by pattyptakkogutek | Dec 23, 2017 | inspiration
At Christmas time I believe in the things that children do. Even Jesus encouraged us to become like little children, likening it to the kingdom of heaven. So what do the children believe? “I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our...
by pattyptakkogutek | Dec 16, 2017 | inspiration
During this busy season, more than ever we seem to be operating from lists – gift lists, grocery lists, social lists, etc. We don’t want to overlook any festive touch or special person. We are all terribly forgetful. None of us is immune. But as we are swept up into...
by pattyptakkogutek | Dec 10, 2017 | inspiration
These days before Christmas are spent in many hours of preparation. We busy ourselves planning the many aspects of the holiday season – decorating trees, writing cards, cooking family recipes and gift shopping. Weeks, days and hours are spent in anticipation. But as...
by pattyptakkogutek | Dec 4, 2017 | inspiration
Tis the Season for merriment! Just look around at the decorations, carols, and parties, all building excitement. “Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re...
by pattyptakkogutek | Nov 27, 2017 | inspiration
We are now in full “holiday mode” – planning, preparing and plotting how to make this celebration perfect. So much time and energy we expend chasing the “to do” list. We are so busy getting caught up in the hustle and bustle that we sometimes miss the best part....
by pattyptakkogutek | Nov 20, 2017 | inspiration
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I think the real reason is because Thanksgiving is a simple gathering of loved ones counting their blessings. No gifts, no cards, no extensive build up to the day, merely a day set aside to be grateful. How refreshing! In all the...
by pattyptakkogutek | Nov 15, 2017 | inspiration
If next month is the time to be “merry”, this is the month to be grateful. Gratitude, being the lynchpin for a happy life, is the official celebration kicking off this holiday season. We don’t build a happy life being grateful during the Thanksgiving holiday or when...
by pattyptakkogutek | Nov 5, 2017 | inspiration
Recently I ran across a question posted on a FB page, “How do you know that you are doing your best?” One of the respondents wrote that a good nights sleep was an indicator. I used to measure my goodness by the number of thank you notes that I received! Some...
by pattyptakkogutek | Oct 29, 2017 | inspiration
Do you get confused with the pressures of everyday life – family responsibilities, work overload, social obligations, and the growing worldly tensions? Many times I feel my head spinning. Numerous factors pull us away from our real purpose of this earthly...
by pattyptakkogutek | Oct 23, 2017 | inspiration
In each of our homes, Joe and I have proudly flown the American flag. Following the protocol we lowered the flag to half-staff to honor the loss of life in the tragic shooting in Las Vegas. After two weeks we raised “Old Glory” to full height to symbolically get back...
by pattyptakkogutek | Oct 16, 2017 | inspiration
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians I need to read that daily, maybe put it on a sticky note on the steering wheel of my car. I need a constant reminder that we...
by pattyptakkogutek | Oct 9, 2017 | inspiration
The virtue of patience is not my long suit. Last week I experienced an epi (epidural steroid injection) in my cervical spine. Listening to the instructions I didn’t think a little shot could be that much. After the numbing serum and the interventions sedative, the...
by pattyptakkogutek | Oct 3, 2017 | inspiration
“Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon.” (John Madden) Sometimes we feel like that blind horse making our way, not knowing just where we are going, the whys, and sometimes the real purpose of our lives. Life would be so much easier if we could...
by pattyptakkogutek | Sep 25, 2017 | inspiration
Can You Be Positive in Negativity? Upon rising I walked into our family room. Joe had the TV on with the morning news. “Who’s blowing up who today,” I greeted him. Besides the poor grammar, I caught myself in a negative moment. What a terrible way to begin my...
by pattyptakkogutek | Sep 18, 2017 | inspiration
Joe and I are not normal! Most normal people have children and grandchildren. We don’t. So you can imagine how nervous and thrilled we were when my niece and one-year old baby came to visit us trying to escape the terrible fires in Boise. Our house is not “baby...
