tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86928703312684578962024-02-23T00:51:36.471-06:00paying for my raisingJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-585755513086394972016-01-01T23:21:00.000-06:002016-01-01T23:33:48.301-06:00highlights<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">No matter how little I blog
each year, somehow I feel that I should always begin the new year with a blog
post. I’ve written several that were
philosophical in nature, like <a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-fresh-start.html" target="_blank">this one</a>, <a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2010/01/resolution.html" target="_blank">this one</a>, or <a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-shiny-new-year.html" target="_blank">this one</a>. But, today is not the day for that. Today is the day for a little trip down memory lane as we remember that </span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">2015 was a fun year …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">we had drama ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 28px; text-align: center; text-indent: 48px;">Anne of Green Gables</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 28px; text-indent: 48px;">Pilgrim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px; text-indent: 0.5in;">Two Dwarfs and Seven Whites</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">and Peter
Pan (rehearsed, but not performed, so no pictures yet)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">we had travels (some day trips, some vacations) ~<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Disney World in February<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 28px; text-align: start;">Landrums in Laurel, MS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 28px; text-align: center;">Day trip on the Natchez Trace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 28px;">Atlanta for OCC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">combined with a trip to Tennessee in November</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">we had church fun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">and most importantly …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-size: large;">FAMILY FUN!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is no doubt that 2015 was a good year and we are looking forward to new and exciting things in 2016.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 28px;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-71464922474235433642015-11-19T00:00:00.002-06:002015-11-19T00:00:53.150-06:00today, in 1995 ~ revisited<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>20 years ago - wow! I don't want this day to drift by with no mention of its importance to the beginning of our family. But, this is collection week for OCC, so what you get is this re-post from 5 years ago.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I remember the day very well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a Saturday ... I was 21, he was 28.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I spent most of the day trying to decide what to wear ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><em>and trying to calm my nerves.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Strangely, I don't really remember the conversation when he asked and I accepted the invitation for a date. But, I know it happened and the rest, as they say, is history.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We had actually met a couple of months earlier, in September, through mutual friends at the Baptist Student Union. Then, at the Mississippi College/Delta State football game, we ran into each other again ... I had been visiting with a friend of a friend on the MC side; he was over showing a little support for his <em>alma mater</em> and when I left, he decided to walk back around to the DSU side with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I don't have any idea what we talked about ... my school or his work, maybe ... or maybe we just talked about how the football season was going for the <em>Fighting Okra</em> ... I can't remember. But, our friend (or his girlfriend) saw us talking and decided to give us a little push in the right direction by inviting us both over for lunch at his mom's house after church on Sunday. And before I knew it, I had agreed to go out with him on the following Saturday, just a few days before I would be heading home for Thanksgiving.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">On Saturday, he picked me up from my dorm and took me to one of the best restaurants in Cleveland (keep in mind there were only 2 or 3 really nice places to eat ... or 4 if you count both the Mexican place and the Western Sizzlin'). This is Ronnie's favorite part of our <em>first date story</em> ... he took me to a place that specialized in steak and I ordered grilled chicken, <em>because my Mama always told me not to order the most expensive thing on the menu</em>. On top of that, I ordered a baked potato for my side, not realizing that the chicken was served with rice pilaf. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">In my defense, I grew up in a large family ... we didn't eat out much, there were just too many of us. In other words, I had very little experience ordering from a menu that wasn't printed on the wall ... not that I hadn't done it before, but this night my nerves got the better of me and I ended up feeling a little bit like a doofus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">After dinner, we went to the little movie theater in town and watched the James Bond movie <em>GoldenEye</em>. I have never been a huge movie-goer, but there isn't much to do in Cleveland if there isn't a DSU sporting event to watch ... which is exactly where we would spend a large part of our dates over the next couple of years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Oddly, I don't remember many of the details of the date. Odd because I have friends who marvel at the details I can remember from our childhood. But, for this one, I couldn't even begin to tell you what we talked about, but I do remember that he was incredibly polite and did all the things that he was supposed to do (but that many guys don't do) like opening my car door ... which he would continue doing for the entire time we dated, <em>and still does when we aren't trying to herd three kids into the <strike>car</strike> mini-van.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">This date would prove to be the beginning of a beautiful thing. Our second date came on the following Tuesday night before I left to go home for Thanksgiving, and by Christmas we were introducing each other to our families. Again, <em>the rest is history</em>, and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I am incredibly thankful for that history. In a world where marriage is so fragile, I know how blessed we are to still be together and I hope to never take for granted the gift we have been given.</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-24001153565827283072015-07-03T10:40:00.000-05:002015-07-03T10:40:28.077-05:00finding focus<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I have watched events in
our world unfold over the last couple of weeks and have found myself fighting
to keep from getting overwhelmed … and fighting not to get caught up in the fray. When I do think about it, the thing that
bothers me most is the world that my children will inherit. I believe it was Solomon who said that there
is nothing new under the sun … this world is filled with evil and it isn’t
likely to get any better. You can take
down flags and call sin a fundamental right, but that won’t change the
truth. The problem isn’t going to be
fixed by a bullying news media or by government legislation … but that is </span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">a
soapbox for another day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As downright terrifying as the
thought of what kind of world my kids will be forced to deal with can be, it
isn’t the only thing that threatens to send my thoughts and my mood into a
downward spiral. Life in general can get
pretty discouraging. I have spent the
better part of this week giving in to despair – partly due to things outside of
my control and partly due to mistakes I have made - I could spend the next ten
minutes (at least) outlining all the negative things in which I have allowed
myself to get caught up. However, that wouldn’t do me, or anyone reading this,
any good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The fact is that no matter
what is going on in life, the thing that matters most is where we find our focus. When my focus is on myself, I find myself
bogged down in self-pity and despair.
Fortunately for me, I have a Father who loves me enough to remind me
that this is not who I am. All week the
story of Jesus and Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee keeps coming to my
mind. I know the story well; it is one
of my favorites … and, not just as a holdover from my childhood. I have loved this story as an adult who knows
what it means to find myself drowning in my circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The background of the story
is that Jesus has just fed well over 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2
fish. The disciples not only witnessed
the miracle, they participated in the distribution of the food. They saw thousands of hungry people fed with
what should have satisfied only a small boy.
These men saw needs met in a way that could only be accomplished by
Almighty God. I’ve often wondered if the
people in the crowd understood the miracle that occurred that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After the crowds dispersed,
Jesus sent His disciples ahead on the Sea of Galilee as He went to pray. (This
is, of course, an entire lesson unto itself, but it isn’t where I’m heading today.) As the story goes, the disciples were on the
sea, being “tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” Out of the night, in the midst of the wind
and waves, “Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” I have tried to imagine what it must have been
like to see this dark figure coming out of a dark night, when the waves were
high and the wind was blowing; the disciples were understandably terrified … I
would probably have fainted.
Immediately, Jesus spoke words of comfort to his disciples – His closest
friends, the people who knew Him best – but they must not have been sure it was
Him because Peter said: “Lord, if it be thou, bid me to come unto thee on the
water.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">How many times have I done
just that? Times when I am beginning to
feel overwhelmed and before I even ask, Jesus comes to me with words of comfort
– a familiar scripture that “pops” into my head or the words of a hymn that I
begin to sing without even knowing why – and yet I question, “Lord, is this
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While my questions are
usually filled with questions, Peter’s question was filled with faith (or maybe
it was impulsiveness). He wasn’t sure if
it was Jesus, but he desperately wanted to know, and he was willing to step out
of the boat to find out. This is one of
the things I love about Peter … he didn’t play it safe. He didn’t discuss it with a committee, he
didn’t sit back to wait and see, no, he just said “Lord, give me the word and
I’ll jump out of the boat!” And that is
just what he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But, straightway, Jesus spake unto
them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not
afraid. And Peter answered him
and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me to come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship,
he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, same me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they
that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the
Son of God. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Matthew 14:27-33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For those of us who have
spent a lifetime in Sunday School, we may be tempted to see this story in the
warm light of crafts and coloring pages.
In reality, there is so much truth that we need to embrace packed into
these few verses. The one word that
keeps coming to my mind is FOCUS. Peter
had enough faith to step out of the boat – which is huge. I want that kind of faith. I don’t want to play it safe in my walk with
Jesus. But, even in his faith, Peter
faltered when he was surrounded by the waves and the wind and suddenly he
forgot where he was going. His focus
shifted to the storm around him rather than the peace he could find in the face
of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The reason that I spent
several days wallowing in doubt and fear earlier this week is because I took my
eyes off of the Savior and focused on the situation. This is never a good idea, no matter what is
going on. There is no doubt that we are living in grave times as a nation. However, as Christians, we have been
commanded not to fear and promised that fear does not come from God (2 Timothy
1:7). Jesus never promised us an easy
life, as a matter of fact, He promised us just the opposite. We shouldn’t be surprised when we face real
hardship or when the world doesn’t like us.
All of the terrible things going on in the world can’t change who we are
in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.” John 14:27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus didn’t call us to get
caught up in the things of the world; He called us to be set apart and to point
the world to Him. We can’t do that if we
are focusing on the storm around us.
This leads me to two final passages of scripture. The first was one of my Mama’s favorites and
the second is one of mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">For I reckon that the sufferings of
this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us.</span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Romans 8:18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is
written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep
for the slaughter. Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I am so thankful that I
serve a Savior who will not give up on me, even when I take my eyes off of Him
and get caught up in the fray. I am
also thankful for a friend who will remind me of one very important point. </span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He didn’t let Peter drown,
did He?”</span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-10120016592296183302015-06-09T23:57:00.001-05:002015-06-10T00:03:54.146-05:00vbs 2015 ... #1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve been scrolling through old blog posts tonight and
oh, what fun it is to see what we were up to back in <i>the good old days! </i> Among
those old memories, I found this post about what may have been the first year
my kids went to VBS with their homeschool friends. I had completely forgotten about this post
until tonight…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">June 14, 2010 (<a href="http://www.payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2010/06/feeling-little-guilty.html" target="_blank">full post here</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have spent
the last hour sitting at our church browsing the internet in peaceful quiet
except for the music from my blog that I am enjoying.…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where are my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><s>little noisemakers</s><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>kids, you may ask? The answer to
that question is why I am feeling a little guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This morning, I
dropped all three kids off at another local church for Vacation Bible
School. The older kids were invited by some of our homeschool friends who
attend the church, so I don't feel too bad about them. D, on the other
hand, is just going because the older kids went and because I thought a week of
mornings to myself might<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>be
nice</em>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Okay, that is a
giant understatement! As a matter of fact, when I told my Mama that D
could go to VBS at a church where I am not teaching this year, I told her
that I didn't know what I would do with myself, but it would probably include a
few minutes of sitting somewhere<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>just
drinking in the silence!</em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I guess I feel
guilty because I have never thought of using church as a babysitter before.</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> My children have been in VBS all
their lives and they have even gone to VBS at a church where I wasn't teaching,
but always because they have friends there. Maybe I am just splitting
hairs, I don't know. I am just going to take consolation in the fact that
my friends who are members there don't seem to be bothered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Honestly, I find this post really funny now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are again in the middle of VBS week at that same
church and those kids who invited my older kids are all now in the youth group
and they are still inviting my kids … only now Lora and James aren’t just going
to VBS, they are helping. This has become
one of my kids’ favorite weeks each summer.
This is James’ first year to help, and I have to say that he has been
looking forward to it since the end of last year. Lora is spending this week helping in the
same class that she will be teaching in our church’s VBS next month. </span><span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks, Marie! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I would be remiss in posting about this particular VBS
without mentioning that Marie is an amazing VBS director … I won’t say that she
makes it look easy, since I know how much time and passion she puts in to
making this week a success, but she does make me want to be a better VBS
director!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is only Tuesday, but James has already learned a
lesson that makes the entire week worthwhile … he told me on the way home that
he now knows why we sometimes <s>yell</s> raise our voices when we say we aren’t
mad … sometimes you have to raise your voice to get the attention of a child
who is intent on NOT paying attention.
Nothing like a little bit of frustration to make an excellent teacher
for my young man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And yes, I am secretly gloating, but only a little!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do have one confession, though. I worried all those years ago about using
another church’s VBS as a babysitter so that I could enjoy some peace and
quiet. <i> I am over that.</i> But I did feel a twinge of guilt when I walked
Daniel in on Monday morning and I saw the frazzled look on Marie’s face just
moments before I walked out to enjoy my morning alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a twinge … but, I got over it about the time I settled on the couch with a cup of coffee, my Bible, and complete silence ... ahhh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-28024393549816372572015-05-19T23:54:00.003-05:002015-05-20T10:49:11.069-05:00it isn't your story<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">For the past several months, our homeschool drama group has been working
on the musical <i>Pilgrim</i>, which is an
adaptation of the book <i>Pilgrim’s Progress</i>,
by John Bunyan. For those who may not
have read this book, it is the story of “the man” who realizes the burden of
his sin and begins a journey (at the impetus of the King) which leads him on
the path, first to the Cross and eventually to the Celestial City. The path is sometimes full of joy and
sometimes full of struggle, but the man, who is called Christian, comes to
realize that the King is always with him as he travels. I read the book in my younger years and plan
to read it again this summer with my kids, but even knowing the basic premise
(I can’t remember all the details) I wasn’t prepared for how powerfully I would
be moved as I watched these kids perform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">This production has been several years in the making – since our drama
director found the play and has been waiting for her daughter to be old enough
to play Christian. I have no doubt that
God has been, in her words, <i>staying her
hand,</i> until our group gained the needed maturity to tackle such a huge
project. We have never done a musical
and the majority of our soloists had never sung a solo in public. Most of them were sure that they absolutely
COULD NOT sing in public, but they did and it was beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">God reminded me of many things as we prepared for and performed this
play. From the very first time I watched
the DVD of the original performance and then even more as I read the script, I
began to see so many parallels to my own journey. Even my kids began to notice things and would
often mention how some detail of life resembled the play. Then, as I watched Isabela (and her Mama)
tackle the role of Christian and face the many trials along the way (both
figurative and literal), it became even more clear that God was in the timing
of this. These kids (and their
directors) were not just learning lines and blocking, we were learning the
Truth of the Presence of God in every situation. The kids faced the trials of parts outside of
their comfort zones and the adults faced details of sets and sound systems
(among other things) that seemed impossible to work out. Everyone dealt with everyday life that seemed
to crowd into (or crowd out) the time needed to prepare for the play. But, we persevered and the play came
together; as a result, we had the opportunity to see God bless our efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">I have been working through my emotions surrounding the play since our
final scheduled performance this past Saturday and I want to record some of the
things I would like for the cast to know about what they have just experienced. These are the things that I want my own
children to take away from this experience and the things that I want to
remember as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">This was more than just a play. I
think our students know that. I have been
amazed as I have watched the kids grow through this production, not just as
performers, but as people. I pray that
the truth of this play has seeped into their very being and that they will
never be the same. Each one of our drama
kids may have been to the Cross before this play started, but we all need to be
reminded that the King is always with us and that He cares about every moment
of our lives. I hope that they never
forget that a Christian can leave the path, but cannot step outside of the King’s
care for His children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">Any play has the potential to teach us something, but this one goes much
deeper. These children – many of whom
are actually young adults – had the opportunity to step on to a stage and share
the Gospel. In order to do this, each
one had to “become” a character. Some of
those characters “fit” the individual.
