Bloom Where You Are Planted

Sunday, May 13

Happy Mother's Day

Well, I'm back - had to keep the Shoppe while Hubby was away out-of-state at a vey close friend's memorial service in NM. I was kept soo busy! Tomorrow I will resume my writings and postings...hope to update one site and begin a new one as well this week. But for now,
I've earned the 'privilege' of resting on this, my shared day, with all of the fortunate "Mothers"....enjoy your day as I know I will!!

Labels: Children, grandchildren, Husband, personal, weekend reflection

posted by Marsha @ 5/13/2007 02:30:00 PM 0 comments

Saturday, May 5

Weekend Reflections

After such a busy last week, I felt a crash coming on, so I tried to take it easy. On Monday and Tuesday, I spent the majority of those days putting 'finishing touches' on one of my new blog spots I have labeled, "When Life Hands You Lemons,". It's to be dedicated to tiny snippet stories I have heard from PB's sermons the previous week. These Biblical 'paraphrased' stories will springboard ideas for teaching little kids from different areas of curriculum while using a variety of teaching activities and learning styles. Hopefully, I'll be able to continue 'teaching' this way while giving a few interesting tips and resources for those of us with small children and grandchildren. So far response has being very supportive and great!
Wednesday was spent helping Hubby 'get ready for his trip' this coming weekend. I'll have to run the Shoppe while he's gone....no easy fete since I'm not very knowledgeable in the areas of gunsmithing, gun products, etc. Trae plans to drop by and help some - if Abigail Grace doesn't arrive before her Granddaddy returns from the West. That evening after church service, I spent until 5 a.m. glazing Sherry's watermelon bowl. (It was a great success at the ceramics shop and a really big hit with Sherry. Time well spent!)
Crash day came Thursday afternoon and lasted until Friday evening. I tried (and wasn't very passionate) to help at the store, go to scripture reading class, and get ready for Santuck Flea Market on Saturday. But it was all overwhelming. So choices were made - a long night of rest on Friday evening and no Satuck on Saturday (boohoohoo ;-[ ) But I did get such a pleasant response for the birthday gift Sherry received and the birthday party grub was good.
This evening was spent talking to my lovely grown stay-at-home Mommy of two Daughter Hayley! 29 days until she returns to Dixie with Hubby, and girls (and one in the oven ;-)) Sad thing is that Kenny is scheduled to return to Iraq in early August for 6-9 months and will not be here for Hayley's 25th birthday, the new baby's birth, T-giving or Christmas! But LORD willing, he'll return by Valentine's Day and be relocated to the east coast upon his return.
I am thankful that he'll be in a safer area than most serving our country although his job demands no less than 100% accuracy. I'm thankful that they've already secured a rental home - just three doors down from Hayley's oldest brother Trae who was involved in a freak accident while attending a victim (He's a fire medic with the local FD.) I'm thankful that Trae is very much alive and on the road to recovery and that his new sweet baby should be here by next WR. I'm thankful for my children, grandchildren, and for those bloggers out there who offer strength and encouragement like Annie and Val, Dirkey and Laura, Heather and tegdirb82, and Rachel - a fellow textile artist - who took time to send a message all of which brightened my days this week.
And I'm thankful that LORD GOD blessed me with enough talent to see a way to help others this week. HE's always there just when I need HIM to carry me through it all. May HE bless your LORD's Day and the upcoming week with many wonderful SON-filled days!
grins,

Labels: weekend reflection

posted by Marsha @ 5/05/2007 10:12:00 PM 2 comments

Friday, April 27

Snobs, Snubs, and Snippets

As a child, I participated in a game that was a catch-22, so to speak, called Rock, Scissors, and Paper. As an adult, I think I've been just as futile with some relationships as when a child playing RSP. Only, now I call it Snobs, Snubs, and Snippets. The only good part of my adult version is that snippets almost always give me a taste of and longing for heaven!

This week I've been on the receiving end of all three parts of SSS and I don't like how the first two sections made me feel. My intent is to eradicate my personal use of the snobbery and snubbing and make my little corner of this earth a nicer place to be. Perhaps I will even convince someone that like I know I am s/he is just a pilgrim passing through to an eternal HOME.

