Photos from my son on their lastest adventure

Taiwan and Taipei
Our loved ones went on another adventure.
All photographs used in this montage are courtesy of my son!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Off to Wendy's house this weekend

Pumpkins in my cousins garden.
Everything she touches turns to gold.
I adore her!

I am extremely close to my cousin Wendy as I am to everyone in my family.
We will have a lovely visit at their home on Sunday in Michigan.
It is always a special treat.

Loving my newest CD Paul Potts One Chance
~Fabulous!
Going to read this book next: Digging to America by Anne Tyler

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future."

- Victor Hugo

Happy Weekend darlings.
Life is delicious enjoy it!

Home is where our story begins..............

Life is delicious enjoy it~

Evening
A fabulous movie to watch!
From an excerpt I read about it

A truly extraordinary cast breathes glorious life into Susan Minot and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham’s adaptation of Minot’s beloved novel Evening. The film is a timeless, universal, and deeply emotional story about the secrets we share and the defining moments of connection between mothers and daughters, family and friends, and the loves of our lives.

Google is celebrating its 9th birthday!

It is so hard to believe we are about to welcome a new month soon.
I love our Canadian Thanksgiving in October (8th this year)
One of my favorite holidays!

"If you don't know what your passion is,
realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it."

~~ Oprah Winfrey ~~

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank You, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank You, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank You, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, thanks when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank You, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank You, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank You, Lord, for life.

--Author unknown.

You are all so dear to me

Deer for Breakfast

Thunder storms rolling in.......a good day to get caught up on things around the house.........
I went to keep my Grandmother company yesterday morning and this morning while she had breakfast.
She is a doll!

I love this~!

"I always try to believe the best of everybody -- it saves so much trouble."

- Rudyard Kipling

Never let life's hardships disturb you.

After all, no one can avoid problems,

not even saints for sages.

~Nichiren

In Life

Miss Bella my neighbor and friend
and her sweet dog Tilley.........
Miss Bella has broken her arm.

In life it is possible merely to throw a heap of stones together, but this pile is not beautiful. We pyramid to the heights only when we lay stone on stone according to a beautiful plan. If we have no faith in the principles with which we build life, we are defeated.

W. N. Thomas
Scholar

Miss Bella has broken her arm.
Things come in a series of three's in life.
My Aunt broke her arm,
My cousin her hand
Miss Bella her arm...........

Beary Special Wishes

I sent this to my husband at work.
I hope it made him smile.
Beary special wishes to you all.
I viewed it on my dear friends Journal and had to share it too.
Teddy bears are so sweet and kind.

I thank you God for all my blessings
and pray for those in need of them.
Love to you all~

Thank you Dani

My dear friend Dani is an absolute angel in my life.
She blesses me with her kindness each and everyday!
Dani's creations
Dani's journal
Please visit her lovely sites!

Thank you to my beautiful and talented friend Dani for always working her magic and making this journal
so beautiful. I love her word and most of all her.
Her golden gift of friendship has blessed me for many years.
How very,very lucky I am to call her my friend.
I love you and thank so much for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Autumn Bliss

I loved Audrey Hephurn
Her legacy lives on.
The world needs more of her kind............

My husband and I went out for a drive to the country yesterday and picked up
those glorious honey crisp apples and went to eat at a 50 styles dinner.
We enjoyed the gorgeous September Sunday.
Happy Autumn everyone!

Hallmark goodies

"Nothing happens unless first we dream."

- Carl Sandburg

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower

~Albert Camus French Author and Philosopher

Grand Angels

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Grand Angels are doing well.
We don't get to see them much with their busy schedules but did have dinner with them on Friday
with their parents!
All is well!

I love Greeting Cards

This is one of my favorite greeting cards.....
One of a gazillion.......
Smiles!

I am always looking for beautiful greeting cards............
Here is a nice link to view........for you

Greeting Cards
A lovely card in the mail can brighten a day in such a sweet and wonderful way.
I still love old fashioned mail in the mail you can go to your mail box
and open up all the lovely mail.
The bills can always wait!

Where there is faith there is love

I heard once that Chrysanthemums symbolize a strong life.
A photo taken last week when I was picking out Mums.

Where there is faith, there is love;
Where there is love, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is God;
And where there is God; there is no need~

~Leo Tolstoy

First comes love then comes marriage then comes Nia

From the wedding photographs of Nia and Chris
taken last year!

