Warm Thoughts

At this time each year, we all look forward to the glorious Easter season and experience the joy of Easter morning. The week before Easter is especially meaningful to me, as I recall my pre-easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land and walking that road to Calvary. When I returned from my pilgrimmage, I wrote these thoughts that I would like to share with you now.

My Walk with Jesus: "I walked the road to Calvary and felt the cross we shared. I felt His presence and His pain and realized how much He cared. How thankful I was in that garden, to worship and to pray for guidance, strength, and courage to face life day by day. What joy there did await me as I saw the empty grave. I have a risen Savior - He came to live and save. I walked by the Sea of Galilee, what memories there we shared. You gave the world so much at the sea. You let me know how much you cared. I walked the road of a Emmaus with Jesus by my side. I heard his still voice saying, "Come with me and abide." And while on that Mount of Olives, I felt new hope, new joy, new faith, new life. His presence brought me ever nearer to the rainbow of promise that will end all strife." May you have a joy filled Easter season!

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

Published in the Marion Record April 4th, 1996.

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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

It was five years ago that I wrote the first Warm Thoughts column over a cup of tea. I can remember the moment as if it happened yesterday. The first day of spring in 1993 was a beautiful springy day. Surprise, surprise! On Sunday morning, following that first day of spring, I awoke to a winter wonderland and a real South Dakota prairie blizzard. However, my pioneer spirit urged me to go to church that morning. Surprise, surprise! I was the only parishioner in church that morning. I was not aware that weather conditions were that severe to call off church services. What a lonely feeling. I later joked that the pastor went through the entire message and even shook my hand as I left the services! That afternoon, as the north winds blew and the snow covered the plains, I sat down at my old typewriter and typed the very first column of Warm Thoughts as I sipped a cup of tea. And I had many warm feelings as I appreciated a warm and safe home as the winds blew.

Throughout these years, you, the readers have encouraged me and enabled me to keep on keeping on writing enthusiastically. You have been the angels in my life. For my readers of this warm thoughts column have been my friends and my friends readers. Together we have shared many joys and challenges in our daily lives, and you have been the greatest. Thanks for all you have shared and contributed to this column. Your warm thoughts have often written this column. And so I share these warm thoughts written by an unknown author, "Ode to Good Friends. It has been my joy in life to find at every turning of the road, a strong arm of a comrade kind to help me onward with my load. And since I have no gold to give, and love alone must make amends. My only prayer is while I live God make me worthy of my friends."

Dear readers, you have to believe the buds will blow, believe in the grass and the days of snow. Ah, that's the reason a bird can sing on his darkest day, he believes in spring. Author unknown. Believe it is spring! Happy Spring.

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

Published in the Marion Record March 26th, 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

Hello spring! When one looks at the calendar we observe that the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20th, is fast approaching. Think spring! After a long winter, we welcome the change of season. Easter and thoughts of Easter bring joy to our hearts. Spring and Easter seem to be synonymous. The days become longer and the sun's work becomes evident. There is a renewal of life as the birds sing their melodies. The March snowmelt will transform creeks into flowing rumbling song. Yes, spring will be here!

As we look forward to Easter I share with you a prayer of Peter Marshall written many years ago. "We thank thee for the beauty of this day. And the glorious message that all nature proclaims. The Easter lilies with their wax and throats, eloquently singing the good news. The birds so early this morning, impatient to begin their song. Every flowering tree, shrub, and flaming bush, a living proclamation from Thee. Open our hearts that we may hear it too. And Thy presence restore our faith, our hope, and our joy. Grant to our spirits refreshment, rest, and peace. Maintain within our hearts an unruffled calm, an unbroken serenity that knows storms of life shall ever be able to take from us.

Warm Thoughts: A bird sings it's song as if to say, "Thank you, Lord for this beautiful day." May you have many warm thoughts. Just a thought: Easter will soon be here!

