CREATE CUSTOM CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT CARDS

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Link:  http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2015/11/mary-marcia-americas-storyteller.html

Create Custom
Christmas Ornament Cards!

CLICK on image to enlarge.  Daughters Sarah and Faith.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

I photographed this big, beautiful, red ornament
at Menards in Osage Beach, Missouri.

CLICK on image to enlarge. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

This photograph would make a great cover 
on a Christmas card - all by itself -
but look what else you can do!

I used Microsoft Publisher, and added
family photos and text to create custom graphics.

Hint:  ADD  TEXT
You can do the  normal 
"Draw Text Box"
OR
Go to "Insert" tab and click on "Word Art"
to add multi-colored text.
To change the text, RIGHT CLICK
on the text and find the "ABC" to edit text
in the top little box.  Move mouse over
other options in the little box to
change shape of text and other options as well.
     

CLICK on image to enlarge. Granddaughters Megan Jewell and Emily Grace.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

Hint:  When resizing photos 
HOLD DOWN on the "Shift" key 
the entire time as you "pull" the photo 
to a larger or smaller size
- so the image does not distort.

CLICK on image to enlarge. Daughter Kristin & Son-in-law Dave, Grandchildren:  Emily, Joshua & Caleb.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

 
Hint:  Picture Tools/FORMAT tab
(TO change the way text wraps around objects)
Click on "none" if you want no text wrap.

SAVE FILE

I saved each graphic two ways:
1) as a Publisher file,
and
2) did an additional "save as" in a jpg file.

CLICK on image to enlarge. Grandson Joshua (High School Civil Air Patrol).  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

CLICK on image to enlarge. Grandson Caleb.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

CLICK on image to enlarge. Granddaughter Emily Grace.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

I imported  and cropped each jpg file
into a new Microsoft Publisher page,
to create this Christmas family collage.

Again - I saved this design two ways:
as a Publisher file, and did another
"save as" in jpg format.

These are great designs
to post to facebook, and email to friends.

Have copies made for cards:
Email  jpg files to
your local Office Depot,
 or copy them at home
to create beautiful Christmas cards.

Optional:
Print and cut out ornaments,
to make actual ornaments
for your Christmas tree.

CLICK on image to enlarge.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

CLICK on image to enlarge. Granddaughters Emily Grace and Megan Jewell.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

 They are just SO much fun to create!

Imagine the possibilities!

CLICK on image to enlarge. Son Benjamin and His Daughter (Our Granddaughter)  Megan.  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

Our Puppy Pack!


Pearl Ming Zhu Norwood (Rescued Peek-A-Poo)
Daisy Duke Norwood (Rescued Chinese Crested/Chihuahua)
Tilly Hickman Norwood (Shi-Poo)
Izzy Belle Norwood (Rescued Schnoodle)

CLICK on image to enlarge. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

We adopted three of our puppies
through our friends at LL Dog Rescue.


LINK:  https://www.facebook.com/LLDogRescue

CLICK on image to enlarge. Our newest puppy:  Tilly!  Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood

M e r r y    C h r i s t m a s !

Here's the 2015 Version...
in honor of the World Champion
Kansas City Royals!

CLICK on the image to enlarge.  Granddaughter Emily Grace, Son-in-law David, Grandson Caleb Edward, Daughter Kristin, and Grandson Joshua Taylor.  Copyright 2015 Kristin Stovall. 

CLICK on the image to enlarge. This is the photo I used to create the 2015 Version of the Custom Christmas Ornament Card.  Copyright 2015 Marcia Norwood

   
 Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, 
and invite a friend!

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

CLICK on image to enlarge.

 http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

CLICK on image to enlarge.

  

 Merry Christmas!

 http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2014/12/custom-christmas-ornament-card.html

P E A C E

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

 http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

I am praying for you today.  I'm praying for each person that is going through a time of grief and sadness.  I pray that the PEACE of GOD will guard your heart and mind. 

I've been through storms in life, too.

The day my mother died, she fell out of the chair that I used to sit in at the kitchen table.  We named the chair, "The Crying Chair,"  and the story I wrote about it and our family is published in the book,  A Cup of Comfort.

LINK:  http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-crying-chair.html

LINK: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show?id=253125702

A friend of mine said Mom didn't need The Crying Chair anymore because GOD wipes away all tears in Heaven.

