Sunday Morning Sunshine: The Search

The Bible

 We search the world for truth. We cull

The good, the true, the beautiful,

From graven stone and written scroll,

And all old flower fields of the soul;

And, weary seekers of the best,

We come back laden from our quest,

To find that all the sages said,

Is in the BOOK our mothers read.

--John Greeleaf Whittier

Rambling Friday: My Mother Always Said...

 My mother was a beautiful, smart, hard-working woman. She was. 

BUT she always claimed she had no talent. I disagree. 

* She was kind to others, taking them places if they had no ride. 

* She provided and gave to others when in need. 

* She loved her family and gave, gave, gave. 

* She prayed for them. 

* Loved them even when she didn't agree with them. 

* AND she bore three children who were talented. 

Now where did all that talent come from? Possibly from our father and possibly from our mother. Who knows? What I do know, is the children grew up and developed their talents into beautiful things. And that's what it's all about. Using the creativity God gives each of us in a productive, beautiful and blessed way. Examples?

Check it out:

David Brian is an intelligent Sunday School Teacher and a devotional writer:

Lloyd Alan uses his talents in many ways, but one of his best is building. Take a look at this: 

And then, there's me, Carole Teresa. If you know me at all, you know I write books. Fiction books, this one is my latest, a historical western, romantic suspense:

Our mother may not have been talented in many ways

but she (and Dad) passed on something to us three.

I call it TALENT! 

Have a wonderful day! 

Sunday Sunshine: When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You hung my first painting on the refrigerator

And I wanted to paint another.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You fed a stray cat

And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You baked a birthday cake just for me

And I knew that little things were special things.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You said a prayer

And I believed there was a God

that I could always talk to.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You kissed me goodnight

and I felt loved.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

I saw tears come from your eyes

And I learned that sometimes things hurt--

But that it's okay to cry.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You smiled

And it made me want to

look that pretty too.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You cared

And I wanted to be everything I could be.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

I looked...

And wanted to say thanks

For all those things you did

When you thought I wasn't looking.

--Mary Rita Schilke Korsan

Happy Mother's Day!!

Sunday Morning Peace: Mothers

Strength and honor are her clothing;

and she shall rejoice in time to come.

--Proverbs

My mother:

To My Sons:

What it means for me as a mother

One little boy with eyes of blue,

Scuffed up knees, and holes in his shoes,

jumping climbing--running hard,

Laughing, crying--spirit unmarred.

One little boy, still afraid of the dark,

Up at dawn, then out for a lark,

Quiet one minute, tornado, the next.

Expanding his wings, and heavens!

What's next?

One little boy, out to change the world.

Exploring the creek bed, his flag unfurled.

Rocks in his pockets, his shores untied,

Unmindful of dirt, with his dog at his side.

One little boy, yes, that's my son!

Whether he's reading his books

or having some fun,

Asleep in his bed, or awake with some noise,

He's God's gift to me--and

I thank Him for boys!

--Carole Brown

(copyrighted. Must have permission to reprint)

Monday Morning Gratitudes

My mother, an example, a godly, a strict but loving mother
memories of her
memories of other precious mothers
a good mother to my grandsons: Beth
a sweet mother named Amy
a mother-in-law that I loved: Mary K


Blessings

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking...

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You hung my first painting on the refrigerator

And I wanted to paint another.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You fed a stray cat

And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You baked a birthday cake just for me

And I knew that little things were special things.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You said a prayer

And I believed there was a God

that I could always talk to.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You kissed me good night

and I felt loved.

ad

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

I saw tears come from your eyes

And I learned that sometimes things hurt--

But that it's okay to cry.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You smiled

And it made me want to

look that pretty too.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

You cared

And I wanted to be everything I could be.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

I looked...

And wanted to say thanks

For all those things you did

When you thought I wasn't looking.

--Mary Rita Schilke Korsan

Happy Mother's Day!!

Sunday Morning Peace . . . and Mothers

Dressed up and somewhere to go!

 

Memo for a Lady

Never say again you are old!

Have yo considered how much longer

Ago than you the pyramids were created,

And the temple of Diana at Ephesus,

And even Venus? They are old.

 

And never say you're not attractive.

Remember that for us

Who look deeper than skin

And see your thought flowering

Goldenly as sunflowers, and more tall,

Hear your heart singing sometimes

And feel the warmth of its love,

And join in your laughter often,

 

You are beautiful!

 

--Elaine V. Emans

You're forever young now, Mama, dancing on heaven's golden streets!

My Mama's Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQJwlNqLNnQ

Monday Morning Gratitudes

On Real Mothers:

Their patience to read over and over the same story, to their children
Their love, unwavering and true.
For a beautiful Saturday: the memorial funeral day for my mother!
How everything came together in perfect accord.
The inspiring songs: Amazing Grace, My Mother's Faith, and Finally Home sung by beautiful voices
The encouraging and touching words ministered to us by my hubby
The support of family and friends: they had my back!
For God's upholding me all week long.

