I was tremendously blessed today as I listened to a sermon that was entitled, "Are you Ready for Jesus to Come?" The sermon was presented by Elder Thompson. The atmosphere at church was warm and receptive as the members and visitors listened and agreed with the sermon. We were all encouraged to live according to the Word of God.
After the church service my husband and I were invited to have lunch with Elder Thompson and his wife, my long time college friend. Four other church members were also invited to have lunch with the Thompsons. There was also a wonderful sister from Jamaica who is visiting the Thompsons who volunteered to help prepare the lunch and had also carried from Jamaica some of the food and drink that were served.
We had a delicious lunch which included Baked Chicken, Fried Rice, Vegetarian Special K, Jamaican Sorrel Drink and Jamaican Bun and Cheese for dessert. Everyone enjoyed the feast and a few hours later we also were served more food and drink.
We were engaged in good conversations and we had Scripture reading, testimony, and prayer between our conversations. Everyone was given the opportunity to state what he or she was thankful for. We had a very good time talking about different kinds of subjects which included geography, healthcare, and economy.
I had a very good time at the Thompsons and I was the last one to leave their house. It had been a long time since I had visited and all previous visits were always good ones.
We were glad to see our sister in Christ from Jamaica and she was able to give us first hand report about our Island. We were very happy to get this information from a primary source. Hearing about Jamaica is very important to me and the Thompsons because it is the land of our birth.
I am very happy that I was given this opportunity to spend such an unforgettable day. Being in good company sure makes a difference and allows one to be his or her authentic self. We were happy to be in each other's company and we surely had a good time with God and with each other.
Until the next post I leave you with the following verse of the song, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."
"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above."
~ Rev. John Fawcett
Click on the link to hear the song: Are You Ready for Jesus to Come
Be Blessed,
Joy
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Let's be Thoughtful of Others
In these challenging times there is always the temptation to think about the things in our lives that are not going well and to at times consciously or unconsciously ignore the people around us. However, if we would take sometime to observe our environment we would see people who could use our help. There are so many ways that we can show people, even total strangers, that we care about them. Some of these ways include giving a genuine smile to someone as you pass them, not the plastic smile of just spreading the lips, saying hi to a person, listen to an acquaintance or friend when he or she wants to speak, and writing a letter of gratitude to someone who made a difference in your life.
Today, I was reminded of this topic as I sat in an office reading a book and two men walked into the office and were talking very loudly and even when they saw me reading they did not lower their voices but continue to speak as if they were talking to someone a mile away. I know that these men were not hard of hearing because when the clerk in the office spoke to them he used a normal tone to speak to them and they heard him well and responded to him. I do not know what these men were thinking as they spoke so loudly but it was obvious that all they cared about were the conversation both of them were indulged in and nothing else seemed to matter.
This incident today also helped me to remember that on a college campus that I attended last spring some of the students would carry on loud conversations even when they see other students who were trying to study. Those students who were loud did not care about the other students and showed that by having loud conversations and laughing while their fellow students were trying to study. There was also another set of students who studied at home and if they see a student trying to study on campus they would try to have a conversation with that student.
It is obvious that we cannot change other people; nevertheless, we can behave in thoughtful ways towards others. If we see someone reading a book and we have a need to talk to our friend we can lower our voices while we speak so as not to disturb the person. Although the person may not be reading in a library we can still be thoughtful of the other person. As we go about our daily business let us be thoughtful of others and show others that we care for them.
Until the next post I leave you with these words:
"Seize the opportunity - it may never come again. Today is the day to reach out and lend a helping hand" ~ Treasury of God's Virtues
Be Blessed,
Joy
Today, I was reminded of this topic as I sat in an office reading a book and two men walked into the office and were talking very loudly and even when they saw me reading they did not lower their voices but continue to speak as if they were talking to someone a mile away. I know that these men were not hard of hearing because when the clerk in the office spoke to them he used a normal tone to speak to them and they heard him well and responded to him. I do not know what these men were thinking as they spoke so loudly but it was obvious that all they cared about were the conversation both of them were indulged in and nothing else seemed to matter.
This incident today also helped me to remember that on a college campus that I attended last spring some of the students would carry on loud conversations even when they see other students who were trying to study. Those students who were loud did not care about the other students and showed that by having loud conversations and laughing while their fellow students were trying to study. There was also another set of students who studied at home and if they see a student trying to study on campus they would try to have a conversation with that student.