Some didn’t. Many of them had to
go back and forth between being good guys and bad guys. Some kids had lots of lines, some had only a
few. But none of that matters. I want these kids to know that it makes no
difference what part they played, the number of lines they spoke, or even the
amount of talent they have for acting.
Every one of those students participated in spreading the Gospel of
Jesus Christ through this play. Even
those playing the “bad guys” set in motion a time when Christian learned
something more from the King. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Architects Daughter'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">And that is why this play was so very moving to me. God using the good and the bad to show us HIS
plan is a very real part of life. As
Christians, we often struggle to see the good in a situation that holds only
grief and despair for us, but thankfully, God sees the bigger picture and He
isn’t going to leave us in our despair. Often,
it is in our lowest moments -</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> in the times of our greatest trials when our King uses the people
around us to speak to our deepest needs and to point us to Him. One of my favorite parts of the play is the
Castle of Doubt scene (where Christian and Hopeful have left the path looking
for an easier way and learn the hard way that the story isn’t about them). I have been there and I am so thankful for
the people who have filled the role of Hopeful in my life. We all need to be reminded </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">occasionally</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> that
this life isn’t about us. This isn’t
your story or my story, it is HIS story and that is<b> infinitely better</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">I realize that this most of this won’t make sense if you haven’t seen
the play or read the book – so go do it! Read the book that is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">I know that this is already long, but I can’t help but end with a few
pictures of the play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjABn8FOgKeaa8kBA3k8T7Vo918-b8XIq1M4kzTtKy2pIKAIyyBZ5VJ6lOUVr8_B5QG2PPkTP424VsGX2FBbGnXRuw0ZJJ_4UKwopgX39ezaRMYbR8RgPqQTavz-nfQoX5ZTXISLcW9g/s1600/Scene+1+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjABn8FOgKeaa8kBA3k8T7Vo918-b8XIq1M4kzTtKy2pIKAIyyBZ5VJ6lOUVr8_B5QG2PPkTP424VsGX2FBbGnXRuw0ZJJ_4UKwopgX39ezaRMYbR8RgPqQTavz-nfQoX5ZTXISLcW9g/s400/Scene+1+%25232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">Lora in her role as Obstinate … she plays a pretty good bad guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcas-y7h-DxoClSeS4DMsNFaNQP435QGw28KAbib0Pbtcji7MBL6UyywAxJulq2JnxTvD8uPF6akwgQOVMCh70qJRM33XFHeNJp9zKBexXTbfPR5lrPkcBLQ7SnIWzc0hBI_g6ET33pk/s1600/Scene+1+%25235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcas-y7h-DxoClSeS4DMsNFaNQP435QGw28KAbib0Pbtcji7MBL6UyywAxJulq2JnxTvD8uPF6akwgQOVMCh70qJRM33XFHeNJp9zKBexXTbfPR5lrPkcBLQ7SnIWzc0hBI_g6ET33pk/s400/Scene+1+%25235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">James as Evangelist – my favorite of my kid’s roles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlKBTBTiJWtCABAezaBqq-soDBe_p5UdA-PH5sgZYS9RlVq98DsMKFgQa96JxQ97KVlTcUE_0CL6R0JlBLhtGChDdJoi5XnywsctiV75tjDXqdIuZ9lKmoM8ZDW4sCtAcy44MBmEgQ9A/s1600/Act+1+%25239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlKBTBTiJWtCABAezaBqq-soDBe_p5UdA-PH5sgZYS9RlVq98DsMKFgQa96JxQ97KVlTcUE_0CL6R0JlBLhtGChDdJoi5XnywsctiV75tjDXqdIuZ9lKmoM8ZDW4sCtAcy44MBmEgQ9A/s400/Act+1+%25239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">Lora was our choreographer (she took the original dances and
turned them into something our less experienced dancers could actually do). I think
she learned that she would rather dance than choreograph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxLzQXJIS2X2wYjGM4lhaMjrPaMh8f_V03pbDrxBunwUJF3SBnLdIkAt8AvBnqFfnnAVn8XFxsc_jNpnhAhhaZl4PQhhnKEcK65MjCYwpn0yz5DkMZrChQTZk-QoeDHZ2cq_9sEz3sH8/s1600/Act+1+%252313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxLzQXJIS2X2wYjGM4lhaMjrPaMh8f_V03pbDrxBunwUJF3SBnLdIkAt8AvBnqFfnnAVn8XFxsc_jNpnhAhhaZl4PQhhnKEcK65MjCYwpn0yz5DkMZrChQTZk-QoeDHZ2cq_9sEz3sH8/s400/Act+1+%252313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2;">The whole crew at Vanity Fair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-34844282647676428642015-05-07T10:31:00.001-05:002015-05-07T10:31:30.163-05:00Daybook 5/7/15<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For Today...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">May 7, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Outside my
window…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">another beautiful Spring day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We are having an unusually long stretch of spring
weather ~ </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">it has been wonderful!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am thinking
about and praying for…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">a couple of friends who are going through tough
times right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am thankful…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">that Daniel chose not to play baseball this
year. I miss it (a lot!), but with the
older kids in two plays, with rehearsal several nights a week, it would just be
too much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am wearing…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">gray shorts and </span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">an Operation Christmas Child
t-shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am creating…</span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">a schedule for our “summer school” … in my head at
least. I need to take time to get it
down on paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am going…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">to do school work this morning,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">to drama practice this afternoon while my Daddy takes Lora to dance, and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">to a meeting at church tonight while Ronnie takes the older two kids to their "other" drama rehearsal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;">Whew! </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;">And today is a slow day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: David, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;">I am hoping…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;">to make it to June 6<sup>th</sup> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;">with my sanity intact!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am wondering…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">about lots of things … </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">none really worth sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am reading…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Voyage of
the 'Dawn Treader</span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ' </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by C.S. Lewis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The kids are thoroughly enjoying reading the <i>Chronicles of Narnia</i> series for the
first time. I won’t let them watch the
movies until we finish all of the books, which should happen in the next month,
or so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am learning…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">that everyone is going through something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In my kitchen…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">baked chicken and veggies for supper tonight. I
have an ulterior motive…leftover chicken made into chicken salad for lunch
tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the
homeschool room…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lora is working hard on her poetry project for her
final in 9<sup>th</sup> grade literature.
I am very excited to see what she comes up with. The boys are just
plugging along at normal stuff for today.
After today, we will officially be on hiatus until after the
performances of <i>Pilgrim</i> next week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A favorite
quote for today…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“…When I was young, I would see all these people
with blemishes but as I got closer, I saw they weren’t blemishes at all. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">They were scars.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">taken from a <a href="http://joemckeever.com/wp/patient/" target="_blank">blog post by Joe McKeever</a></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One of my
favorite things…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">taking pictures of flowers and bugs and other “nature”
things.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A peek into one
of my days…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">a few of my spring bugs and things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "David","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Join Peggy at
<a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Simple Woman's Blog</a> for more daybooks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-59930652675688485912015-05-04T11:38:00.002-05:002015-05-04T11:39:13.556-05:00educated?<div class="PadderBetweenControlandBody">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It happens every year about this time. I realize that we are
approaching the end of the school year and we haven't accomplished as much as I
would have liked. It doesn't matter that we school year-round, so the end of
the <i>school year</i> simply means that
there will be a change in our extra-curricular activities </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
we go from drama and dance to Vacation Bible School preparation </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
but that is another story in itself.</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="PadderBetweenControlandBody">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
year is different, though. Now that I have my first high-school student, I am
feeling the pressure to “keep up” with what her counterparts in public school,
or even other homeschoolers, are doing.</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But,
that is not why I am educating my children at home. </span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
of this contemplation has led me to really search out what it means to be
educated. I looked up the definition </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and the word means
exactly what I thought it meant, but what does that <b>really</b> mean for my
kids?</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simply
put, what is it that I want my children to know before they graduate? More
importantly, what do they need to know before they leave the safety of our home
and make their way in the world? Does my responsibility for my children's
education end with a list of courses to finish and credits to list on a
transcript? Somehow, this seems to miss out on the whole point of what I have
spent the last 10 years doing </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> or at least aiming
to do. I don’t want my kids to leave home thinking that their education has
been limited to the time we have spent doing bookwork.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
that in mind, I am working on a list of the “things” I want the kids to know or
understand before they leave the nest. This list probably won't scratch the surface of everything that they really need, but I am just going to start and see how far I get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
my children:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each
of you is loved unconditionally. The
love that your Daddy and I have for you is in no way tied to anything you might
(or might not) accomplish ~ academically or otherwise. But, never forget that
we do not love you perfectly </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> we don</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">t have that ability. We have made mistakes and we will continue to
make mistakes. Our mistakes don’t mean
that we love you any less, they simply mean that we are human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want the three of you to learn to love each other unconditionally. Someday you just might need each other </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
don</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">t wait for that day
to come to become friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
the same train of thought as #1, you each need to understand that you are not
the center of our world. I don’t believe
that God ever intended it to be that way.
Someday, you will step out of our home and make your own way in the
world. When you do, it will go easier
for you if you already understand that you aren’t the center of the universe.
This may not make sense to you now, but someday it will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want you to know the value of hard work. Sometimes teaching you this seems like a
losing battle to your daddy and me. But
we will continue plugging along. You may
not enjoy hard work now, but I pray that you learn to do it anyway. (See
Colossians 3:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
also want you to know the beauty of serving others. This is something that I already see each of
you embracing, and I am extremely proud of you for it. Just don’t lose the joy you now find in
service. I don’t claim to have learned too many things in this life, but I do
believe that you will never regret time spent serving others. Oh, and don’t worry if they don’t seem to
appreciate what you do. Ultimately, what
you do isn’t for them anyway. (Again,
see Colossians 3:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want you to know the importance of being willing to step out of your comfort
zones and try new things. This was
probably one of the hardest lessons I had to learn as an adult. Don’t wait like I did. You will be amazed by
the things you can accomplish if you are willing to try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want you to learn how to be a friend.
This is a tough one. I am
“full-grown” and I am still learning.
Learn to forgive, even when it is hard.
Learn that just when someone seems most un-lovable, this is most likely
the time that they need someone to show them love. Ask God to allow you to see people the way He
sees them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want you to know how to think outside the box.
I don’t want you to buck the system just for the sake of being
different, but I don’ t want you to follow the crowd either. Think for yourself. And more importantly, pray and seek God’s
guidance and then follow Him! (See Proverbs 3:5-6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
is one final lesson that I want you to know before I type up that final
transcript. I want you to know <b>HOW </b>to
learn. In the immortal words of Ernest
T. Bass, you will learn how to “read a little, write a little, and tote up yer
ciphers” during the years we school together, but unless you walk away knowing
how to learn things on your own, I will have failed you. And what is probably
more important, I want you to <b>WANT </b>to learn.
