tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68721086970860447422024-03-05T03:55:28.891-05:00Choosing His PathThis is His blog - to document our journey together - living for Jesus and ministering to His people, big and small!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-59279657363023513522015-03-01T06:27:00.001-05:002015-03-01T06:28:39.026-05:00The Kindness of a Stranger<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I just had to take a moment and journal</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">please bear with me while I back up just a bit...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Honestly, it has been pretty rough around here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nothing horrible/bad -</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just <u><b>a lot</b></u> of stress and pressure</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that had begun to show itself in our whole family.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not. good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a mama, I never want my kiddos to experience the stress</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but it had begun to spill over onto them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:o(</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So- about a month ago an opportunity</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">presented itself for us to go to</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCUazTaSZCtgApCAZR8CrmwJmG_2lRhfqmbb1nmFo0vKYKmczdVIZuLgl-sA3TaunpKEPVQ8qWsuuT89eaSzNPCLieQSgHlqsFxzMnAMivzJ1aeKeOSgnagMTfNjXzAdE6VkpmktQCeE/s1600/Cookies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sight and Sound Theaters</span></span></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7B2nLVMiCXWYkt5D4zwDwh55coMZE4qYNM_wdDz6JTC4yFdBZvQmR6wGM4Ifr9fcB7APbmO86twlWFaywRCKOgbH8u00S3j2MCZP-iLh3Ef0s1JHqBJU36uDUoCFxKzOpR-tTRyYpAo/s1600/MosesArt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7B2nLVMiCXWYkt5D4zwDwh55coMZE4qYNM_wdDz6JTC4yFdBZvQmR6wGM4Ifr9fcB7APbmO86twlWFaywRCKOgbH8u00S3j2MCZP-iLh3Ef0s1JHqBJU36uDUoCFxKzOpR-tTRyYpAo/s1600/MosesArt1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and go for an <u>amazingly</u> low price.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And with 10 of us going, this was huge for us </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">even at this discounted rate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we needed to get away if only for one day.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we decided on a date and I tried to book the tickets</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">online but because of my little one in the wheelchair</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we had to call in-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*sigh*</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was not looking forward to this at all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Who I got on the other end of the phone line was</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a dear, sweet, operator-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she found us seats on the day we wanted</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and all by the handicapped chair slot.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We lightly chatted as we went through the process</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as strangers do-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but honestly, I don't remember what we talked about.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the end of the call, she happily commented</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"See you on that Saturday!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I think I teased "Sure!" - </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of course knowing that the theater has over 2,000 seats</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">per showing and over a dozen showings between</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when I was booking and our show date.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now - for all of you that have a large family</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">or those of you who have special needs children</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">you KNOW what it is like preparing to go out </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for an entire day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yup, kind of like trying to plan a military maneuver.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Packing for every circumstance, trial, and </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">problem that could possibly come your way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Honestly, I felt prepared.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So- we started loading up all of the winter-coat laden</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">toddlers into the two cars and prepared to leave</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when we discovered one of the cars had a flat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ugh...</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We handled it as quickly and with as much grace as </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we could muster. And we went on our way again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We arrived in good timing several Disney movies and probably a half a pound of snacks later. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exhausted already, but looking forward to the exciting show. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(and feeling that we were a bit insane to take </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">toddlers & special needs children with us)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(but honestly, there are very few who offer to help parents with special needs kiddos)</span> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They opened the doors for seating, we found our seats and I began the process of taking the children one by one to the bathrooms to change them after the long ride and before the long performance.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I was gone, a sweet woman stopped by </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and talked to my husband.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She was the operator who took our order <u>one month</u> before!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She just felt that she wanted to stop by and thank us for coming - with her she brought</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCUazTaSZCtgApCAZR8CrmwJmG_2lRhfqmbb1nmFo0vKYKmczdVIZuLgl-sA3TaunpKEPVQ8qWsuuT89eaSzNPCLieQSgHlqsFxzMnAMivzJ1aeKeOSgnagMTfNjXzAdE6VkpmktQCeE/s1600/Cookies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCUazTaSZCtgApCAZR8CrmwJmG_2lRhfqmbb1nmFo0vKYKmczdVIZuLgl-sA3TaunpKEPVQ8qWsuuT89eaSzNPCLieQSgHlqsFxzMnAMivzJ1aeKeOSgnagMTfNjXzAdE6VkpmktQCeE/s1600/Cookies.gif" height="162" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8 cookies!</span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RmlLoJjOP3VS1wHDq83lruuGDH_8dosq2FijbGa58jBtqSaULrDUK7tVwNFyoHug2accoWaM0WHqfi1ILqgR0J_uIuZXaBrtHMQKm05khQGfCghMEVfM5MzwIjQWWV9YfwH7BFOxFvM/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RmlLoJjOP3VS1wHDq83lruuGDH_8dosq2FijbGa58jBtqSaULrDUK7tVwNFyoHug2accoWaM0WHqfi1ILqgR0J_uIuZXaBrtHMQKm05khQGfCghMEVfM5MzwIjQWWV9YfwH7BFOxFvM/s1600/water.jpg" height="213" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 bottles of water!</span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfLt8plW0JwdDvxAsuew722O0-J8uRRNG13xyxPoYv55eWGzT3tGIr9NdzC00G-mpFXNOxj3KCM7t9FnnzdjyLtx9zBph47CAftTUpvKDb1o5U9_pd8ENUQTns8x42tVESUWb38-B-U/s1600/bag-roasted-almonds-11229486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfLt8plW0JwdDvxAsuew722O0-J8uRRNG13xyxPoYv55eWGzT3tGIr9NdzC00G-mpFXNOxj3KCM7t9FnnzdjyLtx9zBph47CAftTUpvKDb1o5U9_pd8ENUQTns8x42tVESUWb38-B-U/s1600/bag-roasted-almonds-11229486.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A bag of almonds!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNVt2tL9wrq9cJHOLjisAx-nmHdnvYO4N7W7OnW0gRRQtmM-gNlabG3wSMWoD1hCLLfF42OsHX495yo4IPAKhuGOn1jzKQWJP3kv1_fCj1UytOtBBWP808b9HV7qarrdkt7G9TgqciDw/s1600/100000140796MosesCD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNVt2tL9wrq9cJHOLjisAx-nmHdnvYO4N7W7OnW0gRRQtmM-gNlabG3wSMWoD1hCLLfF42OsHX495yo4IPAKhuGOn1jzKQWJP3kv1_fCj1UytOtBBWP808b9HV7qarrdkt7G9TgqciDw/s1600/100000140796MosesCD.png" height="278" width="320" /> </a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and a CD and magnet from the show!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Words cannot explain how this gift impacted my heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was so grateful for the gift</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(and my big ones loved the cookies and water!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but beyond the gift I realized that I had been crying out for a touch of kindness-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life can bring some harsh cruelties sometimes and despite our best efforts we can feel isolated and alone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The show was about God loving Moses past his failures and shortcomings and using him to fulfill His plan-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and oh! did I need to hear that!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But this simple gesture from this sweet woman to make note of our family and when they were coming,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to collect our bag of goodies</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and come over to meet us...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this was truly a touch from His hand and </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am so grateful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-3479509439747737042014-11-30T20:00:00.004-05:002014-11-30T20:00:19.422-05:00Adoption Day - x 2!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, you read it right...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had TWO amazing adoption days over here!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our awe-inspiring God never ceases to amaze me</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and blessed us beyond compare</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">by allowing us to become</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a forever family for two of our treasures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And although pictures don't show all the chaos</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">that insued over a two-day period,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">they certainly give you a glimpse!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Waiting to be called up for Madelyn's court time... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the courtroom </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Picture with the judge after it is final! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Post-adoption picture with all of Maddy's workers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Her law-guardian, Allelie - Her caseworker, Trish - </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Harvest of Hope worker, Sherrie) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Waiting for Gariella's court time with her sister, Saige! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm waiting, but not sure for what... :o) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gabi's post-adoption picture with the same judge! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Our adoption celebration at the Atlantic City Aquarium</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Waiting for service to start with our church family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We could not be more blessed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We loved celebrating adoption with all who came</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">and pray that hearts and homes will be opened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">to see Jesus' heart for the orphan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I will give some really amazing testimonies from the days in another post!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1:27&version=AMP">James 1:27</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts]
that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to
visit <i>and</i> help <i>and</i> care for the <b>orphan</b>s and widows in their affliction <i>and</i> need, and to keep oneself unspotted <i>and</i> uncontaminated from the world.</span></span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-9618382122751551962014-11-16T14:48:00.000-05:002014-11-16T15:38:15.565-05:00The Road Not Taken...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lately, I have been quite introspective...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking at what I have become</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking where I need to grow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking at priorities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quite melancholy - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">and anyone who knows me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">knows this is not me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN0w0617OTFketqVjhNWhcw3B0FAxzxGBoLbTZsUl7QOz1yEBqLmflCQatvU3EKpHCMliXU4S-pIN8tWgbtQtzFhIFmug3EEYuSerEGeL7sZM6PRceXLd5C4YLkJEIKwdR6_u7I2PCUQ/s1600/373432850_4d66d23cd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN0w0617OTFketqVjhNWhcw3B0FAxzxGBoLbTZsUl7QOz1yEBqLmflCQatvU3EKpHCMliXU4S-pIN8tWgbtQtzFhIFmug3EEYuSerEGeL7sZM6PRceXLd5C4YLkJEIKwdR6_u7I2PCUQ/s1600/373432850_4d66d23cd8.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's the stress level</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">of all the responsibilities...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's all the emotions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">surrounding the closeness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I can almost taste it!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">of two of our treasure's adoptions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't really know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But this level-headed gal is very emotional these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm even hearing whisperings of my mother</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">who loved literature and all the fine arts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (Well technically it is Robert Frost in my head)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And sorry I could not travel both</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And be one traveler, long I stood</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And looked down one as far as I could</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To where it bent in the undergrowth;</span></i></span></td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then took the other, as just as fair,</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And having perhaps the better claim,</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because it was grassy and wanted wear;</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Though as for that the passing there</span></i></span></td><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><br /></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Had worn them really about the same,</span></i></span></td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And both that morning equally lay</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In leaves no step had trodden black.</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh, I kept the first for another day!</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yet knowing how way leads on to way,</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I doubted if I should ever come back.</span></i></span></td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I shall be telling this with a sigh</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Somewhere ages and ages hence:</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took the one less traveled by,</span></i></span></td><td><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And that has made all the difference.</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always loved the poem</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">as it speaks the truth about our decisions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Decisions that we make everyday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">big and small</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">That lead to who we are and where we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgWcUimGNumlNu-ZzchTay460Fg_n4VxJ36DXjiGY1HZqiMLG_KvVJ4xCfaRuobhZw2-zUuQs09Xx7-CmTG02duCUG8Yu5PUXFpaxYd1gJ2CfXGiQkSQueoQqkayFI6gyeftnMvFcG3k/s1600/woods_path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgWcUimGNumlNu-ZzchTay460Fg_n4VxJ36DXjiGY1HZqiMLG_KvVJ4xCfaRuobhZw2-zUuQs09Xx7-CmTG02duCUG8Yu5PUXFpaxYd1gJ2CfXGiQkSQueoQqkayFI6gyeftnMvFcG3k/s1600/woods_path.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This makes me pause.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I making the daily decisions as I stand at the two roads in the wood?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I choosing the road less traveled?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I looking back and wondering "what if...?" I had taken the other road?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I <u><b>honestly</b></u> praying before I make these decisions?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I letting them be made for me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are they being made with selfish desires or with God on my mind?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The less traveled road.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am having that time in my world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">when I look around and see everyone just hustling about. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's face it - the busy-ness is just going to get worse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe, just maybe - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">we are called to a different life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">A life of giving - not out of our excess</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">but out of our need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe we are called to serve - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">not out of our spare time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">but selflessly giving time that we don't have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">And yes, out here on the less traveled road can get lonely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">But even at the end of the day, I am so blessed to be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Serving, giving, learning, growing-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">All for His glory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-32659911940261761552014-10-19T12:44:00.001-04:002014-10-19T19:54:36.497-04:00Yes, God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know if you are anything like me you have cried out to God,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I can't handle this anymore! I don't know what to do! I can't handle this!"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">C'mon...admit it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all have.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When life becomes overwhelming, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">everything feels like it is crumbling beneath our feet, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and our world feels like it is falling apart.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_XVljFHvcDzqbaA5VzvyYW5HBAJ7Cb0dF9HgkQCnsTTl8SjbGIELDB2USByM626WNCeJqFEQJj2frXCURsnXuSv6kHFfTEP_muUbxFCwc63lp55Bn6cdedG0kvzsc5jho68GobMxa7Y/s1600/the-overwhelmed-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_XVljFHvcDzqbaA5VzvyYW5HBAJ7Cb0dF9HgkQCnsTTl8SjbGIELDB2USByM626WNCeJqFEQJj2frXCURsnXuSv6kHFfTEP_muUbxFCwc63lp55Bn6cdedG0kvzsc5jho68GobMxa7Y/s1600/the-overwhelmed-heart.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yup. Just like that.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems as if someone during these times always spouts out that tired old saying...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"God won't give you more than you can handle.."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And yes, even this mild, sweet, mama wants to reach up</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and punch them in the face.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtDtClyTxZWszcik1vozx_LMU9oiqddhtKIFV1PUy6KhRYlvIi8AU9hmltPGMT9WDY1ICelS_ZJ42CrikYJD33r7ZHPvaDW6h4PMpQXVANaJTpntus4vXLXj0g02v6KjAxBAwi3zSWrk/s1600/POW_cartoon_sound_effect.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtDtClyTxZWszcik1vozx_LMU9oiqddhtKIFV1PUy6KhRYlvIi8AU9hmltPGMT9WDY1ICelS_ZJ42CrikYJD33r7ZHPvaDW6h4PMpQXVANaJTpntus4vXLXj0g02v6KjAxBAwi3zSWrk/s1600/POW_cartoon_sound_effect.png" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That phrase always always feels like rubbing glass in a wound-</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">it certainly isn't a comfort. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It feels like I am not measuring up.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It causes me to ask <br />"If I am supposed to handle this, then why can't I handle it?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The truth is, dear ones,</span></span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">that God never said He wouldn't give us more than we can handle.</span></span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we can handle anything that comes our way, then why do we need God at all?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We need to realize that sometimes we can't make it on our own.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soooooo... just where did that tired, old phrase come from?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why do so many well-meaning Christians spout it out?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIFkZcoUEUZeyrJ7VEz1AUTm4jWMYfc-_GuviNPRwFASH3POSDtodDP-wdI4HM_PZaN_v8JazDJ5IAGcSKz70DsZ_3Jq27uxWNHqJLD-kqIZ0kAV-6p-GNWTQJrD6M6Pli-DcJmqaqOI/s1600/openBible-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIFkZcoUEUZeyrJ7VEz1AUTm4jWMYfc-_GuviNPRwFASH3POSDtodDP-wdI4HM_PZaN_v8JazDJ5IAGcSKz70DsZ_3Jq27uxWNHqJLD-kqIZ0kAV-6p-GNWTQJrD6M6Pli-DcJmqaqOI/s1600/openBible-600x400.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The verse that they are "hinting" at is 1 Corinthians 10:13.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but God is