It is obvious that we cannot change other people; nevertheless, we can behave in thoughtful ways towards others. If we see someone reading a book and we have a need to talk to our friend we can lower our voices while we speak so as not to disturb the person. Although the person may not be reading in a library we can still be thoughtful of the other person. As we go about our daily business let us be thoughtful of others and show others that we care for them.
Until the next post I leave you with these words:
"Seize the opportunity - it may never come again. Today is the day to reach out and lend a helping hand" ~ Treasury of God's Virtues
Be Blessed,
Joy
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Reminisce of a College Road Trip Part 2
On August 28, 2009, my husband, our daughter, and I began our long journey to New York City. My husband and I did not know what to anticipate from a road trip of this magnitude. We only prayed that we would reach our destination safely and on time for our daughter to check into her dormitory.
Before we left home that morning my friend Grace, my college friend from years ago, came to our house to wish us a safe trip. And if you had known Grace you would know that if she comes to visit you she is coming with a gift. So that morning Grace brought us food for our trip and money to help with buying gas for the journey. We thanked her for her generosity and we were on our way.
During the day my husband drove and I drove during the night-time. During the night many of the areas on the freeway were very dark and I was only able to see by the help of the many semi-trucks on the road.
During the day we made several stops, and during these stops we rested or just walked around. We had a great time with our daughter who loved every minute of the trip. There were times when we spoke a lot and other times we were silent and enjoyed being in the company of each other. There were other times when we bought food and ate and we even shopped for clothes.
During the night we stopped and slept over, and we were on our way by 6:00 AM the next morning. My husband was driving and visibility was poor in the early morning so he drove way slower than the speed limit so that we could be safe during this trip of a life-time.
We had no idea that driving through Pennsylvania would take us so many hours. At one time we thought we were lost and we stopped at a gas station to find out where we were and we were told by the gas station attendant that we were heading in the right direction and that we would reach New Jersey in the next twenty minutes; however, this statement was not completely true. Yes, we were going the right direction but New Jersey was about another two hours away.
On our college road trip we had many delays due to miles of road constructions and hours of traffic congestion.We finally reached New York City seven hours later than the estimated time that we thought we would reach. Although my daughter checked in far later than her scheduled time she had no problem checking in and no question was asked about her lateness.
We helped our daughter moved in and we ended up buying a few more items for her room in New York City. The following day we also help her to settle into her room and the next morning we said our goodbyes and left our daughter in New York and made our long journey back home. The journey back home was a sad one. Many teardrops were shed. We missed our daughter immensely and for the first time we had to face the reality of being empty nesters. We knew we had raised her for that moment in her life when she goes off to college but it sure hurts to leave your child in a strange, huge city.
Driving to New York City is the biggest driving adventure my husband and I have ever done and I do not believe there will be a repeat of driving that distance again. However, that journey had strengthened our faith in God because if we did not go on that journey we would not have known that we could have made a journey like that. This journey also reminded us of the scripture verse that states,"Faith without works is dead." by starting out on the journey with God's help we were able to complete the journey safely. We are also reminded that prayer works because our daughter prayed for a college road-trip with her parents and due to a series of events she was able to have the trip that she prayed for. I am truly thankful that we were given the opportunity to spend those wonderful hours with our daughter because we may never be given that opportunity again to have such a long trip together because she may start her own family after graduating from college. We will always treasure the time spent with our lovely daughter and although at first I did not think a college road trip would be a good idea, I would not trade one hour of that trip with our daughter for all the money in the world.
Before we left home that morning my friend Grace, my college friend from years ago, came to our house to wish us a safe trip. And if you had known Grace you would know that if she comes to visit you she is coming with a gift. So that morning Grace brought us food for our trip and money to help with buying gas for the journey. We thanked her for her generosity and we were on our way.
During the day my husband drove and I drove during the night-time. During the night many of the areas on the freeway were very dark and I was only able to see by the help of the many semi-trucks on the road.
During the day we made several stops, and during these stops we rested or just walked around. We had a great time with our daughter who loved every minute of the trip. There were times when we spoke a lot and other times we were silent and enjoyed being in the company of each other. There were other times when we bought food and ate and we even shopped for clothes.
