tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18558924131226597152024-03-14T11:48:54.471-07:00Victory RoadDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.comBlogger862125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-89803844828014564802017-02-19T19:25:00.000-08:002017-02-19T19:25:16.309-08:00Make Your Name Great!<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For some time I<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> have</span> wanted to s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hare <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the</span></span></span> incredible story of how <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God lead us</span> to camp. I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">started writing it</span>, but it just <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wasn't</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">coming</span></span></span> together. And I know why... because some stories <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">shouldn't be read</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, t</span>hey must be told face<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-</span>to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-</span>face.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since I can't make that happen with all of you, </span>I decided to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>record it<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, because</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>creen<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-</span>to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-screen is the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">next</span> best thing, right? </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So go pour yourself your favorite cuppa something (<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Salted <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Carmilla</span> is my go-to drink</span></span>)</span></span> or <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">make</span> yourself a big ol' bowl of popcorn (preferably <a href="http://whirleypopshop.com/">Whirley</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://whirleypopshop.com/"> Popped</a>, </span>white popcorn, sprinkled with <a href="http://www.mccormick.com/lawrys/flavors/spice-blends/seasoned-salt">Lawry's season salt</a>- yum!), then come on back here and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">enjoy hang<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ing out</span> with me! </span> </span></span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vP8IH9MOjnM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vP8IH9MOjnM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Don't
worry about anything: instead pray about everything. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Tell God what you
need, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">and thank Him for all He's done. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Phil 4:6 MSG</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles, and fulfilling dreams. That is <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wh<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o</span></span></i> He is. And the bigger the circle we draw, the better, because God gets more glory." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">w <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">get to praying! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/130/6DB94E7B6B06E99CA5A7CF154F49E148.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
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<span class="text Josh-1-3" id="en-NIV-5855"></span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=matthew+6:9-13"></a><br />
<span class="text Josh-1-3" id="en-NIV-5855"></span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=matthew+6:9-13"></a><br />
<span class="text Josh-1-3" id="en-NIV-5855"></span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=matthew+6:9-13"></a><br />
Resources: <br />
<a href="http://thecirclemaker.com/">Circle Maker- Mark Batterson</a><br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/our-deepest-prayer-hallowed-be-your-name">Our Deepest Prayer- John Piper </a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecoolbeancafe.com/">Cool Bean Cafe</a> (for that Salted Carmilla š) <br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-72018361475415229302017-02-02T12:04:00.001-08:002017-02-02T12:04:28.081-08:00Happy Groundhog Day! <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>2016 Highlights & Updates</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fuije78Xicyvr862QjJ5WpzHFNjK5mpdL-YxSeB8qjiHfK5cWzR9S7AeHz5s7E9Lt_Cehih5q6pygU6pCD8rsrX-2nk5rImVFsRtrLoAHq911HHLhroVVXC6p8LbQifoJcLTOqThnQ/s1600/GD2017+blog+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fuije78Xicyvr862QjJ5WpzHFNjK5mpdL-YxSeB8qjiHfK5cWzR9S7AeHz5s7E9Lt_Cehih5q6pygU6pCD8rsrX-2nk5rImVFsRtrLoAHq911HHLhroVVXC6p8LbQifoJcLTOqThnQ/s1600/GD2017+blog+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Michael said goodbye to 16 years at West Coast Imaging, and accepted a job as Director of Operations at āThe Home of the Worldās Greatest Campers,ā Emerald Cove/Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp. <br /><br />Our house sold without ever going on the market, and we moved to camp in May. <br /><br />On June 1st, Josie graduated from 8th grade and homeschool. Josieās graduation marked the end of 13 years of homeschooling for me. During the ceremony Michael said, āThis probably isnāt a good time to mention this, but starting tomorrow youāll be unemployed.ā I mighta socked him in the arm, then asked for severance pay. <br /><br />Noah graduated from Minarets High School the next dayā¦ #timeisabigfatstupidmeanieheadjerk. <br /><br />In early June, I had the great privilege of teaching Godās word at a retreat in the quaint town of Mi-Wuk Village for the women of Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene. Because I attended the church as a teen I treasured that time of being with many of the women who had poured into me 24 years ago. <br /><br />June also kicked off <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/06/paper-chains-big-god-and-this-changed.html">summer camp </a>at YSSC! From June-August, we were all caught up in the excitement and sweetness of serving alongside 75 amazing YSSC staff to love on the 130 campers who gathered up on this mountain each session. <br /><br />By the way, if you see us during the summer months we will not answer to our given names, but by our camp names- Apex, Shasta, Wrangler, Chickadee, and Hobart. <br /><br />For her senior year of high school, Emilie transferred to Michaelās alma matter, Yosemite High School, where Josie is also attending as a freshman. Both girls love YHS! Emilie plans to become a Physical Therapy Assistant, and is benefiting from the ROP Sports Medicine program. The girls especially enjoy being part of the Associated Student Body, which allows my spirited and people-loving/serving daughters the opportunity to organize and lead school activities. <br /><br />Noah has taken a gap year from school, and moved to coastal San Luis Obispo. Heās enjoying independence, while living with <a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/blog/">Michaelās sisterās family</a> and working for their company, One Source. Once in a while he responds to our texts with one or two words which reassures us he is still alive. <br /><br />Early September camp transitions from its summer program to a college campus, and hosts approximately 45 Azusa Pacific University students and staff, who participate in APUās study abroad program, āHigh Sierra.ā This program allows students to both take classes and have grand adventures in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas. <br /><br />To say Michael is thriving in his new position is an understatement. He was made for this! After years of working indoors, primarily at a computer, he is thrilled to be working with his hands again. My Jack-of-all-trades fella is doing construction, electrical and mechanical work, felling trees then milling the wood, and on occasion he even gets to drive a snow plow! And though heās great at all this, where he really shines is how he leads and mentors his 5 year round staff- Ducky, Sprinkles, Gator, Rascal, and B.K. (pictured bottom right). These 5 have become incredibly dear to both of us; like our own children! They even call us Mom & Dad.<br /><br />On September 21st, Michael and I celebrated twenty years of marriage! Over the summer we received the highest compliment, when a YSSC staff gal said, āWatching your marriage makes people know Jesus.ā We really hope so. We opted to forgo an anniversary trip, and gifted ourselves a used tent trailer. Weāve already been on a couple of outings. One took us to breathtaking Mammoth Mountain, and the other to Morro Bay. <br /><br />Iām adjusting to life as a stay at home mom without stay at home kids. When Iām not taxiing the girls, I work for our small business creating ID cards for online homeschools. I also volunteer in a 1st grade class once a week, and am currently training to become a volunteer at a pregnancy care center. Iāve had the pleasure of leading two girlsā Bible studies, of sipping coffee and swapping heart stories with many ladies young and old, and have hosted more gatherings in our home in the last 9 months than we have in the last 20 years combined. <br /><br />One awe-inspiring part of the story of our move to camp is that for years when weād drive our kids to camp weād play, sing, and pray Phillip Phillipās song āHome.ā -Hold on to me as we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road, and although this wave is stringing us along, just know youāre not alone, Iām gonna make this place your home.ā Both Michael and I came to know Jesus intimately and powerfully at camps. Because of that weād pray that during their times at camp, our kids would see Jesus well, and glimpse our home yet to come in Him. So imagine our <b>TOTAL SURPRISE</b> when Michael was offered a job which required we move to camp! For years weād been praying God would make this place home, but had zero idea He had taken our prayer <b>LITERALLY!! </b> <br /><br />As we live at camp, in community, God continues to impress upon us that āHome is not primarily a place- itās a people.ā Home is relationship. Author Tim Keller said, āThere is a deep oneness that develops as we journey together toward the same destination, helping one another through the dangers and challenges along the way.ā We need people in our lives with whom we feel at home, and to encourage us on to our true Home. So my prayer for you this new year is that the LORD our God would both make you a person and provide you with people to come alongside for the journey. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Denise "Shasta<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">" Jones </span></span></span> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-47166652754798956092017-01-11T14:26:00.000-08:002017-01-11T14:31:57.288-08:00Go back to what you know for sure <div style="direction: ltr; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; widows: auto;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;">It's been almost a year since I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">blogged here <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on V<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ictory Rd. I sat down today<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> ready to begin again<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">f you're a blogger than you kno<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> when you <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">make your way <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to </span>that blank <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">page to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">hammer<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> ou<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t </span></span>words</span></span></span>, al<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">l</span> th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e pages you've written before will be there staring at you. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">many posts you've <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">clicked "publish" on, and the many more you didn't<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. I wa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s gonna write today<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I really was. But then I started looking through posts I'd ne<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ver published. And I found this one, below,<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">from last February. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">(</span>And</span> </span>... I can't afford it, but it's mine</a><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">)</span> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And this </span>mama</span> need<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s to be enveloped in this<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> gift today, to press "publish" on <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ese words of <span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/11/40-zone-ahead_16.html">blessing </a></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/11/40-zone-ahead_16.html">about <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">me</span></a></span> before <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span> begin<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> again.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.. in fac<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t, </span>maybe that's the best way to begin. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Before you read the following paper written by Emilie for an essay class you should know:</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I learned from the two generation of mothers and daughters before me how to be downright nasty to each other. I was the daughter who rolled her eyes at her mother, spoke like a sailor about her, and gave her a certain finger gesture when she wasn't looking.</span> U<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ntil a handful of years ago I still felt deep hostility toward her.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">As a result, I was <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #45818e;">terrified</span> </span>to have daughters. I was certain they'd grow to hate me. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_WGBEfMGXbdYXLLjwTdV3t5EUIdOCP7PdlAl-olBbLKc6vcXuPexr_qnr9t9VnzkjkSfr_pe53BVycabb2Ow-DRmK4KetmGuu7B8ulWWc35UmZkw20Goi6Eoyes6mmwHb-68krmj11Q/s1600/e+hike+rocks+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_WGBEfMGXbdYXLLjwTdV3t5EUIdOCP7PdlAl-olBbLKc6vcXuPexr_qnr9t9VnzkjkSfr_pe53BVycabb2Ow-DRmK4KetmGuu7B8ulWWc35UmZkw20Goi6Eoyes6mmwHb-68krmj11Q/s1600/e+hike+rocks+.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Emilie was born <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/07/eleven.html">seven weeks early</a>. And I wonder if God allowed her to be a preemie so I wouldn't feel threatened by her. Because she was so early there were some concerns. Concerns which caused me to forget my fear, and plead with God<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> "Please let me keep her!" Sometimes I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">think</span> the LORD purposely authored it all that way, to reveal to me how desperately and how truly I wanted <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">my</span> daughter</span>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two </span>years later I was pregnant<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">afraid to have another girl. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span>fter the ultrasound tech announced, "Emilie is going to have a playmate!" </span></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span> went home and</span> cried for three days<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span>sob<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">bed</span> to Michael, "Great! Now there will be two girls to hate me."</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />After the third day of crying I had a dream: The setting was Easter dinner at an aunt's house. Three women were seated close together at the dinner table. An older woman was tucked in the middle of two lovely younger ladies. The three women were smiling and laughing. At that point in the dream I asked God who these women were? "That's you and your girls. They're your best friends." He paused. "And you are theirs."</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJrIu3qGhAt33Pxh4xZhMAcQaH2sYBMCDKbOTZWxPBshNAOQovA8EA03TufFTICTOl7B91lXJpAlz182UCirhaDAOxghuTYWMoz5sy4MtDII_SNjGI8Fhn_WmTxAPOaVH56lM7iHRQik/s1600/e+hike+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJrIu3qGhAt33Pxh4xZhMAcQaH2sYBMCDKbOTZWxPBshNAOQovA8EA03TufFTICTOl7B91lXJpAlz182UCirhaDAOxghuTYWMoz5sy4MtDII_SNjGI8Fhn_WmTxAPOaVH56lM7iHRQik/s1600/e+hike+hands.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> From then on <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>hen the lie that my girls were going to hate me surfaced- and let me tell you, it surfaced a lot for a lot of years- I'd remember something an old pastor's wife <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">said to me once</span>, <b>"Go back to what you know for sure." </b>That image of my girls and I at that Easter table- that promise, that we'd be close and happy and laughing and would grow to be best friends, <b>that's the "for sure" I'd go back to. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>And a beautiful thing happened as a result of leaning into that truth instead of the nasty lie- I started to believe it.</b> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Also, It
was years later that it finally occurred to me that the setting for
that dream was Easter. I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'m thinking</span> God purposely authored it that way too.
After all, <b>He is well known for allowing a thing to die and then
resurrecting it to new life.</b> I know, because He's doing <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">it</span> in me all the time. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I thought you should know all that before you read Em's essay. Because you ought to have a glimpse of the incredible mess I was, so you can see what a miracle and gift her words are to me. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">āAnd I Canāt Afford it, but itās Mineā</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">āShe is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praises herā-Proverbs 31: 25-28</span></i><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">āAnd I canāt afford it but itās mine,ā</a> whispers my mommy when my dad kisses her on her rounded cheek. āAnd I canāt afford it but itās mine,ā she utters when her children proclaim their jubilation in Jesus to her. āAnd I canāt afford it but itās mineā she triumphs when she reads about her Savior dying on the cross for her sins. My mom says this phrase meaning that she feels humbled to have what she doesnāt deserve. Mommy is my āand I canāt afford it but itās mine.ā I donāt deserve her, but sheās mine! She is my role model. With her outgoing personality, she shines Jesusā light to others through her actions and conversations. She passionately studies and teaches the Word. I am blessed by the impact she is making in my life to follow Jesus and pursue a relationship with Him. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My mom, wearing a patterned blouse, dark jeans, and tan boots, strides over to the check out line in Target, I bring the rear, pushing the red shopping cart. As we wait in line, my mom makes friends out of the strangers surrounding us. Her cupids bow lips spread into a wide grin and her straight white teeth show as she tells a story to a mother holding her baby, causing the mother to laugh. Momentarily, it is our turn for us to place our items on the conveyor belt. I hear high pitched beeping sounds as the cashier scans our goods and determines the amount due. My mom clutches her black purse with her petite hands, her curly hair which curves like ripples in the sea, swishes as she searches for her money and collects the charge. As she reaches out to hand the cash to the cashier, she takes notice of his name tag. Her round shaped face illuminates as she enthusiastically asks, āJohn, did you know that the meaning of your name is āYahweh is gracious?ā.ā The cashier, sporting a red polo shirt and khakis, shakes his head side to side and beams. While John bags our purchased items, she proceeds to ask John what his middle name is, if he has any siblings, and what his parents names are. Her voice is a joyful tone as she reveals the significance of his familyās names and intentionally shares glimpses of Jesus to him. Then my mom and I grab the bagged items. I take her free hand, which is soft against mine, and hold it as we walk out of the store to the parking lot where our car is parked. I notice a bounce in her step as we stroll to our car.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One Saturday morning, my mom ebulliently exclaims that she discovered the gospel being testified in Genesis 5 through the lineage of Adam. The two of us are in our jammies and curled up on our living room couch. Her leather Bible, which she passionately consumes everyday, lies on her fuzzy robed lap. Her chestnut hair that was swept behind her ear falls out of place as she clutches her polka dot cased phone, intently researching the internet for the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/08/whats-in-name.html">Hebrew meanings of Adamās name though Noahās. </a> She fervently reads her found treasure, "This is Godās message of salvation in the meaning of the names of the lineage of Adam! Man, possessed, mortal, sorrow, the blessed God, shall come down, to train up, disciple, teach, His death shall bring, the despairing, rest.ā My momās milk chocolate eyes open wide as she explains how creative it is of God to reveal the Gospel simply through the meaning of names. While she talks I ponder how my mommy is not only fascinated with the significance of peopleās names and to have their names be known, but she has an intensity for Godās sovereign name to be known and glorified. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Several years ago, my mom discovered that her maiden name āTeodosioā means <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/09/reap-what-i-sow-day-1.html">God-giver</a>. As a mommy, she lives out the meaning of that name and speaks truth into her childrenās lives. Every weekday morning, before my brother and I depart to go to school, my siblings and I sit down on our living room couch and my mom reads the Bible to us. I walk over to sit by her and her face lights up. I nestle in next to her, resting my head against her shoulder. As I burrow close, a blanket of security envelops me. I feel like a hatching protected by its mother's wings. She tenderly opens the Bible and thoughtfully voices the scripture aloud. The promising words dance off her tongue into our hearts, preparing us for the joys and tribulations of the future. After reading we bow our heads and my mom fights for us in prayer, my heart is sustained by her words. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During the day, her fingertips prance across a keyboard and words are produced that fill a screen. Her face glows from the luminous computer screen. She records memories and her journey with God on her blog, knowing that her children and generationās after will have the ability to view this virtual journal. She prays over them as she types, craving that they will know and serve the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I was small my mom would enter my bedroom at night. She tenderly caressed my face with her hands, softly singing hymns as I drifted off to sleep. When she worshiped, her lips extolled God. I saw glimpses of Godās beauty as she praised him. This memory is a reminder of how faithful my mom is as a mother and a follower of Christ. She fears the Lord and exemplifies the adventure of following him. I donāt deserve her love, and I donāt deserve Godās immeasurable love. āAnd I canāt afford it but itās mine.ā</span><br />
