It has already started...in fact it started earlier in the week... the question "where were you when you heard, or saw, what was happening"?  Our world had actually changed several days earlier when our mother had to have knee replacement surgery that did not go well and she was in the ICU.  So where was I.... In Texas, in seminary, settling into a new apartment NOT able to get to family......
 
The actual Tuesday morning.... we were in our first Old Testament class being introduced to Hebrew.  Then we were all, like the rest of the country, in front of TVs watching and praying.  I was sitting with a "new" friend.  She was in seminary, her husband was "at home" (I don't remember where "home" was but it was several hours from Austin Seminary) and their daughter was in New York City working not far from the Twin Tours.  I sat with my friend, so she wasn't alone, for the several hours it took to hear their daughter had made it "out of the city" okay.

​So...... where were you?  Where was "your person"?  Can you talk about what you were doing and how you felt God's presence?  Are you still following where God was leading then or have you gone down new roads?  Something to think about.........

You have probably noticed... Facebook puts pictures, or posts, from the "past." So... recently I have had "remember" posts from a couple of years ago - family pictures - and trip pictures.  The trip pictures are from the "sisters" trip to England, Wales and Scotland from three years ago.  It has been fun seeing the memories and sharing the memories with each other.  Somehow we each posted different pictures from the trip!

One interesting result has been the comments on Facebook.  Some people actually notice the "memory" aspect of the post.  Most people comment for us to "have a great time" and a "safe trip."  Thankfully we can all laugh about it.

This has all gotten me thinking about Bob Hope singing at the end of his shows: "Thanks for the Memories!"  They are wonderful memories.... A wonderful way to laugh instead of scream.  Something to think about.........
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So.... how are you doing getting strength back?  Maintaining energy levels - especially while traveling?  Being able to accept, if not ask for, help?  I've been getting stronger.  I can move my own suitcase.  I was even able to get around, on the ship (no matter what you want it is always at the other end!) and keep up with where we were.  Except for a little difficulty getting back on the ship, from the tender, I maintained my balance on the ship.  The real blessing was being able to walk around Juneau, find the quilt stores and yarn shop AND get back to the ship.

The problem(s) started with getting the "carry on" from the ship to the airport.  I made it about 1/2 way.  Then I really needed to sit down for a few minutes..... but no benches to sit on.  A friend offered to help with my carry on.  I'm going "I am stronger now, I can do this" and she is going "accept help when needed."  Then the airport wanted me to accept wheel chair assistance.  Again I'm going "I'm stronger I can do this."  Again I was over ruled - which turned out to be good because of being at the END of the terminal.

So.......  how are you when frustrated?  It can be hard to laugh, instead of screaming, but maybe a smile will do?  Something to think about..........

Traveling can cause frustration for several reasons.  Technology not working like it does at home.  Difficulty with being able to sign on to internet - maybe.  What frustration have you had while traveling?  I have been working, for almost a year now, to have energy and strength for traveling.  Able to handle my own suitcase, get from one gate to another at the airport and be able to walk more.  

So.... we're traveling home from a wonderful cruise (yes a quilting cruise!) and we get to the first airport after walking the length of the ship, to exit, and the length of the ship to the bus.  By the time we get to the airport I have almost 5,000 steps and we aren't to our gate - we're only to "check in."  Employees, and family, decided I needed "wheel chair assistance" to the gate.  It was the VERY LAST gate on the concourse!  Then when we landed here in the Cities...you guessed it!  The very LAST gate again!!

Yes, they were probably right.  Yes, it is probably the best idea for me to quietly accept assistance.  Yes.... it is better to laugh because I was ready to start screaming!!

Do you have an opinion about socks?  Do you have "fun" with socks?  Do you have different color socks?  Do you wear the socks as a pair?  We have fun with socks in this family.  It started with Dad wanting red socks (another story for a different day) and has continued.  I am supposed to wear "compression" socks.  I have several pairs that I mix up... so I wear two different socks.  If I have to wear them I'm going to have fun when I do.

Meanwhile, like you have noticed, I've been traveling.  I especially have to wear the socks when traveling.  So, yes, I had them on.  It was very interesting!  My knitting needles didn't even get looked at.  I, personally, got stopped and "patted" down - every time.  Last week I finally got to see the x-ray.  From my knees to my toes "metal" showed on the security.  This is when I found out compression socks could be "copper" infused.  

Who knew?!!  Metal (copper) from my knees to my toes meant getting "stopped and patted" down!  Yes, very frustrating - especially when traveling with others.  Yes, "plain" compression socks (the label said 'no copper') means going right through.  Yes!  It is better to laugh than to start screaming!!