During the night we stopped and slept over, and we were on our way by 6:00 AM the next morning. My husband was driving and visibility was poor in the early morning so he drove way slower than the speed limit so that we could be safe during this trip of a life-time.
We had no idea that driving through Pennsylvania would take us so many hours. At one time we thought we were lost and we stopped at a gas station to find out where we were and we were told by the gas station attendant that we were heading in the right direction and that we would reach New Jersey in the next twenty minutes; however, this statement was not completely true. Yes, we were going the right direction but New Jersey was about another two hours away.
On our college road trip we had many delays due to miles of road constructions and hours of traffic congestion.We finally reached New York City seven hours later than the estimated time that we thought we would reach. Although my daughter checked in far later than her scheduled time she had no problem checking in and no question was asked about her lateness.
We helped our daughter moved in and we ended up buying a few more items for her room in New York City. The following day we also help her to settle into her room and the next morning we said our goodbyes and left our daughter in New York and made our long journey back home. The journey back home was a sad one. Many teardrops were shed. We missed our daughter immensely and for the first time we had to face the reality of being empty nesters. We knew we had raised her for that moment in her life when she goes off to college but it sure hurts to leave your child in a strange, huge city.
Driving to New York City is the biggest driving adventure my husband and I have ever done and I do not believe there will be a repeat of driving that distance again. However, that journey had strengthened our faith in God because if we did not go on that journey we would not have known that we could have made a journey like that. This journey also reminded us of the scripture verse that states,"Faith without works is dead." by starting out on the journey with God's help we were able to complete the journey safely. We are also reminded that prayer works because our daughter prayed for a college road-trip with her parents and due to a series of events she was able to have the trip that she prayed for. I am truly thankful that we were given the opportunity to spend those wonderful hours with our daughter because we may never be given that opportunity again to have such a long trip together because she may start her own family after graduating from college. We will always treasure the time spent with our lovely daughter and although at first I did not think a college road trip would be a good idea, I would not trade one hour of that trip with our daughter for all the money in the world.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Snowy Day
Today we got our first snowy day. I woke up this morning to about five inches of snow and the snow was still falling. The snow that was falling is the wet type that is slushy and is very heavy when you try to clean it; however, I must say that the snow looks very pretty on the trees and on the power lines. The trees and power lines look like someone decorated them for Christmas.
For the first time this year I pulled out my winter gears which include jacket, scarves, hat, gloves, and boots. I was all decked out in my winter gear as I left for church this morning.
The drive to church was a slow one because the snow was still coming down and visibility was a bit limited due to the falling snow. Nevertheless, I am thankful that we reached church safely.
Today was Community Guest Day at church but not many people from the community came out. I believe that the snow kept the people away. However, the regular members were at church and we had a very good sermon and a delicious fellowship dinner after church. It was a very good day at church despite the snow. My only regret is that the weather prevented the guests from the surrounding communities from attending church today.
Right now it is a bit dark and dreary looking outside but I am happy within my heart. I braved the snow and attended church and I was truly blessed by the sermon and other activities at church.
I wish for you a wonderful day and I pray that you will have peace and love within yourselves. I leave you with this thought:
"God's love does not draw lines. It comes with open eyes, open arms, and an open heart. Can we take the risk of loving our Neighbor with God's kind of love?"
~ Treasury of God's Virtues
Be Blessed,
Joy
For the first time this year I pulled out my winter gears which include jacket, scarves, hat, gloves, and boots. I was all decked out in my winter gear as I left for church this morning.
The drive to church was a slow one because the snow was still coming down and visibility was a bit limited due to the falling snow. Nevertheless, I am thankful that we reached church safely.
Today was Community Guest Day at church but not many people from the community came out. I believe that the snow kept the people away. However, the regular members were at church and we had a very good sermon and a delicious fellowship dinner after church. It was a very good day at church despite the snow. My only regret is that the weather prevented the guests from the surrounding communities from attending church today.
Right now it is a bit dark and dreary looking outside but I am happy within my heart. I braved the snow and attended church and I was truly blessed by the sermon and other activities at church.
I wish for you a wonderful day and I pray that you will have peace and love within yourselves. I leave you with this thought:
"God's love does not draw lines. It comes with open eyes, open arms, and an open heart. Can we take the risk of loving our Neighbor with God's kind of love?"
~ Treasury of God's Virtues
Be Blessed,
Joy
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