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

Published in the Marion Record March 20th, 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

Right after St. Valentine's Day was history, I immediately saw St. Patrick's Day cards and decorations in the stores. There may be signs of winter and white snow around us, but the Shamrock decorations of green are symbolic of life and soon we'll have St. Patrick's Day and spring. I've always been curious about Bishop Patrick and why people considered him a saint in their lives. In my research, I read about the legend of the Shamrock and will share these thoughts with you.

Long ago when Ireland was the land of Druids, there was a great Bishop, Patrick by name, who came to teach the Word of God throughout the country. This Saint, for he was indeed a saint, was well loved everywhere he went. One day however, a group of his followers came to him and admitted that it was difficult for them to believe in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. St. Patrick reflected a moment and then stooping down, he plucked a leaf from the shamrock and held it before them, bidding them to behold the living example of the three in one. The simple beauty of this explanation convinced these skeptics, and from that day the shamrock has been revered throughout Ireland.

Throughout the years, I've always been so inspired by the wit and humor of my Irish friends. They have blessed my life and given me an appreciation of their culture and their appreciation of family and friends. This Irish thing could be for us all, even though we may now be able to say we have a bit of Irish. Family and friends, the two things we're most grateful for are our family and our friends. The care they have provided, the love so strong and true. The thoughtfulness that's spoken in words and actions too. Our grandmas and grandpas, our mothers and our dads, our brothers and our sisters are there through good and bad. They're special friends to share with our smiles, our hopes, our fears. When counting all God's blessings, gift of love that never end. We can count on friends and family and our family as true friends. Irish Gerand Butler.

More Irish Thoughts: May the raindrops fall by lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sun shine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love. Have a special day on St. Patrick's Day!

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

Published in the Marion Record on March 12th, 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

The first of March is "Share a Smile Day." Why just one day? Let's make every day a National Smile Day! Joseph Addison puts it this way, "What sunshine is to the flowers, smiles are to humanity...the good they do is inconceivable." Remember, it takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile! A world traveler once explained, "In all the countries I have been to, everyone understands a smile." We soon learn when we travel that all people smile in the same language.

This past month in February, many of us experienced over 200 hours of clouds and darkness. How joyful we were when the sun shone through. There were smiles. Smiles do add to our face value. :) A well known poet, Helen Steiner-Rice states at best, "There is sunshine in a smile. Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain. All days can't be bright but it's certainly true. There was never a cloud the sun didn't shine through. So just keep on smiling, whatever, betide you, secure in the knowledge God is always beside you. And you'll find when you smile, your day will be brighter, and all of your burdens will seem so much lighter. For each time you smile, you will find it as true. Somebody somewhere will smile back at you. And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile than the sunshine and warmth of a beautiful smile. So let's start every day with a smile on our face. And then we'll let the sun shine through. We will greet everyone who crosses our path, and it's amazing. Our day is brightened too."

From the Mailbag: Recipe for life - One cup good thoughts, one cup kind deeds, one cup consideration for others. One cup well beaten faults, three cups forgiveness. Mix thoroughly and add tears of joy, sorrow, and sympathy for others. Fold in four cups of prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients and let rise to great heights of Christian living. After pouring all this into your family life, bake well with the warmth of human kindness. Serve with a smile.

More Warm Thoughts: A smile is the shortest distance between two people. Victor Borge. Lighten up your life with a smile!

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

Published in the Marion Record, March 5th, 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

In recent Warm Thoughts columns you've read about the joy one receives when you really listen to the children. Their words of wisdom not only surprise us, but their thoughts jog our minds to higher levels of understanding, for they are our master teachers. I was so pleased to learn that our governor signed a proclamation encouraging us to find a child to read to on March 2nd. This date is "America's Read to Kids Day." It is hoped that all states will become aware of how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.

There is great joy and reading to children and for families to designate a special time to read together. It encourages children to create their own stories and also develop critical thinking about the stories they read, or are being read to them. Listening to their creative thoughts helps us in celebrating special time together. Why was this day chosen for this nationwide campaign on reading? It happens to be the 94th birthday for Dr. Seuss. So color your world and join in this reading campaign. "My Many Colored Days" is the last book published by Dr. Seuss. Reach out beyond your world to encourage reading. Thanks for caring about our children, who need our time to read to them.

Warm Thought: Rediscover the exhilaration of laughter, the freedom of honesty, and the joy of simplicity through the lives of children around you. Paul Welter.

Pearls of Wisdom from students: Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening, when you'd rather have been talking. Opportunity won't often knock for the fellow who doesn't give a rap.

From the Mailbag: Recipe for life. Take two heaping cups of patience, one heart full of love, two handfuls of generosity, dash of laughter, one head full of understanding, sprinkled generously with kindness. Add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime. Serve to everyone you meet. Celebrate life by reading to the children.

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

Published in the Marion Record, February 26th, 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

When you read this Warm Thoughts column, it will be February and January has come and gone. Where has the month gone so fast? It has been a month of London fog flinging a crystal veil over the heartland, a real winter wonderland. February is heart month - the month of the Groundhog, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day...Did I forget something? February is also the month when many warm thoughts on love come to mind. In his book "How to Love," Arthur H. Rahner Jr states, "It is a selfish world." He defines love as not emotions or feelings, but the willingness to sacrifice for another. When we are selfish and look only to support our own causes, we cannot truly love.

It was many moons ago that a blind friend of mine read the poem, "What is Love?" As her fingers touched each line of braille, my heart's thoughts followed each word. The author is unknown and I would like to share these warm thoughts on love with you: What is love? Love is an attitude. Love is a prayer for a soul in sorrow, a heart in despair. Love is good wishes for the gain of another. Love suffers long with the fault of a brother. Love giveth water to a cup that's run dry. Love reaches low as it can reach high. Seeks not her own at the expense of another. Love reaches God when it reaches our brother. As I meditate on those warm thoughts I'm reminded what Stanley Kruisik once stated, "One can be blind in his eyes, but that doesn't make him blind in his heart."

More Warm Thoughts: Time flies, sun rises and shadows fall. Let time go by, love is forever overall. The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. Dr. Viktor Frankl. Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, time is eternity. Henry Van Dyke.

A letter to Luetta from Riverton, Nebraska, January 13th, 1995. Dear Luetta, Time after time I read your warm thoughts from the little home on the prairie in the Marion Record it seems like I'm so close to where you are, yet too far. That little picture of a barn looks just like the one Baker Smith had and Dolton between our school, where I went for 12 years and the bank. Then your trips to Bethlehem, etc. Seems like you're a traveler alright. Who are you? Where do you live? Your address is very odd. Please give my curiosity a relief. Sincerely, Esther Dirks Herman.

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

Published in the Marion Record February 2nd, 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

After I delivered last week's Warm Thoughts column, I walked to the post office. At the counter stood someone receiving a parcel - it was for her 90th birthday that day. I stood there in amazement and deep in thought as she drove away, alone, on the icy streets. I thought, "Here's a lady who understands what celebrating life each day really means. She lives every day of her life." In the mail that day came a letter from a longtime friend and reader of Warm Thoughts. She related about how her family and friends gave her a warm reception on her 80th birthday. She shared with me one of the readings her daughter read, and I feel you too, will enjoy these warm thoughts.

"Today, dear Lord, I'm 80 and there's much I haven't done. I hope dear Lord you'll let me live until I'm 81. But then if I haven't finished all I want to do, would you let me stay awhile until I'm 82? So many places I want to go, so very much to see. Do you think that you could manage to make it 83? The world is changing very fast, there is so much in store. I'd like it very much to live until I'm 84. And if, by then, I'm still alive, I'd like to stay till 85. More planes will be up in the air, so I'd really like a stick and see what happens to the world when I turn 86. I know dear Lord, it's much to ask and it must be nice in heaven, but I'd really like to stay until I'm 87. I know by then I won't be fast and sometimes will be late, but it would be so pleasant to be around at 88. I will have seen so many things and had a wonderful time, so I'm sure that I'd be willing to leave at the age of 89...maybe. Just one more thing I'd like to say, dear Lord, I thank you kindly. But if it's okay with you, I'd love to live past 90!"

More Warm Thoughts: Life is a gift. Life is what we make it - always has been, always will be. Grandma Moses. Celebrate each day of your life.

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

Published in the Marion Record January 29th, 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

In last week's warm thoughts column we shared thoughts on the importance of listening to the children. I never cease to be amazed at the words of wisdom children can give you when you really listen to them. My experience throughout the years has also been that one can gain wisdom and understanding when we really listened to the older generation. Their wealth of experiences are a treasure and need to be shared.

As a child, I would love to sit and listen to the conversations of my elders. Their joyful and challenging experiences continue to bless me as I hear them share their life experiences. Most recently, I was amazed at the memory and brilliant conversation I had with a young at heart woman over 100 years old. She is an example of really living every day of her life. In a recent issue of "Mature Living," we are reminded of the ages of some of the movers and shakers we all know about: Oliver Wendell Holmes retired from the Supreme Court when he was 91. Thomas Edison invented until he died at the age of 85. Arturo Toscani was 83 when he conducted his orchestra on tour across our nation. Michelangelo, when he was nearly 90, was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel lying on his back on a scaffold. Monet was painting some of his masterpieces past 85. Moses was 80 when God called him to lead Israel to freedom. Alfred Tennyson wrote "Crossing the Bar" when he was 83. We really live when life has a purpose. Someone has stated that "the golden years offer a glorious new life and that the senior years are, in all truth, the golden years of opportunity."

Warm Thought: We are never too old to be happy, to laugh and smile and sing. Never too old for a childlike trust that a blessing each day will bring. Perkins. Celebrate life every day of your life!

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

Published in the Marion Record, January 22nd, 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

Recently I read an article about the "Little Houses on the Prairie." Perhaps you, too, have read about the 1,400 people who came to a small Native American reservation here in South Dakota, to build thirty homes in five days. This happened in mid-July of last year and at that time, on those prairies, the wind was warm. These volunteer workers for Habitat for Humanity came from all walks of life. At one time, there were three PhDs on the roof of a house nailing on shingles. To build thirty homes in one week became a most ambitious project. It became known as "Jimmy Carter's Work Project." It was named after Habitat's best known volunteer. Alongside was former First Lady Rosalynn Carter working with her husband. There they were for the week, dressed for the work project. The people called the former president, "Wawikia Lakota - for one who cares about people."

You perhaps have heard about many completed projects by Habitat for Humanity. If you have a hammer and want to find out about more, call 1-800-Habitat. This article that I read about building new houses on the prairie was of great interest to me. Over a fortnight in December of last year, I volunteered to clean houses and apartments in an area in Ohio. It became a real mission of love when I saw the completed projects before returning to my own little home on the prairie and enjoying that cup of Christmas tea. At one time in the past, the streets in that area now had many a home-sweet-home, where the smells of baking bread and the sounds of music and lullabies and laughter were a daily activity. These houses have character and beautiful architecture and the houses and the people had something in common - caring for their families and celebrating family togetherness. After reading the article on those new houses on the prairie and reflecting on my experiences in that area at Christmas time, I had many warm thoughts. Whether it is houses on the prairie, or apartments in a city, they do have something in common - homes where there can be the warmth of love and real caring and compassion. May the Spirit of Christmas forever be in their hearts and homes.

Warm Thoughts: Amid pleasure and palaces, be it ever so humble, there is no place like home. Stephen Foster. May you have many warm thoughts on home.

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

Published in the Marion Record January 19th, 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