tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65733921401197337652024-03-13T11:49:49.782-04:00Pumpkin, Pie, PainterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger491125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-9297725562113128122015-10-09T02:54:00.000-04:002015-10-09T02:54:09.360-04:00That Impossible, Worrisome Cardinal<div style="text-align: center;">
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"Bang"...</div>
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<br />10 seconds...</div>
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"Bang"...</div>
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10 seconds more.</div>
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"Bang."</div>
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This past spring into the summer, a female cardinal spent much of it's morning (and sometimes well into the afternoon) flying into the window.</div>
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We never were quite sure why she decided to spend much of her time doing such an obviously painful exercise; but every day she came.</div>
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Her male friend was always on a branch of a nearby shrub,</div>
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watching her constant confusing crashes.</div>
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It often began at sunrise:</div>
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we were awakened by the thumping since she never stayed at one specific window, but would migrate to different windows around the house.</div>
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I felt so sorry for her.</div>
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She seemed so determined on this self-destructive path,</div>
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adamantly sticking to her chosen occupation of trying to accomplish something...</div>
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but nothing more than pain seemed likely to happen. </div>
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I would wander over to the window and tell her to stop it, and she would while I stood close by in her view, but as soon as I walked away, her thumping would begin again.</div>
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"Crazy bird. Don't you ever get hungry or thirsty or want to build a nest and have baby birds?</div>
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If you would just fly away.</div>
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Why don't you do something with your life besides waste it banging your head against the glass." </div>
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I finally gave up and pursued my own course of actions for the day.</div>
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And then just like that, it hit me.</div>
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Isn't that what I do? </div>
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I've been reading Hebrews and I just came to chapter 11 this past week.</div>
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I've stopped to soak in the verses a bit more,</div>
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studying each person mentioned in the Hall of Faith. </div>
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It's funny because I like to read some verses from the Old Testament and some from the New Testament, and my reading in the Old just took me through the story of Moses and the escape from Egypt.</div>
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I also recently heard a sermon about Jacob that exposed how full of turmoil his life was:</div>
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the loss of three of the people he loved the most, all dying rather close together in time:</div>
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his wife, then his father, and then (it seemed) his favored son;</div>
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the plight of being a single parent to his sons Joseph and Benjamin,</div>
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the sorrow of losing a child; having a daughter raped; and having treacherous,murderous, shameful sons;</div>
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but he still trusted in God.</div>
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And then there was Enoch,</div>
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and Noah,</div>
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Abraham and Sarah.</div>
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People, ordinary in life's journey, sometimes experiencing hard trials,</div>
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but choosing to have faith in God despite everything that bumped into their way.</div>
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"But without faith <em>it is</em> impossible to please <em>him</em>: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and <em>that</em> he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."</div>
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Hebrews 11:6 </div>
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We like to worry about things, we humans.</div>
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We worry about money and having enough.</div>
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We worry about out kids: their frustrations, their stages of life, their health, their futures.</div>
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We worry about our relatives, ourselves, our own futures, our own health.</div>
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We just worry. It seems to come easily.</div>
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My farmer and I are selling our farm, and we have moved to my in-laws farm.</div>
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It was the right thing to do, we know it for so many reasons and the peace God gave us about the move made it clearly the right path.</div>
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But our farm hasn't sold.</div>
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Not yet.</div>
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Months have gone by and the time slot that we expected things to work out is getting longer than we'd like. </div>
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Worry works it's way in like a drifting breeze of smoke,</div>
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just a touch at first, but steadily making it's presence hard to ignore.</div>
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We beat our heads against the glass of it, thinking, </div>
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somehow,</div>
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that our worry will do something with our fears;</div>
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will demand a response other than pain and discontent. </div>
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God calls us to have faith,</div>
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to do right and glorify and thank Him</div>
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and trust that He will carry us through anything we may face</div>
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because His wings are a much safer place to be than our own.</div>
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I'm not sure if that cardinal is still greeting the morning windows at the old farm,</div>
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but it's been nice to get a few extra minutes of sleep since we left her.</div>
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I hope she finds whatever it is she's looking for,</div>
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for her sake and for her patient red mate.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-74050690527495801072015-04-04T03:16:00.002-04:002015-04-18T14:52:56.923-04:00Trying to see the "Good" in some Fridays.<br />
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It was 'Hawk,' </div>
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Levi's hen.</div>
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She was one of the first hens we had gotten for our shed-turned-chicken-coop.</div>
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It is hard to let a pet go, even when they've had a good, full life.</div>
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Violet carried her little body out to the pasture after she'd found it lying in the pen this morning.</div>
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I didn't see her, but I'm sure there were tears.</div>
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Those chickens are her pets more than anybody's. </div>
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It didn't feel very much like a good Friday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSRdunDKrkjLgR0UyBSRhdhZuwOD4N9IAzeZX2DlytNqIMzCgr_T5zC5UFURdYjLYAGoXQkgOyz5zFfRM3AZ-FrFLuAiCD9NInt-a2J4_LRiaetRnVChU-Qn7-bpIlTg3bBbwE5fsrz0/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSRdunDKrkjLgR0UyBSRhdhZuwOD4N9IAzeZX2DlytNqIMzCgr_T5zC5UFURdYjLYAGoXQkgOyz5zFfRM3AZ-FrFLuAiCD9NInt-a2J4_LRiaetRnVChU-Qn7-bpIlTg3bBbwE5fsrz0/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
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The spring weather has been an extra cold one,<br />
and the flower beds need for me to get into them<br />
to prepare for the plant sale so quickly creeping up.<br />
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It's another of the unpredictables that comes with farm life;...</div>
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just like the situation earlier in the week when one of the heifers was acting sick,</div>
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kicking and licking at her side and her tail.</div>
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We worried she'd eaten something,</div>
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maybe a piece of metal last week when they'd managed to get out of their pen and rummaged through the barn alley.</div>
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We'd called the vet because the loss of her would be too great,</div>
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to our pocketbooks or to our freezer,</div>
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if deemed necessary;</div>
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but the vet said she must have eaten something that affected her because it looked like just a gassy stomach ache.</div>
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It was just another one of those things that doesn't really make sense,</div>
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but it was better than what could have been...</div>
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and even more of a blessing that Violet hadn't gotten hurt when she and I had tried to help the vet get the heifer into the headlock and she'd revolted,</div>
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her wild, black furred body smashing up against the gate,</div>
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squishing Violet between it and the post. </div>
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I worried for her wrists or her face the way she'd been hit, but thankfully, she'd only gotten a scrape on her leg.</div>
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No, not a good day, or much of a good week either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFyRJg4N0-hoecH_reXtw0rqRE9PFJ33sp5VheShsnwkVzInzNQ_yDkduMeg8PyQ_o8wnEcjjzYqLN2Xvmg_2p_DW_0Eo5Q5Z3g8f2CwL5SlXo5GZPnf60P3ICciFoRBqcJoj-WyyMcE/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFyRJg4N0-hoecH_reXtw0rqRE9PFJ33sp5VheShsnwkVzInzNQ_yDkduMeg8PyQ_o8wnEcjjzYqLN2Xvmg_2p_DW_0Eo5Q5Z3g8f2CwL5SlXo5GZPnf60P3ICciFoRBqcJoj-WyyMcE/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My farmer has had to fill in at work extra, working 6 days a week every other week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has frustrated me to see him: tired, the jobs around the farm getting stacked up on his endless "to-do" list,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
worrying that the onslaught of spring and summer won't show him pity with their "to-do" agenda.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is easy to let frustrations build and fester,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to get angry at inconveniences. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then this morning, I heard about a serious car wreck involving a young mother whose life is hanging in the balance, critically wounded.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The good of life, sometimes, seems to get muddled in the little frustrations;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but life can be excruciating when blasted by the hard situations that knock the breath right out of our bodies. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZntVfgO30kbvN_ZQjC-C_ezD1P5ayACsHS_ib5POeyG4SzmG3Yzq2fDhCvxkbMxRSGCLo_hQsIQIBv6kWuenuQzlTWu9UUc6rvER78XrkjwoKgsdcCQJN5zZ_2c7Kdg3AdqxcrQM8J8/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZntVfgO30kbvN_ZQjC-C_ezD1P5ayACsHS_ib5POeyG4SzmG3Yzq2fDhCvxkbMxRSGCLo_hQsIQIBv6kWuenuQzlTWu9UUc6rvER78XrkjwoKgsdcCQJN5zZ_2c7Kdg3AdqxcrQM8J8/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Why is it called 'Good Friday,' Mom?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Levi disrupted my thoughts as I was washing the floor, cleaning up a mid-morning mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Oh, because Jesus died for our sins," I explained.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It surely wasn't too good a day for Him, though, was it? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, it was, because He showed His love for us by dying,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it wasn't a very nice way to have to spend the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a bad day, but it was a good day."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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And then I thought about my own words. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jesus knew the frustrations of days that didn't turn out nicely,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a manger birth; sudden, uncomfortable trips; being left behind at the temple;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the struggle of a job in the carpentry shop. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He knew what it was to be hungry and cold, to face a storm,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be alone in a wilderness,<br />
to feel abandoned by friends in the Garden of Gethsemane;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He knew the pain of loss: the death of his adopted father,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of His cousin John, of his friend Lazarus.<br />
He knew the sorrow of pain in the heart and the hurt of pain in the flesh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jesus lived on earth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudR8EAvpvMIcXxJNUE6-HJ6CaOcdtjgp3QWr3mI6LwsNFFmxgGmh7vqfKGR4bqfUjBEeCT8Ofwj5u84HjEh9022ozyQkK5hTWa3v3anLNZzjqpALt9MsTaU2vfgBmLBEbTY9f_0B7SAY/s1600/IMG_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudR8EAvpvMIcXxJNUE6-HJ6CaOcdtjgp3QWr3mI6LwsNFFmxgGmh7vqfKGR4bqfUjBEeCT8Ofwj5u84HjEh9022ozyQkK5hTWa3v3anLNZzjqpALt9MsTaU2vfgBmLBEbTY9f_0B7SAY/s1600/IMG_1792.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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I thought of the words I had read as I ate my breakfast, </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Be careful for nothing;</div>
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but in every thing by prayer and supplication</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with thanksgiving</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
let your requests be made known unto God.</div>
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And the peace of God,</div>
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which passeth all understanding,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shall keep your hearts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and minds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
through Christ Jesus."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Philippians 4:6-7</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, when frustrations appear, the only thing we can do is pray...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with thanksgiving,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which seems two contradictory terms when there is pain included;<br />
it seems hard to even mention them together. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it is only through that stretch of prayer that we can rest in God's peace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because He is the only one who can see the whole picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He knows the reasons that we cannot earthly see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE3z-jjC2s1-Ybj4DEzbeuhHjSYgaN1Mpjl1VfISB2T_se2e9OJ6Hy0UWXXgLpbvbOGC-KGyU4XC6-kaJVv2jO5prulHTWMwY19J1i1w1NZMiUvLBAHAHUSShKO7aSoO0QQ_bB1VDJBs/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE3z-jjC2s1-Ybj4DEzbeuhHjSYgaN1Mpjl1VfISB2T_se2e9OJ6Hy0UWXXgLpbvbOGC-KGyU4XC6-kaJVv2jO5prulHTWMwY19J1i1w1NZMiUvLBAHAHUSShKO7aSoO0QQ_bB1VDJBs/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He holds the key in understanding the why of a 'Good Friday'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because He owns Resurrection Sunday...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With guilt, I realized my mistake as I spoke the words to Levi...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my perspective of 'good' is often narrowed by my idea of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thanked the Lord for this Good Friday as I saw Violet's muddy boots from the pasture,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnVlvwzo3EgkhsyVCD7mmd6OxOz9oqvMdBSLwd_A8c4dALIdSJyGQSB96d3h2W9hbrurN05dLLo_JCtqv_InE-t9LYj65VmPnEC75WDlx7yJ8POJ6Cw8p5immQfrXnHmH00q4Wx1rRvU/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnVlvwzo3EgkhsyVCD7mmd6OxOz9oqvMdBSLwd_A8c4dALIdSJyGQSB96d3h2W9hbrurN05dLLo_JCtqv_InE-t9LYj65VmPnEC75WDlx7yJ8POJ6Cw8p5immQfrXnHmH00q4Wx1rRvU/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" height="640" width="437" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and I prayed I'd remember it for the tomorrows, too. </div>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-18920119303136800942014-10-13T12:06:00.000-04:002014-10-13T12:15:51.103-04:00Life in a Glass Jar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2obkfWb_Nct7rcBF5Odq1krUD0ZkZM7HPzdHsfAT6Ujqdi3KW45p1c9wGvoWy26G17LRdksu3U-Xv9Y_yWQRGrLTE5C1IoOsJ34eLcJfuKKQgQtPFxeZJYXfb3y1-96l_AHJZoHM9tYw/s1600/IMG_1798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2obkfWb_Nct7rcBF5Odq1krUD0ZkZM7HPzdHsfAT6Ujqdi3KW45p1c9wGvoWy26G17LRdksu3U-Xv9Y_yWQRGrLTE5C1IoOsJ34eLcJfuKKQgQtPFxeZJYXfb3y1-96l_AHJZoHM9tYw/s1600/IMG_1798.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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It seemed like it would be forever when we planted them:</div>
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pruning, watching for worms, fertilizing.</div>
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Sometimes, when things take time, prayer, work with no instant rewards,</div>
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you start to feel like giving up,</div>
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<br /></div>
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like there will never be rewards that amount to anything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaIxP6_qr44Yt1gZ94-oRfukTUwM9vlOUzU_YzQbO54B82ZqwaWJQt4CooLBwcxFoT3c5CBBNc_IHW2l_6tVuH8F1h_O4Iey5u62wS7C7xqyV3zU3OYwc6etZRyhWA_pctHHSbxQnt_U/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaIxP6_qr44Yt1gZ94-oRfukTUwM9vlOUzU_YzQbO54B82ZqwaWJQt4CooLBwcxFoT3c5CBBNc_IHW2l_6tVuH8F1h_O4Iey5u62wS7C7xqyV3zU3OYwc6etZRyhWA_pctHHSbxQnt_U/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG" height="640" width="520" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some things just don't tell you what they will become someday,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that they actually are progressing in the quiet days and passing seasons as you work patiently at them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I feel that way about my children, when the moments seem long and hard and there is so much we see that still needs work; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes I feel that way with housework,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes with striving toward personal goals that seem impossible and so far away to reach.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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The daily plod dims the joy of the finish line;</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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but it is there,...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it really is,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if we do not quit.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdow-6CbR1DcLODtc0FZdByNBKCmegIW9LI_SggSJR5BzBtAw92nKYMF0yzUcQQvJ81zBlW4oYrdHcsismy4xPcYj0OM4Sehy_IqTi69IG7J1l6TNIHaCGPFUmYv5U46K0fZpLJVnoqco/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdow-6CbR1DcLODtc0FZdByNBKCmegIW9LI_SggSJR5BzBtAw92nKYMF0yzUcQQvJ81zBlW4oYrdHcsismy4xPcYj0OM4Sehy_IqTi69IG7J1l6TNIHaCGPFUmYv5U46K0fZpLJVnoqco/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is funny to think that a simple treasure,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
steeped in the lessons of life: struggle, work, prayer, patience and then joy...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can be tucked away for winter in a little glass jar.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-33209071081555974272014-07-08T02:56:00.001-04:002014-07-08T10:19:42.231-04:00A Fish Tale.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was decided: he would take Levi fishing.</div>
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh1YSLyz2S3BkNUYPPBvuNU6j1XqoVkzTfmQZ0lBwYkNwZFA5AuVn7BGhQmytpUuUClH0oWjWZQMQRVA0rMkgUs8BkfBAa4Poc0qgSH2GxJO3VwhXlBB4YmFU49DTFVDCkzcLJyNPoWo/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh1YSLyz2S3BkNUYPPBvuNU6j1XqoVkzTfmQZ0lBwYkNwZFA5AuVn7BGhQmytpUuUClH0oWjWZQMQRVA0rMkgUs8BkfBAa4Poc0qgSH2GxJO3VwhXlBB4YmFU49DTFVDCkzcLJyNPoWo/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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My farmer lives a busy life: full time job by day, farming by evening and weekend and any space in between.</div>
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This life prevents much of anything in the way of vacations or excess "play."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It does have some great benefits, too,<br />
if you are a home-body, like lots of animals, enjoy gardening, love tractors and tending to the crops of the different seasons,<br />
and find ways to ignore the things that aren't getting done as quickly as you hoped.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even doing the simple things people do with their kids can get lost in the busyness of a farm life:<br />
riding bikes, taking trips, playing catch, going fishing...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my farmer used to love fishing when he was a boy.</div>
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I could tell it kind of hurt him that Levi has been fishing several times with an uncle that comes by to take him, but never with his dad.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was an overcast day with an occasional sprinkle of rain,<br />
a day that field farming tends to slow down and wait til tomorrow.<br />
It was decided that today would be the day of a fishing trip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I heard the attic door open and the Farmer made his way up the crowded steps of stuff waiting to go up there to be put away<br />
(that never seems to get done).</div>
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<br /></div>
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He found his tackle box in his personal 4' x 4' section of the attic.</div>
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He dug his poles out from the shed and tested their structure, making note of what he needed to purchase at the store to get things ready.<br />
After looking online at some local fishing spots, he prepared to head out to pick a few last minute things up as well as a license for himself.</div>
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"There are fish in our pond, you know," we told him.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fishing uncle had given us some fish from his trips with Levi,<br />
and the kids had enjoyed watching them swim away to freedom in our pond.<br />
For several years, they had set a few free each time they'd come back from their fishing trips,<br />
