YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What happens when you open you cellular phone bill and see a $4000.00 bill? No, not $40.00 or $400.00 bill but $4000.00. Well, today I opened our bill and saw just that. Now I know what it's like to have a PANIC ATTACK! You hyperventilate, sweat, your heart races and then you look at the clock to see what time it is...Still have time to get to the ~~~~~Store.

Warren, the manager, held HIS chest when he saw it! Then immediately got on the phone to speak to Corporate. Yes, I had been fraudulently charged for 7, yes 7, $600.00 phones. And from where, you may ask, were these phones purchased? Phoenix, AZ. I live in IN!

The company was very generous and kind. Calmed all my fears and will be investigating. Whe asked how often they had to investigate such things the young man simply said, "I have job security." How very sad! Not that he has job security...that there are that many dishonest people in the world.

This indeed was an eye-opening experience. And though I am laughing now, all I can say is,

"THANKS BE TO GOD!!!"

Picture by Mobigates

The Tale of the Seed

The Seed

A successful business man was growing old and
knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children,
he decided to do something different. He called all the young
executives in his company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.
I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were
Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one
of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant
the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with
what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then
judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be
the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,
received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the
story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted
the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had
grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began
to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have
a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he
had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but
he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.
He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the
seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick
to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment
of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot
to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety
of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --
in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and
many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees,
and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will
be appointed the next CEO!"

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with
his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to
the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a
failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened
to his seed - Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim,
and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next
Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow
his seed.

"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this
room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it,
and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds;
they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and
flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you
substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the
only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with
my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new
Chief Executive Officer!"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

~~~^j^~~~

For Friends and lessons they share
Thanks be to God!!!

What's In a Name?

A reflection I came upon today. I wish to share it with you as we begin the weekend.

[After healing and teaching many people the disciples, whom Jesus had sent out,] came back in great joy. "Lord," they said, "even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!" ~Luke 10:17~

An American tourist was walking down a deserted rural road in Germany. She came upon a shepherd grazing sheep. A dog was diligently guarding the flock. "What's the dog's name?" she asked.

I'll spell it for you," said the shepherd. "I don't like to say it out loud unless I have something for him to do."

The shepherd's comment reminds us of how personal and powerful a name is. People in biblical times held names in extra-special reverence so it's no surprise that Jesus' name--when invoked--had power over demons

How aware am I of the power of the name of Jesus? How reverently do I use Jesus' name?

The Name of Jesus is honey for the mouth, music for the ear and gladness for the heart. ~Saint Bernard of Clairvaux~

from Vision 2000
Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way
by Mark Lind, S.J.

We're off to INDY this weekend to celebrate Lindsey's 5th birthday early and deliver baby crib and nursery items to Marianne and Eric. Everyone have a grand weekend.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Trust it to Providence

Trust it to Providence
Originally uploaded by Providence in Japan

My journey to Providence has been, thus far, one of enlightenment and self-knowledge. But the last two days I have been reminded repeatedly in word and deed about God's gentle hand that nudges us if we only will respond to it.

My visit with Sister Dorothy yesterday was fulfilling. The quotes I posted yesterday and today, too are reminders of His ever presence.

Take time today and reflect on the providence of God in your life. It is truly grand and exciting to remember how he has journeyed with us.

~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Road to Providence

Taken at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods
October, 2006

Tomorrow I again travel to Sullivan to meet with Sr. Dorothy. As my companion on this journey we will be discussing "Relationships and Commitment." During the sojourn of this subject, I was to journal for the month, reflecting on my life's encounters. First, I really dislike keeping a journal. (Odd since I do so enjoy blogging.) It's not that I have not tried...I have several journals I have started, writing a page or two in them, and then quit. It was too much like work.
Secondly, procrastination is one of my flaws and I had not kept a daily journal as I was supposed to. So here is the miracle. Sr. Dorothy called last month to tell me she would be on retreat when were due to meet and would have to wait until next month (June) to meet. I was soooooooo relieved. Just like a child I was giddy! I had a second chance. I did journal. Not every day, but I did do the reflections and learned a good deal more about myself than I had known before I did the journal reflections.

Indeed, the mercy of God had intervened. I still do not like to journal (maybe it's the pen, ink, and paper part of the writing). Because (I'm laughing at myself, out loud here) isn't what I'm doing now writing in a journal? Perhaps, it's the validation, critique, live response that makes blogging different. At any rate, journal or blog, I enjoy the blog so much more!

~~~^j^~~~

God bless you
and
thanks be to God for
Second Chances!

Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle has overgrown our woodpile in the back yard. It is a gorgeous blanket of flowers. It has an exquisite sweet fragrance. Oh, my goodness!!! This is heaven!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Praise God!

All the things I have to praise the glory of God for today. It's early and the sun is only beginning to dawn. For these things I praise God!

