05.06.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

Sorry folks for being late with today’s post. We just left our home in Louisiana headed north in our RV. All morning was devoted to getting ready to travel. I’ll sneak in a picture or two from time to time of our travels! If you’ve never seen our travel blog it’s at rosalynandroy.com. Check it out!

Teachers have the unique ability to connect with their students in a way that no one else can. They teeter the fine line between the job of a parent, a friend and complete third party.

One third-grade teacher saw the potential for her students to confide in her and decided to figure out a way to make them feel comfortable to do so. Kyle Schwartz, who lives in Denver, came up with the idea of getting the kids to submit something they wished she knew about their personal lives and gave them the option of doing it anonymously.

She told ABC News that 92% of the students she teaches qualify for the free and reduced lunch. And as a new teacher, it was difficult for her to fully understand the daily realities the kids face every single day in their situation.

This was her successful attempt at understanding:

THE WHITE CLIFFS OF ITURUP

White rocks have stretched for miles alongside the shore of the Prostor Bay. They are formed of a very light and soft pumice as a result of the huge volcanic eruption. This pumice is being eroded by the storms of the Okhotsk Sea, by the rains and numerous small rivers that form the amazing shapes of the rocks. At the foot of these rocks lies an unusual black-and-white beach, consisting of chopped white pumice and black lava sand. And every morning that we camped there, fresh bear trails appeared on this sand. Iturup island.

A FLUTTER ALONG THE IGUAZU

Large gatherings of butterflies are common alongside the Iguazu River on the Brazil-Argentina border. When the river flow gets lower, the rocky riverbanks become exposed, retaining water in small ponds very rich in salts. This attracts butterflies of several species, mainly of the Pieridae family. Butterflies absorb and concentrate the salts in their bodies, pumping out the excess water.

THIS WEEK’S THREE FAVORITE PICS!

This art is so precise I was amazed at it!

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published randomly

04.29.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

BRIDAL TRADITION IN KOSOVO

A tradition a thousand years old, passed on to generations in today’s remote Donje Ljubinje in the Zhupa area in south Kosovo. Today, this tradition is at the verge of extinction, as only a 65-year-old lady continues preparing young brides according to their traditions. The bride’s face is painted in many beautiful layers of color. Three golden circles symbolizing the cycles of life are tied to one another by the golden roads that one crosses over their lifetime. The inner red circles are symbols of fertility, where red and blue dots are born from, and the whole face is covered by them, wishing her a healthy and happy family.

LAKE CAREZZA, ITALY

Lake Carezza is a pearl of the Dolomites. Nestled between an ancient forest of grand firs and Latemar mountain, it’s a place of legends and beauty—a nymph lives under its emerald waters. I threw a little stone in the water to add a little mystery to the scene.

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries – Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.

By Ann Voskamp from her blog A Holy Experience

Hey Soul? Yeah, you might get more than a bit frustrated today.
Here’s the deal: Only speak words that make souls stronger.

You might feel the sharp sting of somebody’s words.
Here’s the thing: Only speak words that make souls stronger.

You might feel some heat & pressure to lash out, to let your tongue rip.
Here’s your hope: Only speak words that make souls stronger — so that you stay strong.

“Say only what helps, *each word a gift.*” Eph.4:29MSG
Only speak words that make souls stronger — for once words are spoken, they may be forgiven, but may be not forgotten.

THIS WEEK’S 3 FAVORITE PHOTOS

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

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04.22.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays



TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONASTERY

Thiksey Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery known for its resemblance to Lhasa’s Potala Palace, sits at 11,800 feet in the northern Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. The 12-story complex houses temples, a nunnery, and Buddhist artwork, including a 40-foot statue of Maitreya, or the future Buddha. Photograph by Kavya Reddy

TRADITIONAL BENGALI WEDDING CEREMONY

The gaye holud is a traditional Bengali wedding ceremony in which the bride and groom are presented with fish dressed as the couple,” writes Your Shot member Brian Callaway, who captured this photo in the town of Mamallapuram, on the east coast of India. Photograph by Brian Callaway

