Hope, we always need hope
I haven't written anything lately because listening to the news has been depressing. This doesn't sit well with a person who is usually optimistic, upbeat, and can always see the sunny side of life. But, it is time to put on my big girl panties and find the hope that is out there. This means finding hope in the state of Bath County, the state of our country and especially the state of the church.
Let's begin with Bath County. For those who read this and live here, you know exactly what I mean. Not including the supervisor from my district, I truly believe the rest of our elected officials have decided that a wall on our boarder isn't enough; we need a wall around our county. However, there is hope. It did my heart good to see the courthouse full on Tuesday to fight for the future of our home. Even though some don't want to see it, tourism is our life here, from The Homestead to Millboro General Store, the businesses of our county need not only the support of our residents; they need the support which comes from those who come here to hike, to celebrate anniversaries, to take part in our triathlon, to view the beauty of God's creation. Yes, there is hope even in the chaos of Bath County.
Let's look at the state of our country. In the past couple elections, I personally feel that our election process has declined. We, as the voters, want to hear about the issues, how these people we vote for will work for us, will help us, will, with our support, make our lives better. Instead, we hear about personal vendettas and accusations thrown around like a basketball in practice. Today, I said to John that as sad as it sounds, I am glad that my parents are not alive to hear the language used in this election cycle. They would not be pleased. We turn on the news, the debates, the internet and it is bad. As I paraphrase John Oliver, "We are down so far we cannot the the underside of rock bottom." However, there is hope. In spite of what we hear, we are a great country, a great people; people of all races, people of all lifestyles, people of all backgrounds, We live in a country where our speech is still free, we can worship where we wish, and we can vote every year.
My hope is in the vote. Everyone who reads this needs to remember that we have the right and we must vote come November 8. I have heard people say that this election isn't worth it; this election is SO WORTH IT! My hope comes that each November, no matter who or what is on the ballot, we cast our votes because we are free. So my motherly advise is: GO VOTE, IT IS YOUR RIGHT, IT DEMONSTRATES YOUR PATRIOTISM. We publicly cry that we are citizens and patriots; voting is the ultimate of our rights, so exercise that right and vote!
Finally, let's look at the state of our church, and for me that is the state of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have been beat up a whole lot lately, and we have been divided and spent a great deal of time talking about who's leaving and who's staying. In the middle of this mess we tend to forget, that we all are children of God, redeemed by Christ and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We tend to forget that we can have different opinions and diverse theology and yet we can still sit together every Lord's Day, side by side and sing praises to God, confess our sins, hear God's Word, and be called to ministry and mission to the world. We tend to forget that God is in control of everything and that God's hope is that all things will work for good for those who love and serve the Lord. So my hope, when it comes to the church, is in God and in all that God has planned for us as His chosen Children. My hope is in the fact that my Redeemer Lives; He lives in each of us, and calls us in exciting and different ways. My hope comes in how I see Presbyterian Disaster Assistance be ready to be in Haiti, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina as the flood waters recede from hurricane Matthew. My hope comes when I read the blogs of our YAV's (Young Adult Volunteers) who are spreading God's love and grace all over the world. My hope comes when I hear the stories of our missionaries and where they are working globally. My hope grows each and every day as I hear the stories of how the church is growing and changing to meet the world where it is and share the love of God. My hope is in where and how God is pushing me to see the world differently.
I probably went on longer than usual but I have been struggling with what I have been hearing, seeing, reading and witnessing, and how God is stirring the pot of soup in which we live. I hope that my hope can help you in the days ahead.
Grace & Peace,
Olivia
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Greatness
World Records broken. Olympic Records broken.
I love watching the Olympics. As a child, it was every four years, Winter games, then Summer games,on a regular schedule. Then the IOC decided to split the years so that every two years, we get to witness greatness. Be it Mark Spitz, Mary Lou Retton, Lindsay Vonn, Apolo Ohno, Bonnie Blair, or some of the 2016 greatness, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and (my personal favorite), Michele Carter, when we sit on our comfortable couches, we witness greatness. Even though I only named Team USA members through the years, during every Olympic game, we also witness global greatness.
I have seen these games mature; I do remember when Cold War politics were played out in the Olympic arena. I do remember boycotts where now we deal with doping. I remember the 1972 Munich games, which was probably my introduction to global terrorism, so now, it does my heart good to see the sportsmanship exhibited and the friendships formed, even when in the pool or on the track, they are rivals for the win. This does my heart good, this gives me hope in our tense world.
