Happy Friday, and Happy August, Friends! How has your week been so far? Mine has been a little stressful dealing with my mother's estate. It has been the biggest mess, and she doesn't exactly have a cooperative spirit.
I'm doing a little side Bible study on patience. I need it!
This week's lesson was entitled "Hope Does Not Disappoint." I thought it was fabulous! I have been thinking a lot this week about what hope looks like. What does hope look like to you? I like the writing/journal prompts she shares in this chapter, especially number one:
What does hope look like for you? Create a list of hope-givers: a special person, a scripture, a song, or place. Refer back to your list when negative thoughts visit.~page 154
My first thought in answer to this prompt was y'all! I have seen how God has answered our prayers. The fact that y'all show up every week and pray for each other and encourage each other makes my heart full!
I am working on my list from this prompt, and I will post it on my refrigerator by my desk. Another thing that has given me hope is that in spite of the dire predictions for our farmers (we had monsoonal rains followed by extreme heat), we are seeing beautiful crops, especially peaches. Alabama is known for our Chilton County peaches, and I drew some this week. It has been a great summer for peaches!
We are getting to know young farmers and their families who are selling their produce locally through farmers' markets and community supported agriculture subscription boxes. These little families are also giving me hope because they are such hard workers and are so brave!
This week's Bible verses:
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Rita requests we pray for Tommy, who had a stroke in late June. He is now in rehab, and needs encouragement to get as strong as he is able, and to be able to adjust to his life changes.
- Also, please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer.
- Kitty's grandson Connor is doing well as a corrections officer. Prayers that he can find a good relationship.
- Kitty's SIL Eric, Molly’s husband, filed for disability and hired a lawyer. Prayers that this all works out for him.
- 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.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.
- 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.
- Pray that all real estate transactions for my mother will go through next week.
Do you have any special plans for August?
The first two weeks for us will revolve around doing things for my mother. Then we are hoping to go on a weekend trip mid-month.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Good morning, Friends.
It has been a week...what can I say? Early Monday morning, I was on my way to a doctor's appointment, and I wanted to order Starbucks coffee via the app. It was turned off, which was strange because Mondays are the slowest day of the week at this store. So I thought I'd just go through the drive through, and when I approached Starbucks there were many emergency response vehicles. Apparently a lady drove her car into the building as she was approaching the drive through lane. It was a miracle no one was seriously injured because no one was outside on the patio, and no one was in the front part of the café. (BTW this is our local store where our daughter works.)
You can read more about it HERE. It was a Tesla. And that's all I'll say about that.
So our week started out with drama and stress, and unfortunately we had a real estate deal fall through, too. But I have had a few bright spots because I substituted for my art teacher while she's in London. And we got a few rain showers yesterday which was a nice respite from the heat.
How was your week? What did you think of the lesson? I admit that I didn't want to think about grief this week, nor did I want to read about it. Not my favorite lesson...but I did like the scripture she shared:
Actually, the beauty of this book is that you can go back and read other lessons, so I re-read last week's lesson because I liked it so much, and I also cooked the Poisson en Papillote Sunday night.
This is Trip's plate. I do not like olives, but Trip loves them. I put an olive tapenade on his fish with the olive oil, thyme, and cherry tomatoes. He loved it! I also served crowder peas, pink eye peas, and roasted vegetables. All were in our community supported agriculture box last week.
What was on your menu this past week?
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Rita requests we pray for Tommy, who had a stroke in late June. He is now in rehab, and needs encouragement to get as strong as he is able, and to be able to adjust to his life changes.
- Also, please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer.
- Kitty's grandson Connor is doing well as a corrections officer. Prayers that he can find a good relationship.
- Kitty's SIL Eric, Molly’s husband, filed for disability and hired a lawyer. Prayers that this all works out for him.
- 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.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.
- 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.
I think I'm in the mood for a pour over this morning with a coffee bomb. Coffee bombs are supposed to be good for your brain!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How has your week been so far? Mine has been pretty good: Summertime has finally arrived in Central Alabama: It is sunny and hot!
Trip had a great birthday yesterday. Shelley and I enjoyed shopping for him this week, and I cooked him everything he wanted last night for dinner. I did not cook the Poisson en Papillote from the lesson, but he wants to cook it on Sunday. Did any of y'all cook it?
I did cook a wonderful tomato and peach salad with roasted peaches and tomatoes.
Here are the tomatoes and peaches drizzled with a little olive oil all ready for the oven.
The salad I made with them was the hit of Trip's birthday dinner, and you can find the recipe HERE.