GRANDPA’S HANDS

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn’t move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn’t acknowledge my presence & the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.
He raised his head & looked at me & smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.Thank you for asking,” he said in a clear strong voice.”I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands & I wanted to make sure you were OK,” I explained to him.
“Have you ever looked at your hands,” he asked.”I mean really looked at your hands?”
I slowly opened my hands & stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up & then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled & related this story:
“Stop & think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, & weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out & grab & embrace life. They put food in my mouth & clothes on my back.
As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.They tied my shoes & pulled on my boots.They have been dirty, scraped & raw, swollen & bent.They were uneasy & clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married & loved someone special.They trembled & shook when I buried my parents & spouse & walked my daughter down the aisle.They have covered my face, combed my hair, & washed & cleansed the rest of my body.They have been sticky & wet, bent & broken, dried & raw.And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, & again continue to fold in prayer.These hands are the mark of where I’ve been & the ruggedness of my life.But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out & take when he leads me home.And with my hands He will lift me to His side & thereI will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out & took my grandpa’s hands & led him home.
When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa. I know he has been stroked & caressed & held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God & feel His hands upon my face.
~ unknown
After reading this touching story,may we put our hands together & say a prayer for a loved one, a friend, or even a complete stranger. May we continue helping one another, hugging one another, & praying for one another with the hands God has blessed us with.3

THIS WEEK’S THREE FAVORITE PICS!

WHO SAYS LITTLE BOY’S CAN’T BE DRESSED CUTE! THESE ARE ALL ADORABLE!

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

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04.15.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

MACHU PICCHU, PERU

By James T Johnson

A young man went to seek an important position at a large printing company. He passed the initial interview and was going to meet the director for the final interview. The director saw his resume, it was excellent. And asked, ‘
– Have you received a scholarship for school?’ The boy replied, ” No ‘.
-‘ It was your father who paid for your studies? ‘
-‘ Yes.’- He replied.
-‘ Where does your father work? ‘
-‘ My father is a Blacksmith’
The Director asked the young to show him his hands.
The young man showed a pair of hands soft and perfect.
-‘ Have you ever helped your parents at their job? ‘
-‘ Never, my parents always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, he can do the job better than me.
The director said:
-‘ I have got a request: When you go home today, go and wash the hands of your father and then come see me tomorrow morning.’

The young felt his chance to get the job was high.
When he returned to his house he asked his father if he would allow him to wash their hands.
His father felt strange, happy, but with mixed feelings and showed their hands to his son. The young washed his hands, little by little. It was the first time that he noticed his father’s hands were wrinkled and they had so many scars. Some bruises were so painful that his skin shuddered when he touched them.
This was the first time that the young man recognized what it meant for this pair of hands to work every day to be able to pay for his study. The bruises on the hands were the price that he payed for their education, his school activities and his future.
After cleaning his father’s hands the young man stood in silence and began to tidy and clean up the workshop. That night, father and son talked for a long time.

The next morning, the young man went to the office of the director.
The Director noticed the tears in the eyes of the young when He asked him: -‘ Can you tell me what you did and what you learned yesterday at your house?’
The boy replied: -‘ I washed my father’s hands and when I finished I stayed and cleaned his workshop ‘
‘ Now I know what it is to appreciate and recognize that without my parents, I would not be who I am today. By helping my father I now realize how difficult and hard it is to do something on my own. I have come to appreciate the importance and the value in helping the family.

The director said, “This is what I look for in my people. I want to hire someone who can appreciate the help of others , a person who knows the hardship of others to do things, and a person who does not put money as his only goal in life”. ‘ You are hired ‘.

A child that has been coddled, Protected and usually given him what he wants, develops a mentality of ” I have the right ‘ and will always put himself first, ignoring the efforts of their parents. If we are this type of protective parent are we really showing love or are we destroying our children?

You can give your child a big house, good food, computer classes, watch on a big screen TV. But when you’re washing the floor or painting a wall, please let him experience that too.

After eating have them wash the dishes with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you have no money to hire someone to do this it’s because you want to love them the right way . No matter how rich you are, you want them to understand. One day your hair will have gray hair, like the father of this young man.

