Much Better

Shalom:

Thanks to everyone who has prayed for Mark and me.
I am pretty much over the Flu, though I have a cough that is still hanging on.
Blood Pressure is slowly returning to normal. It seems the Flu as well as the stress raised it. The doctor is quite pleased with the lower numbers, but it still needs to go lower.
We have lost Internet service for the time being, so I get online as I can. Our local market, Harris Teeter offers free WiFi for two hours at a time.
So I am now writing my blog at home, saving the entries on a file that I can cut and paste to this blog when I get a chance.
I am relearning what it means to be contend in whatever state I am in.
I, who have been on welfare, public housing, raised a son as a single parent. Surely I can regather my inner resources, lean onto the everlasting arms of my Heavenly Father and know He will see us through this as well.
It is in the Desert that HaShem drives His servants, His prophets, His children, the nation of Israel, to burn away all that is vile and unholy, to forge His children into His image, to make us Holy as He is holy.
It isn't an easy progress. But there are not only lessons, but beauty in the Desert.
If only we would open our eyes to see it.

A Father's Advise

Shalom:
A few days ago, a friend shared with me a precious story that I would love to share.
The story is about  Muhammad Ali and two of his daughters.
One day, Hana and Laila Ali arrived at their father's home, wearing clothing that were not modest. Daughter Hana picks up the rest of the story:

"When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that G-d made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."
He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes.
How we need more fathers and mothers like Muhammad Ali, willing to take the time to teach their daughters that their bodies are precious and holy.