God sent a fleet of five angels to help...on the coldest winter day!

 A story of inspiration to share...

A couple of years ago one of my brothers was in the middle of recuperating from shoulder surgery and needed to move to a better location very soon because his lease was almost up. Unfortunately, he just didn't have any friends available to help during this time. To make matters much worse, it had to be the coldest, iciest weekends in Kansas ever! I tried to stay positive and I trusted God.

I promised my brother I would help move and then I began praying. I asked God to help us 'make this move safely' and He sure did! God sent a fleet of angels...five to be exact to help us. It was the first call I placed, one week in advance and the answer on the other end of the phone line was "yes". I'm never surprised by the nature of my good friends to be there when I really need them. I realize how VERY blessed that they would be right there, so ready to help me, help my family member who was struggling. They are so good! I felt it necessary to share that money was very tight and Kay said "We aren't doing it for the money Patty, we just want to help, that's what Christians do". God 'through the generosity of these faith filled friends and family members, made the move a reality. Oh, everyone one worked so hard and it was the coldest winter day ever! My friend Virginia's two handsome strong farm sons were amazing. They even brought a flat bed truck!

The best memory of that experience was gathering and praying before we got started that early Saturday. It was much harder work than I expected and we needed to work together very carefully. We gathered holding hands in his little kitchen that morning asking God to keep us safe and and that no-one would be hurt. Praise God! No-one fell on the very slick sidewalk and driveways.

I will ALWAYS be both amazed and inspired by the the kindness that was given to help my brother. He was a stranger to a few of them and that didn't prevent them from helping out. As we finished and that last box was stacked, I remember my brother tipping everyone with a $50 bill (except me, his sis..and that was quite alright.) The move took most of the day and we were exhausted. My brother was VERY appreciative. He bought lunches, gas, shared a large thermos of hot coffee and said 'thank you' countless times. He also donated quite a HUGE bunch of good usable items to a street ministry to help someone else.

What wonderful friends, God's fleet of five angels who came to help...on the coldest winter day! I do remember the smiles...they were both warm and sincere.

Blessed beyond the imagination.

Patty

(In the photo are the gloves and head band that I wore that day. Can you see, I tried to arrange the gloves like 'praying hands'? A lot of prayers went up that day!)

A Favorite Scripture ~ Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart.

Psalm 37:4

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This scripture is one of my long time favorites! When I delight in the Lord, I believe He truly delights in my delighting in Him. That makes my heart smile. It's a win win situation. The Lord is faithful to give us His best, because we belong to Him.

Looking forward to hearing your favorite Scripture too. Thank you.

 

A note of thanks from Patty Cake

The beautiful card for Father is sitting on my desk and is being snail mailed today.

It's a note of thanks from Patty Cake to a special priest who has given myself (and many others I'm sure) full cups of inspiration through his Homilies presented at St. Mary's Cathedral over many years.

Sometimes good intentions aren't really worth anything. I intended to mail Father's card with a note weeks ago. The good news is ..I'm back on track! I want to be realistic...I need to remind myself to carve time, create time for the important notes I wish to send. After all, that's what 'Patty Cake' is all about. Don't you think there is something unique about 'snail mail' in this electronic age we live in? Do you like to receive a little note or little gift from a friend, somewhere in all the advertisements and junk mail? It's kinda like a treasure hunt everyday going through the mail for me.

This Father has the most gentle and most kind spirit. His words at Mass have been extremely motivating...because he really wants all of us to get to Heaven in the end. He may not always say what I want to hear but he says what I really need to hear. It must be both a wonderful and sometimes tough mission/job that he and other Church ministers have. I have been truly blessed, to witness an imitation of Christ, through his sharing of the Word. It doesn't get better than that.

Have a blessed week.

My favorite place of inspiration is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

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Cindy from 'I Owe It All To Him' invited us blogger friends to share our favorite inspirational places...