The most important thing is that your child learns to appreciate the effort and to experience the difficulties and learn the ability to work with others to get things done. ”

Captain Katie Higgins is flying into history this weekend as she takes to the skies as the first female pilot in the 69 year history of the Blue Angels! At the Beaufort Air Show in South Carolina, she will fly publicly for the first time as an official member of the US Navy’s elite flight squadron which performs spectacular air demonstrations for 11 million spectators each year. For the Maryland native, being an aviation trailblazer and role model is an honor: “if that is inspiring to people, if that’s inspiring to little girls around the country, then I’m doing my job.”

THIS WEEK’S THREE FAVORITE PICS!

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published randomly

04.08.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays Happy B’Day to my sister, Harriett

A SQUIRREL GOT ITS HEAD STUCK IN A HALLOWEEN DECORATION AND TERRIFIED A NEIGHB ORHOOD

WOULD YOU GO THERE?

TUFTED COQUETTE HUMMINGBIRD

BRUGMANSIA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS ANGEL’S TRUMPET

GLASS BEACH, FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA

8 YEAR OLD’S EXPLANATION OF GOD

Written by an 8 year old from Chula Vista, CA, for his third grade homework assignment. The assignment was to explain God. I just wonder if any of us could do as well?

One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.

He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this .

Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.

Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren’t any who come to our church.

Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.

His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God.

Don’t skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can.

It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.

But… you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And this is what I know about God.

All the Fish in the Sea

Photograph by Jeff Hester, National Geographic Your Shot

Your Shot member Jeff Hester was drawn to make this image because, he says, “I believe this is what our oceans should look like.” But Cabo Pulmo, a marine park off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, hasn’t always been this way. “In 1995, [the] park was established by local citizens to counteract depleted reef fishes and marine life due to overfishing,” he says. “Today, the biomass is booming, and the ecosystem is returning to a healthy state. For this particular image, I wanted to show some scale … so I had my wife, seen in the foreground, swim ahead of me.”

MESA ARCH IN UTAH’S CANYONLANDS

Mesa Arch in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park is one of the finest places for a photographer to start the day. This 4×5 negative was exposed with an old lens, a 121mm Schneider Super Angulon. It was a favorite of Ansel Adams. While an excellent optic for its time, it only had single-layer coating and was subject to more flare than modern lenses. In this instance, it created a starburst pattern with rainbow streaks that add greatly to the character of the image.

TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOMS IN BELCARRA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Turkey tail mushrooms, a type of bracket fungi, are spied on a fall day in Belcarra, British Columbia, Canada. Known particularly in Chinese medicine for its healing properties, the mushroom is believed to strengthen the immune system against disease and infection. Photograph by Lance Isackson, National Geographic Your Shot

THIS WEEK’S THREE FAVORITE PHOTOS!
BEFORE WINTER TOTALLY GETS AWAY FROM US, ENJOY THESE FROZEN IMAGES

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published randomly

04.01.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

I love finding funny, silly or heart warming graphics.  I have so many saved that I decided to use only these in today’s blog.  Hope they bring that smile to your face that we all need about mid-week!  Thanks to everyone who reads this blog, pass it along to someone you love or someone you know needs a little love and happiness brought into their life each week! “The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’ “—Matthew 21:6-11

The Death of Jesus

^{Matthew 27:45} At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. ⁴⁶ At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

⁴⁷ Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. ⁴⁸ One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. ⁴⁹ But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, ⁵² and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. ⁵³ They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
The Resurrection

Matthew 28 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. ⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

⁸ The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. ⁹ And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published randomly

03.25.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

THE VERY FIRST COVERS OF 30 FAMOUS MAGAZINES

Click on this Time, 1923 first edition cover to see many moreDOGS THAT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING ELSE

KOMONDOR LOOKS LIKE A MOP

DOG THAT LOOKS LIKE RICHARD BRANSON

PUPPY AND TEDDY TWINS

DOG LOOKS LIKE CHEWBACCA

DOG LOOKS LIKE PUTIN

PUPPIES THAT LOOK LIKE FRIED CHICKEN

HAVE FUN AND SING A LONG!
Click on the photo to watch this fun filled video!

THE WATERFALL RESTAURANT, PHILIPPINES

This is a must do on my bucket list!!

