Hey ((((Sprout)))) --- ??? You there???

[Theodora]

You offered to allow us mothers to "claim" you for the special day tomorrow. Still game???

What shall we talk about? What shall we "do" together? What fun memories can we create together?

If you had a perfect day to plan....what would it be???

HMmmmmmmmmmmm????

Just some happy thoughts of the evening....

Looking forward to being able to "hang out" a bit with you tomorrow, if you're still here.

Love and prayers from
your Funny Forum "Mom of the Day"...(or one of them!) As I recall, Hornblower said she'd be pleased to do this too.

Hmmmmm....that didn't come out quite right! (Don't you just LOVE how English takes an unexpected turn sometimes? From where I've placed the adjective "Funny" above, it is ambiguous as to WHAT (or WHO?) is "funny" here....let alone how "funny" is being defined. ) HUH?? :rolleyes: :o

Well....I'd REALLY best stop this silliness now, or you'll all be concerned for my sanity! (Blame it on relatively little sleep for several days, but it seems that "other things" are going on too.)

Signing off now...Please DO pray that I WILL get some sleep in this night, since my husband and I (and MAYBE our older son) have tentative plans for tomorrow and I would like to be there in spirit as well as in body if we go through with this.

More as able---

Love and prayers---

Theodora

[sprout]

I would be absolutely honored! First thing I would like to do is pray for you without being laughed at then I would like to learn biblin and make you proud of me for trying....even if I dont get it all right away. Next I just wanna know you all better so I unnerstand da whispers when I pray. It will help me sooo much just to feel I can be a good surrogate and pray without embarrassment and lose myself in productive faith.
TTG

[Theodora]

Know that I am honored that you would WANT to pray for me....(and YES....prayers are VERY much needed right now!!!)....and no....DO be assured that I would NEVER, EVER laugh at you for trying.

And...as for being proud of you? Ya know how it is with us moms? We already ARE proud of you, just because you're YOU!!!

But...you'll have to educate me too first, I think....I don't understand your word "Biblin." Is that an abbreviation for something?

Would you like to tell us something more about your background? Did you grow up in the South of the U.S.? Have you moved around any? (or too much?) Have you had family/friends along the way whom you've enjoyed.? If so...what sort of things did you enjoy doing together?

Well...must stop for now. I'm about to go over to my neighborhood Roman Catholic church---which has been my "home away from home" for some years. (LONG saga about where and how an Episcopalian happened to end up being "associated" with this parish....let alone all I've experienced through meditation/listening to various priests ETC.! HOWEVER...by way of returning thanks for this true Sanctuary for me, some years back I started building and maintaining resources for their "Children's Room" where the parents can take restless children. Yesterday, I spent some time getting things back in order after not having been able to be there for...??? c. 3 months? Needless to say, there was a bit to do, but it's very satisfying to see how relatively little effort CAN restore some order....and it was gratifying to have a little girl stop by looking for a coloring book and crayons to use while her brother was rehearsing in the boys' choir. Hearing the choir rehearse, incidentally, was another reward for being there! I LOVE that kind of music and they sing BEAUTIFULLY...WONDERFUL to have that as my background music as I worked!. When I needed a break, I'd then go into the church proper and just actively LISTEN!!!! Since the choirs sing from a choir loft from the back of the church, this meant having to sort of center myself in the middle of the church and turn around and look UP!!!! Memorable! Fun!....and nice to be able to do that without embarrassing other people facing the other direction toward the altar! WELL...all of THAT by way of background to telling you that my little errand of the moment is to go deliver some new crayons and a new coloring book "for spring" which I had hoped to do earlier this Year...but..."Better late than never?"

THEN....oh wonder of wonders...and please do keep this in active prayer....Our older son is joining me as I go back for the a.m. Eucharist to an Episcopal church which has been ...um...well...a "challenge" for me for a while now. My husband and I had both been singing the choir at this church when "things" happened. Long story short...he has continued to rehearse with them, but I've not been there for ??? almost a year now, I think. BUT..last Sunday my husband was able to participate in a purely delightful special service of "Elizabethan Evensong"....which he had recorded for me, so that has encouraged me to move past whatever the blocks are to my attending there as I worked with the music. This week, I've compiled that with another evensong recorded c. 1 1/2 years ago at the same church, and have been actively duplicating it in order to share it on...various places, various needs, including taking a copy to the funeral we attended on Friday for the family of our lawyer friend "of yore." Our initial connection to this person had been STRICTLY as a choir member...and then he was the person who facilitated the adoption of our older son....SO....MUCH "stuff" unrolling at the present!

