Tuesday, March 28, 2017

BLOOM

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

Permalink

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2017/03/bloom.html

B L O O M

Noun
1. a period of flowering
2. a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor
3. a state or time of high development or achievement

Verb
1. to mature into achievement of one's potential
2. to flourish in youthful beauty, freshness, or excellence
3. to shine out: glow

Are you blooming,
                  flowering,
                        maturing in achievement of your potential,
                              flourishing in beauty and excellence...
                                              glowing?

Mary Engelbreit made the phrase, "Bloom Where You Are Planted" popular in our culture, but the Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales is actually credited with the quote.

"Bloom where you are planted."

The Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Design by Mary Engelbreit

I've known plants and people who never bloom where they are planted. Forget about blooming - sometimes they don't even survive. Plants and trees tell us rather quickly if they have any intention of blooming - whether it's from poor soil or lack of sun. Move a plant from a soggy, shady location to a sunny area, and it begins to thrive.

It really is all about location, location, location!

SO how are we to bloom where we are planted?

What is essential for our health and happiness?

Can we ever truly bloom?

I believe when we find God's path for our life, we discover who we are meant to be. He will guide us and give us strength to make changes to move to a sunnier place.

Here's a song for our journey...

BLOOM

The Paper Kites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1h-bVx1sgE

The Paper Kites were formed in 2009, by Sam Bentley and Christina Lacy. Members are Bentley, Lacy, Dave Powys, Josh Bentley and Sam Rasmussen. They initially found their success online, through listeners spreading their songs and music videos. They have released two EPs, Woodland in 2011 and Young North in 2012. Their first full-length album, States, is expected to be released in 2013. The Paper Kites have again been working with producer Wayne Connolly recording their debut album. Its release date is said to be around August. The album has been cut down from over 40 demos and was recorded at the famous Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and Alberts Studios in Sydney.On June 13, 2013, The Paper Kites announced a national tour, taking their forthcoming debut album, States, around the country.

BLOOM

by The Paper Kites

In the morning when I wake
And the sun is coming through,
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness,
And you fill my head with you.

Shall I write it in a letter?
Shall I try to get it down?
Oh, you fill my head with pieces
Of a song I can't get out.

Can I be close to you?
Ooh-oo-oo-ooh, ooh .
Can I be close to you?
Ooh, ooh.

Can I take it to a morning
Where the fields are painted gold
And the trees are filled with memories
Of the feelings never told?

When the evening pulls the sun down,
And the day is almost through,
Oh, the whole world it is sleeping,
But my world is you.

Can I be close to you?
(Ah) ooh (aah), ooh (aah).
Can I be close to you?
(Ah) ooh (aah), ooh (aah).

*whistling*

Can I be close to you?
(Ah) ooh (aah), ooh (aah).
Can I be close to you?
(Ah) ooh (aah), ooh (aah).

Can I be close to you?
Ooh, ooh.

Sunrise at Windermere, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

"In the morning when I wake
And the sun is coming through,
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness,
And you fill my head with you."

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and invite a friend!

Marcia Norwood

America's STORYTELLER

Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Thursday, March 23, 2017

WALK THIS WAY

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER

Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Permalink

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2017/03/walk-this-way.html

Isaiah 30:21 reveals one way GOD speaks to His children.

It’s amazing!

If you wonder which path to take,
whether to go to the right or the left,
listen for His small voice.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying:

"This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

The Holy Bible!

Do not be afraid.

Praise His Holy Name!

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

Sunday, March 19, 2017

GOD IS A GARDENER

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

Permalink

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2017/03/god-is-gardener.html

GOD is a gardener.

"Then God planted a garden in Eden,
in the east.

He put the Man he had just made in it."

Genesis 2:9

"God took the Man and set him down

in the Garden of Eden to work the ground

and keep it in order."

Genesis 2:15

"When they heard the sound

of God strolling in the garden

in the evening breeze,

the Man and his Wife hid

in the trees of the garden,

hid from God."

