They Brought the Fun!

The Sisterhood of Morning Glories Cheer for Amy

Last week, I attended a Bridal Party for my niece Amy. It was given by the Morning Glories, a group of women that are very dear friends and meet together regularly for breakfast. The group was aptly named some years ago. Sister Lou is part of their group. Amy is her daughter.

The Morning Glories have an enviable relationship and history. During introductions, each woman told how she knew Amy. Many had known Amy since her birth. Betty said, “I was on the couch the night you were born because I was babysitting your two brothers and sister.”

Carolyn said, “I remember when your mom announced that she was pregnant with you at Au Sable.”

The daughters of the Morning Glories, though they may fondly chuckle over their mother’s friends, have a genuine appreciation and affection for the friends of their mothers just as the breakfast group has for each of the daughters represented. The generations pleasantly merge together. Sweet Rachel gushed, “I think Amy is most beautiful and I just love her.” Amy responded “And I think the same of you!”

Amy shared her love story from the beginning when she was heartbroken and hopeless, using the verses from Psalm 40:2.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

The women sorrowed for her pain. They treasure Amy and had grieved and prayed for her.

God is gracious and He tenderly and lovingly lifted Amy up. The Morning Glories are thrilled to celebrate her present happiness.

Amy and Eric resonate with a verse that she shared from
Psalm 126:3:

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

The Morning Glories wanted to convey their love for Amy with a money tree. It was no ordinary money tree but an especially creative expression. They teased about choosing a Christian money tree—note the tiny cross.

Each of those curls holds a twenty or fifty dollar bill.

Amy’s future mother-in-law and sister-in-law expressed their support and love for her as well. Both had hoped to have Amy in their family almost twenty years ago when Eric and Amy went to the Senior Prom together.

Before going home, the women gathered around Amy and prayed for Amy and Eric.

It truly is a new beginning, a glorious morning in the lives of this dear couple.

Playing "House"

In the Fall, when I was a little girl, I liked to rake the leaves in the outline shape of a house with several rooms and then add piles of leaves here and there for a bed, a sofa, etc. It was fun to look for weeds to decorate my house. I feel a bit like I am revisiting my childhood.

When we listed our house for sale, Bob hired a yard service to clean up some of our flower beds. I arrived home just as all of our hydrangea had been cut and was loaded in a truck to leave. I ran out and talked with the workers and they graciously assisted me in salvaging some of the dried flowers.

Since then I have been enjoying a few on my dining room table.


Yesterday, D’Ann and I got together at her home and we had such fun making a few simple brown bag centerpieces to use at a family party on Saturday.

We needed a little larger arrangement for the cake table.

Out near one of our beeyards, I gathered a few weeds as well and used a few around the house.

Last night I hosted a potluck dinner and wanted to put some mums with still a little life in an orange bowl. I did not have anything orange but at 5:00 p.m. I ran to the grocery story for one last item for dinner and saw some $3.00 pumpkins and thought one would work for my orange bowl.

All I need now is a few kitties to dress up and carry around. No, just kidding. I have outgrown some things.

PS or should I say PP for Post Posting
I just read another Brenda's post that she titled The Child in Me. She articulated better my thoughts. I felt the stirring of my happy girlhood memories. The joy of remembering those simple, innocent childhood pursuits.

Could we give it up sometimes?

On the cruise, Donna, Lou and I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers and entertainment. We were inspired, encouraged, motivated, moved, and challenged in our faith. The humor was gentle, funny and sweet.

Each day, with each speaker and entertainer, we were asked to greet, show appreciation or congratulations by applauding. Each time it was requested, I wanted to do just that. It was a natural response to a full heart.

By the end of the cruise, however, my mind was stumbling a bit over the words that were used for a response. Each and every time, I think without fail, the same words were used: “Let’s give it up for . . .”

On Sunday, I was particularly happy to respond when one of my pastors used the evidently outdated words, simply “Let’s welcome ___________.”

Three Heads Are Better Than One

Donna decided to go on the Girls Get Away Cruise, invited her sisters, made the arrangements, handed out vouchers at appropriate times. She would have gone alone but three was better than one.

The night before the cruise, we rejoiced over the miners rescue, and then were amazed at Secretariat and Penny Chenery. We would have enjoyed watching alone but the shared experience was better.

We were happy campers in a closet sized room—with each having three drawers and a few hangers. I slept on the top bunk, Donna provided bathroom spray, and Lou shared shampoo and conditioner. Donna woke at the crack of dawn each morning after a few hours of sleep, showered and had her coffee than woke Lou who showered and then woke me. It worked.

My sisters quickly fell into the role of rescuing me. Because of them, I arrived on time, heard all of the speakers, and enjoyed all of the entertainment planned by the Premier Christian Cruises' Girls Getaway staff. Three was so much better than I would have been alone.

Without the sisters, I would have lost my sea pass and sweater. Donna would have searched longer for the earrings that were on her ears and might have forgotten to wear her swimsuit for the called-off snorkeling adventure. Lou might not have found the meeting place for the Taste of Key West excursion.

Regarding Taste of Key West, Lou was one of two that tasted all of the hot sauces up until a waiver was required. Donna and I watched with pride and amazement and a bottle of water.

All of us thought the key lime foods were fabulous.

Because we insisted on sharing another excursion experience together, we signed on for the Dolphin Experience. We supported each other when we decided to buy photos at exorbitant prices. More are here on Donna's post.

We loved sharing our meals with an Alabama mom and two sisters and of course our efficient, excellent, delightful and entertaining wait staff, Harish and Tashoy.

Our room attendant amused us with her towel creations.

Regarding leisure time on the day at sail, Donna provided a book for me to read. I provided a book for Lou to read. Donna brought books and bought books.

Regarding photos, mostly, I was the photographer. Donna was most photographed. Lou requested a photo book of our cruise.

We liked and were challenged by all of the same speakers. Angela Thomas ranked in the first or second spot for all of us. And of course, Melissa Reeves and Lysa TerKeurst who reminded us that “With age, your mess becomes your message.”

And oh yes, Carol Kent and Karen Kingsbury, who warmed us with her humbleness and availability. Then there was Mark Harris, who led us in amazing worship and marvelous performances by Johnny Diaz, and Nicole C. Mullen. Of course, Kenn Kington, who kept us laughing as well as The Spa Girls and Penny Dollar and Polly Esther. In all it was an amazing event—a happy shared sister time.



Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Walking Tall

Anyway you look at it, the Willis Tower in Chicago is impressive.

Steven impresses me. He is helpful, responsible, kind, loyal, sincere, and hard-working. I am delighted to spend time with him.

When walking with Steven, I try to stretch up and make myself as tall as possible. At age 14, he is 5’11 ½” and growing.

My prayer for Steven as he continues to tower over many others in stature is that he will also continue to walk tall as described in
1 Timothy 4:12:

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.