tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31290699300653985592024-03-13T12:32:55.549-07:00A Note From Genesis...A Note From Genesis.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-64822204955913010622017-08-28T22:36:00.001-07:002017-08-29T11:27:55.097-07:00 Speak to the Storm.<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">One of the most beautiful memories that I have of my Grandfather... or better known as "Our Pop"... was his special gift of faith.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">He always believed that if we were going to be true Christians or Christ-like... Then we should take the example of Jesus.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"> So, He did... </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">As a little girl, He would take my hands in his and we would "Speak to the storm".</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">I can still see it. His soft tired blue eyes and gentle hands. He'd say... "If Jesus stopped the winds... and calmed the rain... Then that same faith should be in us."</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Times"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQNBl36itLw/VPyn_3eFMsI/AAAAAAAABVM/6YCqzKnsCq0/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; outline: rgb(0, 0, 0) solid 1px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 402px; height: auto;" id="id_b633_57f2_af35_1234"></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">He'd continue, "So, we will agree... you and I... and by faith it's already done."</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">Then he'd say, "The word says... Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">"Do we agree Gen?"</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">"Yes Pop...We agree."</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">"Now we can just go on... Thanking Him!"</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">And in my little child mind... it was finished. Jesus had taken care of it.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">But, the amazing thing was... every single time... the rains ceased. The storms calmed. The winds died down. And sunshine would peek through.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">Like clockwork. Right on time.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><img id="id_2b3a_9bed_babe_18a2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WbO9eq8pFx8/WaWyKM5QPhI/AAAAAAAACRk/xL7AUdy40EEuZkhN_594b2RHInQ27sQMQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">Just by those little words spoken. By believing hearts. By a Savior... who in 2017 can STILL speak peace.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">The memories still overwhelm my heart. Beautiful simple faith.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">There is devastation surrounding us. Flooding. Homes lost. My heart is broken for many. </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">My Pop has already left this old world. He peacefully went home where there is only sunlight and complete joy.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">But, If he were here...</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">He'd remind us to ask.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">To join hands.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">To agree.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">To speak to THIS storm..</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">To be still.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times">And to just believe. </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"><font face="Times"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 22.66666603088379px;">🌤</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><br><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span><img id="id_901a_b9da_16f0_b450" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iAYeylO8txE/WaT9YMeiNhI/AAAAAAAACRE/49_nAcL7HgIv8A_EHz9MwqRkiY4YDXqNACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Times"><span style="font-size: 17pt;"></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">
</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-71421908646221087602017-04-15T22:21:00.001-07:002017-04-16T08:18:18.614-07:00A Sunset For Me... <div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Easter time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw a beautiful sunset today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help but get a little emotional.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rays of sunlight gently disappearing little by little.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">And my mind went there...</div><div style="text-align: center;">That little town... So long ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Those saints of old.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You know they felt lost.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It had been two days.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dark days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the miracles.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the wonderous teaching.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They'd been with Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They'd sat with the Master.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They'd laughed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They'd cried.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They'd talked.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was their friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">And they watched him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Suffer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beaten.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whipped.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">They saw the nails.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They saw the cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sweat</div><div style="text-align: center;">The tears.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Think of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They witnessed Him take on the sin of the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every single sin he carried.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our sin.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our shame.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">What incredible love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It literally brings tears to my eyes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you know they knew...</div><div style="text-align: center;">He could have called thousands of angels to his side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">But He didn't. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">He stayed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He endured it all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">NOTHING kept him there.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But great ...GREAT love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">And sometimes, </div><div style="text-align: center;">We think our simple little lives are meaningless.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, We matter to him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">He saw the faces of His children that day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each face.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And He cared.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help but think as the sun set today </div><div style="text-align: center;">as I'm sure it did years ago...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many watched it go down with heavy hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It would be a long hard night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">But...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh my goodness. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The morning was COMING! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a matter of hours...</div><div style="text-align: center;">A stone would roll.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">That cold tomb would be occupied no more.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It simply could not hold Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessed be his precious name.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He would RISE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of us are facing sunsets...</div><div style="text-align: center;">But hold strong.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus is on his way.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That same love that held him to a cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Holds us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every single day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_f9c8_e8b3_9c2c_a30e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mXkXUsGIElk/WPL_O2usr4I/AAAAAAAACJ4/1vzTqm4x23M/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Took a picture of my view.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter Friends! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-47116873129138798122017-03-29T22:43:00.002-07:002017-03-30T00:18:34.162-07:00A Day to Smile...<br><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's 11:45 PM... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our boys have finally made their way to bed.. </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's been anything but a normal day.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It started around 5:30 AM... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And before I begin this post.. </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I just need to say.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kids are amazing.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm serious.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not long ago... We found out our new baby boy Ashton... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Had some dental issues... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And Dr. Crawford, our pediatric dentist... Told us that the majority of his </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">teeth would have to be capped or removed – due to poor enamel and other situations.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have been dreading this day.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Being an adoptive Mom – Everything about baby boy is precious to me.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His eyes.. </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His laugh... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His voice... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And his smile. </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Especially his smile.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But, today –was amazing.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I wouldn't feel complete without writing this down... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Children are a gift.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adoption is beautiful.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><img id="id_bc6_7f47_5d7e_de54" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AXJyV_tXhLQ/WNytoqeqCRI/AAAAAAAACJM/P-oq3Fo87Vc/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br></div><br> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><br></div><a name="more"></a><hr size="1" class="bloggohr"><a name="more"></a><hr size="1" class="bloggohr"><br><br> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you biologically carry a baby you dream of that face.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you adopt – you see a photo.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You hold that face in your heart.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In your prayers.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It becomes the reason you keep going.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SO let's move forward... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrive at the hospital.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The knot in my stomach was overwhelming.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything was going to be “new” “scary” “another change”</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I couldn't have been more wrong.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I sat back in awe as he openly talked to nurses and doctors... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Showing his admission bracelet.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img id="id_8b07_5ee8_8c51_f617" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N0O1GpGM7WU/WNytqEd7_bI/AAAAAAAACJQ/B5XiN_Hh6Qc/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He was so proud.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today – he was going to be brave.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He walked shoulders back down the big hall to the day surgery area... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a big little boy.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I took notes with my eyes... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He's smiling.