Dear Friends,

We had an unexpected opportunity and bonus in our lives last week.

Seemingly out of nowhere we each received a letter (in the mail on an official letterhead) invitation to attend a “Cypress Land of Embrace” concert at the 47th Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on July 3rd at the Sheridan Marina Hotel. Steve and I looked at each other with a “who? what? why?” expression. We have no contacts with the Greek faith organizations here in San Diego and this letter originated from New York! How did they hear about us? Must be a GOD Thing!

We had a choice, to disregard an invitation out of nowhere, or to pursue and accept this bonus. A Greek concert sounded like a lot of fun and great music! So we said YES.

We had a delightful contact, Father Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian who met us early in the day with a day pass to attend any workshops or plenaries and walk through their exhibition hall. We met lovely people in the Exhibition Hall and marveled at the beautiful and ornate chalices, jewelry, church décor and artifacts as well as exquisite robes. There was information about the Greek Orthodox Church activities and outreach. We met a lovely lady, Elina, from Greece and chatted with her for a long time.

After the Plenary and supper, we were sitting in the long walkway hall watching the many priests, Bishops and attendees go by. As we were looking at the door across the hall, all of a sudden it opened and two men dressed as Santa Claus walked out. I think our jars dropped. They came over to us and we engaged in a wonderful conversation.

They truly have a Santa Ministry where they take requests from parents and call their children and talk to them on a zoom call before Christmas. It is more than just what the children want for Christmas it is a sweet conversation about who the children are, what they like or don’t like. The kids can talk to them about anything. The youth often have their own iPads or laptops and walk around their house showing Santa different things.

We also asked them why priests are dressed in black. Steve and I were talking about how so many clergy in many faiths wear black robes. Of course at this Congress we saw 100’s of priests and bishops dressed in black. These lovely Santas (Peter and Kevin) said it signifies “Death to the world.” In other words, letting go of worldly things and putting full attention on God.

At this point we felt we have already had a FULL afternoon and the concert had not even begun. We met Father Nicolas Kazarian 15 minutes before the concert and he introduced us to the United States Archbishop Elpidophorus. What an honor it was to meet this kind and gentle soul. We were then escorted to front row seats and enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour concert of lively, fun, foot stomping, hand clapping Greek dancing Music!!!

This unexpected opportunity was a GIFT from God blessing us with meeting new and wonderful people with a future of collaboration and continued friendship. Who knows where it will lead? Obviously GOD does. It has inspired us to reach out to the Greek community in San Diego to get to know them and invite them to participate in our Interfaith work.

When divine opportunities come your way, no matter how they look, big, small or who? what? why? GO FOR IT. You will be blessed!

Accepting the Unexpected Gifts,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

We are about to celebrate the 4th of July, our day of FREEDOM when we declared our independence and our ability to choose our government and way of life.

We are so fortunate to have Freedom in our country and we must keep it with every breath we take, every stand we make and every vote we cast. It is up to us to look into the hearts, minds and actions of our leaders to see God’s goodness and conscience for All the people. ALL PEOPLE are GOD’S PEOPLE.

Freedom is precious, and we have been given Free Will by our Creator to Be who we are meant to be, an expression of God, an emanation of the Divine, the hands and feet of GOODNESS, kindness and compassion here on earth.

All people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, culture, gender have a RIGHT to freedom, to be here and to be loved and heard. When freedoms start to be taken away, we must look at those trying to minimize the worth of individuals, seniors , women, children, gender preferences. EVERYONE has a right to make their own choices and once we stop allowing those choices to be made, we eliminate FREEDOM. Our lives will fall and Democracy will fail.

‘MY PRAYER FOR MY COUNTRY’

by Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science

“Believing in the Divine destiny of the United States of America and in the preservation of liberty, security, and self-expression, I offer this, my prayer for my country:

I know that Divine Intelligence governs the destiny of the United States of America, directing the thought and the activity of all who guide its affairs.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are the gifts of freedom, and are the Divine heritage of everyone in this country.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are now operating in the affairs of every individual in this country.

I know that Divine guidance enlightens the collective mind of the people of this country, causing it to know that economic security may come to all without the loss of either personal freedom or individual self-expression.

I know that no one can believe or be led to believe that freedom must be surrendered in order to insure economic security for all.

The All-Knowing Mind of God contains the answer to every problem which confronts this country.

I know that every leader in this country is now directed to this All-Knowing Mind and has the knowledge of a complete solution to every problem, and each is compelled to act upon this knowledge to the end that abundance, security, and peace shall come to all.

