tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808527440125728652024-02-20T19:24:09.797-06:00knead2sewMary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-13881550298715337042016-02-05T09:05:00.000-06:002016-02-05T10:20:45.805-06:00Got Stress? ...be still and know...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our society does not make it easy to be still or quiet. Everywhere I look there are distractions. My iPhone is sitting there on the table making sounds every few minutes, the TV is across the room enticing me to turn it on to see who the Today Show is featuring or what great cooks and recipes are being shown on Food Network. My laptop is just an arm's reach away with the internet, games, music - just about anything I could want for entertainment. And my Kindle<br />
Fire is sitting right there as well, with books galore to explore! Yikes! It's all just calling out my name.<br />
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And yet....God's Word says to "Be still and know". (Psalm 46:10) But to know what exactly? Well, it seems that if we still all the voices and noise in our lives we can know God, and that He is exalted in the earth - that He is the Lord Almighty and He is with us...He is our fortress. Here's the exact quote:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxgHYH68MTyesvEd2xktEz3aHiV6hJjGSQfgsHA90iwf0Tb-LYDxvC4aQOYy4rY80lU8Gp93bgvOQZtZOF6TDMqS3B5UTBRmllfR3IHde_znUqRhnR0oO3ASv2Hke4O7vvZDqBK4idW7B/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+113.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/AVvXsEhFxgHYH68MTyesvEd2xktEz3aHiV6hJjGSQfgsHA90iwf0Tb-LYDxvC4aQOYy4rY80lU8Gp93bgvOQZtZOF6TDMqS3B5UTBRmllfR3IHde_znUqRhnR0oO3ASv2Hke4O7vvZDqBK4idW7B/s320/Alaska+2004+-+113.jpg" width="320" /></a>"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11<br />
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I like to be busy. I feel more useful if I accomplish a large number of tasks during the day. I love to cross things off of my "to do" list. It looks impressive. So all of these things are pulling at me every day and yet God says to "be still and know". I also like to do things for myself. Handling problems as they arise in my own strength comes naturally. "I can do this" is constantly going through my head. It's not that I don't want help, but I just have a "get it done" mentality.<br />
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So how does that correlate with "being still"? Not very well, apparently. God is telling us that if we quiet our spirits and just dwell on Him we will find everything we need to face the situation. To face the day. He says we will know that He is exalted - over the problem - that He is Almighty- He is strong. That He is with us - we are not alone. That He, the God of Jacob, is our fortress. A fortress is a place to hide & be safe from our enemies. And isn't that what we really want, after all?<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D480852744012572865%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1388155029871533704&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-7JD50SjLz_o%2FVrS4q9xM6vI%2FAAAAAAAAA0Q%2Fl-bed2IaPkU%2Fs320%2FAlaska%252B2004%252B-%252B034.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=yZ4r47g30ats&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D480852744012572865%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1388155029871533704&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-7JD50SjLz_o%2FVrS4q9xM6vI%2FAAAAAAAAA0Q%2Fl-bed2IaPkU%2Fs320%2FAlaska%252B2004%252B-%252B034.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=yZ4r47g30ats&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-26917727268770675372016-01-09T10:17:00.000-06:002016-01-10T08:26:58.142-06:00New Years and Second Chances<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdfSK6rbEnjr5btC9Vx12zYeFzbemShhofDaIBqmisbWklkTnMZXIWJRUeBZD_axzVHdZdcs0rhS-HmoeAdXJf8250deRQ5Ko86hfs3CceakbYgxfDIs_syki0ofntPr8r1acsyHnEDT2/s1600/IMG_2230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdfSK6rbEnjr5btC9Vx12zYeFzbemShhofDaIBqmisbWklkTnMZXIWJRUeBZD_axzVHdZdcs0rhS-HmoeAdXJf8250deRQ5Ko86hfs3CceakbYgxfDIs_syki0ofntPr8r1acsyHnEDT2/s200/IMG_2230.jpg" width="150" /></a>I am competitive. I love to win, hate to lose. When my older brother was teaching me to play baseball and I did poorly I always begged for a second chance. Just let me try to hit one more pitch, or attempt to throw the ball a little straighter or further. I needed desperately to try again and not end the session in defeat. I don’t think anybody likes to lose. It doesn’t feel good. But some are more determined than others and press on until they win, or at least improve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeZgqBuOSgj-I-5csKAtbbLv1bWQ8x1TUUs95RclOYvDll3vvv4VRuVcOOKsWnbK1f7vW_WqiZRVEhFdRv6JENW05PQdY1FZyaZlpFfzHYT9_ljUl3-pJXSzvOxzXVWyyIaqSeWc7Bkbw/s1600/IMG_0015.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/AVvXsEgEeZgqBuOSgj-I-5csKAtbbLv1bWQ8x1TUUs95RclOYvDll3vvv4VRuVcOOKsWnbK1f7vW_WqiZRVEhFdRv6JENW05PQdY1FZyaZlpFfzHYT9_ljUl3-pJXSzvOxzXVWyyIaqSeWc7Bkbw/s200/IMG_0015.jpg" width="150" /></a> Life doesn’t always give us second chances, though. In school we are not always given the opportunity to take the test over again. When performing in front of an audience we only have that one moment to do our best and then it’s over.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>But God DOES give us 2nd Chances-right up until our last day on this planet! </i></span><br />
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As we begin this New Year I contemplate what it means to have New Beginnings and am so grateful that with God every single day can be a new beginning. His grace never ends and His love never fails. With every breath we breathe we are given the chance to repent, to thank Him, to praise Him! To begin again - to lean on His everlasting Arms for strength to walk with Him into a new day!<br />
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<b>Lamentations 3:22-24</b><br />
“<i>Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,</i><br />
<i>for his compassions never fail.</i><br />
<i>They are new every morning;</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLDx-nyvq4CkevoEkr-R6jw7dM6u-fDF3MdtUwi4Qco_baZcpAqT2GCrihaWZUThCD1aLeN7yTOhfK1SGz56_Z7IUEtfFolNIWgJrNJyVxhlBqtnqZszX4Q0IrbCaNsPnwWOicLcq91mM/s1600/IMG_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLDx-nyvq4CkevoEkr-R6jw7dM6u-fDF3MdtUwi4Qco_baZcpAqT2GCrihaWZUThCD1aLeN7yTOhfK1SGz56_Z7IUEtfFolNIWgJrNJyVxhlBqtnqZszX4Q0IrbCaNsPnwWOicLcq91mM/s320/IMG_0304.jpg" width="240" /></i></a><i>great is your faithfulness.</i><br />
<i>I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;</i><br />
<i>therefore I will wait for him.”</i><br />
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May the year 2016 be a year of knowing and experiencing<br />
God's grace and His mercies brand new every morning!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmYauNmqxvVf5AVEG0-ftctfZUYLZI9a2HsvUslr3baQ_PbWEJdMhKcz9RBpdg9msGBkyujzaqBkhZCQW5-tC4LEZvr_PcGodoXn91b3GAhaysGH4VHpML6j8XqvitUhoKZiMcr5by5ER/s1600/IMG_3291.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/AVvXsEhDmYauNmqxvVf5AVEG0-ftctfZUYLZI9a2HsvUslr3baQ_PbWEJdMhKcz9RBpdg9msGBkyujzaqBkhZCQW5-tC4LEZvr_PcGodoXn91b3GAhaysGH4VHpML6j8XqvitUhoKZiMcr5by5ER/s320/IMG_3291.JPG" width="320" /></a>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-89266264186775163402015-11-26T10:50:00.002-06:002015-11-26T10:52:08.165-06:00A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanksgiving is a Holiday that I believe is important for us all. It is said the pilgrims celebrated with a meal to thank God for His provision after much difficulty and trials. Governor Bradford proclaimed<br />
a day of thanksgiving in the year 1676. October of 1777 witnessed a time when all the 13 colonies joined in a communal celebration. It also marked the victory over the British.<br />
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After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November of thanksgiving in the year 1863. This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Hale, a magazine editor.<br />
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When we take time to be thankful it gives God glory and it also gets our minds off of ourselves. People are constantly striving to be happy-I see news stories about it all the time, and the answer is so simple: bless others, consider their plight instead of your own. My grandmother used to say "There is always someone else who is worse off than you." And she was right...all we have to do is go look for them.<br />
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<a href="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M4c21de20125e7e1375d0046ce459dd5dH0&w=134&h=100&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&pid=3.1&rm=2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="sgt rms_img" src="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M4c21de20125e7e1375d0046ce459dd5dH0&w=134&h=100&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&pid=3.1&rm=2" data-src-hq="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M4c21de20125e7e1375d0046ce459dd5dH0&w=134&h=100&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&pid=3.1&rm=2" height="100" id="emb8" width="134" /></a>We take so much for granted. There are people in our own towns and cities that struggle daily for food and heat in their homes. I've never known that kind of struggle and sometimes I feel guilty about that, but guilt about something I had no control over is counterproductive. What God desires and even expects from us is to reach out and help those that are less fortunate. It's not hard to find them..all we have to do is call a local church or a church located in the inner city, a homeless shelter or Salvation Army office - they will have a long list of ways we can bless others, I am sure!</div>
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<a href="http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M40e4358f56f62b716b6e489d2fb51968H0&w=248&h=164&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="" src="http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M40e4358f56f62b716b6e489d2fb51968H0&w=248&h=164&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.1" height="132" src2="http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M40e4358f56f62b716b6e489d2fb51968H0&w=248&h=164&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.1" style="height: 164px; width: 248px;" width="200" /></a>Yes, Thanksgiving is important and I pray we never let go of the tradition of celebrating together as families and neighbors and friends. True confessions: I didn't look through the whole bible myself, but there are at least 46 bible verses that speak of giving thanks. Here are a few:</div>
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Psalm 100:4 "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> And into His courts with praise.</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."</div>
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1 Chronicles 16:34 "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ."</div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:18 "...in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."</div>
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<a href="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M24abad4d2ef5393fa42ac9af428641c9H0&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M24abad4d2ef5393fa42ac9af428641c9H0&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" /></a>Happy Thanksgiving Day! Enjoy your meal and time with family and friends and if you don't have someone to celebrate with, know that the Lord God is always near.<br />
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Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-55602341971867052522015-11-18T09:03:00.000-06:002015-11-18T09:03:24.285-06:00Christmas from a Woman's Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFl7YLoA5TOkLt1uxMjOlyzcpRfWO7Ku3LMLeSBiVwESL74hAUMNZPACMOrAdYu2jxQCCFIC3YSBnhYQbgBfPJOisOv2LV0A9aQHHtTaGArXuJCmGIEvJqQaah8uCJBx2fPRdSG1MYqK6/s1600/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFl7YLoA5TOkLt1uxMjOlyzcpRfWO7Ku3LMLeSBiVwESL74hAUMNZPACMOrAdYu2jxQCCFIC3YSBnhYQbgBfPJOisOv2LV0A9aQHHtTaGArXuJCmGIEvJqQaah8uCJBx2fPRdSG1MYqK6/s320/IMG_0691.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The birth of Christ is certainly something to celebrate. The Incarnation...God come to earth and became flesh - came to earth to make his dwelling among us. A miracle!<br />
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He allowed Himself to be subject to Mary - a very young, first-time mother, and Joseph a first-time dad. Risky stuff if you ask me..<br />
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Let me ask you a question: Do you stand in the awe a wonder of that? I must admit sadly that mostly I stand in awe & wonder at all I have to do!<br />
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We are women and we know how to celebrate a holiday! Tell me honestly...can you picture what Christmas would be like if all the prep was left up to the men?? (At my house, if there was a tree at all, it would likely be strung with one set of lights stretched sparingly across it, we would have burgers for dinner, and there might be plain, white envelopes under the tree with cash inside..)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rmSyHsseIOG3GiKzEDOYEXHE8rX2eUzSnCtX7rCBg6HWf_vUAA0JVn0wJr0WZkJUZ4YQnyeCzqgpOlMt3mf9iMyaNHuLynBKo_OUiQ2Mh6F2H0PhRk4bMNm01YpJfxlzevCW6BIRGYYg/s1600/IMG_1529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rmSyHsseIOG3GiKzEDOYEXHE8rX2eUzSnCtX7rCBg6HWf_vUAA0JVn0wJr0WZkJUZ4YQnyeCzqgpOlMt3mf9iMyaNHuLynBKo_OUiQ2Mh6F2H0PhRk4bMNm01YpJfxlzevCW6BIRGYYg/s320/IMG_1529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6-xt7S_aGTpIfqLHX5R3ZJ3mXMVxjVePA8fBCCsM1XUVbgmYfRmc324F662-bk_e2mLDkY10vU4GXcCLgq4G0CvYLtZKbNPK2qnmrN80wilQdk7pWYaLqNqR5Atq39B3zH0l1u1qMlXR/s1600/IMG_0692.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/AVvXsEip6-xt7S_aGTpIfqLHX5R3ZJ3mXMVxjVePA8fBCCsM1XUVbgmYfRmc324F662-bk_e2mLDkY10vU4GXcCLgq4G0CvYLtZKbNPK2qnmrN80wilQdk7pWYaLqNqR5Atq39B3zH0l1u1qMlXR/s200/IMG_0692.jpg" width="150" /></a> We decorate our homes, we bake special goodies, we send cards with loving sentiments, we host family and friends for delectable meals, we sing in choirs and we shop, and shop and shop! We lavish loved ones with gifts galore! (I'm exhausted just thinking about it..)<br />
