Teri's Faith,Family, Friends,Fun & the "Few": Family

Happy 77th Birthday Mama!!

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:24:32 GMT

In Memory of Barbara Shannon

Nov 16, 1931 – May 14, 2001

Was that a chorus of angels

we heard through the clouds today…

Singing you blessings, peace and joy

as you celebrate your 77^th Birthday?

Were the bright sun rays a glimpse of Jesus’s splendor

as he bade you the joy of the day…

Did you gaze in His eyes as He held you

on your 77^th Birthday?

Was the breeze that caressed our shoulders

formed as you waltzed through the Milky Way?

Were you joined by the Saints in Heaven

as you danced on your 77^th Birthday?

The sweet scent that graced our morning…

was it you blowing a kiss our way?

Were you sending your love and blessings to us

on your heavenly 77^th Birthday?

As you stand in the presence of Jesus

and behold the glory of His face…

Know too you’re still missed by your family

We send love and wishes for your 77^th Birthday!

Always Missed – Always Loved - by the family of Barbara Shannon

Happy Birthday Charlie!!!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:47:06 GMT

To my best friend

To my lover

To the one God chose to deliver my blessings on Earth

To the father of my son

To the love of my life

To my soul mate

To my Husband!

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

I wish you the most wonderful birthday ever!

Happy Birthday Katrina!!!

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:10:04 GMT

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

A Very special Happy Birthday to the most beautiful Irish Princess we could ever love! Happy Birthday Katrina! We Love You!!

Anthony's 21st Birthday

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:48:01 GMT

Hello my friends! I've been absent for a time as I was enjoying some R&R with our wonderful son Anthony and his most lovely girl-friend Katrina! I took the week off from work to enjoy his time home on leave. My husband and I escorted them, along with friends and family here and fro' becoming a tourist in our own state. I'll post pictures soon but I must say I am so very impressed with how clean and accomodating the "new" New Orleans is. It is certainly nothing like the place I frequented as a teen-ager - okay, so it was a LONG time ago!!!

During my time off and away from the computer, Anthony turned 21 - woohoo!!! The following is a link to a video I had prepared before he came home. It is a "before and after" look at the little boy and the man he became. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS9TlakbsCg

Anthony & Katrina! A Six Month Anniversary Celebration!

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:53:19 GMT

Ahhh – Katrina – the 2^nd Katrina to blow into our lives, impacting our little world probably more than the first and probably for longer! The first was of course Hurricane Katrina – now this Katrina, she is everything amazing that the hurricane was devastating. The hurricane was the bane, the woman is the blessing! The young woman that holds our sons heart immediately stole the hearts of both me and Charlie!! It is certainly our hope that this little whirlwind remains a part of our lives!

Today I am honoring both Katrina and our son Anthony with a little slide show for their six month anniversary. Although I put it together and supplied the pictures, it was Anthony who picked the song. Out of a choice of seven songs, he picked “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman.

I'm sure you will enjoy their video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpUGlJxb3ek

Lyrics:

Tomorrow morning if you wake up

And the sun does not appear

I will be here

If in the dark

We lose sight of love

Hold my hand

And have no fear

Cause I

I will be here

When you feel like being quiet

When you need to speak your mind

I will listen

And I will be here

When the laughter turns to crying

Through the winning, losing and trying

We’ll be together

Cause I will be here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up

And the future is unclear

I will be here

As sure as seasons were made for change

Our lifetimes were made

For these years

So I

I will be here

So you can cry on my shoulder

When the mirror tells us we’re older

I will hold you

And I will be here

To watch you grow in beauty

And tell you all the things you mean to me

I will be here

I will be true

To the promise I have made

To you and to the One

Who gave you to me

Just as sure as seasons

Were made for change

Our lifetimes were made

For these years

So I

I will be here

We’ll be together

Cause I will be here

I will be here.

So – Happy Anniversary to our son Anthony and his special lady Katrina!

We Love You!!

Enjoy!!

Congratulations Shannon-VANDEBILIT COLORGUARD CAPTAIN!

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:49:15 GMT

glitter-graphics.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHANNON!!!

2008-2009 CAPTAIN OF VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL COLORGUARD

Woohoo!!! Congratulations - We Love You!

7th Anniversary of Mama's Entry into Heaven!

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:44:02 GMT

Seven years ago today, we kissed and hugged Mama good-bye knowing that we would not see her again until we cross through the gates of Heaven. The memory is so sad, yet sweet. Being present when she left this earth was the hardest thing I ever did, yet also the most fulfilling amazing thing a person can witness. The events that led up to and ended with her passage left me with a clear understanding and knowledge that there was no question as to the existence of eternal life after death! I hope and I do believe that my semi-annual memorials reflect that faith.