And I know that this spiritual democracy shall endure, guaranteeing to everyone in this country personal liberty, happiness, and self-expression.

And so it is. Amen.”

Let us pray our country elects a person of High Conscience, a person with values, a person who speaks kindly to others, a person who seeks to unite, rather than divide, a person who believes in the worth of every individual regardless of race, color, creed, gender or ethnicity, a person who believes in the law, justice and the truth.

Grateful for Freedom,                                                                                                     Abigail and Steve 

Dear Friends,

PLANES, TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES…”

 Do you remember that movie? It was a fun comedy! The words, TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES popped into my mind because many people will be traveling on vacations during these summer months. Last year we flew three times, and each time I would write out a prayer treatment and say the Unity ‘Prayer of Protection.’ I would visualize a White Light around the plane and Angels on the wingtips. I would see Angels inside as our flight attendants.

The light of God surrounds us; the love of God enfolds us,                                      the power of God protects us, the presence of God watches over us.                        Where we are, God is and all is well.

I love this prayer and say it often. Every morning one of my rituals is to vision a ring of white light I call the RING of PROTECTION around each member of my family including me. This visual and words spoken has kept me from harm numerous times, especially when driving in the car. I am always careful about checking my mirrors and looking over my shoulder before changing lanes. However there have been times when a car seemed to come out of nowhere and almost hit the side my car. Just before that moment, I seemed to pause one more time before changing lanes. I believe that was GOD, my Angels keeping me safe in the RING of protection I called forth earlier that day.

I was reading about Arlene Jullie’s vacation story in the July Daily Word. She traveled to South America and one of her experiences was on a boat going towards an island. When a storm came up, the waves were “towering over the boat” and she wasn’t sure they were going to make it. However She kept repeating the “Prayer of Protection” and never let her mind vision a disastrous outcome. She visioned the boat arriving safely. The good news is the captain did get the boat safely to the port.

Her story reminded me of my experience many years ago when I sailed in a small 28’sailboat from CA to FLA through the Panama Canal. At times there was some very rough weather and seas, yet I knew GOD was always with me.

When my daughter was 16 we went on a Caribbean Cruise and we were excited to see the many islands and just have fun. After touring one island, we started to come back to the ship. As I was walking along the pier my heart started pounding and I felt severe anxiety as we stepped onto the ship. On board I had an internal fear, which I could not shake or validate. Why was I feeling this way? Later before going to bed, I looked out our cabin window and I had the image of the boat sinking and people running with life jackets to life boats. I did not want to alarm Tammy, yet I did tell her I was anxious. I got prepared to leave if necessary. Then I called my mentor minister in CA and told her what I was feeling. She called her prayer group and they went into prayer. I went into prayer and called forth the RING of Protection around us and everyone on the ship. I visualized the Divine LIGHT flowing through the ship inside and out. I did this as long as I could until I fell asleep. I woke the next morning and all my fear and anxiety was GONE! When we left the ship for another island tour we saw workers “mending” the side of the ship. We will never know what happened or could have happened. What I DO KNOW is the Prayer of Protection and the visioning of Divine Light surrounding the ship and flowing in the ship SAVED us!

This summer, wherever you travel whether it is on a on a plane, train or automobile call forth the RING of Protection and say the ‘Prayer of Protection.’ You will be glad you did!

Save Travels,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Father’s Day is this Sunday and a time when we honor our dads, grandpas and all who stepped in as a dad to us. This is the day I remember my “daddy” and Steve remembers his dad. Memories flood back and we smile and laugh, cry and pause knowing without that man we would not be where we are today.

My dad taught me how to swim, ice skate, dance, manners, and correct grammar. I used to ask my dad to check my school papers and then we would have to sit there for at least an hour while he perused my paper and help me correct any mistakes. He was an educator and would teach me why I needed to have a comma here or a capital there.

When my dad and mother took me on road trips, I remember singing in the car and making up silly rhymes and goofy games. I love my dad and still miss him. The beauty is, I know he is still with me always. Chief Seattle said, “Death is only a change of worlds.” I believe life is eternal and our loved ones are always with us. The other side is but a breath and thought away.

Today honor your dad and/or the person who cared for you, loved you and wanted the best for you. Every person in our life is meant to be there. I believe we choose our parents, our families and even the seasonal friends along the way. For we are here to learn how to LOVE one another. Being a father and having a father ( and mother) is our first step to learning how to love, be kind, have compassion and be purposeful.

We wish you all a joyful Father’s Day!

