tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30337651306204368442024-03-13T12:23:06.833-05:00Between the StormsLauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-75370666465785864652019-11-03T08:33:00.000-06:002019-11-03T08:47:12.797-06:00Well done, little one. Well done...Life. So much life has happened.<br />
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5 Grand kids and 2 on the way. We will have 6 boys and 2 little girls by May of 2020. That alone is wonderfully awesome. Little miracles. </div>
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And I got my first teaching job. A self-contained elementary life skills class. I have two wonderfully awesome paraprofessionals who get me. We work well together. I can't wait to see how we grow and actually run a successful classroom. So far, it's been full of bumps and bruises and tears (mostly mine) and laughter and so much joy and a big learning curve. For me, not the kids. I have much to learn. So much room to grow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last picture together, just the day before Friday.</td></tr>
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Teaching isn't easy. I'm responsible for these little people who are trying to find their own place in the world. Where will they fit in? What awesome ways will they contribute to society? My goal is to show them how loved and important they are. That what they do and what they say and think really matters. I'm trying to show them they can do so much more than they ever thought or imagined. We've been working on independence and thinking for themselves. There are more ways to get things done than how I might tell them and believe me - these kiddos will find a way and most usually it's just as good or better than my idea. They also have ideas that don't quite work out but we learn and grow from them. And trust me, I have more flopped ideas than they ever will. They still love me. They show me grace every single day. Every hug. Every smile. Every hand hold. Grace. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much joy and happiness...</td></tr>
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As the new quarter begins, the real work must begin. We've had time to get to know each other. I've had time to see what they can do. We've gotten in a little groove. We're ready. And then the day after Halloween comes...</div>
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The day after Halloween. Bright and early on the way to school. With a phone call from my Beloved Principal. We lost one of our own. A sweet, very much loved eight-year-old from our very small class. We had 8. Now there are 7. Just like that. Sucker-punched. There. Are. Seven.</div>
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Honestly, I'm still numb. I'm more worried about Laynie's former teacher. She's known her for so long. How does Ginger feel? How is she doing? How is Laynie's aide? How will Courtney process this? Our kids. I'm worried about our kids. On Friday, they asked all day long where Laynie was. They loved her. They helped take care of her. She was their very dear friend. I've been worried about their parents as they share the news with their sons and daughters. And Laynie's family. How are they doing? How do they pick up and go on? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Laynie, fly!</td></tr>
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I'm a private mourner. Give me a bathroom stall, an empty room, a car ride home, and I might be able to process all this. Give me a blank document and I will write. I have to write. And pray. And the tears will start to flow. My heart beats to Laynie's favorite songs. The smiles come through tears as I post pictures. Hope blossoms knowing Laynie flew straight to Heaven. She's dancing. She's singing. She's running. She's sitting on Jesus' lap. She didn't have to take her back brace with her. No stinking stander. No feeding tubes. Now she can eat and drink anything she wants. No more crying. I know she's talking everyone's ear off up there. </div>
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She left an imprint on my life. I will never forget Laynie or the things she taught me. Everyone has a purpose in this world. Laynie's was to bring joy and happiness to all she came in contact with. Well done, little one. Well done... </div>
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Hugs and kisses, my Laynie-Loo.</div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-11512061442175315252019-01-08T21:50:00.000-06:002019-01-08T21:50:45.795-06:001010!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This game. Ugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">1010</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: x-small;">! is an addicting brain teaser with simple yet challenging games designed to train your brain. Challenge your puzzle game skills with this exciting skill game ..." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's very addictive. I want to stop playing and yet I can't. It's supposed to help my brain. I need brain help. I am my father's daughter and that scares me. My dad - he's battling so much. Dementia is taking over his life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alzheimer's is a "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-small; font-weight: lighter;">progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain. It is the most common cause of premature senility."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's only 74 years old. A super intelligent man who has always been there for his family and now he can't remember his family some days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's so hard on my mom and sister who are both living this with him. I'm so far removed from it and yet... I'm as close as a phone call. An hour-and-a-half drive. But I get to hang up the phone. Go home. Forget for hours or minutes at a time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I am taking college classes, trying to keep my mind sharp - my dad's mind is losing his past. And I don't know what to do about it. Prayers feel like they're falling on empty ears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss my daddy. So... when someone is having trouble praying, her friends take over, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is hard. So hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So... I play a dumb game on my phone. I never win. I don't even know if it can be won. Maybe I need to quit playing. It's beginning to sound lots like life. </span></div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-55957401898874434332019-01-01T11:52:00.000-06:002019-01-01T11:52:40.811-06:00Extant So... it's been a very long time. I'm talking - a LOOOONG time! And this is one of my changes for this year - to blog. I think I figured out my word for the year - Be Present. When I looked up synonyms, I found the word - extant - "Still existing. Not destroyed." It reminded me of the times I've been kicked around. Tested. Failed. Got up. Quit. Tried again. Some linguist friend should put it into a good life sentence for me.<br />
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So... Word of the Year - check<br />
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And my <b><span style="color: red;">2019 Life Goals</span></b> - no resolutions.<br />
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<b>Love God Big! </b>- in Word more/pray more. Get involved with a small group at church. I took part in Rooted this fall. It was amazing!<br />
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<b>Celebrate Me!</b> - healthwise/hobbies/read/write. I also will be starting my next Special Ed Endorsement class in January. I'm hoping to get my own classroom next fall.<br />
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<b>Love My Family & Friends Well!</b><br />
I have a new granddaughter, Emma Dean Hubrich. She's the sweetest.<br />
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I have two new daughter's-in-law this year: Kylie and Olesia. Jordan and Kristen moved to Clinton into a big, old house. Kaden is going to pre-school. He's 5 now. Karsen and Kalen have a birthday coming up - they are almost 4 and 2. I'll put their pictures up another time. </div>
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<b>Love My Home!</b> I need to purge. Organize. </div>
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<b>Love My CASA Kids!</b> I have two kids I need to figure out how to spend more time with. I'm hoping I get cases in Clinton soon. That will be much easier to get involved in their lives better. </div>
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Looks like a short list but it's involved and well thought out because of the Cultivate What Matters worksheets/journal that was gifted to me. </div>
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So blog post - check. I miss writing. I must write again. And now it's time to organize a room. Attempt anyway. I feel the need to breathe. Happy New Year, everyone! I'm sure it will be another wild ride. </div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-62426596981829700262015-01-05T19:09:00.003-06:002015-01-05T19:11:20.574-06:002014 Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>2014 was a pretty </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>good year. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January - March, 2014</span></div>
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I learned to spend extended time with God. </div>
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It's still a work in progress. Sad to say, but true.</div>
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Kaden worked hard </div>
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to gain weight. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1524658_10202906728814280_2028004842_n.jpg?oh=03f1878a273cce8647aaac8912eb3796&oe=55390208" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1524658_10202906728814280_2028004842_n.jpg?oh=03f1878a273cce8647aaac8912eb3796&oe=55390208" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Kaden worked hard to gain weight.</span></td></tr>
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Silly boy & Gramma!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1964868_10203268370295091_821220559_n.jpg?oh=f95ca7a4b8cb51c9dac15b3923fa4fd8&oe=553BC224" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1964868_10203268370295091_821220559_n.jpg?oh=f95ca7a4b8cb51c9dac15b3923fa4fd8&oe=553BC224" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaden perfected his selfies:)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1982061_10203274170880102_1445618915_n.jpg?oh=b4123a06d675db87a35d83ab670bef77&oe=55270E94" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1982061_10203274170880102_1445618915_n.jpg?oh=b4123a06d675db87a35d83ab670bef77&oe=55270E94" width="284" /></a>We bowled to raise money for Special Touch. Oh! That reminds me! I have to get on top of that for this year's Bowl-a-thon. Yikes!</div>
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And last on my list through March is spring break and seeing my bestie, Mari. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/971718_10152250865537159_1645503728_n.jpg?oh=05cf30544ecf129b522d0029656a7076&oe=55303CA5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/971718_10152250865537159_1645503728_n.jpg?oh=05cf30544ecf129b522d0029656a7076&oe=55303CA5" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveled to WA on spring break.</td></tr>
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This is a highlight of my life from January through March of 2014. There is still so much more to come - I ran a couple of 5K's, I hiked; rode in a MAJOR bike ride for charity; rode lots more long bike rides for myself... Just lots - a pretty good year. And with that... I'm tired for now. First day of school tomorrow - unless it's cancelled because of snow. A girl can always hope, right? But not really. I'm ready to start the new semester - the new year. Get things going in the right direction. </div>
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And with that... maybe this will be my life's verse for the year. Perhaps. </div>
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<i><span class="text Zeph-3-17" id="en-NIV-22838" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; position: relative;">"The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God is with you,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the Mighty Warrior who saves.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-22838A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22838A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;" /><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px; position: relative;">He will take great delight<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-22838B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22838B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in you;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in his love he will no longer rebuke you,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-22838C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22838C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5555562973022px; line-height: 23.9999980926514px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/cbd/f400/903383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/cbd/f400/903383.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe this dusty blog will get resurrected in 2015? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just maybe. Happy 2015 to you! </span></div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-84378887808818963392014-09-18T06:59:00.000-05:002014-09-18T19:01:01.438-05:00Refuse to Do Nothing!<div style="text-align: center;">