Genesis 3:8

"So throw all spoiled virtue

and cancerous evil in the garbage.

In simple humility, let our gardener, God,

landscape you with the Word,

making a Salvation-Garden of your life."

James 1:21

"My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,

my words arrive like morning dew,

like a sprinkling rain on new grass,

like spring showers on the garden."

Deuteronomy 32:2

"Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity.

Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.

A thistle or two gone to seed

can ruin a whole garden in no time."

Hebrews 12:15

GOD is a gardener.

Scripture Verses from The Message Bible.

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

Monday, March 13, 2017

RECIPE: CUTIE SMOOTHIE

Mary Marcia
AMERICA'S STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Granddaughter Emily Grace, Grandson Caleb Edward, Granddaughter Megan Jewell

Link: http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2017/03/recipe-cutie-smoothie.html

My granddaughters, Emily Grace and Megan Jewell, and grandson, Caleb Edward, asked me to make them a "fruit smoothie."

How could I refuse when they added: "Your smoothies are better than any other smoothies in the world - even the ones at Sonic!"

"I'll make the smoothies....if you will help," I said.

So my cuties helped me make smoothies....with CUTIES (an easy-peel California mandarin) plus some other fresh fruits and juice.

I never helped my mom in the kitchen when I was a child. Mom didn't want me or anyone else to get in her way. I never learned to make much of anything - other than a sandwich - until after I was married.

I've marinated myself in children since I became a parent and a preschool and Kindergarten teacher. I have fun with my children and grandchildren in the kitchen. We continue to makes messes, memories and lots of good food.

Fresh Fruits make delicious smoothies!

Megan and Emily peeled the CUTIES (E-Z Peel, Seedless California Mandarins) and cut up the STRAWBERRIES carefully with a knife, and washed the STRAWBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES. They filled large cups with ice to put in the blender.

Blender makes smoothies - smooth!

Granddaughter Megan, Granddaughter Emily and Grandson Caleb

CUTIE SMOOTHIE

RECIPE: CUTIE SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:

Strawberries
Blueberries
CUTIE Mandarin Oranges
Cranberry/Grape Juice (About 1 Cup)
Country Time Pink Lemonade Mix (About 2 Tablespoons)
Ice (Fill blender About 3/4 full)
Water (As needed)

Smoothies are easy to make. I don't really have an exact recipe. We decide which ingredients to use (depending on what we have in our pantry/refrigerator), and throw them in a blender with lots of ice and liquid (water or juice) until you have the consistency you like.

My granddaughters choose their favorite blue glasses for their smoothies, and added a fresh fruit garnish. Of course - they also chose a different color straw for each person. They served our smoothies with a straw and spoon.

Granddaughter Megan Jewell enjoys her CUTIE SMOOTHIE in her favorite blue glass with a neon green straw.

I encourage you to invite your children or grandchildren into your kitchen to help you create a delicious smoothie that is good for them, and fun to make.

Granddaughter Emily Grace chose a blue straw for her CUTIE SMOOTHIE.

CUTIE SMOOTHIE: View inside the blender

CUTIE SMOOTHIE: Pretty in a clear glass

Have FUN!

Have you tried CUTIES....the California mandarin?

Our family loves them.

We keep a bowl of CUTIES out on our counter.

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

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

THE ART OF SAM BUTCHER

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

Permalink

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-art-of-sam-butcher.html

Artist, Samuel John Butcher,

(Precious Moments creator)

has a diverse painting style -

from abstract to realism.

Precious Moments Creator's Abstract, Contemporary Art Exhibit

Samuel Butcher's private collection features a diversity of painting styles, from abstract to realism.

<p>Samuel Butcher said that one of his sons gave him the best compliment about this picture inspired by Tahitian fire dancers:

http://www.joplinglobe.com/gallery/collection_62be12a8-24b0-11e4-8048-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.joplinglobe.com/gallery/collection_62be12a8-24b0-11e4-8048-0019bb2963f4.html

Globe | Laurie Sisk

073114 Sam Butcher 10

"Samuel Butcher said he was inspired the love and emotion shown by people he met in the Philippines and Tahiti."