It has been a great peach season so far this summer!
What did you think about this lesson? I thought Carla would love it! I enjoyed it, and now it's nice to know Farrell's connection to Jackson Hole. I also loved how she encourages her readers to keep on trying to connect to God in a deeper way. The list of lessons were wonderful, weren't they!
I also wanted to share a poem with y'all from Mary Oliver.
Why I Wake EarlyHello, sun in my face,hello, you who make the morningand spread it over the fieldsand into the faces of tulipsand the bidding morning glories,and into the window of, even, themiserable and crotchety------best preacher that ever was,dear star, that just happensto be where you are in the universeto keep us from ever-darkness,to ease us with warm-touching,to hold us in the great hands of light-----good morning, good morning, good morning.watch, now, how I start my dayin happiness, in kindness.
Here is this week's Bible verse:
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Rita requests we pray for Tommy, who had a stroke in late June. He is now in rehab, and needs encouragement to get as strong as he is able, and to be able to adjust to his life changes.
- Also, please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer.
- Kitty's grandson Connor is doing well as a corrections officer. Prayers that he can find a good relationship.
- Kitty's SIL Eric, Molly’s husband, filed for disability and hired a lawyer. Prayers that this all works out for him.
- 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.
- Praise: Shanley Belle is thriving in her new position as a clinician in a private practice. Her post doc ended in May, and she is about one month in. Thank-you for your prayers for her!
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.
- 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.
This is what I have so far. Please let me know what I need to add, especially updates about ill family members and friends.
Today is a day for iced coffee. It's already 77 degrees (but feels like 89) outside at 6:56 AM! I might try some cold foam on top. Our local coffee shop has a strawberry blend that might be good with vanilla cold foam!
I hope y'all have a blessed weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I hope you enjoyed a special Independence Day weekend with your family and friends. Thank-you for your travel mercy prayers for Shanley Belle and Christopher. It was so nice having everyone together.
I don't know about y'all, but it seems like this past week has been one of the most upsetting in a very long time. Our lesson about fear struck a nerve with me: It was very relevant. I also put to use several of Farrell's recommendations to "temper the fear."
The enemy is the source for all fear, not God. He also wants to steal our joy. I'm determined that he will not be successful. Along with tempering the fear, I've also strived to find joy this week, and it hasn't been easy. I have had to deal with my mother's business all week, and I'm struggling not to be angry at the world.
Instead, I've taken Matt Haig's words to heart this week: He writes about "one beautiful thing."
Experience one beautiful thing a day. However small. However trivial. Read a poem. Play a favorite song. Laugh with a friend. Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night. Watch a classic movie. Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever. Just give yourself one simple reminder that the world is full of wonders. Even if we are at a point in life where we can't appreciate things, it sometimes helps to remember there are things in this world to enjoy, when we are ready.
Here is this week's scripture:
Please read over the prayer requests, and let me know what needs to be updated.
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist! UPDATE: Mike has been working on a game with his friend and they have to get it done in three months. Mike can do his part but his friend needs to stay focused. Kitty asks for prayers for him, too.
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He turned 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray that our leaders will ask God for direction as they make national security decisions.
- Kris's friend passed away from a massive heart attack. Please be in prayer for his widow, family, and friends as they are all in a state of shock over his unexpected death.
- Please be in prayer for Rita's brother Tommy who had a stroke (Tuesday, June 24th).
- URGENT: Pray for my best friend Barbara. She has cancer, and had to have a colostomy last week. Also, her husband also has stage four prostate cancer. Please be in prayer for them. UPDATE: Barbara is home, and is in good spirits. She still hasn't had her scans yet.
- From Kitty: Eric, Molly’s husband, lost his job last week. The company is closing the office. He’s applying for unemployment and also for disability. Molly is very positive.
- Kris has another friend who had a heart attack and is on life support. He is only 52 and has a 6 month old baby that needs her daddy.
I'm heading to my hometown this morning to take care of some business my mother neglected. I'm trying so hard not to be angry with her because these are things I thought she took care of years ago.
I hope you have a lovely weekend. I will try to find my joy by cooking several recipes with the fruits and vegetables from this week's community supported agriculture box.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Independence Day, Friends! We are so blessed, aren't we! I am so thankful for our inheritance and our natural rights endowed to us by God. I hope you are celebrating this special day with family and friends.
We are at Lake Martin, and we have had issues with our internet. On Tuesday we had to have Charter send us a signal to get our internet going again, and we had to do the same thing last weekend. I might not be able to update the blog until Monday, so please come back over the weekend to see any updates/prayer requests. Thank-you for understanding. I don't trust myself to update the blog on my phone. I'm afraid that I will mess it up badly if I try it!