The Olympic games bring out the greatness in each athlete who trains and puts everything into their competition. The games and the athletes are examples for us, as we sit in our air conditioning, adding our commentaries to those of Bob, Matt, and everyone else at NBC. As Christians, we are called to achieve our best in the name of Christ. We are called to be open to all people, globally. We are called to a greatness to love and welcome all, from East and West, from North and South because Christ teaches us to love all, for we are all God's creation. That is our goal of greatness.
I am glad that the Olympics are the last big TV event for the summer. I am glad that our political conventions were first. I am glad that the politics got out of the way so we can see athletes, women and men from all countries and from all backgrounds, inspire us with greatness. They all represent the best of their countries as they work hard to achieve their best. That is true greatness.
Stay cool and be great!
Olivia
World Records broken. Olympic Records broken.
I love watching the Olympics. As a child, it was every four years, Winter games, then Summer games,on a regular schedule. Then the IOC decided to split the years so that every two years, we get to witness greatness. Be it Mark Spitz, Mary Lou Retton, Lindsay Vonn, Apolo Ohno, Bonnie Blair, or some of the 2016 greatness, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and (my personal favorite), Michele Carter, when we sit on our comfortable couches, we witness greatness. Even though I only named Team USA members through the years, during every Olympic game, we also witness global greatness.
I have seen these games mature; I do remember when Cold War politics were played out in the Olympic arena. I do remember boycotts where now we deal with doping. I remember the 1972 Munich games, which was probably my introduction to global terrorism, so now, it does my heart good to see the sportsmanship exhibited and the friendships formed, even when in the pool or on the track, they are rivals for the win. This does my heart good, this gives me hope in our tense world.
The Olympic games bring out the greatness in each athlete who trains and puts everything into their competition. The games and the athletes are examples for us, as we sit in our air conditioning, adding our commentaries to those of Bob, Matt, and everyone else at NBC. As Christians, we are called to achieve our best in the name of Christ. We are called to be open to all people, globally. We are called to a greatness to love and welcome all, from East and West, from North and South because Christ teaches us to love all, for we are all God's creation. That is our goal of greatness.
Stay cool and be great!
Olivia
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
From Sea to Shining Sea
We have returned home after pretty much a month on the road, and probably most of you have skimmed through all the pictures I have posted, but bottom line...it was a great vacation! It was nice to get away, rest. renew, etc., but the most meaningful part of being in Oregon, California and Washington was to observe the beauty of God's creation.
It probably didn't hit home with me until Sunday night, at Rocky Spring's Patriotic Sing as we sung, "This Land is Your Land", and knowing that within a month I got walk through the Redwoods of California and play in the Gulf stream waters at Emerald Isle, NC. Our country is physically diverse; we witness this in Virginia, (the contrasts between the Eastern Shore and the Shenandoah Valley) and we see this anywhere we travel. God has given us the gift of creation and seeing the differences God has given us, seeing how centuries have altered creation, is truly magnificent. To read about the "Ring of Fire" volcano circle which encompasses most of the West Coast, Canada, and circles around through the Pacific Ocean, and how all this volcanoes are still active, opened my eyes to how vulnerable the "beauty of the earth" is.
So, there are two thoughts I would like to share with you today. First, this trip has brought home to me that we do have a responsibility to take care of this world that God has given us. As John described Crater Lake as "eco-awesome", (and it was!), we need to take care of what God has given us. This will only occur when we take seriously our stewardship of creation. So I suggest and urge each of you to become more environmentally educated. It doesn't take much to recycle, or compost, or take a stand on a pipeline, or use alternative energy, and yes, it does make a difference!
Second, as geographically diverse as our country is, America is also culturally diverse, and we need to truly embrace this. We returned to the political conventions, and we are hearing a great deal of anger, hatred, and fear. We need to embrace the reality that the majority of our population came from another part of the world, so many of us are American Immigrants, so to speak. Since we come from different countries and heritages, we too, like our physical land, are diverse, from the Redwoods to the Gulf Stream waters, but as Woody Guthrie wrote, "This Land was made for you and me".
Til next time, Olivia
We have returned home after pretty much a month on the road, and probably most of you have skimmed through all the pictures I have posted, but bottom line...it was a great vacation! It was nice to get away, rest. renew, etc., but the most meaningful part of being in Oregon, California and Washington was to observe the beauty of God's creation.