Next Time You Think You’re Having A Bad Day, Look At These 22 People. Theirs Are Way Worse.
Click on the photo below to see more!

THE 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL ANIMALS OF 2014
Click on the video below to see these amazing animals!

 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S PHOTOS OF THE DAY – A FEW AT A TIME
Descriptions are below each photoThe Twins

Every year, a sardine run occurs in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, says Your Shot member Fabrice Guerin, who adds that this is when it’s possible to spot the fastest fish in the ocean—the sailfish—hunting fish shoals. “They drill the balls of terrified fish, offering us a stunning show,” he writes. “When I saw these two sailfish going toward the sardines against the sun, I shot as quickly as possible.” Photograph by Fabrice Guerin, National Geographic Your Shot

Worth the Wait

“A beautiful and active aurora appeared the day after a storm had passed over Iceland,” writes Takashi Nakagawa, a member of our Your Shot community. “Iceland is not an ideal place to watch the aurora because the weather in winter is mostly cloudy. I waited at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon for three days to photograph the aurora [at] this amazing place. This was a perfect night. I’ll never forget this moment.” Photograph by Takashi Nakagawa, National Geographic Your Shot

Group Flight

“Lying on important flyways, the wetlands of Gujarat, India, are thronged by millions of birds migrating south in winter,” writes Your Shot member Navtej Singh, who captured this scene while taking aerial shots of the port town of Jamnagar. “As I flew over the flamingoes, the birds took flight. It was an unbelievable sight, and I was right above them to capture the magnificent event.” Photograph by Navtej Singh, National Geographic Your Shot

Fox on the Rocks

Lingering at a lookout in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, Your Shot member Irina C. spotted this fox entering the scene. “It navigated very confidently among the rocks, moving small ones with its paws and picking up food scraps dropped by tourists during the day,” she writes. “I thought it was genius: Instead of wasting energy and time hunting for mice, this fox had it all figured out.” Photograph by Irina C., National Geographic Your Shot

The Pitcher and the Carpenter

The fanged pitcher plant and the carpenter ant (seen here in Borneo) have a mutualistic relationship: While the plant’s pitcher stem provides a home for small ant colonies of up to 30 individuals, the ants keep the chemistry of the pitcher’s liquid balanced by removing large insects that have found their way inside. If the insects were to rot in the liquid, it would spoil. Photograph by Christian Ziegler

SKITTLE POKE CAKE

THIS WEEKS THREE FAVORITE PICS!

UNUSUAL ART – VERY CREATIVE THINKING!

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

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Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published on Fridays

03.18.15 Wacky Wonderful Colorful Wednesdays

Today we will stay right here and not venture off this site. Today we will venture into the Wacky Wonderful World of COLOR! Prepare for your senses to be on COLOR OVERLOAD!

RANDOM COLOR!

COLORFUL CRAZY HAIR!

COLORFUL CAKES AND OTHER FOOD! Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published on Fridays

03.11.15 Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays

IT IS A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

Michael Paul Smith whose broad life experiences lead him to the creation of Elgin Park, a fictional 20th century town filled with miniature 1/24th-scale models of cars and buildings. Smith mixes his carefully crafted model sets with die-cut automobiles and real-life backdrops, taking advantage of an optical illusion known as forced perspective.
Click on either of the photos below to see all these neat optical illusions.

It was just a regular day on the train, then he announced there was a dance party.The riders on the Perth Train were quietly on their way to their destination. Then a young man in a tuxedo makes the proclamation that the train was now a dance party. As he started dancing on the train the people at first didn’t know what to think. Then his happiness spread and everyone joined in the fun.

>.HE DOESN’T HAVE MUCH BUT WHAT LITTLE HE RECEIVED HE GAVE BACK…..

It was over 20 years ago. I was holding my baby son in my arms while my two other children played under a big tree in the front yard of an old house. The house was also a local food bank and I was watching my children while my wife went in. I had been laid off work for a long time and we were out of food. I tried to laugh as my children chased each other around the tree but my heart was too heavy. Despair hung around me like a cloud. All I could feel was fear. Finally my wife came out holding a large bag of food and we smiled at each other. Thanks to the kindness of others our children would not go hungry that night.

