Welcome springtime! We will now enjoy the gift of the season of spring, a really positive and warm thought. However, our first day of spring here in South Dakota did bring us some surprises. As I returned home from church to that little home on the prairie, large flakes of snow and also rain in the blowing wind made me wonder, is this really the first day of spring?

As I write these lines, the sun is shining and the birds singing their song that spring really is here and not just on the calendar. And now as I travel down memory lane, and recall that just a year ago, on the day after spring, we had a good blizzard. For some reason I must deny that blizzards here in this state do happen even if the calendar states it is spring.

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Glancing at the calendar, I note that the first day of spring is just a few days away as I write this warm thoughts column. Yes, another spring is here this month, and the colors of spring will soon be all around us. The red bird robins will sing their songs of cheer. The green frogs will start croaking and the babbling brook. The flowers grass and trees will come to life. The geese and ducks will fly high as they crack and giggle in the sky. Children's joyful voices will fill the air as farmers plant seeds with hope and prayer. Another spring will soon be here. We love to welcome sweet springtime. It is indeed a time of promise, hope and joy.

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On March 17th, we remember St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day. I have special warm feelings about the Irish blessings I have experienced throughout my long life by having very special Irish friends. I cannot claim any genetic Irish wit and know no Blarney. But I do love to collect thoughts on special Irish blessings.

The Irish seem to have a sense of humor. And perhaps it is because they pray for a special blessing.

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This year is leap year and we are blessed with an extra day 24 hours. A special gift. This happens every four years that we have an extra day in the year.

Some folks think it should be a quadrennial holiday. What should we do with this unexpected gratuity? Every day is a day that has never happened before. And every day is a wonderful opportunity to start all over again. It can be a day to change our attitude, a day to wipe away grudges, and count our blessings.

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The Secret of Happiness Through Prayer

Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote many years ago, “More things are wrought by prayer than the world ever dreams of.” These words of wisdom are still true in our age. We especially think thoughts on prayer, the mightiest force in the world during this week when we observe World Day of Prayer.

However, every day is a day of prayer for the world who needs to realize more fully how prayer can be the secret to the happiness they seek to find.

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In recent Warm Thoughts columns, you've read about the joy one receives when you really listen to children. Their words of wisdom not only surprised us, but their thoughts jog our minds to higher levels of understanding, for they are our master teachers.

I was so pleased to learn that our governor signed a proclamation encouraging us to find a child to read to on March 2nd. This date is America's “Read to Kids” day. It is hoped that all states will become aware of how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.

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Every year in February, we observe Presidents Day. Many churches throughout the land may observe a day of prayer, at which time they pray for the leaders of our country.

Two of my friends were among the many who attended the President's breakfast in Washington DC. This annual Day of Prayer is a 45 year old Washington tradition that draws people from around the world, including politicians, judges, diplomats, bureaucrats, foreign leaders and military personnel.

Praying for our nation and for our leaders is no new thought. Instead, it has been encouraged throughout the ages. C.H. Spurgeon stated, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, he first sets his people to pray.”

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Many of you will be reading this warm thoughts column on Valentine's Day. Many moons ago I received these warm thoughts on love and understanding. I do not know the author of this paraphrase of the love chapter of the forever best selling book. This month, we want so much to give the gift of love and understanding to others. May these warm thoughts inspire you to prayer thoughts for the understanding parent.

Though I provide with the abundance of the finest parent and have not understanding, I am become a clever provider and a charming counselor. And though I understand all schedules and all rules, it is not enough. And if I spend many hours and home decoration and become tense and nervous with strain, but have no understanding of the personal problems of my children, it is still not enough.

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February. Heart month. The month for Valentine's Day. The month we think of spring, even if Old Man Winter still has his “freezing temperatures” it has been called lately. One needs to keep warm with the extra comforter that would be at the foot of the bed in grandma’s day. No cold chill could penetrate the warmth of that quilt as it radiated grandma's love and care.

That quilt was grandma's legacy.

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The following column appeared on January 29 1998. It was a favorite column among the readers and maybe again for those who are celebrating birthdays this month. After I delivered last week's warm thoughts column, I walked to the post office downtown where I saw someone receiving a parcel. It was her 90th birthday that day. I stood there in amazement and deep in thought as she drove away alone on this streets that were glazed with ice. I just thought here is a lady who understands what celebrating life each day really means. She really lives every day of her life.

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It seems only a short time ago that we welcomed the New Year, 1998. And now, when many of you read this column of 1998, it will be 1999.

With all the anxiety in the world as we anticipate the year 2000 It seems we need to stop and listen to the wisdom and music that the little children bring into our world. The message of Christmas from the lips of little children, bring us joy all year long.1999. What thoughts come to your mind? It will be the last year and another century.

Recently, I was visiting family in Nebraska and it is always a joy to listen and learn from the grandchildren. Since four-year-old Trevor is now attending Crayola College, he apparently is learning his numbers. On one occasion, his father requested that he go to his room for his timeout. Trevor stood for a few minutes at the foot of the upstairs steps and asked, “Daddy, do I have to stay there 99 years?”

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This is the time of year when many families travel to be together over the holidays. Since my family celebrates together during the warm summertime, when families schedules can finally get it together to be together and celebrate Christmas, it has given me an opportunity to travel to faraway lands. And so, I have been able to spend Christmas around the world.

I’ve found that the Christmas spirit can be all over the world. In 1987, I spent Christmas Eve worshiping in a cave on the shepherd hills of Bethlehem Israel. Another Christmas Eve I was in Austria singing Silent night, not far from where the song was first sung on the Austrian hills so many years ago.

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During the holiday season, we seem to experience more stress than usual for our lives. This week, I will share some thoughts on stress management.

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 20 grams to 500 grams. The lecturer replied, ”the absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache and my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. And each case, it's the same way that the longer I hold it heavier it becomes.” He continued. “And that's the way it is with stress management.“

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Christmas is a time when our thoughts turn to the special people God has brought into our lives. And as we remember, our hearts are warmed with love. Have you written that Christmas letter yet? Christmas epistles provide a capsule accounting of the important events which would otherwise be forgotten in the faded memory of our minds.

They reflect for generations to come the love, joy and hope that where your footprints and the sands of time. Even if others do not appreciate the exercise, it is a great gift to give to yourself and your family. The gift of memories.

I received from Jane Graph, “The 10 Commandments of Christmas letters,” and felt you would appreciate reading these commandments.

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