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Happy Aloha Friday, and Happy Fourth of July

Today is a special day in our family. It is the birthday of my brother Daniel Matthew and David Michael – a/k/a “the Todd Twins.” They take up spots 3 & 4 in the Todd-Kids List. I am the eldest, and then comes my younger brother, Ken. Then Dan and Dave, followed by our sister, Merilee. Rounding out the even half-dozen is John Edward.

Mom and Dad took great pride in giving us names. I think Dad enjoyed seeing some of our initials spell words. I am COT, Merilee was MAT, and John was JET. The twins were both DMT, and Ken was KDT.

The fourth of July was a time for celebration, not only of the twins’ birth but also the Nation’s birth. The University of Denver had a ginormous fireworks show at their stadium every year. From the front law of our house in SE Denver (Hampden and I-25) we could see mot of the aerial displays. From the room (which we were forbidden to climb) you could see even better (please do not ask me how I know that!) We also set off some minor fireworks on the driveway, and then called it a night.

Merilee left to be with Dad and the Lord a couple of years ago, but I think she might still enjoy the 4th with Dad. Today is a day filled with memories – mostly pleasant. I hope that for you, today will be a day that you find sparking, dazzling, and wonderful – a day to go “OOoooooooooo!” “Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!” “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” and “Wwwwwoooooooooow!” As you do so, please pause a moment to thank God for the blessing of living in America, and also spend a moment or two thinking about the grandeur of God. When I do that, often I am moved to say, “OOoooooooooo!” “Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!” “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” and “Wwwwwoooooooooow!” along with Hallelujah and Praise God.

Make it a wonderful day~!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved
chick

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Good morning everyone! I have news! Lily Mae Glick arrived at 7:55 AM, June 25, 2008 weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces, lots of dark, stratight hair, and she seems to have he daddy’s lips and chin. Everything else is like her Mama. Mama is doing OK. So is Daddy. Lilyis doing terrific!! Godpapa Chick and Godmama Crucita are just so happy!!!

Lily Mae’s name means “Pure and Beautiful Gift from Yahweh.” That says it in a nutshell.

Crucita is in Phoenix. She just called to say she in picking up Wille so they can start their road trip. First stop is to visit our dear friend for Kayenta (who now lives in Aok Springs). She and he husband drove over 200 miles to visit with us last time Crucita and I were both in Phoenix. Then it’s on to Albuquerque and Espanola. She spent the first couple of days visiting with other close friends in the Phoenix area.

Last week I wrote about healing. Today I want to send you something about one of the after-effects of healing. This little tale talks about healing in our bodies, but it can be extended to minds, hearts, relationships, and souls as well.

Scars
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water he ran out the back door leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water not realizing that, as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late!

Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother was, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go.”

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, they are not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle He’s been there holding onto you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you.

You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril, and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-of-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, you should be very, very grateful. He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person’s scars because you don’t know how they got them.

Also, it is so important that we are not selfish to receive the blessings of these messages without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves him or her and that you love him or her too; enough to not let him or her go.

I never want to let YOU go either!!

Love in Him who is LOVE

Chick

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Happy Aloha Friday Beloved
These Sandhill Cranes are flying home. http://ridgefieldbirds.com/TheRefuge/TripLogs/ridgefield_NWR_10-14-07.html

“Beyond The Sunset” Check it out here: http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/sunset.html

Today, Beloved, I am thinking about healing and home. In the ‘healthcare business’ we are always interacting with people who are or have been ill. Part of our job is to help each person whose health has been compromised to get closer to hope, healing, and health. “Home” may be their residence, and ultimately “Home” is where we anticipate spending eternity. All of us know many people who are facing health crises. I’m going to list just a few here, initials only, and then drop in something from “What Is The Healing Word.”

JP – Chemo
GW – Chemo
CW – Radiation
SD – Remission
ZT – Dementia
WT – Health failing
JT – Recurring health problems
JM – Persistent illness
And many more, so just pause for a moment and ask for God’s continued presence in their lives as a source of Hope, Healing and Health.

So here’s a section from the essay on The Healing Word:

What do you imagine Jesus would say to you if you asked for healing? For some people, he might say, “Done!” Recall that the prophet Isaiah told us, “by his stripes we were healed.” (Is 53:5) All the healing we will ever need has already been accomplished through Jesus. It may not be manifested in our daily lives in ways that we can test with our senses. It may be something that is done spiritually first, and only gradually shows in the physical world. The healing is complete, nonetheless, in the eyes of God.