some smaller, some bigger.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weeks back as I went up to check on the grape arbor and gather the eggs from the chickens' nesting boxes, I had stopped to look at my pink water lilies in the pond.</div>
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I noticed a large number of fish, large and small, looking out from the water at me. </div>
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</div>
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Still, the waters of other fishing spots seemed to promise the "big catch."</div>
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Once everything was in order, we all piled into the truck<br />
(because we all wanted to see the action.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxI3JLmvAZl8XesbVPiy7xJXY6D6lGYTvFu8FUuUT5pafbQJrAlYZEamQNS0tjpfDSCC1KOiplvILS2JVrxrQvUvQFELLTPv_Ilw4HJUPE72zRTpLzPqbrD3aCtAhcrQE25c_imAzmg/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxI3JLmvAZl8XesbVPiy7xJXY6D6lGYTvFu8FUuUT5pafbQJrAlYZEamQNS0tjpfDSCC1KOiplvILS2JVrxrQvUvQFELLTPv_Ilw4HJUPE72zRTpLzPqbrD3aCtAhcrQE25c_imAzmg/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" height="542" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we got to the big water, the excitement in the air was thick.<br />
Fishing poles, bucket of worms, and tackle box were ready.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We watched as the lines went out...<br />
and the lines came in.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Nothing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fishing for an hour and not seeing one fish is pretty sad.<br />
<br />
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We weren't the only ones though. The others fishing there were coming up with the same results.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A frustrated 11 year-old girl, a hungry 4 year-old girl, and a weary, disappointed 7 year-old boy soon lost interest in fishing in a dark watery world where nothing was happening:...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at least when they fish in the kiddie pool at home with their toy fishing poles, they can see the primary colored little fish that they are supposed to catch bobbing around, waiting to be snatched up by the magnet on the ends of their poles...<br />
even if they don't stick very well.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX2l2-hYEWM7muXIm5M7-sh5rtFzwa1syg_6YXlWBoRT9nwAMSco3luzqfRonEGFlm9Xw6EuGyHtp9aN3g0wwGqhyphenhyphenaRamg-S9iV1g9HdBiUl0GhxO9qKDl1B_fG_4LsZv15CSziU750A/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX2l2-hYEWM7muXIm5M7-sh5rtFzwa1syg_6YXlWBoRT9nwAMSco3luzqfRonEGFlm9Xw6EuGyHtp9aN3g0wwGqhyphenhyphenaRamg-S9iV1g9HdBiUl0GhxO9qKDl1B_fG_4LsZv15CSziU750A/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" height="501" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Farmer wanted to catch something.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could see it really was bugging him that nobody had caught anything, so he kept insisting we just watch while he fished,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(which is not easily doable with the crew I have already mentioned,</div>
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especially since the mother who is solely responsible for being the enforcer of cajoling the waning audience's attention had long since lost interest in the fishing expedition herself).</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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Eventually, the Farmer saw the need to abandon the idea and we all piled back into the truck,</div>
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disappointed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and hungry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I entered the kitchen on our return to the farm, I dug out the chicken pieces I had cut up earlier for our meal and then<br />
pulled up Pinterest on the computer to find the recipe I had chosen.<br />
I started chopping the onions and put the water on to boil when Violet came banging through the back door<br />
.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Daddy needs your help outside RIGHT NOW!<br />
He stuck his finger with one of the fishing hooks and can't get it out."<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
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"What!?! What do you mean he can't get it out? I've got food cooking here. What am I going to do if he can't get it out? I'm not good at those kinds of things! I don't do too well with blood..." I rattled on as if making her understand would somehow change the situation.<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
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I turned the water off on the stove and set the knife down, wiping my hands and wondering what in the world I was going to do and how I was going to look at the finger without screaming and fainting.</div>
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</div>
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I headed up to the pond and could see him there, face engrossed in the pliers he had in one hand, pulling at his other hand.<br />
<br />
This was not looking very hopeful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSdhNWEBU1LqruZQhWGvLN9dKpx5NG0DqOxunlo0XqYscifyEH6g4PyokSyfsD7e2PbLVYm3dSRsVhPajQ37IfyiLYBH2WmwjreZAd4-5jJL3HJoQKePAJRzVGYS04PBjQbJNn5EBozI/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSdhNWEBU1LqruZQhWGvLN9dKpx5NG0DqOxunlo0XqYscifyEH6g4PyokSyfsD7e2PbLVYm3dSRsVhPajQ37IfyiLYBH2WmwjreZAd4-5jJL3HJoQKePAJRzVGYS04PBjQbJNn5EBozI/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" height="640" width="491" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
"What happened?" I asked. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It was a big one. I caught a big fish in the pond. Levi was reeling it in, but it was big and swimming toward the cattails and I didn't want it to break the line with the hook in it's mouth, so I reeled it in. I was having trouble getting it off the hook. It was maybe 14" long and pretty strong. I put it in the water to try to get the hook out and keep him alive while I tried, and he thrashed when I got him in the water and stuck the other side of the hook into my finger. He kept thrashing, I kept trying to get him off and when he got off, that hook was buried in my finger."<br />
As he told the story, I could feel my stomach tightening and my eyebrows scrunching on my forehead from imaging the painful scene. <br />
He held the finger up for me to see:<br />
half the hook had disappeared into his finger. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suddenly felt very queasy and had to turn around and walk away to get control of the world that seemed to suddenly be spinning.</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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"Well, thanks for the help," he said.<br />
"I've been trying to get this thing out of my hand for a while now, and I just can't get it to budge at all."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, hearing that surely didn't help me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Ooowwweee-ooooo, what are we going to do?" I squealed and fretted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried to look at it, and felt my head spin again.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew I had to do something, but this wasn't what I am good at....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not nursing material,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not even good at putting on bandaids.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told him I was going to get the teething gel to help numb it up while we worked on it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good ol' teething gel: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
see, that represents the sufficiency of my nursing skills. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran into the house and flew to the computer and typed in<br />
"How to get a fish hook out of a finger," because I was just hoping there would be some kind of internet secret that would make this all go away...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quickly:<br />
<br />
"Repeat these words while handing teething gel to husband: 'hook begone,'<br />
and hook will instantly leave embedded finger."<br />
<br />
<br />
Nope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clicking on a link called something "the art of manliness", I was taken to drawn images of a fish hook sticking out of a finger and the best way to remove it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Okay," I panted, "I can handle this black and white sketching where there isn't any blood,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no puckering flesh on the helpless hand."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I yelled out the door for him to come inside and look at the pictures on the Internet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He mumbled something more about the wonderful help I was and meandered down toward the house, eyes still looking at the finger that was unwilling to cooperate with our good intentions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pointed to the computer screen as he looked and then ran into the bathroom to get some dental floss (it said to use string to help pull out while pushing down on the tail end of the hook. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
String, when your brain is spinning out of control, comes out as dental floss.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We worked together,<br />
but nothing was budging,<br />
his hands were shaking, and I was ready to do what I do so effectively when trauma strikes my heart with fear:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bawl until somehow it could be fixed without my having to watch any more of the horror of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I'll call my dad," I finally decided. He was a medic in the army, so whenever medical issues come up and my Farmer isn't around, he's always the one I call to come remedy the situation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"He's a half hour away," my Farmer reasoned. "Am I supposed to sit here and have this thing sticking in me til he gets here?"<br />
<br />
<br />
I didn't care about the details, I just wanted help, so I picked up the phone and poked in the numbers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The phone rang twice with no answer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I heard from the bathroom, <br />
"I got it out."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, how wonderful those words.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you have any idea?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sun came out again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could hear the kids voices outside again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The dogs was barking, but I didn't mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You got it? How did you do it?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I grabbed a cup and put some Epsom's salt into it and got some hot water heating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I just pulled it out," he replied.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was plenty of enough detail for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As he soaked his finger and told me about the size of the fish and how he didn't want it to die,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suddenly saw the humor of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'd gone to "the fishing spot" and spent a long hour watching the still water;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we came home and he threw the line into our back yard pond just for fun;<br />
he catches such a big fish that it returns the hook to his own finger</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as he worries about it dying before it gets off the hook because of the loss it would be to our little pond.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, living on a farm, you can start to let yourself feel stuck with the invisible "ball and chain" of responsibilities, the many faces that look to you for food and water each day;<br />
and then hearing of others' adventures abroad can seem grand, alluring, glittering with "better."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I am sure that they are fantastic memory creators, these adventures around the world;<br />
no doubt about it!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But magnificence and memorable adventures don't have to be far...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they could be a stone's throw from your back door,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few steps from your everyday path,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a hand stretched to touch yours across your own table<br />
(even if that hand is stretching across wanting a hook to be removed from it). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVmz2OHaly_D3jOUArSdV8a60O4SgZqhjySsn7X2G4awuuH862RcIvYaTcXeTQlJAQsnV26VkB33pottrfEzRDW8swPBj_-Fnpv5d5qRABLOG3mtYwlOzKrHHh13KwBStnY5v5hHUeDg/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVmz2OHaly_D3jOUArSdV8a60O4SgZqhjySsn7X2G4awuuH862RcIvYaTcXeTQlJAQsnV26VkB33pottrfEzRDW8swPBj_-Fnpv5d5qRABLOG3mtYwlOzKrHHh13KwBStnY5v5hHUeDg/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" height="463" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I think that's enough fishing for a while,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I teased my farmer as I headed up to the barn to do the farm chores while he soaked his sore finger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It might be too dangerous to fish in that pond out there."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I smiled even though I wasn't sure he was too agreeable to the humor at the moment.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'd created a story we all would keep:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a lasting memory filled with sites, sounds, predicaments, drama, pain, laughter,<br />
and a big fish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
My farmer must not have thought it was too bad either.<br />
He's been up fishing at the pond nearly every evening that he can spare a moment since.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="indenttwo">
<b><sup style="color: #666666;"></sup><br /></b></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,</span></i></span></b></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and he addeth no sorrow with it." </span></i></span></b></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Proverbs 10:22 </span></i></span></b></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-17551135986405082182014-05-22T01:31:00.000-04:002014-05-31T00:55:10.670-04:00The Reason for Disappointment Summed up in One Word.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You know why it bothered you, don't you?"<br />
my friend asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her voice on the phone promised an answer,<br />
one I was curious to hear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had she come upon some secret that I had missed til now?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dpOdQ08176dtXrfvFwDvdr_H9mTLEDTkgxqspn_XzRYj6qpLY6PA4kVDBM3ggEpozZPhKl1DIhero1syObLlgD-bFKW5yGWroYpFU8bVu9mP3WzMuxTEbCubCLBKPKFMUApMTWsjyYQ/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dpOdQ08176dtXrfvFwDvdr_H9mTLEDTkgxqspn_XzRYj6qpLY6PA4kVDBM3ggEpozZPhKl1DIhero1syObLlgD-bFKW5yGWroYpFU8bVu9mP3WzMuxTEbCubCLBKPKFMUApMTWsjyYQ/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Expectations," she said.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You had expectations of what would happen;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you expected it to be different."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was so simple,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
too simple,<br />
and definitely not what I wanted to hear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blame would be much more comforting;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pity would offer temporary condolence;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but disappointed expectations? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"If you don't expect anything,<br />
you won't ever be disappointed."<br />
I could feel the conflicting humor in her truth.<br />
It was what I needed to hear and as a true friend, she knew that.<br />
It woke me from my self and stirred my thoughts. <br />
<br />
<br />
It is the way of expectations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdifA-LkVazJT9LqAHlKNYva-vEn_zRLDqm5zbnWJ3RT1dg0Fqn6LDk8FBW6DCx-gaT3zgDOBA82ypszV7YFTxRVPzReLuI3byJwd-ZlYvW_YKv_-feBjMbPIDPtNh9S9JeDnxnxXHJ0/s1600/IMG_9997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdifA-LkVazJT9LqAHlKNYva-vEn_zRLDqm5zbnWJ3RT1dg0Fqn6LDk8FBW6DCx-gaT3zgDOBA82ypszV7YFTxRVPzReLuI3byJwd-ZlYvW_YKv_-feBjMbPIDPtNh9S9JeDnxnxXHJ0/s1600/IMG_9997.JPG" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Violet put 30 eggs under the duck who was feeling broody and had decided to nest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It hadn't started out that way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There had been a dozen or so,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but she wanted more ducklings and chickens and saw the sitting duck as an opportunity for more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHwqakzg5scPt5noCnooFcIVpYcfkex7b0GPswT3fOvtn-AJSxeC5WLhKBX6SboqCmbWILHPcKGiTgTd5_NvT2b0-Z24Q_wVmOvc2J1r5vluIK23NeSF6KNMFzfIgzvyDlv64GkDxJGY/s1600/IMG_9560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHwqakzg5scPt5noCnooFcIVpYcfkex7b0GPswT3fOvtn-AJSxeC5WLhKBX6SboqCmbWILHPcKGiTgTd5_NvT2b0-Z24Q_wVmOvc2J1r5vluIK23NeSF6KNMFzfIgzvyDlv64GkDxJGY/s1600/IMG_9560.jpg" height="465" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Nothing hatched.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of the eggs had to be thrown out because double-decker eggs in a nest cannot get the proper attention, heat, humidity that they need;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or so found out that momma duck, spread as wide as she could get herself to go</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with no tiny chirping to reward her patience. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Violet expected that more would be better,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the apple didn't fall far from her mother's tree; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but contentment with enough is far better than the emptiness of unnecessary more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30eJ0aOPGzvHkbyIJJ40B6SPS1jr7NgNPYtPQtXr0-9E4OEeNBRVLZAQs1uZd2KQsXDhGXMhc1iw2nRvSTv2CtiWOakxK3WdiypqfeZnGrLti5yGlyp0gbAi13c2zoUQih3g6U2B3XDc/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30eJ0aOPGzvHkbyIJJ40B6SPS1jr7NgNPYtPQtXr0-9E4OEeNBRVLZAQs1uZd2KQsXDhGXMhc1iw2nRvSTv2CtiWOakxK3WdiypqfeZnGrLti5yGlyp0gbAi13c2zoUQih3g6U2B3XDc/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sent a book to a literary agent.<br />
I had written and rewritten it 2 dozen times til I thought it was good.<br />
I had spent months working on a few possible illustrations for it,<br />
hoping they were good enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have heard the stories, taken to heart the warnings of rejections,<br />
but when my answer,<br />
"Not unique enough,"<br />
came for something I had put so much of my heart into,<br />
the expectation crashed hard;<br />
the hurt and tears were more than I expected...<br />
because I had expected rejection,<br />
but just not the intensity of the pain of it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx9BMBOVOh-r-fcC_8F823tCa_fbF4Oh7XcmZaGx2APGTg8WJk6bvfRhuWs0O793mInLCQaQhjsutcE8-Q-Nr4WaTH4NGZ3GqlOkEC_59g8uhS1ku3UjhbQnRpPyHD_c7H1Pc6fK3piI/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx9BMBOVOh-r-fcC_8F823tCa_fbF4Oh7XcmZaGx2APGTg8WJk6bvfRhuWs0O793mInLCQaQhjsutcE8-Q-Nr4WaTH4NGZ3GqlOkEC_59g8uhS1ku3UjhbQnRpPyHD_c7H1Pc6fK3piI/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" height="594" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two years ago I made the garden and planted a few of them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two years I have watched them, watered them, weeded them, spread their trailing vines to increase their numbers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10dXdBopdP6a4qQRiDAja746oeQrGaWU0JXV0EGh0y3SPMuAXRA-XLSYZtCBEWQLkgq63vnhyphenhyphenNkBHE9ATgFFkMPpl6b3uaplmzg4xGYMvEvoHgMAp03f4EjWhD1BoGtwTJsd8D1pgApk/s1600/IMG_9996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10dXdBopdP6a4qQRiDAja746oeQrGaWU0JXV0EGh0y3SPMuAXRA-XLSYZtCBEWQLkgq63vnhyphenhyphenNkBHE9ATgFFkMPpl6b3uaplmzg4xGYMvEvoHgMAp03f4EjWhD1BoGtwTJsd8D1pgApk/s1600/IMG_9996.JPG" height="465" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We had a few samplings last season, but the increase of flowers and drooping green fruit this year has not gone unnoticed.<br />
Daily I visit that small patch of garden,<br />
admiring the growing fruit that those plants have in their possibilities. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9dzeCC0NZ91jXUIum2fKbvtPc80wauUm_cRSgmW3xbZhgnZe0Cz9-4b1Xxfl8xOWD5cRWaSjDH4aZ6UyKTav9ZwA3rK_9VVaED7zeTGw7Dz2CyNGtoNOBMT-y2PxxZWFNN-AHbJo_TI/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9dzeCC0NZ91jXUIum2fKbvtPc80wauUm_cRSgmW3xbZhgnZe0Cz9-4b1Xxfl8xOWD5cRWaSjDH4aZ6UyKTav9ZwA3rK_9VVaED7zeTGw7Dz2CyNGtoNOBMT-y2PxxZWFNN-AHbJo_TI/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Not to have expectations would be to take the soul out of the work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of it has been done to cater to great expectations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't expect a crop failure, but it very well could come.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The chipmunks may come back;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the squirrels may decide to tear out the bushes in search of whatever it is they recklessly decide to dig for;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the chickens may discover the taste of juicy redness;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my 4 year old (who seems to be going through a stage of terrorizing my expectations) may execute her sense of undercover mischief and gobble up the whole patch when it sits just nearing it's prime.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWenDTGySZvnE_2SPuPPWoHxiGZXW2a6iJSCH_HMNnemK6w_gIDWVuaU_IdssUjqt-jrPg8sQP0E8FA36MfynCbK6gFi5o5ya_etkhWTRYNDaXh-KOX6UPda8r0FdwNNJm3vYvBvCLqcs/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWenDTGySZvnE_2SPuPPWoHxiGZXW2a6iJSCH_HMNnemK6w_gIDWVuaU_IdssUjqt-jrPg8sQP0E8FA36MfynCbK6gFi5o5ya_etkhWTRYNDaXh-KOX6UPda8r0FdwNNJm3vYvBvCLqcs/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know the answer I hear on the phone is right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I have to give my expectations to God and take whatever comes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
good or bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know that trials increase faith,<br />
that rejections and disappointments can be the stepping stones to better attempts,<br />
modified goals,<br />
sweeter fruit.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5UYiZvz7PGiRbxjQP-GSQMTqm6joLMZ3JwP_UZ8eL1o4ThJhTOWe5xUQCcRlvjpLK6dp8Jr5oZFQwuv-QIv7EpLjFw42aSFlIQa2tSZuCau2AXhkQ6die2Jyw3N0pnswE0HzU2_FjQY/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5UYiZvz7PGiRbxjQP-GSQMTqm6joLMZ3JwP_UZ8eL1o4ThJhTOWe5xUQCcRlvjpLK6dp8Jr5oZFQwuv-QIv7EpLjFw42aSFlIQa2tSZuCau2AXhkQ6die2Jyw3N0pnswE0HzU2_FjQY/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am just hoping that this patch will avoid calamity and bring fullness of joy:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because sometimes expectations are fulfilled,<br />
and those times are sweet happiness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deep inside, when the issues are weighed, the truth is:<br />
without occasional disappointed expectations,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the hatching of a dozen ducklings wouldn't seem enough,<br />
the long-awaited title across the front of a book wouldn't be as graciously humbling, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the berries from an anticipated patch wouldn't taste as sweet,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
gratitude wouldn't have a chance to blossom...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because isn't that the way we seem to work?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It certainly seems to be the way I do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDVHB0rrrVPRE0SMXe342-ldor6h7BCzLOBftiH6M3F0NuvfrbRvmOHN-R_dS2__e0AK5Qx0vphprrJQiVRK9K7BNlVh4-WGf7RZi8jSRjdGfdKhbgg6YNw95aCqBxsDaKWX7BrBese0/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDVHB0rrrVPRE0SMXe342-ldor6h7BCzLOBftiH6M3F0NuvfrbRvmOHN-R_dS2__e0AK5Qx0vphprrJQiVRK9K7BNlVh4-WGf7RZi8jSRjdGfdKhbgg6YNw95aCqBxsDaKWX7BrBese0/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll tell you for sure when I eat some strawberry shortcake,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because like it or not,<br />
