Warm Thoughts

In this season of thankfulness, sometimes it's hard to be grateful for the moments and situations that challenge us. Listen to this episode as we talk about experiences that seem to test our thankfulness.

This is the season to be thankful. But really isn't every day, a day to give thanks for our many challenges and blessings. It was many years ago that a dear friend taught me to always be thankful, no matter what happens, one day after listening to her, I stated that it seemed to me that she was being one day after listening to her I stated that it seemed to me that she was really being tried and tested her reply left an indelible impression on me. Her face was radiant and her eyes sparkled as she spoke, and fat ugly. I love God so much and I just can't look at all these troubles as problems. I thank God for every problem. I mean, every challenge for their doors of opportunity to talk about my Heavenly Father through the wonderful privilege of prayer. I know he will see me through it all. God is bigger than all these challenges and I feel so close to him when I have so many things to talk over with him. I thank God every day for the challenges. He has given me. At that moment I felt challenged and wondered if I could accept all the burdens she was bearing as challenges. I felt this kind of thanksgiving would be some of the hardest things that one could give my friend was giving it all out of sincere love. She did not permit her challenges to defeat her, but found joy in their potential. Good. She accepted each challenge in the spirit of joy, every Thanksgiving Day I remember and thankfulness the lessons, this dear friend taught me and thankful living and giving many years have passed since that visit and the kitchen of my friend over a cup of tea. Since that morning long ago, I to have faced many challenges, which at times have seemed overwhelming and insurmountable. I have learned when one accepts the challenges and a spirit of thankfulness, we can find joy and peace, and have a quiet heart warmth that we derive the greatest joy from the fact that we have people to love. Martin Luther, a thankful heart is the parent of all virtues Cicero. May you have a thankful Thanksgiving season.

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

November 23rd 1995

Published in the Marion Record

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

Happy Veteran's Day! Thank you to those who have served our country. Special thank you to my Uncle Tim!

November. The month of Remembrance Day, also known as Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day, how thankful we are to live in our America, liberty, so precious a gift for each of us. It is so special that we can enjoy our liberty every day here in America and our country we have the freedom to vote to participate and free enterprise, and to worship as we are lead. We need to be reminded often of their value. And the words of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key, the price of our liberty is made quite clear, a great price was paid by our forefathers. And that price is still being paid in our country today.

An unknown author has penned these words on liberty.

I know three things must always be to keep our country strong and free. One is a heart stone bright and, dear. With busy, happy, loved ones near. I know three things must always be to keep our country strong and free. One is a Hearthstone bright and dear with busy happy loved ones near. One is a ready heart and hand to love and serve, and keep the land. One is a wide and traveled way to where the people go to pray. So long as these are kept alive, our country and people will survive. God keep them always everywhere, the heart, the flag, the place of prayer. Warm spots. If there is hope for the future of America. If there is to be peace and happiness in our homes, then we as a nation must turn to God and to the practice of daily family prayer. My hope for the future of this nation is predicated upon the. My hope for the future of this nation is predicated upon the faith in God, which is nurtured in the family, J. Edgar Hoover.

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

November 14th 1996

Published in the Marion Record

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

Colder weather means the birds fly south for winter. What can we learn from the birds about interdependence and leading a flock?

This is the time of year when some folks leave the prairie winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residents there will say, “The snowbirds are coming!” 

About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south in a V formation. In the spring, they fly north, and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese. We can learn about sharing leadership from the geese. When the goose in the lead gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose takes over at the point position. We can also learn from the geese, to be interdependent and take turns and doing the hard tasks in a caring and sharing way.

What happens when one goose gets sick or wounded? Two geese drop out of formation and follow him down to help, and to protect him. They will stay with him till he is either able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, either with another formation, or to catch up with the original flock. As we travel throughout our journey in life, we may have many challenges where we need someone to cheer us on and give us that encouraging word. We need to stand by each other and care about each other, in the good and also difficult times in life. We can learn from these northern geese, that when we share a common direction and a sense of community, we can get to where we travel on the thrust of one another. What are these geese communicating to us? We can learn many lessons from animals and birds, as we go through many life experiences. 

Warm Thoughts:  The highest wisdom is kindness. Talmud. Caring comes before sharing. Have many warm thoughts, every day. 

