Walking in God's Cathedral of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Life! An emotionally uplifting walk tonight!

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey!

Tonight I'm going to spare you with more talk and give you tonight's pix and some music just to give you some down time! However tomorrow we will be back in full swing with all three. Just know that you all are loved and treasured and I'm glad that we are walking on our journey together. God is good and everything God made is good! Keep sending in your prayer requests! I love carrying you and those whom you ask to be prayed for in my heart as I walk on our journey!

Tonight's walking weather was crisp and a little misty but with a marvelous Moon up above. Shaw's Steakhouse smelled of Santa Maria Style BBQ! I wish I could have done the Miller route but it is still a tad bit too dark and I want to keep the peace that is indwelling in me stable. Ok! Here are the pix!

I love you, you matter and I give God thanks for you this day!

Love and peace of mind!

Sara

The Angel's Voice - Diane Arkenstone

Through the Veil- Diane Arkenstone

A Choir of Angels

Sanctuary- Diane Arkenstone

Walking with hope, peace and joy in our hearts! Prayer walking during the Third Week of Advent

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,

Happy Gaudete Sunday or Third Sunday of Advent! Let us rejoice and be glad for our journey to the Manger of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love is drawing near.  This week’s prayer walk will be focused on all of the 3 keywords Hope, Peace, and Joy. This prayer walk will be like no other we have done. Don’t get bogged down with these suggestions! Enjoy being with God and God’s creation while you walk and pray.  We will be taking time to refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits with energy along with prayers. Don’t forget your iPod or Mp3 player. Music is important too.  I take pictures and listen to music as I walk and pray!

 Remember last week we had the key words of hope and peace? This week we get to add to the framework the key word of joy. 

For those who haven't done our prayer walks we walk at whatever time is most suitable. I choose the evenings because of the peaceful qualities.

We  prepare  ourselves by hydrating with the image of Living Water coursing through our veins, tying our laces securely, wrapping our bodies with God's Warm prayer coat.

We invite God on our walk using these words or your own. God we invite you as you invite us to walk with you on our journey. Enliven our spirits, quicken our steps and open our hearts as we pray and walk.

When we first set out on our journey today we ask God to help us to be hope givers, peace makers, and bringers of joy to every family member we meet on our path! As Mr. Roark said on Fantasy Island “Smiles everyone, Smiles!”

Take a look at the sky and note the feel of the temperature. Take some gentle breaths and feel the indwelling of joy and God’s spirit with in you! Take time to know that this time is a conversation between you and God and the healing of your bodies, minds, and spirits.

Whenever you see a Stop sign take time to pay attention to your breathing and heart beating. That is God with in you. Are you beginning to feel peaceful and hopeful? Those holy endorphins will kick in soon.

Begin to pray for all of our family members and ask God to take care of them while you walk. As God to help you lay down you mental burdens as you take in all of God’s creation. Is there anything causing you to be anxious? Leave it on God’s broad shoulders.

Who is on your path today? God has set them there for a reason! Pray for those who are using varying modes of transportation and all those whom you meet. Smile and say Hello!  Keep this in mind when you see family members who cross your path:  Remember that you are walking in the light of God and "Light of Christ In Me recognizes the light of Christ In you.

Instead of the usual prayer list this week we will use categories: 

Pray for businesses and employees

Pray for all those who keep your city safe.

Pray for all those who are homeless, hungry, and outcast.

Pray for your faith community.

Pray for an end to abuse, exploitation, and violence.

Pray for anything or anyone who God sets up on your heart.

Ask God how you can be more loving, giving, compassionate, when we are barraged with all the holiday hype and negativity.

Lift up your hearts to God! God will never fail you. God is ever present.

Remember God requires each of us is “to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  This isn't  just on occasion but, now and always.

Finally Give thanks to God for all that God has done in your life today. Ask God to help you be a peace maker and hope bearer, and joy bringer to a broken world. 

Dear Ones these are only suggestions. Remember to honor what your body is telling you to do. This framework can be prayed in place as well

We pray this final prayer: We thank you Lord for letting us carry our prayers and those who have asked us for prayers in our hearts, minds, and spirits. We thank you for making our Feet Swift and Beautiful for you and guiding our steps on this prayer walk to the manger of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Amen.

That's all for now! Stay tuned tonight's walk with pictures and music and prayers will be up too! I have the energy, spirit, and joy to do this!

Until tonight! I wish you hope, peace, and joy this day!

Love and peace of mind,

Sara

A calm and peaceful night! Advent 3 Cycle of Prayer

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,

I'm amazed that this Saturday evening our town is very calm and peaceful. I hope it continues until Christmas Eve and Day. Tonight I walked through the Carriage District again and found more jewels in the Christmas lighting arena. That is one calm and peaceful neighborhood. I wish everyone could experience it. Tonight I am going to provide you with this week's cycle of prayer for Advent 3 with the keyword of joy interspersed in with the prayers.


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Lord we pray for all those whose lives have been touched by violence may come to know joy again. Bring them comfort and Joy.