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://www.joplinglobe.com/gallery/collection_62be12a8-24b0-11e4-8048-0019bb2963f4.html

Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Resort, Inc. (Philippines) is the brainchild of Samuel John Butcher, an American artist and creator of Precious Moments artworks that promote messages of loving, caring and sharing. Mr. Butcher, who owns Precious Moments Park in Carthage, Missouri, put his plans into action in December 2001 and in June 2003, the resort began commercial operations.

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://www.travelsmart.net/ph/resorts/Aklan/Sampaguita_Gardens/

I think Sam Butcher is a genius.

Why?

Try this.

Take a quote.... like "Wind Beneath My Wings" or an event like the terrorist attacks in the USA on 9-11, and create a drawing or painting that interprets the meaning....one that tells the story.

Here's what Sam Butcher did...

Try again....

Create a drawing or painting that illustrates: "Please don't run over the turtles."

Here's what Sam Butcher did...

Try again....

Create a drawing or painting that illustrates Psalm 23.

The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2   He makes me lie down in green pastures.

 He leads me beside still waters.

3   He restores my soul.

 He leads me in paths of righteousness2

  for his name's sake.

4  Even though I walk through the valley of lthe shadow of death,3

  I will fear no evil,

 for you are with me;

  your rod and your staff,

  they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me

  in the presence of my enemies;

 you anoint my head with oil;

  my cup overflows.

6  Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me

  all the days of my life,

 and I shall dwell6 in the house of the Lord

  forever.

Sam's paintings were recreated in stained glass. If I remember the story correctly, the stained glass was made in California, and was far too valuable for anyone to transport, so a relative (maybe Sam's sister?) rented a truck, and drove the stained glass panels from California to the chapel in Missouri.

Psalm 23...Sam Butcher's interpretation...

Sam's interpretation of the Beatitudes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudes

The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12
during the Sermon on the Mount each begins with: ^[2]^[3]
Blessed are..

....the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
....those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
....the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
....those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
....the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
....the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
....the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)

We chose a beatitude that best describes each of
my girls' character, and then took their photo
beside Sam's stained glass interpretation of the beatitude.

The Precious Moments Chapel can be a great place to visit for adults and children.

It is not an amusement park

A visit to the chapel is an incredible opportunity to introduce your children to the art of Sam Butcher, and to a Christian view of Heaven, and Christian worldview, and Christian character traits.

There was a book at the chapel for guests to write messages/stories. It was said that Sam Butcher would from time to time read the messages, and paint an additional person in the Hallelujah Square mural. I wrote in the chapel book more than once.

Hallelujah Square depicts children living on for eternity in Heaven, and was inspired by stories of children who lost their lives at a young, tender age.

http://www.missouribeautiful.com/southwest-missouri-tourism/19-precious-moments-chapel-center-carthage-mo.html

The Precious Moments Chapel opened in 1989, in Carthage, Missouri, and has welcomed millions of visitors.

Paintings Inside Chapel

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=B111US0D20140720&p=paintings+inside+precious+moments+chapel

The Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO is the creation of artist Samuel J. Butcher as a gift of thanks to God; recognizing the many blessings given by God. The Chapel has often been described as “America’s Sistine Chapel” as an artful representation of Michelangelo’s own Sistine Chapel in Rome.

The Precious Moments Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors annually, offering FREE Chapel tours daily. Serving as one of Missouri’s most beautiful attractions, the Chapel grounds include an inviting Visitor Center, Gift Shoppe, Royal Delights Cafe and beautifully manicured gardens adorned with bronze statues and fountains. The Visitor Center is the home to the world’s largest Precious Moments Gift Shoppe, as well as Chapel Exclusive figurines. The Precious Moments Chapel and grounds are owned and operated by the Precious Moments Supporting Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Funding for the operations of the Chapel and grounds are provided by donations and

Gift Shoppe sales which enables the foundation to continue to offer FREE Chapel tours and FREE ADMISSION.