I Come to the Garden...

Eph3_12

I've just recently finished a course of antibiotics for a UTI-1st one in probably 25 years! 

Meece

I have them frequently, and wish I could say it's been years.

mbtlcsw01

I read that one cause is the loss of estrogren and the thinning of the urethra and bladder.  Oh, great, another thing I can chaulk up to femara. 

Meece

Are these examples of how we are fearfully and wonderfully made?  Amazing how things connect and function isn't it?

sheila888

WE are melting

sheila888

I just realized there was no pictures on this page.

Meece

This thread came alive again, and I didn't even think of pictures.  Thank you, Seyla!!!!

mbtlcsw01

Ah, plumeria from Hawaii, I can almost smell it.  I lived in Hawaii for 3 years and love the smell of those flowers.

sheila888

Where my DD lives in Hawaii right in front of the living room there is a white plumeria tree.

I used to have my morning coffee right there.

Oh Memories!

mbtlcsw01

Yep, I had one out my front window too.  On a military base. 

Eph3_12

I was there 3 years too-1982-85.  When my sis was coming to visit me, a little old native lady helped me string her a plumeria lei.  I was inundated with that gorgeous smell for days.... love it. 

Meece

I have a 3 ft. plumeria in my green house.  Hasn't bloomed, yet.

3jaysmom

1. sorry ive been offline, , ladies, ive really missed all of you.my old computer crashed, dont have $$ to fix it, or buy new one. borrowing oldests sons' "broken" one..it over heats, so dont stay on too long. am really grateful 2 havw it. i need all your support more than u realize.am praying for you ,     grace, and hoping ure treatmts will breeze bye, fat chance, but we all know prayerss DO work.. and also for u MEECE, and MATT.i hope this surgery works, and help will arrive 4 him..i  know we worry so uch about our kids. will be praying for all of you. am cutting yhe "chemo fuzz" on the top of my head, hopung it will thickn up. it's said to be the best thing for it. back and sides came back thick, normal for me.. but top uughh!! if i can figure out an avatar of me soon, i want to put it in. i eally feel like i "know" u even better, when theres a fACE TO GO ALONG WITH THE WORDS. THEN I CAN SHOW OFF MY BELOVEDS.. fISCHER, AND fINLEY  the latest is.. get this.. i bought hallowen costumes at the thrift shop and $ store here for them. a faiey, wings and all, for finley, and a warrior breastplate,sword, all of it.. now, Fischer asks for wings everytime we speak to him.. his father is a homophobe, and freaks out!i will be buying them, but he will not be wearing them around his father, halloween, or anynight.. we go to a church near here, and then his community has a block party. a fun time, and no worries...good to catch up..you r all in my prayers tonight. i have been aware all say its 9-11 and our boys (and girls ) are out there for us, still,,,, light and love dent to all who need, and want it, 2jays.

mbtlcsw01

Eph I was there from 1979-1982. I was leaving when you were getting there.  I loved plumeria, mango trees, piccaki, and bouganvilla.  I grow my own "bogey" now in memory of the ones growing down the hill from where we lived.  Several years ago, we went back for a conference in Wakiki.  Drove to the base to find our old military housing.  It had been bulldozed down the day before:)

sheila888

When i was there in May 2010 I felt like a little kid when i saw Avocado trees, mango trees and papaya trees. I have pictures of a baby pineapple and the papaya. Let me see if I can bring it here from FB  (which many of you already saw them.)

sheila888

Here is the Papaya Tree.

sheila888

Here is the baby pineapple.

sheila888

The view from the window where I drank my coffee. OOOOOH I missed Hawaii.

samsue

Love is Life

I asked God to take away my habit; God said no

It is not for me to take away, But for you to give it up,

I asked God to make my handicap child whole; God said no,

His spirit is whole. His body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience: God said no,

Patience is a bi-product of tribulations, It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness; God said no,

I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain; God said no,

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow; God said no,

You must grow on your own, But I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I may enjoy a good life, God said no,

I will give you life so that you enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others as much as he loves me,

Ahh, finally you have the idea...

Meece

Very nice Samsue.

I told God "Please don't let it be cancer."  it was

I told him "I don't want to have chemo."  I had the type of cancer that required it

I told God "I don't want to lose my hair".  Lost every strand.

I learned that I don't tell God anything.  He knows what I feel inside, but it is up to me to surrender control to Him.  In everything I try to remember to ask that His will be done.

My true story

mbtlcsw01

So well said Meece.  My husband has gone through a very difficult year after supporting me thru my journey.  He has a female chaplain who has made it her mission to harrass and persecute him at every turn--he is the head chaplain.  We could not imagine why we were going thru what I considered almost harder than bc journey.  A national job has become available, none like it before.  My husband is the only person in the nation that qualifies.  He will be in the national VA office in Hampton, VA (if selected).  We will be living apart for awhile, but God has had His hand in everything.  I told God once I would not ever move again.  I have since reconsidered, but at this point, we want to keep our home here in Florida and we have all of our children here.  I have a grandbaby on the way.  God has honored my husband's very difficult walk through all this.  I think of these lines often:

 I Then Shall Live by Gaither Vocal Band

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven. I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid. I know my name is clear before my Father; I am His child and I am not afraid. So, greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey. I then shall live as one who's learned compassion. I've been so loved, that I'll risk loving too. I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I'll dare to see another's point of view. And when relationships demand commitment, Then I'll be there to care and follow through. Your Kingdom come around and through and in me; Your power and glory, let them shine through me. Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor, And may Your living Kingdom come in me. The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may You feed a hungry world through me. Amen, Amen, Amen.

Eph3_12

mbtlcsw01, AKA Mary, you have demonstrated a beautiful spirit in your post!  God will honor you both, I am sure!

mumito

You ladies make me wish my faith was stronger.

2Hands4me

What beautiful, inspiring words from all of you ladies! God is Able, He is in control, He knows what the future holds, and just how to prune us for OUR good! Love the gorgeous pictures and positive thoughts on this site.

mumito

Stilted Sandpipers

mbtlcsw01

mumayan, I am a major bird lover.  Love the picture.  Home sick today and this was a beuatiful mental health moment for me. 

Meece

Mum, you just have to not shoot yourself down if you falter.  We are human, and He knows that.  If we were perfect, He would not have needed to send His son.

Plus, sometimes just reaffirming your faith helps you to realize how much you have.

barbe1958

Mum, I believe right now your faith is coming through in the photos you take. You couldn't possibly capture nature the way you (and your husband does!) without faith....I'm just sayin'

Meece

I agree, Barbe.

Meece

Slightly off topic:

Saturday morning I met up with three woman from my youth.  I haven't seen one in 30 years and the others have been 5-7 years ago.  We sat down for breakfast and I found out one had had Hodgkins Lymphoma, another is currently in tx for Colon Cancer, and the other's father is battling incurrable lung cancer.  Isn't it frightening how the "C" word touches so many lives?

I was just thinking about it.