I am <a href="http://www.cyclingforkids.net/" target="_blank">Cycling for Kids</a> tomorrow! </div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stop the Cycle of Abuse 2014 will benefit </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the McLean </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">County Child Protection Network </span></span></span></div>
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONTOgtXUA5yyZmpO1Acqd7EtHYHDOh39ZlfymUGJNH5GOt7VXCPSu0nloKlsm915w1VhvOBKLySqmH7z3yRSeRz-FthZWViFkEnbvKbCMqemSJ6S-CkV9LMJV_m2HfR8w8pdUxUHKeysh/s1600/photo+1+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONTOgtXUA5yyZmpO1Acqd7EtHYHDOh39ZlfymUGJNH5GOt7VXCPSu0nloKlsm915w1VhvOBKLySqmH7z3yRSeRz-FthZWViFkEnbvKbCMqemSJ6S-CkV9LMJV_m2HfR8w8pdUxUHKeysh/s1600/photo+1+(2).JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Court Appointed Special Advocates have donated 8,962 hours for McCLean County's children living in foster care.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Their CASA program has trained more than 550 volunteers since 1985.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Children with a CASA are substantially less likely to spend time in long term foster care</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The CASA program is funded soley through grants,donations and fundraising.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One hour of counseling costs $42.50.Victims are not charged for this service at the CPN center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nationally, 77,000 CASAs are advocating for 234,000 children living in foster care.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">363 children were interviewed at the CPN in 2013.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif;">So many of my friends helped me be able to do this. I needed $500 to ride the three days and we made it! We're travelling 180 miles Friday, Saturday and Sunday, about 60 miles a day. I've never gone more than 40 miles in one day and never two days in a row so this will really push my endurance...but...I'm very excited to be able to take part in this awesome fund raiser!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif;">Please pray for travel safety for us all; beautiful weather; and for me, to be able to ride all three days and still be able to get off my bike each time and walk. As I've gotten older, I've realized I love challenges and seeing how I can stretch myself mentally and physically and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: museo-slab-w01-100, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I've determined to REFUSE TO DO NOTHING!</b></span></div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-63636536786742807312014-07-07T16:14:00.001-05:002014-07-07T16:14:25.429-05:00Lessons from Camp, #1 Lackadaisical!<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTc_UXfr3Snph7s0Pp77SuIGo04JVBtDn_4mYXtn4UHzRYeqPc_MQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTc_UXfr3Snph7s0Pp77SuIGo04JVBtDn_4mYXtn4UHzRYeqPc_MQ" width="200" /></a>On Wednesday at Special Touch camp, Megan and I did something neither of us had ever done before - we went inner-tubing! Our tubes were tied together and my job was to make sure all went well as we traveled downstream.<br />
<br />
The first 3/4 of the ride, we were alone. Some of the group was way ahead of us and some way behind. We were in the middle and enjoying it. Megan splashed water on me and her legs pushed us along faster than the quiet stream. It was relaxing. I laid my head back and enjoyed the scenery.<br />
<br />
Sometime in there, the path got rocky and the current swifter. I pulled myself up out of the tube so I could use my legs and arms to push us away from big rocks that peeked up out of the water or when we were close to washing up against the sides of the banks where tree limbs wanted to entangle us.<br />
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I enjoyed our ride so much that I got...<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSth8FINjWjEcQJf-UDMLrGtg_D4Wy20ho1yrFGVOpdmkBxjbg6xA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSth8FINjWjEcQJf-UDMLrGtg_D4Wy20ho1yrFGVOpdmkBxjbg6xA" width="200" /></a><span data-dobid="hdw">lack·a·dai·si·cal</span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph">ˌlakəˈdāzikəl/ </span></div>
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<i>adjective</i></div>
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<b></b></div>
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lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy.</div>
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"a lackadaisical defense left the Spurs adrift in the second half"</div>
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<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+lethargic&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCAQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">lethargic</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+apathetic&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCEQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">apathetic</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+listless&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCIQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">listless</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+sluggish&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCMQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">sluggish</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+spiritless&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCQQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">spiritless</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=93&q=define+passionless&sa=X&ei=avC6U-3qFNCkyASyoYDAAQ&ved=0CCUQ_SowAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">passionless</a>; </td></tr>
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<br />
We were laughing and teasing each other and I forgot I had to watch out for obstacles in our way. Megan was up higher in a float than I was and she was MY responsibility. Because the beginning was so smooth sailing and so much fun, I let my guard down. Very quickly I learned to keep my feet up so they wouldn't get scraped on the creek bed. I watched upstream so I would know which route to go when there were two paths.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://livinghopecf.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BGSM-Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://livinghopecf.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BGSM-Web.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>But even while watching, I still didn't save us from getting scraped up by limbs that reached out and grabbed us. Rocks stayed hidden until I was right on them. Trust me, it wasn't a smooth ride anymore! I seriously was worried to stand up at the end in case I didn't have a bottom left of my swim suit.<br />
<br />
When I was worried and working so hard, Meg laughed and splashed. She still enjoyed the ride without fear. That made me feel good. I was creating an experience she would never forget. It also made me think about Jesus and how He took up our sins and died on the cross for us so we could have life after life here on Earth. We can live our lives without fear of what's next. It's covered...and it's wonderful!<br />
<br />
I could watch out for Meg fairly well - just one person. At some point, we got ahead of two people. One was a girl in our group, Amanda. She was screaming. I turned around and tried to encourage her to relax and enjoy the ride. While I talked to her, I didn't have my eyes on what was happening in front of us. I quickly found out, <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>I had to not worry about her</b></span>. I couldn't take care of two guests at that moment. Gayle had Amanda and was doing a great job. I had to keep my focus so Meg and I would stay safe.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/p350x350/10408510_10204059814360698_5272168486272157289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/p350x350/10408510_10204059814360698_5272168486272157289_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>It served to remind me how God is so big and how small I am. He watches out for all of us. All the time. His eyes are always on us. He's not inadequate. He is perfect. Unlike me. All week, my job was to look after three young ladies. I loved on them and watched out for them like they were my own. I couldn't let my guard down. I learned more lessons from camp I'll be sharing. I had to lean on God to help me make it through. Not only did we make it through, we had a blast!<br />
<br />
For all those who gave money or bought supplies to help Megan go to camp, THANK YOU - from Megan, her dad, and myself. Her world got lots bigger and she met others who were just like her. That alone has to be pretty awesome!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Meg's own words for most of the week,<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><b> "Awesome!"</b></span></div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-58218292212352704472014-06-17T15:55:00.004-05:002014-06-17T15:56:07.743-05:00Book Review - Bride By Necessity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/t1.0-1/c48.19.234.234/s148x148/208375_1990532163753_1139946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/t1.0-1/c48.19.234.234/s148x148/208375_1990532163753_1139946_n.jpg" /></a></div>
I volunteered to read Bride by Necessity directly from the author, a woman I have personally met at our Faithwriter Conference - Linda Glaz. With summer here and I'm free from work responsibilities, I jumped at the chance for a free book, as you can imagine!<br />
<br />
Linda is, "married with three children and three grandchildren. Her triple-A personality allows her to be an agent with Hartline as well. She loves anything with the written word, and loves stories based on family lore. Rich stories wait to be fictionalized and written, stories handed down through families, no matter legend or exact truth. Linda loves the opportunity to write or find "just the right book" to shake up the industry. She's a charging train: "All aboard!'"<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51+aUJeGXGL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51+aUJeGXGL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bride-Necessity-Heartsong-Presents-Linda-ebook/dp/B00HAZ44T6" target="_blank">Bride by Necessity</a> is her fifth Love Inspired Heartsong book with the sixth to come out in October. As she describes herself, she certainly is a charging train. That's the only way I can resolve myself to give the review that I have to give.<br />
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This book takes place in England in 1855. It starts with bad news, as many do. Payton Whittard is the female main character. She is suddenly whisked from a very humble, poor beginning to living with a very rich man she always feared.<br />
<br />
I wish that's all the description there was to this book. I was able to guess almost everything that was going to happen. Either too much was given away in order to sell the book or it was too contrived to make it move along faster. That wouldn't be Linda's fault. The Heartsong books are short. I enjoyed the characters: Payton is a tom-boy; Jonathan is still trying to recover from a broken heart. I also liked several of the servants that Linda brought to life.<br />
<br />
I got lost in a couple of places but I believe it was because of the pacing. It was way too fast. First they were mad at each other and the next sentence they weren't. It was hard to keep up - like a teenage romance but neither of these were teens. And Payton was hardly an orphan, as the blurb describes her. She was twenty years old - I'm sure an orphan status in the 1800's but it's still hard to imagine for us now.<br />
<br />
I so wish Linda had the opportunity to write this book in full. There is so much more she could have done to let us explore the characters and understand the reasons behind their decisions much better. It's not an awful book but it did put me in frustration mode. I truly enjoyed Payton and Jonathan.<br />
<br />
So, even though this was a hard review to write, Linda asked for honesty. I would like to know what you think of it. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bride-Necessity-Heartsong-Presents-Linda-ebook/dp/B00HAZ44T6" target="_blank">Buy it!</a> Read it. It will take you a day or two and will transport you to another time and place. That's not a bad thing, huh?!<br />
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Thank you Linda, for letting me read your book. I can't wait to read more!Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-36231713872386537952014-06-06T09:23:00.002-05:002014-06-06T09:23:46.332-05:00Well Done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did it! Actually, I've done several things in my 50th year so far:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ0LiWBPmwX6yB0TNj7e-HhTeTCgvFuIKnM3vaLiyMHbb33LbMrh5RBFVfpTCccL2cnGAxeDLw2Bm3y3LM7RQDGkkj5foYg58h3IuVYLAxw_CCMQ3CjaDBGpSLdZvqtqPZQTSTYl2-ADM/s1600/ClickHandler.ashx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ0LiWBPmwX6yB0TNj7e-HhTeTCgvFuIKnM3vaLiyMHbb33LbMrh5RBFVfpTCccL2cnGAxeDLw2Bm3y3LM7RQDGkkj5foYg58h3IuVYLAxw_CCMQ3CjaDBGpSLdZvqtqPZQTSTYl2-ADM/s1600/ClickHandler.ashx.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a>
<li>I finished another year of school. I used sick days for my grandson Kaden more than I did for myself. No surgeries! Nothing that knocked me down for days on end! All in all, we had a pretty good year.</li>
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<ul>
<li>I also completed a 5K. I'd been training for it but didn't finish before race day. I ran it in 39 minutes and came in 2nd in the women's 50 and over bracket. Mind-blowing! </li>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQpdkobx_EApzUFszA4yr-y7pVVK53Eu5urSlSyjxKoeMqLyen-GTc-bM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQpdkobx_EApzUFszA4yr-y7pVVK53Eu5urSlSyjxKoeMqLyen-GTc-bM" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Yesterday I rode my bike for 38 miles. Five of those miles were with a student from school and the rest was just me. It was challenging but fun.</li>
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<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/forever-a-dumdum/123077601/1/ARlmYrvoEoofdtxiBOmearGl" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/forever-a-dumdum/123077601/1/ARlmYrvoEoofdtxiBOmearGl" height="160" width="200" /></a>Funny thing is, all of these took a long time to get through, but the very hardest parts was towards the end. Isn't that crazy?<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CRAZY!</span></div>
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We couldn't wait to get to the end of the school year but then the end brought up all kinds of stress.<br />
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I kept up a good, steady pace for the 5K. Until the end. I just couldn't go on. "Where's the finish line?" I asked. They told me it was just up ahead. And then all kinds of crazy thoughts entered my mind, like:<br />
<br />
Why am I doing this?<br />
Will I be able to walk tomorrow?<br />
Will I be able to step into the car to get home?<br />
Why am I doing this? (that one deserved to be asked several times!)<br />
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The bike ride. Oh my! Honestly, I didn't mean to ride that far but I got lost. Lost is my usual state but it's especially bad when on a bike. My problem is, I don't like to go back the same way I came. That gets me into a whole kind of bad. But I did it. I did it! All 38 miles. I knew if I couldn't go on or if I couldn't get myself 'unlost', my husband was a phone call away.<br />
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Funny thing is, the point I really wanted to give up was when I could see the finish line. I barely moved my legs the last 4 miles. Very sore. Very tired. Very sun burnt. It was a 4 hour ride and the last 20 minutes or so, I was ready to throw in the towel. Catch a ride with a passing farmer.<br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtdrYhy22Wl12R3-GgwnVcRtSiKxqT61xaavJ17XRomqpgfXlqCQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtdrYhy22Wl12R3-GgwnVcRtSiKxqT61xaavJ17XRomqpgfXlqCQ" /></a><br />
The end, I had a hard time getting to the end, but...I did it.<br />
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In all of these, getting to the end wasn't easy. I was:<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Weary</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Beat up</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In pain</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Emotional</b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;">But...</b><br />
<br />
I did it! I made it to the end. I just waved at the farmers as they drove by in their pickup trucks and who could have very easily taken me the rest of the way home. I kept on running when I was encouraged that the finish line was just up ahead. I kept on plugging away at school with every one else even though we were just done. All of us.<br />
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In all of these, getting to the end wasn't easy, but once I got there, I was:<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Relieved</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Exuberant</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Exhausted</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sore</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Emotional</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>So happy...</b></span></div>
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This is how I want to live my life every day. I want to push past pain barriers. Push past mental barriers. Push past my own self-doubt. Finishing a year of school may not seem like much to some people but this is the first year in a long time that I've not had an extended leave of absence for a surgery or sickness. It's a big thing.<br />
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A 5K might not seem a big thing but I've been sick for so long that it is a big thing. For me. It's HUGE!<br />
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Riding my bike for 38 miles, even on accident, riding places I've never ridden before - pushing past fears of getting lost - that's big. Big for me. And I just rode. I didn't care. I knew God was taking care of me and my husband would bail me out if need be. I'm jumping past so many barriers in my 50th year of life. I'm wondering how many more I can add.<br />
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The only thing that truly matters is pushing past that finish line and hearing God say,<i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)</span></i></div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-77482609915992481452014-04-27T07:52:00.000-05:002014-04-27T07:52:13.972-05:00My Father's Daughter<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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I was able to attend the Sacred Rhythms Retreat at Little Galilee and It was AWESOME!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">The book and video we used is by Ruth Haley Barton and subtitled: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. The whole weekend was just - wow!</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">One of the points we read/discussed was honoring the body. How can I glorify God in my body? In order to do that, we have to learn how to listen to our bodies and begin to treat our bodies like the temple of God, which they are. How can we bring others to Him if we're limping around not enjoying life? It's time for us to eat our veggies, ya'll. Put away the potato chips and maybe bake some kale? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">Eating better has helped me lose weight;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">and losing weight has helped me get up and get active;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">and getting active has helped me get in tune with my body.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">As many of you know, I was sick for a long time. As I've been able to get active and stretch myself, I've found out that this is how God speaks to me. I never thought I would enjoy riding my bike for 30 plus miles or enjoy doing yoga or cardio with a 29 year-old friend. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-size: large; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: center;">Never in a million years! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">At the end of the retreat, while every one else was enjoying the fireplace and talking, I put on a few layers of clothes and went outside in our late-in-the-year-snow and plopped down in front of the big picture window and made a snow angel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb9EEoo_OXLD8HXVZPHPI-rhSqAV5Ddf_DN_Jatl5My2yzx7d3Mvh0LviJwg8bl2Ox7wxUbnyB7RTij7rEMBGnyqz_u0Lgn_6DtaLYBU_abxNeZy3scF5_sisiFkmX3oWXApDtXN08rPf/s1600/lauryangel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6fa8dc; margin: 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb9EEoo_OXLD8HXVZPHPI-rhSqAV5Ddf_DN_Jatl5My2yzx7d3Mvh0LviJwg8bl2Ox7wxUbnyB7RTij7rEMBGnyqz_u0Lgn_6DtaLYBU_abxNeZy3scF5_sisiFkmX3oWXApDtXN08rPf/s1600/lauryangel.jpg" style="border: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 5px;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">After a bit, I stopped trying to entertain the spectators and was caught up in just laying there, quiet...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">listening to my breath...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">and the longer I lay, I felt more vulnerable spread eagle, but felt safe at the same time...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">I also realized I wasn't all that cold on the ground - the building kept the wind from hitting me,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">Abba Daddy was protecting me...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">and then I looked up at the sky - my God-given blue eyes connected to the clear blue sky.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">For a few minutes or five or ten, I don't really know how long it was, I experienced the God who brought this late in the year snow. Such a big big sky, and me, so little on a huge expanse of earth. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who am I that God should love me so very much</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> to meet with</span><span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> me for that little bit of time inside a snow angel?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">I ventured outside where no one else dared and He, Abba Daddy, met with me. A couple of years ago, that wouldn't have happened. I would have stayed inside, warm. Now, I love stretching myself to do new things. Experience new adventures. It's one way God speaks to me and it's okay. We learned different ways we can experience God. I don't have to sit with my Bible and continually feel bad because I seem to be learning impaired. We all listen and learn in different ways. There is a time and place for studying God's Word, of course, but the more I spend with Abba - the more I want to spend with Him in every way imaginable, and that includes getting into His Word, memorizing scripture, listening to Him speak to me through His creation - you see?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">He's waking me up. My eyes were wide-open looking up into that great expanse of sky - into the Heavens and that experience is still very real to me even now. God connected with me. We were in rhythm.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">neither are your ways my ways,”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">declares the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “As the heavens are higher than the earth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">and my thoughts than your thoughts." - (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;">But the more we attempt to spend time with God, our ways will hopefully align with God's ways a little bit better. Our thoughts will mesh with His and hopefully we will have many more meetings. That's my wish; my yearning...many many more.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I hadn't gone outside to do something so silly like make a snow angel, would I have had my personal God-encounter? Would He have met me in a different way? I don't know. I wonder how many other encounters with God I've missed because I wasn't in tune with Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">He wanted to meet me; </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">to talk to me; </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">to look into my eyes. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO3qM0rH9HwZg0Qm0JzqjvalVYnvPa0Mxn7lKjG8-gHac6Larrz2EhDPG_0lYQ2JWFuAyFyXXT8mNWHJOz3y_7NOWCijHv_zCcEJShHhNkuJN53wc7PrQhJjBtAr0K1GAnfBBU5i49ev8/s1600/holmanjonespictures213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO3qM0rH9HwZg0Qm0JzqjvalVYnvPa0Mxn7lKjG8-gHac6Larrz2EhDPG_0lYQ2JWFuAyFyXXT8mNWHJOz3y_7NOWCijHv_zCcEJShHhNkuJN53wc7PrQhJjBtAr0K1GAnfBBU5i49ev8/s1600/holmanjonespictures213.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So that's what this retreat was all about. Learning how to find our own rhythm that works for us to come close to God. I guess mine is listening to God in a snow angel, huh? or hiking 10 miles with Becky Glenn or training for 5k race with Kara Klepp so I can be more like my earthly Daddy. The more physical I get, the more God speaks to me. And now I'm eager for lots more encounters in my days. I highly recommend everyone to be a part of these retreats. God individualizes it...one-on-one encounters with Him! So cool! I love being My Father's Daughter!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans'; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I'm sharing this at my church this morning. Using our IPad so I needed to update it. I'm nervous. Oyyyy.... I hope I don't trip over words or just plain trip. Haha! But God will be with me in this too. Thank You, Abba!)</span></span></div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-56594312305856390822014-03-02T18:41:00.000-06:002014-03-03T18:48:21.951-06:00Snow Angel<div style="text-align: center;">
I was at a Sacred Rhythms Retreat this weekend at Little Galilee. It was </div>
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<a href="http://www.anton-pirker.at/content/images/2013/Nov/awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.anton-pirker.at/content/images/2013/Nov/awesome.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></div>
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The book and video we used is by Ruth Haley Barton and subtitled: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. The whole weekend was just - wow! It's still hard for me to put into words and I keep saying that and yet...here I am wanting to write about it.<br />
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One of the points we read/discussed was honoring the body. How can I glorify God in my body? In order to do that, we must learn how to listen to our bodies and begin to treat our bodies like the temple of God, which they are. How can we bring others to Him if we're limping around not enjoying life? It's time for us to eat our veggies, ya'll. Put away the potato chips and maybe bake some kale? The author didn't say this - I'm ad-libbing. But honestly, this is what's helped me feel so much better. Eating fruits and vegetables - making cauliflower pizza instead of the 'cardboard' stuff, as my husband says. <br />
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Eating better has helped me lose weight;<br />
and losing weight has helped me get up and get active;<br />
and getting active has helped me get in tune with my body.<br />
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I was sick for so long, and being active and stretching myself is how God speaks to me. I never thought I would enjoy riding my bike for 30 plus miles or enjoy doing yoga or cardio with a 29 year-old friend who pushes me.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: large;">Never in a million years! </span></div>
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At the end of the retreat, while every one else was enjoying the fireplace and talking, I put on a few layers of clothes and went outside in our late-in-the-year-snow and plopped down in front of the big picture window and made a snow angel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb9EEoo_OXLD8HXVZPHPI-rhSqAV5Ddf_DN_Jatl5My2yzx7d3Mvh0LviJwg8bl2Ox7wxUbnyB7RTij7rEMBGnyqz_u0Lgn_6DtaLYBU_abxNeZy3scF5_sisiFkmX3oWXApDtXN08rPf/s1600/lauryangel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb9EEoo_OXLD8HXVZPHPI-rhSqAV5Ddf_DN_Jatl5My2yzx7d3Mvh0LviJwg8bl2Ox7wxUbnyB7RTij7rEMBGnyqz_u0Lgn_6DtaLYBU_abxNeZy3scF5_sisiFkmX3oWXApDtXN08rPf/s1600/lauryangel.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a bit, I stopped trying to entertain the spectators and was caught up in just laying there, quiet...<br />
listening to my breath...<br />
and the longer I lay, I felt more vulnerable spread eagle, but felt safe at the same time...<br />
I also realized I wasn't all that cold on the ground - the building kept the wind from hitting me,<br />
Abba Daddy was protecting me...<br />
and then I looked up at the sky - my God-given blue eyes connected to the clear blue sky.<br />
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For a few minutes or five or ten, I don't really know how long it was, I experienced the God who brought this late in the year snow. Such a big big sky, and me, so little on a huge expanse of earth. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Who am I that God should love me so very much</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> to meet with</span><span style="color: blue;"> me for that little bit of time inside a snow angel?</span></div>
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I ventured outside where no one else dared and He, Abba Daddy, met with me. A couple of years ago, that wouldn't have happened. I would have stayed inside, warm. Now, I love stretching myself to do new things. Experience new adventures. It's one way God speaks to me and it's okay. I don't have to sit with my Bible and continually feel bad because I seem to be learning impaired. We all listen and learn in different ways. There is a time and place for studying God's Word, of course, but the more I spend with Abba - the more I want to spend with Him in every way imaginable, and that includes getting into His Word - you see? And I've had times in my life where I've done that. Right now it's a dry spell.<br />
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He's waking me up. My eyes were wide-open looking up into that great expanse of sky - into the Heavens and that experience is still very real to me even now. God just now plopped this verse into my mind and I Googled to find where it was found in the Bible. I'm not as learning-impaired as I make myself out to be, I suppose.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">neither are your ways my ways,”</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">declares the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"> “As the heavens are higher than the earth,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">and my thoughts than your thoughts." - (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)</span></div>
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But the more we attempt to spend time with God, our ways will hopefully align with God's ways a little bit better. Our thoughts will mesh with His and hopefully we will have many more meetings. That's my wish; my yearning...many many more.<br />
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Snow angels actually are my WA friend's thing. It's her birthday today (Sunday) and I just had to make her a snow angel, but God had a different plan. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">He wanted to meet me; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">to talk to me; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">to look into my eyes. </span></div>
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If I hadn't gone outside to do something so silly like make a snow angel, would I have had my personal God-encounter? Would He have met me in a different way? I don't know. I wonder how many other encounters with God I've missed because I wasn't in tune with Him. </div>
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So that's what this retreat was all about. Learning how to find our own rhythm that works for us to come close to God. I guess mine is listening to God in a snow angel, huh? And now I'm eager for lots more encounters in my days. <br />
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"The Christian practice of honoring the body is born of the confidence that our bodies are made in the image of God's own goodness. As the place where the divine presence dwells, our bodies are worthy of care and blessing...It is through our bodies that we participate in God's activity in the world." -- Stephanie Paulsell<br />
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<br />Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-28084045411724929682014-01-13T21:21:00.001-06:002014-01-13T21:21:34.513-06:00Peter Stone's, Forager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forager-A-Dystopian-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00GUB9DGA" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HmTZLSKbL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-65,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></span></div>
Ethan Jones, the eighteen-year-old narrator, immediately introduces us into his working world of Melbourne - a post-apocalyptic city infested by the Skel, a nomadic tribe of savages. Ethan and his crew are foragers, hence the title of this dystopian novel written by an Australian author, Peter Stone.<br />
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The reader is constantly being hit by questions. When one is answered, another one is brought up. It truly is well-written. We are introduced to a future society and outlandish government control. I believe the novel is on the level of <i>Ender's Game</i> or <i>Divergent</i>.<br />
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Ethan develops a new relationship with his father. He 'wakes' up to a whole new life. He learns to stand up for himself and his crew. By the end of the novel, he gains so much more than what he had, or what he thought he had than at the beginning. <br />
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I dare you to get hold of this book and read it but...beware! There are many twists and turns. You might want your Dramamine! I can't wait to get hold of the second book in this trilogy because there are some unanswered questions.<br />
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"Peter Stone graduated from Melbourne School of Ministries Bible College in 1988. His wife is from Japan and they have two wonderful children. He has worked in the same games company for over twenty years, but still does not comprehend why they expect him to work all day instead of playing games. Since his late teens, he has dealt with major depressive disorder, otosclerosis (going deaf) and epilepsy, but has a grateful and thankful heart, because he believes all things are in the Lord Jesus' capable hands." <i>"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."</i> Philippians 1:21Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-22656180674276379972013-12-04T07:04:00.001-06:002013-12-04T07:04:22.033-06:00Light of ChristmasI've been noticing lots of new Christmas songs this year. Some are based from old, traditional songs but some are completely new. I sleep with our Christian radio station in my ear, WCIC. I woke up at 2 AM to go to the bathroom and this was playing. I loved it - even that early in the morning and had to find out what it was. Owl City and Toby Mac teamed up to do this. It's a visual extravaganza and it has a message we need to hear in this busy Christmas season. Your kids will love it! I want to find the Veggie Tales movie it was created for. I hope you enjoy!<br />
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Merry Christmas! Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-53440469618775296082013-10-15T20:24:00.001-05:002013-10-15T20:24:36.244-05:00Two New Loves<br />
Since I turned 50, I've developed different loves in my life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>These are the people I love and the things </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have loved and continue to love:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRy1qBOKdb1fEJx8o5KYgZzoaDaVUm0CpC2OGVpqCkyRNZVCy1v" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRy1qBOKdb1fEJx8o5KYgZzoaDaVUm0CpC2OGVpqCkyRNZVCy1v" width="200" /></a>I "love the Lord 'my' God with all 'my' heart and with all 'my' soul and with all 'my' mind and with all 'my' strength.' (Mark 12:30)<br />
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I love my husband and I will continue to love him until 'death us do part. It's not always easy and it's not always easy for him to put up with me, I'm sure of that - but we are in it for the long haul. I know, even if I forget to put gas in the car and I run out and he has to come get me - it's a forever love. Even if I spend too much money on something like, let's say, ummmm...a bike - it's still a forever love. We don't show it the same as we did when we were first married but it's more mature now and I like it.<br />
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I really love my kids - Ryan, Kristen, and Nik and Kristen has brought Jordan into the family and I'm loving him too.<br />
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Of course, I love my parents and brothers and sisters and Jim's family and always will.
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I love love LOVE my job and the people and kids I work with. It makes it so much easier to get up each morning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Okay, well - now that I've turned 50 - </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have two more loves to add to my list. </b></span></div>
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I have a cutie little grandson who I get to love on...lots! I'm so blessed to have him only live about two hours away. </div>
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It's amazing, this connection I have with the little guy! He's six weeks old and 8#. He's growing slowly but I know it's just a matter of time before he shoots up and I'll be wondering where the little baby went. Already, I just missed one weekend and he's smiling a lot and staying awake more. <br />
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I love being a grandma! Honestly, it's way better than I ever thought it would be.<br />
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The next love in my life, my kids don't understand. I barely understand it. I LOVE riding my bike! I'll get home from school, grab a Medifast bar and some water, and then I'll take off to parts unknown. I rarely go the same way twice. I keep finding new roads to explore. It is fun to finally find an exercise that I love to do - that I LONG to do. It also draws me closer to God as I experience His creation. <br />
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I've lost 40 plus pounds now since July and I am changing - from the inside out. Medifast has been the vehicle to help me lose the weight and has given me the energy to hop on my bike and go GO GO!!! Even Medifast was appointed to me by God and is a story in and of itself.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p206x206/994612_10202119323609642_1841055347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p206x206/994612_10202119323609642_1841055347_n.jpg" width="149" /></a>Since I started riding the last of July, I've logged 379 miles - my longest was done at the Prairie Pedal - 42 miles at one time. I'm on my second bike. I didn't realize when I bought my first bike that I would want one I could ride for long periods of time. Last weekend, I chose a bike that would let me do just that and since then, I've put 91 miles on it. You see, I LOVE it! And I'm not quite sure what drew me to it except maybe it was God.<br />
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So you see, now that I'm 50, I have some things figured out a little bit better. I'm getting this eating thing down and I'm losing weight and exercising. I am living life to the fullest and loving hard and strong!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm loving being 50! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOVE LOVE LOVE it!</span></b></div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-50187697903364119842013-09-08T22:30:00.001-05:002013-09-08T22:31:19.403-05:00Grandma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknmg_ZUk33h4u72IZXH_3OfDWB0k7IFmiJuc0jt8TVdwdw2cwavXA0hEToqhG1Ej4_zJtddYXWh5GnK2rLqqp-XJd0hLVsKv578SxEHgWxS6bJpmOoB5GlOaZ9V6uKSVJvK3_8x5ve0wY/s1600/SAM_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknmg_ZUk33h4u72IZXH_3OfDWB0k7IFmiJuc0jt8TVdwdw2cwavXA0hEToqhG1Ej4_zJtddYXWh5GnK2rLqqp-XJd0hLVsKv578SxEHgWxS6bJpmOoB5GlOaZ9V6uKSVJvK3_8x5ve0wY/s320/SAM_1655.JPG" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_485943920"></span><span id="goog_485943921"></span>I am now officially a grandma!<br />
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People told me how great it was and I knew it would be but this little guy has totally and completely rearranged our lives and rooted into our hearts. How can a 6 lb, 5 oz little guy do that in such a short time?<br />
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But this is one of the first scenes we came across when we realized Kaden was born and in the nursery. A group was gathered around him. He was certainly popular.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBJav6mk31FqubxYJdMglc8gC0iEKnz9dNvv5l4tXQEsWsQHce3lmFUiC1WwsjQA9Bp06HBQW2Zx4zqTAhe8-Wc369oplU1jBCZBwtebvJdKcC4qiH9usr5pvn1XUTs2OBgnp-BHmR4Lq/s1600/SAM_1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBJav6mk31FqubxYJdMglc8gC0iEKnz9dNvv5l4tXQEsWsQHce3lmFUiC1WwsjQA9Bp06HBQW2Zx4zqTAhe8-Wc369oplU1jBCZBwtebvJdKcC4qiH9usr5pvn1XUTs2OBgnp-BHmR4Lq/s400/SAM_1659.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
He was wide-eyed and looked right at us. I'm pretty sure he was trying to figure out which one of us was brave enough to get him out of there!<br />
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He was whisked away from the only people he truly knew, his mama and daddy, and taken to a bigger hospital for further help. He finally got to come home a week later.<br />
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All Kaden's tests looked good but the doctor said she can't guarantee what will show up in the future. Of course not. We just want him home now and the future will take care of itself.<br />
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The best thing is, he is beautiful - a miracle - and I'm proud to wear the label - Grandma.<br />
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It was hard for Kaden to figure out the nursing dilemma. Hard to go from bottle to something different. The poor little guy doesn't even know what normal is yet. His whole life has been crazy so far. Within a couple of hours, he got to ride in a helicopter. How many of us ever get to do that?<br />
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Kaden has his first doctor appointment tomorrow. I'm anxious to see how much weight he's gained since he's been nursing. I'm not worried though. If peeing and pooping is any indication - he's doing just fine:)<br />
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Today is Grandparent's Day and we got to spend some time with our little sweet pea. Not much but just long enough for me to get wet on. Just enough time for me to get my Kaden fix. All's good. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my daughter had a baby. Surely she's not old enough! Can't be! Surely I'm not old enough to be a grandma! Can't be!<br />
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This 50 year old stuff is turning out to be pretty awesome! </div>
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<br />Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-88464181600389042932013-08-28T21:09:00.001-05:002013-08-29T07:01:01.929-05:00Half Century<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxD7e1NEEdNIOcMK2ii3DM-pjRM5LzdJAx4fBCNJ9kAXja-A4j09ADV9Wy3ecc2hKAsQKP4DfhCOObqKJE20Ks23X5TyqtaAY_N0lMcz4p0sW6YEyAcSSx3pepDRcU8EKCsduaY4CefUY/s1600/holmanjonespictures199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxD7e1NEEdNIOcMK2ii3DM-pjRM5LzdJAx4fBCNJ9kAXja-A4j09ADV9Wy3ecc2hKAsQKP4DfhCOObqKJE20Ks23X5TyqtaAY_N0lMcz4p0sW6YEyAcSSx3pepDRcU8EKCsduaY4CefUY/s200/holmanjonespictures199.jpg" width="176" /></a>It's pretty weird to think I've been alive for fifty years now - a half century. I don't feel much different than I did when I was a teenager, if I can ignore the aches and pains. But when I look in the mirror, my hair isn't the original color - I'm not even sure I can remember what it used to be. Now if I let it go, it would be white.<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1185262_10201846763595812_2013455618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://sphotos-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1185262_10201846763595812_2013455618_n.jpg" width="147" /></a>I have the same eyes - bright blue. My skin isn't too different if I ignore the wrinkles. I wasn't even aware I had so many until a teen from school took some up-close pictures of me yesterday. Scary!<br />
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When I look into the pre-teen Laury's eyes, I wonder if she had any idea she would ever be 50? A 50 year old woman working with special needs kids in a high school? That wasn't my plan. Did she know she would move to Tabor, IL and meet and marry the cute guy next door? I wonder what she would have thought of that? I wonder what she would have thought of the three kids she would have? I know I thought of my future husband and kids but it was distant, not real.<br />
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Who would think that in my 50th year I would be a grandma? That my youngest son would be so very independent so young? That my oldest would be almost 30? Now that's really weird!<br />
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These 50 years have been full and happy but not without pain. I'm hoping the next 50 will be much better.<br />
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<i><i><span style="color: blue;">"Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout </span></i></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you;" </i>Leviticus 25:10</span></div>
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I proclaim this year - my 50th - to be my jubilee year. I've already started to eat healthier, to exercise, and to lose weight. I'm giving this year and every year to God. He navigates me through life much better than I can do it. I get too many bumps and bruises when I attempt it without Him. There are so many unknowns but God knows so I'm not going to worry. </div>
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I wonder how many years I have left on this earth? 20? 30? 40? 1? Maybe a day? I know I'm ready, no matter how long. This half century year is going to be the best one yet - I just know it! </div>
Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-43216531134017535822013-07-16T12:44:00.001-05:002013-07-16T14:04:49.979-05:00The Freak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I do stupid stuff. Like just now. That was a stupid sentence I wrote, but true. I do stupid things all the time. And it's one thing I do consistently. One thing I'm very reliable at. One thing you can depend on me for. Stupidity. Not in everything. Maybe not even anymore than anyone else. Okay, so can I say that we all major in stupidity at one time or another?<br />
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I've heard some people say they would like to go back in time to fix things; a do-over. I've thought about it quite a bit and my conclusion is this: I honestly think, if I were to go back in time, to the same age, faced with the same decisions, I would do things the same way or maybe mess things up even more. Let's say at age 16. Could we really make a good, rational decision, a different one than we made the first time? And if we did do things different, think how much might be changed down through our history. Hmmm...<br />
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You may ask why I'm so philosophical this most warm, summery day. No, it's not from reading <a href="http://www.lisamikitarian.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Mikitarian's blog</a> too much, although that might do it! Actually, it's from watching one of the 2012 Oscar Nominated Short Live Action Films, <i>The Freak. </i>All of the nominations are showing on the Starz channel right now.<i> </i>I think you'll enjoy this clip.<br />
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Interesting concept. This poor guy tried to get things right for eleven years before his friend intervened. He got one thing right finally, but then there was something else, always something else. It was driving him insane! He was stuck in a time warp continuum of sorts, of his own making, of course. He wanted to get life perfect. Who can do perfect? Who wants to do perfect?<br />
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Funny thing is, we don't have to BE perfect. We don't have to DO perfect. God accepts us for who we are...for what we do. He loves us just because. It's that word called GRACE! Grace - God finds favor with us even though we don't deserve it. I sure don't deserve it. He looks at me, at us, with love, not contempt. When I look in the mirror, I see every imperfection I have. When God looks, He sees what I will be.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #7f6000;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"</b></span>We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!"</i></span> - 1 Corinthians 13:12 The Message</span><br />
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We need to be the best we can be, of course, while we are on earth. We need to strive to be the healthiest we can be. Eat healthy because our body is God's house. With our body, we should be spending time with God; praising Him; telling others about Him and that He is coming soon! But you know, God doesn't expect perfection from us. He knows we aren't going to get it right all the time. He is in the business of forgiveness. I'm sure glad about that.<br />
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My pastor, Greg Taylor, shared a story about grace this past Sunday. There was a college class preparing for an exam that morning. Some sat confident, having already studied all night long. Others were doing last minute cramming. When the professor came in, he told them to keep the tests face down until every one got one. When he told the class to turn their tests over, I can imagine the silence; and then the murmuring; and then the hands slowly, one-by-one being raised. This professor had taken the test for them. All the answers were filled in. He even had their individual names on each test. Every one received an A, no matter what grade they were currently getting in the class. A. He then asked them if they deserved that grade. Of course they didn't. They didn't take the test. He just taught them the word grace in action. He gave them a life lesson they will never forget.<br />
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That's the way God did it. He already had Jesus take the test for us. Because of Him, we don't have to keep re-doing when we get things wrong. We don't need to beat ourselves up. Time machines are fun to think about but really aren't needed, or even practical. I sure did like that short film though. If you can, I would recommend you watch it. Good stuff!<br />
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I can't wait until the fog clears and I can see things clearly. It won't be long now. Jesus is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus, come!<br />
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P.S. As I was studying/reading for this blog post, things got a little cloudy in my mind. I think I'm good now though, thanks to a quick FB pm to/from Greg. So, part two will be another day.<br />
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Until then...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Oz8oowAgx8kwZDVGfAlR2ENHj3-rFKhFqd5YNDOQUtkEX5oP0TyOykFOoTkJl0pzcLgFk2bwumNlYGhEmHAGA_bafvxp1EgBj_0MZ7VV7_cRVqmGqqB0IXEPDlu9P8ynMNfpRmVdGKiH/s1600/sharpnoframe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Oz8oowAgx8kwZDVGfAlR2ENHj3-rFKhFqd5YNDOQUtkEX5oP0TyOykFOoTkJl0pzcLgFk2bwumNlYGhEmHAGA_bafvxp1EgBj_0MZ7VV7_cRVqmGqqB0IXEPDlu9P8ynMNfpRmVdGKiH/s400/sharpnoframe.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Laury</span></div>
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<br />Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-69313575686879831642013-07-08T17:10:00.000-05:002013-07-08T19:16:39.071-05:00Hello, My Name Is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, my name is Laury. That's me to the left. Wasn't I cute in my glory days? Not a care in the world. All the cares were left to my young parents. You see, I'm the daughter of Larry and Dixie Holman. They were married at a very young age: 17 and 16. A year later they had this cute little bundle of joy.<br />
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The year I was born, 1963, JFK was assassinated. I don't remember that, of course, but I know it was a major event. The 60's were pretty eventful but my parent's kept me safe. They sheltered me. They took me to church and I grew up knowing about God and when I was in grade school, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0zwiaICKSHC7s694WXNIuNhU_2TAv5NDA3xBz2y3q66t8RcJdnd9_mY9hEk9senkPgwol-h_qUs46IoPvSbJ7S4Qi6FqLh8Byc2hWJLFjkmoeS2gpzw03i0JNK7rjR2necE-h8gnrK0U/s1600/holmanjonespictures213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0zwiaICKSHC7s694WXNIuNhU_2TAv5NDA3xBz2y3q66t8RcJdnd9_mY9hEk9senkPgwol-h_qUs46IoPvSbJ7S4Qi6FqLh8Byc2hWJLFjkmoeS2gpzw03i0JNK7rjR2necE-h8gnrK0U/s200/holmanjonespictures213.jpg" width="200" /></a>But...as time goes on, things weren't as simple as they were when I was young and sheltered by my daddy. I was out in the world and started making my own decisions. I'd say I haven't done too bad. <br />
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I got married to the guy next door, Jim. We moved right smack in between our two parent's houses. I remember my little sister coming over and asking if Jim could come out and play. That was a long time ago. Seasons have come and gone. Those little sisters and brother all ended up living with us at one time or another. They chose a rougher road than I did. Weird that we all grew up in that same home with the same parents. <br />
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In the course of time, we moved across the road and then we moved back across to where we live now. Jim has NEVER EVER been out of this little place called Tabor. We raised and kicked out of the nest three kids: Ryan, Kristen, and last but not least, Nik. They're okay as far as kids go. Just kidding. We love them lots and think they're the best. And now Kristen is married and starting to raise up her own little family. Funny how life continues to multiply...<br />
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All that is behind me now. I'm in a new phase. Let me introduce myself.<br />
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Hello, my name is:<br />
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Now that's the problem. I don't quite know who or what I am anymore. The kids are gone. The whole upstairs is empty. Just Jim and I here and this summer, I'm alone all day long. So weird. Alone. I love it. I hate it. I got pregnant right away after we were married so we really didn't have much time to be just us. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Our whole married lives were centered around our kids and their schedules. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Now, suddenly...it's not.</b></span><br />
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During all this transitioning, I had a hysterectomy which helped lots of my emotional problems I was having but still...not all. I wake up some days and wonder who exactly am I? I deduce that I am me, whoever me is. But who is me?<br />
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Hello, my name is:<br />
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<li>Lost</li>
<li>Broken</li>
<li>Fat</li>
<li>Lazy</li>
<li>Stupid</li>
<li>Untalented</li>
<li>Friendless</li>
<li>Lonely</li>
<li>Unmotivated</li>
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Should I go on? <br />
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I've had so many things knock me down. I get back up only to get knocked down. I try to remember the word is MENOPAUSE but it's still hard. STILL HARD. HARD. And they are all names that satan wants me to call myself, not God. Those names are all lies. God calls me His child. <br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">God calls me Child of the One True King.</span></div>
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I think every woman can relate to Matthew West's song, My Name Is. Just like my daddy took care of me and held me with such love in that picture above, God lavishes love on me. He watches out for me every second unlike my earthly father could or can. And He knows what's going on in my body and allows me to get help and I have. <br />
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And now, as I'm trying to lose weight AGAIN, after I don't know how many times I lose it and then gain it back, I know satan is going to whisper in my ear those words -<br />
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You can't do this - <span style="font-size: large;">Quitter</span>.<br />
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But I have to. I have to be ready. Stand strong. Remember who I am. What my name is. And when the going gets tough.... I need to remember who I am:<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Hello my name is:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Child of the one true King!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">What's your name?</span></b></div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-69354207270736793502013-07-06T11:55:00.001-05:002013-07-06T11:57:31.464-05:00See, I am doing a new thing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today starts my new journey. I was approached about trying Medifast and I accepted the challenge - for 30 days, at least. I've known for about a week now and during this time, I've been reading up on their website and on the foods. I've also been eating up all the contraband in the house. Last night, I had my 'last pizza.' On the 4th, we went to DQ and I had my 'last blizzard.' It's really pathetic how I'm thinking. It's a good thing my order came finally, because I'm to the point now where the 'lasts' keep coming up and it's getting really old -I'm so done. I'm ready to forge on ahead to a healthier body. I'm eating more now than I regularly eat just because I know I won't be able to soon. See? <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pa-the-tic!</b></span></div>
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While I waited, I Googled other women's blogs about their weight loss journeys with Medifast. I'm not sure that was a good idea because now I'm scared. Some were encouraging. Some weren't. That's to be expected, I suppose. But at least every blog I read said the food was good. That's the most important thing. The foods must be good. :) I have to be on my own though, for one meal a day. The lean and green meal. That's a little scary. I think the easiest will be to just do the meat and the vegetables at first. Basic. That's the plan. <br />
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That's my food order. It came yesterday when Nik was home. He wasn't impressed. He's trying to gain weight. Oh to be young and thin. Sigh... I can do this. I have great willpower when I want it. When I'm challenged. I can always rise to a challenge. <br />
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I've lost weight in the past but then life happens and I turn to food to get myself through it. That is a very dumb thing to do and it doesn't help. All it does is make me feel bad about myself and make my body feel very out of whack. I'm going to be 50 in August. Oh my! That's next month. Wow! Okay. Now is as good a time as any to start moving forward on many things in my life, not just food.<br />
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In order to do that, move forward I mean, I have to let God be in control of every part of my life. Last night a portion of a verse was floating in my mind and I found it. I'm claiming it this month as mine. To stand on. To hold onto, even as the wind blows and tries to knock me off course. <br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>“Forget the former things;</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>do not dwell on the past.</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>See, I am doing a new thing!</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>I am making a way in the wilderness</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>and streams in the wasteland." -- Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV</b></span></i></div>
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Mari did such a good job on my blog header that it still fits my life after all this time. On this new phase on my journey, I will need lots and lots of patience, strength, a great deal of hope and courage to continue on when I want to quit. So here goes! The journey has started...</div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-79144663737308613252013-06-14T14:39:00.003-05:002013-06-14T14:39:37.604-05:00One nation, divisible...I'm cleaning my oven right this second while I sit comfortably on my couch, laptop where it should be: on my lap. I'm really glad I was born here in the United States and in this century.<br />
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Self-cleaning ovens, washing machines & dryers, dishwashers. Do I need to continue?<br />
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Running water. Pure, clean. We don't have to search for it with jars balanced on our heads. Oh! Air conditioning! A car or two to drive us where we want/need to go to allow us to buy what we want/need.<br />
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Have you ever wondered why us? Why were we born here? Privileged. Middle-class citizens. Even our homeless have it better than most of the world. Why us? Why the United States? And the scary question...how much longer will it continue?<br />