I include a couple of definitions before revealing my little 'tastes of heaven' in the snippet portion of this post. If you have been guilty of either of these, take the time as I have to repent and ask each you have offended for forgiveness. After doing such personally, my burdens of self-seeking gratification and promotion (PRIDE) have been taken away. Through much prayer from now on, I desire that GOD be the hub of my life and strengthen me against such foolishness. I hope you will, too.

snobs - one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors; one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior; one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

snubs - probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snubba to scold, Swedish dialect snubba to reproach, cut off (interestingly enough, my family has Norwegian roots!) to check or stop with a cutting retort; to restrain the action of; to treat with contempt or neglect 4 : to extinguish by stubbing

snippets - a small part, piece, or thing

Snippets from HOME

Sunday began a week long feast for my soul's health. I have 'gained' by being at each meeting time. Such a spiritual smorgasboard on how GOD will cause the 'grass around home' to be greener can be accessed in previous postings. Monday through Wednesday I spent online with a favorite niece admonishing to remember Who she is by defending our LORD's eternal purpose through her blogsite. Seems her 'friend' is a wee bit confused with his priorities in life. Thursday and today have been dedicated to remembering and celebrating the births of two VIPs in my life - my youngest granddaughter turned 1 yesterday and today is my brother's 50th! Time on earth is so fleeting - just a vapor! James 4:14

Labels: weekend reflection

posted by Marsha @ 4/27/2007 09:05:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, April 22

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary:
Springs of Life

Ah! I remember Thursday now - my nearly all day long appointments at UAB. (I see Dr. Ray Watts, leading North American neurologist and god-fearing physician for Parkinson's Disease.) While there I participated in a one-time study with the Cardiographics Team on the effects of Permax and Requip on my heart valves. The test, an echo cardiogram, was totally cool! My little Brazilian-born, naturalized American citizen technician (I did get some "Come-and-See teaching in), walked and talked me through the whole procedure. Totally FASCINATING!
After which I thought about how 'fascinating' - completely AWESOME it is that we have a GOD WHO does this sort of procedure on a nanosecond schedule with our soul's heart. HE has cautioned us in many inspired writings that whatever we put into our heart will be revealed in our actions and speech ( Matthew 12:34; Matthew 15:18; Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 6:45) Just exactly like our fleshly heart pump, our spiritual heart needs good nutrition to function at the level of eternal health GOD favorably monitors.

My favorite passage, though, has to be Solomon's writings from Proverbs 4:22-23 where he says:
22For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
23Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
What a beautiful (or tragic) picture that conjures up on my eternal echo cardiogram! SO, like Mary, Mary, quite contrary, I must learn to ask daily, "How does my garden grow? Am I providing my heart with its necessary nutrients and drinking deeply from GOD's wellsprings with all diligence?" I sure do want my garden to be the best one in my mansion reserved in heaven!

Labels: Pearls, weekend reflection

posted by Marsha @ 4/22/2007 06:26:00 AM 0 comments

Saturday, April 21

Weekend Reflection

I'm going to try to do WR, too, but please be mindful and my meds make me mindless!
Sunday was a shocking start to a wonderful week as my Ebenezer returned to Dixie to further her USAF training. Made me feel 'homesick' for the banks of the Wabash as well as for Heaven! Monday was spent catching up hubby's books at the new shop. While there (a retail specialty firearms shop) the news began to pour in about the V-Tech killings. At home, I readied the house for Ladies Class at my home.
I taught the Ladies BIble Class on Tuesday a.m. in my home. We studied how to overcome disappointment and frustration - personally a much needed lesson. Lesson powerpoint presentation can be accessed by clicking here. That evening I recieved a call from by best little Vallie-Girl. She was reminding me that she's coming to Dixie soon for an extended visit.
I crashed Wednesday - rested mostly and worked on quilts. (I'm a textile artist of sorts, Thanks Grandma Eva!)
Having trouble remembering Thursday- I did "GO" and invite others to "Come and See."
Friday began with Bible Reading Class and ended with a much anticipated phone call from my beloved physical brother about his return to the Great SHEPHERD's fold. Thank YOU, LORD, that YOU hear my little prayers. YOUR loving kindness endures forever! Cameron came in late to spend the weekend with Hubby and me (Air National Guard weekend.)
Saturday was spent doing for others - two quilts cut and one top fully pieced together, ceramic houses glazed, photo albums covered, caught up some websites.
No wonder I'm soooo tired, but it's a good feeling. Tomorrow, our LORD's day I look forward to meeting with other saints and renewing my covenant with my SAVIOR. Also, I can hardly wait to GO-AND-SEE...the fields are white with harvest. LORD bless our spiritual family's efforts over the last several weeks preparing for the spiritual feasts of this upcoming week!

Labels: Church Family, Pearls, personal, weekend reflection

posted by Marsha @ 4/21/2007 09:20:00 PM 0 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