First comes love
Then comes marriage
Then comes Nia and Chris with a baby carriage.
Yes I have Nia's blessings to announce they are expecting
their first child.
Everything about babies is calling to me............
I am thrilled beyond belief.
They will be fabulous parents!!!!!!
I told Nia my life truly began when I gave birth to my son!
How thrilled I am to make this announcement!

When God Paints

When God Paints

Have a fabulous Friday and a great weekend.

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

- Winston Churchill

I love these paper frocks and this journal!

Love is all you need

I love those Telus commercials



Love is all you need.
Have a fabulous day!

Life is bittersweet at times filled with glorious blessings
and sadness creeps into all of our hearts through life........
Bittersweet on our window
September 20, 2007

"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me, and I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves,
and satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter."
~ Jenny Joseph

Special People come into our lives

Photo of my son diving in Australia

While waiting to get my blood work done yesterday for my yearly physical upcoming a man sat next to me
and he and I were waiting the hour it took us to be called in.............He was sweet and special and truly
I felt in the presence of a holy man or an Angel. He deeply touched my heart with the stories of his life.
He had open heart surgery a few years back and had developed a blood clot, he has to be monitored every week
to make sure it does not travel to his heart or anywhere else. His stories of life were amazing.
A sweet kind genuine soul. He was put there for a reason!
I smiled all day thinking of him.

I had dinner with a very dear long time friend at my favorite Japanese restaurant last night.
Wonderful.
How was your day and what have you been up to?
Enjoy these fabulous September days!

Ruby Tuesday

Photo taken by me at a lovely place I visit!
I love autumn accents!

Great Photographs

Have yourselves a most fabulous Tuesday..........

I loved that dress that Leslie Caron wore to the Emmy's.
Word has it she designed it herself from materials she bought in India.
I thought it was exquisite!
I loved the elegance of the gowns and their hair styles.........

Blessings to you all!

"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change

his future by merely changing his attitude."

- Oprah Winfrey

Monday again

Our Jasmine is blooming sweetly!
Oh the fragrance!

Spent a good portion of yesterday just enjoying the beautiful September day from our yard.........
Taking in every blessing and every ounce of nature.
The birds were singing, the sun was shining,
Blessings flowing from Heaven

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
~ George Washington Carver

Giggle Grams

A picture I took at Lake Louise
One of my favorite spots of Canada

I like the one of the monkey giving the cat a bath.

Funny

Fabulous Flickr Photographers I thank you!
Autumn is one of my most favorite Seasons second to Spring

I made an autumn scene collage with all the fabulous photographs from the Flickr group.

I am looking at the special section of Susan Branch in Country Living October Issue.

Please keep all those in need of blessings in your prayers
I thank God for each one of mine and pray for all those in need.
Love to you all

The best things in life are nearest.
Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet,
duties at your hand, the path of right just before you."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Across the Universe

Cannot wait to see this!~!!!!!!!!
It is another gorgeous September day!
Off to embrace my bliss.
Love you Sugar Plums!

Nesting

A little fall decorating around our home!

I am still on my hunt for bittersweet and Chinese lanterns.

When my husband leaves for work now at 5:30 A.M. it is pitch black outside.......cool crisp air embraces us from the gargage door opening as he heads off into his vehicle...................I love Friday's and the start of our weekends.
For years he worked an 80 hour workweek and worked every evening until 9:00 P.M. and every weekend.
Thank God our cherubs were still home to fill up a flurry of activity.
I thank God my husband and I have more time to share now.
We usually go to the movies on Friday night to begin our weekend and out for a nice quiet dinner.............

I roasted red peppers yesterday and froze them for winter cooking. Those gorgeous red, shepherd peppers. A dear friend taught me so much when she lived in our city
and there is not a day that goes by I don't miss her our times and everything she taught me............
Life never is the same when those you love move away.................

I purchased some white pumpkins yesterday and autumn accents to decorate outside..............
I love this time of year.
We watched the very touching movie
Away from Her
with 3 lovely actors:
Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, and Olympia Dukakis

Enjoy your weekend.
Love is all you need.

"When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast and limitless..."

- Pema Chodron

There's a Song in my Heart

My beautiful niece Danielle is having a birthday today!
I love you
Aunt Jeanne
X0X0

Thank you Stars by Katie Melua

Thank you Stars by Katie Melua

I love songs there is always a song in my heart...........
Today is my beautiful niece and God child Danielle's 29th birthday.
May Heaven bless your every wish.
You are a bright shining Star.

