tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74738985713241214482024-03-14T02:32:29.014-04:00Abiding in GraceWorking for Christ - Resting in Christ.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-59635734746385502792014-10-28T16:04:00.000-04:002014-10-28T16:04:00.804-04:0012 Ways Ordinary People Can Love Orphans<div class="page" title="Page 1">
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<span style="font-family: GillSans;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><b>I shared a last week about Orphan Sunday, on Nov. 2, 1014. If you believe that Christians are called to care for the orphans, here are some practical steps YOU can take!*</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">12 Ways Ordinary People Can Love Orphans
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Foster. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Some 400,000 children live in foster care today. The experience of a
loving home and relationships can make a profound difference for these children,
even if their stay with you is brief. To start, talk with others in your church or
community who’ve fostered to get an honest take on the joys and challenges of the
journey. Then reach out to a quality local agency that facilitates foster care to learn
more about the process.
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Adopt. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Every child deserves a family. If you’re considering adoption, start with
prayer and then conversations with adoptive families and adoptees. Then begin
asking questions of a quality adoption agency. You can find many at </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">www.cafo.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">.
If you’re considering adopting from foster care, visit </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">www.adoptuskids.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">.
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Advocacy and Orphan Sunday. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">One great opportunity to engage your
church is Orphan Sunday. On the first Sunday of November, churches worldwide
celebrate God’s love for the fatherless and how ordinary people can make a
difference. Any church can participate—from a showing a short video or prayer for
orphans during a church service...to a foster care “Heart Gallery” in the foyer...to a
community-wide concert. Find event ideas, free resources and more at
</span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">www.orphansuday.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">.
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">CASA. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Many counties link foster youth with a volunteer Court Appointed Special
Advocate (CASA). A CASA serves as advocate and ally for the child as the courts
determine what is best for him or her. Learn more at </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">www.casaforchildren.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">.
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Mentor. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">A consistent, caring adult presence can make a profound difference for
any child, especially one who has bounced from home to home in foster care.
Young adults who are aging out of care also greatly need caring older friends and a
place to spend the holidays. Many communities have mentoring programs, and
groups like The Mentoring Project or the Christian Association of Youth Mentors
can help churches establish their own.
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Safe Families. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">This all-volunteer alternative to the foster system is a great way
to help prevent children from entering foster care. Volunteers can provide
temporary homes, support these host families, and also aid birth families. If your
area doesn’t yet have a program, consider starting one. More at </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">www.safe-
families.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Wrap-Around Supports. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Practical aid from the church community can be
hugely helpful—and encouraging!—to foster and adoptive families. Consider
household chores and yard work, shopping, giving rides, and babysitting. If you
church doesn’t have an organized ministry, don’t be put off. Find out what families
need and do it! Ultimately, you may want to create a formal “Foster/Adoption
Support Ministry” with a few others.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Skilled Service. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Put your professional skills to use in showing love to adoptive
and foster families and to foster youth—from haircuts to orthodontics to car repair.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Fundraising. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Funds help fuel ministry. Give personally and help raise money for
trustworthy organizations, both nearby and globally. Find trustworthy organizations
at </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.cafo.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">. Students group will value the </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.heartwork.tv</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">, which provides
rich learning experiences as youth raise funds for worthy ministries. Churches also
create “Adoption Funds” via </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.abbafund.org </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">and </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.lifesongfororphans.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Missions Trips. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Mission trips can be life changing for those who go. But without
careful attention to the long-term situation we’re entering, travel can eat lots of
money with little impact. We may even do harm in the process. Make sure any
mission trip includes thorough preparation and cultural understanding, and clear and
appropriate objectives. Most of all, make sure that the local church—not wealthy
visitors—is seen as the primary answer to long-term needs.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Church Ministry. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Join with a few others to create an ongoing orphan ministry in
your church. Find successful models and other materials at </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.cafo.org </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">and at the
national </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.CAFO2014.org </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">conference. The ministry </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.hopefororphans.org
</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">provides great resources, including their simple guide, “Launching an Orphans
Ministry in Your Church.” You can also learn much from mature church ministries
like </span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">www.tapestryministry.org</span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Church Culture. </span><span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 12pt;">Beyond formal ministry, what can make all the difference for
foster parents, adoptive families and mentors are the “intangibles” that make for a
culture of welcome and hospitality. Sunday School teachers who grasp the unique
challenges that come with wounded children. Pastors who honor adoption and pray
for foster youth from the pulpit. People willing to invite families with special needs
for BBQ.</span></li>
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<img alt="page2image18368" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image18368" width="91.680000" />
<img alt="page2image18528" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image18528" width="90.960000" />
<img alt="page2image18688" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image18688" width="137.520000" />
<img alt="page2image18848" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image18848" width="67.680000" />
<img alt="page2image19008" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image19008" width="103.680000" />
<img alt="page2image19168" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image19168" width="125.520000" /><span style="font-family: GillSans; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: 700;">*From the Christian Alliance for Orphans:</span><br />
<img alt="page2image19328" height="0.240000" src="file:///page2image19328" width="126.240000" />
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<span style="font-family: 'GillSans'; font-size: 10.000000pt;">www.cafo.org | info@cafo.org </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-22400268342261572262014-10-24T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-24T07:00:06.340-04:00Friday Favorites - Slugs and Bugs<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwUVlZSOmZqXlXTukppJmYT-GiyYfnX8gddS_8lI2Dq2QZK_PHBxNYgCC62i9BmJWUufumo5WYhOgOc8r-1gdT0EcA9nSS9kJe69w1BG6l-j89BSYqHuHOolfIUYmbG5qEMQHRXqo2fU/s1600/slugs+and+bugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwUVlZSOmZqXlXTukppJmYT-GiyYfnX8gddS_8lI2Dq2QZK_PHBxNYgCC62i9BmJWUufumo5WYhOgOc8r-1gdT0EcA9nSS9kJe69w1BG6l-j89BSYqHuHOolfIUYmbG5qEMQHRXqo2fU/s1600/slugs+and+bugs.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing with you some of my favorite kid-music. Here is sample of one of the silly songs!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lzgsqp_6Xlk" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Randy Goodgame's <a href="http://www.slugsandbugs.com/">"Slugs and Bugs"</a> is a fun collection of songs that are great for kids, but moms and dads will find entertaining as well! Written by a great Christian artist, the songs also include tunes like "God Makes Messy Things Beautiful" and "Tell it to Jesus." Along with the silly songs, these songs remind kids that God can help them through anything. I can literally put these songs on in the car and - BAM! - quiet. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being the boys that they are, our favorite song is probably the "Under Where?" song from the album "</span><a href="http://www.slugsandbugs.com/under-where/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slugs and Bugs: Under Where?</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Imagine songs with "cheese dip" and "riding on dragons" lyrics. You can see that they ar. e full of fun. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ0QltSmg4u8HCc8v41bv0FILAESlKK6Itslep78e9BGsFhVfxOXUSwNFUwnkHCgnWTKHLtL3nv5dWUU00pk8z49aDftc7wlqnr7bDA9X9QwrQGvY3EXPl_53J1NK25exqPzFnBRWqY8/s1600/slugs+and+bugs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ0QltSmg4u8HCc8v41bv0FILAESlKK6Itslep78e9BGsFhVfxOXUSwNFUwnkHCgnWTKHLtL3nv5dWUU00pk8z49aDftc7wlqnr7bDA9X9QwrQGvY3EXPl_53J1NK25exqPzFnBRWqY8/s1600/slugs+and+bugs2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love that they created "<a href="http://www.slugsandbugs.com/sing-the-bible/">Slugs and Bugs Sing the Bible</a>." I found the perfect song for learning not only learning the New Testament books of the Bible but the Old Testament books as well (which is a lot harder to memorize!).</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGfP3EUDBYI?list=UU4ZnK7U7Sx0BbHdl5tu7OcA" width="480"></iframe><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can't wait to get the "<a href="http://www.slugsandbugs.com/christmas/">Slugs and Bugs Christmas</a>"!!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not sure we should listen to "<a href="http://www.slugsandbugs.com/lullabies/">Slugs and Bugs Lullaby</a>" in the car - but good for kids that listen to music at night!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">__ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joining <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> for....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Friday!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Jesus meets him, this man is sitting by a pool. The pool of Bethesda was a superstitious pool. The people believed that an angel came down and stirred the pool. Whomever touched the water first was healed. Either the man was took sick or lame, but either way he was never fast enough to get into the pool first. Someone else always received the "blessing" before he could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In John 5:6, Jesus askes the man: Do you want to be healed?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first read that, I found it to be a little silly, don't you? Of course the man wanted to be healed!? He sat by the pool for years trying to be the first in the water. Of course he wanted to be made well. What a seemingly pointless question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After doing a little studying, I came up with two reasons why Jesus might have asked the man this question:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. To give him hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. To get his eyes off of the pool and onto Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To Give Him Hope</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The man needed hope. Time after time, he was never the first into the pool. The others who were sick would always beat him to the waters when the "angel" stirred it. Slowly, the man was losing hope. Yet, the man did not just need ANY hope.....he need MORE than hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To Get His Eyes Off the Pool</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He needed Jesus. The man was placing his entire hope in this superstition. Scholars debate whether the angel was real or not. Either way, the man's hope was not found in the pool. This man needed to look up at Jesus, his only source of hope. Jesus was saying: Stop looking around you for hope, look up at me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What about you? Do YOU want rescued? Jesus is asking you today. He wants to offer you hope and cause you to get your "eyes off of the pool." To be able to see the hope Jesus offers you, first you must stop looking around or inside of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wrote about how if we look inside ourselves, we will never be enough to satisfy. We shouldn't look around either. Our husbands, children, parents, or friends are not the solutions to our problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right now, God may be doing something really wonderful with our adoption process. It could be nothing. I could be something. I've checked my phone every 10-15 all. day. long. No answer. Waiting for an answer is sometimes the hardest part. I just don't care what the answer is - I just want to know it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God is teaching me that in my waiting, I can take my eyes off of the situation, and onto Him. He is my hope. If my heart gets broken, its ok. He holds my heart so close that I will still be ok. He is our salvation. No amount of tribulation will ever separate us from His love. He is our Father. With gentleness and care, He guides us through the hardships. He allows us to go through things to teach us to look up....at Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get your eyes off of the pool that is your circumstances, and onto Jesus, who is reaching down, ready to give you hope and healing!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCQioXOycnbnYQ39gAgFmpFa34-0LsanPU2qywcjj9zZjavbWibGKSp8hD_NKkRfCrM5vSXFTB8ciePyZhU3x70urOsu2cISblG3PYjA8HsBut8umyVc-qDpk1mE1QgE31FD0BhNnTuo/s1600/hope+in+god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCQioXOycnbnYQ39gAgFmpFa34-0LsanPU2qywcjj9zZjavbWibGKSp8hD_NKkRfCrM5vSXFTB8ciePyZhU3x70urOsu2cISblG3PYjA8HsBut8umyVc-qDpk1mE1QgE31FD0BhNnTuo/s1600/hope+in+god.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-4896721156125332172014-10-21T10:10:00.000-04:002014-10-21T10:10:02.469-04:00Orphan Sunday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As adoption has become so very dear to our hearts, Jason and I have researched a lot about orphans, orphan care, and reaching those that are most vulnerable. One organization that I have come to love is Orphan Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year, this group helps promote Orphan Awareness in churches all over the world. This year, orphan Sunday will take place on November 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From their website : <a href="http://orphansunday.org/">Orphan Sunday (dot) org</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">On Orphan Sunday, Christians stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress. Each event is locally-led. Sermons and small groups, concerts and prayer gatherings, shared meals and youth activities—each rousing believers with God’s call to care for the orphan, and what we can do in response. From many sources, one voice. Each November, thousands of events will echo across America and around the globe, all sharing a single goal: that God’s great love for the orphan will find echo in our lives as well. Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to rouse church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlirFLob6SDnx7ENEWszAQ_95DG7WPcVmFDxoxd5IGJfoiHHBUxuy7xd2nzYOWLwKr06lcAIm7zkosTDcGmGGyybRn9OyMB0_vSzAYdosVd1FFWFpGQLkNDEqPMJnqp-r6-6AwRstWyr4/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlirFLob6SDnx7ENEWszAQ_95DG7WPcVmFDxoxd5IGJfoiHHBUxuy7xd2nzYOWLwKr06lcAIm7zkosTDcGmGGyybRn9OyMB0_vSzAYdosVd1FFWFpGQLkNDEqPMJnqp-r6-6AwRstWyr4/s1600/logo.png" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As people of God we need to bring awareness to this children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When a need has a face, we can meet that need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Orphan Sunday's <a href="http://orphansunday.org/">website</a> you will find...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ideas for how to promote Orphan Sunday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Resources for promoting Orphan Sunday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Printable materials for bulletins and posters</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Movies to watch promoting the event</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And much, much more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check it out and be a voice for the voiceless!</span><br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/95002482">Orphan Sunday 2014</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/orphanalliance">Christian Alliance for Orphans</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-23917704027755286672014-10-20T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-22T09:00:24.449-04:00Honest Moments - Everyday Eternity<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Psalm 102:18 - "This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My children hear me say a lot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't touch that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take off your shoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take your plate to the sink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hold my hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Say please.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of my instructions and directions deal with the everyday. What if the everyday dealt with eternity? What if I added to those things I said, giving my children a more eternal perspective?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Psalm 102 we read how the psalmist tells the people to write down - TELL - what?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Psalm 102:16-17 - "For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer."</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TELL - What?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Future Promises</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Present Promises</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The psalm reminds us that God will return, and in that time His glory will be revealed. All those things promised in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev.+20-21&version=NKJV">Revelation 20-21</a> will come true! I challenge you to read those chapters. That hope of the future brings joy to my heart! Remember this - the psalmist says.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, remember that God is very present in the here-and-now. God promises to listen and answer those that humble themselves before Him. He will not ignore our pleas for His help. He will rescue! Remember this - the psalms says.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So we TELL, but WHO do we tell?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 102:18b - "That a people yet to be created." - Those not born yet need to know of God's promises. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren need to know of God's promises. How will they know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TELL them.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my sons get older, I will tell them of how God provided during our adoption process. I will tell them how daddy lost his job - our only way to pay for the adoption - the very same day of our first home study meeting. I will tell them that God provided each step of the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While they are little, we tell them how God is faithful. I will tell them my prayers so that later I can tell them how God answered them. I will tell them that I pray for them to know God. So that when they finally accept Him as their Savior - they can see how my prayers were answered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So we TELL, our CHILDREN - but WHY?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Psalm 102:18 - "May praise the LORD." </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will tell them because God deserves the praise. He is all glorious. He is all powerful. He is kind. He is just. He is good. He is worthy of our praise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I must be honest! (We <b>are</b> sharing "Honest Moments.") </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't alway do this. I actually miss so many opportunities I lose track. I get caught up in the here-and-now. I focus on fixing dinner and folding clothes. My heart forgets to see the eternal perspective. Am I teaching my children about eternity perspectives - or just earthly pleasures?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To answer, I look at my own heart. I see that I need to rest more in Christ's grace. Trust God with the present and future. As my heart learns to trust and rest more, my heart can teach my children to trust and rest as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could fold laundry, telling them to be thankful for God's gifts to our family - how He always provides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could read stories that show God's faithfulness in keeping His promises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could sing songs that tell them "God makes messy things beautiful."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of these little moments of telling them reminds me (and them) to rest in God's eternity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linking up with:</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-5539558337151197012014-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-17T08:26:07.486-04:00Friday Favorites - Pete the Cat<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have you seen these cute kid's books? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With silly illustrations, clever rhymes, and a good message - the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">books are great for kids ages 2-12!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our very first Pete the Cat book was:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061906220"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In this book, Pete walks through life with his favorite white shoes. He is just singing along, until - UH OH! He steps in....well, you will just have to find out what Pete steps in! In the end, Pete learns a valuable lesson about no matter what happens in life, to just keep walking. This book is great for color practice as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also love.....</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Pete-Cat-His-Four-Groovy-Buttons/?isbn13=9780062110589&tctid=100"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3Juw0ksZtBnUG9cxN-FaWE8mLMfw6GJJ8S5GnT4gkOROQ-42XcpUI1rM0hkBNo0aq-Putl9StzGRghf-i3o58UPZDTVVoTAVwqjXNMg9JaUqiBibP3aU4VlH-eQa6Qmn9_TZN4W0_Fs/s1600/ptc+-+groovy+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3Juw0ksZtBnUG9cxN-FaWE8mLMfw6GJJ8S5GnT4gkOROQ-42XcpUI1rM0hkBNo0aq-Putl9StzGRghf-i3o58UPZDTVVoTAVwqjXNMg9JaUqiBibP3aU4VlH-eQa6Qmn9_TZN4W0_Fs/s1600/ptc+-+groovy+buttons.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is one of our favorite Pete the Cat books. My boys love the surprise twist at the end of the book. They laugh every time! What happens when Pete loses all of his four groovy buttons? You have to read and find out. Along with numbers and subtraction, this book also offers a lesson in how to handle life when we lose our things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You might want to also check out some <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/childrens/feature/petethecat">other Pete the Cat books</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780062275561"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780062275561" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqFn7TF19iEnQlS7kUOv2PLRBaNWYYyFpNfcSStUV99r-1QecCWhyphenhyphendEBHvNH3JovCFo5PMjMRjnBu9AeuXmzltGmvMZmMGNEyxVzYVqBsQI6SgenJy-5I_rq7dYvc6Uiww9yUh31btMM/s1600/ptc+magic+sunglasses.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061910241"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes </span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061910241" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kEb8LwEEpKVzYLkfiXXVKGQuaVCvdi_dwdv1gh6JjCIgil8HVVtTsdgbQxhCC_1FTb1UkuRZwFK0_MXExxMnc1gDs3P8kCUjzdFCggU0nqvLg0YdqYniMZjMmIf8RgyICy8d1MxQ5Pw/s1600/ptc+-+school+shoes.jpg" height="400" width="311" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With a beginner reader, we also have used the Beginning Reader Pete the Cat series as well!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780062110725" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRvfc_Hj-e45We9QEjOw_rqzJ30Dd0YfX30yCHyQNzC43uNeMOq1pWYxJvAJsiYxOFvQc2OIbq7wI4GDPTjG6MZoFy5yQJWpPGKpDH99X0kpBeeLkr1IwLR7ag1xhyhvVb-DxsA4MXKM/s1600/ptc+at+the+beach.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780062110671" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb-brj8sShvylpgJniEbY8pPMGy-uREA-WYb6lX5CZ-ycxiNa4d_ohVYl8myCzmQvfyIP5gIjw10Sxlafy9jq9-lSBxlzzzPFasvq9mO0dVz27iyKX3MvvzfD93zSlGsStNVtPov2e8w/s1600/ptc+-+play+ball.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780062110695" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI0i8z5BoakCLsIv4g3Y2R6HD33ea9tmxKsnPzBJoTc-B2qFj5QriPNYLDhIkNeI0JH55O02F_iDYDcDR1LnjtDpj44Wv4rC2etV8JMzUel-BsUs5F3h9aNczcjqypQEAQn3QK7nmfDM/s1600/ptc+-+big+lunch.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Pete+the+Cat&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APete+the+Cat">HERE</a> for the whole Pete the Cat series some extras and other fun activities!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, check out <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/abidingingrace/">Pinterest</a>, as there are several<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=pete%20the%20cat&term_meta%5B%5D=pete+the+cat%7Ctyped"> fun activities</a> to do with Pete the Cat as well!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Friday!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Favorites</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WITH</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-42863748666821789522014-10-16T16:04:00.001-04:002014-10-16T20:21:15.733-04:00Not Time for the Yes<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm ready for a yes. Unfortunately, it is another no.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we entered this adoption world, we were joining a something that was completely unknown. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Maybe that was a good thing. We had read books, watched videos, and taken online classes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone told us about the financial decisions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone told us about the long waits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone told us about the endless paperwork.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone told us that it would be hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one said anything about the hard decisions we would have to make along the way. I cannot begin to describe all of the hard decisions we've made so far. The latest decision had to do with a potential adoption locally (as in a few states away). We could adopt this little one and continue to wait for our little girl in China. For a week now, we've wrestled with this decision. This little one would demand a lot of attention, possibly for the rest of his/her life. Therapy, doctor's appointments, and lots of hours at home working on different things was going to be needed. Most of the time we were completely split 50/50. We wrestled with a lot of emotions and thoughts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On one hand, we did not want to shy away from doing something because it might be "hard." God calls us all to do hard things. We never want to choose the road that is easier just because it won't be difficult. Unknowns are hard for me. Unknowns scare me and cause me to back away from a decision. God commands us to do things sometimes that have a lot of "what if's." God gives grace. This is little one had a lot of hard unknowns. I did not want <i>that</i> to be the deciding factor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, we have to look at our family right now. Although there are unknowns, we have things we <i>do</i> know. I know have three little ones. I know we are home schooling. I know we are on the waiting list for a child who could become available anytime now. All of those factors weighed very heavily in our decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, do we take the hard road....trusting God to work it out and provide the strength?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or do we stay the course we are on, trusting that He will lead us to our daughter in His timing?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We opted for the second choice. Although we believe with all of our hearts that God provides the grace for each situation, we had to remember where we had drawn the lines at the beginning of our adoption journey. Needs will arise constantly and it is NOT our job to meet all of those needs. If we do not meet the need, God brings someone else along to do so. We believe that with all of our hearts.</span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't make the decision any less hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't mean that we hurt so much saying "no" to this little one.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cried a little the night we came to our conclusion. Not because we had to say no to this little one, but because I am so tired of the "no's" our family has faced. It seems as if doors have opened left and right during this process, but we've had to say <b>no</b> so many times.</span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told Jason, "I'm ready for a yes." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm ready. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It just isn't time for the yes yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when it comes, the "yes" will be the Best Yes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_______</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Phil. 4:6 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have prayed for peace about this decision. God has granted us peace. I will take that peace, and place it as solider on a tower, guarding the city of my heart and mind. It is easy to sit and regret or walk away and wonder after making a hard decision. God's peace is a promise to keep us from worrying whether we made the right decisions. God's peace comes when we stop worrying and pray. That peace will stand guard and protect me from the harm of self-doubt. God's peace moves me forward as I wait for the "yes" that I know will come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In adoption, we are faced with so many "no's" - it can be so discouraging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God promises us peace, even in the middle of all of these "no's." </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD50oPwhcWYwlhfqGiFTChF6RKh-bX9hqKAfj51ckAes5PKvThRQwCaVKriZaJ4q-El6clg8EG7d8x5dJ0wTk-Cq1YqJU9gyWExp1kbA1LN59jLanKDYM8q3HeZTzjtUCZHdfVqd5__Fk/s1600/peace+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD50oPwhcWYwlhfqGiFTChF6RKh-bX9hqKAfj51ckAes5PKvThRQwCaVKriZaJ4q-El6clg8EG7d8x5dJ0wTk-Cq1YqJU9gyWExp1kbA1LN59jLanKDYM8q3HeZTzjtUCZHdfVqd5__Fk/s1600/peace+of+God.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-83746182794258424292014-10-16T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-16T07:00:05.251-04:00Heart of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cj3QnmBb3hwS6GL1PBvVBV_qY_DMqGx24Z-6yc2DzBzKSnq6OtZODOAniqv6KaNQ6TsmJ6mdhQQPzHntaG9inrWNA_vlM30B3srxFck63-_22-NNJ3VXV6q3wOhezwaOObbqbL-bP10/s1600/heart+of+hope+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cj3QnmBb3hwS6GL1PBvVBV_qY_DMqGx24Z-6yc2DzBzKSnq6OtZODOAniqv6KaNQ6TsmJ6mdhQQPzHntaG9inrWNA_vlM30B3srxFck63-_22-NNJ3VXV6q3wOhezwaOObbqbL-bP10/s1600/heart+of+hope+1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not wait with <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/05/waiting-with-arms-full.html">empty arms.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not wait <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/02/learn-to-do.html">sitting on our hands.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not wait in vain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a promise for us. A promise that He will fulfill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait to be heard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait, forgiven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait with expectancy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait because we will receive the promise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait because mercy and redemption is coming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wait with a heart filled with <span style="font-size: large;"><b>hope</b></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Psalm 130</b></span></div>
