Greetings,

We are all home safe, sound and very tired. Funny, but gaining 6 hours going to Hawaii did not seem to change my energy level. I can not say the same for giving those 6 hours back when we returned.

Hawaii is a beautiful state and I can now say I have been in all 50 states. WHAT A WONDERFUL COUNTRY WE LIVE IN. We are certainly blessed. Mountains. Desserts. Oceans. Rivers. Trees of every kind. Flowers. Oh, this could be a very long list.

I am sorry that I did not post a blog yesterday, but yesterday just got away from me before I realized it was Friday. A new blog will be posted Friday, April 3. Check back then.

Have a great day. Enjoy life and look around as spring is beginning to wake up the flowers, grass and trees.

PACKING

Just a note: I will not be posting a blog March 20, 2009. That is unless I happen to find a computer handy. Celebrate each day, Mary

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: MARK 6:7-9

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic."

PACKING

I can tell you one thing about the trip Jesus sent the Disciples on -- They were not flying to Hawaii. Take nothing. No money. No bag. Wow have times changed!

Packing for our trip --- I better update you: Bill and I have been to 49 states. Every state except Hawaii. I am going to go to Hawaii. You will notice I did not say Bill and I are going to Hawaii. Bill says he might go when he can drive there. Knowing that was not going to happen anytime in my lifetime, our daughter, Terri, offered to go with me. Isn't she just the sweetest daughter? So Sunday, Bill is dropping Terri and me in Indianapolis and he is then heading to Arizona to visit a friend. He did say he would slow down long enough for us to hop out and grab our suitcases.

Terri and I fly out the next morning and will return the 27th. Flying makes packing a bit of a challenge. You see, ever since we went to Alaska and I found out how easy it was just to pack everything in a big blue tub, we only use a suitcase for the things we need to take into the motel each evening.

I had forgotten how limiting suitcases are. Do you realize how much space extra shoes take up? And those undies that were stuffed in plastic bags and stacked in that blue tub seem to use every corner. The swimsuit had to be packed instead placed in a beach bag and thrown in the back. And -- Well, maybe you have flown lately and are an old hand at packing light. I have been used to years of "sure go ahead and take that, there is room."

What, God? "Take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic."

Wow, how did they do that? My bags are packed. I am ready. I am excited. I am so thankful for this opportunity. If God sent me, would I be able to walk out the door, wearing one set of clothes and trust God to provide for all of my needs?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you like to travel? Do you go visit family? Friends? Travel for work? How do you pack? Could you go as Jesus sent the Disciples?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, Sometimes it seems I am so like the Disciples. Learning. Trusting. Spreading your word. Then I read about going out with nothing. No money. No bread. No extra clothes. Then I wonder if I have enough faith. Lord, help me trust. Trust that you will provide my every need. Lord, help me trust you to…………….. Amen

LET THE LIGHT SHINE

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6

For God, who said, : Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

LET THE LIGHT SHINE

Let the light shine! That is the new motto in our neighborhood.

We had an ice storm last December. Trees down everywhere. Many people were without power for days. It was a great big mess.

Our neighborhood has a constant reminder of that time. No, not limbs still stacked everywhere. The town finally came and got those. No, not even the fact that you can see where many trees were cut down. We have a unique situation.

When the storm hit and the trees fell, one tree decided to do some extra damage. Not having a house to fall on, that tree knocked over one of the streetlights. AND IT IS STILL LAYING THERE! ! !

Every evening, the streetlights come on and guess what -- so does the street light lying on the ground. It shines all night. Then in the morning, when the rest of the lights turn off, it does the same. Every night on. Every morning off. All the time lying on the ground.

It looked pretty at first. Shining through the ice. It even made a soft warm glow when the snow covered it. Now? It just looks strange.

There it lies. Damaged. Fallen. Bent. BUT STILL SHINING! ! ! Still lighting our street.

Do you see a message from God here? No matter what happens. Someone may knock us down. We may be damaged. We may fall. We may be bent. BUT WE STILL NEED TO SHINE! We need for the light of God to shine in our lives, so others can see where our strength comes from.

Have a great day. A great week. A great life. And no matter what comes your way, SHINE.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Has anything knocked you off your feet lately? Are you feeling down, not broken but maybe just bent? Are you having trouble letting your light shine?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, I am like the light pole. Sometimes my light burns bright, as I stand firm in your word. Sometimes my light is sparkly as if reflected by ice. Sometimes it is just a warm glow. Sometimes I just feel like it does not matter if my light shines or not. Sometimes I just want to lie down and turn off the switch. Let me always remember that it is YOUR light that shines through me. That YOUR light is in my heart. - This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.… Amen