In Memory of Barbara Shannon

Nov 16, 1931 – May 14, 2001

Another year has passed Mama,

This year it makes seven

Since you began eternity
With our God in Heaven

We see events on earth
With only our human eyes
Blessed are you with understanding
Viewing from Gods side of the sky

We marvel at the sunrise
The brilliant glowing rays
From His throne you see the Son rise
His eye on us watchful, as through life we make our way

We cry tears of happy joy
When to our family a new life appears
You kiss the same one in heaven
Sending the babe to us as you too shed a tear

When a life on earth is done
Our despair can’t be consoled
You greet them with a smile at Heavens gate
Gently and tenderly the “new” person you hold.

When bad things happen,
we angrily ask why
You sigh knowingly
Seeing the big picture from on high

And when we’re blessed with happiness
That God so often sends our way
Surely you share in our joy
And in our heavenly gift, maybe even had a say!

One day we’ll meet again
On Heavens shore, by and by
With you and Jesus, we’ll join in delight
As we finally see clearly, watching from Gods side of the sky.
Always loved, always missed.
The family of Barbara Shannon
Video's that feature the life, loves and talents of Mama!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMP-5F_PWhw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL6gBpkxpR0

Miss Abigail Annea

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:45:05 GMT

Introducing Miss Abigail Annea

Who began her "Excellent Adventure" on Earth

May 2, 2008

She is my first grand-niece born to my niece Renee and her husband Bobby. Abigail is the baby sister of Tristan and Tre'

Her "welcome to our world" video can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L09iKXlR2q4

(Be sure to turn the volume up to enjoy an awesome song by "Plumb" "In my Arms"

Her pictures cane be seen at:

http://usmarinemama.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!87AB16D5179E5E4F!5965/?startingImageIndex=6&commentsExpand=0&addCommentExpand=0&addCommentFocus=0&pauseSlideshow=0

Congratulations Shannon!

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:05:48 GMT

To my most amazingly awesome niece Shannon who is so loved by God and her family. Your faith in God and your love of Jesus has made you who you are today! Never a day goes by that you do not give us another reason to be so very proud of you!

glitter-graphics.com

Happy Birthday Cathy!!

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:45:12 GMT

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

A VERY Special Happy Birthday to my sister Cathy!!!

Mama's Little Piece of Heaven

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:43:25 GMT

A broken arm in Feb 2001 led to a diagnosis of cancer for Mama. Upon discharge for the hospital, she came to our home to live and it was there that she fell in love with our garden calling it her Little Piece of Heaven. She developed a special affinity for hummingbirds and the song of the wren. You'll see them in this little slide show of my garden. The thought of her laughing at the antics of the raccoons and a stray emu stealing our neighbors Japanese Plums regardless of all the precautions that were taken, brings a smile to me. She delighted in the squirels and though she despised the snake and feared the bees she also acknowledge their role in nature.

The accompanying piano is a very old recording of mama playing Love Story and Time in a Bottle. Time in a Bottle ends abruptly with no explanation. I couldn't help but think of how she would have saved time in a bottle, but her life too ended abruptly. I share this sweet sadness today for it acts as a balm as I savor the memories.

I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMP-5F_PWhw

Dec 28,2007 Returning the Marine

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:31:23 GMT

The alarm clock jarred me from a really sweet sleep at 3:15AM. I was confused for only a moment before my heart dropped as I realized the clock sounded early due to the fact that today was the day we had to return our Marine son to the airport in order for him to report back to duty at 12:00 Noon.

3:45AM we left, my husband, my son and I still groggy from the rude awakening at such an un-godly hour! A foggy slow trip to the airport, but uneventful – if you’ve read about our other trips you’ll understand why I was so grateful there was no excitement involved!

Catch the Park-N-Fly van, check the luggage, stop on the bench to wait a few minutes. The Marine son returns from the rest-room only to announce that “hey guys – my cell phone is in the truck”. Let’s see, flight boards at 5:30AM – it is now 5:15AM and he still has to get through security with two carry on bags – one of which is laden with three tins of home-made Christmas goodies! No, definitely not enough time to make it back to the truck and still make the plane. Sorry son – I’ll send it UPS overnight. How can you tell that your twenty year old son is now a man and no longer a kid? When he relents without argument! Gosh it was so much easier to “send him off” when he was still a rebellious kid! This man who has earned my respect in so many more ways than this sure jerks my heart out now when he gets on a plane!

So, the return trip is uneventful as well except that as we were traveling I noticed the screen light of his still-charging phone went black. Nothing, nada – just black. The phone portion still works, but you better know the number, cuz it’s not showing up. Realizing that it was the Friday before New Years we decided to pack up the phone and send it UPS Overnight for Saturday Delivery! Choke choke!! Yeah, it went, but WOW they are proud of their service! I figured he would have to get a new phone anyway but perhaps a trade-in on the old one would be helpful to the self-supporting Marine.