We didn’t even have to ask for healing the first time. It was a gift of Grace offered on our behalf to Adam and Eve. When our first parents sought their creator after that, he had another word of healing for them, and for us as well: “Come.” He called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees, promising to walk behind him and be his God. Abram, for his part, promised to walk beside God and be the first of his flock. God called his children out of Egypt, inviting them to follow him as Moses walked beside him. God led them through experiences that healed a whole nation and brought them to spiritual and physical healing in the promised land. When the people forgot the magnanimity of God’s blessings, he called out prophets to chastise and correct them. Finally, he called his Son to come to us and complete what we could not seem to get started. Now his Son calls us to come to the Father through him. He is asking us to get up off the kneeler, as an act of faith, and come to the altar to receive the sacrament which memorializes the reason Jesus came to us as an infant in Bethlehem.

In the Nativity account given to us in Luke’s Gospel, we learn how the angels and shepherds rejoiced. When we are filled with sorrow or doubt, when life seems just too difficult, the word of healing just might be, “REJOICE!” In Philippians 4:4, Paul tells us, “Rejoice in the LORD always; and again I say, rejoice!” We have a hope, a blessing, which the world cannot offer or understand. All of the Saints from Abraham’s time to today have found delight in the promises of God. What great healing there is in joyously accepting the gift of salvation! When we joyfully accept the gift of his love, all heaven joins with us. We receive Jesus’ promise that we can ask in his name, and we will receive so that our joy may be complete (John 16:24). Jesus invites us to follow him joyfully into the Kingdom.

Now, what is your healing word for today? Write it down and put it where you can see it, and each time you see it let it be a source of Hope, Healing, and Health.
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Quick News: Tim and Chanson are back in Portland, and it was such a lovely visit! F.T. and her wonderful children along with Aunty J.N. are back home too, and we had a great time visiting with them all. They made their trip to Kaua`i a really wonderful and exciting journey. My Mom is out of the hospital and back in the Care Center. We learned that she has developed some bedsores, and that brought a closer examination of how she is cared for at the Center. Crucita is just days away from heading to the mainland. She’s been working so hard on getting a storage shed put up in the back yard! I was able to be of a little help, but she really did an amazing job of getting all the preparations made! Yesterday she built stairs for the rear entrance to the shed. They came out perfect! And on the first try, too. She’s a mighty fine carpenter, she is. Tommy and Maria are going to have to move again, but they just keep keeping on. William is looking forward to spending time with Gamma when they take a road trip to New Mexico. Lily Mae is arriving via C-Section on June 25, and we are all so excited!! Can’t wait to hold her – and Mama and Papa – in one big hug! I thank God for all my friends here and for all of you out there all across the country who are reading this message. See you in the moon!

Age Quod Agis
chick

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This fractal image is fractal art by Colleen Deery. You can learn more about Fractal Art here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal_art and learn more about Colleen Deery here: http://www.colleendeery.com/. The moment I saw it, I thought, “This is what ALOHA looks like!” Copyright 2001 by Colleen Deery

Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved!!

Just a short note today plus a list of aphorisms I hope you will enjoy. We’ve had a great week with friends visiting. Crucita is working on tearing down the storage shed, removing the mess, and putting up a new one. Here are a few thoughts for the week. Meanwhile, make it a great day! Here are a few aphorisms you might enjoy.
What is the truth?

Yes, but, really how do you know that what you’re telling me is true?

“There’s no way for you to know whether what I’m telling you is true unless you know what the truth is. And there’s no way for you to know what the truth is unless there is a truth that you can know. (If you’re searching for the truth, and there is none, then what are you searching for?) You’ve got to have a truth that true whether you believe it or not. A truth that is true whether you like it or not. It’s true whether you even know about it or not. It’s just TRUE: OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL ETERNAL TRUTH THAT STANDS IN AND OF ITSELF.”

— Frank Perretti
http://www.frankperetti.com/

Frank’s witty response is right on the mark. I enjoy little insights like that, especially the shorter one called aphorisms.

APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE EXPRESSING A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH; AN ADAGE.

Here are a few from my days as a training consultant.

Where you sit depends on
Where you stand.

