Warm Thoughts

Every year in February, we observe Presidents Day. Many churches throughout the land may observe a day of prayer, at which time they pray for the leaders of our country. Two of my friends were among the many who attended the President's breakfast in Washington DC. This annual day of prayer is a 45 year-old Washington tradition that draws people from around the world, including politicians, judges, diplomats, bureaucrats, foreign leaders, and military personnel. Praying for our nation and for our leaders is no new thought. Instead, it has been encouraged throughout the ages. C H. Spurgeon stated, "Whenever God determines to do a great work, he first sends his people to pray."

Many of our presidents who have served our country have been men of prayer. This reliance on spiritual assistance has especially characterized times of national transition and uncertainty. When our country was ravaged by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln remarked, "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming convictions that had nowhere else to go." During President Garfield's term, a member of his cabinet believed a meeting needed to be called immediately to address a national crisis. President Garfield told the Cabinet member he will be late because he had another appointment. His Cabinet member was aghast, "Just who can be so important that your appointment with him can't be broken as we face this national crisis?" President Garfield responded, "Let me be quite frank, my engagement is with the Lord to meet with him in his house at 10 o'clock. I will be there." The President kept his appointment. The crisis passed and God was honored. John Wesley once said, "Nothing is accomplished except by prayer."

A prayer thought to ponder: More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Alfred Lord Tennyson. Pray for the leaders of our nation.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record February 20th, 1997

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Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

When you read this Warm Thoughts column and look at the calendar, it tells us that Abraham Lincoln's birthday is February 12th. In the one room country school where I went as a child, the pictures of George Washington and Abe Lincoln hung on the wall along with the ten commandments. In those years, the government recognized two President holidays in February. These two presidents became examples of compassion and courage in my life. George Washington was our first president and known as the father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War. Very recently, I read an incident about Abraham Lincoln that happened in the Civil War. It really touched my heart during this heart month, and I felt compelled to share these thoughts on caring and compassion with you.

Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War, frequently visited the hospitals and addressed cheering words to the wounded warriors. On one occasion, he found a young fellow whose legs had been amputated and who was evidently sinking rapidly. "Is there anything I can do for you?" asked Lincoln. "You might write a letter to my mother," was the fate reply. The President wrote at the youth's dictation, "My dearest mother, I have been shot bad and am bearing up. I tried to do my duty. They tell me I cannot recover. God bless you. And Father, kiss Mary and John for me." At the end were these words as post script, "written by Abraham Lincoln." The boy saw those added words and looked with astonishment at the visitor and asked, "Are you our President?" "Yes," was the quiet answer. "And now that you know that, is there anything else I can do for you?" Feebly, the lad said, "I guess you might hold my hand and see me through." So, sitting down at the bedside, the tall, gaunt man with a heart as tender as a woman's, held the soldier's hand through the live long night till it grew cold and rigid. It does not surprise me that Lincoln was also a man of prayer. At the time in the Civil War when the fate of the US hung in the balance and everyone was pan stricken, Lincoln closed the door and prayed. Later, he described that moment to his friend by saying, "I told God that I had done all that I could, and that now the result was in his hands, that if this country was to be saved, it was because he so willed. The burden fell off my shoulders, my intense anxiety was relieved, and in its place came a great trustfulness." What an example for us to pray for our country and its leaders.

Warm Thoughts: "The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion to others." Albert Schweitzer. "Two of the best kept secrets in the 20th century are: everyone suffers and suffering can be used for growing and becoming." John Degrain. God bless America, and God bless you!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, February 12th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

February - heart month - the month for Valentine's Day. The month we think "spring" even if all man winters still has his fling! Brrrr! It has been cold! One needs to keep warm with the extra comforter that would be at the foot of the bed in grandma's day. No cold chill could penetrate the warmth of that comforter as it radiated grandma's love and care. That quilt was grandma's legacy. Recently, my friend experienced all the excitement of being a grandma for the first time. My gift to her was a baby quilt, and a poem I wrote. Since many of my readers have expressed appreciation of poetry thoughts, I will share with you the poem I gave with the quilt.

Grandma's Blankie: "Grandma needs a purple blankie" I heard her grandchild say. It will warm her gentle heart. It will just make her day. When her grandchild comes to visit, she'll ask for grandmas toy. Grandma just gives her the blankie and both just jump for joy. A purple blankie's full of love and grandmas need one too, as it does warm, gentle hearts, even if it is not new. When old it gets much better, though it looks so very torn. Many grandchildren love that blankie - it's love and it has been worn.

