Monthly Archives: May 2014

There’s No Place Like Home

no place like home

“A Country Home Residence, possibly General Moreau’s Country House at Morrisville, Pennsylvania,” 1811-1813, Pavel Petrovich Svinn. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

There’s no place like home…no matter how many times you return, no matter how things change…

Recently I had the opportunity, although unexpectedly, to make a trip back to my hometown.  It’s funny, because I was just thinking about how much I enjoy taking road trips, and my hometown of Erie, PA is about 6-7 hours away from my current home in New York state…depending on who’s driving that is!  Anyway, although the circumstance surrounding the reason for my trip there was not a pleasant one, the time I spent away was like a little sparkling jewel.  Indeed, there’s no place like home!

“When I think of home, I think of the place where I grew up…the place where my journey began.  When I return home for a visit, and leave again, it is like I am embarking on a whole new adventure.” Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

When I first stepped inside the door of my parents’ house, my senses were flooded with the smells, sounds, tastes, and feelings of the many years I’ve spent living there.  My eyes darted swiftly over the family photographs hanging on the family room wall.  I smiled and felt honored to see the many drawings and needlework displays that I painstakingly crafted long ago still decorating almost every room that I peered into.  I seemed to be energized just by the scent of the eternal pot of coffee brewing in the kitchen.  My mouth watered and my tastebuds were delighted as I treated myself to a piece of zucchini bread that my Dad had made…he uses my Grandmother’s recipe which makes it all the more special!

Since it was already evening when my Mom, Dad and I arrived from our day’s traveling, we just ate a light supper and visited a short while before turning in for the night.  I slept in my old bedroom which is adjacent to my parents’ room.  I chuckled to myself  thinking back to the nights that I had spent pecking away at the typewriter finishing up writing assignments for my college courses…I am certain that my parents were glad that the only writing I did that night was on my iPad, quietly!  Anyway, it was peaceful listening to the familiar night sounds of the house…they served as my lullaby as I dozed off into a deep, restful sleep.

I returned to New York the next day. I must admit, I was exhausted after having driven so many miles to and from my hometown all within about a 36 hour period; but I would not have traded in that little snippet of time for all the world.  Being back at home, going back to my  roots even for a brief while, it seems to have revitalized me.  Somehow, I have a deep sense of renewal and restoration; and I am ready to continue on in my life’s journey.  Upon returning from my trip, I joked with my husband saying, “I can’t believe I had to drive roughly 400 miles to get 9 solid hours of sleep!,”  but you know, sometimes it does take extreme measures to receive enriching treasures!

Wherever you go during the upcoming travel season, be it back to your own hometown or some far off land, may you be refreshed and return renewed.

Buona viaggio!

Peace,

Felecia

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Life Is Good

life is good

Forest scene, photograph by David Brown

 

Life is good…no matter what…it’s all in how you live it!

“It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life Is Good

Life is good.

There’s no other way to see it.

Go ahead and live your life…just be it!

Life is good.

No matter what you’ve been given.

There is no substitute for life…and livin’!

Life is good.

Sure some days will be dark.

Don’t dwell on them though; or you’ll surely miss the mark!

Life is good.

I think of life as an enormous gift.

Let the wonder of each day unfold and give your spirits a lift!

Life is good.

And just think of how much there is left in store.

Why not see for yourself; go on…just step outside the door!

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

May you always see the goodness of life, no matter what you are going through…and may you always live it to the fullest.  Carpe diem!

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Memorial Day

On Memorial Day

on Memorial DayA Quote to Carry You

May 26, 2014

“And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword.  Ready to do what a hero can.”  Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A hero is described as someone possessing distinguished courage and nobility of character.  I believe that anyone who willingly puts himself in harms way, even to the point of death, in order that others may benefit from his efforts, is indeed a hero.

I wish to take a moment to thank all of those heroes throughout our nation’s history who’ve donned their uniforms, picked up their arms, and fought diligently for the freedoms which all Americans enjoy.

Wishing you much peace on this Memorial Day.

Felecia

“For more on Memorial Day, visit “Memorial Day Remembered, ” by Lew Eliacopoulos, Festibrate.com

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Be Careful What You Ask For

be careful what you ask for

“An Open Door,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

Be careful what you ask for…the power of prayer is real…when you ask, be prepared to receive!

“Be careful what you ask for.”  I’ve heard that phrase many times before and disregarded it as just another cliche.  Lately, however, I have a much different attitude towards it…now, I surely believe it to be true!  When we ask for something fervently, diligently seeking the Lord’s will in what we are asking for, the answer he gives may not always be what we’ve expected.  In fact, the answer can sometimes seem like the opposite of what we’ve asked for.  Well, I am here to tell you that the answer is always the best one when it is God who does the answering.