My beautiful friend Nia and her very sleepy little love
Mylo
Nia, like all my friends is so very beautiful inside and out.
She spreads love, sunshine and kindness wherever she goes!
I am truly blessed!
I love you Nia and Mylo

"When we feel love and kindness toward others,

it not only makes others feel loved and cared for,

but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."

- HH the Dalai Lama

Colbie Caillat

My darling friend Nia always sends me beautiful songs.............

This is another great one............

Love you Nia and all my beautiful and fabulous friends........

This and That

September 11th

We Remember

The only way to cure the world of so much hate

is to spread more love................

As seen on my beautiful friend Jen's Journal.......Love you Jen~

a special talent :

Listening......

people meet me briefly and tell me their most intimate of details, knowing I will never repeat them or judge them. I am very trustworthy.......and easy to

confide in.

a secret nobody knows:

I am very superstitious and not good for long periods away from home, and a nervous passenger in a car.

a personality trait you find attractive:

kind genuine, sincere people and humor

a personality trait you find unattractive:

gossip, self righteousness, ungrateful

a song that melts you :

Just about every love song but MY Love is a favorite by Paul McCartney

the biggest truth you have learned this year :

what I have always believed, if you have your loved ones near you .....you are truly blessed!

an item you are currently coveting:

all memories of my beloved Mother and anything of my Grandmothers and our children in Asia!

what gives you peace?

My family, my faith, my friends, my blessings!

what perfume are you currently wearing?

Narcisco Rodriguez and Vera Wang

do you dream much? :

I believe so but rarely remember my dreams

what word(s) do you tend to say too much :

Really!

in high school, what kind of teen were you?

A good student and kept out of trouble.

describe yourself in 5 words:

kind, caring, compassionate, genuine, and sensitive.

have you ever been in love?

Yes, and am madly in love with my husband and children~

has your heart ever been broken?

Yes very often it seems, especially lately!

I think we can all admit to having a broken heart at one time in our lives.

favorite thing to wear?:

A smile, lipstick, my holy cross, earrings and yes clothes! Giggles!

When your Heart Speaks take Good Notes

Artful Thoughts
My beautiful and talented friend Dani
has been busy working her magic again.
Please visit her fabulous website.
I love you Dani!

"Only do what your heart tells you."

- Princess Diana

Heartfelt wishes that you will be blessed with all that makes you happiest!

Happy Monday~

Alimah Cultural Dance Studio Windsor Ontario

I am proud to boast about every wonderful family friend
Krista is amazing

Our lovely family friend Krista

All photographs and information are taken from her website.............

Krista is a family friend, and I love to spread the news around about the fabulous talent in our wonderful area.
Please pass the word around about Alimah.



All information from Krista's Website
www.thebodysanctuary.com/
Subject: What's offered at Alimah


What's offered at Alimah?
Alimah is a gem of a place located at 9733 Tecumseh Road East...in Metro Plaza. It's an oasis of world dance, music and art. Dance classes are non-competitive which makes them accessible to all!!! Many consider it an alternative to the gym and most feel inspired after their dance workout. The majority of students that come to the studio take Belly Dance Classes or our Latin Club Dance Series featuring Reggaeton and Cuban Salsa. Every few months a workshop is hosted at Alimah that features an artform from a far off place - like Flamenco dancing from Spain!!!

How do I register?
The studio is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 5:30pm - 9:30pm and Saturdays 10:00am - 2:00pm. Tuesdays are set aside for private lessons which are booked with the instructor. You can show up any time to register for the class of your choice provided there is space. Classes at Alimah are small, no larger than 8-10 students in the class. New students to Belly Dance can join at any time. Students purchase class cards which start at 6 classes to be used in 7 weeks, the cost is $95.00 (cash or cheque only) There are many different options so new students are encouraged to stop in and pick up a brochure.

Studio Rental
If you are an instructor of dance, fitness, yoga or some other discipline the studio can be rented at a reasonable rate. Alimah is also available for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, private workshops and more. Please contact Khristall for more information at 519.739.2309

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email your questions to:
info@thebodysanctuary.com

Call the studio
519.739.2309





Khristall Belly Dance Artist...
For Khristall dance and music have always been a part of her life. The daughter of an accomplished composer and retired music teacher, Khristall developed an ear for music at an early age. It was when she first heard the complex rhythms and inherent sensuality of Arabic music that she began to explore the Art of Belly Dance.