I just can't seem to keep those juicy red fruits out of my dreams.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-13-12/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 13:12">Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but <i>when</i> the desire cometh, <i>it is</i> a tree of life.</a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 13:12 </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-27-7/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 27:7">The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.</a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 27:7 </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-22-4/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 22:4">By humility <i>and</i> the fear of the LORD <i>are</i> riches, and honour, and life.</a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 22:4 </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sharing at:<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2014/05/show-us-your-gardens.html">Kellyskornerblog.com</a> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-160.html">Homestoriesatoz.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/05/wow-us-wednesdays-171.html">Savvysouthernstyle.net</a><br />
<a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2014/05/show-me-what-ya-got-166.html">notjustahousewife.net</a><br />
<a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2014/05/yes-starts-with-blind-faith/">Wearethatfamily.com</a><br />
<a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2014/05/wise-woman-linkup_9376.html">Wise-woman-linkup</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-77072482758728071272014-05-17T03:58:00.002-04:002014-05-21T13:44:54.348-04:00Mini Miracle on the Shelf.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It came in a game box...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf5gzEjaWjaFDgXAptfNBrdWCmWmgJH4em0JE_akOD5IOR8GoKew2CfIZ46zFwqNu4eJUJwabJzcH2avS_ofCaioXob99DtQDcnRBVPXvbR6xDJP-2AbQXA_7Jsg0TXxVxE3inaNkvFY/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf5gzEjaWjaFDgXAptfNBrdWCmWmgJH4em0JE_akOD5IOR8GoKew2CfIZ46zFwqNu4eJUJwabJzcH2avS_ofCaioXob99DtQDcnRBVPXvbR6xDJP-2AbQXA_7Jsg0TXxVxE3inaNkvFY/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" height="640" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the Good Will.</div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIdLhHXcIRPCSp2g10fyIsEOOBFkrIRD7j797ba5eJxVCU1how3e55bIzGha0Di-tSHVgySiAkkExRlMmwByfEdHL9b0_FYEB80uuhrJ20GyJULtxVfD5dp5qI-bwJHbYsgF2ximB_L4/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIdLhHXcIRPCSp2g10fyIsEOOBFkrIRD7j797ba5eJxVCU1how3e55bIzGha0Di-tSHVgySiAkkExRlMmwByfEdHL9b0_FYEB80uuhrJ20GyJULtxVfD5dp5qI-bwJHbYsgF2ximB_L4/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" height="640" width="471" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only does it have dinosaurs,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it has tar pits for conquered pieces<br />
and volcanic mountains and ledges for the "king" pieces to sit on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt8lGSayMKfmCD-_OrGMByg2s1gfhXoAW498qJ1WSXDLfw0XhcTr_gRKASjvIY9JK0kKl6ZKxdG7ZzYRgaQPHOuj3WEslOEf753aPMvAj6D8lNUWCGQvCtgfC7vMgHRljn055tPAScsE/s1600/IMG_9454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt8lGSayMKfmCD-_OrGMByg2s1gfhXoAW498qJ1WSXDLfw0XhcTr_gRKASjvIY9JK0kKl6ZKxdG7ZzYRgaQPHOuj3WEslOEf753aPMvAj6D8lNUWCGQvCtgfC7vMgHRljn055tPAScsE/s1600/IMG_9454.JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Somewhere in the back of my mind,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know that God knows his favorite games,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his favorite creatures,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his hard work he had done to earn the reward of getting to choose one thing from the charity store</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for all those plants he had helped me pot up and move in the yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know all this in my mind,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but in the busyness of life, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forget that God would care about those details.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could almost imagine God arranging the circumstances of that game being packed up in some home where it was no longer wanted,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the mother clearing out to make more room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can see it being driven to the store amid a pile of other board games, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an old soccer ball lamp,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some t-shirts and sweatshirts that had suddenly grown too small. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can see it in my mind being carried in by the workers and piled into a bin where it would sit for a few hours, or maybe days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally, it would get a price and be rolled out into the store,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
set on the shelf.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Perhaps an angel had kept an eye on it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
making sure no other curious little fingers might thwart its chosen destination.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXDaTxIEo9I6Mxgo264jHsGkS_NFQ0pfjGUWlAj1ozQeeH-WpOGn7YE-Np_hQIYWEwDJYGtuUn7ThNKLYOihfbpQf3_R8Avz8pPblvtDhWqjSPSTK5WJEuBYkIkQuCb345cmH0s1Qf1o/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXDaTxIEo9I6Mxgo264jHsGkS_NFQ0pfjGUWlAj1ozQeeH-WpOGn7YE-Np_hQIYWEwDJYGtuUn7ThNKLYOihfbpQf3_R8Avz8pPblvtDhWqjSPSTK5WJEuBYkIkQuCb345cmH0s1Qf1o/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" height="640" width="498" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"They are actually allosaurus dinosaurs, not T-rex dinosaurs, Mom,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because they have three fingers."</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANdCyh1aaR5AQ4GB04P8stMT3ghxjJh9bEet23mYHf8gO_rpbM3I3ChS9qKnLtS75y9cl1FZ10P-5t3SdSpEAfPI4BmkXQBD6wqTHHZFdVgIo4EEdZY_XFegiw6kXpSfQkGMbh1aAtZg/s1600/IMG_9455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANdCyh1aaR5AQ4GB04P8stMT3ghxjJh9bEet23mYHf8gO_rpbM3I3ChS9qKnLtS75y9cl1FZ10P-5t3SdSpEAfPI4BmkXQBD6wqTHHZFdVgIo4EEdZY_XFegiw6kXpSfQkGMbh1aAtZg/s1600/IMG_9455.JPG" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sometimes wonder if God and His angels watch from heaven at these little amazing gifts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and smile in anticipation...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a happy boy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an amazed mom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Somehow, I think the Good Will might be God's place of mini miracles...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or at least </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe it is the mini-miracle market</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the thrifty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The game brings a smile to his face as he hops over a not-so-well-thought-out move of my dinosaur,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he sloshes him into his tar pit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am thankful</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and hope that my bags of cast-offs might make mini-miracles for others as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Sharing at:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/05/wow-us-wednesdays-170.html">www.savvysouthernstyle</a><br />
<a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/2014/homemaking-link-up-174/">Wearethatfamily.com</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> </a><br />
<a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/2014/homemaking-link-up-174/">Raisinghomemakers.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2014/05/show-me-what-ya-got-165.html">Notjustahousewife.net</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-73921421787847777462014-03-18T03:33:00.000-04:002014-03-18T14:23:14.049-04:00The Mess in the Cupboard and What it Taught Me about Home-schooling.<br />
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I opened the craft cupboard door to look for an envelope for a card and accidentally tipped a small box on the shelf. Little slips of paper tipped out. I picked one up and read it.</div>
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They were from an activity we had done for school some time back:</div>
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little bits of memories. </div>
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Home-schooling can seem so frustrating at times: the things that are great about it are also what make it hard.</div>
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When you home school, your kids are with you in your own home environment all the time. This means that your kids are always with you...not much time alone unless you can manage to sneak down the stairs in the morning without them hearing you, or you can try to keep your eyes open after they have gone to bed for enough time to read more than 3 sentences from a book for your own enjoyment before you feel your head drop from dozing off.<br />
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When your kids are home all the time, it means that your home gets that many more hours of full time use, full time wear on the walls and furniture, full time messes being made, full time "I'm hungry" and "I'm thirsty," and full time sharing of toys that aren't any easier to share when it is the same people wanting to borrow them.<br />
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It means full time memories to be made: good and bad.<br />
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When you home-school, it means you are the one mainly responsible for your children's learning, for their steps toward achievements and successes, and the heavy weight of what may seem to be failure when they just can't seem to get the knowledge you think they should have gotten after the repetitive teaching you have given them.<br />
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It means you can't blame anybody but yourself; and, strangely enough, you realize that education diligently put forth has no room for blame because each child is different.<br />
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It means that when people say that your child's handwriting is sloppy, even after you have corrected her for her cursive o's and a's enough times you start to dream about it; it means when you have said, "'I' before 'E' except after 'C'," and she still spells friend "freind"; it means when you hear that somebody has said that they have met a lot of "dumb" home-schooled kids, that you will fight to not take those things personally, knowing that people who have never struggled to help a child learn will not understand the patience that is sometimes required in teaching without crushing a child's spirit.</div>
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It means you will come to understand that knowledge puffs the head that thinks he is superior, but learning how to learn and learning to love the search for true knowledge and the path to wisdom is what is more important. Embracing education is finding one's area of excellence and using it for the glory of God and the good of man, even when it occasionally means being wrong or randomly requires spell-check.</div>
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Homeschooling means you are the primary source of providing knowledge, but also the guardian of care, understanding, the ear to listen, the eyes to watch for needs, the heart that can stir or squelch adventure.<br />
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Home-schooling is a heavy task, very full, not to be taken lightly...<br />
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..it is a gift from God but only if we pursue it with dutiful determination, disciplined direction, diligent dissection, daring dramatization.<br />
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You will see the joy of searching and finding;<br />
you will see the light go on in their eyes;<br />
you will be the one they run to to share those sentences that catch their curiosity and burn in them that sudden love of learning...<br />
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even if that moment doesn't come until years into the process.</div>
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Homeschooling teaches your children to learn even when it is hard and it feels like work;<br />
it teaches you your own weaknesses and strengths, and uncomfortably at times,<br />
where you need work.<br />
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Above all, home schooling can be successful to the Christian only if we make the center of it what God's credentials demand:<br />
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<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-6-5/" title="View more translations of Deuteronomy 6:5">5"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.</a><br />
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<sup style="color: #666666;">6</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-6-6/" title="View more translations of Deuteronomy 6:6">And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:</a></div>
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<sup style="color: #666666;">7</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-6-7/" title="View more translations of Deuteronomy 6:7">And
thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of
them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.</a></div>
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<sup style="color: #666666;">8</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-6-8/" title="View more translations of Deuteronomy 6:8">And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.</a></div>
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<sup style="color: #666666;">9</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-6-9/" title="View more translations of Deuteronomy 6:9">And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."</a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #e06666;">Deutoronomy 6</span></span><br />
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Of course, these verses apply to all of us influencing the lives of children, not just in school, but in each moment of our lives.<br />
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Sometimes in our zeal to pass on knowledge, we forget that although every date might not be remembered and spelling errors will surface, those little shards of memories we make along the way can be the glue that makes an education the gift that lasts beyond a lifetime...<br />
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it can etch into the soul of the person they are becoming.<br />
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As I closed the cupboard door, I smiled at the thought that a memory had been made that somebody had not wanted to forget by hiding them in the cupboard...a little stash of papers. Yes, it was a little unexpected mess, but it was one that was worth it.</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Sharing at:</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/handmade-projects-add-yours-3-17/">Tipjunkie.com</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-150.html">Homestoriesatoz.com</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2014/03/show-me-what-ya-got-157.html">Notjustahousewife.net</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvysouthernstyle.net</a> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2014/03/one-project-at-a-time-31814.html">Abowlfulloflemons.net</a><br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/beautiful-guest-bedroom-makeover/">Betweennapsontheporch.net</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-24137696022502771652014-02-28T03:55:00.000-05:002014-02-28T16:14:31.704-05:00Choose: Right or Wrong?<br />
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One could hear him before see him.</div>
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His voice rose above the green grass,</div>
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songs of beauty and inspired words. </div>
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Seated under the tree, his eyes scanned the horizon and despite the songs he sang,</div>
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he was alerted by any nearing footsteps.</div>
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His ear was trained, his eyes sharp.</div>
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Everyday, he walked the quiet steps out into the fields, his gentleness assuring the newborn lamb he carried on his shoulder.</div>
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Who would think he, this patient boy who daily spent his hours with the carefully numbered sheep of his father's flock,</div>
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would become a king?</div>
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Even Samuel was surprised when his older, more mature and experienced brothers were passed over.</div>
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How could this be right?</div>
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Clearly, the choice of men would be different;</div>
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but God doesn't see as men do.</div>
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God sees the inner workings of the heart.</div>
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The
kind patient care of sheep and contented daily maintenance of the job
assigned him was a character quality worthy of a strong leader.</div>
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David's songs of praise showed a heart of thanksgiving,</div>
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even during the menial task of caring for animals who trusted his voice,</div>
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while not understanding the words of his songs</div>
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or appreciating the beauty of his melodious Psalms.<br />
<br />
Is this a man we would naturally choose for a king? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God's choices are right,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in His time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"> Sharing at:</span></i></div>
<br />
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/02/how-to-choose-whats-important-today/">Five Minute Friday at Lisajobaker.com: where we write for 5 minutes about a topic of her choice. Today's choice: Choose.</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-33295650603899275722014-02-24T12:25:00.001-05:002014-02-24T14:06:41.431-05:00The Pros and Cons of a Dragon.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am an intercessor here on the farm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't realize it until I was reading the other day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Levi wanted a bearded dragon for his birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is one of those things that he wouldn't stopped asking for for months.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ19REitoJdIL5TDIFFIORr35sB6m_CbIUkr77OLaHwaz1900IGqrgyh64YdvNrPbRPkFSY1JPJ381dRe6kjuOsbE4PemS77AasRLT4_BOPnycPJ_d6CL-al7lNd0zTTK9TH85rOrS0Nk/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ19REitoJdIL5TDIFFIORr35sB6m_CbIUkr77OLaHwaz1900IGqrgyh64YdvNrPbRPkFSY1JPJ381dRe6kjuOsbE4PemS77AasRLT4_BOPnycPJ_d6CL-al7lNd0zTTK9TH85rOrS0Nk/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG" height="640" width="495" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sister had some little lizards when we were kids, and we enjoyed them so much.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were easy to care for and it was fun to catch flies and moths and watch them attack them and gobble them up. I know he can relate to this because the boy has spent countless hours catching bugs and feeding them to the spiders he finds hanging about in nests around the farm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I asked him to catch bugs for the 5 baby ducklings we had in a pen in the basement this past summer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he was at it for over an hour. When he finally quit, I asked if he'd fed them many.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I could only find about 20 bugs each," he responded.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I know that keeping a reptile fed will not be a task he will ignore.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSTkRX71ddQxj3Lx3FwXjJn4r1920BFEZgApciyG3VTYVjjleZcYXjoCKt51kH5j5YOhl0YBpl8t3V0yTnVAjDkaowb4BbsKiPIyJSbQYGjC3KwTJoOVDOk6WP4hR9oBQPI86yivEJfU/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSTkRX71ddQxj3Lx3FwXjJn4r1920BFEZgApciyG3VTYVjjleZcYXjoCKt51kH5j5YOhl0YBpl8t3V0yTnVAjDkaowb4BbsKiPIyJSbQYGjC3KwTJoOVDOk6WP4hR9oBQPI86yivEJfU/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We got the kids kittens a few years back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lillie and Violet both have their cats, but his disappeared when we got the puppy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think a neighbor with a calmer household may have adopted him;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at least, that is what I tell Levi when he is upset that his cat never came home.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0cYHzJvM9JFF5ZbdEIN3Q7PGo0_J7Y3kLBNGnyvzfZddJryevWiyt1QSj_b7zuN5PiCaSsV3wP_3-R-KR8Am6vf5XBPIREmMFQIm8niFeXKe7rZNtDXcCgJ12mMCDoAHm2O7xkGfgvo/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0cYHzJvM9JFF5ZbdEIN3Q7PGo0_J7Y3kLBNGnyvzfZddJryevWiyt1QSj_b7zuN5PiCaSsV3wP_3-R-KR8Am6vf5XBPIREmMFQIm8niFeXKe7rZNtDXcCgJ12mMCDoAHm2O7xkGfgvo/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" height="640" width="507" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
"Everybody has their own pets except me," he mentions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is true that we have plenty of animal choices around here,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but his older sister tends to dote on those so much, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they all see her as their leader.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I tell him he has all those spiders as pets,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he tells me he can't hold them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I remember the tears he shed when his favorite spider up in the barn did not come out of his spiraling web to eat one day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spiders don't exactly have long pet lives.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew he wanted to have a creature of his own,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and as much as he draws dragons and dinosaurs and any other reptilian creature,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a beardy would be perfect for him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1leUEFYr2GMqf0jIwbFvDjfGDbfoUWZfbebReEpcAQPTG8JO-1aaIqUplbDnZp_fl1kjf4tf4atvBZnfh8YCcmucHzynfusdG5DzhtOJhom9ege2S16REajVvVNCk8YoZWFMVHb_LPV4/s1600/IMG_8527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1leUEFYr2GMqf0jIwbFvDjfGDbfoUWZfbebReEpcAQPTG8JO-1aaIqUplbDnZp_fl1kjf4tf4atvBZnfh8YCcmucHzynfusdG5DzhtOJhom9ege2S16REajVvVNCk8YoZWFMVHb_LPV4/s1600/IMG_8527.JPG" height="640" width="615" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't tell my farmer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought and read about them for weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, I couldn't decide for myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I want to invest in the care of another creature?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure, it would be his pet and he would have to take care of it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I know that I have to be the overseer and make sure it gets done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The initial cost is also one that is a bit more than a toy and once spent,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to make sure that that investment is taken care of.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being a mother means overseeing everything,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even the things that they 'should' know to do:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dog water checker,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
beta fish feed monitor,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
duck-chaser limiter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
peep pen sanitizer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cat/dog flea controller/monthly scheduler,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
donkey hoof checker,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
