Is there "Facebook" in Heaven?

Looking at your "facebook" page, Joanne ... Christmas Eve... And there it says, "Send Joanne a Message"... How could I resist? Just in case there is "facebook" in heaven, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you, Joanne, how much you continue to be loved... and missed by those who love you! How great it must be for you to be among the heavenly celebrations this year! Love, Jean

Dec 22 2009 Hepticodium Tree Planted at Creve Coeur Park

Hello Sisters

Joanne's BENCH (Be Ever Near Christ's Heart) Garden has taken its "next step" with the installtion of a tree donated and installed by Greenscape Gardens. It is a beauitiful Seven Son Flower Tree (Hepticodium). Michael S. has purchased a beauitiful bench that will be installed soon that has the first Bible quote that Joanne taught me, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Some how she knew that that very one quote would be the one that challenged me, softened me and openned my heart so that I can be reminded how I best feel his presence . I saw her faith carry her to His arms and I was blessed.

Strangly enough - or another kowinkidink, that was the very quote that Michael selected to put on the bench. When he told me I thought I might stop breathing for just a moment and so I didn't comment, except to say "how perfect". Of course it is so perfect! Read this: http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1245-be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god

I believe so much is happening around me because I am listening better ( still not very good as I mean to) That in its self is reassuring, I am so imperfect and I so know it. The next quote Joanne shared with me is Philippians 1:6 of which as she explained to me - we are all a "work in progress" I don't think I can post any signs in the park but I think that would be a good one to have at the BENCH Garden- and a reminder to me not to rest on my laurals but keep working to know my Savior and keep working to find my place and keep working at hearing his Word.

The Garden design plan is still in its infancy but will grow. I am praying about it. I want it to be pleasing to all.

On Earth As It is In Heaven

MaryAnn

Ornaments from Joanne

Remember the story she wrote about making ornaments for gifts? Here is a picture of the "polar bear" one...

I think Joanne found this line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPViKJRHyZo

Four Months...

.... Every year... when Joanne and I would have our "voicemail" which was attached to "beepers", we would send each other this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZbgG4D2oA

I miss Joanne. And I feel more appreciative of each of my sisters at this time.

Michael returned to me my Christmas Card to Joanne 2008

Here is the card's front: the story Foothprints ( you know the one where the guy sees two sets of footprints and questions God about why in the valleys and difficult places there is only one set and God tells him that is when he carried him)

Sharing the joy, the Glory and the Miricle of this Christmas Season

then I wrote:

May we be lifted above the day to day and brought into the glory of our Lord, who even as an infant filled hearts with love. You have restored my faith in my Savior-blessed are you that has held the door open for me to see his might& his love for me.

I pray for each of us sisters and our families this holy blessed season & I thank God you are my sister.

Rest and restore-you are in good hands!

Love

MaryAnn

ps thankyou for sharing the day with me!

2008

being grandma is a good distraction

My heart is still so heavy. It seems my thoughts of Joanne never stray far.

I hold tight to my memories and it seems endless, the number of times in the day that I am trying to recall her gentle advice and calming voice.

I took this picture of Patrick and Lucy yesterday as I played the music box of Joanne's that plays the tune Camelot. Michael gave it to me last week when I came by to see a few of the big vidio clips-Jill with Mall Hair- that was fun.

We talked about Joanne some, Adam was there but he slipped off sometime- I was tearful and I guess that is hard for everybody.

The Sisterness of Isolation

My sister closed on a new house yesterday... should be cause for celebration of some sort, even in light of the family events recently. Good news would be a welcome break. But there is no celebration... no discussion... not even a notification of the address.

Many of my sisters have made comments over the years that they feel isolated from the others. Yet we have been part of the same sisterhood since our birth. We are from the same mother and father... we are connected! Our memories from childhood are interrelated. I recall when each of the younger ones came home from the hospital. The excitement from the rest of us was true and pure love.

When we get together it is the composite of memories.... one remembers one part, another has another part, and together it is made whole.