<div class="poetry" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Ps-130-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">Out of the depths I have cried to You, O <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-2" id="en-NKJV-16143" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>Lord, hear my voice!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">Let Your ears be attentive</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">To the voice of my supplications.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-3" id="en-NKJV-16144" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>If You, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, should mark iniquities,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">O Lord, who could stand?</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-4" id="en-NKJV-16145" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>But <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">there is</i> forgiveness with You,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">That You may be feared.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-5" id="en-NKJV-16146" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>I wait for the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, my soul waits,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">And in His word I do hope.</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-6" id="en-NKJV-16147" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>My soul <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">waits</i> for the Lord</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">More than those who watch for the morning—</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Yes, more than</i> those who watch for the morning.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-130-7" id="en-NKJV-16148" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>O Israel, hope in the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">For with the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">there is</i> mercy,</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">And with Him <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</i> abundant redemption.</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-8" id="en-NKJV-16149" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>And He shall redeem Israel</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-130-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">From all his iniquities.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEvGtc2dx0JF1_EHNfb02zYnE0iDAxegyTP3MwmkYrli9kGvDwtEQmQnnkylKOoutA3E8lIaZv_JwrXY_iN_lfnrIAo5UaAdMnwJfuVsrE3eT5DRGdVQwPIw7jv6zBkvpU2UAimpxX0g/s1600/heart+of+hope+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEvGtc2dx0JF1_EHNfb02zYnE0iDAxegyTP3MwmkYrli9kGvDwtEQmQnnkylKOoutA3E8lIaZv_JwrXY_iN_lfnrIAo5UaAdMnwJfuVsrE3eT5DRGdVQwPIw7jv6zBkvpU2UAimpxX0g/s1600/heart+of+hope+2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-29474448881487953052014-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-16T09:09:06.227-04:00DIY Fall Plaque<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.allkindsofthingsblog.com/" title="All Kinds of Things"><img alt="All Kinds of Things" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHWSwV9pxTI/VCm0HXhcrXI/AAAAAAAAHcc/PgzZHx5yp70/s1600/falllinkuplarge.jpg" height="320" style="border: none;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do. It. Yourself.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Fall Plaque</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super easy and super cheap!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will need:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wooden plaque </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mod-podge and wood glue </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scrapbook paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wooden letters - painted or left unpainted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Braket to hang pictures</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*You can get all of these supplies for under $10 at either Michael's or Walmart.*</span></b></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will want to paint your wooden letters first.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMXQbNlY4-xfuvKTJ-C4Yzk2rXOlQ4-gJA1IJQnfB1kVXstVVGpK-czS_0RI6Ro-XXQwsEy2-8Rwz-RpQ7jEjpd-iYYoaM52LyVYEnt5b_GOHbHK3exARe94xhxT27zg6aqx33_u4F-Q/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMXQbNlY4-xfuvKTJ-C4Yzk2rXOlQ4-gJA1IJQnfB1kVXstVVGpK-czS_0RI6Ro-XXQwsEy2-8Rwz-RpQ7jEjpd-iYYoaM52LyVYEnt5b_GOHbHK3exARe94xhxT27zg6aqx33_u4F-Q/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, use the Mod-podge to attach the scrapbook paper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It gets tricky around the edges.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitukU0KkH4UJiDWo2Eae4lBa5W7sUFAW6nDFHveh5cQP9oR4Oh4lFAj9poDvBrEexQteCD5s6uIAhSzq091DUtVwoGJ0Q6khuDiWc9Bt4CfPHUlPtC2Z60yeCQrVoZOIDVgP3m-mOb5Hw/s1600/IMG_5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitukU0KkH4UJiDWo2Eae4lBa5W7sUFAW6nDFHveh5cQP9oR4Oh4lFAj9poDvBrEexQteCD5s6uIAhSzq091DUtVwoGJ0Q6khuDiWc9Bt4CfPHUlPtC2Z60yeCQrVoZOIDVgP3m-mOb5Hw/s1600/IMG_5617.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP5fKqz6SlDTtckKCp-AaDXWnnspfSzXb7W4zOF9b9r9JoZIsI42r4P8MenJ_kIeJe4_EZWp1I2T0eGBDu1hVhpPs8W42YiJmF3G5azYYBfysxycHGx5PgIJbgJjdZdtzwIqd1OnmyY8/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP5fKqz6SlDTtckKCp-AaDXWnnspfSzXb7W4zOF9b9r9JoZIsI42r4P8MenJ_kIeJe4_EZWp1I2T0eGBDu1hVhpPs8W42YiJmF3G5azYYBfysxycHGx5PgIJbgJjdZdtzwIqd1OnmyY8/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dhxjqePSEo4oc93zroQ2Fac_swba90rzzlCZY3c-zJDXmPvxiSN0KfQFOpG81TLdCc8J5VVKe1brLyfPH5P3Fl550dttTbYEHFFJqShSEEWg_1_BFcySh4JeDOzt6Ra0rof8IL5ucQg/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dhxjqePSEo4oc93zroQ2Fac_swba90rzzlCZY3c-zJDXmPvxiSN0KfQFOpG81TLdCc8J5VVKe1brLyfPH5P3Fl550dttTbYEHFFJqShSEEWg_1_BFcySh4JeDOzt6Ra0rof8IL5ucQg/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add the wooden letters with the wood glue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, you will need to add a bracket to hang on the wall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zBl9EyRAMpDzTstyl5ybrBquGMz1QNtXWfYSSLu9blL2ZluxO_bShLulCFRBg0xkpYt-rrHeTyW1k9MI3citjB7ZyjsYqgZInpkhuKY5KzpTozj_8yz1WDlNKM4kuzehajxxZnVNEE/s1600/IMG_5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zBl9EyRAMpDzTstyl5ybrBquGMz1QNtXWfYSSLu9blL2ZluxO_bShLulCFRBg0xkpYt-rrHeTyW1k9MI3citjB7ZyjsYqgZInpkhuKY5KzpTozj_8yz1WDlNKM4kuzehajxxZnVNEE/s1600/IMG_5643.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ta-Da! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_eHVJ6ACoF4lykOReBuPi6GFrD2gAyecDZzdslJqfzvNgcGgjE_ihCgCkbRUAiu_NFRkN0rHYGbHJC5fFppeHYW4PB5m2AXEl7_f4eaR2jQxCh3c-3sfoyl0XhswEbh-yVTRn9Ef1Sg/s1600/IMG_5650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_eHVJ6ACoF4lykOReBuPi6GFrD2gAyecDZzdslJqfzvNgcGgjE_ihCgCkbRUAiu_NFRkN0rHYGbHJC5fFppeHYW4PB5m2AXEl7_f4eaR2jQxCh3c-3sfoyl0XhswEbh-yVTRn9Ef1Sg/s1600/IMG_5650.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A simple new fall decoration!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some pictures of some of my other fall decorations.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoSfsDalF75vDvejj11P-KSgZZVpUxmNyW2jtr5-zC5A4BtXj6ExPb_OwFpFrxTs49KFRNXR-3P3Qw4VqP8PIKDwG8ldPSocBkYMy0W7ZHAr-Jy-RZmaN5S13VPVEzlQqerp2vDD7W_k/s1600/IMG_5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoSfsDalF75vDvejj11P-KSgZZVpUxmNyW2jtr5-zC5A4BtXj6ExPb_OwFpFrxTs49KFRNXR-3P3Qw4VqP8PIKDwG8ldPSocBkYMy0W7ZHAr-Jy-RZmaN5S13VPVEzlQqerp2vDD7W_k/s1600/IMG_5635.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cP54bAbwWdd3zKLkZR1MOVLnoTvPkAhyphenhyphenAFBMcrCQpr_D2s4adwEwAIdoHFDUpsoBX2a-7_gVyTuYbbDmePZMxI50bDvtfgoSFJs64wExaEVZqYRxgGC6T4lFYqvNbgP_34bU2x7vlco/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cP54bAbwWdd3zKLkZR1MOVLnoTvPkAhyphenhyphenAFBMcrCQpr_D2s4adwEwAIdoHFDUpsoBX2a-7_gVyTuYbbDmePZMxI50bDvtfgoSFJs64wExaEVZqYRxgGC6T4lFYqvNbgP_34bU2x7vlco/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These cute salt and pepper shakers came from my grandmother. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ODDFppFbaxrPGhSJM6D3UxU62cvxbnhQN5-G-JiqvcGeOMOjNUr1pjDONgKZgctXRjNdxyG-vWiWDuiTUKoPWxCFVfjuF8a8OV7oOSmGAia047KnZxavc8kF2sE9k-ihLI-ZrQn6igY/s1600/IMG_5638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ODDFppFbaxrPGhSJM6D3UxU62cvxbnhQN5-G-JiqvcGeOMOjNUr1pjDONgKZgctXRjNdxyG-vWiWDuiTUKoPWxCFVfjuF8a8OV7oOSmGAia047KnZxavc8kF2sE9k-ihLI-ZrQn6igY/s1600/IMG_5638.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this picture, I found this free printable at <a href="http://myblessedlife.net/2011/09/fall-printables.html">My Blessed Life</a> and paired it with a cute $6 frame from Walmart!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining these other fabulous blogs for our Monthly Link-Up:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Becky @ <a href="http://bybmg.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">BYBMG</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bybmg" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Facebook</a> – <a href="https://plus.google.com/+BeckyGbybmg/posts" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Google+</a> – <a href="http://instagram.com/bybmg#" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Instagram</a> – <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bybmg/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Pinterest </a>- <a href="https://twitter.com/bybmg" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Twitter</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Britt @ <a href="http://www.thefiskfiles.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">The Fisk Files</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fisk-Files/168865676609059" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Facebook </a>- <a href="http://instagram.com/thefiskfiles#" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Instagram</a> – <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/thefiskfiles/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Pinterest</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-weight: 700;">Elizabeth @ </span><a href="http://www.allkindsofthingsblog.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;">All Kinds of Things</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/allkindsofthingsblog" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a><span style="color: #444444;"> – </span><a href="http://instagram.com/allkindsofthings#" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Instagram</a><span style="color: #444444;"> – </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/allkindsblog/" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tara @ <a href="http://mrscoachsims.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Tieras and Touchdowns</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mrscoachsims" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Facebook</a> – <a href="https://plus.google.com/102770422053978099458/posts" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Google+</a> – <a href="http://instagram.com/mrs_coach_sims" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Instagram</a> – <a href="https://twitter.com/Mrs_Coach_Sims" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Twitter</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Keri @ <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Living In This Season</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/livinginthisseason" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Facebook</a> – <a href="https://plus.google.com/+KeriSnyderlivinginthisseason/posts" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Google+</a> – <a href="http://instagram.com/livinginthisseason/#" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Instagram</a> -<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/lynnkeri/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;"> Pinterest</a></span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-13996768944381901582014-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-14T14:33:43.842-04:00Sense of Failure<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never let your sense of failure corrupt your new action. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- O. Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest - Feb. 18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mothers, we fail. It is true. You cannot hide your failures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may be able to hide them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from your family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from your friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the world looking in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You cannot hide them from you husband, little ones, yourself, or God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although we've talked about <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/i-am-not-enough.html">not being enough,</a> we cannot lose heart when we fail. What do we do when we fail?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ark of the covenant had a special place in the tabernacle. The ark represented God's presence, which also went with it: prosperity, God's favor, and protection. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the reign of King Saul, the ark of the Lord was stolen by the Philistines - the enemies of God's people. Calamity was all the Philistines encountered while the ark was with them. So the Philistines returned the ark to Israel. It dwelt in the house of Abinadab for a long time. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I Samuel 7:1)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When David became king, he decided to bring the ark back to Jerusalem, where it belonged. Although David had pure motives, he did not seek God's counsel in <b>how</b> to transport the ark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2 Samuel 6 we read of how a horrible mistake was met with a disastrous end. David sent 30,000 men from Israel to go and get the ark from Baale Judah. David traveled with them, playing music and rejoicing. The ark was put on an ox cart and a few men stood around to protect it. Suddenly, the cart hit a bump the road and the ark almost toppled to the ground. A man named Uzzah put his hand on the ark to steady it. It says in verse seven, "The anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David's response seems reasonable, "And David became angry because of the Lord's outbreak against Uzzah." Why would God kill a man for just touching the ark?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If David had read the instructions of God in the Books of the Law, he would have seen that only Levite priests were allowed to move the ark. There were also strict rules for how to touch the ark. The ark of God represented His presence with them. Never were they to take it lightly. God was to be feared and reverenced as much as He was to be loved and worshiped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When David made that mistake, we find that he did not just abandon the project. He did not wallow in self-pity or doubt. He searched the Scripture and realized that burnt offerings and sacrivides were necessary for moving the ark. In verses 12-15 we see that David did eventually move the ark to Jerasulam, and God blessed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David did not let his sense of failure detour him from what he knew he had to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not let failure keep you from doing what is right. We fail as a mother or wife and feel as if we will never get it right - so why try? Because God says: His Grace is Enough and to Keep Working. We are not to abandon our duties because we fail.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiJOJs4bSOjxFEFzkY4i690n3StLSdjMGFEz5d_VLysMBbNkonvwE7exgRJgkEhNcucfgjO8q9ni5K91h6XIbqvnxuw4S-52wbY-T8L8pgQllWxjQqPbrOctW-Zc97T6molFkYfQOCuE/s1600/past+failures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiJOJs4bSOjxFEFzkY4i690n3StLSdjMGFEz5d_VLysMBbNkonvwE7exgRJgkEhNcucfgjO8q9ni5K91h6XIbqvnxuw4S-52wbY-T8L8pgQllWxjQqPbrOctW-Zc97T6molFkYfQOCuE/s1600/past+failures.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We move on to the next step! It might mean we need to confess. It might mean we need to learn a lesson. Either, way keep moving forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sometimes fail because we are living in sin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are to confess our sin (I John 1:9) and begin to live in God's grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sometimes fail because we were not knowledgable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to study and learn from our failures, so not to make the same mistakes again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is full of grace. He is a patience teacher. Although there will be consequences sometimes for our failings, nothing is too far for God to redeem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing. Not death. Not sickness. Not rebellion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing can separate us from God's grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing my "Honest Moments" along with Keri at <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/">Living in This Season.</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5ts8ox5z7IkNbIFqr3wGobpzfGdNGwWv24bgzUpBmC4MvmKypgQaQ0HRfzc1MnK4CTS8Eazyjr8PwVrKIKjrcrjrcLFpG1yzZT9Wz05pnxnkEepa5O_8EnQyi5GAaCTq6KxdTF7UxoM/s1600/Honest+Mom+Moments2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5ts8ox5z7IkNbIFqr3wGobpzfGdNGwWv24bgzUpBmC4MvmKypgQaQ0HRfzc1MnK4CTS8Eazyjr8PwVrKIKjrcrjrcLFpG1yzZT9Wz05pnxnkEepa5O_8EnQyi5GAaCTq6KxdTF7UxoM/s1600/Honest+Mom+Moments2.png" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-53499614398642686462014-10-10T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-10T07:00:14.273-04:00Friday Favorites - Jason Gray<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> for "Friday Favoties"</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jasongray">Jason Gray</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to share with you an artist I've listened to for a few years now. Last month I was able to see him in concert at a local church. It was part of a Friday/Saturday Women's Conference. Along with a wonderful speaker, we were also privileged to have Jason Gray sing and lead in worship Friday night and all day Saturday. His songs are so poignant. He sings from the deep places in his heart and it is there that your heart is ministered to as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite albums is the "A Way to See in the Dark." </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Way-See-Dark-Jason-Gray/dp/B005FLX1AK/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411843972&sr=1-1&keywords=a+way+to+see+in+the+dark+jason+gray" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPpnwxORRZ2uk_0Xb2RB_13Yc0XalWYkpdYThdYqpO3f63CSV0N53ng_wQb59rx76epDKnFkYQdXNuuKsUzxoNZumvY3HZPT5C-EEDMRFdwYSdn8O19g7nj2mNkW3LkQcoALnFCsjfwU/s1600/71QZVvsP1vL._SL1500_.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He wrote the songs from a deep sense of loss and place of loneliness. God met him there. The result are these beautiful songs of redemption, light, and a way to see in the dark places of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His news album, "Love Will Have the Final Word" is one that I am becoming to love. Jack calls them "Jesus songs" in the car. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Will-Have-Final-Word/dp/B00HUTB22E/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411844003&sr=1-1&keywords=with+every+act+of+love+jason+gray" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QjmscVMQ7aXNN7BhBHs_9naqvL7ufTpSlYq7UVDIKuTq2xFhwaPm6U1CE2hTgVQ7_hbubE-zal7wYTSqZd2KUcZazQtMQNb1QzLciQ5vBTeHzKHlu0cb5b2yOrIw1TctzbL_wYQioHg/s1600/love+will+have+the+final+word.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of most memorable songs is "Not Right Now." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can listen to the story behind the song here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is "Not Right Now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you will check him out!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/jasongray" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_EJF29AGreeTLB63fPp67zEg8ulQ5vXDp-A1jCcXNw6Ga1KqAgxAOD8nUjK1DQ6DOYCTuqmI80AGHg2QuJlMOyrY_Qjg4HS7zgNifm8t9XO-aiF_J6gRhyF7Wmy1g0y-NsJmstW9JwQ/s1600/jason_gray_banner.jpg" height="163" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Friday!</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-42225416532023341532014-10-07T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-08T09:10:50.034-04:00It Just Happens<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do things just happen to us?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is God just reacting to circumstances....or is He orchestrating everything?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>God has this.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>God is in control.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I trust God.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My faith is resting in Him.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We say these statements through our life, either to others or to ourselves. We say them when things are going ok and we really do believe them. We <b>do</b> have faith. Our hearts <b>do</b> trust Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then life happens. I wrote yesterday about how when <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/10/honest-mondays-routines.html">things go unplanned</a>, we still need to trust God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is hard to remember the promise:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNMDxy40jhyR_l-LKmyrVXEnAy4WaFJ31_9OEWtmERzPp9XHolNADNdbhddu-XCxLJlwlFOhfpZkhIrkWyUeWjd5GVj1F8xsCRSMvzaggTJwbMGJNfYcS1rU3keMp6VYAql43j5I6Msc/s1600/steps+of+a+good+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNMDxy40jhyR_l-LKmyrVXEnAy4WaFJ31_9OEWtmERzPp9XHolNADNdbhddu-XCxLJlwlFOhfpZkhIrkWyUeWjd5GVj1F8xsCRSMvzaggTJwbMGJNfYcS1rU3keMp6VYAql43j5I6Msc/s1600/steps+of+a+good+man.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can remember that promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can trust that He is leading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can know that we are not utterly cast down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet, sometimes our fickle hearts will doubt. For me, it is when circumstances seem completely out of our control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only does the car breakdown, but the roof begins to leak. Then our air conditioning goes out. Oh, and *surprise* - our property taxes were due yesterday. All the while, we are waiting and hoping for our baby to come home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We want to trust God to lead us, but we just wonder sometimes <i>where</i> He is leading. We trust His ultimate path for our lives, but we question His route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son LOVES to make comments in the back seat. I'll be driving to the bank, like I do every other week on payday. He will make this statement (from the very back of the car) in his not-so-quiet-voice:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look in my review mirror and sigh. "No, son. This is always the way I drive to the bank."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Still yelling in case that would help with my sense of direction) NO, MOMMY! YOU NEED TO TURN AROUND!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to laugh at his inability to recognize road signs. Now, I get annoyed. I know where I'm going. He does not. Who is he to tell me which way to turn? When he insists on my inaccurate direction, I begin to get frustrated. He doesn't trust me. Will he just realize that I can see much better from where I am sitting and that I ultimately know exactly where I want to go and how I want to get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Father in heaven is leading us. Psalms uses this analogy of God leading us along a path in many of its verses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 16:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will we trust the One leading? Do we see those hard times as times to grow and learn? Do we see God trying to teach us lessons? Or do we question His sense of direction when we encounter hardships. When circumstances "happen" to us - do we question His leading? God says He will protect us, lead us into a life full of promise. But why do these hard things happen?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A broken relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A difficult child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sickness.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We <i>want </i>to trust God. We really do. Yet, when our eyes are focused on our circumstances, we cannot move past the hurt, rejection, and defeat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, our hearts should be focused on <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/keeping-focused-who-is-god.html">who God is</a> and <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/keeping-focused-what-is-god-doing.html">what He is doing.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is in control. When life throws us "pot-holes" - do we run to the one leading and question His methods? Do we questions His care?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many times those thoughts have entered my heart. Bad/Hard/Difficult trials don't just happen to us, God leads them right to us. What do we know about God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know He loves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know He cares.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know He is changing us to be more like Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some people, a simple broken air conditioning can teach a valuable lesson. For others, maybe God will use a car accident. Although we cannot know the mind of God, we can rest in the fact that He knows where we are going - life doesn't just happen. God is still on His throne. As a song writer recently sung, Love will have the final words:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Song by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jasongray">Jason Gray</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen here to that reminder. </span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining these <a href="http://www.ourjoyhisglory.com/">lovely ladies</a> for </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.ourjoyhisglory.com/" title="OurJoyHisGlory"><img alt="OurJoyHisGlory" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/lhale794/91ec1a47-7fd2-4a9a-8801-5b3a3e8aa23e.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-20288407440845629922014-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-06T08:00:04.880-04:00Honest Mondays - Routines<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a love/hate relationship with routines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My OCD/perfectionist/controlling tendencies LOVE routines. I like to know what to expect. I like to know when to expect it. I like to even know a few steps before and after the "it" that I am expecting. Life (i.e. kids, marriage, adoption) has really challenged that notion. I realized that flexibility is such a great asset, and a necessity to live a life trusting God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My oldest son (bless his little heart) has inherited some of my OCD-ness. He is OBSESSED with routine. In fact, any deviation from the path is worthy of a major breakdown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is an example:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Let's clean up and then go upstairs. We will read a book, brush our teeth and then go to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack: Ok.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: (After getting upstairs) Let's brush our teeth first and then read a book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Cue Meltdown*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Folks, I mean a real meltdown. He may stomp up and down. He may explode in a waterfall of tears. He may roll on the floor, shot down from the arrows of the the change in routine. If we even *consider* moving away from what was originally stated - we have a serious issues here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He cannot handle change at all. I am not the only one to notice. My sister watched the little ones the other night and was amazed at his ability to really "lose it" when things go differently than originally expressed. The other two are completely fine. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, my second son, is so easy-going that I have never heard so much of a whimper from him if we change things up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was causing me some concern and a little bit of a frustration. I had to make sure that what I was saying was REALLY going to happen in the ORDER that I was saying it. For example, if I said we were going to the bank, the store, and then to the library, I had better not go to the library first without having a sufficient enough explanation for my six-year-old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a time of deep reflection and lots of teachable moments here in our house lately. He's had to learn quite a few lessons:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Mommy can change her mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Life changes sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Things happen in life that are unexpected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. We cannot have a meltdown when things do not go as planned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Trust that Mommy knows best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I look at that list, I see a lot of lessons I can learn as well. Life is unexpected. We all learn that lesson pretty quickly. It is how we <i>handle</i> the unexpected things that matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to admit that I can lose sight of God's hand when life goes unplanned. We can plan and plan, but God really is in control of our circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our path is sometimes very orderly and routine - other times it isn't. During both times, we can remember this truth:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNMDxy40jhyR_l-LKmyrVXEnAy4WaFJ31_9OEWtmERzPp9XHolNADNdbhddu-XCxLJlwlFOhfpZkhIrkWyUeWjd5GVj1F8xsCRSMvzaggTJwbMGJNfYcS1rU3keMp6VYAql43j5I6Msc/s1600/steps+of+a+good+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNMDxy40jhyR_l-LKmyrVXEnAy4WaFJ31_9OEWtmERzPp9XHolNADNdbhddu-XCxLJlwlFOhfpZkhIrkWyUeWjd5GVj1F8xsCRSMvzaggTJwbMGJNfYcS1rU3keMp6VYAql43j5I6Msc/s1600/steps+of+a+good+man.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust that God knows best. What a hard lesson to learn!? We say we trust God, but all He has to do is throw in something unexpected and our faith is truly tested. Are we really believing that He holds us in His hands? If we do, we have to keep reminder ourselves that - <b>especially</b> when the routine changes and the unexpected happens (whether big and small).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want my son to learn this lesson, but I need to be reminded as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honest Moments are part of a series I do with <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/">Keri over at Living in this Season</a>.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-42108531858878173562014-10-03T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-03T09:26:56.479-04:00Friday Favorites - Motherhood Books<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHwny8BYoM2tvO8CgAJopCsTyEZH8F0Z_N5Y0RcqMvIG74u31Bb9-0_y7hLwAaqhuf34dZlkMlDUzx695JWxToftc6rptqR4om_eTJRURRl1iGUUekR9VUTc7UUj74fJuBeLEbQ2Loqw/s1600/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> for our "Friday Favoties"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few of my favorite "motherhood" books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are from Rachel Jankovic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She writes, along with her mother and sisters, over at <a href="http://www.feminagirls.com/">Femina Girls Blog</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=431&idcategory=0">Loving the Little Years</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=431&idcategory=0">Motherhood in the Trenches</a></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">She writes: </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">I didn't write this book because mothering little ones is easy for me. I wrote it because it isn't. I know that this is a hard job, because I am right here in the middle of it. I know you need encouragement because I do too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She also wrote a follow-up book as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=638&idcategory=0">Fit to Burst </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=638&idcategory=0">Abundance, Mayhem, and the Joy of Motherhood</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She says: I don't pull punches or hold back in this book, because I am writing to myself as much as to you. If something in this book strikes a little close to home for you, know that it struck in my home first. I am not writing about other people's problems, although I know many of them are common. I write about what I know, and what I know is the challenges, the joys, and the work involved in raising little people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>These books have both challenged and encouraged me along the way. She writes from a very honest perspective. She does not pretend to have a clean house or happy children all of the time. She <i>does</i> offer encouragement to find the beauty in sacrificing and joy in the journey! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I hope you find them encouraging as well!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are some of your favorite "Motherhood" books?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-88812983236435938972014-10-01T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-01T08:00:06.918-04:00Happy Mail<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I spoke about <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/serving-with-little-ones.html">serving God with little ones.</a> One of the best ideas I have seen others do is this idea of "Happy Mail." It is simply sending small packages and/or notes to friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few years ago my <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2010/11/oct-31-2010.html">my grandmother passed away.</a> My church family flooded my mailbox with cards. I realized that this outpouring of love spoke to the heart of these people. In this world full of screens, keypads, digital mail, and text messages, receiving physical mail is so much sweeter and thoughtful. It takes a little more effort to hand write a note, address it, stamp it, and send it on its way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After getting so many thoughtful cards from my friends, I thought that this idea of Happy Mail would be a great way that I can show God's love to people as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another aspect of Happy Mail is that it is does not need a reason. Sending cards to our friends for special occasions, such as marriage, pregnancy, or loss, is one thing. Sending cards and little gifts *just because* is a special way to show God's love and care. We do not know what others are facing day after day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One day last month I woke up around 3AM with the song "It is Well" stuck in my head. It was so timely as I was up late the night before worrying about different things....the adoption, school, and life in general.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I knew immediately that the song was God singing to my heart, whispering truth into the night. I had not been listening to that song nor had we sung it in church. It was so comforting knowing that He saw me worrying - and was quick to reassure. During the day, I had to open the hymnal and play the song through. Later, I opened my <a href="http://www.instagram.com/abidingingrace">Instagram</a> account and found a picture of a water color with the words "It is Well with My Soul." It was done by <a href="http://www.instagram.com/watercolordevo">Watercolordevo</a>. I commented on her picture and the next thing I knew <b>this</b> came in the mail!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkogPnOZTsbn_tPzyIJUa1btF4B8WxJw4Plf8k1pUbx0QlVah2OQ0GGZnXd-wvtCVlLIo3UrbZBuS3Ok0kQO5yseoBH3i4AWWEFYed6v_4tNVx-FYVtvDAk9Pq1YnXxeGzP5PXmWqvHY/s1600/it+is+well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkogPnOZTsbn_tPzyIJUa1btF4B8WxJw4Plf8k1pUbx0QlVah2OQ0GGZnXd-wvtCVlLIo3UrbZBuS3Ok0kQO5yseoBH3i4AWWEFYed6v_4tNVx-FYVtvDAk9Pq1YnXxeGzP5PXmWqvHY/s1600/it+is+well.jpg" height="392" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a wonderful surprise to my day!? It had been a long work day for Jason (and by default, for me too!) It was amazing to see God remind me <i>again</i> how much He loves me, cares for me, and thinks about me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some tips for sending happy mail:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Make a list of people that you would like to send happy mail to each month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Use your list to plan out how often you will send it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Stock up on cards whenever you see them on sale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Pick up extra candy, gum, or mixes when you go to the store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Check the sale section at your local stores for discounted notepads and cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some ideas for sending happy mail:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Sending a card just to say "Hi!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Sending a little gift card to a friend going back to school/work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Sending a care package to a college student.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Sending a friend some chocolate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Make a little craft for a friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Send some homemade dip mix or soup mix to someone feeling under the weather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What other "Happy Mail" ideas do YOU have?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What "Happy Mail" have you ever received?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to send YOU some happy mail! Comment below and I will pick one person to receive a special package from me. You have until this Friday (Oct. 3) to enter. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-24119017149271481932014-09-29T08:00:00.001-04:002014-09-29T08:00:03.612-04:00Praise in Motherhood<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read <a href="http://www.feminagirls.com/2014/09/05/praise-in-the-furnace/"><span style="color: #042eee; letter-spacing: 0px;">this post at Femina Girls</span></a> about criticism and praise a few weeks ago. The quote she shared from Matthew Henry has really stuck with me:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Praise puts the man into the furnace and we find out what kind of man he really is. The praise might make him proud and lazy or it might make him diligent and thankful.”</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Proverbs 31:31 says "Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">It is ok for your work to praise you. It is ok for others to notice the hard work you put into your mothering, job, or service. It is how we respond that matters.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praise could either make us proud or keep us thankful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can take the praise and start patting ourselves on the back. Oh Yes, I am a good mother. Oh, I DO have it all together! I am so organized. I am so patient. This turns into pride very quickly - but we are usually apt at recognizing this type of pride. The self-pity type of pride is more deceiving. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes we can take the praise and wallow in self-humiliation. We feel uncomfortable because we began to think of reasons why we don’t deserve the praise. Doesn’t the Bible say that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble? We feel as if accepting praise is prideful, so we began to form a checklist of reasons why we don’t deserve the praise. 1. I do not always say kind things. 2. I get mad. 3. I am tired all the time….the list goes on and we began to wallow in self-pity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we resist the praise, we are actually being proud! We are focusing on ourselves and why we don’t deserve the praise, or maybe why we wish we deserved the praise. We are turning our eyes inward, instead of outward and upward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">When we accept the praise and only look inward, we are missing the Source.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> When we accept the praise and look UP - at God - we are able to do as Matthew Henry said: be diligent and thankful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Be Diligent.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When accepting praise, we can turn and look outward. We recognize that most praise is based on hard work on our part. We cannot sit back and let our lives play out without hard work. Working hard at organizing my cabinets will get praise from my husband! Working hard at manners for my children will merit praise from strangers. Working hard in my Bible study will be recognized by people when we are able to speak up in Sunday School. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">The praise we receive from our hard work should just make us work harder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be Thankful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, we should immediately begin looking upward when we are praised. We must give thanks to Him who is the power behind our work. It is not just our hard work meriting praise - it is God’s Spirit at work in us that deserves the real praise. When we receive honor or praise, our hearts should quickly bow before God and give Him the glory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you both will and to do for His good pleasure.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honest Moments are part of a series I do with <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/">Keri over at Living in this Season</a>.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-35187440296903882802014-09-26T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-03T14:16:35.900-04:00Friday Favorites - ByBMG<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I want to feature another of my favorite shops. She is also one of our co-hosts for the monthly link-up parties! Her blog is www.BYBMG.blogspot.com. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Her name is Becky and she runs the shop:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bybmgb"><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/goog_1693356140"><span id="goog_1693356141"></span>ByBMG</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1693356138"></span><img height="51" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/040/0/6720686/iusb_760x100.13862710_q55b.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_1693356142"></span></a><span id="goog_1693356139"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out some of her shop items:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Instagram Frame" height="300" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/037/0/6720686/il_570xN.600798384_9clk.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Hand Stamped Aluminum Necklace - customizable!" height="266" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/026/0/6720686/il_570xN.636912203_lrp7.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Your Team Hand Stamped Aluminum Necklace - customizable!" height="400" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/037/0/6720686/il_570xN.636932865_9922.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hand-Stamped Aluminum Necklace - Custom Made!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Toms Flag Zipper Pouch - Blue or Dark Purple Zipper" height="300" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/028/0/6720686/il_570xN.611735407_jrb1.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Toms Flag Zipper Pouch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She has graciously offered a "Free Shipping Code" just for you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">CODE: <b><span style="font-size: large;">abidingingrace </span></b>and it expires Oct. 31. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are also having a giveaway! Enter to win this beautiful Lace Toms Zippered Pouch below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTapcg8YqEqOZApZ1j4pczBvoVvYVB-BwyBxqnNWsYZ_3HDlTj-X8fTM8dyFxBFGi_aH8yw83WyHJETcBcsfNm-TtGGunDOcZABtJ2J1UEO9GExMLRH40B4GFLgkvPX30Of2i9mcmzDk/s1600/TomsZipperPouchWithLace+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTapcg8YqEqOZApZ1j4pczBvoVvYVB-BwyBxqnNWsYZ_3HDlTj-X8fTM8dyFxBFGi_aH8yw83WyHJETcBcsfNm-TtGGunDOcZABtJ2J1UEO9GExMLRH40B4GFLgkvPX30Of2i9mcmzDk/s1600/TomsZipperPouchWithLace+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It's made with a Toms flag, closes with a pink zipper and has lace sewn on as an accent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Follow the instructions below to enter to win!!</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/22f9c5260/" id="rc-22f9c5260" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Congrats to Sarah B. for Winning!~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Friday!</span></div>
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<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-15541497850126427582014-09-25T08:00:00.000-04:002014-09-25T08:00:05.063-04:00Keeping Focused: What is God Doing?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared in a <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/keeping-focused-who-is-god.html">previous post</a><a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/09/keeping-our-eyes-focused-who-he-is.html"> </a>about when we wait, our hearts and minds need something to focus on. First, we can focus on who God Is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We learned that He is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soveriegn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faithful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loving and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Father</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part Two:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>What is God doing?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>God is....</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defending the Fatherless.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 68:5-6a - "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widow, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the first verses I came across when we started this adoption process was this verse in Psalm 68. Over and over again God is described as a Father to the fatherless. When we look at the faces on the Waiting Child list through the agency, my heart breaks as I see them all without a family. Yet, God is a Father to them. He sees them, even more than we do. Whether it means raising up foster parents, workers in an orphanage, maybe a neighbor across the street, God is providing for them. He looks into their faces - knows their names - and takes care of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is so encouraging to my heart as I entered this adoption world to see God using people to join Him in fighting for these children. I have met so many people who have already adopted, supporting adoption, or are just starting the adoption process themselves. Although God loves everyone, there is no doubt from Scripture that the orphans and widows are special Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It brings me comfort, that the God who sits on His throne and governs the nations, sees these orphans. These orphans used to be invisible to me. I never knew their faces until now. God, however, has ALWAYS seen their faces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is His promise to them? - "God sets the solitary in families." Families. That is what He gives to these children. Families. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I am tempted to not see any progress, I remember that God sees <i>her</i> face. Our little girl, who has no family, is not alone right now. God is protecting her and watching out for her. He is also working out all the details for us to bring her home.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keeping His Promises.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Deut. 7:9 - "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter will always be haunted by medical history forms. She will be reminded that she does not know her biological family every time she goes to a new doctor. She will have to sit in the waiting room, not being able to check-mark the form labeled "Family History." She will not know whether her grandmother died of cancer or a heart attack. She will not know if her mother suffered depression. She will have no knowledge of her father's health. That part of her history will be lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her <b>new</b> family history, she <i>will</i> know about. She will learn of her grandmother's love for running. She will hear about her great-grandmother's piano playing in church. She will even hear stories about her great-great grandmother who was a midwife in Logan county! Her <b>new</b> family history will be one full of God's faithfulness. She will be reminded of her Great-Grandma Delma's love for God and faithfulness to His house always. She will have <b>that</b> as a legacy - God's faithfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is faithful even now, in the waiting. God is faithful in keeping His promises. God promised Israel things in the Old Testament that are true today - that will be true forever. God is faithful to keep ALL of his promises. I cannot look back at my life and <b>not</b> see God's promises being fulfilled. When we keep our eyes focused on His promises, we have nothing but hope for our future.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strengthening Our Hearts</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 27:14 - "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does God strengthen our heart when we wait?</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. He is Light</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 27:1 - "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we worry about the future, it is rooted in fear. Fear of failure. Fear of pain. Fear of struggle. Knowing God is a God who brings light to the darkness of fear can keep our eyes focused on His strength. Fear is easy. Shine a light into your fears by looking to God.</span><br />
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<b>2. He is Lovely</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 27:4 - "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, <b>to behold the beauty of the LORD</b>."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praising God drives away worry. Lifting our voices and hearts to the LORD God reminds us of His wonderful care and control. We are reminded that He cares for us, like no other. We are also reminded of His control of all situations - even the ones we do not understand or cannot see.</span><br />
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<b>3. He is Listening</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 27:7 - "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God always hears our prayers. Waiting patiently means trusting that He is still listening, even when nothing is happening. Waiting can be a time when we cry out to God - share with Him our feelings of loneliness or hopelessness. We can pour our heartache, frustrations, pain, loneliness, and fear all out to Him because He is listening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Connect</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Me~</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-71229409896083740292014-09-22T08:00:00.001-04:002014-09-22T08:00:07.833-04:00I Am Not Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">I stood in the kitchen, crumbs sticking to my feet. My dishes were piling up in the sink. I glanced toward my table, which was sticky with syrup, ketchup, and maybe ranch dressing. The laundry forgotten in the basement and the beds unmade upstairs. They all spoke to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>You are not enough as a house cleaner.</i></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Down in my basement my craft shelves were lined with unfinished projects. Then there was the computer file on my desktop that contains all of the DIY projects I’ve found on Pinterest. Pinterest filled my head with ideas that never flourished into actions. My paints stood on the shelf unused and my sewing machine stood alone. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>You are not enough as an artist.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My son leaned in close to me, with his hands on his hips and defiantly told me what <i>he</i> thought about the punishment. My voice raised higher. Maybe if the volume increased so would his understanding. His voiced echoed my volume. A silence echoed in my heart. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>You are not enough as a mother. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We want to be enough, but something in our souls echoes that no matter how hard we try, we will never be enough. Is it true? Or is it a lie from Satan?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Both.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A lie from Satan will scream and sometimes whisper in our hearts every time we fail: </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>you are not enough.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are not <i>good</i> enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are not <i>pretty </i>enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are not <i>smart</i> enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You are not <i>brave </i>enough. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Satan and the world might try to also fool us into thinking that we are not enough, but they will also try to fool us into thinking that we <i>are</i> enough. We aren't. We really are not enough on our own - that is true.<br />
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My son picks me flowers all the time. I graciously accept his sweet gifts of love. We put them in water and set them on the counter. Later that day or the next, he is saddened by the sight of the wilted blooms. They hurry outside to pick me more. I know that even if they pick more - those will soon die as well. Without the nourishment from the soil, sun, and water the flowers will always die.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We go through life trying to be enough on our own. We try to read enough encouraging emails. Participate in enough charities. Do more. Be more. But our souls are dying. We cannot be more without Christ. We cannot witness enough, pray enough, read our Bible enough, go to church enough, or be good enough without Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is lie to see ourselves in only our insecurities. Satan wants nothing more than for us to believe that we are not enough. The other lie Satan weaves is that we <i>can</i> be enough. We just need to “accept ourselves” or “strive to better ourselves.” Sadly, even Christians can fall into that trap of just believing the counter to “I am not enough” is “I am enough.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>John 15 - “I am the True Vine. You are the branches. Without Me you can do nothing.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is true that I am not good, pretty, smart, or brave enough ON MY OWN. The truth is that I am all of those things AND MORE in Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am redeemed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am forgiven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am chosen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am adopted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am an heir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am treasured.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I am enough….with Jesus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6J26iwwn59Kin-ISm1si5G3ClfCWqvBgKXFHph890nAktYYxnDyu6w4n5kdcGKWJfiWc6Gsdk6Z2SrS3EX1AS-tc2kyik06GSAZK1vTE1_15BPTod7CwV4daJ6MW4xfvhonthbfglYY/s1600/I+am+enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6J26iwwn59Kin-ISm1si5G3ClfCWqvBgKXFHph890nAktYYxnDyu6w4n5kdcGKWJfiWc6Gsdk6Z2SrS3EX1AS-tc2kyik06GSAZK1vTE1_15BPTod7CwV4daJ6MW4xfvhonthbfglYY/s1600/I+am+enough.jpg" height="640" width="441" /></a></div>
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Make sure to check out <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/">Keri from Living in This Season</a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
as she shares her honest moments as well.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Connect</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Me~</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-30777457310200801132014-09-19T08:00:00.000-04:002014-09-19T08:10:50.158-04:00Friday Favorites - Psalm 121<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">Connecting today with Momfessionals and their Friday Favorites!</span></span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/" title="Momfessionals"><img alt="Momfessionals" src="http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae128/dave-and-andrea/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">Psalm 121 is one of my favorite Psalms. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will lift up my eyes to the hills—</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From whence comes my help?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="versenum"></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span id="en-NKJV-16084" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="text">My help <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">comes</i> from the <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text">,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"> </span> <span class="text"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">Who made heaven and earth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></b></span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will not allow your foot to be moved;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">He who keeps you will not slumber.</span><span class="text"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="text"></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">Behold, He who keeps Israel</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"> <span class="text"></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span class="text">Shall neither slumber nor sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span class="text"> </span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></b></span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</i> your keeper;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"> <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</i> your shade at your right hand.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="versenum"></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span id="en-NKJV-16088" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="text">The sun shall not strike you by day,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"> </span> <span class="text"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">Nor the moon by night.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He shall preserve your soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NKJV-16090" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="text">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"> shall preserve your going out and your coming in</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">From this time forth, and even forevermore.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text">Throughout much of my life I have been raised going to church. God was always first in my family's life. Getting saved, serving in church, and giving my life to God all happened before I was thirteen. Before I even went to college I had taken two mission's trips. The first was to Lima, Peru. I was only sixteen and it was the first time leaving my family for more than a few days. I was gone for two weeks. </span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">This psalm has always reminded me of that trip. For a few days we left Lima and traveled up and over 16,000 feet into the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Being from West Virginia, I had seen "hills" - but soon realized that I had never seen "mountains." </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text">It is these types of mountains that I think of when I read Psalm 121. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">Majestic.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">Gigantic.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">Powerful.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is that to us. His help is like those mountains:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>unmovable</b>. Our fears and anxiety rock us to and fro. Not God. He is the God of creation. He will not even allow my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>foot</i> to stumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I entered college, I had to decide whether this God of the Bible was what I really wanted for my life. I realized that I no longer could just go to church, read my Bible, and believe all of these things just because of my parents. I had to choose it for myself. I did.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I cannot say that my life has been easy or care-free. But I can tell you the promises of this psalm have been true in my life: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Protects Us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Preserves Us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What Psalm is a favorite of yours?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-54197291535780157652014-09-18T08:00:00.001-04:002014-10-08T21:39:02.325-04:00Keeping Focused - Who Is God?<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Waiting is hard enough with a due date. Without an end in sight for our waiting, we tend to focus on so many unknowns.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We focus on:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. What our daughter will be like.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will she be younger or older?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will she be very sick or mildly so?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will she be anxious or accepting?</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. The agony of the waiting.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How long will we have to wait?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How will I pass the time while I wait?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do I continue waiting - doing <i>nothing.</i></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Our inability to do anything.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We cannot plan too far into the future with so many unknowns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We cannot think about what our future will be like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We cannot have a clear view of where exactly God is leading our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So many questions haunt us while we wait - with no end in sight. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We worry, stress, and try to manipulate situations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am going to write a series about "Keeping Focus" for the next few Thursdays. These lessons are for me first. They are reminders of things we can keep our mind focused on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part One:
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who is God?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>God is Sovereign - Psalm 33</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Psalm 33 reminds us that God created the entire world. It was through the power of His Word that everything began. Through the power of His spoken Word, the entire world was formed. From the tallest mountain to the depths of the sea, God made it all. He sustains it as well. Psalm 33 also speaks about God being in control of all nations. He is responsible for their success and failures. All of this is in His control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 33:20-22 says: "Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, but we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our response to <b>God's Sovereignty:</b> Rejoice - Trust - Hope! We <i>rejoice</i> in the fact that our God is in control. We can <i>trust</i> and <i>hope</i> in Him, even when circumstances are not going "as planned." We make conscious efforts to praise God. We chose to not let despair or fear take control of our minds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>When our minds are focused on God's sovereignty, our hearts will trust.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>God is Faithful - Lamentations 3:22-27</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Israel was not trusting in God. Because of their unbelief, God punished them. He sent armies to defeat them and bring them into captivity. Yet, God did not utterly cast them away. He promised them hope! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have a God who is faithful. When the waiting seems hard and long, we can rely on God's faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 says<i> "Great is Your faithfulness." </i>How is God faithful? He brings mercies and grace every morning. Every moment we can trust that He is working. We need not fear His wrath for our sins. We need not fear that we will fail. His grace is enough to help us with our waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our response to<b> God's Faithfulness</b>: Hope and Waiting Quietly. So many times I want to work and NOT wait. I like to have To-Do Lists and check things off. When all the To-Do Lists are completed and there is nothing left, it is then that I get anxious and stressed. God says in Lamentations 3:25-26<i> "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Every moment that we trust with a quiet confidence, God is saying: that is good.</b></span><br />
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(Photo credit to <a href="http://www.johnsonphotographywv.com/">Johnson Photography</a>)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>God is Loving - Deuteronomy 7:9 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not only is God <b>love</b> - He is <b>loving</b>. His actions and motives are all wrapped up in love. When Moses was telling the Israelites God's laws, he reminds them in Deuteronomy 7:9 </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">why</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> God wanted them to obey His commands:<i> "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our response to God's Love: We obey and love others. We do not obey to <b>get love</b> but rather, we obey because <b>we are loved.</b> He has me in this season of waiting because He loves me. He is teaching me His commandments and making me more like Christ. When we are filled with God's love, it overflows into the hearts of those around us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Romans 8. Many people quote the passage, referring to the part about never being separated from Christ. As we began this adoption journey, I found this scripture in the middle of the chapter concerning adoption:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Romans 8:15-17 says <i>"For yo</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">u did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What truth and encouragement we find here! We need not fear the unknown, especially in the waiting seasons. We are adopted in God's family - an heir! When we bring our little China-girl home, she will be completely ours. She will no longer be an orphan. She will be a daughter. She will have all the rights and privileges as our other children. She will inherit so much from us - not just physically - but personality and temperament as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our response to God as our Father: Courage and Confidence. We no longer need to be fearful about the future with God as our Father. We also have this confidence: as children of God, we are not just invited to live with Him in heaven, we will join Christ as heirs to the kingdom! We are not just guests, but family. Family brings <b>confidence</b>.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-33963253275464730602014-09-16T18:00:00.000-04:002014-09-16T20:19:34.125-04:00Next Steps - Waiting!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had our conference call today. We weren't sure what to expect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was both informational and encouraging. Only slightly discouraging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The purpose of this call was to give our China team more information about what type of child we are open to adopting. We had filled out a six page paper on all the possible medical needs she could have. The list couldn't possibly cover everything and quite a bit of clarification needed to be done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things like, "You said you were open to 'limb deformities' - does this include both hands and feet...both...one or the other?" and "Are you open to hearing loss with a deformity or without a deformity?" were asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By nature these conversations are extremely hard. We felt as if we were making judgment statements when we would say "no" to some things and "yes" to other things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although we've shared why and what we are open to - it is hard to say "no." It is important that we are honest. We are not judging medical conditions. We are not judging children. We are being honest. We are saying that we are not comfortable with certain conditions while we <b>are</b> with other conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was important that our case worker understand exactly what we are comfortable with so that she could best match us to a child. It was informational even for us to think through all that we had said "yes" to and confirm in our minds what we will be facing when we bring her home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does that mean now? What is the next step?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We wait for a referral</b>. When we asked how long it might be, our case worker said a couple of things. First she said that looking at our openness, we should expect the wait time to be 6-9 months. She also kind of said in passing that "I could match you tomorrow." So the answer truly is: We don't know. We are open to quite a few things. It really is all up to what type of children become available to adopt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we asked her what <b>type</b> of medical needs we could expect, she was able to give us three or four good possibilities. Having just three or four as opposed to ten or more possibilities feels much better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some interesting facts about the next steps in the process - if you aren't interested, skip down to the end for prayer requests!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Our agency receives files TWO ways. The first is the "shared list." Every two-three weeks, China releases new files to all the agencies all over the world. Our agency literally has seconds to decide whether they can match a child or not. Last night, our agency was unable to even get one match. In seconds all the new files were already taken by other agencies. It is super competitive and our case worker told us that receiving a match from the shared list is very unlikely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The second way is through their partnerships. Our agency currently has partnerships with four separate orphanages. Every so often (it varies), they will send exclusive referrals to our agency. Our agency is the only one to receive these files and has a longer amount of time to try and find matches for these children. The amount of referrals vary and the frequency of receiving new referrals is also unpredictable. For example, our agency relieved two files two weeks ago. Before that, none had been sent since June. It could be months before new children are available - it could be tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Once we receive a referral, we begin the travel paperwork. Typical travel paperwork takes about 3-4 months. We must apply for a visa to travel; immigration for our child; and other steps that seem a little overwhelming right at this moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please pray that:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. We will have patience while we wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Our little girl will be protected and loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. God will continue to work in our hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. We will have the wisdom and open hearts when we receive a referral.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are still processing the conference call. It was discouraging to hear "6-9 months" - but we are trying to trust God. He still sees her. He still knows her. He still knows when WE will be ready for her. I was hoping to hear, "We can match you next month!" Maybe our family is not ready for her yet. Hitting the nine month mark seems a little silly - but it does feel as if I should be holding a baby! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has lessons for us yet to learn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are trying to remember this truth:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGLDc-aZaP1Xx4wJO78TPDwkqPpfBii4u92h5cGNFDb4IhGjLpu3fu7rmq3h9-D5JNmZqaQdwETFGRXH_GAObT11FvXWPHF02WnsnlyvAERubPubrEAwaQwi785rawHUTwVs0vKWosI/s1600/God+is+still+working.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGLDc-aZaP1Xx4wJO78TPDwkqPpfBii4u92h5cGNFDb4IhGjLpu3fu7rmq3h9-D5JNmZqaQdwETFGRXH_GAObT11FvXWPHF02WnsnlyvAERubPubrEAwaQwi785rawHUTwVs0vKWosI/s1600/God+is+still+working.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for more information about a fundraiser opportunity as well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Connect</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Me~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-13277413119799125682014-09-15T08:00:00.001-04:002014-09-15T21:55:17.373-04:00Serving with Little Ones<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The alarm goes off early Sunday morning. Jason has already left for work. I hop out of bed, take a shower, and go down to turn on the coffee. The only day my little ones sleep in is on Sundays. Go figure. I go to wake them up. We eat breakfast. Get dressed. I look at the clock: an HOUR early?! Good! I set them in front of some cartoons and go upstairs to read my devotions. I sip my coffee, read, and pray. Next time I look at the clock: fifteen minutes LATE?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rush to get our shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rush to get in the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rush to church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rush in....I settle myself in the chair and sigh. We are late, but we are here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a mother of little ones, I feel two extremes when I am serving in church:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">guilt (that I am not doing enough)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">overwhelmed (when I do too much).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to serving in church, I could never say "no." I actually remember the first time I told a pastor "no" I can't do something. I was fifteen and was supposed to play the piano in the morning worship service. I started crying. Yes. Crying, right there in the front pew before church. I was asked to play a certain hymn on the piano that I couldn't play. My dad looked over at me and said, "You can say 'no,' Sarah." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I felt horrible. A little free....but mostly <b>guilt</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I had my first son, I still was saying "yes" to quite a bit of ministry activities. By the time I had my third, I realized I couldn't keep saying yes. So, I started saying no. When I said I had to quit, I felt free. But I still felt guilty...like I was letting people down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I was stuck between the guilt of not serving and the overwhelmed feelings when I did serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you are in a season of life when serving in a lot of areas is just physically, emotionally, and spiritually impossible there are STILL avenues in which you can serve!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are just a few ideas that I've found are ways to serve when you are a mother of little ones:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Sending cards and notes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Having an in-home Bible study.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Cooking a meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. The ShoeBox ministry. - Check out their site <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/">here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Sending a care package to a college student.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buying a special gift for someone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giving to a missionary/mission organization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend to your family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Praying!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOMBb5ub0kJCfB4cNBx8lYb1H9izKV4kEdpoo1J-SqxYXOVaDn92H0tVbxzvjASmRqBYqGaGjOjAPAvaGvtDslwhK1aZb24TUypYrE9Ml2hGSIMDlpM1ey9Gl80kY3lDrd6ZMdYhKC-Y/s1600/serving+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOMBb5ub0kJCfB4cNBx8lYb1H9izKV4kEdpoo1J-SqxYXOVaDn92H0tVbxzvjASmRqBYqGaGjOjAPAvaGvtDslwhK1aZb24TUypYrE9Ml2hGSIMDlpM1ey9Gl80kY3lDrd6ZMdYhKC-Y/s1600/serving+God.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What kind of ministry ideas do YOU have? </span><br />
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7473898571324121448" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to hear. Leave a comment below with one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honest Moments are part of a series I do with <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/">Keri over at Living in this Season</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Connect</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Me~</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-26561157537605229462014-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:002014-09-19T11:45:47.137-04:00Friday Favorites - MP Pouches<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the shops I have come across through the land of <a href="http://www.instagram.com/abidingingrace" target="_blank">Instagram</a> is April's. She has quickly become one of my favorites! Her fabric choices and designs are so unique, I know you are going to love them!</span></div>
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<a href="http://shopmarineparents.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Marine Parents</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img height="52" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/003/0/5866722/iusb_760x100.9733234_m4oy.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This shop on Esty specializes in military make-up bags, toddler backpacks, and her very famous ruffled pouches! Everything is handmade and shipped from her house in Japan. She lives there with her toddler and husband - who is in the marines. She only learned to sew two years ago and makes beautiful items!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are so things you can find at her shop:</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1174347520"></span><span id="goog_1174347523"></span><span id="goog_1174347527"></span><span id="goog_1174347533"></span><span id="goog_1174347537"></span><img alt="mini ruffled clutch -- turquoise & mustard" height="266" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/043/1/5866722/il_570xN.550511804_9t32.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_1174347538"></span><span id="goog_1174347534"></span><span id="goog_1174347528"></span></a><span id="goog_1174347524"></span><span id="goog_1174347521"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175690017/mini-ruffled-clutch-turquoise-mustard?ref=shop_home_feat_2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mini Ruffled Clutch - Chevron</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCF_S4tw7ATS2QO1zeDu3pF6NbP9-sn2eXhDR6EY7W_GYe5jQjpshzS9mrC80DIWntfO2gs4M0YfXKaYlY3CmAmLCuAvb-ZhxJ4Kt8dINMtZmpoB6MiWYq8-USR_Q3AoMhGXTKy1emBA/s1600/ruffle+power+wirstlet+clutch+-+blackbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCF_S4tw7ATS2QO1zeDu3pF6NbP9-sn2eXhDR6EY7W_GYe5jQjpshzS9mrC80DIWntfO2gs4M0YfXKaYlY3CmAmLCuAvb-ZhxJ4Kt8dINMtZmpoB6MiWYq8-USR_Q3AoMhGXTKy1emBA/s1600/ruffle+power+wirstlet+clutch+-+blackbird.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1832750075"></span><span id="goog_1832750076"></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/182957589/ruffle-power-wristlet-clutch-blackbird?ref=shop_home_active_4&ga_search_query=black%2Bbird" target="_blank">Ruffle power wristlet clutch - blackbird</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBEernfNh1-fi4h4fQfAL1yoQZdk4oyd4oivZGn_VXN4Yc59FU92RUeFOKo1qsBQk0xYr_isRGKeb_RXeJg_tjb-Rs_PIf6NVTwdMmUPfzsH1iAW01nT73e28dwRLgYN7iEvDvun0bUY/s1600/ruffled+toddler+packpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBEernfNh1-fi4h4fQfAL1yoQZdk4oyd4oivZGn_VXN4Yc59FU92RUeFOKo1qsBQk0xYr_isRGKeb_RXeJg_tjb-Rs_PIf6NVTwdMmUPfzsH1iAW01nT73e28dwRLgYN7iEvDvun0bUY/s1600/ruffled+toddler+packpack.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174676688/ruffled-toddler-backpack-mermaids?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=mermaid" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ruffled Toddler Backpack - Mermaid</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbgjXhSz2LglUNWlV8BgsQsszHyr0GZJf5Dye1i4vNIl5lhCpKIFC6KXIxK_KpUg3Ub0CdqisWp34Bn2VPReYdw_gN3P7ri8-Ddf1rr6qQuYuUuOorImWGEZ9sA-BPS8S5a3yih7zAuA/s1600/ipad+mini+sleeve:eReader+case+-+nautical+anchors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbgjXhSz2LglUNWlV8BgsQsszHyr0GZJf5Dye1i4vNIl5lhCpKIFC6KXIxK_KpUg3Ub0CdqisWp34Bn2VPReYdw_gN3P7ri8-Ddf1rr6qQuYuUuOorImWGEZ9sA-BPS8S5a3yih7zAuA/s1600/ipad+mini+sleeve:eReader+case+-+nautical+anchors.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/121057590/ipad-mini-sleeve-ereader-case-nautical?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=ipad%2Bmini%2Bsleeve" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">iPad Mini Sleeve - Nautical Anchors</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make sure to follow her on</span></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/marine_parents" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twitter</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.instagram.com/mppouchsale" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instagram</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recommend <a href="http://www.instagram.com/mppouchsale" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, as she has "Ready to Ship" sales there every week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">FOR MY READERS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She has provided us with a coupon code that is good for 15% off with no minimum purchase for the next three days! (September 12-14)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">GO TO:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://shopmarineparents.com/">ShopMarineParents(dot)Com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">CODE:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ABIDINGINGRACE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Giveaway is Over!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> And the Winner is....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Laurie T. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks for everyone for entering my very first giveaway! It was super fun, so I'm sure I'll do it again! :)</span></div>
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjkc6LCU_Y1JLWTA5qCaQXBOF3xplw-Lws5QePCoIovkG5ch0tA_pKl4uKPRqTnc6rgeKPmpluSmXPteRh41ifQmnKkxYgtOldlTdFbYAhIGGdwfFkRNrznV-vhrql4mUnjN4Fs23UZw/s1600/ruffled+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjkc6LCU_Y1JLWTA5qCaQXBOF3xplw-Lws5QePCoIovkG5ch0tA_pKl4uKPRqTnc6rgeKPmpluSmXPteRh41ifQmnKkxYgtOldlTdFbYAhIGGdwfFkRNrznV-vhrql4mUnjN4Fs23UZw/s1600/ruffled+pouch.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/22f9c5261/" id="rc-22f9c5261" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Friday!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Connect</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Me~</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101611590763200270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473898571324121448.post-47535422988088318232014-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:002014-09-09T08:47:12.966-04:00Tour Around Blogland<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am participating in a Tour Around Blogland. I was nominated by the sweet <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/" target="_blank">Keri</a> over at <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/" target="_blank">Living in This Season</a>. She and I share so much in common! She has three little ones (two boys and baby girl). She is such an inspiration. She shares lots of great DIY projects, encouragements for moms, and lots of great toddler activities! I have loved getting to know her through her beautiful blog!</span><br />
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She <a href="http://livinginthisseason.com/tour-blogland/" target="_blank">nominated me</a> and asked me to answer the four following questions:</span><br />
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<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1) What am I working on?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our biggest projects is the adoption. We have been working on it since January of this year. We suspect that we still have a ways to go before we bring home our little girl. This blog has been a great way to keep our friends and family updated on the process.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACd5Z-rHoWflGMiNUaWPA7E6bN1u5vaw3lc3tegCxPuDFY8Xe6xITkvpUAmUJw0L3ZIHhLQTeAr4q9nxFQU6Ptmi4KsNqUMoYpag5m2ljr5b49mxOpYUr7FPF7cNuatgGLcnnDnHwlmE/s1600/purpose+behind+delay.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/search/label/Adoption"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read about our Adoption Here</span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love to study God's word. One of the hardest things about being a stay-at-home mom is finding the time to be with other moms. I started a Bible study at my house a few years ago. Although there is just a few of us, we really enjoy getting together every other week to study God's word. I love that we can share and laugh - but center it around God's word. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most important things in our house is our schooling. <a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/05/second-generation-homeschool.html"> As a second-generation homeschooler,</a> and former elementary school teacher, education is very important. We started last year with kindergarten and decided to continue with first grade (and preschool) this year. Our year is just beginning, but I am excited to teach my little guys at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) How does my work differ from others in it's genre?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My work is unique because I am unique! A lot of mothers write devotionals, but I am my own person. I write from my own day-to-day experiences. I also try to focus my writing on God's Word. I do NOT have all the answers. However, I do have a Book that does. All of my advice or </span>encouragement *hopefully* comes from God's Word - not me. I am also honest. I do not pretend to have a clean house or good little ones. I do not always respond in the right way. What I do have is Grace. I have the Grace that God has bestowed on me that I want to help spread to others.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/search/label/Honest%20Mom">Honest Moments</a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/search/label/Honest%20Mom" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6QXKqLf0JKAh403i4-3YL_1viuYY0CZf-xOUWTBMhDUno6ifc9tdETWuF2hPKg7NDdPbA_BtoryI54kyEUfCECV7UQSaxwz0g4y5xdBxgc_0h-Polk5o4FXerkG7XFNZMsVhbFQl45c/s1600/Honest+Mom+Moments2.png" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love to write about adoption. I started out sharing about our adoption journey, but find myself writing about waiting and the beauty of adoption as well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/search/label/Adoption">Read Some Adoption Posts Here</a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/search/label/Adoption" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdYxFSdLtGBQoaLbcbl7mlOgYgUqVrKLzMTva7MyvFPcpaB0IxPXpOy3-lZFrD_2mJdfezIstFxG4S4c6_EAESfihvKqmOPYndqpe8X0kq05Ofqve0kJumBDGaNIG6thXuojVKoAolmA/s1600/Adoption+Road+Map+1.JPG" height="320" width="290" /></span></a></div><br />
</div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3) Why do I write/create what I do?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I write what<b> I</b> need to hear. I love reading devotionals from an honest perspective. I do not like to read "Do these ten things to have perfect kids." I like advice that is rooted in God's Word. I write from that point of view. I also wanted to created a space to talk about adoption and specifically how God is changing me through it.</span></span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4) How does my writing/creating process work?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My every day life is my biggest inspiration. My little ones, my friends, and family are a big inspiration. I am always trying to read God's Word and other small devotionals that will inspire. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great inspiration currently is this adoption. Adoption is such a unique thing. The waiting is so different than any other waiting I've experienced. It has caused me to have to trust in the Lord in ways I never did before. It has taught me a lot about so many things.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After getting inspiration, I let it simmer in my heart and mind. I might jot down an idea or two and then sit down to write a post about my idea later. So many times God lays a topic on my heart that I need to hear....it is encouraging to me to hear feedback from others who needed to hear from Him as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was asked to nominate three blogs that I find inspiring. I want you to meet these wonderful ladies and their blogs today. Next week, they will share their answers to the questions! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://adoptingdivinemoments.com/"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://adoptingdivinemoments.com/">Meet Tessy from Divi<span id="goog_1947534627"></span><span id="goog_1947534628"></span>ne Moments</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKf8pwLH-lOMGGslAfwT7vDArFOgHUkU8E8ycAKT58pwVcJi2z2gWQuuPCKK7p1KXhyphenhyphenBKjVZPti-dCx4-HDZUTIapOwRgH23GYUfD0MWP93mjeRAavZNBHflhHhs-7uEK1iMSHGK43YQ/s1600/famgrouphug-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1947534624"></span><span id="goog_1947534630"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKf8pwLH-lOMGGslAfwT7vDArFOgHUkU8E8ycAKT58pwVcJi2z2gWQuuPCKK7p1KXhyphenhyphenBKjVZPti-dCx4-HDZUTIapOwRgH23GYUfD0MWP93mjeRAavZNBHflhHhs-7uEK1iMSHGK43YQ/s1600/famgrouphug-1024x682.jpg" height="265" width="400" /><span id="goog_1947534631"></span><span id="goog_1947534625"></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met Tessy from a recent Adoption Box Swap. We share so much, including our love for adoption, writing, and Jesus. <span style="background-color: \;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Tessy is a mom and justice crusader who blogs over at Divine Moments. She is passionate about making small choices that will influence lives around the world. A lot of this passion is centered on </span></span><span style="background-color:; line-height: 20px;">orphans and adoption after being transformed by her own adoption journey. God has torn out a chunk of her heart and left it buried somewhere in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afrcia where her son Zalen is from (Belong day – Jan. 15th, 2012) She is also a </span><span style="background-color:; line-height: 20px;">mom to three bio kids her daughter Miss Mae and boy/girl twins, Ry-Ry and Aves. She would love for you to stop by the community over at<a href="http://www.adoptingdivinemoments.com/" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"> Divine Moments</a> and say Hello where she writes about embracing the divine moments that God has for us in the everyday. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mrscoachsims.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet Tara from Mrs. Coach Sims Blog</span></a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXK4r6IOrF5hhq-EOjRSkpbzqKF3wkBFzBqm_IOwqXmSipiFTzjvj27EeKvstdEgeWy8j0YJTOUZJmJGzBDGNzTMSjV-PXhLWm4siYBHp5HEsVGCjKxgrzREBGILl-5u5Q6Y31vlCgIE/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXK4r6IOrF5hhq-EOjRSkpbzqKF3wkBFzBqm_IOwqXmSipiFTzjvj27EeKvstdEgeWy8j0YJTOUZJmJGzBDGNzTMSjV-PXhLWm4siYBHp5HEsVGCjKxgrzREBGILl-5u5Q6Y31vlCgIE/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I met T</span><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ara from our monthly link-ups we have had this year. I love her blog so much! Not only is it a beautiful blog, she is so inspiring in her posts. </span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi there!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My name is Tara, I'm married to Coach Sims and we have two children - Olivia & Jonah.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We live in a small town in Texas and we love it! </span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy going back to the city for fun & shopping, but my heart is here.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Three things that are important to us are Faith, Family & Football.</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First and foremost, I owe all that I am and all that I ever will be to my Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is the beginning and the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am forever thankful for His grace & mercy.</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I strive to be the best wife & mama I can be…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Family is important to me and I want to create a fun childhood for our children. I want them to carry with them wonderful memories</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that will last a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you are familiar with Texas High School Football then you know</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it’s a big thing here… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite places to be is under those Friday Night Lights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I love supporting my husband as he is chasing his dreams as an</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Athletic Director and Head Football Coach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He puts countless hours into his passion and I want to see him succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We believe….</span></div><div align="center" class="Default"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “Do it all for the glory of God…” Colossians 3:17<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.adoptionmamablog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet Tamara from Adoption Mama Blog</span></a></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1377460755"></span><span id="goog_1377460758"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XHhXFQkvhI48W7z_MVunGQXZ5akzgK0hAOa8jbdIHXTp4p4AVyO-0KIZY7o5NOkw3xX18tVt61pWnemMlnzVs7c9OIKoYQ0oLchlibXUs0GDW77jgjB6SBF2SEYed_NccRHl3328Hrw/s1600/About+Mark.jpg" height="320" width="281" /><span id="goog_1377460759"></span><span id="goog_1377460756"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamara writes at Adoption Mama Blog as well as Hosts Adoption Swap Box. She shares stories and thoughts on Adoption, her Faith in Jesus Christ, Parenthood, Crafting, Home Decor & whatever else comes to her heart. Tamara just celebrated her 10th year of marriage with her husband Mark. They are parents of two beautiful boys who entered their family through adoption. Tamara &Mark are once again waiting to adopt their third child & share this most recent adoption journey on the blog as well. Adoption Mama Blog is full of Faith, Honesty, Encouragement, Love & Laughter. Come check it out!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.adoptionmamablog.com </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you will check out these blogs today and leave a comment to encourage them!</span><br />
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