Sunday, February 13, 2000 at Faith Bible Church. Sermon by Rev. Arthur Valadez
1. Pray for wisdom. James 1:5
The dream starts with God...not you. Ask God and pray for Him to show His will to you for the rest of your life.
2. Stretch your imagination. Eph.3:20
Faith is stretching your imagination. God can do more for you than you can imagine. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.
3. Establish a goal. Phil. 3:13-14
Write it down, it needs to be clear and specific. Write down a date.
4. Visualize the results. Heb. 11:1
Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Make it as real as possible. See with the eyes of your heart and faith. Being "born again" gives you spiritual ears and eyes. We see things differently through the Holy Spirit.
5. Commit your dream to God's care. Psalm 36:4-5
Give your dream to God. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the dream of your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 " I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future."
What do you want?
What would you want, if you knew you couldn't fail?
What could God do in your life if you yield to Him?
We have to think big and get started.
Too often we spend money we don't have on things we don't need to impress people we don't even like.
We can turn off the TV sets, but not the influence it has on you.
Plant seeds of greatness.
When you capture God's dream for you and you know THIS IS THE DREAM, then go after the problem solving to overcome.
Soul equals inner life of our passions and dreams. Philippians 2:9-11
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Pick Me Up For the Parade....
Mom got another call from Dad... He demanded someone come pick him up for the parade... Mom asked which parade?...
"THE PARADE!" Dad insisted...
"If no one will pick me up, I will find a bicycle and ride there myself!"
Mom agreed... telling him not to worry...
"I have to go now and get ready..." Dad huffed...
After Mom hung up, she called me. First off, the nursing home is suppose to call me...NOT MOM... (we go through this every couple of months it seems...) Very concerned, worried Dad will find some way to break out again for this "parade"... She asked me to call the nursing home...
My girlfriend Jan and I were just pulling into the parking lot of Lucille's BBQ for our last dinner together...she flies back to Missouri tomorrow ( :{ ). I dropped her off to get a table and I called the nursing home...
I spoke with the charge nurse. She assured me Dad was sitting right in front of her at the nursing station and all was fine. She told me she knew I was to be the first person called and did not know who was allowing Dad to call Mom, but she would look into it. She promised to keep an eye on Dad, but assured me he would be fine.
I double checked they checked his alarm bracelet. She told me she would. So far, all is quiet on the nursing home front...
"THE PARADE!" Dad insisted...
"If no one will pick me up, I will find a bicycle and ride there myself!"
Mom agreed... telling him not to worry...
"I have to go now and get ready..." Dad huffed...
After Mom hung up, she called me. First off, the nursing home is suppose to call me...NOT MOM... (we go through this every couple of months it seems...) Very concerned, worried Dad will find some way to break out again for this "parade"... She asked me to call the nursing home...
My girlfriend Jan and I were just pulling into the parking lot of Lucille's BBQ for our last dinner together...she flies back to Missouri tomorrow ( :{ ). I dropped her off to get a table and I called the nursing home...
I spoke with the charge nurse. She assured me Dad was sitting right in front of her at the nursing station and all was fine. She told me she knew I was to be the first person called and did not know who was allowing Dad to call Mom, but she would look into it. She promised to keep an eye on Dad, but assured me he would be fine.
I double checked they checked his alarm bracelet. She told me she would. So far, all is quiet on the nursing home front...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Say, What?
At 8am this morning, when Mom came down stairs for breakfast. The phone rang.... Mom answered to hear an odd sounding man's voice say,
" Happy Mother's Day!"
Mom asked, "Who is this?"
"Your son, Donald, " he said... IT WAS DAD!
Mom thanked him and told Dad she was having her breakfast, then she had an appointment with her Chiropractor.
Dad told Mom he had been sleeping very well and was going here and there (Mom could not understand where he said he was going...) It was obvious Dad did not register about Mom going to an appointment, or probably not even know what a Chiropractor was!
After Dad finished telling her how busy he was, he told her he would let her go, because his friends were coming for him...
Mom thanked Dad again for calling and hung up.
Thank the Lord Mom has such a wonderful sense of humor!
Updates:
We had another creative weekend last weekend...Mom did not come as her back was still bothering her. I will write about the weekend this weekend on my other blog...
My girlfriend Jan, from Missouri, is still here. She is spending the week. She came for our creative weekend and will fly home this Friday. We have been busy little beavers...
Thank you so much for the awards I have received. I promise to acknowledge them properly after Jan leaves.