faithful, </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are
able, </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">that you
may be able to bear it."</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's be clear here.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul was referring to temptation, not suffering.</span></span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Paul points out that God will never let us be tempted beyond what we are able</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">because He always provides us a way OUT of temptation.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we become aware that life will give us more than we can handle</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and come to grips with this,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">we find a promise:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God is faithful to meet us in the mess and in the pain. </span></b></span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And yes, when He meets us there in the sorrow and despair, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">we learn to recognize our constant need to depend on Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We can then see that we can rest in the reality that we cannot handle it,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but our Heavenly Father can.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Period.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He. is. able.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And maybe, just maybe...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">it is during these times we are called to be His hands</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and reach out and walk with those going through life's trials.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is time to get real -</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">with ourselves,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">with our brothers and sisters in Christ,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and even real with God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We CANNOT do it alone</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and we were never expected to.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which is why He gave us each other!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmooSTQCxSuE8hVUolF5lQ9CtsP-Ymj0t2TO8_C82HSpy1SqLdVxr1MTO9OYBuVMhjD-UgIgkJFOR9fA5Hy2YC5OsGIrQGoq65VhY6hfvM2hM1LQF_Vo2Fd7sPRPVvoBj8po20xXkdF9k/s1600/holding-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmooSTQCxSuE8hVUolF5lQ9CtsP-Ymj0t2TO8_C82HSpy1SqLdVxr1MTO9OYBuVMhjD-UgIgkJFOR9fA5Hy2YC5OsGIrQGoq65VhY6hfvM2hM1LQF_Vo2Fd7sPRPVvoBj8po20xXkdF9k/s1600/holding-hands.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-32712782913643004582014-09-18T22:24:00.000-04:002014-09-18T22:24:34.560-04:00I Have Not Forgotten You....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now I know I have been "missing"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but y'all have no idea what has been happening!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two weeks after we FINALLY brought our precious Abi home</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1utQJS-WGUoYB-0mBH4zYMygT_SqG1w7UQOOcEonpv0GWoWGvfWzG66I1WtQ78CEon466JL4QuyAx4msYrxjx9sHB2dwLtLthJh6JT81jIArSAX7VnrIBo5p_bPyAG0oaV5H9pVsT3Q/s1600/2013-10-22+22.04.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1utQJS-WGUoYB-0mBH4zYMygT_SqG1w7UQOOcEonpv0GWoWGvfWzG66I1WtQ78CEon466JL4QuyAx4msYrxjx9sHB2dwLtLthJh6JT81jIArSAX7VnrIBo5p_bPyAG0oaV5H9pVsT3Q/s1600/2013-10-22+22.04.54.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My husband ended up in the hospital with an exacerbation of his bone disorder</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA9t0nHgVysnmngShUbW56WzO53K28jUiRLP9Payr9iOGOb8uIp93ilVKRaj5B_jGsgHHvU8Xj4EoE1a7bnso-AoezaZajDyLClRd3ZptQjZzu8w1r-4pZVxsE7hIywIs_JC9o3sMv7c/s1600/stpaul-emergency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA9t0nHgVysnmngShUbW56WzO53K28jUiRLP9Payr9iOGOb8uIp93ilVKRaj5B_jGsgHHvU8Xj4EoE1a7bnso-AoezaZajDyLClRd3ZptQjZzu8w1r-4pZVxsE7hIywIs_JC9o3sMv7c/s1600/stpaul-emergency.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a week later and he still wasn't healing and he ended up in emergency surgery.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFO1OFA4WDu8Gch-SdbqBvo44Ez9r5AApr_t4scz6gkYrheyUNYmOfy2StY2JmlUx7rs-dxMpXAdklnvw6QAfextMxxjkoGxLMmmp62yIiIn3pBkmol7YnHAgWRWVVTPgqEQ6iuo_Pjw/s1600/tmesh-revision-surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFO1OFA4WDu8Gch-SdbqBvo44Ez9r5AApr_t4scz6gkYrheyUNYmOfy2StY2JmlUx7rs-dxMpXAdklnvw6QAfextMxxjkoGxLMmmp62yIiIn3pBkmol7YnHAgWRWVVTPgqEQ6iuo_Pjw/s1600/tmesh-revision-surgery.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now WHILE he was in surgery (yes, at the SAME TIME)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My dear daughter was making her bed </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and fell off her top bunk and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BROKE HER FOOT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcqnOlRFXKwO-hbuIANwwxAqjqJNkbj_WHsNlAHf6w7eX8XK7Eg1Guf7EHQ1h9TgE5Bv_HWP35GlTeuZYWwykscV-dZ2LMG2X8Po1BMvnf_au6ojWnzbfsOJT_04XBKBijubw2tYFJWg/s1600/air-cast-boot-with-crutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcqnOlRFXKwO-hbuIANwwxAqjqJNkbj_WHsNlAHf6w7eX8XK7Eg1Guf7EHQ1h9TgE5Bv_HWP35GlTeuZYWwykscV-dZ2LMG2X8Po1BMvnf_au6ojWnzbfsOJT_04XBKBijubw2tYFJWg/s1600/air-cast-boot-with-crutches.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So there I am! Mom of 6 (at home)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(One of which with severe special needs who we are still adjusting to)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and I am going "solo" with two more to take care of!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So - in the midst of the laundry... </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaRPFH2bhGnHzxBmLuTvByRuCT0652enDsUUDy1-Wn1zPy5zWae_lIyv_spFcu25T4IpuuvLZd1RZnF3RI2EisTFU-z6kjap5t3pxPNi48it_EVdB1qt2QUv3qiUmTnekJ2FSfr9svPU/s1600/combine_laundry_loads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaRPFH2bhGnHzxBmLuTvByRuCT0652enDsUUDy1-Wn1zPy5zWae_lIyv_spFcu25T4IpuuvLZd1RZnF3RI2EisTFU-z6kjap5t3pxPNi48it_EVdB1qt2QUv3qiUmTnekJ2FSfr9svPU/s1600/combine_laundry_loads.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and the cooking...</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklVyNRFTDv2rMPYsFBUKIrMukZhTTE-8a4WPSZwCc5A-PHC4igVNZPeB6SfFkHbGuJlcVnNoQNtXspS2Pa-mr4Zc64CGPWjQTCLfSlLSoIBc81n1TQyV6RgNwy6Bze0pF-u_ggb98qRI/s1600/MNO-0661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklVyNRFTDv2rMPYsFBUKIrMukZhTTE-8a4WPSZwCc5A-PHC4igVNZPeB6SfFkHbGuJlcVnNoQNtXspS2Pa-mr4Zc64CGPWjQTCLfSlLSoIBc81n1TQyV6RgNwy6Bze0pF-u_ggb98qRI/s1600/MNO-0661.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and the cleaning...</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXbSQCq1aDrruCtPuKCJBSNHNAO0f7LPFfu_g5Ps82MRmw-_9mCsCD_nmi0ayO7qLKFqZSqWt3-Fb_4kbBdwpTg4S7CF282IoqxjtgAFf7uKMtOJKD9nsQQ33CS6urE5OryyCXiQi3Bo/s1600/moms-night-out-2-628x418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXbSQCq1aDrruCtPuKCJBSNHNAO0f7LPFfu_g5Ps82MRmw-_9mCsCD_nmi0ayO7qLKFqZSqWt3-Fb_4kbBdwpTg4S7CF282IoqxjtgAFf7uKMtOJKD9nsQQ33CS6urE5OryyCXiQi3Bo/s1600/moms-night-out-2-628x418.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and work...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywEWHIiCQk9UP3fVUBT1CrXI3QCqJr7ywS8IpZz1X4aZ-1yKRL5CbzmQijvuML-EPAvu4NqT3tkf7trlRicsPGzNnHJydvhyC3BxxaeJCuPuWXFh-LFEQ6CxKIrVmPB3VTFzG5Eijmuk/s1600/overwhelmed-at-work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywEWHIiCQk9UP3fVUBT1CrXI3QCqJr7ywS8IpZz1X4aZ-1yKRL5CbzmQijvuML-EPAvu4NqT3tkf7trlRicsPGzNnHJydvhyC3BxxaeJCuPuWXFh-LFEQ6CxKIrVmPB3VTFzG5Eijmuk/s1600/overwhelmed-at-work.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this mama just hasn't had time to journal!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BUT....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am tucking away some amazing things that God is doing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and I am looking forward to sharing!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-3747501508379283782014-07-31T16:23:00.003-04:002014-07-31T16:23:59.581-04:00But God....!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will let you all in on a little secret...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in our home - these are our two favorite words.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We quote them often - reminding each other that God shows up</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">when everyone and everything around us seems to have given up.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That, my dear friends, has been the cause of my elongated absence.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "but God" of this season is our greatest gift </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and our greatest challenge.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meet Abigail Grace! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhJiARQGoZMAlgnPJGQW311qeHJRvODdHBWr88hieEkh5dwg-JD55cWkoO7P18sYWl1-tHvtkpyM-wfMjSETGMqygdzm0Kx_Sstdb-U45v6z-h4SXUrIrocCnZD-Tf_BOXRIiCrf_iqw/s1600/2014-07-09+19.55.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhJiARQGoZMAlgnPJGQW311qeHJRvODdHBWr88hieEkh5dwg-JD55cWkoO7P18sYWl1-tHvtkpyM-wfMjSETGMqygdzm0Kx_Sstdb-U45v6z-h4SXUrIrocCnZD-Tf_BOXRIiCrf_iqw/s1600/2014-07-09+19.55.05.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Doctors once held her life in their hands...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">they decided *twice* that they were going to turn off her life support </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BUT GOD</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">moved on the hearts of those involved in her care to keep trying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Doctors declared that there was so much neurological damage that she would </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">NEVER breathe on her own...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1yun1_HPNbb2N7ey0gKQkHc2veJpLPaRhcxgQUdNw0Dy1xNotr1-Pxq9vH81qjNGJu2poJ-7elMTaUM3V9fsFHbLnZMtDMAyBmO79apvepU8Z0iGteeiaUAjz2TeirqckYftRzPIG_0/s1600/2013-10-22+22.03.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1yun1_HPNbb2N7ey0gKQkHc2veJpLPaRhcxgQUdNw0Dy1xNotr1-Pxq9vH81qjNGJu2poJ-7elMTaUM3V9fsFHbLnZMtDMAyBmO79apvepU8Z0iGteeiaUAjz2TeirqckYftRzPIG_0/s1600/2013-10-22+22.03.52.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BUT GOD</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">declares He is the author of each of our breaths and intervened!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Doctors said she was going to be blind...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />BUT GOD</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">makes the blind to see and this precious one was given sight!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwi-9UB79Bt5sPMd749JOVK0OEEJs5aBJCUhPCD7YSU0PfhzWNPi-pDO_UXa1Tk6_oOwr1QHfHeh3HifxLXIqssLuOvZN3a7yxLqOsJjzLvn3DlekyTKk_-QwedIBzQQoutPL2Lh_GN8/s1600/2013-10-22+22.04.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwi-9UB79Bt5sPMd749JOVK0OEEJs5aBJCUhPCD7YSU0PfhzWNPi-pDO_UXa1Tk6_oOwr1QHfHeh3HifxLXIqssLuOvZN3a7yxLqOsJjzLvn3DlekyTKk_-QwedIBzQQoutPL2Lh_GN8/s1600/2013-10-22+22.04.54.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The audiologist said that although she had "functional hearing" she would NEVER </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">be able to speak because of the neuro damage...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BUT GOD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">opened up her understanding and this precious one can say <br />"hi!", "uh-oh!", "more", "all done" and more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and by the way she can sing the WHOLE song to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and more!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g0l8ozyW_OPxS4nmoFVWKfcwrKWfGP_pWib2xBc_U767JCtys7oQefXEVWORUSsfl2jegnssg4MRyIb67h8Y2IB9WT9JNNX56T5vLZ8_dzvHDoqqZgmwmIfknXzNkzzTJgylcXEAln0/s1600/2014-07-10+16.13.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g0l8ozyW_OPxS4nmoFVWKfcwrKWfGP_pWib2xBc_U767JCtys7oQefXEVWORUSsfl2jegnssg4MRyIb67h8Y2IB9WT9JNNX56T5vLZ8_dzvHDoqqZgmwmIfknXzNkzzTJgylcXEAln0/s1600/2014-07-10+16.13.37.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The speech therapists told us that children with her condition rarely are able to ever eat orally and she would have her g-tube her whole life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BUT GOD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">always has the final say - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and our precious treasure is now EATING baby food 2-3 times a day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo3YqTPtBENWhFRHqzJxUJaahn9xkIkBFkL3Sldvq0NqRds-paWBhVwn3bEsT7CRYnYBwpr9f8Wp0-odyFlZEtr-B54NmFeXEzWZXvyIATUpkb8Wl1vNPVWR4JO5QoUSkyI7dz2gBE3w/s1600/2014-07-24+17.57.16-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo3YqTPtBENWhFRHqzJxUJaahn9xkIkBFkL3Sldvq0NqRds-paWBhVwn3bEsT7CRYnYBwpr9f8Wp0-odyFlZEtr-B54NmFeXEzWZXvyIATUpkb8Wl1vNPVWR4JO5QoUSkyI7dz2gBE3w/s1600/2014-07-24+17.57.16-2.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So - to all of you that may think something may NEVER happen....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just remember our two favorite words....</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFEtmNOnWgEXOZBQ9wXC_pOUlu7xoWAA8yFoGqxwhfHy3f6WH8Z8aab__mJ7L_Z6CvMx6oo3Rd452S-k0uW0QGLYU6DccTaoQ7M1B2em5UXfzRinI_tEjaxZzTv17zm-yvskC7kNmx9E/s1600/2013-11-17+20.09.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFEtmNOnWgEXOZBQ9wXC_pOUlu7xoWAA8yFoGqxwhfHy3f6WH8Z8aab__mJ7L_Z6CvMx6oo3Rd452S-k0uW0QGLYU6DccTaoQ7M1B2em5UXfzRinI_tEjaxZzTv17zm-yvskC7kNmx9E/s1600/2013-11-17+20.09.02.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> BUT GOD!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-86020356018863300872014-06-04T19:49:00.000-04:002014-06-04T19:49:01.209-04:00In Over My Head<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This month has been flying at a furious pace</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as we are preparing to bring Gabi's sister</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">into our home.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6_9xgGhL0DCTNtgrUybOJdKskmULGyb8TQugUsYw4YxwTC_gZ9GP07g_0BoCYwTIbxbQxUR2-xVEPpK5acsQfY7OZvT09CVun5tdur_Umzj802m7RkqRTzfXZR8CiygNkqfogjI-O84/s1600/2013-10-22+22.03.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6_9xgGhL0DCTNtgrUybOJdKskmULGyb8TQugUsYw4YxwTC_gZ9GP07g_0BoCYwTIbxbQxUR2-xVEPpK5acsQfY7OZvT09CVun5tdur_Umzj802m7RkqRTzfXZR8CiygNkqfogjI-O84/s1600/2013-10-22+22.03.52.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BY FAR</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the toughest thing that God has called us to.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He has brought me to the edge of my comfort zone</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and flown straight past comfort into</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I have no idea how I can do this on my own"</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjf6X5l_b7wk5OCMVbqjj9lvloIsXT-QFuPQrS8-pyVQ0j2ooEvemDOB5sLevx-134b6YcwECqdSKvqk4G4h7JRUgZR7WnpQECP-TdkHGhkFOjX9LX1FFUSFUaP3-c_QQ1N1m6gZ7TLs/s1600/large_wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjf6X5l_b7wk5OCMVbqjj9lvloIsXT-QFuPQrS8-pyVQ0j2ooEvemDOB5sLevx-134b6YcwECqdSKvqk4G4h7JRUgZR7WnpQECP-TdkHGhkFOjX9LX1FFUSFUaP3-c_QQ1N1m6gZ7TLs/s1600/large_wave.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So many times I feel like I am in over my head</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and I just want to shout </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ENOUGH!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and declare that this is past me.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But God in His infinite grace</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">keeps gently reminding me</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that it is not about me.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And a resounding voice comes from deep inside me</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that heard a quote that read...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"There are a million reasons for me not to do this</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and all those reasons have to do with me." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*gulp*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The true fact is that Jesus wants to bring us all to that point -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">where we cannot take another breath without Him - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">past the point that we can say "I can do it by myself"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and straight into the deep deep waters of faith</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that makes our soul cry out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I can't make it another second without you, Lord!"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQgIjTxTQPdOxgQUKvEHO3uoCFzeU0n4SekVxDtEm-BqV2_Kw1l7ejhrlmI9pd53U2LBofjxBskUWLnXsLLiCNye4x-7OdePnsRJ8cD99zFB-hxKO47mzzyGGQj3b7P_iQXPmwSernCw/s1600/1195662872_1159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQgIjTxTQPdOxgQUKvEHO3uoCFzeU0n4SekVxDtEm-BqV2_Kw1l7ejhrlmI9pd53U2LBofjxBskUWLnXsLLiCNye4x-7OdePnsRJ8cD99zFB-hxKO47mzzyGGQj3b7P_iQXPmwSernCw/s1600/1195662872_1159.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Past the point of comfort...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">past the point of complacency...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> past the point of self-reliance...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">into the arms of our loving Savior who</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">has so much more to offer us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">than what we can get in our own power.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">oh, so much more!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I continue to step out in faith-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes -scared</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes -overwhelmed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes -unqualified</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but He isn't.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not one little bit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDXWUm73bguZmjJzyxrpZWzfzdIxYFNGXjuLRrk6dMFo2KUwCI_ncqRXLVcWqlQQPPijK7QtYFWoSaq749_r73lrYcr6z9eU2_BQLwC5a-RbtaJ-zvZC2CBHwe_7tmMbeZ10gY_vR7a4/s1600/cropped-woman_standing_on_edge_of_cliff_21134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDXWUm73bguZmjJzyxrpZWzfzdIxYFNGXjuLRrk6dMFo2KUwCI_ncqRXLVcWqlQQPPijK7QtYFWoSaq749_r73lrYcr6z9eU2_BQLwC5a-RbtaJ-zvZC2CBHwe_7tmMbeZ10gY_vR7a4/s1600/cropped-woman_standing_on_edge_of_cliff_21134.jpg" height="164" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He knows my situation and the sacrifice He has called me to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And He has promised to provide.