Blessings!

I Cried in Church Sunday

I cried in church Sunday. Hubby was speaking. Talking about battles we face, discouragements that come, hard places to overcome. But he didn't leave us there. He showed us through God's word that we have a heavenly father who will do the fighting, carry us through the discouragements, and lead us every step of our journey.

He talked also about getting older, using our mothers and fathers as examples. And I remembered my mother. She's still alive. Still beautiful. Still desiring to be active even though she is feeble. Softie that I am, I cried remembering the past and how sad it is to think of the future. Of knowing I will lose her. Of never being able to ask her for advice again. Of never going shopping with her again. Of the years gone, oh, so quickly.

Of course, I know I'll see her in heaven. What a comfort.

But I still cry over the earthly loss, I have no doubt, can't be too far away.

Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful, caring mother.

I love you,
Mom!



Blessings!

I Salute Our Military!



A mother asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Gettysburg National Cemetary

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked . . . "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar -- "So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom." --unknown


I thought the magnitude and the simplicity of these questions--and the answer--were awesome.



Here are six great hints for ways to honor a military person. Try it and see the look of appreciation on his/her face!

• Frame medals and awards - use curio cabinets or shadow boxes
• Create a tribute to their service - Make a notebook filled with poems and tributes from others
  
• Display their uniform - fold it neatly into a shadow box.
  
• Record their stories - Ask them to share their stories. Your children & grandchildren will thank you!
  
• Wall of memories - Frame pictures, shadow boxes filled with memobilia, flags in shadow boxes, poems. Black and white adds a nice touch.
  
• Notes of appreciation - Ask friends of the military person to write short notes about him and place in a small album. Makes a great gift to the person!
  

And the answer to the trivia question from yesterday (which one person expertly knew) is "Damascus!" Here are a few trivia items about the military. Interesting.

1. How did the military salute originate? Some believe it originated in Roman times when assasinations were common. A citizen who wanted to approach a public official had to raise his hand to prove he not no weapon.
2. What is the silver dollar custom? Probably began in England. It is a custom of great honor. The first enlisted soldier who salutes a newly commissioned lieutenant gets a silver dollar from the grateful officer. It is more than just about the money; it's a sign of respect and a love of duty.
   

A quick reminder: this would be a perfect time to order one of Donna Fleisher's "military" novels. Check out my May 4 blog interview with Donna to get her address.

I was hard pressed to pick a quote for today.
This one gave me goosebumps. My imagination took off thinking of it. How might we apply it to our own lives?

Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding.
Impossible to maneuver.
Situation excellent. I am attacking.
--Ferdinand Foch at the Battle of the Marne

Blessings.

Memos and Sons

Are you tired of reading about Mothers? I hope not, 'cause I've got another one today, partly.

Years ago (ahem, maybe not quite that long ago!) I found this tribute to a woman. I gave it to my mother. I loved it then, and I still do. It's one of my favorite poems with a lot of truth in it. If only I could practice it! Sigh.

Memo for a Lady

Never say again you are old!
Have you considered how much longer
Ago the temple of Diana at Ephesus,
And even Venus? They are old.

And never say you're not attractive.
Remember that for us
Who look deeper than skin
And see your thought flowering
Goldenly as sunflowers, and more tall,
Hear your heart singing sometimes
And feel the warmth of its love,
And join in your laughter often,
You are beautiful.