It was yesterday. I found myself outside the doors of another food bank. Thanks to the kindness of a kindred spirit I had some extra money in my wallet and a longing to share this gift with others. I went to the local grocery store and bought what I could with what I had. Then I carried in the bags of food to help restock the food bank’s sparse shelves. The people there thanked me several times, but I felt a little embarrassed as I accepted their gratitude. I was, after all, only completing a circle of kindness that began over twenty years ago.

This world is full of circles of love. Every smile we share, thing we give, and act of kindness we do flows out from us to touch others. Then it continues on going from heart to heart and soul to soul until it circles the world and returns to us again. I was just happy to take my place in one of those circles yesterday and to pass on the loving-kindness that had been shared with me.

Don’t be afraid to take your own place in these circles of love. A kind word, a caring smile, a gentle touch, a helping hand, or a simple act of charity can change another’s life and this world as well. Circle all of your days with love then. Love will warm your heart. Love will bring you joy. Love will spiral you to Heaven and always lead you back to God.

– Joseph J. Mazzella

WHY WE MUST NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP!
Click on the picture below to see why!

THE RHYTHM OF RUSH by Lysa Terkeurst

Not too long ago, I stood at the sink trying to ease the stabbing feeling of stress. I had so much pulling at me. I found myself rushing my husband in conversation. Rushing my kids out the door. Rushing to the next thing and then the next. Rushing to make dinner and then rushing my people through dinner. Exhaustion gnawed deep places in my heart, demanding me to slow down. But how? I’ve made my decisions and now my decisions have made me. Me—this shell of a woman caught in the rush of endless demands.Ever felt like you’ve set your life to the rhythm of rush? Sometimes it takes stepping out of the rush to see things. Not too long after the day I stood at the sink drowning in life, I went to the Holy Land. It was a trip I’d longed to take for years. But as the day to leave marched closer and closer, I wished I’d scheduled it later—another time, a time when life didn’t feel so busy. But the tripwas booked, so I went. And I’m forever glad I did. In the Holy Land, busy took a break from chasing me.This trip forced me to “unrush,” and I discovered I like who I am so much better when I’m not set to the wrong rhythm. I also learned so much about Jesus. His life. His decisions. His lessons. And do you know what the most impactful lesson was for me, personally? Jesus never rushed. He set His life to the rhythm of connection and compassion. With great intentionality Jesus stayed unrushed. This is what I want.

KITTIES WITH SABER LIGHTS
Click on the photo to watch a video of these precious kitties!

AN AERIAL VIEW OF A BRIDE OVER ICY WATER
Click on the photo below to see more of these amazing photos!

SOME OF THE MOST CREATIVE BEAUTIFUL EASTER EGGS!

Click on the photo to see more of these eggs and some how to’s!

38 PARENTS WHO HAVE MASTERED THE ART OF TEXTING

If texting is the 21st century’s most significant contribution to human literacy achievement, moms and dads are the first great pioneers of this new art form. Behold some of the greatest works they have achieved so far.

WARNING: THESE 25 AMAZING BEDS WILL MAKE YOU WISH IT WAS NAP TIME!
Click on the photo below to see more!

A HILARIOUS TIM HAWKINS SPIN ON THE HIT SONG ‘BIG GREEN TRACTOR’

Here is some good, clean fun from Christian comedian Tim Hawkins! He’s got himself in a hysterical situation with his pink tractor!

20 SECONDS OF AMAZEMENT! DOG RIDING BIKE!!
Click on the photo below to watch this video!

HAVE YOU EVER FALLEN ASLEEP SITTING DOWN OR STANDING UP?
IF YES, THEN YOU’LL KNOW HOW THESE CUTIES FEEL!

Click on the photo below to watch the video!

THIS WEEK’S THREE FAVORITE PICS!

AMAZING PAPER ART! THESE ARE JUST SPLENDID!

Reach out to someone in need this week!

Let others see Jesus in you this week!

Be His light in the darkness this week!

Have a Blessed Week!

Click on the links below to go there!

Dora and the Explorers published randomly

Some Things I Learned About Alzheimer’s published on Fridays