I hope that you will never forget the saying that hangs on our school
room wall – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you are not willing to learn,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> no one can help you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you are <b>determined</b> to learn,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> no one can stop you.</span></i><span style="font-family: {skinny} jeans solid; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt;">This
list is by no means comprehensive, but maybe it is a good beginning. I am thankful that I still have a few more years to be involved in my children's education, but I know that the time will fly and I will be typing that final transcript before I know it ... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "\{skinny\} jeans solid"; font-size: 13.0pt;">but I'm not going to dwell on that thought right now.</span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-84226658008261029302015-04-20T21:40:00.003-05:002015-04-20T21:43:39.008-05:00daybook ~ April 20<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">For
Today...</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">April
20, 2015</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Outside
my window…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
sun is setting on a beautiful day!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">It
was nice to see the sunshine again.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am thinking…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">about
the busy few weeks ahead … rehearsals for 2 plays, and then both
performances, final preparations for Lora's dance recital, not to
mention the final weeks of co-op classes! I am looking forward to
our more relaxed summer schedule!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Counting my blessings…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the opportunity to allow my children to be involved in
activities that they love. I've probably said that before … but it
truly is a blessing to me. Especially when I think of the number of hours that adult volunteers put in to make these opportunities possible.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am wearing…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">gray
shorts and an </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Operation Christmas Child t-shirt.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am creating…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">plans
for items to crochet for my friend's</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">first grandchild who
will be making her </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">appearance this fall!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am going…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">to
be running all day tomorrow … yippee.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am wondering…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;">what I assigned for tomorrow's lit co-op class ... and if I have actually read it yet.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am reading…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Aesop's
Fables with Daniel … he is loving it.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am hoping…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">that
everything goes well with </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">James' doctor's visit tomorrow.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
am learning…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">that
the older my kids get, the more time I have to spend prepping to
teach … </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I know it makes perfect sense, </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">but I'm not sure </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I was prepared for
how much </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">high school math I had forgotten.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">In
my kitchen…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">by
request of my middle child and with my youngest child's help,
homemade pizza. One pepperoni and one hamburger, the first for my boys and the second because it is
their Mama's favorite.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">In
the homeschool room…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">just
the same-old stuff.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">A
favorite quote for today…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><i>The Way of the Cross Leads Home</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">by: Jessie B. Pounds</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
must needs go home by </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the way of the cross, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">There's
no other way but this;</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
shall ne'er get sight </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">of the gates of light,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">If
the way of the cross I miss.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
must needs go on in the </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">blood-sprinkled way,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
path that the Savior trod,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">If
I ever climb to the heights sublime,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Where
the soul is at home with God.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then
I bid farewell to</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> the way of the world,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">To
walk in it nevermore;</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">For
the Lord says “Come,” </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">and I seek my home</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Where
He waits at the open door.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
way of the cross leads home,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
way of the cross leads home,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">It
is sweet to know, as I onward go,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
way of the cross leads home.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">One
of my favorite things…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">hymns!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">A
peek into one of my days…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">James
and Daniel in our tree. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWYKqzt1cn2niP-Vgxok390v8WrUxoLYqSqabk6104KAAuAOZadmBVl0bQHSKJ9Eptju7m8ziyTX-Kiiz7lwrtG6sK6ZQA6OpmKYfWkdnqoqqqowmG1RWGmzYI3ojl78jCxjxldm1i64/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWYKqzt1cn2niP-Vgxok390v8WrUxoLYqSqabk6104KAAuAOZadmBVl0bQHSKJ9Eptju7m8ziyTX-Kiiz7lwrtG6sK6ZQA6OpmKYfWkdnqoqqqowmG1RWGmzYI3ojl78jCxjxldm1i64/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 17.3333339691162px; line-height: 32px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> And yes, James is reading his lit book!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Join
Peggy at<a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-simple-womans-daybook-link-up-april_20.html" target="_blank"> The Simple Woman's Blog</a> for more daybooks.</span></span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-22906635385877095492015-04-20T09:45:00.000-05:002015-04-20T10:19:07.894-05:00good words about words<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
have recently read two blog posts about the words you speak. One
written by my friend, <a href="http://justcallmerie.blogspot.com/2015/04/to-all-my-young-friends.html" target="_blank">Marie</a>, and the other by a pastor, <a href="http://joemckeever.com/wp/forgiving-hearts-short-memories/" target="_blank">Joe McKeever</a>. Both have wonderful messages about words. Messages that I need to
hear over and over again.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
messages are clear … </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">First,
never forget that words have power – power to harm or to heal.
Second, never hesitate to ask someone to forgive you and be very
thankful for “short memories” and forgiving people.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZPZ-AWBsQ7x-jBXUuqwn29p_V-14syZoiI2_IS7t95vw_RSbrzfKwcRRLk_CaaSyeItE05ZD6nylPyKsJKW3fStK7Ev057HYpAsLDs_8WqPVwPzpmj8Urn9DdRBPLbue1DumpXDc5xY/s1600/IMG_6575-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZPZ-AWBsQ7x-jBXUuqwn29p_V-14syZoiI2_IS7t95vw_RSbrzfKwcRRLk_CaaSyeItE05ZD6nylPyKsJKW3fStK7Ev057HYpAsLDs_8WqPVwPzpmj8Urn9DdRBPLbue1DumpXDc5xY/s1600/IMG_6575-001.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My
take away from these two posts. First, I pray that the words I speak
are always meant to bring healing, but I know that I fail –
regularly. And second, when I do fail, I pray that my friends (and
anyone else I come in contact with) will extend a little grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
wish I could link to one of the songs from our VBS that will be
coming this summer … it is all about being wise with our words.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I
kind of get the feeling that God is trying to tell me something...</span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-13613313784131668912015-04-13T21:54:00.000-05:002015-04-13T22:56:12.004-05:00spring ... in pictures<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like
most people, I love Spring. I mean really, what is there to not like
about Spring? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Well,
besides the pollen that covers everything and that pesky hour we lose
to the time change. But, that is another post entirely.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">20
some odd years ago, when I was choosing what to do with my life, I
really, really wanted to be a photographer. Actually, my dream was
to double major in English and photography and become a journalist.
Now, I wish I hadn't been such a chicken. However, majoring in
photography was expensive and I wasn't passionate enough, or brave
enough, to take a risk. Silly me.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Formal
training or not, I still indulge in one of my favorite past-times as
often as I can. My dream these days is to own a really good camera …
some day, maybe. Until then, my little camera (that will probably do
far more than I realize), will have to suffice. And, for this post,
I am going to share a little bit of what has caught my eye this
Spring.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<div style="line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As with most anything, there is a spiritual application to be found in these pictures. For me, it is about gratitude. I cannot imagine a world without the beauty of Spring flowers, and butterflies, and the busyness of bumblebees. It would be a bit presumptuous to think that God created these beauties just for me, but on the days when I am in need of a distraction from the daily grind, I am so thankful for a world with flowers and bugs and other critters to capture through the lens of my camera.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good;</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>for his mercy endureth forever.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Little Trouble Girl;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 107:1</span></span></div>
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-47822094782375338512015-04-07T22:28:00.000-05:002015-04-07T22:28:24.369-05:00daybook 4-7-15<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>For
Today...</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">April
7, 2015</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>Outside
my window…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
sun is peeking through the clouds,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">and
I'm looking at grass that needs to be cut.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am thinking…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">about
the fact that it is already April!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">How
did we get here so quickly?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am thankful…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">for
the blessing of friendship. </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">I
have been reminded over the last few days</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">that
I am incredibly blessed with wonderful friends.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoA7Nx-wzzJJOQjs4fcG8DCsOtE1IN18tRJfED0YifQFf4FSrc17FQJ0zwCY6nMV5An9g7ZXVC6E3Ty2Ahb-TtK-0QO5W9S88KYVarVHkWL4sXnoAczdRdFyqkeLx_6WP7j_HLmB1TLQ/s1600/20150407_212325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoA7Nx-wzzJJOQjs4fcG8DCsOtE1IN18tRJfED0YifQFf4FSrc17FQJ0zwCY6nMV5An9g7ZXVC6E3Ty2Ahb-TtK-0QO5W9S88KYVarVHkWL4sXnoAczdRdFyqkeLx_6WP7j_HLmB1TLQ/s1600/20150407_212325.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am wearing…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">blue
jeans and one of my favorite shirts</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt;">~
black with silver, coral, and white polka dots ~</span> <span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">a
coral tank top and</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the
necklace that Lora gave me for my birthday.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am creating…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">a
sample page for a poetry notebook that I have assigned to my
literature class … at least, I have purchased the necessary items
and will be creating it later this week</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am going…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">to
take the older kids to their </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">second
drama practice of the day.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am wondering…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">if
we are biting off more than we can</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">chew
with two plays at one time.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am reading…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">ummm…….
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am hoping…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">that
the rest of this week will be more productive – </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">school-wise
that is.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>I
am learning…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the
ins and outs of putting on a drama.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>In
my kitchen…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">my
wonderful husband cooked pork-chops, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">lima
beans, green beans and </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">garlic
bread for supper tonight … super yummy!</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>In
the homeschool room…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">we
haven't done much “sit down” school this week. </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">Tomorrow
should be back to routine.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>A
favorite quote for today…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;">“<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But
let it be the hidden man of the heart, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">in
that which is not corruptible, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">which
is in the sight of God of great price.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">1
Peter 3:4</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>A
peek into one of my days…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF3vege92f99LHkvLWBEha9GYTeKKRhIbXka4HGFIWrKWO2rSC4rleYDPEBrTcvwtpvA9FQpJk1qfJBnVtlaWtK2RiZhZh2YtyQ6PVecwFw_tI5MWBPX5d-WiLML1o6DW6eniNwER_qs/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF3vege92f99LHkvLWBEha9GYTeKKRhIbXka4HGFIWrKWO2rSC4rleYDPEBrTcvwtpvA9FQpJk1qfJBnVtlaWtK2RiZhZh2YtyQ6PVecwFw_tI5MWBPX5d-WiLML1o6DW6eniNwER_qs/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd5fp6kX94B60MyB1hVQnG7W9_pouqSEVIW_uPYKhH7aQuGW11TqHgBrE5T95ri5kDrQluyDuFrw8peI843kOwyDzvWt5M30iLwU67aJwJwK3acySfGi3FjnQLwaGjncu2lfXtnD40lI/s1600/20150407_172124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd5fp6kX94B60MyB1hVQnG7W9_pouqSEVIW_uPYKhH7aQuGW11TqHgBrE5T95ri5kDrQluyDuFrw8peI843kOwyDzvWt5M30iLwU67aJwJwK3acySfGi3FjnQLwaGjncu2lfXtnD40lI/s1600/20150407_172124.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 32px;">My two birthday cakes .... first an ice cream cake from my sweet husband and kids (after taking me to Cracker Barrel for dinner) and then another surprise this afternoon</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;"> … 20 drama kids singing </span><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 200%;">“</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">happy
birthday” and a yummy birthday cake! </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 200%;">(Thank
you, Marie, even if you did mutilate my cake!!)</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><b>One
of my favorite things…</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">visiting
with some of our “oldest” friends!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;">Please visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-simple-womans-daybook-link-up-april.html" target="_blank">The Simple Woman</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;">for more daybooks.</span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-51737379578336809032015-04-05T17:37:00.001-05:002015-04-05T22:53:34.974-05:00remembrance<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">We
had a few minutes before the service started. People were chatting
all around us, but we sat quietly talking about what we were about to
do. He's seen us prepare for and participate in this solemn
ordinance many times, but this is only his second time to partake. I
asked him if he understood what it meant to prepare our hearts, to
not take of the meal “unworthily” … he was solemn and serious
as he answered and we talked about confession and forgiveness. And
then my little wild-child closed his eyes and leaned into me. I
don't know what happened in those few moments and I don't know if he
will remember that moment in years to come, but I will.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">I
can't help but think of the gift that Jesus gave to His disciples ~
His friends ~ this gift that has been passed down to us. An
invitation to remember … to never forget … to never take for
granted His broken body and shed blood. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">He
paid a debt He did not owe </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 150%;">because I owed a debt I could not pay. </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 150%;">May
I never forget.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, <span style="color: red;">Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me</span>. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, <span style="color: red;">This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. </span> For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">1 Corinthians 11:24-27</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</blockquote>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-73415708902483974882015-04-01T17:17:00.000-05:002015-04-01T22:20:30.339-05:00one thing off my bucket list<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">At
this time last year, my 40<sup>th</sup> birthday was looming large in
front of me and I was looking for things to make me <i>feel</i>
like the kid that my <strike>brain</strike> heart still thinks I should be. So, I decided
that sometime during the year in which I turned 40 I really needed to
complete a 5k race. Somewhere
in my childish, 39 year old brain, I thought that <i>running</i>
said race would be a good idea. But,
somewhere along the way, my 40-year-old-out-of-shape body told my
still-thinks-I-am-a-kid brain to hush and I decided that walking a 5k
would be a more realistic goal.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">But,
I got busy and my daily walks got pushed to the back-burner, so I
kinda gave up on the idea of actually achieving the goal I had set
for myself. I'd like to play the martyr and say that I sacrificed my
goals so that my kids could accomplish goals of their own, but the
truth is that I allowed the busyness of life to crowd out the daily walks that I really should have made time for each day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">So,
time passes and my 41<sup>st</sup>
birthday creeps closer and closer and then we go to Disney and walk
an average of 10 miles per day and it doesn't hurt me as bad as I
thought it would. And then a friend at church … one who is a
<i>little</i> older than me …
tells me that she has been walking in a 5k a month since she had
heart surgery. And then she
invites our family to join
her in a walk to support missions … a walk that is scheduled <i>before</i>