" Happy Mother's Day!"
Mom asked, "Who is this?"
"Your son, Donald, " he said... IT WAS DAD!
Mom thanked him and told Dad she was having her breakfast, then she had an appointment with her Chiropractor.
Dad told Mom he had been sleeping very well and was going here and there (Mom could not understand where he said he was going...) It was obvious Dad did not register about Mom going to an appointment, or probably not even know what a Chiropractor was!
After Dad finished telling her how busy he was, he told her he would let her go, because his friends were coming for him...
Mom thanked Dad again for calling and hung up.
Thank the Lord Mom has such a wonderful sense of humor!
Updates:
We had another creative weekend last weekend...Mom did not come as her back was still bothering her. I will write about the weekend this weekend on my other blog...
My girlfriend Jan, from Missouri, is still here. She is spending the week. She came for our creative weekend and will fly home this Friday. We have been busy little beavers...
Thank you so much for the awards I have received. I promise to acknowledge them properly after Jan leaves.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
There's Gold in them there Horseshoe Pits...
My youngest brother E____ went to visit "Pops", as he calls Dad, on the 20th of this month. I am late in writing this post due to my cell phone deciding to go on the fritz just before I was to pick up my girlfriend Jan from the airport. It's a long story...I will save that story for another post...
E____ found Dad relaxing in the hallway. The nursing home is still redecorating, new wooden floors, new windows, new paint...all kinds of goings on... So E____ stood about ten feet away from Dad and waited and watched. Dad lifted his head and saw him... Dad's face lit up like the 4th of July! He recognized my brother and called him by name....
E____ walked over to Dad with a huge smile across his face. They shook hands and hugged. E____ suggested going out on the patio and Dad was in full agreement. They found a nice shaded table and settled in.... Dad asked my brother how his dogs were, calling them by name, which really shocked my brother, but made him very happy....
My brother pulled out his Droid cell phone and showed Dad how to flip through the pictures of his dogs and Dad marveled at the technology. E____ showed Dad the navigation on his cell explaining how it works. Dad was very impressed.
E____ took a picture of Dad's eye, as it is looking really bad again...
A bird landed right near Dad's shoulder on the back of his wheel chair. My brother commented on it. Dad acted like Dr. Doolittle, telling my brother, very matter of fact, how friendly the birds were... looking for food scraps. "I love the rabbits and squirrels too...but I have not seen too many squirrels lately..." E___ had to smile...such a "Dad moment"...
My brother asked Dad's advice on one of his fruit trees having a white powdery substance. Dad instructed him how to rid of it, reminding him he can always take samples to a nursery for help...
Dad shared he had been cleaning out his side drawers, reading some of his cards and letters... Dad mentioned one of his grand sons who lives in Ohio, wanting to be a Fireman, but is working at Home Depot. "Maybe he thinks being a fireman is too passe..." Dad wondered...
My brother noted, the word passe, was the word of the day for Dad...he used it quite often during their visit...
"I've been sleeping so great lately... it is just wonderful..." I was glad to hear this, because he has been telling Mom and I the same thing...
Dad and my brother discussed sleeping positions. Seems the entire family goes to sleep on our side, with one arm folded under our head on our pillow, ending up on our back. None of us are stomach sleepers...
"I like your shoes..." Dad complimented E____ so my brother slipped them on and off his foot to Dad's approval... Dad is a shoe lover. When he went shopping, he generally bought hats and shoes...
"You know I am over six feet now... I've been working out..." My brother only smiled and nodded when Dad boasted about his fantasy to be as tall as his sons.... Dad used to stand 5'11" and is now probably 5' 5"... all of his sons are over six feet.
My brother changed the subject and told Dad about his bowling score the night before. He averaged 193 one game and 214 in another... "M____ is a bowler...." Dad thought aloud...(M is one of Dad's friends...)
They discussed going bowling , before Dad went into the nursing home, he went out to lunch and bowling with three of his sons and two of his grand sons. "I don't like the hamburgers here, I eat them without the bun. My favorite burger is In and Out and my favorite fries are from McDonald's..." E____ shared having In and Out for dinner last night...
"I enjoy my afternoon naps...unless my room mates are there...then I cannot sleep because they snore so loud."
Dad looked to the mountains, remarking how beautiful they were... Years ago, Dad and his friend, E___ climbed Mt. Whitney. My brother asked him about it. "We started at 10,000 feet and climbed to 13,000 feet and had to stop due to a snow storm..." (Neither my brother or I could remember the actual details, so I will have to double check with Mom...