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But as much as I enjoy the celebrations of the season, I find myself in the midst of a dilemma: how do I participate in the wonderful traditions of Christmas without becoming so distracted that I disregard or ignore the very One I am celebrating? I have lists upon lists of things to accomplish in a very short amount of time! And after all - it won’t be Christmas if I don’t serve the old favorites to the family, or have the house looking festive, and won’t people be offended if they don’t receive a card from me? And then there is the shopping...sales on items that I simply must purchase or certain people won’t be satisfied...stores crowded, traffic, rude people to deal with...and deadlines! I am challenged by all of this every year. <br />
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I don’t know that I have ever truly asked the Lord how HE would have me celebrate His birth, but I think it’s a good idea. The shepherds were so excited after hearing of the birth of the Savior that they hurried off to find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. They didn’t seem to be too concerned with the sheep & other responsibilities. God took care of them and he will also take care of ours if we be sure to put Him first. “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pczEnNdznBGI4rczn7Pji5ku5BGk86Suq4AMOH-I2c6-sBBn8HBaax9C4fsVeIjNAQPoCLuZ1HPduPnQOujKKt-gFIzxXbrvge3JeBfsgDP1Y2IL0KxxncOt5w1Q9zguYghp7_nmpNO5/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pczEnNdznBGI4rczn7Pji5ku5BGk86Suq4AMOH-I2c6-sBBn8HBaax9C4fsVeIjNAQPoCLuZ1HPduPnQOujKKt-gFIzxXbrvge3JeBfsgDP1Y2IL0KxxncOt5w1Q9zguYghp7_nmpNO5/s200/IMG_1538.jpg" width="150" /></a>A picture just came into my head - In it I am celebrating my husband’s birthday with family & friends, food & gifts, but he is sitting in the back of the room in a corner by himself...<br />
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John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and Truth.”<br />
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Isaiah 9:6,7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UnX7EFtZ6sDwN3_B72FpoyPCrnQE9_-r_os6pc49fnX3WdsvaAdPPQ6NGajal-F9a0vJAsSbTGWCJxer7xk4oFbjkr9_d8Dli7pIjxbQAEG0kmF_3CeE-rfUJv5G5NZtRGo0ogmnBTPA/s1600/IMG_1768.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/AVvXsEj8UnX7EFtZ6sDwN3_B72FpoyPCrnQE9_-r_os6pc49fnX3WdsvaAdPPQ6NGajal-F9a0vJAsSbTGWCJxer7xk4oFbjkr9_d8Dli7pIjxbQAEG0kmF_3CeE-rfUJv5G5NZtRGo0ogmnBTPA/s200/IMG_1768.jpg" width="150" /></a>He is awesome and amazing! He loves us so much! So let’s take time with the One we are celebrating and bless those with whom we celebrate! For we are WOMEN and we know how to celebrate our Savior and King!<br />
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May your Christmas celebrations be filled with joy and may you take time every day with the One you are celebrating! That's how to have a truly "Merry" Christmas!<br />
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I know it's early - but Merry Christmas!!Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-20050006026933002582015-10-09T13:02:00.002-05:002015-10-09T13:04:45.583-05:00Quality of Life-who decides?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The elderly. Those in comas. Those with dementia & Alzheimer's. Society wants to end their lives early because they think there's no reason for them to be here. No quality of life....don't get me wrong - I don't want to be hooked up to a breathing machine or be kept alive when brain-dead, but here's what I believe the Lord has shown me:</div>
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1) There's a LOT more going on that we can see. A person is more than a body. We are a spirit-being and God is preparing us each and everyday of our lives for eternity. We simply have no idea of what He is communicating to our spirits when we can't communicate with people...but God can get through! So why does mankind think they know best when to end someone's life? We dare not!</div>
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2) God is also preparing us as we care for our elderly family & friends. We are being taken out of ourselves to care for those that cared for us. It's VERY uncomfortable and draining and agonizing, but it's what they did for us and now it's our turn. He's using it for our good & growth. Once again - don't get me wrong - we all need to get help when we are care-givers or we will get sick & depressed. When we were young parents we got help from babysitters, neighbors, etc. But we still cannot end their lives early because we think there's no reason for them to still be here. How can we be so presumptuous as to assume we know that a person's life has no more meaning! </div>
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We did not create these people and we have no right to decide when it's time to end their lives.</div>
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Don't forget to take time to visit the elderly folks in your life - or even those you don't know at your local nursing home or assisted living center. They need to feel needed and loved. They have amazing stories that we can all learn from! Trust me, you will be the one that feels blessed and fulfilled at the end of the day...as you give your time & attention, they will bless you in ways you never imagined.</div>
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These are my parents and they have passed on to a better place. What a blessing it was to have them in my life! They were good, hard-working people who loved their Lord and Savior and served him to the very last breath. I thank God for them and pray I will leave a legacy as rich as theirs.Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-69536451460197392642015-08-28T08:18:00.001-05:002015-08-28T09:13:58.017-05:00Just a Simple GirlWell, let me start off by saying I'm not really a "girl" anymore since I'm beyond the age of "girl-hood", but inside my head I am still a girl. :) So, that being said...I am not fancy, I'm not beautiful, I'm not rich, I live in an average home in an average neighborhood. I don't have great ambitions - never have - but I do want to make a difference in this world. And that is actually a huge ambition, and yet each and every one of us can attain to it! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB8AEyt_Ej9GaLVwV4drcNgeokyfZpsrF0Lb_0I09etLL9VBz3PlI2p7jxSix5RJmt70wr95dXuq-i2UaCaRqQnzjzQuzgs2jiCxAtSThRM820S5xfgybqSUIDsz2x9rTBJF-frfHsdD2/s1600/IMG_2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB8AEyt_Ej9GaLVwV4drcNgeokyfZpsrF0Lb_0I09etLL9VBz3PlI2p7jxSix5RJmt70wr95dXuq-i2UaCaRqQnzjzQuzgs2jiCxAtSThRM820S5xfgybqSUIDsz2x9rTBJF-frfHsdD2/s200/IMG_2006.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqaafT2ANGlTzkmoMlYXBkO0DYsv0SrP-yx759QredaTL85-5cxv6sBupElvVW_I-XPkwVVBR5X5gg1poEuLx_KkYMjZAIY5GX_yMlMV7IO8a_w8sX9NRWU3xTUgV_H7VssESgZwLVNsX/s1600/IMG_1451.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/AVvXsEhPqaafT2ANGlTzkmoMlYXBkO0DYsv0SrP-yx759QredaTL85-5cxv6sBupElvVW_I-XPkwVVBR5X5gg1poEuLx_KkYMjZAIY5GX_yMlMV7IO8a_w8sX9NRWU3xTUgV_H7VssESgZwLVNsX/s200/IMG_1451.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gvCDqq9-raITTwkBZ6rfcvp-tGYQLIRSop883sKUpciCptdVP9pV1awTJ3m_3rxWxqqvI8bLR5PWhIMlzjfl5ZpUp5NU98O4n9gZbGCnYeqlTP1_ncwd6Ua9R5WFGl0ctmeZcsrJ0R9-/s1600/IMG_0840.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/AVvXsEj1gvCDqq9-raITTwkBZ6rfcvp-tGYQLIRSop883sKUpciCptdVP9pV1awTJ3m_3rxWxqqvI8bLR5PWhIMlzjfl5ZpUp5NU98O4n9gZbGCnYeqlTP1_ncwd6Ua9R5WFGl0ctmeZcsrJ0R9-/s200/IMG_0840.jpg" width="150" /></a>How? Just by being you and using the talents and personality you've been given...that's how! It doesn't take a great ability or beauty or money to start a chain reaction of blessing in this life. A smile. A helping hand. A prayer. A thoughtful note. Some people call this "random acts of kindness." I call it bearing fruit for God. It's what we're called to do. We all have our "sphere of influence" - people in our lives that no one else can reach but us. This is important to realize because when we do, we understand the importance of showing them Christ's love that they may not get to experience anywhere else. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45rwOQlX2wQhsri3f-81P2jesr1oSjWuWsLglN2bEclklK1fK197UAvVyXlo_1H5plPUiHfNdnY4sxNOzsHlUd2i7RxEuD1ukc52-6ZlywFxhYhvTpRVpWXrCG169ElCn8CkwtUIXpQB/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45rwOQlX2wQhsri3f-81P2jesr1oSjWuWsLglN2bEclklK1fK197UAvVyXlo_1H5plPUiHfNdnY4sxNOzsHlUd2i7RxEuD1ukc52-6ZlywFxhYhvTpRVpWXrCG169ElCn8CkwtUIXpQB/s200/IMG_3229.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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One of the keys to success in bearing fruit for God in this life is not comparing yourself to ANYone else! One side of comparing is pride and on the other side is depression. Neither are healthy or productive. So we accept ourselves as God made us, with whatever gifts he's given, and we go forth in His name to just love on people. And everyone can do that! Just be a simple girl-or guy. Be who you are and let God show you how you can make a big difference in someone's life today.<br />
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The pics I've added show ways to be simply "you"....make muffins for a neighbor, invite someone over for a visit, give flowers, sew a tablerunner or something else for someone - or just smile!<br />
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"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5</div>
Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-58619382182540351252015-08-13T11:58:00.000-05:002015-08-13T18:50:30.776-05:00A Patchwork LifeIf your life is anything like mine, it's a combination of the good and bad, the beautiful moments and ugly moments, the fun, carefree times and the stress of trying to hold it all together as a parent or in a workplace environment. Some days I'm just glad to be alive and other days people and the world around me are so negative and disappoint me so severely that I just want to leave it all behind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD1Z8Bn2aO66la1tlUk43tF1WLsq6kI32qbO_m-cazMF_HYvMmRG9W3iJ2lFsKXm5ChNd2Ue3Rj_6LSa0EkVeJCCDVOmPAwc4-F0336Ts7Lienccv4n-S2G0aj_iJ7fu10tuoGvOyWzEH/s1600/IMG_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD1Z8Bn2aO66la1tlUk43tF1WLsq6kI32qbO_m-cazMF_HYvMmRG9W3iJ2lFsKXm5ChNd2Ue3Rj_6LSa0EkVeJCCDVOmPAwc4-F0336Ts7Lienccv4n-S2G0aj_iJ7fu10tuoGvOyWzEH/s200/IMG_2269.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6pD9LRa9I36uHNcXERuuTf3Q4umy1AmDwg2saqiZikyBYhsIRqKBdiAOoJ2disSpjMRJp6yW7lJyEoDqHnuMyRcwQbmmWwzOrljGbaD_U20vdFIXNFRn2fZdOvhYqK0MQO7imBGJdbZi/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6pD9LRa9I36uHNcXERuuTf3Q4umy1AmDwg2saqiZikyBYhsIRqKBdiAOoJ2disSpjMRJp6yW7lJyEoDqHnuMyRcwQbmmWwzOrljGbaD_U20vdFIXNFRn2fZdOvhYqK0MQO7imBGJdbZi/s200/IMG_2312.JPG" width="200" /></a>How can this be? It's because we have been created with emotions and also because this world is not paradise. In the Bible Jesus tells us that "in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) So we have basically been promised that we will experience trouble and hard times. Rich Mullins wrote a song about troubles that I can relate to and it also encourages me. You can find it on YouTube. A lot of his songs encourage me because he's just real and sings about real life. <br />
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The hard times will make us strong if we let them. I've heard people say that trials will either make you bitter or better, and I believe that's true. It's a matter of perspective and attitude. When I was in grade school I was made fun of all the time. I would often go home in tears and my mom would just tell me that kids do that because they're jealous of me...although I couldn't for the life of me see anything they would be jealous of! I was just a normal kid - not really pretty, not rich, not stylish, not good at sports..just ordinary. But what I learned from the pain of being treated that way was that I never wanted to purposely cause that kind of pain to anyone else. It helped me to become compassionate. And God also taught me about forgiveness at that young age. Forgiveness is freeing. Compassion is essential to live a Christian life effectively.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVfM-4nVCXeSNQOPML3iNBcwX6rb-FEoMuXVeNKLSx1kviITT3fOo-_frbrvudAFpi4IUalL1V6M_tEdiNEp7KSzon6m2UuXJsVQdkO4BS9h4sTl3aUuMb2-LRnfKSCiUVFj88SQR02KM/s1600/Quilts+-+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVfM-4nVCXeSNQOPML3iNBcwX6rb-FEoMuXVeNKLSx1kviITT3fOo-_frbrvudAFpi4IUalL1V6M_tEdiNEp7KSzon6m2UuXJsVQdkO4BS9h4sTl3aUuMb2-LRnfKSCiUVFj88SQR02KM/s200/Quilts+-+18.jpg" width="145" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91HCYR2Yl8DzuxrbCaxdAWFsqZj8hY8SWI_XYkp87Eq8zJIgOXZ_q8enY3sZxWHYUx6rScqbZC0_7c5XG2Mma7DWlJa_wZBY-RzOdNO7NQ-AJODdRpayMt6riYe7xCRFeaOYGcKrW5HRq/s1600/Quilts+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91HCYR2Yl8DzuxrbCaxdAWFsqZj8hY8SWI_XYkp87Eq8zJIgOXZ_q8enY3sZxWHYUx6rScqbZC0_7c5XG2Mma7DWlJa_wZBY-RzOdNO7NQ-AJODdRpayMt6riYe7xCRFeaOYGcKrW5HRq/s200/Quilts+-+11.jpg" width="200" /></a>So as I reflect on these things I see my life as a quilt that has been pieced together of all types of fabrics (I am a quilter, so this is a good analogy for me). In a scrap quilt there are all colors and types of prints used - some are spectacularly beautiful- some very ordinary; some I might not even like, but when you add them to the scrap quilt they become one lovely piece of artwork and you would never even notice a particular fabric....you see the whole, not the individual pieces. That's how God sees us - one beautiful creation and that's how we should see ourselves. Don't obsess over the not-so-nice or repulsive parts of your life - see what God sees!<br />
