Christmas was Ms Alberta's favorite time of the year. At one time she had thirty two large totes of nothing but Christmas decorations; and that did not count the boxes of Mr and Mrs Claus and her collection of Christmas Bears.
Rest in peace - I know that you are celebrating Christmas in another way now, without all of the commercials going on to help everyone decide what gifts they are wanting to give.
The reason for the season is the celebration of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
A Little More Information About Ms Alberta
Ms Alberta was what some would call a Verbal Historian. She held a lot of history and folklore in her head and heart.
She very willingly shared this stored information with anyone that would stand still long enough to hear her words. If they listened hard enough they would hear not just the words but the wisdom to be learned from a life that was truly well lived.
I raise my hand and heart to that life - I will always miss her.
She very willingly shared this stored information with anyone that would stand still long enough to hear her words. If they listened hard enough they would hear not just the words but the wisdom to be learned from a life that was truly well lived.
I raise my hand and heart to that life - I will always miss her.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Memories From Ann: A Big Red Tomato
Memories From Ann: A Big Red Tomato
I must have been about five years old when we moved
to East View, Kentucky. Ms Alberta and Dad had bought a pretty good sized farm
with a large farm house situated on the front acre closest to the country road
that the farm was located on.
When we first moved in there was no running water
and no inside bath room. We had an outhouse; one of those with a crescent moon cut
into the front door. It was a really special outhouse, because it was a two seated
toilet, one of the first that I had ever seen.
We took our baths down over the hill where there was
a fresh spring running into a rock walled bathtub. I’m not sure why the water
was always warm, but it was. I’m sure it couldn’t have had a hot spring coming
into it. So the only thing that I can figure out was the sun warmed the rocks,
and the rocks warmed the water. But I really enjoyed that rock lined bathtub
with the warm water in it. Especially nice because we didn’t have to clean the
tub when we were finished with our baths; the naturally running water just ran
over and down the side, pouring fresh spring water back into that tub.
Our nearest neighbor, Mrs. Yoder, lived about a mile
down the road. Mrs. Yoder was a very nice, widow woman in her seventies. The
first week we were living on the farm Mrs. Yoder walked that mile down the road
to our house. Mrs. Yoder brought a fresh baked apple pie and vegetables she had
raised in her garden.
Among those were bright red, sun ripened tomatoes. They
were the best tomatoes that I had ever eaten my entire five years of living.
Mrs. Yoder told us we could “come on down anytime” and get anything we wanted
out of her vegetable garden. That was a statement that stayed in my mind.
One bright sunny day, I started thinking how good
one of Mrs. Yoder’s sun ripened tomatoes would taste. So, salt shaker from the
kitchen in hand I marched myself down to Mrs. Yoder’s kitchen door.
I knocked on Mrs.
Yoder’s door and when she opened her door I asked her if I could have one of
her pretty red tomatoes.
Mrs. Yoder looked at me, and then behind, around, and down the road behind me. Then Mrs. Yoder looked me square in the face and said, “Child, where’s your Mama?”
I looked into Mrs. Yoder’s kind watery blue eyes, and answered with a mumbled, “She’s at home ma’am.” Mrs. Yoder raised one eyebrow and frowned, “Child, you should not go wandering off on your own like this. Your Momma has had enough sadness with losing that baby sister of yours; when she can’t find you it will hurt her heart very sorely.”
Tears welled up into my eyes; I didn’t want my Momma to be sad. I just wanted a nice juicy tomato from Mrs. Yoder’s garden.
“Child, you can have a tomato; but you get to getting down that road to home just as fast as your legs can carry you. Understand me?” Mrs. Yoder handed me a great big tomato and I knew I would be eating it before I was out of Mrs. Yoder’s sight.
I was right about eating that tomato before I got
home. I licked a place on the tomato added a little salt from the kitchen
shaker, shut my eyes and just enjoyed. Unfortunately for me, that enjoyment lasted
until I got within sight of our house where I could see Ms. Alberta standing
out front with a baby in one hand and a switch in the other.
To this day I believe that delicious home grown, red,
sun ripe tomato was worth the switching I got for leaving without saying
anything to Momma. I’ve never tasted a tomato as good since.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Revelations 20 King James Version
Revelation
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Father's Day
My father was Harold Lee Thomas; son of Finley and Rachel Elizabeth Powers Thomas.