"We also hiked the White Mountains in the Sierra Nevada's...we really worked up an appetite. When we finished, the guides had prepared pork and beans. We almost ate it all, eating everyones portions. As they came down, the other hikers were hungry and yelled at us for eating it all...but we had a good laugh..."
E____ had heard a trivia question earlier in the day on the radio. The question was, WHERE ARE THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS? So E____ decided to ask Dad. "Sure, the Olympic mountains are in the western part of Washington state, " Dad quipped. E____ was shocked Dad knew, because when he heard the question, he had no idea... (When we were little -- before E___ was born), I think I was 8 years old, we went camping in the Olympic mountains. It was so cold, Mom put extra pairs of underpants on our heads for hats and socks for our gloves. Dad told ghost stories around the campfire, but had to stop we started crying.)
"I remember when Mt. St Helen's exploded in Washington and the ash spread all the way to California. I saved some ash in a jar..." My brother was not surprised...Dad saved everything!
" I buried some gold in the backyard..." Dad shared.
"Where?" asked E___.
E_____ nodded intently, knowing Dad always talked of an Urban Legend of gold being buried near a huge oak tree near a nursing home... Dad was obviously remembering the tale and telling a different version...
"Yeah, I buried a nugget the size of a golf ball."
"Wow!".... E_____ exclaimed, "That ought to be worth a fortune!"
" Yeah, the government used to send planes to fly over the backyard to spy on me..."
" I remember Dad, I remember..."
"I sure appreciate you coming to visit me...next time I will treat you to lunch..."
"Thanks Dad...that would be great..."
"I think I am ready for a nice siesta..."
"OK Dad, I will take you back inside..."
When they reached the nursing station, "Pickles" stopped my brother, telling him they were finishing the new wood floors in Dad's room. E_____ had noticed the residents playing Bingo in the activities room walking back to Dad's room...
"Hey Dad, they are just starting a Bingo game...you wanna' play?"
"Sure!"
"Pickles" flirted with Dad, asking if she could escort him to the Bingo game...
"Why yes! I would just LOVE that!"
E_____ leaned over to hug Dad, telling him how much he loved him...
"Love you too son...see you next time."
E____ stood for a moment and watched as "Pickles" pushed Dad in his wheel chair down the hallway...Dad must have tickled her fancy, because she threw her head back and was giggling joyfully...
Another great visit with Dad....
Update: Results from Dad's biopsy last Thursday are in. The wound on his left pinkie toe is a basal cell carcinoma, as expected.
E____ found Dad relaxing in the hallway. The nursing home is still redecorating, new wooden floors, new windows, new paint...all kinds of goings on... So E____ stood about ten feet away from Dad and waited and watched. Dad lifted his head and saw him... Dad's face lit up like the 4th of July! He recognized my brother and called him by name....
E____ walked over to Dad with a huge smile across his face. They shook hands and hugged. E____ suggested going out on the patio and Dad was in full agreement. They found a nice shaded table and settled in.... Dad asked my brother how his dogs were, calling them by name, which really shocked my brother, but made him very happy....
My brother pulled out his Droid cell phone and showed Dad how to flip through the pictures of his dogs and Dad marveled at the technology. E____ showed Dad the navigation on his cell explaining how it works. Dad was very impressed.
E____ took a picture of Dad's eye, as it is looking really bad again...
A bird landed right near Dad's shoulder on the back of his wheel chair. My brother commented on it. Dad acted like Dr. Doolittle, telling my brother, very matter of fact, how friendly the birds were... looking for food scraps. "I love the rabbits and squirrels too...but I have not seen too many squirrels lately..." E___ had to smile...such a "Dad moment"...
My brother asked Dad's advice on one of his fruit trees having a white powdery substance. Dad instructed him how to rid of it, reminding him he can always take samples to a nursery for help...
Dad shared he had been cleaning out his side drawers, reading some of his cards and letters... Dad mentioned one of his grand sons who lives in Ohio, wanting to be a Fireman, but is working at Home Depot. "Maybe he thinks being a fireman is too passe..." Dad wondered...
My brother noted, the word passe, was the word of the day for Dad...he used it quite often during their visit...
"I've been sleeping so great lately... it is just wonderful..." I was glad to hear this, because he has been telling Mom and I the same thing...