The day Mom went to Heaven, my brother, Bret, called to tell me  Mom died. It took me about 40 minutes to get to Mom and Dad's house in Liberty, Missouri.  

I arrived at my parent's house and found Mom lying on the sofa in the living room, covered with a blanket, as if she had fallen asleep on the sofa.  The hospice nurse placed her there.  

I knelt beside the sofa and prayed.   I got up from my knees and  looked up.  There on the cornice board (the wooden valance) above the living room drapes were  large letters on  brightly colored  velvet posters that decorated the cornice board.  I recognized them as one of mom's coloring projects. 

LINK:  http://www.stuff2color.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Stuff2Color%20Bing%20Campaign&utm_term=fuzzy%20color%20posters

The letters spelled out  P E A C E.

Mom so liked to have the last word.

This was her "Amen" to my prayer.

Mom always spoke her mind, and her vicious words often wounded me and others so much that it made me physically sick to my stomach after I visited her.  Mom never approved of our adoptions,  never accepted my chosen children as her grandchildren, and she let me and our entire family know it.    

My beautiful chosen children, daughters:  Sarah Zheng-Kang and Faith Fu Ju.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood

My beautiful chosen children, daughters:  Sarah Zheng-Kang and Faith Fu Ju.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood

 

I discussed this heartbreak with our wise adoption social worker, Margaret. 

Margaret  challenged me:  "Are you able to have a relationship with your mother without your young daughters being present?  Your first priority is to protect your daughters, but your mother is dying, and she hasn't always been this mean, has she?  Don't do or say something that you will regret the rest of your life."

Mom and Marcia (on left).  Copyright 1949 Marcia Norwood

Mom and Marcia.  Copyright 1970 Marcia Norwood

 

Mom made peace with GOD before she died, but she never apologized for the hurtful things she said to me and my chosen children, so I decided to trust JESUS to straighten her out when she got to Heaven.

Mom's last word left on the wood cornice board 

was  "P E A C E."

I received it, and I felt it, too:   the kind of PEACE that the world can't give, and the world can't take away.

GOD's PEACE.

LINK:  http://www.gty.org/resources/positions/P21/the-gift-of-peace

That is my prayer for you now.

P E A C E amid this storm - this sadness in your life.

Trust GOD to bring you through this.

Not everything is reconciled on this side of Heaven.  We have all eternity to make peace with each other.

For now keep your eyes on JESUS  

He will calm the storm in your heart.

He will never leave you.

Here are  some promises from The Holy Bible:

Philippians 4: 6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD, and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments  and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of GOD, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to CHRIST.

Ephesians 3:19
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of GOD.

Philippians 4:19
And my GOD will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in CHRIST JESUS.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

1 Peter 1:5
...who through faith are shielded by GOD's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time,

and the peace of GOD, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS.

Here are some songs for your heart and mind.

Let them minister to you.

HE KNOWS MY NAME

SONG LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXKWsfbizB4

 

BECAUSE HE LIVES

SONG LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA

AMAZING GRACE/MY CHAINS ARE GONE

SONG LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and invite a friend! 

Mary Marcia

America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

 http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

 

CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH HUMILITY

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

http:/tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

  

This week is Black Friday, where retailers open early and shoppers stand in line for great sales on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  It's not an official holiday, but it signifies the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the United States. 

 LINK:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%28shopping%29

While many are shopping for toys, gifts and new clothes, two of my friends experienced deaths of a beloved family member and friend. 

The deaths were unexpected.  One buried a mother, and the other has a funeral today for a friend who was like a father. 

My prayers are with them, and with all who are dealing with the death of a loved one. 
 
When I awakened this morning, I heard part of a sermon by pastor James MacDonald.  His words sometimes come across as sharp, but he always is biblically sound. GOD has used him multiple times to say things that I needed to hear. 

LINK:  http://jamesmacdonald.com/tv/humble-yourself-part-2-b/

 LINK: http://jamesmacdonald.com/

This morning MacDonald spoke about humbling ourselves before the HAND of GOD. He literally had the congregation put their Bibles on top of their heads to illustrate we are to submit ourselves under the WORD of GOD.

MacDonald said when the Bible speaks of the HAND of GOD - it usually means the circumstances GOD allows in our life.

So when the WORD says we are to humble ourselves under the MIGHTY HAND of GOD - it means we are to humble ourselves under the circumstances that GOD allows in our life, because if GOD allowed it, we should not grumble or whine or complain because GOD will bring us through and "exalt us in His time."