And yet, we had been able to laugh and find humor in our everyday sisterness.... "Yams Flambee amd the proper techniques of firefighting" "Let me put away the spaghetti in a baggie" "The calendar by the phone of our little babysitting business" "Mom's Mercury Comet when she didn't have a driver's license" "Knock-Knock.... Goodbye have a nice day!" "Counting off for milk"

There really is no Isolation in Sisterness... because we ARE sisters!

My heart aches and breaks... and tears come... and my heart breaks again. I see the pictures of "the sisters" and dad, or "the sisters" and mom, or "the sisters" and others. Are we still "the sisters" with one missing? Three weeks and still...

I called my sister, Kay, this afternoon... almost felt like I needed an excuse to call. But, the truth is I wanted to feel connected to something ... I was trying to see if the other sisters were as broken as I am. If they too were fine and then "not so fine"... and then shattered ...

I talked to my dad this afternoon, too. He wasn't feeling well, but he did take a minute to talk and ask how things were in Arkansas. Our call was concluded as quickly as it began.

I have called Michael Sampl a few times ... sometimes not much conversation between us... just tears. I am so glad Joanne "loved him best".

Truly Loved!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We are blowing bubbles for you!

Inspiration Jean Found

Here is Patrick two days old

Dear Sisters

Does any one else see the resemblance?

I would love to revisit the early days after birth of the rest of our loved ones- what fun!

Greg two days old 1984

As we admired this beautiful baby -now our grandbaby- and the comments about his incredibly handsome good looks we relaized we had a familiar pull to our heartstrings.

The other day I got down the old photos and sure enough- the fink/ cook genes have bonded with the Lefholz to create a "perfect" combination ( I am now wanting to review all the beautiful babies in our family- please check and when you have a minute let's celebrate birth and babies!

Patrick at the hospital with great grandma

Friends and family gathered around Josh, Holly & Patrick!

The grandmas started spoiling - right away!

Patrick at the hospital with friends and family

Meghan - the delivery nurse - and family friend

Many visitors to see this handsome boy!

Patrick at the hospital

Patrick is about 23 hours old in these pictures. What a handsome baby!

Arrivals

Dear Sisters,

Thank goodness I was up and around early. I thought the dogs just want to celebrate Patrick's arrival with a walk around Goose Lake, but I was wrong. It seems they were trying to let me know I had a new resident in my littlest garden.

Right by the front door sits a small window box garden. I planted it late last fall on a whim while I considered Holly's news about starting a family. I knew much was sure to change! The timing was off for planting such a little garden, and I admit I worried some about the challenges the future would bring.

I tried to protect what I could from winter with prayers that nature would take hold.

It seemed all I could do was let Spring and then Summer nurture the energy held beyond my reach. I gave the best care I could give which was my support and encouragement (and regulated the water-not too much- not too little)

Maybe not so surprising now that I think about it, that spark of life that is part of every garden began to florished once I added a few thoughtful additions. Begonias for my daughter Jill " mini-mom", even with house plants and Purple leaf, a cutting from my garden friend Jill S. I love the way it's leaf has a band of glitter when the light is just right. It is like Jill S. who also has found her own way to sparkle! A make believe bird house for Sammy and Jean and a delicate trellis that make me think of how Joanne always offer's others timely support. A little curved bench is part of this sweet scene as a reminder of June H. who knows the most about the magic of gardens and helps me remember to rest and savor the "moment".

I decided to add a small slightly damaged birdbath I am recycling into this gardenas a remider of our "sister "connection. It has a pretty bluebird bathing with abandon! Thank goodness we can all connect, maybe worn like mom's Velveteen Rabbit- but we all know we are loved-we are sisters!

Of course I added a tiny watering hose for all the many people who, like water fill my existance, refreshing and escential though not alwasy obvious until you are thirsty!

Then I had an enchanted idea-------------- I would wish for "fairy small request" for a Sprite to make the garden his home.

I enlisted some help from Jean with the search for an available fairy. Eventually she was able to make contact with the hard to find Red Mulberry Sprites (they use to be everywhere-but not so any more-but they do somehow have sponsors with some internet connections.

I only know one garden that is still has Red Mulberry Magic. That is a privledge given only to the purest of heart. This caretaker is so special that the Red Mulberry Fairy Queen has her portait from when she was a child handing in "HER" house. Red Mulberry Fairies and Sprites can see you through the sparkle of HER eyes) .

