Stoopininthe Suburbs: Zach Sobiech Clouds Song at Mall of America

Tonight as I lie in bed, I feel so very moved, grateful and blessed. Last night my twin sister and I were honored to be a part of something so meaningful. We performed in the largest choir in history at the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Zach Sobiech wrote the song "Clouds" before his death. It went viral fast. Zach brought so many people together last night in his honor. The mall was standing room only and packed the house on all four floors of the Mall of America.

This inspiring young man died at the age of 18 from bone cancer. He is the reason we all sang our hearts out last night at the mall. We sang his song "Clouds".  My sister and I were on the third floor.  Everywhere you turned,  people were sobbing, singing, and feeling a part of something so big. The Holy Spirit was ever present and we could feel Holy Ghost Goosebumps.

My twin sister and I held each other as we sang Zach's song in unison with hundreds of others.  We were there to honor Zach, but also to celebrate others who have lost the battle for cancer and those that are survivors.  My twin sister is a cancer survivor. Here we were helping raise funds for kids cancer. We stood there knowing what a momentous moment in time this was. She could have been gone as the doctors predicted. They gave her a 20-25% of surviving five years. CANCER SUCKS!!

This night will forever stay in my heart and I will remember the powerful, vibrant energy of love that was so thick and palpable. Please watch the video I took from the third floor.

My twin sister and I will never forget this night as long as we live.

Announcing the Launch of Book II in the series of 'Mysterious and Miraculous'

What an incredible Christmas season this is going to be. Book II of the 'Mysterious and Miraculous' series has just been published.

I am honored to announce that both my twin sister and I have our own stories of the Supernatural, Miraculous and Mysterious in this second book of the series. We are humbled to be among a cast of amazing writers. The book was made possible because of the time and talent of Michael Friedman of Mockingbird Press.
 This is one of those captivating books that you can't put down once you've started reading the incredible stories. The book is a great holiday gift because it's rich with meaning and inspiration. The book is filled with true stories that will blow your mind. They are stories of miracles, paranormal, hope and mystery. You will come away feeling inspired and energized.
 Can you envision it now: Your reading the book as you sit in your cozy living area on your favorite recliner. You have your warm fleece blanket over your lap as you sip your favorite holiday cocktail. It doesn't get better than this! The book is already available for sale on Legacy Archives Foundation Book Shoppe and it's associated information page is also up and ready to receive visitors. Eventually, when enough books sell, it will become available on hard copy.
 One of the biggest reasons I was compelled to contribute my own spiritual story is because of the important cause. 70% of the proceeds of this book will go to 'Support Homeless Veterans' Organization. Captain Mike, our wonderful Editor and Publisher from Mockingbird press has also built in a page that allows active duty veterans of allied forces to get a free copy of each book we produce in PDF format. I hope if you don't buy one of these books for yourself, you will consider buying one for a friend or family member. It's such an honor to be a contributing scribe in this team of exceptional writers, editors, photographers and everyone else who donated their time and talent to this endeavor.

 *E-Books can be purchased at
http://storykeepers.weebly.com/book-shoppe.html


 

Mysterious & Miraculous Book II- I am a scribe in this new edition. Please see my bio.

http://storykeepers.weebly.com/legacy-scribes--contributors.html

Holiday Volunteering

"Volunteers make the world go round."Yes, this is my motto, as I believe volunteers do so much good in the world. I have been in the role of Director of Volunteers for over ten years now. I feel rejuvenated about humanity each year since volunteers have given to so many organizations in need. The numbers have sky rocketed with 64.3 reported Americans volunteering through an organization of their choice. Minnesota and the Twin Cities area is one of the top areas of volunteerism. In Minneapolis-St. Paul,the trends look like this: 37% of residents volunteer bringing in 86.5 million total volunteer hours. This is an impressive number by anyone's standards.
 During the holidays many feel inspired to help and volunteer. Did you know that organizations are looking to see if you have volunteered? Think about how hiring managers feel when they scan your resume and see you have given back to the community and volunteered. This piece of information goes a long way. Perhaps this holiday season, you could think about a cause you believe in and make the leap. What would be your top cause and how would you go about researching this?
 As a Director of Volunteer Services, many of the volunteers I bring on found my organization, Ebenezer on Volunteer Match. Now that you know how to do it, just reach out and volunteer. You will be bringing on smiles and connections to those that are in need. Good luck and know you are making a big impact.
 Happy holidays.

Ann's Precious Baby Girl

The empty chair stood proud and stately in the baby's parlor. The beautiful vintage oak rocking chair reeked with character. The smell of baby powder filled the air. The diaper rack neatly displayed all the needed baby supplies: Cloth and disposable diapers, ointments, safety pins, wet wipes etc. On the wall hung a picture of mom and baby. A framed animal picture hung over a wooden floor that was splashed with bright colors.

Safely tucking baby into her crib, mother heard the doorbell ring. She softly whispered "sweet dreams baby" and shut the door quietly behind her. Ann opened the front door and saw her good friend, Erin. "I've been really worried about you Ann. You haven't been answering your home phone or answering my text's. Is everything alright?"

Erin handed over a pile of mail into her friend’s hands as she entered the front door. "Thanks, you didn't have to do that" she said in a monotone voice. Ann offered her friend a soda or cup of tea. "I'd love a can of diet Pepsi if you have it." The two friends sat in the kitchen nook and began chatting and catching up on things.