my birthday.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">And
that is how I came to spend a Saturday morning in March walking in
the rain, up and down hills that were described as <i>rolling</i>
when the word <i>killer</i>
would have been a much better description. And that is why, for the
next week, I couldn't stand up without groaning, and possibly
moaning, with every step.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Now
that I have done one 5k, I could just say … <i>been there,
done that, got the t-shirt</i>.<i>
</i>But, now that I have done it
once, I know that I don't
want it to be the last. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Finishing
that race, even in the pouring rain and knowing that I would be
feeling every hill we had climbed for days to come, felt good … I
mean, <i>really good</i>. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Like
a feeling that
I don't know how to put into words. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">Besides
being able to mark this goal off of my bucket list, I also had the
pleasure of sharing my first time with Lora for
her first time. We had a
great time talking while we walked … except for the times that I
was puffing too
hard trying to make it up a hill and she was having to work hard not
to run off and leave me. Her 15 year old dancer's legs weren't
struggling quite as hard as my 40 year old ones. Somehow,
doing it together made it easier and definitely more fun.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I think it is safe to say that
this won't be my last 5k. Besides the fact that I actually enjoyed
it, now my boys want to get in on the action and Lora has already
been looking for our next race. I never realized how many
opportunities there are to get off your duff on a Saturday morning
and support some cause.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I has occurred to me, that it is
slightly possible that those Saturday mornings might be just a little
bit easier if I'll get off my duff during the week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;">I couldn't resist taking a couple of pictures of the day. Certainly, this is something we want to remember!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdnN8636GQTp15rG98MBoFOu0PB0LIoPE3aWuM1kdRGf_f0z5kyBwSdvhB8IqurFr79og39Oog1NuTgzo-XbWY8UxBPgbYtkUnxAmfTitUjsg_ktFtOk7L1s-6gZh74yZxesIrqGohYc/s1600/20150321_125244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdnN8636GQTp15rG98MBoFOu0PB0LIoPE3aWuM1kdRGf_f0z5kyBwSdvhB8IqurFr79og39Oog1NuTgzo-XbWY8UxBPgbYtkUnxAmfTitUjsg_ktFtOk7L1s-6gZh74yZxesIrqGohYc/s1600/20150321_125244.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">This was pretty much the only sunshine we saw the entire day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi480L_6Ar5nHdKMNgzvVGJ33bWbuWqszWNeq6UxFWlR-6IYXMoMZvLMx0i8iNVQDAX5XFK_2colxtI2LYvkPfpGGNOvyCeRbtip6DRtGx_mXp2jEXq0es1dUWc17Esfb1y6Zy-s106Kr0/s1600/20150321_125919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi480L_6Ar5nHdKMNgzvVGJ33bWbuWqszWNeq6UxFWlR-6IYXMoMZvLMx0i8iNVQDAX5XFK_2colxtI2LYvkPfpGGNOvyCeRbtip6DRtGx_mXp2jEXq0es1dUWc17Esfb1y6Zy-s106Kr0/s1600/20150321_125919.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">This sign was along the road on the biggest hill ...<br />I was not amused.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJBYUjUqRI9B_kaTCGsOJnnR6zLv58N3hxhR8PSSi50OVbBvAnQ19BiCX0HSzC1Mzz_cVx_KmWeSoYSTp1Lpz83CYdACyDA_aR5K7FRjPK3L65eAVJduWhYWxI-jvKpiP7FxzY7sFWYA/s1600/20150321_083301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJBYUjUqRI9B_kaTCGsOJnnR6zLv58N3hxhR8PSSi50OVbBvAnQ19BiCX0HSzC1Mzz_cVx_KmWeSoYSTp1Lpz83CYdACyDA_aR5K7FRjPK3L65eAVJduWhYWxI-jvKpiP7FxzY7sFWYA/s1600/20150321_083301.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">This is a terrible picture, but it does give a little<br />perspective on the hills. You can see that Lora<br />wasn't struggling quite as much as her poor, old Mama!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHZgJdjikeqfVDt0llb5FnZo63YUdDQxBbXT5DISwBGXZhyphenhyphen3JWAl9_svtp-qKaXzE5fb3pcZe_YZ7CNI9SnRqqC46dH0EB6Dm7IrpiSbAgodEYqg-qhQv8OQP_Aj5w0qRI93y6bu4bbU/s1600/20150321_090147-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHZgJdjikeqfVDt0llb5FnZo63YUdDQxBbXT5DISwBGXZhyphenhyphen3JWAl9_svtp-qKaXzE5fb3pcZe_YZ7CNI9SnRqqC46dH0EB6Dm7IrpiSbAgodEYqg-qhQv8OQP_Aj5w0qRI93y6bu4bbU/s1600/20150321_090147-001.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7een6IuPKDjNo-lhF_A1ouCwQUGHlTKTpDz_znpx42bDiV5zCCO6kx3Pc2iFnxiXvrGWTto9u-ex9RgP-sWb78sPK0b9r0cV6POpWKZPyKU_JUJydrvwOuKvbbUYvHmlGsn_vf8788pg/s1600/20150321_090156-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7een6IuPKDjNo-lhF_A1ouCwQUGHlTKTpDz_znpx42bDiV5zCCO6kx3Pc2iFnxiXvrGWTto9u-ex9RgP-sWb78sPK0b9r0cV6POpWKZPyKU_JUJydrvwOuKvbbUYvHmlGsn_vf8788pg/s1600/20150321_090156-001.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">We were soaking wet and looking a little ragged,<br /> but <strike>happy</strike> thankful to have reached the finish line!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzkUg94YpEtzuY-rcEXuUYRriKyv8BahGbHNpBuRhyphenhyphennDlnQYr7E5dcxY5JOLGuP8NbbakZ0Iky3qxGyqGECidxaCUN94wbbcn7y7RghiERf0yhNR40BMue0F4WhgV6KGhMPYQBmGQRN0/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzkUg94YpEtzuY-rcEXuUYRriKyv8BahGbHNpBuRhyphenhyphennDlnQYr7E5dcxY5JOLGuP8NbbakZ0Iky3qxGyqGECidxaCUN94wbbcn7y7RghiERf0yhNR40BMue0F4WhgV6KGhMPYQBmGQRN0/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Proof that we finished! Lora and I both placed in our age-groups,<br />which explains the medals. I think it is great to have a memento of<br />our first race, but it was such a small race that I don't think that<br />it is exactly honest to say that we "won" or anything.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><br /></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-40179124352693901942015-03-31T22:13:00.002-05:002015-03-31T22:13:46.116-05:00daybook 3/31/15<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For
Today…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">March
31, 2015</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">O</span><span style="color: #666666;">utside
my window…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">The
blue sky is peeking out from high clouds. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I'm
sitting in the library looking out the window to the street where my
Daddy grew up. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am reminded of how much I love living close to my family.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am thinking…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">about
the end of this school year … which doesn't end school for us, just
changes our extra activities.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">This
really means that I am thinking about what I want to change over the
summer months.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am thankful…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">for
the opportunity to see my children finding </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">and sharing their gifts.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am wearing…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">a
tee shirt and (for the first time this spring)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"> my favorite blue jean
capris!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am creating…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">(same
as last week!)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">a
list of scriptures to encourage the kids (and myself)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">when
we get bogged down in school.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am going…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">to
get my hair cut in the morning … finally!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am wondering…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">when
our VBS material order will arrive … </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I'm
looking forward to getting started planning.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am reading…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">nothing
… that makes me sad!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am looking forward to…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">visiting
with friends this weekend as we </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">celebrate their daughter's birthday.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am learning…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">to
appreciate the little things.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In
my kitchen…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">hamburger
steaks, smothered in onions and gravy, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">served
with rice and purple hull peas.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Oh,
and a completely clean fridge … cause I have the best husband!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In
the homeschool room…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">we
keep on keeping on … </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">but
we are all battling spring fever!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">A</span><span style="color: #666666;">
favorite quote for today…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Being
confident of this very thing,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">that
he which hath begun a </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">good
work in you will perform </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">it
until the day of Jesus Christ. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Philippians
1:6</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A
peek into one of my days…</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIIGsKzXwz9tLp7ZrdxAitHmlwAbhtsHuys1V1GYD-f0wuIxz0aCpZjb4NqJmy6vW_4WITggDmiAu-GkgLyd_xMphpfp1p-8MPKc2Natq_n9t4vd07eXUGHX7_AuQIROBhLpL5CCgjb4/s1600/20150325_124109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIIGsKzXwz9tLp7ZrdxAitHmlwAbhtsHuys1V1GYD-f0wuIxz0aCpZjb4NqJmy6vW_4WITggDmiAu-GkgLyd_xMphpfp1p-8MPKc2Natq_n9t4vd07eXUGHX7_AuQIROBhLpL5CCgjb4/s1600/20150325_124109.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My sweet D drew this carriage with <i>just a little</i> help from his <br />art teacher, who just happens to be his grandfather.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">One
of my favorite things…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">My
children playing together … </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">at
least as long as they aren't bickering!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Please
visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-simple-womans-daybook-link-up-march_30.html" target="_blank">The Simple Woman</a> to find </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">more daybooks </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">and
to join in the fun.</span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-17409880218827763282015-03-27T17:20:00.001-05:002015-03-27T17:24:24.541-05:00daybook - 3/27<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">For
Today…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">March
27, 2015</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">O</span><span style="color: #666666;">utside
my window…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Beautiful
blue skies and signs that spring is here.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am thinking…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">about
things I want to accomplish this weekend</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am thankful…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">for
warm weather and sunshine!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
will need to remember this feeling in a few weeks when</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am complaining about the heat of a Mississippi summer.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am wearing…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">gray
knit pants and the t-shirt from the</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">5k
my LB and I walked in last Saturday.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am creating…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">a
list of scriptures to encourage the kids (and myself)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">when
we get bogged down in school work.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am going…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">to
take the older kids to play flashlight tag with their friends tonight</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">while
the rest of us clean the church and get it set up for our lunch on
Sunday.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am wondering…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">many
things … mainly how to handle some issues that </span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">are
causing us to stall in our school work.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am reading…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">about
essential oils …</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">thinking
it is time to jump on the bandwagon.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am hoping…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">to
get the boys' room cleaned out and ready to be painted this weekend.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">I
am learning…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">that
teenage/preteen boys are a species </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">that I don't understand at all.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In
my kitchen…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">nothing cooking ... just a mess to clean!</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">In
the homeschool room…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">we just finished with another week!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Hallelujah!
I am looking forward to the weekend!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">A</span><span style="color: #666666;">
favorite quote for today…</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Script, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">From
the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Script', sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">when
my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Script', sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">that
is higher than I. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Segoe Script', sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">Psalm
61:2</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">A
peek into one of my days…</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheby1cIIiw2RrseORk-wKCfg98bbM2HR3NBmV-N8tzPJJQIynqD5-ICnaHYC2E98xbWaRkj4uotPBQonpVtlbF_kBVIIeFM1iTyCrAoqkc17lP-a8ot-wu-5WJc4phPmtKdKrcT4e4hk/s1600/20150326_095646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheby1cIIiw2RrseORk-wKCfg98bbM2HR3NBmV-N8tzPJJQIynqD5-ICnaHYC2E98xbWaRkj4uotPBQonpVtlbF_kBVIIeFM1iTyCrAoqkc17lP-a8ot-wu-5WJc4phPmtKdKrcT4e4hk/s1600/20150326_095646.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Tiny bits of purple ... I'm loving the signs of spring everywhere!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHnuY-HEx2-Ibk7HLlcj6z4BHLo2whxOCx_gOdEAr5XoebZO9lomx28nYJihAziRTCboP_Y2-uR3uRu32v2BUd7KONPTYrtKeyngTcysdidGgSVh7i-LGYUeBHSAvnJwfrAzzcDVuZn0/s1600/20150313_184032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHnuY-HEx2-Ibk7HLlcj6z4BHLo2whxOCx_gOdEAr5XoebZO9lomx28nYJihAziRTCboP_Y2-uR3uRu32v2BUd7KONPTYrtKeyngTcysdidGgSVh7i-LGYUeBHSAvnJwfrAzzcDVuZn0/s1600/20150313_184032.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">A beautiful rainbow from a few weeks ago. <br />It was actually a full rainbow, but I didn't have my<br />camera so this is all my phone could capture.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">I am always in awe of seeing a rainbow. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">They are such an amazing promise </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">from our loving Father.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 0.26in;">One
of my favorite things…</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Fifth
Sunday lunches at church!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Thanks for taking a little peek into my day ...</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Simple Woman's Blog</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">for more daybook entries.</span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-71479822788430616832015-03-25T00:09:00.003-05:002015-04-02T08:14:01.931-05:00abundant life - part two<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">Yesterday, I shared the beginning of
Mama's Sunday School lesson on how to live an abundant life. <a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2015/03/abundant-life.html" target="_blank">(Click here to read part one)</a> Today, I
am sharing part two … pay attention to the last point … it is the
one that really got to me.</span></div>
<i style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;">3.
Sacrifice</i></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>John
15:13</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Greater
love hath no man than this, </i></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>that
a man lay down his life for his friends.”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>One
of the main characteristics of someone who understands what it really
means to live abundantly would be their willingness to lay down their
life for someone else. Of course, Christ is our supreme example of
this, but we can see the importance of this type of attitude in our
own lives. In order to be able to die for someone else, you must be
able to see that they have a need for someone to stand in their
place. This cannot be seen if we are constantly focusing on what we
see as problems in our own lives. If we are content with where we
are, however, we will be able to see the needs of others much more
easily. We can also serve the Lord better when we have a sacrificial
spirit. Someone who is not totally committed to the work of the
Lord, such as to lay down his life for a friend, will have a hard
time doing all that the Lord might call him to do. Consequently, if
we are not doing all that the Lord has called us to do, we are not
really living an abundant life. We must be willing to sacrifice
ourselves to be a blessing to others.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>4.
Obedience</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>2
Kings 4:1-7</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Now
there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets
unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest
that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take
unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What
shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she
said, Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of
oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy
neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art
come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and
shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that
which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and
upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto
her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a
vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of
God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou
and thy children on the rest.”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>The
final point we need to look at is obedience. This is certainly a
common thread that runs through what we have already talked about.
Paul was obedient to the Lord throughout his ministry in all manner
of circumstances. The Lord Jesus was obedient even unto the death of
the cross. Here in this very practical illustration, we have yet one
more example of the connection between obedience and the abundant
life. Here we have a lady who is down to nothing and she is </i></span><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 150%;">about to
lose even that. Desperation is an appropriate term, I think.</i></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d53544/six_asian_pottery_jars_possibly_banchiang_1st_millenium_bc_d5354459h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="SIX ASIAN POTTERY JARS, " border="0" src="http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d53544/six_asian_pottery_jars_possibly_banchiang_1st_millenium_bc_d5354459h.jpg" height="118" style="line-height: 150%;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>She
cried out to God in search of hope. The reply she received might have
seemed foolish, but that was all she had to go on. She obeyed what
the Lord told her through Elisha. Because of her obedience, the Lord
blessed her. She had an abundant amount of money so that she could
pay the people she owed as well as provide the essentials of life for
herself and her family. Her obedience yielded an abundant life.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>How
many blessings do we miss for failure to yield to the command of God?