I enjoyed this week's lesson. I get it, that we have choices to make, and we are responsible for and do have control over many choices. The PB&J lunch analogy had me thinking fond memories of homeschooling. Shelley used to call me her teacher and lunch lady. Some days I felt like I spent too many hours in the kitchen, yet I still miss them.
We made tartines for lunch often and Shelley's favorite was Croque-Monsieur. I even blogged about it years ago.
Here is the recipe:
Here is this week's scripture. I think it's so appropriate given how Patriots 249 years ago began a fight for their very lives, and the soul of this country was born. Our country was ordained by God because how else could a ragtag band of Patriots defeat the British Empire and the world's strongest standing army and navy? God is good, and my prayer for our nation is that we return to God and serve Him.
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist! UPDATE: Mike has been working on a game with his friend and they have to get it done in three months. Mike can do his part but his friend needs to stay focused. Kitty asks for prayers for him, too.
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray that our leaders will ask God for direction as they make national security decisions.
- Kris's friend passed away from a massive heart attack. Please be in prayer for his widow, family, and friends as they are all in a state of shock over his unexpected death.
- Please be in prayer for Rita's brother Tommy who had a stroke (Tuesday, June 24th).
- URGENT: Pray for my best friend Barbara. She has cancer, and had to have a colostomy yesterday. I am in a state of shock, and her husband also has stage four prostate cancer. Please be in prayer for them. UPDATE: Barbara is home, and is in good spirits. She still hasn't had her scans yet.
- Pray that we will accept the best contract to sell mom's house. UPDATE: We have a accepted a contract, and the closing should be mid-August.
- Please pray for my mom because she fell in the bathroom over the weekend. She was not hurt, thankfully.
- From Kitty: Eric, Molly’s husband, lost his job today. The company is closing the office. He’s applying for unemployment and also for disability. Molly is very positive.
- Pray travel mercies for Shanley Belle and Christopher this weekend.
- Kris has another friend who had a heart attack and is on life support. He is only 52 and has a 6 month old baby that needs her daddy.
Until next time...
May God continue to bless the United States of America!
Love you all!
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I hope you've had a fantastic week. Do you have any plans for Independence Day? The kids are flying down from Ann Arbor, and we will be spending the holiday at the lake. We are so excited to have the family together!
My mom's house was listed for a day, and we already have had three showings and one contract (and it's a good one). There might be more contacts. We shall see!
What did you think about this week's lesson? I thought it was wonderful, and here is my favorite quote:
We must stop buying into the idea that "more is better" and embrace "sacred is best."~p. 126
I think we can all relate to Ferrell's metaphor of the trashed car after a roadtrip representing our "inside self." I also loved her ideas about honoring the Sabbath. We have sweet friends who used to live here in Birmingham and moved to NYC. Since their children were small, they taught them to honor the Sabbath by resting during the afternoon. Even as adults, their children still find a quiet spot on Sunday afternoons to rest, nap, and reflect no matter where they are. I wish I had instilled that reverence for Sundays with our children.
What are your plans for Sunday? Will you try one of Farrell's suggested activities, or do you have something else in mind?
I'm thinking about drawing something from nature. If I do, I will share it next week.
Here is our Bible verse from this week's lesson.
Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist! UPDATE: Mike has been working on a game with his friend and they have to get it done in three months. Mike can do his part but his friend needs to stay focused. Kitty asks for prayers for him, too.
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray that our leaders will ask God for direction as they make national security decisions.
- Kris's friend passed away from a massive heart attack. Please be in prayer for his widow, family, and friends as they are all in a state of shock over his unexpected death.
- Please be in prayer for Rita's brother Tommy who had a stroke (Tuesday, June 24th).
- URGENT: Pray for my best friend Barbara. She has cancer, and had to have a colostomy yesterday. I am in a state of shock, and her husband also has stage four prostate cancer. Please be in prayer for them. UPDATE: Barbara is home, and is in good spirits. She still hasn't had her scans yet.
- Pray that we will accept the best contract to sell mom's house. UPDATE: We have a accepted a contract, and the closing should be mid-August.
- Please pray for my mom because she fell in the bathroom over the weekend. She was not hurt, thankfully.
- From Kitty: Eric, Molly’s husband, lost his job today. The company is closing the office. He’s applying for unemployment and also for disability. Molly is very positive.
I'll be taking my coffee to go this morning because I'm headed to my hair stylist to get my hair cut.