Dad and my brother discussed sleeping positions. Seems the entire family goes to sleep on our side, with one arm folded under our head on our pillow, ending up on our back. None of us are stomach sleepers...
"I like your shoes..." Dad complimented E____ so my brother slipped them on and off his foot to Dad's approval... Dad is a shoe lover. When he went shopping, he generally bought hats and shoes...
"You know I am over six feet now... I've been working out..." My brother only smiled and nodded when Dad boasted about his fantasy to be as tall as his sons.... Dad used to stand 5'11" and is now probably 5' 5"... all of his sons are over six feet.
My brother changed the subject and told Dad about his bowling score the night before. He averaged 193 one game and 214 in another... "M____ is a bowler...." Dad thought aloud...(M is one of Dad's friends...)
They discussed going bowling , before Dad went into the nursing home, he went out to lunch and bowling with three of his sons and two of his grand sons. "I don't like the hamburgers here, I eat them without the bun. My favorite burger is In and Out and my favorite fries are from McDonald's..." E____ shared having In and Out for dinner last night...
"I enjoy my afternoon naps...unless my room mates are there...then I cannot sleep because they snore so loud."
Dad looked to the mountains, remarking how beautiful they were... Years ago, Dad and his friend, E___ climbed Mt. Whitney. My brother asked him about it. "We started at 10,000 feet and climbed to 13,000 feet and had to stop due to a snow storm..." (Neither my brother or I could remember the actual details, so I will have to double check with Mom...
"We also hiked the White Mountains in the Sierra Nevada's...we really worked up an appetite. When we finished, the guides had prepared pork and beans. We almost ate it all, eating everyones portions. As they came down, the other hikers were hungry and yelled at us for eating it all...but we had a good laugh..."
E____ had heard a trivia question earlier in the day on the radio. The question was, WHERE ARE THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS? So E____ decided to ask Dad. "Sure, the Olympic mountains are in the western part of Washington state, " Dad quipped. E____ was shocked Dad knew, because when he heard the question, he had no idea... (When we were little -- before E___ was born), I think I was 8 years old, we went camping in the Olympic mountains. It was so cold, Mom put extra pairs of underpants on our heads for hats and socks for our gloves. Dad told ghost stories around the campfire, but had to stop we started crying.)
"I remember when Mt. St Helen's exploded in Washington and the ash spread all the way to California. I saved some ash in a jar..." My brother was not surprised...Dad saved everything!
" I buried some gold in the backyard..." Dad shared.
"Where?" asked E___.
E_____ nodded intently, knowing Dad always talked of an Urban Legend of gold being buried near a huge oak tree near a nursing home... Dad was obviously remembering the tale and telling a different version...
"Yeah, I buried a nugget the size of a golf ball."
"Wow!".... E_____ exclaimed, "That ought to be worth a fortune!"
" Yeah, the government used to send planes to fly over the backyard to spy on me..."
" I remember Dad, I remember..."
"I sure appreciate you coming to visit me...next time I will treat you to lunch..."
"Thanks Dad...that would be great..."
"I think I am ready for a nice siesta..."
"OK Dad, I will take you back inside..."
When they reached the nursing station, "Pickles" stopped my brother, telling him they were finishing the new wood floors in Dad's room. E_____ had noticed the residents playing Bingo in the activities room walking back to Dad's room...
"Hey Dad, they are just starting a Bingo game...you wanna' play?"
"Sure!"
"Pickles" flirted with Dad, asking if she could escort him to the Bingo game...
"Why yes! I would just LOVE that!"
E_____ leaned over to hug Dad, telling him how much he loved him...
"Love you too son...see you next time."
E____ stood for a moment and watched as "Pickles" pushed Dad in his wheel chair down the hallway...Dad must have tickled her fancy, because she threw her head back and was giggling joyfully...
Another great visit with Dad....
Update: Results from Dad's biopsy last Thursday are in. The wound on his left pinkie toe is a basal cell carcinoma, as expected.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
10 Months Old Today...
Ten months old today. Jacob is preparing to walk...doing laps around his Mommy and Daddy's bed...
Monday, July 18, 2011
A Morning Phone Call with Dad...
I called Dad this morning.
I am in bed resting, not sleeping...
I slept well last night.
I guaranteed I would do what I said I would do...
I feel it is more personal to sit in bed... it feels good.
I am a people lover,
I am doing the best I can do...
I was awake all night long, but rested well.
I had a nice breakfast.