This woman did not know why she was to fill the jars with oil until
she had finished. Her instructions were given in pieces. How often
do we choose not to obey God because the outcome is not clear or the
instructions seem impossible? Perhaps we have never been in a place </i></span><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 150%;"> such as this woman was in; a place </i><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 150%;">where depending on God was all we had. We
should not wait until we are on the absolute bottom to begin
listening to God. Surely He speaks to us before we get there, we
just can't (or won't) hear Him because we are too busy listening to
the other noise in our world. Perhaps the only way for some to enjoy
the abundant life is to come to a place where they are far too aware
of their need for God's hand to sustain their life. Until we see our
need to obey God in all points, we will have no idea what Christ
meant by us, His children, living abundant lives. John 10:10 will
simply be another verse that we don't see as having any real
application to our lives.</i></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Conclusion</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Ecclesiastes
12: 13-14</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Let
us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: </i></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Fear
God, and keep his commandments: </i></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>for
this is the whole duty of man. </i></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>For
God shall bring every secret thing, </i></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>whether
it be good, or whether it be evil.”</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>These
are only a few points that seem to be a must for a truly abundant
life. There is one final passage of scripture that seems to cover
all areas of life. The last two verses in Ecclesiastes leave no
question about what our lives are to be like. Christ said that we
would have abundant life and Solomon sums up how to do that. Solomon
was the man who had it all. Whatever life had to offer, Solomon had
it. Not only did he have all the material possessions of life, he
also had more wisdom than anyone else. It was his wisdom that
enabled Solomon to see all the material things of life as mere
vanity. To him, they amounted to nothing because they would only be
left behind at death. He was also wise enough to know that his
wisdom was nothing because whether a person is wise or is a fool, both
die the same. What is the point? He wasn't really being negative
about life; he just saw things for what they were. Solomon was a man
who lived an abundant life. He knew that all is in vain if one does
not see the need to fear God and keep His commandments. All that we
do shall be judged one day and no amount of fame or fortune or wisdom will make a difference at that time. Are you prepared to stand before the
Lord on that day? If you are not, you need to be. At that time, you
will be alone. You won't have your husband or wife or mother or
father to help you. You will be responsible for yourself. Be sure
you are ready. Be found living the abundant life that Christ died to
give you when He returns to get you. Claim the promise that has
been made to you!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">I hope that these words that my Mama
wrote so many years ago, probably sometime in the mid 90's, have touched your
heart as much as they have mine. Though I didn't read these words
until after Mama died, I watched her live them during her years of
battling cancer. And for that, I will be forever thankful.</span></div>
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-850286397900369242015-03-23T22:17:00.001-05:002015-04-02T08:11:59.496-05:00abundant life<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Andalus, serif;">Many
moons ago, I wrote a blog post about how much I love our church's
Wednesday night services.<a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2010/04/wednesday-nights-part-one.html" target="_blank"> That post is still back there in the dark recesses of this little blog of mine, just in case you are interested.</a> When I wrote that post, I obviously had a plan to write
more posts on the role of the church. Somehow, I never got around to
doing that, but maybe this one will speak just a little bit of what I
might have been thinking back then. My love for our church and our
Wednesday night services still holds true, even though we have made a
few changes since then. We have begun doing six week studies led by
our pastor. While I enjoy these studies, I miss the time spent with
just the ladies. So, I was happy when we finished the last study and
Bro. Don announced that we would take a break before beginning the
next one and in the interim time would go back to breaking into
prayer groups (ladies in one room, men in another).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Andalus, serif;">I
volunteered to do the Bible study the first week. I have had several
topics on my mind lately and felt sure that I would go in one of
those directions. I was wrong. Wednesday morning, I sat down to
figure out what I was going to present to the ladies that night, and
nothing would work. I got ready for school and we made the 10 minute
drive to Daddy's and our schoolroom … where I saw my Mama's
computer. I knew that she had typed quite a few Sunday School
lessons for the class she had taught for more years than I can
remember, so I started looking through them and I realized that I
have been given a wonderful gift. My sweet Mama's thoughts about
scripture and about her Savior and about the life we, as Christians,
are supposed to lead. I printed some of the lessons for later …
for those moments when I am needing a wise word from my Mama. I
chose one to share with the ladies at prayer meeting. I chose this
one because it touched my heart, so now, I am going to share this
same one with you. Since it is pretty long and I am going to give it
to you just as Mama wrote it, I'm going to break it into two parts …
I'll share one today and the other tomorrow.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>The
Abundant Life</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>John
10:10</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>I
am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Jesus
said in John 10:10 that He came so that might have abundant life.
What is abundant life? What is Jesus saying? Does He mean that He
wanted His people to be wealthy? What about having the most affluent
circle of friends? Does He want us to have the finest house or
vehicle? Perhaps Christ was not talking about our physical life at
all. Maybe He only meant we should have abundant life in Heaven.
No, I don't believe Christ was only speaking in a spiritual sense
about Heaven, although life there will certainly be abundant. Nor do
I think He was referring to any of the other possibilities I
mentioned. Christ is our example in everything and none of the ideas
mentioned applied to Him, so that could not be what He was talking
about. Christ most definitely lived an abundant life. Our question
is not only “What is an abundant life?” but also, “Are you
living one?”</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>1.
Contentment</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Philippians
4:11</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Not
that I speak in respect of want:</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>for
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, </i></span>
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>therewith
to be content.”</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i> One
of the primary factors that seems to be important to living an
abundant life is to be able to truthfully say you are content where
you are. Paul made this statement as a man who was sitting in a
prison somewhere, most likely in Rome. Not only was he imprisoned at
the time but he had a list of other reasons as long as your arm that
would be sufficient evidence to cause him to be discontent. Most
likely he was a man prone to grumble and complain just as any other
human. He was simply a man. Paul was no better or worse than any of
us. The scripture tells us, however, that he <u>learned to be
content</u>. Paul had learned that no amount of complaining in the
world would change a situation. It would not reverse a set of
circumstances that seemed undesirable. Never will complaining
provide food during a famine. Paul learned that the best thing to
do, if you are going to get any enjoyment out of life, is to learn to
thank the Lord for whatever troubles you might be facing and be
content with the situation. There is no need to fret over something
you can do nothing about.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i> We
have a good example of how contentment is key to the abundant life in
Proverbs 15:15. </i></span>
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>All
the days of the afflicted are evil: </i></span>
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>but
he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Notice
first of all the description of the afflicted. According to the
scripture, all the days of his life are evil. This simply means that
he sees nothing good in life. Nothing ever goes the way he wants it
to. There is no joy in his life. However, “he that is of a merry
heart hath a continual feast.” The difference is in the attitude.
Both people have problems and trials in life, they just deal with
them in different ways. One man sees life as nothing but negative
and so he leans a miserable life. The other man, who might be facing
the exact same trials, maintains a good attitude and therefore
experiences a continual feast. The second man knows the secret to
the abundant life. If someone can be truly content with life in all
manner of circumstances, he can expect to know the meaning of
Christ's statement about the abundant life. Without contentment, the
abundant life is impossible.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>2.
Service</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>I
Corinthians 9:16</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">“<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>For
though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: </i></span>
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>for
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel!”</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i>Paul
was keenly aware that the Lord had appointed him to a specific place
of service. He was willingly serving the Lord in whatever area he
was needed. Paul felt as though his life would be lacking something
if he were not busy about the work God had called him to. In other
words, Paul felt as if he had to preach. Never in any of his letters
did he mention being tired of serving the Lord. Why is this? Very
simply put, Paul was enjoying the abundant life. He had no regrets
about the time he spent in the ministry. Paul would not have been
content any other way, except to serve the Lord. Should we expect
our lives to be any different? For a child of God, I don't see any
reason to think such a thing. We are called to service. Granted, we
are called to differing areas of service, but we who are born again
are expected to be serving the Lord. Service is a must if the
Christian intends to live an abundant life.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Andalus, serif;">Tomorrow I will post the second part of
Mama's lesson on living the abundant life, where she looks at the
role of sacrifice and obedience in living an abundant life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Andalus, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Andalus, serif;"><a href="http://payingformyraising.blogspot.com/2015/03/abundant-life-part-two.html" target="_blank">(Want to read part two? click here)</a></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-89524761596635634012015-03-21T17:54:00.000-05:002015-03-21T20:28:52.446-05:00life lessons from disney world<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">Our
family recently returned home from our second trip to Disney World.
Before our first trip two years ago, I was convinced that I would not
enjoy “the happiest place on earth” … I was wrong. It is true
that I don't like crowds and that I have always had a healthy fear of
roller coasters. Add these things to the fact that a perfect
vacation to me includes a good cup of coffee, a good book, and a
mountain view … none of which are available in Disney and you can
see why I was a little unsure about our first visit. But, I have
learned some things about Disney and about myself (and about my kids)
during these trips … here's a hint, most of these things have to do
with experiences (good and bad) outside of our comfort zone.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS4ohFog-8RPlilSNN38BuL06Z1NU55sRkc_z0uJ_-VosdOSt9cWg_AJH-tVxe16eYCAJ7tVHn-Nn0VyBIHhngT2LcHiyD0CtTozLegYo7RuNzgtj73gfjNlmptbKLbYSbgcAnTJ5BI0/s1600/wdw2015054194195953_7213054392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS4ohFog-8RPlilSNN38BuL06Z1NU55sRkc_z0uJ_-VosdOSt9cWg_AJH-tVxe16eYCAJ7tVHn-Nn0VyBIHhngT2LcHiyD0CtTozLegYo7RuNzgtj73gfjNlmptbKLbYSbgcAnTJ5BI0/s1600/wdw2015054194195953_7213054392.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">So,
without further ado, here's my list of things learned … in no
particular order.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGF9H1zMll1jUUs9QK24XOXhNoIQFdJQoyW6MefCW3ME3T2kr0pOXClwcdpVVfYI8rcnarYOuQzQ768c5A-BNxtja_boJTkGvsY_YvkmRY47mWCJy9BF9HDljVGhTKi4S0PEjwvZWtwU/s1600/wdw2015054194407041_7201059073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGF9H1zMll1jUUs9QK24XOXhNoIQFdJQoyW6MefCW3ME3T2kr0pOXClwcdpVVfYI8rcnarYOuQzQ768c5A-BNxtja_boJTkGvsY_YvkmRY47mWCJy9BF9HDljVGhTKi4S0PEjwvZWtwU/s1600/wdw2015054194407041_7201059073.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">#1
You shouldn't expect a 9 year old to enjoy <i>gourmet </i>food just
because he doesn't want a kid's meal. We chose to buy the dining
plan that includes a table service meal each day. Ronnie and I
carefully chose the restaurants and made reservations. We even
looked at the menus to see if we thought that the kids would be able
to find something they would like at each one. What we didn't
anticipate was the fact that our youngest would simply get tired of
the foods that he isn't used to eating. This little guy of mine
isn't an extremely picky eater. Actually, he can be quite
adventurous at times. But several days of eating under-cooked veggies
(we are from the South, people … we don't eat our green beans
crunchy!) and having raw beef delivered to your table (we sent his
back … I wish I had sent MINE back) will likely take away any kid's
adventurous spirit. So, we learned to ask for a kid's meal, just
with a little larger portion (since we had paid for him as an adult).
This worked well, but the process of ordering almost always brought
on tears...and he usually ended up eating cereal back in the room
before bed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">#2
Another thing about kids …. you shouldn't try to make a 15 year old
ride the rides if she is dead set against it. And, you should ride
the kiddie rides that she does like with her. With that in mind, I
finally gave up on getting LB to ride the new <i>Seven Dwarfs Mine
Train</i> and <i>Big Thunder Mountain</i> with me. These are my two
favorite roller coasters, but my totally un-adventurous (when it
comes to rides, at least) daughter is terrified of them. So, she
rode <i>Peter Pan's Flight</i> and <i>Winnie
the Pooh</i> and <i>It's a Small World </i>and
the other slow-moving rides. She did ride one of the boys' favorite
rides – <i>Star Tours</i>,
but I can't say that she enjoyed it. She does have an absolute
favorite ride … <i>Soarin'</i>
… it may not qualify as a thrill ride, but we all like it. So instead of riding rides, she and I spent plenty of time browsing in the shops and we even met
a few princesses and along the way LB rediscovered her desire to do
the Disney college program and spend a semester working there. I
hope she does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">#3
Someday, I really want to go to Disney with just Ronnie. That may
sound a little strange and I hope it doesn't offend my kids, but I
just can't help but think that it would be fun to get to walk around
and do exactly what we want to do and actually spend some quality
time together while we are doing it. I'm not talking about leaving
our kids behind while they are still kids … just thinking ahead to
future days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">#4
Another thing about food … there are a few things anyone going to
Disney for the 1<sup>st</sup>
time should know. First of all, <i>seared</i>
is not the same thing as <i>cooked</i>.
I realize that I am revealing just how unsophisticated
I am, but I don't really
care. If I order a roast beef sandwich, I DO NOT want blood soaking
into my bread. So, by the end of the week, I just made a point to
choose poultry … no one serves chicken raw! The flip side is that
I found out that I do like Brussel Sprouts if they are cooked
properly and blueberry
barbecue sauce may sound strange, but it is actually extremely yummy.
In other words, a little <i>gourmet</i>
never hurt anyone, you just have to know how to order. One more
little tidbit about Disney food … thanks to my friend, <a href="http://mississippimamaof7.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Donna</a>, we
took time to try one of the cinnamon rolls at Gaston's Tavern in
Magic Kingdom. Every visitor to Disney world should make time to
indulge in one of these massive
and delectable treats. It is
well worth calories! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">#5
This one is the most important thing that I have learned in Disney.
The number one way to have fun (especially with your kids) in Disney
World, is to step outside of your comfort zone. To that end, I did
my best to ride every ride my kids wanted me to ride. It is true that
there were some rides that I really wanted to ride. There were
others that I really didn't want
to ride (like <i>Rockin'
Roller Coaster </i>and <i>Expedition
Everest</i>) but my 13 year old son
really wanted me to, so I did, and I LIKED THEM! It is also okay to
do things that make you feel silly … like riding the teacups or
taking pictures with characters. These are the things that the kids
will remember and I want them to remember that I did these things
with them, not just that I let them do them.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;">One more thing: I love to travel, but I also love coming home! As a matter of fact, I think traveling is a perfect way to remind myself to be thankful for my little house in my own little hometown ... not to mention my friends and family!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 100%;">So,
now you have it. A little bit of my own personal, Disney inspired, life-lessons .... now, go be silly with your kids!</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-42318117528221759242015-03-19T17:52:00.000-05:002015-03-19T17:52:29.747-05:00daybook ... 3/19/15<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">For
Today... </span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">March
19, 2015</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">O</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">utside
my window…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Blue
sky with high clouds over the yard where I spent </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">much
of</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
my childhood.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am thinking…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">about
how much I love this place where I grew up and how much I love seeing
my kids enjoying being here.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am thankful…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">for
my friend <a href="http://justcallmerie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Marie</a>, who has started blogging again and spurred me into
wanting to do the same.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am wearing…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">blue
jeans and an Operation Christmas Child t-shirt</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"> with my new favorite
shoes … </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 0.26in;">a pair of Skechers that my daughter says are decidedly
un-stylish.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am creating…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">plans
for next year's Mississippi History class...</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I am so excited about
teaching the kids about their home state!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am going…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">to pick up LB from dance and then make a quick grocery store run before
cooking supper.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am wondering…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">if
spring is here to stay, or if we will have a cold snap at Easter.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am reading…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><i>But
Not Forsaken</i> … </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">a book that I
am previewing before JW reads it for his lit class. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Gabriola, fantasy; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 0.26in;">So far, I am
enjoying learning about the lives of German Mennonites after WWII.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am hoping…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">the
rain holds off Saturday morning … </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">at least until after LB and I
finish our first 5k walk.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I
am learning…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">Algebra!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"> Well, re-learning it so that I can teach it to LB … yikes!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">In
my garden…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">nothing
yet … but I am making plans!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">In
my kitchen…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">minute
steaks and ???</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"> That is why I have to make a grocery store run before
supper.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"> I'm hoping to find some fresh Brussel sprouts so that I can
try a new recipe for roasting them.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">In
the homeschool room…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">it
is quiet for the moment … </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">we've just finished lunch and the boys
are having recess. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"> LB is reading her literature assignment.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
favorite quote for today… </span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;">“<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Look
Mama, I shot it!” From my 13 year old and his BB gun! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">He was quite proud of himself for "shooting" the stem of a wild onion so he could bring it to me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">A
peek into one of my days, with a few of my favorite things ...</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">I walked around today and took pictures of things that I remember from my childhood that are part of the landscape that my kids see nearly every day, since we have our school room at my Daddy's house.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">A piece of old farming equipment and the well-used grill that my Daddy built.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nGL8dkZfjjjjrBKiQRx6jl0r5PtvMS7olsj4ksJm5FS0f3SteF0wd5X3-RuSKLQ2EtHB7crmMLZaqCnW79emOBKaxTiBApd1ip2tTzQxGbqCoB-TiXveWpIZKWJWrZyVEdgYSEM9k6I/s1600/20150319_132801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nGL8dkZfjjjjrBKiQRx6jl0r5PtvMS7olsj4ksJm5FS0f3SteF0wd5X3-RuSKLQ2EtHB7crmMLZaqCnW79emOBKaxTiBApd1ip2tTzQxGbqCoB-TiXveWpIZKWJWrZyVEdgYSEM9k6I/s1600/20150319_132801.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">The old tire swing that my brother moved to the back yard and lowered when we started having kids.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">Oh, the stories I could tell about this swing and the fun we had as kids.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">Our old, dilapidated barn, still holding on behind the pine tree that was 2nd base in our backyard games of softball.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH0TouW9urPs_aKTvxXnkGmBR2J5KFK61aoAy5A6Tcpv4oUBS0I2SIz0nHRLuTxYuy5-l0uC8hOtrzUNJHwsIQqeffUr5sQSb7g7hJM0qtDRyE2ZJHQxHS_fDP-pB-U_uJ3vRAVAOR8/s1600/20150319_132850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH0TouW9urPs_aKTvxXnkGmBR2J5KFK61aoAy5A6Tcpv4oUBS0I2SIz0nHRLuTxYuy5-l0uC8hOtrzUNJHwsIQqeffUr5sQSb7g7hJM0qtDRyE2ZJHQxHS_fDP-pB-U_uJ3vRAVAOR8/s1600/20150319_132850.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 0.26in;">My Granny's swing. If you look closely you can still see a set of </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px; line-height: 24.9599990844727px;">wind-chimes</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 0.26in;"> she hung there.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 0.26in;">Granny's been gone for more than 10 years, but little pieces of the past still hang on.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH0TouW9urPs_aKTvxXnkGmBR2J5KFK61aoAy5A6Tcpv4oUBS0I2SIz0nHRLuTxYuy5-l0uC8hOtrzUNJHwsIQqeffUr5sQSb7g7hJM0qtDRyE2ZJHQxHS_fDP-pB-U_uJ3vRAVAOR8/s1600/20150319_132850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahLcTF3HhxIpm9dHwwVI1ao2dX0_dNVfp8wQnQrSyxyxbpvMjqbrhoXq-TRwWThd-1jbkMNX4trR7b34n-N2s1u3ukvivT1tuSvJSLpgifal4VqGYKlGlyrdhbsXnjHQxW0ziz6QnZTc/s1600/20150319_132935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahLcTF3HhxIpm9dHwwVI1ao2dX0_dNVfp8wQnQrSyxyxbpvMjqbrhoXq-TRwWThd-1jbkMNX4trR7b34n-N2s1u3ukvivT1tuSvJSLpgifal4VqGYKlGlyrdhbsXnjHQxW0ziz6QnZTc/s1600/20150319_132935.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div style="line-height: 0.26in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola, fantasy;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13pt;">Did you enjoy this little glimpse into my world? Check out other daybooks over at<a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-simple-womans-daybook-link-up-march_16.html" target="_blank"> The Simple Woman's blog</a></span></span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-G1AjeZNUNXI%2FVQtJl9RisCI%2FAAAAAAAAB0M%2F54iBxU-g9wc%2Fs1600%2F20150319_132850.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhH0TouW9urPs_aKTvxXnkGmBR2J5KFK61aoAy5A6Tcpv4oUBS0I2SIz0nHRLuTxYuy5-l0uC8hOtrzUNJHwsIQqeffUr5sQSb7g7hJM0qtDRyE2ZJHQxHS_fDP-pB-U_uJ3vRAVAOR8/s1600/20150319_132850.jpg" -->Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-80612330776339299092014-11-08T14:33:00.000-06:002014-11-08T14:39:20.434-06:00what we've been doing outside of the classroom<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">A couple of weeks
ago I was asked about my philosophy of home education. I’m not exactly sure what I said, but I am
pretty sure that it sounded as dumb to those listening as it did to my own
ears. I have since come up with a better
answer. Here goes …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">I want to squeeze as
much fun … <b>as many good memories</b> …
as possible into the years I have my children at home with me. Now, many of those memories need to center on
your basic, sitting-at-the-desk-doing-math, kind of days. Many days yes, but certainly not all. So, with that in mind, here is a look into
what we’ve been doing <b>outside the
classroom</b> lately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkBuH6gWaZWciQjU96B7iZKV8Wia8JjQgAjJ47Ut4kcmLqLm6uBd4WZ7QbRpg5WCDoCpaD0dMZKi1keiI1SSFRXVpPX6BgFPPeg2KnF8PPnGI6tjuYSQ2Zp90hTWYk0iUOCk5yH5Mlgo/s1600/IMG_5576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkBuH6gWaZWciQjU96B7iZKV8Wia8JjQgAjJ47Ut4kcmLqLm6uBd4WZ7QbRpg5WCDoCpaD0dMZKi1keiI1SSFRXVpPX6BgFPPeg2KnF8PPnGI6tjuYSQ2Zp90hTWYk0iUOCk5yH5Mlgo/s1600/IMG_5576.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">all three smiling ... quite an accomplishment for my non-photogenic family</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaKI1l8hG_xN7yhiy-NafDXGrvKTvdCpSuUeQgB7wpbhmJvkgwyU__G7RpsN6x5UoHTLEZ0bYhMn1Hb_MmxGwyHuagLVQruza5XSslmB7zK2PX6AeMLrpfezgtIsTCTG0SSXjxXnNmYA/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaKI1l8hG_xN7yhiy-NafDXGrvKTvdCpSuUeQgB7wpbhmJvkgwyU__G7RpsN6x5UoHTLEZ0bYhMn1Hb_MmxGwyHuagLVQruza5XSslmB7zK2PX6AeMLrpfezgtIsTCTG0SSXjxXnNmYA/s1600/IMG_5570.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">my beautiful girl</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY_NwQgBPV4kGszshMyriUG_G-oGF2rJLugcUpOFkwphWc6i7TKKZALPRhx6hlupMYr6uK0aj9yoTZgoEsoy8L__Viuqnboc8epLFOEe93Wtj5sgv7WXZbRZROjaaB2mdk3hUVLXKjA8/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY_NwQgBPV4kGszshMyriUG_G-oGF2rJLugcUpOFkwphWc6i7TKKZALPRhx6hlupMYr6uK0aj9yoTZgoEsoy8L__Viuqnboc8epLFOEe93Wtj5sgv7WXZbRZROjaaB2mdk3hUVLXKjA8/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">the boys playing in the corn bin ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">I guess you never get too old for this kind of fun</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY990sWlFN94wDUKpra9HVqurnjkVouodnj_VY9IUj7boei9Q5KeiKX0Nw-nuAEsMcZbZUELWgJmawT-6WyW6rmUH_qp2B5P9cKJdEv39GczuFrSBDTSeBc5sJ2y1koRG9fWoYFCl93w/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY990sWlFN94wDUKpra9HVqurnjkVouodnj_VY9IUj7boei9Q5KeiKX0Nw-nuAEsMcZbZUELWgJmawT-6WyW6rmUH_qp2B5P9cKJdEv39GczuFrSBDTSeBc5sJ2y1koRG9fWoYFCl93w/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;">a rare picture of me ... sitting in the very stinky hay</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-2vbq6uNRBWV9vwsKqdEh_JglgFz_j4iVl7pUJErc-fyEr2zwapTPvhDEUIRJU_Ci1cm9Rzoz10KaJOQ9TIWtFoA835HakDvmsiPTAFP_d9V4gAfOLYGrlwfmPMqNp5PH-D1JOlQXes/s1600/IMG_5588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-2vbq6uNRBWV9vwsKqdEh_JglgFz_j4iVl7pUJErc-fyEr2zwapTPvhDEUIRJU_Ci1cm9Rzoz10KaJOQ9TIWtFoA835HakDvmsiPTAFP_d9V4gAfOLYGrlwfmPMqNp5PH-D1JOlQXes/s1600/IMG_5588.JPG" height="134" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">ain't he cute?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">A few weeks ago we
made our somewhat annual (read – we want to do it every year but don’t always
get to) trip to the pumpkin patch.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">We’ve
been doing this since our very first year homeschooling … as a matter of fact,
I think the pumpkin patch was one of our very first field trips to ever attend
and I know it was the first one I ever planned.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">This is not something that I ever did as a child (did they even have
pumpkin patches way back then??), but I have loved how much my children </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">LOVE</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> this super fun fall activity.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">I am sure that they have learned a few things
over the years, but honestly, we aren’t taking this field trip to claim school
hours learning … it is just </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">FUN</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLltK31GYdxoKWg2blELQByrljc6eQOdUscngn_jKH8YvA7zPCta_tyc1Mqbhajbr1mG6tNpwV27YYpT7YrcPVaBR6aY_UxktS3tNrazS8LJb_3CdG19uvoySB7xPk10SyuwK1I8ouYQY/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLltK31GYdxoKWg2blELQByrljc6eQOdUscngn_jKH8YvA7zPCta_tyc1Mqbhajbr1mG6tNpwV27YYpT7YrcPVaBR6aY_UxktS3tNrazS8LJb_3CdG19uvoySB7xPk10SyuwK1I8ouYQY/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">JW chose a flat one for the <br />pumpkin stack that is now <br />next to our front door.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhUucsrsUVVLUDdCFJyVLQAA1Nqy3JU08XEkXsnbCvqJV42YFMinU6Aq0MvVA6NoLiIdPEZcE_xqfy8mKtk2Z3QJhnl_p36s93O1w4-dj6XI-ynCKse8epWbgGWWSZvVt8zsJle9Dxrk/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhUucsrsUVVLUDdCFJyVLQAA1Nqy3JU08XEkXsnbCvqJV42YFMinU6Aq0MvVA6NoLiIdPEZcE_xqfy8mKtk2Z3QJhnl_p36s93O1w4-dj6XI-ynCKse8epWbgGWWSZvVt8zsJle9Dxrk/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">D and his so-ugly-it-is-almost-cute pumpkin</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Of course, some
field trips are both educational and fun.