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie by Luetta G. Werner

November 7th, 1996

Published in the Marion Record

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

Children Learn What They Live. Listen to this poem by Dorothy Law Nolte about children and the impact their surroundings have on their daily lives.

Recent articles have emphasized the importance of reading those bedtime stories to the children. Research and a panel of experts have found that the percentage of children whose parents read to them is far too low. Children appreciate the time we spend with them and they learn the most from the examples we give them in our daily lives. A poem by Dorothy Law Nolte shares these thoughts. 

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism

They learn to condemn

If children live with hostility

They learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule

They learn to be shy.

If children live with shame,

They learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance,

They learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement,

They learn confidence.

If children live with praise,

They learn to appreciate.

If children live with fairness,

They learn justice.

If children live with security,

They learn to have faith.

If children live with approval,

They learn to like themselves.

If children live with acceptance and friendship,

They learn to find love in the world.

If you would like a beautiful copy of “Children Learn What They Live” feel free to write me or call me on the phone.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself.” Warm Thoughts: Children need good role models - heroes. “The best things to give a child - roots and wings.” H. Carter.

Love the children of the world!

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

October 30th, 1997

Published by the Marion Record

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

Listen to the story of Little Orphan Nannie, a black kitten that defeated all odds.

While I sip a cup of tea on this foggy morning, I will tell you about my grandkitten who is making her home in the little home on the prairie. Some grandparents just love to tell stories about their grandchildren and I will have to admit that I enjoy doing it too for my recreation, but this morning I will share with you my thoughts about my little grandkitten.

Little Orphan Nannie is pretty special as she just about did not make it in this world. She is a little black kitten with bright eyes that just shine and that little tail seems longer than normal. Today she is a frisky little grandkitten who loves to play games and will do all sorts of antics to delight her audience. Before long she may even be able to join “The Cats” on that famous Broadway Show! Right now she is just too young to join the real world of cats or live in the cat house (the big red barn) as her cat family has rejected her. So she is our Little Orphan Nannie and the joy of our hearts as she just about did not make it to see the light of day. 

Little Orphan Nannie literally fell through the cracks. When she was a tiny baby kitty she managed to explore and find a hold in the wall in the hay loft where her mother thought she had her baby kittens in a safe place. She fell many feet down the wall and for days I heard this crying baby kitten. I mentioned it to David and using a flashlight he discovered where she was in the wall. He made a hole in the wall and rescued Little Orphan Nannie and began to feed her with an eye dropper. This starved little kitten just had to be a survivor. With lots of tender loving care she has become the dearest little grandkitten and she is a lucky little kitten for she just about did not make it. She is now the delight of my grandchildren too! 

This is the time of year one will hear individuals say that they do not want a black kitten crossing their path! I never cease to be amazed how those thoughts about black kittens ever came to America! Black cats in many countries are considered to bring good fortune into their lives. Our Little Orphan Nannie now has become domesticated and accustomed to home living. Will we ever be able to give her wings to again join the cat world?

Some grandparents love to talk about their grandchildren and others like to talk about their grandkittens....or did I tell you that already? Thanks for listening. Have a cup of tea on me!

A warm thought for the week: “If you don’t have wrinkles, you haven’t laughed enough.” Phyllis Diller. 

Have a great week and laugh a lot!

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

October 21st, 1993

Published by the Marion Record

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

Have you ever wondered how the dictionary came to be? Listen for a short story! Also, learn more about Sweetest Day, which is celebrated in October.

Last week we had a few warm days, and we really enjoyed the beautiful summer weather. I remarked to my granddaughter about the warm weather and emphasized that it was really warm.

“Grandma, what does warm mean?” “Not so hot” was my quick reply.

Apparently I was having a brain cramp. At the moment, I said it would be too difficult for her to understand Webster's dictionary, or how the dictionary got started. I remember long ago, I was told how the dictionary got started, it was one night when Mr and Mrs Webster, got into an argument, and one word led to another and his famous dictionary was compiled at the age of seventy years. 