old arthritic dog lifter/protector from rougher young dog,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and general manager of any other creature that happens to pass through</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(like the 'squashed' butterfly they found on the driveway that recovered in the jar on the table for a week and then, to our amazement, flew away after a drink of sugary water.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I had my way,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd be tempted to say,<br />
"I have enough to do. Look at this house!<br />
Does it look like it needs another dirt-producing occupant?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bTGNFmDausTiB7w_BwA4QWRwFLRTQVxrXqKpGEhKd7TxHffap5__C3eoC3U8MdBQ3Bc5qpBIJw11OPQpEgVrOrZu_cdqh5z_YLLTpiJwTfaLCHensX0-GCFOxT7Kn-g8bZo0mvfd0RE/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bTGNFmDausTiB7w_BwA4QWRwFLRTQVxrXqKpGEhKd7TxHffap5__C3eoC3U8MdBQ3Bc5qpBIJw11OPQpEgVrOrZu_cdqh5z_YLLTpiJwTfaLCHensX0-GCFOxT7Kn-g8bZo0mvfd0RE/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" height="463" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Somehow though, something deep inside of me calls out to me:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that little girl voice that I hear from days gone by,<br />
"Daddy, can I please have some pet geese.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I promise I will take care of them."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those days of watching him take the time to build that pen,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hours when he could have been sitting inside with his feet up enjoying his</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"day off."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those geese were my babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They needed to be let out every morning, fed, checked on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They had to be penned every night so no harm would come to them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I loved those geese and they taught me more about life than any book could ever have done. Wrapped in their care was my heart, and loving something you care for gives a perspective on life that lives inside of a person forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A real creature gives something that toys and books do not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Q-555g2crDdZiU2fJpcSLvrw7Z0fHr5ZMmAopdO0SBFwyQfczJ1TQNHY0zAh34TBoHdcgO3O8T8WtWicdTYaAomjayct36F9ty_mAUI6HnAmZFeg6y4Z6Z5ob3Ty29JLkzB3AYwHNo/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Q-555g2crDdZiU2fJpcSLvrw7Z0fHr5ZMmAopdO0SBFwyQfczJ1TQNHY0zAh34TBoHdcgO3O8T8WtWicdTYaAomjayct36F9ty_mAUI6HnAmZFeg6y4Z6Z5ob3Ty29JLkzB3AYwHNo/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
A creature chooses to love back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It depends on you for it's life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has to build a trust in you that has to be earned,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when it seems like the care is all coming from you, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unselfishly,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until that creature has decided that you are worth loving/trusting back,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when that creature never says 'thank you.'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After weeks of reading, looking on Craigslist at the general costs,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stopping in the pet store to ask questions,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was then that I presented the idea to the farmer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had done the research and aligned myself to the idea that a dragon is something worthwhile,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and yet, I still had to deal with the Farmer's possible rejection of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That can be hard, but I knew that if I have the facts lined up,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the cost,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the benefits,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the logistics,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the heart of our son.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD66P-gng4N5V2257N-AfcuPXqu3seYLUWMSjQlmXS2G5TdQ_qgZ24SPNUrnDZoqdWbQEAB4nWtXJldjBvZSkJIsZPf-_Z8Q4B5s1e75vp9KYtJVTC4Y4IH_iXKvErdFNYzfeLgjxh1Q/s1600/IMG_6213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD66P-gng4N5V2257N-AfcuPXqu3seYLUWMSjQlmXS2G5TdQ_qgZ24SPNUrnDZoqdWbQEAB4nWtXJldjBvZSkJIsZPf-_Z8Q4B5s1e75vp9KYtJVTC4Y4IH_iXKvErdFNYzfeLgjxh1Q/s1600/IMG_6213.JPG" height="640" width="533" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew the case would fall on listening ears and be seriously contemplated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I know that those times my Farmer has said, "No," he has been right;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I have been relieved of the frustration that was avoided.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The other morning, I was reading Romans 8,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I came on these verses: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="indenttwo">
<sup style="color: #666666;">26</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-8-26/" title="View more translations of Romans 8:26">Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us
with groanings which cannot be uttered.</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<sup style="color: #666666;">27</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-8-27/" title="View more translations of Romans 8:27">And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what <i>is</i> the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to <i>the will of</i> God.</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<sup style="color: #666666;">28</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-8-28/" title="View more translations of Romans 8:28">And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to <i>his</i> purpose.</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He does this same task for us,<br />
in a grander, more serious scale:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the Holy Spirit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have an intercessor who sees the needs in our lives,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the trials,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the joys,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and He goes before God to plead for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God decides what is best for us. God knows what will work out to good,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even if we cannot see it from our dim perspective.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tHcViCuU1VxXEdwnG73CudyX-16YAK25uKUJrz804oxHqUQwAbnliiPXC8H2HUcr_PO7iP1nhyphenhyphenY49l8jQpmT8OUPmjXGRb7-9ZZLbuyF9pE5wGXqlaSv6OU5BRaA_GhVevWMIe8kLWg/s1600/IMG_5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tHcViCuU1VxXEdwnG73CudyX-16YAK25uKUJrz804oxHqUQwAbnliiPXC8H2HUcr_PO7iP1nhyphenhyphenY49l8jQpmT8OUPmjXGRb7-9ZZLbuyF9pE5wGXqlaSv6OU5BRaA_GhVevWMIe8kLWg/s1600/IMG_5503.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only do we have God caring for us as Christians,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but He gives the Holy Spirit to work with us daily,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to confront the sin we daily fight with,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but also to plead with God on our behalf </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to enjoy watching the blessings given,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to cry with us when our hearts feel like they are breaking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to watch us learn and hear us when we give praise to God,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to share our prayers with us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoui_YptyPiquO1Gt3MUPe3tum1Ln2udinWPZbwerM71oQFD9W6mZzQB_LxAYsW8UCKv86CA03ltWi9nHTPqkIrxhBJmvgwThoXaQITnsgX6auEZ6_y3-0NCY1ts6t89zB4GYKOuzU2w/s1600/IMG_5502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoui_YptyPiquO1Gt3MUPe3tum1Ln2udinWPZbwerM71oQFD9W6mZzQB_LxAYsW8UCKv86CA03ltWi9nHTPqkIrxhBJmvgwThoXaQITnsgX6auEZ6_y3-0NCY1ts6t89zB4GYKOuzU2w/s1600/IMG_5502.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those spiders in the barn may have more work ahead in their meal planning come spring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a new creature in life that takes priority in this boy's heart,<br />
and I am thankful for the reminder of God's great care for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-52012601480108278922014-02-15T10:56:00.002-05:002014-02-15T10:58:53.566-05:00Green Beans.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Run downstairs and fetch me a can of green beans, please,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but be careful with it. Those glass jars are slippery."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hear the wooden stairs on the old stairway with each step she takes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She comes back and sets the jar on the counter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The olive colored green beans wave in the liquid they were placed in months ago,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when the night was still hot from the sun's diligence of the day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DQ4_BhjRJAFSxAubZkvPJVcizpKFtUFrPKArVA7H7f5nk5EXgCbek_HgUxGx-aNabbmL6ruQtGTteo9uPhhQpEqMhSRlB3e7KfDlVDmeC_Q0bJNm6lPrtlxYIe_mmAMLadz7WZuuf9g/s1600/IMG_8533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DQ4_BhjRJAFSxAubZkvPJVcizpKFtUFrPKArVA7H7f5nk5EXgCbek_HgUxGx-aNabbmL6ruQtGTteo9uPhhQpEqMhSRlB3e7KfDlVDmeC_Q0bJNm6lPrtlxYIe_mmAMLadz7WZuuf9g/s1600/IMG_8533.JPG" height="640" width="481" /></a></div>
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I look out the window and the darkening sky still seems bright with the white flakes falling in it,</div>
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the white world it floats to.</div>
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Somewhere underneath those feet of snow is the brown dirt and the sleeping future of the coming summer.</div>
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Planting, harvest, enjoying the gifts of produce set aside for winter:</div>
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the cycle seems obvious as the pan heats on the stove.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg-xR34oR8-1EwikawMkJhxQgUIJlxdlKDC80wxyWQxXNRj2i3sKGW9da-ceZqVV9py33yEDr07KUfrHv-3bCUX-KzTlUSOnr1XsFFYWKuR5pNX-3F-aOc1FemWx9ux0Fcqam2m9QAE4/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg-xR34oR8-1EwikawMkJhxQgUIJlxdlKDC80wxyWQxXNRj2i3sKGW9da-ceZqVV9py33yEDr07KUfrHv-3bCUX-KzTlUSOnr1XsFFYWKuR5pNX-3F-aOc1FemWx9ux0Fcqam2m9QAE4/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG" height="640" width="457" /></a></div>
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It is obvious in the garden, not always so easily embraced in the moments of life.</div>
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Each moment is essential...</div>
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much work in each step until the harvest comes to fruition.</div>
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<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Galatians-6-9/" title="View more translations of Galatians 6:9">"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."</a></div>
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Galatians 6:9 </div>
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I set the empty jar into the dishwasher,</div>
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knowing that it's emptiness will be viewed next when the sun is hot,</div>
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but I'll not think about that now...</div>
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"Let's eat."</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Sharing at</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/">Lisajobaker.com: Five Minute Friday</a></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-38305411749270868972014-02-03T21:42:00.002-05:002014-02-03T21:42:26.318-05:00The Snow Dragon.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtPrsqj92siAjrD_kJv0ilpbTCE3U2onHhfx1V-inIOxJE60VEL3jFuytWQ5IvzkejgnSoGsV7NSsfFIBXGq8TzEAzEP-1hjX7tKWJzEMQ3yp7lei5_BnskOAUodasjbiGfFm6IfSkyU/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtPrsqj92siAjrD_kJv0ilpbTCE3U2onHhfx1V-inIOxJE60VEL3jFuytWQ5IvzkejgnSoGsV7NSsfFIBXGq8TzEAzEP-1hjX7tKWJzEMQ3yp7lei5_BnskOAUodasjbiGfFm6IfSkyU/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG" height="640" width="457" /></a></div>
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I could hear the cow bellowing up in the barn.</div>
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The snow was falling fast, flakes the size of dimes.</div>
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I thought of telling Violet to run up to the barn and check why there was so much mooing coming from the barn, but the bull, who seems to get larger and more rambunctious with each passing day made me think otherwise. I decided I had better head to the barn in case he'd found a way out of his pen.</div>
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I checked the situation and realized it was just the mama cow that the farmer must have separated from her baby before he had left for work. As I started back toward the house,</div>
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the beautiful white world made me stop and stand in awe of God's simple but stunning canvas. </div>
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As I stood there, taking it all in,</div>
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I noticed a very large snowball sitting in the yard.</div>
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Not far away was the little boy who claimed he had made it,</div>
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"to see the biggest snowball I could make.</div>
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It just rolls and rolls and keeps getting bigger and bigger."</div>
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As I looked at him, I realized I had put him off a lot lately.</div>
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"Come do the microscope with me, Mom."</div>
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"Come play with the play dough with me."</div>
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"Come help me put my Christmas Lego set together, Mom."<br />"Come play battle ship or do a puzzle with me."</div>
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He always asked with such hopeful voice. </div>
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I had turned him away with, "I'm too busy right now. I have to get my work done.</div>
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Ask your sisters."</div>
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The guilt suddenly hit me as I watched him playing</div>
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alone</div>
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in the snow. </div>
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I knew he would love for me to build a snowman with him,</div>
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something I had never made time to make with him yet.</div>
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I squatted in the snow and formed the distantly familiar shape of the snowball and began rolling it through the snow.</div>
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This snow was perfect for snowmen, heavy and sticky, but not wet.</div>
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By the time I had reached near where he was at,</div>
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I had to tell him to come help me.</div>
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"Let's build something," I said.</div>
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"Do you mean a snowman?" he asked, eyes sparkling.</div>
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"Well, kind of. Let's build something better."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Shyphenhyphen_C3DmwifX_f1O4Ju7DV7pZ6wVhMXfnzzKy2SGDhGErLtZndj6K0AvHVPYYY4vmEy9nFJ3wueXrJWf7C_JO5GpBv45BGMoaIT9-CiuWm9Jfnagg0DeI5QpkYonawsNAQo1Ge6dtDA/s1600/IMG_8482.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Shyphenhyphen_C3DmwifX_f1O4Ju7DV7pZ6wVhMXfnzzKy2SGDhGErLtZndj6K0AvHVPYYY4vmEy9nFJ3wueXrJWf7C_JO5GpBv45BGMoaIT9-CiuWm9Jfnagg0DeI5QpkYonawsNAQo1Ge6dtDA/s1600/IMG_8482.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a><br /> </div>
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We rolled the two snowballs together.</div>
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He ran inside to recharge with fresh, dry mittens while I started piling the snow onto the two snowballs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBVJdvOWHUiYu8dGz0MJyJKWDDVIZHKLyKYg-xsQhhd08bEdR5dEGgB-doXeXTMuLdXaHaPLZHJhaP7_CjYa8qsYeVtnYZvu1_dVTTxYoJyIRVNE3HUbLF154W6N__ggwVKwZojzo8LM/s1600/IMG_8483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBVJdvOWHUiYu8dGz0MJyJKWDDVIZHKLyKYg-xsQhhd08bEdR5dEGgB-doXeXTMuLdXaHaPLZHJhaP7_CjYa8qsYeVtnYZvu1_dVTTxYoJyIRVNE3HUbLF154W6N__ggwVKwZojzo8LM/s1600/IMG_8483.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hoped it would be taking shape by the time he got back,</div>
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and it was.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDnaSGUQc2crJZiXSyew1W5Kh8k3D5-QeQt4YnTLO8qlpXpHE3yezf_lbdGWRvXiwcEhAN4X9jx78c_ncIf9fM0-HCXhFP7rIjFId0C5Y3hKO0uNfVlGtSDnZiGM4BgtqIU5h-kt-gnk/s1600/IMG_8486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDnaSGUQc2crJZiXSyew1W5Kh8k3D5-QeQt4YnTLO8qlpXpHE3yezf_lbdGWRvXiwcEhAN4X9jx78c_ncIf9fM0-HCXhFP7rIjFId0C5Y3hKO0uNfVlGtSDnZiGM4BgtqIU5h-kt-gnk/s1600/IMG_8486.JPG" height="493" width="640" /></a></div>
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"A snow dragon!" he smiled when he got back outside.</div>
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We worked together and eventually the girls came out and worked with us for a while.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsR_ccu6eXzjmkbe6kcIfDSRiSZwyClr5xQHHoBfjlT4kKppzaUBhpOjVPjxaHmD3QX9nS983qfuQfsSwOj5FjLPmD-7Jo6rhnksmHg_ioKUoXqW-H0oJ4-fpS1-KTkihLzrHihyphenhyphen8J0Y/s1600/IMG_8490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsR_ccu6eXzjmkbe6kcIfDSRiSZwyClr5xQHHoBfjlT4kKppzaUBhpOjVPjxaHmD3QX9nS983qfuQfsSwOj5FjLPmD-7Jo6rhnksmHg_ioKUoXqW-H0oJ4-fpS1-KTkihLzrHihyphenhyphen8J0Y/s1600/IMG_8490.JPG" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Rb1HKN0OjNBDrw99ieyByto9vwTja3VbMd2xd9HWuJQcWYwKQ2nYc7o8AOrGiIx88Dbyy2VpfihTtAOKb8Ee31P6nGDbC5yDUA5WykSke8718BcUudTv43lPYDRsCvIfvWY5gxdOjw/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Rb1HKN0OjNBDrw99ieyByto9vwTja3VbMd2xd9HWuJQcWYwKQ2nYc7o8AOrGiIx88Dbyy2VpfihTtAOKb8Ee31P6nGDbC5yDUA5WykSke8718BcUudTv43lPYDRsCvIfvWY5gxdOjw/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" height="522" width="640" /></a> </div>
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When the girls left to go fix some hot chocolate and scrounge up lunch,</div>
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I stayed out with Levi.</div>
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I remembered back to when I was a child and my neighbor friend's mom had built a magnificent snow creature. I watched her start it and work on shaping and then creating the details of it.</div>
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I remember feeling overwhelmed at how much time she was spending on it,</div>
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how she stuck with it until it was done several hours later.</div>
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I remember feeling like I could never do something so huge and incredible like that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBICt9_knoIW36-6NHlOsu-4z0hmawd92naEh31SSDXfv8JjMERrhkYkd5D-9u2i054C2oxfwgh2RaKeCZmtrPO6UPZOUU_ThE7Dcbj7MCbdh_VJZ6xKXBE_IQSUhLRABHUe1bbCp-ke4/s1600/IMG_8488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBICt9_knoIW36-6NHlOsu-4z0hmawd92naEh31SSDXfv8JjMERrhkYkd5D-9u2i054C2oxfwgh2RaKeCZmtrPO6UPZOUU_ThE7Dcbj7MCbdh_VJZ6xKXBE_IQSUhLRABHUe1bbCp-ke4/s1600/IMG_8488.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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"I'm tired, Mom. This is really hard work. I could use some help over here,"</div>
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he was packing snow around the tail, making it look rounded, as I had just shown him."</div>
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"Everything that is worth doing in life is going to be work at some time, Levi.</div>
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Just stick with it and before you know it, the job will be done."</div>
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"But it is so much to do. It is so big. We'll never get done."</div>
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Discouragement was setting in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TSAvQg6sneYgbPvs9w_1hcNlbKMM7S1KegM7Dud0E7YjVvg0Zw6Rp4b3Dq0IMm0UETDlfDH9mX-y-KbjRM2Vy-_EX_g8cZB_t1Qvc2CrYD8SfYDhFOuTLuJg9_Qrl62XPRQa0_i38rQ/s1600/IMG_8491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TSAvQg6sneYgbPvs9w_1hcNlbKMM7S1KegM7Dud0E7YjVvg0Zw6Rp4b3Dq0IMm0UETDlfDH9mX-y-KbjRM2Vy-_EX_g8cZB_t1Qvc2CrYD8SfYDhFOuTLuJg9_Qrl62XPRQa0_i38rQ/s1600/IMG_8491.JPG" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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"Don't look at the whole dragon. Just look at that little section of the tail you are working on.</div>
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It looks too hard and too much when you think about all that is left to do."</div>
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It wasn't too long before I heard, "I need some help over here. I can't do this,"</div>
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he wanted to give up.</div>
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"Levi, if I have to stop and help you, the section that I am working on will not get done.<br />My helping you will mean my work doesn't get done.</div>
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Do the best you can. I know you can do it."</div>
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As we continued to move through the snow and work on sections, we talked and complimented each others work. </div>
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"Does this tongue look okay, Levi."</div>
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"No, it doesn't look like a tongue, how about making some fire,"<br />he answered.</div>
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"Fire? How am I going to make fire out of snow?"</div>
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As things progressed, I could see his discouragement phase had passed.</div>
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The creature was really starting to look better</div>
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and the end was not too far away to see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoYaa8jLWYdApJ19iOX7Tt_9kLwSOIiQ6Bb7D7bzgkafHP_vAyA3AI2ztfK_35LDuv9bVNoL4m6g3Zsgs4RItSQqATKxK0_R-InVWdznR2erLUWtPftWFezhhyqA-QZxBjjxeUUAMy24/s1600/IMG_8495.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoYaa8jLWYdApJ19iOX7Tt_9kLwSOIiQ6Bb7D7bzgkafHP_vAyA3AI2ztfK_35LDuv9bVNoL4m6g3Zsgs4RItSQqATKxK0_R-InVWdznR2erLUWtPftWFezhhyqA-QZxBjjxeUUAMy24/s1600/IMG_8495.JPG" height="495" width="640" /></a></div>
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"We just need to make some claws on the front paw and add some wings,</div>
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and we'll be done," he sounded excited now.</div>
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"Perhaps when we finish, I can send a picture of our dragon in to the news."</div>
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As I told him this, his eyes lit up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"You mean, we can be famous?" he asked.</div>
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I laughed, "Yes, famous for our snow dragon."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"But what if other people see what we have made and want to copy us?"<br />he looked worried that our dragon would become a creature on everybody's front lawn and not special just to us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I laughed, "I don't think everybody is going to go outside and build a snow dragon like ours, Levi,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but even if they did, it is a fun thing to share."<br /><br />I could see him thinking and reconsidering that it might not be so bad to see snow dragons on every front lawn as we drove down the street.</div>