Harold was born 4 August 1924; died 14 January 1968 at the age of forty three (43).
He quit school in the eighth grade to go to work in the coal mines, in order to help give his nine younger siblings a better life. Harold was seventeen when he volunteered for the Army. He served in the Army during both World War II and the Korean Conflict.
He and mother were married 7 March 1946.
I remember my father as a loving, giving, kind person who took care of his family and the pets that we had with the same degree of love and care. There were pillow fights, water fights, and lessons taught on a daily basis. "Walk a mile in another man's shoes, before you judge him. There is good in the worst, and bad in the best." These are only two of the daily things that he told us children as we were growing up.
Harold was always able to see the silver lining in every storm cloud.This made us always look for the good in everything that happened - no matter how bad it seemed at the time. "What does not break me, makes me strong. If it does break me, I will be stronger when I heal. Because just like a bone is stronger when it heals, we are all like that and will be stronger once we heal."
When he became a mechanic at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, he earned the nick name of Tune Up Tom. The Tom was short for Thomas of course; but I had to ask about the Tune Up part. It seems that one day he was having a hard time with a tank, getting it to run and stay running.
Harold, who did not cuss and very rarely lost his temper, took a rubber mallet from his tool box and gave the part a sharp rap, "There," he said, "that should tune you up better." So, Harold became "Tune Up Tom", and remained so until his death in 1968.
What my father taught me as a child has followed me into my adult life. I try to: "Walk a mile in another's shoes, before I judge them. I try to remember that there is good in the worst, and bad in the best. Also to remember that there is a silver lining to every storm cloud." But first and foremost I try to remember that what breaks me, makes me stronger.
One day I may be as strong as my father, Harold Lee Thomas; and as strong as my mother, Ms Alberta, Edith Alberta Shoupe Thomas Brandon. I love and miss you both every day of my life. I pray that I can stay strong in my faith so that I may reunite with them both one day - when Christ, The Lord comes again. Amen and Amen.
Harold was born 4 August 1924; died 14 January 1968 at the age of forty three (43).
He quit school in the eighth grade to go to work in the coal mines, in order to help give his nine younger siblings a better life. Harold was seventeen when he volunteered for the Army. He served in the Army during both World War II and the Korean Conflict.
He and mother were married 7 March 1946.
I remember my father as a loving, giving, kind person who took care of his family and the pets that we had with the same degree of love and care. There were pillow fights, water fights, and lessons taught on a daily basis. "Walk a mile in another man's shoes, before you judge him. There is good in the worst, and bad in the best." These are only two of the daily things that he told us children as we were growing up.
Harold was always able to see the silver lining in every storm cloud.This made us always look for the good in everything that happened - no matter how bad it seemed at the time. "What does not break me, makes me strong. If it does break me, I will be stronger when I heal. Because just like a bone is stronger when it heals, we are all like that and will be stronger once we heal."
When he became a mechanic at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, he earned the nick name of Tune Up Tom. The Tom was short for Thomas of course; but I had to ask about the Tune Up part. It seems that one day he was having a hard time with a tank, getting it to run and stay running.
Harold, who did not cuss and very rarely lost his temper, took a rubber mallet from his tool box and gave the part a sharp rap, "There," he said, "that should tune you up better." So, Harold became "Tune Up Tom", and remained so until his death in 1968.
What my father taught me as a child has followed me into my adult life. I try to: "Walk a mile in another's shoes, before I judge them. I try to remember that there is good in the worst, and bad in the best. Also to remember that there is a silver lining to every storm cloud." But first and foremost I try to remember that what breaks me, makes me stronger.
One day I may be as strong as my father, Harold Lee Thomas; and as strong as my mother, Ms Alberta, Edith Alberta Shoupe Thomas Brandon. I love and miss you both every day of my life. I pray that I can stay strong in my faith so that I may reunite with them both one day - when Christ, The Lord comes again. Amen and Amen.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Promise From The Bible
King James Version (KJV)
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus stretched out his arms on the cross and died for all sinners. Now Jesus says to all.