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He's comfortable.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wow, amazing.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img id="id_eafb_ccf7_6a4b_552b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wlK3-Q5kXOI/WNytl5GwaeI/AAAAAAAACJA/mUeTmWE2Cr4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img id="id_e2ab_f419_a4f_82fe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LsDXgz5MWus/WNytl-iJY5I/AAAAAAAACJE/DmKczs7G7NQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div></div><img id="id_cd51_e491_c1db_c389" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y9hANU0RwlQ/WNyxSO22gtI/AAAAAAAACJk/n9sWTXyRTM0/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br><div></div>It was a two hour long procedure.</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our awesome doctor spoke to us outside and let us know he </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">did amazing.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We breathed huge sighs of relief. They were able to cap every tooth needed and</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">he would have a full set... Thank you, Lord.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, we were called to recovery.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He hadn't arrived yet.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly, In walked a male nurse holding our baby boy.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He'd gotten overheated coming out of anesthesia.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He was sweating, gown half off, flailing and crying.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eyes rolled back... and “not awake”... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He handed him to me.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">And almost instantly, He calmed.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A nurse in passing looked at me and said, </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-size: medium;">You know –there is no medicine like Mama.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our abilities here only go so far.”</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It was a moment of reckoning for me. </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When God created him.</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He had us on his mind.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> He knew all about today.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> He knew how beautifully he would mold us to fit.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He knew a Daddy & Mama would love and adore him.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adoption is an AMAZING gift.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every single day it shows me a little bit more of Jesus.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm so overwhelmed and thankful that I too – am adopted.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I too - am loved beyond measure.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">________________</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We got to come home! </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He's been a little sick at his tummy with lots of cleaning up. BUT... </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He is so proud of his “new smile”.. </span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He can't wait to show everyone.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img id="id_6453_9b73_2970_e4de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N70LXCVcGZs/WNytovtFy7I/AAAAAAAACJI/QSfcNcthscw/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div></div>Even with bruised gums... <span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Children see all things as good.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A brand new smile. </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">He is SO PROUD.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div><img id="id_6281_d352_1a87_da66" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gua5vtV76Tw/WNytqDMnAtI/AAAAAAAACJU/7T9ECRMHcu4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <br></div> <br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He's an amazing little boy.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How blessed we are.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to everyone who prayed for us today.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We love you.</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></div><br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-69087382753885588582016-06-27T04:07:00.002-07:002016-06-27T12:22:00.929-07:00Bread of Life For Me... My Healing.<br>Seven long months ago, I made a huge discovery about my health. I had a severe intolerance to wheat gluten. <div><br></div><div>What has wheat gluten in it?<div><br>Almost everything.<br><br>Years prior to that I literally stayed sick. My family would shake their heads as I dealt with terrible symptoms that I couldn't put my finger on! Couldn't keep food in me... Severe body aches.. Joint paint.... Swelling in my face... Swelling in my hands... It was unbelievable.<br><br>After a trip to Branson, Missouri last year with friends... Who deal with similar issues... I realized what was going on! </div><div><br></div><div>My life, diet and outlook on life changed. No more bread for me. No more birthday cake, pizza, pasta, chinese food, tons of seasonings, fried food and so much more it would likely take up the entire blog post. </div><div><br></div><div>:)</div><div><br></div><div>Did I ever mess up? Yes... </div><div><br></div><div>Was I sick? YES... Unbelievably and almost instantly.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is a picture of me from right before going gluten free in November to Mother's Day this May... </div><div><br></div><div><div><div><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LDpMEsACtBs/V3EjPXfpxeI/AAAAAAAAB68/zAZzZ_ebaYM/I/photo_551181.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><br></div><div>While on my strict diet - my quality of life improved tremendously. I gave thanks to the Lord for meeting me halfway... Giving me knowledge and strength. For helping me to grow. I grew content in my new way of life. </div><div><br></div><div>But, Our God is so good...</div><div><br></div><div>I just came home from a Family Camp put on by an awesome neighboring church! I couldn't stay the entire time - because our lives are so incredibly busy... Lots of life changes at present.</div><div>:) </div><div><br></div><div>But, I did get to go on a Friday night.. The service was tremendous. I was blessed beyond measure. My husband made his way to a group of gathered ministers and asked if they would pray for several situations we are currently dealing with. I believe in the power of prayer!</div><div><br></div><div>Bro. Ron Spencer asked if I was in the building and called me over... He is such a precious minister and friend... Together he and Bro. Wayne Lawson laid hands on Jeremy and I and prayed along with many others...</div><div><br></div><div>It was a moment in my life that I will never forget. </div><div><br></div><div>That's when I felt a powerful warmth... It began in my mid-waist... Traveled up through my inner chest... And exited my shoulders. I instantly knew that something had left my body... </div><div><br></div><div>Bro. Wayne with tears flowing.. Shook my hand when he finished praying and said, "From now on things will be different."...</div><div><br></div><div>It was a beautiful - God came on the scene moment. </div><div><br></div><div>I left camp feeling immensely better.. My anxiety levels had calmed... Just all together a wonderful experience. I had been blessed.</div><div><br></div><div>On the next Wednesday, I was out of town taking my Aunt to the airport... We stopped at a Chinese restaurant to have lunch. Just as I picked up the menu... Something spoke to my heart... "Have faith and be made well."</div><div><br></div><div>For the first time in seven months I ordered a completely normal meal. My family stared at me in complete disbelief. Knowing that I may not even make it home without extreme sickness. </div><div><br></div><div>We prayed over our food and I believed.</div><div><br></div><div>I ate with ABSOLUTELY no sickness.</div><div><br></div><div>I knew that the same Great God that had created my body.. Had healed it. Glory be to the Mighty Physician! </div><div><br></div><div><div><div><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Yjb3hAGs9o/V3EjPtyS8ZI/AAAAAAAAB7E/xS7iPz1mfxY/I/photo_172132.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div><br></div>I have continued to eat completely normally since that Wednesday with absolutely no effect on my body at all. </div><div><br></div><div>For those who believe miracles only happen in days past - I am here to say that we are living in a day where God can be called on the scene and mountains will move! </div></div><div><br></div><div>Thank you Jesus.</div><div><br></div><div><br><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-55278471160009663842016-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:002016-01-04T20:34:04.850-08:00A Season for Giving... <br />
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Anxiety.<br />
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A mother's worst nightmare. A wife's hardest battle. A deep dark valley that as a Christian, presents itself daily.<br />
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I find myself thinking twenty steps ahead most days... </div>
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The age we live in has drilled it in our mind - cause and effect. </div>
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And as we, the tear dryers, the educators of our children and the very cornerstones of our homes - Try so hard to stay on top of it all.</div>
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We work endlessly to keep it together. </div>
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And the pressure is overwhelming. </div>
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We go to bed exhausted and we wake up exhausted.<br />
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Can anyone relate?<br />
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I keep a planner for my daily schedule.<br />
I keep a planner for my monthly schedule.<br />
I keep a planner for Jonah's lesson plans.<br />
I keep a planner for everything.<br />
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But...<br />
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The beautiful reality is - The Lord Jesus holds the very essential master plan.<br />
Each step we put before the other is organized and thought through.<br />
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And HE ...is so good.<br />
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He sits back ever so quietly... So gently... </div>
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"Lord, I'm giving this situation back to you. It wasn't ever mine to begin with. Forgive me for trying to control my own life. And give me strength, to hand you the reins... To trust you. Completely."<br />
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Let this sink in...<br />
The very ruler of the universe... Who formed the mountains and put stars in the sky... Has enough time to wait patiently on US to remember that He alone is in charge.<br />
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Jesus, Thank you.<br />
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Thank you for taking the world off my shoulders and carrying it on yours.<br />
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In this wonderful season of giving...<br />
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Sweet Mamas, Give yourself a much needed gift... Rest.<br />
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Give Him that financial stress.<br />
Give Him that child that isn't behaving.<br />
Give Him those unsolved situations.<br />
Give Him the sleepless nights.<br />
Give Him that family member who is constantly on your heart.<br />
Give Him the Load.<br />
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He sees our weary bodies... And WANTS us to come to Him.<br />
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Isn't that beautiful?<br />
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No ribbons or bows... No wrapping required.<br />
Only precious unconditional love.<br />
What a present.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-49710158876489235182015-12-01T23:19:00.002-08:002015-12-01T23:24:36.986-08:00I Will Be Here... <br />
<table 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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VPYiv9fA0A/Vl6YTFi57XI/AAAAAAAABu4/xNxF3Gq4cTk/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VPYiv9fA0A/Vl6YTFi57XI/AAAAAAAABu4/xNxF3Gq4cTk/s320/untitled.bmp" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal Night 2007</td></tr>
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As a single girl...<br />
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I absolutely loved Steven Curtis Chapman's "I will be here".... I was completely sure that had to be the most beautiful wedding song ever written... I listened to it over and over again...<br />
