Calling All Prayer Warriors!

 

\https://www.pinterest.com/pin/547398529688706437/

Good Morning Family,

Brian needs prayers!

As you all know, Brian has struggled throughout his life with many challenges. He has had one of the toughest lives of anyone I know! But I have always admired Brian's resiliency in his struggles... he has such a kind and sensitive heart, and does not ask for much out of life.  

If you follow him on Facebook or Instagram, you may have seen his posts yesterday and today. He was arrested for a DUI and his posts are definitely a cry for help. 

As his parents, we have been on this faith journey of surrender for a very long time, and believe that Brian is God's child first. We are praying that he will come to his sobriety and trust in His higher power (like so many family members have), and that will come to guide him on his path to wellness. 

I am not always sure of how to pray...except to know deeply that somehow God's got this! His will...not  mine. 

I am going to end with one of my favorite scripture passages:

Romans: 8: 24-28

We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't have yet have -- for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.

And in the same way-- by our faith-- the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in  harmony with God's own will. And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. 

LYM

Reenie

The Original Marie by the Sea

The last time I visited Mom before she passed away, I found her sitting in her chair in her room at the Cloisters. After greeting me, she pointed to the sliding glass door, and asked, "What are all those people doing there?" There was no one there, but Mom seemed a bit agitated; I tried my best to reassure her by answering: "It's okay Mom, they are just waiting for you, and are here to help you." The staff at the Cloisters were so kind, and recognized the signs of someone in transition. They came in, and assisted Mom, moving her safely from her chair into her bed. Later that evening, joined by a hospice nurse, Chris and I watched Mom point to the ceiling...sometimes laughing, sometimes frowning, (as if listening intently) and talking incoherently. Chris said: "She's talking to people!"  I felt we were truly witnessing a "holy moment"!  Mom was being met by the "Communion of Saints"... relatives and angels that were there to help her pass over into her new life! The TV was on low, and at one point a voice on the TV asked... "Are you ready to go?" Mom looked over and said "Sure!" The hospice nurse started to laugh, and asked us... "Did she just answer... Sure?"  Yep! Mom was ready!  

Throughout this quarantine time, Michelle sorted through all her photos. She uncovered so many personal and family memories, and wanted to share some pictures of Mom on her birthday!

Birthday Shout-Out: August 31: MOM💓

The men in her life

Mom met Dad during her high school years in Los Angeles. 

(Love this picture of Dad. Reenie: "He had an in-grown toenail so he's wearing a bedroom slipper in this picture.")

With Doc at Pier 39, 1974

(I edited myself out. Mom was lucky.)

As a young woman
Mom was born in Ferdinand Idaho on August 31, 1916. Mom went to beauty school (somewhere -- anyone know where? Please reply with answer), probably around this time:

(Jan: "The style of the day was to pluck off your own eyebrows then paint on new ones.")

Friends
The sisters-in-law: Melda, Joan, Mom and Dahl

(I edited Michelle out. Not having had sisters of her own, Mom adopted sisters from Dad. Jan's situation too.)

Mom's friend
 (Michelle: "Cheryl and I love the one that looks exactly like her having her little treat.")

Later in life

(That was the trip up north when Mom lit up one of Michelle's cigarettes in the kitchen. Mom: "I just wanted to taste it again.")

 (Mom grew old well.)

If you feel inclined, please share your thoughts by Replying below if you can. If you have images that make you think of Mom, please share those too so all can enjoy. We will post next with whatever we get. Here's mine -- do you see Mom in this image?

Here's mine... Reenie

LYM

Reenie and Dan

Love is the best medicine!

 

https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/love-6-of-28/

A wise physician once said:

"The best medicine for humans is LOVE!"

Someone asked "What if it doesn't work?"

The physician smiled and said:

"Increase the dose!"

I loved this! We sure do need love now more than ever!

It is a little over halfway through August...

