The tallest sunflower is over 39 feet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThere is so much joy and happiness associated with this flower. I could not think of a more fitting early birthday present than sunflowers once I studied the definition and meaning of the sunflower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as my sweet friend had hoped, the flowers helped to brighten an already marvelous task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So over the next few hours as William and I worked in the kitchen I wondered how things would turn out. I\u2019m sure I wasn\u2019t the only person that was ready for a nap after the bowl of soup, rice and cornbread. I was so happy the fruits of our labor had so many smiling faces. If only those folks knew the privilege and honor was all mine. Cooking is a way to show my love for others; and it truly blessed me to have this experience with my youngest son. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special shout out to: Mrs. Barbara for coming in to fellowship with me and then so graciously offering to help; you filling the pans with the cornbread wasn\u2019t an easy task but it sure was a delicious treat. Thanks for getting your hands dirty today! To Robin and Justin who came in and helped serve the food with no questions asked, I thank you! To Mr and Mrs Richard Moore for so graciously allowing Faith and I to have this opportunity I am grateful. To Syndnee and Raekwon for welcoming me into their after-school space and navigating around me in the kitchen, I appreciate you! To Faith for providing our sweet treats to top of the meal, I\u2019m grateful to you. To Tatayana for putting a smile on my face for your generous and on-time kind remarks. To Kelly, Dave, Ms Rita, and D\u2019Etta for opening the door, assisting where you saw there was a need, helping me in the end and taking things to the car, and just being the day of sunshines that you are. To Mrs Sandra and Amanda for being AMAZING, you truly surprised me and your hard work truly helped me when my energy was running extremely low. (I do owe you both a meal as I apologize I did not put a plate up for you both to eat, my sincerest apologies). And last but not least little (but tall) helpers Nygel, Emmanuel and William. Your selflessness is priceless and I pray God richly blesses you all. This could not have been possible without the blessing of our Loving leader, the warm embrace from my church family, or God himself. Just so thankful. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe reason for todays topic is because it\u2019s been a minute since I was able to brag on YOU. Yes YOU!!!! The person reading todays message, yep that\u2019s right YOU!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your love, your support, your encouragement, your strength, your prayers, your smile, your kind words, your hug, your early morning or late night text, your heart or wherever you fit in MATTERS TO ME! You are God\u2019s blessed creation and I\u2019m glad to be in community with YOU! You help brighten so many people\u2019s lives and YOU allow God\u2019s love and light to shine beautifully through YOU! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crazy thing is almost every morning I text over 100 people and I never thought in my wildest dreams I could say I knew 100+ amazing folks that I can my friend. Some of you are neighbors, family, friends, work friends, associates, church members, relatives, or just someone I know through someone but you\u2019ve made such an impact on me that make posts like today so warm and fulfilling to write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On today we celebrate the birthday of some amazing people like my God son TJ, my pal Terri, my ray of sunshine Mr. Fred, one of the coolest kids in town Mekhi\u2026while we celebrate the life of a life well lived who was called to his Heavenly home Mr. Champ Pearson. We honor these great folks today because it\u2019s the birthday but we also bless God on this day for YOU! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 35:2 says they shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYOU are EXCELLENT! YOU are POWERFUL! YOU are BEAUTIFUL! YOU are STRONG! YOU are SMART! YOU are GOOD! YOU are SIMPLY AMAZING! YOU are A BEACON OF HOPE, LIGHT, and JOY! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thank God for folks like YOU because when we face hardships, trials, and various challenges it\u2019s folks like you who are our biggest cheerleaders. You encourage us to keep pushing and to never give up. You allow us to just be and accept us as we are. We don\u2019t have to fake and act like everything is okay, and it\u2019s folks like you that remind us it\u2019s okay to not be okay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are like a beautiful flower that is blooming! Just like a flower, your growth and and beauty are so beautiful to watch! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYour faithfulness encourages folks like me daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I could go on and on and on but I don\u2019t want you all to the \u201cbig head\u201d now but all jokes aside, YOU ARE AMAZING! This website would not be possible with EACH OF YOU! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for being the inspiration all around me. Thank you for lifting me up when I felt hopeless and helpless. Thank you for constantly reminding me where my source of strength comes from; only from God. Your love directs me back to Him every time and for that I\u2019m grateful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of you may not agree with me as you think that you don\u2019t do anything to better my life but I want to tell you, YOU ARE WRONG! Like D\u2019Etta said (I should have written it down verbatim) YOU MATTER, YOUR LIFE MATTERS, YOU MAKE A CHANGE, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and I\u2019m so much better because of you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I want to end todays message by again saying thank you for all the love, all the blessings that flow from YOU, for taking the time to read these long blogs, your feedback, your prayers, your conversation, your friendship, and for allowing YOUR light to shine. Like a flower, we too need to be watered, pruned, absorb the sun (spiritually the son), and have some good soil\u2026.I pray as we continue to run this race called life that we can spread God\u2019s love, His Good News, spread love, peace, and hope and we can help to water, prune, and tend to each other\u2019s soil just by being the GREAT PEOPLE GOD CREATED US TO BE! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are one in a million and I love you all! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I was headed inside of the church to prepare cooking for Wednesday night fellowship when I was welcomed by the most beautiful sunflowers I\u2019d ever seen (featured on todays scripture verses). This was the first time I had seen such… Read moreBlossom like a sunflower.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[187],"class_list":["post-2182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joy","tag-continueblossoming-letyourlightshine","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/57a58868-cf74-43eb-9118-c97d7393c61c.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2287,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2023\/03\/02\/we-are-all-called-to-serve\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":0},"title":"We are all called to serve.","author":"Whitnee","date":"March 2, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Applying the Bible:Paul invites The Corinthian believers to \u201cconsider your own call\u201d (v26). We are called by God into a life of faith and ministry. Some are called to be set apart for ordination. Others are called to serve a small group leaders, or to work with young people, or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Talents & Gifts"","block_context":{"text":"Talents & Gifts","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/talents-gifts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/29829c0b-b85c-426d-b96f-3a634b5b771c.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/29829c0b-b85c-426d-b96f-3a634b5b771c.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/29829c0b-b85c-426d-b96f-3a634b5b771c.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/29829c0b-b85c-426d-b96f-3a634b5b771c.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/29829c0b-b85c-426d-b96f-3a634b5b771c.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2280,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2023\/02\/28\/you-stand-out\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":1},"title":"You stand out.","author":"Whitnee","date":"February 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Growing up everyone who had my moms macaroni loved it. It was the most cheesiest, butteriest, owey gooey macaroni you would ever want to taste. Granted it was probably very unhealthy, full of calories and cholesterol; it was made with love and succulent greatness. Every Christmas party, church event, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Dose of Reality"","block_context":{"text":"Dose of Reality","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/dose-of-reality\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6431cfd0-2491-4a7e-b089-eae4a4620551.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6431cfd0-2491-4a7e-b089-eae4a4620551.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6431cfd0-2491-4a7e-b089-eae4a4620551.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6431cfd0-2491-4a7e-b089-eae4a4620551.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6431cfd0-2491-4a7e-b089-eae4a4620551.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":541,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/01\/27\/the-lord-as-our-rescuer-1-27-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":2},"title":"The Lord as our Rescuer!!!! 1.27.2020","author":"Whitnee","date":"January 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday's message from church came from the book of Matthew, 14th chapter. The man of God provided several scripture references as well as examples of how The Lord is our Rescuer. Click here for full details of todays message. Before you leave, please provide words of encouragement for others this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Grace & Mercy"","block_context":{"text":"Grace & Mercy","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/grace-mercy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":233,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2019\/10\/11\/bring-a-young-person-to-church-with-you-10-11-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":3},"title":"Bring a young person to church with you 10.11.2019","author":"Whitnee","date":"October 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Good morning and Happy Friday folks. Todays message is a bold statement\/conversation about how we are loosing the majority of our young people to social media, the streets, jail, etc. It is a conversation most people avoid, but if we can't speak the truth out of love, then we will\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 2 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 2 comments","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2019\/10\/11\/bring-a-young-person-to-church-with-you-10-11-2019\/#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":557,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/02\/04\/what-does-nature-say-to-you-2-4-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":4},"title":"What does nature say to you? 2.4.2020","author":"Whitnee","date":"February 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Are you an inside person or one who loves the great outdoors? Of course the bugs could be a turn off but don't you love to see the leaves fall, the bright rays of sunshine, or even the whistling of the wind? I got a chance Sunday afternoon to enjoy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Listening to God"","block_context":{"text":"Listening to God","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/listening-to-god\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":459,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2019\/12\/16\/the-calling-on-your-life-12-16-19\/","url_meta":{"origin":2182,"position":5},"title":"The Calling on Your Life 12.16.19","author":"Whitnee","date":"December 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"It's the 3rd Sunday in Advent and yesterdays message at church was so inspiring. We watched the youth light the third candle which represents joy. I would like to share with you some notes from todays message. Click here for full text. Scripture reading came from Luke 2:7-15. Feel free\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Joy"","block_context":{"text":"Joy","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/joy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbfCFX-zc","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}