| Saturday, July 28 |
| Xshot Contest is closed and - |
WE WON SECOND PLACE!!  
Family and Friends-THANK YOU!!!
---for putting up with all those corny, 'harrassing' emails;
---for voting even once for me;
---for telling others' about the contest and coercing them to vote as well;
---for considering or purchasing an Xshot for yourself;
---for being a friend!Our collective effort netted us a second place in the Win an Xshot contest...or in other words, WE WON an Xshot and a 5 dollar gift certificate to Kodak Gallery. THANKS THANKS THANKS!!
I'm not sure who was first or third place as I went out of town with the granddaughters to watch Mother Cabbage birth $300 Cabbage Patch Kids!! Yeah, $300 for the original (not Coleco brand) CP Kid!! Think I'll get my patterns back out and see what I can do for the Grandbabies.
WInners of the 3 place popular poll and the BenSpark Choice awards will be announced on Monday at http://www.benspark.com - go check it out for yourself!!You can still order and Xshot at www.xshotpictures.com and, using this special code XSHOTVOTE, get $5.50 off your purchase of one Xshot. I can hardly wait for the one we earned to get here!!!
Again thank you - you can forward this note of gratitude to all those persons you specifically asked on my behalf to vote. Tell them how much they are appreciated, please?!
Grins and blessings for all,
MarshaLabels: Activities, Challenges, personal |
posted by Marsha @ 7/28/2007 11:52:00 PM   |
|
|
| Thursday, July 26 |
| Xshot Contest nears an end - |
One last appeal- The contest ends tomorrow at noon (Drew's time). I would really like to be the recipient of first place as not only the Xshot is a prized gift (and would be very helpful to me with my physical diability of PD) but I'd really LOVE to have that subscription to ProFlickr for the next year. SOOO, if you have folks out there who have computer access - please request at least one vote from them between now and tomorrow. I'm thankful!Labels: Activities, Challenges |
| posted by Marsha @ 7/26/2007 09:37:00 AM |
|
|
| Thursday, July 19 |
| Photo Hunters: Even I feel like a GIANT here! |
 I am five foot tall - very vertically challenged except in Madurodam, The Hague, Netherlands...
I took these pix in May 1993 on my whirlwind tour of 11 countries in 17 days with my three "tweenage - 12, 13, 14" kiddos. This first photo shows Hayley and Cameron standing in front of some of the curious 1:25 scale modeled buildings one can find there. My children could almost relate to Kareem Abdul Jabar!!
 This second photo was an absolutely marvelous replica of European majesty (perhaps some Euro friends can tell me the specifics - 1993 was too long ago for me to remember exactly what this was a model of). Notice how the full-sized people in the background dwarf the display! Fun place to go - wish I could do this one again!!!
(Pssssst - Marsha!) Labels: Activities, Challenges, Children, personal, photo hunters |
| posted by Marsha @ 7/19/2007 06:26:00 PM |
|
|
| Wednesday, April 18 |
| Weapons of Choice |
***PLEASE NOTE: Following comments are solely my views and not intended to be insensitive to any of the families who lost precious ones at Virginia Tech. My sympathy is extended to them and prayers are offered to I AM for comfort and understanding, peace and rest.***
My Hubby is a retail gun store owner and instructor for risk management in our little town. He does a modest retail business selling guns of all sorts along with specialty firearms items. Hubby is recognized by the NRA and local officials as a licensed trainer for handling of weapons and use of deadly force. He maintains an impeccable profile as a fair businessman and as well as a Christian husband, father, and grandfather.
This weekend I attended his Ladies Only class out at the range because I needed to brush up on my accuracy skills - only left-handed since PD pretty much controls my 'shooting hand.' During the course of the 6 hour class, he and his training partner emphasized the OAT plan for use of deadly force again a would-be attacker.
My shock turned early on to amazement about the V-Tech 'massacre' because many are bringing up the gun control issues again. (Second Amendment wording here.) Our Constitution allows for the people to keep and bear arms. Generally, we equate 'arms' with 'weapons' and usually, we tend to think that weapons or arms pertain only to firearms - guns.
So what are weapons or arms? I contend that weapons are any tool which someone uses to offend or defend - a tool used to injure, destroy, or defeat OR to counteract the effects of onslaught of injury, destruction, or defeat. With that said, a weapon is anything I can use to defend myself and my brood from senseless acts of physical or spiritual violence. Furthermore, my weapon of choice, a lifeless object, cannot accomplish its purpose unless I exercise my right as stated in our Constitution and use it.
Interestingly enough, one defensive weapon used during the V-Tech killings was a table. Yep, a table! (see my previous post about our Ice Cream Table.) A group of students in one rclassoom heard the commotion, weighed their options, and actively chose to defend life and limb by positioning a common classroom table against the door as a fortification, a tool for defensive posture, a 'weapon' against the approaching assailant. (One could make the argument that they used their 'wits' as a defensive weapon. The collective participated in the deflecting of bodily injury or destruction.)
Consequently, my reflection about the whole situation is that we as a nation fail when teaching our children to prepare for and prevent "V-Tech" type situations before they arise. So many people find it easier to scream, "Gun control" than to take time to set up scenarios with their children and ask/instruct tthem on what should be done in the event we find ourselves in that predicament. Makes me wonder how many of those students and professors died needlessly because the "Todd Beamers" were not equipped to take a stand on Monday.
Eventually, my thoughts turned to biblical references of what GOD has preserved in writing about defense of our families as well as for our souls. GOD instructs us to actively provide for and defend our families, especially of the household of faith or we are considered worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:8) I believe HE means that we are to protect, nurture, and defend in ALL areas!
Additionally, LORD GOD has listed HIS weapons of choice to fight off the fiery darts of the evil one. Why would HE be so specific if HE did not intend for us to defend ourselves spiritually?
Eph 6:14-18
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
As the nation mourns this senseless act, let us consider and prepare our youth and ourselves for the physical and spiritual defense! Remember - our weapon of choice could be as simple as a table or as intrinsic as our faith.... What's your weapon of choice?Labels: Challenges, Children, Husband, Pearls |
| posted by Marsha @ 4/18/2007 09:49:00 PM |
|
|
| Tuesday, April 17 |
| K-E-double-L-O-double-good! |
Used to love that commercial - don't hear so much any more!
My day was a "Kellogg's" day! Only when my Savior says, "well done - welcome home" can it get any better. I can only touch on the highlights as some of it will be used ADAS.
At 2 a.m.,I began time alone with the FATHER on behalf of one of the sweetest (sick :-() girls I know. Mom's endure so much - we're on a seemingly never ending roller coaster ride. (Personally, I hate roller coasters - makes me start "pooking" like my little sick friend.) So my petitions were on Mommy's and Daddy's behalves as well. Time well spent - I like my private conversations, and public 'shorties', too!
While praying I prepared a PowerPoint to enhance my presentation for Ladies' Class in my home. (I delight in spending time teaching - but preparation tires me so due to PD that I must limit that active participation to 'special occasions.) We're studying Heart Disease and Their Cure by Henry Winkler. Great book! I supplemented with another terrific book Checklist for Life for Women compiled and edited by Lila Empson and Candi Paull. I had such fun! (I really enjoyed my role as Martha - see previous post where I confess my weakness as Martha the sister of Lazarus.) The lesson was Overcoming Discouragement and Frustration - more helpful to me than to my 'students' probably.
My assignment to class members was to write about someone who had been a blessing to them...I received the sweetest blessings written about me! I will treasure that paper and place it in my Bible at Matthew 6:33 - my favorite scripture.
The Ladies stayed for a shared pot Luck meal - too much good cooking going on there! Then, using leftover (unopened ginger ale) and a few purchased items, we created a new punch which an elderly saint appropriately named Frustration Fruit Punch - deeelish! (Someone let me know since I'm the newbie when it's time to share recipes - y'all gotta have this one!)
Afterwards, I rested - it was my Sabbath time. (I do that quite frequently to remain more stable throughout the rest of the day.) And when I rose to check the blogs - my little friend was better as reported by her Mommy on her blog. GOD is good - ALL the time and in HIS time!
I've rattled on about me today, but it was such a special and very good day. I am happily exhausted and plan to turn in early - quite a feat for me! But not before I send a great BIG thank you to those who made my day special. I am grateful for friends who allow me to be 'whole' and cut me sooooo much slack as I physically stammer and stumble over words and wakways. Your patience is appreciated , and I love you all for the small kindnesses and gentle spirit you greet and encourage me with - Thank you Thank you Thank you! You are my Kellogg kind of people!Labels: Challenges, Pearls |
| posted by Marsha @ 4/17/2007 08:16:00 PM |
|
|
| Sunday, April 15 |
| A Little Taste of Heaven?! |
A few moments before the breaking of bread to renew my covenant with my LORD ALMIGHTY, Sara quietly slid down the pew to sit next to me! Joy overwhelmed me and tears trickled down my cheeks...I recovered as quickly as possible with an enormous hug - not wanting to let go!!!
Who's Sara? She's a younger Christian lady from the Midwest (now), the wife of a now-retired captain USAF (he is young in the FAITH but zealous in works for our LORD,) the mother of two beautiful and wonderfully curious sons, and a captain herself in the USAF (her reason for 'showing up' for this morning's worship service). She's all that - but TO me, she's my EBENEZER (1 Samuel 7:11-13)
I first met Sara soon after her hubby was transferred south by our government, and she was able to move their two young sons (the baby just three months old) and household goods to his duty station here. Hubby sat in front of us his first worship as he was seeking a home church; how fortunate for me! (That still remains their "reserved seat" among the saints at our congregation.)
I, at the time, had just been 'put to pasture' due to this bloomin' PD, was feeling the anxieties of an empty nest, and truly was on the verge of depression. You see, I was "going to teach children until I was 108." After 26+ years in the trenches and at 49 years young, I couldn't continue to train and love children from 'the floor' of the classroom where I usually ended up every morning (for two years - I was just not letting go and letting GOD) after meds for Parkinson's took affect. (Also, "I never got sick," I used to retort. So, how could this be? Parkinson's Disease - not me!) Equally significant was the lack of noise and bustle in my home of my beautiful young adult children. I was empty, lonely - too quiet for me. I hadn't understood the meaning of Hab. 2:20. They didn't need me (my perception) as they were starting their own little families - three weddings, one divorce, and one more marriage in less than three and one-half years.
It was then that Sara, Hubby, and sons took up residence on the pew at the church building in front of me...how blessed I was! Their liveliness in and dedication to the LORD's work breathed freshness into me - renewed my soul for two years. Then, Hubby retired from military service to take up a new position/job in northern Midwest. He whisked my Sara, my stone of help, and family back to his home state. I was stronger emotionally at that time - still sorrowful that they left Dixie. I knew, however, that when called upon each in HIS Kingdom need to be about the LORD's business. They had to walk right through those doors of opportunity to be salt and light as Sara had been to me and our surrounding community.
Additionally, I had begun to donate time at my school as a volunteer at least once a week. I was feeling stronger physically although still experiencing 'drop attacks'. With adequate rest, I was able to 'get out' and begin a new hobby as a ceramist (ASAD). AND I had become Mimomma to two of the sweetest, most innocent granddaughters with the promise of another beautiful grandchild on the way. But, I always looked forward to our brief encounters with my 'church grandsons' and their parents - Barnabas (Hubby has become an encourager to my Hubby and me) and Ebenezer!
I have missed Sara and Hubby and boys; I love them like my own children! Sara was a stone of help sent to me by the CREATOR to carry through the camps of "Philistines" by her gentle, nurturing spirit. I realized (and anticipated) that some day soon she would return briefly (for school as a student at the base and then later to teach war college classes as an instructor) as she did today. I just lost track of time I guess. What a beautiful gift today - a little taste of heaven. Just when I needed my Ebenezer - there she was again!
How good I felt as joyful tears swelled in my eyes and dripped down my cheeks! Immediately I thought of one of my Mom's favorite hymns, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Oh, how wonderful one will feel throughout eternity to be able to raise individual stones of help (Ebenezers) in praise to our FATHER!
LORD, help me to become an Ebenezer for some one else today, tomorrow, and each day YOU give me on this earth. Give me time and opportunity to enjoy my Ebenezer while she's here for her classes. And please please, Dearest FATHER, protect her lovely family with love, mercy, grace, and peace while she's away from them!
Amen
COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
by Robert Robinson(1735-1790)
1. Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.
2. Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. Labels: Challenges, Children, Church Family, Pearls |
| posted by Marsha @ 4/15/2007 04:10:00 PM |
|
|
|
| About Me |
|
|
| Archives |
|
| Archives |
|
|
| Sidebar Section |
| Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Duis ligula lorem, consequat eget, tristique nec, auctor quis, purus. Vivamus ut sem. Fusce aliquam nunc vitae purus. Aenean viverra malesuada libero. Fusce ac quam. |
| Links |
|
|
|
|
