Episode 27: Hugs for Everyone →

The Labor Day weekend provides a great holiday for families who still need a few more days vacation. September is when we start counting the days of summer we still have left. September is also the month for Grandparents Day. This past summer, the grandchildren came to vacation at the little home on the prairie.

One day I heard the older grandchildren laughing upstairs. They had found grandma's humor box. The youngest grandchild, very active two year old Trevor keeps everyone challenged. Grandma would rub his back at nap time. When he returned home from vacation, he ordered his dad, “Rub my back!” (laughter) Okay, sorry.

Episode 26: Reunions →

After reading last week's Warm Thoughts column with the winning poem on relatives, you perhaps anticipated (as I have) just what I will write about those relatives - the ones who attended the family reunion. Yes, this reunion was a real historic event as it was the 60th anniversary. Imagine 60 years having a Werner Reunion on the second Sunday of August.

Episode 25: Family Poems →

In last week's column I mentioned that the Young Poets award winner for 1995 in Washington DC had the winning poem entitled “Relatives.” As I was planning for this column and sharing with you my thoughts on the family reunion I was planning on attending…. surprise, that winning poem arrived in the mail.

This year’s winner, by young lady age 14, is one to share in this warm thoughts column.

Episode 24: Back to School We Go →

Summertime. Good ole summertime. Here It is... August. A time to reflect on summer joys and challenges. As an early riser, I have enjoyed the rising of the sun. The peaceful mornings listening to the birds sing and as I write these lines, it is a foggy morning. A heavy dew is on the grass as one walks down the country lane. Soon school will start, and many schools throughout the country are beginning classes earlier this year. As a lifelong learner, I look forward to the school days and Golden Rule days. However, I may feel my age when grandchildren asked me Grandma, “what century were you born in?”

Episode 23: Summer Days →

As I traveled early one morning, many warm thoughts came to mind about summer days. For many people summer is their favorite time of year. July is the “get up and go” vacation time of the year. It is festival and celebration time and a long remembered holiday. The lakes and countryside, the sunrise and sunsets bring many peaceful and tranquil thoughts on warm summer days.

Episode 22: Independence Day Reflections →

Did you celebrate America's birthday? Over 200 years have past of celebrating our good old USA. Many ceremonies come to mind as we remember celebrating Independence Day. As we reflect on the month of June and Father's Day celebrations with family, my thoughts reflect on historical facts about the father of our country, George Washington. Recently, I read Washington's prayer for our country, and I would like to share his warm thoughts for America: “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the states over which you preside in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field. And Finally, that he would dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific member of mind, which were characteristics of the Divine author of our blessed religion. And without a humble imitation of His example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

Episode 21: Fatherhood →

When you dear readers will have a quiet moment to read this week's column, Father's Day will be another memory. And again, I pay tribute to a father, my father.

It was back in the days when love and saving so many American families through the Great Depression. My father became a single parent in my preteens years because of the loss of his mate and his heroic faith carried him through difficult times. He was a single parent for me and my three siblings. Believe me, if he were still living, he will be a model and a shining Christian example for the fathers of our present generations. However, his legacy lives on.

Episode 20: The Month of Family →

From Mother's Day until Father's Day, we have had National Family Month. It has been so good to have received many special thoughts about families, the heart of every home.

From a friend in Texas came some thoughts written by Gary R. Collins, the author of many articles and books on families. He believes and keeping families strong in the midst of Earth shaking change. The following are 10 statements about families:

Episode 19: The Process of Aging →

During the month of May, many states host an annual event on the Governor's Conference on Aging. At these conferences, older Americans may learn new ways for healthy living and lifelong learning.

Sometime ago, my friend Mary shared an article entitled “Nostalgia,” which I feel may be interesting to our readers as they review the changes of the century.

Over the last 50 to 60 years, we have been witness to many changes in our lives. Here are just a few of them. We were born before cordless phones, fax machines and ice makers. Whoever heard of organ transplants or root canals? Horsepower was something to do with a horse collars. Ring the doorbell instead of blowing their horn. The Fallout problem was something kept under your hat. And when folks sat down to dinner, they counted their blessings instead of calories.

Episode 18: Happy Mother's Year →

A faithful reader of the Warm Thoughts column and a very dear friend sent an essay entitled, “Wet Oatmeal Kisses” for Mother's Day column. It is thought provoking and helps us realize how fast children grow up.

Wet Oatmeal Kisses,

The baby's teething, the children are fighting. Your husband just called and said, “eat dinner without me.” One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, “Why don't you grow up and actor age?” And they will.

Or, “You guys get outside and find yourself something to do. And don't...slam the door.” And they don't.

Episode 17: How are those New Year's Resolutions? →

It will be very interesting to know how many readers of this warm thoughts column make new year's resolutions. Have you kept those resolutions you so thoughtfully made? I can't remember when I received this gem in the mail. It was probably around Valentine's Day, a real gift for me to ponder. The article suggested that you plant your tongue firmly in cheek. And they also suggested that you make the following pledges for the year of our Lord, 2002.

Episode 16: Oh, Technology →

Have you checked your email today? When my sister who lives in Colorado got a new computer a few years ago, I asked her what she named the computer. My grandson thinks computers need a boy name. However, I know university professor who calls his computer Susie. Not sure what he named the latest computer he purchased.

Does this sound a bit strange to the faithful readers of this warm thoughts column? Do you remember when America was referred to as a “she” by former President Reagan? Ships have been known as being female, “Steady as she goes,” and, “She's sailing great captain!”

Episode 15: Happy Easter →

Easter joy. May all of you who read this warm thoughts column have a joyous Easter season. Easter is a time to celebrate New Life, a time to celebrate family, the joy of that first Easter and the joy of every Easter celebration. Ever since that first Easter will live on and on.

This week, many Christians will be making their pilgrimage and walking that road to Calvary. Many times I relive that experience. And each time I walked the Via Dolorosa, also known as “the way of sorrows.” When I was there on my pilgrimages I had many warm thoughts. When I reached the stage of the cross on my way to Calvary, where the burden of carrying the cross for Jesus was given to someone else to carry the rest of the way.

Episode 14: Cup of Tea →

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.

Episode 13: Welcome Spring →

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.

Episode 12: Irish Blessings →

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.

Episode 11: Spring is Almost Here →

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.

Episode 10: Prayer Power →

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.

Episode 9: Reading to Children →

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.

Episode 8: Prayers for Our Country →

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.”