tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14408179680470373722023-11-15T23:48:34.928-08:00love isn't love until given away love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-70543366146363407262017-07-06T18:39:00.001-07:002017-07-06T18:39:36.693-07:00Begin Again<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjnvJZ83bmTjyn3Z66EtiZgdXImljHrghNxQ6nahlwsZYYu75Z7Ui8_SUYpjhCX5ZmjcfB0ggFFgy3fW61DIim3-xC7b0Df524_bZZvBg7E-GrfxucNvs2wXvzE1w33YSPUJvayEKdiM/s1600/pink+green+fronts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1155" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjnvJZ83bmTjyn3Z66EtiZgdXImljHrghNxQ6nahlwsZYYu75Z7Ui8_SUYpjhCX5ZmjcfB0ggFFgy3fW61DIim3-xC7b0Df524_bZZvBg7E-GrfxucNvs2wXvzE1w33YSPUJvayEKdiM/s640/pink+green+fronts.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Friends!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">If feels
good to be writing again! And I am creating lilugas again! Must be the warm,
sunny </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">days of summer that are inspiring me. Ismael and I are taking lots of walks and
soaking up the vitamin D.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So much has
happened since I last wrote. Hard to believe it's almost been a year since our
NJ/NYC trip!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last fall our landlord put
the house up for sale. We were renting floors one and two in a three unit
house. It sold after Christmas and we found out early February that the new
landlord would be moving in to the top floor on April 1st. We thought, no
problem, we'll just look for a new house to rent. Oh my, the current rents were
a few hundred dollars more than what we were paying (our previous landlord of
9+ years never raised our rent).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW5HJDuccHRQzznS9goVfuyt8amtKEzfk1ULn3SU4P5Vd_OjiE7mI2OcozaDIFxG1XzUB6kQXbtPUD0BFhbCcFhmZGGXcuJIlBhDBinMxawTCEVe6cC2E3GpFs3r0ofZaqzRooG4Nq8I/s1600/ant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="870" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW5HJDuccHRQzznS9goVfuyt8amtKEzfk1ULn3SU4P5Vd_OjiE7mI2OcozaDIFxG1XzUB6kQXbtPUD0BFhbCcFhmZGGXcuJIlBhDBinMxawTCEVe6cC2E3GpFs3r0ofZaqzRooG4Nq8I/s400/ant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The friendly ants don't want us to move!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A realtor
friend suggested we look into buying a home, because the monthly payments could
actually be cheaper than renting. So in early March, we began house hunting. Us
and every other disgruntled renter in town. We liked a house, made an offer,
and lost it to another bidder. We wanted to put a bid on another, but someone
beat us to it. Then, nothing seemed quite right. We hoped we'd be moved by
April, then the hope moved to May, then to June. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we were
house hunting, I can't say I had peace with moving forward with buying a home.
I just couldn't convince myself it was the right thing to do. Caleb has only one
year of high school left, so we were only looking in the school district boundaries.
I didn't want to move him his last year of school if I didn't have to. However, most
homes in our price range were in neighboring towns. I was conflicted on where to go and when. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On April
1st, we moved our entire upstairs to the first floor. Crazy. Well, it really
wasn't so bad. Lots of boxes everywhere. Mary was sleeping in the front porch.
Then, end of May, Max moved out. So Mary moved into his room and most of the
boxes moved to the front porch. We adjusted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Back in
June, Ismael lost his job. Poof, it was gone. Are we thankful we didn't buy a
house? Absolutely. Throughout all of this, we were praying and submitting the
situation to God. That peace I never felt? I believe it was from God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">I wanted
to move, and badly. I wanted my own home to decorate and do as I please. I was
even scouring Pinterest for decorating ideas. I was </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">pushing that nagging feeling aside. I am
thankful God did something drastic to stop us. </span></span><br />
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 16pt; margin: 0px 0px 9px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat?
What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts
of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. <b><sup> </sup></b>Seek
the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give
you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring
its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> Matthew 6:31-34</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course,
that's not all that happened the past year, but it was what consumed me most.
No wonder I forgot all about my lilugas! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAxFdNPJ5QqzepbcLPfUb14QlFtbBKlcOVOjpQVmseBc52Uzqijfd1Y1jvc7ZW_2WKGInmw9vX5xh7LRa-X2FXZSHf9A9j9myekMkzNYelDnxUBOt6af2WDGMhNWqmfPDmqquUWOnwUk/s1600/hot+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="943" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAxFdNPJ5QqzepbcLPfUb14QlFtbBKlcOVOjpQVmseBc52Uzqijfd1Y1jvc7ZW_2WKGInmw9vX5xh7LRa-X2FXZSHf9A9j9myekMkzNYelDnxUBOt6af2WDGMhNWqmfPDmqquUWOnwUk/s400/hot+pink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, don't forget about me!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once we were
settled downstairs and doing our best to make it our "new" home, I
got the itch to stitch. The need to create. Little problem though, all my
sewing boxes were in the front porch. And each one was only marked
"sewing" (I truly thought they'd only be in boxes temporarily). So I
did what I had to do and pulled all the boxes out and found what I needed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have always
sewn my lilugas on my sewing machine, with only the faces being embroidered. However,
now, every time I sew, I have to pull out my machine and all accessories and
move them from the<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>porch to the dining
room table. When I am done sewing, I move it all back. No big deal, really (I'm
leaving for the chiropractor in about 15 minutes). Instead of all that back and
forth, I decided to hand stitch the entire liluga. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Good decision. It has become
my stress-buster. I love to embroider and no more fights with my sewing
machine.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgGS1F0ELwGalBFDrlCRvMK-jUEFUltrrj3GNfkDhXxK-HcuBzmm96TaU92cMZXMjb-i-xRCbHVsi6BtNW3scxaVSva9IdalHrWCQYXJ_KusEisiqkHbTUEb18PNjE1ufQ4D5Yhkak0/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1276" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgGS1F0ELwGalBFDrlCRvMK-jUEFUltrrj3GNfkDhXxK-HcuBzmm96TaU92cMZXMjb-i-xRCbHVsi6BtNW3scxaVSva9IdalHrWCQYXJ_KusEisiqkHbTUEb18PNjE1ufQ4D5Yhkak0/s400/group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a good looking bunch!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have these
four liluga's made so far. I also made one for my key chain. He wasn't part of
the photo shoot, though. I actually like these hand stitched guys best. Of course,
I think I always feel that way when I create new lilugas. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I already
know who the pink guy is going to be given to, and I will pray for who the
others can be given to. And I will make more, cause it is the perfect thing to
do on a hot summer night, right?</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BbfInYvUGqx9k9UWPV_SH6X8BpZJjolrTkHjmhLTeFwldfdHVtaWGa3DFhYn6jzDIoshlAxvlFu-m8eEUCOiCg3W5yb-vnisEyYceDsBrWjjK0OrnuLJFxFPmiHcVxr_E2P1_GucqCA/s1600/green+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1044" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BbfInYvUGqx9k9UWPV_SH6X8BpZJjolrTkHjmhLTeFwldfdHVtaWGa3DFhYn6jzDIoshlAxvlFu-m8eEUCOiCg3W5yb-vnisEyYceDsBrWjjK0OrnuLJFxFPmiHcVxr_E2P1_GucqCA/s400/green+back.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still have the official liluga "L" on our behinds!</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-10212453045777006532016-09-09T16:24:00.000-07:002016-09-09T16:24:01.195-07:00Giving My Love Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORTNx0o1Lv5RyML855lrhHvjDHAebwftliZrXMOnb7_z2qPUBteiDtePjYGrHPSy_89GDkrM_ZvpiJU8kveqwiYTSCjfWYBwgpf70MqhkZzFDk-8BHwBQ3l8rniWfinnSZyjYjiUoz6Y/s1600/nj+h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORTNx0o1Lv5RyML855lrhHvjDHAebwftliZrXMOnb7_z2qPUBteiDtePjYGrHPSy_89GDkrM_ZvpiJU8kveqwiYTSCjfWYBwgpf70MqhkZzFDk-8BHwBQ3l8rniWfinnSZyjYjiUoz6Y/s640/nj+h.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes we give a lot of ourselves away to please others. Especially as a
mother, and even as a wife. Last week my husband, daughter, youngest son and I took a road trip to New Jersey. Driving to New Jersey wasn't originally in my
plans, in fact, I really didn't want to go. Early in July, I started researching taking a
road trip to the Smoky Mountains. In my mind, we'd drive down, spend a couple
nights at a quaint hotel with a pool, hike through the mountains, enjoy a few
meals out, and basically relax a little. My kind of fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after I started my research, my husband, Ismael, and
I got an invitation to a wedding in New Jersey. Ismael attends the Spanish
ministry at our church and the wedding was for the pastor's daughter. I don't
know that we would have made the trip for the wedding alone, however, when my
daughter Mary, who is 20 and has always wanted to go to New York City, saw the
invite, she got excited and said that we should go to NYC also. My husband
wanted to go the wedding and Mary wanted to go to New York. They ganged up on
me and the Smoky Mountains got voted down, much to my dismay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then began the process of researching hotels and mapping
out our trip and found that I wasn't having any fun doing so. It's hard to be
excited when planning a vacation that isn't on your dream radar and I got a
little frustrated. Ismael and Mary didn't lend a hand in the planning, at all.