Warm Thoughts: Love is a quilt and a quilt is love. I make them warm to keep my family from freezing. I make them beautiful to keep my heart from breaking. Prairie Woman, 1870. Keep warm with a grandma quilt!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea written by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record February 8th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Many warm thoughts come to mind as one views snow covered mountains and valleys. Pleasant memories can be rekindled by the warmth of a glowing fire in the fireplace, as we read cards and letters from family and friends. A few weeks ago I received a letter from old friends who live in the heartland of America, who have endured many winters of snow and ice in their lives. These thoughts were included on their card.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking in a snow covered field with the Lord. Across the sky flash scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the snow, one belonged to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the snow he noticed that many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life. That really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd work with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you the most, you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious precious child. I love you and will never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Warm Thought: Christmas is neither a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous and Christ like mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge. Have a Happy New Year!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, January 9th, 1997.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Many years in the past, I would write the family Christmas letter on January 6th, the Christmas of the Gentiles - the festival that commemorates the appearance of the Christ child as the promised Savior to the Gentiles and to all the world. A few days before Christmas, I spent some time with family and friends in Nebraska. While there, Trina, my seven year old granddaughter wanted to make a gift for her parents. Since she is reading now and loves to tell stories, she wanted to write "A Merry Christmas Story." She dictated each word for me to print. As I patiently listened to each word, I became a bit weary and felt challenged to listen to the rest of the story. "Grandma, we can't forget about the kings," I heard her say. And so she continued, "It was a star that led three kings from a faraway country to come to Bethlehem too."

As she finished telling the Merry Christmas story, my thoughts wandered to that faraway land where that lighted star led the wisemen to Bethlehem. It must have been spectacular, as historians of that day wrote about a radiant and different star in the heavens. My granddaughter made it very clear to me to never forget those three kings from afar and the Merry Christmas Story. The lighted star that appears often throughout the year on my little home on the prairie will shine even brighter as I am reminded often that wise men still seek Him. The year 1997 is another chapter in our lives, filled with many memories. May we live throughout 1998 in the warmth and afterglow of the 1997 Christmas season. May the Spirit of Christmas be with us all year and those stars and gifts of grace, hope, joy, love, kindness, gratitude, and peace shine in our hearts.

Warm Thoughts: Looking back, may we be filled with gratitude. Looking forward, may we be filled with hope. Looking upward, may we be aware of strength. Looking inward, may we find peace. Author unknown. A thankful heart will make your year happy and joyful all year long. Have a bright new year led by His light!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, January 8th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Warm greetings from the Little Home on the Prairie and a Happy New Year! When you read the first column of Warm Thoughts for this new year, your thoughts may still be reflecting on memories of your traditional Christmas with friends and family. How exciting to pass on those wonderful traditions to our children and grandchildren! We can have generations of memories.

In December, I took you around the world in my Christmas memories. Christmas 1994 was Christmas in Ohio for me. The highlight for me was to be able to attend my grandchildren's Christmas programs. And of course they were angels and singing angels too. We grandparents seem to think we have almost perfect grandchildren and for some reason they love to be actors and actresses. During the program, granddaughter Rosa's halo seemed to always be slipping, and sometimes even fell off. While all this was happening, I glanced at her father while we all sang "Silent Night." He was falling asleep, gently nodding as we sang, "sleep in heavenly peace."

Traveling the Greyhound bus to and from Ohio can be quite an experience and meeting interesting people. On the way to Ohio I became educated in the field of Geology as my seat partner was a dear lady from Belgium who had her doctorate and that science. On the way home, across from me was a young man studying Environmental Science at the Heidelberg University in Ohio. My world became a little larger as I listened to all of those scientific thoughts.

How good it is to return after a long trip to "Home Sweet Home" and over a cup of tea, be able to write these thoughts. Now, as I reflect on 1994 I can't help but think, "Where has the year gone? Where have all the years gone?" I would like to share these Warm Thoughts with you for the year 1995: May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, enough trials to keep you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to keep you happy, enough failure to keep you humble, enough success to keep you eager, enough friends to give you comfort, enough enthusiasm to look forward, enough faith to banish depression, enough determination to make each day better than yesterday. Author Unknown. God bless you and yours in 1995!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, January 5th, 1995.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

This is the first Warm Thoughts column for 1998: An unknown author once wrote this New Year’s thought…”What the New Year will bring us depends a great deal on what we bring into the New Year.” Among the many Christmas greeting cards received were many warm thoughts.

A Prayer for Peace

Dear Lord, let this be a year that moves us one step closer to each other. Let this be a year that brings us understanding in our hearts. Let this be a year that fills us with a yearning burning feeling for peace with one another and a oneness, Lord, with You!