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I had it all planned out. The white flowing dress. The smiles. The way he would look at me. The ring.<br />
The excitement of the proposal. Then, a perfect.. happy.. breath-taking life. He would pick me up and waltz across the threshold... <br />
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I knew.. And I was ready.<br />
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....<br />
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On Tuesday, November 24th... Jeremy and I celebrated eight years together.<br />
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We had a wonderful dinner together.<br />
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I have been truly blessed.<br />
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But, I'd like to share a tiny bit of my "happily ever after..."<br />
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The wedding was beautiful... But, each and every one of the little moments we've shared has been worth a million weddings.<br />
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It isn't about the fairy tale... but, life... real life. Is a beautiful gift. What Cinderella didn't tell us was that when you burned the supper and cried... But, had a great time together over takeout... Was more precious than any glass slipper.<br />
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And even though my beautiful ring sparkles and shines... Nothing compares to cheering on our little boy's baseball games or singing in the car on roadtrips.<br />
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Even though the proposal was breath-taking and romantic... "Marry me" has taken on an entire new meaning. We're a team. Each other's biggest fan. Cheering each other on. Best of friends. I love laughing together.<br />
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Now the flowing white dress is stored neatly in my Mother's attic... But, our happy days aren't put away. Warm meals together aren't out of sight and family hugs haven't faded. <br />
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And as for the way he looks at me... Fluttering butterflies have turned into faithfulness and respect... a love greater than words.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November 24th 2015... Celebrating 8 years!</td></tr>
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Moral of this story? ... I heard the song a couple days ago.<br />
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And to my awesome single friends, It took on a whole new meaning.<br />
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"I will be here"... because God in his precious grace allowed me the opportunity.. for a few fleeting moments in the span of time... to share my heart.<br />
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To each and every one of you - Choose wisely. God has a perfect one for you. Past the wedding. Past the dazzling threshold.<br />
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A lifetime awaits.<br />
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I included the lyrics... Held more truth & honesty than I could have ever imagined all those years ago.<br />
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I WILL BE HERE<br />
Steven Curtis Chapman<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tomorrow morning if you wake<br /> up and the sun does not appear..<br /> I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> If in the dark, we lose sight of love <br /> Hold my hand, and have no fear...<br /> 'Cause I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will be here ...<br /> When you feel like being quiet..<br /> When you need to speak your mind..<br /> I will listen.<br /> And I will be here..<br /> When the laughter turns to cryin' <br /> Through the winning, losing and trying <br /> We'll be together..<br /> I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tomorrow morning, if you wake up <br /> And the future is unclear...<br /> I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Just as sure as seasons were made for change..<br /> Our lifetimes were made for these years...<br /> So I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will be here <br /> And you can cry on my shoulder..<br /> When the mirror tells us we're older..<br /> I will hold you.<br /> And I will be here..<br /> To watch you grow in beauty.<br /> And tell you all the things you are to me...<br /> I will be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will be true to the promise I have made..<br /> To you and to the One who gave you to me...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tomorrow morning, if you wake up..<br /> And the sun does not appear.<br /> I will be here.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Oh, I will be here.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-80452462051401557892015-10-09T11:47:00.002-07:002015-10-09T12:08:13.404-07:00Prayers for our Precious... <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I knew you before I formed you in your Mother’s
womb, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">before </span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">you were born… I set you apart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">-------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Seven years ago…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I peered into a preemie's hospital bed behind glass where my
precious 2 lb 9 oz. baby boy slept..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
watched the monitor beep through the night with his vitals and kept my eyes on
his tiny chest ...</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">rise and fall… rise and fall…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">How could someone so tiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be such a beautiful BIG miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have loved every single day of being his Mama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS_IkHV271o/VhgKH0XNVXI/AAAAAAAABtk/Pr7YesJnxjY/s1600/GCP_3198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS_IkHV271o/VhgKH0XNVXI/AAAAAAAABtk/Pr7YesJnxjY/s400/GCP_3198.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">As all of you probably know… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’m a believer in seeing the beauty of the hard
things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I believe in giving God supreme glory in
situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Faith is trusting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we pray for rain…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should prepare for rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v1olg_w7qE/VhgLTxKiMDI/AAAAAAAABtw/2wxpn6QRB4o/s1600/GCP_3183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v1olg_w7qE/VhgLTxKiMDI/AAAAAAAABtw/2wxpn6QRB4o/s320/GCP_3183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, I’d like to catch you up on our journey… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s been laid heavily on our heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">That somewhere out there... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is a child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">That we’ve probably never met. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">A little person that’s completely meant for our
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The burden is heavy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">But, the peace given by Jesus is light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>As children of the great Almighty.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>We were adopted.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>We were chosen.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>We are loved.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">A few doors have been opened to us already… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I ask you, my sweet friends, that you will
remember us when you pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">We are opening up our hearts…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Praying, believing & hoping</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">.. for a second miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our God is so incredibly good.</span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBeOSFRtv0I/VhgK5_ZC21I/AAAAAAAABto/sdzFMXL5pFo/s1600/GCP_3165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBeOSFRtv0I/VhgK5_ZC21I/AAAAAAAABto/sdzFMXL5pFo/s400/GCP_3165.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/GenesisCraig/?action=view&current=name.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-56014551273562380332015-07-27T10:57:00.003-07:002015-07-27T11:15:20.331-07:00Learning to Rest... <div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The summer seems to have flown by. <br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Literally, It feels like we've just </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
slammed that last textbook of the year shut - and yet here we are. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brand new day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brand new season.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And life doesn't slow down. I find myself rubbing tired eyes and being reminded of the reason on which I base my life. <br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thought I'd share a little bit of my heart today - <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The anxiety around us.. all of us... is overwhelming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From every direction.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so incredibly thankful for a loving God -<br />
that hears each little insignificant need I bring before him..<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel beyond blessed to know that as his vast arms cradle the universe -<br />
that he has time for each prayer.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, my heart is heavy because... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, you see this situation... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, you know this is out of my control... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, help me.. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, strengthen me because... <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I seem to fill in those blanks - what seems daily.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The nation around us is shaken... It's a Godless age.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, deep in the darkness... Little candles shine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Their flames quiver.. But, they burn. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They burn on.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They project little specks of hope through the storms.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"A peace that passeth all understanding" ... has taken on new meaning to me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am truly humbled that such a big God is waiting with loving arms.. Waiting for us to turn to him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It literally brings tears to my eyes - just the very realization of how gracious He is.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you Lord - for not leaving us. Thank you Lord - for walking with us.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet Moms, As we start this upcoming school year - Keep your littles wrapped in prayer. HE is the author. HE holds our lives.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breath His great name - He is our rest. He is our strength.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you are buying school supplies...<br />
or preparing lesson plans... Keep His word close. <br />
Keep it as frontlets before their eyes... <br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be blessed today. And rest.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHJCaPLx75g/VbZw_4KPbPI/AAAAAAAABps/euzBu0YqrYM/s1600/fffa561579daf1d604aabfbd6259d720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHJCaPLx75g/VbZw_4KPbPI/AAAAAAAABps/euzBu0YqrYM/s400/fffa561579daf1d604aabfbd6259d720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-11150971136904963852015-06-24T21:28:00.001-07:002015-06-24T21:29:29.004-07:00Unboxing 2015-16! :-) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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Ok ladies, </div>
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Here are the UNBOXING videos that I promised! :-)</div>
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<br /></div>
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(And my voice sounds ridiculous)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Did my best to give you a glimpse of the My Father's World Curriculum & </div>
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the additional books we are planning on using! Hope this may help as you are</div>
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making choices for your little people this upcoming school year! </div>
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<br /></div>
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We are doing 1st grade Pt. 2 - But these are mostly 2nd grade goods. ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TeS_PwMRm-0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TeS_PwMRm-0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Jonah's Homeschool Curriculum 2015-16</div>