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<i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">āCharm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.ā-Proverbs 31: 30-31</span></i><br />
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-32184483821008569242016-02-02T08:45:00.001-08:002016-02-02T09:13:52.616-08:00Groundhog Day 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> you could miss it." </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ferris Bueller </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Life moves fast doesn't it? Case in point- Noahās a senior in high school, Emilie a junior, and Josieās catching up to them as an eighth grader! You know as well as I do we canāt slow life down, but we can heed the words of Ferris, and āstop, look around, so we donāt miss it.ā And hereās a bit of how these five Joneses did that in 2015.<br /><br />We hiked or got outdoors, <b>together</b>, every month- Point Lobos, Moaning Caverns & Columbia State Park, Moonstone Beach, Lewis Creek, Chiquita Pass Trail, Jackass Lakes, Mono Rock, Morro Bay, Bass Lake Flume, Fresno Dome, and Centennial Dome (where we watched the moon set and sunrise over Yosemite valley and Half Dome). <br /><br />Josie and I took an off the hook field trip to D.C.! We stayed with our great friends the Allenās, who lived near the Capitol and in walking distance of the National Mall. While we were there D.C. had a shutdown-the- government-sized-snowstorm, but that didnāt keep these Cali girls from taking in ALL the sights. In fact, it made it possible for us to stand ON a frozen Capitol Reflecting Pool, and to make snow angels and a snowman on Americaās backyard. <br /><br />We were treated to Easter break on Newport Beach (Thank you Dean & Barb Russell!) where we thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and playing on the Pacific Ocean, and visiting dear So Cal friends and family. <br /><br />The Gage, Cannedy, and Kiely families joined us again for Maycation at Bass Lake (which because of the drought we dubbed Bass Puddle). Time spent with old friends is always refreshing. <br /><br />Michael and Noah took a backpacking trip to Lady and Chittenden Lakes. They began their trip at sunset, and both of my crazy fellas were enthusiastic to hike to their first destination by the light of their head lamps! <br /><br />Once again the girls enjoyed two weeks at āThe Home of the Worldās Greatest Campers,ā YSSC, where they backpacked, played on Bass Lake, and romped around camp growing in their relationship with Jesus and some of His finest people ever! Emilie turned 16 at camp, and would want you to know that dressing like a pirate, then taking the camp war canoe out on the lake to the Pines Market where she commandeered ice cream booty with her cabin mates, while staying in pirate character was a most memorable way to celebrate her āSweetā birthday!<br /><br />Last summer YSSC was not only āHome of the Worldās Greatest Campers,ā but also of the āWorldās Greatest Staff,ā as Noah had his first job there working maintenance. YSSC staff are given camp names, and after our mountain boy wrangled a snake, some lizards, and piles of dirty dishes in his first week of training, he was christened with the name āWrangler.ā <br /><br />In spring Michael celebrated 15 years with West Coast Imaging where heās now the General Manager. Last year he enjoyed teaming up with photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum and created spectacular mandala art. In August they shared their unique pieces in an art show at the g2 Gallery in Venice Beach! <br /><br />I want it to go on record again in this Groundhog Day card that I LOVE my kidsā friends (Iām quiet fond of my friends too, but Iād need a whole other letter to express that)! Also, to those of you who are eighth graders (going separate ways after all these years of homeschooling), and to those who are seniors (moving on to here, there, and everywhere), Iāll be the one at your graduations in June CRYING UNCONTROLLABLY! āØ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Our wildest hikes and outdoor adventure of the year took place during Thanksgiving break, when we borrowed a tent trailer and traveled to the Grand Canyon, AZ. and Zion National Park, UT. To say that both places were MAGNIFICENT would be an understatement! We were all in awe of their indescribable beauty. Itās good to be outdoors. It rehabilitates and reconnects us to the Creator. And with life moving so fast, these Joneses need that. <br /><br />Finally, we rang in 2016 in the most FANTASTIC WAY EVER- watching our girl Emilie ride on the Kiwanis International float āChildrenā¦ Our Treasureā in the 2016 ROSE PARADE! We excitedly watched her wave and and cheer from our gifted bleacher seats on Colorado Blvd!! That was certainly an experience weāll all ātreasureā for a lifetime! <br /><br />Some words I savored in 2015 were <b>āTheir adventure wasnāt an ocean or a mountain but a familyā</b> from Donald Miller. We had some epic adventures last year, but ultimately my favorite adventure, the one I really love living is the everyday. Itās a cup of coffee with Michael in the morning, followed by everyone racing around trying to get out the door. Itās juggling jobs, housework, home school, kidsā activities, taxi service, understanding teenagers (not understanding teenagers), and too much homework. Itās forgetting to pull something out for dinner and having tacos again. Itās conversations around the dinner table, which always include Noahās wittiness, Emilieās thoughtfulness, and Josieās silliness. Itās ending each day with hugs, kisses, and a whole lot of grace, then hearing the Faithful echo āgoodnightā down the hall and <b>the Name that holds this family together, āJesus.ā </b> Yes, ālife moves pretty fast,ā and Iām abundantly grateful I get to share every bit of it with Michael, Noah, Emilie, and Josefine. </span><br />
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-5775916472194464372015-12-13T16:09:00.000-08:002015-12-14T08:59:12.754-08:00I Want to Remember<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Okay, so let's just ignore the ridiculousness that is my not blogging for more than seven months and jump right into this blog post... deal? Deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Okay, here goes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, Noah is 17 and some change. A senior in high school. He's applying for colleges (<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">UPDATE:</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span>e received his first acceptance l<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">etter today!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span>.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>He's applying for scholarships, and next month <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span>e'll apply for financial aid and grants (If you want to pray he gets a whole lot of both we won't stop you). It's not even Christmas yet, and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>e've submitted his senior and baby photo for the yearbook<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> I've purchased his cap n' gown for graduation<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and w</span>e've already handed in the check for grad-night activities.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>A<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span>hh! And</span> remember my last blog post... the one from seven plus months ago? (I know, I know, we agreed not to bring that up) The one about the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/05/seventeen.html">sand zipping through the hour glass </a>and me WANTING MORE SAND? Well, time is a jerk. Abigfatstupidmeanieheadjerk<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span> And I can't stop it. BUT, I CAN MAKE THE MOST OF IT! And that is what we did over Thanksgiving break. We <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">made the most of <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">our time <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">together</span> and </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">traveled to</span> t<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he Grand Canyon and Zion National Park<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span> </span></span></span></span>And I'm blogging about it because <span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WANT <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TO</span> REMEMBER. </span> </span></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvtOV1Nf7eEyvH2adaJA-VFFmziebjsEqtPaQh8PVYjIZ9StOSpQUqekQN2kkTJgw7B_Tw1EOqdOQSBB3iuVM2DaWWNb4_-3uhBStQrBwkswCyvfhitNIQca6Qeb6VuFdS0k0mL9Qg2Y/s1600/Zion+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvtOV1Nf7eEyvH2adaJA-VFFmziebjsEqtPaQh8PVYjIZ9StOSpQUqekQN2kkTJgw7B_Tw1EOqdOQSBB3iuVM2DaWWNb4_-3uhBStQrBwkswCyvfhitNIQca6Qeb6VuFdS0k0mL9Qg2Y/s1600/Zion+1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that <a href="http://www.saragroves.com/">Sara Groves</a> new album Flood Plain was the soundtrack of this road-trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">L</span>yrics from the album <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">are italicized in red throughout the p<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ost</span>) </span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"We're going on an expedition. We're looking for lost time. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And it will take days and days.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And it might be extravagant and wasteful. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We'll be gone as long as it takes. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking for lost time."</span></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I want to remember...</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that we spent our first night at Space Port Campground in Mojave, where 20mph wind <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">whipped </span>through our borrowed tent trailer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Knowing
we'd be neighbors to those giant wind<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> turbines</span> in the not <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">so distant</span> distance
might have been a good idea before we booked this place.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The howling wind was so fierce that Emilie snickered, "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">W</span>e're not in Kansas anymore!" I was thinking the same thing. The wind beat against the tent trailer so hard that somewhere in the 2 <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a.m.</span> hour Josie frantically asked, "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span>s the trailer gonna tip over!?!" And again, I was thinking the same thing. Michael, our driver, who was desperately attempting to get <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">at least a little</span> shut eye, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">calmly replied</span>, "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">N</span>oooo, we're not gonna tip over." I slipped my bra back on just in case. I mean, if he was wrong<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I </span>did<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> not</span> want to be trapped under a tent trailer in my cute flannel pj's bra-less! <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The five <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of us</span></span> maybe slept a total of 15 minutes combined. At one sleepless point Emilie declared, "I feel like I'm in a movie! This is so fun! This is part of the adventure!"<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Emilie. She was clearly delusional from the loss of sleep and had forgotten how "fun" her parents can be after just minutes of sleep. But she was also right, THIS <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">IS</span> part of the adventure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"This cup, this cup, I want to drink it up. To be right here, in the middle of it."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that there was a sky party the entire <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">road-tr<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ip</span></span>. A few times I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">shouted</span>, "God is showing off!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how it was lightly snowing when we arrived to our Grand Canyon campsite. And that my kids, who LIVE for the outdoors (they get it from their father, because if you recall,<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/08/summa-summa-summa-time.html"> I love NOT camping</a>) were beyond excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And that after camp was set-up we bundled up in every bit of clothing we brought and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">trekked</span> out to take our first peak at the glorious Grand Canyon by the light of the full moon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">l</span>ooking back at this photo and spying a heart shaped moon enveloped by a heart shaped cloud<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how I </span><b>knew</b></span> this <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">was</span> no coincidence<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">;</span> kn<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ew <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the Creator</span></span> was <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">whispering</span> His sweet love for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thanksgiving <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Day<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> 2015<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, which was spent <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">at the edge of the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">c</span>anyon with my <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">little family. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And </span>t</span>hinking about something I'd read on the drive<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"As people who live in a busy world we need to step away<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">b</span></span>e rehabilitated<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r</span>econnec<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t</span> with the the Highest." </b> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r</span>ecalling <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">James<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> 4:8, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">which says</span></span></span></span> "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D</span>raw near to God<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and He will draw near to you.</span>" <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>hinking</span> we <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">really ought to</span> draw nearer to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">our generous Maker</span> so much more than we do.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And how I felt <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a full-heart-full of</span> THANKFUL for this <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sacred time<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, together, to do <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">so. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"So take up what we've been given, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>elcome the edge of our days, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span>emmed in by sunrise and sunset, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">b</span>y our youth and our age<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span> Thank God for our dependence, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span>ere's to our chasm of need, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span>nd how it binds us together, In faith and vulnerability."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t</span>hat I w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>s told th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e Grand Canyon was originally <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">named Kaibob, which means, "ins<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ide out mountain<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">." </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMwW0TfbEO65qh62a1eJiIDdvoFL3lLp25D49Grmv4QG2TsheNx6k8dJlZUAjfJOsuciltPx1z9IPJzSogM8n0sR44zFsOscNEXjbTfcTyFKrlMwHvePlyaXamKQIbt22aZ6Fpr0T0RM/s1600/gc+fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMwW0TfbEO65qh62a1eJiIDdvoFL3lLp25D49Grmv4QG2TsheNx6k8dJlZUAjfJOsuciltPx1z9IPJzSogM8n0sR44zFsOscNEXjbTfcTyFKrlMwHvePlyaXamKQIbt22aZ6Fpr0T0RM/s1600/gc+fam.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how Noah playfully prodded this <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/08/sentimentally-ill.html">sentimentally ill </a>mama whenever he wanted something with, "But <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">i</span>t's my last Thanksgiving as a
child." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><b> </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLkAtIQKyyyMaj3FZUcRKDg-tKcs-ozRI9b-1Zl-FFpSI-MJgilsiZuIPRfimZ_OVpaIbgLEw5_3oNScba19PIr9y6V66opsMFzNpyzA8SIbdNhQsPInkEamzhE3zO2RDvTkV0ipIdE/s1600/gc+t+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLkAtIQKyyyMaj3FZUcRKDg-tKcs-ozRI9b-1Zl-FFpSI-MJgilsiZuIPRfimZ_OVpaIbgLEw5_3oNScba19PIr9y6V66opsMFzNpyzA8SIbdNhQsPInkEamzhE3zO2RDvTkV0ipIdE/s1600/gc+t+meal.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the bird and the thanks were served it turned into, "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This</span>
is my last Christmas as a child." <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>his kid. He knows how to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">turn me ins<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">i</span>de out!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And don't even remind me that in one short year from now I have to do
this all over again with Emilie.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>My heart<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">! Whose <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">b<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">right idea was it to have th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ese two so dang <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/09/if-i-had-known-then-what-i-know-now.html">close together?! </a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ufr2DTzSq7lnGkKOJ0vtG153b_EFMgStYFABxnWORr_P_9rU6h2w34d2R6HEyYFQmi7ssFnoaCafGKLdKIXWj7xfi_t6DSIg05-CvmuNVngWfu9Y9fe3_MLfKa0HqauuXvmxe7jHfHw/s1600/gc+jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ufr2DTzSq7lnGkKOJ0vtG153b_EFMgStYFABxnWORr_P_9rU6h2w34d2R6HEyYFQmi7ssFnoaCafGKLdKIXWj7xfi_t6DSIg05-CvmuNVngWfu9Y9fe3_MLfKa0HqauuXvmxe7jHfHw/s1600/gc+jump.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"All the cliches about how fast kids grow are true, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I woke up this morning, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e</span>ye to eye with you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"All
the cliches about living this life are true. The path is worn, but for
us it's new. There's no way to know it without discovery<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">m</span>arking our
missteps with mercy." </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"All
the cliches about how much I love you are true, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>s big as the sky, and
up to the moon, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span> million <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">g</span>azillion, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">infinity plus one."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the heater in the tent trailer didn't work the two nights we camped in the Grand Canyon, and that it was in the <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>TEENS COLD!</b></span> So out-of-this-world-insanely-cold that the condensation <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o</span>n the tent canvas and on our b<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">edding</span> <b><span style="color: #45818e;">TURNED TO ICE! </span></b>I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> am</span> not even kidding. In fact, Josie left a cup of water out on the table and in the morning it was a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BLOC<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">K <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OF ICE</span></span></span>. There was even<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">tiny</span> icicle formed from<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a drop from</span></span> the kitchen faucet. I will likely not thaw until mid August. Oh, and did I mention that I love NOT camping. Well, let me tell you that <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>I LOVE <span style="font-size: large;">NOT</span> ICE CAMPING</b></span> a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">million bazillion time<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s more.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d</span>riving away from <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the Grand Canyon</span> the morning after Thanksgiving, and sharing our family tradition of <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/12/count-it-all-joy.html">kicking off the Christmas season</a> by listening and singing along to Amy Grant's "Sleigh Bells." And how we all sang<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Yep<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, even Noah. </span></span>And as we rounded the Grand Canyon<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, singing</span>, light snow began to fall from Heaven. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I mean,</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>hat a dreamy way to usher in "Noah's last Christmas as a child." </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">AmIright?!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRKOE2-zomJUhaB4QIqUoLAOLvFCcXXQqVGAMdbWsipDgoypVLPckquuIqBWKmJTlXoHirQV_rI2Orbxh9dPpJ06cDlNeq-4AhGBK7GCJnW3RqpGkMAVkpQ9Uq8ANazLgaRAzT7TAEMU/s1600/gc+n+out+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRKOE2-zomJUhaB4QIqUoLAOLvFCcXXQqVGAMdbWsipDgoypVLPckquuIqBWKmJTlXoHirQV_rI2Orbxh9dPpJ06cDlNeq-4AhGBK7GCJnW3RqpGkMAVkpQ9Uq8ANazLgaRAzT7TAEMU/s1600/gc+n+out+car.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the drive from the Grand Canyon to Zion <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">National Par<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">k<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-</span> from Arizona to Utah<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how the topography changed in a snap. One moment <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we'd be <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">traveling on</span> flatland </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and the next moment <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we'd <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">be</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> heading through rugged red rock.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A_VOmB2JQj3OJeovYG3YYLp9RGViDmpm8VefZgrVUnaonDKrnp-kTUq2hnhArz395EdWos2yFFQMCxIwlne4RPsFFArVeFMcp2YcyQeChv9S76uXhgW9fdX-K1NMa8QetkpfqKIkLWc/s1600/gc+drive+out+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A_VOmB2JQj3OJeovYG3YYLp9RGViDmpm8VefZgrVUnaonDKrnp-kTUq2hnhArz395EdWos2yFFQMCxIwlne4RPsFFArVeFMcp2YcyQeChv9S76uXhgW9fdX-K1NMa8QetkpfqKIkLWc/s1600/gc+drive+out+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next</span> moment<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">there w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ould be</span> snow<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGCdNDG8UIFj1QPMYTGSS97MjtKVUeRVuceY9Il4cjHFbsWQL9wuOdhsCiXKuEXk9HmwuGsGW5Kc0-HGfY3Eu3-s-uH63ppwch9Mwp9_EdkDb9VelVX3xoFHxD7oC8qBuYwFXvT4FFao/s1600/GC+drive+snow+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGCdNDG8UIFj1QPMYTGSS97MjtKVUeRVuceY9Il4cjHFbsWQL9wuOdhsCiXKuEXk9HmwuGsGW5Kc0-HGfY3Eu3-s-uH63ppwch9Mwp9_EdkDb9VelVX3xoFHxD7oC8qBuYwFXvT4FFao/s1600/GC+drive+snow+.