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So stepping out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">releasing my own self-doubt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">following Him into the calling...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and placing myself </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">in deep</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEQgsGQNC0ETCx2FdoGgm9BF2KpsVbWRTjkKjbRrnCWiqC3soJxp_ckcCXjb_ymJEqVHrjSUuEMi7ywmGMcU4XJiUYqnCCwMoPs4UYMj_1uFVq_Vwdnv8hSOsGs5gY5anwfOEk_0sngw/s1600/cliff_jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEQgsGQNC0ETCx2FdoGgm9BF2KpsVbWRTjkKjbRrnCWiqC3soJxp_ckcCXjb_ymJEqVHrjSUuEMi7ywmGMcU4XJiUYqnCCwMoPs4UYMj_1uFVq_Vwdnv8hSOsGs5gY5anwfOEk_0sngw/s1600/cliff_jump.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">over my head! </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-79011616717229494292014-04-21T16:01:00.001-04:002014-04-21T16:01:27.306-04:00The Changing of a Name<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I honestly have been amazed at how strongly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">some people have reacted when we share</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that we are intending on changing the children's names</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when they become legally ours.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So much reaction that I took it to prayer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I certainly didn't want to "rob them of their identity" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as some had suggested.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIER7E_OIg7Jru5eM_1XWTaoiZopvg20dt09iDzGsScDb6U3UgT3YtgSvfE7fA9SyBwbraiTrbC9gQUgRyvYHUuAplNC3fy1qM4sKb__7aOj_Qc5ihMbQH11RDgF2r3O_ANdoXxw3zOAY/s1600/Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIER7E_OIg7Jru5eM_1XWTaoiZopvg20dt09iDzGsScDb6U3UgT3YtgSvfE7fA9SyBwbraiTrbC9gQUgRyvYHUuAplNC3fy1qM4sKb__7aOj_Qc5ihMbQH11RDgF2r3O_ANdoXxw3zOAY/s1600/Name.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many also claimed that it would cause confusion...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">since they already knew their name.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But God showed me something completely unexpected.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">HE made over 10 name changes in the Bible!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Abram to Abraham</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jacob to Israel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sarai to Sarah</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saul to Paul </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just to name a few...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also several men of God (including Moses)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">instigated a name change for another person.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wow~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why would God change names?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These were adults - who surely knew their names :o)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> What was He telling us?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What did this signify?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVftxk4a5XcnnDO8rmmMePhR5vYnW_CK8TkZGYU_04DZzsAuZiwPLm_uwf7o6AVVArpegRLtzhyMzGgiKi5eZIQrQ8XJU7lYgKeX8wDEsxKUmnIQQITbB3vFNJ68uagn-LbzCBZxJ3yA/s1600/name+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVftxk4a5XcnnDO8rmmMePhR5vYnW_CK8TkZGYU_04DZzsAuZiwPLm_uwf7o6AVVArpegRLtzhyMzGgiKi5eZIQrQ8XJU7lYgKeX8wDEsxKUmnIQQITbB3vFNJ68uagn-LbzCBZxJ3yA/s1600/name+tag.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Through study and prayer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He began to show me the significance of these changes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and how through the name changes, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God was expressing a new identity that He wanted them to embody.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So as I look forward to the family that He is bringing to us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and specifically the ones that He is planting in our family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to be forever ours</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> We see it as a "shedding off" of what was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and a "taking up" of the promises of God </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that He has given to them for their lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="passage version-AMP result-text-style-normal text-html" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Cor-5-17" id="en-AMP-28893">"Therefore
if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new
creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and
spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh <i>and</i> new has come!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">" 2 Corinthians 5:17(AMP)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">while some may still disagree...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am at complete peace as God rewrites our family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and directs us to rename the newest blessings!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDWx-hbcdLIXWzSpHJ4HQjZ7Rj9AwkLtgHpAryFQocgpsP5G-iSY2sxpGOn1yjg6sVMw2XHhOEd-UG7tk-9D_pcKrhnybzhtlhpEYyYPTEQ4Sgm-utod6rNNMLwwkn4DXhn4jWtH06X0/s1600/child_of_the_one_true_king_by_kitsunetengu-d6401ly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDWx-hbcdLIXWzSpHJ4HQjZ7Rj9AwkLtgHpAryFQocgpsP5G-iSY2sxpGOn1yjg6sVMw2XHhOEd-UG7tk-9D_pcKrhnybzhtlhpEYyYPTEQ4Sgm-utod6rNNMLwwkn4DXhn4jWtH06X0/s1600/child_of_the_one_true_king_by_kitsunetengu-d6401ly.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="passage version-AMP result-text-style-normal text-html " style="text-align: center;">
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Acts-17-28" id="en-AMP-27550"><sup>"</sup>For in Him we live and move and have our being; </span></span></div>
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Acts-17-28" id="en-AMP-27550">as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring."</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Acts 17:28 (AMP)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-38941651907256712282014-04-06T04:43:00.001-04:002014-04-06T04:43:11.659-04:00Just Pinch Me!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are beyond words around here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">And for me, well...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">that just isn't the norm!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">After hurdle upon hurdle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">and delay upon delay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">and rescheduling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">and sitting and waiting...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">We FINALLY had the court day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">that we have been waiting for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">(well, not the <u>official</u> last one...) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last Monday we were asked to go to court</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">(after showing up the week before to find out the jail</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">had messed up and not transferred the father).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">We were told that the father was prepared to surrender </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">his rights to the girls!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezH6p2uZr4Bqj8gtDzXHRZejM7cpFeSKxPzWWuldj6kJT5SIgUy2aHTSk3kkvpdG8CtAGwa5Y29Ydz0lBjfVfQrGJ7GF49yC6n5MlNkYjOGx2_kbjarvb2_uuytX42nuvgbJ8KJX9yUo/s1600/3003567-fingers-holding-a-pen-while-signing-a-document.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezH6p2uZr4Bqj8gtDzXHRZejM7cpFeSKxPzWWuldj6kJT5SIgUy2aHTSk3kkvpdG8CtAGwa5Y29Ydz0lBjfVfQrGJ7GF49yC6n5MlNkYjOGx2_kbjarvb2_uuytX42nuvgbJ8KJX9yUo/s1600/3003567-fingers-holding-a-pen-while-signing-a-document.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We sat for HOURS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(ironically God used those hours to teach me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">as the grandmother who had been so hurtful and cruel</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sat with us :o/ </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and talked endlessly)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The time finally came</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and we were ushered into the courtroom</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to hear those words that we have been longing for.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But as I sat, He also opened my eyes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in a whole new way.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am grateful (?) somehow for this whole </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">long, miserable, heart-wrenching process.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loving Father - always using our situations to grow us...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and grow our faith.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8TyFvUdRIHbEBlygX5MQQ16ar1I_ja-QvjYEOJuCLqq06qGY6YJn7S9PHsNr4wvbAr9TuNNA3TWayTROg2m73b1nY83M8H3JuDlmV3EFlTu0-xARIHk8cRhPuWDn3vm5tEVy0r4acYQ/s1600/woman_praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8TyFvUdRIHbEBlygX5MQQ16ar1I_ja-QvjYEOJuCLqq06qGY6YJn7S9PHsNr4wvbAr9TuNNA3TWayTROg2m73b1nY83M8H3JuDlmV3EFlTu0-xARIHk8cRhPuWDn3vm5tEVy0r4acYQ/s1600/woman_praying.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The following day was the trial to sever the mother's parental rights</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(she is still a fugitive and never served her sentence)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and yes, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God used this opportunity again to teach us how to wait...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">IN HIM.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But wait we did - </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and we finally got THAT call.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls are legally free!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mighty God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making a way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Protecting His children.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are in awe of this privilege!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So dear friends - </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">we are officially on our first </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ADOPTION JOURNEY!...</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjWTzl59fDTB40-bXzQT2iN0JUJQERC38y0BlhI3yWulojGfHjEW3oaMsKCfVQcL45Ezr3LJHb_7ikuGaRZlHfdn2k4PC0muXme-TG1LjoeYIn86phkTtTIkLRWXZna3w5-h1I1bU48I/s1600/adoption-heart-22166905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjWTzl59fDTB40-bXzQT2iN0JUJQERC38y0BlhI3yWulojGfHjEW3oaMsKCfVQcL45Ezr3LJHb_7ikuGaRZlHfdn2k4PC0muXme-TG1LjoeYIn86phkTtTIkLRWXZna3w5-h1I1bU48I/s1600/adoption-heart-22166905.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and prayerfully by mid-June</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">our first little princess will be ours forever!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To Him be the glory and honor and praise!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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</div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-51646781046242768032014-03-15T19:28:00.000-04:002014-03-15T19:28:21.330-04:00The Next Hurdle...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Each step that God brings us to</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">gives me more and more hope that our time</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to call her "ours" is coming closer.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So as we tread through these difficult days</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we praise Him for every little hurdle.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC1YAO9KYRKX9bj_KEdOiSHzUzhC4TVSEzzVfsCaisbX1BJho-XigDW6igRABfs84obOkQ-3utfIY1S4stH_FvK7tRuoteNcmz8cWo1Rk8ZGOjTm3jShQzgkQ7paUgazQm3ods2F-sVs/s1600/Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC1YAO9KYRKX9bj_KEdOiSHzUzhC4TVSEzzVfsCaisbX1BJho-XigDW6igRABfs84obOkQ-3utfIY1S4stH_FvK7tRuoteNcmz8cWo1Rk8ZGOjTm3jShQzgkQ7paUgazQm3ods2F-sVs/s1600/Court.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">COURT</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes- that word.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">again.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*sigh*</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have been down there so many times now</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we have a favorite parking spot</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">know the timing of the drive</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">know exactly where to go</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and know where we "usually" go to grab lunch.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has become way too familiar.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But has been worth every mile.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This coming Tuesday is one of the next major steps.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As complicated as it might seem - </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amara's father of record</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(even though the DNA test showed that he was Aiyana's</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">father and not Amara's... yes, twin half-sisters...!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">has asked to meet with us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From what we are told, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">he wants to meet us to make sure</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">his girls will be loved and cared for.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No problem!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But as I meditated about the day</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found some ugliness in my heart</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">in regards to this father.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Funny how He uses these moments...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:o)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found myself resentful of this father</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">who beat and shook these girls within an inch of their lives</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and now wanted a say in their care to make sure</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that they were loved and cared for.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know it is justified for me to resent him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we are called in Christ to a higher stance.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So - pray for me that I would grow through this process</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and that He would teach me to love as He loves.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even the unlovable.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even the abusive.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even the untrustowrthy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even those that don't deserve His love.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcez7O5-SY96VgnhLjZFmCXrGyKr3aiZmuJNxIco-RNLqftdhLtq5P3y5Atl0WXjqVOL9UUYsdgmDcETnnmiGC8F58m8h_fw2YcOgFq87EoQNwjpXUXmHVtjXxjpagw8roZN-c1a1IgpI/s1600/Man+On+The+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcez7O5-SY96VgnhLjZFmCXrGyKr3aiZmuJNxIco-RNLqftdhLtq5P3y5Atl0WXjqVOL9UUYsdgmDcETnnmiGC8F58m8h_fw2YcOgFq87EoQNwjpXUXmHVtjXxjpagw8roZN-c1a1IgpI/s1600/Man+On+The+Street.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just like I don't deserve it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But He offers it just the same.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now that God has shown me my heart in this matter</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He has challenged me to pray for these parents</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for their healing in Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please join me in prayer that this father does the right thing</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and surrender the girls to us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pray for grace and favor to follow us through yet another court day.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He alone will receive all the glory and praise!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-5739268406348028402014-03-01T14:58:00.000-05:002014-03-01T15:06:01.900-05:00Praising Him for Our Breakthrough!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since these postings and musings and reflections here </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">are really for me~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(and I just let you guys peek!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I didn't want to let this breakthrough go by</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">without giving Him every praise I had!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So here goes...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMz5sSiVJS91LVjqPG91KG5hbjL-DTj_DO7T0-PliIDiMTwloRD1OubKMF3jOoaHqmCZs1VhpNUR0HON1DvS_3pagnGcijwESYKde4NQkXJ7x-qfdAEy4So1QH725hjWZ0D3hODR22JA/s1600/18120_PD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMz5sSiVJS91LVjqPG91KG5hbjL-DTj_DO7T0-PliIDiMTwloRD1OubKMF3jOoaHqmCZs1VhpNUR0HON1DvS_3pagnGcijwESYKde4NQkXJ7x-qfdAEy4So1QH725hjWZ0D3hODR22JA/s1600/18120_PD2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time...</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:o)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God saw one of His precious treasures </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(well actually two)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">not being treated like the princess she was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And He was saddened. Deeply.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But being the best Daddy in the world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He protected her and got her help...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">all the while preparing the home </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">where she was going to go to be safe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(we were actually licensed within weeks of her being saved) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We felt such a strong bond with her</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">even from the first time we held her</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we knew He called us to be hers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjZ4FZ31w8M6C_nTWrkKspHwF-RWZJgxSFN2RthVoMA1lXFa6Q4mA4ySfpz__OuGeCYqclIRWrEWxCh7m_QUGu33hWgQgwVmlRqAMJIx-pMhb9rBmHxqp3HDC7t64QbbLOIuopoi_gqY/s1600/IMG_1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjZ4FZ31w8M6C_nTWrkKspHwF-RWZJgxSFN2RthVoMA1lXFa6Q4mA4ySfpz__OuGeCYqclIRWrEWxCh7m_QUGu33hWgQgwVmlRqAMJIx-pMhb9rBmHxqp3HDC7t64QbbLOIuopoi_gqY/s1600/IMG_1985.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well many, many months went by</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(practically a year)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">with all of us believing that she was ours</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">free.and.clear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When she moved into the adoption unit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">things REALLY got messy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(legally)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-MESSED-UP-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And all of a sudden </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(at least from our end)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">there was someone who was a threat to keeping our princess forever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, I do not type this lightly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We were crushed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We cried.