Study and Inspiration...
Most of Khristall's study and inspiration comes from Yasmina Ramzy of Arabesque Dance Company, Toronto. In 2003, Khristall travelled to Egypt on a cultural study tour of the country's unique dance and music traditions. While in Egypt, Khristall completed the original A-Z training program with Keti Sharif of the Oceana Arts Centre. Khristall has also studied with Jillina of the Belly Dance Superstars, Farida Fahmy of Egypt, Amani of Lebanon and Flamenco Dancer Angela Deiseach of Toronto...to name a few.
Inspired by her travels to Egypt, Brazil, Spain and various other countries in 2003, Khristall opened Alimah - The Body Sanctuary and Cultural Arts Studio. Alimah is a gem of a place where students come to learn Belly Dance or participate in workshops featuring specialty dances from around the globe.

Life's Work...Dancing, Teaching & Performing
For Khristall, both belly dance and her cultural arts studio are her life's work. When she is not working at her day job, Khristall is either teaching classes or performing at weddings, corporate galas or community oriented events.

Dancing the Mystery that music conceals...
Music invites us to move, express, feel and let go...Dance is the manifestation of this mysterious connection between music and the human spirit. Since we all feel music differently, Khristall cultivates her own style in the art of belly dance which many refer to as graceful simplicity. Her technique is musically precise while her expression of rhythmic nuances is inspiring and captivating.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Best Things in Life

The best things in life are NOT things!
I have all my plants on the front porch drinking up the rain water.
God gives us the best.
Sweet simple things in life to treasure.
I am truly blessed.
Happy Sunday!

"The best things in life are nearest.
Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet,
duties at your hand, the path of right just before you."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy Saturday

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Morning glories blooming in our garden
We went to see 3:10 to Yuma last night.
My husband loves Westerns and this was a good one
even I enjoyed.
Smiles!

Ankle boots and cropped jacket, metalics.
Russian Red Lipstick by MAC
The Russian Line by Opi a few of the things that are catching my eye for fall

Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breath more;
Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more;
And all good things are yours.
-- Swedish Proverb

If it were not for hope, the heart would break.
-- Thomas Fuller

Find What Brings you Joy and Go There Often

Weekend
Weekend
Cha Cha Cha
Going for a lovely massage today and that will be a great way to begin the weekend!
Blessings of love peace joy and health for you all!

Find What Brings you Joy and Go There Often

The Road To Success is Always Under Construction
by Author Unknown

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way.

Life is not no much a matter of position as of disposition.

The best vitamin for making friends, B-1.

If you don't care where you're going any road will get you there.

A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.

He who throws mud loses ground.

Nobody raises his own reputation by lowering others.

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

Ideas won't work unless you do.

The future is purchased by the present.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

Lost time is never found again.

A hard thing about business is minding your own.

Triumph is just "umph" added to try.

Caution is not cowardly, Carelessness is not courage.

He who forgives ends the quarrel.

Children need more models than critics.

Frogs have it easy, They can eat what bugs them.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime.

If the going gets easy you may be going downhill.

Dieters - People that are thick and tired of it.

Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.

The best labor saving device is doing it tomorrow.

A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.

Failure is the path of least persistence.

Hard work is the yeast that raises the dough.

Patience is counting down without blasting off.

Have a backbone not a wishbone.

Some folks won't look up until they are flat on their backs.

If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.

Friend - One who knows all about you and likes you just the same.

Money talks and often just says, "Good-bye".

Birds have bills too and they keep on singing.

Forbidden fruit is responsible for many a bad jam.

God's retirement plan is out of this world.

A good example is the best sermon.

The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice.

Well done! is better than, Well said!

Minds are like parachutes - they function only when open.

Live as you wish your kids would.

Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion.

If you can laugh at it then you can live with it.

People don't fail, they give up.

When looking for faults use a mirror, not a telescope.

Smile, it takes only 13 muscles; A frown takes 64.

Kindness, a language deaf people can hear and blind can see.

Heaviest thing to carry - a grudge. A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.

A small leak can sink a great ship.

You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails.

We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.

Tact is the ability to see others as they wish to be seen.

A bad conscience has a very good memory.

Hug your kids at home - Belt them in the car. One thing you can give and still keep - is your word.

A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.

If you must cry over spilled milk then please try to condense it.

Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.

Make friends before you need them.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.

Success is … more attitude than aptitude.