Luke 10:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Only believe in Christ the Lord, Son of God and your soul will be saved. Jesus is waiting for your answer.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Memorial Day 2018
 |
| Father - Harold Lee; Mother - Edith Alberta Shoupe Thomas 4 August 1924 - 14 January 1968; 1 August 1926 - 4 May 2011 |
; |
| Grandmother - Myrtle E. Vaughn "Mom" Shoupe 5 May 1909 - 1 December 1989 |
 |
| Baby Sister - Sharon Gail Thomas 19 September 1951 - 9 December 1951 |
 |
| Ardith Faye Shoupe Sergeant Wilson Harris 30 May 1932 - 10 May 2018 |
 |
| Five Family Members |
Monday, May 21, 2018
Death of a Sister: Ardith Faye
Age 33
She is survived by her husband of fifty five years, Russell Allen Harris, one sister, Dessie Sue McVaney, three children, Lee Wilson, Bobby (Maggie) Wilson, Veronica Sinclair; twelve grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Faye died of complications from seizures and a stroke, which caused aspirational pneumonia.
She was preceded in death by her father Leonard E. Shoupe, mother Myrtle E. Vaughn Shoupe, a brother Willis Ray Shoupe, a sister Edith Alberta Shoupe Thomas Brandon, and one son, Phillip Wilson.
Burial was 15 May, 2018, in Highland Cemetery, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Quote: Your Mother
“Your Mother is always with you.
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take.
She’s your love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you, not time, not space, not even death.”
Author: UNKNOWN
My mother, Ms Alberta passed away May 4, 2011. I miss her everyday.
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take.
She’s your love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you, not time, not space, not even death.”
Author: UNKNOWN
My mother, Ms Alberta passed away May 4, 2011. I miss her everyday.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
From Ann – Looking Forward
From Ann – Looking Forward
I have published all of Ms Alberta’s handwritten
notes and recorded tapes. I have added some of her favorite recipes and poems;
told about some of her ancestors and family. I have added letters and memories
from family and friends. I have told about incidences from childhood. I have
talked about Ms Alberta’s faith and the love that was given as I was raised.
I am one of those people who believe that what we
come in contact with in life is what shapes us and makes us say and do the
things we do. I believe my brother, sister, and I were some of those lucky
individuals that had a loving, caring mother and father. Both parents believed
in learning from the past but to never live in the past.
I believe they would both be proud of this blog and the memories of family and friends that are talked about in it.I also believe that they would both tell me that it is time to start looking forward and not back to the past; that I needed to mourn their loss, live through the grief and simply look forward to the time we would all be a family again.
I am looking forward to the second coming of The
Lord Jesus; when My Family Circle
will once more be complete.
 |
| Back: Clara Jean, Alberta Ann, Harold Danny Ms Alberta, Harold Lee Thomas |
Sharon
Gail held by Alberta
Ann
Harold Danny – Clara Jean (standing)
Harold Danny – Clara Jean (standing)
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Memory from Ms Alberta - April 18, 1945
1945 – April 18 War Correspondent Ernie Pyle Killed– Posted 2-2-2012
I knew that Harold was in Ie Shima, but I didn’t know until years later that he was only one fox hole over from Ernie Pyle when he was killed. It was said that the jeep he was in came under sniper fire and that they all jumped into fox holes to get away. Ernie Pyle raised his head to ask if the man in the fox hole across from him was okay. The sniper took his life with the next shot he fired.
There is a monument that was erected by the unit he was covering at the time of his death. It says, “On this spot the 77th Infantry Division lost a Buddy. Ernie Pyle, 18 April 1945”.
I knew that Harold was in Ie Shima, but I didn’t know until years later that he was only one fox hole over from Ernie Pyle when he was killed. It was said that the jeep he was in came under sniper fire and that they all jumped into fox holes to get away. Ernie Pyle raised his head to ask if the man in the fox hole across from him was okay. The sniper took his life with the next shot he fired.
There is a monument that was erected by the unit he was covering at the time of his death. It says, “On this spot the 77th Infantry Division lost a Buddy. Ernie Pyle, 18 April 1945”.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Quote from Daniell Koepke - Simple Reminders - Toxic People
Toxic People
By Daniell Koepke – Simple RemindersYou don’t ever have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life.
