Holy Week 2026

 Palm Sunday at St. John's Lutheran in Clinton:

Preparation, Prophesy, Procession Matthew 21:1-11

Maundy Thursday in Swansea at Good Shepherd Lutheran:

Mandate Thursday - Love One Another John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday in Swansea at Good Shepherd Lutheran:

Forgiveness: "Father, forgive them.  They know not what they do" Luke 23:20-34

Salvation: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:35-43

Relationship: "Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother." John 19:23-27

Abandonment: " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:45-49

Physical Suffering: "I, thirst." John 19:28-29

Completion: "It is finished." John 19:30

Trust: "Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit." Luke 23:44-49

http://SistersofMercy.org

 

Sunrise at L.O. Rast Park in Swansea:

"Do NOT Be Afraid" Matthew 28:1-10

Easter Sunday in Swansea at Good Shepherd Lutheran:

 "Who Did They Meet? What Did They See? How Did They Feel?" Matthew 28:1-10

The Unjust Steward Begins with the End in Mind

Luke 16:1-13 -  Why is Jesus complimenting a shifty protagonist in this passage (Charles B. Cousar, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 4, p. 97)? The dishonest manager is saving his bacon, but he has a plan and sets about achieving it with a single-mindedness the children of God have lost . . . Somewhere along the way we've lost our eternal perspective of who God is and who we are in relationship to God.  Too easily we separate life as it is now from life in the future kingdom.  Instead we serve pressing demands of people, of schedule, of money . . . we have buried our treasure (Helen Montgomery Debevoise, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 4, p.96). Your heart will always be where your treasure is (Matthew 6:21). We have misplaced our faith in the one who provides.  We work from a scarcity mindset instead of a mindset of abundance. "Letting go is to have and keeping is the way to lose" (Scott Bader-Saye, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 4, p. 96) .

The unjust steward cultivates relationships and so should we.  What must happen for us to offer solidarity with the least of these? When we connect with God, we join a movement that wants to see people thrive! 

The steward dismantles the landlord's system of gaining wealth. Maybe, unbeknownst to him, his choices are exposing the unfairness of the existing payment structure (G. Penny Nixon, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 4, p. 97)?!

You can't play Simon Says with two people being "Simon" at the same time (Rev. Norbert F. Hahn, Augsburg Sermons for Children, series C, p. 107).  You can't serve God and wealth.  God chooses scoundrels every day to grow the kingdom!  God is working through you to love in BIG ways💓#keepshowingup  #Godiswithus #loveyourneighbor #careforcreation #itsaboutlove

Joyful Well-BEEing at Good Shepherd, Columbia

 

Thank you for the invitation to share today! Thanks for snapping pictures, Pr. Mary📸

Be strong and flexible with deep roots and resilient branches🌳

Breathe like the butterfly

Be VERY, VERY YOU💗

BEE-Well Bracelets to remember our day☺

Let's have more fun together!

Message Sister D'Etta for the link!

Do you have a cause you would like to do a donation yoga class to support?

October 3-5, 2025, Camp Mikell, Toccoa, GA

These sessions will be in person at Pisgah Lutheran or contact Sister D'Etta for a Zoom Link!

Take Time Apart Before Your Come "A Part!"

Want to rest and renew in a place far from home??? Let's go to Moshi, TZ💙💚💛❤

Here's my weekly schedule:

https://sites.google.com/view/sisterdb/home/schedule

Live a BIG life today and EVERY DAY🌞

half the fun is getting there

Tammy and I are in Amsterdam🇳🇱 Our delay in Atlanta has us rebooked for a flight to Tanzania tomorrow🇹🇿#halfthefunisgettingthere 

focus on what we can do

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DPe8lX8PrfiGXg5GtZ70KNXQy4HwP_VC/view?usp=sharing (16:01 minutes, audio recording)

We are unconditionally loved, accepted, and embraced by our Savior God through our baptism! We don't need to impress God.  We don't need to compare ourselves to others. We need to put our hand to the plow and focus our minds and hearts on Jesus!  We will pay attention to where God leads us!  