Our favorite attitude should be gratitude.

The greatest of all faults is to imagine you have none.

Too many of us speak twice before we think.

Some people develop eye strain looking for trouble.

Everyone has 20/20 hindsight.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

It is no crime not to be perfect.

If others have sinned you need not mention it.

No man knows less than the man who knows it all.

Patience carries a lot of wait.

One who lacks courage to start has already finished.

A quitter never wins, A winner never quits.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.

Break a bad habit - Drop it.

Don't learn safety rules simply by accident.

Failing to prepare We prepare to fail.

Past failures are guideposts for future success.

There is no right way to do a wrong thing.

There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm.

If your dreams turn to dust…vacuum.

Money is a good servant but is a cruel master.

Seek joy in what you give not in what you get.

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Success comes in cans Failure comes in cannots.

Anger is one letter short of danger Greatest remedy for anger is delay.

2/3 of promotion is motion.

Having a sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

Heaven has a new angel in its choir

One of my most favorite songs by Pavarotti

Nessun Dorma
And of course I adore the way he sang
Ave Maria!
That goes without saying!

The Gift

My fabulous cousin Wendy who is so very special to me
and her husband Rob.............
Labour day weekend!
I am truly blessed with the most amazing people in my life!

I love this~

Richard's Paul Evan's newest book!

Latest news from this author:

"The Bible says that God has chosen the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are mighty. My story is about one of God's
weak things. His name is Collin, a frail, beautiful little boy with a
very special gift."

Excerpt from Richard Paul Evans' newest book, THE GIFT


What if you discovered your child had the power to heal people but it made him sick and could even cost him his life?

What if someone came to you for help because their child was dying?

Knowing that there are people who would do anything for your child's power, would you ever tell anyone?

What if someone found out?

This is the premise of my newest book, The Gift.

Nathan Hurst meets Addison Park when they're snowed in at the Denver airport. As Nathan is falling in love wih this woman, he discovers her son's power. Unfortunately, he's not the only one. As Addison tries to protect her son, Nathan is drawn into the melee that unfolds. But there are things Addison doesn't know about Nathan's past and her own son's future.

The Gift is the second book in my series of Christmas Novels beginning with Finding Noel. I hope you enjoy it.

(end of author's email to me)

Love you all my dear friends

We have all been given a very special gift in life........are you using your God given talents to the best of your ability?

Off to have Japanese food for lunch today with two very dear friends.

I am truly blessed!

Moonlight Sonata

I went to the chiropractors this morning for a much needed adjustment.
She had songs from her Ipod playing
Enigma Metisse and love that song Boom Boom Ba
and all kinds of glorious music.
She has a zen garden on the entrance to her rooms.
A sign that says
A smile can calm any of life's storms!
Ahhhhh that feels better starting to come to life..........
This song was being played on the piano from one of the glorious mansions in Old Walkerville
Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
I collected some of my first leaves that had turned colours.
Also seen Chinese lanterns growing and bamboo in a Japanese garden...........
Squirrels playing tag and trying to find more food to store.
Birds singing sweetly
The sun was shining the birds were singing
Autumn is due to arrive on bareback soon.
Ahhhhhhhhh thank you God for a brilliant day full of your abundant blessings!

Rainbows Abounding

I have been adding Autumn accents everywhere
Our front door is always welcome for those who enter with love
and joy and kindness and peace in their hearts!
Happy is the home where love resides and good friends
visit often!

Rainbows appear all over our home often, both inside and out.
This one was on Monday in our private bath.........
I was reflecting on our many blessings and in silent prayer
Mom sends rainbows from Heaven often.

Each person who enters our life,
each spirit that accompanies us
upon our journey
leaves us forever changed and enriched

School Daze

Photo and caption from the newspaper:

Curbside studies: A homeless girl named Nusrat
does her school homework on a sidewalk in Mumbai.

Never ever take your blessings in life for granted

"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."

- Goethe

The grade school children commence school today.

High school next week and University in a few weeks..........

An education is one of the most valuable things you can obtain

in your lives.............

Happy Monday

I am getting the urge to decorate for autumn............

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the

past or present are certain to miss the future."

- John F. Kennedy

Happy Labour Day Weekend.......I hope you are enjoying it!

Clay Balls:

Sent to me by my dear friend Judy:

I love you Judy and love everyone I share my life with!

You are ALL very special to me and I love you all so very much!

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw
the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the ma n started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

*