~~1. For the celebration of Pentecost, that wonderful feast of the Holy Spirit

~~2. For the glory of the sunrise.

~~3. For the wonderful month of May.

~~4. For the phone that has allowed me to speak with family near and far. It brings them close to me.

~~5. For friends who gather weekly for grouping and offer support and pray.

~~5. For the support of a wonderful husband and helpmate.

~~6. In praise and gratitude for the gift of good health.

~~7. In praise of God who send laughter and joy into my life.

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!

Monastic Cell of the Heart

Monastic cell at Convento de La Santa Cruz, Queretaro
Originally uploaded by schechter02

Build yourself a cell in your heart, and retire there to pray. ~Saint Catherine of Siena~

I was personally bowled over by this quote. I struggle with prayer. Have for as long as I can remember. Disappointment, anger and sorrow are words I would use to describe how I feel about my prayer life.

I can't be quiet! How do you do that? I'm a babbling brook!!! Words running helter skelter through my mind. In conversations with friends I am even uncomfortable with "quiet pauses." I wonder if God "turns the volume down" when I start to communicate with him. Me doing all the talking.
.
Centering prayer is a time before prayer to allow focus. Sometimes that works for me and at other times I might as well turn on the radio and listen to the Beach Boys for all the good it does.

As I travel the Road to Providence I am certainly now more aware of His hand in my life. And even in my prayer life, I must give him credit. And why not, for he is the creator of ALL things.

Example, this week. I called my brother, Tom, to work out dates for our visit the end of the summer to see him and Kathleen. As we chatted he mentioned that Kathleen's mother was in the hospital with some serious heart problems and so Kathleen was away. For no particular reason that I can see, I had added Kathleen's mother to my prayers this week.

Two things struck me after I hung up the phone. First, I was called to visit Tom in his "aloneness." He was anticipating Kathleen's return, and was able to share with another his story. Second, the call to pray for Kathleen's mother obviously came from the Holy Spirit, and even though I didn't realize it at the time I was listening! [YES!] The God of Providence again made inroads into my "cell."

I am glad I was reminded of my "cell" today. I will reflect upon its use. And maybe I will be reminded to spend more time THERE when I pray!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Monastic cell at Convento de La Santa Cruz, Queretaro
Originally uploaded by schechter02

Sweet Anticipation

This song, a long time favorite of Ron's and really a Keller Family theme song, always heightens my excitement and anticipation for the journeys to be traveled.

Today I was reminded that, starting in June, we will begin one of the busiest vacation summers we have ever undertaken. It will be so busy that we didn't invest in potted summer plants this year because we didn't want the house sitter to have to be responsible for all the plants, too. It is exciting to contemplate these adventures. Yes, indeed, adventures!

Itinerary:

6/5~~To INDY for Lindsey's "Victorian Birthday Tea."

6/19~To Charlotte for Father's Day with the NC Kellers

6/27~To The Woods for Sister Dorothy's 50th Jubilee

7/3~~Off to Montana and Colorado for 10 days visiting Mom and family
Traveling by auto to see this glorious country

8/5~~Flying to Carson City, NV to visit brother, Tom.

I fully intend to cherish this precious time. I am privileged to have this time and I will not waste it.


And so I will close with my "Bad Haiku Friday" offering.

With the journey to begin
The visits soon to be shared
Life filled with goodness

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Training of Children, Job Description

The Keller Kids

I never fail to be surprised when I have been lead to a reflection. One that draws on so many memories, that there just doesn't seem to be enough time to take it all in. My children have been and still are a tremendous source of pride. I am surprised this time by a quote by Bishop Fulton Sheen.

Home life is the God-appointed training ground of human character, for from the home life of the child springs the maturity of manhood, either for good or for evil.

The Quotable Fulton Sheen

What is he saying? What he says to me is most important. My children have been given to me for the purpose of bringing them home to the Father. I have been charged with the training of these "special deliveries." Their father and I are charged with their care, nurturing and training. We are to be guides in the path of right and wrong.

These children are treasures! They have given us at times disappointment, anxiety, happiness, and joy. They are a never ending source of growth for me. They have brought me to maturity. I can only hope that the path we have traveled will bring us all to the same generous, compassionate, loving Father.

Now I have grandchildren. They, too are a source of pride and joy. But this time, I can only counsel, not mold or teach...Oh, my how difficult it is for me to keep my observations to myself sometimes. But step back I must for I am not the MOTHER this time.

I know you all have similar stories. Take time to reflect on those memories. They can be fulfilling. They may cause us to regret decisions we have made in the past. But if we can REALLY reflect on those times I truly believe you will be aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance. Though things don't always work out for us and our children the way we'd like, I know the source of strength of parenthood comes straight from the Wisdom of the Spirit!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Please visit NC Sue at IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. She has a wonderful story about a "Cracked Pot." It is grand!!!