Good Humor Ice Cream : An Angel Message

 Maybe you remember the Good Humor Ice Cream truck from childhood?  I recall the happy jingle of sleigh bells on our tar paved street. Barefooted, with a winged Mercury dime in my sweaty little hand, my feet flew through patches of white clover and soft yellow dandelions tufts.  Racing my brothers across the lawn, the Good Humor man waited in his crisp white uniform. The coin changer on his belt a sign he was ready for business.  

 Popsicles were my favorite.  Grape.  He popped open the freezer.  A frosty breath of winter chilled the hot summer day as he reached inside and gave me a double grape Popsicle wrapped in polka-dotted paper.

It was worth the wait. 

It didn't take long before my lips and chin turned purple, stained from the refreshing drips of sugary grape ice.

It's funny how special sounds and images of the past may resuscitate old memories.  

A thrill of childhood came to mind several weeks ago when I learned that Happy Howie's Homemade Ice Cream truck visits our neighborhood every other Sunday.  The large white van plays a merry musical tune--my mother's childhood favorite.  "Playmate come out and play with me."  

Over and over the song plays as the ice cream truck slowly drives up and down the many streets serving scoopfuls of joy to the community.  I fondly think of mom and her love for ice cream.

I'll admit several weeks ago, I got hooked on the chocolate scoop. The chocolate was not too sweet, and not to rich.  It was perfect, like a soft fudge-cicle.  

"Freeze your teeth! And give your tongue a sleigh ride!" was the catchy selling pitch my father-in-law created in his teens.  He was selling ice cream on the boardwalk in New York to help support his family.

Yesterday was ice cream day! 

My focus was like background music, straining to hear... 

Is Happy Howie's here?  Will it come?  

I realized I'd become like Pavlov's dog listening for the bell.  In that moment, an angel thought made me sheepishly laugh.  "Do you listen for inner guidance as vigilantly as you listen for the ice cream truck?"

It was an aha moment. I realized the difference. I'd been caught--red-faced. It was true.  My intense desire for ice cream occupied my thoughts, watching and waiting in joyful anticipation.  I expected it to show up.  My ego emotions were charged to receive.  Yet angel thoughts had to work harder to get my attention and keep it.  My vigilance was tepid at times, lacking joyful anticipation.

I was grateful for the contrasting lesson.  I needed to come up higher in my desire to listen to the angels. To expect the angels to show up and deliver the goodness of God throughout the day.

And, something amusing happened with that amazing thought.  

I caught wind of the merry tune. Playmate come out and play with me. BING! The ice cream truck was across the lane, several streets over. 

The timing was humorous, as only the angels can do. But, I wasn't in such a hurry this time...I waited...and listened...

May our feet be winged like the messenger Mercury, as we run to answer the call of our angels. Thank goodness for the patience of our angels and for their sense of humor.   

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

 

Fill Me Up, Buttercup! An Angel Message

Three evenings in a row truculent T-storms have rolled in, dumping heavy rains.   Psalm 91 always brings peace and comfort during bad weather; a reminder that our angels are always with us, so abide in higher consciousness, the Shadow of the Almighty, and rest underneath His mighty wings. God is ever present.  There is nothing to fear.

As I walked out the door to feed the birds this morning, what a surprise. A wild buttercup plant had grown taller and had two blooms.  It was branching out from a tiny crack in the rocks. Her cheerful presence brought a smile of gratitude.

Yellow is the color of faith, and buttercup teaches:  "With proper self-worth, we can succeed in every environment."  A signal to have faith that there is more going on than we can presently understand.

Buttercup holds an energy to awaken us to a new sense of self-worth. No circumstance can stop us from reaching our destiny, from blooming wherever we are planted.  We  have what it takes to succeed. Latent gifts and talents will unfold to help others.  Buttercup heralds a time of healing and understanding.  Our voice has power, especially when applied to healing.  Our words affect all things, so choose wisely for they will have greater influence now.  Buttercup also brings good news.  Opportunities for new life directions are coming to shine your light.  

When I was a child, buttercups were a favorite, growing wild in the lawn.  Years ago, while living in Virginia Beach, I took my prayer angel to a field of buttercups.  May your day be filled with an abundance of happy buttercups, cheering you on to victory. And, remember your precious angels at work to see you through the storms of life.  Now, more than ever before, we need to partner with the angels. And, rejoice in their holy presence.

 

 Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

Stuck in the Middle: An Angel Message

 I've grown to love these unexpected little touches of nature that bring a spiritual lesson.  