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<b>PART 1</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hNxng9K3qLM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hNxng9K3qLM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Jonah's Homeschool Curriculum 2015-16</div>
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<b>PART 2</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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(yes, I did have to do two parts because I have a huge mouth... lol)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are the links:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>My Fathers World - Adventures in US History Deluxe </b></div>
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http://www.mfwbooks.com/wps/portal/c/homeschool</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Proverbs Study</b></div>
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http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=57</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Math U See</b></div>
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www.mathusee.com</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Additional Books:</b></div>
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Explode the Code Series</div>
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Draw Write Now Series</div>
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Smart About the Presidents</div>
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Hooked on Phonics 2nd Grade</div>
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Jesus Calling - Sarah Young (They also make a younger children's version)</div>
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Language Lesson of Today (My Father's World recommends)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-14237216261475548442015-06-12T22:53:00.002-07:002015-06-12T23:18:46.270-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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We have a Great Pyrenees.</div>
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</div>
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Porti. </div>
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</div>
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Actually, it's Portia. But, after she became part of our family... She was Porti.</div>
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</div>
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She is huge.</div>
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</div>
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Literally a gentle giant.</div>
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</div>
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And she has taught me one of the most important life lessons..<br />
<br />
Friendship.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The simple fact that it isn't defined by color. It isn't defined by DNA. It's isn't defined by race. It's a bond between individuals. It's a pure & genuine love.<br />
<br />
It's God-given.</div>
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</div>
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She wasn't with us long... when I realized even though she was "Jonah's Dog"... She was my girl.</div>
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We face a house of guys together.<br />
She helps me look after my boys.<br />
Together we keep up with them.<br />
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:)</div>
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When the days are long and I'm tired... She sits beside me. She never talks. She never gives me advice. But, she listens. <br />
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Simplicity is the most beautiful part of kindred hearts. <br />
A listener is a treasure.<br />
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She has a beautiful coat. She always offers a paw to hold.<br />
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She loves sunshine.</div>
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Porti doesn't have answers for me. She doesn't even try. :) </div>
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But, she does love our long walks.</div>
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She does enjoy playing with a soccer ball in the front yard. </div>
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She does love to roll in tall grass.</div>
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She's too stubborn to sit when I ask and she likes to stand on her hind legs - Even though I tell her all the time not too. </div>
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Most of the time she gets my clothes filthy from those big bulky paws.</div>
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But, she's precious to me.</div>
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She's protective of my Jonah. </div>
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I love that.</div>
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Sometimes, I think she thinks we're sheep.</div>
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Friends are like that - they look after us.</div>
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Nudge us to put our best foot forward.</div>
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I believe Jesus puts people in our lives... </div>
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and in our case.. He has given us the sweetest pet.</div>
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She's added tender moments of joy to our days.<br />
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Thank you Lord for the little things..</div>
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and for this very big dog.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-19679095273102700172015-05-23T22:36:00.002-07:002015-05-23T23:20:46.877-07:00The heart remembers... <br />
The days rolls by. <br />
<br />
The seasons change.<br />
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We put one foot in front of the other after loss.<br />
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We breathe in... we breathe out.<br />
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We put our best foot forward.<br />
<br />
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Then the sun starts to slowly shine again.<br />
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We feel the wind.<br />
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We begin to notice the flowers... the birds... the sky.<br />
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We start to mend. <br />
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But, the heart is a funny thing... <br />
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Tonight, at the grocery store.. I pushed my hair back as I unloaded my cart at the register. It had been a crazy day... Did I get what all I needed? I did a quick double check... <br />
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That's when I saw him.<br />
<br />
His white hair was perfectly combed. His back was bent and his eyes were tired. His little pants were neatly starched and his dress shirt was attractively tucked beneath a sport coat. His hands were wrinkled and his voice was kind. He fumbled with his wallet ... which I noticed was filled with pictures. He sweetly asked the cashier if she could assist him with the debit card machine. <br />
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Then, he turned to me... He said, "Young lady, I'm so sorry to take so long.. I sure hope you'll be patient with me."<br />
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He didn't realize the lump that had formed in my throat... I told him he was completely fine... and suddenly the busyness of the day didn't matter so much anymore. Just like time stopped for a few minutes... and my heart remembered.<br />
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I couldn't explain to him how much he reminded me of my grandfather. <br />
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I couldn't explain to him how much those people in his wallet would miss him someday.<br />
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I couldn't explain to him how much I would have liked to turn back the clock for just a few minutes.<br />
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So instead, We talked.. We laughed about how neither one of us could keep up with our keys... I helped him gather his bags... He grinned and said how nice it had been..<br />
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I agreed and waved goodbye.<br />
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He never told me his name and I never told him mine.<br />
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But, I was thankful that at the tired and crazy end of today... The Lord allowed a gentle reminder, giving me a little glimpse of someone I love in heaven, while still here on earth.<br />
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Take a moment. Especially on this Memorial Day Weekend.<br />
<br />
Remember those who have died for cause.<br />
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There are many different kinds of Soldiers. <br />
Many different kinds of battles.<br />
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Hug your loved ones.<br />
Make memories that will last forever.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-81634863606999195952015-03-08T12:57:00.002-07:002015-03-08T13:14:15.830-07:00Our Pop...<span style="font-family: Baskerville Old Face;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">There are so many words used to describe him. Brother. Daddy. Friend. Husband. Mr. Barney…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But me, I knew him as Pop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He actually wanted to be called Papaw…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But being the first grandchild…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop came out better and that’s what he was. To me… He will always be Pop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no way that I can sum up an entire lifetime and put it on this very small piece paper…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are a few special moments… That I feel would make him smile if I shared… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">As a tiny little girl… He took me to work with him often. Six years old. Riding high in the front seat right beside him. I was so small he eventually got me an old pot to sit on. We would ride down the road and sing, we’d visit with his customers over coffee (and I’d usually get a cookie or a treat out of the deal)…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a lot of talking and driving…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop loved to talk about what the Lord had done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m sure everyone remembers the starched clothes and the perfect hair. Well, there was a whole lot more to Pop than that…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved to fish, He loved to hunt, He loved to ride a four wheeler, He was a great basketball player … And As funny as it sounds…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a kid, he taught me how to roll down the hill in their backyard. I reminded him of that… OFTEN. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Pop was a character. He was always trying to tell a good joke…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, they always turned out as DRY as a hot summer day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thing was, he was so sweet all of the time… EVEN when what he told wasn’t the least bit funny… You laughed. Because you just couldn’t resist making him happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Our Pop, he loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He was the kindest and most gentle man I had ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">As the years went on, He became more than a grandfather…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a smile on a hard day. And the moment you felt like your heart couldn’t take anymore…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one on his knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And his prayers…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they were faith driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew Jesus… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he believed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He loved music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would sing to him… and he would cry. Then you would cry. It was almost like he couldn’t contain what he was feeling in his heart… so it just poured down his cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never… ever forget how special it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Then one day sitting in his living room…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked over my way and said, “Gen, when I first gave my heart to the Lord…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a dream…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to remember this…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and someday if the Lord doesn’t come get me first…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tell it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">So, Pop…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is. It’s been etched in my memory for years…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He said in the dream, “He entered a beautiful heavenly place, a paradise. The flowers were vibrant and there was a perfect river flowing through it. He said like nothing in comparison to anything he’d ever seen here on this earth… He said he was completely taken. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Said as he began to look around he noticed far off in the distance a very young man with his back to him. Said he had broad shoulders, dark hair and was very tall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He went on to say that the more he walked the more in focus everything became. He described feeling so much peace, as if he’d returned home after a long journey. He began to see more and more clearly. The details were beyond compare in this perfect land. The young man in the distance was standing very close to the water in the river as if ready to cross over it. Then suddenly the man turned around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Pop stopped a moment… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed and smiled... and then he said, “Gen, that man was me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He wiped tears from his cheeks…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I remember thinking that as he told it…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He almost sounded homesick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I will remember his words, forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Our Pop loved his family…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his friends…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and his town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He was always so proud of each of his granddaughters… But I have to say…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was SO excited when the good Lord gave him grandSONS, after being surrounded by so many girls for so long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">James, Jonah & Benjamin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the very pride of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">When Jonah was born, He was so proud of the testimony of his birth… and what the Lord had done. Jonah at 2lbs. and 11 inches long…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop said, “He was the cutest little cat-squirrel he’d ever laid eyes on.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">And he sure loved his James…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>without measure. That was his first boy… and James held his heartstrings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Then when Benjamin came along…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was definitely Pop’s grand finale! Blonde and full of life – He completely adored him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">On a final note…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited him in the retirement home on January 23<sup>rd</sup> … He was tired… He’d battled Parkinson’s so hard and the pneumonia had made him so weak… He couldn’t even stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon walking in I kissed his cheek and asked him.. “How are you feeling?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He gave me the best smile he could muster and said, “The Lord has blessed me with another day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was him. That that was how he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best foot forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Pop, I know you’re listening… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">When we would come see you all through the years… We’d ask, “Hi Pop! Whatcha been doing?” and you’d always say, “Been here... Just waiting on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m so glad to know that when my time comes…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death won’t be a big deal. Because I know you’re already there… just waiting on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzUs31_3_WY/VPyonOBPOdI/AAAAAAAABVg/kBkArowIFRY/s1600/PopGram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzUs31_3_WY/VPyonOBPOdI/AAAAAAAABVg/kBkArowIFRY/s1600/PopGram.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you for your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as a dear friend reminded us, you were always a gentleman. You showed us how to live…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and you showed us how to die. You left us with a peace beyond our understanding and the knowledge that all of our strength cometh from the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I will miss you….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll meet you in the morning, Pop….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just inside that eastern gate over there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Genesis </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-31139910966116020942014-07-21T23:36:00.001-07:002014-07-21T23:45:22.884-07:00A Healing.<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a huge believer in giving the Lord Jesus credit… where credit is deserved. So, I’d like to share with you a recent testimony.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m hoping this with strengthen your walk.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m hoping this will help you to trust.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of you know my story…. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had kidney surgery at 13. Diagnosed with a birth defect due to renal stenosis. My blood pressure went to unbelievable heights. God spared my body. I underwent surgery. For ten years my blood pressure remained normal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a time of thankfulness and blessing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At age 23, I was at one of the most exciting times in my life…. I’d met the love of my life. I was engaged. There was just one problem… The blood pressure was back and it wouldn’t leave.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jeremy and I married and the next few years were spent trying to find out WHY. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why the high blood pressure?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why the constant aching?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing would control it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Medicine wouldn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decreasing stress didn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a precious baby boy, Jonah.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So incredibly early… 2lbs 9oz. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They called it Eclampsia and they said it was due to the high numbers of my pressure.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I begged the Lord for healing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was willing to go to whatever doctor.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Change my life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To have another baby would be considered “high risk”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...and so life went on.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I met a doctor…. Which found a beta blocker that partially kept it down. It was a step in the right direction. Finally, I was starting to feel slightly normal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew in my heart… Someday a healing would come.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He would… Those stripes… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His stripes… They were for me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three years went by.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I visited a new doctor who disovered I had high renin levels in my blood… So kidney damage? Kidney blockage? Maybe answers?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was sent to a great Nephrologist… My heart was lifted when his opinion was that I had blockage and a possible tumor in my kidney. Said he had seen it all before… Surgery could change my life. I would just need a dye test through my kidneys before undergoing the operation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I did. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...and then I waited. I prayed. My loved ones prayed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got the phonecall with results on a busy afternoon… It was the nephrologist… His tone was a bit amazed… “Mrs. Costner, I don’t know how to tell you this… But your kidneys are perfect. Completely perfect. I can’t understand it!”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shock was overwhelming.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My kidneys were perfect?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My family was thrilled and tried to help me understand that I must have been touched by an Almighty God.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t really grasp it at that point.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about what the doctors could do?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What now?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been a miracle that they might could have fixed me, Right?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I waited.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t understand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I couldn’t see past the symptoms.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But… It wasn’t for me to.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, I came down with a terrible cold. Blowing my nose and wiping my watering eyes. I felt terrible.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ran to our local Walmart to grab some medicine to help me breathe and be able to handle the pain in my head.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As my shopping cart slid along the aisle … and after hearing the lady on the loudspeaker make a brief announcement… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something very strange happened.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The room began getting dim.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The store music got far away.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was standing in that store… But I wasn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then suddenly… I knew with everything in me… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was leaving.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was going.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I began to see life flash before my eyes.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d always heard that expression… and then it happened.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw those I love greatly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw my husband.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My precious baby boy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faces from my past.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faces from my present.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then amazingly I somehow regained sensation in my hands… I grabbed the bar of the shopping cart and held on. Right there… Right in the middle of everything. I heard myself praying.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lord, I’m not finished here yet. My husband needs me. Jonah needs me. I know life and death are yours and I’m asking to live.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sensation began coming back… Very slowly I could feel my feet… Then my legs.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I somehow made it to my car and drove home.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I walked inside I managed to make it to my bed and fell in probably one of the deepest sleeps I have ever been in.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning was Memorial Day. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon waking up, the first thing I noticed was my cold was completely and totally gone. Head was clear. Headache vanished.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spent the day with family. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second thing I noticed, there was a sense of gentle calm with me. It seemed to follow me. It was unexplainable.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week, I went to the doctor for a checkup.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The nurse came in to check my blood pressure… and I was ready for “the look” I always get. Concern and worry.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d get the normal “Genesis, Its just so high. 185/115 is just too high. Are you still taking your medicine?”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I’d say, “Yes, I am.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But this time… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was different.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She checked it. Then she checked it again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She said, “110/67… Its too low. I’ll have the doctor check it again.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But.. She didn’t need to check it again… Because I knew.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew that the Lord God Almighty had come by my way.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt tears well up in my eyes… Didn’t hear her next few words… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The doctor did come in… and he did check it. Twice.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I heard words I thought I might never hear… “Genesis, Let’s start the process of getting you off that blood pressure medicine. Because something… something has happened!”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They didn’t understand… </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it was done.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our steps are appointed by the Lord… each step… some uphill… some through the darkest valley… </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I now know that He will never forsake me in my weaknesses.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you precious Lord.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since that day, I’ve began the process weaning off my medicine. God is with me. My pressure is normal.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To GOD be the GLORY! </span></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfMDe8WpbQU/U84ITk-Fa4I/AAAAAAAABNE/lOOipOLHdw4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfMDe8WpbQU/U84ITk-Fa4I/AAAAAAAABNE/lOOipOLHdw4/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken tonight while writing this.. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-71011305892344081732013-10-08T23:44:00.003-07:002013-10-09T09:25:35.845-07:00The owl.<br />
The day had been long...<br />
<br />
And sometimes I just like to take a minute... realize what the Lord is trying to say to me... and let the words in my heart come of out of my fingers.<br />
<br />
Just give account to how much Jesus really.. <i>really</i> does love us.<br />
<br />
Big or small. Bold or silent. Young or old.<br />
<br />
We had finally made it home... after such a day! Busy as most are... My bed was actually in sight as I pulled in the driveway a few weeks ago. Jonah had been talking about a toy he liked... and asking if he actually had to take a bath that night. (As boys always do!) ... Upon telling him, "Of course he did.." and taking him out of his carseat... My eyes caught sight of something ... extraordinary. <br />
<br />
At the very end of our driveway... sitting on a powerline... with a streetlight shining ever so brightly down on it... was a beautiful ... massive white owl.<br />
<br />
It took my breath away.<br />
<br />
I had never seen one in real life.<br />
<br />
I instantly called my husband to come look as Jonah and I stood in complete awe of this magnificent creature. <br />
<br />
We walked very slowly towards it and it wasn't until I got closer.... that I realized sitting right under it on the street was a small orange cat ...also amazed by the bird.<br />
<br />
I'm a photographer... and I was awestruck. On most occasions I would have grabbed a camera and went to town... But, for some reason.. I couldn't move...<br />
<br />
We watched it for several minutes... and then in one giant leap it spread those wings... and took flight.<br />
<br />
Wow. It was so beautiful...<br />
<br />
Jeremy picked up Jonah and took him inside... But me.. I just stood there a while... Looking up... remembering what we had just seen. <br />
<br />
And that's when I noticed...<br />
<br />
The cat.<br />
<br />
It was still there.<br />
<br />
I really looked this time... It's tail had been bobbed... it's face was scratched and mangled... so skinny and in complete honesty... it was the saddest looking animal I had seen in a while. I'm not sure why but instead of a normal cat-like meow... It let out a sort of squeak... <br />
<br />
I bent down to touch it's head... and it backed up quickly...<br />
<br />
I thought... "Poor little thing... It's wild."<br />
<br />
I walked down the driveway... opened the trunk and began unloading my vehicle... I noticed the cat didn't leave. It just kept watching me.. <br />
<br />
Right before closing up for the night... I put a tiny pile of cat food that Jonah told me to keep for a new pet he was wanting. I shut the door... and watched the cat devour it through the window.<br />
<br />
The next night, the little cat came again and this time inching a tad bit closer.<br />
<br />
Then the next night it came back.... and the next... and the next... and I started to notice the scratches were healing... and it was putting on weight.<br />
<br />
I have never given the cat a name... She wasn't mine. She's been wild.<br />
<br />
But tonight, before coming in... I sat down outside... I took a few breaths of the cool crisp air... I needed just a few moments of silence after a long day.<br />
<br />
Then I heard it.<br />
<br />
Right behind me... a familiar squeaking. I turned around and noticed the cat...<br />
<br />
...she walked up, sat down right beside me and looked straight up at me. <br />
<br />
I knew I'd made a friend.<br />
<br />
And there was an unsaid gladness that just filled me. I never tried to pet her... But sitting beside her... I heard her purring. <br />
<br />
That's when I really saw the big picture...<br />
<br />
Even though that owl caught the attention of my eyes... It wasn't the owl that needed me.<br />
<br />
And really, It wasn't the owl that makes this story beautiful. <br />
<br />
After nights of watching that little cat grow ....she had caught the attention of my heart. <br />
<br />
And I thought... That's how Jesus must feel about us.<br />
<br />
So many of our lives will never glisten like those white wings in the moonlight. But in that little mangled animal... so hungry... so scared to get close... scars and scratches... and yet, in all of our imperfection....<br />
<br />
HE is hope.<br />
<br />
We make His heart glad.<br />
<br />
And He is so patient with us.. He waits as we inch nearer and nearer.<br />
<br />
He sits quietly... As we in learn to put our trust in Him. <br />
<br />
Then finally, it's so good... just to sit close to Him. <br />
<br />
Just to be near him. <br />
<br />
<i>For what a friend we have in Jesus. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiRPetDYpFk/UlT0YGwVyHI/AAAAAAAABJs/8W7fgkesgwI/s1600/cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiRPetDYpFk/UlT0YGwVyHI/AAAAAAAABJs/8W7fgkesgwI/s320/cat.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/GenesisCraig/?action=view&current=name.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/GenesisCraig/name.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-45481853579335509842013-05-07T21:22:00.001-07:002013-05-07T22:15:33.960-07:00Awakening... <br />
<table align="center" 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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy00yL1j2v8/UYnSmcYbUFI/AAAAAAAABHE/fuo3s79KDwk/s1600/flowers+121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy00yL1j2v8/UYnSmcYbUFI/AAAAAAAABHE/fuo3s79KDwk/s640/flowers+121.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GC@2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I've had more free time in the past few days than I've had in a very...very long time.</div>
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Jonah has spent some time with my parents...I've battled a little over the past few weeks. Tooth problem. Infections. Now Strep throat...</div>
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Not fun.</div>
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And the question from the human in us says.. "Well, when it rains... It pours." Or... "There is so much to do!! I have no time to feel bad!"</div>
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I think I've done more staring at the ceiling in the past few days than I would normally in two lifetimes.</div>
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And then today... Something happened. </div>
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I had a little awakening.</div>
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Jeremy had already left for work... Jonah wasn't there... </div>
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It was so quiet and I noticed my bible had slid down between my bed and nightstand. I got down and picked it up...</div>
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And a memory came to me. </div>
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I used to sit on the floor beside my bed.. on the left side...exactly where I was at that moment... In the house I grew up in ...and read that precious... <i>precious</i> book in the middle of the day so often.</div>
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It wasn't that my Mom never put chairs in my room. She did... It's just that's always where I ended up.</div>
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Today, I ran my fingers over the faded leather of the cover and recalled the countless times I had met the Master in the still of a little girls room. </div>
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I heard a song the other day..</div>
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They'll be hilltops I'll have to climb..</div>
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And rivers I'll have cross...</div>
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They'll be trials that I won't understand...</div>
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But there will always be... Grace sufficient for me...</div>
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Until He Comes again...</div>
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<br /></div>
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... Right then and there I sat down and opened up my bible.</div>
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And I can't explain this... Not really... </div>
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But in the stillness of the morning it was like returning to meet a dear old friend. And I realized, sometimes the Lord's ways are not our own. They do not fit our understanding or our schedules.</div>
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Even loving our families... And serving them...<br />
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It was good to take myself back... Where it began for me... to sit at the foot of that rugged cross... </div>
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He saw a need... That I hadn't seen...</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Creator of this great and vast universe knew that I needed a little bit of time with <i>just</i> Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have been so caught up in a fast pace... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today it was almost as if I could make the words of Jesus a reality... "Come unto me... All who are weary and heavy laden... And I will give you <i>rest</i>."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And when sleep wasn't enough...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Lord gave me rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Healing and rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
His Grace is truly sufficient for me.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JU5IWDnEQY/UYnUBGELpHI/AAAAAAAABHQ/VZj1zk15yY4/s1600/flowers+137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JU5IWDnEQY/UYnUBGELpHI/AAAAAAAABHQ/VZj1zk15yY4/s400/flowers+137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GC@2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-40836336573610117262012-01-10T21:57:00.000-08:002012-01-10T21:57:40.167-08:00Bringing in Wedding Season 2012!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM3I3H4Jr6o/Tw0ks1HIeLI/AAAAAAAABAg/ugUOWZSl2r0/s1600/facebookwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM3I3H4Jr6o/Tw0ks1HIeLI/AAAAAAAABAg/ugUOWZSl2r0/s640/facebookwedding.jpg" width="425px" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-58923180608014953462011-10-07T23:37:00.000-07:002011-10-07T23:37:25.447-07:00green apples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VewCXA4S6po/To_tugVMYoI/AAAAAAAAA_w/v3s1o7utrhA/s1600/greenapples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VewCXA4S6po/To_tugVMYoI/AAAAAAAAA_w/v3s1o7utrhA/s400/greenapples.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Tonight... I came in from taking pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not unusual. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I uploaded them from my camera.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I put Jonah's pajamas on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