I don't know what to do with my hair, y'all. It grew in really thick, dark, and wavy. I don't look like myself! ;P
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Y'all...it has stormed EVERY SINGLE DAY this week. We are all mildewing here in Central Alabama. I don't like being on the road when it's stormy, but I've been on the road a lot because I had to take my mom to an ENT doctor's appointment and go to my hometown a couple of times, too.
What did you think about this week's lesson? It has been one of my favorites so far. I love the comparison of the two mountains, and how each day when we approach the trailhead we should choose the mountain that will bring sustained inner joy. I am bookmarking this one!
Below is a quote from Howard Thurman. His thoughts about joy dovetail our lesson well.
There are some who are dependent upon the mood of others for their happiness.... There are some whose joy is dependent upon circumstances.....There are some who must win their joy against high odds, squeeze it out of the arid ground of their living or wrest it from the stubborn sadness ofcircumstance.....There are still others who find their joy deep in the heart of their religious experience. It is not related to, dependent upon, or derived from, any circumstances or conditions in the midst of which they must live. It is a joy independent of all vicissitudes.
Did you try the matcha latte recipe? I did (look at the photo, above), and I enjoyed it. Matcha is a great way to get the benefits of green tea with better taste. I did add cinnamon as a garnish, but not turmeric. Another matcha tip: Add matcha powder to vanilla ice cream for a delicious green tea ice cream. This is one of my favorite flavors of ice cream!
I made the tea from a couple of lessons ago, and I blogged about it, too.
Mr. Happy Prayer Warrior drinks hot tea all day long, but he prefers iced tea with meals. He actually preferred this tea iced. It was lovely both ways!
You can read my post HERE.
Here is our Bible verse from the lesson.
Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist!
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. UPDATE: I visited with Jenna on Tuesday. She has the best attitude, and I had so much fun laughing and talking. Pray for her physical therapy so she can walk again.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray for Carla and family as they decide whether or not God is urging them to move.
- Prayer requests... for all our National Guard and also the Marines deployed in LA.
- Carla's son Sam is at Fort McCoy: please be in prayer as a protest is planned in Milwaukee.
- Pray that our leaders will ask God for direction as they make national security decisions.
- Kris's friend passed away from a massive heart attack. Please be in prayer for his widow, family, and friends as they are all in a state of shock over his unexpected death.
- Please be in prayer for Rita's brother Tommy who had a stroke (Tuesday, June 24th).
Have a wonderful and safe weekend and week!
I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I slept in this morning. Mr. Prayer Warrior did not wake me up, neither did the Westies. I woke up to a super-quiet house. It was so nice! I needed the rest.
I'm not close to being 100%, y'all. This cold has been wicked, and it will be two weeks tomorrow. I think the problem is I start feeling better, then I do too much, and I have a setback. UGH!
What did y'all think about today's lesson? I love the title More Wonder! In order to experience God's wonderful creation we have to experience it. Did you try the social media sabbatical? I did not completely, but I did limit my time this week. And do you know what? I was able to finish a painting I'd been working on for months! I did not get to experience as much nature because our air quality has been horrendous with allergens, but at least I found joy in other ways. I did spend about half an hour this week watching the rain as it watered our flowers in our garden and containers. It was very peaceful.
This afternoon I'm making the tea recipe from last week. I will share it next Friday! :D
Please share with us what joy you found this week!
Below is a poem about learning by Amanda Gorman, and I thought it was applicable to our lesson.
Every Day We Are LearningEvery day we are learningHow to live with essence, not ease.How to move with haste, not hate.How to leave this pain that is beyond us, behind us.Just like a skill or an art,We cannot possess hope without practicing it.It is the fundamental craft we demand of ourselves.
Isn't it true that More Wonder! feeds our hope! Let's be cognizant of feeding it this next week.
Below is this week's scripture.
Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist!
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray for Carla and family as they decide whether or not God is urging them to move. Her village is becoming more and more draconian by the day!
- Praise! Kitty had a wonderful time with her family on her trip, and Grandson Riley even made it after coming home from South Korea for his leave.
- Pray that I can get over this cold. Please continue to pray because my asthma is also ramped-up.
- Prayer requests... for all our National Guard and also the Marines deployed in LA.
- Carla's son Sam is at Fort McCoy: please be in prayer as a protest is planned in Milwaukee.
- Let's also pray that the 250th celebration for our Army will go as planned, and pray for all the communities in our country planning on holding the "No More Kings" protests.
- Pray for our law enforcement this weekend especially!
