I am thankful for.....

Good Afternoon Dear and Precious Family of Mine !


Dearest God-

I'm thankful for You Lord and your wonderful and wonder-filled creation.

I'm thankful for opportunities to prayer walk and talk to you in the sweet and comforting breeze.

I'm thankful for my family all over the world and in cyberspace.

I'm thankful for the gifts both known and unknown that you continue to have me unwrap.

I'm thankful for this country and my ancestors who came to this country yearning to be free to believe.

I'm thankful for your love, comfort, and redeeming grace that sustains me day after day and in the night watches.

I'm thankful for my family who I'm knit together by blood.

I'm thankful for the many loved ones who now reside in the heavenly places.

I'm thankful for ______________________________

I pray  for all those who are alone, the widowed, divorced, and outcast.

I pray for those who have chronic pain and illness this day. I pray that they could enjoy some of the holiday.

I pray for_________________________________

I pray and give thanks for our faith communities and all religious leaders.

We pray for those who have to work this day. We pray that they may have time for rest and play.

Lord we lift these Thanksgivings and petitions to you this day and send them to you with love and compassion in our hearts. Amen.

Grief Bites, God's Grace and Our Journey together

Dearest Family of Love and Compassion and fellow travelers on our journey!

I couldn't walk tonight because I attended the Community Thanksgiving Service. I'm glad that I did because I had about a 3 hour grief bite. I hate these especially when lately it is an added accessory with the holidays. I prefer a bit of bling not sting! One is never prepared for this but I do know that having a responsive support system and family as you all are to me are vital.  A friend of mine suggested that I attend the Thanksgiving service which I did. I'm very glad and it soothed my grieving heart and soul. God's grace abounds all the time and I felt the cloud lifted with all of your prayers, thoughts ,hugs , love! Love, prayers, and words of comfort are what we all are about. Help us to always remember that we are on this journey together. Let's remember to always be responsive to those going through grief. As a family we need to be responsive and not be cold  and detached. Being cold and detached makes people feel  that they don't matter and feel like dirt. This kind of thing is not acceptable on our journey together. We journey on with love, prayers,comfort, and the ability to respond to each other and those in need. We are all in this together no matter what. We are a family in every sense of the word. God made us family from the very beginning and that is very good news!

So on this Thanksgiving Eve I give God Thanks for you! I love you and will be your sister to infinity and beyond and back again and then some! That is how I feel and it makes me smile and honored to call you family and friends and travelers on our journey this day and always! I promise to love, respond, care, and walk together with you in your joys,sorrows, and struggles come what may. I promise to continue to carry you and your prayer requests in my heart this day and always!

Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah! Light One Candle and Show God's extravagant love to the world that we are peacemakers, family, and for ever  pilgrims together!

Sara


We Gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

Come thou Fount of Every Blessing

Take time to pray and Light One Candle

Dear Family,

Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah Eve! What a wonderful combination of celebrations to have together. This afternoon's prayer response is : Light One Candle

Lord shine in our hearts with thanksgiving this night and tomorrow!

Light One Candle

Lord help us to show your light to others and those who may be in difficult circumstances.

Light One Candle.

Lord Give us courage to speak truth to power in love and support of the powerless.

Light One Candle

Lord Help us to be the light to those who grieve and those who are in transition.

Light One Candle

Lord May we continue to be the nation where the lamp of liberty was lit.

Light One Candle.

Lord May our hearts be light and joyous in these stressful and anxious times.

Light One Candle.

Lord Help us to believe even when we are having doubts.

Light One Candle

Lord give to all of our family members safety on their travels. Be a beacon of light and safety.

Light One Candle.

Help us to be the light!

Light One Candle.

For those who are celebrating Hanukkah may we remember that miracles still happen.

Light One Candle.

For those of our Christian Family members and all family members: "The Light of Christ in me recognizes the light of Christ in you."

Light One Candle.

Light One Candle by Peter, Paul, and Mary.

From the Kitchens of Grandma Lorena and Sara Lee Mac

Hi Family!

Here are a couple of recipes I'd like to share with you!

Love to all!

Sara

Grandma Lorena’s Favorite Recipes

For All Occasions

Mexican Corn Bread

2 Eggs Beaten                                    

1Cup Cream Style Corn

3 teaspoons Baking Powder

½ Cup Sour Cream

½ Cup Cottage Cheese                                          Mix all ingredients together.

2/3 Cup melted shortening or oil                       Bake for 1 hour at 350°  in metal pan (325 ° in glass pan)

1 Cup Yellow Corn Meal

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 can diced green Chilies

1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

½ Cup butter or margarine                               1 Teaspoon Vanilla          

½ Cup Shortening                                                2 Cups Sifted Cake Flour

1 1/2 Cups Sugar                               1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

2 eggs beaten                                                       ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Cup Sour Cream

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar. Add Eggs, sour cream and vanilla.

Blend well. Gradually add dry ingredients sifted together. MIXTURE WILL BE THICK!