The next part of that scripture (in 1 Peter 5: 5-7) says that we are to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.

1 Peter 5: 5-7
5   You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you,  clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 

6   Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 

7   casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

That is the message GOD had for me this morning, and perhaps it's a message for your heart today, too.

MacDonald also said that it's not enough to HEAR the WORD - but we must have a change in action to obey the WORD - or it's worth nothing.

So - I told GOD, and I'm sharing with you, that I cast all my cares on my Heavenly Father, and I humble myself  - I  clothe myself with humility - before Him, and humble myself under the HAND of GOD, and the circumstances He allows in my life. 

Cast all your anxiety on Him.

GOD cares for you, and He loves you.

GOD is your loving Heavenly Father, and the WORD says that HE is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

You are not alone, and those you love who die and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, are not removed from you forever. It's terribly hard to say, "Goodbye for now," but one day you will have a glorious reunion in Heaven.

Heaven is real, and all your loved ones are alive - right now - in a beautiful place that GOD has prepared for them.

Just before JESUS returned to Heaven, He comforted His disciples, the friends  He loved, with these words that we find in John 14: 1-3: 

1  Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 

2  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 

3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.…

When you look upon the body of someone who dies - remember you are looking at the body (the house) that GOD gave his/her spirit to live in while he/she walked on this earth.

They don't need their body (this house) anymore because they are now clothed in JESUS' righteousness, and GOD has prepared a new house (body) for them that is whole and healed and will last throughout eternity.

They are alive and well with JESUS and the angels and loved ones who have gone before.

GOD sends His angels to surround us, and He gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit to comfort us. 

I'm praying for you today.

I love you with JESUS love.

Cast all your cares on Him.

He cares for you.

This is a wonderful book for children and adults!  Our children's pastor, Judy, gave this to my daughter when her uncle died.

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and invite a friend.

 














Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

HOPE is grief's best music.  Copyright 2011 Marcia Norwood

 

THANKS-FOR-GIVING, A STORY OF SACRIFICE

Mary Marcia
American's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

 

I took this photo of our favorite bakery in Pella, Iowa.  Copyright 2011 Marcia Norwood

"Thanks-For-Giving!" 

my six year old daughter, 

Sarah Zheng-Kang,

said on her first Thanksgiving 

in the United States of America.

Of course, it's pronounced Thanksgiving,

but I like Sarah's version:  

Thanks-For-Giving!

Food was a big issue for both my 

chosen children,

Sarah Zheng-Kang and Faith Fu Ju,

who lived in orphanages in China 

until they were adopted.

This photo of child # 151 was printed in the Children's Hope International newsletter.

  I began weeping when I saw the photo.  GOD spoke to my heart that she was to become my daughter.  I wrote on the side of the photo:  "This is Sarah Norwood 2-13-99."   Nine months later we flew to China, and met Sarah ZK.

Sarah Zheng-Kang

 was 5 years and 11 months old

when she became our daughter 

through the miracle of adoption.

"What took you so long to come get me, mommy?"

my daughter, Sarah ZK asked. 

"I was hungry every day until you came.

I had a bowl of rice in the morning,

and a bowl of rice at noon, 

and that's all unless a farmer brought us vegetables."

 

Orphanage in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.  Copyright 1997 Marcia Norwood.   Our Sarah Zheng-Kang is the second from the right  holding up the spoon in the air.  This photo was taken by a family from Switzerland who visited Sarah ZK's orphanage every year.  The family gifted us with photos of Sarah ZK  from their visits throughout the years.  What a precious gift these photos are to us!  Most orphans have no photos of the years they spent in orphanages!  We are so grateful to Daniel and Evelyn for these photos! 

 

Marcia and Sarah ZK:  Our first meeting at the Grand Sun Hotel in Changsha City, Human Provence, China.  I showed Sarah ZK her photo that I kept for nine months while we waited to adopt her.  Copyright 1999 Marcia Norwood

The first evening meal Sarah ZK ever had

was the day we adopted her. 

Sarah ZK's first evening meal:  Pizza and rice - room service in our hotel.  Copyright 1999 Marcia Norwood

 

Sarah Zheng-Kang Norwood.  Coloring in our hotel in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.  I made little pony tails with her short pixie-cut hair.   Copyright 1999 Marcia Norwood.