This morning, when I pulled back my office curtains, a baby gecko lizard, less than an inch long, clung to the upper window screen.  

My first inclination was to let him be.  However he entered, he could exit. 

When I saw him there yesterday, I assumed he was on the outside, looking in. Later he had vanished, no longer attached to the screen. 

Early this morning, the little fellow was back again...at the same window, hanging out with my angel ornament; a gift from a friend now on the other side. A closer look revealed, he was indeed stuck in the middle, trapped between the screen and the window pane, in need of guidance. Neither outside nor the inside, the baby gecko was hanging out somewhere in the null-zone, between here and there. 

Curious, I looked up his timely message for guidance.  Turns out, his dilemma was a perfect illustration for a lesson he teaches.   Do what you must in struggles.  

When a gecko appears, opposing energies or strife are already at play within our life.  The gecko signals that we should not be passive.  The situations around us now demand clarity as to how we feel, and how we act.  If we are firm and clear, we can resolve it all.  Otherwise, the stress and conflict will only get worse unless we take action.  

Also, the tail of the gecko breaks off easily as a defense, enabling it to escape from the grasp of a predator.  Eventually, a new tail will grow back.  In other words, sometimes we have to lose our tail to move ahead. We may need to detach entirely from situations or people, if only for a short time.  Sometimes it is necessary to separate us or part of ourselves from others for our own good or the good of others. 

I was happy to help release the gecko.  When the window screen was raised, he bounced into the letter box on my desk. A perfect transport to deliver him back to nature where he belongs. Have a nice life, I told him as he scurried away, thankful for the angel's message to share with you.

Last of all, lizards are about dream-time; a reminder to awaken from a dream of fear and choose to be love. Angels repeatedly tell us fear not. You are never alone.  God has given His angels charge over you, to guide and protect you.  What love messages are winging their way into your life today?

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen  

Ref. Animal-Wise, Ted Andrews

 

 

Adam's Apple Snail: An Angel Message

 Angels often give us an eye for detail...tuning our focus to the things of nature that teach a silent lesson for the day.  Hundreds of these messages pass by unseen because we're distracted by thoughts that keep us from fully appreciating what is present in the moment. 

Yesterday at the lake, I almost missed this gigantic "adam's apple" snail shell.  Oddly out of place, it clung to the back side of the swim at your own risk sign.  The largest I've seen, and me with no camera, it seemed like a deliberate angel sign to slow down and watch my words today.  Don't let my emotions get swept away, stay silent and centered, and come up higher.  

This morning at the lake  after feeding the flock of ducks and sandhills, I'd forgotten the snail shell.  An angel thought prompted, take a look. 

There it was, still clinging to the sign post after a torrential downpour last night.  

I smiled, thinking of the large spiral shell on its back.  When a snail is born it has a little piece of hard substance, a little circular spot in the center of its shell.  As the snail matures, the shell naturally adapts by wrapping a soft substance that hardens into another spiral layer of shell for expansion and protection.

The spiral represents life, and how we keep going round and round, repeating the same old pattern, but we are not the same as we were. We are expanding and gaining strength with each successive rotation. We are becoming greater than we could understand. Our consciousness is coming up higher. 

Have a peaceful day with the angels.  And, remember, you are never alone.  You are in the presence of God's angels who await just a simple nod to come rushing in with such love and gratitude for your precious life. God loves you. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

Window Treatments: Angel Message

Early one morning last week,  I yanked opened the curtains in my office.  The sudden noise had startled a young deer at the edge of the woods. He disappeared from sight, leaving only a smiling sun ornament hanging at the window aglow with golden rays.   

So as not to repeat the same mistake, I slowly opened the curtains by my desk, and peeked out.  

To my surprise, the same juvenile deer now stood by the playhouse. Staring at me with wide-eyed wonder, he stood motionless.  

Our hearts seemed to meld in a Oneness of Life as I spoke softly sending him words of love.  I love you with the love of Christ.  You are so beautiful.  Thank you for coming.  

His white high-tail gave a quick happy swirl as our eyes continued to embrace in a gaze of Love reflecting Love. Then, he turned and joyfully bounded down the trail toward the woods, leaving me in wonder.

It had been awhile since any deer had come by. Construction work is on hold for now in the woods, so I was happy for a visit.  

The night before, a bad storm shook the house in thundering claps. The safety of the animals and birds came to mind as I laid in the dark. Flashes of lightning bolts darted the sky, flickering through the bedroom window slats. I prayed for their protection.  Then, I imagined tomorrow... the sun would be out tomorrow.  This too would have passed. And, all would be well as we enjoyed our usual morning oatmeal. 

So what a treat awaited me behind the curtains the next morning. Something better than I could have imagined.  Not only golden sunshine, but a gentle deer paid a visit.  I was so thankful for the holy encounter. It had been the answer to prayer.  God is Love.  Perfect love casts out fear.

When a deer appears, it is a luring to new adventure. A time to be gentle with yourself and others.  A new innocence and freshness is about to be awakened or born.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.  Remember God loves you.  You are never alone, so keep on looking up.  The best is yet to be.

 Love and peace,

Rae Karen

(Deer ref. Animal-Speak, T. Andrews)

 

  

Heaven at Our Fingertips: An Angel Message

This morning a graceful white egret flying low on a soft breeze by the lake, caught our attention. Elliot and I were perched on a bench in the shade of an old oak.  Expansive wings glided through the air and we heard a distinct tune.  A soft humming twang like a frog. The egret was carrying a tune.  I didn't know these exquisite birds could sing. But why not, the morning was a portrait of heaven. Sunlit waters, cool breeze, green grass, and a flock of wild muscovys and mallards nibbled a feast of cracked corn.  

 

 

Another first, caught my eye.  A sparkling diamond bubble moved slowly in the sunlit waters.  A small turtle head raised up from the middle of the lake. At a distance, no bigger than a quarter, yet somehow it reflected brilliant sunshine as it swam toward shore. 

A holy hush was present.  The lake teeming with the presence of angels. We thanked the angels for their service. And, then to our surprise, another first.  A fish skipped across mid  lake in a series of joyful leaps, like a little dolphin at play. 

The peace and beauty of nature bubbled up with the love of God. Everywhere I go I'm finding heaven is at my fingertips. Nothing but good can ever fill the heart of God.  

Turns out, the Great White Egret emanates a message of great compatibility and heaven sense.  Her "S" shaped neck is a reminder to let Spirit guide.  

Enjoy your day with the angels.  Why not carry a happy tune and look for heaven at your fingertips today.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

Photo: Web

Seasons of Life: An Angel Message

 An old stone plaque recently found a new place on the bedroom wall.  One morning, I laid in bed seeing it with fresh eyes.  A swift winged angel thought pointed out that no matter what season we're in, the sun is always shining within.  We are eternal rays of divine radiance. Throughout all the seasons symbolized here:  the daffodil for spring; the sunny flower for summer; the falling leaves for autumn; and, the snowflake for winter, we are forever as changeless as the sun.  Our radiant spirit abides in the Eternal Noon now, shining brilliantly with no variable of change.

 I found comfort by that loving symbolism and it serves as a reminder that we constantly shine  in Christ.

Yesterday, shortly after the lawn had been mowed, an unusual visitor showed up in the yard. One I've only seen a couple of times. 

An armadillo! 

His snout was buried in the grass, rooting around the tree for sustenance. These bony plated creatures amaze me. A remnant of the past, a knight's armor.  

With such determination, he paid no attention to the strange woman at the window gawking with a camera.  Even a late afternoon sun shower didn't dissuade him from his quest to keep on digging.  

It seemed like one of those deliberate angel messages. 

 Wanting to dig deeper myself,  I learned armadillo is a Spanish word that means little armored one. The name refers to the bony plates of protection that cover its head, body, legs, and tail. When threatened, it will roll itself up into a ball for protection.  

 Whenever an armadillo appears, it usually indicates that the opportunity for a new birth is coming within the next 8-9 months.  It will be important though not to roll ourselves up and hide from the opportunity for fear we may be vulnerable.  If distressed, the armadillo can delay giving birth for up to two and a half years!  Armadillo can show you how to adjust your rhythms so that what you wish to create will occur at the safest time, at the right season.   

"To everything there is... a season and a time to every purpose under heaven."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Enjoy the sunshine of life today, and be comforted that God has sent his angels to guard, guide, and protect you along the way. You are never alone.

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

(Ref. Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews)

A Call to Remember the Sea: An Angel Message

This morning a call from the sea wafted in before meditation--an angel thought, out-of-the-blue. A message to find the big forgotten sand dollar that turned up at a judge's estate sale many years ago.   And, take a closer look at it.

I've learned to pay attention to these angel nudges. So I did, after searching several places.

With fresh eyes, I admired the detail, fascinated by nature's intricate design.  The perforated pattern of five floral petals naturally etched on the sand dollar's skeleton was a fine work of art.  A sand dollar is a small marine creature related to the star fish, sea urchin, and the sea lily.  It was hard to believe that it once had a life under the waves, anchored to the ocean floor.   

A fondness for the ocean washed over me as I held the smooth shell in my hand.  The sea has rhythm and movement. It represents time and change. The endless shifting tides, come and go, planting kisses on the shore of time to bless those feet who choose to wade in her essence.      

The legend of the sand dollar and its symbolism came to mind. Especially concerning the five white bones inside that look like feathered little doves and represent the Holy Spirit.  

I was curious. 

What was inside this large one? 

I imagined the size of those doves, but could not ruin a thing of beauty for curiosity's sake.    I turned the sun bleached shell over to take a peek in the hole in its center.  

Tiny white objects were inside. I couldn't make out the design, and turned the sand dollar right-side up again.

What happened caught me by surprise.

 A tiny white object fell out, along with a few grains of sand, and landed in my lap. 

I looked closely expecting a dove, like the time a sand dollar fell off our dresser, and broke giving me proof of the symbolism of the five little doves in the legend.  

 

No, this was like a prize in a Cracker Jack box. Something  different.  I held the tiniest spiral snail shell, fossilized in its perfect form.  It had been swallowed up inside the sand dollar for a long, long time. 

A spiral is a sacred symbol that represents the journey and change of life as it unfolds. 

Snails as messengers indicate it's time to bring your Holy Inner Child out of its shell.  Look at the walls you've built around you.

Hmmm...

Have a wonderful day and please join me in sending up a prayer of thanksgiving for our oceans and multitudinous sea life. They encourage us to explore new depths within ourselves and within life.

Love and peace to you and your angels,

Rae Karen

 

 

Ref Snail, Animal-Wise by Ted Andrews

 

 

Sadie, the Turkey Lady: An Angel Message

 Early this morning, I hurried to the sunroom.   Yesterday's big tree frog visitor had spent all day Saturday clinging steadfast to the glass window pane.  Hot, humid sunshine, heavy rains, had no power over his vigil.  At bedtime, I was amazed that he was still at it.  Faithfully on duty as I bid him a grateful good-night and went to bed thinking to F.R.O.G. it.  Fully rely on God. 

This morning, only the memory of the treefrog's visit was etched on the windowpane. To fully rely on God.  To FROG it in the now.

My timing was good as I looked out the window. 

The beautiful pink-faced wild turkey I fondly call Sadie The Turkey Lady was strolling up the front walk like a friend in need. That very large game bird with long legs and neck had been missing for a while due to storms.  Now in the morning light, her iridescent feathers shone in colors of bronze and copper.  She was a sight for sore eyes.   By the time I got my camera out, she had strutted around the corner, out of sight.  A turkey always brings a smile of gratefulness.  

Oh, well, it wasn't meant to be.  It turned out my camera had a major malfunction.  A strange message appeared on the LCD screen regarding the memory disk.  I took it out and put it back into the camera several times.  But it still didn't work.

During meditation, an angel thought came to clear the disk. When I plugged it into the USB port on the laptop, a new message appeared.  Reformat disk. But all data would be lost.  A clean sweep.  

I hit, yes. Favorite photos were already stored on the laptop.  But the analogy of dumping the old memories in my human memory bank hit home.  Recently, I've been remembering the names of distant childhood friends and families in old neighborhoods and grade school in surprising detail. I wondered if I was letting go of data no longer needed.  Like they say, you can't fill a full bowl.  It must be emptied to make room for the new. 

Now my camera is working again.  When Sadie returns, I'll get a picture...meanwhile her reminder to be thankful for today and the shared blessings it holds is fresh in my mind. 

"The turkey is sometimes called the earth eagle.  It is a symbol of all the blessings that the Earth contains, along with the ability to use them to their greatest advantage."

Have a peaceful, joyful day with your angels. Look for the blessings and be one when you can. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

Turkey ref. Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews

Clinging and Climbing Higher: An Angel Message

 

We all can use a perk at times, a little something unexpected that brings joy to our hearts.  A reminder that we aren't traveling this big universe alone.  An underlying spiritual realm abounds, rarely seen but deeply felt in moments of ineffable joy like a tender tap from an angel on our shoulder.  A nudge to believe in love over fear, the unseen more than the seen, and to have more faith in the spiritual than the material.  Communications may come in a myriad of ways depending on the desires of the receiver. But they always speak of God's everlasting love for His children in a language they can understand.  

Early this morning, a joyful messenger of faith appeared out-of-the-blue. 

A giant treefrog was clinging to the sunroom window!

Far from his home in the trees where he should be sleeping during the day, he had become adventurous and climbed up the windowpane awashed in glistening morning dew.  Those little well-formed disks on  his fingers and toes were like suction cups on the glass to support his weight as he peeked into the house between the vertical blinds.  

A frog always brings a smile as a messenger to Fully Rely On God (the acronym for F.R.O.G.)   A year ago, the last frog visitor, had been a tiny treefrog no bigger than a dime. Judging by the enormous size of this granddaddy, the message is a BIG call for even more FAITH now. The kind of faith that can move mountains.

 Wanting a photo, I crept to the window with my camera, and slowly separated the blinds. Patient and poised, he clung motionless while his throat undulated with each breath.   When I looked at his eyes up close on top of his head, they were amazing. They looked like tiny planets full of speckles of gold and depth.  I thanked him for stopping by just when we needed the reminder to fully rely on God.

The treefrog's visit was so deliberate, I read up on the symbolism. It was more appropriate than I'd thought.  

Treefrog often indicates, you now have the ability to grasp and move to new environments.  Places that others could not maneuver so well you will be able to handle. So don't let the difficulty of movement dissuade you from pursuing what you have set your eyes upon. You will find the climb easier than you expected. 

Treefrogs are also indicators of a change in weather.  A group of treefrogs croaking is a sign raining is coming. When a treefrog appears, look for a change coming to some aspect of your life.  

It is comforting to know that as we climb higher and cling to the Truth of God's Love, there is nothing to fear when fully relying on Him. Regardless of weather or environment, we are always in God's tender care with the help of His angels to support and guide us safely home.

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

(Ref. Animal-Wise, Ted Andrews)

Issues. What's Yours? An Angel Thought

The amusing sign on this ABC store downtown reminded me of the ego mind.  It always has an "issue" or two.  You probably can't tell from the photo, but "what's yours" is written on the bottom corner.   A dear friend laughingly refers to her problems as issues, so for fun I took a pic to pass along to her.

Recently an old journal turned up.  I had notes from a radio program on the meaning of Psalm 73.  It's the answer to why we often ask the question: How come those who don't know God seem to prosper so and I suffer from challenge after challenge?  Why are they rewarded, and not me? 

The minister explained that the first section of the Psalm had 17 references to "them."  Why are we looking at them, and not at God?  He said, "That's the problem, you see. We've forgotten God and are looking out in the world, judging that God does not love us, comparing us to them."

In the next section, the Psalmist looks at himself.  How he suffers so and is in great pain. This happens until he goes into the Presence of God, then he can understand why things were the way they were.  He had been like a beast before coming into God's presence. Digging and always trying to keep up with the Jones.  More...more...dig faster..faster, like a dog digging for a bone.

By the end of the Psalm, he is grateful that God is his portion.  If God is his portion then everything God has is his!  "For it is good for me to draw near to God.  I have put my trust in the Lord God and made him my refuge that I may tell of all Your works."

This Psalm is one of comparisons.  And, whenever we are making a comparison of any kind, we have moved away from the presence of God, and are thinking with the ego.  The ego analyzes everything, but the Spirit accepts the Truth.  God is our portion. With that in mind, who has any real issues?

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Rae Karen

Ibis and Healing Power of Gratitude

A large flock of white ibis are often seen at the lake. Tall-legged waders, these birds have long curved beaks to dig down deep for nourishment.   This one has a leg-up. Ibis, a bird associated with the ancient Egyptian alphabet, has much to say about writing and communication.  

 

During troubling times, the angels encourage us to remember the healing power of a thankful spirit. A good practice is to write down all we have to be grateful for today. If we dig down deep enough, giving thanks for all things, both big and small in good times as well as not-so-good, challenging times, we will learn a powerful truth. The gift of thankfulness brings both relief and release from any resentment or self-pity. It frees up mental and emotional space for healing blessings of love and peace to flow into our lives.  Gratitude is a powerful practice every step of the way, especially as we recall how previous trials made us overcomers, and strengthened our spiritual muscle.

 

 Today add your guardian angel to your gratitude list.  Those wonderful beings of light  who walk beside you along the way.  They will lift you up and keep you from dashing your foot on a stone.  It is good to give thanks for the unseen heavenly help that is always present, even when we are surfing the web, our angel is there watching over and guiding us to be our best.

 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen