Never Alone

Photo taken At Grand Valley University by Ben Teunissen

Here on the bench I sit all alone

waiting for someone to join me.

And if they happen to call me by name

Their heart will be filled and set free.

They can tell me they're sad, feeling afraid,

been rejected by those they call friends.

As I take hold of their hand, they'll understand

that I've felt their same pain, but it ends.

We talk for a while, I give then some strength,

they begin to feel Spirit again.

Then they get up and go and I say hello

to the next one who seeks to tune in.

Written by:Samarazone

ArtPrize

Photo taken by Ben Teunissen

The largest Art competition in the world was just held in our great city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of my favorite entries was the Nessie Project, submitted by AAG, who were among the top ten finals. Although they did not win and receive the top prize of $250,000.00, their creation was enjoyed and admired by many.

Perhaps next year God will throw out an idea and my arms will stretch up to catch one. I'd love to participate in Artprize. I hope Nessie is still there next year, hanging around in the Grand River. I'd like to go and see her again.

The Sounds of Silence

Picture taken from the website of http://www.missionhopeproject.org/

Please visit there and see how you could help them.

Do you ever wonder where all those missing children may have gone?

Do you know that young blond haired girls are a favorite among human traffickers?

Are you going to be a part of the problem by putting this in the back of your mind and remaining silent or are you interested in helping, perhaps one life at a time?

If you thought slavery was a thing of thing past in our country you would be wrong. It's become a very serious problem. How would you feel if it was you or your child?

Other sites to visit and give help:http://humantrafficking.change.org/ and http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/slavery.htm



Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.-Galations 6:2 ESV

Goodbye Summer 09

Speak thee of beautiful things and there you will find me... God

Photo taken at Shrine of the Pines

The Holy Family. Photo taken at The Cross in the Woods

Photo taken in Petoskey,Michigan

Heart Cloud

Who can complain about a day like this where God lets you get a peek at his heart?

The Cross in the Woods

I wonder what that day was like when God hung on the cross.

Did the sun hide behind darkened clouds refusing to come out?

Was the color of the sky that day dark blue or was it light?

Was it hot or was it cold as the day turned into night?

Did the birds continue singing did the breeze refuse to blow.

One day I will know these answers when I ask the one who knows.

Photos by Samarazone. Taken at Indian River, not far from Petoskey, Michigan. The cross stands 55" tall. For more information visit http://www.crossinthewoods.com/

The gift of a Rainbow

My husband and I had been celebrating our 24Th Wedding Anniversary when big storms came rolling into Michigan. Afterwards, I went outside to look for any damage and saw this. I ran into the house and told my husband to come and see what God had sent us! That's' my story and I'm sticking to it.

Once Upon a Tree

If I could collect anything it would be trees.

I love how they stand tall yet sway in the breeze.
I watch as they change and prepare for a season.

They provide shelter and hide dear for a reason.

They ask me for nothing, they give me so much.
They hide me from sun and allow me to touch.

I remember the days when I use to climb them.

I'd sit on a branch and dwell on my problems.

It was hard to get down after what I was smoking.

But then I found God whose words were provoking.

He told me he loved me; I thought it a joke.

I just knew that fathers tortured and spoke.

But he wasn't like that he was strong as a tree.

He gave me free will so I could chose to be me.

And because of his love I wanted to please him.

Behave with a purpose and not foolish whim.

So God is to me as birds are to trees,

a place to find safety with faith to be free.
He provides what I need and holds out his branches
of love and forgiveness and life ever after.

And one day my leaf will fall to the ground

but I have been saved and will live with the crowned.

I hope there are trees with God up in heaven

and he'll give me the job of helping take care of them.

Photos and Writing by Samarazone. Taken at Shrine of the Pines in Baldwin, Michigan

The Free and the Brave

Thank God that we still have some Freedoms and we that we still have some that are Brave.

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens? Job 35:11 ESV

Photos By:Samarazone

Taken at John Ball Park Zoo, Grand Rapids, MI

A Love Revolution

Why do you believe I've put these problems upon you? Maybe I'm not to blame.

Why do you think I've done this to punish? That's not a game I would play.

Where did your hope go? How strong's your faith? Whens the last time you thanked me?

You can make changes, it's in your hands. Stop worrying about what you are lacking.

Share with your neighbor. Help a stranger or friend. Live life with a Spirit of Giving.

Then lights will ignite;one at a time, and with love and abundance you will be living.

I do hear your prayers. I feel all your pain. I love all of you so deeply.

But darkness has made you forget what you have so start sowing what you want to be reaping.

Written by: Samarazone

Kabongers

Have you ever done something over, and over, and over which gives you the same results each time? I know I have.

I recently found an old toy from back in the 60's or 70's called, Kabongers. Kabongers were two acrylic balls with an attached string. You would hold on to the top of the string and rotate the balls up and down, hitting them together repeatedly. Oh, how I loved this toy! I believe they finally took it off the market for safety reasons.

Maybe today is a good day for us to look at the things we do over and over while getting the same results. I have a few bad habits I could start with. What about you? 

Blowing in the Wind

The Wind
by Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky;

And all around I heard you pass,

Like ladies' skirts across the grass

Oh wind, a blowing all day long,

Oh wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,

But always you yourself you hid.

I felt you push, I heard you call,

I could not see yourself at all

Oh wind, a blowing all day long!

Oh wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,

O blower, are you young or old?

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a blowing all day long,

O wind, that sings so loud a song

!t worth going out to see.

The Golden Tree

If each leaf on the Golden Tree represented what it is that you hold dear in life what would your tree speak of? These are a few of my whispers...

Don't wait around and ask God what you can do to help. Help whoever needs you and then ask God to stop you if your doing it wrong. Remember too, that you can never out give God.

Forgive everyone and don't forget to forgive yourself.

Speak well of others. We all have our good points. You never know when God is listening.

Smile at your child when they walk into the room. They will remember that you were always happy to see them.

The only thing you can control in life is yourself.

Gratitude blots out the fear.

When I say out loud, " I will never give up!" The angels hear me and send help.

Words are cool and have such power. Use your best words.

You have to fill yourself up with Love so that you always have enough left over to give away.

It's not what you put into your mouth that hurts you, it's what comes out.

Give away that which you want and it will come back to you.

If you don't think you can make your life better, whose life can you make better?

Enchanting Forests

As Angels dance in forests
And winds blow through the trees
Chimes break sounds of silence
While green shows up in leaves

And as our God looks down
A smile shines on his face
For happy days like this will come
To all who share his grace.

Written & Photographed by: Samarazone

Family

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Photo by Samarazone

Beauty

Don't you just want to know all about the one who created these?





Pictures by Samarazone. Taken at Tulip Time in Holland MI.

My Light Shines

Whenever I embrace you...My Light Shines.

When I tell you the truth...My Light Shines.

When I'm playful and happy...My Light Shines.

When I tell you I'm sorry, and I mean it...My Light Shines.

When I forgive you...My Light Shines.

When I help you in any way...My Light Shines.

When I use my kind words...My Light Shines.

When I keep your secret...My Light Shines.

When I pray for you without your knowing it...My Light Shines.

When I only have nice things to say about you...My Light Shines.

For at night, when it's dark out and I'm all alone,

My Light Still Shines

because today, I had an encounter with you.

Samarazone

Stairway to Heaven

Will you be filled with fear or take a step of Faith?

Will you be walking alone or bringing others up?

Will you carry Love or didn't you care?

Weren't you aware... of how much you mattered?

The Cry

When times of trouble come, as they often do,
We find ourselves in worry, trying to get through.
Looking for solutions to help us win our fight,
Longing for some peace so we can sleep at night.
We think to ourselves, I have done my best.
There are no more answers, I have no happiness.
It seems that all is lost, my heart is broken too.
I have no more answers, I don't know what to do.
My problems overwhelm me, I can barely think what's right.
I'm ready to give up, I have no strength to fight.
With my head down on my pillow, I can not get to sleep.
The darkness hides my face and allows me time to weep.
All I feel is sadness, hopelessness and pain.
Why has this all happened? Why does misery reign?
I need so much help, I don't know what to do.
Please, God, just help me, help me to get through!
Then I hear this voice speaking in my head,
I wondered when you'd ask for me, you know, I'm not dead!
You thought you were alone, but I was always near.
I waited for your call so I know you're thinking clear.
You're world has many troubles, but I know what to do.
Great changes are coming, I've arranged them all for you.

You're faith must be tested, is it great or is it small?

Some have given up and they have no faith at all.

I want you to be strong and I want you to surrender,

I can do amazing things, don't you remember?

I hold all your heartbeats in my gentle hand.

Have faith and be patient and know that I AM!

Written by Samarazone-Eyeseeu

,

A Small Faith

Today my faith feels very small,
But at least I have some faith at all.
God seems too quiet, he won't speak to me,
I'm asking for help, his light I can't see.
I turn to my anger, I ask where he's gone,
I blame him for things he shouldn't have done.
I question his motives, I use my bad words.
Why doesn't he hear me, is my faith blurred?
Maybe his silence is really a blessing.
I should be grateful instead of just stressing.
I have my health, my family an friends.
He's giving me time for a heart cleanse.
Then when I'm ready his voice will be heard
And I will be sorry I've been such a nerd.

The Book

The abandoned house

where lessons were taught,
waits, in stillness and silence.
A Book on a table with answers inside
for the curious, questions about us.



The Samaritan Woman
For more information on women in the bible... "http://www.womeninthebible.net"

Gerber Baby

A few weeks ago we put my Mother-in-law in an Assisted Living home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Upon going through her household belongings I came across this cute photo. Scribbled on the front were the initials DHS. With over sixty kids running around her house at any given time, (grandchildren and great grandchildren),I figured one of them had defaced the picture. Well, I was wrong. After doing some research I discovered that the picture was sketched by Dorothy Hope Smith and is a 1931 Lithograph of the original Gerber baby, who became the official trademark of Gerber in that same year.

Ann Turner Cook is the name of the baby in Dorothy's picture and I think Ann is just as cute today as she was then. (See Photo Below)






















This posting is in honor of my Mother-in-Law, Johanna, who raised 12 Gerber Babies of her own. May God Bless her.

I've Seen the Light

This photo was snapped by my husband in Cancun. He looked right into the sun to take it. Now he thinks I look beautiful in the mornings!

When Dolphins Smile

As a kid I loved to watch reruns of the show Flipper and envied all the exciting adventures he had with his friend, Bud. I can vividly remember Bud holding on to Flipper's tail, riding along without a care ... until he inevitably encountered some sort of trouble. So when my husband and I decided we would take a trip to the Riviera Maya in Mexico I really looked forward to swimming with the dolphins.

Once we were there, I witnessed the narrow canal which jailed these amazing creatures. I watched as each of their jumps became higher so that their glimpses at the ocean nearby could be long. I listened to their sounds and heard cries for help. It's my belief they were begging to be set free. I could not bring myself to swim with those poor dolphins.

Alzheimers- A Blessing

About two years ago my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and what I'm about to write here may seem odd. I know this is a terrible disease, but for me it has been a blessing.

My dad was a verbally abusive man who obviously did not want children, From the time I was around five years old I knew...that I would never be like him.

I spent almost 47 years of my life putting up with his insults, bullying and control. Finally, the day came where I realized that I couldn't take it one more day. I sat down on my bathroom floor and cried. I cried out to God in intense pain saying, "He's always so mean to me! I can't take this anymore! I give up, God! I surrender!"

A few weeks went by and I began to receive phone calls from people that had known my dad for years telling me about his recent strange behavior. He was visiting his bank numerous times a day for exactly the same thing. A long time dentist was concerned about the way he was forgetting. He had paid his monthly rent three times. At first I wasn't sure what I should to do. When I asked my dad questions he wouldn't answer.

Some time went by before I was able to get a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease, but when I did I felt such a great sadness. He'd never taken the time to get to know me. He'd never taken the opportunity to tell me that he was sorry.

As I was packing up dad's belongings to move him into a home I came across notes on pictures and papers. There were photos of me with the words he'd written, "My beautiful, lovely daughter, I love my daughter so much." Next to my phone number it said, "I'm so proud she's my daughter."

I now sit and watch the man who use to be my dad and realize for the first time in his life, he is happy. He smiles and laughs and sings. He is no longer able to control. He no longer remembers to be mean. Alzheimer's stole my dad's memory, but gave a gift to me.

.