Warm Thoughts

Each year on the first Friday of the month of March, World Day of Prayer is held throughout the world. Women of every nation, creed and color, gather together in a place of worship to offer their prayers in word and song. They offer their prayers for peace and reconciliation and have become God's ambassadors and prayer warriors to the world. World Day of Prayer has touched the hearts of many throughout the world.

I believe it was Tennyson who once said, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world ever dreams of." So let your voice rise like a fountain night and day. Frank Laubach also stated, "Prayer is the mightiest power in the world. Throughout this world, many men and women are becoming more and more aware of the tremendous power in prayer." An unknown author once wrote, "When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do. When we depend upon education, we get what education can do. When we depend on man, we get what men can do. But when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do." May every day be a World Day of Prayer!

Warm Thoughts on Prayer: If you are going to pray, don't worry. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul. The fewer the words, the better the prayer. Martin Luther. The family who prays together, stays together. May each day be a World Day of Prayer!

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

Published in the Marion Record March 15th, 1996

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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

In recent Warm Thoughts columns, you have read about the joy one receives when you really listen to 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 how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.

There is great joy in 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 date 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 wrap. From the mail bag - 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. Sprinkle 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 written by Dr. Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record February 26, 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

During this heart month, I would like to share some thoughts about teacher student relationships. I was recently made aware of a survey that was taken by researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo a number of years ago, the survey examined high school students perceptions of their teachers and classes. The researchers asked juniors and seniors in 18 high schools across the nation to write essays on various aspects of their educational experience.

What were the likes and dislikes? More than 68% of the comments were directly concerned with the student teacher relationship. Students admired teachers who were informal, warm, fair, dedicated, competent, honest, curious, witty, understanding, and lively, and they wanted teachers to respect them as individuals and adults. Those teachers who did nothing more than lecture a whole period were found to be boring and monotonous by the students who favored a more varied teaching style that might include audio visual aids outside readings, class projects, and most importantly, discussions. I could not help but think, what would researchers find now in this 21st century? The sample that the researchers used was neither random nor stratified, but they believed the responses are representative enough to permit generalizations about the American students in that era.

I also found in my files "Nine Rules for Teachers" in 1872 - there were only nine, not ten, but they were commanded by the administration. 21st century teachers may find them quite interesting. 1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys. 2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session. 3. Make your pens carefully. You may Whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils. 4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly. 5. After 10 hours in school, teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books. 6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed. 7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit, declining years so that he will not become a burden to society. 8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool halls or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty. 9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of 25 cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

Have a great day!

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

Published in the Marion Record February 17th, 2000
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

Once again, I would like to take my readers to that one room country school where I experienced many warm thoughts as a very young student of the four R's. As I stated in last week's column, I would often look at the wall, where one would see the pictures of two presidents. These two presidents, Abraham, Lincoln and George Washington, became my hero presidents. Our Pledge of Allegiance and respect for the flag was a part of the old country school. Oh yes, I did whisper in that one room school, and since this was against school rules, I would often find myself standing in the corner of the room near the bucket of water with a dipper and a row of library books on the shelf.

As I read the classics, I would dream of the book I would plan to write someday, I did learn that George Washington was known as the father of our country, and that he and his family had come from England. It was just a few years ago, when I was in Shakespeare country in England, that I was informed that George's family lived in that area before coming to America. It always impressed me that President Washington was the father of our country. This was a very impressive time in my life, and I gained a lot of respect for all fathers in our country who labored long hours to support their families. It was a time when many families faced challenges during those memorable Depression years.

As we now look forward to our national holiday, Presidents Day, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on the thirteen presidents who have been a part of my life. It may be a day when many prayers will be offered for divine guidance for the President and the leaders of our country. A Thought to Ponder: How did the saying, "Let George do it," ever get started? Is it as old as the father of our country?

Warm Thought: America has been built on faith and love in action. Our patriotic and national character is our greatest investment. Have a patriotic President's holiday.

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

Published in the Marion Record February 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

Perhaps some of my readers of this column will remember the days of the one room country school as the birth date of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th approaches. My thoughts go to the old one room country school, where I would often look on the wall and see the pictures of two great presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, who were both born in February. It was back in the good old days when both birthdays were a holiday. It was also the age when children were "to be seen and not heard," and one did not whisper, as "silence was golden."

As we studied the life of Lincoln, he became my hero president, a man of great faith and courage. He was born in a log cabin living on the frontier. The family bravely endured many hardships and poverty. His mother died when he was nine years old. His father remarried and young Abe then had a stepmother, and Abe became a true son of the frontier. His life was filled with many disappointments, failures and losses. His sweetheart died and he was defeated in many elections. He faced many challenges, but was determined as President to do all he could do to save the Union. His famous Gettysburg Address has been memorized by many students. Many quotes from his speeches are still used today. His life and work has touched the lives of many. One cannot help but realize that the tangled failures that often occur in our lives can really serve as a thing of joy and beauty.