It is now 9:30AM – too late to go back to bed and too early to take a nap. We had been wanting to see “I Am Legend” so hey – it’s early enough to catch the 10:15 showing, the one that costs only $4.00 – yeah! Make up some of that money we just shoveled into UPS!

So soon I am in a dark theater, watching what I thought was a sci-fi thriller, fully expecting to simply be entertained. Do not misunderstand, I WAS entertained! I was also run through the gamut of raw emotions, sadness (I mean hard sobbing sadness), fear (I mean heart stopping fear), laughter (choke cuz you are laughing so hard laughter), love (for the character, the actor, the producer – you name it). Now, take those emotions, add in every other one in the dictionary of “feelings”, multiply them by ten and you have a picture of what I experienced!

Stay tuned - I'll fill you in next time on just how and why this movie struck such a deep chord.

to be continued...

Happy Golden Birthday Shannon!!

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:19:00 GMT

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

So - I have this very special niece who is celebrating her golden birthday tomorrow!

17 on the 17th - wooohooo - or as Anthony would say OOOH-RAAAH!!

A golden birthday deserves far more than just a present - it deserves a celebration of her entire life. Come on over cuz "Wherever we go - That's where the Party's At"

Happy Happy Birthday sweetie! I love you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZjJLWFdQM

Mama's 76th Birthday

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:04:44 GMT

In Memory of Barbara Shannon

November 16, 1931 – May 14, 2001

November skies can be bleak and gray,

The wind can howl and shriek

Then the sixteenth day dawns and our hearts are warmed

By memories that so gently seep.

Memories of you mama and your birthdays past,

Cakes and presents, singing and laughter.

Young and naïve thinking life is forever

Always believing in “happily ever after”.

So when to the waiting arms of Jesus you flew

It felt like our hearts would break.

Our loss remains but the years heal like balm

As we draw nearer to God and grow in His grace.

So on this birthday when 76 you would be

We may shed some tears, but we’ll savor sweet memories

Then we’ll look to the day when we meet by and by

Reunited with you, dancing with joy, so blessed on our Lord’s side of the sky

Always in our hearts, Love from the family of Barbara Shannon

Halloween Memories

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:54:50 GMT

Cool New Graphics - MySpace/Friendster

Honestly, Halloween is one of those celebrations that as an adult I could gladly do without. I do though have fond childhood memories... I remember enjoying the anticipation of the evening as a child. I recall that mama used to make us take a short nap since we'd be up past our normal bed-time. How exciting to wear a brand-new costume, whether store bought or one that you made yourself. Growing up our home was not filled with junk food and candy so the thought of all those sweets was enough to make a child’s heart soar with excitement.

Soon the days of childhood ended and I certainly enjoyed the teen-age Halloween parties, probably far more than I should have!

My favorite memories however are the Halloweens spent walking the neighborhood with the children when Anthony was little. How fun to pick out the perfect costume then pose all the kids to take unforgettable pictures. The friendship of neighbors, warm welcoming fires burning at so many houses, enjoying a laugh when the kids would scream then giggle in delight when they were "spooked".

But it seems that as an adult Halloween became less and less about anticipation and more and more about dreading what evil might befall us that year. There was the year that my husband was headed home and while make the turn into our subdivision he was rear-ended by a car traveling fast enough to push my husbands truck a full block to the next street. Ouch!! Then there was the year that while suffering with a cold my lungs over-filled, just the opposite of a collapsed lung but equally painful. Just two years ago my husband had surgery on Halloween day to remove the cancerous portion of his colon. Last year I was occupied with pre-op tests for brain surgery on Halloween. And the list goes on, but I won't, for by now you get the picture of my more recent Halloween memories!

So with all the recent less than happy Halloweens I delight in one particular sweet/sad/happy memory I cherish and will share. At the time that Halloween 1994 rolled around Anthony was in Cub Scouts and they were scheduled to paint pumpkins for their monthly activity. However, instead of painting pumpkins I ended up painting Anthony's face with calamine lotion for he was the not so happy recipient of chicken pox! How disappointing for a 7 year old! To make matters worse he had NEVER missed a Cub Scout meeting and this would jeopardize his perfect attendance, something he took very seriously. After a few phone calls and some quick planning and talking we worked out a solution.

As the Cub Scout meeting was starting across town, the Ferguson house-hold held a private Halloween meeting just for Anthony. With the dotted faced 7 year old Cub Scout handling as much of the work as could be considered safe, a large batch of cookies was baked. Single handedly the quickly recovering patient iced and decorated every Halloween cookie.