This was certainly true of our recent trip to the </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Grand Gulf Military Park in Port Gibson, MS</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">. The children were given the history of the
Civil War battle fought there and then sent off to explore the </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">wonderful park</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">. Oddly, one of my favorite parts was exploring
the old cemetery. Roaming through
weathered tombstones is always such a poignant reminder of our connection to
the past. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TRPaLAPrDoIc6elQQjHufSWGfgH29MFq4ZNUQWN_adP8NPvvSx4GNRU9R8Sn0FxJXA_m0pv9q9MPgB8yHPpWGHWTe93pTOq3x6DnLsyRUahdFlOKlkT3NleN5wkmHrF7f2uGAJhtcfw/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TRPaLAPrDoIc6elQQjHufSWGfgH29MFq4ZNUQWN_adP8NPvvSx4GNRU9R8Sn0FxJXA_m0pv9q9MPgB8yHPpWGHWTe93pTOq3x6DnLsyRUahdFlOKlkT3NleN5wkmHrF7f2uGAJhtcfw/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Our history teacher - the park director</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3uFDqTeBXt5grvbW0WqrieGQbDzOFpQPm1Xx0KtGuSMt1cNlaXC2lCktovzk2EhPMP5ZVNu0D__QNm93gCcdX9IYONVMiDzZTqF6PH-Tvt-nlhZMkONEBRZ32lns-gri8yfHLES4GLc/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3uFDqTeBXt5grvbW0WqrieGQbDzOFpQPm1Xx0KtGuSMt1cNlaXC2lCktovzk2EhPMP5ZVNu0D__QNm93gCcdX9IYONVMiDzZTqF6PH-Tvt-nlhZMkONEBRZ32lns-gri8yfHLES4GLc/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">The kids wandering through a section of the cemetery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWhZ_F0bAR7oUwi46nEf-QZsLRNrrMf_YR679hed8bv3ZPgMUvl_SMww3bPolqKA_tpQOR3hoaojoaFVlEFPD8pxXokxDKJcirFKDCCs7oqftLxuaro386acndQ3UmzfoRunfZxx0Lg/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWhZ_F0bAR7oUwi46nEf-QZsLRNrrMf_YR679hed8bv3ZPgMUvl_SMww3bPolqKA_tpQOR3hoaojoaFVlEFPD8pxXokxDKJcirFKDCCs7oqftLxuaro386acndQ3UmzfoRunfZxx0Lg/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">The group - taken by LB from about halfway up the<br />observation tower ... no one in my family<br />wanted to go any higher.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTkjrHFLjt8F0juuDC_QQgO9SNe-qy0rIraOtaLB3kB0WiZstN0nr0AtxUnj9MrV_Sme3DIoQgUxy51dLV5e1szXAhSXor95r_j4x_I5xLhv8z9CK_5_xU2QPJXZ5VODD9BWhTTJJns0/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTkjrHFLjt8F0juuDC_QQgO9SNe-qy0rIraOtaLB3kB0WiZstN0nr0AtxUnj9MrV_Sme3DIoQgUxy51dLV5e1szXAhSXor95r_j4x_I5xLhv8z9CK_5_xU2QPJXZ5VODD9BWhTTJJns0/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">JW and his best friend</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3xBSvGf5eJS69sc13ZxuPzSqz5y7SkqYwaJY7bh1WBdpRKHgApOV8rY1-tw9REaeb0RtnsHIqqGHJNxwuFgZHPZCvmuFpUIbafxH5y70kWMizmaGQccnsC4bRK4zaiBHj4RLCYAiOWU/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3xBSvGf5eJS69sc13ZxuPzSqz5y7SkqYwaJY7bh1WBdpRKHgApOV8rY1-tw9REaeb0RtnsHIqqGHJNxwuFgZHPZCvmuFpUIbafxH5y70kWMizmaGQccnsC4bRK4zaiBHj4RLCYAiOWU/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">One of my favorite views of the day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><span id="goog_481628690"></span><span id="goog_481628691"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">We ended our day
with a visit to </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Windsor Ruins</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> located somewhere near the </span><b style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Natchez Trace,</b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> not too
far from Port Gibson. </span><st1:city style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Windsor</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> is the remains of what was once a
beautiful antebellum home. This massive
home has a sad history ~ the man who built it died within weeks of its completion. Later, it was used by both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War before it
burned down after a guest dropped a lighted cigar or cigarette. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jY4AK1-SdyPNiUE9U_80OlerhT7v63RRdLn1AeuSIXG_gfQ8dIUI2-cTh4uJxJHMAjWySv0OBKxYMsSTMMl716pCE_Z4x4UoUlq-ediQD3Ut5u94lRZ6MzBxMoMuw96DUxMCPYkm-o4/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jY4AK1-SdyPNiUE9U_80OlerhT7v63RRdLn1AeuSIXG_gfQ8dIUI2-cTh4uJxJHMAjWySv0OBKxYMsSTMMl716pCE_Z4x4UoUlq-ediQD3Ut5u94lRZ6MzBxMoMuw96DUxMCPYkm-o4/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Just a little perspective on the massive columns</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uXWsCOZH9Iw_H-8XNW4p1tjg1xFousLPc0LF7w17JNqyVyeTmyu9EYdLuhwsoq2mAg3Er6zp0zjUpzauyZ44mtRMXKw9W8rZvsj8OQwk4H0CdeGEKmViyLtMxHDSRX0XgpklcpjObYo/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uXWsCOZH9Iw_H-8XNW4p1tjg1xFousLPc0LF7w17JNqyVyeTmyu9EYdLuhwsoq2mAg3Er6zp0zjUpzauyZ44mtRMXKw9W8rZvsj8OQwk4H0CdeGEKmViyLtMxHDSRX0XgpklcpjObYo/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">I took several of these just because the day was so beautiful</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7CLVKuKNzLiFk65gbNctv4xMhKMZVzR8k90qyic7FAjVJoWJgzfDBNe84281B7zobU4hoJHTdVfPShdt_RjKIsP9wIE3aT1JnW63fReGAbgsOCKehwn5DgGi19v3kvquPyo2UO_nrGw/s1600/IMG_5747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7CLVKuKNzLiFk65gbNctv4xMhKMZVzR8k90qyic7FAjVJoWJgzfDBNe84281B7zobU4hoJHTdVfPShdt_RjKIsP9wIE3aT1JnW63fReGAbgsOCKehwn5DgGi19v3kvquPyo2UO_nrGw/s1600/IMG_5747.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">As we walked among the columns (which we
<strike>probably</strike> weren’t supposed to be doing), one couldn't help but think of the lives
that were lived inside those now imaginary walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iDpC0AhNbJUuiOdxke7uN8qWRNltzePWLCn_EKf04UBHqGyhna1gfWhCIUuygXHvHq9lhyP7WmMLMc_U9q0FiIQ7JN0aCRgWUioGxH9KyD0z7cbZDZj1xg9-LgrSOhREVBiCXz6FsJc/s1600/IMG_5787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iDpC0AhNbJUuiOdxke7uN8qWRNltzePWLCn_EKf04UBHqGyhna1gfWhCIUuygXHvHq9lhyP7WmMLMc_U9q0FiIQ7JN0aCRgWUioGxH9KyD0z7cbZDZj1xg9-LgrSOhREVBiCXz6FsJc/s1600/IMG_5787.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">A beautiful old tree that was probably<br />there when the house was built.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20RlEkYLg7kW3_jntc5scUpT9FrXHaLxJGOCBfL5_lsia13BtBrK3_wblvpSkEhLDBbEdhzW4y89Api9QjMKoyGmD4BpneZD0flKThgNrMxDDolx3uJkEU8YQeGVnfDBbnDsbnJtMQ6Q/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20RlEkYLg7kW3_jntc5scUpT9FrXHaLxJGOCBfL5_lsia13BtBrK3_wblvpSkEhLDBbEdhzW4y89Api9QjMKoyGmD4BpneZD0flKThgNrMxDDolx3uJkEU8YQeGVnfDBbnDsbnJtMQ6Q/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">A very serious D climbing the jungle gym tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">While the adults and
teens enjoyed the actual ruins, the younger kids found a tree that looked just
like a jungle gym to them. What a
perfect way to end a wonderful day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNiCCLkiMCNumVQ5jEof1JGci-86xNqPTV9TdHVeHneKVqyf8QPjBGprOptLqhEFBVNryHBU6sZwIlYNaGV6A7bPZh9NLo4me4SWxHzshcT4CnbUL_t45okySbBHPc3bm5DNjw6WSJiQ/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNiCCLkiMCNumVQ5jEof1JGci-86xNqPTV9TdHVeHneKVqyf8QPjBGprOptLqhEFBVNryHBU6sZwIlYNaGV6A7bPZh9NLo4me4SWxHzshcT4CnbUL_t45okySbBHPc3bm5DNjw6WSJiQ/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">A bonus for the day ... my friend Marie (and her children<br />Izzy and Max) rode with us, just to make sure I didn't get lost ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-36866657958942050652014-11-05T09:56:00.000-06:002014-11-05T09:56:20.276-06:00Galatians 6:2<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Tonight, I stood in my kitchen frying chicken as
the tears fell ...</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><b>I miss my Mama.</b></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I've been looking
back through blog posts that I have started and not finished. I figure it
is time to finish this one since it has been on my mind lately ... I'm not sure
how long it has been since I started this post, but I do know that nothing has
changed.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">In less than a week, we will mark 18
months since my Mama died.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b> Not
a day goes by that I do not think of her.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> At
least once a week, I almost reach for the phone to tell her something ...
anything. There are so many things I wish I could ask her ... things I
wish<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>I had asked</b> when
I had the chance.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">I know in my heart that I am no different than anyone else.
Everywhere I look, I see hurting people ... and in this fallen world we
live in, death isn't the only thing that brings grief. If I have learned
anything over the last 18 months, it is that grief is an intensely personal
journey. A path that we all walk a little differently. </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">But it is not meant to be a private
journey.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Galatians 6:2</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Romans 12:15</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and
weep with them that weep.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">Stop
and let that sink in a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">We were never created to walk
through our trials alone. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">As Christians, we know that we always have
the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us (see John 14), but God also commands us
to be there for each other ~ to help in time of need. God doesn’t tell us to fix the problem, He
simply tells us to share in the burden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">I
am not very good at this ~ in either direction.
My tendency is to be a hermit. I
want to hold on to my personal pain and I often shrink from the pain of others. But this isn’t what God intended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">I
have often heard it said and probably even said it myself, that God will not
give us more than we can handle. I no
longer think this is true. I believe
that God allows situations that we absolutely cannot handle on our own ~ whatever
form they may take ~ in our lives that are needed to help us to grow and mature
in our faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">When
I think back 18 months to the time when Mama was home on Hospice care and then
to the day she died and the days following, my mind doesn’t always immediately
go to the pain and grief. I can also
think of my sweet friends in our homeschool group who provided meals for my
family in a time when they would have been living on peanut butter and jelly had
it been up to me. And then there was the amazing “coincidence” that my dear friend from
church was in town the day Mama died despite the fact that she has moved a
couple of hours away. Amy chose to come
sit with me during one of the most difficult days of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">My friends didn’t have to bear my burden, but I will never forget
that they chose to be the hands and feet of Jesus for me. I pray that I never miss an opportunity to do
the same for someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-38733359393271761872014-10-28T22:49:00.000-05:002014-10-28T22:49:43.197-05:00birthdays<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">I’m feeling like
waxing (a little) poetic tonight. I’ll
apologize in advance … but keep writing anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">The days are
marching by faster and faster. Sometimes,
it seems that all I can do is think in clichés about how fast kids grow up and
how quickly time marches on. I don’t
think I can keep up with the changes in my children. My sweet friend (and “secret twin”) Marie
informed me that it has to do with my age … hmm, just what I wanted to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">In the midst of all
this fast moving time, I have missed several important events that should have
warranted a blog post. A good
mommy-blogger would probably give each a separate post … oh well, judge me if
you must, but I’ll just lump them together here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlvQ1i4Lm1ps7gf5egMe_USXthHZskz6ExIY_Siy9-h7O98FsYDSGKOBIH96hl_UatIAfJjhpyIK3y-Zpt-g33eE2owX_vy4uBtikTECXb09bWikYIV9z6RTXxTgEAPvt9uvyZGFpoWY/s1600/IMG_5337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlvQ1i4Lm1ps7gf5egMe_USXthHZskz6ExIY_Siy9-h7O98FsYDSGKOBIH96hl_UatIAfJjhpyIK3y-Zpt-g33eE2owX_vy4uBtikTECXb09bWikYIV9z6RTXxTgEAPvt9uvyZGFpoWY/s1600/IMG_5337.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW5Uyy0zqm1vBe5d0nZPBSw1rx_6pvz6z6nqnqArb9dlN6_jUSWkXww_wcOdXUkknwku_Y1BwpPxzEXLsokTXZ_ClCfblqOAVA9UjeSteEam3gWBCfagswAggoiXDI3Lluqf3FCDwwGg/s1600/Top.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW5Uyy0zqm1vBe5d0nZPBSw1rx_6pvz6z6nqnqArb9dlN6_jUSWkXww_wcOdXUkknwku_Y1BwpPxzEXLsokTXZ_ClCfblqOAVA9UjeSteEam3gWBCfagswAggoiXDI3Lluqf3FCDwwGg/s1600/Top.bmp.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">Last month, my
first-born child turned 15 years old.
This beautiful little girl has grown into a lovely young woman. She has entered high-school and I have been
pleasantly surprised that she is beginning to take initiative and pride in her
schoolwork. She still needs some
encouragement, but that is okay ~ I am not quite ready for her to grow out of
her need for me just yet. I saw a quote
the other day and I can’t help but look forward to the time when this is true
for us … “Daughters are just little girls who grow up to be our best friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJot7Y-9C_NeF4FUQD8PE4wLJFfY4O9rYIDNAsnTBddZg6IaOezrWX9bNvaKvMqGT_tjaGu_hxdAFbrccNYvBxzY6qpPauawYXVvuD2ZSxki279RhkLDKwEUkx5VazVRwo0Wu2SmUglfY/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJot7Y-9C_NeF4FUQD8PE4wLJFfY4O9rYIDNAsnTBddZg6IaOezrWX9bNvaKvMqGT_tjaGu_hxdAFbrccNYvBxzY6qpPauawYXVvuD2ZSxki279RhkLDKwEUkx5VazVRwo0Wu2SmUglfY/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMQIZ0Rc1-SdjHsXRHK08JN5aubQ31D5gKznHEyhsm9NvXzBVNdCrs3Kw4vEg3zr-uoVpBhc8oBE23jfI69MRIyURIBuGNGSviscAXrLp3Bw-eCDpmgKC6USH0odUipB08FVs8hyirTY/s1600/Daniel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMQIZ0Rc1-SdjHsXRHK08JN5aubQ31D5gKznHEyhsm9NvXzBVNdCrs3Kw4vEg3zr-uoVpBhc8oBE23jfI69MRIyURIBuGNGSviscAXrLp3Bw-eCDpmgKC6USH0odUipB08FVs8hyirTY/s1600/Daniel.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">Last week my “baby”
turned 9 years old. Somehow this one has
been hard for me. I am now one week into
my last year with a child in single-digits.