Accountability = 1 ÷ Number of Participants

This is an E.E.O. JOB — Equal Enjoyment Opportunity

VECTOR YOUR GOALS.

If you look for yourself inside yourself it may be that’s all you will find.

Concurrence is better than consensus. Consensus is better than concession.
Concession is better than nothing, but not much better.

You are the bridge between your past and future.
Are you firmly anchored at both ends,
and supported across the span?
That’s how the bridge was engineered.

Always expect the BEST
for and from
yourself and others.

Never let yesterday use up today.

No matter what comes to you, at you, or from you — at work or not —
always take it seriously but never take it personally.

Listen as though your future depends on it — because it does.

Always seek, expect to receive, and accept
the greater gift — the opportunity to give.

Here is an irony. If you want to change the Universe, change yourself to be more like it.
If you want to change the World, change yourself to be less like it.

Every good thing that happens in your life gets better when it is shared.

There is no right way to do wrong things.

It’s always good in the end. If it’s not good now, it’s not the end yet.

The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to give life my best today.

And a nice list someone sent me. Was it you?
1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without thinking.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
9. Scratch a cat and you will have a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM … like, it could be a right number.
13. No one ever says “It’s only a game” when their team is winning.
14. I’ve reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
15. Be careful reading the fine print. There’s no way you’re going to like it.
16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we’ll have tens-of-thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos? (And rap and fake reggae music will be the Golden Oldies! There’s a scary thought!!)
18. Money can’t buy happiness — but somehow it’s more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than in a Yaris.
19. After 60, if you don’t wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead!
20. Always be yourself because the people that matter, don’t mind; and the people that mind, don’t matter.
21. Generally people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

And one more very memorable statement: God never forgets how or why He made you. He gave you family and friends to help you remember: He made you for love.

Thank you for reminding me! Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service…
chick

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Happy Aloha Friday. Here’s an image from the new MBN Invitation:

© 2006 and beyond by Udell Enterprises, Inc. Used by permission.

I want to invite you to go here http://www.daylightmap.com and take a look at Earth and how the sunlight strikes it. I checked with Sterling Udell who designed this site, and he tells me the pattern for a moonlight map would look pretty much the same. So, if you look at the map and look at the area where the sunlight is the farthest north-to-south distance, you can get an idea of the scale of the area covered.
It is wonderful to think that one person could be standing in Qaanaaq (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaanaaq ) Greenland and another be standing on Cerro Sombrero in Tierra del Fuego (Chile – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tierra_del_Fuego ) and both be looking at the moon at the same time. That is from south to north. For east to west think about being in Shanghai China and looking at the moon at the same time someone else it watching it in Halifax Nova Scotia, Kansas City, Kansas, and Lihu`e, Hawaii! I guess it shouldn’t be all that amazing since there’s a good chance they might be doing that during daylight hours so they could see the sun as well. Nonetheless, the moon is much easier on the eyes.

So when I tell you that there’s a good chance you could be looking at the moon when another member of the MBN is doing the same thing . . . Well, there’s a picture worth a million words on that map. So as you look at this big old world that is getting smaller and smaller all the time, Please also think about getting other folks into the MBN. You can forward your Aloha Friday Cards to them. You can send me their address and I’ll put them in the list. I’d love to have two lists because there are so many names!

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Da News: Tim is in Honolulu and will be here in Lihu`e on June 10. FT will be there that same week with her two kids and Auntie J. Maria finally found another house she and Tommy can afford. Crucita is putting the finishing touches on another year of teaching. Man! She is good at that job! Her students were amazed to see how much they had actually learned because someone cared enough to take the time to teach them! We had a colleague and her fiancé over for dinner last week and had a great time. Still asking you to keep your hearts centered on these prayer requests: JP – Chemo, SD – For full recovery from brain tumor, CW – Chemo and radiation after remission ended, KVV – successful relocation to be with family in AZ, JT – continuing health problems following multiple surgeries, KT – persistent pain from degenerative bone disease and failure of joint implants, and people all over the world suffering the effects of natural disasters, war, genocide, and famine. Your prayers DO make a difference.

See you in the moon, Beloved! Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, and certainly forever — at your service.

Chick

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 (NAB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Think of friends, praying in the moonlight for you.

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Happy Aloha Friday!
Well, I’m a bit late getting this out today. First time I tried, it crashed, so here we go again.