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">LOTS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And over the next nine months</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">our world swirled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">seemingly out of control </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and certainly out of OUR control.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Never out of His</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">NEVER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Court dates...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weekly visits...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(which brought the princess nightmares)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meeting after meeting...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All to make sure the princess could stay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(and I would do it a thousand times over!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At times it looked like the world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(or the courts)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">were against us <br />(well, not against us - just for the other side)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many nights I cried out to Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">KNOWING He had brought her to us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and KNOWING He was able to fix the situation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I knew in my heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but my heart still had fears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had to continually speak to those fears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and speak His word over my heart and my life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to pause here</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">because some might think that because I didn't birth her</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that our love for her was less.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those thoughts can not be more wrong.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God placed her in our lives </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as sure as He placed my bio children in my womb.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well just last week</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">out of the blue </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(or so it seemed)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our amazing God flung open the doors</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and made a way!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The other party was eliminated</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">all for <u>His</u> glory...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we receive this amazing blessing from Him</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and we can't wait until it is official</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and legal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and she will be ours forever....!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meet the soon (well prayerfully by June) to be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />Gabriella Joy! </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-3828569169818846672014-02-22T20:24:00.000-05:002014-02-22T20:24:54.645-05:00Letting My Test Grow Into a Testimony!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, I certainly wanted to try and write this one out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">as God is teaching me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want to share His truths.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Many times, as life closes in,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">we tend to just focus on what is happening in front of us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But our God is so much bigger!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't know about each of you - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but when I am going "through" something</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I tend to get a huge case of tunnel vision.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*sigh*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSsyPToIoPyvppBJtu5_d5BTWxfkpiYuf-8BY3LK_H96hAGxI_7LzREz7fdpi0NAA5_WXr0HDmCozFIy-XsRicC6MA14GpFiHaTKmQhsqvgg5UUrmjwVd0I0VyrHBpLiQ_abGdvobnzY/s1600/tunnel_by_zoop_zoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSsyPToIoPyvppBJtu5_d5BTWxfkpiYuf-8BY3LK_H96hAGxI_7LzREz7fdpi0NAA5_WXr0HDmCozFIy-XsRicC6MA14GpFiHaTKmQhsqvgg5UUrmjwVd0I0VyrHBpLiQ_abGdvobnzY/s1600/tunnel_by_zoop_zoop.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You all know this feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All you can see is the trial in front of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nothing else seems to exist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not in your life-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and certainly not in the life of anyone around you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All I can see when I'm in these moment is the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">difficulties</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">obsticals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">darkness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hurdles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">doom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">gloom...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Up ahead always looks dark.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And while I <u>know</u> there IS an end to the tunnel-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't feel like it will ever end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And that is where I sit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At times - almost paralized</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">not by fear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but by the overwhelming feelings that flood my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not knowing how I'm going to make it through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is now that I sit in this moment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">deciding to look to Him rather than look down my looming tunnel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because, you see, I know Who has my back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know Who has my future and the future of the people that I love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I. know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These are the "rubber meets the road" spiritual moments in our walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do we trust our feelings?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do we give way to our fears?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do we let the things in front of us weigh down our hearts?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The road is tough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Such is the way our testimony is paved.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rough,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Testimony-building,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spiritual-growing,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Time on our knees, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Faith-increasing, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tough times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am learning the testimony</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that He is growing in me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">is not only in the final outcome or a nicely-wrapped praise report.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is in how He supports me and grows me through the trial.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is in how He sustains me when everything in me wants to give up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is in how He protects me from viewing the situation with worldly eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am learning, Lord!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIokQ0qsJdQz8V9s9c4wUahRa-hVf1rdxImSHdW5K1Hu8pRnH0uvgqerY-u_1-xIS2i7hrn12dp0AG9dS_QQRjW957K4kt2YKHszNgI_OZyLm2QAcanQSVzR-lzEtlseZ-b3bq0aLvtlA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIokQ0qsJdQz8V9s9c4wUahRa-hVf1rdxImSHdW5K1Hu8pRnH0uvgqerY-u_1-xIS2i7hrn12dp0AG9dS_QQRjW957K4kt2YKHszNgI_OZyLm2QAcanQSVzR-lzEtlseZ-b3bq0aLvtlA/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Help me to let my test itself be the testimony.</span><br />
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-24776580739527400602014-01-21T19:46:00.002-05:002014-01-21T19:46:50.472-05:00Reclaiming the Days<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow - </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know you might think that we got lost in the holidays 'round here...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and to a small extent that is true. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But the truth is that many outside forces have </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">impacted our family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and thrown the routine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">window.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*sigh*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few of the "distractions" were under our control</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(like precious "family" visiting for two weeks with their adorable 1 year old)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But many were not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sufice it to say that God received all the glory and praise - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and I don't EVER want to spend time in the ICU with </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">my children or a precious treasure</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">EVER AGAIN.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">p.e.r.i.o.d.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:o)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But now that we are through that hurried, harried, hectic, hurting month</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am still struggling to get our rhythm back in our days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Very frustrating that hectic can become a rhythm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are also (supposedly) preparing for Aiyana to come home...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and for another foot surgery for my husband (sigh)...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and for our yearly inspection for the fosters...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Although... I can't wait to share some of the testimonies that came out of all these trials :o)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the saying that our tests can be turned into testimonies! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This month sure proved that true.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Standing strong on His word </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and focusing on the task set before us!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reclaiming our days is our #1 priority these days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For His glory!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Amen? Amen!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-37861565275177396322013-12-02T18:20:00.000-05:002013-12-02T18:20:59.045-05:00The Choice We All Have<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Things are heating up around here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lots of serious problems surfacing, bubbling, looming...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You all know those times, right?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DKkL2q8xbhlFyoJjsU_ZuMIF1xjpJB5LN6HD7-BrhyphenhyphenctjayjH_13pIEWtwQYor_DTgfKQqQj211OKKGNtiTexmnxNslc61CA3E6_BjNTbWqpdejN4X1ZDZAtbIL3_mTAd8pe5tQVBCw/s1600/clouds,desert,lightning,rainbow,distance,storm-b937d440e7a90e6b413a256699d0bbaf_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DKkL2q8xbhlFyoJjsU_ZuMIF1xjpJB5LN6HD7-BrhyphenhyphenctjayjH_13pIEWtwQYor_DTgfKQqQj211OKKGNtiTexmnxNslc61CA3E6_BjNTbWqpdejN4X1ZDZAtbIL3_mTAd8pe5tQVBCw/s320/clouds,desert,lightning,rainbow,distance,storm-b937d440e7a90e6b413a256699d0bbaf_h.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not that anything horrible HAS happened-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">just issues, obstacles, tensions, curveballs, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>possible</u> BIG problems coming...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is in these moments <br />(especially for this mama at 5am...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> that we all have a choice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Choice?" You say,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"All these problems and miseries are happening <u>to</u> me!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I have <u>no choice</u>!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And yes, dear ones - you are right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We don't have a choice in what is happening around us most times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we DO have a choice in how we respond.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">TRUST</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PEACE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">JOY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">REST</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">CONTENTMENT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">LOVE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OBEDIENCE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hmm.......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">what does the Word of God say about worry?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-AMP-23310">And who of you by worrying <i>and</i> being anxious can add one unit of measure </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-AMP-23310">(</span><span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-AMP-23310">cubit) to his stature <i>or</i> to the span of his life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matthew 6:27(AMP)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-AMP-23317">So do not worry <i>or</i> be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries <i>and</i> anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matthew 6:34 (AMP)</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-AMP-23317"></span><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-AMP-23317"></span><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-AMP-23317"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok - God it God. Do not worry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do.Not.Worry. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BUT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">what DO I DO?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Late at night when my defenses are down - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when my heart is breaking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when tears loom up when I think about what is happening...</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD5AN0enuGXDdI_PT4PHWVhDWeoEt4eYlWgNoq3bCmJMa9VsUpfP_Q9Q9i-EBLo3GEPQFh0cSqbMSTx6yI0aANIirJ1kc61CJ4ifRtkoDSEqnuxlYSIGx8JxPjDBF81XOPX_4hHaJOlI/s1600/crying-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD5AN0enuGXDdI_PT4PHWVhDWeoEt4eYlWgNoq3bCmJMa9VsUpfP_Q9Q9i-EBLo3GEPQFh0cSqbMSTx6yI0aANIirJ1kc61CJ4ifRtkoDSEqnuxlYSIGx8JxPjDBF81XOPX_4hHaJOlI/s320/crying-woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> What <u>do</u> I <u>do</u>????</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is in these moments that this choice is clear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We can worry...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">trust in our feelings...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">let our thoughts carry us off...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">let the emotions rule...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OR we can <u>choose</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">how to think</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">how to behave</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">how to speak.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> We can choose!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, I'm saying that this is an easy choice to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those fears are LOUD!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those negative thoughts are RELENTLESS!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those worries are HEAVY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8gvOqYacImwuLwXDjssB84fz2LRHMhuWVMrYsPkSC4K-dc-hO_bZXJuDOYb32c-Db8FYiLD3invy32fUGTIWe9Nlu6QLpxPUMO87MoyQdm1CT6wiR1MxBkwhN8_vBedEvKg-niXH-tw/s1600/girl20curled20up20in20a20ball20hiding_xlarge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8gvOqYacImwuLwXDjssB84fz2LRHMhuWVMrYsPkSC4K-dc-hO_bZXJuDOYb32c-Db8FYiLD3invy32fUGTIWe9Nlu6QLpxPUMO87MoyQdm1CT6wiR1MxBkwhN8_vBedEvKg-niXH-tw/s320/girl20curled20up20in20a20ball20hiding_xlarge.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love reading the psalms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not that David was a perfect man</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but there is a transparency in how he shares with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In Psalm 42 I love how David speaks to his inner self-</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-42-5" id="en-AMP-14561">Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(v5)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But then he goes on to say - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>O
my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I
can bear]; <u>therefore</u> will I [earnestly] remember You from the land of
the Jordan [River] and the [summits of Mount] Hermon, from the little
mountain Mizar.(v6)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Did you catch that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He <u>remembers</u>! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He remembers God's promises-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God's faithfulness in his own life-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> All the times that He has taken care of the situation-</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We need to put before us rememberences of His faithfulness!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We need to speak of all He has done!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And yes, I even <u>talk out loud</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and even yell sometimes)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The louder the fear-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the stronger I will proclaim of His promises!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The stronger the worry-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the louder I will proclaim of His faithfulness!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do want to pause briefly and say</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am not one for "casting out" fears, worries, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I truly believe that light and darkness cannot coexist...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">THEREFORE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">if I speak of His goodness, His faithfulness, His promises, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His truths, His holiness, His righteousness, His love...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">are you getting it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Are we clear?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do you hear me, self?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My God is...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">faithful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">holy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">righteous</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">merciful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">unchanging</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">my defender</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">my comforter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">truth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">all-powerful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ever-present</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">sovereign</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">just</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and so much more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, in giving not only my problems over to Him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but also surrendering my worries and fears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is able to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Faithful God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgzyFiHV8d36w0phlApjLSjba5mFjbbfhh4PC2r1i8_3GP4UDXMkrrwmo9OmuHfER0PCLiivqr-ZRQkit_apmO2fpQZ-XlAZJi6hRsfGfij_JmE7LTRW0E-js4W8706cna0PhPpXFRy4/s1600/peaceful_sunset_at_kalahari_desert_by_regiseyeonnature-d6tcd6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgzyFiHV8d36w0phlApjLSjba5mFjbbfhh4PC2r1i8_3GP4UDXMkrrwmo9OmuHfER0PCLiivqr-ZRQkit_apmO2fpQZ-XlAZJi6hRsfGfij_JmE7LTRW0E-js4W8706cna0PhPpXFRy4/s1600/peaceful_sunset_at_kalahari_desert_by_regiseyeonnature-d6tcd6c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="poetry" style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-61-1"><span class="chapternum"></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Hear my cry, O God;</span></i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><span class="text Ps-61-1">Attend to my prayer.</span><span class="text Ps-61-2" id="en-NKJV-14822"></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="line">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-61-2" id="en-NKJV-14822">From the end of the earth I will cry to You,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-61-2">When my heart is overwhelmed;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-61-2">Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></i></b><br />