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As we patted our dragon to a finish, the joy in Levi's face was priceless:</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Take my picture with my dragon, now, Mom.</div>
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We did a great job on it, didn't we?"</div>
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he scanned his snow pet as he stepped up beside it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE73lYto6Ye9mmZFEW1l4bloKHxXTWPQfk27FlQnmtY-uYlXuLnW2B1CB5K8Twf_93BqPW0V6XIHKPx71mshLDfS9bqGhYzcSnMiAn3keKp4LU0kuYoQCOdqnN5jmfheQNXjdPtXqPpo/s1600/IMG_8497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE73lYto6Ye9mmZFEW1l4bloKHxXTWPQfk27FlQnmtY-uYlXuLnW2B1CB5K8Twf_93BqPW0V6XIHKPx71mshLDfS9bqGhYzcSnMiAn3keKp4LU0kuYoQCOdqnN5jmfheQNXjdPtXqPpo/s1600/IMG_8497.JPG" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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That creature took several hours of the day out in a snowstorm.</div>
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Doubtless, it will disappear within a week or two.</div>
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Back in the house, the dishes are still in the sink,</div>
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the wet laundry is still in the washer,</div>
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my list of things "to-do" still has nothing "done" on it;</div>
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but somehow, I feel like those hours were ones that will be of so much more value than having my list done. My little boy and I realized the value of sticking to hard work;</div>
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of not quitting, even when the job seems too big to conquer;</div>
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the joy of seeing a job completed;</div>
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the fun of working together and being helpful,</div>
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the boost that encouragement gives,</div>
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how to give and take criticism without too much offense</div>
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(even though my fire still does not look like fire);</div>
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and </div>
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figuring out a way to make things happen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnhb72j-7zCosXg8atS4EthYeyH-ePxEfADVXMW2PXlHpXJPosJ6-juMoNYj_rtNr8sbu515w1Ij_HxRnunidleb75t1WMNOZgQQGPcsQzKQbhhQvURHzh9fLKYysLRrtK5uAol8pV18/s1600/IMG_8481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnhb72j-7zCosXg8atS4EthYeyH-ePxEfADVXMW2PXlHpXJPosJ6-juMoNYj_rtNr8sbu515w1Ij_HxRnunidleb75t1WMNOZgQQGPcsQzKQbhhQvURHzh9fLKYysLRrtK5uAol8pV18/s1600/IMG_8481.JPG" height="533" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is dark now, and I just saw Levi slip his coat on and disappear out the door.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Where is he going?" my farmer asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"He's going to visit his dragon," I responded.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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The dragon may be made of snow,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I'm pretty sure the memory and the lessons we both learned won't melt with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AMMc_ZRBHYOkRHR8YONdGIirNFukxRlibjNv-JCMiaMLac_isnG_gef96K9vDrjL7uLY50q4a7hVL40B9YHuVktbDV55vouMYAtJH15fV0HOFonq9A8uBg8coVwEOKt4dkzwpGr38Uo/s1600/IMG_8506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AMMc_ZRBHYOkRHR8YONdGIirNFukxRlibjNv-JCMiaMLac_isnG_gef96K9vDrjL7uLY50q4a7hVL40B9YHuVktbDV55vouMYAtJH15fV0HOFonq9A8uBg8coVwEOKt4dkzwpGr38Uo/s1600/IMG_8506.jpg" height="640" width="453" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Our Snow Dragon with Levi's favorite Bible verses).</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-15379144694512477932014-01-06T12:08:00.002-05:002014-01-06T12:08:36.059-05:00A Word for 2014.<br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw">e·lim·i·nate: </span> </div>
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h">
<i>verb</i></div>
<div class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1">
<span>verb: <b>eliminate</b></span><span>; 3rd person present: <b>eliminates</b></span><span>; past tense: <b>eliminated</b></span><span>; past participle: <b>eliminated</b></span><span>; gerund or present participle: <b>eliminating</b></span></div>
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<strong>1</strong>. </div>
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<span>completely remove or get rid of (something).</span></div>
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The snow is falling in the darkness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUtEs-QOBj9DIq84qgW44FDFUGtYb3AWxc_-HrKR4jBwUqxeSTaUBScFyBF_d9lcMrpcRgpUH8VlrRWOd9jr-pXg5uG2YSiQYXIGDVz1Mc01UGk66MtK2MHodBEOEulmZ76W2vjxbcuU/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUtEs-QOBj9DIq84qgW44FDFUGtYb3AWxc_-HrKR4jBwUqxeSTaUBScFyBF_d9lcMrpcRgpUH8VlrRWOd9jr-pXg5uG2YSiQYXIGDVz1Mc01UGk66MtK2MHodBEOEulmZ76W2vjxbcuU/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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The cat sits there, waiting for somebody to open a sliver of it so he may slip in,</div>
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another thing trying to push into my space whether I want him in or not.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxeEOvJhT2Cy9cAOeR6L9CSVNQy4P2xZCk5B9AWQ5tKquSJIGPBEOkEh4voMPJp2dtbDpNNX2um8_mW7vi9qirlR_uN8EKIgtvsB84SBEI5SiyAFJMrGxzN3hGpGP1PEh86JnSTsM5uc/s1600/IMG_8129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxeEOvJhT2Cy9cAOeR6L9CSVNQy4P2xZCk5B9AWQ5tKquSJIGPBEOkEh4voMPJp2dtbDpNNX2um8_mW7vi9qirlR_uN8EKIgtvsB84SBEI5SiyAFJMrGxzN3hGpGP1PEh86JnSTsM5uc/s1600/IMG_8129.JPG" height="640" width="444" /></a></div>
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I notice the plant in the living room and realize I still haven't replaced the stool my daughter removed from under it: she needed it in her "dance" play.</div>
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The plate that broke from her hasty removal of it still sits in pieces under it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw9hTvfheyedyXUosdAhBB7YYVg6V6Sj5jNoHh8iFTdtOk9NKyGVkAMzzcaOeGzB81gYnTZ5F-nBU8lkkuVLJmEh-QMiUcY-D8B4npKhFd3qe35iFqbe8rrRW-Pf9poFT3h9QM2AVb0Y/s1600/IMG_8126.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw9hTvfheyedyXUosdAhBB7YYVg6V6Sj5jNoHh8iFTdtOk9NKyGVkAMzzcaOeGzB81gYnTZ5F-nBU8lkkuVLJmEh-QMiUcY-D8B4npKhFd3qe35iFqbe8rrRW-Pf9poFT3h9QM2AVb0Y/s1600/IMG_8126.JPG" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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It calls to me every time I walk by.</div>
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"I need to be fixed! A little bit of water would be appreciated, too!"</div>
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The picture on my easel that I started back in the fall still sits unimproved.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Every time I see it, several times a day, I want to stop and add to it,</div>
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but that desire never seems to be fulfilled.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVOqqSafcFK0JmRBscfa4RRQkZrqEM5fyz7H2rOSF5RdWP4JOoKLaOYKU9gdSwesfv8lzpR1di5ArbTcD6BUFaVVxBuRz-OZPQTTDnszxQ2c0LT5D-nTIsaxLkE28eqDKv_KNkWswijo/s1600/IMG_8134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVOqqSafcFK0JmRBscfa4RRQkZrqEM5fyz7H2rOSF5RdWP4JOoKLaOYKU9gdSwesfv8lzpR1di5ArbTcD6BUFaVVxBuRz-OZPQTTDnszxQ2c0LT5D-nTIsaxLkE28eqDKv_KNkWswijo/s1600/IMG_8134.JPG" height="557" width="640" /></a></div>
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The picture of our farm that I started hangs on the wall behind it in the same condition.</div>
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They both call to me all day long. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNuPfSPowWC9H1MYED802Pl-MxG9OjiZs3TrViyh9XR887-pRT6NZo6O0ewxu4hMTnQQZjsJjbBxEs10xKo6cKg_pn9HEiuY8VQ7Bj7rqpqnWIJz9FeYEg-tImNuSRgf2kdY5iZH4beE/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNuPfSPowWC9H1MYED802Pl-MxG9OjiZs3TrViyh9XR887-pRT6NZo6O0ewxu4hMTnQQZjsJjbBxEs10xKo6cKg_pn9HEiuY8VQ7Bj7rqpqnWIJz9FeYEg-tImNuSRgf2kdY5iZH4beE/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" height="640" width="552" /></a></div>
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The pictures that my son made for his Christmas thank you cards wait patiently on the copier.</div>
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They call to me every time I walk through the office.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9iHS5tAZB84fVWBkJCMrhZvBvqmGpLe34RxKBqRbkfXYblcFEgdyNmsdUX6aZtb6YxiP5Rwo3NxotmtzXyV_ELp8Rjb5o-8MwoHEZwAT0Jxo4v2sbkkzDgRmBx3djVZ1e07IhnUPy9g/s1600/IMG_8137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9iHS5tAZB84fVWBkJCMrhZvBvqmGpLe34RxKBqRbkfXYblcFEgdyNmsdUX6aZtb6YxiP5Rwo3NxotmtzXyV_ELp8Rjb5o-8MwoHEZwAT0Jxo4v2sbkkzDgRmBx3djVZ1e07IhnUPy9g/s1600/IMG_8137.JPG" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Christmas tree, ornaments removed, sheds more and more of it's fading grace on the floor every time somebody walks by.</div>
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"You need to go!" I tell it,</div>
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as if reminding it of it's impending removal will make it grow it's own legs and walk out the door.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vJuCleGpqvlwa-yQIpXOwiO4FKTJOi0YM0DqL_KQgw_E5R46LPw0FqoqDQqC7u69MdAx3CRBhyphenhyphenhn_GJlCT13Wn06nGXE_eHvfQRk9mVhFyuXk2NIctf7t8KpxLx4GgsAOYVzL65DDnY/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vJuCleGpqvlwa-yQIpXOwiO4FKTJOi0YM0DqL_KQgw_E5R46LPw0FqoqDQqC7u69MdAx3CRBhyphenhyphenhn_GJlCT13Wn06nGXE_eHvfQRk9mVhFyuXk2NIctf7t8KpxLx4GgsAOYVzL65DDnY/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" height="640" width="447" /></a></div>
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"Mommy, come see my 'thank you' cards," Lillie calls from her place at the table.<br />
"Can you help me glue them?"<br />
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My feet stop beside her and my focus is distracted by the glue stick that is drying without it's cap.<br />
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There is a laundry basket full of mending...</div>
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it has been sitting in my life for the last several years,</div>
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not lessening but building with each passing week.</div>
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I am certain there are clothes somewhere on the dark depths of the bottom of it that could very likely be 2 sizes too small for the child it belongs to.</div>
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It nags at me every time I walk by it and see it.</div>
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I try to deal with it by throwing a vintage table cloth over it,</div>
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but I can still sense it under there,</div>
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a snarling reminder of things I can't seem to get done.</div>
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The windows on the back porch were painted when they were put in to the newly enclosed porch a few years back, but the boards had not been sealed, so the knots yell the same at me:</div>
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"When will you repaint us?"</div>
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<br />
The basement closet my husband built a few weeks ago says the same thing to me<br />
every time I open it to fetch my coat before heading out the door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE5yiNbrITkkoQvYBWGMT0fft1q1j_wsojaLLYst1ClVrf5_eiVGnRvo-FZNRzjPUN-yOE2x0FXs0Z4uyojayzpLgZQTtQQ5UTalDmsgF6V8kCGUAwvggTIgMJSSMuaI8ter8RNppPxo/s1600/IMG_8133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE5yiNbrITkkoQvYBWGMT0fft1q1j_wsojaLLYst1ClVrf5_eiVGnRvo-FZNRzjPUN-yOE2x0FXs0Z4uyojayzpLgZQTtQQ5UTalDmsgF6V8kCGUAwvggTIgMJSSMuaI8ter8RNppPxo/s1600/IMG_8133.JPG" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
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There is the box of unfinished Christmas letters, waiting to be written, addressed, and then sent out.</div>
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There is my book, written and waiting for illustrations so it can be sent to publishers to consider.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgg8ZWGTz256Lx-RkR2WWo7rmm8vmSRNvFghyphenhyphenjKApq15769bfHvARdW8W2t5FmSGghSlwEy-FaxH8V9bdym4pYIy6KG76iWEHOBRxQOOKprE2iMKdzwPCN6Jc_-8NdC_Rjx_sYLjBLmI/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgg8ZWGTz256Lx-RkR2WWo7rmm8vmSRNvFghyphenhyphenjKApq15769bfHvARdW8W2t5FmSGghSlwEy-FaxH8V9bdym4pYIy6KG76iWEHOBRxQOOKprE2iMKdzwPCN6Jc_-8NdC_Rjx_sYLjBLmI/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
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<br />
There is Levi, working on his math page, drawing the numbers into imaginative creatures,<br />
even though the 6 and 2 are still being written backwards. <br />
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There is the memory verse pages for the kids, waiting for the illustrations to be outlined.</div>
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The mountain of laundry never reaches the bottom and it makes me frustrated that I can never conquer that goal. </div>
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Life today is not like it was 100 - 200 years ago.</div>
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We lacked for "things" back then.</div>
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Bare essentials and food were priority, not luxuries.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My life is just the opposite.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too many things clamber for my attention.</div>
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I need to get rid of the things that steal me from those that are most important.<br />
<br />
I don't need resolutions and goals of more things to squeeze in.<br />
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I need to cut things out. <br />
Who has time for resolutions and goals in a life cluttered by a thousand little things?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My resolution must succumb to what is actually needed in my life:</div>
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not more, but less.<br />
Elimination.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I like that idea.</div>
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Every day I will chose something to eliminate in that day:</div>
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I will take something from the mending pile and throw it away.</div>
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If it isn't mended, it will get tossed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I will reject a food I don't need to eat so I can choose a healthier life and make wiser choices.<br />
<br />
I will eliminate one unfinished project at a time,<br />
striving to conquer a little thing and not allowing anything new until this list gets finished.<br />
<br />
I will eliminate something every day:<br />
an unworn piece of clothing,<br />
an unneeded tool that gets stuck in the overstuffed kitchen utensil drawer,<br />
an unneeded toy underfoot,<br />
an angry word that doesn't need to be spoken,<br />
an extra 5 minutes on facebook that could be used in a better way,<br />
an evening of no television or unnecessary distractions,<br />
an unnecessary word of unkindness about somebody I am either jealous of or offended at,<br />
a moment of hasty frustration at the grocery store when my lagging child tempts to make me forget the wisdom of a quiet reproach: </div>
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<br />
little measures of elimination,<br />
one powerful moment of choice each day. <br />
<br />
As I read the Proverbs 31 woman,<br />
that is what sticks out to me this time around:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-31-18/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 31:18">"She perceiveth that her merchandise <em>is</em> good: her candle goeth not out by night."</a> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 31:18. </span><br />
<br />
My candle seems to always be lit,<br />
but that measure of good isn't.<br />
I want my life to have content that is good.<br />
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Good comes sometimes when there is an empty place for it to fit into.<br />
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As the moments become little victories for each day,<br />
those unwritten goals of a better life will unwittingly fall into place.<br />
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I think that is a goal I can like for the year... <br />
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now if I can just find those scissors and trash cans to start tossing the bad into.<br />
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What about you?<br />
Do you have a word for the new year?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-37360263550984343752013-12-28T02:06:00.002-05:002013-12-28T02:06:47.471-05:00A Good Sale.<br />
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Hi!</div>
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I don't normally do store advertisements on my blog,</div>
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but I just had to share this one.</div>
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One King's Lane is having some great sales right now into the weekend.</div>
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Some of the prices are just incredible!</div>
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The other day, they even sent a coupon code for 30% off everything for that day.</div>
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That was a GREAT savings, so if you see anything there that you might like,</div>
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signing up on their email list is a great idea!</div>
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Here are just a few of the fun variety that is on sale there right now</div>
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(and if you are a new shopper, you will get 15% off).</div>
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<a href="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_JIM10047_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_JIM10047_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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$18</div>
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<a href="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_PCA10386_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_PCA10386_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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$22</div>
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(Indoor and outdoor rugs: a fun selection of patterns</div>
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as well as a variety of sizes) </div>
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$19- $249</div>
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<a href="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_BUC10047_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_BUC10047_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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$19</div>
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<a href="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_UMA14117_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_UMA14117_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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$39</div>
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<a href="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_EVN11399_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_EVN11399_Image_1?$product$" /></a>3/$19</div>
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<a href="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_LAN10007_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_LAN10007_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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2/$26</div>
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<a href="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_JWB10026_Image_1?$story-product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://okl1-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_JWB10026_Image_1?$story-product$" width="400" /></a></div>
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(This is a set of two sweater driers: I couldn't resist this one when I had the 30% off code!) </div>
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2/$16</div>
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<a href="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_MGX10038_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_MGX10038_Image_1?$product$" /></a></div>
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(Lots of really pretty scarves!) </div>
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$22</div>
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<a href="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_EVN14033_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://okl-scene7.insnw.net/is/image/OKL/Product_EVN14033_Image_1?$product$" width="640" /></a></div>
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(There is a large variety of unique items like this branch candle stand).</div>
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$29</div>
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This is just a small listing of the items on sale.</div>
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There are also vintage items, other storage containers,</div>
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jewelry, pillows, indoor rugs, towels and sheets and fun faux fur throw blankets,</div>
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even furniture.</div>
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If you use the link below, it will help me out, too,</div>
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but really, I am just sharing this sale because it has some great items.</div>
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I just couldn't keep it to myself! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/tward6">https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/tward6</a></div>
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I won't do this often, and if you aren't interested, just ignore this post.</div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-46810310910886049182013-12-23T01:16:00.003-05:002013-12-23T01:45:53.674-05:00When Baby Jesus went Missing from Under our Tree.<br />
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I hear a jingling and turn in time to see the branches giving way as an ornament slips off its branch and crashes through the desperately grabbing limbs below that miss its nimble bounces.</div>
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It rolls behind the manger scene as it hits the floor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gTQWs_PpzAt23Xq57tjlZ2h7RHKP40emRkZWJmW-TNVBgSOT3TTNfFgReeCRqz1zn8KUjCn3k1RNiQXcXyHLNtBtchJE3wLgLX5QgSvLIEPUF5k5vkWI0HTyRlDZqePp5ub6JrRmRLY/s1600/IMG_7306.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gTQWs_PpzAt23Xq57tjlZ2h7RHKP40emRkZWJmW-TNVBgSOT3TTNfFgReeCRqz1zn8KUjCn3k1RNiQXcXyHLNtBtchJE3wLgLX5QgSvLIEPUF5k5vkWI0HTyRlDZqePp5ub6JrRmRLY/s640/IMG_7306.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Bending to find the stray ornament, I set one of the wise men upright as I notice he'd been knocked over. That is when I also see that baby Jesus is missing.</div>
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I search under the tree, but only find the runaway ornament and a dozen scattered pine needles that have given up hold on their former branches to lie looking up into the tree full of lights.</div>
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I used to love looking up into the tree at Christmas when I was a kid. My uncle would come over the night before Christmas to sleep over and spend Christmas morning with us, and my sister and I would shut all the lights out in the living room except for the tree lights. We'd slide our heads under the tree and look up into the world of colored lights. The memory of the view, the scent of the tree, the sound of carols quietly playing on the record player, my uncle's clothes still cold from coming in, and my father's voice droning on in conversation with my aunt and mother still bring back that cozy Christmas spirit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwvu0KS-Kb6xygbqjyE29NLyXfjmYkbpDn3ABrUS2_0VNl1PaWqcHxWOVFVaiY6jLqMZljfyEJg4r-vzKzYCRr9SA49M4wd7Ez50sYeCizxUPqSZjqxGnbKaIcQANhQToJGn-DqdJEkY/s1600/IMG_7347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwvu0KS-Kb6xygbqjyE29NLyXfjmYkbpDn3ABrUS2_0VNl1PaWqcHxWOVFVaiY6jLqMZljfyEJg4r-vzKzYCRr9SA49M4wd7Ez50sYeCizxUPqSZjqxGnbKaIcQANhQToJGn-DqdJEkY/s640/IMG_7347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I search behind the stable under the tree, there is still no sign of the baby in the manger.</div>