Now I'm off to drink copious amounts of hot tea!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I hope your week has been better than mine. I caught Shelley's cold, so I'm making this post short and sweet.
I think this week's lesson is an important one because of its focus on practicing peace. This is something that does not come easy for us as Christians; it's something we have to give our attention to intentionally.
We should aim to live in such a way that we imprint peace and serenity on the Earth.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
p. 111
I loved how she related the lesson to a tea ceremony.
Growing up, I had afternoon tea on most days. Trip's family is originally from Cornwall, so tea was always a part of his culture. I have fond memories of having tea every afternoon when our girls came home from school. These moments weren't always peaceful because usually the girls were excitedly telling me about their activities that day.
Making the time for tea, prayer, and reflection in the middle of the afternoon can sound like a luxury, but it might be a habit good for your entire being.
I would've liked to have tried Farrell's tea recipe. Not that I haven't had any tea this week...I've had copious amounts of it (mostly Earl Grey and English Breakfast). I think I will make her recipe using hibiscus tea as soon as I'm well enough to go to the store and purchase some.
Here is this week's scripture:
Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist!
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray for Carla and family as they decide whether or not God is urging them to move. Her village is becoming more and more draconian by the day!
- Travel mercies prayers for Kitty and her family as they travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico today, and will return home on the tenth.
- Pray that I can get over this cold.
- Prayer requests... for all our National Guard and also the Marines deployed in LA.
- Carla's son Sam is at Fort McCoy: please be in prayer as a protest is planned in Milwaukee.
What is your favorite kind of tea?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Good Morning, Sweet Friends! What have you been up to lately? We've been working on getting mom's house ready to sell. Once it's sold, we will purchase a rental townhouse or condominium here in Birmingham and rent it. This will give my mom supplemental income she can use for her care.
This week's lesson is entitled, "Go to the Well," and it's about Farrell's experiences in Lourdes. Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? I have not, but I've always wanted to visit the Cologne Cathedral, and I visited it in March. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was overwhelming!
Cologne Cathedral in all her gothic glory
(Cathedral Church of St. Peter)
I like how Farrell encourages us to experience God's presence where we live and even in our own homes. Her suggestion for creating an alter in our world for connecting to God is brilliant! Did you make an alter? I took out a little tiered mosaic serving tray because the mosaics remind me of the floor mosaics in the Cologne Cathedral.
I took Farrell's suggestion and lit a tealight candle. I placed a bookmark with the Fruits of the Spirit on it to encourage me to develop them more fully.
It's located between our family room and kitchen, so I will see it all the time. I will update it from time to time if y'all are interested.
A pilgrimage is intended to increase our faith, and to connect with God deeply through a new experience. If I ever plan a pilgrimage, I would love to go on one to the Canterbury Cathedral in England. What about you? Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? What about a Christian or spiritual retreat? What are your thoughts about this week's lesson?
Below is our Bible verse for the week.
Prayer Requests
- Please continue to pray for Kris's MIL. Pray that she will be amenable to having the in-home healthcare help Terry and Kris found for her come into her home and help out.
- Pray for Kitty's grandson Connor as he trains as a corrections officer.
- PRAISE: Carla is getting a new family member! She's getting a daughter-in-law (Sam proposed to Cate, and she said YES)! Pray for all the pre-wedding planning and counseling for the happy couple.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike that he can find a job that uses his talents. He is a very talented artist!
- Keep praying for Rita's daughters because they are thriving!
- Please pray for Carla's friend C.M.H who has joined the United States Army. Carla and her family are so proud of him. He will be 23 in June, and he is a dear friend of her boys. He was in their homeschool group. He is in basic training at Fort Jackson, and he is her son Atticus' best friend. What is interesting about this... Carla's son Sam also did his basic at Fort Jackson.
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking.
- Pray for Rita's neighbor who has a stage four cancer diagnosis.
- Pray for Carla and family as they decide whether or not God is urging them to move. Her village is becoming more and more draconian by the day!
- Travel mercies for our daughter Shanley Belle and our SIL Christopher as they travel to NYC today.
- Pray for our daughter Shelley because she has a bad cold.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara. She is having a biopsy on Tuesday.
- Please pray travel mercies for Trip as he is in Denver on business.
- Please pray for Rita's daughter's 13 yr old Welsh terrier. He has an oral infection and gastritis, and they also found a tumor on his neck at the vet yesterday.
- Travel mercies prayers for Kitty and her family as they travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico next Friday, the 6th-10th.
Rita's birthday is Monday, June 2nd!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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