Put ½ mixture into angel food cake pan. Top with ½ topping mixture and rest of the Batter and the remaining topping mixture. Bake 1 hour at 350°.  Optional - dust with sifted powdered sugar after removing from the oven

 Topping

½ Cup chopped mixed nuts

4 Tablespoons sugar

½ Teaspoon Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

Walking on a Crisp Evening! Some things to keep in mind!

Dearest Family on Our Journey!

It was a crisp evening to walk and the town was busy with shoppers getting their  provisions for Thanksgiving. I was amazed that Shaw's Steakhouse was packed and the Pantry on Park wasn't. I guess people wanted steak before they have all that turkey. Tonight's prayer focus was  praying for all those who travel, even if it is only down the street. If you have an elderly friend or family member who matters to you this season please consider driving them. It is too busy a season for the elderly to be out driving. 

Things to keep in mind this season!

Let's keep an eye open for all those who are in need.
Don't forget the Salvation Army Red Kettles!
Go through your closets and garages and get rid of stuff.
Have an extra warm coat give it away coat drives are happening
Be mindful of those who are alone and those who are still grieving. A cup of kindness can go a long way.
Turn off your phone in the car!
Make your car a distracted driving free zone! Keep your eyes on the road.
Open your home to single people who may not have a place to go.
Keep healthy, get rest, and don't overdo. If you have a compromised immune system watch those crowds!
Designate a driver if you should decide to imbibe. Better yet have a party at home!
Take time to pray and meditate!
Go outside if weather permits!
Check in to your place of worship if you haven't done so lately. Don't just make it a twice yearly (Christmas and Easter) affair. God wants to see you be with your family.
Remember all the various charities that need donations !  I have a few and I will put together a list that could benefit by your donations and prayers. Many churches have alternative Christmas Markets.
Those are just a few suggestions.

I give God Thanks for you and love you from the deepest part of my heart. You matter to me and I treasure you all my dearest family. I carried you and your prayer requests in my heart as always!

With Love and Thanksgiving!

Sara

All you need is love -Beatles

Imagine John Lennon

Let it Be -Beatles

Across the Universe -Beatles

Take time for a midday retreat ! Prayers for the Tuesday before the First Sunday of Advent

Dear Family!

It's time for our mid-day and afternoon mini retreat! 

Today's prayer focus: Letting Go and Letting God !

Lord help us this week to let go of grudges that prevent us from being thankful and being truly family with one another and you. Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to put our priorities in order by acknowledging our dependence upon you. Let Go and Let God.

Lord give us ways to live simply so that we may simply live. Let Go and Let God.

Lord  help us to accept change in our lives and in our families. Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to praise you with joy and abandon without fear of looking weird. Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to put our worries, fears, anxieties in your hands today. Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to be patient when situations beyond our control make us tense, angry, and reactive. Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to put our whole trust in you! Let Go and Let God.

Lord help us to take care of our bodies, minds and spirits as you would have us do. Let Go and Let God.

We pray for all those who have requested prayer. Help us to release those requests to you. Let Go and Let God.

Lord into your hands we  pray for_______________________________ Let Go and Let God!

Lord  we lift up our loved ones whom we love and now reside in your heavenly kingdom. 

Lord we pray for the Church and your ministers help them not to be stressed by this season. Help them and us to Let Go and Let God.

Lord we lift up these prayers to you by letting them go to you with our love, trust and assurance that you are our navigator on our journey. Amen.

Day By Day -Godspell

On Eagle's Wings

Be not Afraid - Talbot

Prayer Walking with the sounds of Paul Winter "Journey With the Sun"

Good Evening Dear Family,

I hope you all have had a good day! Well, I finally got the turkey and the Thanksgiving Dinner makings! That's done now to work on my house! We aren't eating here but it needs work.  How many of you have that feeling of overwhelm so far? I'll bet many of you do! I was glad to get out and walk this evening and feel the cool air. I am a big fan of Paul Winter and walked to his "Journey with the Sun". What a wonderful album. Soothing and not at all morose. Remember when I wrote a few months ago about selecting music? This is that time of the year when this is critical for your mood and sanity. I suggest if you are grieving to stay away from the sentimental stuff. I am fond Christmas music after my birthday in small doses. It kind of is the half way point in Advent so it doesn't get crazy!

Here are a few handy pointers to avoid overwhelm:
Breathe
Take time for laughter! 
Take a drive out to the country, beach, mall, or any place of your choosing!
See a movie!
Have a date night!
Decorate simply!
Forget the fancy! Keep it simple!
Don't feel as thought you have to do it all! Delegate and ask for help! 
Take a walk!  Or what ever is in your physical fitness routine!
Walk the dog if you have a dog!
Take time to pray!
Play music, Dance, Sing!
Do what ever makes you happy and content!
Live, love, laugh!
Don't just do ! Just Be!

Have a happy night! I love you! Please keep those prayer requests coming! I love to pray your prayer requests while I walk on our journey!

Love and peace of mind!

Sara

Paul Winter Journey With the Sun