About Virginia (the person, not the state) – a former globetrotting relief & development worker who returned home to look after a busy bed-fast quadriplegic Papa & wheelchair-riding Mama (it was no small task!)
Returning from Africa years ago I plotted a bit of rest & a Ph.D., but instead continued coursework in that ever elusive Masters degree of LOVE: there’s always more to learn. Keeping up with the Savvy Saints (my parents) required many hats as the go-to-care-person. Given that Papa was in pain 24/7, distraction was a major strategy employed especially during evening high-peak-pain hours with inspirational movies & programs.
Books, books, and MORE BOOKS!!! My sister invited me to Celebrate Recovery at her church for my ‘book thing.’ (I’m still not sure if she was joking.) I love to read & have books stacked everywhere (in tall shelves, under the bed, next to the bed, in every corner.) As children my younger brother & I begged our Mama to take us to the library. We’d come out happily with stacks of books to read, then beg her to take us back again the next week. Now he’s a librarian & I’ve kept my love for books as a voracious reader.
And there’s music, art and more because so many things we hear, see, read and people we encounter have potential to INSPIRE us (& others.)
I got to thinking (this happens occasionally), why not share what inspires me with you? Viewer-reader-listener tastes notwithstanding, what about the inspiration factor?
What inspires us to to BE roses in the rubble? to see beauty? to be courageous? to do something to remove the rubble around us, or raise awareness of global rubble issues: conflicts, disease, poverty, injustice?
Roses in the rubble also need laughter (in large doses) to develop healthier blooms for courageous creativity. So, let’s be about it (in the words of Capt. Honor Harrington!) Let’s find inspiring Roses of all varieties.
For an explanation why Roses in the Rubble? click here.
Roses in the Rubble 
🙂 Looking for healthier blooms myself at this stage of life…. I guess we always will until we meet our beloved Maker.
Blessings in your search for healthier blooms (pls pass them along when found!)
Virginia you are inspiring.I like the idea of roses in the rubble and thanks for inspiring me Stay blessed
HELEN!! You are one of the most AMAZING, persevering Roses I am blessed to know. Thank you for your inspiring faith & friendship…& Mungu akubariki !!! : )
Thinking of rubble and how your dad taught about making crooked paths straight and filling in pot-holes and leveling hills to make straight the way for the Lord. Perhaps we pick up and throw away one stone at a time and make a little plot of land that’s fit for a rose.
Amen, Gwen (altho sometimes the stones are a bit heavy! : )
Thanks for stopping by adventuresinthanksliving, Virginia. I really like your writing and choice of images. I look forward to reading more. Pax et lux.
Thank you Sharron(!) – i really enjoyed your blog – especially the idea of ‘thanksliving’ each & every day of the year. Looking forward to reading your new posts! : )
I am humbled to know that you take the time to read my blog, much more that you like my work. I hope one day you will journey to York River State Park. I would be honored to meet you.
oh, methinks a Journey can be arranged (isn’t York River State Park in York County & isn’t that Not Too Far from Williamsburg?? : ) ‘Twould be a Big Blessing to meet you & maybe one day hear one of your sermons…
We are in James City County. Suburban Croaker VA.
Love the read….
Hello Virginia. I was meditating this morning and this metaphor came to my mind about my dear Dad — a rose in the rubble. So I googled it, and stumbled across your website. I was so pleased to find it and learn a bit about you. I was especially pleased to see we share the same first name.
Love and blessings,
Virginia
Hi Virginia! Apologies for this very delayed response. Haven’t been on this page for a long while & missed your comment. We share a GREAT NAME. My Mama’s name was Virginia,& my grandmother (on my Papa’s side) & my great aunt & my great great grandmother (& so on.) Thank you for sharing about your father. My Papa was also a rose amidst challenging rubble. He has passed (we miss him so much) but the fragrance of his faith & the legacy of his love is still with us. I hope your Dad’s love is with you, always. Blessings and love to you — Virginia
Thank you so much for the follow!! Your blog seems incredible and you have a powerful story. Thank you for sharing your writings on here 🙂
God bless!
Hey Virginia! I’ve nominated you for the Shuffle the Music tag. Play along if you want or have the time! https://turntabletalkblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/the-shuffle-the-music-tag/
Hey Triple T — this looks like fun, altho must confess after trying to shuffle our 3 iTouches, couldn’t quite get it to work right (can shuffle within a playlist? but don’t know how to do it for the WHOLE iTouch!) oops. Will see what can be done. Blessings as you head back to college — your posts are amazing! 🙂
No worries! Just thought I would nominate you in case you’d want to play along. Technology is the worst. But thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and blessings. Hope all is well with you!❤️
I have nominated you for the Bloggers Support Bloggers Award. You have a wonderful weblog. https://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/bloggers-support-bloggers-award/
Thanks so much for your encouragement & blog award nomination – I have enjoyed reading your blog, too. I subscribe to a Saint-a-day, but you manage to include lots of inspiring off the grid folks! Cheers! 🌷😎🌷
Thank you, and you are welcome.
I, I am trying to find someone who knows about being filled with the Spirit and/or the new heart since I think that has happened with me, basically aware of God all the time now. thanks, Mark
May God continue to bless your journey with extra doses of grace, peace & Holy Spirit love – the kind that never fails (even when we do.) 🙏💜🙏🌷🤗🌷🙏💜
Will read more of your posts.
Thanks for your encouragement, Sylvia. Blessings! 🌷☀️🌷😎🌷
Love this bit most, and it makes an excellent question. ‘What inspires us to to BE roses in the rubble? to see beauty? to be courageous? to do something to remove the rubble around us, or raise awareness of global rubble issues: conflicts, disease, poverty, injustice’?
My one word answer is: Faith!
Amen, Sparkyjen — faith keep us going (& trying) despite the chaos of the rubble. Blessings & hugs! VA 🙂
Yes yes yes in spite of it all Virginia. Hugs & blessings right back!🤗
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You are such a good soul , may God bless you!
Thank you – may God bless you, too!! ☀️🙏☀️🤗☀️