I enjoy relaxing in bed.
When are you coming to visit me?
Dad laughed a long belly laugh....
I am in bed resting, not sleeping...
I slept well last night.
I guaranteed I would do what I said I would do...
I feel it is more personal to sit in bed... it feels good.
I am a people lover,
I am doing the best I can do...
I was awake all night long, but rested well.
I had a nice breakfast.
I enjoy relaxing in bed.
His voice sound slurred.
He was hard of hearing.
I called "Lynnie" (my mom) to check on her to see how her back was..
I told him how sweet and considerate it was of him...
What is the name of your town where you live?
I told him it was Henderson, Nevada.
What is the weather like?
I told him it was in the triple digits...
I'm glad I live where I live... there is always a nice breeze... I live in the best place...
I told him every time I call and ask to speak to Dad, everyone tells me how much they love him and tells me how happy he is, how they enjoy his singing and their conversations...
Yes, everyone is so nice and treats me so well here...
I asked about some of his favorites, Doctor-Doctor, Pickles and Laura...
They are always so welcoming and make me feel so good...
Thank you Dear for finding this place for me...
I told him I would come to visit soon...
OK, Dear, thank you for calling me...I won't keep you....
I told him my husband and I send our love and Izzy sends a "woof woof and a lick"....
Dad laughed a long belly laugh....
God Bless you Dad...
God Bless you all my Dear....
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Notes from Church...What to do when you need a miracle.
Notes taken 4-20-2000 at Faith Bible Church in San Bernardino, CA
Sermon by Rev. Arthur Valadez.
2 Chronicles 20:1-30
1. Get in tune with god (vs 3-4): Fast and pray.
Ask yourself, "What is it Lord? Let me see and understand your will."
Blood will flow to your brain - not your stomach.
2. Pray about the problem (vs 5-12). Prayer should not be the last thing you do,
when all else fails, it needs to be the first thing.
Remind yourself of who God is (vs 6) He is God in Heaven, He rules over the world,
He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.
Remind yourself of what God has done (vs 7) He is the one who answers prayers and leads us
out of great trouble.
Ask God to do it again (vs 12) Ask for a repeat performance and an instant replay.
3. Admit your need for help. (vs 12b) " We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you." We have no power. Power and might are in Your Hand God.
4. Focus on God, not your problems. (vs 12c) when you have problems, you don't need to look down....look up!! God responses (vs 15) Problems are like a mattress--on top of it, you rest easy, but underneath, you suffocate. Focus on God.
The battle is not ours, it is God's but we fight it. Quit playing God. Let go and let God handle it. We don't help God... He helps us. When we say, "Lord, I let you down, " we are kidding ourselves because we were NEVER holding Him up! Maybe if God resigns as General Manager of the Universe, then we can take over...
5. Rest in faith (vs 17) God is a winner and does not lose. He has a perfect batting average.
What am I to stand firm on? (vs 20b) Quiet mental attitude with confidence.
If you want to do it alone... He will let you. He gave you free will, free choice.
If you run away from it, He will bring you back.
The character of God (vs 20)
The word of God
What He brings you to, He will see you through.
Do what is right and the right feelings will catch up with you.
6. Thank God in advance. (vs 21)
The results? He outdoes our expectations. (vs 29-30)
(vs 29-30) It becomes a testimony to others.
Sermon by Rev. Arthur Valadez.
2 Chronicles 20:1-30
1. Get in tune with god (vs 3-4): Fast and pray.
Ask yourself, "What is it Lord? Let me see and understand your will."
Blood will flow to your brain - not your stomach.
2. Pray about the problem (vs 5-12). Prayer should not be the last thing you do,
when all else fails, it needs to be the first thing.
Remind yourself of who God is (vs 6) He is God in Heaven, He rules over the world,
He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.
Remind yourself of what God has done (vs 7) He is the one who answers prayers and leads us
out of great trouble.
Ask God to do it again (vs 12) Ask for a repeat performance and an instant replay.
3. Admit your need for help. (vs 12b) " We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you." We have no power. Power and might are in Your Hand God.
4. Focus on God, not your problems. (vs 12c) when you have problems, you don't need to look down....look up!! God responses (vs 15) Problems are like a mattress--on top of it, you rest easy, but underneath, you suffocate. Focus on God.