--Elaine V. Emans

~~~~~~~~~~

And just a peek at those creatures called sons. Aren't they wonderful? and awful! I wanted to share with you parts of their cards to me for Mother's Day. The verses were so precious and just fit with their personalities!

• Son No. One's card: (on the front) God gave me a wonderful mother. (Oooch! Just like him to melt my heart before I'd even opened the thing! (On the inside it goes something like this:

When God chose you as my mother He knew you had wisdom I'd need, your words would guide me through life, you'd help me succeed. He knew you'd be devoted and the love that lived in your heart would make you the best mother for me.

Isn't that sweet? Abbreviated, but that's the gist of it.

• Now take a gander at Son No. 2's card:

It means everything to have grown up in a home that was filled with love and faith in God. It's been a never-ending source of comfort and strength just knowing I'm your child.

Boys! Gotta love 'em. How did Jo March handle so many?




Are you energy conscious? Here are a few hints to help save water! Sure, you may already know them, but sometimes we need reminded. Consider this as your water reminder hint today! Smile.

Take a shower rather than a bath.

Collect rain water for use in the garden.

Don’t run the tap whilst cleaning your teeth.

Only boil as much water as you need when making drinks etc.

This is a fun trivia question; see if you know the answer!
Some 45% of wives say their husbands snore. How many husbands will admit it: (a) 5%; (b) 15%; or (c) 25%?


Quote:
Fame is a bee, it has a song, it has a sting--ah, too, it has a wing. --Emily Dickinson

Big blessings today!

Before I Was A Mom . . .

Sigh. Can you remember the days before? Before babies? Freedom and fun and less stress. If you worried, it was about a pay raise, or if the boy down the street liked you, or what you were going to wear. Now . . . do you ever have days when you question your sanity? Wonder if they (meaning the kids!) are worth it? Read on . . . maybe you'll agree!

• I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
• I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
• I never thought about immunizations.
• I had never been puked on, messed or wet on, chewed on.
  
  
  

• I had complete control over my mind and my thoughts.
• I slept all night.

• I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
• I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
• I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
• I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Or waiting on a late homecoming child.
• Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping child just because I didn't want to put him down.
• I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
• I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.\

• I never knew that I could love someone so much.
• I never knew I would love being a Mom.

• Before I was a mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
  
• I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. Or a growing teenager.

• I didn't know about that bond between mother and child.
• I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

• Before I was a mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

• I didn't know the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a mom.
• I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much being a mom.

Yeah, I guess in spite of everything, they are worth it. Who said, "Some days I wouldn't take a million dollars for you, but other days, I'd sell you for a nickel?"

It must have been a mother!

Shh! Don't tell hubby (or the kids), but lay these hints somewhere easily seen . . . and wait for results. If, worse case scenario, they are kinda dense, then casually read them aloud or wave paper in front of their darling faces. And if all else fails, lay down the law. This and this and this is what I want! It might just work! Smile.

Mothers Day Ideas

* Breakfast in bed is always a wonderful thing. Although if you serve her breakfast in bed, she should not have to get up and clean the mess up that was made making it.

* Flowers are always a great idea, BUT a beautiful plant planted in the yard with a bow on it, is always nicer. She can look at it year after year and think of you.

* Daily chores should not have to be done. Mothers always have things they have to do, just STOP her and send her to her favorite chair with a book she has not be able to finish.

* Cards made are always better than cards bought! Dads, get the kids (when she is out) to make her one!

* For those expecting mothers and Dads to be . . . take her to a local Spa and let them pamper her for awhile. It is not easy being pregnant!

* More than likely she is going to want to spend it with her mother, get the kids ready for her that way she can give herself more time to spend on herself that day.


TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! No, it's not the end of the world. It's the last day for you to participate in my Mother's Day contest. We've got about 10 name suggestions. So . . . check out Tuesday's "Contest! Contest!" blog for the details.

Those of you who posted a comment about Donna Fleisher's interview blog, please make sure to email her with your address at: donna at donnafleisher dot com
Or . . . if you'd like me to send it to her, I'll be glad to do it.



The answer to yesterday's trivia question: A pine tree. Catch cha' next week . . .



Quote:
A hero is someone who does something for someone else at personal sacrifice. -- Rick Warren
Hmmm. Is he talking about a woman?


A wonderful Mother's Day to all of YOU, my wonderful readers!

Wanted: A Mom


Who on earth would want this job?

Position:
Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma


Job Description:
Long term team player for challenging work in a chaotic environment. Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours (including evening and weekends, also 24 hour shifts occasionally). Some overnights required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Courier duties required.


Responsibilities:
The rest of your life: must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Must have the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat, just in case the screams from the back yard aren't someone crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must be able to screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product testing of half a million broken cheap toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility

Possibility for advancement and promotion:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.


Previous experience:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continual exhausting basis.

Wages and Compensation:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left.

The oddest thing about this reverse salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could do more.




Benefits:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no holidays, and no stock options are offered, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right!

Okay, okay. Here's a trivia question for all you cooks out there. Betcha can't guess it! Oh, yeah. Let me know if you've used these eggs before!
What type of egg will yield 11 and one-half average-size omelettes?




Here are a few special things you can do with your child, regardless of her age. Have fun!:
Swim
Read aloud to each other
Go on a picnic
Buy watermelons—eat as often and much as you want!
Bike riding
Do a project together: sewing, cooking, gardening, making candles, sculpting with clay
Hike to a waterfall
Help the kids sew something easy: skirts, tops, or pajama bottoms
Put up the hummingbird feeder and watch them dart in and out, and fight in the air (they really do!)
Go to the art museum
Take an herb identification walk or plant an herb garden
Watch DVDs or videos of classic books
See a parade
Go the library every week
Let each child take a turn making whatever they want for dinner (as long as it is healthy!)
Work on our family photos and scrapbooks
Roast corn in its husk on the campfire
Take pictures of a rainbow

Quote: The heart that loves is always young. -- a Greek proverb

Blessings.