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Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-24201600330261502092015-07-28T14:39:00.000-05:002015-07-28T14:39:10.565-05:00Summer Fruit Idea & Smoothie RecipeI am addicted to the strawberries, peaches and blueberries of summer! I drink smoothies all year round for lunch most days for their refreshing, sweet flavor and also for the benefits of antioxidants that the blueberries can add to your diet as well and the other vitamins they provide.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry pie!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCl1PYXw9rBQHPYi21kiaYyMfi4-rxxhq0rBuzf69wPqwUCvLQJyXjhhOOiInzU1ikPDoLVr8keqnkX4472lM5nSx81D2azKYsl7UWesMxgUQFjQE-EDipQOFckNKruxOW80Xz2uj02jM/s1600/IMG_3236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCl1PYXw9rBQHPYi21kiaYyMfi4-rxxhq0rBuzf69wPqwUCvLQJyXjhhOOiInzU1ikPDoLVr8keqnkX4472lM5nSx81D2azKYsl7UWesMxgUQFjQE-EDipQOFckNKruxOW80Xz2uj02jM/s320/IMG_3236.jpg" width="240" /></a> In the Midwest where I live, strawberries are cheapest and best-tasting from about April through July. Peaches are best in July and part of August and blueberries in July and August as well. A couple of years ago I had the bright idea of buying them in large quantities while fresh and freezing them. (You're probably already doing this, but in case you aren't...) :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCXGJAkUca9EMq47njgpq0UuNuSVXVbXy0VtACkhW2oeVi5jBo_7k5-Uc3IxR3BCCgmjYeOH778t9xNhZX-8I7ZaGreQoEQsKl_kOWVeiXtl7Xjqxpt-09Nb-rRtOLF8jjwHpuXpXw_au/s1600/IMG_3237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCXGJAkUca9EMq47njgpq0UuNuSVXVbXy0VtACkhW2oeVi5jBo_7k5-Uc3IxR3BCCgmjYeOH778t9xNhZX-8I7ZaGreQoEQsKl_kOWVeiXtl7Xjqxpt-09Nb-rRtOLF8jjwHpuXpXw_au/s200/IMG_3237.jpg" width="200" /></a> I use the strawberries in smoothies and quick bread recipes and they can also be used to make ice cream topping. Peaches and blueberries are also great in smoothies and we also enjoy cobblers and pies. Blueberry pancakes and muffins are also favorites we enjoy year-round. I rinse & dry the strawberries and blueberries and sort them, discarding any that are overripe or cutting out the bruised portions, etc. In order to keep them from freezing together in lumps you can place them in the freezer on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Just spread the fruit out a little and then freeze for about 4 hours or so. Afterwards, drop them into freezer bags and put them back in the freezer. They'll keep for several months if sealed well.<br />
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The peaches take a little more prep, but it's worth it. You'll want to peel them, so you can use a blanching process that makes it a whole bunch easier! Just bring a large pot of water to boil, cut an "X" just through the skin on the bottom of the peaches and place them in the boiling water a few at a time until you notice the skin beginning to pull away a little - should be only 2-3 minutes or so. Have a bowl of ice water ready and with a slotted spoon drop them into the ice water for 40 seconds or so. Then, using the slotted spoon again, place them on paper towels to dry. Peel and slice them and then follow the same instructions as for the berries above.<br />
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Mary Lou's Smoothie Recipe<br />
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1 frozen banana<br />
1 8 oz container of vanilla yogurt (I use coconut or almond milk yogurt because of my dairy sensitivity)<br />
Approx 3/4 cup frozen blueberries<br />
Approx 3/4 cup frozen strawberries<br />
Approx 1/2 cup frozen mixed berry blend (purchased at the store)<br />
Approx 1 1/2 cups 100% juice (I use cherry-apple or whatever looks good)<br />
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Place the banana, yogurt and about 1/2 the fruit and juice in the blender to begin...then slowly add more juice and fruit until it mixes well and is not too thick or too thin. <br />
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It's very important that you realize these amounts are approximate - I generally start with half that amount of the frozen fruit & keep adding fruit and juice until it's as thick as I want it. It makes about 3-4 8-10 ounce servings, so I just keep the rest in a pitcher in the fridge. It should be fine for 3 days.<br />
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Here's hoping your summer is full of nature's finest! Make the most of the delectable fruit of summer!<br />
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<br />Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-82833063271583682612015-07-03T11:15:00.000-05:002015-07-03T11:19:40.499-05:00Oldies and Broken Hearts<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Music is one of my favorite things on this earth. Even as a little girl I loved to sing and to hear my dad or mom play on the organ or piano. I was a teen-ager in the 1960’s and listened to the latest music on my parents’ old wooden radio cabinet that stood about 3 1/2” tall in my room. Discovering the Beatles and Beach Boys and Motown music was magical. We could’t wait to hear the latest hits from our favorite groups. As I now listen to those “oldies” I realize that a large number of those songs told of broken hearts and rejection. It’s a common theme even in today’s music. The reason must be because relationships are important to us and we thrive when we are loved and we die a little inside when people leave or reject us, and that can be a friend or lover hurting us by deserting us or through death as well. Hearts break for a lot of reasons, but the result is the same...grief and deep hurt.</span><br />
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The good news is that Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted. It’s one reason He was sent here. It’s the result of accepting His love into our hearts and following him day by day according to his word. Often our gut reaction to pain of this type is to run and/or hide. To try to avoid future hurt we strive to protect ourselves and we build walls. But that only prevents us from receiving love and healing. It’s been said that you can’t heal a deep wound by placing a bandaid on top. It has to be cleaned out and some sort of medication has to be administered which is often painful. (my mother was raised on a farm and they would put rubbing alcohol on cuts, which she did for us also and boy, did that burn!) But going through that painful experience is what helps bring the healing. Leaving the cut or abrasion alone allows bacteria to grow and cause infection. Our hearts are like that. We need to go to our Creator and pour out our grief and pain to him so he can clean the wound and apply his mercy, compassion and love. Trying to be strong and handle it on our own will only keep us from experiencing this wonderful, healing balm from our great God. A friend and pastor once said that people that feel deeply laugh a lot and cry a lot and that’s just how God wants us to go through life - feeling deeply. I’ve known people who are so guarded that they seldom laugh and don’t allow themselves to cry, but to my way of thinking that’s not really living. It’s just going through the motions of life. So take your broken heart to Jesus and let him do what only he can do effectively - heal us from the inside-out.<br />
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Psalm 34:14 “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”<br />
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Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.”<br />
<br />Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-32990009590107256212015-06-09T13:40:00.000-05:002015-06-09T13:40:53.914-05:00Do you see what I see?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love traveling to Florida for time away and have been blessed to do so many times. One of our favorite past times while there is to hunt for shells. In the northern panhandle there are not many shells to be found because of a sandbar several yards out that inhibits the larger shells from reaching the shore area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We especially enjoy finding sand dollars, but they are difficult to obtain in one piece. By the time they reach the shore the waves have beat them up till they are in small pieces. Most of the ones we locate are about the size of a quarter or less. They are known to get as large as 4 or more inches in diameter. You usually have to swim out beyond the sandbar and dive down to retrieve the larger ones, which we have never tried.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtFCF_SgU3O-j0wsxOV5HBYp8l-1I1MrFwq4MZjb1BJDVsCPZMmsdzOG6J5mfo1dOWfqkAmmHNTN6Xe9ka-zuJmMHwueC5uuFdpnMzgyZcL0t5-a9DwMSilNIM9BJrd77Zp2e5lVXOy3D/s1600/IMG_2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtFCF_SgU3O-j0wsxOV5HBYp8l-1I1MrFwq4MZjb1BJDVsCPZMmsdzOG6J5mfo1dOWfqkAmmHNTN6Xe9ka-zuJmMHwueC5uuFdpnMzgyZcL0t5-a9DwMSilNIM9BJrd77Zp2e5lVXOy3D/s320/IMG_2697.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Along the shoreline many smaller sand dollars may be found, along with a variety of other types of shells. If you are persistent you will discover the unbroken ones. When I am searching for my treasures oftentimes I see other footprints in the sand, indicating that others have searched the same spot, but even though that’s true I still find some lovely shells intact, not beaten up or broken and I wonder “did they miss this one?” Which leads me to my point: If we are diligent when seeking God and His truths, we WILL find him!</div>
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Jesus himself is a treasure that cannot be compared to earthly riches...he taught this about the kingdom of God, but I believe it can also be applied to a person finding Him. He alone can satisfy our deepest desires and needs.<br />
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Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.<br />
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”<br />
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Jesus has made us this promise, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7<br />
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Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on him while he is near.”<br />
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So, the question remains...do you see what I see?Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-21980181836192942572012-05-23T19:45:00.000-05:002015-07-03T11:23:08.498-05:00Worship-what does it mean to you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Worship.....the very word conjures up many different images as well as opinions and experiences...<br />
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My question to you today is "What does worship mean to you?" <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Romans 12:1 says "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sister, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>as a living sacrifice,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> holy and pleasing to God - </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>this is your true and proper worship."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODFlJbYNbwcHxEKbfe4B-0xgZe1jYVQS6pxi6hp_F3h9fTIALGRumfdTM2CXFeScp3uIwCVMDBfmrVo1Yq8RljKw0Cos1EpaJnxGQndb1lQjiutwC5aWBTpoADGKlfxMocSHh33QoCTrw/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODFlJbYNbwcHxEKbfe4B-0xgZe1jYVQS6pxi6hp_F3h9fTIALGRumfdTM2CXFeScp3uIwCVMDBfmrVo1Yq8RljKw0Cos1EpaJnxGQndb1lQjiutwC5aWBTpoADGKlfxMocSHh33QoCTrw/s200/IMG_2599.JPG" width="200" /></a>For me it means living for God everyday in everything I say, do and think. Some days it's when I'm out in nature as you see my husband is above; observing the beauty and life that God has created in each and every object.</div>
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It can also be when a child is consecrated to God through baptism or dedication.</div>
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For me, much of the time it is my love for God expressed in song...</div>
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Often as I look up into the vastness and glory of the skies I see His Glory and stand in awe.<br />
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I once wrote a song about worship...here are the words:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>"The One We Worship"</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"How do you worship Someone who - </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Spoke into existence the sky so vast and blue....He filled mighty oceans that break upon and shape the sand, Yet takes and molds my life with the gentle stroke of his hand. How do you worship Someone who paints each fragile flow'r its own design and hue?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">He carved heart-stopping mountains that rise and stand so tall; Yet lovingly reaches down to lift me when I fall.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">He's worthy of everything I can do - asking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">only devotion from a heart made new.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">O Father, I love you, I worship you; You've ransomed my life - my heart belongs to You."</span><br />
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Yes, He's worthy of everything I could possibly do for Him - yet He asks for me - just me....ALL of me....my heart, my love....and I give it gladly, because therein is my joy, my pleasure, true fulfillment.<br />
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And I ask you...what else is there worth living for?<br />
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So...please feel free to answer the question about what worship means to you - I really want to know. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious Presence - without fault - and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever. Amen!" Jude 24 & 25</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i>love and blessings, mary lou </i><br />