In any case, my Mother's Day gift from this same son is that not only was he able to get off work to attend the funeral on Friday---HIS idea!---BUT, at my request, he has consented to come with me this morning too!!! YEA!!!!!!! He's not really too comfortable with the more formal music/ritual of liturgical churches---and hasn't attended anywhere for a LONG while---BUT...for now, we'll go on this little adventure together and trust the Lord for a happy outcome. DO please pray about this. ....that I DO have the ability to "let go" of past pain and past resentment (and fears) and that everything will go well in every respect.

THANKS....

More as able.

Love and prayers, little one! I'm glad you're here!

Your Mom of the Day


I would be absolutely honored! First thing I would like to do is pray for you without being laughed at then I would like to learn biblin and make you proud of me for trying....even if I dont get it all right away. Next I just wanna know you all better so I unnerstand da whispers when I pray. It will help me sooo much just to feel I can be a good surrogate and pray without embarrassment and lose myself in productive faith.
TTG

[Jerry]

Happy Mothers Day Theo,,,,,,,,I have no doubt this will be a wonderful day for you ;)
Love Jerry

[Janice]

.......and pray without embarrassment ........



I've often asked myself, why am I embarrassed to pray?"

Is it because I don' feel qualified?

Is it because I think I have to "measure up" in some way?

Is it because I think other people have more of a way with words then I do?

Is it because I am afraid of people hearing what I pray and thinking it is stupid?

I have felt all these feelings. But, ya know what?

The more I pray, the closer I get to God, therefore, the more comfortable I feel 'talking' to Him.

I think that's what praying is: Talking to God.

[SpinningHead]

"And...as for being proud of you? Ya know how it is with us moms? We already ARE proud of you, just because you're YOU!!!"


God loves us just because He created us! He loves us just because we're His.

That makes me feel all nice and cozy on this dreary, cold, rainy Mother's day. :) Snuggle up Sprout!

[sprout]

Father God,

[sprout]

Father God,

I lift all these Dear women up to you, I thank you for those mother's,those mother wanna be's, and those that have chosen to be my surrogate mothers today. I pray specifically that you would project your willful blessings upon our families as we women praise you for teaching us how to be mom's that have found both surrender and sacrifice through our children...Your Children.

Lord, Help us not to focus on what 'kind' of daughters we have been or what 'kind' of sons and daughters we have raised. Help us to see the blessing of your love with affirmation of Your faith in us. Teach us not to focus on what we consider to be 'maternal failures', but instead to concentrate on becoming sinners destined for sainthood...a handicraft of growth and recovery designed to be artwork of Your Glory.

I ask specifically that you would continue to bless the relationships that you have chosen to form via this site. Teach me, tell me, and tolerate me as I plead for Your Holy Spirit to show me how to pray and encourage these people as well as accept thier prayers and encouragement.
Amen

[butterfly]

:) Sprout, Thank you for the prayer it is a blessing to me.
My mother was very abusive to me till the day she died.
Reading your post and Theodora"s remind me how God has given me Mother"s to mother me thru my diffucult walk on this earth.
I thank Him now for them. The ones who sheltered me and gave me love,cookies:D , protecting me thru my hard times.
I was blessed with Yvonne who mothered me in my adult life.
She gave my sons love and understanding.
She had no children of her own.
We became family. She was much older than I and I gave here love like a daughter.
Our friendship was a blessing from GOd for the both of us. She was alone with no family in this state.
She died in my arms.:( :( :) The smile is because God allowed her not to be alone and gave me the abilty to be there and tell her how much she was loved while she was leaving this earth.
This sounds sad I know but it was a blessing to be toghter at that time. butterfly

[sprout]

But...you'll have to educate me too first, I think....I don't understand your word "Biblin." Is that an abbreviation for something?

Biblin is sittin down talkin about how God takes His word and writes it as stone testimony to your heart. (like in Psalm 119) Its more than just bible study...its sharing what the living part of His word does to help forge honest and safe relationships as believers.
I hope that makes sense....it's hard to describe...but somehow there have been times that when I talk about scripture with somebody safe and honest God gives me a burden for them....a very welcomed burden.

Would you like to tell us something more about your background?

Um: I am 44 years old...Married 20 yrs and have 3 children and 1 granchild. I have sexual and spiritual abuse issues that manifested as repressed memories in adulthood. I have given up on being socially or spiritually understood and repeat a sort of self-fulfilled prophecy when it comes to being a spiritual failure. I then transform this into self destruction everytime I get close to material, financial,or spiritual growth. But all of that is in my God's hands...and will be testimony some day.

