Refugee PROBLEMS

I'm proud of my Mormon Church for taking a  stand FOR REFUGEES and encouraging us to reach out and help refugees in our communities with the I Was a Stranger program.

I Was a Stranger—An Effort to Help Refugees

“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”   Matthew 25:35-36

Recently our church also issued a statement on the ban on immigration quotas. Maybe this is something that can bring unity to our divided country?

Finding CONTENTMENT and INNER PEACE

Rembering my Alaskan cruise in 2015

With so much of our society in the throes of lamenting the CHANGES in our government leadership, it's easy to get drawn into the contention and discontent OR to pray that our form of government will withstand the strong personalities involved...It's not easy either to be a FAMILY or a SOCIETY with differing viewpoints. If PEACE and PROGRESS are our goals, then it will take COMPROMISE, listening to all viewpoints and working TOGETHER...

Congratulations AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

On a peaceful transition of power in our leadership. Congrats to those women and others who held a peaceful demonstration and march yesterday to express their views. That's what makes America great is the opportunity to demonstrate and by voting. Let's all pray for a united people who can accept one another with love and forgiveness and pray for our new president and his team whether or not we voted for him.

The end of one era and new beginnings in another day.

New scarf, trying to be stylish....lol!

Finished wooden name project.

Words of Wisdom from Daili Lama

At age 81, he shares his wisdom

As we approach our President Elect's inaugeration, many individuals are in extreme stress. The Daili Lams said he plans to meet with President-elect Trump after his inauguration and added that once in power, all presidents are forced to work with "reality," and "so I have no worries." America will always keep an "emphasis on liberty, democracy, rule of law," he said, and "the people elected now have the responsibility" to work together and will have to use "team work," since "America is a democracy and the power is divided."If, however, someone's confidence in the country's checks and balances is still failing them, His Holiness has some additional advice to help you stay happy, no matter what happens in the world around you.

I liked this ARTICLE today from CNN entitled Daili Lama:Five Things to Keep in Mind During the Next Four Years:

1. WORK ON COMPASSION and start by developing it for yourself. "Mainly," he said, feeling happy is largely about "your own mental attitude." If you remain someone who is "honest, truthful," about how you feel, you can find happiness "no matter what (the) surrounding situation." 

2. TAKE TIME TO THINK-meditate (or pray) Thinking more deeply, you start to realize, His Holiness said, that "nothing exists as (it) appears." 

3. ANGER BE GONE-If you do feel angry about the election, or any other circumstance, don't let it dominate your thoughts.

4. HELP OTHERS-"try to be of some service to others." If you can help others, then "no matter what (the) surrounding situation, you can keep (up your) self-confidence and happiness."

5. ACT LIKE A KID-Finally, be playful and childlike. Children, the Dalai Lama said are "very honest" and often accept people without judgment.

Let it RAIN not SNOW....

We had one day of snow or kind of snow....hubby called it corn snow, somewhere icy rain bewteen sleet. But now it's changed to rain and we love it, but do miss the SUNSHINE!

Our palm tree is in shock but holding it's own...

Fun to see snow on our red tile roof

Our jeep is shivering out in the driveway cause the boat is in the garage.

Even the new barrel  cactus and road runner looks shocked.

No sitting around and enjoying the sunshine!

Weird snow not fluffy but little pellets.

Fun in the New Year

Well, my friend Caryn is back and out Wednesday excursions of talking, shopping and lunch continue. She's been gone for the holidays visiting families but now it's PLAYTIME!

Caryn's front door reflects hope for spring still many months off.

We found our favorite scrapbook place that had moved and had fun browsing.

What a fun place with all kinds of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Which pattern and color of paper would work for Caryn's next art project

Can Valentines be faraway...no it's not!

I like this sign, I bought some small journal for $1 each for y next writing classs.

       

We are bundled up as it's cold 40 degrees out but no snow, rain tomorrow promised

A new store the WOOD CONNECTION, love those wooden letters to decorate

We are each going to sand, paint and collage our names for our office desks

Lots of clever ideas for signs for home and patio for every holiday!

WE could spend all day here, so fun to just look for new ideas.

Perfect ending to an afternoon of art shopping, Einstein Bagels-never eaten here...

Being a new customer, the clerk gave us both free bagels. Cranberry-yummy!