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<br />Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-41946710427333112142012-03-29T11:42:00.002-05:002012-03-29T11:42:53.419-05:00Cats and Shadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cats love to chase anything...they will chase shadows with zealous fervor, certain that the thing they see moving is alive and real! I enjoy watching them as they play with anything that shows movement.....even if the movement is only a shape cast from an object concealing the light!</div>
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I have found in my own life's experience that religion was like that....I was chasing shadows and coming up empty. We go through the motions of observing religious rituals and even serving God - but we come away without anything tangible...our hearts<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XO4JECCLKPIEykmbZqc-CDSZ7FPm42flQX7yGdZACLjwwDXJNjhbVzA1ROOtcjA_lo8A9OImC8cbeiVkg4DYWMcKBK_68Q4n_YBapu_EQxZ6dNH_7Pdt7LR0PbHw4i23okmsvOyGGYZt/s1600/101_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XO4JECCLKPIEykmbZqc-CDSZ7FPm42flQX7yGdZACLjwwDXJNjhbVzA1ROOtcjA_lo8A9OImC8cbeiVkg4DYWMcKBK_68Q4n_YBapu_EQxZ6dNH_7Pdt7LR0PbHw4i23okmsvOyGGYZt/s200/101_1493.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
remain unoccupied - hollow....and we wonder why. We have supposedly "done" everything required in order to achieve the desired result of spirituality, but we don't find it there....we are disappointed, disillusioned and discouraged. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0c_TWhKkTEKbGMbwsEdD-MToEbSsF_rtPWoTF7ExGIGYfzLLAiYmAKioQgcBpE-076Deh6wSYGrWlv7kIe5-udKKW792XrcwWiKH9M6KClJWvPhbu-E01cMtot4eLvNGD4PXPYKMQxgw/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0c_TWhKkTEKbGMbwsEdD-MToEbSsF_rtPWoTF7ExGIGYfzLLAiYmAKioQgcBpE-076Deh6wSYGrWlv7kIe5-udKKW792XrcwWiKH9M6KClJWvPhbu-E01cMtot4eLvNGD4PXPYKMQxgw/s200/IMG_2888.JPG" width="200" /></a> and we ask ourselves....</div>
"What's it all about, anyway? Is it worth the effort anymore? I thought I'd "feel" something if I went through the rituals, the motions, even the "goodness" of serving God in ministry, for heaven's sake!" <br />
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Well, I found out that God is NOT in the shadows - He is real, He is here with us, He does care after all! And most of all, I found out that He doesn't want me "going through the motions of religious activity" - He wants <u><i>me</i></u> - my whole heart, mind, soul and<br />
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strength! And I discovered that if I seek Him, I will find Him - if I take time to just be with Him - sharing my heart, listening for that still, small voice - He is there. He listens, He even speaks - mostly through His Word - the bible - but I have heard his voice in my thoughts and it is a beautiful thing! <br />
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So I'm not chasing shadows anymore...I'm chasing...HIM! In the book of Colossians that Paul wrote, it says.. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29503" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">8</sup> See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29503a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29503a" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> of this world rather than on Christ.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29504" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">9</sup> For <u>in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form</u>, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29505" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">10</sup> and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29506" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">11</sup> In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29506b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29506b" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> was put off when you were circumcised by<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29506c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29506c" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> Christ, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29507" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">12</sup> having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29508" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">13</sup> When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29508d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29508d" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29509" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">14</sup> having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29510" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">15</sup> And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-29510e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29510e" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29511" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">16</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29512" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">17</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">These are a <u>shadow</u> of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.</span></b></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
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Paul nails it here - Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets - the entire Old Testament - He said that Himself in Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill them."<br />
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So...no more shadows for me - God has shown me the way to true fulfillment - in a relationship with Jesus, my Savior!<br />
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I encourage you to think about these things as we near Good Friday and Easter. Jesus came for a reason - and He died for a reason - and He rose again in order to provide salvation for us - not religion - but a real, vibrant, living & breathing relationship - one that is satisfying in every respect! Just don't allow yourself to get caught<br />
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up in the wearying activity, the "doing of the thing" - get captured by the Love of God Himself and just rest in His Glorious Presence each day and let Him fill you...as the disillusionment, frustration and sadness drain away from you all the while. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRKodMs08r3Svbk4eRNW1cVUTuNafntlEslds9Z1Pr5Gb0Yd-JZaFsnDfMzQY91l3fWLWSfiyCNg5eX1b16b_j1ADhMw2wudCk8oFQ3n65KZkUcENnnMsP4dH_CXAh2yclzXDS0Jg1wez/s1600/IMG_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRKodMs08r3Svbk4eRNW1cVUTuNafntlEslds9Z1Pr5Gb0Yd-JZaFsnDfMzQY91l3fWLWSfiyCNg5eX1b16b_j1ADhMw2wudCk8oFQ3n65KZkUcENnnMsP4dH_CXAh2yclzXDS0Jg1wez/s200/IMG_1558.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(this guy is certainly not anxious for anything!)</td></tr>
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The joy of the Lord is my strength! And shall be evermore!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIIRKSP8HvyvX5H8ejXrPJkTueYej464QFxaBgTQdJapmk6o2t9j8IBzSU18liuIZ0gKTICsPs4g2OUQnmbgliYfkHGhHQCv-dG9U64gngMzcSQppukwcTKYo_mYU4j9DrsIPJ2Av7liV/s1600/IMG_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIIRKSP8HvyvX5H8ejXrPJkTueYej464QFxaBgTQdJapmk6o2t9j8IBzSU18liuIZ0gKTICsPs4g2OUQnmbgliYfkHGhHQCv-dG9U64gngMzcSQppukwcTKYo_mYU4j9DrsIPJ2Av7liV/s200/IMG_1560.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Cats "get" this concept of not worrying!)</td></tr>
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"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace that passes all understanding shall guard your hearts and your minds." Philippians 4:6 & 7.<br />
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No more shadows...only the glorious reality of....HIM!<br />
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"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Go in peace today, my friend and know God's power, love and grace! It's there simply for the asking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9458RZziIXr679ZyM_pmy_hmXOL0J2J2Le7UsDlkOUhBmUQqMmIPsPL9uk_8cPZUeZ_I4cEZ44XP-xtpwix-69SVcC6ybiVsHy9dWIJYgukgyA7GYc3PFG9UiVSU4jFvUPq73P58bZGsd/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9458RZziIXr679ZyM_pmy_hmXOL0J2J2Le7UsDlkOUhBmUQqMmIPsPL9uk_8cPZUeZ_I4cEZ44XP-xtpwix-69SVcC6ybiVsHy9dWIJYgukgyA7GYc3PFG9UiVSU4jFvUPq73P58bZGsd/s320/IMG_3328.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(a true relationship...security, closeness, love, forgiveness, mercy...)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KxvASOvEHUmtshryEgg9728R3XSufWnRiAP1HUC2GLNFCIHFyKXZSvGLa02dZuIyR6mMSs2MJ9HW3098fCtUssC0cM1OyYe4W7aY07_-WZPreMGGcTsTOvAXFpNHVDFvx1ob5GahFbk8/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KxvASOvEHUmtshryEgg9728R3XSufWnRiAP1HUC2GLNFCIHFyKXZSvGLa02dZuIyR6mMSs2MJ9HW3098fCtUssC0cM1OyYe4W7aY07_-WZPreMGGcTsTOvAXFpNHVDFvx1ob5GahFbk8/s320/IMG_3284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
:)Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-22368330732512387892012-03-20T09:21:00.001-05:002012-03-20T09:21:14.978-05:00Looking into the hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrQQyUfMsUp1tH_X05mAiytQj5YxvT2Frf6BdURYM5-GeNz-OSgjCA4DYuV6l9pMulQzrKy0EK7watu1jHbBAn-nqCRF89XuBQyyMcgJdhC3ahkVQZgbc60Ad7zuswmcW-Dq5-c89vg1s/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+034.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/AVvXsEjmrQQyUfMsUp1tH_X05mAiytQj5YxvT2Frf6BdURYM5-GeNz-OSgjCA4DYuV6l9pMulQzrKy0EK7watu1jHbBAn-nqCRF89XuBQyyMcgJdhC3ahkVQZgbc60Ad7zuswmcW-Dq5-c89vg1s/s320/Alaska+2004+-+034.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today we will examine the hymn "When I survey the wondrous cross" and I will comment in parentheses....I think a song means more when we look at it in a non-musical manner-just pondering the words, so join me here....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"When I survey the wondrous cross" </i></span>(to survey means to look at thoroughly, to investigate, examine....so I ponder what that cross meant to Jesus - an altar of Love where He sacrificed Himself to bear ALL our sin) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"on which the Prince of Glory died"</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTyMMihoh56lc1XeLUwMbCZyyl3Ve2GdSnHIayLiwf-jcfgM0yUsWAXsiK4Nf4y0rqW-g98s13JtjdmnTF0grBLcZqPlCs_SWwoNvkjGzOWYANuzKV7328lXGKT1-Uucfv0OVKE_puKgq/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTyMMihoh56lc1XeLUwMbCZyyl3Ve2GdSnHIayLiwf-jcfgM0yUsWAXsiK4Nf4y0rqW-g98s13JtjdmnTF0grBLcZqPlCs_SWwoNvkjGzOWYANuzKV7328lXGKT1-Uucfv0OVKE_puKgq/s200/IMG_3306.JPG" width="200" /></a>(the Prince of Glory-what a perfect name for Him!)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"my richest gain I count but loss"</i></span> (anything that made me feel important, or that I loved or paid attention to-even my accomplishments done for Him in His Church-as Paul said - "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ....What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing<br />
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Phil. 3:7-8)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-SGSfl0CkvVHzpRz9aKcztJaQBvJxPGtrnq1WOY8-85Mx2fD0H6chDdl0jUvh4VxRGMZoFbMBEaDQo-NXSMxV6WbZQfgujE9syvu7w0Cfs0LBehplEg6fFYH39qQRfBaUnT43G36sWT_/s1600/IMG_3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-SGSfl0CkvVHzpRz9aKcztJaQBvJxPGtrnq1WOY8-85Mx2fD0H6chDdl0jUvh4VxRGMZoFbMBEaDQo-NXSMxV6WbZQfgujE9syvu7w0Cfs0LBehplEg6fFYH39qQRfBaUnT43G36sWT_/s200/IMG_3308.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"And pour contempt on all my pride." </span>(I disregard it, I lay down my pride at the foot of the cross...I abhor any thought that would exalt itself or me...anything I am or have accomplished has come from HIM anyway!)</i><br />
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verse 2..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood."</i></span> (for me, this means that nothing is as precious to me as the sacrifice He made on my behalf on that Cross-He suffered shame & contempt to bear my sin before a Holy God-His own Father - so I could be counted worthy to receive Eternal Life!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcCZ7jGHd3xJGeFJzYaGrdEgDEMZz-QycswVJRDl-D8rSRrx-3n0_uqWwcbonmy9WMqEO5Bs0Ox_GBH2fhEewp78dTPGLV_rxuZdsMxcecL0BdMG4jwQeujEpg-7g1w0Yf9ypi7Sq7b39/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcCZ7jGHd3xJGeFJzYaGrdEgDEMZz-QycswVJRDl-D8rSRrx-3n0_uqWwcbonmy9WMqEO5Bs0Ox_GBH2fhEewp78dTPGLV_rxuZdsMxcecL0BdMG4jwQeujEpg-7g1w0Yf9ypi7Sq7b39/s200/Alaska+2004+-+084.jpg" width="200" /></a>verse 3 ...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down." </i></span>(can you picture this? His love for US motivated him to give His very life-to shed his blood as the Passover Lamb for us...)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?"</i></span> (love and sorrow-he felt them both in greater degrees than we will EVER know!)<br />
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And Lord Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, all I can say now is "thank you" and "I fall on my face before you", because only YOU are worthy of ALL honor, ALL glory, All power and praise forever and ever! Amen!<br />
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As you leave here today, I pray you will take time to ponder what the Prince of Glory did for you - to allow you to have the gift of Eternal Life which is to <i>know God the Father</i> as your own...to be in that relationship which is beyond a dream! :)<br />
<br />Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-60285355514755425112012-03-14T12:36:00.002-05:002012-03-14T12:36:47.561-05:00Wednesday's Word for March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today we read from Psalm 63..a favorite of mine - I've even written a worship song from it...I will be mixing my own thoughts into the words of the Psalm and they will be in parentheses...<br />
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"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I will search for you, waiting expectantly for you to reveal yourself through your Word, </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">nature, other people, life circumstances...prayer) </span></span><br />
my souls thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (my whole being has need of your Presence, your love, your peace) </span><br />
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld<br />
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your power and your glory. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(imagine how King David, the author of this psalm beheld God as he prayed in the Temple!) </span><br />
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;">(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's love is worth living for and dying for! I can't help but praise Him!)</span></span><br />
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. <br />
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My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(nothing in this world can or will satisfy our basic needs like God's love can! Though we try to fill them with people and things, we will only be disillusioned and frustrated and left empty and bereft)</span><br />
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with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I have such confidence in God - in his love, his power, his mercy and grace and compassion that I can sing even when I am going through distress, pain and heartache. I hide myself within him through prayer & worship & reading his word. And I find rest, and peace. "Come to Me, all ye who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest," Jesus said.)</span><br />
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (He has promised to be with us always and I know that He is truly holding me tighter than I could ever hold onto HIM! Thanks be to God!)</span><br />
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I pray that as you leave here today you will know His peace and the confidence that it is HE who holds YOU as you put your trust in Him! Blessings to you, my friend.Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-8568385689353588042012-03-06T10:47:00.002-06:002012-03-06T10:47:34.827-06:00Broken and Spilled Out..thoughts on worship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxQLn4zzOOpq-gkAIQu63dzLyrncJtIQ8xQ1BXbPun1BRcA8rEE8wz8iBTWDN2GzBhBA18xJIDyQ6k_UXPLR_pwPgxxiZWhjch-7EnP52m-_D591cgaZzNYwFKcEgV5pB_lwFciz_mkSf/s1600/Alaska+2005+-+317.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/AVvXsEgCxQLn4zzOOpq-gkAIQu63dzLyrncJtIQ8xQ1BXbPun1BRcA8rEE8wz8iBTWDN2GzBhBA18xJIDyQ6k_UXPLR_pwPgxxiZWhjch-7EnP52m-_D591cgaZzNYwFKcEgV5pB_lwFciz_mkSf/s320/Alaska+2005+-+317.jpg" width="320" /></a>I often ask myself this question..."What is worship really?"<br />
I have been involved in leading worship most of my adult life. I have often thought I do a pretty good job of giving Him glory & honoring Him with my praises. However.....when I read the story below, I realize I don't even come close to what He deserves!<br />
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Have you ever read the story in the bible of the woman that came to Jesus while he was eating at the Pharisee's house, took perfume & poured it on his feet & while weeping, she wet his feet with her tears and then wiped them with her hair? Did you ever try to picture that event and wonder what would happen if someone did that today?<br />
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This story is recorded in Luke 7:36-50, and I quote...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4UvY5TaymIfKDm1Y5t8kHtuo8xn0WE1NHrSTLIpebKba7h9owveLf1wiUXryObR4VTusbmRNlAfWUdSiAX5qV7H-4Nm56u_3GRJWDA6A-F9sCty_bIB-nnmR6AST3jZt3ueS2U5zogKs/s1600/DSC01589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4UvY5TaymIfKDm1Y5t8kHtuo8xn0WE1NHrSTLIpebKba7h9owveLf1wiUXryObR4VTusbmRNlAfWUdSiAX5qV7H-4Nm56u_3GRJWDA6A-F9sCty_bIB-nnmR6AST3jZt3ueS2U5zogKs/s320/DSC01589.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would knowwho is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus answered him, </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Simon, I have something to tell you."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2b-NhCEI4glgvXyigyjzWuWnP70Oja_lUjJ91HogRLg3lHBnv1eYi9_tB05Nl2ROoAwofJkxaykzqYvgc9xs5u-5lYu_GYpJCtS3PSsdM0jIogv1Cyf7ZiIa4P0ac3qGrvHavMnDGrsz/s1600/Alaska+2005+-+299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2b-NhCEI4glgvXyigyjzWuWnP70Oja_lUjJ91HogRLg3lHBnv1eYi9_tB05Nl2ROoAwofJkxaykzqYvgc9xs5u-5lYu_GYpJCtS3PSsdM0jIogv1Cyf7ZiIa4P0ac3qGrvHavMnDGrsz/s320/Alaska+2005+-+299.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Tell me, teacher", he said.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"You have judged correctly", Jesus said.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not pour oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bk9X_LMkHHZX-hwj1tzoQEb8j1A62HeDOAxWPp5okzLJwdxKK_ykoEF3hG4-LgUUWg5aBS-Zg4OycfdPpbdTA1sJcDziDOVupRpnXCh6yargC7lb-4Ch_vfD5_hnWfkSxz_-fB-rVNPO/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+253.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/AVvXsEh1bk9X_LMkHHZX-hwj1tzoQEb8j1A62HeDOAxWPp5okzLJwdxKK_ykoEF3hG4-LgUUWg5aBS-Zg4OycfdPpbdTA1sJcDziDOVupRpnXCh6yargC7lb-4Ch_vfD5_hnWfkSxz_-fB-rVNPO/s320/Alaska+2004+-+253.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."</i></span><br />
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Do you think that Simon the Pharisee had less sin than this woman? I don't - I think the main difference is that he didn't even see or admit his sin...he thought he was pretty darn righteous and was doing a good deed by even having Jesus in his home!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTmuWev6fWQWLaS-aUxc0N6ybrLnouscJ06BF1ae3ZerWoxnoMIct1P3AKtfeY39lP-H7u2alSdrTsfQNb7Zr1LbVofNO1FiywsgkJXjUzoZ7ObZ_5_02GxXMT3OHjNCVh9a0wSBkRXBm/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTmuWev6fWQWLaS-aUxc0N6ybrLnouscJ06BF1ae3ZerWoxnoMIct1P3AKtfeY39lP-H7u2alSdrTsfQNb7Zr1LbVofNO1FiywsgkJXjUzoZ7ObZ_5_02GxXMT3OHjNCVh9a0wSBkRXBm/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The woman, however, knew she was not worthy of Him, believed in Him as Savior, and literally was a broken woman before Him. Her heart was humbled and she recognized His holiness & purity. I have known times in deep worship, where I was on my face before my Lord and was so acutely aware of His holiness and how sinful I am. I hadn't done anything outwardly terrible and to most folks I am sure I appear as a very nice, thoughtful person...but I became aware of selfish motives deep inside that were not pleasing to my God. And yet, I did not feel like withdrawing from Him or running away - I wanted to draw even closer if that were possible...the peace & Presence of God were so exceedingly strong that I literally could not move! I wonder if that is what it was like for this woman at Simon's house. When we truly worship from our hearts we become "broken and spilled out" before Him, and then He puts us back together again with His healing hands of grace.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKehCCdgPsoSDj0nF2gejWSciA5UfnrEuzpWPUwsZUrz6DbQ2TPqfDfpNti0hJCb2IJLRtbRLayTMJ8fiVnpwJ_EBDSol8ms7kOKgA6uD71XXi5vuY3LSwrmyNwWrbB7B1ULo2r6eR41/s1600/Alaska+2005+-+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKehCCdgPsoSDj0nF2gejWSciA5UfnrEuzpWPUwsZUrz6DbQ2TPqfDfpNti0hJCb2IJLRtbRLayTMJ8fiVnpwJ_EBDSol8ms7kOKgA6uD71XXi5vuY3LSwrmyNwWrbB7B1ULo2r6eR41/s320/Alaska+2005+-+076.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So the next time you are in a worship service or spend time in His Presence at home - don't be afraid to give Him extravagant worship, enthusiastic worship, emotional worship - worship that comes from the very soul that realizes<br />
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we are not worthy of Him - and yet He makes us worthy - calls us to come - calls us to be broken - calls us to be whole the only way we can be - and that is by His Power. I have been blessed to experience His Presence so deeply that I will never in a million years be satisfied with "lip service worship" ever again! I want to bow before Him, pour perfume on His feet and wipe them with my tears and hair. After all...it's what He deserves.Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-3878175037278819762012-02-29T12:34:00.000-06:002012-02-29T12:34:18.317-06:00A Poem about Spring flowers for a Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqTWVh-IwiUQKKK439rTaTjKkBluFAtFp-xnctvY-Gfqeu83QBlRMIL4pj2RBJ3DLPwoujkpc-lQ3GMwRabwjLUCTAAa_OtdItovANY5SaQy1X70T7EDv-jWcKQ_rTLpfrrApdLAXicU/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqTWVh-IwiUQKKK439rTaTjKkBluFAtFp-xnctvY-Gfqeu83QBlRMIL4pj2RBJ3DLPwoujkpc-lQ3GMwRabwjLUCTAAa_OtdItovANY5SaQy1X70T7EDv-jWcKQ_rTLpfrrApdLAXicU/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqTWVh-IwiUQKKK439rTaTjKkBluFAtFp-xnctvY-Gfqeu83QBlRMIL4pj2RBJ3DLPwoujkpc-lQ3GMwRabwjLUCTAAa_OtdItovANY5SaQy1X70T7EDv-jWcKQ_rTLpfrrApdLAXicU/s200/IMG_3276.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
"They bloom where they are planted"...or..."The crocus don't care"...<br />
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I saw a few of them today - I'm sure you've seen them, too<br />
Bold gold or bright, yet deep purple<br />
Poking tender petals through<br />
The brown and gray of castaway<br />
Leaves, twigs, grass the wind blew-<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN8I5-lVCqCDkQfA13Oo4O-rzliptTFQQtnNsNuUj0GUhBZ3U6tiURDWbauDDRFyERKlkEETuW6Jh0wiAQZgLBMBK-G1VtxxaYNyU2ymFMR5iAM7y7ulR4G1xsbOZOnAxgWA-zvXwn592/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN8I5-lVCqCDkQfA13Oo4O-rzliptTFQQtnNsNuUj0GUhBZ3U6tiURDWbauDDRFyERKlkEETuW6Jh0wiAQZgLBMBK-G1VtxxaYNyU2ymFMR5iAM7y7ulR4G1xsbOZOnAxgWA-zvXwn592/s200/IMG_3278.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div>
I've seen them in the past-<br />
Green stems, then blooms show<br />
Peeking out at last<br />
Amid the cold, pure white of snow!<br />
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So the saying is true-<br />
They bloom where they are planted;<br />
A lesson for both me and you -<br />
The crocus don't care,<br />
they don't seem to care at all -<br />
Their beauty shines forth,<br />
No matter how small.<br />
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Hope you get to go outside and enjoy some of the early Spring flowers that are coming up here in the Midwest!<br />
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And remember above all to bloom where ever it is that God has planted you in this world. Just as the crocus brings a smile, and encourages the heart, so can you!Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-27094239927972306612012-02-23T10:43:00.002-06:002012-02-23T10:43:55.040-06:00Poems I have written for ordinary people<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgromOx9uCBxFlUXVhyPs-L7zh5MMs5dSpcsu5TkKteKCE0fkC7kz0xSXRhbUie2uzGoGAR_oQ_FW6deLDJ2CegAKrHoarDy_4_-rDzp1Z9ntJPARIRmruoJNMAiUZOk8T5PaAML7cYeb36/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgromOx9uCBxFlUXVhyPs-L7zh5MMs5dSpcsu5TkKteKCE0fkC7kz0xSXRhbUie2uzGoGAR_oQ_FW6deLDJ2CegAKrHoarDy_4_-rDzp1Z9ntJPARIRmruoJNMAiUZOk8T5PaAML7cYeb36/s200/IMG_2107.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nCsFadWEzvP7GjRi4n_9S3HpQFtoKxIAZ78Q3PnDsWTnB5XzpGUnn0KxQe50gkVwCuBfAHDmwHyw9q1OgGDUJj4i0cOClM1VEh6nwn24rUIulT0HRHjbKSPetJRor-A6_aeIbDPztBJH/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nCsFadWEzvP7GjRi4n_9S3HpQFtoKxIAZ78Q3PnDsWTnB5XzpGUnn0KxQe50gkVwCuBfAHDmwHyw9q1OgGDUJj4i0cOClM1VEh6nwn24rUIulT0HRHjbKSPetJRor-A6_aeIbDPztBJH/s200/IMG_3253.JPG" width="200" /></a>Today I share with you a couple of poems I have written. One is also a song, written to encourage us in this life that can often be so difficult and discouraging. I pray you will leave this site with hope in your heart and the knowledge that you don't go through life alone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe9PsxhBXzjkYIFXh7_dGar4Ehl954Z3FrRu1jUKNn9FehvBj5SfzQy3gtPvptLEVDL-y32d0dPioy4wAyBImCE_AiCMhoM7z1vXrV-ojw5v_1vW1BQWZUhMwLOKLwPFurmnQrabTUvv9/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe9PsxhBXzjkYIFXh7_dGar4Ehl954Z3FrRu1jUKNn9FehvBj5SfzQy3gtPvptLEVDL-y32d0dPioy4wAyBImCE_AiCMhoM7z1vXrV-ojw5v_1vW1BQWZUhMwLOKLwPFurmnQrabTUvv9/s320/IMG_2095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Restorer<br />
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<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b> v 1) </b>A day can be so full of twists and turns</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I start with hope and end it with unsure</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The joy is easy, but where do you take the pain?</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What do you do with the sorrow?</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">How can you live if you’re broken?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Chorus:</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is a place, there is a Man,</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He has the grace, He is the Plan</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He’ll take it all; His touch restores </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>V2)</b> A life can be so full of ups and downs</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I make my plans, but end up wandering</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Some days are easy, but others doubt remains</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Where do you go with the questions?</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Will my faith live if it’s broken?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is a place, there is a Man.</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He’ll never leave, He’ll make you stand</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He has the grace, He is the Plan</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He’ll take it all; His touch restores </span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">His love is sure- from wounds it pours</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is a place, there is a Man, The Son of God, the Son of Man</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Cross the place, Jesus, the Man. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A day can be so full of twists and turns,</span></div>
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I start with hope and end it with my Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <b>A Mother's Wholeness </b> written by mary lou 7.31.2010</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What can be harder for a mother</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Than when her children need her no longer?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She pours out her love and her life for them,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There exists no earthly bond stronger.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But, alas, up they grow, with lives of their own-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It's simply the circle of life - no need for strife,</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We accept it because we want them to be whole</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But now there is a hole in our own heart's life,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So we ask - what now?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God has a plan - there are others who need us</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We listen closely so we can follow where he leads us</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He promises to make us whole even as we pour out</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">His love to a lost, broken, hurting world that bleeds.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"I lift up my eyes to the hills -</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Where does my help come from?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My help comes from the Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Maker of heaven and earth.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He will not let your foot slip -</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He who watches over you will not slumber"</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Psalm 121:1-3</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wholeness is found in giving</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Life and peace are found in living</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For Christ and for others.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you observe the majesty of creation, may you go forward today with joy and peace directly from your Maker! </span></div>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-18081064751679103332012-02-10T14:35:00.000-06:002012-02-22T21:51:55.144-06:00My story...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There once was a girl born into a family in the Midwest. She had a sister and 4 brothers and parents that were steadfast in both the good times and the bad.<br />
The parents loved their 6 children very much, but they weren't extremely affectionate or outward in expressing that love. The children knew they were loved, though. And the children loved their parents very much as well....but...something was missing....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicg1sxMa_yUnyHoz2csHO5xXRmUn9Ahr1CfvkpXPH4fuwjtPru-WOi7ODDF8EpigrzunPmpWkzPumSpZ6UZbuAXRvMZCmkuTO1Vzsi6qzqlrone9h04VnCO-YqCL6bU_yNBbXjDo_7mQY7/s1600/Alaska+2005+-+105.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/AVvXsEicg1sxMa_yUnyHoz2csHO5xXRmUn9Ahr1CfvkpXPH4fuwjtPru-WOi7ODDF8EpigrzunPmpWkzPumSpZ6UZbuAXRvMZCmkuTO1Vzsi6qzqlrone9h04VnCO-YqCL6bU_yNBbXjDo_7mQY7/s200/Alaska+2005+-+105.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoXfsxto-vkU-ZgE5wxXdZ9MyVsjiyVhBWUTaTKTb6YCtZnPMjaRx9N4lMM3fQGzIP0vnAfXnC3NhK126MVh1ZVncDpzpRg-AhoiVvfWiag2Hpd7znQxTB_lFoRlkBVUuxTFcclj6O7Qi/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoXfsxto-vkU-ZgE5wxXdZ9MyVsjiyVhBWUTaTKTb6YCtZnPMjaRx9N4lMM3fQGzIP0vnAfXnC3NhK126MVh1ZVncDpzpRg-AhoiVvfWiag2Hpd7znQxTB_lFoRlkBVUuxTFcclj6O7Qi/s200/IMG_0770.JPG" width="200" /></a> Life as a child in the Midwest was very "normal"...the girl was a tom-boy and followed her older brother around and wanted to be able to do everything he could do, but there was a problem...he was 3 years older. She didn't let that stop her - she still tried to climb every tree, play every sport that the older brother played.<br />
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They played baseball in the lot after school, played "kill the guy with the ball" in fall, which meant you had to tackle whoever caught the football....played "king on the hill", when they could find a hill to climb....and played "ring the doorbell" or hide & seek on summer nights in the dark. They even played "Indian Ball" in the street when there were just 2 or 3 people available.<br />
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Life was pretty simple, safe and fun. The six children loved to play together as kids and as adults love nothing more than to tease each other to death...all the time, and over nothing at all....but still, something was missing.....<br />
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Then they grew up and went their separate ways. After a few years the girl met a handsome "hippie" dude who was riding a bicycle and stopped to talk with her brother out in the street. He had long, wavy hair almost down to his shoulders and wore sunglasses and a black leather jacket....cool, man!<br />
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The girl by now was also a type of "hippie" and had long straight hair down to her waist, and bangs on her forehead. They talked about music and found a connection...sparks flew. And then they began a relationship based on talking & playing baseball with the new guy, her brother, and some friends after work each night.<br />
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This went on for that whole summer of 1972. They decided to marry in early 1974 and were married at the Catholic church with 200 people in attendance. Life was good....most of the time...love was strong. But then a few weeks later the girl quit her job & figured she'd find one closer to home....and then 6 days later the handsome hippie husband got laid off at his job...so....here they were, married only a month and no work!...and still....something was missing in the deepest part of their hearts & lives and now they began to realize that.<br />
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The girl's parents had recently begun attending what was known then as "Charismatic Masses" where the Holy Spirit would fill people...even the priests and nuns would worship with hands raised and singing "in the Spirit"! They were transformed overnight...even though the parents' own marriage was struggling with all the stresses of having 3 teenage sons still at home. They began reading their bibles and listening to praise & worship music and talking about God all the time...it was so foreign to all the children & relatives, no one knew quite what to think of it! The girl's mother kept nagging them to come to one of the masses until finally, after the loss of both jobs, the girl realized there was a need in her life that drugs, alcohol, and young love could not fill.<br />
So the girl and her hippie husband went to one of these masses and began to experience a change in their lives as well. They attended prayer meetings in their church's basement...they heard & realized for the very first time that God loved THEM....God wanted a personal relationship with them, and not just a bunch of "religious activity...so they sang praise songs and learned that Jesus Christ was REAL and ALIVE and that he died on the Cross because He loved them so very much and he died for a purpose - to bear the burden of their sin before God and to cleanse them from that sin! It was His grace that was poured out for them and into them, and He even gave the faith to believe it....<br />
They were amazed! They were astounded! They were forever changed! They began living for God and studying His Word to find out more about Him, and as they did they were changed even more and filled with a peace and joy that would never leave. God revealed Himself to them and His purpose for their lives and they knew what real contentment and fulfillment was....and they still do....it's Eternal Life - knowing God and Jesus, His Son, personally. Life can be difficult at times, but God doesn't abandon them. He is always there to bring wisdom and peace and guidance for every step of the road they walk. He heals and forgives and gives them the ability to love & forgive in return. The story is not over and won't be until they put her in the ground...and then it will only change in that the girl will be living in the REAL world with Her Savior and Master and Lord forever and ever and ever....and ever! Amen! :) and, p.s. ...He will do the same for you, too!Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-42867182639578710822012-02-08T11:25:00.000-06:002012-02-08T11:25:35.776-06:00Craft Day!.....Items I make....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ReUppYj5DtwaKA1Sc0R4x6GfiwPUlO1K784AICXQyryS18IAJXGYVwl912giDqVrB842NuxQ4-X_xIF9HMTVldTdkbPC3cLWsp1q4-GpWxktTeNDcDjM4cZSQXYRVlnlKAdmok-yO9h1/s1600/IMG_1679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ReUppYj5DtwaKA1Sc0R4x6GfiwPUlO1K784AICXQyryS18IAJXGYVwl912giDqVrB842NuxQ4-X_xIF9HMTVldTdkbPC3cLWsp1q4-GpWxktTeNDcDjM4cZSQXYRVlnlKAdmok-yO9h1/s200/IMG_1679.jpg" width="118" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ii7R6CuwhDbyhZ8u8FRE6tgvYsoGapaJDbVDd_1X4aYEUVhl7cAbAFq1NMnVeqlZLs8qjv_2TTLXfcLMxmRLLzhW4AWUFLPvmqiKlbwAdRdyON-2x4uTuNEn_IOCBHu7EQC1DQgXZfbA/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ii7R6CuwhDbyhZ8u8FRE6tgvYsoGapaJDbVDd_1X4aYEUVhl7cAbAFq1NMnVeqlZLs8qjv_2TTLXfcLMxmRLLzhW4AWUFLPvmqiKlbwAdRdyON-2x4uTuNEn_IOCBHu7EQC1DQgXZfbA/s200/IMG_1677.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKbibTxDZcuTxsxp_cCcj0Jkv1sj6xudc8sHkarSgFMm3_h1iRPh06us4PXFPrCCHz9zG9-UXUT66tcf3kUIsV9Ed-ZRSDWSYe5W3BsiGq9QqC5cViW3ZCDITI1kHGeV1_4RmcD0et8Q6/s1600/IMG_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKbibTxDZcuTxsxp_cCcj0Jkv1sj6xudc8sHkarSgFMm3_h1iRPh06us4PXFPrCCHz9zG9-UXUT66tcf3kUIsV9Ed-ZRSDWSYe5W3BsiGq9QqC5cViW3ZCDITI1kHGeV1_4RmcD0et8Q6/s200/IMG_2544.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Good snowy morning! Just thought I'd add some pics of things I've knitted, crocheted or quilted or sewed....<br />
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hats, hats & more hats!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8X9tSLD_XEB8Q_WVmYULXZjSEiaTS3PG6gnr9hCNGg5typYe9plW8EuNJGL6Gnhm-by4yOt3gluHj5sWyYUr7mG-2Cv9_PBHb8GQrMSrCtkkjEx0Yd6-wykTP991xxc82KnQ1qVjYLa6/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8X9tSLD_XEB8Q_WVmYULXZjSEiaTS3PG6gnr9hCNGg5typYe9plW8EuNJGL6Gnhm-by4yOt3gluHj5sWyYUr7mG-2Cv9_PBHb8GQrMSrCtkkjEx0Yd6-wykTP991xxc82KnQ1qVjYLa6/s200/IMG_2548.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2nHtl1OxvqeUtmsL5005wTtYbqdMl3A54CfXbk6et-g4TRuYv4AsEKDZme0ESVA6tOFSUNmevZyLopCbL_MV7OW1s3zA1z5le-cLOp-P8bxPTThqiHLGwoBSs_Vv4WgmFeO5h2euJFEm/s1600/IMG_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2nHtl1OxvqeUtmsL5005wTtYbqdMl3A54CfXbk6et-g4TRuYv4AsEKDZme0ESVA6tOFSUNmevZyLopCbL_MV7OW1s3zA1z5le-cLOp-P8bxPTThqiHLGwoBSs_Vv4WgmFeO5h2euJFEm/s200/IMG_3144.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6GqAfgLpn4suzs8hetoPVF7UO48BPGCb-hMrzz116x8OGtLaA8lnV_mXkdWfinMBpdQz7Ah5QZNUtEIc6RpnP9uMrxwXp7WzZMMbHH7dd7_K67103eIEWpB_8jYz95jW8fNCGon2Dkin/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6GqAfgLpn4suzs8hetoPVF7UO48BPGCb-hMrzz116x8OGtLaA8lnV_mXkdWfinMBpdQz7Ah5QZNUtEIc6RpnP9uMrxwXp7WzZMMbHH7dd7_K67103eIEWpB_8jYz95jW8fNCGon2Dkin/s200/IMG_1199.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> baby quilts...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6F_qMdQJjFQ6c2sWl3n9Tnv9EC85XMrqD92RxZj8yDf4CQkAZ9j7XJJ_3b7PIK4Db-TVY0UwzO0xvo66-pBEoROnKh9pbNVm9ZBzjuHf81482JbZB01jaJSsqGCQmc7QW1YwJ-hEJbZG/s1600/Quilts+-+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6F_qMdQJjFQ6c2sWl3n9Tnv9EC85XMrqD92RxZj8yDf4CQkAZ9j7XJJ_3b7PIK4Db-TVY0UwzO0xvo66-pBEoROnKh9pbNVm9ZBzjuHf81482JbZB01jaJSsqGCQmc7QW1YwJ-hEJbZG/s200/Quilts+-+05.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEBkr7MnXudz7iGQAflQMfWXgxi61DLS7dbqh2NKBox4a-hsVTEt5Mpl1nsCUaH4r0gxswElR_C0VPf1x279Lx2MFB1IsWlu7vncYfPoc4Gf_J3znlCEpO-gL_xHK1T8dnItb9G0QqL-u/s1600/Quilts+-+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEBkr7MnXudz7iGQAflQMfWXgxi61DLS7dbqh2NKBox4a-hsVTEt5Mpl1nsCUaH4r0gxswElR_C0VPf1x279Lx2MFB1IsWlu7vncYfPoc4Gf_J3znlCEpO-gL_xHK1T8dnItb9G0QqL-u/s200/Quilts+-+09.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii06GGt_PxdW9Lsykr-mKAIQLK6LGNVR79qN7qfmn4dD9nLDZCjrHNofJFxlQTGQA1MnQEIOSzlOMvvbgDltA6QazW1eCyirIGUzm2OsHigSZJBrReRO1omMf_9JoA-WgP26Am0PB4_28f/s1600/IMG_1529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii06GGt_PxdW9Lsykr-mKAIQLK6LGNVR79qN7qfmn4dD9nLDZCjrHNofJFxlQTGQA1MnQEIOSzlOMvvbgDltA6QazW1eCyirIGUzm2OsHigSZJBrReRO1omMf_9JoA-WgP26Am0PB4_28f/s200/IMG_1529.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUJNzPRmMD9oEOJiRDNg64r-UQO5aehxMUllO7tgxF80AVj7mYh-1Q2soBPgyRQDj7H8ZT2-4gbSCMSNtNTFpoRuGcbvtzTAxfouDjK2iremi1mRyMAGkATllT6cEkPxie5L_fRf1ID7v/s1600/Quilts+-+38.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/AVvXsEjzUJNzPRmMD9oEOJiRDNg64r-UQO5aehxMUllO7tgxF80AVj7mYh-1Q2soBPgyRQDj7H8ZT2-4gbSCMSNtNTFpoRuGcbvtzTAxfouDjK2iremi1mRyMAGkATllT6cEkPxie5L_fRf1ID7v/s200/Quilts+-+38.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN9OPrcisLa7S3M0luocHzIbkwOv38quEvtUFX3NaFlUoEhG9uRRv20A8d4g739rPZHHs0Q1l6vWv-uTF4ytRvadZQZSgPaJOxmJU3HCn4SzzQrCb4o2MaHBC8YpvXo5RGf_XYfFWCz8w/s1600/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN9OPrcisLa7S3M0luocHzIbkwOv38quEvtUFX3NaFlUoEhG9uRRv20A8d4g739rPZHHs0Q1l6vWv-uTF4ytRvadZQZSgPaJOxmJU3HCn4SzzQrCb4o2MaHBC8YpvXo5RGf_XYfFWCz8w/s200/IMG_1537.