It doesn’t matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest, employer, childhood friend, or a new acquaintance – you don’t have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small.
It’s one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and “continues” to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go.
Posted 15 April 2018
I originally posted this quote Sunday, November 9, 2014. Sadly, I once again find I need to remind myself this is still very true.
I may not feel guilt; but I do feel hurt and betrayed. There is also a sense of deep loss, that I do not understand.
Anne Thomas
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Quote From Daily Nutrition and Natural Remedies - February 8, 2016 - 12 Things to Always Remember
From Daily Nutrition and Natural Remedies
February 8, 2016
12 Things to Always Remember:
1. The past cannot be changed.
2. Opinions don’t define your reality.
3. Everyone’s journey is different.
4. Things always get better with time.
5. Judgments are a confession of character.
6. Over thinking will lead to sadness.
7. Happiness is found within.
8. Positive thoughts create positive things.
9. Smiles are contagious.
10. Kindness is free.
11. You only fail if you quit.
12. What goes around comes around.
February 8, 2016
12 Things to Always Remember:
1. The past cannot be changed.
2. Opinions don’t define your reality.
3. Everyone’s journey is different.
4. Things always get better with time.
5. Judgments are a confession of character.
6. Over thinking will lead to sadness.
7. Happiness is found within.
8. Positive thoughts create positive things.
9. Smiles are contagious.
10. Kindness is free.
11. You only fail if you quit.
12. What goes around comes around.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Quotes From Others
From: "Regarding Anna" by Florence Osmund
"The Seven Keys to Happiness
1) Safety and security
2) Relationships with family and
friends
3) Being comfortable with one’s self
4) Having achievable goals
5) Good
health
6) Maintaining a positive attitude
7) Helping others"
Monday, March 5, 2018
From Alberta Ann: Memories of Pizza
March 5, 2018
Memories of Pizza
It was Memorial Day week end. The usual time Ms Alberta and I decorate the graves of those who have preceded us to the next life. Most of these grave sites are in Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky. We have kinfolk there also; so we decorate the graves then visit our kinfolk.
Ms Alberta and I arrived late afternoon Saturday. We checked into our motel, then we decorated the graves of my father, Harold, my sister, Sharon Gail, and Ms Alberta's mother, (my grandmother), Myrtle – known all my lifetime as Mom Shoupe. We were going the next day to visit with our relatives who lived about fifteen miles away in Rockholds, Kentucky. Walking the hillside to decorate the graves was always a little hard on Ms Alberta, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Once we returned to our room, we both laid down to rest for a little while.
When we woke up it was nearer bedtime than it was to getting up time. We were both hungry and wanted something to eat. Since it was Memorial Day week end, we realized that nothing was going to be open. We thought about that for a little while; then I decided to go see what the vending machines in the lobby of our motel had to offer. There wasn’t much in the machines, the usual chips and candy; not at all what we had in mind. The desk clerk was behind the desk so I decided to ask him if he knew of any place that just might be open and serving something besides potato chips and candy to eat.
He was very helpful and told me the only thing open was a Domino’s Pizza place, just five miles down the road. He gave me the phone number and I returned to the room. I love Domino’s Pizza but Ms Alberta was not a big fan of fast food. She much preferred food that was cooked the “correct” way on top of the stove or in the oven. For that reason she allowed me to call in the order, so I ordered our large pizza the way I love it. This is a pizza that I call a Hawaiian Special; crispy, thin crust, with five toppings - pepperoni, black olives, banana peppers, bacon and pineapple. After the required thirty minutes I went to pick up our Hawaiian Special Pizza.
Once I returned to our room, Ms Alberta opened the box, gave me her “you know I don’t really like this” look, and got hold of a slice of pizza. I got my own slice of pizza and watched Ms Alberta as she had her first taste of the Hawaiian Special Pizza.
Her eyes opened in surprise and she hummed “this is good”. I watched in awe as Ms Alberta helped me devour the Hawaiian Special. We had been lifting the lid, reaching in without looking into the box, getting a slice and eating. Ms Alberta reached in and said, “Oh! Ann we’ve eaten that whole pizza all by ourselves!” Then she started to laugh.