The battle is not ours, it is God's but we fight it. Quit playing God. Let go and let God handle it. We don't help God... He helps us. When we say, "Lord, I let you down, " we are kidding ourselves because we were NEVER holding Him up! Maybe if God resigns as General Manager of the Universe, then we can take over...
5. Rest in faith (vs 17) God is a winner and does not lose. He has a perfect batting average.
What am I to stand firm on? (vs 20b) Quiet mental attitude with confidence.
If you want to do it alone... He will let you. He gave you free will, free choice.
If you run away from it, He will bring you back.
The character of God (vs 20)
The word of God
What He brings you to, He will see you through.
Do what is right and the right feelings will catch up with you.
6. Thank God in advance. (vs 21)
The results? He outdoes our expectations. (vs 29-30)
(vs 29-30) It becomes a testimony to others.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Keep it up Dad....
Earlier in the week I called and spoke with the charge nurse at the nursing home, telling her Dad's wrist guard did not sound when taken through the security doors with my sister... She assured me she would check Dad's batteries in his alarm.
I received several phone calls this week about Dad.
He has gained 5 pounds this month, they remain amazed with his appetite... Despite his weight gain, he is doing well without any swelling in his lower extremities.
The wound care nurse said no biopsy was done last week as the specialist had a sick child. The biopsy was done today on his left baby toe and I should received the results next week...
Today, the nurse called to inform me Dad would be started on protein drink two times a day and Zinc Sulfate to hopefully help his toe wound to heal.
I was unable to talk with Dad today...he was asleep or busy, and then I fell asleep and took a nap...
The nurse told me Dad has been very alert and less confused lately. He is happy and very chatty. I smiled a huge smile when she told me...
Keep it up Dad....
I received several phone calls this week about Dad.
He has gained 5 pounds this month, they remain amazed with his appetite... Despite his weight gain, he is doing well without any swelling in his lower extremities.
The wound care nurse said no biopsy was done last week as the specialist had a sick child. The biopsy was done today on his left baby toe and I should received the results next week...
Today, the nurse called to inform me Dad would be started on protein drink two times a day and Zinc Sulfate to hopefully help his toe wound to heal.
I was unable to talk with Dad today...he was asleep or busy, and then I fell asleep and took a nap...
The nurse told me Dad has been very alert and less confused lately. He is happy and very chatty. I smiled a huge smile when she told me...
Keep it up Dad....
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Magic Mirrors...
"Family faces are magic mirrors.
Looking at the people
who belong to us
we see the past,
the present,
and the future"
Author: Gail Lumet Buckley
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Notes from Church...The 8 Benefits of Faith.
Today I was cleaning out some files and came upon a notebook of my notes from church...This sermon and hand out was by Rev. Arthur Valadez at Faith Bible Church in San Bernardino, CA...given January 30, 2000.
The 8 Benefits of Faith. What Faith Can Do For You. (printed hand out by Rev. Valadez)
1. Faith determines what God can do in your life. Matthew 9:29
2. Faith can solve impossible problems. Matthew 17:20
3. Faith is the key to answered prayer. Matthew 21:22
4. Faith is the secret to achievement. Mark 9:23
5. Faith is the basis for miracles. John 14:12
6. The Bible teaches that lack of faith is a sin. Romans 14.23
"Having faith, keeps us from sin."
7. Faith is the way to please God. Hebrews 11:6
8. Faith produces success in life. 1 John 5:4
"Faith gives you confidence and eliminates fear."
"When the devil reminds you of your past, you remind him of your future...which is in Heaven!"
"Faith is to a Christian as a mainspring is to a watch."
"There are over 7000 promises in the Bible."
"Achieving is through believing."
"Believe and you shall receive."
"When you wake up in the morning, make it, Good morning Lord....instead of, good lord it's morning."
The 8 Benefits of Faith. What Faith Can Do For You. (printed hand out by Rev. Valadez)
1. Faith determines what God can do in your life. Matthew 9:29
2. Faith can solve impossible problems. Matthew 17:20
3. Faith is the key to answered prayer. Matthew 21:22
4. Faith is the secret to achievement. Mark 9:23
5. Faith is the basis for miracles. John 14:12
6. The Bible teaches that lack of faith is a sin. Romans 14.23
"Having faith, keeps us from sin."
7. Faith is the way to please God. Hebrews 11:6
8. Faith produces success in life. 1 John 5:4
"Faith gives you confidence and eliminates fear."
"When the devil reminds you of your past, you remind him of your future...which is in Heaven!"
"Faith is to a Christian as a mainspring is to a watch."