It wasn't long afterward that my mind traveled down memory lane. And I remembered the parishioner who always shook his pastor's hand each Sunday, and would say, “Warm sermon, warm sermon, pastor.” One day the pastor asked him what exactly he meant by his encouraging words, “Not too hot pastor, not too hot.” He replied,

This column will be sweet this time. And I'd like to share with you some memories of Sweetest Day, in October, when my family lived in Ohio, Sweetest Day was a very special day in October. Employers gave their employees sweets, and even boxes of chocolate candy. Friends remembered each other with a sweet gift to candy stores and Hallmark really appreciated this day. I especially remember the banquet on Sweetest Day when couples exchange sweet thoughts, and of course, enjoy a sweet dessert, at the banquet to the most meaningful experience was a renewing of the marriage vows for the couples who attended the program at the banquet color renewal of marriage vows on a yearly basis at a Sweetest Day banquet enrich marriages and families, a suite that for many young and older couples to ponder and keeping things going. The sweet, long way down marriage line. I do hope we will have many glorious autumn days, filled with many sweet thoughts on enriching marriages and families. It is strong marriages and families that build strong communities and countries. Let's have a heart and keep them sweet. 

Sweet thought for the week: Even if marriages are made in heaven. Man has to be responsible for the maintenance. John Graham

Have a great week filled with the sweetest days of autumn.

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

October 14 1993

Published by the Marion Record

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

Listen to this historical poem on "The Independent Girl" written by Lou Henry Hoover.

Last week I shared thoughts by President Herbert Hoover on “What is a Boy.” When I read those thoughts to my seven-year-old grandson, he stated very emphatically, “Grandma, you still have a lot to learn yet about boys.” Lou Henry Hoover, wife of President Hoover, wrote an enlightening essay on “The Independent Girl.” This essay was perhaps written a century ago. 

The Independent girl is truly of quite modern origin, and usually is a bewitching little piece of humanity. Although this word may be taken in many different meanings, the one generally accepted in our day refers to the ambitious little personage who never asks for, and seldom receives advice of any kind. She will not receive aid from anyone, especially if she faintly imagined the offer to be prompted by a little feeling of sympathy for herself. She prefers fighting her own battles in this life, and sallies forth to each encounter with a martial spirit, which is quite startling. If there are a pair of admiring or doubting eyes watching her course, she delights to find many obstacles in her path, which she overcomes, with the skill of a learned engineer, or flanks with tact, like that have a great army strategist. The independent girl is a person for whose wrath only the most rash dare stand. And It must be confessed, with much fear and trembling. But sooner or later she is sure to meet a spirit equally as independent as her own. And then there is a clash of arms ending in mortal kombat, or they unite their forces and with combined strength to go forth to meet the world. 

Does this sound like a girl and the 1990s? Please share your thoughts. I would love to hear from you. 

Warm thoughts. Let us remember that the great human advances have not been brought about by mediocre men and women. They were brought by distinctly uncommon people with vital sparks of leadership. Herbert Hoover. 

Have a great day and share your thoughts. 

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

October 2 1997

Published by the Marion Record

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

Seasons of change. Autumn is right around the corner. Listen to "Seasons of "Beauty" as we look forward to all the joy autumn brings.

As I write these lines, I hear reports of snow falling throughout various parts of the country. And it is not even the last day of September. Oh, well, I am sure we can expect autumn and beautiful summer weather and that favorite month of the year, October. Letters always come when I need to be inspired with the changing seasons of the year. And this one came from Esther E Young from Auburn, Maine. She shares some of her beautiful writings and has given permission to share a few with you the readers. Incidentally, she writes that she is currently busy writing Christmas thoughts already. Here's Seasons of Beauty.

Seasons of Beauty by Esther E. Young

I've seen rock maples in the valley. 

All are tinged with shades of orange red. 

Pasture grass is fringed with frost each morn;

Chill winds blow and dark clouds gather overhead.

Farmers have been harvesting their cattle corn;

Saws are buzzing, firewood is being stacked.

Kitchens have a smell of pickling spice and dill.

Mittens, hats and winter coats have been unpacked. 

Adventure in the air touches young and old,

As the seasons of beauty come and go. 

New England's children thrill at these signs of fall,

Dig out their sleds and wait for winter snow. 

Thank you, Esther for sharing your ‘warm thoughts’ on ‘seasons of beauty.’ I very much needed those thoughts. I'm sure the readers of this column will enjoy them as much as I have. And someone may be traveling to New England to see the autumn colors very soon. Thank you readers for sharing your very special thoughts with many readers of this column. 

Warm Thought: Could we live over the years that have gone, we should upon reflection, call back for each year only the one perfect month, October. Burton H Saxton

May you have many warm thoughts to share!

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

September 28th, 1995

Published by the Marion Record

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

Millennials - who are they and what motivates them? Listen as we dive into the next generation of world changers.

Recently, I attended a convention in St. Louis and while there heard an essayist speak on the year of the child. The whole year, 2001, centers on children. However, every year could be the year of the child. 

Since the greatest generation is now in decline. We are depending on the millennial generation. This generation is also referred to as the Baby Boomlets. The essayist emphasized that they need meaningful youth ministry with mentors. They may become the next greatest generation. He stated that our Millennials are self reliant because their parents work and they have electronic babysitters. This generation is interested in learning about the heroes of the past. They are impressed by their deeds and by their needs. They want to hear the stories of their grandparents and value their experiences. The Boomer parents lament the fact that there are a lack of real heroes for their children. 

A recent Harris Poll reported that Americans, by and large, do not have heroes. Posters surveyed more than 1,000 people and found more than half could name no living public figure, they considered a hero and one in six could name no hero. The older generation, which is sometimes also called the missionary generation, is very protective and concerned about this millennial generation. They have become their mentors and feel the need to give them a vision for their future. Many have been their babysitters and have been able to be good models and examples of courageous and heroic living. 

Mark Twain knew about the power of modeling when he wrote, Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example. Edmund Burke wrote, example is the School of Mankind and we learn from no other. During this month, when we grandparents celebrate Grandparents Day, and reflect on our mission and ministry to this millennial generation, we realize the importance of our mission. I believe this generation, our grandchildren, will be a generation that believes it can get things done. And it will do it with optimistic peer pressure, which will be seen as a solution and not a problem. 

Every Day is Children's Day, and every year is the year of the child. The emerging generation of millennials are different than the generation Xers who preceded them. There are significant findings about this generation that will affect the way youth activities will be like in the next few years. The movies sometimes even characterize them as virtuous and nearly angelic. Am I happy about this generation? You bet I am. These are yours and my grandchildren and we are their grandparents. 

The wealth of children comes first. Nigerian proverb. Who teaches children learns more than they do. German proverb.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner September 13th 2001

Published in the Marion Record

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

Wishing you had a few more days of vacation after Labor Day? Overwhelmed with life? Let's make it better with a hug today.

The Labor Day weekend provides a great holiday for families who still need a few more days vacation. September is when we start counting the days of summer we still have left. September is also the month for Grandparents Day. This past summer, the grandchildren came to vacation at the little home on the prairie. 

One day I heard the older grandchildren laughing upstairs. They had found grandma's humor box. The youngest grandchild, very active two year old Trevor keeps everyone challenged. Grandma would rub his back at nap time. When he returned home from vacation, he ordered his dad, “Rub my back!” (laughter) Okay, sorry.

It is a real joy to receive many warm thoughts from the readers of this column. Recently, someone sent a poem which I will share with you.

Hugs for everyone

It's wondrous. What a hug can do. 

A hug can cheer you when you're blue. 

A hug can say I love you so. Or gee, I hate to see you go.

A hug is welcome back again. And Great to see you. Where Have you been?

A hug consumed a small child pain and bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug. There's just no doubt about it. We scarcely could survive without it. 

A hug delights and warms and charms. It must be why God gave us arms. 

Hugs are great for fathers and for mothers. Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers. 

And chances are some favorite aunts love them more than potted plants. 

Kittens crave them, puppies love them. Heads of State are not above them. 

A hug can break the language barriers and make your travels so much merrier. 

No need to fret about the store of them. The more you give, the more there are of them.

So stretch those arms without delay, And give someone a hug today.

Author unknown

Warm Thoughts: Children who have the luxury or relationships with grandparents win out of all studies of child development. Dr. T. Barry braised Alton have many warm thoughts every day. 

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner September 5th 1996

Published in the Marion Record

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