It probably didn't hit home with me until Sunday night, at Rocky Spring's Patriotic Sing as we sung, "This Land is Your Land", and knowing that within a month I got walk through the Redwoods of California and play in the Gulf stream waters at Emerald Isle, NC. Our country is physically diverse; we witness this in Virginia, (the contrasts between the Eastern Shore and the Shenandoah Valley) and we see this anywhere we travel. God has given us the gift of creation and seeing the differences God has given us, seeing how centuries have altered creation, is truly magnificent. To read about the "Ring of Fire" volcano circle which encompasses most of the West Coast, Canada, and circles around through the Pacific Ocean, and how all this volcanoes are still active, opened my eyes to how vulnerable the "beauty of the earth" is.
So, there are two thoughts I would like to share with you today. First, this trip has brought home to me that we do have a responsibility to take care of this world that God has given us. As John described Crater Lake as "eco-awesome", (and it was!), we need to take care of what God has given us. This will only occur when we take seriously our stewardship of creation. So I suggest and urge each of you to become more environmentally educated. It doesn't take much to recycle, or compost, or take a stand on a pipeline, or use alternative energy, and yes, it does make a difference!
Second, as geographically diverse as our country is, America is also culturally diverse, and we need to truly embrace this. We returned to the political conventions, and we are hearing a great deal of anger, hatred, and fear. We need to embrace the reality that the majority of our population came from another part of the world, so many of us are American Immigrants, so to speak. Since we come from different countries and heritages, we too, like our physical land, are diverse, from the Redwoods to the Gulf Stream waters, but as Woody Guthrie wrote, "This Land was made for you and me".
Til next time, Olivia
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Over the years
I began blogging in 2012 and stopped in 2013. I didn't get mad, I didn't get criticized, I just got busy and stopped. I went back to work part time, which I got a few blogs in as I began at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian, but it just stopped. I thought about it, just didn't get back in to do it.
Life has changed over the last couple years. Friends and family have moved, some have gotten married, some have had children and some have died. I have written more sermons, moved children to school, moved some back home, and moved some away again. I have had some health issues, restructured my eating habits and lifestyle, lost weight and feel much better. That helped me justify some new clothes, which was really neat! Life has been happy and sad, but through it all God has been good, and even when I have been in tears with what was a broken heart, God's grace has broken through the grief and love has surrounded me, and I have found the way to begin to heal from the hurt.
Yet, even though these opening paragraphs have a lot of "I's" in them, life isn't about me. As I sit in the observer's seats at our church's General Assembly, as I have semi watched the "sit-in on Capitol Hill", I am always reminded, it is not about just me, or just you, or just the other person; it is about us.
So I am making a committed effort to get back to a blog. My intention is that this blog will not a place to rant about how frustrated I am at Congress, or The Donald, or The Hillary, or the Church (Presbyterian and Universal). My intention is that this will not be the place where I embarrass my husband, children or any other members of my family. My intention is not to make this a sermon, I write enough of those. I will try to review and edit what I desire to write so if I do fall off the wagon and begin to fuss and fume, I will catch myself. It might not end, but I hope it will be worth the words. Words are powerful and I don't wish to abuse them.
What I intend is to share hopeful, good news of the love I witness in family, friends, and strangers on the street. What I intend is to give thanks to the beauty around us, and how we can make our communities, churches, and lives better through environmental stewardship, through God's gift of patience and endurance, and through loving one another. What I intend is to remind us that no matter what may happen in our lives and in our world, God has always been and still is in control, and that God works everything to His Good.
Please join me on this journey.
Olivia
I began blogging in 2012 and stopped in 2013. I didn't get mad, I didn't get criticized, I just got busy and stopped. I went back to work part time, which I got a few blogs in as I began at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian, but it just stopped. I thought about it, just didn't get back in to do it.
Life has changed over the last couple years. Friends and family have moved, some have gotten married, some have had children and some have died. I have written more sermons, moved children to school, moved some back home, and moved some away again. I have had some health issues, restructured my eating habits and lifestyle, lost weight and feel much better. That helped me justify some new clothes, which was really neat! Life has been happy and sad, but through it all God has been good, and even when I have been in tears with what was a broken heart, God's grace has broken through the grief and love has surrounded me, and I have found the way to begin to heal from the hurt.
Yet, even though these opening paragraphs have a lot of "I's" in them, life isn't about me. As I sit in the observer's seats at our church's General Assembly, as I have semi watched the "sit-in on Capitol Hill", I am always reminded, it is not about just me, or just you, or just the other person; it is about us.