I grabbed a glass of water from my kitchen... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And while I was drinking it... gazing off into the wild blue yonder... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I noticed a bowl of ripe green apples... I'd bought earlier this week sitting on my stove top.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could almost taste that apple... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted one. So badly.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">But with much to do... I ignored my craving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got Jonah into bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I straightened up his room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I checked on my pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Thirty or so minutes went by... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I jumped on facebook... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I ran to take the towels out of the dryer and as I passed by the kitchen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There they were again. </div><div style="text-align: center;">green apples.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I don't even like green apples... and I wanted one so badly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And once again... I resisted the craving.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two hours later... While I was wiping off the kitchen counter... and turning off lights.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I walked over to the stove... and decided to indulge in a tasty apple.. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted one so badly.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As my hand reached for the bowl... I felt extreme heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My senses jumped awake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I checked the stove... </div><div style="text-align: center;">The burner had been left on.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If I would have looked closer earlier... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have noticed that the second row of apples were completely cooked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was very... very hot. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I instantly grabbed the fruit bowl off the stove... and turned the burner down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And then it hit me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It really... <i>really</i> hit me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">God had been taking care of me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was watching over myself and my little family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was the one that had made those apples suddenly look so appetizing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sat down a moment.. and I just had to thank him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The ruler of the universe.... took a moment in his busy schedule... </div><div style="text-align: center;">To watch over ...a little nothing like me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The burner had been on for several hours... and possibly could have burned down our home... in the middle of the night. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a grasp of reality for me.. </div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Not just the green apples... </div><div style="text-align: center;">The thought... how many other times... has the Lord tried to use my hearing... </div><div style="text-align: center;">or my sight.. </div><div style="text-align: center;">or my touch... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">....to change a situation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">To save a life.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Lord... for those green apples and the understanding that came with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Help me to never doubt you have complete control over my life... </div><div style="text-align: center;">and never fear what the next moment may hold.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But to trust you... </div><div style="text-align: center;">And to be still... and listen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-60183483510933418162011-09-06T18:13:00.000-07:002011-09-06T18:20:43.415-07:00...six little princesses<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtY1xsV6ow/TmaZ7JceJpI/AAAAAAAAA_E/1FmPx5W-Sr4/s1600/annaandrew2+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtY1xsV6ow/TmaZ7JceJpI/AAAAAAAAA_E/1FmPx5W-Sr4/s400/annaandrew2+051.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I've realized that my entire life revolves around toy trains.. baseball bats... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> cowboy hats... trucks... and slimy froggies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqMhgkvccZU/TmbF_HWua5I/AAAAAAAAA_U/kmtgSXMzosY/s1600/annaandrew+1320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqMhgkvccZU/TmbF_HWua5I/AAAAAAAAA_U/kmtgSXMzosY/s400/annaandrew+1320.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">...and as much as I love it, somewhere deep inside of me...</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I long for tea parties.. silk ribbons.. and bouncy curls. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSLfKht-72Y/TmaaGcx5WsI/AAAAAAAAA_M/T6d5Sc3sugQ/s1600/annaandrew2+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSLfKht-72Y/TmaaGcx5WsI/AAAAAAAAA_M/T6d5Sc3sugQ/s640/annaandrew2+030.jpg" width="426px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This day I got the opportunity to work with SIX precious little ladies.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I wanted to sit back and drink it all in.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t82HcuNeN00/TmaaAgcCBAI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Uva8Fc9I-yo/s1600/annaandrew2+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t82HcuNeN00/TmaaAgcCBAI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Uva8Fc9I-yo/s640/annaandrew2+032.jpg" width="426px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If any of you...have ALL boys ... or only one "real" boy.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You know exactly what I'm talking about ... and you're </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">smiling right now... and probably nodding your head.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We love our rough little men.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHGI__Lpakw/TmbG3sBLx0I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tHgDqmiR29E/s1600/annaandrew+1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHGI__Lpakw/TmbG3sBLx0I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tHgDqmiR29E/s400/annaandrew+1282.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But, the little girl in all of us... if we admit it... still walks past the aisle </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">in the toystore with the china dolls... and runs our fingers over the</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> pink tiny purses to go with those dressup clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGkHTeSnKwU/TmaaMAvuL7I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/QjT1sX_83rA/s1600/annaandrew+1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGkHTeSnKwU/TmaaMAvuL7I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/QjT1sX_83rA/s400/annaandrew+1360.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I'm saving a spot in my heart... for my "someday little girl"... </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can only hope she'll be as precious... </div><div style="text-align: center;">and adorable.. </div><div style="text-align: center;">and funny..</div><div style="text-align: center;">as these six.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-50438221139194745232011-07-22T18:19:00.000-07:002011-07-22T18:31:30.519-07:00{Kenny & Laurin}...<div style="text-align: center;">...They got sunshine... on a cloudy day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-946.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400px" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-946.jpg" width="266px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laurin & Kenny... were so adorable.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are in Northern Louisiana, we've been going through an extreme drought.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So it looks like this special couple got one of the best gifts of all...</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">...RAIN. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table 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="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-922-1.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-922-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-928-1.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-928-1.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I have to give it to them... Instead of watching the rain fall.. </div><div align="center">We grabbed umbrellas and headed out.. to catch these priceless moments.</div><div align="center"><br />
I LOVED it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-282.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-114.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-114.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-942.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-942.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Guys,</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You were beautiful and amazing.<br />
May God bless you.. richly.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-329.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-329.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-740.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=laurenguilletwedding_july2011-913-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/laurenguilletwedding_july2011-913-1.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-44484045112933125322011-07-16T09:05:00.000-07:002011-07-16T09:05:39.132-07:00{Andrew & Anna}....<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=annaandrew-322.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/annaandrew-322.jpg" /></a></div></div><div align="center"><br />
A portion of your soul has been <br />
entwined with mine.<br />
A gentle kind of togetherness, while separate we stand. As two trees deeply rooted in separate plots<br />
of ground, while their topmost branches come together, <br />
forming a miracle of lace against the heavens. <br />
<br />
-Janet Miles <br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=annaandrew-146.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/annaandrew-146.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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Anna & Andrew... </div><div align="center"><br />
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You are a beautiful couple... </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=and.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/and.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=annaandrew-108.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/annaandrew-108.jpg" /></a><br />
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May God lead you... and guide you on this brand new journey.</div><div align="center"><br />
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Thank you both for letting me be a part of your special day.<br />
<a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=annaandrew-450.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/annaandrew-450.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">With love,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Genesis </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-25007306471307968142011-07-14T06:25:00.000-07:002011-07-14T06:53:59.993-07:00thankful...<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">J</span>esus, I just want to thank you...<br />Thank you.. for being so good.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=sweetrain.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/sweetrain.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Lovely rain woke me up early this morning...<br /><br /><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=sweetrain1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/sweetrain1.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-53147684538402936432011-07-12T12:03:00.000-07:002011-07-13T22:06:12.633-07:00A prayer for rain...<div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">..<span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>nd they called him Noah.<br /><br />This simple.. yet Godly man.<br /><br />I can almost picture him… standing back in the overwhelming heat of the afternoon … I can almost see him wipe the layer of sweat from his face… and pat his unfinished project.<br /><br />..A project beginning to take shape.<br /><br />I can almost hear him take a deep breath… and squint his eyes as he looked toward the heavens… to see yet another cloudless day.<br /><br />He was still getting looks from neighbors… But, it wasn’t important.<br /><br />“That crazy man who believes in rain…Why would he need a boat that size?”<br /><br />“What kind of a God would tell him there would be a flood when the weather is perfect?”<br /><br />But he had a promise…<br /><br />He believed.<br />He was going to be taken care of.<br />His family was going to be spared from devastation.<br /><br />He knew God would send raindrops…<br />When had never even seen rain.<br /><br />So even without a cloud in sight…<br /><br />Noah built an ark....<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">...and there DID come a flood.<br /><br /><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=noah.