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and</span> then in a bli<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nk<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we were back to the brilliant sky party we'd been enjoying<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">throughout the trip.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And as the topography changed I thought <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">about my own life, h<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w one moment <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">it's<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> rugged rock and in a blink smooth, flatland<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">considered</span> the weather<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nd <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">this </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">life, how <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the morning can begin with</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> blue sk<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ies<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, then</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">often, without warning, in the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">aftern<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on it turns </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> dim and cloudy. I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">recall</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">verses</span> I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">HA<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D</span></span> to memorize years ago</span> from Ecclesiaste<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s 7:13-1<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4, <b>"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He</span> has made crooked. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When things are good, be happy<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">; but</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>hen things are bad<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Therefore, no one can disc<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">over anything about <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">their own </span>future." </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Good and bad<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span>b</span>oth are inevitable.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> This isn't heaven. But God. <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/hes-got-this-day-16.html">He's God</a> of both. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And I HAD to memorize th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ose verses because I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">HAD to remember that. </span></span></span> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Really we don't ne</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">ed muc</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">h, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Just </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">strength</span> to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">beli</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">eve, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">There's honey in the rock</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">; there's more than we see. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">In these </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">patche</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">s of joy, these stretches of sorrow,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> there's enough for today, ther</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">e<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> will</span> be enough tomorrow."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">HAVE</span> to remember...</b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"There's honey in the rock." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span>nd that as Emilie said, "This is <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">part of the adventure<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span>" <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd that the patches of joy are actually made so mu<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ch <b>sweeter</b> because of the stretches of sorrow. </span></span></span></span><b> </b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that b</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">etween the snow and the sky party, Michael, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wondered aloud</span> if <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we would see a snowbow. </span></span>H<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">uh? He <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">explained,<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "</span></span>L</span>ike a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rainbow, but it comes after the snow." Of course<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span> We did<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n't. But</span> Michael is funny. Oh, I sure do love <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">him</span>! I'm so grateful to do these patches of joy and stretche<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s of sorrow with him<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">W</span>ith the guy who promised<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">would w</span>alk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more, just to be the man who walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your d<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">oor..<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span>dadalatda." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>his marriage is<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #990000;">honey in the rock.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Love
is a diamond hidden in mountains covered in danger and dirt. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">I'm on the
outside digging and digging<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> I've seen and I know what it's worth... </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">I
feel the love between us."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how</span> we </span>arrived <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to</span> Zion at sunset. The time of our arrival was Divinely appointed. I know that. I know the Maker of Heaven and Earth wanted us to arrive at that very moment. He wanted to put His <b>AWE</b>somemess on display for Michael, for Noah, for Emilie, for Josefine, for me<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> - f</span>or His <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">b</span>eloveds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The clouds were brilliant and billowy in the bluest sky as the sunset burst through them and fell on Zion. I couldn't take photos. I couldn't pres<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s </span>record for video. I could only take it in. I teared up<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>he sight of it literally caused my <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">soul and my </span>eyes to water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Zion was <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/01/magnificent.html">so Magnificent</a>. So Glorious. So Other. And I felt small. A good and necessary small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Your reality is my good medicine. Tell me who we are<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd who I am... </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd you're too good to be true." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At one point I literally thought <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/09/ill-fly-away.html">I'd died</a> and gone to Heaven. I'm<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">totally serious</span></span>. I actually took a head count in the car to make sure we were all there. And then it occurred to me<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>we probably wouldn't be in Heaven in our Saturn Outlook. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then I wondered if that's how it will be when God takes me Home<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">..</span>. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o</span>ne moment I'll be in this world, and the next moment I'll be aware that I am in His. I think so. I know so. And I can't believe earth's Zion barely scratches the surface of Heaven's Zion. I mean, "I scarce can take it in<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">! How <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">great Thou <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">art, How great Thou art!" </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz-SfnmxyVkp3Da9Uu_Uy6J162cfoux1ZT6Q8YWI06SdCBa2qQDyN21ZyNvdn92hhMXPu9ak_fJ4OCa_4gH4WyLpN583O9P_BLlFNlgRd8H9vsGKI3yevAdHNC80JD9LSAQJ11w-vUFg/s1600/Zion+N+%2526+E+window+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz-SfnmxyVkp3Da9Uu_Uy6J162cfoux1ZT6Q8YWI06SdCBa2qQDyN21ZyNvdn92hhMXPu9ak_fJ4OCa_4gH4WyLpN583O9P_BLlFNlgRd8H9vsGKI3yevAdHNC80JD9LSAQJ11w-vUFg/s1600/Zion+N+%2526+E+window+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r</span>eading and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">thinking,</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"Our wonder needs reawakening<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span>"</b> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd how <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">more beaut<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">iful to me than<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> all of <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Zion was <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">watching Wonder <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">reawakening in my children. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that I saw a ram! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Meet me at the river, oh<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> oh oh. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Fashion us a raft and oa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r... </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2G8S_8lvcptgeu8LHJ1455SL0TFMgeEOmQf2iprJ81R6DWQsgoFwJGVHwI3BZ_riiYJJLRxO9Pe4yW5fL2KXnBksvI1pG0T74pqrlt6rLePUtXtSHipT3WSwveABnS2jXPVJdMPV_wg/s1600/Z+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2G8S_8lvcptgeu8LHJ1455SL0TFMgeEOmQf2iprJ81R6DWQsgoFwJGVHwI3BZ_riiYJJLRxO9Pe4yW5fL2KXnBksvI1pG0T74pqrlt6rLePUtXtSHipT3WSwveABnS2jXPVJdMPV_wg/s1600/Z+tree.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>e're goin<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'</span> on an expedition, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>e're looking for lost time<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBhchTxskXrYfMmu9w5DvjFtBWXJv3BF1ntitjwHGK5-YQA0lcQKc1owkpQqZXXF4gTAfKapCXGNTxJJkGnTD4jbrkaVn2eCYY52qtw4OtsmVQtFbAcKObbrASamR5vbXaSK6xp1o8Qo/s1600/Z+leaves+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBhchTxskXrYfMmu9w5DvjFtBWXJv3BF1ntitjwHGK5-YQA0lcQKc1owkpQqZXXF4gTAfKapCXGNTxJJkGnTD4jbrkaVn2eCYY52qtw4OtsmVQtFbAcKObbrASamR5vbXaSK6xp1o8Qo/s1600/Z+leaves+water.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVU0EusE7-xA68FggwVq0AM1JPiNEbBzCeBfMTSF16hyoByBAESSqZ6DiaFJ6mqb-BAdtM_7CvgP4PBUoLYdPfEpXjHKPBelhTxcC-UEJ5g49unS0sQ6Pfk4kBaO3WCD4NzPIQqOWOls/s1600/z+river+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVU0EusE7-xA68FggwVq0AM1JPiNEbBzCeBfMTSF16hyoByBAESSqZ6DiaFJ6mqb-BAdtM_7CvgP4PBUoLYdPfEpXjHKPBelhTxcC-UEJ5g49unS0sQ6Pfk4kBaO3WCD4NzPIQqOWOls/s1600/z+river+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">And it might take day<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s and days<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd it might be </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">extravaga<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nt and wasteful, </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w</span>e'll be <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">gone as long as it takes, </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">l</span>ooking for lost time.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Michael sa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">i<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> he <b>wants to remember</b>, </span>"</span></span></span></span>Being together, experiencing new things, and seeing <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">my family's</span> </span>smiles, even in the cold." </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">continued, </span></span>"I have memories of this trip as a ki<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (t<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t</span>he Grand Canyon)<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and now I have memories with my family<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">watching Michael walking with the girls, holding th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eir hands, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">bei<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ng playful and silly and affectionate with <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">them. I think<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/03/7.html"> I need that </a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">for them <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">more than they <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">need</span> it for them<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">selves. </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">N<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">oah says he<b> wants to remember</b>, "When I fi<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rst saw Zion, because it was the coolest view I've ever seen." </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Noah<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-in-name.html"> was rest</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. He is most himself when he is in the outdoors<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. When he is in <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wonder of Majesty; when he is rehabilitated to the highest. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Noah</span> needs to be outdoors more. I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> need to <i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">see him</span></i> outdoors more. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnsVFx9E4fl-iehRNk9NHIIcL-mdZErWZpplamC2KtuqgcCeDnM68JxAZrS5uCQwRQF8hFKRjJp8Qftc2bpRF42kygut4oFO-GrCZGuo_ddf121gBF8DayBkW9Zhpdlq-WE5s54d7Aj8/s1600/Zion+me+%2526+Noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnsVFx9E4fl-iehRNk9NHIIcL-mdZErWZpplamC2KtuqgcCeDnM68JxAZrS5uCQwRQF8hFKRjJp8Qftc2bpRF42kygut4oFO-GrCZGuo_ddf121gBF8DayBkW9Zhpdlq-WE5s54d7Aj8/s1600/Zion+me+%2526+Noah.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">standing in the tent trailer<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span>h<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">im giving me <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2008/11/does-your-child-give-you-look.html">the look,</a> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">then</span> telling me he lov<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">es me, "mmmuch." I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">want so much <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/05/seventeen.html">more sand<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Emilie <b>wants to remember</b>, "<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>hough there were hard times<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he trip </span>was an adventure (I knew she'<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d want to remember that). </span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She also wants to remember, "Daddy getting up in the mornings, while we all sta<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">yed in bed<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">h</span></span>ow he ma<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">de</span> us tea<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span>coffee, and hot co<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">coa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> to warm us.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uDtkz62_mM02dtukG8uCZNA4DrV4QMBFytGaV6HKHtbwzGF4Mpay5YRX1JOd59eyZSIE41W7ge2lh_fFKlRrCgYZcxQxnK29mJtsL3XBhgQh7ezjf3Jv0OLChVLRqr4pWldglUvKXfw/s1600/Zion+steps+%2526+peeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uDtkz62_mM02dtukG8uCZNA4DrV4QMBFytGaV6HKHtbwzGF4Mpay5YRX1JOd59eyZSIE41W7ge2lh_fFKlRrCgYZcxQxnK29mJtsL3XBhgQh7ezjf3Jv0OLChVLRqr4pWldglUvKXfw/s1600/Zion+steps+%2526+peeps.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how Em's <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">gla<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ss-half-full <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">perspective</span></span></span> </span>warms us<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> as much<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, if not more, than he<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r dad's warm beverages. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I a<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">lso wa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nt to remember how silly we both looked <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sticking ou<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t our tongues to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">taste falling snow<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. I like <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">having someone <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to be silly with me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I've been here before, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and I'll tell you what I've seen, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the hand of grace reaches down to me, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a voice inside says I will be free" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Josie says she <b>wants to remember<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span>he breathtaking sight<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">especially</span> the view from the top of Emerald Pool <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in</span> Zion<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, where</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s</span>he felt like she was on<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> top of the world." </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwY_f_OlhITjVH5i2ybIFypV7HtxzcoZc95GrPP1MPThFRfYqO0fizpiW6Gr9PYue5lQenynehTbxMuDW6eBRsIgn089Vb9kh86NiICgxgEyeUhP06yF4s511qzqQciRAK5yUcAD4sk8/s1600/Zion+kids+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwY_f_OlhITjVH5i2ybIFypV7HtxzcoZc95GrPP1MPThFRfYqO0fizpiW6Gr9PYue5lQenynehTbxMuDW6eBRsIgn089Vb9kh86NiICgxgEyeUhP06yF4s511qzqQciRAK5yUcAD4sk8/s1600/Zion+kids+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Jo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ie's weak ankle throbbed for a good bit of the hiking<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, but</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">she <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wanted to</span> ke<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ep</span> going<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She tea<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">che<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s me to not quit<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">; to </span><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/10/rattling-around.html">keep my eye on the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">prize.</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also want to remember how <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/02/josefiney-tortellini.html">she<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> was</span> alwa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ys </span>eager </a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/02/josefiney-tortellini.html">to be a</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/02/josefiney-tortellini.html"> helper</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/02/josefiney-tortellini.html">;</a> how she <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">generously <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">gave herself up to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">serve </span>each on<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e o<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">f us. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9huuJQgPzwqOTSjnRd1_0cHC54Pn0o6iBv0_vRJ8xCTQJspodZM6VNQGZsYP2o4G_cuFTfQMeLT-CK3Q7K2krr0XuUy0I7HIh6XqbgcRdfUEVjwOziNrG0sVxzE-OIHGcnkYG2iT-JA/s1600/Z+j+%2526+i+waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9huuJQgPzwqOTSjnRd1_0cHC54Pn0o6iBv0_vRJ8xCTQJspodZM6VNQGZsYP2o4G_cuFTfQMeLT-CK3Q7K2krr0XuUy0I7HIh6XqbgcRdfUEVjwOziNrG0sVxzE-OIHGcnkYG2iT-JA/s1600/Z+j+%2526+i+waterfall.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to remember...</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVSXHsS-fXTJC550hHouge_JIN0bKR2zw9JKbyjg0iEsvhBOlcq5mHrxGwv0Uf7AgV1xHhwFMRbZoJp2tr5ur8PfVqBl2JHeDjvWc1svw6ohT2_UvjqcQKTenFUQDcJcuW8JJDSqgb88/s1600/Z+family+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVSXHsS-fXTJC550hHouge_JIN0bKR2zw9JKbyjg0iEsvhBOlcq5mHrxGwv0Uf7AgV1xHhwFMRbZoJp2tr5ur8PfVqBl2JHeDjvWc1svw6ohT2_UvjqcQKTenFUQDcJcuW8JJDSqgb88/s1600/Z+family+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t</span>h<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ey are</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "honey in the rock." </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-73830218454411671592015-05-08T09:04:00.003-07:002015-05-08T10:14:29.474-07:00Seventeen<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Noah, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And just like that you're seventeen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You
know how when you watch the sand fall through an hourglass and it gets toward