"There are over 7000 promises in the Bible."
"Achieving is through believing."
"Believe and you shall receive."
"When you wake up in the morning, make it, Good morning Lord....instead of, good lord it's morning."
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Hoping Not To Get Fired For His Temper...
My sister Holly went to visit Dad today. She found him in the Rec room listening to the guitar playing preacher. He comes every Saturday and Sunday and he and Dad are good friends. She said Dad looked very content.
Holly took him out front of the nursing home and noted his wrist guard DID NOT SOUND THE ALARM. (I will call them tomorrow and remind them to change his batteries.) They sat in the shade and chatted for a bit, then she walked him down the street and back. Sitting again, in the shade, Dad confided in her how hard he was trying not to get fired.
Holly assured him they would NEVER fire him. "Some times I do have a temper, " he said...
The preacher was leaving and stopped to chat with them for awhile... My sister was not sure what prompted the preacher, but he shared with Holly and Dad that when he was 6 years old, he walked in on his father committing suicide. He told them he grew up angry and got into a lot of trouble. He finally found his church and devoted his life to God. (I am hoping Dad did not understand what he was saying, only that he cared enough about Dad to stop and talk with him...)
After the preacher left, Holly took him to the lunch room to eat his lunch. Dad wolfed down chicken, celery and rice with scalloped potatoes, wheat bread and a banana. Doctor-Doctor stopped by to say hello, bringing him a nice fruit plate with cottage cheese, peaches, pineapple and strawberries. He cleaned that plate too. Dad dipped his bread into his milk, ate it and then drank his coffee. Holly could tell he was ready for a nap after that feast!
Holly said Dad's eye looks terrible. The lower lid is very red and his eye watered constantly. She said he kept his hand up by his face (like in the upper picture) to wipe away the tears. (His eye must be extremely sensitive to the light.) Holly talked to "Pickles", his care giver for the day, and was told she was treating it. (I added this to my notes to discuss when I call tomorrow...and Monday...)
My sister bought Dad an Angels shirt. The Angels are Mom and Dad's favorite baseball team, so he wanted to put it on then and there! "Pickles" said she would dress him in it tomorrow. Holly reminded him to wear his red hat, as it will go with the shirt nicely..."Good idea!" he smiled...
She told Dad Mom was still having a difficult time with her back, which is why she had not been in to see him. Dad told Holly to send her his love. He was certain Dr. B, her doctor, would be able to help her. Dad used to see Dr. B before he went into the nursing home. He gave poor Dr. B and his staff HELL while he was a patient those last couple of years... Dr. B and his staff were so very patient...
Holly kissed him good bye, and then blew him their traditional kiss from the hallway as "Pickles" was unlocking his wheel chair, getting ready to take Dad back to his room for a nap.
Holly called Mom and asked if she could bring her anything. Mom had her pick up some peach yogurt, but Holly also got her some blueberry flavor, cereal and cottage cheese. She fixed Mom a light snack and stayed to visit awhile...
We are thankful for another good visit...
Holly took him out front of the nursing home and noted his wrist guard DID NOT SOUND THE ALARM. (I will call them tomorrow and remind them to change his batteries.) They sat in the shade and chatted for a bit, then she walked him down the street and back. Sitting again, in the shade, Dad confided in her how hard he was trying not to get fired.
Holly assured him they would NEVER fire him. "Some times I do have a temper, " he said...
Again, she assured him we all lose our tempers once in awhile...
Dad, looking happy and content...
After the preacher left, Holly took him to the lunch room to eat his lunch. Dad wolfed down chicken, celery and rice with scalloped potatoes, wheat bread and a banana. Doctor-Doctor stopped by to say hello, bringing him a nice fruit plate with cottage cheese, peaches, pineapple and strawberries. He cleaned that plate too. Dad dipped his bread into his milk, ate it and then drank his coffee. Holly could tell he was ready for a nap after that feast!
Holly said Dad's eye looks terrible. The lower lid is very red and his eye watered constantly. She said he kept his hand up by his face (like in the upper picture) to wipe away the tears. (His eye must be extremely sensitive to the light.) Holly talked to "Pickles", his care giver for the day, and was told she was treating it. (I added this to my notes to discuss when I call tomorrow...and Monday...)
My sister bought Dad an Angels shirt. The Angels are Mom and Dad's favorite baseball team, so he wanted to put it on then and there! "Pickles" said she would dress him in it tomorrow. Holly reminded him to wear his red hat, as it will go with the shirt nicely..."Good idea!" he smiled...
