I’ve heard of Vegas and Reno, I know that they’re the most visited destinations when it comes to fun and casinos. The third most visited, which I haven’t heard until now is Laughlin, Nevada. It’s supposed to be a friendlier, more family oriented alternative than Vegas and Reno, which are more adult-oriented. It’s popular as a resort destination and it offers outdoor and family activities for everyone. There are also laughlin hotels that provide luxurious accommodations. I’ve never been there, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself when given the chance to visit there. It sounds like a really nice and fun place. Have you guys been to Laughlin? What did you think about it?

My brother gave me a YouTube link this morning, saying I have to watch it because it’s the best video he’s ever seen. I was intrigued by his intro, so I watched the clip. Guess what, it sent goosebumps all over my body! This story has become so popular and is all over the Internet so I’m sure most of you might have come across this months ago, but it only just reached me now, and I felt compelled to post it here to share it with those who haven’t seen it yet.

It’s a story about an exceptional lion raised by two young Australian men, John Rendall and Ace Berg. They bought the lion cub from a store, they saw it was cramped and lonely in his cage, so they decided to bring the poor little guy home. They raised him as a pet, named him Christian, and it was the start of an amazing friendship and loyalty among the three. But when Christian grew bigger, they didn’t have a choice but to release him back into the wild. So they enlisted the help of George Adamson, the known “Father Of Lions“ and after some time, though it wasn’t easy, they were able to release Christian successfully into the wild.

After a year, Christian got accustomed to life in the wild and was even leader of their pride. John and Ace decided to visit him again, and despite warnings from George, that Christian might not recognize them anymore, they went ahead and sought their beloved lion. So what happened, you ask? Well, if you don’t know… you go find out for yourself by watching the video.

It’s such a heartwarming story about friendship, and how even a vicious animal like a lion is capable of love and affection. I have to admit, I was nearly moved to tears when I watched the video. If you haven’t heard of Christian, The Lion… you have to watch the video, and while you’re at it, you can watch the whole documentary dedicated to him too. It’s definitely worth the watch.

Copyright©2008angel

At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane’s departure and standing near the door, he said to his daughter, “I love you, I wish you enough.”

She said, “Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy.” They kissed good-bye and she left.

He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied.

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.

“Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?” I asked.

“I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral, ” he said.

“When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?”

He began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

“When we said ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,” he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough “Hello’s” to get you through the final “Good-bye.”

He then began to sob and walked away.

Author Unknown

My dad was complaining to me the other day about our sofa at home. According to him, it was getting dirty and boring. He told me that he was watching TV when he just noticed how boring and ordinary our couch has become. He wanted to buy a new one, but I advised him against it. I told him to buy slipcovers instead. It will give our sofa that whole new look at a cheaper cost. He thought about it and I could see he was seriously considering it. Personally, I love lounging on the sofa, and I think it’s great that our sofa at home is getting a nice makeover. It deserves a fresh new look, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.

I want to be a mom someday. I really feel that I was born to be a mom. I see my old friends who already have kids and I can’t help but wish I had one of my own. I just love kids, especially cute babies. They’re just so adorable and cuddly, and I just wanna squish them. Of course, having a baby and caring for one is not a piece of cake. Motherhood has its perks but it also has its share of challenges and difficulties. Think sleepless nights, diaper changing, clothes and toy shopping, and of course, don’t forget character building and good parenting. It’s not easy to be a mom, ask the mom experts. You need to have as many resources as you can to help you in this challenging but rewarding new role. There are books and professional people to help you out, and with the advent of the Internet, baby shopping is just at the tip of your fingertips, along with getting tips and advice on how to be a good mom, and a lot more. Someday, when I finally become a mom, at least it’s nice to know that I could get all the help I need.

Our dad is an important part of our life. Aside from the fact that he was responsible for our birth, he’s someone that we look up to. But sometimes he doesn’t get the respect and love he deserves from us. A father is an individual that serves as a pillar of strength in the home. Sometimes, we take him for granted, sometimes we disrespect him… but the love of a father to a child is so pure and unconditional, and we should return that love to him, not just during special times, but everyday in our lives.

I don’t say I love you to my dad as much as I should have, but I say it every time I get the chance. There have been times in my life when we disagree, argue, and had a lot of misunderstandings… but ultimately, he’s my father, and I love him dearly. I thank God for him everyday.