Do you remember this image? It is “Forever Love.” I was reminded of it by some e-mails I got this week from friends. The e-mail was called “The Dash.” This is a way to look at that message:

http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/

Here’s part of a message I sent in response just a while ago: I’ve considered this idea of the dash more than once. I’ve thought about it being a scrolling line, a branching line, a squiggly line, an artfully thin or thick line, and finally decided I’d rather just have three dots like . . . following my birth date and then no date at the other end.

CHARLES OLIN TODD, III
NOVEMBER 20, 1946 TO . . .
😉
Think about that for a few minutes. Now, consider this:

The things we do to help each other are really the things that matter. Of course we all know that, and we want to live in a way that eases the lives of others. With so much violence and anger and confusion and pain and — well, you get the idea. There is a story I used some time ago that I want to share with you again. The point of this story is that we never know when an act of kindness will end up being a great blessing to us. Did you watch the movie Evan Almighty? That made a pretty good point about “Acts of Random Kindness.” ARK. For the little girl in this story an act of kindness reveals her true nature. For the little girl in the poem, there is no act of kindness and she remains a child of sorrow.

What will you do today to help the children like Dolores? They could be sitting right next to you, might be a next door neighbor, might go to your church or be in one of your classes at school. What will you do, and who will be revealed to you?

The Pink Dress

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by.
She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl, for as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl’s dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow in our society, and heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.

As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, “Hello.” The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a “hi”; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back

We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, “Because, I’m different ” I immediately said, “That you are!”, and smiled The little girl acted even sadder and said, “I know.”

“Little girl,” I said, “You remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.” She looked at me and smiled, and then slowly she got to her feet and said, “Really?” “Yes, you’re like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all people walking by.” She nodded her head yes, and smiled.

With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, and then she said “I am. I’m your Guardian Angel,” with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless — sure I was seeing things. She said, “For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.” I got to my feet and said, “Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?” She looked at me, smiled, and said, “You’re the only one that could see me,” and then she was gone.

And with that, my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you’re all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart. I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you. You never know! S/he might even send you an e-mail!

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Tickle me blue.

Her name was Dolores.
She was four.
She had a cute pug nose
and long angel-like hair.
Her eyes were large —
larger than they really should have been.
From one eye came a single
slow, dirty tear.
Her little pink dress
made a background
for her own emptiness.
She sat like a wilted flower
all alone in an
old, empty garden.
She had her arms crossed
and her hands pressed against her ribs
trying to remember laughing —
trying to tickle herself.
Her name was Dolores.

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Make it a wonderful Aloha Friday. Angels watching over me, watching over you, too.

Go. Make a difference. It is in your heart to do so. How do I know? Look what happened to Forever Love.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

chick

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved.

This is going to be very short because I seem to be low on resources today. I just want you to know that praying for one another really does make a difference. I know that sometimes it doesn’t seem that way, but I am sure that if you think about it, you will remember when everything seemed hopeless, and then – after prayer – things turned too hopefulness again.

Not long ago I found something about hope here: http://learningtohope.blogspot.com/2008/03/learned-hopefulness-happiness.html

It went like this:

Learned Hopefulness & Happiness
The headline in the Edmonton Journal (Friday, March 21, 2008) read “Surprise! Money can buy happiness” caught my attention. It caught my attention because I am all too aware of previous studies on happiness that stress once a person’s basic needs are met, more money does not make one happier. Apparently, as Elizabeth Dunn, a University of British Columbia psychologist found, giving does increase our happiness.

This research is not surprising when we look at how volunteering or helping another increases our hope or what Zimmerman (1990) named learned hopefulness. I see this happening with Hope Kids in our HOPE KIDS programs and especially in our Hope-Focused Service-Learning program.

In the Hope-Focused Service-Learning program children and youth develop skills, knowledge and attitudes that help them envision and work toward a future in which they can participate. I have seen youth who for all intents and purposes demonstrate what we understand as learned helplessness at the beginning of our work. These youth do not see themselves as contributing to their own well-being. They most certainly do not see themselves contributing to the well-being of others. They often blame others for their failures. When these youth explore, their hidden hopes and discover new hopes and ways of achieving those hopes under the guidance of a caring teacher who listens well and encourages them to use their hope to develop new skills, a new sense of what they are capable of and want to work toward becomes possible not only in their eyes, but in the eyes of other adults and peers with whom they interact.