So I am making a committed effort to get back to a blog. My intention is that this blog will not a place to rant about how frustrated I am at Congress, or The Donald, or The Hillary, or the Church (Presbyterian and Universal). My intention is that this will not be the place where I embarrass my husband, children or any other members of my family. My intention is not to make this a sermon, I write enough of those. I will try to review and edit what I desire to write so if I do fall off the wagon and begin to fuss and fume, I will catch myself. It might not end, but I hope it will be worth the words. Words are powerful and I don't wish to abuse them.
What I intend is to share hopeful, good news of the love I witness in family, friends, and strangers on the street. What I intend is to give thanks to the beauty around us, and how we can make our communities, churches, and lives better through environmental stewardship, through God's gift of patience and endurance, and through loving one another. What I intend is to remind us that no matter what may happen in our lives and in our world, God has always been and still is in control, and that God works everything to His Good.
Please join me on this journey.
Olivia
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Ash Wednesday 2013
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Growing up Lent wasn't such a big deal, we knew it exsisted, but at that time in the world, Lent was just a time, Maundy Thursday wasn't observed, but we had been taught what they were all about. Now we begin with Fat Tuesday, eat pancakes and bacon and then are called upon to remember our mortality and sin, as well as the assurance that God forgives us and we are saved. That's a far piece from just knowing what these word mean to actually thinking about what they mean and imply within our lives.
As we begin Lent, we think of fasting, we think of sacrifice and what we can give up. What kind of things do we give up? This year I am closing down my Facebook page for Lent, to see what different things I can do with the time. I already have some ideas. I can spend it with my husband and children, I can spend it doing church work, or I can spend it in prayer. I will probably try all three of those areas, and I might add sleep to the list. I will try not to eat more, maybe exercise more but definitely not eat more. Maybe I can wait and see what God has planned for that extra time, it might include some of what I have thought of (I always want to think that God and I are on the same wavelength) or God could show me something entirely different. God can only do that if I allow Him into my life. That is what faith is all about, allowing God into our lives so God can show us new things, offer us new ideas, walk us to new places.
So friends, I will probably check my facebook page before I go to bed tonight and then I will hear from you all again after March 30, I know I won't have time or energy to open it on Easter! If you need to find me and don't know it, my email is either mokhaney@mgwnet.com or monseniorita@gmail.com. I will be checking it.
Shalom!
Olivia
As we begin Lent, we think of fasting, we think of sacrifice and what we can give up. What kind of things do we give up? This year I am closing down my Facebook page for Lent, to see what different things I can do with the time. I already have some ideas. I can spend it with my husband and children, I can spend it doing church work, or I can spend it in prayer. I will probably try all three of those areas, and I might add sleep to the list. I will try not to eat more, maybe exercise more but definitely not eat more. Maybe I can wait and see what God has planned for that extra time, it might include some of what I have thought of (I always want to think that God and I are on the same wavelength) or God could show me something entirely different. God can only do that if I allow Him into my life. That is what faith is all about, allowing God into our lives so God can show us new things, offer us new ideas, walk us to new places.
So friends, I will probably check my facebook page before I go to bed tonight and then I will hear from you all again after March 30, I know I won't have time or energy to open it on Easter! If you need to find me and don't know it, my email is either mokhaney@mgwnet.com or monseniorita@gmail.com. I will be checking it.
Shalom!
Olivia
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Empty nest????
Hope everyone is enjoying their time off from the politics, if you read my last blog. The only problem is doing what I said, the humidity from the hurricane, I don't want to go out of the house!
School has begun. I have read many FB posts from friends who have moved their little ones into college dorms, seen pictures of literal little ones who shouldn't be that old, starting kindergarten, middle school and high school. Personally, I got off the hook this year. John recieved the honors this year of moving our second and third children into college. So now we have two in college and two at home, one back and working, one a senior in high school. We are beginning that year of graduation, and we are really graduating this year! After 10 years in high school, we are graduating! It is a time of joy and a time of sorrow. At the cross country meet last week, Laura asked one of the mothers for a brownie recipe because she might never get those brownies again, (and they are good!) The mother, who is also a last year senior mom, said that she felt sad for the first time in the year because of Laura's request. The team had a great impromtu senior night supper at the local cafe, and we continued to laugh, but the reality was before us...this is our graduation too. We will have a year of "last times" that will be last times. And I remember some of the past "Last times".