the end of the hour, and the sand, though it continues to move at the same speed, suddenly seems to zip through... that's what seventeen feels like. It feels like I'm almost out of sand. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I want more sand...more time, with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/11/5-minutes-on-friday.html">"hold yous." </a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05yJeWMCyG6xxh3wUvlHbGHvuhga6_9bb-OrbHYQ_v8-tOYifExwgT_llcx9uSJjS0CMe78DH33ypVjpU9a2-gea09xlyJJxMsl7pgtgfhSP0pPvvmhn7l6ZcxApvYFTx3b4CnUC-H6g/s1600/FH000009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05yJeWMCyG6xxh3wUvlHbGHvuhga6_9bb-OrbHYQ_v8-tOYifExwgT_llcx9uSJjS0CMe78DH33ypVjpU9a2-gea09xlyJJxMsl7pgtgfhSP0pPvvmhn7l6ZcxApvYFTx3b4CnUC-H6g/s400/FH000009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And more wrestling matches with daddy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more running circles around the couches.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI-tPBVV6EuCh2hyphenhyphend-bchFQyx8TF2rputOlmbdqI4MQ_11XG9vw0EZhFkv5_gO_s7k_2yPfByiGzqrBX1zk73STj2CXTpaUSwFLVifl87xk5wa0VriYlzKUAsy3q7FnCcHsM3YeTKWLI/s1600/FH000017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI-tPBVV6EuCh2hyphenhyphend-bchFQyx8TF2rputOlmbdqI4MQ_11XG9vw0EZhFkv5_gO_s7k_2yPfByiGzqrBX1zk73STj2CXTpaUSwFLVifl87xk5wa0VriYlzKUAsy3q7FnCcHsM3YeTKWLI/s400/FH000017.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> And more forts in the living room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more Blue's Clues (a.k.a "Luda Lu"). I never thought I'd miss that yappy dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want a lot more of<a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2008/11/does-your-child-given-you-look.html"> "the look."</a> You know the one I'm talking about. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0znif9jeZKnC4Kk7QxkAL8gQIYlNYCTg8hj5-UUhb-Z-j65vLJnrTpCPpGKPwwqkn3z6HMjQNjIZme1bQruDO5u_o0y6p83b130G45mzdZSGYdTibf58zG1Z3Wknes3OcrS4mt0MH8s/s1600/0346285-R1-011-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0znif9jeZKnC4Kk7QxkAL8gQIYlNYCTg8hj5-UUhb-Z-j65vLJnrTpCPpGKPwwqkn3z6HMjQNjIZme1bQruDO5u_o0y6p83b130G45mzdZSGYdTibf58zG1Z3Wknes3OcrS4mt0MH8s/s400/0346285-R1-011-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more starting our days singing "This is the day that the LORD has made" at the kitchen table, followed by endless hours of home schooling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm even open to more moments of you antagonizing your sisters.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpcfIY4Y9RUJDgt71C0_gQ2qkrC2-SqmSI64mrtVcXlGssH6vhTHZUspPY5EjSbYwu5h2CaLaw4gRjSgn1iw2hVbAqBo8dHr2gjsMHhcNsC_Tf3FLTIll1QMvqh5Cu69QKcdXdZwdloY/s1600/m11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpcfIY4Y9RUJDgt71C0_gQ2qkrC2-SqmSI64mrtVcXlGssH6vhTHZUspPY5EjSbYwu5h2CaLaw4gRjSgn1iw2hVbAqBo8dHr2gjsMHhcNsC_Tf3FLTIll1QMvqh5Cu69QKcdXdZwdloY/s1600/m11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want to find you again and again with your nose in your books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I even want more tripping over Legos.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If more time equals more driving taxi, than I'm totally up for it. Besides, some of our <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/03/13-minutes-and-king-of-glory.html">sweetest conversations </a>have taken place in the getting from one place to another. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNYIgbeIXKEm38eWuPYhhHQMjbrTiB8GPtsSrSCu0P8t7Q951nyLNxPnHdsIoQnPNv5utbK2W6648mUbAWDxvY8pEWIQ9sqe54RpLER5XmkRU20B5VUCim5KlLLfOxGB36BoJ_eIZiEk/s1600/christmas+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNYIgbeIXKEm38eWuPYhhHQMjbrTiB8GPtsSrSCu0P8t7Q951nyLNxPnHdsIoQnPNv5utbK2W6648mUbAWDxvY8pEWIQ9sqe54RpLER5XmkRU20B5VUCim5KlLLfOxGB36BoJ_eIZiEk/s1600/christmas+4.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more dinner times. It's the part of our everyday that I look forward to most- the five of us, together, serious and silly, sharing all our stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll even take more of your complaining about having to eat zucchini.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi0Sg2rM4d-FkuFFNukcpGqhWlxcX7rLZ1vwdSLEJgTBslQ19yd6eXshYI2_QjMbzVhlmtVYQF0lpId0gs2Gey0c6VlmU94yQdnFpwSm6tYC5YWcab9VAxlxNydToLh0pxWZDnU6i3b8/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi0Sg2rM4d-FkuFFNukcpGqhWlxcX7rLZ1vwdSLEJgTBslQ19yd6eXshYI2_QjMbzVhlmtVYQF0lpId0gs2Gey0c6VlmU94yQdnFpwSm6tYC5YWcab9VAxlxNydToLh0pxWZDnU6i3b8/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And If more time includes more arguing, I'll take it too, because though butting heads is ugly at the time, on the other side of it I can see how our rough patches are making each of us better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll take a whole lot more of listening to you play your guitars.. even if <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-teenage-heartthrob.html">it is at 7:30 a.m., </a>before I've had my coffee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And if more time requires I listen to your Pink Floyd records, than it's a deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more more more watching you adore your sisters. You have cherished them well. You've<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/07/blessing.html"> blessed them with your words</a>, your care, and affection (Your future wife and daughters are gonna get quiet a catch in you!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In your hug is without question my most favorite place to be. Your name means "rest, peace, not broken; made whole." And in your strong arms, Noah, I have<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-know-day-22.html"> that rest</a>. I want more rest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgJ1KhTclDfSuEQFf2WbQyK9HGEceG8YjkfeNZj29VNjMMcuiH5Yw9XiETGmTA_0QoBWMVSEtJfBG-PJwtCPBdpQvTUn7-IfH4rLf3CZ_jMFf2NUiqmMZyD16aOPReBLdt6kpsSrXZ94/s1600/proxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgJ1KhTclDfSuEQFf2WbQyK9HGEceG8YjkfeNZj29VNjMMcuiH5Yw9XiETGmTA_0QoBWMVSEtJfBG-PJwtCPBdpQvTUn7-IfH4rLf3CZ_jMFf2NUiqmMZyD16aOPReBLdt6kpsSrXZ94/s1600/proxy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/04/mog-dress.html"> "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You." </a>Noah, you are every word of that song. Bear, you absolutely "brighten up for me all of my days with a love so sweet, in so many ways." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want many more bike
rides in Yosemite, family hikes, and days on Bass Lake. You are in your
element in the great outdoors, and I want more of seeing you in your
element.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRiP4wC3McTCIINiVKjt2lVHIVo4t0IzMSbqd-iozgDsDZDZo6RSP2X34A8I4USysUZMfK_1oNmyIrGlUNUAP2kWTFGuOBy_eQKLNGf2ye7L4IT0nEARBxwB23ZKPfy7t2t6WTg7CKrw/s1600/BP+noah-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRiP4wC3McTCIINiVKjt2lVHIVo4t0IzMSbqd-iozgDsDZDZo6RSP2X34A8I4USysUZMfK_1oNmyIrGlUNUAP2kWTFGuOBy_eQKLNGf2ye7L4IT0nEARBxwB23ZKPfy7t2t6WTg7CKrw/s1600/BP+noah-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGf0cQPmwAA2ItRo1S8DriLEztYL7LmuS-kGJyfrVy3ZEE3gMYdcl5swJRRWrEOZASbKHQf2uWBtJQ6C3fvotpDW0pBWVDbk7_m97FQdrrtQYNMpkNGHoXAo4qp_3HRquMj0ZPqDx_RCI/s1600/BP+all+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGf0cQPmwAA2ItRo1S8DriLEztYL7LmuS-kGJyfrVy3ZEE3gMYdcl5swJRRWrEOZASbKHQf2uWBtJQ6C3fvotpDW0pBWVDbk7_m97FQdrrtQYNMpkNGHoXAo4qp_3HRquMj0ZPqDx_RCI/s1600/BP+all+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more of your
words- more of the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-04-03T09:22:00-07:00&max-results=6">way the Spirit in you discerns things.</a> I want to be
impacted by more of <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/01/rooted.html">your wisdom</a>, your understanding, your grace.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYksSwu_A7mdqQ5bWECY5ea7k7FPNYO4qoYlArYNu4LMczRQUflBuy9JrqOUWEQxkHZPq9sHBwIs_-F8c4tHhOhC0FjbzP5kB89cKKc4DF1ZnsrPacFTFLOPWa2Ni-sIqNBmRsqwnSjNY/s1600/sow-+running+towards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYksSwu_A7mdqQ5bWECY5ea7k7FPNYO4qoYlArYNu4LMczRQUflBuy9JrqOUWEQxkHZPq9sHBwIs_-F8c4tHhOhC0FjbzP5kB89cKKc4DF1ZnsrPacFTFLOPWa2Ni-sIqNBmRsqwnSjNY/s1600/sow-+running+towards.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more waking up to find you and your dad together reading your Bibles. And more overhearing you two as you quietly share what you're learning about the LORD our God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I need more of your wit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJJEnTAwJYFtTr_a2SpRcYpRKegs07f6_gzH6Do9MEPAQAkKmCFwxiMHQ02K2-L-RLSsZsS_2BQV6vjfFAqYmy-1rgJh1xSGWaiwCZ9JDo6qR55uGQ7QRb2qXcINkboVmIYJPNSBj89E/s1600/IMG_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJJEnTAwJYFtTr_a2SpRcYpRKegs07f6_gzH6Do9MEPAQAkKmCFwxiMHQ02K2-L-RLSsZsS_2BQV6vjfFAqYmy-1rgJh1xSGWaiwCZ9JDo6qR55uGQ7QRb2qXcINkboVmIYJPNSBj89E/s400/IMG_3453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And more "I love you Mommy Bear." </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">More hearing you <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/10/rattling-around.html">whisper "Jesus"</a> when you kiss me goodnight or as you head out the door. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEyKGDkf5uTWzazNvO3jXlMnoxGJn4d4m3gL6UJawj4ns0ee_HZi9v69h2fZ4zQPxr87vMtczIb2AhWVfExuFAvqbDFTpO8NzD3heb6iFuCD_bUf5dEZVEUze9mePaEbDKMJJ-xqI8L4/s1600/noah+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEyKGDkf5uTWzazNvO3jXlMnoxGJn4d4m3gL6UJawj4ns0ee_HZi9v69h2fZ4zQPxr87vMtczIb2AhWVfExuFAvqbDFTpO8NzD3heb6iFuCD_bUf5dEZVEUze9mePaEbDKMJJ-xqI8L4/s1600/noah+b.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah, I want more of all you are always always always with me. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want more sand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-33800929997761083322015-04-01T12:33:00.001-07:002015-04-01T17:22:32.054-07:00Do you know my heart is yours<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Emilie and Josie worked together to recreate this darling video </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of the <br />"Boat Song" <br />by<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTzBWdLJG98"> J.J. Heller. </a> <br /><br />I love it a lot a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Almost as much as I love them...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">almost as much as they love each other. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And oh! The way they adore each other</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">and I can't afford it, but it's mine! </a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/123806655" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/123806655">The Boat Song</a> by <a href="https://vimeo.com/user21029063">Emilie Jones</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">If you were a boat, my darling<br />
A boat, my darling<br />
I'd be the wind at your back<br />
If you were afraid, my darling<br />
Afraid, my darling<br />
I'd be the courage you lack</span>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
If you were a bird, then I'd be a tree<br />
And you would come home, my darling, to me<br />
If you were asleep, then I'd be a dream<br />
Wherever you are, that's where my heart will be<br />
Oh, do you know we belong together?<br />
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?</span>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
If you were the ocean, I'd be the sand<br />
If you were a song, I'd be the band<br />
If you were the stars, then I'd be the moon<br />
A light in the dark, my darling, for you</span>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
Oh, do you know we belong together?<br />
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?</span>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
Oh, do you know we belong together?<br />
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?<br />
Oh, do you know we belong together?<br />
Oh, do you know my heart is yours? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/130/6DB94E7B6B06E99CA5A7CF154F49E148.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The peanut butter & jelly sandwich was not wasted after the filming of this video, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and was packed in Emilie's lunch the next day.</span> :) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-81914494614086610202015-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:002015-03-23T17:12:19.978-07:00#betterthanachair<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'd been saving birthday, odd job, and yard sale money for a few years to buy a chair and ottoman for my room to create a cozy spot just for me. During that time, Noah and Emilie both ditched home school for traditional school, leaving just Josie and I at home day-in-day-out. Then our good friends, <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/08/in-my-mind-im-going-to-carolina-part-1.html">Spinner & Ginger Allen</a>, moved to DC.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WESx5IbOSiCEkfGeGPKlqiCAmGSQVWuKumTzjjOQtVyo-Xsf-PbpFWY03wBNeAiHzEqQ92twfsRmwEKxez7ADTVHsg2HA0FinVc6AMarI0W_tbqJJDiZ2zqfewQJ4s8Q1LLV9zPBCo/s1600/1+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WESx5IbOSiCEkfGeGPKlqiCAmGSQVWuKumTzjjOQtVyo-Xsf-PbpFWY03wBNeAiHzEqQ92twfsRmwEKxez7ADTVHsg2HA0FinVc6AMarI0W_tbqJJDiZ2zqfewQJ4s8Q1LLV9zPBCo/s1600/1+plane.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And suddenly, that
cozy spot didn't seem all that important to me. Getting outta Dodge with Josie,
seeing our friends, and making some memories did!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ***************************************************************************</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have you been to Washington DC? It's the best place to visit. The best. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZSxVQGOgEPxmWdaZS4lpOGcaWGDwbnhVAFa2EXAZXgXfa8gSaJsoSdV6-AMKU3wFNTUpCMPftcWTTRiZj9e6DVFZJZczXVgiIrIF6dJdMzNN4O1jwqRgEbQFTG5Gq5Zw9-Iq5220JPc/s1600/WM+at+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZSxVQGOgEPxmWdaZS4lpOGcaWGDwbnhVAFa2EXAZXgXfa8gSaJsoSdV6-AMKU3wFNTUpCMPftcWTTRiZj9e6DVFZJZczXVgiIrIF6dJdMzNN4O1jwqRgEbQFTG5Gq5Zw9-Iq5220JPc/s1600/WM+at+sunset.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I've been three times (which was only possible because we've had friends to stay with each time). This time was my favorite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Maybe it's because the first time we traveled with a 22 and 9 month old. And the <a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html">last time </a>we went Michael had just broken his hip and arm and was in a wheel chair. To top that off Josie "conveniently" twisted her ankle the day before the trip. I think this time was my favorite because it was the first time I didn't have to carry and/or push someone. I highly recommend visiting DC (anywhere for that matter) when you don't have to carry or push people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Check out our <a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html">2009 DC, Philadelphia, and Amish country trip here.</a> There are videos. Funny videos. Make yourself a giant bowl of popcorn and enjoy! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ***************************************************************************</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj51UorAyHk72-I8YI0MP9RjLg4ovgKvr0zVyctP_XnOaQMnCb5-iwSKVIcEpg7BH2Jl5cZqI_ezOzLxrAHHT6xqbxjpKup_YNKKpvjfi9sM8SxM2A5h_3S_CvHJO9A1be7bP1I_O7FM/s1600/jo+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj51UorAyHk72-I8YI0MP9RjLg4ovgKvr0zVyctP_XnOaQMnCb5-iwSKVIcEpg7BH2Jl5cZqI_ezOzLxrAHHT6xqbxjpKup_YNKKpvjfi9sM8SxM2A5h_3S_CvHJO9A1be7bP1I_O7FM/s1600/jo+snow.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would not have chosen the weather we had. It was freeze-your-buns off cold! 68 degrees is nippy for me, and it was "16 degrees, feels like 1." However, romping around in the snow ended up being part of the adventure, and in the end I absolutely loved it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our friends live just six blocks from the Capitol! Woot woot! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MeOc1BO_e2yV1EV-fd6mnabaN3rwyslQSzGyf8V3p6sLI6_QssYBNrCznSrSQGb5WBQY02x-sRNCrEEdimaUas8YXqcowTCIf47HjVxW2rrKTUkeLHIahmwQk20S767V-csPFboDgvc/s1600/cap+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MeOc1BO_e2yV1EV-fd6mnabaN3rwyslQSzGyf8V3p6sLI6_QssYBNrCznSrSQGb5WBQY02x-sRNCrEEdimaUas8YXqcowTCIf47HjVxW2rrKTUkeLHIahmwQk20S767V-csPFboDgvc/s1600/cap+hill.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Their neighborhood with row houses, brick sidewalks, and snow are night and day different from the ranch style homes, rolling hills, and summer temps here at home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This sign was outside a neighbor's home. It made me chuckle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZGTSXtLcH2PCIhtFRuknpfL67xvjXTtyQQQpF1Tusgp5NcuGDrMXE86WHevF44huICLxWIwFLwjjuMogneM7jrO364OQyoItcYgIF3YCAhHfDfybxe6cA8QqgIuB7NbSs13YwSpQOs/s1600/HoM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZGTSXtLcH2PCIhtFRuknpfL67xvjXTtyQQQpF1Tusgp5NcuGDrMXE86WHevF44huICLxWIwFLwjjuMogneM7jrO364OQyoItcYgIF3YCAhHfDfybxe6cA8QqgIuB7NbSs13YwSpQOs/s1600/HoM.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Mall is referred to as "America's Backyard." We took advantage of our backyard, the snow, and the cold, and had some fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was so cold that The
Capitol Reflecting Pool (not to be confused with The Lincoln Memorial
Reflecting Pool, which was drained) was ice. We joined a handful of
other brave souls and stepped out onto it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last time we visited DC, the Allen's suggested we stroll through th<a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2009/09/cookies-at-white-house.html">e monuments at night,</a> which was magnificent. I thought it couldn't get better than that, but seeing them blanketed in snow was a real treat! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thomas Jefferson Memorial</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Franklin D. Roosevelt's Memorial</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO0qcs0C0W1RBjBm9HDbPX7_bOYq-KdAyqMWAL92DI9lEv6w2MmZL_KeJEwrS-nO2bP5aqv3uTfTPoa6CWwY8gUnu1DHXphrLCehFxoTGU-OVnmYkj83esUi096S7PhWdyNmtEb8H_yA/s1600/fdr+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO0qcs0C0W1RBjBm9HDbPX7_bOYq-KdAyqMWAL92DI9lEv6w2MmZL_KeJEwrS-nO2bP5aqv3uTfTPoa6CWwY8gUnu1DHXphrLCehFxoTGU-OVnmYkj83esUi096S7PhWdyNmtEb8H_yA/s1600/fdr+snow.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozoy5YDWohDNQhuwGIdYsDXZpAtXxccDWhZwuHV2vG15IokQyXYm4Yadsyq1op8dQ88Y-rHaoLVjQnowLChQbPFc8B1rZE7Vdj1CBZOOVVhwi_8r9dbdxpzqD2ZaU7ChgaB6p3Z2eT_Y/s1600/fdr+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozoy5YDWohDNQhuwGIdYsDXZpAtXxccDWhZwuHV2vG15IokQyXYm4Yadsyq1op8dQ88Y-rHaoLVjQnowLChQbPFc8B1rZE7Vdj1CBZOOVVhwi_8r9dbdxpzqD2ZaU7ChgaB6p3Z2eT_Y/s1600/fdr+line.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are four parts to FDR's Memorial, representing his four terms in office. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I mentioned to Josie that FDR was president when her great-grandmothers were her age.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS-EhYQX4Qdarg3yU4557LsSAoMkX_C3SJQBD27lv5ocETE54zoMdaLYUBiRHHSroiFy3HJqaHkuFSX3Lv9H5CoXk2tpk88dnf9ug_lVHVGzlu9cnz2_B2bhzt2Nm6IM5rmRQeDJH9ek/s1600/i+hate+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS-EhYQX4Qdarg3yU4557LsSAoMkX_C3SJQBD27lv5ocETE54zoMdaLYUBiRHHSroiFy3HJqaHkuFSX3Lv9H5CoXk2tpk88dnf9ug_lVHVGzlu9cnz2_B2bhzt2Nm6IM5rmRQeDJH9ek/s1600/i+hate+war.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Martin Luther King Jr.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also mentioned that Martin Luther King Jr. was a vital part of changing the course of history when her grandparent's were teens. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvHCPLH7eCgsT4fhBUaSs_hpKLWZ4PrVSZXY-GpZJCGdJNlZcy_6rdoo-v8DQPRG2SFQvZIq0HBgrqWOfJaMlfOg_K1at6TtaHNFR9VzjkorzUQDUu-vKQOhcnL7ZY0lzpwuUNE-_3jU/s1600/+mlk+jr+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvHCPLH7eCgsT4fhBUaSs_hpKLWZ4PrVSZXY-GpZJCGdJNlZcy_6rdoo-v8DQPRG2SFQvZIq0HBgrqWOfJaMlfOg_K1at6TtaHNFR9VzjkorzUQDUu-vKQOhcnL7ZY0lzpwuUNE-_3jU/s1600/+mlk+jr+words.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Seeing our grandparent's and parent's history memorialized caused me to wonder what legacy/memorials my grandchildren and great-grandchildren would one day see in our nation's capital from my lifetime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">***************************************************************************</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This was the first time I'd been up Washington's Monument.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It will be the first thing I do next time I go (Spinner, you'll wake at the crack of dawn to go get "fast track" passes then too, right??). From the top you can see <b>all </b>of DC, as well as a bit of Virginia and Maryland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Did you know that visiting the monuments, Capitol, National Cathedral, all the Smithsonian Museums, and more is FREE! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The Supreme Court</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Library of Congress</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The National Cathedral</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, so actually we pay for it all with our tax dollars, so in that case it's the complete opposite of free, but that's all the more reason you should go to DC! Go take advantage of all those tax dollars you're forking out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">National Air & Space Museum</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">National Museum of American History (we visited this one twice. It's my favorite). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A few of the President's wives dresses, Julie Child's kitchen, a portion of the Berlin Wall, 1980 Apple Computer, and Dorothy's ruby slippers.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On this trip we also toured National Archives, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of Natural History, Holocaust Memorial Museum, US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Capitol (which was under a bit of reconstruction). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of all the things we visited I might've gotten the biggest kick out of this-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Coat Check! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Clearly, I need to get outta Dodge a bit more than I do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The most beautiful building we saw was the Library of Congress. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The LoC was majestic. </span>Every architectural detail has purpose, has story. I love story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Did you know that
every single published book in the U.S. is recorded in the Library of
Congress? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That inspires me to want to write, publish, and add a book of my own. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could've spent hours in the LoC looking up, like Spinner and Josie are doing here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">***************************************************************************</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love people. I have zero problem walking up to a stranger and initiating conversation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DC is great for meeting a variety of people! It's not only "The Great American Melting Pot," it's also the world's melting pot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is
"Wemathaandjoeandmeshaaeel" (We're Martha and Joe (not pictured) and Michelle) pictured with us at The Washington Monument. Martha is from Georgia, and I'm pretty sure she and I are cut from the same "super friendly" cloth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some of the faces of the beautiful people we met from from India, the Ukraine, Germany, Australia, England, China, Brazil, Holland, Russia, and Chile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think it's fitting that Josie is surrounded by "the melting pot," while standing on the exact spot where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wouldn't it have been fun if we had taken a map of the world with us and had a people scavenger hunt?! We could've filled the map with signatures from people from all over our country and the world! That's something to remember for next time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">***************************************************************************</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the snow play, touring, and chatting made these girls hungry! And DC did not disappoint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The following are our top food musts when you pay DC a visit: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pre breakfast and post breakfast snack (you're on vacation! live it up)- Stop by <a href="http://www.tedsbulletin.com/">Ted's Bulletin</a> on Capitol Hill for a daily made pop tart. Buttery, flaky, melt in your mouth. GOOD. Do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Breakfast- Bluebucks (Blueberry/Buckwheat pancakes) at the <a href="http://www.easternmarket-dc.org/default.asp?contentID=46">Eastern Market</a> is something you must experience! Preferably on the weekend, when the market is set up indoors and out with vendors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lunch AND Dinner (you read that right)-
run, don't walk to <a href="http://wethepizza.com/menu/washington-d-c">We, The Pizza</a>. Order Colletti's Notorious BBQ Pie... BBQ pizza WITH onion strings!