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In God we trust? Do we? Does our President? Do we as a nation still trust our God? How much longer before God takes His hand of protection off of us as a whole?<br />
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Even googling our Pledge of Allegiance, there is a discrepancy. </div>
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Change is in the air. </div>
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One nation - indivisible...</div>
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<span class="vk_ans vk_bk" style="font-size: xx-large !important; margin-bottom: 5px;">in·di·vis·i·ble</span> </h3>
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<br /><br />Okay...So God is being taken out of the equation...just 'one nation, indivisible'...and we are far, far from the the definition. So...if the powers that be want to change the Pledge of Allegiance and take God out, let's call it like it is..."<u>one nation, divisible</u>,' because that is certainly what we are.<div>
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It's scary, and yet, right now I'm still glad to live here. Honestly. I get chills and goosebumps when I hear the Star Spangled Banner. When something horrendous happens, we all ban together to help each other and...Pray! When things get bad, we pray. So deep down, I still think this is a nation under God, indivisible. </div>
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We're not completely gone...not yet anyway. </div>
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I'm not a political person. I'm just a citizen of the United States of America. I love my country. I want to see it prosper. It needs to so we can help other countries. I'm so thankful for all I have and what we have as a nation, and I'm also a little ashamed and embarrassed too, when I see the desperate need of others. </div>
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So...as my oven finishes up cleaning itself, and I close this post , I'll pray for our government, and we, the people will do as God tells us:</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."</span></i> -- <span style="color: blue;">(James 4:7-10 NIV)</span></blockquote>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-81151537137540955052013-06-13T15:55:00.000-05:002013-06-13T15:55:09.548-05:00Another school year goneI made it through another school year. It was an interesting one, for sure. I was here and there and then here again. I loved both places but the here was what I absolutely loved and I miss it. I miss the students lots and I hope I get to work with them again next year.<br />
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That was only a part of my year. I also went through a hysterectomy. That was the good part. Before that, I was led around by my body which sweat profusely and was prone to an onset of tears at any second, night or day and for being most unreasonable - which so isn't me. The hysterectomy solved most of that plus the hormonal severe headaches I'd been having for years and could never get under control. Wow! My life is so much better now.<br />
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Let's see, my daughter got married too. Kristen is now Kristen Dennis. That's very strange to hear her called that. So that also means I gained a son named Jordan. I'm also going to be a grandma to a little baby boy the last of August. So many changes.<br />
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All is this happened during the school year, and now...summer is here. I already went to Illinois Special Touch Get Away. Awesomeness! We all had a reeeeaaally good time and felt God's touch. I'll write about that another time. I met more new friends this year, which is always good. I'm ready to go again.<br />
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Mari has come and gone. We had a good time. A very low key visit but fun. We did have one Lucy/Ethel moment but that one was big. Why we have those, I sure don't know, and most of the time they aren't our fault. Well, many times they are but this time it wasn't. Sure do make good memory makers though.<br />
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Now I have the rest of the summer looming before me and not quite sure what God has in store for me. I have the time to do. What is it God has for me? Not everyone has a whole summer and I want to use it for God's glory but I need to know how. I don't want to look backwards and know I frittered it away.<br />
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I will do this while I wait:<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">"Incline your ear, and come to me;</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">hear, that your soul may live..."</span></i> Isaiah 55:3<br />
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-- so that is my plan for now. Listen. Read. Study God's Word. Be prepared for whatever He has for me to do. Sounds like a good plan!<br />
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-38191823471665727552013-01-19T18:00:00.002-06:002013-07-16T12:44:51.108-05:00Grace Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have a very nice blacktop road a half mile from our house that leads to Route 10 - the main road into Clinton, this is the town where I work and bank... This road is like a race track, I'm sorry to say. My boys have confessed to me that they speed on it. It's just that kind of a road. It's hilly and a perfect pavement for it. <br />
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Yesterday I took off not even thinking about the speedometer. I didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time. I mindlessly drove on this most perfect road. Until...I saw a police car in front of me. I had just come down a hill so I didn't have much notice. Ugh...a police car. In the middle of nowhere too. I applied the brakes a little, to show some respect and I felt a pit in my stomach. <i>Please, don't pull me over. Please...</i><br />
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He kept on driving. I was shown some grace. And I appreciated it. I certainly deserved to be pulled over. When I looked at my speed, it showed 70. I had no idea. I told you, the road is a race track! <br />
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Every single day, I experience grace, both in my day-to-day life and in my spiritual life but the grace experienced in my spiritual life is much more often and I can count on it. <br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">"...The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ." -- (Romans 3:22-24 NIV)</span></i><br />
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You see, Jesus is our Grace Card - our 'Get out of Jail Free Card.' Without Him, shiver... I can't even imagine where I would be without Jesus. I don't want to think about it. </div>
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I learned my lesson for a bit. I drove the speed limit the rest of the way into town. But guess what I did when I got to the Waynesville Speed Way on the way home - I found my foot getting heavier and heavier until I was going about 70 mph again. <i>Whoa! </i>Surely I've learned my lesson. I backed off and scolded myself. When will I learn? Will I ever learn my lesson? </div>
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I'm very grateful to Jesus, that He died on the cross for me. If the things I did depended on me going to Heaven - I would be in trouble. My heavy foot would lead me down instead of to my intended destination, I'm afraid. All we have to do is believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. </div>
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Remember this most important verse of all and probably one of the first I memorized,<i><span style="color: red;"> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV) </span></i></div>
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This post may seem pretty basic but there's a time we need to get down to the basics. We need to remember there's many out there who don't know all of this. Things we learned when we were little, are foreign to others. Let's reach out and share this Good News to our friends and family in this New Year, 2013. We're running out of time. I really believe that. We've been shown grace and we'll be shown grace on That Day, Judgement Day. Won't you share that grace with others?</div>
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-91676253311684204192012-09-30T14:11:00.000-05:002013-07-16T12:45:12.828-05:00Unclench My Fist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This school year has been hard from the very start. I've been able to do what I love but only for a short time. I knew it was temporary but I waited for God to intervene. I knew He would. I was wrong. Lesson learned: sometimes God says no and I have to unclench my fist.<br />
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Through all this, something was stolen from me that I need and depend on. The person was confronted and denied it. I had to let it go and allow God to sustain me and He is and I'm learning some things about my body through it all. It's not completely a bad thing but it's hard. Very hard. And I'm angry. So very angry. Lesson learned: sometimes God says, "Hold onto Me and you will make it, Laury. I know it's not fair but just hold onto Me."<br />
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Letting go of something I love to do and working with kids I understand and love to work with has been hard and yet...I love what I'm doing now too. I had to get past the initial shock and anger before I could see it though. Besides that, I still get to work in the class one hour a day and I've made relationships with the teacher and the kids. It took that letting go of the emotion before I could settle down and see things for what they were. So silly. God made me a pretty effective educator wherever I'm placed. It's not anything I learned or did, it's the talent He instilled in me and I'm so thankful. <br />
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Smoldering anger...I don't know where that comes from because I'm not an angry person. Injustice and unfairness upset me though and this year and past years but especially this year, has hit me full in the face and I haven't been able to do a thing about it. I have tried, trust me. But once the temper tantrums haven't worked, and the sulking, and the pleading with God, falling into His arms and resting, knowing for sure Daddy will catch me and take care of me - then, and only then does everything begin to fall into place. <br />
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It's funny, situations don't change. The stolen is still gone and God has helped me through in amazing ways. The school thing is the same too. It's me. I'm the variable that needed the adjustment. The anger and resentment and feelings of unfairness are still there, I am human after all, but they aren't right there at the top ready to spill out. Sometimes I even forget about them for a bit. <br />
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A31&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 4:31</span></a> ESV <br />
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.<br />
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.<br />
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When the world seems to be going crazy, the best thing to do is let go of it and cling to God. When everything else falls away, He will still be here. He is eternal. Our Rock. And for that, I am eternally grateful.<br />
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Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-38874209889317767892012-07-08T14:46:00.000-05:002012-07-08T18:51:42.489-05:00Arm Our Teens - Pocket Testament League Review<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlxH_f6y05LjPKzITo9vePrvP-CAuPNPxN5UkdMjKuMeto84S7zg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlxH_f6y05LjPKzITo9vePrvP-CAuPNPxN5UkdMjKuMeto84S7zg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“Why’re you wearing that
shirt? Haven’t you ever heard of separation of church and state?” The noisy
hallway grew quiet as Mattea considered the question.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“We can wear Christian
t-shirts and we can pray in school…”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Anthony came along beside
her and finished, “and we can bring our Bibles.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The boy argued, “That’s
not what we learned in History class. Church is church and school is school.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“School officials try to
bully us but it’s not legal.” Suddenly everyone scattered and left the two ‘rebels’
alone.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mr. Porter,
Vice-Principal, walked confidently down the hall. “Office, now.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is exactly what many of our
students face every day. I work in a high school and when they see
my Bible on my desk, they’re surprised. I tell them, "You can
bring your Bible to school." It's amazing how kids believe the
lie that’s being told to them. Our Christian teens need to know <a href="http://www.ptl.org/resources/bc7.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>what is evangelism</b></span></a> and they need to know how
to how answer questions that come up from their friends when they carry their
Bibles and wear their popular Christian t-shirts. Both parents and
their teens can go to the <a href="http://www.ptl.org/" target="_blank"><b>Pocket Testimony website</b></a> and receive <b><a href="http://www.ptl.org/resources/bc7.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">free evangelism training</span></a>. </b>The <b><a href="http://www.ptl.org/sharing/92ways.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">evangelism tools</span></a></b> are easy to learn to
use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.ptl.org/pix/photos/pocketdevotions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ptl.org/pix/photos/pocketdevotions.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are many teens who are on fire
and ready to flood their schools this upcoming year with the Word of God. What
better way than with the Gospel of John from the <a href="http://www.ptl.org/code/products.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Pocket Testament League</b>?</span></a> They can be
ordered with over 30 different, up-to-date covers: all very appealing and
colorful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even in grade school, students are
read books that introduce evolution. It may not say the word but the
concepts are there. By the time they are in High School, they are
primed and ready to be taught the theories. Our kids need to know
the truth. In the <a href="http://www.ptl.org/code/devotionals.php?day=1237" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>free daily devotionals</b></span></a> on the website, I
am especially impressed with the very first lesson which deals with chapter one
of John and will arm our students with that truth. The devotional points
out that we have to face the most challenging question ever as a follower of
Jesus Christ: "Where did God come from?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He
was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were m</span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ade; without him
nothing was made that has been made.”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">
(John 1:1-3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">No Big Bang Theory there! God, our creator – period! This is a great devotional and I highly
recommend completing it as a family to prepare our students as they enter into
the new school year. Help your child, <i>“Always be prepared to
give an answer to everyone who asks… to give the reason for the hope that
(they) have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV) </i> Let’s arm our teens with the Word of God as
they go out into the world August, 2013 and beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.ptl.org/resources/read.php" target="_blank">Pocket Testament League</a></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> is the perfect tool for you and
your family!</span></div>
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<br />Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-25664947881431957482012-07-01T17:01:00.000-05:002012-07-01T17:07:36.922-05:00Seeing the Crowds...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, Greg, our pastor, told the story of Esther. He didn't preach to us. He didn't read from the Bible. He was dressed in character and he became a part of Esther's time. Greg's been known to preach from time to time. :) He's also been known to read whole chapters from the Bible. I love the variety. He also mixes up the flow of the service. I especially like that. We walk in each Sunday not really knowing what might happen.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">But today, I could imagine our service being a bit like during Jesus' time. No one wiggled in their seats. No one was bored. We all were enamored because Greg was speaking our language. He spoke to our hearts. He made us feel for each character. </span><br />
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<i>"<span style="background-color: white;">Seeing the crowds, he (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, His disciples came to Him. </span><span style="background-color: white;">And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">(Matthew 5:1-2 ESV)</span></div>
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After reading this, I wondered where all did Jesus talk to the people? </div>
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<li>Before He was even born, people were clamoring to see Him in Bethlehem.</li>
<li>"And he went throughout all <span style="color: blue;">Galilee</span>, teaching in their <span style="color: blue;">synagogues</span> and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all <span style="color: blue;">Syria</span>, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from <span style="color: blue;">Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.</span>" <span style="background-color: white;">(Matthew 4:23-25 ESV)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Up on the mountain where He gave the Sermon on the Mount. This was after he was tempted by satan.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">No rest, the crowds followed Him down off the mountain too when He healed the centurion's servant. (Matthew 8)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Peter's house (Matthew 8)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">house of tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Beside the sea (Matthew 13)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">His hometown Nazareth but was rejected (Matthew 13)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">On the shore, right off the boat when He fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14)</span></li>
<li>Gennesaret - all the people had to do was touch his garment and they were made well! <span style="background-color: white;">(Matthew 14 ESV)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Beside the Sea of Galilee and up the mountain - where He fed the 4,000 (Matthew 15)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Galilee and Capernaum (Matthew 17)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Judea - let the little children come (Matthew 19)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Jericho - blind men (Matthew 20)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Mount of Olives - "</span><span style="background-color: white;">And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” </span><span style="background-color: white;">(Matthew 21:9-11 ESV)</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0wSqLxFDbKoUk3lNevD70kP5rAF0X5me2phz_Gb0KH8BnlSRy3XZyd7n30MmKc4WfusQ6w0zEUqQlLwGPv3oNh5lt4houOq0MNU3CCcXMb6_T7J-TTWqmtGy7tSe9lv-cht3d1mShkd_/s1600/jesus+and+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0wSqLxFDbKoUk3lNevD70kP5rAF0X5me2phz_Gb0KH8BnlSRy3XZyd7n30MmKc4WfusQ6w0zEUqQlLwGPv3oNh5lt4houOq0MNU3CCcXMb6_T7J-TTWqmtGy7tSe9lv-cht3d1mShkd_/s200/jesus+and+girl.jpg" width="156" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">I can imagine sitting on the side of the mountain, listening to Jesus. Or running after Jesus, reaching out for a piece of His robe. Or maybe cooking for Him and washing His dishes. Oh my! I can imagine doing all of this. My favorite thing of all, going out and finding Him in the coolness of the morning. Sneaking up on Him as he talked to His Father. And He would see me out of the corner of His eye and smile and I would know all was well.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033765130620436844.post-85240796548860096962012-06-29T15:17:00.003-05:002012-06-29T15:44:43.241-05:00New Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One day while on the beach, there was a whole area of broken shells. We walked on them and it didn't hurt our feet at all. They were soft from who knows how many centuries of being in the ocean, smoothed out by the water.<br />
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This morning, my second full day at home from one of my most perfect vacations ever, I read this verse:<br />
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<i>"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."</i> - Psalm 34:18<br />
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It had so much more meaning to me after my time at the beach. Mari found a couple pieces of green sea glass. We also found lots of small pieces of smooth, broken shells. Funny thing is, the first couple of days, they really didn't draw our attention. It was the big, intact conch shells that we ran for, like Mari found in this picture. Now that was a find! <br />
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The first day we picked up everything. The second day we were more discerning. After that, we wanted shells that had character, especially if they were worn and cracked. These shells had a story. <br />
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The day before we went home, Laura, Mari, and I went once again down the shore and the big shells weren't there but tiny ones were. They were almost like sea glass. Shells worn by the tide. So very smooth and beautiful. <br />
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My eyes were drawn to those tiny beauties. I could relate to their struggles. Beaten. Worn. But they held on. Because of their adversities, they came out of their trials glorious! The three of us bent down and picked them up lovingly, one at a time. Once in a while, we would show our find to the other two, so proud. <br />
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I even thought of God doing that for us. Bending down and picking us up one at a time. So many of us yet He cares so much for each and every one. I can see Him smiling and saying, "Just look at her. I'm so proud. She's growing even though..." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eOWlKns3ym6XpnOzR7kqWiOAECAJZ9aGedC-YghMVLsIEVDuLU4PzKNthWvvNscK6PAAbmIhG93z0Mwvh47ZZhfpTLHcOUpVGCDHeY_0CFXHbQBhevKwxbjR56oeOUJVSSfs8lJ-ip-L/s1600/she+picks+sea+shells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eOWlKns3ym6XpnOzR7kqWiOAECAJZ9aGedC-YghMVLsIEVDuLU4PzKNthWvvNscK6PAAbmIhG93z0Mwvh47ZZhfpTLHcOUpVGCDHeY_0CFXHbQBhevKwxbjR56oeOUJVSSfs8lJ-ip-L/s320/she+picks+sea+shells.jpg" width="320" /></a>I can see Him bending down and plucking one out of an enormous wave that threatens to destroy...just in time. I can see Him crying because of the fires in Colorado and yet...He smiles because of the few that are turning their hearts to their Creator. <br />
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<i>"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."</i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">- Psalm 34:18</span><br />
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Mari and I took quite a few shells home with us. They didn't get crushed in the process because they've already been through the trials. They're strong. We both have plans for ours, to put them together somehow, to create a brand new piece to share with others.<br />
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<i>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.</i> - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV<br />
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The old ways are in the past and I don't miss them at all. I love the new creation that I am and every day I grow and mature and become more smooth and colorful as the storms of life teach me to look up always. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xsHtj4ITvzNoi2jIfNJSLhexSzbT2u-YeHkCMib7y3ChL9Oe9mYeSMPZ0m3bQpLTpjO6euTcjlY0KxIrGoE5LgwpB-vwOkjrlxyMQntQS1T2ORUOXSaTrrf83GdnBJnYRirLw9r3Fxi0/s1600/between+the+storms+siggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xsHtj4ITvzNoi2jIfNJSLhexSzbT2u-YeHkCMib7y3ChL9Oe9mYeSMPZ0m3bQpLTpjO6euTcjlY0KxIrGoE5LgwpB-vwOkjrlxyMQntQS1T2ORUOXSaTrrf83GdnBJnYRirLw9r3Fxi0/s200/between+the+storms+siggy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Lauryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10265391082131639139noreply@blogger.com