I have never known this truth in a more real sense until recently, when my dear husband was diagnosed with tonsilar cancer several months ago.  Of course, my prayer all along has been that God would heal my husband of this awful disease and restore him to complete health.  At the same time, and only by God’s grace and strength, I have also asked that his will be done; for I know that in all circumstances “…God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

We can never know what we will face in life; as we live each day the troubles and blessings unfold to shape our own story.  Our wants and needs all change to some degree, but we have expectations that they will be fulfilled, preferably in the way that we plan for them to.  That is the crux of what I want to convey here…when we ask God to fulfill our needs, we know in faith that he will answer us.  It is not so much that one needs to “be careful what you ask for,” but rather, “be careful how you accept what you’ve been given.”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7

For me, asking for my husband’s healing has opened up a multitude of answers from God that are not exactly what I’ve asked for, he has not been healed, but the answers are blessings nonetheless.  In fact, I can honestly say that I feel privileged to have had to face and experience this trial.  You see, when I am going through dark times such as this, that is when my focus is on God, and it is then that I can fully understand and accept with open arms all of the good that he is doing in my life.

Be careful what you ask for?  No need, because when God does the answering it’s all good!

Peace to you,

Felecia

 

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Armed for Battle

armed for battle

“The Sea,” 1873, Gustave Courbet. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

Armed for battle…the first step is to realize that the battle does not belong to us…

“…This is what the Lord says to you:  ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s’ .”  2 Chronicles 20:15

Armed for Battle

Trusting in the Lord,

I stand firm when facing despair.

Never wavering, I march ahead.

I am armed for battle.

I fight against what cannot be seen.

My enemy schemes to defeat me.

Without God’s help I cannot win.

I am armed for battle.

My battlefield stretches far beyond my sight.

The strikes against me, oh how they pound.

Where do I turn? To you Lord I flee.

I am armed for battle.

You Lord equip me with all that I need.

Although I may tremble, in my own strength.

Your truth, your righteousness, and your peace defend me.

I am armed for battle.

You are like fortress, where I am shielded from harm.

The trials you allow are my training ground.

Lord, I need never surrender to anyone but you,

for I am armed for battle.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is beauty in the battle…when we allow God to fight for us! 

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Suffering

On Suffering

on sufferingA Quote to Carry You

May 19, 2014

“…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”  Psalm 30:5

There is a little jewel that resides inside of every turbulent time that we go through in life.  Like a diamond in the rough, the beauty that is only cultivated through times of trials and suffering is one that cannot be acquired any other way.  It is as hard to explain this truth as it is to try to see the sparkling wonder of the joy that awaits you, until you burrow through the rough spots in getting to it.  Not many of us would turn down receiving  a diamond…but many fail to see the beauty in the effort that it takes to get one.

Wishing you much joy in your world today.

Felecia

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To Be Or Not To Be

to be or not to be

“The Artist’s Wife and His Setter Dog,” (Detail), 1884-89, Thomas Eakins. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

To be, or not to be…we all face life-changing challenges; those events that make us question who we really are…

“To be, or not to be:  that is the question…” (excerpt from “To Be Or Not To Be,” Spoken by Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1, by William Shakespeare)

To Be Or Not To Be

To be or not to be;

a strange thing to ponder; is it not?

The choices we make, the consequences they wrought;

does what we do make a difference, or is it all for naught?

To be or not to be;

a complicated question indeed.

To live our lives for ourselves, to make a way of our own;

or to live for others, serving them, providing all that they need.

To be or not to be;

is the whole concept more than that?

What we do, is not who we are, why do we do what we do?

To make a living, to find meaning, is that where it’s at?

To be or not to be;

will we ever know what it is all about?

The meaning to life, what each one of us is here for;

surely there is an answer, keep on searching and you’ll find out.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Now we see  a blurred image in a mirror.  Then we will see very clearly.  Now my knowledge is incomplete.  Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me.”  1 Corinthians 13:12 

May you “be” today, all that you are meant to be.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Humility – What’s in a Word?

humility

“A Woman Ironing,” (Detail), 1873, Edgar Degas. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

Humility…what’s in a word?  This word came to mind in regard to the type of person who can be described as such:

honorable, respected, honest, strong, reserved, wise, contemplative, insightful, realistic, truthful, trustworthy…

What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me, please do.

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”  Proverbs 18:12

In many cases, humility can be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. I’ve never believed that. It takes a strong person in both will and character to humble himself before others.  I believe that a humble person displays a quiet courage that can only truly be appreciated by those who share that same quality.

What’s in humility?  For me it means to be clothed in honor.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

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