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"Violet," I call into the other room. "Do you know where baby Jesus is? He's not in the stable."</div>
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"Yes," she replies from behind her school book. "I put him in that cupboard with your books. He's not supposed to be in the stable until Christmas morning. That's how Grandma does it."</div>
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I remember that on Christmas day, we always sat around the tree before the presents had been opened,</div>
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the smell of fresh coffee from the adults' mugs, the excitement of Christmas morning almost too much to handle. Dad would pull out his big black Bible and open it to the familiar page at the beginning of one of the gospels and read us the story of how Mary and Joseph had found themselves heading off on a journey to a far away land to do some kind of political requirement: a taxing or counting of the people. It didn't make much sense to me as a child, but that didn't matter. </div>
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We were waiting for the right phrase.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd0KNA30U6gtqRqVajBqgAilk5fkxgtp4VxYoiyGxMlA9pO2F3GqbsvoTv6VjOArzRFT6guNZCXkOjQtXDX4RHk2JEOK5S6TzGsYL5f56RgwOsWfqfqBaKWiG-R_hMhTwUal7GYWTJac/s1600/IMG_7307.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd0KNA30U6gtqRqVajBqgAilk5fkxgtp4VxYoiyGxMlA9pO2F3GqbsvoTv6VjOArzRFT6guNZCXkOjQtXDX4RHk2JEOK5S6TzGsYL5f56RgwOsWfqfqBaKWiG-R_hMhTwUal7GYWTJac/s640/IMG_7307.JPG" width="413" /></a></div>
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The story didn't mean as much to me then. It has taken on new meaning for me with each passing year...the years I was a child, I was fascinated with the animals in the stall:</div>
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being born in a barn sounded like a fun thing to me then.</div>
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As I grew up and became a young woman, I wondered what it must have been like to be engaged and have an angel appear and tell you you would be giving birth to God's son,</div>
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the predicament of her betrothed, the man she loved, and how to tell him what the angel had said.</div>
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When I married and had my first baby, I suddenly saw her trip to the stable in new light,</div>
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and realized my childhood simplicity of how fun it would be to have a baby while animals looked on might have been a bit out of touch with reality.</div>
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Just the journey would have made my largely disproportionate silhouette and heavily pressured bones so uncomfortable, I would have wanted to sit on the ground in the middle of the star-lit night,</div>
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nobody wanting to take us in,</div>
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and cry my heart out loudly into the darkness.</div>
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I've been in our pasture on a starry night and wondered what it must have been like for a multitude of angels to appear singing music that must have sounded beyond incredible to a group of weary shepherds,</div>
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even more so in a world where symphonies and stereos did not exist.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8AMTZ5Vn8I6F_5OMnJicrsxxeSl4ABisG-xd5OtqkT3OfpPPhuTTdz9hAUt_-6cju-IXUxv-w4TOXUHyE1vo_3JbMeq6Cv5Sd7TVPDIZdlbZFdVG1gECozFsga2MkyS2rgyyWGtB6qk/s1600/IMG_7394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8AMTZ5Vn8I6F_5OMnJicrsxxeSl4ABisG-xd5OtqkT3OfpPPhuTTdz9hAUt_-6cju-IXUxv-w4TOXUHyE1vo_3JbMeq6Cv5Sd7TVPDIZdlbZFdVG1gECozFsga2MkyS2rgyyWGtB6qk/s640/IMG_7394.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
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I've traveled to far-away destinations and imagined how much faith it must have taken for men of great esteem and wealth to study and agree to saddle up their camels with not only provisions (as they had no rest stop gas stations with hot foods and helpful directions), but also carrying gifts for what must have been unknown expectations of who would be at the end of the journey of the star's leading.</div>
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Now, I watch in my own children's faces the joy and excitement that sparkle in their eyes.</div>
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"And <span class="tablestyle">she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and<span style="background: yellow;"></span> laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMEZRlslJ8eKtYovCt_RL5GFhThK5dE0LTGbNHdhWOi_zEGS9tKLW1eAQ3wcW1BCQOkuqDen8_QpM1hyphenhyphenuIq86ypS3abyTO-srBVkZG5RreFRVBUYeGr0DPIPp9lUQ33u9lGjrFc64h7I/s1600/IMG_7385.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMEZRlslJ8eKtYovCt_RL5GFhThK5dE0LTGbNHdhWOi_zEGS9tKLW1eAQ3wcW1BCQOkuqDen8_QpM1hyphenhyphenuIq86ypS3abyTO-srBVkZG5RreFRVBUYeGr0DPIPp9lUQ33u9lGjrFc64h7I/s640/IMG_7385.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="tablestyle">That was the phrase. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="tablestyle">At those words, the baby Jesus would be put into the stable to the place that represented where he was born.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">That moment, small as it was, always had a sense of recognition of the weight of that day,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">all wrapped up in something so tender as a newborn baby,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">while quietly breathing animals and a young virgin mother and nervous helping husband played their parts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Ihfq-uRitXePIjzJs8D7ZcH4ZydQc2VVYNy-oT6FjnbjnugSN2JyVVnT72w8cz9IZp0I57KVAj6jdOiN40KfCVU_N4BR1wUwwo7TaGTNNb3xA9fDgsQ4haadBYXwlUxQhrtqAdG5MA/s1600/IMG_7387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Ihfq-uRitXePIjzJs8D7ZcH4ZydQc2VVYNy-oT6FjnbjnugSN2JyVVnT72w8cz9IZp0I57KVAj6jdOiN40KfCVU_N4BR1wUwwo7TaGTNNb3xA9fDgsQ4haadBYXwlUxQhrtqAdG5MA/s640/IMG_7387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">I open the cupboard door to check, and there is the little statue of the baby in the manger, carefully set on the side of a book. It's just a piece of inexpensive clay cast into a simple form,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">but it holds the moments of memories that mark what the day is all about.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">Later, from an ad I had heard at the store over the loud speaker,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">that silly song about "Santa, baby....so hurry down the chimney tonight," lingers in my head,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">and happens to emerge from my mouth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">My four year old looks up at me questioningly and asks,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">"Baby Santa? I thought Christmas was about baby Jesus."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">I smile and feel foolish and admit,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">"You're right, Lillie. Christmas is about baby Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">Thanks for reminding me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgAjfxVbWylJxv-AGhpXOPpefgWAsJ93LRzSM2mI1Erzb0hAD4mI3_p7_gVJypJPGGgY3KKCtk52zxKaORkQ7wD334zjk8FRmlLmzh8ctghw2ouRzEdByV4QH4fHvWxUAuDpZcYdz1eI/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgAjfxVbWylJxv-AGhpXOPpefgWAsJ93LRzSM2mI1Erzb0hAD4mI3_p7_gVJypJPGGgY3KKCtk52zxKaORkQ7wD334zjk8FRmlLmzh8ctghw2ouRzEdByV4QH4fHvWxUAuDpZcYdz1eI/s640/IMG_7525.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">"Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle">The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span>
<span class="tablestyle">-William James Kirkland</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tablestyle"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-57223665429821796022013-12-11T01:46:00.001-05:002013-12-11T01:46:35.381-05:00Christmas Home Tour: DIY Vintage Country<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgACH6tQoNfjmXMxoWor75S36M-GP4yNO6PNyB56mWAPxwjwQOX7XYAPixpNAyjlG3re3N9GEpXeGIStfeld970kZZU7iMSZ_rGHOiEMYtPVCTjGwy85CZlFjsF0jqaqneQJF-5cHHoU/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgACH6tQoNfjmXMxoWor75S36M-GP4yNO6PNyB56mWAPxwjwQOX7XYAPixpNAyjlG3re3N9GEpXeGIStfeld970kZZU7iMSZ_rGHOiEMYtPVCTjGwy85CZlFjsF0jqaqneQJF-5cHHoU/s640/IMG_7693.JPG" width="435" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sharing my Christmas Home Tour over at my other blog if you'd be interested to see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pailsofpaint.com/2013/12/christmas-home-tour-home-made-christmas.html">www.pailsofpaint.com/: Christmas-home-tour-home-made-christmas</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If not, I'll be back for a visit again soon;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you are well and having a peaceful Christmas season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-82672069288259705052013-12-06T02:36:00.001-05:002013-12-06T02:42:05.508-05:00A Reflection of Love in Buttons.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
As my breakfast plate sat in front of me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the verses from Romans 13 tumbled off the page:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">8</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-13-8/" title="View more translations of Romans 13:8">Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.</a></div>
<br />
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
Such a simple thought,</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
but with it's incredible power it falls on my heart.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
The fulfilling of the law...</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
love.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
I snatch up the dish and set it in the sink as I hear their voices from the other room.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
The church clothes that had been ironed and placed on the couch were in his hands.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
I could hear her voice.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
"Come on, Levi. You need to hurry and get dressed."</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
My four-year-old stood inches below him, her Sunday dress on but her hair still needing to be brushed.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
"We'll be late, Levi... Oh, let me do it."</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmXgtpQ0nD5YLwiZDKJ5fsRuwX_tNOfWQxhQJZzxyb-r_4QDSm-5SVSFEJUapYPVs6yB6EvxOs9HC8-LlRf8W2T_QRxT4QMgedRyMDstPNPq4ffaVecjEjiasztS9Uhx11deFTMsm24/s1600/IMG_5152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmXgtpQ0nD5YLwiZDKJ5fsRuwX_tNOfWQxhQJZzxyb-r_4QDSm-5SVSFEJUapYPVs6yB6EvxOs9HC8-LlRf8W2T_QRxT4QMgedRyMDstPNPq4ffaVecjEjiasztS9Uhx11deFTMsm24/s640/IMG_5152.JPG" width="498" /></a></div>
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<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
Her little fingers pushed his aside.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
"Let me help you."</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x-P91o87uQxKE53Qs2pJvO4JBf_FJmC6Lj9AoNZXmIouXwxfVidKF27kkD7_WWmL3pBAsnzrcYVGhq2osOmY75OdbnuhLZdxfGRuxE1xTAaLHr15GE7LTGLetiAq4hxGzP4FQ0zx41U/s1600/IMG_7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x-P91o87uQxKE53Qs2pJvO4JBf_FJmC6Lj9AoNZXmIouXwxfVidKF27kkD7_WWmL3pBAsnzrcYVGhq2osOmY75OdbnuhLZdxfGRuxE1xTAaLHr15GE7LTGLetiAq4hxGzP4FQ0zx41U/s640/IMG_7083.JPG" width="607" /></a></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
He stood there, willingly letting her help him,</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
even though her fingers were no swifter than his own.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
She wanted to help, he wanted to let her.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5UR3ZxqqOaIbbbFDdM14bv44t0jZCENalYvr9FTo3BXG2FUW1G8Bquy_kTn1tA40nGwfvqhE-eMWeNVHCPdWaSvc1GYZDmgc_wP9f4CyBYB37D7VIAu2iC9AaZaxQNchw2veLYUOmq8/s1600/IMG_5154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5UR3ZxqqOaIbbbFDdM14bv44t0jZCENalYvr9FTo3BXG2FUW1G8Bquy_kTn1tA40nGwfvqhE-eMWeNVHCPdWaSvc1GYZDmgc_wP9f4CyBYB37D7VIAu2iC9AaZaxQNchw2veLYUOmq8/s640/IMG_5154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
Their simple measures of love, the sweetness of sacrfice:</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
wanting to help and working toward that,</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
wanting to be kind and letting her try;</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
the reflection of love in both of their faces. </div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
"...<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-13-9/" title="View more translations of Romans 13:9">9....and
if <i>there be</i> any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, the greatest sermons can be preached by the simple acts of the smallest folk.</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
Sharing with Five Minute Fridays at</div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/12/five-minute-friday-reflect/">Lisajobaker.com</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-21984091603693850512013-11-21T04:00:00.000-05:002013-11-21T04:08:23.685-05:00Thanksgiving: Just Words.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you seen them?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have countless friends on facebook who have taken up the November monthly challenge of posting a statement of thanksgiving each day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It's a simple thing," I tell myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Everybody is doing it, so I guess I don't need to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is just a few words...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
random moments of gratitude.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What is it worth, really?" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"Is he still bleeding? Is that normal for a cow's horn to bleed that long," I ask my farmer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The steer had broken his horn on Friday and on Sunday, there was still a steady dripping coming from it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Yes, they can bleed a lot," he responded from the side of the trough where he was distributing hay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He'd dusted some blood stop powder on it, but it was still a nasty mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Normally, we'd chase him into the headlock and try to get something wrapped on it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we had a bull (the result of a fowled clamping attempt when he was younger)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in that pen and it was a pretty risky business to try to get the bull out of there to work on the wounded-horn steer. We figured the horn's bleeding would stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday, the steer was lying out in the field and didn't look too well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My farmer decided to call the vet in the morning on Tuesday as he was still looking pretty forlorn. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the vet arrived, it was looking as if the steer was in pretty bad shape.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He commented on how the steer's gums and the pinks in his eyes were pale,<br />
like he was near death.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The vet said he had never heard of a cow bleeding to death from his horn,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He checked him for worms, and, although he had some, it was not a bad case.<br />
His blood showed he was anemic, which pointed to blood loss being the cause.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is hard to watch an animal suffer.<br />
It is hard even when it is an animal that is destined to provide meat.<br />
<br />
When you get animals as babies and bring them up:<br />
have to keep their pens cleaned out, <br />
keep their water fresh,<br />
feed them twice each day,<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunrgAKIqshbfxLh5Rj79kSMP0jeE6q0C6AbFZH42L4MImjX5otfeWXa4QDAP33drUiqyx9xZ-zSiU7zTq5Hx4KLhunE79X0vqI6YotuHCWErIlfQ02EoHq2LPfECMvv1CxEeN9kayHf4/s1600/IMG_4040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunrgAKIqshbfxLh5Rj79kSMP0jeE6q0C6AbFZH42L4MImjX5otfeWXa4QDAP33drUiqyx9xZ-zSiU7zTq5Hx4KLhunE79X0vqI6YotuHCWErIlfQ02EoHq2LPfECMvv1CxEeN9kayHf4/s640/IMG_4040.JPG" width="461" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
fertilize the hay fields,<br />
buy the hay seed, <br />
plant the hay, <br />
pray for rain to make the hay grow,<br />
mow hay,<br />
rake hay,<br />
ted the hay,<br />
pray the rains will stay away until the hay is baled,<br />
bale hay,<br />
move the hay<br />
stack the hay,<br />
and then feed the hay...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsoL-1oJqfs9ir8xLfBVnDZelNDeM-a-Vv32LbNOrlADjhiNHNJRXkFVgLVUZ7pTUaV3mQ0G_KhqdqGNKGcaGw5J9WjfUu1vgfl_a7hfUAcY9fdAUSFfNRxzt_dgjTWXIyO2kTvlbpLY/s1600/IMG_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsoL-1oJqfs9ir8xLfBVnDZelNDeM-a-Vv32LbNOrlADjhiNHNJRXkFVgLVUZ7pTUaV3mQ0G_KhqdqGNKGcaGw5J9WjfUu1vgfl_a7hfUAcY9fdAUSFfNRxzt_dgjTWXIyO2kTvlbpLY/s640/IMG_6768.JPG" width="467" /></a></div>
<br />
it is a consuming process.<br />
<br />
However, there is nothing like watching your animals grow,<br />
enjoy their meals of hay,<br />
watch them stroll out through the green pastures of summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
Care-taking brings a unique delight. <br />
<br />
Certainly the time and commitment<br />
and the money wrapped up in the whole process<br />
makes for a relationship with these animals that is dependent upon each other.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5UoLp4t4cj9okFreBnJDWAyaJMxhahgKmG8psJ68YDwKgbRdu02pijCNQuH5HjGVg_VSuD37WsnS9An_610OSGDfjzdcWAp1nunm_h9cVpQGL-B22UlQZrnbINt2bqBS19zCTyi4hag/s1600/IMG_6932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5UoLp4t4cj9okFreBnJDWAyaJMxhahgKmG8psJ68YDwKgbRdu02pijCNQuH5HjGVg_VSuD37WsnS9An_610OSGDfjzdcWAp1nunm_h9cVpQGL-B22UlQZrnbINt2bqBS19zCTyi4hag/s640/IMG_6932.JPG" width="564" /></a><br />
<br />
"Will he make it,"<br />
I ask the vet, not sure that I want to hear the answer.<br />
<br />
"It is a 50/50 chance. He has pretty severe anemia."<br />
He explained to me something about the red blood count and some numbers I didn't understand.<br />
He said something like <br />
"35 is normal.<br />
6 or 7 is at death's door.<br />
This steer's number came out at 9.<br />
It isn't looking good, but he does have strength still,<br />
and we've done what we could."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnxupjZBHrE0Mpv8wrxZQlBDTsH_pVCHTnf8npuuIaJbxJ4fqfa71b4DubygUvinOrf-3d-7yfRlHjMpghD4DzxZvYvYJnK9BmjVaQMA0x2osZqOTmeHVCzyKHjPFVK00yarJjgZfBs/s1600/IMG_6866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXnxupjZBHrE0Mpv8wrxZQlBDTsH_pVCHTnf8npuuIaJbxJ4fqfa71b4DubygUvinOrf-3d-7yfRlHjMpghD4DzxZvYvYJnK9BmjVaQMA0x2osZqOTmeHVCzyKHjPFVK00yarJjgZfBs/s640/IMG_6866.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
It is never good to feel like there is only a 50 percent chance of hope.<br />
Half of the time, he would die.<br />
Half of the time, he would live.<br />
<br />
I am more of a high-hopes kind of person.<br />
High hopes are easier on the mind.<br />
<br />
I don't like half-hopes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfFXWhURF94Mg5ZCWm8YANRRxuOFxLSLVDIhDM3PCUtNydFcdYCP0aI4yBouNgX6YxuOzm13sINuEWMCJKKQfW3oILWnARNHz6mImkNZxGgIDh9euVojFyaurlgouWWIHkYn-8Dbmh0Y/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfFXWhURF94Mg5ZCWm8YANRRxuOFxLSLVDIhDM3PCUtNydFcdYCP0aI4yBouNgX6YxuOzm13sINuEWMCJKKQfW3oILWnARNHz6mImkNZxGgIDh9euVojFyaurlgouWWIHkYn-8Dbmh0Y/s640/IMG_6864.JPG" width="479" /></a><br />
<br />
I trudge down from the barn, looking up into the clouds and thinking a prayer.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it seems strange to live on a farm and pray about animals,<br />
rain for the harvest,<br />
longevity for the equipment,<br />
strength and time to get it all done,<br />
the constant battle against the curse of sin on nature. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcFeuXuQz1TEOn5fnUht-lnEQGt8CjYk_BUmIqirbQ6pjffDmNcVuquroYVMjuI1J-o6X_5CPTNjZh0G30sVcbkm3Z5HFQDhulxt-NVzl9WfTWZEGDbQKt_E147lv0rVscN2M81_zNAo/s1600/IMG_6794.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcFeuXuQz1TEOn5fnUht-lnEQGt8CjYk_BUmIqirbQ6pjffDmNcVuquroYVMjuI1J-o6X_5CPTNjZh0G30sVcbkm3Z5HFQDhulxt-NVzl9WfTWZEGDbQKt_E147lv0rVscN2M81_zNAo/s640/IMG_6794.JPG" width="469" /></a><br />
<br />
Still, with all the verses in the Bible about farming, ripe fields,<br />
gardening and vineyards,<br />
I remind myself that God cares and understands. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next morning, unsure of what will be found in the barn,<br />
I opened my Bible next to my breakfast and skim over the words in the passage for that day.<br />
I come up to these words: <br />
<br />
<div class="indent">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-9/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:9"><i></i> For every beast of the forest is mine, <i>and the cattle upon a thousand hills.</i></a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-11/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:11">I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field <i>are</i> mine.</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-12/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:12">If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world <i>is</i> mine, and the fulness thereof.</a> </div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-13/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:13">Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-14/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:14"><i>Offer unto God thanksgiving</i>; and pay thy vows unto the most High:</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-50-15/" title="View more translations of Psalms 50:15">And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.</a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Psalm 50:10-15<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (italics added) </span></span></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Thanksgiving. </div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Just a few words?</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Maybe,<br />
</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
but not in God's eyes.</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MGZNduhcfXkNao-LdwUirSjdrmTI9Qr6IcPmLoKRljCszjEjB-Z5wvkcZy7BcaJD1eUKV3vnKXM-jrq9g8-MCkctcvOAylZdpT6qwd1JIXjxGvn1N_Z_X-sTEoFBNfkyTLxrz5CDsi8/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MGZNduhcfXkNao-LdwUirSjdrmTI9Qr6IcPmLoKRljCszjEjB-Z5wvkcZy7BcaJD1eUKV3vnKXM-jrq9g8-MCkctcvOAylZdpT6qwd1JIXjxGvn1N_Z_X-sTEoFBNfkyTLxrz5CDsi8/s640/IMG_6605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Thanksgiving is a sacrifice, a rich offering of acknowledgement that God is good,</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
no matter what the circumstances that might be at the moment,</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
no matter how full the pot of luxuries </div>
<div class="indenttwo">
or how meager the crumbs of shifting securities...</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
God shares that He owns everything.</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Nothing surprises God.</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
Nothing is out of His knowledge or domain.</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
He doesn't rely on the sweat of our own work,</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
the blood of our bulls:</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
it is not what God wants.</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
He does it all</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
for good.<br />
</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
He wants our thanks...</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
<br /></div>
<div class="indenttwo">
when hard times turn out with good results,</div>
<div class="indenttwo">