Not fifteen minutes into their visit, Ann told Erin she needed to check on the baby. "I'll be right back; I think I hear Courtney fussing." When Ann came back she was cradling her bundle of joy in a pink, hand-made quilt. "I am so sorry Erin, I'll have to end our visit because Courtney hasn't been feeling well and she really needs her sleep." Can you let yourself out while I lay Courtney back down in her crib?" "Oh, of course Ann, I understand, but please, call me soon so we can set up a girls night out." Erin gave Ann a quick hug and started towards the door.

Erin realized she needed the ladies room before the thirty minute drive home. "I really have to stop drinking pop" she said to herself. Thinking it might be a while before seeing Ann and the newborn baby, she turned to peek into the baby's nursery before using the bathroom.

Ann was looking down at her baby in the crib and singing the most beautiful lullaby. "Ann, I just had to come in and give the baby a kiss before I left." Ann didn't say a word and had an empty, glazed look in her eyes. Erin let out a gasp when she leaned down to kiss the baby. There, tucked into the beautiful blanket, was a store bought, baby girl doll.

@ Laura Rogers

dVerse Poets~Slogan About Me

"Be Who You Are & Let It Shine"- Laura Rogers

Our dVerse Poets prompt is all about slogans and what they mean. Remember the NIKE slogan, "Just Do it"?

Think about what your personal slogan is and what it would say. I chose: "Be Who You Are & Let it Shine."
Let me explain why I wrote this slogan and what it Say's about me. At my age, I have learned a lot. Some from joyful moments and many things from painful experiences.

My philosophy is to be yourself. If people don't like you, well then it's there problem. The older I get, the more I come into myself and who I really am. I am not trying to please others like I did when I was younger. I feel blessed in my life. I am surrounded by only friends that support me and love me for who I am. I had to learn the hard way about who my true friends really were? It takes too much energy to be who others want you to be and it is not healthy.

The confidence I have in myself at this age, lets me even be snarky at times. I used to be so careful to say the right things, not offend anyone, be the perfect person. Those days are gone and it is not a bad thing. I think I grew up and realized that we can't please everyone, so you may as well just shine on others who you really are.

I am blessed and feel the important things in my life are my creator, my family and friends and of course my health. Life is great and I am so grateful for all that I have. So, I guess to be true to oneself is a way of life for me.

I hope you all feel blessed like I do, and let your light shine and be who you really are. God made each of us different for a reason.

Life is about transition

Hi Wonderful Blogger Buds,
Today I sit at my kitchen table looking out at nature for the last weekend at my home. Yes, life is all about joy, pain, transition. Change in life is inevitable. I think change is something that I have learned to embrace since I have had my fair share of it. Change can be good, it's all in your attitude. I guess you could call me Queen of Transition. OK, perhaps I am getting a little full of myself. Please do forgive me.

I have lived in this single family home in the western suburbs since October of 1999. Back then, I was a married woman with two amazing children. My husband B and I separated in 2002. It was my decision tough, albeit the right decision. My lovely children and I have lived here the entire time. This house has been the one consistent in their life all these years. Now, we have to say goodbye.

My son J is taking it the hardest as he made his very best friend here in the cul de sac on Halloween 1999. I will never forget knocking on the door on Halloween and the door opening to an excited mom. "Are you the new neighbors we have heard about?" My husband B and I explained we had just moved in.  The mother who opened the door I now consider a very good friend and truly an amazing human being. We actually dubbed her "The Perfect Mom."  She called out to her son K who then hid behind her as she introduced him to the new boy next door. That memory feels like it was just yesterday. Ummmmmmm, it has been such an honor living in this charming neighborhood. Thanks be to God.

 I am feeling extreme gratitude for being a single mom all these years and praising God he had us living so close to so many loving, caring and fun neighbors. Thankfully, due to God keeping his eye on us, we had almost signed the dotted line for a home out near Lake Minnetonka, 20 minutes from the house and the neighbors we have always known. After the owner jacking me around on the price of the home and continually changing important issues, I graciously declined for our families highest good.

 Moving forward  trepidaciously, I fell upon a home that was down the street about one mile and decided to take a look. I had called for a showing and my identical twin sister who lives with my kids and I said, don't bother as the price is too high. I reminded her why all my best buds over the years have called me Norma Rae. I appealed to her sense of challenge and retorted "I will talk them down and the home is right down the street. The kids will literally be in the same neighborhood and the pain won't be as excruciating." I think that got to her Auntie Mamma heart and she agreed we should go take a look see. She is however, the golden sister who has helped raise my kids over the last ten years.

 My sister L had been diagnosed with lung cancer and never smoked, back in 2004, the same year my divorce was final. God has such a funny sense of humor. We invited her in to live with us and took care of her while she recovered from lung surgery.  They took out her right middle lobe and they found she had some spread in her trachea and bronchi lymph nodes. She then went through very intense chemotherapy and radiation. Here we are ten years later happy as the Cleavers. She needed the kids and I, I needed her, and we financially could do things for the kids I could never have done alone as a single mom. OK, onto the meat of my story.

I saw a for sale sign the day before I almost signed off on the other home. Guess what, we were one of the first people to see it. It was love at first viewing. It was everything we had hoped for and we could stay in our neighborhood. Yes, J would still be sad since he could not just walk right next door and knock on the S door like he has since he was a toddler, but hey, we were so close. The kids could literally ride their bike on the trail and be at our new home in a matter of minutes. The other sell to the kids, the house was even closer to the mall. Yes!!!

Well, we signed on the dotted line and move in next month before school starts. Ya know, you just can't make this stuff up. All of us are so happy knowing we are staying close to the great neighbors that inspired this blog in the first place. We will continue to stoop it, although it may be"Stoopin it on a deck."  Here's to new beginnings. CHEERS!!! Come "stoop it" with us at our new abode.

                                          Home In Minnetonka since 1999

New Home come August 1