SURPRISE!!! 65 years young today!!!
Come sit in the seat of honor as I tell you the story of JoAnn from my point of view!
My dear friend forever,
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| JoAnn and Donna at Anson Street Church |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet JoAnn… I hope this Birthday blog will be a blessing to you in every way. Your life precious one, has been a testimony of love and caring. Love for God and caring for Him and others.
Bart used to say.. "do you know why we celebrate Birthdays?.. because we are happy you are here"... I for one am so happy you are here honey, and I am so happy you are my friend. The pictures and sentiments here cannot even begin to convey all that you are and what you mean to all of us who know you.
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| We celebrate your special day! |
I want so much for you to know how important you are to so many people and how much your life has mattered. So, I want to take you on a little trip down memory lane with me and with others as we share our love for you and celebrate the joy you have been in our lives.
Heaven fashioned you .. hand knit you in your mother's womb and brought forth a gift to us. When you came into this world, I believe the angels rejoiced at the little darling God had created called JoAnn ~
I didn't know you as you grew up.. you in the Midwest and me on the East Coast.. such different cultures and yet.. God had something in store for us down the line didn't He?
God knew what He was doing when he brought us together as friends in 1989.
My first memory that I can recall of you is at Sally Bornfleth's kitchen table when she would have her Tuesday morning prayer time. Just a few women seeking God, desiring to learn and grow together. Wanting to pray for whoever God put on our hearts. Oh the sharing and praying that went on there!! I can still see in my mind's eye your sweet little smile as we bowed our heads together.
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| Coffee, the bible and prayer |
Friends forever bonded in love and blended for a purpose
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| Britt and Donna |
Nothing can compare to sitting around your kitchen table talking, praying sharing and discussing issues of life.
You have been given the keys to the Kingdom by God and want to share them with everyone .. you even bought sterling silver keys by the dozens to give to those God directed.. the Key is LOVE, you have it in your heart my friend.. and you help others find the key.
One of the things I have always been so impressed with you about is how you so want EVERYONE to be included. You don't want anyone to be left out !
You are a true "Patriot" who loves her God and Country, who prays for freedom to reign and righteousness to prevail.
You finish my sentences when I forget what I am saying.. what would I do without you?!
We love doing the girly things together too don't we? Coldwater Creek, and jewelry fun. What a sense of style and decorating skills!
You are a true Mother in Israel JoAnn, caring and mothering and being the "Mamabear".
You are a networker connecting the dots and bringing people together to get the job done.
Lifting each other up over the years in encouragement and strengthening each other in God's word.
You will forever be my "Bumble Bee" .. teaching others to do what they don't have faith for and helping them to "just be". It is aerodynamically impossible for bumble bees to fly, but they don't know it! I think you are the "Queen Bee"!
You want everyone to be joined in their love for God and each other too!
You are a prayer warrior extraordinaire.
You live life with a zest!
You have seasoned and blessed words of wisdom to share with others.
And how do you manage to stay......
You have words from God that bring forth life and change.
It's a good thing you have a warm heart because as Bart used to say "you can hang meat in your house!" But, I have never been to a more warm and loving place ever.. just make sure you bring your parka and long johns when you visit the Parrott's!!
What wonderful times you have had snuggling into Aslan's fur and finding comfort my friend... the Lion of Judah is forever there for you.
And you are always willing to pick up a stray and include them in the "party" of life...
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| Bethany with her dog Jack |
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| Monstro ... the forever living goldfish |
Julie's Cat Zero?
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| Mat Jr's Dog |
You have a heart of esteeming young and old alike, and have a way of crossing generational barriers. You have helped bring honor back into the city by arranging special "blessing days" for others.
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| Shirley Rowe Mother in Israel cutting opening day ribbon for CHOP |
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| Rochelle and Donna with Diamond her "Coming Out Party"! |
You are SOOOO funny, quick and witty too.. you make me laugh and it is good medicine for me and so many others.
So many people have been blessed to stay at "the Princess Suite .. the upper room. It is so homey and comfy and is a sanctuary .. I don't think there is one room in your home where someone has not stayed.. no one is ever turned away at the "Inn at Botany Bay"..you are the host and hostess with the mostest.. and make everyone feel so much a part of the family. You are another one who joyfully takes the spoiling of her goods!!!!! I love my times with you, my friend.
I remember you being a part of going downtown Charleston at the marketplace to pray for slavery to be broken over the area. You named it "The Spirit and the Bride say COME"!
You paint wonderful rainbows with words and help the SONSHINE in so many people's lives, including mine!
You have made so many people feel special dearest one.. and their lives are richer because of you.
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| JoAnn at Tina's Surprise Party |
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| Tina's Surprise birthday party |
You have such a heart for others and so desire to see them reach their full potential in Christ. Here is a picture of you and your own words:
JoAnn Parrott: "This is what I look like when I am pondering the amazing family God has given me - such love and forgiveness abound for everyone. Sometimes it takes a while for everyone to get there - but we get there and will continue on this journey forever."
We have had so much fun and great memories over the years of playing together and You ARE the SONSHINE tree in the flesh, for many come and find shelter in the storms of their lives, and no one is refused in your tree of life.
Oh my friend, I am so happy we're learning not to take others out to the woodshed for a whoopin'... you walk in grace and are an advocate for those who have been hurt by life.
And I love you even when you have your "chocolate days"!
I love the way God shows you pictures of the body of Christ .. such as the one He said about the real bride had her sleeves rolled up and was ready to work!
What wonderful times we have had together playing and enjoying the fellowship of friends and seeing God move in our midst.
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| Jerry and JoAnn ... true Apostles ministering to those in ministry |
I remember when you sang to my mother "Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown" and you didn't even know she loved that song...You saw Jesus dancing with her.. WOW!
Your lamp will always be full, because you go to the Father for oil and for others too!
You are free in the spirit and walk in balance crushing religiousity!
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| Mary Ann, Kate and Sally having fun with candy cigarettes JoAnn brought to Sally's |
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| JoAnn and Carlos having fun with candy cigarettes |
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| It is so good to be free from religion |
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| You cutie pie JoAnn... you are so free! |
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| Kate, Sally and Jennifer with play cigarettes |
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| Bringing freedom to many... |
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| Jennifer and Shirley playing |
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| The Queen Bee ... you are so much fun JoAnn!! |
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| A Toast to YOU JoAnn ... Happy Birthday friend! |
You have a love for beauty not only in others, but in nature too. You love the world around you ..
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| Bird's nest on front porch |
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The deck that Jerry built and JoAnn decorated
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| Planting seeds of love wherever you go |
You give a WHOLE new meaning to feeding the multitudes
I know there are so many stories in you yet to tell .. and for others to be blessed by
Such a generous woman ... a true giver in every sense..what a blessing you are to so many people .. it has changed lives forever.
You are a woman of faith believing God for His best.
How you long to see the living Tabernacle of David restored.
Very few I know have the milk of human kindness in their mouth, as you do.
You have a forever young attitude too!
My prayer for you is that the desires in your heart be fullfilled in every way. In your own words "We built a memorial unto the Lord with 12 stones representing our whole TRIBE.
No one will be missing - no one will be broken - SHALOM!!
You are a treasure beyond measure my precious JoAnn..
Love forever..
With loving appreciation to God for you .. for all you have been, for all you are and all you will be.
| “I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me, I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant old friend of mine, to me along the way.” unknown author.. but straight from my heart to yours |
Your friend and sister in the Lord,
Donna
