Onward to Glory We Go!

The notorious Covid year has come to a close. With the vaccine finally out, fear and apprehensions are easing up. Kudos to the people who made this miracle drug available in record time. Unless some new evil genius out there tries to pull another fast one, we will be safe(r) for now.

Pondering on what’s ahead this year, my mind raced back to the last chapter of the book of John. Jesus had already been crucified, buried for 3 days and had risen from the dead. The disciples knew he was alive because they had seen him walking and talking with them. But Jesus was no longer like them because He would bodily come and go as He pleased. They would never see Jesus go to sleep, wash his face, groom his hair… things were definitely different. After 3 1/2 years of incredible made-in-heaven escapades, their leader was gone and life was back to a boringly normal existence. How do you top those miraculous years? What were they to do now?

Then Peter, the leader of the pack said “let’s go fishing!” No one had any better idea so they picked up their nets and jumped on their boat. But the fishes weren’t biting. All they were getting was an early morning tan. And then a stranger on the beach cried out to them to throw their nets towards the right side of the boat. Weird! But following the unorthodox advice, suddenly there was so much fish their nets were about to tear. John was the first to realize that was no stranger — that man was their Master!

I imagine the victory song of Don Quixote from the Broadway musical of “Man of La Mancha” playing in the background as Peter, exuberant with rekindled joy, jumped out of the boat to greet Jesus — ever ready for the next chapter of their great adventure. “Here we go! The team is back!”

After their hearty breakfast, Jesus pulls Peter (originally named Simon) to the side for some heart to heart talk:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

It took a few more hints from Jesus until finally Peter realized, there was indeed another adventure in store. But this time, Jesus wasn’t going to be with them physically but spiritually. Their training was over and they were to make their own decisions now. They were to feed their own sheep/disciples. Like any adventure there was going to be struggle mixed with hope and joy … BUT definitely NOT boring. They were to be ambassadors (representatives) of their Master. Their mission was to teach the world the wonderful truth of God’s love and the blessings (oh the many blessings!) for those who carry the torch.

This New Year, we have a choice: Life as it was in 2020 or life as it could be … filled with REAL joy. If you’re a believer and have no joy, you probably missed the secret spice of the adventure because there SHOULD be joy no matter the circumstance.

Be safe, be healthy, and remember: Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be. TGIF people!

Raoul

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
— Henry David Thoreau Walden

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA  for sharing this joke.

Video: Chest Hair Removal

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Video: One English Word Puzzle

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA

Video: Do You Love Me?

Thanks to Mike of New York

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC who sent this pun

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA

Thanks to Tony of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

The post Happy New 2021 appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Never Too Late

This email is late. I thought I had set it to go out at midnight PST but in my weariness, I forgot to schedule it properly. Sorry about that. Especially to you subscribers who live in the other side of the world. So here’s me doing catch up.

Someone recently asked me if I needed a ghost writer for this email blast. She didn’t know I do everything. I do the collecting, the writing, the illustration — everything … and every Friday. I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years now … 17 years!!! It started with a group of former office mates from my old job (after I was laid off due to the recession). Someone sent me a joke and I enhanced it with my illustration. Then they said I should share it to more and then it just grew. At first it was purely jokes. Then, when Youtube came around, I added funny videos. Then I did a little commentary (like this one). Now this email goes around the world in every continent (except Antarctica … at least to my knowledge) and to many religions and other belief systems. I know I share a lot about my faith and I hope people understand that this is just my perspective. I do not claim to know more or be better than anyone. I do invite other perspectives and you may read some when this email is eventually posted in Traveling Boy (which, I believe, is one of the best online Travel blogs run by my dear creative friend Ed Boitano).  Sometimes I do get into more in-depth conversations but, mostly, I do it on the side.

Why do I do it? Because I can. I dunno. Sometimes I ask myself that question too. This is an ongoing experiment which should have stopped years ago. I do spend considerable time to prepare each week. It sounds like a job but it isn’t. I don’t get paid for this. Sometimes I do get job leads but this isn’t the purpose. I do get pleasure knowing that I’ve touched someone who needed to laugh or who was wrestling with some issues. One big reason is because I pray for you guys. I really do. I pray that whoever reads this will be blessed in some way. When people ask for prayers, I really do spend time asking for heavenly intercession. I’ve prayed with a British nurse who was searching for guidance, a soldier in the middle east who missed his family, several who have lost their jobs or were in the middle of a divorce, lots of people in mourning, lots of intellectuals, lots of spiritual leaders but mostly just regular folk.  It’s like touching people’s souls. Most of you I will probably never see in person. Maybe when we all get to heaven, we will come to a TGIF party and share this Friday experience.

This wasn’t my topic last night. I only share this since I have this opportunity. I share this because I want you to do something more with your time during this lockdown. Instead of binge watching and adding the pounds, why not start something you enjoy? Something you’ve always wanted to do but always had work getting in the way. We’ve already seen those creative videos (more below). Start your own experiment. It might grow into something beyond your wildest imagination. Don’t call it a dream … call it a plan.

Let’s keep our distance and keep our sanity and hold on to our faith. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this joke.

Video: Covid-19

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA for sending this video made by her personal friend, Paula.

Video: Toilet Paper Domino

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this video. When you’re stuck at home, your creativity goes up a notch.

Video: When the Rolls Are Back in Walmart

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for this performance of an old hymn.

Video: Chinese Actor Donates Fortune to Charity

Thanks to JJ of the Philippines for sharing this quick documentary of a famous actor born in poverty and never got accustomed to his riches. Bless his generous spirit.

Parting Shots

Thanks to JJ of the Philippines who sent this puzzle. I know of a kid who solved it in 10 minutes.

Thanks to Mike of New York who shared this picture:

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this face:

The post Murder at COSTCO appeared first on Traveling Archive.