The package arrived on my porch just weeks ago with instructions to "open the box near the "ready for love" garden and wait-do not disturb". It is good to practice pateince-but it is hard!

Sure enough, As I headed outside with the dogs Lucy and Chip, the first rays of sunlight were touching my doorstep garden, spotlighting its new resident as he toured his minature estate.

Now my tiny pocket garden, vacant all spring except for the passing butterfly is now a home to the littlest mulberry sprite I have ever seen! He seems pleased to have a place of his own in my garden and heart!

We are expecting Patrick on Sunday or Monday

Holly is truely reached her limit this week and tearfully asked the Dr. to set the date for Patrick's grand entrance to our family roster.

She is now scheduled for a pre-induction trial on Sunday. The delivery date is now officially Monday!

Michael offers father / daughter tips to Holly as he recalls his "bump" (main cause differes- his was Pizza nite! He has now lost over 40 lbs with the help of Weight Watchers and Gold's Gym)

Still waitng

Update one hour ago Holly called to say the contractions are back- she welcomes them. They are heading out for a walk ( they learned that seems to be the advice from everyone)

I was putting together a picture file for her sister- in- law so that she will have a photo book. I cried when I looked at this picture taken the week Holly found out she and Josh were expecting. She is holding my friend's new baby. Look at Holly's eyebrows- arched in amazement at the perfect beautiful nose!

As much as she alwasy liked babies and wanted to be a mom, this was the first time she held a 2 week old (Yvonne's little girl) and felt amazed. Now maybe shortly she will feel it again but on a personal of level. It was a beautiful moment!

Prelabor fatigue

HI Sisters,

Well that "I 'm not as young as I use to be" saying is true. After a long week and a hot day, we went with prayer-filled hearts to meet Holly and Josh at the hospital. How come I was so tired?

Holly was smiling when they arrived- we beat them to the hospital ( I read the smile as we had time to go before Patrick's arrival. I have come to having low trust levels with Holly's high pain tolerance- anything was possible) She had been experincing some discomfort but had done an excellent job at following the dr.'s directions but the contractions had not gone away- of course that is until she was set in her room with her monitor!

The pic I wanted was of Josh and Her as they made multiple laps through the hospital halls till the wee hours of the morning ( that is what 1 am is to me these days) Grasping each others hands, they offered support to each other as they discussed the ever nearing completion of this expereince-birthing a family!

I will keep you posted. Don't know why the pic is out of focus- maybe the camera had wet eyes too!

The Prayer...

More home improvements for baby Patrick

Hi sisters,

If I can figure out how to add a few iamges to the same blog entry, I will do that now. Please note the "Eore" in the background of the last picture. Pop wanted her to have something mom would have gave her, this seemed like it was meant to be as it was with the cloud crib sheet . I miss mom.

There baby blanket is a handmade gift from a friend with the yellow blanket I made when she first shared her good news. It is bright and cheery like Holly's disposition. I hope Patrick is as easy as she was- in every way!

Baby Steps Preparing for Patrick

Hello Sisters,

Needless to say, both Holly and Josh are overwhelmed with the generosity and excitement. This is shared by friends and family as the preparations for Patrick’s arrival continues. Kay please thank Lisa again for helping them get the shower gifts and wonderful glider back to the apartment.
We spent today pulling the nursery together. It still needs some finishing touches but they are pleased with the effort.
I helped by sharing some organization tips from our friend Yvonne and others and by suggesting some minor furniture changes. In the end we were all tired but happy.
Holly and Josh are excited to be one more "baby step” closer to being ready for this heart filling occasion.
I am sure every little sleeper, spittty diaper and precious little outfit will be patted and refolded and every necessity tweaked, tried and tripped over a few more times before Patrick has his chance.

Memories... last year - Holly and Josh's wedding

More and more and more baby shower pictures

More and more baby shower pictures

More baby shower pictures

Holly's Baby Shower Pics

MA is about to become GrandMA!

The weather was beautiful and many babies came to the BABY SHOWER for Holly on June 6. It was a beautiful day to celebrate Holly's birthday, wedding anniversary - and upcoming birth of Patrick! Congratulations!