Sarah ZK and waitress pose in front of the fantastic gingerbread house  at The White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China. 

Sarah Zheng-Kang Norwood one year after she became our daughter through the miracle of adoption.  Her Chinese name, Zheng-Kang, is written in Chinese characters in the right back of the photo.  Copyright 2000 Marcia Norwood.

 Faith Fu Ju ate bugs and paper 

when "mean men with guns"

came to her orphanage 

and stole food meant for the orphans.

Faith Fu Ju Norwood and a friend eat rice at their orphanage in Benxi, Liaoning Provinge, China.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood

 

Sometimes the aunties (caretakers)

would take their own money

to buy more food for the orphans.

Faith was 8 years and 3 months old 

when we adopted her.

Aunties (caretakers) brought Faith Fu Ju to our hotel, The New World Hotel in Shengyang City, Liaoning Provings, China.   Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood   This is the day Faith and Sarah became sisters! 

This photo of  Faith Fu Ju as a baby was taken by her foster family.  Copyright 1994 Marcia Norwood

Our friends Dale and Janice and Steve and Sherrie and our girls enjoy a meal in the lobby of the New World Hotel.   Marcia and Jenny (our Holt Children's Services interpreter and Faith and Sarah at the airport in Shengyang City, Liaoning Provinge, China.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood.

Faith Fu Ju and Sarah Zheng-Kang at the Imperial Palace in Shengyang City, Liaoning Province, China.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood

Sarah ZK and Faith Fu Ju look lost in the street when I stepped a few feet away to take their photo.  Copyright 2002 Marcia Norwood. 

 Faith Fu Ju had only been my daughter for a few months

in 2003, when I had to take my granddaughter, Megan Jewell,

to the hospital for some labs before her surgery.

Marcia and Megan.  Copyright 2003 Marcia Norwood

 Faith cried:  "I think you won't come back, mommy."

I assured Faith and Sarah that I would be back.

I understood how hard it would be for them when I left.  

It takes a long time to learn to trust

when you have been abandoned.

"It's hard.  I know.  

It will be a sacrifice 

for you to let me go help Megan,"I said.

"What's a sacrifice?" Faith asked.

"Sacrifice is helping someone,

even if it costs you something."

 

 The next morning, Sarah and Faith woke up early.

"What do you want for breakfast?"  I asked them.

"I'll make breakfast for you before Megan wakes up."

"Sarah and I decided not to eat breakfast

since Megan can't eat either before her tests.

It's our sacrifice," said Faith.

I cried.

When I could speak I said:

"Sacrifice is hard...but it's so worth it

to show your love.  

What a gift of love you are showing Megan." 

"This sacrifice stuff is hard," said Faith.

Faith Fu Ju and friends at the orphanage on a field trip.  Fu Ju is fearless as she touches the crocodile!  All children at the orphanage were dressed alike.  They didn't have their own clothes.  Everyone at the orpahange took turns wearing the clothes.  This photo was a gift from Fu Fu's foster family.  Copyright 2000 Marcia Norwood. 

Are we teaching our children 

the importance of  making sacrifices to help others?

Are we showing them 

how to sacrifice by our own example?

As you celebrate

"Thanks-For-Giving" at home

ask our Heavenly Father what sacrifice

you can make to help others.

Some children still go to bed hungry 

every night.

Some children still eat bugs and paper.

This sacrifice stuff is hard,  

but it is what we are called to do,

in Jesus' name. 

Orphanage in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.  Copyright 1997 Marcia Norwood.   Our Sarah Zheng-Kang is the second from the right  holding up the spoon in the air.  This photo was taken by a family from Switzerland who visited Sarah ZK's orphanage every year.  The family gifted us with photos of Sarah ZK  from their visits throughout the years.  What a precious gift these photos are to us!  Most orphans have no photos of the years they spent in orphanages!  We are so grateful to Daniel and Evelyn for these photos! 

  Religion that GOD of Father accepts

as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress,

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27 

The Holy Bible 

(New International Version)

Are you willing to sacrifice to help?

We are not all called to adopt,

but we are called to help widows and orphans, and the poor.

    

 

Marcia's Preschool Students.  Copyright 2005 Marcia Norwood

  

Marcia's son, Benjamin, injecting the Thanksgiving turkey with seasonings.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and invite a friend!

Mary Marcia
American's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking