Are you curious about me? I certainly am about you? Every one of us has a story that is peculiar (Yes, that’s the right usage of the word.) to us. Here is a part of mine. There is so much more…
My greatest desire is to teach others how much God loves them and how to use His Word to live the life He has purposed for them. In my home church, I co-direct Worship and Music, play all keyboards, and sing with the Worship Band. God has seen fit to give me the gift of teaching, which I use for leading 3 Bible Study groups. He specifically called me to writing/blogging about 5 years ago.
I have been married to the perfect partner, chosen for me by God, for more than 45 years. It was God’s plan that we would not have children but would be able to love in a unique way our nieces, nephews, and the hundreds of children who touched our lives through the years I spent in Public Education as a Music Specialist and Elementary Principal. I hold a B.S. Degree in Music Education and Performance from Defiance College and an M.Ed. Degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowling Green State University.
Our family includes two cats named Smokey and Salem, three awesome sisters and one incredible brother, 7 sisters-in-law, 7 brothers-in-law, 36 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and many great nieces and nephews.
From the time I was old enough to hold needles, scissors, yarn, thread, fabric, you name it, I was ‘hooked’ on crafts, particularly those that are counted. From painting count by number pictures to my grandmother teaching me to crochet, to my mother teaching me to embroider, to learning to do counted cross stitch, rug hooking, needlepoint and crewel my life has been filled with many happy hours of artful crafting. I also enjoy sewing and often make my own clothing and things for my home.
I enjoy baking and decorating. This hobby started when Ray and I owned a coffee shop/bakery called Maggi Raes. (Maggie for the carved magnolias that were part of the shop’s decorations.) I am certified in all the Wilton decorating levels and have done many wedding, birthday, and event cakes and cookies.
We love to travel, especially on cruise ships, and have been all over the Caribbean and are planning to go to Alaska for our next cruise. We also enjoy taking a few days here and there in the Smokey Mountains, believing there is nothing like sitting on a rocker, on a back porch, on top of a mountain and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
God has given me a great life and I can’t thank Him enough for His love and provision.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
(BTW: The reason this only took 5 minutes is that I copied and pasted it from a much larger article. )
A Satisfied Spirit 
Thank you for sharing part of your story! What a lovely passel of nieces and nephews you must have! That’s so cool :). We’ve driven to Alaska twice, and a friend recently shared with me that going on a cruise there isn’t that expensive–maybe the next time we’ll take a boat 😉 (our daughter and son-in-law moved up there last summer). May God continue to bless you as you bless others! I’m your neighbor at Jennifer’s, but it looks like you hang out with the Five MInute Friday crowd, too!
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We’ve gotten to the point in our lives that our nieces and nephews are having children and we don’t even try to count anymore. You’re right, they are fun though! Blessings to you! Marie
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I so enjoyed reading your story. I especially enjoy reading how you are using not only circumstances but all the talents that God has given you to serve others! That is a blessing – and certainly where our joy comes from!
Have a wonderful week –
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It is my greatest desire to use all that He has given me to honor Him. Blessings to you and yours!
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Thank you for sharing some of your life story! It sounds like you have many interesting chapters to write.I love the picture montage!
Visiting from spot #41. God bless!
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Thank you!
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