Dear Friends,

“My experience of the world depends on the ATTITUDE I bring to it.”                (June Daily Word)

We are in the midst of company this week. The weeks and days before were busy cleaning inside, cleaning the balcony, the chairs, benches tables under the balcony, the labyrinth and all the kids playing equipment in the back yard. We even had new rock/gravel replace the old in the front of the house and planted new flowers and roses. I was just making sure we were ready for 5 people and a weeks worth of activities! My sister and brother in law are staying with us. My niece and her two girls are staying with my daughter and family. Needless to say ALL the cousins are SO EXICITED to meet and be with each other. Monday they all flew in, and today is BEACH Day, Tomorrow is DISNEYLAND and Thursday is ???, hopefully a slower pace day.

My attitude up until last Saturday was one of “frenzy” in preparation. Then I talked with my daughter Tammy and I got a LIGHT BULB moment. I was in a frenzy because I was trying to plan activities each day as well as meals and who eats where and when, all together, different houses, times… etc. Then Tammy said,” I think we need to take one day at a time.” She shared how having two little ones has taught her to be less A type personality, and just ROLL with daily life! I have noticed the change in her as she gradually became softer, and more amiable. I got it!

I realized I do not have to DO it all, THINK it all or PLAN it all. Everyone can have a say so in each day’s events and timing. The only thing locked in is Disneyland because of the tickets.

Getting ready for company is still a good plan, and once everyone is here I will:

• Pause and enjoy their company.
• Be with them, not manipulate the day.
• Laugh and enjoy the chaos.
• Let go of the details.
• Surrender each day to the Highest and Best for all!

My daughter taught me a little humility and the idea of letting go. So today, Tuesday, June 4 my ATTITUDE is one of JOY and acceptance of the highest and best for all however that looks.

Having Fun,                                                                                                                      Abigail and Steve

May 28, 2024

Dear Friends,

The other day while I was walking, I saw two ladies looking up in a tree.There, perched, was a HUGE hawk. I did not know they could be so big. He was singing to another hawk near by in another tree and then to a hawk in the distance. We all felt they were really communing with each other. When I got home, I wondered if this was a meaningful sign for me.

I read in the book, Medicine Cards, hawks teach us to be observant of our surroundings, to notice and be aware of life signals, messages and opportunities. He calls for us to heighten our awareness to receive a message.and to see things from a higher perspective, a broader view.

Physically as a small child we see the ground as being very close. As we grow our view of the ground broadens and we notice other things around us such as bushes, trees, and people walking in the distance. Mentally we can be so focused on the details of what we are working on, we forget there may be bigger and better ways of completing a project. Spiritually we can be so focused on the creed or ritual, we lose sight of the Truth that GOD is LOVE and in all creation.

As parents we want what is best for our children because of our life experiences. A child will only see the ball rolling across the street. A parent will see the car that is moving down the street close to the child putting him or her in danger. We immediately stop the child, who may then have a temper tantrum.

GOD in our life is like our parent. We ask, we affirm, we pray and when we don’t get exactly what we want we are mad, or unhappy or frustrated. There is ALWAYS something bigger, greater, better and or safer for you when you stop and listen to your God Intuition and view your request from a higher perspective. Allow the HIGHER GOD SELF within you to bring forth what you need most for your highest and best.

All parts together create a whole. Here is a story I received from my friend                      Judy Belknap.

“A pastor asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast. “Lord, I hate buttermilk”, the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.” Now the pastor was growing concerned. Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw white flour”. The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn’t the only one to feel uncomfortable. Then the farmer added, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you’re saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen.”

“Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today.. Stay strong, my friends, because our LORD is mixing several things that we don’t really care for, but something even better is going to come when GOD is done with it.   AMEN!”                                                   Grace Lutheran, 130 Spit Brook Road,Nashua, NH 03062

When we begin to SEE Things from a Higher Perspective, Hawk Medicine, we TRUST GOD has the Highest and Best ready and available for all of us. Stop being stuck on the details and OPEN to the Divine Flow within you to create MAGNIFICENCE, not minuscule!

Seeing From a Hawk’s View,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

I had the privilege to “make memories” with our granddaughter this past week.

Her day care was closed for a Spring Break and her parents still had to work. Our daughter worked from home and her partner had to go into work. Obviously they needed help with their 3 1/2 year old and 5 month old baby. Our baby Bailey was in day care Mon, Tues Wed and Glenn stayed home on Thursday to help care for the little one.

The other grandma, Sue, and I put our heads together and came up with a plan! Throughout the week we took turns caring for Peyton and taking her to various places, the Safari Park, the Library for Story time, Michaels store to pick out a basket for “treasurers”, 2 toddler gym classes, the park, Baskin Robbins for ice cream and time at each of our homes. My daughter Tammy said she had the “best week of her life!”