Aknin, a student research collaborator in the study states that, “Making the right decision with money seems to promote self-esteem.” I wonder what future happiness studies will report when participants in the Hope-Focused Service-Learning program use hope to determine where and how to use their talents and money to make the world a more hopeful place.

Another entry from that same location says:

The Importance of Making Hope Visible
Brenda Martin, a Canadian, who is now on suicidal watch after her court date was missed once again in Mexico, reminds us how important hope is to our survival. Friends quoted on CBC radio today explain how Brenda has lost hope. Hopelessness can be manifest in suicide ideation (Beck, Kovacs, & Wiseissman, 1975). Brenda’s story reminds us of the connection between hopelessness and suicide. What does this have to do with learning to hope you ask?

I believe Brenda’s story reminds us that it is incumbent upon those of us who interact with children and youth to ensure we are uncovering and connecting to a child or youth’s hope as well as feelings of despair. It is important that we create opportunities to make hope visible and accessible (for more information the ‘Nurturing Hopeful Souls: Hopeful Practices and Activities for Children and Youth’ will be available at the Hope Foundation of Alberta April 15, 2008).

Brenda Martin does not have control over her current situation which has brought on feelings of hopelessness and concerns for her safety. Hopefully things will take a turn for the better for her. I believe the media is using a hopeful strategy of informing the public of her situation as a way of making a difference for her. Finally, I believe her story reminds us of how important it is to find ways to connect to and uncover feelings of hope and hopelessness so that suicide is not the only option one sees in times of deep despair.

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So what Word have I hidden in my heart that defines hope for me?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. (NKJV)

Psalm 39:7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

1 Timothy 1:1-2 (New International Version)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Beloved, I have learned (over and over, unfortunately) that it is pointless to place our hopes in anyone or anything but Christ. God has placed Jesus at the nexus of past and present, hope and despair, as well as sin and salvation. Nothing surpasses the hope and peace that comes through Christ.

Romans 5: 3-
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 8:38

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For me, that is hope. When I look around the world and see loved-ones suffering; innocents being persecuted, tormented, and terrorized; natural disasters overwhelming the great and the small alike; the oceans, the lands, and the very sky above us polluted and dying; then I turn my eyes toward Jesus, and I see Hope.

You know, I went to a college called Hope College in Holland, Michigan. It uses an anchor as a symbol of the strength of hope. Hope is the Anchor That Holds. My hope is in the Lord, Jesus Christ. I want to share my Hope with you. Come, let us sit down, and reason together. There is much in which we can hope!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved!

See you next week ….

chick

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It’s all good. Sometimes it is painful, but most of the time it’s not so much so that it’s unendurable. And sometimes it sad, but always in the sadness there’s something to stir up rejoicing. Sometimes it is full of laughter, and all the time it’s full of potential. There may be tears, but there are also hugs. If you work at it a little it can always be happy, and when you are happy it’s all fun, too. Oh, there are days when it’s a drag, but those are more than compensated for when it’s utterly beautiful. Ah, and every moment is filled with Love that is endlessly given and usually received. That, of course, is the Love from God, and “it” of course is Life.

So many things can be said about Life and living. And just as much can be said about Death and dying. Thousands of books in hundreds of languages have been written, and there’s not much more that can be said that hasn’t already been said in many ways ranging from eloquent to barely intelligible. But we all know that when Life and Death become personal experiences, we are more acutely aware of how we receive or refuse, share or abandon the Love available in such vastness it is incomprehensible.

One series of such moments of awareness happened recently, and it affected a lot of people. On Sunday, Mothers’ Day, Kids all over the country called their Moms or took them out to dinner or made dinner at home, and lots and lots of Moms got presents. And at least one Mom died. Crucita’s sister, Emilia, died suddenly Sunday night after celebrating Mothers’ Day with her large extended family. The whole family, siblings and cousins, and children and grandchildren, spouses and friends all came together to honor this Mom. She had a hard life in many ways, and through it all she was – and is – much loved. Her life was always full, not always pleasant, but always full. That she had such a wonderful gathering to celebrate that fullness is testimony to the love she gave and received.