Anniversary Shout-out! August 19th💗

Dan and Jan Murphy  are celebrating their 41st anniversary today!

Such a beautiful couple inside and out!

Thinking of Mom and how she always ended a visit with LYM, but also with a cross on our foreheads and a "God Bless You"! It was our "hedge of protection" as she sent us on our way!

Sending you ALL that same lovely blessing!

LOVE WINS!

LYM

Reenie

Dog Days and Memories

 

Cody, 1993-2011

Some family dogs passed away last weekend. And while others struggle, new ones arrive to enrich our lives. Please share the names of those you'd like us all to remember, because stories and memories are prayers too.

All day long I watch the birds on our rock. They drink and bathe and feed and dance. Some fly into our window and get stunned, some for a long time. Why do some birds do that while others do not? I tend to objectify birds, so it comes as a shock to watch how God makes each bird to be separate, different, unique. It makes my separateness feel more one, less separate, more alive.

The Dog Days of Summer are here, Fall right around the corner. I first saw Fall this year in a photo of a Northwest Leaf by Penny, my great-great-niece. Penny's post encourages me -- Life goes on, with new Opportunities, new Lives, new Dogs, right around the corner. Who will they be? What will they do? Are you curious? I'm learning patience while Love unfolds.

Be well, Family!

Dan

We Are One Rebellion!

Good Morning,

This title and picture for today's post comes from Michelle Zive (Dr Z). She mentioned on our last posting on 7/8 that she was working on the We Are One Rebellion. She sent another email yesterday:

I have launched the WE ARE ONE Rebellion on Facebook.  If you go onto my personal Michelle Murphy Zive account, you can see a welcome video.  I’m asking people, our family, to join the We Are One group. This could be an opportunity for the family to provide images, words, quotes, videos, etc. about what makes them happy.

Here is the FB link to We Are One.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1891333710999197

I invite  all of  you to join her WE ARE ONE group! I did... it is thought provoking and up-lifting!

July 15: Belated Birthday Shout-Out 🎂: Jack Martin (Michelle and David's son; Marty and Monita's only grandson!)

Here is Michelle's tribute to Jack:

Jack Alexander Somoza Martin burst into our lives on July 15, 2003.  I will spare you the gory details. That evening of the 14th, there was a full moon.  Perhaps the full moon had another idea.  It’s said that the moon influences childbirth, called the lunar effect.  Late into the night of the 14th, Jack and I were ready to meet but the doctor held off because she had a set of twins she had to deliver.  This is all to say that Jack wanted to be born on the 14th; instead he was born on July 15th.  This birth foreshadowed his life. Jack is a strong, opinionated, smart, sensitive, funny, ironic, and cerebral 17-year-old.  At the time, I thought I could “put baby in the corner.”  Heck, no.  Jack has taught me grace, patience, and to loosen the reign of control.  Happy birthday to my brilliant Jack.

Family Up-Dates:
This email was sent from Luke Murphy and Claudia, his fiance:

We hope you are staying safe and sane! 2020 is turning out to be quite the year, isn’t it? Because of the ongoing pandemic and grim outlook, we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to postpone our wedding, again. You know what they say: third time’s a charm!

Their new wedding date is set for April 10, 2021. We send our love to you both!

Maggie Bryant is thankfully recovering well from the Coronavirus!

Speaking of 3rd time's the charm: Melda and I were supposed to be in a boutique in La Jolla called the Secret Garden boutique in May. It was moved to August 8th. The Historical Society of La Jolla had worked tirelessly to comply with all safeguards and health guidelines... it was cancelled.
So now they trying to put together a virtual boutique for sometime in August... with a link to vendor's websites... UH OH! Melda and I do have an etsy website that we have ignored...since we sell better in person... talk about a steep learning curve for the two of us! We are pivoting and scrambling now to get our inventory up on to ETSY! Wish us luck!

Love and prayers to all of you and your loved ones... and our country! Hope you are staying well in mind, body and spirit! Truly challenging times!