Later, with the help of his dad, the two male Ferguson's also successfully carved and cleaned the 1994 jack-o-lantern. Now if you'll look closely at this picture you'll notice that the pumpkin had one more top tooth than Anthony. Thanks to the understanding of the Cub Scout leader, Anthony was given credit for his projects, and was able to maintain his record in good standing.

I have long cherished this memory of the chicken pox Halloween, but never more than now when once again the now grown Cub Scout is recuperating from having all four wisdom teeth pulled! Kinda makes me want to go home and bake some cookies! Enjoy those kids while you can, they grow up far too quickly! Ya'll have a happy safe Halloween!

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 20:19:30 GMT

Who can forget child-hood memories of their mama singing at bed-time? Mama sang this song to us as children and then later to our children. She was gone to Heaven before all but one of the great-granchildren were born. Through an old cassette recording I am so excited to share it with all my family now. The other child-hood memory I cherish is of all the puppies we had growing up. Of course in that regard, we never did "grow up" for we all still share our lives and our homes with our little animal angels. Those are the "faces" you'll see in this video. Some pictures are blurry and faded having been taken in the sixties with my "Brownie" camera. The pictures may be faded but the memories live on.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aoDXVTBwIE

The Ferguson's and Cope's are pleased to announce...

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:24:48 GMT

May 25, 2008

I am remiss - I should have updated this long ago. By mutual agreement Anthony and Leah's engagement ended in Sept of 2007. Although marriage is not to be between them, their long standing very special friendship remains. Both are amazing individuals whose lives hold a full promise of joy. When the time is right they will find a true love with the one that God has intended. The Ferguson's and Cope's are bound by ties that extend beyond those of family!

June 5^th, 2007

To all our families and friends,

It is with great pleasure and pride that

Charles and Teri Ferguson

Along with

Tommy and Debbie Cope

Announce the Engagement of

Anthony Ferguson and Leah Cope

To Anthony and Leah - may you have a marriage as blessed and happy as those of your parents. Remember, when the storms of life strike, always look toward Heaven, for the sunshine is always sweetest after the rain.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord

1Corinthians 13:7 There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

The joint prayer of the Ferguson’s and Cope’s for Anthony & Leah is happiness & fulfillment as God blesses & prospers their bright future together!

Finally - the video slide show is available...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i36Tv-DMxAI

News Alert!!! Renee' is now an LPN!!!

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:03:34 GMT

I am so proud of my niece for having the determination and gumption to stick with and suceed in her plan to become an LPN. My pride in her spirit led me to make this little video as a tribute to her. The song "You are a Child of Mine" by Mark Shultz somewhat describes her struggles and her victory.

I've been hearing voices

Telling me that I could

Never be what I wanna be.

They're binding me with lies,

Haunting me at night,

And saying there's nothing to believe.

Somewhere in the quietness

When I'm overcome with loneliness,

I hear You call my name.

And like a father You are near

And as I listen I can hear You say

You are a child of Mine

Born of My own design

And you bear the heart of life.

No matter where you go.

Oh, you will always know

You have been made free in Christ.

You are a child of Mine.

And so I listen as You tell me who I am

And who it is I'm gonna be

And I hang on every word,

Knowing I have heard

I am Yours and I am free

But when I am alone at night

That is when I hear the lie

You'll never be enough

And though I'm giving into fear

If I listen I can hear You say

You are a child of Mine

Born of My own design

And you bear the heart of life.

No matter where you go.

Oh, you will always know

You have been made free in Christ.

You are a child of Mine.

I am calling...

I hope everyone enjoys this little"honoring" of Renee' aaaaaand - I hope Renee' doesn't kill me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FwrWgfHx7s

Celebrating the Life of Barbara Jensen Yopp Shannon

Thu, 10 May 2007 11:58:43 GMT

On May 14, 2007 it will be six years since Mama entered Heaven. We know she is there because of her faith in Jesus Christ and because of God's Amazing Grace! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL6gBpkxpR0

Six years are now passed since the day we said good-bye.

Six years since you left us to be with Jesus, walking in His light.

We know you're probably watching us in your mansion in Heaven above.

Isn't it amazing how your family's grown, there are many more of us now for you to love.

You left a precious legacy, high goals we still strive to keep

Belief in God, love for our own, kindness to all we meet

We have all had some tough times that helped to make us strong

Struggles just make it easier to remember right from wrong.

But each time we thought to give up, the Lord showed us the way

He turned each problem to a blessing, turned the rain to a sunny day.

We figure as you walk and talk with our Lord in Heaven high

You probably ask Him to take care of us till we join you by and by

So we eagerly await the day when we meet again on Heavens shore.

Till then, please know we miss you and each day we love you even more!