My taste-buds died and went to heaven. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">***************************************************************************</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would absolutely save my gift, odd job, and yard sale money for a few more years to go back to DC. Especially with</span> this girl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Josie Jones for President! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This sweet time with her, making memories together on the other side of the United States, in our nation's capital, was as one Instagram friend commented, <b>#betterthanachair</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So much better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-44904222714410916092015-03-15T09:25:00.000-07:002015-03-15T09:26:47.432-07:00Fonder<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Josie and I were in DC last week. When we returned Wednesday evening, and were walking from our plane to the terminal gate where I could see Michael in the distance I felt giddy. I hadn't expected that. It turns out that "absence <b>really</b> does make the heart grow fonder." As we got nearer he smiled at me. I'd forgotten how dang good looking he is. And I'd forgotten long before we even took our trip. Like many married couples we can easily get caught up in everything else, when what we ought to be caught up in is each other. I looked at him, waiting for me at the gate, and was caught up. As he smiled I thought <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><b>that's MY husband!</b> </i> I've got it good. So good. What followed next was like one of those ridiculously sappy scenes from a romantic comedy- I couldn't help myself, and planted a big one on him and held him tight right there in front of God, our girls, and everyone else in Fresno Yosemite International Airport. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've been home a few days now and really want to be deliberate about remaining caught up in my husband before I get caught up in everything else. <strike>He</strike> We certainly deserve<strike>s</strike> that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, it's his birthday today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">41.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 41 looks so good on him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happy birthday to you, Michael! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm so glad God thought you up. And I really do believe that when He did, <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/03/31574.html">He was thinking of me,</a> thinking of how He could tangibly lavish His incredible love on me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I hit the jackpot when God gave me you. </span></span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-2773483327086322822015-02-21T09:33:00.003-08:002015-02-21T09:33:50.776-08:00A Very Crafty Slumber Party<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My sweet <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2015/02/josefiney-tortellini.html">Josie turned thirteen</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To celebrate she wanted to combine two of her favorite things~ crafting and friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGShy7m-x8IGyVhkDTq-wiLiTcZt9gxxwlw2VjUb9GBjBQ9UxyAsSGJPnhem2B5_KiNYlhyphenhyphenG3E2AqVzpCQqXktUk9jt4HYrrQzQo3ZsCuy8u1zE12VCW_ndskOiGGcutfyGY_JVB4JIIo/s1600/a+13+balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGShy7m-x8IGyVhkDTq-wiLiTcZt9gxxwlw2VjUb9GBjBQ9UxyAsSGJPnhem2B5_KiNYlhyphenhyphenG3E2AqVzpCQqXktUk9jt4HYrrQzQo3ZsCuy8u1zE12VCW_ndskOiGGcutfyGY_JVB4JIIo/s1600/a+13+balloon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Years ago I had a mama friend who allowed her kids to plan and execute their
own birthday parties. I was a major control freak, who thought she was nuts! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhg2WCKIzF00vNO5QVoTP2XIYepybYZM7zaIDjMker8ggqk6wH23ltaIFMuLmZ5KKlyQIOf280yWbyI3INeMjI9ddlqe_ZtaZcYl9Gsb04Dz1iOPd9mnPsbL0eHkhQtcyJgrrAjDahPU/s1600/a+13+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhg2WCKIzF00vNO5QVoTP2XIYepybYZM7zaIDjMker8ggqk6wH23ltaIFMuLmZ5KKlyQIOf280yWbyI3INeMjI9ddlqe_ZtaZcYl9Gsb04Dz1iOPd9mnPsbL0eHkhQtcyJgrrAjDahPU/s1600/a+13+side.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These days I'm just a minor control freak, and now I think that mama was a genius. Party planning is exhausting Y'all. If the kids want to do it, let'em! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything~ the decorations, crafts, food and games for this crafty slumber party was Josie's doing... well, everything, but the balloons. I wanted them, she didn't. I told her parties neeeeed balloons. I'm old school like that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Aren't her custom-made, crafty, decorations darling!?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These turquoise fringed streamers were cut from plastic tablecloths. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think it's clever how she paired them with book page bunting, then accented using these sweet book page roses (She and Em worked together to make the bunting and flowers) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was most impressed by how Josie thoughtfully planned every craft, and gave a lot of consideration to what would be enjoyable, easy, and economical. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These strips of whimsical fabric and elastic were transformed into braided headbands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">White Dollar Store mugs and Sharpie pens became personalized hot beverage cups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">$1 Composition books became tailor-made journals by simply decoupaging them with clippings from magazines and a Dollar Store dictionary and bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the last project, Josie found pillow cases in packs of 2 for $5, which were remade using 80's Glam Sharpies and puffy-paint into a sweet spot for her pals to lay their pretty heads. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Who knew three strips of fabric and a bit of elastic (which I stitched on over the course of the party) could look so darling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These mugs are easy-peasy to make. <br />Simply draw your design on the mug, then bake the mug in an oven set at 325 for 20 minutes (hand wash only). </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Df6X9wJnuksq9fmAMfIEonHI7RBJNFd_2fWFeHwR98uxCSmQ-OkE6mM6qvs3brvvBLIfLmrEzKQTbvmmApJJlgHbLcbNUI-StdoAubEeuTnHdk4XwzuWH9H77GaQreaQ2Z4UeGYIbo8/s1600/a+em+&+cloe+cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Df6X9wJnuksq9fmAMfIEonHI7RBJNFd_2fWFeHwR98uxCSmQ-OkE6mM6qvs3brvvBLIfLmrEzKQTbvmmApJJlgHbLcbNUI-StdoAubEeuTnHdk4XwzuWH9H77GaQreaQ2Z4UeGYIbo8/s1600/a+em+&+cloe+cups.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>Oh my goodness, aren't these girls clever!?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All their mugs are so charming...I wonder if they'd notice if they went missing?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since the girls were on a crafting roll, for dinner we kept their crafting juices flowing and had them construct their own nachos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chloe, you need more olives</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After dinner the girls decoupaged their journals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When Emilie was very little she referred to my journal as a "journey." *love* <br />She is going to gather her favorite words and quotes to fill up the "journey" she created. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Journey" crafting was followed up by more food crafting- dessert! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ice Cream Sundays in <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/358810295286504000/">chocolate bowls.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><b> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the history of teenage girls these are the BEST EVER! </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In my day (seriously, just dated myself by saying that) teen slumber parties consisted of comparing trendy clothes, gossiping, boy talk, watching hours and hours of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5HX2eHzQuM">Night Tracks </a>(music videos before there was MTV), and freezing the training bra of the unlucky girl that dozed off first. We all wanted to be perceived as much older and cooler than we were. Thankfully, these sweet girls don't care one iota about any of that! They craft, giggle, play Mafia, giggle, sing karaoke and choreograph dances to accompany their songs on the spot, giggle some more, then play more mafia. <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>They're not in a hurry to grow up. They simply enjoying being thirteen, together.</b></span> They make me wish I'd been born 30 years later so I could've been friends with them. <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>I love them. </b></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want the world to be filled with more teenage girls like them. </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have long prayed for my children and for the friends that would enter their lives. I've hoped their friendships would be a blessing to them, and that they would likewise be a blessing to their friends. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I think of their friends </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson's words come to mind~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #45818e;"><i> "I didn't find my friends, the good God gave them to me." </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm so grateful that our good God picked these lovely young ladies out for my sweet Josefine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a bit of slumbering the girls kick started the day with some waffle crafting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(by the way, that's homemade caramel sauce~ made by the coolest daddy ever). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Which was followed by the last craft of the party, pillowcase embellishing. Did you notice that the case on the bottom left says "Hello Beauty-Full?" I love it, I love it, I love it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After they completed their own cases they graffitied each others with encouraging words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Told you, they're <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>"the best teenage girls EVER!"</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two things you should know before I wrap this up~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That mama who let her kids plan their own parties, well her daughter grew up and planned and executed every detail of her own backyard wedding. <b>It was beauty full!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm expecting the same from Josie 10+ years from now. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, you should also know that Josie's Very Crafty Slumber Party was a week ago and the decorations are still up... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">serving as a bit of proof that these days I'm only a minor control freak. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-43186731587913905472015-02-10T12:10:00.001-08:002015-02-10T12:10:11.458-08:00Josefiney Tortellini <br />You're thirteen today. Thirteen. I'm officially the mother of three teenagers! Want to know something? I like having teenagers. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I like the whole growing up and potentially leaving me forever thing! I don't like that one bit. But teenagers- teenagers I like.<br />
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<b>I especially like YOU!</b><br />
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I like how thoughtful you are. You consider others before yourself and are always jumping at the chance to serve and care for others, especially your family!<br />
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You have the gift of hospitality. I watch you engage in conversation with people of all ages, and delight in how intentional you are to create an environment that causes others to feel included.<br />
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I admire how you don't over think things and are okay to just go with the flow; you don't sweat the small or big stuff. When life throws you a bit of a curve ball you respond, "It's okay. I'm not dead. I'm still alive. And even if I were dead I know where I'm going." You don't know it, but I'm learning from you how healthy it is to respond to things that life throws at me that way too.<br />
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You're purposeful with your time. You're always crafting, baking, learning, organizing, reading, playing- you're always finding something enjoyable to do and enjoying everything you find.<br />
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I love that you're not too old or too cool to play with your American Girl dolls. It has made this mama grin from ear to ear seeing your room be transformed into an AG winter formal, clothing store, prom, Christmas party, and most recently a birthday bash. I can already see that you are going to throw the best parties when you're older. Consider this an RSVP of YES that I'll be at every one of them!<br />
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Your friendship with Emilie is my most favorite relationship in the history of forever. I've never seen two sisters who cherish each other the way you two do. You bless each other with your thoughts, words, and actions toward each other. You have no idea what a gift this is to me! <br />
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On the other hand, your relationship with Noah is the strangest in the history of forever. ;) Your love-language with each other is to be playfully affectionate and all-out goofy (wrestling and roughhousing). What did Emilie say last week? Oh yeah, "It was nice of God to give Noah a little brother in Josie." It really was. <br />
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"Josie's so nice." I've lost count of how many times one of us has said that? You say nice things. You do nice things. You think nice things. You ARE nice. Especially to me. Thinking about how incredibly kind you are makes me remember that time a few months ago when I was getting ready to go somewhere and it was one of those days when I just felt eh! You came in to where I was, and in a serious tone said, "<i><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/07/emilies-blessing-party-part-2.html">You're insecure. Don't know what for. </a>You're turning heads when you walk through the door. You don't need make-up to cover up, being the way that you are is enough. Everyone else in the room can see it. Everyone else but you." </i>It took me a minute to figure out you were quoting One Direction. It took me less than a minute to know you meant every word and wanted me to see myself the way you see me too.<br />
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Jo, You are fuunnnny without even trying! The One Direction thing is proof. <br />
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I like when you sing. Your voice is beauty. You open your mouth and let the LORD out. You let Him out and He fills this house- He fills me. You cause me to remember<a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2007/10/praise-is-who-i-am-praise-is-what-i-do.html"> how much I love to sing</a> and worship too. <br />
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You're beauty inside and out is striking! You are extraordinarily BEAUTY-FULL in every way, Josie. I'm especially taken by how you look so much like Jesus. You inspire me to want to look like all I see of Him in you. <br />
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I can't even tell you how much I like, no.. love, no... SUPER LOVE, how
you study and treasure God's word. It TICKLES MY SOUL when you start
looking up the meaning of words or names or different versions to
understand the text better. God referred to David as "a man after His
own heart," and you, Josefine are a girl after His own heart! And I LOVE
IT, I LOVE IT, I LOOOOOVE IT! <br />
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Thank you for messaging each of us bible verses everyday (and not
just us, but a handful of your friends too). My deepest desire for you,
Noah and Em is that you <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-11-07T11:58:00-08:00&max-results=6">love the word AND live the word.</a> And Josefiney
Tortellini, that this is important to you too, and that you're
intentional to give us a bit of God's word to tuck in our hearts~ <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">and I can't afford it, but it's mine!</a> <br />
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I like that you are a foodie and enjoy cooking and baking. We'd all starve if you didn't feed us (when your dad, Noah and Emilie read this, they'll for sure shake their heads in agreement). Also, please make more of those egg-roll wrappers with apple-pie filling! They were delicious! <br />
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Finally, I like that you promise profusely that you will never ever ever ever leave me, and that you reassure me numerous times throughout each day with hugs, kisses, and vows of "I'll always stay with you, Mommy." You're dad and I are 100% on-board with letting you and your future family have the house, and think your idea of us converting the family room into our in-law suite is brilliant (your dad is already sketching up the plans). <br />
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Jos, this is your thirteenth <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/07/blessing.html">birthday blessing</a>, but I, I AM THE ONE WHO IS SO BLESSED- Blessed that God thought you up and <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-in-name.html">generously added you</a> to my life. I adore every single thing about you! I even adore that you're a teenager.<br />
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Happy birthday! <br />
I love you a "scubajuauian elephants,"<br />
Mommy <br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-66434729948041949162015-02-02T10:01:00.000-08:002015-02-02T10:08:09.065-08:00Groundhog Day, 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few years ago I decided to wave the white flag on sending out Christmas letters and started sending out Groundhog Day letters<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-groundhog-day.html"> instead</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of Groundhog Day, word on the Punxsutawney Phil street is that we're going to be experiencing 6 more weeks of winter! I know those of you back east aren't the least bit thrilled about Ol' Phil's shadow forecast, but to those of us here in Cali that's good news. ;) </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Groundhog Day, 2015~</span> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo & letter) </span><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the last year the phrase āand I canāt afford it, but itās mineā has become a sort of anthem for me. Like many I can become so consumed with āKeeping up with the Jonesesā (yep, even the Joneses do it) that I lose sight of ALL I do have. The words āand I canāt afford it, but itās mineā have caused me to pause and delight in what IS MINE that I canāt afford. And let me tell you there's A LOT! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">āØāØEvery morning Michael kisses me, tells me again, āIām so glad that youāre my wife.ā ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Listening to Noah play his guitar. ~and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />The way Emilie and Josie play, create, and enjoy each other. They're the sweetest sisters ever. ~and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />It seems like my high schoolers are ALWAYS doing school work. I miss them. So one day Josie and I showed up at school and kidnapped them! We stole them away from their responsibilities and took a snow day (besides snow is rare thing nowadays with this CA drought). Having them all to ourselves, to sled, make snowmen, snow angels, laugh, and just be. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />I was invited by someone I didnāt know to be the speaker at a womenās retreat. Before I accepted the gig I flat-out told God, āI canāt do this. But You can.ā Over the course of a few months God helped me prepare four messages for the weekend long event. And then HE SPOKE. THROUGH ME. what it means to be anchored in Christ. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Emilie, who is my biggest cheerleader, joined me at that retreat. At one point I put her on the spot and asked her to share who Jesus is to her. Listening to Emilie TELL about her Savior, and how He loves her wider and longer and higher and deeper than she can grasp or imagine. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Waking up to discover Michael and Noah sitting beside each other on the couch, reading their bibles. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />A couple weeks after the kids return from camp at YSSC we receive letters from their counselors, which give us a peak into the camp experience, while also expressing each counselors wholehearted delight in each of our children. Their words BLESS my kids (and me). ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />While camping at Sunset Beach Noah asked me to trek up a small hill to an overlook to view the sun setting over the ocean. He and I had been butting heads for a while, and heād promised me a good hug if I went. I needed it. I also love how he towers over me when he holds me in his strong arms. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Emilie. This girl gives 110% to everything she does: school, friendship, God, creativity, and especially grace. She always views things through grace lenses. Particularly me. ~and I can't afford it, but it's mine. <br /><br />When Josie prays. This girl speaks so intentionally to God. She also enjoys studying the bible, and regularly texts bible verses to each of us. She gently points us to the truth she treasures. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />The five of us kayaking alongside seals, otters, and jellyfish (after our timid Josie stopped screaming). They were so incredibly close! ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Listening to Michael, Noah, and Emilie share about their backpacking adventure. Hearing about the vastness of beauty they experienced in creation AND in each other. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine.<br /><br />Our house full of teens for Friday Friend Nights: playing games, eating tons of food, watching a movie projected on an old white sheet. I love that my kids want their friends here. AND THEIR FRIENDS- these kids make me (almost) wish I could go back to high school just to hang out with them! ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Michael had the thrilling opportunity to photograph a 24 hour, Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls experience in the Gila National Forest, NM. My guy works hard, does so much for our family. I'm grateful my good man had this āwildā adventure. ~ and I canāt afford it, but tiās mine. <br /><br />Josie singing a solo to Pharrell Williams' song āHappyā alongside 200 plus choir members. Watching her exude confidence, while listening to her beauty-full voice fill a room. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine.<br /><br />Laundry, talking, dishes, laughing, taxiing, working, singing, praying, cooking, planting, schooling, playing, cleaning, crying, writing, reading, disagreeing, cuddling, dreaming, forgiving, running, creating, growingā¦ just everyday together. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine. <br /><br />Finally getting it through my thick skull what the good things of God are! I thought Godās good things were riches and honor and health. But theyāre not. His good things are peace and joy and His presence in our lives and the promise weāll be with Him one day. And recognizing that I HAVE ALL of Godās good things. ~ and I canāt afford it, but itās mine! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Praying for you to know and live in ALL of Godās good things, </span></span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-79099003200360035052015-01-15T14:55:00.000-08:002015-01-15T14:55:21.399-08:00...<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm having trouble settling on one title for this post- <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Quiche Me</i></span>, <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Labor of Love</i></span></span> and <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Proof That There's a God</i></span></span> are all good contenders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All three of us were exhausted when we gathered in the kitchen to prepare the <a href="http://www.mealtrain.com/?a=aw&gclid=CLPr84qKl8MCFYlefgodYooAyQ">Meal Train </a>dishes I'd signed up for early last week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Michael had been going since 4:45 a.m., had worked 8 hrs at his full-time job, followed by another 1.5 hrs taking senior photos. When he arrived at home I greeted him at the door with a kiss, followed by a, "remember you said you could make the French Toast dish Tuesday night???" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josie and I had been running around all day too. We left our driveway at 7:37 a.m. and pulled back in at 4:11 p.m. During that 8 + hours I'd dropped Noah and Emilie off late for an early meeting at school, taxi'd Josie down the hill to two classes, made stops at Target, Panera, Costco, Sprouts, Save Mart, Marshalls, Old Navy, World Market, and Trader Joe's. Josie and I also visited a sweet friend who'd just had surgery, then barely made it back up the hill in time to retrieve our highschoolers after school. Needless to say, when we arrived at home we were wiped! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where was I? Oh yeah, the Meal Train. So we emptied shopping bags, made a quick dinner (Lindsey's <a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2014/04/yumm-bowls/">Yumm Bowls.</a> Only we were missing some of the ingredients, so we ended up eating what we called "Umm bowls"), then got to work on our promised meal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I sign up to take a meal to a family, I often bring a filling breakfast instead of a dinner. I recall having received so many dinners that we could hardly eat them all. And breakfast IS "the most <strike>important</strike> delicious meal of the day!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Michael got to work on a delicious French Toast dish, while Josie prepared a homemade pie crust for the hearty ham and veggie quiche fillings I was dicing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At one point while we were each slicing, mixing, and dicing I began to whistle. Josie commented that Emilie's whistle sounds like mine. Who knew a whistle could be inherited? ;) We all had a good giggle, and I thought about how sweet it was that though we were all so exhausted, this labor of love, had become an enjoyable time together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wish I'd taken a photo of the quiches (we made two) before they went in the oven.In the history of quiche there were never two that were more beautiful. In fact, Michael, Josie, and I had named ours "Quiche Me," because we couldn't wait to get our lips on it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josie and I had some things to do, so we left Michael to preheat the oven, and keep on eye an the Quiche Me's while they baked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2.5 hours later a shriek, "the quiche!!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Followed by the three of us jumping to our feet, and running for the oven, while already knowing the outcome...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the Quiche Me's were charred. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Michael had forgotten to set the timer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is when the real labor of love began... also folks, this is where the title "Proof That There's a God," comes into play. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So there we were standing over the burnt meal we were suppose to deliver the next day, feeling all kinds of disappointed, when miracle #1 happened- I didn't yell. I typically fly off the handle and lay into my husband. Yep! I'll yell a million times and in a dozen ways, "HOW COULD YOU NOT SET THE TIMER!?!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead, I heard AND listened to God's Spirit talking me down; imploring me to choose self-control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then miracle #2 occurred- You see usually while I'm yelling, I'll kick it up a thousand notches and attack my husband's character with "you never..." and "you always..." and "I always have to..." blah blah blah. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the Holy Spirit nudged me to "give it grace, Denise.... Denise, give. it. grace." </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And with His help, I responded to that too! </span>("give it grace" is something the LORD has been for years nudging me to recite and receive myself). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then as if miracles #1 and #2 weren't enough, a third miracle took place- I didn't freakout about the loss of food, funds, and time invested. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've struggled so financially in the past that wasted food is hard for me. But I heard the Spirit reminding me to lean into Peace; to not let the loss of a few bucks take my God given Peace (security and sanity) from me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My first impulse is yelling, attacking, freaking out! If you don't believe me then go right ahead and ask my husband and children. They have seen my many dark sides- poor things (they've seen a few bright sides too- phew!). They KNOW it takes a miracle of GOD ALMIGHTY to change this mama. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And this, this is <b>proof</b> that there is a God people- evidence that He exists, and <b>lives in
people</b>, and shapes <b>and makes them into what they could never ever ever be on their own! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">In John 14:15-17, Jesus says this- </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">If you love me, keep my commands. And <b>I will</b> ask the Father, and he <b>will give you</b> another <b>advocate</b> <b>to HELP YOU</b> and <b>BE WITH YOU</b> forever- <b>the Spirit</b> of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But <b>you know him,</b> for <b>he</b> lives with you and <b>will be in you. </b></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">A few verses later John 14: 26-27 says this- </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">..the Advocate, <b>the Holy Spiri</b>t, whom the Father will send in my name, <b>will teach you all things</b> and will <b>remind you of everything</b> I have said to you. <b>Peace</b> I leave with you; my peace <b>I give you.</b>" </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text John-14-18-John-14-20" id="en-MSG-11464">I know this, </span>I'd make a charred mess out of things without Jesus' Spirit coaching me to labor through my typical nasty responses and instead press into self-control, grace, and peace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end we had a good laugh over the scorched Quiche Me. Michael delivered the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2.html">French Toast dish</a>, and some last minute <a href="http://www.recipegirl.com/2014/10/18/egg-muffins/">egg muffins </a>to go with it. He got to cuddle a new little guy, and I'm sure the kitchen fiasco was forgotten then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ironically, while typing this I received another Meal Train invite (for a single mother who was recently hit by a drunk driver. Please pray for that family. If you're local and would like to help this family email me at jonesidosio@sti.net)... I'm thinking I'll keep it safe, and order Pizza this time around ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-53518828821756787562015-01-12T17:12:00.002-08:002015-01-12T17:16:09.228-08:00Our Christmas 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This blog is a scrapbook that highlights the happenings around here. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ike flipping through the pages of a photo album, </span>from
time to time one of us will be seated
here in front of the computer scanning Victory Rd.'s posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's for those
moments that I am thankful for the hours I've poured over posts, because I
know that this little space in blogville is ultimately a gift I am
giving my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With that in mind, indulge me as I "scrapbook" Christmas of 2014. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During dinner <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/01/our-christmas-2013.html">our Christmas</a> eve, I asked my three what their favorite family Christmas traditions are. It's no secret that I am <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/06/sentimentally-ill-part-2.html">"sentimentally ill," </a>and this holiday season I was battling the "<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/08/sentimentally-ill.html">I only have two Christmases left with Noah"</a><i><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/08/sentimentally-ill.html"> </a></i>blues. Seriously people<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/02/blink.html"> I blinked</a>, and two Christmases! Michael attempted to comfort me daily by reassuring me that Noah isn't leaving us, and we have more Christmases with him than we think. But the point is he could -sniff sniff. And <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/08/ready-or-not-here-he-comes.html">I'm not ready</a>. (Also, this is a heads-up that next Christmas I will be down to one Christmas with Noah, AND only two remaining with Emilie. Please send chocolate (meds for sentimental illness). The good kind. And a lot of it). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was because of this I wanted to be certain my family's treasured moments weren't overlooked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah's said his favorite is me at the end of the hallway with the video camera Christmas morning, ready to capture my three heading to the tree for their stockings (Awww, and I thought this annoyed him. This kid knows how to tug on his sentimentally ill mama's heart strings). I asked if I should still record this when he is 40 and charging down the hall with his own family? He said yes (I'm going to hold him to it. Mark your calendars to visit Victory Rd. in 24 years to see the footage)!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLevNHfdhT0wd9D27Xfew7PyXEEACfXy3i_DtkWPJ_G6XMM4g75UiRMCXNZPn8GknvCXcA7zD0G8N09uSieiKtGnj5Ai5urR2hdQk0yrSB4kLtowQO1hpHy50hvnPCrMWQqI_Behb0w/s1600/cm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLevNHfdhT0wd9D27Xfew7PyXEEACfXy3i_DtkWPJ_G6XMM4g75UiRMCXNZPn8GknvCXcA7zD0G8N09uSieiKtGnj5Ai5urR2hdQk0yrSB4kLtowQO1hpHy50hvnPCrMWQqI_Behb0w/s1600/cm2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sentimentally ill mama's are the kind who get matching pj bottoms for her fellas.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Emilie cherishes reading the Bible together. We read the story of Jesus' birth from the gospel of Matthew on Christmas eve, and from Luke on Christmas morning. We read about His dysfunctional family, and about God becoming human and taking on the humblest, sweetest form- a baby. We read how he was given the name Jesus- which means Savior. We're thankful because we need a Savior. We read how He came to be "God with us." We're thankful, because we need that too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Josie's was simple- "Family. I just like being with my family" (eh em...this is why you should never leave us, Noah).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Listening to my kids' share their favorite Christmas traditions caused me to consider what tradition was dearest to my heart<b>. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>It is</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> unwrapping Jesus.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have a tradition in our home that began with Noah's
1st birthday, where <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/07/blessing.html">we speak words of blessing</a> into the birthday boy or
girl, expressing who they've been, as well as highlighting best-loved moments shared over the year<b>- we unwrap the gift they are.</b> And on Christmas day, the
celebration of Jesus' birth, we do the same with Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This year after video footage was captured of kids opening their stockings, the gospel from Luke was read, and our little family gathered around the table for a delicious Christmas breakfast of french-toast bake and omelets,we nestled closely together around the flickering lights of the Christmas tree, and the pile of mysterious gifts, and one by one unwrapped all "God with us" has been in 2014.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Michael: He has been Consistency. I read my Bible and see that He does not change. I'm learning that His fatherly direction, discipline, and love are things I can rely on.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah & Emilie's answers were the same: Jesus has helped me be myself, to be content with who I am, and the unique ways He wants to make Himself known through me.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Josie: Jesus has given me a voice to praise Him. He has caused me to use it in a variety of ways; singing, sharing scripture, through serving others, and by being intentional in my relationships. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Me: He has revealed His favor. I have seen that He is for me and not against me, and that He <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-million-yeses.html">"withholds no good thing"</a> from me. He has given me <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/01/to-really-want-something.html">peace</a> (soundness of mind) in this area where I have so struggled in the past.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After we unwrapped the gifts Jesus has been to us, we prayed and thanked God for His generosity to each of us. Then we tore through the packages under the tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">**************************************************************** </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #38761d;">The gift wrapping bar is set very low in our house. Every year I forget gift-tags, and write names on </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">the
bottom of gifts with a Sharpie (apparently my kids have learned this
too). Pinterest can't get credit for this crafty idea. Nope, I came up
with it all on my own ;)</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mNU6832s5dDpwb2YXisERdgXGL2pU-Ei4SpvU6szJxj_Jcoejcq7ZLc-JGK_UkXBtXkCIA2065PohSJkD0LDfqU5J8Mvj2JQzn6EA97Hmvy5lcetOe9dUsj6ghhZIyOk-KqaxFQCocQ/s1600/cm+bing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mNU6832s5dDpwb2YXisERdgXGL2pU-Ei4SpvU6szJxj_Jcoejcq7ZLc-JGK_UkXBtXkCIA2065PohSJkD0LDfqU5J8Mvj2JQzn6EA97Hmvy5lcetOe9dUsj6ghhZIyOk-KqaxFQCocQ/s1600/cm+bing.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bing Crosby crackling on Noah's new record player was ideal for Christmas morning, but was short lived, and given the boot by an AC/DC album he received from a family friend. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAGCxPMn-mZhuFShTXK5iRpelVNOA1URoN9VWuAqO7feUFUZoTYGwTQZifhm4jJNnsmy9ltlPIJaHhCX1L5AcBxxyJ3WqLlO3mISYH9ITnB5pUjwxbSn0PGXXo2BTTR-LnRw5V3ppdrU/s1600/cm4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAGCxPMn-mZhuFShTXK5iRpelVNOA1URoN9VWuAqO7feUFUZoTYGwTQZifhm4jJNnsmy9ltlPIJaHhCX1L5AcBxxyJ3WqLlO3mISYH9ITnB5pUjwxbSn0PGXXo2BTTR-LnRw5V3ppdrU/s1600/cm4.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The past few years my kids have dipped into their own $ to purchase gifts for each other. These are the first gifts they want to tear into. The way these three adore each other- and <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">I can't afford it, but it's mine. </a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Causing</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> Emilie to ugly-cry was a highlight this Christmas (sentimentally ill people enjoy causing others to feel mushy too)! Over a year ago she lost her cherished <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/07/birthday-blessing.html">"immeasurable" </a>necklace, and after we were finished opening gifts I "realized" there was one more. I don't know whose expressions I love more in these photos- hers, or those of her sibs, who knew the gift she was receiving would bring her much joy! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJN_PYQW3TEi2tPIPNNkUCtXw-En_tozDFqqXBIJXWXUVPhsnXsl-HNIJIaiHc9JlsA1uIBXpRZwpfyUECJeqaAVKVpLGTMHfdeQte_QDpZ56Pe1rMC1o1uWrtgoHtcnJubuGtvB-qZQ/s1600/cm+bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJN_PYQW3TEi2tPIPNNkUCtXw-En_tozDFqqXBIJXWXUVPhsnXsl-HNIJIaiHc9JlsA1uIBXpRZwpfyUECJeqaAVKVpLGTMHfdeQte_QDpZ56Pe1rMC1o1uWrtgoHtcnJubuGtvB-qZQ/s1600/cm+bible.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">My children gave me a new bible. This page inspires me to live in AND live out all the other pages. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">**************************************************************** </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Our 2014 Christmas
gifts are things we'll certainly cherish and enjoy, but each of us knows
that none of these gifts can cause our souls to feel their worth like
Jesus does.</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSK1ejHAgDCAJDlqdBKybAMgHoQhE6fmKkWSiFhG-GVM4uHy7qtoThpsfQ14C4PCiQOe3H_ctYFcRk55dk4lFtH330pkpmb2rsnZdkaERRF55I98kpXgosPqvNlNWp6ZkwRA3NsW5_Qw/s1600/IMG_7250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSK1ejHAgDCAJDlqdBKybAMgHoQhE6fmKkWSiFhG-GVM4uHy7qtoThpsfQ14C4PCiQOe3H_ctYFcRk55dk4lFtH330pkpmb2rsnZdkaERRF55I98kpXgosPqvNlNWp6ZkwRA3NsW5_Qw/s1600/IMG_7250.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"God with us" is the gift we receive everyday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And though this mama wishes the years wouldn't pass so swiftly, I do look forward to Christmas 2015 (and even 2039- when Noah is 40), and to the many Christmases we'll share together, unwrapping all "God with us" will illuminate Himself to be to us and through us in the years to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-56707366620884742422014-12-18T18:41:00.000-08:002014-12-18T18:51:12.976-08:00Merrymaking<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How to...