When Isaac marched in his last half time show last year, he and I both shared a teary moment, because he really didn't think about it until it was over and he was packing up the trailer with the rest of the grip crew.
When we surprised Alex with a birthday party his Senior year. Because of email, I was able to have some of his friends spread the word that we were going to Lickity Splits (our ice cream place) for his birthday and to meet us there. It's hard to get something past Alex, but we did this one!
When Joe walked in the door and realized he had taken his last high school exam and that it was soon to be over. The look on his face of sadness, excitement, and fear all at the same time was unforgetable.
I only await what we will have with Laura!
Those are some of the things we remember of those "Last years", and as sad as they can be, we also celebrate what our children will be doing and what we will be doing as well. Our children grow up and leave home (sometimes they come back!) but they reappear as adults, not the same people who left years ago. They branch out into their own areas of interest, they make new friends, they go to new places and then tell us parts of what they do. Let's face it, we never tell our parents EVERYTHING!
What about us who stay at home? We have another role to "morph" into, the role of what is called empty nesters, but the nest is only as empty as one makes it. I've talked to many parents who cannot deal with their children leaving, and I have to restrain myself from saying, "Are you crazy?"! Yes, I can be more pastoral than that, and I do understand the dealing with one less pair of feet stomping around, leaving shoes, clothes, books, laying around the house. I understand the void in the laundry pile and the food which is suddenly not being consumed. And these changes are not only reality checks, they are grief moments and they are doors closing. But to quote the Mother Superior from "The Sound of Music", "When God closes a door, He opens a window." What windows is God opening for us these days? In our grief and celebrations, what we need to remember is that we live in transistions, as the Spirit moves throughout the earth, the Spirit also moves within us, constantly moving us, challenging us, allowing us to grieve for what has changed, but also allowing us to look ahead to great and wonderful gifts that only God can give us. That is our hope, our greatness, as we look with anticipation at what is around the curve.
To quote Red Green...
Keep your stick on the ice!
Olivia
Hope everyone is enjoying their time off from the politics, if you read my last blog. The only problem is doing what I said, the humidity from the hurricane, I don't want to go out of the house!
School has begun. I have read many FB posts from friends who have moved their little ones into college dorms, seen pictures of literal little ones who shouldn't be that old, starting kindergarten, middle school and high school. Personally, I got off the hook this year. John recieved the honors this year of moving our second and third children into college. So now we have two in college and two at home, one back and working, one a senior in high school. We are beginning that year of graduation, and we are really graduating this year! After 10 years in high school, we are graduating! It is a time of joy and a time of sorrow. At the cross country meet last week, Laura asked one of the mothers for a brownie recipe because she might never get those brownies again, (and they are good!) The mother, who is also a last year senior mom, said that she felt sad for the first time in the year because of Laura's request. The team had a great impromtu senior night supper at the local cafe, and we continued to laugh, but the reality was before us...this is our graduation too. We will have a year of "last times" that will be last times. And I remember some of the past "Last times".
When Isaac marched in his last half time show last year, he and I both shared a teary moment, because he really didn't think about it until it was over and he was packing up the trailer with the rest of the grip crew.
When we surprised Alex with a birthday party his Senior year. Because of email, I was able to have some of his friends spread the word that we were going to Lickity Splits (our ice cream place) for his birthday and to meet us there. It's hard to get something past Alex, but we did this one!
When Joe walked in the door and realized he had taken his last high school exam and that it was soon to be over. The look on his face of sadness, excitement, and fear all at the same time was unforgetable.
I only await what we will have with Laura!
Those are some of the things we remember of those "Last years", and as sad as they can be, we also celebrate what our children will be doing and what we will be doing as well. Our children grow up and leave home (sometimes they come back!) but they reappear as adults, not the same people who left years ago. They branch out into their own areas of interest, they make new friends, they go to new places and then tell us parts of what they do. Let's face it, we never tell our parents EVERYTHING!
What about us who stay at home? We have another role to "morph" into, the role of what is called empty nesters, but the nest is only as empty as one makes it. I've talked to many parents who cannot deal with their children leaving, and I have to restrain myself from saying, "Are you crazy?"! Yes, I can be more pastoral than that, and I do understand the dealing with one less pair of feet stomping around, leaving shoes, clothes, books, laying around the house. I understand the void in the laundry pile and the food which is suddenly not being consumed. And these changes are not only reality checks, they are grief moments and they are doors closing. But to quote the Mother Superior from "The Sound of Music", "When God closes a door, He opens a window." What windows is God opening for us these days? In our grief and celebrations, what we need to remember is that we live in transistions, as the Spirit moves throughout the earth, the Spirit also moves within us, constantly moving us, challenging us, allowing us to grieve for what has changed, but also allowing us to look ahead to great and wonderful gifts that only God can give us. That is our hope, our greatness, as we look with anticipation at what is around the curve.