Sharing memories can be a lot of fun.  Sometimes the memories are "shared" but from different perspectives.  What I remember one way the other person remembers differently.  Then, as everyone is talking about something, "older" memories happen.  Even if the conversation is about a different, but related, topic.

Recently, at dinner with my son and grandsons, we were talking about tires, spare tires and where the "spare" tire is.  ONE grandson had actually changed a flat tire.  So I shared about changing a flat when I was in high school.  I had finished my shift - I was a nurses' aide at the local hospital - and come out to the flat tire.  So.... I called my Dad.  He came and proceeded to have me change the tire, in my uniform (pale yellow) with two floors of the hospital watching.  I had to "jump" on the tire iron to loosen the bolts (and tighten) and struggled lifting the spare.  At least two people stopped and offered to help but Dad's reply was "she needs to know this."  (The uniform did come clean in the wash!)

When we got back to our house.... Dad pulled into the driveway, I pulled in and my date pulled in behind me.  Dad got out of his car, walked past me, leaned on my date's car and said......"She has learned two things today.  She has learned how to change a tire...... And next time she'll call you."  Yup.....  My son and my grandsons all laughed!!

How are you doing at reaching your goal(s)?  First...have you set a goal?  I have shared about the working on getting my strength back.  It has been a long journey, and I still have quite a way to go, but even I am beginning to see the results.  I admit I have also had to work on my balance - which requires both getting stronger and watching where I put my feet.

One of the most recent goals was to be able to do the trip to Scotland.  I've shared pictures of getting to the Abbey on Iona - a special definite goal.  Energy level has been another goal.  I admit energy does give out, faster than I would like, but sitting for a few minutes usually resets the level.  The recent trip through airports confirmed, for me, the improvements.  Then.....  going to a Farmers' Market showed it again.  I could walk, slowly but walking(!), without my walking stick!

So.... what reward do you give yourself?  Ice cream?  We had ice cream AND, today, I'm getting coffee fellowship with a special friend!  Definitely a time to laugh!!

Sometimes the thankfulness is just because of the blessings God has given us.  The blessing of travel - to other places AND to be able to visit family.  Thankfulness for the food and fellowship with family and friends.  The joy of "just" being able to stop and be thankful.  Sometimes God time brings out just the right song.

This morning's God time was about sharing God's light.  The idea being our works showing God's light through us.  And the song, playing on the radio, was "The Truth" by Megan Woods.  I love the song - especially the start of the chorus "I am my Father's child, I make him proud and I make him smile."  (Emphasis mine)  What a wonderful way to start the day!  YES!  I am "my Father's child." 

I'm sure I "make HIm smile" too.  A lot of people know I'm crazy.  If they don't I tell them!  I tried normal once....it was no fun!  So we CAN laugh!  Enjoy!  Celebrate God's love!!   

How are you at finding what you put "in a safe place"?  We all do it.....  We have something important, or maybe a gift, we have all prepared.  We put it some place safe.  In fact it is so safe we can't find it again!  Almost two years ago I took a class, learned something new and was excited to be able to give the finished piece as a gift.  I brought it home, put it 'some place safe' until I could work on it.  I could NOT find where I put it!!!

Recently I have learned how to do a new (to me) type of quilting - English Paper Piecing.  It has a lot of little pieces, tools to use and then finished pieces to be sewn into bigger pieces.  I needed something to keep all of these "pieces" together.  I have a wonderful 13 x 9 brand new cake pan.  A friend gave it to me even though I don't bake.  So...  I got it off the book case.  And found some very interesting things - pictures, a book for my son and...... you guessed it!  There was the project from the class.

To say laughing is better than screaming is an understatement to how I felt.  I had looked on the book case, I had looked all over.....  Now I find it in my room on my book case!  You DO have to laugh.... and trust me, I am!!

How are you at sharing about your trips?  Of course part of it depends on the reason for the trip and where the trip went to - right?  Another point could be who you are sharing with.  Of course the family probably hears everything first.  Then the friends who have been putting up with the count down.

I've been sharing, quite often (surprise!), about my recent trip to Scotland.  I've been especially excited, and talking about, Iona.  It has been fun,  and interesting, because of the different people at different times.  The people I see regularly knew about the trip and ask questions.  Most are even willing to see the pictures.

The most fun, though, is the new people to share with.  Several have also just "come home" from Scotland.  AND a couple have even been to, or know about, Iona.  AND the fun has come when we talk about finding yarn.  All of us can laugh...which is much better than screaming!