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First, swap the furniture in your family & dining rooms.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk74c8STaIFjaoNv9xNrKZ7-_GYtEV5YOaHCIvpoMUvn7I2Aioa3hK8HPRXOiEs6nIu7dJ5cWRkHoR8uu43SYS33whIpUi3zT0qE_bpViqUlJop47Z4RLTqmK-_sujnj9asyQzEqBdP7I/s1600/a+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk74c8STaIFjaoNv9xNrKZ7-_GYtEV5YOaHCIvpoMUvn7I2Aioa3hK8HPRXOiEs6nIu7dJ5cWRkHoR8uu43SYS33whIpUi3zT0qE_bpViqUlJop47Z4RLTqmK-_sujnj9asyQzEqBdP7I/s1600/a+family.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know, you're the O.C.D. type- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">requiring that there always "be a place for everything and everything in it's place"...</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kSeBDc2jlkq5roS1jSlh2557diUxXMrqmug_M-2e-7V1zfzFlYMF02alMFB2mMlqxljDH1O70GQivvNmcubwKBWBz3f8mcgefJ3pEYGNVNXTUg36PKGtndS1o5kjtcoFMkvQEldZoao/s1600/a+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kSeBDc2jlkq5roS1jSlh2557diUxXMrqmug_M-2e-7V1zfzFlYMF02alMFB2mMlqxljDH1O70GQivvNmcubwKBWBz3f8mcgefJ3pEYGNVNXTUg36PKGtndS1o5kjtcoFMkvQEldZoao/s1600/a+table.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">but </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"It's the most wonderful time of the year"... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So do it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> cause</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">glowing hearts are pretty awesome.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNulq4HFQ5OdFDSetxl-aCLfZyr-PSkZme5siqq-bTu-ruRuudgu7GqMhK32gye0_OEHEkYrLOlwiFvqF2KN4BNfTxaF7ssTHmd0D6xjcmeZKRKDRjvwskK6daLc50M8dlqziRspVpoA/s1600/a+snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNulq4HFQ5OdFDSetxl-aCLfZyr-PSkZme5siqq-bTu-ruRuudgu7GqMhK32gye0_OEHEkYrLOlwiFvqF2KN4BNfTxaF7ssTHmd0D6xjcmeZKRKDRjvwskK6daLc50M8dlqziRspVpoA/s1600/a+snowman.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next, set out the mismatched Christmas dishes you've been <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/01/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like.html">gifted</a>/collecting for 18 years, Great Gram's Christmas place-mats & napkins, and deck the tables for a very merry feast. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4MJ0VoEMtQYHLFMGMN3Z55B2-t8T_v6uJwU6e8VkgQjOBdkzBNnRgq-1u-YdehVbKqZN9hOt_GtL_dbGnDpSAQAJZzJG3AKpgwR7PYyfhqT4rwpGpOnJOVqvfvhdBBTyG9zk8Vh6P9w/s1600/a+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4MJ0VoEMtQYHLFMGMN3Z55B2-t8T_v6uJwU6e8VkgQjOBdkzBNnRgq-1u-YdehVbKqZN9hOt_GtL_dbGnDpSAQAJZzJG3AKpgwR7PYyfhqT4rwpGpOnJOVqvfvhdBBTyG9zk8Vh6P9w/s1600/a+joy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> Now, open the doors of your home<b> </b><span style="color: #38761d;">AND</span> your <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/127513635/shine-lamp-silhouette-11x14-stand-out?ref=shop_home_active_6">lives</a> to your high schoolers' friends.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Who cause you to not-so-secretly wish you could go back to high school again so you could have the <span style="color: #cc0000;">GREATEST FRIENDS EVER!</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And who also cause you to thank God profusely for thinking up</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">AND</span> making such <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fantastic</span> people). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm1nKanZLHowTLw66nWwdsEDrGsAIi8ISpgYAIIJYr8BSfPwcGiknMc07Z_X-yiXsu6eOjF95qq3pvhLBCchyTXUdXnLAJkXwDYXucTgWafSEzF-VaexFuqYxibGszngg9d-KujQhkZg/s1600/a+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm1nKanZLHowTLw66nWwdsEDrGsAIi8ISpgYAIIJYr8BSfPwcGiknMc07Z_X-yiXsu6eOjF95qq3pvhLBCchyTXUdXnLAJkXwDYXucTgWafSEzF-VaexFuqYxibGszngg9d-KujQhkZg/s1600/a+game.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Invite them to play "reindeer games," like <strike> 20</strike> 50 Guess-Who-Questions (because it'll take a Christmas miracle for them to figure out who "Olive, the other reindeer is"),</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kUnDUPnd968GSVU3iM63-vJrUJbi9dgT1asnAGF7ipHp5-hanTBl_4VbLJufmYonSl16NUQ5DrAS8xWeU64ADBc9vASvs8tti0R0rwcLRFH-Qxh0ST3pF6Z3urAMtdomYB18sXyn6fI/s1600/a+olive+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kUnDUPnd968GSVU3iM63-vJrUJbi9dgT1asnAGF7ipHp5-hanTBl_4VbLJufmYonSl16NUQ5DrAS8xWeU64ADBc9vASvs8tti0R0rwcLRFH-Qxh0ST3pF6Z3urAMtdomYB18sXyn6fI/s1600/a+olive+.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and Christmas Pictionary.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmdJ7JXKmmw7w_r3Tyyh45AFKY278Iq4HlbFFd9HPq77qIy8uvFs7pEtN3TbOilJyeJfLaij2odqYYgfI-f5bKZghFi-QMYGMf4PSiqpWmINJ_HzYBrJGIUQUN-2wD-gH8Qg9HRJz8Og/s1600/a+pictionary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmdJ7JXKmmw7w_r3Tyyh45AFKY278Iq4HlbFFd9HPq77qIy8uvFs7pEtN3TbOilJyeJfLaij2odqYYgfI-f5bKZghFi-QMYGMf4PSiqpWmINJ_HzYBrJGIUQUN-2wD-gH8Qg9HRJz8Og/s1600/a+pictionary.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maddy's <span style="color: #38761d;">holly, jolly</span> drawing of Santa (bottom right) was the favorite of the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> *************************</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rudolph wasn't invited to join in on our reindeer games either... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">we had a more delicious plan in mind for him and his shiny red-nose.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQUpvcBB6SvOVf9oHFLonSW9W8v3gfk3EWd9Q6imwnrH2iP06-conHqnpzLQ_0N-t-8v0M5rbg7v3iNS8fQBCiUM57R_IhX86JWtVvyxB-8QaH6W6lpR4UvWQWowxsHVIzGjlJmoA618/s1600/a+rudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQUpvcBB6SvOVf9oHFLonSW9W8v3gfk3EWd9Q6imwnrH2iP06-conHqnpzLQ_0N-t-8v0M5rbg7v3iNS8fQBCiUM57R_IhX86JWtVvyxB-8QaH6W6lpR4UvWQWowxsHVIzGjlJmoA618/s1600/a+rudy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Gingerbread Rudolph Pancakes!!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gAcheoan-au4W8YhXriGHqyRsCR15MTss2hn4UvcExlk0qP2AIaJFdqVm03v5UB9pqOuTvmjm2annHQpbfXOuSentc8yYz9pcip_Nrxkk5fQDsgfpR-shpGULJNraPIj-ba4yzPhqXQ/s1600/a+rudy+2+fire+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gAcheoan-au4W8YhXriGHqyRsCR15MTss2hn4UvcExlk0qP2AIaJFdqVm03v5UB9pqOuTvmjm2annHQpbfXOuSentc8yYz9pcip_Nrxkk5fQDsgfpR-shpGULJNraPIj-ba4yzPhqXQ/s1600/a+rudy+2+fire+.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">"Stoke the fire" (on the t.v.) then surprise your guests with a Christmas treat! </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaVJruZLkpsbjL23zL82Pnxy85K8V-Dcw-DlHA4Ge86oNKk2fus2fNC0UzrhxV8oOIw2tyKLsKCua7buyraQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Give thanks for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"faithful friends who are dear to us...gathered near to us."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and for Rudolph's antlers, which are made of bacon... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yum! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*************************</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After supper, retire to the makeshift home theater for this... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, now" </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">Live in Peace!</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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I have been a die-hard NEVER-DECORATE-BEFORE-THANKSGIVINGER. I've also been adamant that we NOT listen to Christmas music until the day after the bird and the Thanks were served, but this year I caved. And I'm not feeling an ounce of guilt. In fact, I'm certain I'll be caving from here on out.<br />
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Enjoy this silly stop-motion video of us decorating the tree my girls created. </div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/113350498" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/113350498">Decorating the Christmas Tree</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user21029063">Emilie Jones</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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You may have noticed Noah missing from the clip. While we were decking the halls, Noah was away checking out Azusa Pacific University. And that's all I have to say about that, because my baby...and college...and I can't. <br />
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Anyhow, with Christmas festivities already kicked into high gear around here, I feel the need to press rewind and take note of the thanks my heart overflowed with Thanksgiving 2014.<br />
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I'm really so thankful for how my family loves each other. This a cool place to live (as seen by the video ;) ), and it's because of the people I get to live with. <br />
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Take Josie for example, she
shows us all love by the way she is glad to serve us. Jo always
considers others better than herself (gets that from her daddy). For instance, this kid will slave away in the kitchen preparing a meal, and when it's done, demands we all serve ourselves before she is served. What?!? She's 12! And this is just one tiny example, this type of selflessness and thoughtfulness carries over into everything Josie is<b> </b>and does. <br />
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Now, Emilie's
love language is words (she gets that from her mama). She is so good at
building each of us up. She tells me I'm amazing and that I'm her best friend and that she is so proud of who I am and who Jesus is in me. I tell her I'm a mess, and she tells me <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/10/held.html">she's glad I'm a mess</a>, and she likes seeing God put me together. I haven't even told you the ways she speaks to everyone else around here, but I know I speak for everyone when I say Emilie can never ever move away from us.<br />
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Noah loves us with affection, and seems to know just when to hold one of us in his strong, safe arms. I like that he's taller than me. I like resting my head on his shoulder. I like that he smells like old spice- like a younger version of my grandfather. And I like that it doesn't matter if we were in an ugly space earlier (because ugly happens quiet a bit with Noah and I- the first born/know-it-alls), he always, always, always has affection to give.<br />
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And
Michael, he delights in loving and giving himself up for each one of
us- especially me. Ephesians 5:25 says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy..." I often think of when Michael and I first started dating, and a man who knew us both gave Michael this advice, <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/07/fall.html">"Love her.</a> Denise just needs to be loved." Michael listened, really listened to that advice, and has done just that ever since.<br />
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This love- the value we show each other, the words we speak, the being embraced unconditionally, the delighting in giving yourself up for someone else's well-being -this love that I receive and live in with <b>my family is a floodlight of who God is.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="text 1John-4-16" id="en-TLB-27604"><i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>"We
know how much God loves us because we have felt his love </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="text 1John-4-16" id="en-TLB-27604"><i>and because we
believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="text 1John-4-16" id="en-TLB-27604"><i>God is love, and
anyone who lives in love is living with God </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="text 1John-4-16" id="en-TLB-27604"><i>and God is living in him.</i><br /> 1 John 4:16 </span> <span class="text 1John-4-17" id="en-TLB-27605"></span></span></div>
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This season I'm especially thankful for one more thing, and that is some words I read months ago; words that continue to transform my way of thinking for the better-<br />
<i><br /><span style="color: #38761d;">"The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11<br /><br />"But how is this true when God often withholds riches, and honors, and health of body from men though they walk every so uprightly? We may therefore know that riches and honors and bodily strength are none of God's good things, and the good things of God are chiefly; peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, fruition of God's presence, and a vision of His face in the next. These good things God never withholds from the godly." </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Sir Richard Baker</span></i><br />
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You see, I've been angry at God for years, for from my perception, withholding what I THOUGHT were good things: money, status, and health from me. I've also been inwardly bitter towards others who have these things. <br />
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<b>BUT THESE ARE NOT THE GOOD THINGS OF GOD. </b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">God's good things are: Peace, Joy that comes from His Spirit, the LORD'S presence in our lives, and the assurance that we will be with Him for eternity!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">AND I HAVE THESE. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">ALL OF THEM. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">ALL OF GOD'S GOOD THINGS!! </span></div>
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And I am beeeyyoooonnnd thankful to be free from that nasty way of thinking because it was exhausting and maddening and sickening. Being mad at God, and feeling envy and bitterness towards people who I oughta love, caused me to be legitimately crazy- like crying in my closet for days on end cray-zay!<span style="color: #38761d;"> And now I'm free from that! {insert happy dance}</span><br />
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Emilie has commented a number of times that <b>"we are so rich!"</b> And she's right, we are. Our bank account, the 4 jobs we juggle, the kitchen island serving as an entertainment center for our t.v., and my health records would certainly tell you otherwise... but our lives aren't measured by any of that. <br />
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Our lives are measured by the love that we lavish on each other. </div>
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<b>And <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">we're rolling it!</a></b></div>
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And by the life we have in Christ...</div>
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<b>and we're rolling in that, too!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">Live in Peace!</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b>When do you decorate for Christmas? <br /><br />What were you especially thankful for Thanksgiving 2014? </b><br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-60094245460707901842014-11-07T11:58:00.000-08:002014-11-07T12:00:17.981-08:00Smack-dab in the middle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The season of thankfulness is here!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVV-cnuO_SoxG4AVa7TOnk4twdKzq-2DDi02RGG0z6Jk7tPDvCm4kd6e8_Oi9cfmTg74wDmdydpbNeuKD11ILGLC1bWwALSOQDWBiUnN7MoaRR7BR9xDPSiyyjd5G9I1d2qbosbxZJ_A/s1600/JD+bridge+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVV-cnuO_SoxG4AVa7TOnk4twdKzq-2DDi02RGG0z6Jk7tPDvCm4kd6e8_Oi9cfmTg74wDmdydpbNeuKD11ILGLC1bWwALSOQDWBiUnN7MoaRR7BR9xDPSiyyjd5G9I1d2qbosbxZJ_A/s1600/JD+bridge+.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love November because people are intentional to take stock of <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-million-yeses.html">all the good things</a> in their lives. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgShTgGTFjLJK-SywdiHgM3_lDD8BgctXA5NvqZefb9WVr91nEVp1RIIt7VSHyTXlRvW71QUeFB5nFigV7YZsjED4UcZWy4isqGElCRcK7WjmZ6qevxIq2oWKruDMY7ylHxumG6oISvs/s1600/JD+all+lake+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgShTgGTFjLJK-SywdiHgM3_lDD8BgctXA5NvqZefb9WVr91nEVp1RIIt7VSHyTXlRvW71QUeFB5nFigV7YZsjED4UcZWy4isqGElCRcK7WjmZ6qevxIq2oWKruDMY7ylHxumG6oISvs/s1600/JD+all+lake+.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think it's no coincidence that I was born in the middle of this month filled with thanksgiving... </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnUZoqMdlZm1qbo4Ud3Jqe6FzFAJ0vHFEEC_MT2p50gxq8Razq_XuRAjHlwr9Ljn1wD5Eqn1jmpXPzivisTImEs8t21Z85Fa11XDsSjc6Oec6iHc9aSJxc5NGmGaAgv_0bm7nAVxbd18/s1600/JD+lake+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnUZoqMdlZm1qbo4Ud3Jqe6FzFAJ0vHFEEC_MT2p50gxq8Razq_XuRAjHlwr9Ljn1wD5Eqn1jmpXPzivisTImEs8t21Z85Fa11XDsSjc6Oec6iHc9aSJxc5NGmGaAgv_0bm7nAVxbd18/s1600/JD+lake+cart.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">over
the years God has shown me that He wants me to<span style="color: #783f04;"> <b>LIVE</b></span> smack-dab in the
middle of thanksgiving, <b>AND</b> that it is smack-dab in the middle of
thanksgiving where I truly <b><span style="color: #783f04;">LIVE!</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ2xYRf8xaI5nTsRHMBOwZMlbuR9qvJjMjYs2CqULMcu1N27JabrOJZUSj3fTBEc0CVWE4LuJg5zRMlJt9900lMUao0wfAz7uEy1qQCYazEzT6TWmPVRpTk-BoSsi_3hVCXT5QpRtSjg/s1600/JD+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ2xYRf8xaI5nTsRHMBOwZMlbuR9qvJjMjYs2CqULMcu1N27JabrOJZUSj3fTBEc0CVWE4LuJg5zRMlJt9900lMUao0wfAz7uEy1qQCYazEzT6TWmPVRpTk-BoSsi_3hVCXT5QpRtSjg/s1600/JD+goat.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Being thankful isn't my first instinct though. My first instinct is whining and complaining and worrying and demanding my way. Yep. All four. At once. I can be loads of fun to be around. ;) If you don't believe me ask the four people who live with me. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMxoAgj2S4szPcstiQwFQ38phSNohzz19rkPXlMYoxV99i1DXkM3BuTL2UKWWB3ufREd0W_4PBo_XOYOoWJgzbEVa6VvyCWMpm6PXOF9vc7uAYEyptOkWbkBddo4a6Ux2AUImUw_UShw/s1600/JD+polar+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMxoAgj2S4szPcstiQwFQ38phSNohzz19rkPXlMYoxV99i1DXkM3BuTL2UKWWB3ufREd0W_4PBo_XOYOoWJgzbEVa6VvyCWMpm6PXOF9vc7uAYEyptOkWbkBddo4a6Ux2AUImUw_UShw/s1600/JD+polar+bear.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You all know the saying "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well boy, does this ring true in our home? This mama knows that she's typically the one that sets the emotional <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/temperature-day15.html">temperature of our home</a>
(click text- that's a good read); that it's often my attitude that
determines whether the rest of the family is walking on egg shells in our
home <b>OR</b> living smack-dab in the middle of
grace and joy and love.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's be frank, because I set the temps I have a lot of power in this house. AND THANK GOD, He is in my life! 'Cause I knnnnnoooowwww that power would be used for uuuuuuugly around here if He wasn't. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God's Spirit daily reminds me of His heart for me. This includes God reminding me of who I really am in Him. In fact, take a quick glance at the "About Me" section, at the top right of this page (web version), and you'll see it says "Praise is who I am, praise is what I do." THAT IS WHO GOD REMINDS ME I AM. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> He reminds me that <span style="color: #783f04;"><b>I don't want to model grumbling to my people</b></span>, AND<span style="color: #783f04;"> <b>I don't want them to think of OR remember me as a grumbler. </b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He tells me</span></span></span></span><b> "Praise is who you are, Denise, praise is what you do! Now get to it! Model that to your family." </b></span></span></span> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb_2cILnt-Z6HKxVPnJCL96P5H8tQDcWw2MZ5jW94UJe0nDLOCt9lnVHwXyhKLhDi8EEqcR7hy3QqEntZbZMY8VPT7kCJHBryb8yZH4n_5DL_os6usSAd_5CuVIOqinIGnPWdnV6PP_Y/s1600/JD+me+&+Jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb_2cILnt-Z6HKxVPnJCL96P5H8tQDcWw2MZ5jW94UJe0nDLOCt9lnVHwXyhKLhDi8EEqcR7hy3QqEntZbZMY8VPT7kCJHBryb8yZH4n_5DL_os6usSAd_5CuVIOqinIGnPWdnV6PP_Y/s1600/JD+me+&+Jo.jpg" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Psalm
100:4 says this, </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts
with praise; give thanks to him </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and praise his name." </span></span></span></b><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnlDhyphenhyphenLm49h8qK-4Q1B0muai6rLD61X6iOMaQeqkj7ldKbqccyeW_0lZKG-nneilJFuzzMIuHprMU-oZlWj2jGDex1wT3FQk883Kq-BYetkekHG0h7h3gR8IfFysf38CMUPL0VyzBwUY/s1600/JD+haymaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnlDhyphenhyphenLm49h8qK-4Q1B0muai6rLD61X6iOMaQeqkj7ldKbqccyeW_0lZKG-nneilJFuzzMIuHprMU-oZlWj2jGDex1wT3FQk883Kq-BYetkekHG0h7h3gR8IfFysf38CMUPL0VyzBwUY/s1600/JD+haymaze.jpg" height="640" width="433" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Enter
his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise"... I want in there, and more than that I <b><span style="color: #783f04;">NEED</span></b> in there- smack-dab at the center of where God is? </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And God gives me (us) the key in! Through thanksgiving and praise. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And what I've learned over
time is that the more I practice thanksgiving and praise the more that
becomes my first instinct<span style="color: #783f04;"><b><span style="color: black;">!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span> </b></span>That's deserving of an excessive use of exclamation marks,
folks. That's a big deal! Don't believe me... ask the 4 people who live with me ;) </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkSS0nS4PJ6xmR1fctxFsYugttoVK1WgWqVGgyj-XBBHM9mwLProelSGqW2vsiRnXxpb0Bsl8_q62LXrCzvo-yWeeLA6DLha3N_SPIIc_ifWDa-xIVSZXR57wtV77TKW371yX4Rsh314/s1600/JD+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkSS0nS4PJ6xmR1fctxFsYugttoVK1WgWqVGgyj-XBBHM9mwLProelSGqW2vsiRnXxpb0Bsl8_q62LXrCzvo-yWeeLA6DLha3N_SPIIc_ifWDa-xIVSZXR57wtV77TKW371yX4Rsh314/s1600/JD+sunflower.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I take stock of all the good things in my life I find myself smack-dab in the middle of where my God wants me: </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Remembering Who He is</b></span>- </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My God, Who "works all things together for the good of those who love Him." </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I decrease and God increases- </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"And the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">"I once was lost, but now I see"- </span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My eyes are no longer zeroed in on me, they're focused on the AMAZING GOD of heaven of and earth, and His loving kindness. His loving kindness causes me to see all I do have in Him. All the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">#andicantafforditbutitsmine.</a> </span> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I find myself LIVING where He wants me to be- </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Smack dab in the middle of His grace and joy and love. And LIVING in all that goodness causes that to spill out of me into others...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">especially my sweet family.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I pray that you will be encouraged, whoever you are, where ever you are, and in whatever season you're in to thank Him and praise Him. There is <b>always always always </b>something to be thankful for. There is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-soul-to-keep.html">Even if/when things are trying</a>, ultimately, those that are <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-know-day-22.html">in Christ</a> have every thing we need because the<b> <span style="color: #783f04;">LORD is our God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And if anything ever deserved an excessive amount of exclamation marks it's that ;) </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Are you counting all the good things God has done for you this month? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Where can I follow you? <br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And to those of you who are counting keep it up! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>I delight in ALL your thanksgiving. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I pray that as you count you'll find yourself smack-dab in the middle </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of where God wants you</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">LIVING</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in the fullness of Him and His grace, joy, and love. </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1NN3U0J2HrOzc8kp9NokPqfMuRlCv2nECMf524MX8r3YZwaMzNdmpSE7mSvzx_P69ebM8mfizQkkJS-G4SxGe_LPaD12rpppIGENzEVLuoR4OJ-88yzsrhvraUbmcSwQeUu_mI3mgZ8/s1600/JD+wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1NN3U0J2HrOzc8kp9NokPqfMuRlCv2nECMf524MX8r3YZwaMzNdmpSE7mSvzx_P69ebM8mfizQkkJS-G4SxGe_LPaD12rpppIGENzEVLuoR4OJ-88yzsrhvraUbmcSwQeUu_mI3mgZ8/s1600/JD+wheel.jpg" height="640" width="433" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">Live in Peace!</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/130/6DB94E7B6B06E99CA5A7CF154F49E148.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.<span class="p"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Romans 10:9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">behold, the new has come."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">II Cor 5:17 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Photos taken at the Jerseydale Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Boot Jack, Ca</span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-mi4OAJbd6Nc%2FVFKqSGh0WtI%2FAAAAAAAAKEw%2FHkziO9V0Q3w%2Fs1600%2FJD%252Blake%252Bcart.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnUZoqMdlZm1qbo4Ud3Jqe6FzFAJ0vHFEEC_MT2p50gxq8Razq_XuRAjHlwr9Ljn1wD5Eqn1jmpXPzivisTImEs8t21Z85Fa11XDsSjc6Oec6iHc9aSJxc5NGmGaAgv_0bm7nAVxbd18/s1600/JD+lake+cart.jpg" -->Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-88384503795257704262014-10-18T11:55:00.000-07:002014-10-20T10:09:55.830-07:00And I can't afford it, but it's mine (pause and see)It's easy to look at folks around us and compare. <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-million-yeses.html"> I do that.</a> I compare what I have to what others have. I compare then want what they have. I can get so consumed with wanting all I perceive they have that I miss out on all I do have. And I'm done. Done comparing and done missing all the good things God gives me.<br />