Maybe this has something to do with how fast time seems to be flying. This little wild-child of mine is changing
faster than I can keep up. He may still
be the baby of the family, but he is finding his own way in the world, apart
from his older siblings, and I am loving it and hating it at the same time. At least he still loves to cuddle with his
Mama and he’ll even still let me kiss him in public. I know that these things won’t last forever,
but I’ll enjoy it as long as he will let me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K70H1JZP9wDFWTqZsnemR9FQatq0X5q9cKedC0lhGS11yja7i6EnPAKpkjud6soOsVWvFG4uBlKQ_3kp7w8xhojJ5THRme96OEqqyymOGMuqmE8BCkS4kcuBITcPBwSgBmeDzbz0Hvc/s1600/100_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K70H1JZP9wDFWTqZsnemR9FQatq0X5q9cKedC0lhGS11yja7i6EnPAKpkjud6soOsVWvFG4uBlKQ_3kp7w8xhojJ5THRme96OEqqyymOGMuqmE8BCkS4kcuBITcPBwSgBmeDzbz0Hvc/s1600/100_0841.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">There was another
birthday last week, but this one brought only sadness instead of celebrating. My Mama would have been 66 on Wednesday of
last week. It has been 18 months since
Mama died and I really thought that it would be easier to deal with by now, but
it isn’t and I really wonder if it ever will be. I have made a couple attempts to write a post
about just that, but so far I just can’t seem to get it done. The words just won’t come. Maybe someday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK9MrIid7IFdydQi4uaGymcHR3rA8r4KwQAohBDrSiaYHIkqwt4pG9br7wDdLz4uAgA-mKX6upJN3jlT70b-DauF4L4P0-T7FeWi1WVavPAkRGun_NR4guMpejcvcsjXuVeN_0BV03vk/s1600/IMG_5336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK9MrIid7IFdydQi4uaGymcHR3rA8r4KwQAohBDrSiaYHIkqwt4pG9br7wDdLz4uAgA-mKX6upJN3jlT70b-DauF4L4P0-T7FeWi1WVavPAkRGun_NR4guMpejcvcsjXuVeN_0BV03vk/s1600/IMG_5336.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">I’ll end on a
happier note … my middle child will be celebrating his 13<sup>th</sup> birthday
in just under a month. I think that
milestone birthday should warrant a post all of its own. I’ll try really hard to actually accomplish
just that!</span></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-53448538469839463202014-10-11T15:53:00.000-05:002014-10-11T15:57:09.152-05:00a message in a box<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script', sans-serif;">Our family began packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child 10 or 11 years ago. At that time, it was just a mission project
suggested by a lady in our church. I knew
nothing of the ministry of Operation Christmas Child and very little about
Samaritan’s Purse. Over the last decade,
I have learned to love this ministry ~ first by simply packing shoeboxes with
my family, and later as the coordinator for a local relay center (drop-off
location).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif";">Each
year, from January to October, our church collects items that will be used to
fill our shoeboxes during a church-wide packing party. This is one of my favorite events of the
entire year. I have seen church members from preschool age to senior adults (some in their
late 80’s) coming together to pack shoeboxes for children we will likely never
meet (this side of Heaven) in countries we will most likely never visit. I love that Operation Christmas Child
provides a mission field for the entire church to work together, but this is
just a piece of the story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhkNEUZnOVw-L6B1Sdc8gxozby4g7yTp_awLpuySJwodhfEJqlfcud9VyrTTZLEKWhPMuNWQnV1KXnP6VjNgsS54CwpeOdvtR8zOuuGztp4Nu3eXP7xN9YuiXXXTV7p-0mPqalH0Ccgw/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhkNEUZnOVw-L6B1Sdc8gxozby4g7yTp_awLpuySJwodhfEJqlfcud9VyrTTZLEKWhPMuNWQnV1KXnP6VjNgsS54CwpeOdvtR8zOuuGztp4Nu3eXP7xN9YuiXXXTV7p-0mPqalH0Ccgw/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif";">While
I have a part in packing many boxes each year, I always pack one special box. This box is one that I work on all year long
~ usually for an older girl. While
school supplies, hygiene items, and other basics go in every box I pack, I
choose the items for this box carefully and it is important to me that it
includes certain extra things. I always
include at least one thing that is handmade and since I crochet, that item is
often a scarf or small bag. I also
include crayons and a coloring book.
Finally, I always include a carefully chosen stuffed animal ~ one that
carries a special message of love to the little girl who will find it in her
gift.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjk3pgHv5je5u8iUvxLZvngVAF2ikvfJgJ3vzflU5alQ7aX2YjUiQ_1Hbh-nL3KSUjHFQ7B-nIOflrkiHhRh0dk_-eweZIDadtCp-ZEQ3b9Odt-Sfg0n0QRej_8Ype0_IxqQ-CWw-pdk/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjk3pgHv5je5u8iUvxLZvngVAF2ikvfJgJ3vzflU5alQ7aX2YjUiQ_1Hbh-nL3KSUjHFQ7B-nIOflrkiHhRh0dk_-eweZIDadtCp-ZEQ3b9Odt-Sfg0n0QRej_8Ype0_IxqQ-CWw-pdk/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif";">These extra items are meant to convey the simple message of this shoebox gift. Most important to me is the stuffed animal. Though she may not understand it, I choose the stuffed animal early in the year and use it to remind me to pray for the child who will receive this box and all the others that are packed in our church. The most important message in my shoebox, or any other one, is that "God loves you and
sent His Son to redeem you.” I want this
young woman to know that she is being prayed for and that she is not forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Script, sans-serif;">The true beauty of this message isn't only revealed in the faces of the children who will receive the gifts. It is true that they will hear, perhaps for the first time in their lives, that there is a Savior who gave Himself for them. They will have the opportunity to learn about the amazing love of Jesus and that is nothing short of a miracle. But, they aren't the only ones who receive a gift through the packing of shoeboxes. Each year, during collection week, I hear countless stories of how packing a "simple gift" has impacted the lives of individuals, families, and churches. We have received boxes that were packed by abused women in a battered women's shelter and boxes packed by adults with special needs at a local center. These boxes are placed alongside hundreds of others ~ some from individuals, some from families, and some packed by churches of all sizes. Each box has a story, a reason it is packed, and each box is special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Segoe Script, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Script, sans-serif;">The ultimate message is this ... God created and gifted each of us in a special way for His glory. Whatever your part in the process, from the packing, to collecting, to processing, and even to receiving, God has a plan for your life. I may never know how God plans to use the children who receive the shoeboxes that I have a part in packing, but that is okay. I have no doubt that I can trust Him to accomplish His will and I am thankful for the opportunity to have a small part in it.</span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-39113955820882599172014-09-22T10:45:00.000-05:002014-09-22T10:45:57.498-05:00the journey<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;">This fall begins our 11</span><sup style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;"> year as a homeschooling
family.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;">It has been quite a
journey.</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;">One with more ups and downs
than I care to remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">Actually, I’m not sure exactly how to count the years we have
spent homeschooling since Ronnie and I made the decision before our children
were even born. My desire has always
been to foster an atmosphere of learning ~ though I’m not sure I’ve
accomplished that goal, at least not in the way I envisioned it in the days
when my children were still toddling around the house with sippy cups. I had dreamy visions of kids happily bounding
out of bed each morning, eager to see what the day would hold. We might spend the day tramping in the woods
or writing compositions or reading the classics. In my dream world, my children would all
absolutely adore school and I would never, ever have to coax them to do their
work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">I’m sure that it is unnecessary to say that reality is <s>just a
wee bit different</s> absolutely nothing like those early visions. My children have a love/hate relationship
with sleep … they hate it when I am trying to get them to go to sleep and they
love it when I am trying to wake them up.
The only time they voluntarily “bound out of bed” … um, actually I don’t
think that has ever happened. Mornings
are not our favorite time of day. None of my kids are child prodigies-they
won’t be graduating from high school at 13 headed for some Ivy League school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">Just for the record, I am okay with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">Somewhere along the way,
over the last decade of our journey, I traded those idealized dreams for the
reality of life. Our days may not look
like what I thought they would, and we may not have covered as much material as
the world says we should have, but God’s hand has been in our journey. Each of my children is smart in their own
way. They are gifted, maybe not by the
world’s standards, but thankfully, it is God’s standards that matter. Their
giftedness comes from Him and He doesn’t make mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">There have been many difficult days on this journey. Some of the troubles we have brought on
ourselves, some are things that we simply couldn’t avoid. But there have also been many wonderful days. There have been days full of bickering and
days full of snuggling. There have been
days when we struggled through the work and days when learning seemed
effortless and fun. Most days are a
mixed bag of good and bad, easy and hard. There have been days when my only desire was to throw in the towel and just give up. Fortunately, on those days, my sweet husband reminds me that we didn't choose this path randomly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="line-height: 17.1199989318848px;">God called us to it and confirmed it even before Ronnie and I were married.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">Each day that rolls presents an opportunity to choose joy. I have become keenly aware, over the course
of several years, that my children’s ability to navigate the day ~good or bad~
is directly connected to how I choose to navigate the day. Ouch. I have no desire to admit how many days I
have sabotaged with my own bad attitude. But, I am learning and they are
learning and together we are making strides to change our attitudes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">I don’t claim to have gained much wisdom, but there are two
things I would tell anyone new to the homeschooling journey. Things I wish I had understood better when I first started out on this journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">First and foremost, bathe your journey in prayer. When the day starts to fall apart, don’t fall
apart with it ~ stop immediately and pray.
And when you do fall apart (because we all do) don’t waste time beating
yourself up about it. It won’t help. I
have begun to be honest with my kids … I tell them that I know I have messed up
and ask them to forgive me. And then we
pray together and try again. In the end,
it is my prayer that my children will remember that we all make mistakes and we
all need to seek forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">The second thing I know for certain is that we shouldn’t try to
go this journey alone. Ronnie and I have been blessed with a great biological family and a wonderful church family; both have been supportive of our journey, even when they don't fully understand what we are doing. I am extremely thankful not to have faced opposition from either of these groups. But, God has blessed us with another group of people to help us along the way and I am so thankful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 107%;">Our first year homeschooling, Ronnie and I went to a homeschool materials display at a nearby hotel. While there, we ran into a friend of his from college. He introduced me and during the course of the conversation, this old friend invited me to visit a meeting of her homeschool support group. I had no idea what to expect and I didn't really know anyone there, but I went and have never regretted it. Before I even knew that I needed a group, God met my need. Just when I would begin thinking that I was the only one experiencing some particular problem, I would go to some event and in just chatting with other moms I would realize that I was not alone. Later, our family would join with several others to form a new homeschool group and this group has become even more like family to me. </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;">Some of the moms have been schooling their children much longer than I have, while others are just starting out; but we all have something to offer each other: community and shared experiences. It is an excellent picture of the Titus 2 lifestyle ~ though often the wisdom flows both ways, not just from older to younger. I have learned much from listening to others on this journey, no matter their age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">I firmly believe that God designed us for community. Just like a Christian cannot thrive without a church family, I believe that homeschoolers need community, as well. I realize that not every homeschooling family would agree that they need a support group, but I know that I most likely wouldn't have survived this journey alone and I am so thankful to God for having provided for me before I even knew what I needed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">I really didn't intend to write this particular post. I actually began with the idea of sharing how one of the ladies in our group helped me to see some things I was missing as I begin a new phase of homeschooling with two teenagers - including our first high-school student. But, now that this little history of our journey is written, I think I am glad. Maybe one day it will help my children see the journey a little clearer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">And, maybe it will help me to remember to be ever-thankful for the great blessings God has poured into my life through this journey of educating my children and finding out that I am learning at least as much as they are ... probably more.</span></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692870331268457896.post-48925769021219256882014-02-21T12:27:00.000-06:002014-02-21T12:27:36.599-06:00daybook - 2014 edition<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back when I was blogging on a regular basis, I enjoyed doing these weekly <i>peek into my day</i> posts sponsored by <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Simple Woman</a>. Even now, I still use them occasionally in a <i>thankfulness journal </i>that I have kept for several years. I also use the format to help my children journal sometimes. With all that said, I still have to admit that I miss doing the daybooks in the blog format, so here I go again. Besides, maybe it will help be get back into the blogging routine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For Today ... </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">February 21, 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Outside my window ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sun is shining and the skies are a beautiful blue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is cooler today after an unseasonably warm 80 degrees yesterday,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the puddles give evidence of last night's storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thinking ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">about school and our possible move and how to make the two work together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thankful ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for my wonderful visit with my friend Amy this week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am hearing ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">not much ... the kids are all being very quiet at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am creating ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a crocheted shirt for Lora ~ at least I am trying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is slow going, mainly because I just don't have the time to work on it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">nowhere that I know of ~ yay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am wondering ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">how our meal at church will go Sunday night ... our SS class is hosting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am reading ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">mostly with the kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have been reading some classic stories and we just finished <i>Rip Van Winkle</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The kids didn't know the story, so that made it more fun for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today we are going to read <i>The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am looking forward to ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">getting on with this move and re-establishing normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am learning ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">that you can't run away from hard things ~ some things you just have to face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the kitchen ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can still smell last night's fried chicken ... yummy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Around the house ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">more and more things that I realize must be done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my favorite things ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">peaceful evenings at home - they are far too rare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few plans for the rest of the week ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">not much left of it, but I will be shopping for the food I am fixing for the meal at church and then our class will get together to get the fellowship hall ready. Sometime tomorrow we need to buy Daniel new cleats in anticipation of his first baseball practice of the season coming up this Tuesday night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A peek into my day ...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosC7py9drYyzcsUlQqKDLI3VT6D2oounfw0k7eVul4ExfGS9jHWXv822cO9vl-jBfM_DEtujoWzNmXl2GuCBXXtl4s2kJrhZqKKbVAVHkFuOxvpxbSZizbwFtvbPYtuLXyXpjH_pmhfQ/s1600/Family+photos+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosC7py9drYyzcsUlQqKDLI3VT6D2oounfw0k7eVul4ExfGS9jHWXv822cO9vl-jBfM_DEtujoWzNmXl2GuCBXXtl4s2kJrhZqKKbVAVHkFuOxvpxbSZizbwFtvbPYtuLXyXpjH_pmhfQ/s1600/Family+photos+4.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a picture of where we are planning to move ... of course, it doesn't look<br />exactly like this anymore since this was taken 19 years ago. <br />I grew up here and I still love it. So do my kids.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL89KFpKR4t0s40ycKZT9Lmozxa4BcUW_EkKLz75fzoR2WnfXx8wuX1Mczj3ZMx4USMKNquv3EE6KGj95D-5G83PKTG1v4UHvAKgTRlvyX7WNixodCF5_CLxBDpg5DA2TdZaHId_DgIk/s1600/Pics+of+Fam+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL89KFpKR4t0s40ycKZT9Lmozxa4BcUW_EkKLz75fzoR2WnfXx8wuX1Mczj3ZMx4USMKNquv3EE6KGj95D-5G83PKTG1v4UHvAKgTRlvyX7WNixodCF5_CLxBDpg5DA2TdZaHId_DgIk/s1600/Pics+of+Fam+68.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a picture of my Mama's Daddy holding me when I was about 2 months old.<br />He would have been 93 this month.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Daybooks are fun! Visit <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Simple Woman</a> to find out more.</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585333832773863308noreply@blogger.com0