LYM
Reenie

We are Connected

https://www.pinterest.com/agreatideagirl/we-are-all-connected/

Happy Belated Anniversary: July 3

Fred and Nancy Kindgren have been married 38 years! Congratulations!

Happy Belated Birthday: July 4 

USA

Marcia sent this photo of the car in front of her last week as she was a passenger in the car driving up to see Danielle!

Shout-outs:

Dan's post yesterday was the perfect opportunity to honor 2 amazing women in our family today!

Molly Zive has opened her new office in San Diego! She is a licensed psychotherapist: 

www.therapywithmolly.com. 

We have mentioned her on the blog, but she has even more exciting news! She is now doing podcasts and sent me this email:

I wanted to reach out and let you know I started a podcast :) My first episode was released 7/3/20 https://anchor.fm/therapyiscool It is called "Therapy is cool." You can find it on that website or apple podcasts! Please subscribe and rate if you have a moment to listen! 

Here is the show's description: Explore why therapy can be cool with psychotherapist Molly Zive and various guests. The mission of this podcast is to normalize feelings and create a positive narrative around engaging in a healing process. Learn about managing emotions from individuals on the show; whether it is through therapy, experimentation and health/wellness activities. The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for treatment.

I hope you enjoy! Love you

Her Mom, Michelle, (Dr. Z) Zive sent an email with a request to fill out a short survey:

Hello Warriors, 

I hope this email finds you at the very least coping and at most thriving during these times. I’m reaching out to you AGAIN because I/we need you.  My beautiful, painful, active, awesome, magical, pedestrian, and unique journey has led me to the WE ARE ONE rebellion.  I will not say much about the movement because this is where I need your help.  With your insight and wisdom, I’m confident we can impact the world in a positive way. 

Please provide your answers and suggestions to the 12-item survey: WE ARE ONE needs you! 

If you participate by Friday (7/10), I will randomly choose three of you to receive a small gift of appreciation.

 In gratitude,

Michelle (Dr. Z)

Prayer Request :
Maggie Bryant, (John's daughter) is the director of rehabilitation (sports therapist) for the LA Clippers. She has contracted Covid, and is currently at her home recuperating; she lives in Los Angeles.

Updates: The power of Prayers!
Melda and John Joyce are both home and healing! Imelda sounded great on the phone and they both have their children coming to help them. Melda is using the walker now, and has a physical therapist who comes to her home to work with her. She is grateful to be home and for all the family prayers.

Megan Beckwith is back at work now after being sick with the Coronavirus.

LYM
Reenie

New Month

Souvenir from Ellie's 3-yr-old bday party

First an update

I ran into Sean Webb in Chicago last week when we visited Stephen and Terris, Ellie and Talia. Neither of us knew what to do, so we elbow-bumped. He invited me into his home where I met -- and hugged (!) -- his youngest, Conner, a new H.S. freshman trading stocks on an impressive gaming computer. I haven't seen Sean since he was a tyke in Michigan when I went to school in Illinois in the 70's and visited Annie and Mike for Thanksgiving. I have fond memories of the family and their hospitality and generosity (thanks for the sweater, Annie!). Now Mike has a college graduate of his own who moved back home in these COVID times. So it's a family of six living in a beautiful home built in the 1880's in a picturesque neighborhood not far from Wrigley. I'm looking forward to future visits.

Now the prayer requests for friends

Michael Flumian is in Boston getting radiation for a prostate flare-up.

Jim and Katie's Mahon's new grandson, Finn, had to be rushed to the hospital at 7 days old for who-knows-what. His mom tested positive so can't visit him in the hospital. He's off IV and doing better, but could still use your kind thoughts.

Eric Deverill's mom (age 87) just discovered a large lump in her pelvis. He's taking her to the oncologist today.

Closing

Eric shared this Ted Talk of Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness. Click here, hope you enjoy.

Virtual hugs and real affection from Nor Cal.

LYM

Dan