The New Year is a refreshing thought. It speaks of a new opportunity, a new beginning, a new start. It is a moment to consider again where we are going. Each New Year finds us at a different place in our life’s journey. How we approach the opportunity of each New Year determines which way we are going.

The New Year is best entered when some fresh dreams have challenged the heart, when some step of faith has been applied to plans, and when some consideration has been given to goals and objectives. The New Year is ours to turn some corners and start an upward climb in our journey through life.

More New Year’s Thoughts: “The past is my heritage, the present is my responsibility, and the future is my challenge.” Lord, grant me the common sense to profit by my yesterday, the wisdom to live to the utmost my today and vision to cope with my tomorrows. I know not what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future. Best wishes for renewed hopes for peace, joy, and success in the New Year!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record on January 1st, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Every year now, as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day approaches, my memories take me to the little town of Bethlehem. How special it was to be able to worship in a cave on the shepherd hills in Bethlehem. The night I worshiped in a cave on those shepherd hills will long remain in my memories. We traveled the winding roads of those hills with Abraham as the driver of the bus called the guiding star and Elijah and Gabriel guided the driver. As we sang those beautiful Christmas carols, it seems that the angels in heaven were helping us to sing on the shepherd hills. I wrote about this unforgettable experience later high on the hill in an international hotel in Jerusalem, and will share a few thoughts with you.

"The lights from the bus brightened the way "to the shepherd's hills we go," Gabriel did say. With Bible in hand and friends so dear, we were sure that Jesus surely was here. The guiding star took us through many a path, one hardly could keep from having a laugh. I know God must laugh at us many a time, as we hurry and scurry and not watch his sign. I wondered if ever we'd reach this site, and would there be warmth and would there be light? "My child I'm here" I heard him say, "it is night and tomorrow is Christmas Day." I knelt with the shepherds at that humble cave and we sang and worshipped and praised his name. The beauty and joy of this Christmas night, will forever make remaining days bright. Let us all return to Bethlehem in spirit and remember what the angels saying on those hills so long ago, "Peace on earth, goodwill to men."

Warm Thoughts: Peace is not a season, it is a way of life. God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December. James M. Barry. Have a joy filled Christmas season!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record on December 21st, 1995.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

As the days come closer to Christmas, the children become very excited. It becomes difficult to concentrate on classes. The Christmas holidays will soon be here!

An unknown author wrote the following poem, which I recently found in my Christmas pile: "Twas the Night Before Jesus Came." Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house, not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were laying on the shelf without care, in hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And mom and her rocker with baby on her lap, was watching the Late Show, while I took a nap. When out of the east there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here! With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray. I knew in a moment, this must be the day. The light of his face, made me cover my head. It was Jesus returning, just like he said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw him inspite of myself. In the book of life, which he held in his hand, was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as he searched for my name. When he said, "It's not here," my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love, he gathered to take to His Father above. With those who are ready he rose without a sound, while all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late. I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and cried as they rose out of sight. "Oh, if only I had been ready tonight." In the words of this poem, the meaning is clear. The coming of Jesus is drawn near. There's only one life and when comes the last call, we'll find that the Bible was true after all. Have a Merry Christmas!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record on December 19th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

This week I will encourage readers of this Warm Thoughts column to light a candle on Sunday, December 12th. When your child and perhaps your grandchild dies in a family, the world changes and you will never be the same person. Life goes on, but priorities change, and remembering the child who has died is an important way of traveling through your grief journey. The holiday season is especially difficult, as old traditions often give way to new or more meaningful traditions that help to remember the child, sibling, or grandchild or great grandchild who has died.

This is the reason why The Compassionate Friends created the Worldwide Candle Lighting. The Compassionate Friends is a self-help bereavement organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. All the readers of this warm thoughts column are invited to light a candle at 7:00 pm local time on December 12th. During the worldwide candle lighting, the candles are first lit in New Zealand and then an hour later in the next timezone, eventually encircling the globe and virtual 24 hour wave of light. So we remember all children who have died, no matter their age or country of origin.

For more information on this touching tribute, visit the compassionate friends at www.compassionatefriends.org or call 877-969-0010. You may place a memorial message in the online Remembrance Book. I do hope the readers of this Warm Thoughts column will participate in the Worldwide Candle Lighting in remembrance of all children who have died. The loss of a child, no matter the age or circumstances is one of life's hardest blows.

Another Warm Thought: Lighting a candle is a simple and compassionate way to remember the children who have died. Light a candle on December 12th at 7:00pm and remember every child who is no longer with us. May God Bless America and our world!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Dr. Luetta G. Werner.

Published in the Marion Record on December 12th, 2010.
Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina