Bloom Where You Are Planted: June 2007

Saturday, June 30

A Mother's Relief and Grief

Labels: Children, personal, prayer requests

posted by Marsha @ 6/30/2007 11:58:00 PM 0 comments

Daily Bible Readings for July 1-7, 2007

July 1 2 Kings 6-8 2 Chron. 20 Matt. 28
July 2 2 Kings 9-10 2 Chron. 21 1 Thess. 1
July 3 2 Kings 11-12 2 Chron22-24 1 Thess. 2
July 4 Joel 1-3 1 Thess. 3
July 5-7 Jonah 1-4 1 Thess. 4

posted by Marsha @ 6/30/2007 11:36:00 PM 0 comments

Photo Hunters - Sweeeeet!

My third granddaughter, Ansley Ruth-Mackenzie, was born in San Diego during April 2006. Recently, she along with other sibling and parents came to visit us in the Heart of Dixie. Those 'chocolate-colored' brown eyes, 'cherry-red' lips, and 'olive-tones' skin coloring coupled with her angelically sweet disposition make you just want to pick her up and 'devour' her! Is it any wonder why we have nicknamed her "Baby Ruth?"

Everybody loves a brown-eyed girl!!

Labels: grandchildren, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 6/30/2007 11:20:00 AM 6 comments

Monday, June 25

Blossoms in My Garden

Too many pictures on one page could send my readers aloft just like the seeds from a dandelion or milkweed pod on a windy day in Indiana! So, I've decided - like many other blogspots I frequently peruse, to start another blog dedicated to pictures and photos only! Please feel free to leave messages and critiques - I'll answer or respond as time this side of cyberspace permits. Until then -ENJOY!

Labels: Activities, Children, grandchildren, Husband

posted by Marsha @ 6/25/2007 12:22:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, June 21

Photo Hunters - Shiny

It was amazing - totally AWESOME how shiny the Pacific Ocean was near Alaska on my 2006 Cruise getaway with my Hubby. I took both these photos (top at 2 a.m. outside Juneau and bottom at midnight from Ketchikan) from the "topless" deck of a Carnival cruise ship. As the boat pushed through the waters, reflections of midnight sun rays glistened like sparkling Topazes and Diamonds. Truly GOD the CREATOR is the MASTER ARTIST! (An ALASKAN cruise is a must, Ladies!)

Labels: Husband, personal, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 6/21/2007 09:01:00 PM 31 comments

Sunday, June 17

A day to remember...

Big Pa John on Father's Day with newest 'great'granddaughter Abby Grace...
Father's Day Glitter Graphics from Dolliecrave.com

For my sons, my Hubby, and my Daddy . . . thanks for all you do for me and my children and my grandchildren!

Labels: Children, grandchildren, Husband, note of thanks, personal

posted by Marsha @ 6/17/2007 04:35:00 AM 0 comments

Saturday, June 16

Swirls for "Pint-sized" Twirly Girls!

Never in 52 years have I ever had so much fun! Today was 'my' day to do as I pleased. (Happens once in a blue moon and that was last month - most of the time I'm too busy doing others' pleasure...happy sigh!) So I explored this twirly skirt phenom only for my two littlest angels Ansley (Baby Ruth) Ruth-Mackenzie who is 13 months and Abby (Abigail) Grace who is 1 month old. In all, I made 6 skirts and used onesies that matched for tops. They are adorable and I can hardly wait to see "the girls" in these Mimomma-made threads!

Labels: grandchildren, personal

posted by Marsha @ 6/16/2007 06:12:00 PM 0 comments

Friday, June 15

The Wet Head Ain't Dead

My Vallie-girl has returned from the west coast and really enjoyed the backyard wading pool on Wednesday!

Labels: Children, grandchildren, personal, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 6/15/2007 09:20:00 PM 11 comments

Tuesday, June 12

Wordless Wednesday

Labels: Children, wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 6/12/2007 11:51:00 PM 0 comments

New Contest

Check this one out! Cash to spend however you please!

Labels: Challenges, Husband, note of thanks

posted by Marsha @ 6/12/2007 09:52:00 PM 0 comments

Pre-Father's Day with my Brother

My past weekend has been filled with many wonderful blessings of family...During my birthday celebration, I gazed tearfully out my in-laws dormered window at my hubby, our three children with spouses in tow, all but one of my granddaughters (the newest one was cuddled in my arms peacefully sleeping), various other in-law related family AND my brother David as they frolicked in the front yard under the sweet gum trees. Why tears? The picture perfect setting and the circumstances surrounding the gathering could never equal the joy that over flowed in my heart. The perfect birthday gift/scenario will long remain a part of my mental scrapbook! (Read earlier posts about my earthly Brother.)

Bear with me as I share a couple (well, a few more than that) pictures - Thank you GOD for the blessings of LOVE, CONCERN, PEACE, FAMILY, and TEARS oF JOY!

Then I finished up a platter for my Daddy (Sunday is Father's Day) and had my brother David take it back with him to give Daddy. Both are Hoosiers!

I took a pic of my Daddy while he was a petty officer 3 in the USN and painted it on a platter, superimposed the pic of his ship and the USN emblem as well. I tho't it turned out rather nice. I know my Daddy will be surprised!

Later on this a.m. I will be assisting my oldest granddaughters with making their Daddy's something like this for Father's Day! I hope that they will be proud of their work because I know that they will do a good job!

Labels: Children, grandchildren, Husband, note of thanks

posted by Marsha @ 6/12/2007 01:29:00 AM 1 comments

Sunday, June 10

Grateful but not Dead

Thanx to all the well-wishers and those who left comments about my photo for this week. I find it really easy to share pix of my grandchildren but often forget to send a note of gratitude. Please read between the lines of this note - I thank you and ask GOD to continue to send 'showers of blessings' to you and yours!

Labels: grandchildren, note of thanks, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 6/10/2007 02:08:00 AM 0 comments

Friday, June 8

Photo Hunters: SHOES

In the corner of my 'magic room' is a strand of well-loved shoes. These are special to me because the owners are a fire fighter, a rocket engineer, an interior decorator, a United States Marine Lance Corporal, a United States Air National Guard Staff Sargeant, a military wife and homemaker, children of THE KING of kings and LORD of lords. These shoes remind me of the good and bad, the important and insignificant, the happy and sorrowful experiences of my past 51 years. And on the eve of my 52nd birthday, I am glad that TN Chick decided that "Shoes" would be the topic of this week's photo hunters' pictologue. No one fills these shoes like my very own GOD-given children: Trae, Cameron and Hayley-Bryanna! And I thank my FATHER each and every day - and many many times throughout each day - that these shoes were fill with all those memories.....

Labels: Children, personal, photo hunters

posted by Marsha @ 6/08/2007 09:14:00 PM 43 comments

Saturday, June 2

Swirls for Twirly-Girls?!

Vallie in her twirly skirt and matching top!

After visiting a recommended website for instructions, Madison and I picked from my 'sewing closet' a fabric to make her 'twirly skirt.' I tweaked the pattern a little bit as I didn't want her skirt to look like a 'pillowcase dress gone south'. I gave the pattern a bit more contour by putting more fabric into the bottom and cutting less around the waist. Here's the result! Now Madison can actually swirl 180 degrees if she chooses to spin like a top. I'll get a picture of her wearing it...very nicely fitted with a slight elasticized waist and a naturally recurring drape or flounce all the way around her hem. Madison LOVES it because she got to choose from THE closet all the 'pretty stuff' that went into making it!

Value of material - $1.00 per yard (1.25 yards used)

Value of ribbons, rick-rack - $1.00 per package of 25 ribbons with 9 ribbons/rickrak used from package

Total time spent chosing material, trims and sewing - 2 hours

Value of Madison's lovely smile adorned with twinkly blue eyes - PRICELESS!

Labels: Activities, grandchildren, personal

posted by Marsha @ 6/02/2007 11:48:00 PM 3 comments

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: Name: Marsha; Location: Sweet Home,, Heart of Dixie, United States

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Thursday, October 11

ABCs of Righteous Living

Excellent timing on this one, Mom! My love to you:

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of 'Camp Complaining'
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o 'thank' is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Mom adds (and I concur):
'I AM Too blessed to be stressed!' The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 10/11/2007 10:35:00 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 25

Wordless Wednesday - I didn't tke any of thesebut,

I wanted to share my Grand"angels" - especially the unborn Cadence through the 'eyes' of technology. (She's sticking out her tongue in that pic!)

posted by Marsha @ 9/25/2007 10:33:00 PM 2 comments

Wednesday, September 19

Wordless Wednesday - Pastoral ASF

Labels: Children, grandchildren, wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/19/2007 08:42:00 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 18

My Fork Is Ready

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted one of her pastors and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit in which she wanted to be buried.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork.... the best is yet to come.'"
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.

Personal note - thanks, Momma! I've got my fork ready!
And keep your fork...

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 9/18/2007 04:30:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 13

Wordless Wednesday - Better LATE than Never!!

Very Late Wordless Wednesday!!

Labels: wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/13/2007 09:56:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, August 23

Does "LIFE" really have a Silver Lining?

My granddaughter Ansley was diagnosed on Monday with pneumonia. That was after paramedics, ambulance workers, and hospital ER personnel poked and prodded for the better part of the day on her little 15 month old body and emotionally on her 25 year old pregnant Mommy. I didn't think we could have a worse day - until I experienced first hand the run-around with Ansley and Mommy today.

Mommy called early to ask about sending Ansley to MDO but had reservations because the 'labored breathing' had not really subsided. While Mommy talked on the phone to me, I made plans to go sit with Ansley as Mommy slept - very rough night for them both. Just as I walked out the door the phone rang - Mommy was headed to 'doc-in-a-box' because Ansley had worsened. I headed to the same location and was greeted by rude receptionist-type personnel who, three times when asked, replied "They left." She seemed annoyed at best that I'd even think to use her time asking where my daughter had taken my grand baby.

Two and a half hours later, searching two local hospitals and Mommy's physical address, I returned home to discover a message from my daughter that she and the baby had been 'sent' to the next small city's LARGER "better equipped" medical facility because pediatrics could tend to the baby's needs more efficiently and quicker. This is what military intervention had recommended via the doc-in-a-box facility. That was the first BIG lie told to my daughter.

I arrived at the hospital at 11-ish a.m. "They" were sending someone immediately to diagnose etc. and so forth. BIG LIE #2 (An RT did come every four hours or so to administer breathing treatments to Ansley - THE only consistent professional ALL day long.) My grand baby labored for hours with her breathing - she was scared of the seemingly unconcerned staff and terrified that she could not breathe. Her little face told the whole story - petrified sunken eyes, red tinged feverish cheeks, and uncontrollable twitches (at times) of fear and sobbing.

My wearied worried daughter, although 7 months heavy with a new little life growing inside, cuddled and comforted Ansley as best as she could. Her little wiser yet still youthful face told the same sort of story only from an adult "Mommy" viewpoint - dark circled sleepless eyes slightly reddened from pushing back the tears trying to be stoic, intermittent Braxton-Hicks contractions...a reaction, I believe, from sleep and nourishment deprivation (unable to rest for fear that something will happen to Ansley and "no food or drink permitted in the ER" .). ER personnel promised "to see what they could do" at 1:30 about getting Mommy something to eat - BIG LIE #3 - I broke the rule at 3 o'clock because Mommy hadn't had anything since sending Big Sister to school at 6:30 a.m..We gave anything Ansley wanted from our purses just to get her some kind of sustenance - she tried to eat fruit bars, Nerds, peanut butter from crackers and water. My two actually three "babies" were being mistreated by professionals who had promised to CARE for them!!

Gratefully, Mommy has a beautiful MiL who retrieved Big Sister from school and joined us at the hospital. That was at 4:30 p.m. Since 10:30 a.m. Mommy and Ansley had inhabited ER #22 triage 'closet' - waiting area at the point I arrived at 11-ish was COMPLETELY vacant; when Big Sis and MiL got there the same area was overflowing with all sorts of ailments. Ansley still had not seen a physician.

After a brief visit with Mommy and Ansley, I took Big Sis to my house (I needed an extra change of clothing for tomorrow) to see Granddaddy. Then we headed to her home where Big Sis would feel more comfortable and be ready for the school day tomorrow after a good night of sleep. (Big Sis's wish) At 9 o'clock a physician was on his way to check things out and admit Ansley. BIG LIE # 4. I requested that Mommy call me with room info as soon as that was available. Big Sis finally drifted off into a fitful 'sleep' - but not before expressing her 'Big Sister 5 year old fears' for Ansley and Mommy as well as for Daddy - he's out of the country with the military doing what he does best for the rest of us in the USA. Tearfully she said her little heart is "'broken" (her word for her feelings) because she could not do anything to help - "I'm too little." Good opportunity for object lesson about GOD's love and care for us AND the POWER of prayer. I know Daddy's heart is "broken" as well for his adoring pregnant wife, his temporarily 'guilt-ridden' oldest daughter, and for his sweet yet very sick baby....8,000+ miles around the world having to rely on professional personnel who have yet to put their ducks in a row....wishing he was the one HERE pushing to get comfort and relief for his young and growing family...Please GOD ALMIGHTY grant him peace perfect peace throughout this ordeal.

Mommy returned the promised phone call - ER #22 triage closet would be their room. Seems that Someone dropped the ball at 11-ish that morning and forgot to tell Anyone that little Ansley was struggling so that No One would be able admit Ansley because Everyone had completely filled the pediatric unit/floor. Mommy had tried to get assistance all day long....I had asked question after question to get the process moving to get relief for my Babies....MiL made phone call after phone call to find that elusive Someone or aid for Mommy and Grand baby... And now there's "no room in the inn" - so what about another floor? Did Everyone get all those spaces, too?

For those of you who know me, I usually see the silver lined clouds when the 'sparkle' is not yet evident. This post is a very raw self-examination of my emotions. I cannot seem to find the Silver Lined Cloud tonight. I am "broken" - not just my heart...my feelings, my thoughts, my actions, and as of right now my words. I am thankful that Big Sis fitfully tosses and turns in the bed so she does not experience my doubtful disposition. I guess, in a simple way, that can be the beginning of the SILVER LINING HUNT.

I ask for prayers on Ansley's and Hayley's behalves. I DO believe that Phil 4:9 holds a promise and blessing for me - in HIS time....maybe tomorrow.

Labels: Children, grandchildren, prayer requests

posted by Marsha @ 8/23/2007 02:13:00 AM 1 comments

Thursday, August 16

Photo Hunters: Twosies-twosies