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-61-3" id="en-NKJV-14823">For You have been a shelter for me,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-61-3">A strong tower from the enemy.</span><span class="text Ps-61-4" id="en-NKJV-14824"></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="line">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-61-4" id="en-NKJV-14824">I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-61-4">I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. <span class="selah">Selah"</span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-61-4"><span class="selah"><b><i>Psalm 61:1-4 </i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-67260875028901224202013-11-09T13:54:00.000-05:002013-11-09T13:54:53.237-05:00Steppin' Out!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ok - for those of you who don't know me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">or certainly don't know the details of what it took God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to bring us to this place may not see this post </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as anything significant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> BUT ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This decision for our family was HUGE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It needed to be made, but it was HUGE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He gave us peace once we brought it to Him, but it was HUGE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Are you getting it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This was H.U.G.E.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let me back up a bit first.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When God put the tug on our hearts for the orphan crisis</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it was no problem to submit to it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We knew <u>immediately</u> it was Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then (our loving Savior knew our hearts and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that we needed to be eased into it!) He began to reveal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that He was calling us to foster.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Again, not knowing our back-story this is no big deal,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but it was huge for us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">because we spent years raising Bill's first two children</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(from a prior marriage)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and raising children with other (unsaved) influences is HARD.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and messy, and frustrating, and sad)...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Adoption? No problem!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fostering? This would mean trying to "fix" other people's messes...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AGAIN. Ugh!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At first we totally rejected the idea - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and then God brought me around - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and a year later Bill submitted as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our process through the foster system getting our home and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">family licensed was LONG and PAINFUL...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and will have to share that in another post)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Many times we wanted to just back out and go back to our</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"normal" everyday lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But we serve a faithful God who called us to it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and He continued to be with us through it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So here we are, only 2 years licensed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and we were faced with a surprising decision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The courts wanted to "fast-track" Skylar and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wanted to know if we would adopt her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Again, if you know our back story</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">we are fighting and praying so we can adopt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Amara and Aiyana...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DYFS regulations limit your minor count to 6</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(including your bio children)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">which means that if we said "yes" to Skylar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that our home would be <u>closed to fostering.</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />All that chaos and pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Six total children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Three awaiting adoption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CLOSED</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All that for only those few children, God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ABSOLUTELY!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I walk through this whole process I am amazed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at the love the Father has for His children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and every one</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(seen and unseen by the world)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But even more - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His heart for the lost and forgotten!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The ones that don't have a voice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That most of the world would rather just pretend didn't exist.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But God!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Again, our favorite words in scripture...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So there we were faced with placing our home on "closed"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and to be quite honest my first instinct was to say no.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But God eased my heart and showed me glipses of how our ministry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">could and would continue.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is opening doors to make adoption possible in the future</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in a way that we never dreamed!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So we released it to Him and He brought us peace to say...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"YES!"</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So Skylar is on her way to becoming forever ours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A forever home for our littlest member :o)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Little, but not forgotten by her Father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Born, barely survived, abused before she had even left the womb... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But God!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Her father has already surrendered custody and waiting on mom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(the courts are due to sever in January if she doesn't voluntarily)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Great God!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So join us on our first journey to adoption...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />STEPPIN' OUT!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-73251349579889066602013-10-19T15:28:00.000-04:002013-10-19T15:28:03.982-04:00A Change of Attitude<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I just wanted to take a moment and share the follow up story </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to the dear man of God that came out for our church's missions celebration.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well for all of you who know me</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and for the many of you who don't...</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't get "starstruck".</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am not easily impressed by famous people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't ever swoon over being near someone with clout.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh my goodness!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was so giddy at what God was unfolding before my eyes</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that I seriously had to give myself talks to calm down!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I was speaking to the pastor that was coming</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I actually found myself nervously babbling!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(too funny!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And yes, it was a wonderful two days filled with</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">focusing on missions here and abroad...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and best of all...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">hearing the Word preached to challenge our hearts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Pastor Dwight shared about his multicultural family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Bill and I always said we want a "rainbow" family so we loved seeing his!)</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and he shared the mission that God had sent him (and his family) on... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and our precious Heavenly Father sent a message through this dear man</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">straight to the hearts of our church.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"We Get To!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You see - Dw spoke about changing our attitude </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when it came to the things </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that we do...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">in ministry...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">in life....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is a privilege to serve Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is an honor to follow Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We owe Him everything...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and He owes us nothing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">n.o.t.h.i.n.g.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tears brimmed in my eyes as I processed</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this beautiful thought...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our Father has allowed us to partake </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of His plans and purposes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">all around us - </span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once we are "in Christ" our life is no longer our own</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it is His and His alone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to be used for His holy purposes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At that moment, the "have to's" in life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">miraculously become "get to"!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't HAVE TO serve my family...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I GET TO!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't HAVE TO serve in church... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I GET TO!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't HAVE TO care for His children that are lost and alone...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I GET TO!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This change in attitude means everything in a kingdom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">where our King looks at our heart,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">not our actions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Doing the right thing with the wrong attitude does not impress God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not.at.all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is looking for His faithful children to serve Him </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">without question</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">without complaining</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">without showmanship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">without boasting or bragging</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">without picking and choosing which projects we are called to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(since if we pick them we will choose a really impressive one)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, as I continue to move through this season in my life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am working toward keeping my eyes on the One who called me to this walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Knowing that He will provide me with the strength and endurance that I need</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to continue His journey for me and for my family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We "GET TO!"</span></b><br />
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-77288264047158935102013-09-29T14:06:00.002-04:002013-09-29T14:08:47.384-04:00Remembering!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A faithful woman of God has challenged me yet again during her Memorial Box Mondays...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And although I have shared before - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">this time is different.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because we are in the midst of a personal "storm" brewing...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and if I took my eyes off of Him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">things could go</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">very wrong</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">very fast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You see, God is teaching me through these "memorials"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-things that we put before our eyes that remind us of the faithfulness of our God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and His unwavering ability to do the impossible-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that He is still (and always will be)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Faithful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Able</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Compassionate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Long-Suffering</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Miracle-Working</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Head-Lifter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Healer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Almighty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Counselor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Defender</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Creator</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Good Shepherd</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Redeemer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Savior</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Holy One!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And so much more of who He is!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And so - in the midst of my brewing worry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I take a moment to surrender it to Him</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and focus on remembering His faithful deeds...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Healer</b></u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My faithful God brought my beautiful Amara into our lives</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but with her she brought such saddness in her broken body...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mOYGL0f6JmAnf4R6m-ektAEH79I8lgrs-uBiBascV_Y-JdTRglywHMdeyLHAn5d3bPw664u1tRsY_jdKh22rZnHIlBEAk4Y4EAz1mAYoCFUcvRyf3ZiPBhwHhsbSe3qlVN4Rntoog74/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mOYGL0f6JmAnf4R6m-ektAEH79I8lgrs-uBiBascV_Y-JdTRglywHMdeyLHAn5d3bPw664u1tRsY_jdKh22rZnHIlBEAk4Y4EAz1mAYoCFUcvRyf3ZiPBhwHhsbSe3qlVN4Rntoog74/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> When we picked her up from the rehab facility all the staff loved her,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but they spoke often of all the difficulties that she would encounter-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the things she might not be able to do-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even now, when I go back and read her hospital reports</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">my eyes well with tears at all her little body had to endure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and all before she turned 2 months old)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They used words like "non-accidental trauma"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"failure to thrive"...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But the reality was she had </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">11 fractured vertebrae </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a fractured femur</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a fracture on her cheekbone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">healed scars from cigarette burns </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and numerous old scars and bruises...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All before she was 2 months old...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And even as the doctors and nurses gave us updates on our newest treasure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">we would look them straight in the eyes and let them know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"That's okay. Our God is able!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No wavering.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We just KNEW.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">our Faithful God has healed our princess</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">beyond what we could have asked or imagined!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This little, frail, treasure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">has blossomed into a thriving toddler-heading-to-two!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Faithful God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mighty God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who was able to do more than we could ask or imagine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And is still able.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I need to remind myself of that often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He.is.still.able.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">PERIOD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She stands as a testimony to His faithfulness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to even those forgotten by most</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but not her loving Father in heaven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">NEVER FORGOTTEN.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-20109503739300817532013-08-29T17:12:00.002-04:002013-08-29T17:12:51.472-04:00Unfolding Before My Eyes!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, I have been working on a post</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but it seems to be sitting way to close</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to that "holy place" within my walk...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">maybe someday I will be able to share</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but for now I wanted to share a sweet testimony.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is precious because it shows so clearly</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">on how our Heavenly Father cares.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And that He will move heaven and Earth for His plans and purposes to unfold.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is a slight disclaimer that comes with this testimony.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As with many areas in my life </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(and I'm guessing many of your lives as well)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the real testimonies don't read so crisp and clean</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">when they are happening right before us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rather, with hindsight, later we are able to sift through</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and present pretty, cleaned-up, testimonies worth publishing.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So the disclaimer is:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am still watching this unfold before my eyes...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(bear with the scattered nature of the events!)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No, really. Thank you.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:o)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>So this story actually begins with a sweet woman of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">who found a wonderful blog...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of a beautiful Christian mama who loves God's abandoned children.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm73YR6fjccE5YWKcbDI6nPb9yO6Lb-JBJ4DZW9fjpw4k-6Y51k6yuaR6kkrDOjsLYr4magPty2UKZWJviFarS35Zh3LwS60bM5DjFXrAoUzWYj15edheescddXs7-najQxYnHtxUYtTo/s1600/header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm73YR6fjccE5YWKcbDI6nPb9yO6Lb-JBJ4DZW9fjpw4k-6Y51k6yuaR6kkrDOjsLYr4magPty2UKZWJviFarS35Zh3LwS60bM5DjFXrAoUzWYj15edheescddXs7-najQxYnHtxUYtTo/s640/header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And that sweet woman of God </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shared the blog site with her friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(another awesome young woman who has a heart for His children)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and that friend shared it with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So the stage is set, but several years will pass...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">with me loving watching God move to bring children </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">who have been </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">written off...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">discarded...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">thrown away by society...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to a forever family of their very own!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And she has born witness time and time again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to the miracle-moving power that God can have in our lives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and in the lives of His children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So as our story continues-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I fell in love with this precious family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">who would do anything to follow God's call to help His precious ones...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">even give up their secure position pastoring a church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During this time God had been preparing my family for ministry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to His precious children through the foster care system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Broken, discarded, abused, brokenhearted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Words that should NEVER be used when referring to children!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTgke78HQQMwk0O1I3Dr_kTUDRAhQXYGI25O6wv0ytP_YTVYhU5iN4awf25M0vJJiDZgM2AGjGEQhi3NLqjvONznyO7fiGBa1m8-7E-uxftGpIpkt5yLQmojaTH9J4zJW9X_SJ3sZYvc/s1600/orphan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTgke78HQQMwk0O1I3Dr_kTUDRAhQXYGI25O6wv0ytP_YTVYhU5iN4awf25M0vJJiDZgM2AGjGEQhi3NLqjvONznyO7fiGBa1m8-7E-uxftGpIpkt5yLQmojaTH9J4zJW9X_SJ3sZYvc/s320/orphan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our ministry here grew</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and my dear bloggy friend's ministry grew </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and she continued to minister and share all that God was doing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">for His love of the orphan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then one day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">resting in His presence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got BOLD...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I asked God to begin to show me His heart for the orphan.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And guess what?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He answered!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He begun revealing and unfolding such a powerful love!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These thoughts overwhelm me at times....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">164,000,000 orphans worldwide</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">15,000 children die every day due to starvation</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If I let my spirit rest on these numbers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I become very overwhelmed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">very fast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am <b>one</b> person.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are <b>one</b> family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We can only make a difference to a relatively low number of these children.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and yes I know it really matters to them- not downplaying that at all)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But what MORE could I do????</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My precious, precious Father began teaching me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">how to speak for Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How to share His heart for these children</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and to not worry about making others "feel bad".</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, I am not saying that everyone can adopt or foster </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> but we can ALL do something.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">SOMETHING!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now during this time that God was showing me how to be more vocal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My pastor (love him!) preached one Sunday </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and included a story (about discouragement) and referenced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">being out at a pastoral conference in Phoenix </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and the wisdom that had been shared there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I sat in my seat thinking "I wonder if this is Linny's church?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and then pastor mentioned the name of the church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and it was the same church!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, I was tickled and went home hoping to hop on the computer </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to share this sweet story about how her pastor blessed my pastor, etc.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and I opened her blog and read her post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My jaw nearly hit the floor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the same time my pastor was talking about her church,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">her husband (not a pastor at this church)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">was PREACHING from their pulpit to 15,000 members.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I just stared at the post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I just knew in my spirit that this wasn't a coincidence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God is about holy appointments.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I just KNEW, ya know?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't know what it meant, but I contacted Linny and shared the sweet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">story and casually mentioned that I would love to have them come to our church.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She responded that they were planning a trip in the fall and that they would love to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God would not let me forget those words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I knew I had to try and bring this wonderful family to our pastor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If God needs a voice, please let me be used!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I swallowed my intimidation and fear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and tried to share this wonderful story in 3 minutes without rambling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(don't know if I actually accomplished it without rambling...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I just shared.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And asked him to pray about asking them to come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's it. I left it there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was able to tell him to go to the link of this mega-church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and watch one of his sermons!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(something only God could orchestrate)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This was no little thing that this amazing man of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">was asked to preach a Sunday service from an altar which is normally only the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">senior pastors and the likes of Joyce Meyers...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not one of their own 15 pastors on staff...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dwight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Faithful God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Orchestrating a beautiful story!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I left it with my senior pastor not knowing what would come of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then my associate pastor (and my boss) asked me a few days later</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">if I knew any missionary who would be available for our Missions Banquet...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh boy! Did I!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I unfolded the story again for him and left it there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In another week, they came to me asking to reach out and make contact </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to see if they would be available.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now Linny had just posted the day before on how they were planning a missions trip</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and that they were planning on leaving </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">THE DAY BEFORE the missions banquet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ugh!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I still reached out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">knowing I serve a faithful God </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">who was doing wonderful things behind the scenes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Out on the other side of the county</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3,000 miles away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">this precious family had been praying for opportunities to open up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to go into churches!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6WJAH8qMjl6BZKds6UTTGcucQ4ODzOT7JgJ9vNnH6RmrRyvMB0de-U6xfXyn7PiacpqB1bLt3CEIOrnMMi-I4vxRv8pR_ACegmRaLlR1H2bh7Qy3v3WdQxJxCkZeFzV-C-R7Lk3eKZw/s1600/images2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6WJAH8qMjl6BZKds6UTTGcucQ4ODzOT7JgJ9vNnH6RmrRyvMB0de-U6xfXyn7PiacpqB1bLt3CEIOrnMMi-I4vxRv8pR_ACegmRaLlR1H2bh7Qy3v3WdQxJxCkZeFzV-C-R7Lk3eKZw/s1600/images2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The missions trip was having difficulties in the planning stages</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and the details would not fall into place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dwight could come!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(and as soon as they began planning the details of the trip </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fell into place for the following week!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What a faithful God...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">lining up all of His children</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to be in the right place</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at the right time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Using His Holy Spirit </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to orchestrate this beginning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of what prayerfully will grow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">into more and more hearts opened for the orphan!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yea God!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And yes, I am totally giddy for what is to come!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stay tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-62703684721506845812013-07-27T14:38:00.001-04:002013-07-27T14:38:05.915-04:00Because I have seen...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have been approached by many people lately... </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">asking "why?" </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why do we take in children...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">especially when we are so busy and have so many burdens of our own... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No, our situation is not "picture perfect" to the world's standards.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nor (if we were able to choose our path) would we have chosen these circumstances either...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BUT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God is not calling us to have a perfect life before we are to be obedient.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is not waiting (thankfully!) for us to be perfect either.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those of you that know me and the many of you who don't...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">you would know that I am a very unlikely vessel for God to use.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I see all my faults...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and my social awkwardness...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and my bluntness...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and my disorganized areas of my life...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I see all of it (and so much more) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsA777LYoqet5YgK6ZidMtcofEnJr68iORfSXj20Z8GjDIkENjdkC5plR1CSoj9kAlQV20EBaRFsRaZgeT-_RrTjW099eDtyMneh4-SOHbB1-yD07mLn4GBfEHM2NJqn3MZDpgnidlxQ/s1600/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsA777LYoqet5YgK6ZidMtcofEnJr68iORfSXj20Z8GjDIkENjdkC5plR1CSoj9kAlQV20EBaRFsRaZgeT-_RrTjW099eDtyMneh4-SOHbB1-yD07mLn4GBfEHM2NJqn3MZDpgnidlxQ/s320/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and I know that I am not anyone that God should choose to use.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe that was it - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am a nobody who is hopelessly in love with my Savior...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">willing to follow Him, learn from Him, and serve Him in every way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Willing to do, to go, to serve...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">even if it turned my world upside down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I (just as many of you, I am sure) always dreamed of being called to the missions field</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Serving in some far-off land</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">reaching the lost</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">healing lives in His precious name!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVifCVPdpqODpS1PA6J5Ixm69sJOsZVFgOf6aWSq1F6HoJH79CEcicDcjpC2ypP8COZsXt6RfqlQtTeBD9qSA2AEa8-nY6E6dLR3BBNEQjKcKcD0xjvAq9-mstCp6jNiFS41uR-7LYuVI/s1600/10_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVifCVPdpqODpS1PA6J5Ixm69sJOsZVFgOf6aWSq1F6HoJH79CEcicDcjpC2ypP8COZsXt6RfqlQtTeBD9qSA2AEa8-nY6E6dLR3BBNEQjKcKcD0xjvAq9-mstCp6jNiFS41uR-7LYuVI/s320/10_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many of you have had the privilege of going...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but I suspect that many of you (including myself) are not called to go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are called to stay...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">serve Him where He has planted us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I was content with where He had me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Living a middle-class American life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Serving my church,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">loving my God,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">reaching out to my community... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then suddenly I KNEW that wasn't enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I couldn't be content just being a "soccer mom"...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and although I work</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and although I homeschool</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and although I run my house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and serve my church through several ministries </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">it was not enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHxiFpw7hN6dFP6_oOvlD-xvlMeYkssEGnh5MGuvjHfMLHUzfJL4eKeUDhbPsQ4NU2znTBMv9gHhJD6hb5ERY_jV__UjgtxMhRLkFKwEfYfDG1NuU2Zd9LBtCaWa-hkNpP6dwYDxB2cg/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHxiFpw7hN6dFP6_oOvlD-xvlMeYkssEGnh5MGuvjHfMLHUzfJL4eKeUDhbPsQ4NU2znTBMv9gHhJD6hb5ERY_jV__UjgtxMhRLkFKwEfYfDG1NuU2Zd9LBtCaWa-hkNpP6dwYDxB2cg/s320/hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So that is where my journey began.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Trust me, dear friends, that if you ask Jesus where He wants you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He will tell you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just be prepared for the answer!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He may ask you to sacrifice something you never knew you could do without.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He may fill an already busy schedule with more than you ever thought you could do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He may give you something you never knew you needed -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but you quickly find out that you cannot live without!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do want to take a moment and say - </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">where He has called me is not necessarily where He has called you.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thank God that He only shares pieces of His heart with each one of us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think if each of us knew all that God wanted to do here </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">we would go crazy trying to fix everything at once.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So he gives to each their portion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only if they ask...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So- how many of you have felt the Father's heart for the children?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it not the right time?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is that timing yours or His?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He has opened my eyes to His children that are lost and dying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who need love and nurturing and a Godly home to grow in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They need a chance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They can't wait.</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I have felt a tugging and burning to do more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cannot take every one in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(I know that)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But He has given me a voice to share.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here I am answering the repeated question...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I do it - because I have seen!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He has opened my eyes to see His children.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now, I cannot look away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am earnestly praying for the opportunity</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(and I believe God is doing something in the background and I am thrilled!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">to inspire and encourage others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lord, open doors to show Your love for the orphan </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and our role to showing them Your love!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-56125681709487126912013-06-30T15:33:00.002-04:002013-06-30T15:33:15.055-04:00Resting in Him<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I feel very blessed to have had such a restful time away.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOC22MAIJ5f5KlCAKJ2kfOgH51R7g6g3LsbvFUlDgGK3tyDo-shJjQX-3JAHiz3HGqi4-5gWhZXn9rny629qwMMvvZgu7B8hmN3c2PXjW0bG_3ZIQpBf_wztoDshRRWiOxyfABNKjFto/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOC22MAIJ5f5KlCAKJ2kfOgH51R7g6g3LsbvFUlDgGK3tyDo-shJjQX-3JAHiz3HGqi4-5gWhZXn9rny629qwMMvvZgu7B8hmN3c2PXjW0bG_3ZIQpBf_wztoDshRRWiOxyfABNKjFto/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although we have had some busy and hectic times around here - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My God knew I needed some peaceful time of refreshment in Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because it is only in Him that we can truly find rest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">REAL rest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kind of rest that heals, restores, and strengthens us for another day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So there I sat looking at this wonderful creation of His</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and I was actually able to steal away a few HOURS...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">yes, you heard me right HOURS...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">with Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Comforter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Healer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, what a precious time it was!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was during this time that He began to speak to me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He showed me some deeper truths in Him - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">some precious moments with my Savior!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was so calm and peaceful. Psalm 23 came to my mind...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="poetry" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-23-1"><span class="chapternum"></span>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <i>is</i> my shepherd;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-1">I shall not want.</span><span class="text Ps-23-2" id="en-NKJV-14238"></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-2" id="en-NKJV-14238">He makes me to lie down in green pastures;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-2">He leads me beside the still waters.</span><span class="text Ps-23-3" id="en-NKJV-14239"></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3" id="en-NKJV-14239">He restores my soul;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-3">He leads me in the paths of righteousness</span><br /><span class="text Ps-23-3">For His name’s sake.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">I sat pondering this wonderful psalm and I began to think of it in another light.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">Still waters...</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">what did that mean?</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">The amplified Bible expand "still" to mean still and restful.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">Whew! I know being "still" makes me feel rested.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">But...</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">then He began speaking to my heart and showing me the difference</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">between still...</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">and stagnant.</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">Flowing water brings health, healing, life!</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-23-3">Stagnant water - water with no movement - brings disease, sickness, and death!</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCxCSrCLzKQyH66xtBREYbTWXUyWRUu5tbmW570_6mjBV6KZ6Ve_nF6JBf3yJJmqTwOQpNsafU2c4Ukdo_AUsN_QcmJTDewk1tJWdos7dsVZHVnvriS9BYoxUPbQyOeIeqqPA5cB64RU/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCxCSrCLzKQyH66xtBREYbTWXUyWRUu5tbmW570_6mjBV6KZ6Ve_nF6JBf3yJJmqTwOQpNsafU2c4Ukdo_AUsN_QcmJTDewk1tJWdos7dsVZHVnvriS9BYoxUPbQyOeIeqqPA5cB64RU/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-3"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Could it be that it is the same with our faith?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That somehow the MOVEMENT of our faith put into action</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">is what keeps our spiritual heart healthy?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That we we "rest on our laurels" so-to-speak</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and become lazy in our spiritual state - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">that we can become stagnant too....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A breeding ground for all things unhealthy...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">gossip...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">jealousy...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">lustful...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">discontent...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Could it be that "resting in Him" is actually a state of MOTION???</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That those "still waters" that He leads us to actually move us?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That just as the physical wind impacts on the waters to keep them moving</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so must the wind of His Spirit sweep through our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His Spirit is always flowing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all we need to do is submit and let ourselves be moved by Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So He showed me those "still waters" are full of energy -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">restful energy - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but one that brings life, peace, and healing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Let Your Spirit flow through me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will never long for "still-ness" the same way again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-9939042431514311912013-06-04T13:25:00.001-04:002013-06-04T13:54:40.693-04:00Piles!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Okay...I have a confession...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have piles...EVERYWHERE!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHziKrUtKCAjFDVNZkDkDiDxHZ0xWsVw3EozwsOw3lkD_anKW2GmH1ZipeQ48xLrTobTzMv0iNwApAYh0RcXBJ8G8Xjbm8oLuL_ZR9bk0C21fxghe-AAGk3Zr8_LBE8tat_W8EyvTeRo/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHziKrUtKCAjFDVNZkDkDiDxHZ0xWsVw3EozwsOw3lkD_anKW2GmH1ZipeQ48xLrTobTzMv0iNwApAYh0RcXBJ8G8Xjbm8oLuL_ZR9bk0C21fxghe-AAGk3Zr8_LBE8tat_W8EyvTeRo/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, I know I am the only one out there</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">so y'all can just pray for me. *smile*</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For any of you who are with me in the pile-ness</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">join me in looking at them a bit differently.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know I am busy-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we are all "busy"-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and this crazy world that we live in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here in America seems to come with tons of piles! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(you know I can't imagine other countries dealing with the "stuff" we deal with)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Running a house has piles of papers that come with it...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">bills...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">caring for children...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">medical papers... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">caring for foster children...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">work papers....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">homeschooling papers...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It just keeps piling up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of the time we don't even know it is happening </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">until it is out of control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Overwhelming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Distracting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SO-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">as our school year begins to wind down</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and as I started to try and get up the nerve to deal with my piles-</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc-NhQUGRRx0NE2fJnBbETEFtFxJi4_lTLvbt2Gx1mumpVaGdIi933SRCEGOJcipK2-BGJ-tuMCgq-rvSbY5sfyBUERCzxYYRXjjSvCwOhcAiINaSZ-EX7f0TgoieSlcUJahTCK0F33E/s1600/1003_Home_Style_clutter_papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc-NhQUGRRx0NE2fJnBbETEFtFxJi4_lTLvbt2Gx1mumpVaGdIi933SRCEGOJcipK2-BGJ-tuMCgq-rvSbY5sfyBUERCzxYYRXjjSvCwOhcAiINaSZ-EX7f0TgoieSlcUJahTCK0F33E/s1600/1003_Home_Style_clutter_papers.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">GOD SHOWED UP IN THOSE PILES!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What? You say... there is nothing Godly about clutter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and yes, I agree...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but it was here in my chaos that He spoke softly to my heart.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You see many times we let our heart get cluttered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It happens very slowly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">little distractions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">grow into bigger distractions...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Until we find ourselves buried under activities and busy-ness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and we find ourselves doing more in our life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for ourselves, our homes, our entertainment...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-HuJwljbAyZav0BPPaS7n-bmzh2Qp63H1LRMGd_azIWWLyBe9Rv32_pyJwmQGBdc3d9xfophS_pU9NevCdLE8BVuf7gj3Td8bGLii_bMIX-83jckMpzBcWLvRcxw6q02CyUXAyR8r4U/s1600/LaughComputer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-HuJwljbAyZav0BPPaS7n-bmzh2Qp63H1LRMGd_azIWWLyBe9Rv32_pyJwmQGBdc3d9xfophS_pU9NevCdLE8BVuf7gj3Td8bGLii_bMIX-83jckMpzBcWLvRcxw6q02CyUXAyR8r4U/s320/LaughComputer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and doing nothing for His kingdom.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So here I am looking at my physical clutter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and He is showing me my spiritual clutter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time to clean house!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(yes, both physically and spiritually)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And just like the piles of papers and books and receipts,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it will take time to work my way through the clutter in my spirit...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to see Him more clearly...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlacHzUUQDtwlo-N7xAdyBSsX8uaWjQLDu9L4K0nWmu6GOIej_qCo3eNBd9SlmSFDBI6wn8eSeJri4z74YpFia-1U_pvcHbhX3kJHWlZsiSscBSSQtgDpMrzFmPrj4kkowThRbDzAI04Q/s1600/clouds-02-640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlacHzUUQDtwlo-N7xAdyBSsX8uaWjQLDu9L4K0nWmu6GOIej_qCo3eNBd9SlmSFDBI6wn8eSeJri4z74YpFia-1U_pvcHbhX3kJHWlZsiSscBSSQtgDpMrzFmPrj4kkowThRbDzAI04Q/s320/clouds-02-640.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I want to see His heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for the lost and dying...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw09SL6e7LzoAQi2bCzRLTU91fG3YzNAvskdQ5UPXQYpQ4J87dcmZ0emxW4VzxWd7parlw7xusHCqSojG-fTReCnwT_kdgORhRTOG2fnZVa4dV4rPq9M9CmXrjY7j2B9f2e6f_JjwRg4/s1600/crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw09SL6e7LzoAQi2bCzRLTU91fG3YzNAvskdQ5UPXQYpQ4J87dcmZ0emxW4VzxWd7parlw7xusHCqSojG-fTReCnwT_kdgORhRTOG2fnZVa4dV4rPq9M9CmXrjY7j2B9f2e6f_JjwRg4/s1600/crying.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the hungry and poor...</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7rDD5o9rK_J6FkA3WD1m-y0P4zn-K9bArAP-ShOKnnJbfrDURTBteQS_YZ1RzQYxqWNoczBhuQHoQQF8Xb7VTriOf42nQ5kOX3vqz3XENv2_g8NeW87MBGXSWC4vS7XjWPhjKsVgqeA/s1600/hungry_orphan_child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7rDD5o9rK_J6FkA3WD1m-y0P4zn-K9bArAP-ShOKnnJbfrDURTBteQS_YZ1RzQYxqWNoczBhuQHoQQF8Xb7VTriOf42nQ5kOX3vqz3XENv2_g8NeW87MBGXSWC4vS7XjWPhjKsVgqeA/s320/hungry_orphan_child.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUlC5QntqZ2xIY9XuDV7Afp0YaZMYSnabfT_XeSwQUtkGSZptgH8uiEtjD6weCj9e_rTurPm9DMZvR5MHb2K-ocKSUM1T8I-kvzfVNbkpSZlpAuy9row94SEWMUcIqha1dUs8HGMgYUs/s1600/hungry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the lonely and hurting...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgaqoI3AojoxT9cCOgq9fks9iax3ZvWJkCHTQ84ndSWUJisQUaQ7jkl7ABps-7MfhDZUYHqZxPL7P2wpleS3yZnLnUCDx_8p1i41rTDDQ-i1bGhj5tX-Wp-tQyKoZAJJnBoPbWWJlGbQ/s1600/86140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgaqoI3AojoxT9cCOgq9fks9iax3ZvWJkCHTQ84ndSWUJisQUaQ7jkl7ABps-7MfhDZUYHqZxPL7P2wpleS3yZnLnUCDx_8p1i41rTDDQ-i1bGhj5tX-Wp-tQyKoZAJJnBoPbWWJlGbQ/s320/86140.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to see, Lord!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I know to see with Your eyes </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to de-clutter mine...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Join me on my journey closer to His heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-56822497628003232002013-05-25T14:39:00.001-04:002013-05-25T14:39:55.958-04:00God's "Interruptions"<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well it certainly has been a bit of time since I posted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All is well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">but....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />God "interrupted" my schedule and life has been turned upside down!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and my interruption has a name... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SKYLAR</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqkTQYFTQV_-ZOKzaIQ1PlctOmQI_pp_Li4limIV_iGtmht5AASsJ2XN7llhtR_u5yii9ZY8BL2TJgLkzvRYbEv3Hw1Tb5WqpgXI4cecW2hi72wZObKJX4IbXEziz03Mb8AomRfXOyjg/s1600/photo(10).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqkTQYFTQV_-ZOKzaIQ1PlctOmQI_pp_Li4limIV_iGtmht5AASsJ2XN7llhtR_u5yii9ZY8BL2TJgLkzvRYbEv3Hw1Tb5WqpgXI4cecW2hi72wZObKJX4IbXEziz03Mb8AomRfXOyjg/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This dear, medically fragile infant...</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;">born at 1 lb 3 oz...</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;">so many specialists...</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;">many, many, diagnoses....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">yet I truly believe she was set apart for us to care for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to pray for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to advocate for... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had shared before how God was preparing me for some greater challenges.</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 had no idea what He had in mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This whole process has given me insight into letting God interrupt our lives.</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;">So many times we are so organized and scheduled...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxExG49N8EKcxCxkPlndBiGvLW_wTdJevqXDy3IFXkT1ACraNH-Rf8AgYvKn2d-MM3ZQ7yUljPaIhraV-AXfXO9cvwYNqawVPLNaJs5VgdQgePzGnoeA4l2n4pIueC5jrevrgkesCvzqY/s1600/Agenda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxExG49N8EKcxCxkPlndBiGvLW_wTdJevqXDy3IFXkT1ACraNH-Rf8AgYvKn2d-MM3ZQ7yUljPaIhraV-AXfXO9cvwYNqawVPLNaJs5VgdQgePzGnoeA4l2n4pIueC5jrevrgkesCvzqY/s320/Agenda.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have our clubs and appointments...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ministries and services...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">day in, day out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">scheduled full of activities with no eternal value.</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;">Yes, our children need opportunities to be socialized,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">we need time out with Godly friends to encourage our hearts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">errands need to be run, and bills need to be paid...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BUT</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;">Do we have a heart attitude to allow God to interrupt us?</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;">Do we give Him the opportunity to have a divine appointment with the Holy One?</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;">He is opening my eyes that having a schedule is not the same</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">as the schedule having us.</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;">So we are again in a place of surrender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Letting our compassionate God unfold another series of precious miracles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">right before our eyes.</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;">We fully believe in His healing power...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">His restoration power...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">His infinite love for these precious children...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and His call to all of His own to care and do their part.</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;">So through this time of stretching and growing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">we are allowing Him yet again to "interrupt" us.</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;">Our time is Yours, Lord!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Use us - in any way You want.</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;">Because we are learning once again that His interruptions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">are usually the best kind of all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>***please join us in prayer for this precious, fragile, one as we ask</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>our Heavenly Father to touch and restore her body***</i></span></div>