and even when they don't seem to to us.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B5UNjrCrUTzbVNM7_8eYQ-PqcKlwg2q2zUhzXBSjec5Th1bWLpltQ2RfjQWV4eSr50ewx2rl1vyM7sT_YbaNy0FSodMnCei_SvDIICjLJwjRMhjxE-cqKFRL8a_cgEB7Kmra1R9g4zc/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B5UNjrCrUTzbVNM7_8eYQ-PqcKlwg2q2zUhzXBSjec5Th1bWLpltQ2RfjQWV4eSr50ewx2rl1vyM7sT_YbaNy0FSodMnCei_SvDIICjLJwjRMhjxE-cqKFRL8a_cgEB7Kmra1R9g4zc/s640/IMG_6601.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Nov. 21: Today I am thankful that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but He cares about the one in our barn...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I am thankful that this time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He gave him strength to live and moved him out to pasture again with the others." </div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-77076685445039906482013-11-15T02:09:00.000-05:002013-11-15T02:20:11.556-05:00Simple Genius<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They have natural disposable wrappers.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcoAfSzl84yaQYxh0a0WnKillYhRjG4QBnIErXYR_2JjS-ij3IZvvVJmR09MD1wVIK3Jy1EX0QdICOPhEHNAnxG5iC8tnmePgog9oj29bmNWg3jj5YBOuJWdYf8vWoHHkRgDOpXuYk4A/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcoAfSzl84yaQYxh0a0WnKillYhRjG4QBnIErXYR_2JjS-ij3IZvvVJmR09MD1wVIK3Jy1EX0QdICOPhEHNAnxG5iC8tnmePgog9oj29bmNWg3jj5YBOuJWdYf8vWoHHkRgDOpXuYk4A/s640/IMG_6607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't require batteries. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5XQgKDBqcwK0EMN0wjEbPBFzFIaJ_e62Bng-ws18dRvOH5pp6Skl9TBowm694s0VHUjJlHTg3ZZsM16imC8EXysZFq3fiNuydeJAWowBFSOcdm8sCEWQzZhbro97e4Vo9XGDGjLg54U/s1600/IMG_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5XQgKDBqcwK0EMN0wjEbPBFzFIaJ_e62Bng-ws18dRvOH5pp6Skl9TBowm694s0VHUjJlHTg3ZZsM16imC8EXysZFq3fiNuydeJAWowBFSOcdm8sCEWQzZhbro97e4Vo9XGDGjLg54U/s640/IMG_6613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't need to be washed or even swept up and cleaned.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In their bounty, they hide fingerprints and random pickings and tears from curious fingers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as well as from hungry creatures that crawl and fly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They change forms and colors all throughout their growing season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_MikjcJe0AF6HXcfw_EZYoV7RMyhOuPD3-vQWsWjqJyJ_jMWkBU1MptzC9jwZx98iVKx34SjlPfAmRjGCEyHCI9UM-nm261BzoiaJbLrUOw8YfGNGBCOjv0dryd4Iv_amD0UGMgCPT4/s1600/IMG_6621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_MikjcJe0AF6HXcfw_EZYoV7RMyhOuPD3-vQWsWjqJyJ_jMWkBU1MptzC9jwZx98iVKx34SjlPfAmRjGCEyHCI9UM-nm261BzoiaJbLrUOw8YfGNGBCOjv0dryd4Iv_amD0UGMgCPT4/s640/IMG_6621.JPG" width="640" /></a>They don't cringe because that they aren't the same as the tree next to them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
don't need to grow as tall, have the same shaped leaves.</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;">
They each diligently bear different fruit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
various colors and shapes of flowers. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPsuTbCsWo68-ua2NFWvJRFQdIsidODBnA69dKKpnBpB91lsXyMkrZX5vugPItPmCjIP_jFV6tE7hnIR19_ygFNdgTBn5vRp-1JFTp9JMMdVSabc0mAeF4EMXSddmetiEcEO9xpV0GpA/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPsuTbCsWo68-ua2NFWvJRFQdIsidODBnA69dKKpnBpB91lsXyMkrZX5vugPItPmCjIP_jFV6tE7hnIR19_ygFNdgTBn5vRp-1JFTp9JMMdVSabc0mAeF4EMXSddmetiEcEO9xpV0GpA/s640/IMG_6618.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Their leaves soak up the sun for food,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
reflect the skies in each raindrop.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFHHilcnB9SN0qkXgSl3aC6vsoFCtMHuJX1ka4a2qqRMpav66utxoOR3pUeU6y4QMBM7L-tMTBeTNdbmSv5se8vOnkCueh3Upkb3q-H_xJD96Cuuidqwy6vFuPtDPIrVC2-jBDdk-w4s/s1600/IMG_6622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFHHilcnB9SN0qkXgSl3aC6vsoFCtMHuJX1ka4a2qqRMpav66utxoOR3pUeU6y4QMBM7L-tMTBeTNdbmSv5se8vOnkCueh3Upkb3q-H_xJD96Cuuidqwy6vFuPtDPIrVC2-jBDdk-w4s/s640/IMG_6622.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the days grow shorter and cold,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they prepare for winter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not with sudden wilting and somber hues,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but with a final hurrah,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a thankful praising with boldness;</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu4oQNVhHq5RqvqBvfo3yoSYiRkC0x0nK8V7KVjfrsYr-eZRtjNabvJAWP7Hit-lpsyVHVoBRRu8ki4tiVvlWAgYfbkEmpMIvKBurPw18LKZU6qdGHQEH9b8IbDu_nNjFgkn5IUGqp1o/s1600/IMG_6623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu4oQNVhHq5RqvqBvfo3yoSYiRkC0x0nK8V7KVjfrsYr-eZRtjNabvJAWP7Hit-lpsyVHVoBRRu8ki4tiVvlWAgYfbkEmpMIvKBurPw18LKZU6qdGHQEH9b8IbDu_nNjFgkn5IUGqp1o/s640/IMG_6623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
a final display of beauty before they drift away to sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkSlIE3t8LvT7HaIHf70CWcchncdpIokRqkVDiC1wqs1YC8HqinmtzLvs8fYMhExB3FIWUacMyKiHie83n7WW9YBz9wrcJ2-DkAb1MTDCnaJq-02Ant5Lf3vSTBQlZX48vbdwGsvqDBI/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkSlIE3t8LvT7HaIHf70CWcchncdpIokRqkVDiC1wqs1YC8HqinmtzLvs8fYMhExB3FIWUacMyKiHie83n7WW9YBz9wrcJ2-DkAb1MTDCnaJq-02Ant5Lf3vSTBQlZX48vbdwGsvqDBI/s640/IMG_6624.JPG" width="431" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each speciment, distinct in it's praise of the Creator</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who took the time to fashion so many different reflections of His beauty.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF4_SraZrEagtatDc9xo32HraITIpCKDOlYWAH3bWkjVrAoG3BtTZxuHj0vOEOeVsDjMgF1HFQcCYazMxTR_afu79Ak5YZzcnSi0w5Pcei71618LQ7hEZQIGehRLAlBgMbIBXLCBH8mM/s1600/IMG_6626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF4_SraZrEagtatDc9xo32HraITIpCKDOlYWAH3bWkjVrAoG3BtTZxuHj0vOEOeVsDjMgF1HFQcCYazMxTR_afu79Ak5YZzcnSi0w5Pcei71618LQ7hEZQIGehRLAlBgMbIBXLCBH8mM/s640/IMG_6626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Their accolade floating to the ground and disappeaing into a nutritional blessing for the soil below.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tree unfurls with each day, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every moment and season shares</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a gift:</div>
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a beautiful life.</div>
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I want to be like a tree.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Sharing at Lisa Jo's Blog where we write about a given topic every Friday:</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/11/five-minute-friday-tree/">Lisajobaker.com: Five-minute-Friday: Tree</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-2257684783067170062013-11-09T12:35:00.000-05:002013-11-09T13:01:37.627-05:00Mud on the Radiator.<div style="text-align: center;">
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I see it:<br />
mud on the radiator.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIqyIH6N2QgzMJ7fIu81jc9XbmD81PfXTr5cyTv1q9zP9jcs4kQ2cXBKyBFJAU-0SqV_NCcO8FujQYkxpWGAOeyeZ2TRGpzOTai0MlK9njEECUqoq-MZ1fnj5Ww1GjKsBLbpg2iS34pQ/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIqyIH6N2QgzMJ7fIu81jc9XbmD81PfXTr5cyTv1q9zP9jcs4kQ2cXBKyBFJAU-0SqV_NCcO8FujQYkxpWGAOeyeZ2TRGpzOTai0MlK9njEECUqoq-MZ1fnj5Ww1GjKsBLbpg2iS34pQ/s640/IMG_6553.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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I know whose footprints those are.</div>
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Her feet are smaller than ours and she can't see out the windows.</div>
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I vaguely remember that feeling:</div>
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too small to peer out of house windows,</div>
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or even to see very well out of the car window at the houses flying by,</div>
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the roar of "Punch Bug" rarely being hers;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwNFhUjleFj7JeOn_COkbSvin3gUmK7SjF1xw7iHWaci10g9I2iyiAgffUnnsoIzIW1rhCDkA_ACSLJ83v52Ee9jmWm19l8T1c2MLSnUSXFJ0pSu7LeiXBuMMSe0uPYeYSDqNSubekbI/s1600/IMG_6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwNFhUjleFj7JeOn_COkbSvin3gUmK7SjF1xw7iHWaci10g9I2iyiAgffUnnsoIzIW1rhCDkA_ACSLJ83v52Ee9jmWm19l8T1c2MLSnUSXFJ0pSu7LeiXBuMMSe0uPYeYSDqNSubekbI/s640/IMG_6554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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scurrying around down by everybody's knees,</div>
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trying to keep up while feeling like always looking up.<br />
<br />
The radiator is her step up into the world she cannot see. </div>
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"Daddy is burning the trash."<br />
<br />
"Mommy is digging at the dirt pile." <br />
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"Daddy is getting on the gator."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxqO-5CsGCIOcaKfq2gvX0NmArTOQw4o985qQDjNlndIxj6cXYjjA__Jo_XkPhGQm-DDVNn0j_TKBt6YlyBKt1wOb_cfbuxGAP5JSw1B8zbYivwiQ6gFi17JnY6W7_Kbv437dlBsBa6w/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxqO-5CsGCIOcaKfq2gvX0NmArTOQw4o985qQDjNlndIxj6cXYjjA__Jo_XkPhGQm-DDVNn0j_TKBt6YlyBKt1wOb_cfbuxGAP5JSw1B8zbYivwiQ6gFi17JnY6W7_Kbv437dlBsBa6w/s640/IMG_6566.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mad scurrying follows as she flies out the back door to join him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yoA9U7v9csT496JeiWY-KX9g8BAw4vBrUwBmsmzpOOKE-MbWCQubo0x6s1HxyEu75LVvBqNfv1pvuc-0nna3NgXKkEow_ayr_YMdFf678FGzvwAh5n_IB_BvdRuckglbSQFWbL1oNGQ/s1600/IMG_6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yoA9U7v9csT496JeiWY-KX9g8BAw4vBrUwBmsmzpOOKE-MbWCQubo0x6s1HxyEu75LVvBqNfv1pvuc-0nna3NgXKkEow_ayr_YMdFf678FGzvwAh5n_IB_BvdRuckglbSQFWbL1oNGQ/s640/IMG_6565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The irritation I feel at having to clean those footprint covered radiators diminishes as I put her dilemma into perspective.<br />
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Someday very soon, I will no longer see those muddy prints on that radiator.</div>
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Someday she might be too busy to notice who is at the burn pile or the dirt pile.</div>
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I say a prayer for those muddy footprints' owner,</div>
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that her curious little heart would grow in wisdom and stature...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy2Zdh2NtQyCEV6rwzg-QUpZVBvH59WhrStJWMga2ujVYrGzaB9quoViuK5_QvqI8GRbUkqXLyzjucG09bXY63XOX1omhqcy5bZu4dJzB35ZHuisj5jIdK-h1ilqmBOmoT3PyQ1tXBJ8/s1600/IMG_6563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy2Zdh2NtQyCEV6rwzg-QUpZVBvH59WhrStJWMga2ujVYrGzaB9quoViuK5_QvqI8GRbUkqXLyzjucG09bXY63XOX1omhqcy5bZu4dJzB35ZHuisj5jIdK-h1ilqmBOmoT3PyQ1tXBJ8/s640/IMG_6563.JPG" width="457" /></a></div>
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but not too quickly.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-18999302450421491082013-11-06T02:04:00.001-05:002013-11-06T02:04:34.624-05:00When Sore Feet Walk into the Late Night Kitchen.<div style="text-align: center;">
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"Where is the hot water bottle?"</div>
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Her head peeked around the corner as my knife slid down the side of the corn cob.<br />
It was an evening in September. </div>
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We had spent the day at a fair and her flip-flopped feet had done too much walking for her growing body's appreciation. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowZbwaNfqJLuqJgFi6PZlS7wuiNbx1TuNTxSknGiyafSx2i0vcFjA19yZJahfKxYRZFT-J9PCQbsYQZdjoz-ZXcWCL32SkeesFgtS8O9LmGSw9P-NpMZrrHnG5sjQOxQvxYkPpZJTrRE/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowZbwaNfqJLuqJgFi6PZlS7wuiNbx1TuNTxSknGiyafSx2i0vcFjA19yZJahfKxYRZFT-J9PCQbsYQZdjoz-ZXcWCL32SkeesFgtS8O9LmGSw9P-NpMZrrHnG5sjQOxQvxYkPpZJTrRE/s640/IMG_4842.JPG" width="501" /></a></div>
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We had done this before, this crying over growing pains in the feet and legs,</div>
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so the hot water bottle was a friend she could trust.</div>
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Because we shut the heat off in our house when we don't use it,</div>
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the easiest way to have hot water for the hot water bottle was to fill the teapot and turn it on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSQkJ7IUZetzjy0qw7tAmxh2axrhGwkHNcn4OmhE6SYovuu57z9-YzY8OBcmsBkA8tSK5SmCdTGCZ0u7ttLUPCUEoFSQPbRCVzLxSRzYI2yQ11S2n_16n7eutJXqCFW5wXlE2iU5OVfw/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSQkJ7IUZetzjy0qw7tAmxh2axrhGwkHNcn4OmhE6SYovuu57z9-YzY8OBcmsBkA8tSK5SmCdTGCZ0u7ttLUPCUEoFSQPbRCVzLxSRzYI2yQ11S2n_16n7eutJXqCFW5wXlE2iU5OVfw/s640/IMG_6510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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She sat at the table while it heated.</div>
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I had been given fresh corn from a generous farming neighbor,<br />
and so was blanching and then cutting it off the cobs to freeze for winter.</div>
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As she waited, she asked a question about somebody she had seen at the fair.</div>
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Why would they want to look as they had?</div>
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People at fairs can seem bold to unprepared eyes. </div>
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Do we as adults really know how much we do that is teaching the little eyes that watch us?</div>
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I gave her a list of possible scenerios and reasons people do the things they do,</div>
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how they get to where they are when they were actually kids at one time too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HMQYl8lIFhBlmqCLF1NB2J_fxLOsNFLB-ubODgTarrmRE6EBRcRTwjaJeoXPC-xUdJklHCHhd7Mwm4sHUdr-eHHAd6NrJ41oHWme3vYOCqDv-M4_FsqZeprBtWwsoYTBMeNGWsAtxyM/s1600/IMG_4850.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HMQYl8lIFhBlmqCLF1NB2J_fxLOsNFLB-ubODgTarrmRE6EBRcRTwjaJeoXPC-xUdJklHCHhd7Mwm4sHUdr-eHHAd6NrJ41oHWme3vYOCqDv-M4_FsqZeprBtWwsoYTBMeNGWsAtxyM/s640/IMG_4850.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Sometimes the pain of life creates a person that is lost inside of their body.<br />
Sometimes people think that the best way to call to the world around them is through a visual demonstration of what they think will attract the attention they long for,<br />
or perhaps they didn't like who they were and want to find a way to change. <br />
Sometimes they are angry.<br />
Sometimes they are confused.<br />
Sometimes they just want somebody to notice them,<br />
to love them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbaVB_YYTRvIDJG8JOgpSfmZjZJqkAtTyuiuqwvVmQGrdJ8aS1dKfPs82wzmJOJ8xVwu_jUMleh_tTLhMnh1kNyXz4ZqCgazG2Aa6ThiwQEwLU3CXKVnEJk_1j3QVpprFCPNtSDTC5hs/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbaVB_YYTRvIDJG8JOgpSfmZjZJqkAtTyuiuqwvVmQGrdJ8aS1dKfPs82wzmJOJ8xVwu_jUMleh_tTLhMnh1kNyXz4ZqCgazG2Aa6ThiwQEwLU3CXKVnEJk_1j3QVpprFCPNtSDTC5hs/s640/IMG_4846.JPG" width="492" /></a><br />
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I hope she will see that we all have choices in life, and those choices lead to what we become,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
although at any time we can change.<br />
<br />
I hope she will see that wrong choices don't bring lasting happiness or freedom<br />
or love,<br />
but a haggard search for something to fill the void in the heart. <br />
<br />
I pray she will see that happiness is peace with God.<br />
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At any time, we can call out to God<br />
and He can give the healing,<br />
love,<br />
fill the need that is there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLceS4MjJAAVulgRulUhIw2ZpVreIWxNo2idtaaQ3zWJRz-4wl2KFLseb4S84ei6JPKOKqQT6VLFqjZ_uEgDrhnAhoIks_WEaxcSXUb1QnD3U4ghDdP9bSU15jVLnaHOv8oLe_ng7B8zo/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLceS4MjJAAVulgRulUhIw2ZpVreIWxNo2idtaaQ3zWJRz-4wl2KFLseb4S84ei6JPKOKqQT6VLFqjZ_uEgDrhnAhoIks_WEaxcSXUb1QnD3U4ghDdP9bSU15jVLnaHOv8oLe_ng7B8zo/s640/IMG_6515.JPG" width="510" /></a></div>
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The discussion leads to another question,</div>
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another turn of ideas, emotions, destinations on the path of life.</div>
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We laugh about something, and her pretty smile interrupts the pain her feet were giving her.</div>
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When the teapot whistles and reminds me that our talking has filled the wait,</div>
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I wipe the corn from my fingers and fill the hot water bottle.</div>
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It was unplanned, this time of discussion.</div>
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It was an important moment created by a painful experience.</div>
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I thanked God for the way He does that,</div>
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trickles the unanswered questions into a night of a heating teapot and a cutting board of corn kernels...</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
the workplace of education.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqQHnvHc08GF8KeLc62oD6eLTzkHFAQnf3YLlOd3Wl5ma3U62qW7KIgAVWLRa4VPCdFeeaC-bFheMY2HCqyujgmlyWWXpFcOn2j-uh5Z9OUEmu9y9qARmvjVtr-tlKRFyCZWHt3NklvY/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqQHnvHc08GF8KeLc62oD6eLTzkHFAQnf3YLlOd3Wl5ma3U62qW7KIgAVWLRa4VPCdFeeaC-bFheMY2HCqyujgmlyWWXpFcOn2j-uh5Z9OUEmu9y9qARmvjVtr-tlKRFyCZWHt3NklvY/s640/IMG_6512.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-35505371936745482822013-11-04T12:07:00.002-05:002013-11-04T12:07:34.589-05:00Update: Buried in Christmas Crafts.<br />
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Hello!</div>
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I am sorry I disappeared for a few days.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I took a week off to work on crafts as the deadline for one of the Christmas craft shows I sell at</div>
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sort of snuck up on me.</div>
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Here are some things I have been working on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tV1hiA2UUPlDTNgY-RkbChzcB2SI89NxAfUrjrr3DiGzvcBLhEI0QLPN0M_1oqer4xoeUe1ColM_NvndJmbd3JfmCt1j7LjWmE2s_DlC6Yx0CFSeso4ZJlltfNg54Tg_OgPkMQSSzuY/s1600/IMG_6518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tV1hiA2UUPlDTNgY-RkbChzcB2SI89NxAfUrjrr3DiGzvcBLhEI0QLPN0M_1oqer4xoeUe1ColM_NvndJmbd3JfmCt1j7LjWmE2s_DlC6Yx0CFSeso4ZJlltfNg54Tg_OgPkMQSSzuY/s640/IMG_6518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cinnamon ornaments. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnDN69EazEjNGw8fh8ElvZOf_r5hzNQJxOJpcfwUIGwxPZQaK3T9oLrAc2HcJV5RxUKtFJxsylfZo7lcZfkdAaHaVdXCSHeMZKc7ZHNCGObsCy5N0oJVXuemW0mAMUc6bhV0_tmhEEwM/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnDN69EazEjNGw8fh8ElvZOf_r5hzNQJxOJpcfwUIGwxPZQaK3T9oLrAc2HcJV5RxUKtFJxsylfZo7lcZfkdAaHaVdXCSHeMZKc7ZHNCGObsCy5N0oJVXuemW0mAMUc6bhV0_tmhEEwM/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kids have made a fun assortment of perler bead ornaments.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a cow pattern I made. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75jRy3ks5c-cFNQD6cCxq7P4icgwCS9qQFqbxdBPmnmlk-GOkh1OieGpiMQ2RHBBSnak3rxBU2s8r9it6jo_q_oU5a2iBKBIyNJGPCE1i7oToyqRWABei2ILM1fA33loWI2f-oA5U53g/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75jRy3ks5c-cFNQD6cCxq7P4icgwCS9qQFqbxdBPmnmlk-GOkh1OieGpiMQ2RHBBSnak3rxBU2s8r9it6jo_q_oU5a2iBKBIyNJGPCE1i7oToyqRWABei2ILM1fA33loWI2f-oA5U53g/s640/IMG_6628.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Painted wooden ornaments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j-bXDp0l6nMkcCzIrNkIo4eJzetyyprDB6jfJaDRKzEmtlCzoSYbNW4LpKaaPktEw8TlsLEdSjY7bbtQ1YZvOXi4zgqQ7-7DHPEQEKJNvHRH1g3six8eKg0mmMkeYiQ1EPsqdsg7f8Y/s1600/IMG_6633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j-bXDp0l6nMkcCzIrNkIo4eJzetyyprDB6jfJaDRKzEmtlCzoSYbNW4LpKaaPktEw8TlsLEdSjY7bbtQ1YZvOXi4zgqQ7-7DHPEQEKJNvHRH1g3six8eKg0mmMkeYiQ1EPsqdsg7f8Y/s640/IMG_6633.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Snowmen made from vitamin bottles and juice bottles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk04WuU14OTEsTZXuKHmfYjmVS8pbk1n2xTl2ElZdh7_IUdjNcbGcVcxpE4FzUo08QwJ1LJGvEaWEEn1oe6J-SLJooa1iTnCughP5_MqY8pj3QtfkdNBagDe32RRTcMAV1Oq2zSjaMOE/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk04WuU14OTEsTZXuKHmfYjmVS8pbk1n2xTl2ElZdh7_IUdjNcbGcVcxpE4FzUo08QwJ1LJGvEaWEEn1oe6J-SLJooa1iTnCughP5_MqY8pj3QtfkdNBagDe32RRTcMAV1Oq2zSjaMOE/s640/IMG_6638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Old barnwood signs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ2n6hx4b_jJf7P6EgizZbhwb9P79et8VHNK54Cv2kLkvhTBQwMkow6cRY6B6qFh8KZ10u8Rye8ZI6FrACw14yzgw4brzerxjSmlMN9_9MmawPEn3I_Shel8wFU7xFeqh_fOSKWeoi1M/s1600/IMG_6639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ2n6hx4b_jJf7P6EgizZbhwb9P79et8VHNK54Cv2kLkvhTBQwMkow6cRY6B6qFh8KZ10u8Rye8ZI6FrACw14yzgw4brzerxjSmlMN9_9MmawPEn3I_Shel8wFU7xFeqh_fOSKWeoi1M/s640/IMG_6639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Slates, paintings, and cereal box Christmas trees.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jG0eqlihftWMI_EFOofT4rMko1WNBQk6SP1rUOiv7eckdkqLGUaVlUqYyIXsSC9yeGoSV__bJ1xrt4UsCVXaxVaVUvjdzyF1DyzrX80xdvndWPIMQol5ZsCxHb2qESAFa4XhmfTUpgs/s1600/IMG_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jG0eqlihftWMI_EFOofT4rMko1WNBQk6SP1rUOiv7eckdkqLGUaVlUqYyIXsSC9yeGoSV__bJ1xrt4UsCVXaxVaVUvjdzyF1DyzrX80xdvndWPIMQol5ZsCxHb2qESAFa4XhmfTUpgs/s640/IMG_6642.JPG" width="461" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a variety of other painted crafts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's fun to get into the Christmas spirit a little early.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be back again soon!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-38254021197948406112013-10-26T02:54:00.000-04:002013-10-26T02:57:28.124-04:00Together.<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
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</div>
I was there in the room when she made her entrance from my mother.<br />
<br />
I was 15.<br />
<br />
I was as excited as my mother, and my older sister, and my father.<br />
There had been two lost in pregnancy before her,<br />
so she was a moment of unforgettable bliss...<br />
<br />
except that she cried a lot.<br />
<br />
We tease her still about how much she cried;<br />
<br />
but really,<br />
I think it is what kept her alive.<br />
<br />
If she hadn't cried, we all would have fought to hold her so much,<br />
she likely would have starved from our love of her.<br />
<br />
<br />
She was to all of us together: our pride and joy.<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched her grow.<br />
She was the baby sister I had wanted<br />
to have fun with, to enjoy the simple things in life again.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we went to college, my older sister and I.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y50-Czeje2I_YuXRmiIxM7fA4mpEwWaaAHqxX-WGBULdXJCQ_EJRqKKff6mG7f6do01NjG6Bjov4hTDHK5smfXG3BDLa8CEyFK-v1e2XNvLJS4I0wRMqFp0dYj7PoaRuwYtRmAU1duw/s1600/Mom's+Camera+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y50-Czeje2I_YuXRmiIxM7fA4mpEwWaaAHqxX-WGBULdXJCQ_EJRqKKff6mG7f6do01NjG6Bjov4hTDHK5smfXG3BDLa8CEyFK-v1e2XNvLJS4I0wRMqFp0dYj7PoaRuwYtRmAU1duw/s1600/Mom's+Camera+001.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We left, my oldest to get married a year later,<br />
and me to finish four years of college.<br />
<br />
But I came back and lived at home for a few years more,<br />
and I had the little sister with the front teeth missing,<br />
the Christmas-lights excitement,<br />
the birthday parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3xBkYbIG1HBBGMK82YisYr9jRh72BXcukwRmFSvGnrAuTunSSSSuzBO1Cxw1AOwDujv2v44ydiv6S9aajls7RLQNpnzEIOsVaewo3UEmAYqXXaR3n8v5l4ZF6B_dirh0hR_H7jWnsbE/s1600/Mom's+Camera+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3xBkYbIG1HBBGMK82YisYr9jRh72BXcukwRmFSvGnrAuTunSSSSuzBO1Cxw1AOwDujv2v44ydiv6S9aajls7RLQNpnzEIOsVaewo3UEmAYqXXaR3n8v5l4ZF6B_dirh0hR_H7jWnsbE/s1600/Mom's+Camera+003.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
When I married she was ten.<br />
I missed her, but then when I had a baby.<br />
She was the one who held her most.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
She lived with us while my husband was in Iraq:<br />
together. <br />
<br />
Then she left for college where she met her destined husband.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wzBg1PT9Om8ngz17eSBASFGKsDrGa6RNDj2H4cTvvOrnP3ESaB62tyj8o2hGPiFzwuPt0BDIfD0Sy0CoyKqOy8G6G4iWmxVYs0WWuu4g8_j_vlNlXIc32Wk2RwOu-CzA5KFndOiidqE/s1600/Ruthie's+engagement+2009+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wzBg1PT9Om8ngz17eSBASFGKsDrGa6RNDj2H4cTvvOrnP3ESaB62tyj8o2hGPiFzwuPt0BDIfD0Sy0CoyKqOy8G6G4iWmxVYs0WWuu4g8_j_vlNlXIc32Wk2RwOu-CzA5KFndOiidqE/s640/Ruthie's+engagement+2009+003.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