[3rd Sunday in Pentecost, Luke 9:51-62]

We're in charge of what we think, where we look, what we say, how we feel, and what we do! #circleofcontrol #celebratingdeterminedfollowing #Godisalwayswithus #befruitful #GodgivesuswhatweneedtodowhatGodcallsustodo #befaithfulnotsuccessful

Grandparents C3ARE Bracelets

 Oh, what an amazing experience be a C3ARE Counselor at Lutheridge this summer with Lyddie Loo and Kaitlyn too!!

 Here's the bracelets we made with the grandparents during Bible Study time on June 10 💞

question mark charm: ASK questions, clarify understanding, make sure you're getting what the other person is laying down, DO. NOT. ASSUME.

rabbit charm: Be the Rabbit and LISTEN!

chicken charm: talk less, listen more

gift charm: the opportunity to be together and walk together through life's ups and downs is a gift🎁

Bible charm: this is the foundation!🕮  Read so God can work through God's words.

tool charm: You have all the tools you need to the work God is calling you to do!

dove: Feel God's peace and share God's peace.

I Can Do Hard Things charm: YES! You can!!

butterfly charm: for transformation and new creation🦋, exercise neuroplasticity=your brain can keep learning your whole life long!

heart with cross charm: God is ALWAYS with us♱

Mary's Prayer

 "My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you, 

You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my through."

Charms

Sing - Sing a song of praise!

Warrior - Practice Warrior I, II, III or Humble or Reverse Warrior

Praying Hands - Spend time being still and quiet to "know."

"I Can Do Hard Things" - Repeat affirmation 3x.

Owl - Twist right and left to be open to possibilities of how God is calling you to share His love and light today!

Sister Dee Bee Mindfulness Moments

 Deaconess 2024 Annual Assembly  

"EmBOLDened by OUR PAST to STEP into the FUTURE"

Mindfulness Moment #1 - BREATHE

Every time you breathe, you breathe IN the HOLY SPIRIT, Thanks be to GOD!

It doesn’t cost anything.

You don’t need a lot of space to do it.

You don’t need anyone’s help.

You don’t need any special equipment.

You can do it any time, anywhere.

It's a BIG idea!

Ways to Breathe:

3 Part Breathing: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/breathing-toolbox/three-part-breath?authuser=0

Box Breathing: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/breathing-toolbox/shape-breathing?authuser=0

Bubble Breathing: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/breathing-toolbox/blowing-bubbles?authuser=0

Elevator Breathing: https://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-president-abraham-lincolns-birthday.html

Ferris Wheel Breath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKoC7QDTn5U

Hoberman Sphere's Breath: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/breathing-toolbox/hoberman-sphere-breathing?authuser=0

Horsey Lips: https://youtu.be/zsWWRXt11zY?si=A_OWm5bOM7CwNAFa

Ocean Breath/Fogging Up the Mirror/Darth Vader Breathing [for Star Wars fans]: https://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2019/05/star-wars-wednesday.html

The poem by Sandra Thurman Caporale I read:

https://diggingdeeper.net/2022/02/17/my-very-breath/

Mindfulness Moment #2 - BALANCE

Be a Tree - https://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2019/12/oh-christmas-tree-oh-christmas-tree.html

Balance work sharpens your focus and helps prevent falls.