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita is my favorite place of inspiration. It is one of many, I love the oceans, however...the Cathedral is #1! For many years I have been celebrating Mass here in this Church, almost daily. I have been so blessed because the Cathedral has been in walking distance from work places for over 12 years and I haven't take fact for granted. I tell friends, this 'spiritual food' is what I need most on my lunch break'...I think others may feel similar. Sometimes friends asked if they could join me and of course I said yes. Some places just grow on you...some times we grow in places.

I have quite a few of interesting memories of just getting there...little old me....tracking down the sidewalk on the coldest winter days over the many years...the snow sometimes being so deep that cars were barely able to maneuver. There were those cold winter days, the freezing wind would steal my breath and the streets were completely iced over with thick sheets of glass. Wet soggy days when the street was so full of water it looked like a river! Then my favorite days...perfectly cool autumn days then the gentle wind blows the old ash tree yellow leaves all about...spilling them up and down the steps and they look like gold!

I have many great memories of also being in this very special place with my husband renewing our Wedding vows (a special yearly event that our wonderful Bishop officiates), the lovely Christmas eve I met one of my daughters for Mass. Other memories of being there with family and running into old friends or being a guest at a wedding or other special celebration. One of my very favorite times is after daily Mass, if I can stay a little while longer. When the altar candles are extinguished, the main lights turned off and last person has departed...there's one ceiling light that pops on overhead...and the Cathedral becomes so quiet you can hear a pin drop. It's then I have my best friend all to myself...I sit and ponder His love.

Oh yes, you may want to know if there are bells St. Mary's? Yes, and I love hearing them ring to remind me I better hurry, something good is going to happen.

Looking forward to seeing a photo and hearing all about your favorite place of inspiration too.

The Little Ladies Play Room

It was the best day ever as all of our family came home for a party. Our son and his family are finally back in the U.S.A. and it was especially fun celebrating the 4th of July all together. All our kids & all seven grand kids in the same house...so...much...fun! Yippee!

A big surprise 'The Little Ladies Play Room' was waiting for our five beautiful grand daughters...I am so excited to say...I finally finished putting it together. I will someday replace my quick paper note sign outside the door...in a moments notice...I had to put something together. Papa (our son) has always referred to his daughters as 'Little Ladies'. Perfect!

First, I want to share how I love how the room has come alive. I'm tickled pink about the whole thing because this was our really dull room, the catch all the junk room, very cluttered room that I wouldn't show anyone before now. All my books are now looking for a new home.

It was a really odd feeling hanging curtains in there because it is the first time. Our son was happy with the blinds and as you can see the wall paper is dark. Yikes..it was what we chose 20+ years ago. The rose curtains I put up were given to me by my sister Mary. I covered a few spots on them with some colorful feathered butterflies I found in the craft isle. A perfect place for them to land...I love butterflies and the 'Bloom Where You're Planted' theme. I look forward to viewing all my Mary Engelbreit books with our grand daughters...what inspiration Mary E. will give to us!

Another one of my favorite book is 'The little big book for Grand Mothers'. I giggled out loud when I saw the five little girls sitting in a row...they resemble our grand daughters so very, very well!

Just a few weeks ago I came up with a plan to convert this room (their Papa's old bedroom upstairs in our farm house) into 'The Little Ladies Play Room'. This room was already their sleeping room when they visit but now it's so much more. They truly needed a room to create and explore! I had to take quick action getting it all shaped up. It has been a hoot of fun for me unfolding, unpacking...all my ideas. Quite a few boxes were packed for them under those beds. A lot of room down there with even more...some Christmas stuff. Shh...don't tell. It certainly was worth all the trouble. I've been gathering and keeping so many special items, which I chose especially for them! You name it...mostly fun creative books...old and new. Five grand daughters = 5 X everything!

The bulletin board will be one of the art projects for the girls..they will be encouraged to decorate the board different when they come for a visit. It displays a very special Children's calendar which one of my daughters created. She has 'How to' suggestions for children to celebrate each month with family and friends. This calendar will NEVER go out of date!!!