My daughter loved her fiercely as she was like a big sister to her;<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99DpiPHl9hyEfJn8TfZT-xfzojqwt64xk4LDAWc26AS4n7hb-rJKtVaooqWzC-91DPDlQJsQZXE1V_bScYjJCtNZKH7YnEzKSUQzDve1UfLx-sJirD6Hjys6vCCX1TKiMNNcsRsfV5Ik/s1600/Mom's+Camera+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99DpiPHl9hyEfJn8TfZT-xfzojqwt64xk4LDAWc26AS4n7hb-rJKtVaooqWzC-91DPDlQJsQZXE1V_bScYjJCtNZKH7YnEzKSUQzDve1UfLx-sJirD6Hjys6vCCX1TKiMNNcsRsfV5Ik/s400/Mom's+Camera+010.jpg" width="353" /></a></div>
<br />
and she loves her fiercely still.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbyGLvJMLM4IQXJPKhAji0R9m3BW6xavluR7hADBKDugUqIc7DN_Gqgfdyz2tmb4SLPMi_sYBEDspZcDVVGs4zFMMvMCzt9pnkxM_Num23ByhswzxiO0fG31V2MiToNTgYAWvTjCSxR8/s1600/Mom's+Camera+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbyGLvJMLM4IQXJPKhAji0R9m3BW6xavluR7hADBKDugUqIc7DN_Gqgfdyz2tmb4SLPMi_sYBEDspZcDVVGs4zFMMvMCzt9pnkxM_Num23ByhswzxiO0fG31V2MiToNTgYAWvTjCSxR8/s400/Mom's+Camera+011.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now my little sister is married and has her own little baby.<br />
She is here for a little while<br />
as they work on deputation to go to the mission field of Nicaragua.<br />
<br />
Those years together, apart, together again were sweet and happy,<br />
<br />
and it is hard to let go;<br />
<br />
but to see her living her adventure with the man who is God's perfect match for her,<br />
his love for her is deep, his leadership for God is sincere,<br />
his heart makes her laughter ring...<br />
<br />
she is together with her match.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now my daughter learns the beauty of togetherness,<br />
<br />
being apart,<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQPiDWQpHMoXX-Ry_EaP-YqeTzsggixtdfhAf1ePuxg64m-3Mvvzf7Vog1fAC5tQnP_vz9JUryllP-bFh2VSdSXsG1qsDi5ph2hc0zZ61VD_XNFoiVs6DeYUlS1OQOg4bI2byidZKuss/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQPiDWQpHMoXX-Ry_EaP-YqeTzsggixtdfhAf1ePuxg64m-3Mvvzf7Vog1fAC5tQnP_vz9JUryllP-bFh2VSdSXsG1qsDi5ph2hc0zZ61VD_XNFoiVs6DeYUlS1OQOg4bI2byidZKuss/s640/IMG_6339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and then together again. <br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Sharing with the others who write for 5 minutes every Friday at:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-together-2/">Lisajobaker.com: Five-minute-Friday:Together</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-84793257921226604602013-10-25T01:24:00.000-04:002013-10-25T01:24:24.923-04:00A Classic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Why is she locked up inside the attic like that?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOHiHItxYseo-pj29OmGgLknjXIVcO-u_7p6EbaoQ4wJFlAaMmAAErhg6EbED-oNcsXrk7q3b7lL3MPq3LlrgGLBcFOFPQMrEBTpXtq_W7ubp9v8gEAWtlGo47WLEmxVis5W6mDqNGqg/s1600/IMG_6023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOHiHItxYseo-pj29OmGgLknjXIVcO-u_7p6EbaoQ4wJFlAaMmAAErhg6EbED-oNcsXrk7q3b7lL3MPq3LlrgGLBcFOFPQMrEBTpXtq_W7ubp9v8gEAWtlGo47WLEmxVis5W6mDqNGqg/s640/IMG_6023.JPG" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />
Violet's words came from the couch as she sat watching the movie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"She's insane, so he keeps her up there so she won't hurt anybody;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he has a care-giver up there for her so she won't hurt anybody or herself,"<br />
I answered from the ironing board.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What makes a person go insane like that?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her questions seemed to come one right after another.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She had watched this movie already and was watching it again,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
better understanding it this time, but wanting to understand those parts that had bothered her. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"There are different reasons for a person going insane,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I paused as to which direction to go with this.<br />
I always try to find ways to condense information so that I don't lose my kids in big dialog. It is a tricky conjuring up of rapid, precise information. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Sometimes it is genetic, like in her case. That means it was in her body from her mom or dad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her mother was insane, and they didn't tell him that when he married her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes it can be caused by environment or things we eat or drink.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eating too much junk or not getting the right nutrition for the body can make a person's body go off track."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stopped for a minute to hand a crayon to Lillie who was asking for a pink one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could see it had fallen and rolled by my feet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Violet took this momentary lapse to ask another,<br />
"Environment?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What do you mean by that?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hot iron was picked up again and swept the material as I answered,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Environment means the situation or surroundings around you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's like the Romans that we are studying in history right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some historians say many of them got lead poisoning because of the way they cooked in certain pots and pans or because of the piping that they used for their water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When a metal in the body or even minerals become out of balance by having too much of it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it can cause the brain to not function correctly."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Another example is that there used to be a lot of lead used in paint."<br />
I continued. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People who inhaled the dust from the paint that chipped off,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or little children who ate the paint chips that would flake off the windows were beginning to have problems and they linked it to the lead in the paint.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aluminum pans is another one that can cause problems in the brain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of these large amounts of minerals and metals and different substances can cause problems in our bodies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because God made the body sensitive and we need to be careful what we put into it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, insanity can even be a spiritual thing, if a person fools with things of the devil.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are different reasons for insanity,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but the thing was, he took care of her as best he could.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Others in that situation might have sent her away or even let her starve since she couldn't understand much of what was going on."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could tell by the silence that she was thinking again.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Why wouldn't Jane marry Mr. Rochester? Why did she leave and not let him know where she was going?"<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEU7wMpziElr59Fd8R1U3ofbQ3i90ZPa20w4eZSvw5WkHE-f58bJAK8Y-VoVLP551gbmGXWZiQZ9KDZn1yguQv9BzeNJzfd5zKQ4tE2mDyfmiHjUbgtsgab7Zv7mkCYk4dIrxwNVmYAQ/s1600/IMG_6020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEU7wMpziElr59Fd8R1U3ofbQ3i90ZPa20w4eZSvw5WkHE-f58bJAK8Y-VoVLP551gbmGXWZiQZ9KDZn1yguQv9BzeNJzfd5zKQ4tE2mDyfmiHjUbgtsgab7Zv7mkCYk4dIrxwNVmYAQ/s640/IMG_6020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This was a hard question, to try to sum up a person's hard choice to do what was right<br />
even when it seemed so hard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
"She was not willing to go against her conscience." I summed up.<br />
"Once she found out he was married,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she knew she could not marry him. She knew that deep in her heart,<br />
she had to do what she knew was the right thing to do because she didn't want to live with the consequences of making a wrong choice.<br />
Happiness doesn't come from things, or a big house, or jewelry,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or even marrying a man who loves you and you love him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happiness comes from doing what is right, even when it is really hard to do that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That takes courage. And she chose it."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQVEglCQjAgUvyWZNNo6JL-YkpJW2Hqsw9Hca4ORkG8O7O_qv31LZ7-JOXyznovHfbEy2QXtvvYP5yBw8YIBgskhNzjPUhtsIYf_mQTaAMlvbeWTAUD5qCJmGDBtIEtIL0El8SjUPuu4/s1600/IMG_6030.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQVEglCQjAgUvyWZNNo6JL-YkpJW2Hqsw9Hca4ORkG8O7O_qv31LZ7-JOXyznovHfbEy2QXtvvYP5yBw8YIBgskhNzjPUhtsIYf_mQTaAMlvbeWTAUD5qCJmGDBtIEtIL0El8SjUPuu4/s640/IMG_6030.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
"We all will have hard choices and you have to choose at that time what you will do.<br />
We all make mistakes and God will always forgive us, and that is something important to never forget;<br />
but there are consequences to the choices we make." <br />
<br />
"It was hard." I agreed. "It made her sad for a long time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But God sees when we choose to do right and eventually she did end up happy again,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
far happier than she would have been had she chosen to go against her conscience.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, we may have to go through being sad,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but God sees the future and we have to trust that.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back then, marriage was seen differently than today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People who were married were married for life. That is the way God intended it, even though that may be hard to have to live with sometimes, like it was for Mr. Rochester."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnPYe9v22m91kz8XKOMuhjILqLHlvhPnaET6wDeMS7v5THNkWW6Dzu039fGb9bqRMltLIMlKC1zjej29zjusueUe9ch5HT5OMra9XfHzyFSzpxi2pcHeNounxDzvmLwHL1zU-YL1gn44/s1600/IMG_6040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnPYe9v22m91kz8XKOMuhjILqLHlvhPnaET6wDeMS7v5THNkWW6Dzu039fGb9bqRMltLIMlKC1zjej29zjusueUe9ch5HT5OMra9XfHzyFSzpxi2pcHeNounxDzvmLwHL1zU-YL1gn44/s640/IMG_6040.JPG" width="597" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hadn't ironed for very long before she piped up again:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"That woman that liked Mr. Rochester, the rich one, she was so pretty,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Jane is so plain. I thought men liked beautiful women. Why would he love Jane over her?"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iAf1g8DXTmzfduh-Ab5EHGvV33pTYuQLZZIG-EILT27xIRiM1yBTSLx4g3wUUoNh9TT2_Hur_Jssmb3uZ1SP-PFKshJ5vp1o4hgwP-ZiZsyVAbDeMXrPI89b24WTXDFzwzy9H2U9ZxU/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iAf1g8DXTmzfduh-Ab5EHGvV33pTYuQLZZIG-EILT27xIRiM1yBTSLx4g3wUUoNh9TT2_Hur_Jssmb3uZ1SP-PFKshJ5vp1o4hgwP-ZiZsyVAbDeMXrPI89b24WTXDFzwzy9H2U9ZxU/s640/IMG_6035.JPG" width="556" /></a><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I smiled at her thoughts, the heralded praise of beauty that is so often pushed on us,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all around us,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was being challenged by this story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The truth is, Violet, beauty is much more than what a person looks like.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What would be more pleasant to live with:<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a plain person who smiles and sings and laughs and plays and is kind,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or a beautiful person who is mean and angry and hurtful?<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ugly manners and choices makes a beautiful person ugly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right character and choices can make a very plain person beautiful.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Men see that too, usually, sometimes not right away, but usually, eventually.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is tricky because men are created to be drawn to beauty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because that is the way God made them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but they have to balance that with seeing the person on the inside,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or they may be stuck for the rest of their lives with a woman who makes their life unhappy."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</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;">
Later, as the segments continued on, she came and said,<br />
<br />
"Did you see how Jane acted when she found out she had inherited all that money</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she wasn't poor anymore. She acted like it wasn't important.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But when she found out she was cousins of the people at Gateshead where she was staying,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she was so excited and happy.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why would she be more excited about having three cousins than about being rich?"<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhgFqYJJtnNQ8KKtH_BnG86_22JKPw93S_SMfhyM8dxk8o7FeHGLeTh0x5ANX19yBC_uVO0WUAKMV07txCjS9WHdBjLDhdVpqywXUuMk4b3zmlU0w-TGDO8gGeuEYNf7M_vd8WcWNmbc/s1600/IMG_6036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhgFqYJJtnNQ8KKtH_BnG86_22JKPw93S_SMfhyM8dxk8o7FeHGLeTh0x5ANX19yBC_uVO0WUAKMV07txCjS9WHdBjLDhdVpqywXUuMk4b3zmlU0w-TGDO8gGeuEYNf7M_vd8WcWNmbc/s640/IMG_6036.JPG" width="625" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
"Well, let me ask you." I responded,<br />
"What would you feel like if you didn't have any relatives at all:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no parents,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no grandparents,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no sisters or brothers, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no aunts or uncles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(besides the really mean ones like she had lived with as a child),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no cousins,<br />
not even any close friends,<br />
nobody. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You were completely alone in this life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What good would money be to you if you had nothing much to do with it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nobody to do anything with or use it for,<br />
except maybe to strangers who might need it more than you?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It would just be paper that could buy you stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What if you found out suddenly that you had family,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that the people you were living with and had grown to love were actually cousins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You would go from having absolutely nobody,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to having family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bRGk1TBTk6lzwpNCBN1nxY3AW2V6PFRm3RwVY2nSnn8e_gRot0ZPZVTA5NCo0dYJuvIMSeToX2nals5ibhp1tJU8Oe_c3vM2SRt5WUGu3gdEnTSDAa8V3CImrJQ5eB7fAJWwdSHA30g/s1600/IMG_6037.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bRGk1TBTk6lzwpNCBN1nxY3AW2V6PFRm3RwVY2nSnn8e_gRot0ZPZVTA5NCo0dYJuvIMSeToX2nals5ibhp1tJU8Oe_c3vM2SRt5WUGu3gdEnTSDAa8V3CImrJQ5eB7fAJWwdSHA30g/s640/IMG_6037.JPG" width="571" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
That is something that money cannot buy or fill.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Money may seem like everything to people,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but when you really sit down and think about it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is just paper,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just something to get you things,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it can't buy you love, friends, or family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, it cannot buy happiness;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it cannot buy peace with God."<br />
<br />
<br />
Later after she'd gone to bed, I thought of these and other conversations this story had brought up:<br />
.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a movie...from a classic.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Oq77zJyTlJp6Nm-Amqu0W7SDdqv7uPcv2lPz0s9L1A8v6pFyHGpY_QSovBDUBjOcwNU-twVzQes_raMlhNbaLsWYFCNwEqLKhG5txK13d0O1eQztrKJxO-HJmEQkpdsK5ae1j6fxWLA/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Oq77zJyTlJp6Nm-Amqu0W7SDdqv7uPcv2lPz0s9L1A8v6pFyHGpY_QSovBDUBjOcwNU-twVzQes_raMlhNbaLsWYFCNwEqLKhG5txK13d0O1eQztrKJxO-HJmEQkpdsK5ae1j6fxWLA/s640/IMG_6027.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Jane Eyre was a book I had to read in one of the teen years of my schooling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I remember it very well because it stirred up in me many of these same questions,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
issues that challenged so many different elements in life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought of all the different things we had covered in just a few hours of a movie based on a classic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I thought about our current educational dilemma.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many of the classics are being pushed out,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seen as being 'out of touch' with the current generation</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it made me wonder:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdV2Uzu3CtAmbjnv_NgVhJInjZGQ_bPsf5vi7XXJadMcb1jIAM6kdFZeFNluaqCG7bxaa212Kfq8OM6AVlhI8JR26vY_I4haqrbJ65kwCfjlbgwPKNqkfnKq6-Azbbf56bPGGL-ESGzZE/s1600/IMG_6041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdV2Uzu3CtAmbjnv_NgVhJInjZGQ_bPsf5vi7XXJadMcb1jIAM6kdFZeFNluaqCG7bxaa212Kfq8OM6AVlhI8JR26vY_I4haqrbJ65kwCfjlbgwPKNqkfnKq6-Azbbf56bPGGL-ESGzZE/s640/IMG_6041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
can we ever really be out of touch with these things</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or will we cause our future generations to fall below the richness of finding the simple truths to true happiness? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Are we fooling ourselves into accepting a faulty counterfeit to happiness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-1/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:1">"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:</a><br />
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">2</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-2/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:2">For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">3</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-3/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:3">Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">4</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-4/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:4">So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">5</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-5/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:5">Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">6</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-6/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:6">In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">7</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-7/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:7">Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.</a></div>
<div class="indent">
<sup style="color: #666666;">8</sup>
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-3-8/" title="View more translations of Proverbs 3:8">It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 3:1-8</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-59128749698263319072013-10-23T04:13:00.000-04:002013-10-23T04:17:45.532-04:00Purple Marker.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am pretty sure she has an unseen pocket where she hides them for her main source of mischief.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to chew up every marker in our house and never see them again.<br />
<br />
Or maybe let the dog do it. <br />
(But I don't.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I angrily pull the stained white bedspread from off my bed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
muttering dragon sized billows of steam from my mouth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0NzRxwIKf8Y9rNdPIev7g4sAtlnDj58p11VQRKc0HXFYZEEsun5iPDFOkMDaRkhIs3_ugNG0oSBmnEBIeMipfHsMbYfg1rxOgZMv8ySUQwNSmiuNhUCgQYxeyZVXWIhCrwAvHvRGpF2b/s1600/IMG_3539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0NzRxwIKf8Y9rNdPIev7g4sAtlnDj58p11VQRKc0HXFYZEEsun5iPDFOkMDaRkhIs3_ugNG0oSBmnEBIeMipfHsMbYfg1rxOgZMv8ySUQwNSmiuNhUCgQYxeyZVXWIhCrwAvHvRGpF2b/s640/IMG_3539.JPG" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just another one of those things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I fumble with the bundle. I mutter. I find the culprit and correct her for the 5,555 time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
explaining the seriousness of her purple damage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You will sit and listen to me and understand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or I will banish purple markers from your little life until you are daddy's age. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her little brown eyes fill with tears as she tells me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I promise I'll never do it again,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I wonder just as soon as those falsehoods are spoken how soon until I'll see her purple signature again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiHf8n4xdsLxDNZZ5xsC_6R2djSU0Vx1ChGIaqvLNEWgH3XSRkFTRuyRP-D9QRcu_UpCiivsL9xxGYAddWJ3DHgCJRlny9B8ifV8qIK6AfTGWjfShoV6fwicHr-tyOFHPZQzDtguT2An3/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiHf8n4xdsLxDNZZ5xsC_6R2djSU0Vx1ChGIaqvLNEWgH3XSRkFTRuyRP-D9QRcu_UpCiivsL9xxGYAddWJ3DHgCJRlny9B8ifV8qIK6AfTGWjfShoV6fwicHr-tyOFHPZQzDtguT2An3/s640/IMG_3555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I throw the victimized bedspread into the washer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I get control of my thoughts and ask God to take my love of things</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and measure them against helping to train her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Perhaps I should just admit defeat, forever rid myself of my desire for white, clean things,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and succumb to a purple bedspread. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLKRdh7YliSAjyLi6HT64rPSLczohOHDHyIQ-H6NsQUM77-7eqpb9_wcVbkvraH7evRcpDV462DjJpjrBRWqwyhelSNI_WJCPpC6MVxbRUxCWUa8pZob_pQKrwNkraGN_zZi5bYhqntx6/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLKRdh7YliSAjyLi6HT64rPSLczohOHDHyIQ-H6NsQUM77-7eqpb9_wcVbkvraH7evRcpDV462DjJpjrBRWqwyhelSNI_WJCPpC6MVxbRUxCWUa8pZob_pQKrwNkraGN_zZi5bYhqntx6/s640/IMG_3548.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things aren't really what is important,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but when you work so hard to have a few "things",</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is hard to see them as such.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I don't want her purpling up our entire house until she is 18 either.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The balance of correction and holding things loosely is a hard one to walk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The soap drizzles over the smudge as I silently pray for us both:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her need to submit to where she may color and do what is right,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and mine to know the weight of teaching obedience tied to a light embrace of things that can be replaced...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or at least washed every other week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573392140119733765.post-34955199757433321922013-10-22T03:01:00.000-04:002013-10-22T03:06:46.105-04:00Autumn.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Sharing with:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/mosaic-monday-morven.html">Dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com</a> </span></i><br />
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