To quote Red Green...
Keep your stick on the ice!
Olivia
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
83 Days to go....
We are in the countdown and it's wearing thin. 83 Days until the election, mud slinging back and forth on both sides, and it's just growing old, faster and faster! Now, I'm not suggesting we give up and not vote; I am a true believer in casting that ballot and making that choice. It is a privilege and a sign of our patriotism to vote. So do that, but it's just painful to have to sit and listen to all the commercials.
Let's think of other things we can preoccupy ourselves with in the next 83 days. These might not be in the best order, but they are only suggestions!
1. First of all just turn off the TV. It will probably help your blood pressure.
2. Sit down and write an actual note or letter to a friend. It would help out the postal service as well as make someone's day.
3. Take time to sit and enjoy the silence of the day instead of the ranting of PACs.
4. Take time to cook a homemade meal for your spouse, a friend, or a neighbor who isn't up for cooking right now.
5. Volunteer: Be it at a food pantry, helping in your local school, driving someone to the doctor, it is time for us to pay it forward.
6. Heaven forbid, get out and exercise!
7. Read a book. Between libraries, e-books, books on CD's, and what's on our shelves, there is enough to pass around.
8. Pray. Duh...for what? The world around us and what we are doing to it and to each other is a great start.
9. Do yard work. (That's the one I really don't want to think about, but I look at the yard everyday.)
10. Since it the fall, go to a little league game and watch the next generation and see how they treat each other in comparison to how their parents treat each other.
11. Go to church. If you don't have one, find one. It's a great place to become part of a community, to help other people, and to find a purpose within your life.
12. Join a community service organization. Our service clubs are in need of good people who want to help others. You can do this and the church one together. They usually meet at different times.
13. Support a Fall Festival of some sort. There are lots of them in September and October on weekends. Take in the handmade crafts and the great food.
14. Play with your children, they grow up too fast.
15. Visit your parents, they are gone too soon.
16. Have lunch with your siblings, they have moments they are pains to live with, but they are there for you when you need them.
17. Take time to enjoy your spouse, significant other, partner, or best friend. Whoever it is, they are special, and they need to be appreciated and that needs to be vocalized as well as shown.
Here are some suggestions to make the next 83 days go by faster.....would love to hear more!
Later gang!
Olivia
Let's think of other things we can preoccupy ourselves with in the next 83 days. These might not be in the best order, but they are only suggestions!
1. First of all just turn off the TV. It will probably help your blood pressure.
2. Sit down and write an actual note or letter to a friend. It would help out the postal service as well as make someone's day.
3. Take time to sit and enjoy the silence of the day instead of the ranting of PACs.
4. Take time to cook a homemade meal for your spouse, a friend, or a neighbor who isn't up for cooking right now.
5. Volunteer: Be it at a food pantry, helping in your local school, driving someone to the doctor, it is time for us to pay it forward.
6. Heaven forbid, get out and exercise!
7. Read a book. Between libraries, e-books, books on CD's, and what's on our shelves, there is enough to pass around.
8. Pray. Duh...for what? The world around us and what we are doing to it and to each other is a great start.
9. Do yard work. (That's the one I really don't want to think about, but I look at the yard everyday.)
10. Since it the fall, go to a little league game and watch the next generation and see how they treat each other in comparison to how their parents treat each other.
11. Go to church. If you don't have one, find one. It's a great place to become part of a community, to help other people, and to find a purpose within your life.
12. Join a community service organization. Our service clubs are in need of good people who want to help others. You can do this and the church one together. They usually meet at different times.
13. Support a Fall Festival of some sort. There are lots of them in September and October on weekends. Take in the handmade crafts and the great food.
14. Play with your children, they grow up too fast.
15. Visit your parents, they are gone too soon.
16. Have lunch with your siblings, they have moments they are pains to live with, but they are there for you when you need them.
17. Take time to enjoy your spouse, significant other, partner, or best friend. Whoever it is, they are special, and they need to be appreciated and that needs to be vocalized as well as shown.
Here are some suggestions to make the next 83 days go by faster.....would love to hear more!
Later gang!
Olivia
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