I got to the point where I said "I'm tired, you guys do the
planning!" Of course, if I didn't do the planning, we would never have gone.
So I went ahead and took care of everything, except what to do in Manhattan
once we were there (that I did delegate to Mary). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The road trip turned out fine. The first day we stopped and
stayed the night in a hotel in Clarion, Pennsylvania. All four of us had fun
swimming in the indoor pool and taking relaxing showers. We dined at the local
Applebees and settled into our hotel beds for a good night's sleep. We hit a
little turbulence the next morning when we tried to wake Mary and Caleb up early
so we could get some breakfast and get back on the road. The waitress at the
hotel incorrectly told us that our meal was only 1/2 off, not free (I booked
the "free breakfast" package), and I got a little grumpy. It did get straightened
out and we silently ate our "free" breakfast. After a couple hours on
the road, and after Mary and Caleb slept some more, all was good. That evening
Ismael and I attended the wedding and the kids stayed behind with the television
and their electronic devices. No worries.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOMDCMkIu2GtG4Om40qkIN-ZJUgNkdGA14-Cla8C9EAU2P26Fm-yRgWYJsW1jyKXJRQip8L96tvKmKmv3fVxb3FLPeGKMKXUXX0pz8q5fXu0FdG2XRM_bSzyDaxSykwP_UobVj3UdTpM/s1600/nj+d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOMDCMkIu2GtG4Om40qkIN-ZJUgNkdGA14-Cla8C9EAU2P26Fm-yRgWYJsW1jyKXJRQip8L96tvKmKmv3fVxb3FLPeGKMKXUXX0pz8q5fXu0FdG2XRM_bSzyDaxSykwP_UobVj3UdTpM/s640/nj+d.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next morning, we slept in. I wasn't going to wake them
an earlier than necessary. There was a NJ Transit bus right by our hotel which
took us to Times Square in about 15 minutes. Once we walked out the doors of the
bus terminal in Manhattan, we were
overwhelmed. It was crazy crowded. Now, as I mentioned earlier, I left the NYC
planning to Mary. She hadn't done any planning at home, so I told her to figure
it out the evening before while Ismael and I were at the wedding. She did her college
homework instead. So, here we were, standing in the middle of Times Square, and
not a plan for the day. So we walked and GPS'd places we wanted to see. We made
it up to Central Park and back, and after about 4-1/2 hours, Ismael and Caleb were
ready to call it a day. I think Mary and I could've gone on, but I didn't want
to separate from them. We headed back to the bus terminal, waited 45 minutes
for a bus and were safely deposited back at our hotel. Mary did get a good shot
of the city from the bus window (pardon Caleb's nose):</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzdZUGCpQaKSRYbGEzzQzaHILrTWSMsn7_BtNjRYY1UH7x506c3p9WDYduomjHFHwr2W3tVvt361DDCNLWzxLMIq5gr-t33TPi1oF3m9NoNKS_dsqeIUc-paiW62LGwg6AsOWDkvlYIU/s1600/ny+nose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzdZUGCpQaKSRYbGEzzQzaHILrTWSMsn7_BtNjRYY1UH7x506c3p9WDYduomjHFHwr2W3tVvt361DDCNLWzxLMIq5gr-t33TPi1oF3m9NoNKS_dsqeIUc-paiW62LGwg6AsOWDkvlYIU/s640/ny+nose.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That evening, Ismael and I went to a Tapas restaurant in New
Jersey that is owned by a guy that Ismael had gone through veterinary school
with in Mexico City. The kids had stayed the evening in the hotel again because
they did not want to come with. For an hour and a half, we relaxed, ate some
excellent food and chatted with Ismael's friend. We did get lost on the way
back to the hotel when the GPS on my phone freaked out. The next morning we awoke, somewhat early, and
headed back home. Thankfully, the return trip was smooth and pleasant, well, as
pleasant as a 15 hour drive across five states can be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt bad after that, as if we traveled all that way to see
so little. We spent a lot of time in the car. We did ordinary things like go to
a wedding and eat out at a restaurant. We cruised around Manhattan and
commented how we liked Chicago better. We drove through the Lincoln Tunnel, or
should I say, we drove on a bus through the Lincoln Tunnel. I don't know if I could
have driven it myself. And then we came home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It comes down to this, we try so hard to please the ones we
love, and sometimes we feel like we come up short. I only hope my children
remember the good. We were adventurous, we
had fun, we saw the Big Apple, we walked through Central Park, we sat down at a TGI Fridays restaurant in Manhattan, looked at the highly inflated prices and walked out, we took a lot of pictures, had a few laughs and made some
memories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> "</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30596AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30596AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i> And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." </i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">1 John 3:16</span></span></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-91046493069021726242016-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:002016-08-18T08:42:36.379-07:00What I Do Best<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I started this blog, I admit, I was hoping for
fame and fortune. Truth, I would of taken just the fortune. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But what has happened along the way is, I realized fame
and fortune take a lot of time to achieve!
Over the years, I've also learned many things about myself. To name a
few, I do not like spending a lot of time on the computer, I need my eight
hours of sleep each night, I love being in the kitchen and providing my family
with healthy meals, and most important, I want to be fully there for my
children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjGjTo7N143v9PN1YnOcq8kka6fgPkeuDesnn2hBqL7dL6DtpnGy6XWEOvgOAvLVcPwz0dsxrhX-5MAmQtN16ceUT6fg-0tz3p76PWYgdlni3wJgNiNqDv1xmd2w23bkfFJyM6IRhZq4/s1600/julia+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjGjTo7N143v9PN1YnOcq8kka6fgPkeuDesnn2hBqL7dL6DtpnGy6XWEOvgOAvLVcPwz0dsxrhX-5MAmQtN16ceUT6fg-0tz3p76PWYgdlni3wJgNiNqDv1xmd2w23bkfFJyM6IRhZq4/s200/julia+a.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But mostly, what I've found out about myself along
the way is, I like the small and personal. I don't like social media. Keeping
up with a blog overwhelms me. I'd rather write a card to just one person than
to write for the masses. I like giving away lilugas. Just don't ask me to make 100 of them and try
to sell them on Etsy. Not gonna happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I make a liluga, I enjoy the process of picking
out the wool and the matching fabric. I take my time stitching the eyes, mouth
and "L" on their behind. I like to give them names that have a
special meaning to them (I always think of them as little guys, even though
many of them are made with floral fabrics). I like listening for God to tell me
who I should give one to, and I love hearing how they brightened someone's day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have come to a place of peace, and am o.k. with
creating my lilugas and writing posts on my blog at a slow and relaxed pace. My
goal is no longer fame and fortune, but to share my art and my words with a
hurting world, one person at a time. I like that God has given me this talent
that allows me to bless others in a small way. I think He knows that anything
more than that would be too much for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S3PfRSSrc8NUNReBtOX1rMktrcxQ9bmqIdU3DrSHjFsSqhwlvUhxqR5dx-6iAIvKHZncVkeJ4TDxP50QeVz_Z5SYkxGoUXKUUVXNXH9tjcxmahi8SkEb4nmBREgMvicAxYPqbS_1EJ8/s1600/two+for+Vilija+8-14-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S3PfRSSrc8NUNReBtOX1rMktrcxQ9bmqIdU3DrSHjFsSqhwlvUhxqR5dx-6iAIvKHZncVkeJ4TDxP50QeVz_Z5SYkxGoUXKUUVXNXH9tjcxmahi8SkEb4nmBREgMvicAxYPqbS_1EJ8/s320/two+for+Vilija+8-14-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While God calls many to write to the masses, and
many do it very well, I know he does not call everyone. I personally do not
have to do the "big thing". That takes the pressure off and I can
flourish in the path He has set out for me. And as long as I do His work, I
trust that He will always provide all that I need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am going to continue reaching out, one person
at a time. To simply encourage them, love them and let them know they are cared
for - personally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfmvswpz2bXvmni1bq0mqcNc60QeCzMLc7Z-zGY5_4e481ws0_Oes17J3ii6sVzGSegaQBIs5sqohiPAO31Db55ZATZ3dwh4832Bpz1wDv8T-k7Iouk0ctrtpygLFqtS_yeg0Ac7gToQ/s1600/gal+6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfmvswpz2bXvmni1bq0mqcNc60QeCzMLc7Z-zGY5_4e481ws0_Oes17J3ii6sVzGSegaQBIs5sqohiPAO31Db55ZATZ3dwh4832Bpz1wDv8T-k7Iouk0ctrtpygLFqtS_yeg0Ac7gToQ/s320/gal+6-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-84398043785134667092016-07-01T15:16:00.001-07:002016-07-01T15:16:13.257-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA9WBcqlAiMBJW9z5Z5bhB3VMQ7zJDJ3aXtz19SxIGM3FXpS0vlveqAxTDbfd-zA_SDJ7nXvpHSKt1q4ePDmIAXPVLH-kh5zTALkIimL_138J7SFu998bV4FOvrNZAEIlefxa2CX4EWA/s1600/5+min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA9WBcqlAiMBJW9z5Z5bhB3VMQ7zJDJ3aXtz19SxIGM3FXpS0vlveqAxTDbfd-zA_SDJ7nXvpHSKt1q4ePDmIAXPVLH-kh5zTALkIimL_138J7SFu998bV4FOvrNZAEIlefxa2CX4EWA/s320/5+min.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To
protect someone from something bad is a good thing. I do everything I can to
protect my children from things that can harm them. I also do my best to
protect myself from things that I think can harm me. However, is there a chance
that we can protect ourselves from the good things God has to offer us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In
protecting myself from hurt, judgment, ridicule and many other imagined things,
I believe I am also protecting myself from love, close friendships, happiness
and more. If I have a fear of writing
this post, publishing it, and making myself vulnerable to others, then I will
never do it. Not writing it keeps me
protected, but it also keeps me lonely, un-encouraged and possible unloved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However,
writing this post, whether it be good or bad, is an exercise in letting go of
this protective heart of mine. As I let down my shield, I allow God's people,
who are good, to enter into my life. And this, I believe, is where true
blessings can happen, not just to me, but to all of us.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A happy and blessed 4th of July to everyone!</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Five Minute Friday @ <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">http://katemotaung.com/</a></span></span></div>
love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-9999481917678658932016-01-22T14:09:00.000-08:002016-02-04T17:51:59.290-08:00Taking Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://stampington.com/Stuffed-Spring-2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5n0i0eU8wOqxkIDz2amsekDaLezptVoRYKj_HBZpWE7NTHEWA6aa504IcqfnY5iA6m2iewfkVR8mAk2G6K9qz4c9QvRwWod-UlKmV67_YwK9naVTKr5NGtjAKI2rTEVj_uoE8M1N6LE/s320/published+in+stuffed.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meet trixie, stella and Gwyn. Last August, these three brave
birds flew all the way to California. I can tell you, they were a little
afraid. They had never flown before, in fact, they never left my sewing room
before. But I made them go. I knew they couldn't move on to greater things without
taking flight.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Puvas5ONFIcM50YZfysNWhqO3EEKFafy6RJpyUgamdxws39NxEfKgx7qty28U3nfJAOL7cpG3YdFWhRRjmViG_8Aam1Psch1XDhMoGyzyNyeVcEgUiVvVTi-cmUMBgjkpr362A1-LD8/s1600/birds+for+stuffed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Puvas5ONFIcM50YZfysNWhqO3EEKFafy6RJpyUgamdxws39NxEfKgx7qty28U3nfJAOL7cpG3YdFWhRRjmViG_8Aam1Psch1XDhMoGyzyNyeVcEgUiVvVTi-cmUMBgjkpr362A1-LD8/s400/birds+for+stuffed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
They safely landed in Laguna Hills at the offices of Stampington and Company.
There they auditioned to be featured in an upcoming issue of Stuffed Magazine. Although I wasn't able to be there with them, I
knew they would do a great job, and I am proud to say they were chosen to be
published in the Spring 2016 issue (Available Feb. 1st). Way to go girls!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuz5Ld1gzLPO8C-cGAGAS92fPmaPlpsd9IfRlaQchqAet2uRwaYCbPIfCCoDdtLPbEjqMPmIG-P_X1A3e-uysYJhimb1HDgA-uUvlBHBmDVFQQLwCG6l7mLw6WHSt0LFtEBugpgJmYOs/s1600/stuffed+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuz5Ld1gzLPO8C-cGAGAS92fPmaPlpsd9IfRlaQchqAet2uRwaYCbPIfCCoDdtLPbEjqMPmIG-P_X1A3e-uysYJhimb1HDgA-uUvlBHBmDVFQQLwCG6l7mLw6WHSt0LFtEBugpgJmYOs/s400/stuffed+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMHaGvtTkBMq_03JXBkvUrPbQ04Gh7cuku6hDhYzC8AfA11yT1hESS8pcqTlekozQBzEnyLPSmp_rgVJvw8-FltVehTrOVMC4eZuRUkKaCDAiH8qlrLs2i3KS4LKRiNtBsNvqz_mJQG8/s400/stuffed+cover.jpg" width="306" /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">"But they who wait for the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="sc">Lord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they
shall walk and not faint.</span>"</span></i><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 40:31</span><span style="font-family: "corbel" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-46937736563710700872015-11-11T18:57:00.001-08:002015-11-11T18:57:25.547-08:00Giving Love Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvkR0rWd-9CTTIAwHQ7Vlb5hFYdERmOrBLq3MPNzf1u8TFu7k-N9lEG8nV7zVoyFA-Ee4nXEmHHnWvvF_8Zadm6MZcTL9DzkmGM08eigbkCPKPkyuAMzBOKsyEhJI0pcxLSzp2-E4yT0/s1600/Nov+11+give+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvkR0rWd-9CTTIAwHQ7Vlb5hFYdERmOrBLq3MPNzf1u8TFu7k-N9lEG8nV7zVoyFA-Ee4nXEmHHnWvvF_8Zadm6MZcTL9DzkmGM08eigbkCPKPkyuAMzBOKsyEhJI0pcxLSzp2-E4yT0/s320/Nov+11+give+away.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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The little guy above found a new home today and the little gal below was given away a few months ago. In my sewing room I have a shelf full of lilugas awaiting their assignments to go and give some love away. Where they will go, nobody knows. Not even me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf3kqzfbdAiwZkXW2Z9g6Ye4Ong3W0t48ZGQbFOtcQQk4_u88bJoSnDOi8YX0WTSnZRoJA4F2P590Sf5VB6u0Cx0ny1cPJqNis8QhAeiaatrC9HXbKjoX0BnE7E1ke1iEZhOBXrjsVbk/s1600/aug+4+give+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf3kqzfbdAiwZkXW2Z9g6Ye4Ong3W0t48ZGQbFOtcQQk4_u88bJoSnDOi8YX0WTSnZRoJA4F2P590Sf5VB6u0Cx0ny1cPJqNis8QhAeiaatrC9HXbKjoX0BnE7E1ke1iEZhOBXrjsVbk/s320/aug+4+give+away.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As they wait for their assignments to go to their new homes, the lilugas are getting are getting a little antsy. They're tired of sitting on a shelf and want to be giving some love away. They stare at me with pleading eyes everyday. Oh my.<br />
<br />
I know I have lots of love to give to others, yet I tend to put that love on a shelf as go about my busy days. Shelving my love means that I am missing opportunities to love and encourage others. Of course, I do eventually get around to giving the lilugas away. It's just not as often as I would like to. Thankfully the little guys constantly remind me.<br />
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<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-30487833854681554292015-08-23T18:23:00.000-07:002016-02-21T17:39:35.192-08:00Leaving the Nest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK25YRVoLKTGdP9esRF20yHNFH0F4mYOpuOubb3NXQwSr7QqJ3elab7EY_59wMDYreHVT14yjnkW3jiEIHYQntZyZP6CvrKfSUJFH7u7f9Z6ZIXIhkKkAgIc9BhWyEOr3TFfUzfXgPWU/s1600/kate+and+bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK25YRVoLKTGdP9esRF20yHNFH0F4mYOpuOubb3NXQwSr7QqJ3elab7EY_59wMDYreHVT14yjnkW3jiEIHYQntZyZP6CvrKfSUJFH7u7f9Z6ZIXIhkKkAgIc9BhWyEOr3TFfUzfXgPWU/s400/kate+and+bob.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and Bob on the roof, awaiting takeoff to new adventures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last Sunday, my oldest child, Max, flew out of the nest. He flew all the way to Oregon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This mother's heart of mine wasn't quite prepared for how emotional it would be to have him leave home. Especially so far away (why couldn't he just move to Chicago?). It has been hard this week but I am sure it will get easier as time goes on. Despite my crying and missing him, I am excited for Max and his new adventures (and even a little bit jealous).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for me, all my new adventures are taking place in my sewing room. I have designed a new liluga. Simple, little and sweet. Quick and easy to make so I can give more away. Aren't they cute?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HuTNdvlNmHCuncqCpZycHWmqsTH8LyW2SPwBgNjtOUvyY_v-2JhtAmBvo4Ygcl9kmGsXW5YIJPtHBOJ2GkWEZtJteAsQCkYV43ZLjTKTSUlBCxyd2j2ZlpFX6dchR9hr6xyk_ztUfaM/s1600/new+batch+8-20-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HuTNdvlNmHCuncqCpZycHWmqsTH8LyW2SPwBgNjtOUvyY_v-2JhtAmBvo4Ygcl9kmGsXW5YIJPtHBOJ2GkWEZtJteAsQCkYV43ZLjTKTSUlBCxyd2j2ZlpFX6dchR9hr6xyk_ztUfaM/s400/new+batch+8-20-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also made some more birds, like Kate and Bob. Not sure where they'll land, but they are ready to go. Reminds me of life. I'm always on the go, but not always so sure of where I'll land. </span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-32-8" id="en-NLT-14340" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.</span></i></div>
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</span>love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-32915398347852599202015-01-04T19:21:00.001-08:002015-01-06T18:29:18.431-08:00A Word of the Year Do-Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is now January 4th and I still have not chosen my word for 2015. Is there a time limit on choosing? Who sets the rules? No and me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The week before Christmas, I prayed for the Lord to reveal a word to me. The next morning, I received a Christmas gift from a friend. It was a plate that had the word "SHINE" written on it. I had just used that word in a sentence the day before, so I thought, "There's my answer! Shine it is."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To "shine" means "to glow forth or glow with light; shed or cast light, and to be bright with reflected light; to glisten; to sparkle" (from dictionary.com). A year to shine for Jesus. Sounds fun and sparkly. But I'm not sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after Christmas I was writing in my prayer journal and writing what I felt God was speaking to me. As I was listening I saw a giraffe and some sheep. I felt God told me I was like a sheep, and I shouldn't try and be like a giraffe. Sheep follow their shepherd. They don't try and figure it out all on their own; they are incapable of doing so. They are simple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought "simple" would be a great word. A reminder to only look towards my shepherd and not to listen to any other voices. I looked up the meaning of the word; "easy to understand; not elaborate or artificial; plain; not ornate or luxurious; unadorned; unaffected; unassuming; modest; and not complicated"(dictionary.com). All good things. But I'm not sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last fall I had made a small flock of birds to sell for a fundraiser to help support a friend who was in need. They all sold, but nobody picked this guy and he was left on my shelf, all alone, for a couple of months. There was just something about him that didn't look right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, the other day, a friend asked if I had any of my birds left for sale. I only had this same guy, but I didn't think he looked good enough to sell. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took a long look at him and decided he needed a do-over. So I gave him a beak-job. Much better, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes we have to go back and correct things before we can move forward. I feel like my word from last year, "overcome", still needs to be tweaked and worked with. I still have much to overcome, and by the grace of God, I will. I believe "overcome" will be my word again in 2015. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, since I am making the rules, I am asking "shine" and "simple" to join me as I "overcome" this year. I bet we'll make a great team.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"And those who are wise—the people of God—shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance, and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever". </i>Daniel 12:3 (The Living Bible)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://arabahjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/THe_Loft_Link_Up-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Loft Link Up" border="0" height="184" src="http://arabahjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/THe_Loft_Link_Up-small.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Linking up @</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">http://arabahjoy.com/loft</span><br />
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-38043432167426258252014-12-27T13:54:00.002-08:002014-12-27T13:54:59.626-08:00The Year of the Turtle?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other night I was writing in my journal about the "word of the year" phenomenon. I pondered the whole point of picking a word. Is it a silly exercise or one of value? I don't know. Last January I picked the word "overcome". Great word with great meaning. I have to admit I didn't focus too much on my word nor did I overcome any big things in life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, not long after I picked my word, I was hit with "birds". All of a sudden, I noticed birds everywhere; in arts and in crafts, decorations, writing and more. I had never payed attention to birds before this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, Jesus's word from Matthew jumped out at me "</span><span class="text Matt-6-25" id="en-NLT-23284" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NLT-23285" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: purple; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-NLT-23286" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: purple; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="color: purple;">Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" </i>(Matt. 6:25-27. I wanted to trust the Lord for all things, just like a bird. I wanted to spread my wings and fly, just like a bird.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">"Bird" became my "word", so to speak. In 2014, I developed a small line of bird plushies and started collecting bird things. Birds make great art. I found a new love in birds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I still love the birds and want to continue making them and surrounding myself with bird stuff, <i style="color: #38761d;">however, </i>a new year always means something new, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">As I wrote in my journal, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would provide a new word for me that I could meditate on and ponder over the next year. A thought immediately came to my mind - "turtle". Could it be the year of the turtle? They are slow moving, hard shelled and always make it to the finish line (I read that somewhere).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">In this fast paced world, the turtle reminds us to slow down, to not let the worries of the world penetrate you (have a hard shell) and have faith that we will make it to the finish line. I like that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I searched some Bible software for the word "turtle". If turtles were mentioned in scripture that would've been awesome. But they're not. Turtledoves are. What is a turtledove? It's a bird, of all things. Ok, birds are cuter and are a lot more fun to sew, so maybe I'll stick with them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">As for my word for 2015? I'm still waiting for the perfect word. I think I have it, but it will have to wait til January!</span></span><br />
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<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-89646488737468694292014-12-11T13:40:00.000-08:002014-12-11T13:40:26.066-08:00 A Christmas Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did it. I got a picture together of the whole family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year I dream of planning a day where we can all get dressed up and take a professional looking family photo to send out in our Christmas cards. Often, we will take a picture on Thanksgiving to use for our cards, which usually turns out just fine. But, this year, my three kids were with their dad on Thanksgiving, so we did not have a photo opportunity. The thought of rounding all five of them up for a picture was a little unrealistic. With work schedules and a daughter away at college, I didn't see it happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I got the idea to do a collage with individual pictures of them through out the year (I was originally thinking of a Brady Bunch square, but then nixed the idea). I think I spent more time finding a photo of each of them, cropping them, and then putting them in a collage than I would have if I would have planned a family photo shoot. Oh well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hardly professional, but it shows the real us (I wouldn't want to give anyone the illusion of a perfect family!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas from my family to yours!</span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6</span></i></strong></div>
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<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-24325390833326131172014-09-12T09:06:00.001-07:002014-09-12T09:06:47.570-07:00Ready<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Five Minute Friday - "READY" - Write for five minutes.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day, when I wake up to a new morning, I don’t think I am ever truly “ready” for what lies ahead. I may have a to-do list in my mind, but the minute I put my feet on the floor, the day takes on its own agenda.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPEBx2adaMDodDOoswWEKuW1xCCS12xvp2WTgEk0kmYOfWLXG4pJaNjhDTwDnryv6mQ9xTdvMeTkiq59ll3yaLuMuUVk9tnohnCsHY5lc1DrL1CG7lnsF6J_hpLrtIT0FyuWtL59KbRw/s1600/DSCN0594.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPEBx2adaMDodDOoswWEKuW1xCCS12xvp2WTgEk0kmYOfWLXG4pJaNjhDTwDnryv6mQ9xTdvMeTkiq59ll3yaLuMuUVk9tnohnCsHY5lc1DrL1CG7lnsF6J_hpLrtIT0FyuWtL59KbRw/s1600/DSCN0594.JPG" height="248" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think being “ready” goes deeper than just being prepared
for the day or a task. To me, to be ready, means to be in a relationship with
Christ, grounded in God’s Word, and to be always in prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I am at this place of readiness, I can handle each day
as it comes, and have peace and joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://katemotaung.com/2014/09/11/five-minute-friday-ready-and-a-challenge/" target="_blank">http://katemotaung.com/2014/09/11/five-minute-friday-ready-and-a-challenge/</a></span></span></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-57096388863003753322014-08-31T12:38:00.001-07:002014-08-31T12:38:40.298-07:00Give Some Love Away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers (and sisters!).</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"But, if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well and sees a brother in need, and won't help him - how can God's love be within him?<br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." </i>1 John 3:16-18</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfym_tv3UF_iCq0eS_O74qj56tupzT3B1UznQbWYiDLZQ-bhGfvOBFv_NqPu0JCtTM-MGvm8Obb5vUJKlwfDv3NWURF8tSfPLFp2kc2MLxgtlBWNmjDw6Ti9Nr71d0vH595vlcn9n9wAA/s1600/august+16+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfym_tv3UF_iCq0eS_O74qj56tupzT3B1UznQbWYiDLZQ-bhGfvOBFv_NqPu0JCtTM-MGvm8Obb5vUJKlwfDv3NWURF8tSfPLFp2kc2MLxgtlBWNmjDw6Ti9Nr71d0vH595vlcn9n9wAA/s1600/august+16+birds.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Hello friends!</span> Today a friend from my church shared with me some long term troubles she has been going through in her life. She has gone through much physically, emotionally and financially. Without going into all the details, she is with out a job, without a car, without a phone and in need of money to help pay the bills. She has some family support, but not enough to cover the bills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I could share with you all of her story, but I respect her privacy. Just know, her situation broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes. So many negative things have come into her life and they just seem to keep coming at her. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She loves the Lord, but doesn't know how much more she can take.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After talking with my friend this morning, and praying with her, I thought, "how can I just walk away and do nothing?" The above verses came to me and hit hard. What can I do? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I started this blog as a place to encourage people to give love away. I started making <i>liluga's (stuffed plushies) </i>to give away to people in need of encouragement. I got lazy with it over the years, but it is still a passion on my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">My idea?</span> To raise some money through my liluga's and donate 100% of the money to this dear friend. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlgWjNUWCMkCoz2AUYbe4w3io1v77EdM58Qir2tKcoRYNnuWUmGMKI5lMjwqvTJx9HBJ4xb5Hv8DrZtWnZPCEMK9DTR5FSCH4S-zq0jGQKtlRvNhBG44BUKkAG12fB1HEQ7sa9yZ1dKM/s1600/basket+of+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlgWjNUWCMkCoz2AUYbe4w3io1v77EdM58Qir2tKcoRYNnuWUmGMKI5lMjwqvTJx9HBJ4xb5Hv8DrZtWnZPCEMK9DTR5FSCH4S-zq0jGQKtlRvNhBG44BUKkAG12fB1HEQ7sa9yZ1dKM/s1600/basket+of+birds.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For starters, I have a basket full of birds who are ready to be kicked out of the nest. They need a new home! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am asking for a minimum donation of $15 per bird. And I am willing to hatch new birds to help raise money for her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your donations will go to helping a sister in need, and you will be blessed by a new little friend to brighten your day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40L1OtaoKFHCdv2tq3jKBq4q_WfHoFdfY57ygSeBN_bIRCl9L8ce6psCfBjLQyatN3LsWj19pR9ZU1GPR551MO7fM5PwMfiqinmhP23tzIiHlrJvmD4-cunwR9T6aIGtUi8OO0VKzAEQ/s1600/porch+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40L1OtaoKFHCdv2tq3jKBq4q_WfHoFdfY57ygSeBN_bIRCl9L8ce6psCfBjLQyatN3LsWj19pR9ZU1GPR551MO7fM5PwMfiqinmhP23tzIiHlrJvmD4-cunwR9T6aIGtUi8OO0VKzAEQ/s1600/porch+group.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To donate, please send me an email at jamierose64@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me know which bird you want, I can always make more!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy5U1skhSqj_jWUofWWw5LL-I8uKmCw0YzA1N_oK-pp54hwjAoKKrMvxkC7DD7hkimuuEt43-LH4-CctIsVDB-dzITti227swHUpO4Hu8hthFPHSKTIQUuD2vd0kz2z1YHHduMnOQfLk/s1600/twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy5U1skhSqj_jWUofWWw5LL-I8uKmCw0YzA1N_oK-pp54hwjAoKKrMvxkC7DD7hkimuuEt43-LH4-CctIsVDB-dzITti227swHUpO4Hu8hthFPHSKTIQUuD2vd0kz2z1YHHduMnOQfLk/s1600/twins.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-59133919709199936752014-07-19T14:26:00.000-07:002014-07-19T14:26:18.154-07:00V is for Victory<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text 1John-5-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-5-2" id="en-NLT-30587" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-5-3" id="en-NLT-30588" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-5-4" id="en-NLT-30589" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this </span><span class="text 1John-5-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">victory</span></span><span class="text 1John-5-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> through our faith.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-5-5" id="en-NLT-30590" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God". </i>1 John 5:1-5 NLT</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Meet the Victory Birds.....</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCqhkM8tJ_OGvGszrmrFUaxQXb5s5qxE4dLFa77V8eq15OljV4P4vqHljxx-nNzSqoeEIqoY-BGN2tyC6KzLlHlT4gP3uj5-rbfX1ov2jSw87ZUgoq0wuw9lT7ePqvYoH7zfMKG6Fyj4/s1600/sigrid+and+bernice+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCqhkM8tJ_OGvGszrmrFUaxQXb5s5qxE4dLFa77V8eq15OljV4P4vqHljxx-nNzSqoeEIqoY-BGN2tyC6KzLlHlT4gP3uj5-rbfX1ov2jSw87ZUgoq0wuw9lT7ePqvYoH7zfMKG6Fyj4/s1600/sigrid+and+bernice+alone.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigrid and Bernice</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigrid and Bernice are Victory birds. They know that they through their faith in Jesus Christ, they are Victorious. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7fAAMDwNj4IEGlvDiTg1ygofqDSJsbIpeenCa-aDvSRTWfEprFhHewNHluwLywWSTHOsw_S7rKV96026qFChkLF5v6rsqWb4jHsJujcSumGB2o-XRdqxbLGYrRuw0ITB7_GisuABuME/s1600/sigrid+bernice+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7fAAMDwNj4IEGlvDiTg1ygofqDSJsbIpeenCa-aDvSRTWfEprFhHewNHluwLywWSTHOsw_S7rKV96026qFChkLF5v6rsqWb4jHsJujcSumGB2o-XRdqxbLGYrRuw0ITB7_GisuABuME/s1600/sigrid+bernice+back.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The "L" on their behinds stands for Love</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigrid's name means "a beautiful victory" and Bernice's name means "brings victory". Great names to have, don't you think? I think they will soon become very popular girls names!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5sgpQTx82U345k7pOY3gmazOtDSbNwmAZdjkFdXVaPcJKbR-5ktg9wclBsb2Wg0_EoNFK-LuPjFT8E-lKXCaSsG1gzGD5rfcjsByl9_SpR6tbZRsWNURs1Re4PSuyA5oTrvz9Xytz8A/s1600/sigrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5sgpQTx82U345k7pOY3gmazOtDSbNwmAZdjkFdXVaPcJKbR-5ktg9wclBsb2Wg0_EoNFK-LuPjFT8E-lKXCaSsG1gzGD5rfcjsByl9_SpR6tbZRsWNURs1Re4PSuyA5oTrvz9Xytz8A/s1600/sigrid.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigrid says "Believe and put your faith in Jesus.<br /> Read your Bible and obey God's Commandments<br /> and you will have VICTORY over this world!</span></td></tr>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-44205572768141793802014-07-02T18:03:00.000-07:002014-07-02T18:03:12.806-07:00The Coffee Club Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZySi8u5xOw-U3w2iSRGbyFFbhiAxUF_xPtve9tKI1cRG1UdJxNsUEq6dU_f0w1GtUkDiTQWCkRVV5iWLASIsg9ZaSG9DknsMbqHVPGTOXd9JI5BEfH4R233CbhXKw_zfY6SO0I9AGtE/s1600/coffee+collection+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZySi8u5xOw-U3w2iSRGbyFFbhiAxUF_xPtve9tKI1cRG1UdJxNsUEq6dU_f0w1GtUkDiTQWCkRVV5iWLASIsg9ZaSG9DknsMbqHVPGTOXd9JI5BEfH4R233CbhXKw_zfY6SO0I9AGtE/s1600/coffee+collection+all.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Introducing.... Chai, Mocha, Cortado and Latte</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The idea for the coffee club birds has been brewing for a while. The group has been assembled and I am proud to introduce them to you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D8UfeYN4bfUOPNntCS-2AvuoYGxFK1OhwiHvsdqW42HWFVodvPvBZmfE6pWiplqw0DcTVcZ8V32RPhfl9zFmL6Vz2Gj-_KES-hQOWG7FprJK0AzzE6LVjG4AaWjLJHR93MO68Ej8dLw/s1600/mocha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D8UfeYN4bfUOPNntCS-2AvuoYGxFK1OhwiHvsdqW42HWFVodvPvBZmfE6pWiplqw0DcTVcZ8V32RPhfl9zFmL6Vz2Gj-_KES-hQOWG7FprJK0AzzE6LVjG4AaWjLJHR93MO68Ej8dLw/s1600/mocha.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Mocha</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mocha is the leader of the pack and is the first one to land at the coffee shop every Friday morning for their club meeting. Mocha likes arriving a half hour early so he can sip his coffee in solitude before the others show up. Mocha started the coffee club because he believes birds of a feather should flock together.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8BusntCe34mOgXTebEyvL8IN1ZTOcD7HAjURT3vWLPqM5hrtUgHJVODfqHnCjjy6aDsen3dzUChj7-cVkq_LXHoKWyI5nXQKLGKpxBLkHmSQepXA7W-wdgTethyY4EsKcwLeOT2H4b8/s1600/latte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8BusntCe34mOgXTebEyvL8IN1ZTOcD7HAjURT3vWLPqM5hrtUgHJVODfqHnCjjy6aDsen3dzUChj7-cVkq_LXHoKWyI5nXQKLGKpxBLkHmSQepXA7W-wdgTethyY4EsKcwLeOT2H4b8/s1600/latte.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Latte</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Latte is the most faithful member of the coffee club and has never missed a meeting. Latte and his wife are empty nesters and Latte really enjoys hanging out at the coffee shop where it's noisy because it reminds him of when his nest was full.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-nM0FjqL5XU1kl38iG_AH4GAqcHAFdb2VV2XRmmrdqkns5KYpkZiMwK0yQT4Zxa1nZ71ECNCDchrlWxvphyphenhyphenUoOYq-iirCsOYQbmIGlkmNACC05c2HUqWXOGKujGXtju10GQeRjNXJyc/s1600/chai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-nM0FjqL5XU1kl38iG_AH4GAqcHAFdb2VV2XRmmrdqkns5KYpkZiMwK0yQT4Zxa1nZ71ECNCDchrlWxvphyphenhyphenUoOYq-iirCsOYQbmIGlkmNACC05c2HUqWXOGKujGXtju10GQeRjNXJyc/s1600/chai.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Chai</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chai has a confession to make, he doesn't like coffee. However, he loves drinking tea. Mocha was a little hesitant to let Chai into the club, but Chai assured him he could sip a chai tea latte from a mug and no one would know the difference. Chai is a little flighty, especially if he thinks a chai tea latte can pass for a coffee latte. Thankfully, Mocha really likes Chai and let him join.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Cortado</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final member of the group is Cortado. He is the only Latino member of the group. His accent is a bit hard to understand, but since the love of coffee is universal, he fits right in. Cortado enjoys salsa and dancing the tango. He tweets in Spanish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbVHcHtC9RaBExT73XOdTvBNbs48dG2dh6vw9b4v8hBQVui9feJPKjXFQoIbTJDWlq6d59pXL8p3ZkRhUtmoLPd0QehdJgt4cPe3EWVp22_T7Q34okcH3-YumBbV7IaBuLl2vBWg6hgw/s1600/coffee+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbVHcHtC9RaBExT73XOdTvBNbs48dG2dh6vw9b4v8hBQVui9feJPKjXFQoIbTJDWlq6d59pXL8p3ZkRhUtmoLPd0QehdJgt4cPe3EWVp22_T7Q34okcH3-YumBbV7IaBuLl2vBWg6hgw/s1600/coffee+collection.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-66077104004584858322014-05-30T15:51:00.000-07:002014-05-30T15:51:22.430-07:00Nothing<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.735000610351563px;">Today I am linking up with Five Minute Friday at </span><a href="http://lisajobaker.com/" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.735000610351563px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">lisajobaker.com</a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.735000610351563px;">. The goal is to use the prompt she gives and simply write for five minutes on that topic. No editing or revising. Today's prompt is "Nothing". Here it goes.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world may make you believe you are nothing. That what
you do doesn’t matter. If you are not doing something big and noteworthy, you
are nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God says you need to believe that you are something.
Something big to Him. Everything you do matters to Him. Your thoughts and your
actions. He cares about you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He cares for you when you are simply reading a book to your
kids, He cares for you when you are stuck in traffic and He cares for you when
you are volunteering at a soup kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Believe that He cares and that you are something BIG to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not believe you are nothing. It’s so not true. You are
awesome. </span></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-72380733000388953782014-05-09T15:30:00.000-07:002014-05-09T15:30:14.185-07:00Grateful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I am linking up with Five Minute Friday at <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/" target="_blank">lisajobaker.com</a>. The goal is to use the prompt she gives and simply write for five minutes on that topic. No editing or revising. Today's prompt is "Grateful". Here it goes.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful that after a long, cold (and I mean <i>REALLY</i> cold) winter, God brings us spring. Even though the trees and grass and plants remained dormant all winter long, they were never dead, just waiting for their time to come back to life. It was hard to believe winter would ever end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just like the trees of winter, so much is lying dormant inside of me. There is so much I want to do. I want to write more, serve more, be more and get past this winter season of my life. But it is not my spring time yet. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God will bring on the season when the time is right. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know it is coming soon. I can feel it. And for that I am grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, my five minutes are up. I have a lot more to say, but it would take me hours to sort it out in my head and put it to paper. That's part of the reason I don't write often:)</span><br />
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<img alt="Five Minute Friday" src="http://lisajobaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5minutefriday.jpg" /><a href="http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/</a>love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-83364445872367979812014-04-25T09:12:00.001-07:002014-04-25T09:12:59.039-07:00Five Minute Friday: FRIEND<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRqpWb_nO5hK4812w5z_I8KnWlKFTbqsfm0O540xufBKwwCmA94tkg3mXSOK2bcj_-gb4KTOhmuaxy0TzUBMw98POABaat075NSh3zVfwYUoHAxi7habvCmyX9sPq10h97SB5Y7-b-fs/s1600/IMG_3177+cropped.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRqpWb_nO5hK4812w5z_I8KnWlKFTbqsfm0O540xufBKwwCmA94tkg3mXSOK2bcj_-gb4KTOhmuaxy0TzUBMw98POABaat075NSh3zVfwYUoHAxi7habvCmyX9sPq10h97SB5Y7-b-fs/s1600/IMG_3177+cropped.jpeg.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharon and I</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends in my life have come and gone. I have had great friends in each season of life. But sadly, I do not do a good job of staying close to friends once the season changes. It's not a bad thing, it just happens. We move to a new town, the friends from my old town fade over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd like to say that with cell phones and the internet I am able to keep in touch with everyone, near or far. But it just doesn't happen for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a handful of what I consider close friends, the kind I can call at any time and the ones who know me well. One is from college (my friend of 20+ years) and several are "mom" friends I've met over the years of raising my kids. They are great friends and I am blessed by each of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/</a></span></div>
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<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-15746380467787404592014-04-17T14:53:00.001-07:002014-04-17T15:05:31.141-07:00Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 15 years ago, as a new believer, I heard the hymn "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" sung by the pastor of my church at the Good Friday service. I instantly fell in love with the music and the lyrics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I never forgot about this hymn, but did not hear it sung again until yesterday. I work at my church and the guy I work with was printing out a song they are singing on Good Friday. It made me think of the "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted" hymn, so I looked it up on YouTube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I discovered this video by Fernando Ortega that is simply beautiful. Watch it and be blessed!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qr7-fgX1CB0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="text Isa-53-4" id="en-TLB-16293" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted</strong> </span><span style="font-size: small;">By: Thomas Kelly</span></span><br />
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Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted,<br /> See him dying on the tree<br /> Tis' the Christ by man rejected,<br /> yes my soul tis He, tis He<br /> Tis the long Expected prophet<br /> David's Son yet David's Lord<br /> By His Son God has now spoken<br /> Tis the true and faithful Word</div>
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Tell me he who hear him groan,<br /> Was there ever grief like his<br /> Friends through fear, his caused disowning<br /> Foes insulting his distress<br /> Many hands were raised to wound Him<br /> None would enter posed to save<br /> But the deepest stroke that pierced Him<br /> Was the stroke that justice gave</div>
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He who think of sin but lightly<br /> Nor suppose the evil grate<br /> Here may view its nature rightly<br /> Here its guilt may estimate<br /> Mark the Sacrifice Appointed<br /> See who bears the awful load<br /> Tis the work the Lord's Annointed<br /> Son of Man and Son of God</div>
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Here we have a firm foundation<br /> Here the refuge of the lost<br /> Christ the Rock of our Salvation<br /> Is the name on which we boast<br /> Lamb of God for sinners wounded<br /> Sacrificed to cancel guilt<br /> None shall ever be confounded<br /> Who on him there hope have built</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-53-4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Notes:<br /> Hymn # 116 from <b>Lutheran Worship</b><br /> Author: Geistliche Volkslieder<br /> Tune: O Mein Jesu, Ich Muss Sterben<br /> 1<sup>st</sup> Published in: 1850</span> </span>love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-61375697021775947922014-04-11T08:10:00.000-07:002014-04-11T08:10:20.215-07:00Five Minute Friday - Paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vcR_inKE7avqB-vrnpQzU2CLWzUNkDinQJSaFJ1uF5ayO0RIMZKZHqGcE2-TpYvq71DbSqAbW0d2N36eXmrQsYSbRdCblMEHg1Mpzn62yO9iVDfnKithbuGiOCq6L469yYHq5PtFOqI/s1600/faith+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vcR_inKE7avqB-vrnpQzU2CLWzUNkDinQJSaFJ1uF5ayO0RIMZKZHqGcE2-TpYvq71DbSqAbW0d2N36eXmrQsYSbRdCblMEHg1Mpzn62yO9iVDfnKithbuGiOCq6L469yYHq5PtFOqI/s1600/faith+mug.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first project I tackled this morning was painting a coffee mug for a friend with her "word of the year" on it. As I was letting it dry, I ventured over to Five Minute Friday to see what the topic was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PAINT</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coincidental? I think not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a hard time with the mug. My hand was wobbly and I was afraid of making a mistake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that is the way I live my life, a little wobbly and afraid of making mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to believe that I can accomplish great things, and that it is o.k. to make mistakes. God never asks us to be perfect, he asks us to try. And when we do, we can accomplish more than we think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mug turned out pretty good (o.k., maybe not as cool as some of the ones I've seen on Pinterest, but cool none the less) and I know my friend will be blessed by it. Isn't that what it's all about?</span><br />
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<img alt="Five Minute Friday" src="http://lisajobaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5minutefriday.jpg" />/<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/</a><br />
<br />love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-17133812242276341112014-04-04T12:41:00.000-07:002014-04-04T12:41:37.694-07:00Writer - Five Minute Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zoiSk9t8FXjE6s4RTosBYz7oVUxC_nV46Vvk8ZjdWJki1fZ3cCrXRZT6eHIUYqoDrHhXXqyGVrnhae630YXNKC5_QKVuPUSJuPWWZ5W6BlbwsZs5yVdngDRMEvQv-w1bPgq5vaUOCkw/s1600/night+table+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zoiSk9t8FXjE6s4RTosBYz7oVUxC_nV46Vvk8ZjdWJki1fZ3cCrXRZT6eHIUYqoDrHhXXqyGVrnhae630YXNKC5_QKVuPUSJuPWWZ5W6BlbwsZs5yVdngDRMEvQv-w1bPgq5vaUOCkw/s1600/night+table+3.jpg" height="312" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I think about the word “writer” I think of people who
actually have published a book or two. People who make a living out of writing.
I don’t think of myself, a lover-of-journaling and a “when I get around to it”
blogger, as writer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what does God say about me being a writer? Am I a writer
anytime I use the written word to jot down my feelings and experiences? Am I a
writer when I write a card with an encouraging note to a friend? How about when
I do publish a post on my blog and my mom and dad and a couple of friends are
the only ones who read it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe he says yes, Jamie, you are a writer. A writer of
words that I put into your heart. Amen to that.</span></div>
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-78344152271818175572014-03-23T15:55:00.000-07:002014-03-23T15:55:28.399-07:00A Chicky New Liluga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBDE2pOGRd5FY7hpsy-sLUrBcviogIOfCTrintO8AssnAuONFm7T_XBPgupZidWR5Tdy4fPCQXUxH5X93BI9dLXNPFmk9nUq9aFArz8vbfQAi1oBW92wdYHKMl-Rv6QrSoK1qHn3jkNw/s1600/birds+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBDE2pOGRd5FY7hpsy-sLUrBcviogIOfCTrintO8AssnAuONFm7T_XBPgupZidWR5Tdy4fPCQXUxH5X93BI9dLXNPFmk9nUq9aFArz8vbfQAi1oBW92wdYHKMl-Rv6QrSoK1qHn3jkNw/s1600/birds+three.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've sewn a liluga. While I have always loved the idea behind making a liluga (a little something to give away that says "you're loved!), I have to confess that I never really loved the design of my original lilugas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried to come up with different patterns and shapes and sizes. Although many came out cute, the patterns did not scream at me "this is it"! So, I put sewing them on the back burner and went about my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier this January, I discovered an internet phenomena called "One Word". It's where you choose one word for the year. One word to focus on and live out. My one word was "Overcome" because there are many things I need to overcome in my life. But I won't get into any of that here. What I do want to share is that, with my word, the image of a bird came to me. It was as if, in order to overcome, I need to spread my wings and fly. Like a baby bird in the nest that needs to be kicked out so it can fly on its own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then decided that this would be the year of the bird. I would focus on using birds in my sewing, crafting and writing. Funny, I never noticed before how many people incorporate birds into their artwork. I am noticing now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first bird I made came out ok. It looked a little like folk art. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, while making a couple fabric stuffed Easter eggs, that I thought about making an Easter chick. I, of course, looked online to see what others were doing, and noticed that there wasn't much in this area. So I took what I had on hand - recycled wool, fabric scraps, on a ball of this lovely black velvet yarn that I found at the antique mall - and made my first chick. Immediately I thought to myself, "this is it"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not every liluga I make will be an Easter chick, but for this season, chicks are it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have four little guys that need to find a home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj"></span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj">“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NLT-23285" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj">Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-NLT-23286" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj">Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27</span></span></em></span>love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-17631801717256495252013-12-16T19:28:00.003-08:002013-12-16T19:28:54.257-08:00Obedience<br />
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Cold, snowy days are a good for making me stay inside and work on projects I normally tend to never get to. Today, it's in the teens and it snowed, again. It's as good a time as any to write on my blog. It has been a while.<br />
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The word "obedience" has been on my heart lately and scripture that refers to obedience has been jumping out at me as I read my Bible. <br />
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In Matthew chapter four, Satan is tempting Jesus in the desert. Verse four says <br />
<em>"But Jesus told him (Satan), "No! For the scripture tells us that bread won't feed </em><br />
<em>men's souls; obedience to every word of God is what we need."</em> (The Living Bible)<br />
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So, according to this verse, obedience to God's word is what feeds our souls. We can know God's word, but if we don't do what it says, then it's fruitless. Without obedience, we'll starve. I guess you could take a look at the culture around us and say it looks like it is dying from a lack of nutrition. Obedience to God's word is like Biblical nutrition. It's the best diet around. <br />
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-32999264268390609802013-09-23T15:16:00.001-07:002013-09-23T15:16:04.342-07:00Woolly Days<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> What do you do when someone gives you a huge bag of felted wool sweater scraps? Get busy sewing, of course. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImotah_wYcgU2DyotUSuCzrglUMSUaR5ZJSDsZ12jtZ9NRX6ccN7VCpoqyN7pW8s5OGHHcsuTrtHPFhmCbh312UnEhty4C1BmXRAveTS-7jy_zOat6eySStHyfLWThNAmxLqEEBTBRAo/s1600/wool+stash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImotah_wYcgU2DyotUSuCzrglUMSUaR5ZJSDsZ12jtZ9NRX6ccN7VCpoqyN7pW8s5OGHHcsuTrtHPFhmCbh312UnEhty4C1BmXRAveTS-7jy_zOat6eySStHyfLWThNAmxLqEEBTBRAo/s320/wool+stash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I made a little liluga, some pin cushions, a few heart ornaments and a whole bunch of other stuff. So far, I've barely made a dent in my wool stash.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been so much fun creating all these things. Good thing Christmas is around the corner because I need to give all this woolly stuff away.</span><br />
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love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-30915875742681082942013-05-31T12:12:00.000-07:002013-05-31T12:33:03.567-07:00Imagine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Imagine a world where EVERYONE obeyed the teachings in the
Bible, especially the teachings of Christ. That every thought and action would
be lined up against the word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, that would be heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve always thought that if we all behaved biblically, we
wouldn’t have all the problems we have in this world. The problem, even
Christians don’t want to behave Biblically. How about behaving Biblically
without acknowledging where our teaching comes from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A while back, while my brother was going through some
marital problems, I gave him some sound advice, straight from the Bible. Being
that he is not a Christian, I did not tell him where the advice came from. When
we were done talking, he said “that’s the best advice I’ve heard of yet, where
did you learn that from?” I told him it was all taught in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is the best advice out there. Why don’t more people
follow it? Good question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1440817968047037372.post-22629559606487909432013-05-09T10:55:00.000-07:002013-05-09T10:55:26.297-07:00Don't Worry
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTh7YdN8TVpYaV-XuDEbgutk15RWab5SVM4Byf4-wo5SvjIxGP_kVxGeTXTbMZy3QEwqLwjpWtqnFjQNAYg1aF_89YXqipYP8mnPFwa8Ymor2uSAnLNRa61AY5lxUaWPLQYAgggTKCBA/s1600/azalea+2+vintage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTh7YdN8TVpYaV-XuDEbgutk15RWab5SVM4Byf4-wo5SvjIxGP_kVxGeTXTbMZy3QEwqLwjpWtqnFjQNAYg1aF_89YXqipYP8mnPFwa8Ymor2uSAnLNRa61AY5lxUaWPLQYAgggTKCBA/s320/azalea+2+vintage.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I
was born with the worry gene. My grandma had it, my mother has it, my sister
has it, my daughter has it and even my dog has it. It has been with me through
all of my growing years. It entered into adulthood with me, accompanied me
through the early years of marriage and child-raising, and is settling into the
mid-life years with me. I don’t like worry, but it sure likes me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When
I was young, my mother worried about everything. We had to wear undershirts
year round because mom worried we might catch a cold. We had to keep our
bedrooms clean, cause she worried that her friends would think she was an unfit
mother if we didn’t. I myself grew up worrying about the friends I had and if I
was well liked. I worried about my looks and getting that 80’s hairstyle just
right. I worried if I’d ever have a boyfriend, much less ever get married.
After college graduation, I worried about my job. I worried that people
wouldn’t like me if I didn’t perform well. After getting married and having
children, I worried about my kid’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>health, their growth, and the food I fed them.
I worried about my marriage and the problems I was having. Today, I am worried
that the mistakes I made will have lasting effects on my children. I worry that
I worry too much and it is having an effect on my health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Worrying
is not what God has intended for us, and if you look in the Bible, you’ll find
that Jesus had a lot to say about worry: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Therefore
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow
or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single
hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the
field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in
all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the
grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
will he not much more clothe you? O you of little faith? So do not worry,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that
you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” </i>Matthew
6:25-34<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (NIV)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">So
why do I go on worrying, when God’s word is so clear? The answer to that
question worries me. As a Christian, I should have shed the worry gene a long
time ago, yet I seem to hold on tightly to it. It’s like a monkey on my back. I
try to shake it off, but it always jumps back on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Actually,
I really have come a long way in my walk with worry. I grew up without faith, reading
scripture and prayer. I was ignorant to God’s teaching on the subject. As a
young mother of two children, the Lord found me and I became a Christian. Over
the years, as I have studied the Bible and have learned to surrender my
struggles to God, I have shed many of my worries. However, it’s as if the
monkey only lost weight, not disappeared entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But
I am continually learning and growing. As long as I am reading my Bible and
meditating on the truth of what scripture has to say about worry, I do ok. And
prayer. Prayer is where I can release my worries to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, be gone monkey, I don’t need you anymore!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
love given awayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485857592488355097noreply@blogger.com2