Did you grow up in the South of the U.S.?

Nope the upper Midwest where day tahlk jist layke da Mooveeeee FahrGooooh

Have you moved around any? (or too much?)


The usual moving around my home state when I was first Married. But I consider My move to KY. The 'BIGGUN" It was a tack in a map kind of thing. Tired after shoveling 3 homes of snow and trying to shephered senior family members to the grave, and following the 'abuser/mentor' I spent my inheritance moving here. (The land of promise it has NOT been)

Have you had family/friends along the way whom you've enjoyed.? If so...what sort of things did you enjoy doing together?

Um....I think I take all relationship as better than what it is worth. I am sooooo hellbent on finding the 'real' God that learning to trust even online fellowship is my only real focus...But I DO think maturity is over-rated. I like watermellon seed spitting contests....and Hopscotch and unsurpressed absolute Joy.


How's that?

[sprout]

"And...as for being proud of you? Ya know how it is with us moms? We already ARE proud of you, just because you're YOU!!!"


God loves us just because He created us! He loves us just because we're His.

That makes me feel all nice and cozy on this dreary, cold, rainy Mother's day. :) Snuggle up Sprout!


Oh......how I have always wanted a mom that would have pride in me. And one that would be even prouder of the active God within me. Sure I was my families greatest potential and grandest dissapointment But I don't quit tryin to learn more about how I can serve God. That makes me look like such a failure on the outside.
Makes me wonder....Can any surrogate, Spiritual mother love my same God enough to even pray about the desire to watch me grow??
Would I have to humble myself to ask? And How would I know it was safe?

What I choose to believe:
Is that i don't quit fightin because God says all this shit can be worth somethin to Him. The abuse is too blatent and too spiritually directed to mean any less. I am blessed by dysfunction because God has a grand design...and givin up family and self respect and battlin the memories are all part of the testimony that is gunna make me REAL non babylonian, saved and know the reason, outreach destined, unblemished by human doctrine servant of the slain and Risen Living Son of God.

I seek encouragement

[sprout]

:) Sprout, Thank you for the prayer it is a blessing to me.
My mother was very abusive to me till the day she died.
Reading your post and Theodora"s remind me how God has given me Mother"s to mother me thru my diffucult walk on this earth.
I thank Him now for them. The ones who sheltered me and gave me love,cookies:D , protecting me thru my hard times.
I was blessed with Yvonne who mothered me in my adult life.
She gave my sons love and understanding.
She had no children of her own.
We became family. She was much older than I and I gave here love like a daughter.
Our friendship was a blessing from GOd for the both of us. She was alone with no family in this state.
She died in my arms.:( :( :) The smile is because God allowed her not to be alone and gave me the abilty to be there and tell her how much she was loved while she was leaving this earth.
This sounds sad I know but it was a blessing to be toghter at that time. butterfly





Ms Butterflu ma'am.....what a bittersweet blessing. God is cool eh?

[butterfly]

:) Sprout, Thank you for sharing.
I hate shoveling snow. Give it to me any day over a tornado.
butterfly shirley

[Theodora]

...it has been an amazingly wonderful, memorable day--even as Jerry predicted it would be and I am so very thankful this night. More to share when/as I can.

But...before heading off to bed, I wanted to check in with my new daughter in the Lord and to thank Sprout so much for her beautiful prayer for us and for all she shared in response to my questions. WONDERFUL...!!!! WHAT on earth has made you think that you wouldn't be "good enough" or something.....I'm so sorry! Just this briefest of posts shows you to be SO very gifted.

So...sleep well, little daughter of mine. I AM proud to watch you grow here and I'll be looking forward to seeing the next step you make!

When my sons were young, we used to sing them to sleep with

"Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night.
Guardian angels God wll send thee,
All through the night......"

May you and all who read here in this night or in the days to come find rest in God's peace and may your hope and trust be ever renewed.

Love and prayers--

Theodora

[Janice]

.......Teach us not to focus on what we consider to be 'maternal failures', but instead to concentrate on becoming sinners destined for sainthood...a handicraft of growth and recovery designed to be artwork of Your Glory....

Wow Sprout! This part of your prayer touched me especially.

I went to the NACR forum before here and what I posted in reply to one of ninaspirit's thread on "Loving Yourself More", fits exactly!

Thanks!

[sprout]

I met with Boss....declined transfer so that I can be home for grandson of whom I just recieved temporary custody. Ain't no clue that the rest o my family wants to do things God's way, so I guess it might be a long ride but for tonight I chose to believe. Hope you all had a banner day!!