Warm Thoughts

When you read this last column for the month of May, many thoughts come to mind about Memorial Day. As we reflect on the many Memorial days of the past, we experience many warm thoughts on peace and about our land of freedom. In this week's column, I will share a poem sent to me by a lady in her 80s. She is a very special friend who has been a real inspiration to me, especially during the last several weeks. She is a distinguished member of the International Society of Poetry, and her poetry will be featured in the "Best Poems of the 90s," a publication of the National Library of Poetry. And most recently, she was inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Our Lady of Freedom. Have you ever been way out to sea? If you haven't, then you'll envy me. When I heard someone say, "There she stands, holding the freedom of the seas in her hands." I imagined that I was a soldier coming home. Long ago, I'd been sent over there to roam. Through country sides, so strange to me, I saw sights I hope I never see. Little children, their eyes so big and round, running to hide when they heard a loud sound. I thought of my children I hadn't seen for years. It was impossible for me to hold back the tears. The war was over. We were on our way. We would be landing early the next day. How would I feel when I first saw land? Would they be there to meet us with a band? Then I saw the lady, her light shining bright - to me, I never saw such a beautiful sight. Now I know why our soldiers kneel to pray - that the Statue of Liberty forever will stay. By Ruth T. George.

Thoughts on Memorial Day: Those heroes are dead. They died for liberty. They died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless. Under the solid pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadow of the clouds. Careless lake of sunshine or storm, each in the windowless palace of rest. Earth may run red with other wars. They are at peace. In the midst of battles and the road of conflicts, they found the serenity of death. Robert G. Ingersoll.

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

Published in the Marion Record May 30th, 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

When I visit in the homes of family and friends, I will notice a sampler on the wall. These samplers often have words of wisdom, and on the little home on the prairie, I too, have a sampler hanging on the wall in the room where I serve guests a cup of Christmas tea.

These are the words on the sampler: Love is giving with no thought of getting. It is tenderness and folding with strength to protect. It is forgiveness without further thought of the thing forgiven. It is understanding of the thing forgiven. It is understanding of human weakness with knowledge of the true man shining through. It is quiet in the midst of turmoil. It is trust and God with no thought of self. It is the one all together lovely, the light in the mother's eyes, the glory and the sacrifice, the quiet assurance of protection. It is the expectation of our Father's promise coming true. It is the refusal to see anything but good in our fellow man. It is the glory that comes with selflessness and the power that comes with the assurance of the Father's love for His children. It is the voice that says "no" to our brother, though "yes" might be more easily said. It is resistance to the world's lust and greed, thus becoming a positive law of annihilation to error. Love. The one thing no one can take from us. The one thing we can give constantly and become increasingly rich in the giving. Love can take no offense, for it cannot know that which it does not of itself conceive. It cannot hurt or be hurt, for it is the purest reflection of God. Good. It is the one eternal, indestructible force for good. It is the will of God preparing, planning, proposing always what is best for all His universe.

Warm thoughts: The art of forgiving love is one of the finest of the finest arts. A heart filled with love always has something to give. Love is the most important. Billy Graham. May you have many loving thoughts!

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

Published in the Marion Record May 22nd, 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

Surprise, surprise! It was indeed a surprise when the storm and tornado hit Canistota last Friday evening. Oftentimes we read or hear about these stormy events, but it is another thing to experience it. For many there were tears over the losses. But what warm thoughts we have when we observe how a community works together and can stand stronger through life's storms. As we survived the tornado together, one could only observe a caring community and a community who really cares for one another. One cannot help but be reminded of the words of Philip Brooks who once said, "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks." Those thoughts inspire us to stand strong throughout the storm of life.

Many families throughout our land were together for Mother's Day. It was a joy to have family over the weekend and overnight guests. And those grandchildren, with their abundant energy certainly can light up your life. And what memories can be made as families celebrate life together. Mother's Day was first observed in 1908. It was in 1914 when a Presidential Proclamation was issued to set aside the second Sunday in May for the observance of Mother's Day. Today, Mother's Day is observed throughout the country. Some countries observe it in a different month. South Dakota is honored to have Mrs. Margaret Connors from Vermillion as the South Dakota Mother of the Year. She represented our state of South Dakota in the 1993 National Mother Of The Year contest and convention in Raleigh, North Carolina recently. A reception will be held honoring her on May 16th, from 2-4pm at the Father Wolf Auditorium, St. Agnes in Vermillion. As we reflect upon some warm thoughts on motherhood and about our own mothers, one cannot help but realize that motherhood is the most important career that one could ever choose. God bless the mothers everywhere in this world.

A Warm Thought for the week: No one is poor when he has had a godly mother. Have a week filled with warm and thankful thoughts! Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record May 15th, 1993.

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 just a couple of days before Mother's Day. Many families will be together on this special family day honoring their mother. Recently, I read an essay - a letter a mother wrote to her daughter. It touched my heart and no doubt will be taped on a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. And so I will share it with you my readers.

"Dear daughter, although you are only four years old, and will not understand what I'm saying, I feel the need to write this letter and put it away for you to read many years from now. When you were an infant and the newness of being a mother wore off, I couldn't wait until you grew up. At first I found myself wishing, "if only she would start walking" and then, "if only she would start talking." One day I suddenly realized that you're out of diapers. You are indeed walking and talking and pretty soon you would be going off to school. I remember the morning your father and I brought your baby sister home from the hospital. You and I had been apart six days. When the door open, I saw you standing there with your angel smile. You seem so big compared to the baby I was holding in my arms. It was hard to imagine you were once that small. I suddenly realized how much of your babyhood I had wished away. Being a mother is demanding. It robs you of so many freedoms and I resented the fact that I had so many added responsibilities. And then I looked down at your soft girls and your trusting eyes, suddenly I felt ashamed. My heart almost broke. I cannot relive those first four years but I have been trying to make them up to you and to myself. I hope and pray that when your first child is born, you will be wiser and more mature than I was. I hope you will enjoy every phase of your child's growing up and not wish they would hurry and pass so you could be free of the burdens of motherhood. You and I will have our share of heated words and angry battles in the years to come. There will be days when we will find it impossible to please each other. I will secretly wish that you would hurry and graduate from high school so I could send you off to college and be rid of you. Life rushes by all too rapidly, my darling daughter - especially the lovely days and the beautiful times. Be smarter than your mother was. Don't let a single moment slip away unsavored or unappreciated. These days are priceless and afford you the greatest opportunities for fulfillment. Never again will your heart be so full. All my love, Mother."

Warmth thought: Cherish each moment with your children and your grandchildren. Happy Mother'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 May 7th, 1998

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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

Spring is here and many of you are preparing your fields for planting and putting in your gardens. It always reminds me of the verse, "A man shall reap what he sows," Galatians 6:7. Recently, my daughter from Wisconsin came to visit me and wrote me this poem about planting seeds of love. Dear mother, you always taught me that you will reap what you sow. So we should always do unto others what you want them to bestow. But there are days when it is hard to live those words, it's true. Yet, I remember the lessons you taught me in the example I learned from you. All those days you spent cooking and cleaning, the nights you worked without sleeping, the seeds of love you kept on planting is the love you now are reaping. Even now, as you lay on your hospital bed, and others must give to you. All those years you gave of yourself, those words are coming true. Yes, true living is in true giving, and His love is what we owe. Though it may be years before we realize that someday we will reap what we sow. Ruth Stuhr.

Warm Thoughts: Grandmas can shed the yoke of responsibility, relax, and enjoy their grandchildren in a way that was not possible when they were raising their own children. And they can glow in the realization that here is their seed of life that will harvest generations to come. Erma Bombeck. Happy Planting!

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

Published in the Marion Record on April 25th, 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

At this time of year, we all look forward to the glorious Easter season and experience the joy of Easter morning. The week before Easter is especially meaningful for me as I recall my pre-Easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land and walking that road to Calvary. When I returned from my pilgrimage, I wrote these thoughts which I've used many times in a slide lecture on "My Journey with Jesus." And now I will share with you, my readers of this warm thoughts column.

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 to the world so much at that sea, and you let me know how much you cared. I walked the road of 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, and 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 13th, 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 I flipped the calendar, I was shocked that it was April already and April Fool's Day! Some of the readers of this warm thoughts column will recall the fun we had as children and trying to fool someone on that day, even if we had to lie a little bit. It did seem permissible for just one day. You tried to fool at least one person and it was just a fun game.

The next day, April 2nd, has become Reconciliation Day. There is an interesting story about this special day. It was a California woman who wrote Ann Landers back in 1989, expressing the need for a Reconciliation Day. She expressed the need as she became aware that the years are flying by. Her parents suddenly seemed old and time somehow became very precious. She recalled misunderstandings and unmended fences that separate us and sets up barriers. She also stated in her letter the following words, "Wouldn't it be terrific if a special day could be set aside to reach and make amends?" We could call it Reconciliation Day. Everyone would vow to write a letter or make a phone call and mend a strained or broken relationship. It could also be a day on which we could all agree to accept the olive branch extended to a former friend. This day could be the starting place. We could go from there to heal the wounds in our hearts and rejoice in a new beginning." Ann Landers replied that it was a beautiful idea. She suggested that in the absence of a national holiday, it would be wonderful if every person would pick up the phone and call someone with whom he or she has had a falling out. She was sure that there would be some heartwarming results. She also encouraged people to just do it and not wait for the telephone rates to change.

The rest of the story is that the first Reconciliation Day was suggested for April 2nd, 1989. On April 2nd, 1992, the letter written by the California woman in 1989 was repeated in the Ann Landers column and Ann Landers herself stated that from now on, April 2 will be Reconciliation Day. It may not be a national day of reconciliation, but it would be wonderful if everyone would have a Reconciliation Day. Your own reconciliation is your choice. I personally think we all need an international day of reconciliation - and this is no April Fool's joke! Will appreciate your thoughts. You, the readers, have so much to share and I know you really care too.

Thought for the day: Life is too short to hold grudges. To be able to forgive can be enormous healing. Forgiving love can last a lifetime.

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

Published in the Marion Record April 3rd, 2003.

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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

Recently Fran Hendricks of Huron, South Dakota was chosen as South Dakota's Mother of the Year for 1995. Mothers in America are honored on the second Sunday in May. In England and some other countries, Mother's Day is the last Sunday in March. Many moons ago I wrote a letter to my son who, at the time, was having many challenges in his life. The Mother's Day letter was a gift with the hope he would find new joy in life and like the following, were a few thoughts I shared. These warm thoughts may inspire one or more of my readers of this warm thoughts column.

William Arthur once said, "Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." Then he added, "Great men rise above adversity and attain new heights of achievement by turning tribulations into triumphs, failures into fortunes, setbacks with successes, obstacles into opportunities, burdens into blessings. They refuse to be hampered by handicaps, dismayed by discouragement, overcome by opponents, defeated by disappointments, or destroyed by disasters."

Prayer of serenity: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." Warmth thought: In time of trial, there is the grace of God behind it. Reach out and touch a life with a letter today.

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

Published in the Marion Record, March 30th, 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

It looked more like Christmas in December when family arrived at the "little home on the prairie" for a spring retreat. The huge snowdrifts had not completely melted, but spring was in the air and in the footsteps of my grandchildren as they helped those snowdrifts to melt, hear the birds sing, and put up the birdhouses. They also had the joy of helping grandma's spring house clean that "little home on the prairie." It was Christmas in the spring of the year as the large Christmas tree was lit at the top of the stairs. Christmas is every day and a very special day when family and visitors come. Grandchildren know there will be a small gift under the tree, and how special to enjoy that cup of Christmas tea.

In all of my research, I feel certain that the angels sang on the shepherd hills either in the spring or fall of the year. The shepherds do not have their sleep on those hills at the time of the year we have placed the Christmas season on our calendar. My first pilgrimmage to His land was during the Easter season. And most recently I worshiped in a cave in the shepherd hills on Christmas Eve. This Lenten season of the year brings back many memories climbing those mountains from Bethlehem to Calvary and sharing precious moments with those bent-winged angels in the hospital in Bethlehem.

During the spring retreat, the grandchildren found special joy in doing the spring cleaning of that "little, little home on the prairie." That recycled chicken house - now an all purpose clubhouse for the grandchildren. When everyone left to return to their homes, I walked to that "little, little home on the prairie" to find it clean and in perfect order. And the music from the radio playing soft music. I just wanted to stay and gather my thoughts before returning to reality and picking up the many items in my pathway that one-year-old Trevor managed to find in the drawers and kitchen cupboards. Any day he could challenge two grandmas at the same time. Just a bit of organized chaos and planned confusion. I might add, he is blessed with his significant other grandma who has some organization skills.

Warm Thought: Home is where the heart is. Enjoy a warm spring day!

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

Published in the Marion Record, March 24th, 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

Every year as St. Patrick's Day approaches, I have very special warm feelings about the Irish blessings I've experienced throughout my long life by having those very special Irish friends. On March 17th, we remember St. Patrick. Who was St. Patrick? He was a boy who had been kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He managed to escape. However, he returned to spend the rest of his life telling people about the God he loved.

Although I cannot claim any genetic Irish wit, I do love to collect it. My dear Irish friends have shared with me many thoughts and philosophies of the Irish. My special friend from high school days is Irish and has been an Irish blessing in my life. It is very interesting that her birthday is the day before St. Patrick's Day. Throughout the years, my dear friend and I have shared our joys and sorrows over many a cup of tea.

The Irish seem to have a sense of humor too, and perhaps it is because they pray for a special blessing. Grant me a sense of humor, Lord, the saving grace to see a joke. To win some happiness from life and pass it on to other folk. I have learned that many of the Irish are prayers who often pray this prayer, "May this home and all therein be blessed with God's love." To all my friends around the world: May your heart be warm and happy with the lilt of Irish laughter every day, in every way, and forever and ever after.

And now as the southeast wind is blowing, while I conclude my warm thoughts, I would like to share this special Gaelic blessing: "May the road rise up to meet you may the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand." Pioneer Proverb: All things come to him who waits, if he works hard while he is waiting. May God smile on everything you do. Have a perfect day.

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

Published in the Marion Record, March 16th, 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