Mindfulness Moment #3 - STRENGTH

If God can love turkeys then God can LOVE you and give you COURAGE and STRENGTH.🦃

Sue Hitzmann's MELT Method for Hands: https://youtu.be/g4iSWf7C5ZQ?si=pOW4E3Bs2KIE83gf

Mindfulness Moment #4 - S-T-R-E-T-C-H

Don't be a donkey, be a unicorn!🦄

Sister Davia recommends Mia Michaels' A Unicorn in a World Full of Donkeys: A Guide to Life for All the Exceptional, Excellent Misfits Out There

S-t-r-e-t-c-h your spine 7 different ways: https://youtu.be/9Ba0bwbrE4Y?si=xElnfH2sI45qEKQL

Mindfulness Moment #5 - MINDFULNESS

Be Still and Know . . .

https://zipadeeyoga.blogspot.com/2020/08/5-4-3-2-1-check-in-and-be-mindful.html

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”― Fred Rogers

My tribute to Stephen Abbott: https://youtu.be/Xxe-lQN5sXM?si=al4R58XT7y-_e8gy

As you go out in the neighborhood, love your neighbor.  We are compelled by God's love to "git 'er done."

And "just a little talk with Jesus will make things right!"

When you take care of yourself, you can do the work God is calling you do:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

https://youtu.be/f1DUz5eWKUo?si=EaEPYL-UqFDw8-KG

Exercise Self-Compassion in One Meaningful Way TODAY!

Nancy Carlson's I Like Me

 

Give yourself a compliment.

Take a break during your day instead of working nonstop.

Forgive yourself for making a mistake.

Remind yourself that you're doing the best you can!

Be patient when you feel overwhelmed.

Allow difficult emotions and bodily sensations to exist without judgement or shame.  

Dr. Chanequa Walker Barnes, Sacred Self-Care, p. 67

YOU ARE GOOD! [God said so, and God's words are POWERFUL. He spoke and the world was created. And it was GOOD. Don't argue with God!]

Ways I Feel God's Presence

Sitting still and quiet

Being with pets

Being with the People of God

ELCA Deaconess Community140th Anniversary Assembly Planning Team

Service to Others

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkYIXWly_w

Sharing children sermons at Sunday's Worship

Teaching yoga to anybody who will give it a try!

Hanging out with Koinonia Friends💓

Reading God's Word

Here's some of my favorite verses from The Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version Update Edition of the Bible:

• 16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• 9 Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

• For there is nothing that God cannot do. Luke 1:37

• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NRSVUE

• 16 But get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant. You are to tell others what you have seen of me[a] today and what I will show you in the future. Acts 26:16

Prayers

I especially like this kid version of The Lord's Prayer:

Dear God our Father, who lives in heaven there is power in your name. We trust your ways…from your kingdom in heaven all the way down to earth where we live. Please provide all we need today. Forgive our mistakes as we forgive those who make mistakes against us. Help us to make good choices and protect us from all that is evil.

www.gatherandgrow.co/faith-tools/the-lords-prayer-for-kids/

Songs

https://youtu.be/eBr9hXa3fac?si=x0hW-TBWv3R3NsYp

I really love the crescendo -- it explodes to what I think God's Presence feels like in my heart.

https://youtu.be/eBr9hXa3fac?si=x0hW-TBWv3R3NsYp

This just makes me want to dance!

https://youtu.be/yOEviTLJOqo?si=rwA_66QZqbIKUntu

This one sparks joy! I love to sing it as LOUD as I can🎝

How do YOU feel God's presence in your life?

Calm and Strengthen for Confidence and Courage

 Begin with a fold . . .

Child's Pose with knees wide 

Hold all the shapes for 3-5-10 breaths, whatever feels good and right is.

Open the heart with the Sphinx Pose, elbows under shoulders and "moving" towards your ribs.

Strengthen the back muscles of the upper body, lower body or both!  Try this shape 2 to 3x

Rest in Child's Pose

Find a plank that works for you today: table, forearm plank, half plank, full plank

(https://sites.google.com/site/zipadeebee/resources/plenty-of-planks?authuser=0)

For more core strengthening, practice the boat (dog bowl) shape.  Again, find the modification that serves you well today.

Next, side plank with gaze down, if that makes your neck happy,

or looking up!