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<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-50220441948397056852013-03-29T13:50:00.000-04:002013-03-29T13:50:23.836-04:00The Ripple Effect<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">I just love the way God reveals things to me sometimes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">He just KNOWS me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">He made me who I am.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">He called me. Personally. Specifically.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">He called you too, ya know?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">But for me He showed me something very profound </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">(at least to simple-ol'-me)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">God, in His great wisdom gives us opportunities to see His hand...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">intervening in situations on our behalf...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Closing doors to which is not the way He wants us to go...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Opening doors that could never be opened without Holy intervention...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and this week He has allowed me to see His "Ripple Effect" </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and He is showing me this in His heart</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and best of all, giving me the privilege to let it flow through me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">I will try my best to put into words what the Father is showing me</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">but grace is requested - this is still fresh for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">We all know how a ripple looks when a drop hits the water, right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What we do causes ripples as well. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">For good. For bad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">r~i~p~p~l~e~s f~l~o~w f~r~o~m o~u~r a~c~t~i~o~n~s</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">If we </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">argue</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">gossip</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">dishonor</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">nag</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">criticize</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">carry unforgiveness</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">hold grudges</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and every other nasty attitude...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">do you ever notice how that effects those around us?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPTYY94qheKvkGFK1fGNRPXZTYkshponoi8HluAlVQeX9N0-3EhgFlC0A0DddDUKclb6Sbd3thW5fa7eUKTvDF-OAE0uY3mdM6o8q9EWQYc8p9Sjw8Gwxh-juYNy5m9cLMuJ8K1bq5Z8/s1600/ripplescattered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPTYY94qheKvkGFK1fGNRPXZTYkshponoi8HluAlVQeX9N0-3EhgFlC0A0DddDUKclb6Sbd3thW5fa7eUKTvDF-OAE0uY3mdM6o8q9EWQYc8p9Sjw8Gwxh-juYNy5m9cLMuJ8K1bq5Z8/s320/ripplescattered.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i> </i>We create chaos in our lives, family, and relationships.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">We feel drained...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Out of focus...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Scattered...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">His holy calling is to be focused.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">His holy Word is as one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Bible is called the Word of God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">not words... Word. period.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">That Word, as a single focused drop creates a clear, beautiful ripple.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov_MfbGPs0_Vncf6VBCrx0fkzEphb5AEP0OGmi656jcNYOZ7_gz3eiYAZ__h_eeB8mJuA4U2LGNjJP4kGkV3-o5IYvxBQ_eTYWVl4q3Rb51k-r7ITwaxQ-M9mBWU7IyNoGti6faDsetg/s1600/ripple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov_MfbGPs0_Vncf6VBCrx0fkzEphb5AEP0OGmi656jcNYOZ7_gz3eiYAZ__h_eeB8mJuA4U2LGNjJP4kGkV3-o5IYvxBQ_eTYWVl4q3Rb51k-r7ITwaxQ-M9mBWU7IyNoGti6faDsetg/s1600/ripple.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i> </i>and that ripple spreads...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and spreads...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and spreads...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">even past the point of our eye being able to detect it...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">when our human eyes cannot see, it is still spreading.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">If we don't get in the way or become an obsticle for it</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">the ripple will continue.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">So this is me receiving the ripple sent by God</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and allowing Him to let it pass through me and continue on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">A wonderful bloggy friend advocates for the orphan.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">She shares the Father's heart for them - </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and keeps them in front of our eyes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">(cause if we see them and hear about them we can't say we didn't know...)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Her passion is contagious...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">her love for these lost and forgotten is pure.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">No matter what their "needs" may be</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">He has called us all to help...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">to stand in the gap...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">to advocate...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">to pray....</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">to get beyond ourselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">I once read that if you look at all of the "professing christians" in the US...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"> and had only 6% of those who profess to be a follower to take in 1 child...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">ONE CHILD</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">That we could obliterate the orphan crisis throughout the world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Go back - read that again...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">That figure brings a lump in my throat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">My eyes have been opened</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and I will not allow them to be shut.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">164,000,000 orphans worldwide</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">15,000 children die every day due to hunger</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and we do....? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">So this brings us to yesterday (wow - that was quite an intro, huh?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">sorry. Well, not really... :o)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">As many of you know, we foster a precious little girl who came to us broken and bruised.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Such abuse at the hand of her parents it is almost inconceivable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Even worse, her twin sister received even more (unimaginable!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">My heart breaks at the thought of these beautiful healthy girls treated so brutally.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">And at only 2 months old.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Saved. Set apart by their Heavenly Father.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">We are prayerfully waiting for them to become legally free...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and praying for the ability to adopt them both.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Despite her "special needs" we feel Him calling us to advocate for the one we don't have.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">EVERYONE NEEDS A MOMMY!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">So I continue to pray for the strength to do what He calls me to do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and God brings another precious one into our path...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">SKYLAR... a little one who was born at 24 weeks gestation...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">she has possible genetic defects...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">monitors and medicine...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">therapies and doctors...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and I am so overwhelmed thinking that I don't know if I can handle this..</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">but still willing and yearning to be used by Him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">And then the ripple comes to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Through my bloggy friends post...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">of a ripple that had come past her - she shared a post of a special needs child</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">who needed a family - and a family that stepped forward to give her (and her roommate!) a new family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">The words that were shared off of this woman's blog rippled straight into my spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">It spoke directly to what I am struggling with.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">She shared,<i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>On Sunday I told my husband "<b>I have reasons not to move forward,</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>but not one of them can be supported by scripture </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>and they all have to do with me." </b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Wow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">That was so what I was feeling!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">So now, as I pass on this ripple </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">(more like get out of the way of His ripple)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">I challenge us all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Can we now take a new look at our decisions?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Can we take a new look at our actions?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Can we hold them up to the light of the scriptures to see His will?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">My deepest desire is to let His light shine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">To fulfill what He has for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">I am not worried about how it will happen</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">(I know He will always make a way when it is His will).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">So today I am overwhelmed ...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">by His love for all His children</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">seen and unseen by this world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">And I know He will give each of us the strength </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and the time</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and the money</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">and whatever we have need of</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">to fulfill His will here on Earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Amen? Amen!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bentham; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></div>
Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-43244314156525794332013-03-15T17:51:00.000-04:002013-03-15T17:51:45.242-04:00His Timing...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ok... I can't be the only one out there that struggles with this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here we sit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dreaming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who is coming to our home?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Who is He going to call us to serve?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Our continual prayer is that He uses our family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in any way that brings glory to His matchless name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A.N.Y. W.A.Y.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And with that prayer in our hearts and our mouths </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we have become yet again a ping-pong ball.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO4IHKidMWyshLnhpTU1-6stNIPY-3fV_G9tmy-Gcp2Xl5kPGUgY6xLFToGtzF6GgsOT-U7rHMVMCN0GsfRoKZSwIWSE2rteMHryMVXhrEAfVn_Whxz9tBoGG4Bgd4Shj6naC9kSBeq0/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO4IHKidMWyshLnhpTU1-6stNIPY-3fV_G9tmy-Gcp2Xl5kPGUgY6xLFToGtzF6GgsOT-U7rHMVMCN0GsfRoKZSwIWSE2rteMHryMVXhrEAfVn_Whxz9tBoGG4Bgd4Shj6naC9kSBeq0/s320/6.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yea! We are getting one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yea! We have TWO coming!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yea! We got a referral but the ages aren't right...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and we KNOW we prayed on this issue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry, no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back and forth our hearts swing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">yearning to meet who He shall bring...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">waiting and learning to grow in the waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">waiting and learning to surrender to the waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this quick-fix society we have grown up in waiting is not valued.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet, our Heavenly Father values it so!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Psalm 27:14</strong>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Wait</b> <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <span class="small-caps"><b>Lord</b></span>; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; <b>Wait</b>, I say, <b>on</b> <b>the</b> <span class="small-caps"><b>Lord</b></span>!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is teaching us that TIMING is everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His timing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not ours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we wait, we wait IN Him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as well as ON Him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEhInVzc-tQfkpVAapVFcHogp4hH_AZCjwGSsiHPmfuUjj9vVObazSaHWFYrsylYG_r3GvtpR6yr5SSFn204S94-l_GqDAcwBljTM6DWyy-iDC9ZbfPWqrj8KOaCoiVv-qJyLayrgyO4/s1600/waiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEhInVzc-tQfkpVAapVFcHogp4hH_AZCjwGSsiHPmfuUjj9vVObazSaHWFYrsylYG_r3GvtpR6yr5SSFn204S94-l_GqDAcwBljTM6DWyy-iDC9ZbfPWqrj8KOaCoiVv-qJyLayrgyO4/s320/waiting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has promised us that He will move and every ounce of my soul</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cries out that I don't want to be even one second out of step with Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His timing is worth the wait! </span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872108697086044742.post-22010394095921149992013-03-03T15:13:00.001-05:002013-03-03T15:13:41.677-05:00Ouch!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I have been missing here... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been missing a lot of places lately it seems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do know that God is doing something in my world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something life-altering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something faith-altering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It would seem (from the outside of my bubble) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that things have "settled down" over here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Deweys have moved on to be with family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amara is settling in nicely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were blessed with a new grandbaby "Faye"(!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nothing feels settled.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFdVQ9-d8_vYO3xRr9fzbHdKDoaggM51047gx8sQtgLGRKbk7ffLeaxiXPOHrtcMm3wFae3HMQtcWZ7lXAz8mmLTVHc0lNvZeKqeym91QAyILh6PFCDmLFVUhonMZFBY5gJP7D7v7kfM/s1600/grapeleaf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFdVQ9-d8_vYO3xRr9fzbHdKDoaggM51047gx8sQtgLGRKbk7ffLeaxiXPOHrtcMm3wFae3HMQtcWZ7lXAz8mmLTVHc0lNvZeKqeym91QAyILh6PFCDmLFVUhonMZFBY5gJP7D7v7kfM/s320/grapeleaf2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God is doing a pruning in me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and any person who has walked with the Lord</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>KNOWS</b> what a pruning feels like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">N.O.T. F.U.N.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*sigh*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet I know that it is for MY growth that He prunes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is my job (as an instrument for Him) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to submit to the pruning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAtEJx3UcaQGXRyqAPa6riPJh6TG2VYOM_tbaIIc3r3kjOAEG-LmM_D_D4PICMWIA9e0KNSu8G02tt-Ri3E-D1uZlJgwkaqrhWFcrkmdsxVvHhprNY_yilHcQIdArIqkxk9KNrpQGqFw/s1600/pruninggrapevines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAtEJx3UcaQGXRyqAPa6riPJh6TG2VYOM_tbaIIc3r3kjOAEG-LmM_D_D4PICMWIA9e0KNSu8G02tt-Ri3E-D1uZlJgwkaqrhWFcrkmdsxVvHhprNY_yilHcQIdArIqkxk9KNrpQGqFw/s320/pruninggrapevines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">snip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There goes a ministry that I loved serving under...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">snip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another activity that I must surrender...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">snip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A beloved time away that I am not doing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">snip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friendships and acquaintances told to cease...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So - as I continue to try and press in to Him...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I surrender...to His pruning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My ultimate (and only true) goal is to be used by Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To produce GOOD FRUIT for His kingdom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfPAdO5AQJd7SAa_5PiwAeRWGsBNcZLJm07jCSdRBhExfH4QtHHErqxbIln9FIoli3IvXiaAcIlgRFGSuLro_LAozxY2DMMIl4eE_Nw7AUWOfG9hbJ7zrYSJoiJVQ6vjIC0__eTgBf4/s1600/grapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfPAdO5AQJd7SAa_5PiwAeRWGsBNcZLJm07jCSdRBhExfH4QtHHErqxbIln9FIoli3IvXiaAcIlgRFGSuLro_LAozxY2DMMIl4eE_Nw7AUWOfG9hbJ7zrYSJoiJVQ6vjIC0__eTgBf4/s320/grapes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know there is someone else coming...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are praying for their safety...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">until they are found and brought out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But in the waiting... He is growing me.</span></div>
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Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11585875624153790450noreply@blogger.com0