Ms Alberta had one of those laughs that invited you to join in. I’ve seen the saddest person in the room hear her laugh and, not even knowing what was so funny, not be able to resist that laugh. They always joined in her laughter.
As good as that pizza was, it is Ms Alberta’s laughter that, after all these years, I still hear echoes of. Those echoes of laughter that still warm my heart also bring tears to my eyes.
I miss your laughter Ms Alberta, my dear mother. Through our Lord Jesus I will see you again one day.
Memories of Pizza
It was Memorial Day week end. The usual time Ms Alberta and I decorate the graves of those who have preceded us to the next life. Most of these grave sites are in Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky. We have kinfolk there also; so we decorate the graves then visit our kinfolk.
Ms Alberta and I arrived late afternoon Saturday. We checked into our motel, then we decorated the graves of my father, Harold, my sister, Sharon Gail, and Ms Alberta's mother, (my grandmother), Myrtle – known all my lifetime as Mom Shoupe. We were going the next day to visit with our relatives who lived about fifteen miles away in Rockholds, Kentucky. Walking the hillside to decorate the graves was always a little hard on Ms Alberta, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Once we returned to our room, we both laid down to rest for a little while.
When we woke up it was nearer bedtime than it was to getting up time. We were both hungry and wanted something to eat. Since it was Memorial Day week end, we realized that nothing was going to be open. We thought about that for a little while; then I decided to go see what the vending machines in the lobby of our motel had to offer. There wasn’t much in the machines, the usual chips and candy; not at all what we had in mind. The desk clerk was behind the desk so I decided to ask him if he knew of any place that just might be open and serving something besides potato chips and candy to eat.
He was very helpful and told me the only thing open was a Domino’s Pizza place, just five miles down the road. He gave me the phone number and I returned to the room. I love Domino’s Pizza but Ms Alberta was not a big fan of fast food. She much preferred food that was cooked the “correct” way on top of the stove or in the oven. For that reason she allowed me to call in the order, so I ordered our large pizza the way I love it. This is a pizza that I call a Hawaiian Special; crispy, thin crust, with five toppings - pepperoni, black olives, banana peppers, bacon and pineapple. After the required thirty minutes I went to pick up our Hawaiian Special Pizza.
Once I returned to our room, Ms Alberta opened the box, gave me her “you know I don’t really like this” look, and got hold of a slice of pizza. I got my own slice of pizza and watched Ms Alberta as she had her first taste of the Hawaiian Special Pizza.
Her eyes opened in surprise and she hummed “this is good”. I watched in awe as Ms Alberta helped me devour the Hawaiian Special. We had been lifting the lid, reaching in without looking into the box, getting a slice and eating. Ms Alberta reached in and said, “Oh! Ann we’ve eaten that whole pizza all by ourselves!” Then she started to laugh.
Ms Alberta had one of those laughs that invited you to join in. I’ve seen the saddest person in the room hear her laugh and, not even knowing what was so funny, not be able to resist that laugh. They always joined in her laughter.
As good as that pizza was, it is Ms Alberta’s laughter that, after all these years, I still hear echoes of. Those echoes of laughter that still warm my heart also bring tears to my eyes.
I miss your laughter Ms Alberta, my dear mother. Through our Lord Jesus I will see you again one day.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
We Are All Human
We are all human, and make mistakes.
That does NOT make us useless.
God uses us how we are.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Forgiveness Always
From: "In the Light of the Garden: A Novel" by Heather Burch
Matthew 6: 14 -15
14 rFor if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 sbut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“Unforgiveness is an anchor. It will tie you to the pain with a chain too thick to break. It will wind around your neck and drown you in the very water you need to navigate.”
Matthew 6: 14 -15
14 rFor if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 sbut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness
We are all human and as humans I think we have a tendency to judge another person by their past. We don't want to have anything to do with that person because of what they said or did.
We don't stop to think about the road they have had to travel to be where they are today. Nor do we stop to think and consider that God is who has given them that path to follow.
Dad always said that there was good in the worst and bad in the best; so we shouldn't judge another person until we had walked a mile in their shoes.
I for one cannot throw stones because the house I live in is made of glass. Not literally of course, but I say that because I have made so many mistakes and bad decisions in my life; I would be the very last person to have the right to judge another person.
