Holy Week 2017

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

New Discoveries in 2015

2015's three big technology finds for me:

1. "The Skimm" - delivered to my email inbox Monday-Friday (unless it's a holiday). It headlines the news from around the country/world and links are included if I want more indepth reading. (It keeps me current on current events.)

2. Podcasts - loving them. I wrote about them here.

3. Netflix and Amazon Prime - Young Sweetie (our daughter) and Wonderful Husband are members and I reap the benefits. I can watch documentaries, original programming, and can receive free two day shipping. Score!

Do you have any new discoveries from 2015?

I'm linking to Emily P. Freeman and What We've Learned in 2015.

A New Favorite

Podcasts!

I'm listening to a podcast called "Start-up" hosted by Alex Blumberg (from "This American Life").

And he finally defined for me what I like about podcasts.

They are about storytelling.

Then I think Really? It's like listening to the old radio shows before television took over as entertainment in the home.

But it's simplified entertainment. No busy-ness for my computer-tired eyes. The stories must be descriptive enough to help me visualize with "my mind's eye." (Less eye strain you see.)

Creative enough to capture my attention, hold it, and reveal some sort of information that I hadn't before known. Information I walk away with and it's made me think or re-think my opinion, educates and/or entertains me.

Here are a few I subscribe to:


http://sortaawesomemegan.tumblr.com/



http://www.kathilipp.com/podcast/



http://jamieivey.com/category/podcast-2/



http://knoxandjamie.com/

I hope you'll listen to a couple episodes and get back to me with what you think about podcasts.

I love the portability listening on my iphone because one day I cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers and when all was said and done, it didn't seem like a huge chore. It was a win-win that day!

(By the way, my 3 year old granddaughter asked me, "Grammy, are you listening to your codpasts?" I just loved that!)

And please share...do you already listen to podcasts and if so, would you recommend any to me?

July 2015

Summer life has been hard.

In July our daughter (Young Sweetie) had shoulder surgery to tighten her tendons and ligaments. She's been in a sling ever since and goes back to the doctor tomorrow to hopefully get an OK to go back to work.

We took a family vacation in July to Wildwood Crest, NJ.

Wonderful Husband, the Teacher (our son), Young Sweetie, Youngest Sweetie (our granddaughter) and I had a wonderful time. Beach, pool, Boardwalk, golf and just the right amount of a cloudy/sprinkley day for our stay so no one came back with sunburn.

On the Boardwalk

Since we've been back, Wonderful Husband got bronchitis then a few days later I'm sitting here with bronchitis and ear infections.

I read this post from Emily Freeman: "What Everybody Ought to Know About Stress"

http://emilypfreeman.com/everybody-know-stress/

And it made me acknowledge that our being run down probably explains our bronchial issues. Our bodies are telling us that stress is wearing us down.

I find Emily's words (both written and spoken) to be wise and comforting.

And I'm looking forward to August and good health.

How's your summer been?

Holy Week 2015

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

First Day of Spring PA Style

Welcome to Spring 2015!

Last week we were on the Grand Cayman Island and the beach view was this:

Today in PA the tree outside my front door looks like this:

What?

And my van is stuck in the driveway.

Did you experience Spring where you are?

I'd love to hear and to live through you vicariously!

Musing

It's been a while since I've posted anything here.

Wonderful Husband and I were talking and he said that he figured my blog was about my thoughts. I didn't tell him I hadn't blogged in months but it got me thinking. Does that mean I haven't had any thoughts in months? Ha!

We've been living intergenerationally since April of 2014. I thought it would be harder than it has been. But it isn't easy either. Our daughter lives here full-time. Our granddaughter lives here 1/2 time.

Holidays are more fun with a young one in the house. She is three and brings excitement and humor into our lives, as well as more toys than we've had in our family room in many years.

In December, I celebrated my four year anniversary at work.

I've been reading more and thought I'd list the books I read in 2014:

 1. The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions - Jeff Manion
 2. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon - Sophie Hudson
 3. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples - Francis Chan
 4. An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess - Jen Hatmaker
 5. Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize when He Speaks - Priscilla Shirer
 6. Appointments in Heaven - Dr. Reggie Anderson
 7. Fearless Daughters of the Bible: What We Can Learn from 22 Women Who Challenged Tradition, Fought Injustice and Dared to Lead - J.Lee Grady, Margaret Feinberg
 8. This Is Where I Leave You: A Novel - Jonathan Tropper
 9. Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul - Jennie Allen
10. Miracle in the Museum of Broken Hearts - Talli Roland
11. What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms - Angie Smith
12. I Need Some Help Here: Hope for When Your Kids Don't Go According to Plan - Kathi Lipp
13. The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League - Jeff Hobbs
14. Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer - Max Lucado
15. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World - Bob Goff

Snow and cold weather hit Pennsylvania but the good news is that we've dodged some huge storms so far! Hooray!

Wonderful Husband and I are planning another warm weather March getaway. Last year was Puerto Rico and I think it saved my sanity. This year is the Grand Cayman Island. I applied for a passport for the first time in my life. (Now you know that I am not usually a world traveler.)

I still read The One Year Chronological Bible and visit Wendy Pope's blog for her daily video vlogs. She is writing a book and I am a member of her feedback group.

My Bible Study group is currently doing Beth Moore's "Children of the Day: 1 & 2 Thessalonians" study.

My One Word is the same as last year's: Trust. I believe I have more to learn about trusting God in every aspect of my life so an encore is necessary.

And that's about it for an update for now.