Monthly Archives: April 2018

Delight, Beloved, Joy

A well loved woman who chooses joy naturally blesses others like a river being filled by a refreshing spring rain.

Each week, Mom’s videos showcase her contagious joy and have blessed hundreds of people via social media. Last week we featured School Stories, A Trick the Dr. Played on Dad When Johnny was Born, and Beauty Secrets. (Vaseline and Cotton Ball sales increased in the Upstate!)

Frankie’s Stories

Whispers of Rest reflections and activities required drawing yourself as a little girl with all the experiences, people, color, places, foods, and music that brought you joy. As I drew mine, it reminded me of our VIP interviews in first grade and the graphic organizers we made as we interviewed our Star of the Week. We wrote sentences about the VIPs favorite things and each student wrote something we liked about that person and bound it into a book. I hope my students still have theirs.

Spending time with April from church and talking about how amazing it feels to rest and breathe and listen was a treat as we enjoyed breakfast at Biscuit Head. I’ve had the BEST time talking to friends and just being in the moment.

Reconnecting with my first grade teaching buddy, Pat Sandzen, and her family brought back so many great memories. She has the gift of hospitality and just walking into her house just makes you feel warm and welcome. What a great mentor she was to me at Palmetto Primary and in life. Loved celebrating Sig and Alice’s engagement with them!

Hiking at Paris Mountain State Park each am with Ruby was amazing!

I even saw my Paris Elementary students there! Also, I was able to watch Dr. Julie Hartman teach her Masters Students from Anderson University about the ecosystem as we hiked Sulphur Springs Trail

Dr. Bill Taylor is mom’s Doctor and is the kindest man. We love to visit him. She had a good report then off we went to celebrate at Happy Hour.

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Today, I was able to take mom to her Bible Study at Gail’s House. It was lovely and we studied the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians on Love and spoke of Spiritual Gifts. I’m so glad I was able to meet mom’s friends who had been praying for me, unbeknownst to me.

I’m so glad to hear from many of you who are taking time for TLC and rest as you restore your soul.

Thank you for the opportunity to share!

“Better” and the Story of Frankie and Johnny

This past week I was supposed to travel to Sonoma Valley and train customers, a trip of a lifetime.

Instead, I chose what was “Better.” I went to a Retina specialist appointment, to the Audiologist (again) and to the Beauty parlor with my mother and took her to visit friends.

We recorded the love story of how mom and dad fell in love at Limestone College in the video of the week Frankie and Johnny Part 1 and Part 2 and wrote cards to her friends.

Our sweet neighbors came over and brought their dogs and children to play in the backyard while we sat and chatted. I literally have not done this in years. Children and dogs and good friends on a beautiful day. #noregrets

I even convinced Roger to go to Caesar’s Head with me after he got home from work one day. He told me my retirement is messing up his after work nap schedule, but agreed to go!

Mentoring through the Mentor Upstate Program has helped me keep my foot in the door at schools and interact with students over the last 4 years.

My Mentee loves dogs (her puppy died) so I brought sweet Ruby to meet her this week. I would say it was a huge success!

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My long time friend and teaching partner, Dr. Julie Hartman, visited on Friday and we shared our hopes and dreams for children in Greenville County.

Roger and I istened to music in downtown Greenville on Friday night and saw my dear friend who I vacationed with each year growing up. Our dads were best friends from the Spartanburg Herald Journal.

Finally, we walked in the Heart Walk with Roger’s sweet friends from Greenville HeartLife and enjoyed a leisurely brunch laughing and eating tons of yummy food.

Being so intentional with my time as I choose what is “Better.”

Questions:

What is one thing you can do today that brings you peace and joy?

Spend time on what really matters- love, relationships, and nurturing your soul. Listen to music that inspires you, enjoy nature or exercise or read, watch a movie, rest.

Thanks for your time! I hope “better” days are ahead for you.

Come to Me: Day 4

As I have been walking Ruby, our new 5 year old Beagle, I am training her to “Come.” My niece raises Beagles and gave sweet Ruby to us. I asked her advice about how to get Ruby not to tug and pull on our walks. She told me to say her name first then the command. “Ruby, Come.” Then I should let up on the leash and reward her with a treat when she comes.

This is exactly what I was doing with my life. The Lord spoke so clearly to me that I needed to “Come and trust Him” as I care for my mother and family. I, like Ruby, was being stubborn and wanted to stay in my corporate job with the people I love and work with tech companies around the country, but the Lord said no, quit striving for excellence in business and take care of your family. So I did.

He is clearly rewarding me with treats: rest, clarity, purpose, and gifts to glorify him. I dug in my heels and tugged and pulled against his command to follow His lead. When I finally relaxed and followed His call on my life just as Ruby is learning to relax and respond to my voice, the reward has been glorious.

It takes time and patience when in training to hear the Master’s voice. Then courage to actually obey.

Prioritize your well-being and let go of what is too heavy for you. Be kind to yourself. Spend time with someone you love.

Write a letter to Jesus using the word prompt: Come. This is like the writing exercises we did with my precious first graders.

“Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-29

Encouraging Words with Frankie and More Thoughts from Whispers of Rest

Mom and I had so much fun making our first Facebook Live Episode of Encouraging Words with Frankie.  In case you missed it, I’ll add the link: Click HERE to view. I also added the video below.

Day 3 of Whispers of Rest really spoke to me. “Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31

It is easy to be pulled away by busyness and stress, but it takes a toll on us.

What if God’s plan for us is not to be more busy but to be more loved?

Give yourself permission to step away and make some time to enjoy what fills you up.

Where do you experience God’s peace and rest?

What would your special time look like?

Breath Prayer:

Breathe Jesus’ name in and breathe out something you are thankful for.  Rest.

Loving my time with Mom, Roger and our sweet Ruby walks daily, breathing and resting.

Macular Degeneration Tips:

Talk to your eye doctor about vitamins. This is a hereditary disease. I take the Macular Health Formula Vitamins that my eye doctor recommended.

macular

Mom had 2 cataract surgeries that helped for a little while, then had the shot in her eye.

Nothing really helped.

We bought every type of magnifier, glasses, lights, computer to TV enlarger, etc… and her site continued to fail.

Now she sees only a fog or mist and can distinguish forms. She no longer reads, but I did get her books on tape from SC Library.

We have also worked with the SC Commission for the Blind.

Good News! She can hear, thanks to Davis Audiology and their hearing aides and technology!

Check out Mom and Dr. Maggie

Have a great day, hear your world!

Confide, Ask for Help, Walk in Nature

Day 2 of Whispers of Rest is titled Confide. Lean into Me.

What are you uncertain about? Can you express this to someone, can you confide to God? Think about that now and journal about it.

What is something beautiful in nature that God has used to touch your heart? Visit that place in your mind.  Describe it in your journal.

I grew up going to our farm each Saturday and Sunday to fish with my dad, sometimes ride an old horse named Buddy,drive the big tractor on Daddy’s lap, and feed the cows. We even trained the catfish in our pond to come up to the surface when we pulled up to the pond.  When it snowed, Daddy would take my girlfriends and me to the farm and pull us on sleds behind the jeep with ski ropes. Those memories are some of the best of my childhood and have definitely influenced my love of nature over the years.

Where is your happy place in nature?

Here is a photo that reminds me of one of the many gifts of nature:

HHI

Another Happy Place that I like to visit is Paris Mountain State Park. It reminds me of all the great field trips I took with my first grade students. Click here for the Photo Album.

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Lean into His arms and tell him your uncertainties.

A friend sent me a message on Facebook yesterday and asked that I write about Caregivers as her mother cares for her dad with dementia.

It made me think of the Caregivers that I have watched over the years care for their families.

Charlotte, Janet, Debbie, my cousin, and Jane are 4 that come to my mind.  I observed Janet, Debbie and Charlotte care for their mothers (Charlotte also cared for her mother’s friends) and Jane cares for her sweet daughter Grayson. You can click HERE for Jane’s website: Look for the Good . They are all an inspiration to me.

I always admired their love for their family and their devotion to them.

Definition of Caregiver: a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person.

If you see a friend or family member that is taking care of others, ask what you can do to help.

If you are the caregiver,  don’t be afraid to ask others to chip in and assist when needed.

Finally, in the last assignment in Whispers of Hope, she asked that you confide to God what you have been silent about, but really want………..Think about that now.

Thank you for the opportunity to share from Whispers of Rest and thank some of the Caregivers in the world.

Exciting New Adventure in Life

I’m thrilled to be able to blog again about what I’m most passionate about in life.

For years, I used my website to train teachers about technology and then stopped when I took a corporate job.

Now I plan to use this site to empower women, men, caregivers, technology leaders, teachers, friends, and family to embrace your true identity and become the person God created you to be. I’d love to help you “find your spark.”

I officially retired from SYNNEX on Friday after 4 years in the corporate world. What an amazing experience it was and I’m so grateful for the time I spent there and the wonderful friends I made.  Many dreams came true as I traveled the country speaking about technology, education and IoT.

The next chapter in life involves slowing down and serving others.

I plan to take care of my adorable 94 year old mother who has macular degeneration and is an angel on earth.

mom and me

It is my distinct honor and joy to be able to spend precious time with her and document her life.

We plan to do an online talk show: Encouraging Words with Frankie and post on social media and here at www.franmauney.com

Always Love Your Mother

I am reading a wonderful book today called “Whispers of Rest” by Bonnie Gray.  I will share thoughts and scripture if you would like to be part of this journey with me.

On Day 1 I learned to say YES : Don’t be afraid and set my heart free.

What would you like to say YES to?

YES to more time with family.

YES to time with friends.

YES to time in nature.

Repeat the word YES all day and open your eyes to the possibilities around you.

My second piece of advice is to write daily: Journaling increases happiness. I  have journaled for 40 years. (This devotional lasts for 40 Days, a lot of important stories in scripture took place in 40 days.)

Sometimes it is hard to hear God’s voice when we are surrounded by stress and feel overwhelmed. When we start our day in prayer, read scripture and journal about our life this gives God space to rewrite our stories, we can lower anxiety and improve happiness.

I am praying for you and am thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you!