything. While I was talking to M, I discovered that she is the sister-in-law of one of our sweet priests at St. Stephen's. Talk about a small world!
I don't see my mother ever getting better. She doesn't want to. She is giving up, and she isn't getting the help she needs for her mental illnesses. Her care has monopolized my week, and I even had to miss my art class on Wednesday. I take the class for my mental health, and I do hate to miss. So you can imagine how much this lesson has meant to me this week, and I loved the Litany for Healing. I think I might continue reading it every morning for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of mornings, I have found that I truly function better when I start my day in prayer and in God's word. On days when I have my time with God later in the day, my day seems off. I know someone who always has her devotion time after lunch, and that's what works best for her. I think it depends on when you are at your best, because I think it's important to give God your best when you can.
I also want to share with you a sweet morning meditation from Macrina Wiederkehr. She is reflecting on this verse from Psalm 143:
The angels came at dawn bringing news of God's faithful love.They woke me early for a change. They unplugged my ears so I could hear the glorioussong of the birds.They wiped the sleep out of my eyes so I could see the silhouette of trees celebrating the dawn and the first rays of sun shimmering through the clouds.My nose was then unclogged so the aroma of dawn ---- from crisp autumn leaves to fresh morning coffee---- could delight me.The air at the tip of my fingers reminded me of the gift of touch.My hand clasped around my coffee cup felt warm and welcoming.I began my "morning watch" (my morning prayer).The touch of my knees on the floor felt right. I knelt with joy.My heart, now fully awakened, sang praises to God's faithful love.Oh, Beloved One in the heavens and in my heart, always ---- always, please, send angels at dawn, for life is not always so good as it tasted this morning.~Macrina Wiederkehr
Prayer:
Please, God, send your angels to prepare me every morning for spiritual kintsugi. Please strengthen me and help me to do your will! Thank-you for these Christian women who are prayer warriors. As the Prayer Litany from our lesson says:
Allow me to see a glimmer of hope breaking through my darkness.
Show me the way.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen!
Here is this week's Bible verse:
Thoughts?
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for our blog friend Emily (McGriff) and her husband Jim because they both have COVID. Emily's blog is The French Hutch.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer. She is recovering from a 2nd surgery to remove what is believed to be another cancer on her lung.
- Kitty's son Mike and his friend are working on a game for a company and need to have it done in three months and have a verbal agreement for another game. Prayers that they can get this done. Also, pray that they will get good news on a proposal (a separate project).
- Keep Rita's daughter Megan in your prayers as she delves into her 3rd and final year of Nurse Practitioner program. Her anxiety is pretty high with the new schedule of work, school and home life balance.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer. She is struggling, y'all. UPDATE: She had a bad fall, and broke a tooth, jaw, and nose. Please pray that she will monitor her strength, blood sugar, and blood pressure to help minimize her chance of falling.
- Kris has a praise and a request: Her little grandson and daughter and SIL are loving their new home in Michigan. Her daughter landed a great job running a huge 9 practitioner clinic in Michigan. Hoping the learning center that her grandson went to will open the new one very soon near their new home in Michigan so he can go to the same daycare and structure.
- Carla's prayer request is for all the young people entering the military, the love they feel for the USA to become warriors to fight to keep us free. She is so thankful, as we all are!
- Pray for the victims and families of the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic Church who were attacked in an act of despicable hate by the young man this week. Please pray for the safety of our Christian children in this country.
- Please pray that the violence from trans activists will end, and that they will get the mental health help that they so desperately need.
- Pray for the victims of the Colorado school shooting.
- Pray for Charlie Kirk's family, friends, and our nation as we heal from his assassination.
- Pray for one of my daughters. She is struggling spiritually right now.
- Carla and her husband has decided to stay in their home and not sell it and move. Pray that God will give them peace in their decision.
- Pray for my mother. Pray for God's will concerning her placement, whether she should stay in the facility she's in now, or whether we should pursue having her committed to a long-term mental health facility.
- Rita asks that we pray for her oldest daughter's Jewish friend. She dropped out of her 2nd masters' program at Michigan due to the anti-semitic tension she experienced last year, and is planning to move to Israel in October (she has dual citizenship) to see if a budding romance will work over the next 1-2 years. Please keep her in your prayers for her safety, relationship fulfillment, and eventual safe return to the US (with, perhaps, a soulmate for life).
- A tragedy has hit a small town just 3 miles from Carla's home in Cameron. A young man shot up his girlfriend's family and while doing so recorded it LIVE on Snapchat!!! They live in such small towns, that this shakes our communities. The shooting took place in Barron, Wisconsin Wednesday at 2pm.
- Rita's daughter Megan is having rotator cuff surgery this morning. Her prayer is for a successful outcome and speedy recovery.
- Travel mercies for Rita's oldest daughter and sil. They are traveling out of country today, and let's pray the government shutdown does not complicate their travels.
- I am having out-patient surgery this morning at 8:15 CDT. As always, y'all's prayers are appreciated!
I am planning on giving myself a little break today. After I do a couple of hours of chores, I'm going to a favorite coffee shop of mine, order a PSL, and look at a few autumn-themed books.
What are your plans for the weekend?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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