Since Today is Father’s Day, in honor of the celebration and for all the dads around the world, I thought I’d compile previous posts in my blog that talk about fatherhood or stories about fathers. Check them out! Remember your own dad, and reach out to him if you can!

1. Father Forgets
2. A Strand Of Pearls
3. One Hour Of Time
4. What It Means To Be Poor
5. I Love You, Daddy
6. The Golden Gift
7. Dad’s Gift
8. What Would You Do?
9. The Empty Chair
10. Pancakes

Copyright©2008angel

I have this wonderful, sweet reader who emailed and shared her problem with me. I was really touched with her story, her sincerity and her personality. I’d like to share an excerpt of the email I sent back to her in reply:

You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? You feel you’re stuck in a life that you don’t want to be living. But I’m proud of you for having the strength to go on despite these problems! Sometimes life can throw us curve balls that are big enough to flatten us. But you know what, these problems are only as big and as powerful as we allow them to be. It’s the way we handle them and the decisions that we make that really matters.

Love is complicated, and it always will be. Marriage is complicated too. I wouldn’t really know anything about marriage, since I’m still single. But I do know that it’s not something any of us should enter lightly. There are those who just SETTLE, even though their hearts are really not in it. This is probably one of the biggest regrets we can ever make in our lives, the fact that we just SETTLED.

You weren’t really “in love” with the person, but you married him anyway. And then you meet this “exciting” guy, you feel attracted to him, and you fall in love with him. You saw and felt something with this guy that you haven’t felt in your marriage, thus, the magnetic pull and attraction that you can’t resist. You’re not alone in this, many women experience this type of situation too. And other people can’t judge you because that’s your life.

So you don’t love your husband, and you want to end the marriage, but you’re still having second thoughts? I think you need time to reflect. Know what it is that you really want, and ask yourself if you have the strength to achieve it. Don’t make hasty decisions based on what you’re feeling at the moment. Really look deep inside you, let the real YOU come out, and let her tell you what you should do.

I know you’re going through a rough time, and it’s never easy. Advice can be given, but ultimately, it’s your decision.

Copyright©2008angel

Six year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn’t know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process.

That’s how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can’t stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

Author Unknown 

A man’s daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The pastor assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

“I guess you were expecting me,” he said.

“No, who are you?”

“I’m the new associate at your local church,” the pastor replied. “When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up.”

“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man. “Would you mind closing the door?” Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

“I’ve never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man. “But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.”

“I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, ‘Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here’s what I suggest. Sit down on a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, ‘I’ll be with you always. ‘ Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now.”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon. “Did he seem to die in peace?” he asked.

“Yes, when I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange–kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed.”

When was the last time you hugged someone, and really meant it?

Oftentimes, we take for granted the power of a hug. It’s something that is free, but we don’t give it out often enough. Hugs have been increasingly diminishing in frequency these days, people don’t really have a second to spare to hug someone they love anymore. This is so sad, because a hug can really do so much. It can ease a person’s suffering, it can soothe a person’s feelings, it can make a person feel loved and special, it can calm a person’s fears, the list goes on! I can’t tell you enough how beneficial a hug can be if given sincerely.

Most people limit their hugs only to a partner, or a wife/husband. But when was the last time you hugged a friend, or a family member for that matter? Come to think of it, I actually haven’t hugged a family member for so long now, it’s scary.

But it’s never too late, you know. A hug is a powerful way of showing affection, and people always need affection (even though sometimes they’re not willing to admit it). Maybe you’re not used to hugging, or you simply don’t want to be seen as weak and sentimental. That’s all right, but you’ll be surprised at what a hug can accomplish. I’m not talking about a superficial hug that is forced and has no emotions behind it. I’m talking about the kind of hug that can be felt not just physically, but emotionally. Not only will the recipient feel it’s effects, you’ll feel them too! And boy, it feels good to receive a sincere hug!

So hug a loved one today, and do it sincerely and often. Never underestimate the power of a hug.

Copyright©2008angel

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard er screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go.”

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle. He’s been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Never judge another person’s scars, because you don’t know how they were made.

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, “My ears, Mommy.”

She said, “No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.”

Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her, “Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.”

She looked at me and told me, “You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.”

Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.”

Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to Grandpa. She asked me, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?”

I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in our life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson.”

She looked down at me as only a mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.”

I asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?”

She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.”