February 2 - Three Gifts on Paper

1)  Yes.... 

it's hard to beat the fast production of words 

pounded out on the keyboard, 

flying swiftly all over the world

in just a matter of seconds.

Amazing things, these computers of ours...

but really...

can you tell me the magic of a computer is better 

than the handwritten letter of a grandchild

who loves you and wants to connect with you...

by sending concentrated effort

of loving thoughts brought forth

through fingers on pencil and pencil on paper?

No.

I don't think so.

 Thank you Father, for little ones who show us how to love.

2)  Ha!

A magnificent discovery has been made, my friends...

right under your noses!

This lover of words has finally come to realize

that her other love... of beautiful fabrics,

cut into simple but gorgeous garments,

carefully paired with accessories

and the flair of a scarf or belt or jewelry...

all these wonderful things brought together

are not, after all...

solely the product of...

vanity.

They are the joy of a life lived with creative flair... 

(and a heart of gratitude for the gift)

a life that loves color, the feel of soft, flowing fabric,

and of a tad of drama.

(She should have been an actress that one!)

She now KNOWS it's okay to...

This paper reminder is on her office wall, oh what a delicious discovery!

3)  The following paper product 

comes from the heart of a man 

who has beautiful memories of times

spent at Grandma's Italian Deli in downtown Detroit,

or at the family reunions with mounds of food

produced by three Italian ladies in his life:

His Mom, Helen, 

his Grandma Lucy, 

and his Great-Grandma Iaconelli.

Husband took it upon himself to gift his son

with a hand-written cookbook of all his favorite recipes,

straight from the heart and kitchens of his ancestors.

And not without a touch of humor all throughout...

What a guy.

February 1 - Gifts of Red

1)  Two roses with red-edged petals...

each one a memorial of two little lives 

that didn't see the light of day.

But they do see the Light of their Father's face...

and one day soon, we will see each other

face to face.

Thank you, Father, for assurance of Life after death...

where we will be reunited with loved ones.

Forever.

2)  There was a gift given to me in 1971 by my parents.

It was a graduation present, 

a White sewing machine,

(still using it 45 years later )

along with accessories...

like the little red tomato pin cushion.

Mother did not teach, per se...

but I did inherit the gift of being creative

with fabric and buttons and bows...

Thank you, Mom, for the example.

Thank you, Father.... for making me in your image...

a creative sort...

like you, the Master Creator.

3)  Memories of long long ago...

a good portion of my childhood

played out on a Southern California beach.

This little red-scarfed toddler

enjoying the sand...

depicts glorious days gone by...

... days when my brother and I

brought toys to the beach

to make our play even more fun.

Those were the days...

and the memory still brings joy to my heart.

Thank you, Father, 

for good memories.

February - A Daily Trio of Thanks...

And let the fun begin!

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AUGUST 31 - THREE MIRACLES

MIRACLE #1

Made possible for you, by the blood of Jesus Christ,
and your humble acceptance of His work on your behalf...
John 3:16 and 17.

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MIRACLE #2

Photo taken by Frank Sade, Lake Superior, Marquette, Michigan

A sun that sets every evening,

and rises again, every morning.

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MIRACLE #3

AUGUST 30 - 3 GIFTS VERY SMALL

SMALL GIFT #1

No matter the name,

this one - rich or poor - will live for eternity.

Eternity, in something so small.

How it all happens... right  >here<.

Joseph and Danika

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SMALL GIFT #2

String a lot of these little things together and what do you get?

A glorious cooperation of sound that can form

an unforgettable experience.

>listen here<

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SMALL GIFT #3

One little mustard seed,

they say, is all it takes

to move a mountain.

Small... but powerful.

This man had some of that...

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AUGUST 29 - A GIFT ONE, TWO, THREE

GIFT ONE:  I was born in Montreal.

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GIFT TWO:  I was born again in So. California.

Church of Our Fathers, Cypress, CA

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GIFT THREE:   Soon, I'll be going home.

1,2,3... 

Just like that.

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AUGUST 28 - 3 GIFTS LONG AWAITED

It took a while, but finally seeing all three of my little girls

was certainly a gift worth waiting for!

Cutie pie number three...

AUGUST 27 - 3 GIFTS NEW

Proud papa holds firstborn,
both connecting in full wonder.

Exhausted mama holds middle son...

out like a light...

cutest newborn baby in the world.

And one more gift... also born at home;

little pumpkin is what we called him.

AUGUST 26 - A GIFT CUT, SEWN AND BUTTONED

This work of my Mother-in-Law's hands...

and on display in our bedroom,

has carried with it the sweet memory
of a very kind and loving Italian lady.

Here she is, with my husband's sister,

shortly before cancer took her Home.

AUGUST 25 - 3 GIFTS FRAGILE

Nothing more fragile than a God-given child.

Love them slowly...

linger the hugs, the kisses,

the eye- contact.

Equally fragile may be your spouse...

the other gift in your life.

Feed your relationship well...

And your beloved teenager...

remind them how fragile a heart is...

they need to know.

AUGUST 24 - 3 GIFTS MOVING

Sunday afternoon chatter; stories, wisdom and jokes,

all mixed up together; 

moving back and forth between two buddies. 

Water moving out from under the hull,

stunning wet art. So inviting.

Words, addressing our Father, 

moving mountains in Jesus' name.

AUGUST 23 - 3 GIFTS OLD

An old gift that is yet to be re-purposed.
Not a bad thing to do with something old...

Some things get old, and you wish they didn't...

And though the body is old and shriveling up...

there is a more complete redemption yet to take place.

First it was the soul... then it will be the body.

I long for that glorious day!

AUGUST 22 - 3 GIFTS IN LIGHT

Rising sunlight through neighbor trees,
bringing early morning mercies
every single day.

Moon positioned by the hand of God,
a shining nightlight for us...
 the lonely travelers we were that night.

And then, the one Light given
to make all the difference
in our world...

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 
but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

AUGUST 21 - A GIFT STRAIGHT, CURVE AND TURN

A Testimony of God's Keeping Power!


In November, 1984, Thankgiving afternoon...
heading North on California's Hwy 1
in my little B210 Datsun,
with leaded foot and going fast...

 I'm going straight 
home to Monterey 
before the sun sets. 
No stops. 
No dilly-dallying.

Curve signs came in very very handy.

I would slow down, make the curve, and speed on to the next sign.

This sign should have been there... 
and because it wasn't....

that right turn 
came too quick,
too tight...
I stepped on the brakes.
and spun out of control...

sliding into the left lane
and on my way over the bank,
when...

A very lovely, and heavy, white Cadillac 
(just like this one)
intercepted Satan's throw,
and stopped me in my tracks.


I call it my white angel...
wings and all...
it was a miracle.


Darkness had set in after all, 
and I would have been in the ocean,
in the dark,
by myself,
and... alive?
Who really knows....

AUGUST 20 - 3 GIFTS OF SERVING

God...

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Country...

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... and Family. 

There's more than one way to serve.

And God sees it all.

And smiles.

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