The July message on the calendar is -

Always remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our independence! Write your own special 'Thank You' prayer to those people who have died for you so that you can have freedom!

Some of my daughters beautiful art work is posted around the room along with some favorite western artwork from a dear church friend, the late Artist George Uits.

The girls each have their own (jewelry) treasure boxes, with a unique theme that I chose just for them and they love em'. Louise's will receive hers a bit later...she turns 1 year old the end of July. What a little living doll. When I came to greet her at the car (as her Mama was taking her out of the car seat, she was all smiles when she saw me. The four girls eagerly gave me the hugs and kisses I was waiting for. I was on cloud 9! All I could tell them is that I waited so long for this day to came and 'You're here!' I can't wait to have a tea party with you and your Mama and catch up on all the news!

A big bunch of Beanie Babies are at home sweet home! They were a very special gift from their Aunt Sarah who collected them for years. When they are not 'going places' they home in the purple tub underneath the day bed.

I placed some jewelry, this and that's, tiny paper dolls in the treasure boxes. Anna's jewelry box is the Dreams, Wishes and Memories, Beth's...God told Noah to build an Ark, Nicole's the country blue doll dresser with mirror and Josephine's the French theme with words Paris! Merci, and Ma Chire. Four of these little ladies can speak a bit of broken French...the common language they've had a taste of.

The Little Ladies Play Room has a little artificial tree that will always be ready for the girls to decorate for season or holidays when they come for a visit. Aunt Amy brought the Independence Day decorations and the girls squealed with delight when the flag lights were plugged in. One of the girls placed the U.S.A. flag on top. One of the first things I put together was a copy of the Declaration of Independence in the one poster frame I had. The document was rolled up in a paper tube for a very long time. Gosh..it really looks old..like it could be the real thing...LOL. I forgot I had it and stumbled upon it accidentally as I was looking through a basket trunk full of our baby keepsakes. I reminded the girls the meaning of Independence Day and showed them the the color print, clip art beside it. That little print tells quite a story...fun to ponder what it must have been like the first 4th of July. I like the details...do you see the Church outside the window and the paper air plane on the floor?

Little Nicole is very interested in being a cow girl so I've been kicking around some ideas for western theme as I really wanted to create a Cow Girl Hangout. We found the cutest little cow girl boots with 'Little Kitty' trinkets on them...(photo not available). The boots fit nicely on Nicole and traveled out the door on her feet to their new home in Oklahoma. We collected three cow girl hats, one is a red felt hat (Mocha modeled it in one of my earlier posts around Easter time). Grand Papa found a Texas Star hat pin since then and added it...he was so excited to give it to Nicole. The pony, talks or something...I'm not sure yet. The monkey with bandana....LOL..and the little monkey getting a horsey ride...LOL.

The wooden cabinet (with the pink lop eared rabbit sitting on top) is the magic farm house cabinet. I shared with the girls that every time they come for a visit...to be sure to check that magic cabinet! There may be a surprise waiting for them. On Saturday they each found a wrapped present book...who knows what will be in the magic cabinet next time?

It was a blast on this 3rd of July party to watch all the girls and their parents discover the 'Little Ladies Play Room'! Honestly, I loved every minute and have more ideas to come another day. I decided 'to like' the old black & white work desk just the way it is. So many times...I was ready to throw it out the window. For now, it works and maybe someday...I will paint it. It's great holding the load of books and toys. The drawers and cabinets will be a good storage place for games, puzzles, art supplies and dolls...lots of dolls! A little surprise for us was watching Josie sing and play on the key board. She was having the best time... a sweet ham to watch her!

Our oldest grand daughter Anna Clare was quick to tell me after she played in the room for a little while, "Grand mama, I don''t like the room....I LOVE IT!" What a little sweetie she is. Anna is into American Girl things and was delighted that I know about them. We are all going to have loads of good times making things and discovering many new things. God is so good.

Thank you for stopping by to see 'The Little Ladies Play Room'!