One of the times Peyton was with both Steve and me, we set out Art supplies, markers, paper, a small white board with its special markers. We weren’t sure if she would be more interested in the art or jumping on the trampoline, riding her the red tricycle or playing hide and seek etc. This time she was really interested in art and drawing circles. So Steve and I took turns drawing circles with her, then we added eyes to the circle. She added eyes to her circle. As the time went on, we were really in teaching moments. She became fascinated with drawing faces. She kept saying. ” Let’s do it again!” Needless to say we eventually drew legs, feet, hair, ears, nose, mouth. I watched her “learn” and was amazed at her perseverance! We then asked her to tell us a “story” about her drawings which added a new creative element! This is a child who not too long ago had the attention span of a gnat. I say that lovingly. We spent 3 hours “coloring faces and bodies” that day.

Our sweet Peyton taught us Perseverance when learning something new! How often do we give up when we are learning something new just because we can’t quite “get it” at first? Many people stop short of new learnings, and ways to do things as well as accomplishing goals. It took “Thomas Edison 1,000 attempts before he invented the light bulb.”(Google)

Today, persevere and be persistent with a new idea, a new direction, a new thought and keep at it until it becomes second nature to you. Skills, abilities and timing also play a role in learning something new. No matter how good or great you become at the learned activity, do your best and enjoy the process.

Keep saying, “Let’s do it again!”

Persevering with Peyton,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

This past week I felt blessed by celebrating Mothers Day with my beautiful family. I also feel deep gratitude for the many friends in my life! Last week Steve and I drove up to Newport Beach to spend the day with a “teacher buddy” of mine and her husband. We had so much fun not only reminiscing, but talking about so many subjects we all were interested in!

I also had lunch with two Interfaith girl friends and I am planning to spend time with some other teacher friends later this summer. I just have an enormous sense of gratitude for all the friends in my life now. Some live close by and others live far away. I am grateful for the pictures and zoom calls with friends far across the country. Family and friends are sacred, we cannot do without them!

I love the quote above by Eleanor Roosevelt. Friends do leave footprints on

our hearts. What if we viewed everyone as a friend or a potential friend. I love the idea that everyone I meet is potentially “my friend.” I believe everyone we know or have known has come into our lives for a reason and/or a season.

Each person is here to help us move forward in our spiritual growth and to learn how to give and be Divine Love.

I consider our labyrinth walkers my friends, even though some I had just met. We shared the “walk,” we shared our “experiences,” we “trusted” each other for a moment in time. We all felt the power of the day, the power of the walk spreading love, peace and joy around the world! Do we know the people on the other side of the world in different time zones walking? Maybe not, however in our ONENESS we really are friends, we really are ONE family walking together.

In essence all my friends, are my family. All those I do not know are my potential friends and my family. Interesting concept to think we have family members we do not even know. So this week wherever you are or whatever you are doing SEE each person as a friend and family member in life.

Your perspective of that person in the elevator, inline at the post office or supermarket will shift from seeing them as “invisible” to being a member of God’s human family, your brother, your sister, your friend.

Smile and say Hi.

We love you friends,

Abigail and Steve

May 7, 2024

Dear Friends,

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and we look forward to spending time with our daughter, her partner, our granddaughters and the other grandparents. We love our family, our heart. Spending time with everyone is a blessing and we beam with joy when we are all together!

I am so grateful, and I know Steve is too, for our mothers. Steve had a wonderful mom and a very supportive Albert family. I had a wonderful mom who adopted me and I am and will always be grateful. Without her and my dad, I would not be here today doing what I do and loving it. This is not to say life was cheery all the time. My mother had her challenges with alcohol and we suffered at times because of it. However there is no doubt in my mind, she loved me fiercely and was devoted to me.

On May 12 we honor and bless our birth mothers, our adoptive mothers, our grandmothers, our mother’s in law, our aunts, and all those who loved and cared for us with heart and soul. Let us be grateful for their presence, love, support and sacrifices they made for us. For the mothers no longer in this earth dimension, we continue to love you and we know you love us because souls are eternal.

For the “mothers to be,” congratulations on a journey of profound delight, wonder, patience, courage, commitment and compassion.

The Divine Feminine is within all people and comes forth beautifully as mothers, fathers as mothers, grandparents as mothers and all caregivers who love and support children and families.

REMEMBER Mothers are Phenomenal Women!

With Loving Gratitude to Mothers and the Divine Feminine in ALL,

Abigail and Steve