She told Dad Mom was still having a difficult time with her back, which is why she had not been in to see him. Dad told Holly to send her his love. He was certain Dr. B, her doctor, would be able to help her. Dad used to see Dr. B before he went into the nursing home. He gave poor Dr. B and his staff HELL while he was a patient those last couple of years... Dr. B and his staff were so very patient...
Holly kissed him good bye, and then blew him their traditional kiss from the hallway as "Pickles" was unlocking his wheel chair, getting ready to take Dad back to his room for a nap.
Holly called Mom and asked if she could bring her anything. Mom had her pick up some peach yogurt, but Holly also got her some blueberry flavor, cereal and cottage cheese. She fixed Mom a light snack and stayed to visit awhile...
We are thankful for another good visit...
Friday, July 8, 2011
God is Always With Me...
As you may recall, Mom had a fall coming home from her Retreat last April. She hurt her shoulder and consequently, her lower back. I too have been down with a whopper of a backache...so she and I have been commiserating together over the phone lines... I am happy to report, I am doing much better. Still tender, but better... Mom, on the other hand is having a rough time of it. The pain is going down her legs now... so she is seeing her doctor next Tuesday...
I called Dad today. Mom was not feeling up to her weekly visit with Dad, due to her back. I am waiting to hear if the biopsy was done yesterday, as planned. Probably won't know the results for another week. I won't be surprised if it is skin cancer of some kind...Dad was always outdoors and for many years, without skin protection.
Dad sounded in great spirits and I could hear him smile with a chuckle when I greeted him with his pet name, Papa-doots... He gushed sweet comments about the nurses around him, telling me how well they cared for him and how happy he is. He told one of the nurses, he called Laura, how much he loved her... he often forgets their names and calls them by names of his choosing...
I asked how his lunch was...he told me it was delicious...I asked what he had... he laughed and said, "whatever it was, it was darn good! " We laughed together...
I asked if he had his fruit plate and he obviously didn't hear me, because he told me, "I will be busy until tomorrow night, so be sure you call me first so I will know when to expect you...."
I told him Mom was still resting with her back but would hopefully come this weekend with my sister to visit... He was happy to hear about their visit and asked when he would see me... He didn't remember about Mom's back or mine, and was concerned for us, reminding me to take care of myself...
I gave him love from my husband and he told me to send the love back to him...
Dad thanked me for calling, giving me the hint he was done talking... I told him to have a nice nap and he assured me he was looking forward to it... I blessed him and told him I loved him and he thanked me and said he loved me too... "You know, God is always with me", he said...
I know Dad, I know... sweet dreams...I love you so much...
It is storming outside...thunder, lightning, roaring wind and pouring rain... a perfect day to be indoors....then again...maybe we may venture out and take in a movie....
I called Dad today. Mom was not feeling up to her weekly visit with Dad, due to her back. I am waiting to hear if the biopsy was done yesterday, as planned. Probably won't know the results for another week. I won't be surprised if it is skin cancer of some kind...Dad was always outdoors and for many years, without skin protection.
Dad sounded in great spirits and I could hear him smile with a chuckle when I greeted him with his pet name, Papa-doots... He gushed sweet comments about the nurses around him, telling me how well they cared for him and how happy he is. He told one of the nurses, he called Laura, how much he loved her... he often forgets their names and calls them by names of his choosing...
I asked how his lunch was...he told me it was delicious...I asked what he had... he laughed and said, "whatever it was, it was darn good! " We laughed together...
I asked if he had his fruit plate and he obviously didn't hear me, because he told me, "I will be busy until tomorrow night, so be sure you call me first so I will know when to expect you...."
I told him Mom was still resting with her back but would hopefully come this weekend with my sister to visit... He was happy to hear about their visit and asked when he would see me... He didn't remember about Mom's back or mine, and was concerned for us, reminding me to take care of myself...
I gave him love from my husband and he told me to send the love back to him...
Dad thanked me for calling, giving me the hint he was done talking... I told him to have a nice nap and he assured me he was looking forward to it... I blessed him and told him I loved him and he thanked me and said he loved me too... "You know, God is always with me", he said...
I know Dad, I know... sweet dreams...I love you so much...
It is storming outside...thunder, lightning, roaring wind and pouring rain... a perfect day to be indoors....then again...maybe we may venture out and take in a movie....
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