“Let me make one final plea. Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. And the people, the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals, they — they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.
I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.”
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
National Prayer Service, Washington National Cathedral 1/21/25
Lord, in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayer
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus, Matthew 25:40
1. My insanely delicious baked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks for lunch yesterday. And so easy to make.
(I pretend they’re healthy, with the addition of the celery and carrots.)
2. Still marveling at our rare Snow-vannah we experienced this week.
Looking right and left outside the door of our old mid-1800’s apartment building …
What’s a snow shovel? And where on earth would you buy one? Or even want one? Isn’t snow supposed to melt the next day?
We also don’t have sleds or sleighs or whatever you use to careen playfully down snow-covered hills.
So you have to improvise. Here’s a little video of grandson Gabriel doing just that in his front yard.
That’s called Minimalist Sledding.
And other grandchildren in their backyard across the state from us in Columbus, Georgia …
But this morning, everything doesn’t look quite so angelically white and inviting. Why didn’t someone tell me the beautiful powder turns into gray and slushy mush?!
Who wants to slide in that?
3. The priceless blessing of a warm dwelling. I so often take it for granted, but I know that everyone is not so fortunate.
4. Lavender!
I love its restful, calming scent.
Dried lavender still smells good.Beautiful Red Oak Lavendar Farm we visited recently up in Dahlonega GAMore dried lavender in our living room
H.R. and I have enjoyed chocolate-lavender candy bars, lavender cookies, lavender salt and lavender tea. Have you had lavender in other foods or drinks?