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/noah.jpg" /></a><br />~ ~ ~<br /><br />Friends,<br /><br />Our town … is in serious drought.<br />It’s considered a state of emergency.<br /><br />..and like Noah, we should be building an ark.<br /><br />We need rains to come.<br />Our lands are dry.<br />Our lakes are fading away.<br />It’s an extremely SERIOUS situation.<br /><br /><br />Jesus said.. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Matthew 18:19<br /><br />….<br /><br /><br />Many friends are taking a moment…<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Wednesday, July 13, 2011<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">at.. 12:00 PM<br /></span><br />…we’re going to PRAY for rain.<br />We’re going to believe together.<br /><br />Because just like it said in Matthew… I believe what Jesus said.<br />Regardless of our cloudless days.<br /><br />Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.<br /><br />Mark 11:24<br /><br />Please join our efforts tomorrow! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-86394664728025847222011-07-08T13:42:00.001-07:002011-07-14T06:39:30.397-07:00a wrinkled tshirt...<div align="center">...I take so many pictures.....<br />Sometimes.. my wrists get sore from the pressure of the heavy camera.......<br />You could say photography has become "my thing".<br /><br />I do weddings.<br />families.<br />corporate venues.<br />still life.<br />children.<br />senior portraits.<br />you pick it.. i shoot it.<br /><br />But the truth of it is this...<br /><br />I sat my work aside tonight.. to tuck in the most precious gift God has given me. </div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=facebookjonah.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/facebookjonah.jpg" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center">He insisted on wearing a wrinkled tshirt to sleep in.....<br />Because sometimes when I forget to leave Mimi & Paw his jammies... </p><br /><div align="center">They let him sleep in a soft white tshirt too.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">It's a treat to him.<br />........And I've found it's so funny how a little boy thinks.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">..how a soft wrinkled tshirt could bring so much joy.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">... he loves it.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">..so do i.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=facebookjonah2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/facebookjonah2.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><br />When I speak to my wedding clients... I remind them how important "moments" are.. in a wedding.<br />They hire me .. to capture them.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Tonight, while getting him ready for bed.... the funny little comments he'd make.....<br />The way his eyes danced and his smile sparkled....<br />The way his feet would bounce up and down as he chattered..<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">I suddenly heard my own voice echo though my head.. as I'd spoken with a young bride earlier today...<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">"Those moments are important... and you'll have them to keep forever."</div><br /><br /><div align="center">And it struck home with me.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">I ran.. and grabbed my camera.. I took his picture as he talked.<br />I brought them up on my screen later.. I smiled as I remembered his sweet voice.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">...So I thought I'd share.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">For all those who have emailed me... and said they appreciate my work...<br />I would like you all to know.. this is where my camera is best used.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">As simple as these pictures are......they are some of my greatest treasures.<br /><br /><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=facebookjonah1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/facebookjonah1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">THIS is what hangs on the walls of my home..<br />and my heart.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">I could never make him love this floppy stuffed giraffe as much as he does.<br />I could never create in photoshop those tired eyes from a long day..<br />The backdrops aren't perfect and his clothes are wrinkled.<br /><br />But to me... these are what I call ...Masterpieces.<br /><br /><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=facebookjonah3.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/facebookjonah3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I hope everyone will take a few minutes tonight.... </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Put the paperwork aside..<br />Turn off the computer..<br />And let the dishes wait..<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">.....and think about it.....</div><br /><br /><div align="center">"These moments are important.. and you'll have them to keep forever."</div><br />Treasure the simple things....<br />Enjoy the tiny times....<br />...and love your own Masterpieces....<br />So very very much.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129069930065398559.post-2319295205896435882011-07-01T00:27:00.000-07:002011-07-01T23:29:29.072-07:00{Miller/Williams Wedding!}<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyQfgnZkDiU/Tg651SvLLNI/AAAAAAAAA8A/CyZPyl4ptSQ/s1600/MLH_1753.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624637309846236370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyQfgnZkDiU/Tg651SvLLNI/AAAAAAAAA8A/CyZPyl4ptSQ/s400/MLH_1753.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Dallis & Tori,</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">What a beautiful pair you two make... I loved being a part of your wedding! May God bless you richly... as you begin this new journey. Once in awhile, Right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairy tale.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=blogweddingnew7.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/blogweddingnew7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=blogweddingnew6.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/blogweddingnew6.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/?action=view&current=blogweddingnew5.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq247/genesissmiles/blogweddingnew5.jpg" /></a> <a 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busy.<br /><br />We get so caught up, and we're all guilty.<br />Our life.<br />Our schedule.<br />The days fly by...<br /><br />Then... Last week, Something so simple...<br />yet, so beautiful happened in my life.<br /><br />And for a brief moment or two... My day stood still.<br /><br />I hope this simple little story... touches you... as much as it did me.<br /><br />......<br /><br />I was rejoicing at the fact that the day was finally over on Friday. It had been super busy.. with errands to run, people to see and my VERY energetic two year old at my heels all day. (Which is a handful, but I love it.)<br /><br />Jeremy and I decided we would sneak away with the little guy... and grab some seafood alone. The ride to the restaurant was filled with conversation, laughter... and constant "talk about Jonah"... :) Moments before we arrived, I glanced back at our boy and noticed that he had fallen completely asleep after the last verse of "Praisssssssssssee ye the Lord!!!" (New cd.)<br /><br />We pulled into the restaurant.. and I picked Jonah up asleep and hauled him in. We were almost starting our salads when he decided to grace us with his "awake-ness" :) Our table was facing a huge window overlooking the outside street. We grabbed Jonah a plate and all began to eat... Laughing along the way at Jonah's funny comments!<br /><br />Suddenly, Our 2 year old... got a far away look in his eyes as he was looking outside the open window... and said very seriously, "Mommy, wook... der a man outside." (Translation: Mommy, look there's a man outside.) .... Jeremy and I giggled and thought he must have such a creative imagination... and totally laughed it off. Until, Nearly thirty five minutes later... He continued to wave at, blow kisses towards and stare consistently at "this man". Jeremy and I made absolute sure... and there was NO man that we could see or anywhere near outside. Finally, getting a little concerned and ending our meal... Jeremy began to question him.<br /><br />"Jonah what color is the man's hair?" ... "black, daddy. longgggg black hair."<br /><br />By this time, as parents ... we were getting a little uneasy.<br /><br />"What about his clothes son?.. what color?" ... <br /><br />Jonah took a close look.. stared for a second... and said, "red and black.... red and black.... red and black." (Because two year olds say everything at least twice.)<br /><br />Then Jonah said, "Mommy, him has a hat! See!!!" And he would continue to smile and wave.<br /><br />Jeremy and I were completely confused and ready to put an end to his "imaginary friend" game.. and head towards home... we grabbed him up... and the bill and left.<br /><br />LATER, we asked him about "the man" and he couldn't remember any of it. He giggled and we realized the memory was gone... <br /><br />....<br /><br />Saturday Morning, I promised my parents we were heading to the lake spend the afternoon with them... Jonah was super excited. In the busyness of the day, I stood instructing Jonah to get his shoes on while I flipped a grilled cheese for a quick heading out lunch... I popped him in his high chair and there he was ... drinking juicy juice when suddenly he focused on our kitchen window. Eyes completely directed at a particular place in the yard.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><br /><br />He got SO excited and squealed with delight, "MOMMYYY! See, der's dat MAN!!!"<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span> I have to say ... it hit me with a little bit of a shock. I turned towards him and said, "What man baby?" ..<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">.. </span></span><br /><br />"See dat man outside??? See Mommy! By dat tree. "(He pointed at a small dogwood tree in our yard.)<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>I instantly walked towards the bathroom where Jeremy was getting ready and told him Jonah was talking about "that man" again. It was starting to seriously concern me.<br /><br />I walked back in the kitchen and very calmly tried to watch... as he waved at the man... I could see NO ONE. Just the slight movement of wind in the trees outside. But he was focused in. <br /><br />..I decided to test him.<br /><br />I asked him about his hair and clothes color.<br />He answered EXACTLY the same as the night before.<br /><br />"Black hair, Mommy!"... "Him clothes red and black... red and black..."<br /><br />He'd make comments like.. "See Man!! Hi Man.".... After this went on for quite a while...<br />I called one of my Aunts and told her what was going on.<br /><br />She got very quiet for a second and said, "Gen, go show Jonah the Hoffman Head (Portrait of Jesus) in your living room."<br /><br />I rolled him in there ... highchair and all.<br /><br />Pointed at the picture, took a breath and said the words very slowly, "Jonah, is that the man?"<br /><br />He sat there a second... really taking in the picture.<br /><br />And then, he said, "MOMMY!!!! Dats the man at the WINDOW!"<br />"Him OUTSIDE!!.. Hi, Man."<br /><br />I felt my breath stop in my chest and I couldn't help the heavy tears that had began rolling down my cheeks. I had never even took notice in my busy world...but Jesus' clothing in the picture was a dark burgundy gown with a black sash. And to a little boy... it would have been ... "red and black... red and black"..<br /><br />He asked instantly to get down from the high chair... and he ran back to the window to see if he was still there. He was.<br /><br />My Aunt Missy and I were a mess on the phone, but I couldn't help it. It had touched my heart... in a way that was so simple. Yet, so great.<br /><br />Jonah sat by the window a lot that afternoon... "The man" according to Jonah stayed a while... At points I would watch Jonah from the other side of the room... and he would offer a wave and a smile to "the man".<br /><br />Evening time came and even now... He can't remember anything about the man he saw that day. Even though he described him exactly the same twice... upon seeing him.<br /><br />Jeremy and I... Both of our lives were touched. By the simplicity and honesty of all this.<br /><br />Someday, I hope to remind him... about the time as a little tiny boy... He told his Dad and I about "The Man" that stood outside our window... "The Man" that made him smile... "The Man" that looked so much like Jesus.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">-----------------------<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owsxHcITJtk/TeXbV7unDLI/AAAAAAAAA60/e3_QugaZ8Hs/s1600/hoffman_head_of_christ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 368px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owsxHcITJtk/TeXbV7unDLI/AAAAAAAAA60/e3_QugaZ8Hs/s400/hoffman_head_of_christ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613133680444116146" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/GenesisCraig/?action=view&current=name.jpg" target="_blank"><br /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243237243697717683noreply@blogger.com8