Jesus is the Savior and through Him, God has forgiven my mistakes and bad decisions. Through Christ Jesus, God forgives all of us.
Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
Matthew 6:15 - But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses:
We are all human and as humans I think we have a tendency to judge another person by their past. We don't want to have anything to do with that person because of what they said or did.
We don't stop to think about the road they have had to travel to be where they are today. Nor do we stop to think and consider that God is who has given them that path to follow.
Dad always said that there was good in the worst and bad in the best; so we shouldn't judge another person until we had walked a mile in their shoes.
I for one cannot throw stones because the house I live in is made of glass. Not literally of course, but I say that because I have made so many mistakes and bad decisions in my life; I would be the very last person to have the right to judge another person.
Jesus is the Savior and through Him, God has forgiven my mistakes and bad decisions. Through Christ Jesus, God forgives all of us.
Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
Matthew 6:15 - But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses:
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Quote from: Mary Baker Eddy
“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts.”
Quote from: Mary Baker Eddy
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Memories From Alberta Anne Thomas
Memories:
May 18, 2012
I find I am like Mother. I want to write about her
and Dad; the things that they said and did that shaped us children into the
strong adults we are today; but I find that it isn’t that there are too few
memories but too many. It is never just one thing that shapes us but the
combination of all that we are exposed to and taught that makes us what we are.
“God helps those who help themselves,” taught as we
plowed, planted and took care of the garden we raised each year.
“There’s always someone just a little bit worse off
than you are yourself,” this one taught as we shared what we had with
neighbors, friends and some times strangers that needed help.
“A place for everything, and everything in its place,”
That taught us to be neat and organized.
“When you point a finger at someone, you have three
pointing back at yourself,” “Don’t pass judgment until you’ve walked a mile in
the other man’s shoes,” taught us to consider before we condemned.
“Words are like bullets; once you let them loose you
can’t call them back,” taught us to take a deep breathe before we spoke.
Mom and Dads actions and all the sayings helped to
shape us as we grew up. But what I remember the most is the laughter. Mother
could find what was funny in the worst situation and Dad was always ready for a
pillow fight or a water fight.
I can remember the mischief dancing in Dads eyes and
how Dad would give Mother one of his sideways smiles and Mother would say “Now
Harold!” as she took off running as fast as she could go with him running close
behind, as both their voices rang with laughter and joy in the running.
Yes, too many memories – and too few words to put
those memories onto paper to share. But I am going to try to share the
memories. One of my memories may be the pebble thrown into the pond of life
that will ripple and touch someone else’s live. That memory may be the one that
will give someone else hope or laughter; and that is the one thing that I know
for sure. Mother and Dad believed there was always a silver lining in the
darkest cloud; God always opens a window when He closes a door; cry and you cry
alone – laugh and the world laughs with you.
What I learned from my mother and my father was
this:
God should always be first and foremost in your
life. Laughter is the best medicine in the world. When it is combined with a strong
faith in God, the Father, Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; you may have
problems, trials, and tribulations; you may stumble and even fall; but God will
be there to comfort you while you are weak and He will help you stand tall and
strong again.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
The Trip of Life
The Trip of Life
I rambled through my
childhood.
I skipped through my teens.
I ran through my early twenties; then had a tumble in my late twenties; when I realized I had three children and was alone because we both worked at jobs we loved but the jobs created long hours away from each other, and our children.
In my thirties I caught my running stride again. I continued to run until my early forties when my first grandchild was born. I tripped then and started falling into my fifties when the great grandchildren started to be born.
I righted myself, caught my breath, and walked into my sixties.
Now I find I have fallen into my seventies.
I skipped through my teens.
I ran through my early twenties; then had a tumble in my late twenties; when I realized I had three children and was alone because we both worked at jobs we loved but the jobs created long hours away from each other, and our children.
In my thirties I caught my running stride again. I continued to run until my early forties when my first grandchild was born. I tripped then and started falling into my fifties when the great grandchildren started to be born.
I righted myself, caught my breath, and walked into my sixties.
Now I find I have fallen into my seventies.
I will probably crawl
into my eighties.
But
through all of this, it has been an enjoyable trip.
By
A. A. Thomas, June 6, 2016
Monday, January 1, 2018
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