Many times we experience these clarifying moments and say, “I wish I had done more, said more, and helped more.” That’s life. We have all the intentions, but not always the follow-through. We have all the hope, but not always the realization of our hopes. We want the best for everyone but miss out on so many chances to give them our best. That’s life. And sometimes we really mess things up, or suddenly things go horribly wrong and that is totally out of our control. That’s life, too. So here’s a little story about a little kid and a big challenge. Thanks to Crucita’s friend G.A., for passing this on.

Pancakes
Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn’t know how the stove worked! Suddenly, he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky with flour and eggs.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That’s how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it sometimes turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can’t stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes there’s pain others cannot see, fear or worry we can’t set aside. Sometimes we just make a mess of everything and feel like we’re not worth cleaning.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But just because we might mess up, we can’t stop trying to ‘make pancakes’ for God or for others. Sooner or later we’ll get it right, and then they’ll be glad we tried…And so will we. God, too, of course.

I was thinking and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said. Sometimes, ‘I love you’ can heal & bless! Remind every one of your family and friends that you love them. Even if you think they don’t love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

So I know you’ve heard this from me before, and maybe it seems kinda mushy, or maybe you think it’s like the “Have-a-good-day” kind of thing. I think you know, though, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it: I LOVE YA!!! Please pass some of this love on to others because the love we share was given to us from God and He expects us to make it fruitful, to multiply it and to cover the Earth. Suppose one morning you were called to God; do all your friends and everyone in your family know you love them? And do they know how much?

Take time to make a connection with everyone you love today (really, don’t put it off), and don’t worry if it sounds mushy. Brandon can tell you that mushy is just fine. And never stop ‘making pancakes.’

GIVE GOD WHAT IS RIGHT . . . . . . . .NOT WHAT IS LEFT

Happy Aloha Friday, and I do love you. I do.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.

chick

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved. Here is a pair of stories I discovered recently. Hope you enjoy them.

The frogs and the tower
There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants…

The race began…
Honestly, no-one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:
“Oh, WAY too difficult!!”
“They will NEVER make it to the top”.
“Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!”
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one the competitors slid down the wall to the ground … except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher…

The crowd continued to yell
“It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!”
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up…

…But ONE continued higher and higher and higher…

This one wouldn’t give up!

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how the one who succeeded, How did you did you find the strength to reach the goal?”

It turned out…

That the winner was deaf.

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Testing for gossip
In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?”
“Hold on a minute,” Socrates replied. “Before telling me anything I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Triple Filter Test.”
“Triple filter?”
“That’s right,” Socrates continued. “Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”
“No,” the man said, “Actually I just heard about it and …”
“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?”
“No, on the contrary…”
“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?”
“No, not really …”
“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

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Now for a little news: Crucita is looking toward the end of the school year. Her kids are really starting to catch on to what math is and how it works. They are amazed by how much they’ve learned (and so are the other teachers, incidentally). Looks like she will be teaching math again next year, too. She’s been working very hard at finishing up the painting of our little house; I’ll send a photo when it’s done. She’ll be traveling to the Mainland for a while this June, so if you live in AZ or NM you might be in the same neighborhood.

Tim is coming here for a few days, and that will be a kick. Maybe we’ll get together a small jam session or something. I’m so out of practice on my guitar . . . Well, we’ll see what happens. His girlfriend, Chanson, will come to Kaua’i toward the end of his stay. He’s enjoying the expanded responsibilities of his work with Higher Balance, and still making great music.

Maria, Tommy, Willie, Chaz, and Ana are still up in the air about moving. They’ve been hard to contact, so we don’t know the latest yet. Maria has a knack for getting to the bottom of things – like her Mama – and she’s bound to find them a place to live, a job, and transportation.

Remember in your prayers: Jim P, Jim M, John H, John T, John T, John M, Stan D, the People of Darfur, all the servants of God, and the MBN.

Thanks for all your love, your prayers, you great stories, and the MBN commitment. Let’s do that together right now, shall we?

Father, I take a moment to remember everyone in the Moon Beam Network. Watch over them. Bless them. Protect them. Guide them. Direct them. Keep them all safe from any harm or danger in body, mind, and spirit. Give them your Light. Bless them all for the love we share among all of the members of the Moon Beam Network. Likewise bless everyone I have ever loved and everyone who has ever loved me and anyone who has ever loved them for the love we have comes from You through your Son Jesus the Christ by the ministry of The Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.

chick

More Great Stories Here