Warm Thoughts: All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel, mother. Abraham Lincoln. The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. Abraham Lincoln. Live one day at a time!

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

Published in the Marian Record February 9th, 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

In last week's column, it was mentioned that January 21 is national hugging day. I also read about Thank you day being in January, and the last week in January has long been known as international forgiveness week. The other morning, I was listening on the radio and heard it say that a noted Doctor stated that "70% of the people would be released from hospitals in 24 hours if they knew they were forgiven." A French philosopher once said that "to know all is to forgive all."

Among my heroes of faith are many missionary friends whose forgiving heart has taken them to their former captors. That is the story of St Patrick's, who went back to Ireland as a Christian missionary to take the love of Christ. A well known missionary and author of many books, worked among the people who killed her husband and other missionaries. There are many heroes of faith who live a life of daily forgiveness. Forgiveness is the mark of maturity. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Harry E Fausik once said, "Hating people is like burning down your home to get rid of a rat. The inability to forgive and forget is what makes someone sick." As we have many warm thoughts on forgiveness during International forgiveness week, may we remember there is a little remedy to ease the life we live and make each day a happier one. It is the word "forgive."

Warm Thoughts to ponder: "Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness." William A Ward. "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Gandhi. "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34. Have a beautiful forgiveness week.

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

Published in the Marion Record January 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

The home fires may be burning in your home as we together listen on the radio and watch TV about the travel challenges many are facing throughout the country. Upon my return from travel to Seattle during the holiday season, I was welcomed with 20 degree below zero weather. However, my heart was warmed as I listened to the phone messages and read the many cards, letters, and precious thoughts which I received - you all really made my day.

Among the thoughts sent to me was a letter from my friend, Dr Green in Vermillion, South Dakota. She included thoughts from an unknown author, which I feel are so warm and precious and need to be shared with you, dear readers of this Warm Thoughts column. "When the song of the angels is still, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the sheep, the work of Christmas begins to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among people, to make music in the heart."

I was also reminded the Lifelines Magazine that January 21st is National Hugging Day, and a dear friend in Florida sent me the poem entitled, "Hugs for Everyone." "It's wondrous what a hug can do. A hug can break the language barrier 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." Thank you, dear friend - a hug for you across the miles.

Words of Wisdom: Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears. Author Unknown. Instead of counting your days, make every day count in this new year. For all those who have suffered in the past incredible pain, may we remember that the light that sheltered the darkness can put together the broken pieces of our hearts. Author Unknown. Please accept my hug to help you, a true friend. Remember January 21st is National Hugging Day!

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

Published in the Marion Record January 18th, 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 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 steps of faith have 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 written by Dr. Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, 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

Many warm thoughts crossed my mind as I attended the 20th Winter Commencement at the University of South Dakota. Amid all the pomp and circumstance, I was in the audience giving cheers to my colleagues for their achievements. Graduation at Christmas time with holiday festivities seems to have special meaning for many families. The commencement address was given by a very successful businessman, who also received the Distinguished Service Award from President Betty Turner Asher. The speaker, Doug Scholl, spoke on the "A" life - our advanced thinking can help us to give something back, we can soar with the eagles, our attitude is important in making choices...He warned us not to associate with people who hate.

I was reminded, as I reflected on his "A" message of one of the many letters I received with holiday greetings. It was from Nebraska's 1995 Mother of the year, Jeannie Berry. She wrote that as we read the papers, our prayer is to close the door of hate and open the doors of love all over the world. Again, the Alma Mater song sung by the choir had even more special meaning as I listened, "South Dakota, how dear to thy children, thy name, how daring the tales offer retold of thy builders who first to thy wilderness came. There's a glory that never grows old. Oh, the pine crested peaks of these storied Black Hills, the Missouri that ribbons thy plain, where the slant summer sunshine so lavishly spills over prairie in pasture and grain, younger feet shall come trooping to gather thy wealth. Younger voices shall ring through thy halls, keep us true to the type of the brave pioneer, no hardship, air daunted his quest, alma mater lead on to the untried frontier. We follow the trail to the west." May these warm thoughts touch your heart during this beautiful holiday season.

Warm Thoughts to ponder: Wise men still seek him. A Happy New Year to you all!

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 28th, 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 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 those 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 a 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 the 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 worshiped 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 sang on those hills so long ago. Peace on earth, good will 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 Berry. 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