Lord, we pray for all of our family members who live in cold, stormy, and snowy climates and that they may have warmth and power. Bring them comfort and Joy.

Lord we pray for our family members who travel to be with family members who are ill and are awaiting surgery. Bring them comfort and joy and traveling mercies.

Lord we pray for those of us who continue to grieve this time of year may we have an easier time with the upcoming holidays. Bring us comfort and joy.

Lord help us to us the gifts that you have given us in the service of your kingdom and to your glory. Illumine our paths with joy and light.

Lord help all children and all children's charities this time of year.
Lord continue to give them the gift of Joy and wonder in all your works.

Lord help us to be Hope givers , peace makers, and joy bringers to a broken and world in need of healing  Jesus help us to be like you the Joy of loving hearts.

Lord we pray for _________________________

Lord we give thanks for the Joy you bring____________________

Lord we pray for all of our loved ones______________________ Who now live with You in Your Joyful  and peaceful presence.

All this we ask as we continue to travel to the Manger of hope, peace, joy, and love and walk with you on our journey together. Amen.


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Prayer suggestions for the week:
Those affected by violence of any kind ( Remember Sandy Hook and Colorado)
The family of Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa
Those in bitterly cold weather all over the world and especially the North East in our country.
Family members awaiting surgery and those who wait with them. Those awaiting results of tests.
Healing for_______________________
Safety for those who travel and especially those who party this time of year.
For those with mental illness and addiction.
For students on break.
For all women and children who are in any need or want.
An end to human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.
Those with chronic illnesses and pain.
Our church leaders: Lay and Ordained. Those discerning calls to ministry in any faith community and the courage to say "Yes!" with joy in their hearts.
Our nation, state, and city.
Police, law enforcement, troops, and peacekeepers.
First Responders.
Those who work on their feet all day.
Those in the medical and research profession.
Healers of bodies, minds, and spirits!

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Well dear family that is all for tonight. The Progressive prayer walk with the keyword of joy will be on its way tomorrow. I love you, You Matter, and I am blessed by your presence in my life. God and you help to make my life hopeful, peaceful and filled with abundant joy. I hope that I do as well. I give thanks to God for you this day and always!

Love and peace of mind!

Sara

Yo Yo Ma and Friends - Here comes the Sun

Dona Nobis Pacem - Yo Yo Ma

Yo Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin -Bach Air on a "G' String

Finding Deep Joy as I walk, pray, and have fun on our journey!

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey!


Tonight I decided to mix up the route a bit and take a trip into the historic Carriage District and down McClelland. This is one of the original areas in our town. It looks like it could be a traditional neighborhood in a movie, so much so I think the folks from Leave it To Beaver and Father Knows Best would feel right at home. The Christmas lights are gleaming and sparkling! One has to keep visiting because you never know what has been added. There is a home on McClelland that has a wide array or better yet Plethora of Plush Toys in the yard. Teddy Bears Galore should be its name! Our castle like home Casa Encantada only had 3 lighted figures. Once we left the Carriage District we were on to McClelland or as it is sometimes known as All American City Boulevard. This is where you'll find the Abel Maldonado Youth and Community Center, Freedom Plaza, and Paul Nelson Aquatics Center and a many of  municipal offices and the Lewellen Justice Center not to mention our wonderful Public Library that makes Barnes and Noble look like a barn! Two notes of interest, Abel Maldonado our former Lieutenant Governor grew up in Santa Maria and attended Santa Maria High School and at the Lewellen Justice Center it had the dubious distinction of being the place where the Michael Jackson Trial was tried. Yes, the same street where I was heckled a few months ago was where the famous dance on top of the limo happened.That street is called Miller. That was tonight's travel log! I walked to George Winston's December and Pink Martini!
Pink Martini does an awesome job with "Santa Baby". 

I did take time to pray at Freedom Plaza for all of those who have lost there lives in the service of our country. They have a Veteran's Memorial wall with the various wars listed and our local service men and women's names. If anyone is looking for an outdoor place to pray in the evening this is the place. I find solace there. There is a fountain, that reminds me yet again of the Water of Life and the Living Water that should be coursing through our veins!

I believe that wherever our hearts are and we are praying that is holy ground! Our entire planet is holy ground because God created it. Let's always remember that. We need to find sanctuary in our hearts. Tonight I combined having fun and praying! You know what? It works too! It helped me find hope, peace, and our new keyword for Sunday Joy! Joy is something that is beyond happiness. It is deeply spiritual and when you have it in your life it feels like an eternal flame that is lit deep within even when you grieve. It takes the edge off of things. No booze needed! Joy is important because it helps to enliven our spirits, and quicken our steps, and tenderize our hearts and expand them for an ever growing love. 

A word about the pictures! Some of the Moon shots look like the Greek letter "Chi"! Very awesome and made me tear up. Well dear family of love that is all for tonight! I love you, you matter, and I give thanks to God for being the gifts that you are to me and to the world.
Let us continue to respond enthusiastically to God when He asks us to "Walk with me on our Journey"! Remember wherever we walk we are on holy ground.

Love and peace of mind,

Sara

December- George Winston