Happy Baby Pose for relaxing, good for digestive processes

Savasana in shape that is most comfortable, breathe easy, and rest

[If you wear glasses, you can remove for added relaxation]

Meta Meditation

https://youtu.be/T6qJg8-EKok?si=RbPnYwf7BfcH0mVX, 4 minutes

"May you be happy."

"May you be healthy."

"May you live life with peace, ease, and grace."

 

Create in Me Friends

 

Day One - Gold and Silver Friends (gold and silver beads)

Day Two - Animal "Friends" - snake friends are sneaky, turtle friends stay in the shells, shark friends bite, kick, punch, and pinch, sheep friends just follow along without thinking things through, monkey friends are out of control and hurt people "on accident" - TEDDY BEAR friends help people feel safe and valued!  The listen and share God's love with their hearts, hands, and feet. (teddy bear, snake, sheep, and turtle charms)

Day Three - Friends Remember, Think, and Pray (smile charm, brain, and prayer hands)

Pick 20ish beads of colors you like.  You will cut off excess wire after threading the beads so don't completely fill the wire.  The wire is too flimsy for too many beads!

Thread the silver disk shape bead then follow with the silver.  Put two beads on and follow with the gold.

Thread two more beads of your choice and follow with each animal charm!  Two beads, animal charm, two beads, animal charm, two beads animal charm.

Thread two beads and follow with the smiley face bead, two beads and brain charm, two beads and the prayer hands.

Finish with the 2nd silver disk shape bead, cut the wire, and bend the wire to stop the beads from sliding off the end of the bracelet.

This mnemonic is a souvenir for Create in Me 2024 Morning Stretch Time🎨🖌

Ideas for Vagus Nerve Stimulation

 

http://insightfulnutrition.ca/the-vagus-nerve-its-many-roles-and-functions/

On July 27, Sister Sara Galyon's First Call Cohort in Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shared ideas for stimulating the vagus nerve or tenth cranial nerve which regulates calm in the body!  Here are some of those ideas to remember:

• Dip your face in cold water, take cold showers, drink cold milk
• Chanting or singing
• Yoga
• Loving-Kindness Meditation
• Positive social relationships
• Slow and Deep Breathing
• Laughter
• Prayer
• Probiotics
• Gentle exercise
• Massage
• Fasting
• Tai Chi
• Gargling
• Seafood
• Oxytocin (you touch your hands over your heart to release)
• Zinc
• Acupuncture
• Chewing Gum
• Eating fiber
• Sun exposure

A good book to explore more is Vagus Nerve and Overthinking: A Guide to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve and Declutter Your Mind, Techniques to Stop Worrying, Relieve Stress and Anxiety, Overcome Chronic Illness, Trauma and Depression. by John Harper.  These good ideas are from his text.  

pumpkin yoga with a BIG turkey

How many pumpkins did Grammy decorate with this year?!

Tour with a turkey, breathe and move, and make a guess!

"Reverse Plank" for pumpkins on a hill

"Warrior II" for pumpkins in pairs

hangout near the clothesline with "Warrior I"

pumpkins near a "Tree"

a couple "Turkeys" with how many pumpkins?

"Scarecrows" protect the pumpkins

"Plank" with pumpkins in a row

a "Butterfly" in the pumpkin patch

pumpkins near a pool are cool as a "cartwheel"

we "love" Grammy's pumpkin decorating (Purna Hridaya Heart Mudra: Welcoming Thoughts and Feelings‘Purna’ means open and ‘hridaya’ is the heart, thus this is the Open Heart Mudra. https://jenniferreisyoga.com/blogs/purna-hridaya-heart-mudra-welcoming-thoughts-and-feelings/)

get "down" with pumpkins in Houdini's "dog" pen

"Table" your pumpkins for later

"Fire logs" warming near the pumpkins

"Driving" for pumpkins on 2103 Holland Street Memorial Drive

Do what you can and do you best!