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Tablerunners and coasters you can wash...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQZPlXUSRU9FZEiFom8N01hmwAA3n32YvTVwAw-dVLkgCBwg0gh3KIUTbYs0D9Wb1VW-Q69oFSDTWuohLy08ugJZDzY_PLznRO7kg-U_DTrBPYWyjmlBtz3n4tzxzbroGcaQi3qptSpaL/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQZPlXUSRU9FZEiFom8N01hmwAA3n32YvTVwAw-dVLkgCBwg0gh3KIUTbYs0D9Wb1VW-Q69oFSDTWuohLy08ugJZDzY_PLznRO7kg-U_DTrBPYWyjmlBtz3n4tzxzbroGcaQi3qptSpaL/s200/IMG_1649.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EJCxJLMBHC43jtQc41_nrM4dYarNSUbsvuWighVORNaoDNt72GZdGeJ_JDiPO3nQLlSZI0mNR02VsWL1MobbRdbipz-oexfM1y1pEo7107eh_X-irU28cjxYlVrGWYp65OKcMhdS4Gw7/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EJCxJLMBHC43jtQc41_nrM4dYarNSUbsvuWighVORNaoDNt72GZdGeJ_JDiPO3nQLlSZI0mNR02VsWL1MobbRdbipz-oexfM1y1pEo7107eh_X-irU28cjxYlVrGWYp65OKcMhdS4Gw7/s200/IMG_1653.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNaR6VFOzuXRNhgLqLJxOCER9mSV06EFe0RQeQ_t3ntWe_emN87PRxYWpMNUNXsDlqqs_1r9EnuUkg2AmYQzrPvOhqnkxSuIzv4KlAvh6KFHUoyk4Hrst7GmjSeo9fGOryFT8BiCgadjL/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNaR6VFOzuXRNhgLqLJxOCER9mSV06EFe0RQeQ_t3ntWe_emN87PRxYWpMNUNXsDlqqs_1r9EnuUkg2AmYQzrPvOhqnkxSuIzv4KlAvh6KFHUoyk4Hrst7GmjSeo9fGOryFT8BiCgadjL/s200/IMG_2043.JPG" width="200" /></a>Doll quilts...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZx_CLJ1sj4zb7zaNN0_RAjRqlVWFR2tJldSVNa4nqaNDTU-NEq6mpg7zfC_hiVCXTAJ-OfiXfW_S-GUtbIZpjgm1www6sK7rOhWmdsgS20H7jvWZh269DoAnsdaFdJOv7rWzzECNI_LX/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZx_CLJ1sj4zb7zaNN0_RAjRqlVWFR2tJldSVNa4nqaNDTU-NEq6mpg7zfC_hiVCXTAJ-OfiXfW_S-GUtbIZpjgm1www6sK7rOhWmdsgS20H7jvWZh269DoAnsdaFdJOv7rWzzECNI_LX/s200/IMG_2114.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOdQP-3zxz7LLUXpfMLVLdizKCqzmR07beZfBTPjHW7p9Q5jWbatn7ZwS91LSGwXBDXuQR0c8kJPLox96BU1agOorLxcfNI8ttYSG4RQfy85Te3-SwaGJtIFTFMP2gdR0dCPNQkGSBtxb/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOdQP-3zxz7LLUXpfMLVLdizKCqzmR07beZfBTPjHW7p9Q5jWbatn7ZwS91LSGwXBDXuQR0c8kJPLox96BU1agOorLxcfNI8ttYSG4RQfy85Te3-SwaGJtIFTFMP2gdR0dCPNQkGSBtxb/s200/IMG_2158.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Place mats..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_ThAftItOv4kFWBghQPENcgU9YX7sAgb4wtyuWc3Vm5zeoFnBgKo279eP0QkegcnPr3IIOaMn-0LgvG3a6yjpL_Grwa9tqsiObUZCT4h8-GCfFxGbsQdAcYuRQXukWcnCeRBQBQ3gcqN/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_ThAftItOv4kFWBghQPENcgU9YX7sAgb4wtyuWc3Vm5zeoFnBgKo279eP0QkegcnPr3IIOaMn-0LgvG3a6yjpL_Grwa9tqsiObUZCT4h8-GCfFxGbsQdAcYuRQXukWcnCeRBQBQ3gcqN/s200/IMG_3145.JPG" width="200" /></a>purses & bags</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCJrgybiolPlhdaPiLPEHjiEULlIAHCprE-awK6Twf0WNSAu-Ji18r9yEI2m9O1AoBgdoUM1Z487hrWo6K8C0Uah_YST5s14aE6ByLcDU0cyGGeQEHWjAIxklzOCpn11XFeA4egN7YWLC/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCJrgybiolPlhdaPiLPEHjiEULlIAHCprE-awK6Twf0WNSAu-Ji18r9yEI2m9O1AoBgdoUM1Z487hrWo6K8C0Uah_YST5s14aE6ByLcDU0cyGGeQEHWjAIxklzOCpn11XFeA4egN7YWLC/s200/IMG_2892.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>American Girl-sized doll quilts and totes for carrying your Kindle or Nook!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHdjT7orcnSDMrDiWqhySbX4kgRxubUb_vLX6in-iKTMxnK85B-DlvQDPo7p4JeKUqs8IJDHK_biz-CeagWa__M3KClUmQF_RvxZwMVcpnA0RdZ13c_htxDbxlKLURyjA_kGxo4KBZ5Sd/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHdjT7orcnSDMrDiWqhySbX4kgRxubUb_vLX6in-iKTMxnK85B-DlvQDPo7p4JeKUqs8IJDHK_biz-CeagWa__M3KClUmQF_RvxZwMVcpnA0RdZ13c_htxDbxlKLURyjA_kGxo4KBZ5Sd/s200/IMG_3084.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil8hM6WFqdeFYyHfjuzhfxNdA6nHUQCLmT96ydojiSIrLlJ11FsGz9s8Yw0uhYXBMuokrW__XKQauVk3RxTMLIJTraIex3zNKL68BVvytINVwy17LAJ6eqCtEdqNRnPgpwEv2ON-q1YeE/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil8hM6WFqdeFYyHfjuzhfxNdA6nHUQCLmT96ydojiSIrLlJ11FsGz9s8Yw0uhYXBMuokrW__XKQauVk3RxTMLIJTraIex3zNKL68BVvytINVwy17LAJ6eqCtEdqNRnPgpwEv2ON-q1YeE/s200/IMG_3220.JPG" width="200" /></a>Have a warm & wonderful day!</div>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-72807664791773426592012-02-06T21:18:00.000-06:002012-02-06T21:18:04.662-06:00Tuesday Tots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PoEQbvbWEJ-Ib2cNVtNqCYmi7ElKUIzoougv70XNyuFOIJjXFYOFF5hHKyKcZI7mxG2395ZF1b9c62cYsm57dPRfY1BH8Ag4A-iCS7DIERttsQcBWg-J69KrUsNb37QuN7LCH2gYJXB6/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PoEQbvbWEJ-Ib2cNVtNqCYmi7ElKUIzoougv70XNyuFOIJjXFYOFF5hHKyKcZI7mxG2395ZF1b9c62cYsm57dPRfY1BH8Ag4A-iCS7DIERttsQcBWg-J69KrUsNb37QuN7LCH2gYJXB6/s200/Alaska+2004+-+261.jpg" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7Cce5c0Nn-D1WAXMSLsUYC1ewORhwxpTqI-31bUjd-0tWK48rJhaxhIQwkhffh7EFlgtxQRd7TQyooRyae1qOfgphxiUKR4TWUC8XF4XhovyEf8NEQ3j24GOfAgdY7penYRMb8YtT6Rl/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7Cce5c0Nn-D1WAXMSLsUYC1ewORhwxpTqI-31bUjd-0tWK48rJhaxhIQwkhffh7EFlgtxQRd7TQyooRyae1qOfgphxiUKR4TWUC8XF4XhovyEf8NEQ3j24GOfAgdY7penYRMb8YtT6Rl/s200/Alaska+2004+-+251.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJFAK7JjRhsKDlyMbTeRdwjfmvO5r_qwtha3KS6OM5Vx-kWwM6xqnKSQlsMjbFIWDnoLCOIYAIIgGGEjBfUzleG-zB_uytv8eeXbbkAxDouGsOPv4jUFbP5jeGQhnTt1nSzPhdTpCoG-Q/s1600/Alaska+2004+-+184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJFAK7JjRhsKDlyMbTeRdwjfmvO5r_qwtha3KS6OM5Vx-kWwM6xqnKSQlsMjbFIWDnoLCOIYAIIgGGEjBfUzleG-zB_uytv8eeXbbkAxDouGsOPv4jUFbP5jeGQhnTt1nSzPhdTpCoG-Q/s200/Alaska+2004+-+184.jpg" width="200" /></a>Babies...God's gifts to us...what creatures of delight! What joys they bring us day after day....what a<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNm70g-RSdwVBac2P_eFBKhkpwvCpJevZDa1i0qXQhcWWsPhBiw47z2VDllW005m5Z4_Yefk6YcaJT9GOvTS9C1fofpz0iuUdSR692kD69vmo9KBk1He0WwMZwvnVTTkvw2Qi3Hrip6cE/s1600/Eliz+Ann+-+Jan+2005+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNm70g-RSdwVBac2P_eFBKhkpwvCpJevZDa1i0qXQhcWWsPhBiw47z2VDllW005m5Z4_Yefk6YcaJT9GOvTS9C1fofpz0iuUdSR692kD69vmo9KBk1He0WwMZwvnVTTkvw2Qi3Hrip6cE/s200/Eliz+Ann+-+Jan+2005+-+16.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXALXR8bG2Rzp1kF-83ogkG_8HW5vvTPut4vhXBfTx5vI5iH_VtJZSqxHk9GSOOE6jSMnJzHkwJZFRf42XVIhSRhguI85rHmNJ_j0rHXt55jiDdj5v1GBkWn1t8_6MzLBOl9cmoWqdH94s/s1600/IMG_2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXALXR8bG2Rzp1kF-83ogkG_8HW5vvTPut4vhXBfTx5vI5iH_VtJZSqxHk9GSOOE6jSMnJzHkwJZFRf42XVIhSRhguI85rHmNJ_j0rHXt55jiDdj5v1GBkWn1t8_6MzLBOl9cmoWqdH94s/s200/IMG_2560.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
blessing to watch them as they grow and change and discover new abilities and the world around them. I love babies...I adore toddlers. I never tire of watching their expressive faces.<br />
I hope you are blessed as you<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjtQGoQUCMy63WM0W3u_M350nGvD1L1ojbXu2AN_Z1GY8CyZn3y7xIGBpZKw-MJWUfRFNQVogPOjXOMXnqU6hA6lewwjVX3KCCHE__gt3BqYso5I9jAK3qIKKLi1loXxXljvwi4A8mlf/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjtQGoQUCMy63WM0W3u_M350nGvD1L1ojbXu2AN_Z1GY8CyZn3y7xIGBpZKw-MJWUfRFNQVogPOjXOMXnqU6hA6lewwjVX3KCCHE__gt3BqYso5I9jAK3qIKKLi1loXxXljvwi4A8mlf/s320/IMG_1915.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOpcsmJgoNnsws-aOWF8yTtxO7hlT_fO9OBorBGFdg2mIqK5w7CgMlXosEHWHE15V6HfFun4XwhdnT06RkEH9xryBKZKrYfaFMlwPlndOE9M9wrN_g31gVC9p9x2RGYVFdMxKkhgQzxS5/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOpcsmJgoNnsws-aOWF8yTtxO7hlT_fO9OBorBGFdg2mIqK5w7CgMlXosEHWHE15V6HfFun4XwhdnT06RkEH9xryBKZKrYfaFMlwPlndOE9M9wrN_g31gVC9p9x2RGYVFdMxKkhgQzxS5/s200/IMG_0556.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>look at these little faces of heaven's creative genius.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrElJWEvx296kH3s2qi264aCpqlS-TM6AmHak6blQpFsRgVV6VdeXQWTkJxHtvUEeyD760Wzq-Njmha-oL9QqHShyphenhyphennNS9SzdzbaP0GAVc6wV0-6MPJ2ACXbYjNwBw5XT679qyyCgVEyQ-f/s1600/Meagan+Lynn+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrElJWEvx296kH3s2qi264aCpqlS-TM6AmHak6blQpFsRgVV6VdeXQWTkJxHtvUEeyD760Wzq-Njmha-oL9QqHShyphenhyphennNS9SzdzbaP0GAVc6wV0-6MPJ2ACXbYjNwBw5XT679qyyCgVEyQ-f/s200/Meagan+Lynn+-+14.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3P2q44J3mFtgA-jeypPuTXoQbHr4M18nAwB5ncMfmiSc5loQsF7JUKR8okaUOUKmKF8vCSKc_ZY6EoqtK8g-9q4H8rboFL7i8lo-ywH8xMVdeOwUm-HWcGT-iBAwckVtw6Lve6bIp232/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3P2q44J3mFtgA-jeypPuTXoQbHr4M18nAwB5ncMfmiSc5loQsF7JUKR8okaUOUKmKF8vCSKc_ZY6EoqtK8g-9q4H8rboFL7i8lo-ywH8xMVdeOwUm-HWcGT-iBAwckVtw6Lve6bIp232/s200/IMG_1173.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Thank God for the gift of life, for babies and their innocence and pray that He protects them from harm and abuse.<br />
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Is there anything better than cuddling up with a newborn in your arms?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsOXhZGaT3ShKH43vdaEtw2z9hYvHvXzZgtEMTIYkROp47JRDnJz5QVDvuSoNVaLdVBZWXJjAVUDcl9Db_QtZ3U5AitWD-CF3mWxhbzmBvZ1UBET7SuUA2_v0onXvJxsR7DnAcUzeJ4Jy/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsOXhZGaT3ShKH43vdaEtw2z9hYvHvXzZgtEMTIYkROp47JRDnJz5QVDvuSoNVaLdVBZWXJjAVUDcl9Db_QtZ3U5AitWD-CF3mWxhbzmBvZ1UBET7SuUA2_v0onXvJxsR7DnAcUzeJ4Jy/s200/IMG_0195.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Not much can make a day brighter than a child's smile or fill the very air around us with pure joy as the laughter of a little child...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfPb3frx3ggCzo-mczIEYmZHV0LNGXpvXgkybFDhZMVHtwk-L8q3-71AwEFoG8gNZPng2-wTDMSAagIxk0PfGD725kTs06L10IkTlJMvCYnWdJmbniUNJzdRMgdTJMxnrFSS8RXt_ZU8/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfPb3frx3ggCzo-mczIEYmZHV0LNGXpvXgkybFDhZMVHtwk-L8q3-71AwEFoG8gNZPng2-wTDMSAagIxk0PfGD725kTs06L10IkTlJMvCYnWdJmbniUNJzdRMgdTJMxnrFSS8RXt_ZU8/s200/IMG_0196.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCpV6uEzxmJheSbgwGmPCKaSJHoQU8efbFghyvP5_4ptcUG27S_QgDyYIpl535eowZl1C1t71HbmCIg0C0gpzUzEjGaxkng5P28CChyV5p9ijGEprkfmUvid0aaZ20cCS35aCnK86SEln/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCpV6uEzxmJheSbgwGmPCKaSJHoQU8efbFghyvP5_4ptcUG27S_QgDyYIpl535eowZl1C1t71HbmCIg0C0gpzUzEjGaxkng5P28CChyV5p9ijGEprkfmUvid0aaZ20cCS35aCnK86SEln/s200/IMG_0529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr8UIB-teXRoFcRTcVB1hCZSmstg7lwIUwiaSSmwt945ipwigZKQO6o8hxooT5vInRCSMDitv3sf6sc3P2imQ2S5FU-n5Ipwz8TznRpujWS0SsfzVkaXRsGnaCCimqw0n3j-VnCEC5GGD/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr8UIB-teXRoFcRTcVB1hCZSmstg7lwIUwiaSSmwt945ipwigZKQO6o8hxooT5vInRCSMDitv3sf6sc3P2imQ2S5FU-n5Ipwz8TznRpujWS0SsfzVkaXRsGnaCCimqw0n3j-VnCEC5GGD/s200/IMG_0530.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rXG7QGAWPXnORmwFzucjBqLaO5no_E-GDY0kblokrt3JZMBMqfO9UO7JPNKP6AlZyn2JO8cKVmIjUBZvfgv5Uee-1gyx1hLNTIvQ0qwAS7CAOBRn3iSh2bnEtNJXNHNV08M7aQj9KG5o/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rXG7QGAWPXnORmwFzucjBqLaO5no_E-GDY0kblokrt3JZMBMqfO9UO7JPNKP6AlZyn2JO8cKVmIjUBZvfgv5Uee-1gyx1hLNTIvQ0qwAS7CAOBRn3iSh2bnEtNJXNHNV08M7aQj9KG5o/s200/IMG_1231.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>May we all enjoy the simple things in life as they do<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bp5hOYIino_LHUCaxkFJpUAnZe4c7tZqUrpudbg74s5R8AZl8ikCJHFT1cPK4LPP40afbDst_ajjoLQ6rw4sAflYBGZ8PCRG8bmGhgSL4AcsXm6mUiVPQW2z5d_bEyc_ewV83i5EOTop/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bp5hOYIino_LHUCaxkFJpUAnZe4c7tZqUrpudbg74s5R8AZl8ikCJHFT1cPK4LPP40afbDst_ajjoLQ6rw4sAflYBGZ8PCRG8bmGhgSL4AcsXm6mUiVPQW2z5d_bEyc_ewV83i5EOTop/s200/IMG_1232.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>and have the faith of a child...coming to God easily, unafraid, trusting....Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-11593007547466035772012-02-05T19:02:00.000-06:002012-02-05T19:02:54.098-06:00A Sunday visit with comedian Tim HawkinsJust discovered this guy<span id="goog_633247556"></span><span id="goog_633247557"></span><img alt="" class="uh_hi" data-height="258" data-width="196" height="258" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDB2mesMLOpeLNJhEHIDSh9dafUjj7jtSynQtK5TRtXLtd3JxtxQ" style="height: 258px; width: 196px;" width="196" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGn8hLpky9njIw-zatcaP1dEQULyRqb878qdmVgAjVCUKpbyeLPQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="282" data-width="179" height="282" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGn8hLpky9njIw-zatcaP1dEQULyRqb878qdmVgAjVCUKpbyeLPQ" style="height: 282px; width: 179px;" width="179" /></a></div>named Tim Hawkins...very funny, clean humor...attached are a few links to Youtube videos of his acts....hope you enjoy them!<br />
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The one below is called "what not to say to your wife"<br />
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src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ipru4c3UPb0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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The next one is about young love...<br />
src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CQQsOVkB-9Y?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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This one is about medications...<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uv6Rz7yvXr8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-158588019039318202012-02-03T14:39:00.000-06:002012-02-03T14:39:47.550-06:00Friday Funnies...to make you smile...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon! Hope you're having a great day so far....not much to say today...just enjoy the pics...<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwEwKAtMIjAWtPW0bXajqKw5REXoQvDC5froyNAIvYLqakw--R" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="253" data-width="199" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwEwKAtMIjAWtPW0bXajqKw5REXoQvDC5froyNAIvYLqakw--R" style="height: 253px; width: 199px;" width="157" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2iKsqVKmgT6i9cOmA45vTN3n2dqp96uq_FkAn3LZLN6GvAXBo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="220" data-width="229" height="220" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2iKsqVKmgT6i9cOmA45vTN3n2dqp96uq_FkAn3LZLN6GvAXBo" style="height: 220px; width: 229px;" width="229" /></a></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfefjEqSYQmeSmj9dQyjX1kIY1ka54mG5f2hQ-g60pwlQUMepLvg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="201" data-width="251" height="201" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfefjEqSYQmeSmj9dQyjX1kIY1ka54mG5f2hQ-g60pwlQUMepLvg" style="height: 201px; width: 251px;" width="251" /></a></div><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2Y-XEpR5SSdEci68Cl_uaWlLrQgON8ok7XiWQ0hFpc-rfMxw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="213" data-width="237" height="213" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2Y-XEpR5SSdEci68Cl_uaWlLrQgON8ok7XiWQ0hFpc-rfMxw" style="height: 213px; width: 237px;" width="237" /></a><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuZxvhKTFaSCjcCIKZe-b4gTb-YapxhXTHH2nlw7HW6KFYor9vIw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="183" data-width="276" height="183" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuZxvhKTFaSCjcCIKZe-b4gTb-YapxhXTHH2nlw7HW6KFYor9vIw" style="height: 183px; width: 276px;" width="276" /></a> <img alt="" class="rg_hi" data-height="202" data-width="250" height="202" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThESWtiJ3xytI6EMpFk9s3JliwVRh5piCwleZkpGEnvrIghHGbPA" style="height: 202px; width: 250px;" width="250" /><img alt="" class="rg_hi" data-height="200" data-width="252" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsK5h8NyeeOTVxHewKyzUu4xVIXE8BQUt0Faim87BZtJmxX7tRFw" style="height: 200px; width: 252px;" width="252" /><img alt="" class="rg_hi" data-height="193" data-width="261" height="193" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFD3ngIxz4c9dQwRx0tcLI7YWXQV_09zTd_9KApqBCconOLe7t_Q" style="height: 193px; width: 261px;" width="261" /><img alt="" class="rg_hi" data-height="189" data-width="266" height="284" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxEvmZumuogLxK3T3Eo27uOO0Ka_L-8rpHblJ4jJrP3LjVromF" style="height: 189px; width: 266px;" width="400" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdx-QjJGg_Ooz9yGXLrZovfWNIvLpp7KQnYup0WoX9oU8Qf391" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="149" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdx-QjJGg_Ooz9yGXLrZovfWNIvLpp7KQnYup0WoX9oU8Qf391" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="200" /></a></div>Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-76739526502297398912012-02-02T09:23:00.000-06:002012-02-02T09:23:47.750-06:00A lamp for my feet, a light for my path..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZF2bXAKZLomVDXcB0tio10YMm-FqsCcB6dls28shllRrpegJa4EXaemNXKPar5sD0B6y4-1NF28446jneXGQnCwdTyRUCW8t2dmE67MyzsmuY8A9jV0ws9yn5NOifbW3zdL8UC5vJQIK/s1600/IMG_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZF2bXAKZLomVDXcB0tio10YMm-FqsCcB6dls28shllRrpegJa4EXaemNXKPar5sD0B6y4-1NF28446jneXGQnCwdTyRUCW8t2dmE67MyzsmuY8A9jV0ws9yn5NOifbW3zdL8UC5vJQIK/s200/IMG_3226.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> Good Thursday morning! Bright and sunny here...I took some pics of our sunroom to share because it reminded me of how God's Word brings revelation and lights up our souls, spirits and life!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pgZ50sx5C3zDnr_tjgs-llL-_XkS4Fyqic834k45sjARJaUmfgDiF3svbXR3ZhgONi2qncH_weYtlimDULGMAnPflIRy6e81LiL8LnB5NW4QuhZzMo6XV_8zixIfE1e4zce2nqa3FJOQ/s1600/IMG_3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pgZ50sx5C3zDnr_tjgs-llL-_XkS4Fyqic834k45sjARJaUmfgDiF3svbXR3ZhgONi2qncH_weYtlimDULGMAnPflIRy6e81LiL8LnB5NW4QuhZzMo6XV_8zixIfE1e4zce2nqa3FJOQ/s320/IMG_3228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I love Jan Karon's description of God's word in the title of one of her books: "Patches of Godlight"...See how the sun just bathes the room in light. That's what God's Word & Presence do in my heart & life...Psalm 4:6..."Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord."... Psalm 18:28.." You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light..." ...Psalm 19:8...The precepts of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkhUjYbd84XVcSRS8WwqyAXSVBlBVckmC0_0QgHMOlGZ0Ophhydesn_FHqs2dEWiZmR5ehdZHixNI4G-QvKH8cVyWznw1i40wqurPMyABBUc-Caxq51sn9KjoiQNkuzssl9DnngSR4m-r/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkhUjYbd84XVcSRS8WwqyAXSVBlBVckmC0_0QgHMOlGZ0Ophhydesn_FHqs2dEWiZmR5ehdZHixNI4G-QvKH8cVyWznw1i40wqurPMyABBUc-Caxq51sn9KjoiQNkuzssl9DnngSR4m-r/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh8St6TdPM4IysrGDTDHhl4Qnn2ofZE-wN7wQovX6M-aeiSgv9cpTsVEU-H-YQn9wZ8rkyfNTHamU4Zv9ZPyKTzpOlWfGBsWEtyDNZFulugBNyfCf-0NX5hFIAdheNCcjpR7xCo1vihd1/s1600/IMG_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh8St6TdPM4IysrGDTDHhl4Qnn2ofZE-wN7wQovX6M-aeiSgv9cpTsVEU-H-YQn9wZ8rkyfNTHamU4Zv9ZPyKTzpOlWfGBsWEtyDNZFulugBNyfCf-0NX5hFIAdheNCcjpR7xCo1vihd1/s1600/IMG_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh8St6TdPM4IysrGDTDHhl4Qnn2ofZE-wN7wQovX6M-aeiSgv9cpTsVEU-H-YQn9wZ8rkyfNTHamU4Zv9ZPyKTzpOlWfGBsWEtyDNZFulugBNyfCf-0NX5hFIAdheNCcjpR7xCo1vihd1/s200/IMG_2818.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaabp7x5Bx5971FQG5QjhtxpjOaOM5M8MoMFdjxV0X6EZYthBo8rFtaUpc2erytRwzaDgAK3qoweV7BehJz4zr46Nc03_eyQCxgrIyCrsVPL6mCnItGXktWyqgUWx79YhD0rB1VcKBsT5B/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaabp7x5Bx5971FQG5QjhtxpjOaOM5M8MoMFdjxV0X6EZYthBo8rFtaUpc2erytRwzaDgAK3qoweV7BehJz4zr46Nc03_eyQCxgrIyCrsVPL6mCnItGXktWyqgUWx79YhD0rB1VcKBsT5B/s200/IMG_2719.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a>Psalm 36:9 "In Your light we see light."....Psalm 76:4 "You are resplendent with light." </div><br />
Psalm 119:130..."The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." <br />
So go, my friend, into the day with your eyes to the skies, observing how majestic the Lord is and how wonderful His light. To me, light brings joy, and if it's cloudy where you are-just remember that right behind those clouds is the glorious sunshine and even as we have "cloudy days" in our lives, God is right there with us, though we cannot see Him! Blessings, peace, love, joy to you today...Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-35165296657025281012012-01-31T10:23:00.003-06:002012-01-31T10:24:21.235-06:00Tuesday Tips for that annoying question: What are we having for dinner tonight?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7gWY2AFEVSnZ4Zqw9HfLlmMPTtMWrbRLWqjovziwQb3-9ihQoz_b-5lzIznTA-DUk9onvpF7MpIdYxFH-Pm6c2pFf22vAMvgennY2KtwGR5XtgIUFl7BRQhkekifOp5shIERfxV5iiKH/s1600/IMG_2726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7gWY2AFEVSnZ4Zqw9HfLlmMPTtMWrbRLWqjovziwQb3-9ihQoz_b-5lzIznTA-DUk9onvpF7MpIdYxFH-Pm6c2pFf22vAMvgennY2KtwGR5XtgIUFl7BRQhkekifOp5shIERfxV5iiKH/s200/IMG_2726.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsunUKKQNlbwAvqJtkP32TbzT5Csv9s5sQGt3M81cP5mMRnWwu65E2b53UfiIsR2Fk6bQDTFhyphenhyphenT8jlwqWe2H_z2gJvUxQa7K6Ox-uvJnluSXPJKzVp_l0vySOUz3iyee1ih6mJ0OlNPC/s1600/477+S+Clay+April+2004+-+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsunUKKQNlbwAvqJtkP32TbzT5Csv9s5sQGt3M81cP5mMRnWwu65E2b53UfiIsR2Fk6bQDTFhyphenhyphenT8jlwqWe2H_z2gJvUxQa7K6Ox-uvJnluSXPJKzVp_l0vySOUz3iyee1ih6mJ0OlNPC/s200/477+S+Clay+April+2004+-+027.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZfrfkUTg9kSdP57AXyaFr8qEtaOwlZbbwoyrukKsNpG5z6ecpm5XzNj2ioS_ePd231vOjsMT4yxTQ41DKJyDurMi7fbuGmGI2ONCtXZSFYi0F7OIPL6UPtSJtrW0TYVprMx6Z40RMpO/s1600/IMG_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Good Tuesday morning! I was thinking today about a habit I began years ago that has helped me save time and money!<br />
Since we have had to watch our pennies over the years (I was mostly a stay-at-home mom till the boys got older) I knew I could not afford to run to the store several times per week. Every time I go to the store for something I come home with more items than were on my list! So a friend suggested that I make a grocery list from a weekly menu.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZfrfkUTg9kSdP57AXyaFr8qEtaOwlZbbwoyrukKsNpG5z6ecpm5XzNj2ioS_ePd231vOjsMT4yxTQ41DKJyDurMi7fbuGmGI2ONCtXZSFYi0F7OIPL6UPtSJtrW0TYVprMx6Z40RMpO/s1600/IMG_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZfrfkUTg9kSdP57AXyaFr8qEtaOwlZbbwoyrukKsNpG5z6ecpm5XzNj2ioS_ePd231vOjsMT4yxTQ41DKJyDurMi7fbuGmGI2ONCtXZSFYi0F7OIPL6UPtSJtrW0TYVprMx6Z40RMpO/s200/IMG_5923.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I make up a menu for one or two weeks at a time-and then put the items I will need for each menu on the list. I always add a couple of days that are marked "leftovers" which we always have after I make certain dishes. Then I check my coupons and take along the ones I need for that week. Having a menu also prevents the frustrating question of "what are we having for dinner tonight?" It really only takes a few minutes to make up a menu - and it also helps to do so with a cookbook on hand so you can have more interesting meals instead of the same old, same old!<br />
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It also helps to make your grocery list & menu out while looking at the weekly ads - then you can plan meals according to what's on sale and that helps save $ as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp22RNWP761apHyV16WCa9vEhiV0LwiEyicQFlDT8HLymGFCcWxnnVPSzgefLau6J8gLZLKaW6e5aJXY1G3eqpEc_14qSigMldbvyT1q-SuZ_9_edonqCRf4o7QbDi5Cvx1JJwWfakMoBz/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp22RNWP761apHyV16WCa9vEhiV0LwiEyicQFlDT8HLymGFCcWxnnVPSzgefLau6J8gLZLKaW6e5aJXY1G3eqpEc_14qSigMldbvyT1q-SuZ_9_edonqCRf4o7QbDi5Cvx1JJwWfakMoBz/s200/IMG_2507.JPG" width="200" /></a>Besides that, all I can say is to try not to be lured by all the displays in the stores-buy what's on your list and don't deviate too much if you're trying to stay on a budget. Budgets are good things! They help us save for vacations & retirement, Christmas and all kinds of fun stuff! :) The pic of chocolate "blob" at the right is Cranberry Pecan Dark Choc Bark that I made at Christmastime. You just melt dark chocolate at medium temp in the microwave (can add choc chips - need about 1 1/2 cups total) and add as much dried cranberries and toasted pecan pieces as you like - spread out on parchment paper & let cool. Put it in the fridge to help that process & then break up into pieces to serve...Delish!Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-480852744012572865.post-5433492605126048952012-01-30T09:46:00.000-06:002012-01-30T09:46:07.273-06:00Monday's Moment-Confessions of a mom-turned-mother in law<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadmLWsluWVvQsjI6jt11J5_pXSiLU3iixc218Nkh4jdNrHinIkNox0UsaAbFnWgDJDmMYMHWGhQLLvUpKrBdbV30X6bt6NDqqtcfHBpn65qrLZz9D-mhKhlKJd8VjBc90pTrcm6PgFfsc/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadmLWsluWVvQsjI6jt11J5_pXSiLU3iixc218Nkh4jdNrHinIkNox0UsaAbFnWgDJDmMYMHWGhQLLvUpKrBdbV30X6bt6NDqqtcfHBpn65qrLZz9D-mhKhlKJd8VjBc90pTrcm6PgFfsc/s200/IMG_2634.JPG" width="200" /></a>I love being a mom and I love having daughters-in-law....I think of them as daughters. I hate commercials and TV shows that portray mothers-in-law as monsters and as someone who stresses you out all the time by her meddling. I will tell you this: I never pictured myself as a mother-in-law and when it happened to me I tried a bit too hard...gave advice when it was not wanted, etc....and generally made a LOT of mistakes! So easy to do when one has a mouth....and opinions, ideas and even experience that one wants to share to help others not make the same mistakes....ah well....no one is perfect and I have def learned that the hard way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ_J_K8eW28H2BY_jC1FGc8GPcWNev-laJnDha31M6eSyTirGKNpdgmQag3yTSk2B7mfh8JoN3H-tFjLcEpdyd7cEc9BuYGjpXPrE5tAAdr4dxICilzDeYEV5k52WcNXPtiK0_kWlTMAz/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ_J_K8eW28H2BY_jC1FGc8GPcWNev-laJnDha31M6eSyTirGKNpdgmQag3yTSk2B7mfh8JoN3H-tFjLcEpdyd7cEc9BuYGjpXPrE5tAAdr4dxICilzDeYEV5k52WcNXPtiK0_kWlTMAz/s200/IMG_2833.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dlZ6EF7_F5HNLrgLQ0SbbN0R7p8XZab66doBWyJvFmH4WR29FFWgea5BlcXeZXXJmYQnwfmAL9aSc-zpeqtA2lHl7ruM5gc5lxxh9RUIa2SVI4RK1q7l6oaHVtSkctL-DllC0deSPb0G/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dlZ6EF7_F5HNLrgLQ0SbbN0R7p8XZab66doBWyJvFmH4WR29FFWgea5BlcXeZXXJmYQnwfmAL9aSc-zpeqtA2lHl7ruM5gc5lxxh9RUIa2SVI4RK1q7l6oaHVtSkctL-DllC0deSPb0G/s200/IMG_2913.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>My goal is to be there when my "daughters" need me and to NOT get in the way - to pray for them & give advice when asked....and to be their greatest cheerleader as they live out being wives & mothers. It's been important for me to realize that I do NOT have all the answers-and that we all make mistakes as parents...and that most of our mistakes will not "mark" our children for life as some would make you think. Scripture says that "love never fails" and it also "covers a multitude of sins". So if you're a mom or a wife, just know that you will likely make mistakes - but that love will cover. Never be afraid to say you were wrong & that you are sorry. Know also that God's grace and strength are there for you every single day...all you have to do is go to Him and ask. Listen. Receive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3cX2F4LaWKoQJL2APEKkQvVxFXFLCt-EL9AaVH9iIIzifNA2vpVhFUOXppTTHmCcjKLKvmL1rfS5TCjszVGzo1s4dy6UJWwayDHJ6zNRJ7VW2IF-TNKguCTt6TZ_4cnz9v9EOVpzBT0k/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3cX2F4LaWKoQJL2APEKkQvVxFXFLCt-EL9AaVH9iIIzifNA2vpVhFUOXppTTHmCcjKLKvmL1rfS5TCjszVGzo1s4dy6UJWwayDHJ6zNRJ7VW2IF-TNKguCTt6TZ_4cnz9v9EOVpzBT0k/s200/IMG_3070.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKHqH-37iveHJ3sLmT1CQbx9VqafjLC6FZjpbCIFJl0UyGrbxC77OgGGqCekdY7dbaA9FsQpPq8CycSKvlhe9j8w3LIPcNti8KVgeLNo6f9qRhEiJ_ahf4gAF95OISEQdntK_SabMV8hc/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKHqH-37iveHJ3sLmT1CQbx9VqafjLC6FZjpbCIFJl0UyGrbxC77OgGGqCekdY7dbaA9FsQpPq8CycSKvlhe9j8w3LIPcNti8KVgeLNo6f9qRhEiJ_ahf4gAF95OISEQdntK_SabMV8hc/s200/IMG_1353.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>..and to my "daughters" this day I say this: You are beautiful, capable, skillful & talented young women and....I love you with all my heart-I am thankful for you, I pray for you and I am standing on the sidelines cheering for you to be a success!Mary Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849983156370824881noreply@blogger.com0