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Over the last year the words "<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html"><i>And I can't afford it, but it's mine" </i></a> (click text and read original blog post), have transformed my thinking. They have caused me to <b>pause and see </b>and celebrate how very blessed I am.<br />
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Read another "And I can't afford it, but it's mine" post <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/03/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">here</a>. <br />
Follow my hashtag #andicantafforditbutitsmine on instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/jonesidosio">here</a><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">*****************************************************************</span><br />
Here are some recent "And I can't afford it, but it's mine" moments.<br />
Oh, He really is so incredibly good to me!</div>
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Skipping across a field of whimsical hot air balloons with Josie, each of us with a camera in hand, ready to capture beauty. <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/05/air-i-breath.html">Photography is worship</a>- it causes us to pause and see and celebrate. And sharing this with my girl ~ <i><span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </span> </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxEA0S5MiULpw5sgLJuLOm-QYftY4awx3w4FGjJzhBKj9TBcLSZBRD2oLbwzTjfBFUCCnUcUHLOJx7l9ajpUEsdhjfGnTP3-LVFp5Vl0OL4Wd62iSMpXRVs3rWh237FHaVCs2yX4l_qY/s1600/hb+jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxEA0S5MiULpw5sgLJuLOm-QYftY4awx3w4FGjJzhBKj9TBcLSZBRD2oLbwzTjfBFUCCnUcUHLOJx7l9ajpUEsdhjfGnTP3-LVFp5Vl0OL4Wd62iSMpXRVs3rWh237FHaVCs2yX4l_qY/s1600/hb+jo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i> </i>Listening to Michael, Noah, and Emilie share about their
backpacking adventure. Hearing about the vastness of beauty they experienced in
creation AND in each other~ <span style="color: #45818e;"><i>and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </i></span><br />
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An exciting opportunity was offered to Michael. I'm beyond thrilled for him. My guy works hard, does so much for us, faithfully, never grumbling, never complaining. <br />
And something "wild" for my good man<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </span></i><br />
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While washing dishes, out of the corner of my eye I watch Emilie and Josie sitting together at the kitchen counter. I see Josie generously share her yummy treat with Emilie. I watch Emilie thank her, then lean over and kiss her sister's cheek. I see Josie smile, take in that she is beloved. Oh, the way they adore each other<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6yQg4qzrWGkB44KLdIEmCjieFo9oHaI3WbJpRArmqPInp97fsc6buk8Eda-DQ8WPfOYZZ5fiv8-X_v45lb_SSOl-VVCu0F7e5ejh_JJEom3LNkPCjNNWGXG-3-Wld83IDbTiomEuvK0/s1600/hb+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6yQg4qzrWGkB44KLdIEmCjieFo9oHaI3WbJpRArmqPInp97fsc6buk8Eda-DQ8WPfOYZZ5fiv8-X_v45lb_SSOl-VVCu0F7e5ejh_JJEom3LNkPCjNNWGXG-3-Wld83IDbTiomEuvK0/s1600/hb+two.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i> </i>Michael and Noah seated beside each other on the couch in the early mornings, reading their bibles, sharing what they've learned<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</span> </i><br />
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An old classmate becoming my dear dear friend. Our friendship is long-overdue, and yet right on time. Our friendship is changing me. And the deep love God has filled my heart with for her~ <span style="color: #45818e;"><i>and I can't afford it, but it's mine</i>. </span><br />
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One early morning a week, with a few women who are wild about God and His word; sharing how it's teaching and nudging and changing us, while drinking the best coffee this side of the Mississippi<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </span></i><br />
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18 teenagers at our casa for an epic Nacho Libre night...and that my kids want their amigos here~ <span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michael
and Josie in the kitchen making Cinnamon scones. The gentle way he
teaches her, the delight in her voice just being with her daddy, the
smell of scones baking. So much yummy happening in our kitchen~ </span><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>and I can't afford it but, it's mine. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i> </span>A health issue surfaced. The physical discomfort was rough. But God. His Spirit kept bringing to mind, "In me you have Peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. He kept reminding me that Peace is already mine, and if I want it then I must grab hold of it. Want to know something? Even though I wasn't improving physically, I felt so so so much healthier. Instead of <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/03/hard-to-swallow.html">letting the usual </a>guilt, anger, sadness, bitterness, and frustration grab hold of me- I <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/01/to-really-want-something.html">grabbed hold of Peace</a>. Oh, sweet Peace~ <span style="color: #45818e;"><i>and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</i> </span><br />
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After realizing there weren't dinner plans-<br />
Noah: girls what do you want me to make you for dinner?<br />
Girls: speechless due to SHOCK! <br />
Noah: Waffles. I can make you waffles (not Eggos, not from a box, from scratch folks).<br />
Girls: Uhhhhh, okaaaayyy.<br />
And Noah taking care of his sisters<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine. </span></i><br />
<br />
A friend coming over, just to be with me, interrupting the nagging pain with her sweet presence for a few hours<i>~ <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</span></i> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLgw4H_xKWdD6gFOMnjjsN85e6KIbnztxzSP5VHJzKVvcwBuj25TcyF0HngaOlyBVhn3upmkSRvoAvsC6ZOaOlRI5f7RDKdhNAsTegmBxDlsbiKazd6_G5GmPWNw3i4s1FUqByt6mn2s/s1600/hb+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLgw4H_xKWdD6gFOMnjjsN85e6KIbnztxzSP5VHJzKVvcwBuj25TcyF0HngaOlyBVhn3upmkSRvoAvsC6ZOaOlRI5f7RDKdhNAsTegmBxDlsbiKazd6_G5GmPWNw3i4s1FUqByt6mn2s/s1600/hb+fire.jpg" /></a></div>
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18 <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/09/do-you-remember-21st-night-of-september.html">married years to Michael- </a> we had sweet plans for our 18th
anniversary, plans that were disrupted by my health issues. So I laid down all
day while he shampooed the carpets and upholstery (which by the way is
exactly how we spent our 1st anniversary). And we were both so okay with
it. At one point during the day I was thinking about our wedding day
and the vows we made-<i> "To have and to hold from this day forward, for
better or for worse, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;
for as long as you both shall live,"</i> and realized how very very blessed I
am to be married to a man who cherishes me and delights in keeping
those promises~ <i><span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</span></i><br />
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Noah's hugs- He's taller than me now, and I just love being able to rest my head on his shoulder and nestle into him. Our roles here have swapped. And he likes that. He's likes being my young man, caring for, and holding me. The way this kid <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2008/11/does-your-child-give-you-look.html">expresses his love</a> for me ~ <i> <span style="color: #45818e;">and I can't afford it, but it's mine.</span></i> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">Live in Peace!</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/130/6DB94E7B6B06E99CA5A7CF154F49E148.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;">Colossians 3:15</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-51881914487417532792014-10-10T16:45:00.001-07:002014-10-11T09:15:23.941-07:00Rattling Around<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>"Iām really hating that I donāt have time to write much anymore. I write
half a blog post</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i> in my head while Iām making coffee or driving the girls
around, </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>but I just canāt seem to make it back to the computer and take
the time</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i> to actually write the whole thing out. I donāt know whatās
worseānot writing, </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>or having all those words rattle around in my head
all the time. </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Thereās enough stuff loose up there already."</i></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> My longtime friend,<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2008/04/melanie.html"> Melanie</a>, shared this on her<a href="http://melaniecrutchfield.com/2014/10/07/dear-jerrod/"> blog yesterday</a>. This is so me, except I usually write half a blog post while I'm drying my hair or washing the dishes. Sometimes the other half of the post wakes me at 3:30 a.m. and I lie in bed writing when what I need to be doing is catching some z's. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Melanie, I agree " I don't know what's worse- not writing, or having all those words rattle around in my head all the time." And you know me well enough to know that, like you, "there's enough stuff loose up there already." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So today, I'm writing. I'm removing the words from the noggin and putting them on this page. Maybe you'll see them, maybe you won't (because much of what I do write is never published). But maybe by doing so when 3:30 a.m. rolls around I'll sleep through it like a baby, but not like <a href="http://melaniecrutchfield.com/2014/09/29/sleep-deprivation-makes-me-crankymurderous/">Melanie's baby. </a> Because apparently, her little one is currently "training for an Olympic event for not sleeping."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some of the things that have been rattling around in my head. Oh, and to entertain you I'm including photos from a backpacking trip Michael, Noah, and Em went on weeks ago, which also happen to be on my mind begging to be blogged. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq8RORdySRD6i3ipwC7S56ruWo_GSIAkjmwaooh3Ttd3n2dtsZvXOnrGRArl_Rg_Dpgo1v8wgGU-NAz0ziSjoBP88bf0OErvzgFZrCs7DeWqsbGbXLk-hoeFjt0DdOaTV1l7L7pYXhmY/s1600/BP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq8RORdySRD6i3ipwC7S56ruWo_GSIAkjmwaooh3Ttd3n2dtsZvXOnrGRArl_Rg_Dpgo1v8wgGU-NAz0ziSjoBP88bf0OErvzgFZrCs7DeWqsbGbXLk-hoeFjt0DdOaTV1l7L7pYXhmY/s1600/BP1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've been thinking about a Facebook post I saw weeks ago. A friend was tagged in it, so it
showed up in my news feed. The post
was about an elderly woman, Margaret, who'd passed away (stay with me, this isn't a sad story). Some words
written about Marge have stuck with me, <span style="color: #990000;"><b>"She lived her life devoted to
Jesus, she loved and lived Scripture." </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow. "She loved and lived Scripture." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What a legacy<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">! </span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A</span>nd<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> could there be a</span> </span>higher compliment<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">?</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Margaret, you inspire me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want people to see that <b>and</b> say that of me. I want them to say "Denise</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> loves the Word and lives the Word." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl1cxfdtz-RsCk-8ZX3s-hmC4zNf3KP6Z4jfJhqZm4LfXNynVWj3C6ssG3z0G5chYcwKH5rPReKCMGnWVvMt94TYhFJLt4oqkJ6qWtjt6oyprzWAQoessiYwc56Rr1awvPYSksDiEPu8/s1600/BP+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl1cxfdtz-RsCk-8ZX3s-hmC4zNf3KP6Z4jfJhqZm4LfXNynVWj3C6ssG3z0G5chYcwKH5rPReKCMGnWVvMt94TYhFJLt4oqkJ6qWtjt6oyprzWAQoessiYwc56Rr1awvPYSksDiEPu8/s1600/BP+lake.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">***************************************************************</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One scene from a couple weeks ago keeps rattling around in my mind. It was a weekday morning, and I'd just finished reading a chapter <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/05/tucked-in.html">from the Bible </a>to the kids. I was in a world of pain at the time, and didn't have it in me to pray, so I asked Emilie to pray for the day. Emilie always says the sweetest things to God. I hurt too much to say anything to Him. After she prayed Michael, Noah, and Emilie kissed me goodbye then gathered their things to head out the door. As they gathered their belongings I made my way down the hall to my room. I was hurting so much that I couldn't hold back the tears. I moved slowly down the hall crying. And then I heard the LORD whisper in my ear, "Jesus?" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5yLL7J_fq7eh5oMVsjsmDqrUAxRfG35ddbqr77CcNSMUWXw0347_DQRIBg60W84ug8RG8zciN6RZf0hUOUb_KWH4MjgrYTOCk5nQWCfvs1k6rdZn5J81HrvYyEmCWxZENTyw6LA0ikg/s1600/BP+noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5yLL7J_fq7eh5oMVsjsmDqrUAxRfG35ddbqr77CcNSMUWXw0347_DQRIBg60W84ug8RG8zciN6RZf0hUOUb_KWH4MjgrYTOCk5nQWCfvs1k6rdZn5J81HrvYyEmCWxZENTyw6LA0ikg/s1600/BP+noah.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/06/comfort-food.html">Jesus</a>. We speak His name to each other every single day. We've spoken, whispered, sung, hollered, cried, claimed, clung to His Name since before Josie was born. For 13 years. But would I today? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe today I wouldn't. Maybe today I'd cry and hurt and cling to the little bit of strength I could muster up myself. Maybe today I'd hurt too much to say anything to God. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Or maybe through the pain and the tears, as my family made their way out the door, I'd give them the Name that is<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/all-that-i-have-day-31.html"> all that I am and all that I have</a>... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "Jesus." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And one by one they hollered back, "Jesus!" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFGmibeULnKVbHZHJxCDYKkQVN53ZiarWTfBQuMHHbckojTezIR64Ja0cIj16_gPIrO1Ic4J87Yu0lJK55WSumZkYRGNyu33Wy2TyBZI1LM0t7mC9EwgyKWcEcu25eGn9O75plcs9_VQ/s1600/BP+cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFGmibeULnKVbHZHJxCDYKkQVN53ZiarWTfBQuMHHbckojTezIR64Ja0cIj16_gPIrO1Ic4J87Yu0lJK55WSumZkYRGNyu33Wy2TyBZI1LM0t7mC9EwgyKWcEcu25eGn9O75plcs9_VQ/s1600/BP+cf.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">***************************************************************</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I talked to my dad on the phone a few weeks ago. He told me he's happy at the new facility he's in. He asked me, as he usually does, if I smoke crack? I don't even know what crack is. I had to Google it. He asked me what drugs I'm on? I told him none. I tell him I've never done drugs, not even when he offered them to me when I was a little girl. He tells me he liked using drugs, and that he will if he gets out because he likes feeling "up." I didn't tell him that while he was "up" everyone else was down. He still couldn't believe that I'm not using and asked what I'm on. I answered, "Jesus." He laughed. Then he said he didn't want to talk about Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He went on to say that until 8 years ago he was an atheist, then he began believing there's a God. He thinks God created the Big Bang, that there is no such thing as the devil or hell, and that all people go to heaven when they die. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I told him that sounds like just the kind of thing man would make up. Isn't that how we'd want it to be<b> if </b>we were God? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"That is one reason I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed. </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If it offered just the kind of universe we had always expected, I should feel we were making it up. But, in fact, it is not the sort of thing anyone would have made up." </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>C.S.Lewis</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sx0NHnN-VOpAQ194671XUKsuLLnrSCxX7yamcBYTiJqwcJIvq2wto9vUZcO_cFXQC7NDB_FosEpR6doq268mRnnm1Ib3CvlKTn5XgdqC_hjzUIF5rALDJ2RPEje4OsgGdg2989OAw-c/s1600/BP+View+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sx0NHnN-VOpAQ194671XUKsuLLnrSCxX7yamcBYTiJqwcJIvq2wto9vUZcO_cFXQC7NDB_FosEpR6doq268mRnnm1Ib3CvlKTn5XgdqC_hjzUIF5rALDJ2RPEje4OsgGdg2989OAw-c/s1600/BP+View+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My dad also thinks Jesus is a myth. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's too bad. He'd like Jesus if he knew Him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlNJpo6zOG1lVzrGTW0-XACrnpNIKp49K05c92Kz3nwEVJ3RppY0qgLUlTFXvANFQhCzFN0Us3sugp-SIAI0pSpesep64HwMqIERC_CBA2FAeDvz7RgmWZhwirdbljR5r5AvutJud0is/s1600/BP+N&E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlNJpo6zOG1lVzrGTW0-XACrnpNIKp49K05c92Kz3nwEVJ3RppY0qgLUlTFXvANFQhCzFN0Us3sugp-SIAI0pSpesep64HwMqIERC_CBA2FAeDvz7RgmWZhwirdbljR5r5AvutJud0is/s1600/BP+N&E.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jesus is the <a href="http://jonesidosio.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-ate-booger.html">only reason</a> I talk to or visit my dad. My dad has been<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-know-day-22.html"> awful to me</a>. But Jesus <b>puts His own love and compassion for my dad in me</b>. It is not from me. Nope, if I had it my way I'd hate my dad. And no one would blame me for it. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a miracle that I love him. Proof that Jesus is not a myth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, like my dad said, "until 8 years ago I was an atheist, then I began believing there's a God." So maybe it's not entirely impossible that he'll come around and believe in Jesus too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">***************************************************************</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was talking to Emilie, who's in Cross Country, about running. Now, I don't know a thing about actual running. To prove my point, Emilie came home yesterday thrilled that she had run a mile in 6 min. 48 sec. I shared that when I was in jr. high we had to run the mile-and-a-half for P.E., and that I would set out at the beginning of my first period P.E. class (we ran off campus) and not return until sometime after my second period class had started. I think my time was 58 min. 34 sec. So...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">However, there is another type of running I've had quiet a bit of training in- </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214">"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us </span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215">fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame</span>"</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span class="text Heb-12-3" id="en-NIV-30216"></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #45818e;">Hebrews 12:1-3 </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkdeEq5vTyU5-RKFLkMAXYbJIZhrLE86DuDvvSfiuElEnim57V83EO9XsdUYzVRoWvjQmi24uhrsGoFMM4Y7MQSsLiCnFrN3G7ACjaV_7wvErX0FV4d3RP0bfsqoyhofo2-f9D7bq6dQ/s1600/BP+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkdeEq5vTyU5-RKFLkMAXYbJIZhrLE86DuDvvSfiuElEnim57V83EO9XsdUYzVRoWvjQmi24uhrsGoFMM4Y7MQSsLiCnFrN3G7ACjaV_7wvErX0FV4d3RP0bfsqoyhofo2-f9D7bq6dQ/s1600/BP+run.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;">I told Emilie<span style="color: #76a5af;"> <span style="color: black;">to run like this. And to keep running. Keep running no matter what. I told her rough seasons will come. I told her I've found myself in some dark allies; off course. I told her stay the course. Walk. Limp. But whatever you do fix your eyes, fix your eyes, fix your eyes on Jesus, and stay the course. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I told her I know people who use to run. I admired how focused they were. Like Margaret, they inspired me. And then they got mad. Mad at the church. Mad at God because He doesn't do things their way. They started fixing their eyes on that instead of on their First Love. And then their eyes wandered to all sorts of things. They live for themselves now. They're off course. And I miss them. I loved running with them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A guy on Emilie's Cross Country team told me that when Emilie's running with the team, and "everyone is exhausted and wants to drop dead," she enthusiastically shouts, "come on guys!" I told him, "Emilie's tired too. She wants to quit too. But she listens to that other voice telling her to keep going." Emilie, keep listening to that other Voice. And Emilie, keep encouraging those around you to run and stay the course, too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think another way we encourage people to stay on course is by being like Margaret- by "living a life devoted to Jesus, loving and living Scripture." I also think it's really something that Margaret was elderly and that this was said about her. So many many many things are nipping at our heels, and I think it's really something that Margaret stayed the course; fixed her eyes on Jesus until He took her home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I really want to be like Margaret.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want be like Emilie, too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;">Last night I got in bed before everyone else and shouted to them, "if you want a kiss goodnight you have to come to me to get it!!" Within a few moments Noah and Emilie had jumped onto my bed and were snuggled up on each side of me. Josie arrived a few minutes later, but Noah and Emilie staked their claim on me, and were barricading their little sister from her mama. However, in classic Josie fashion when she arrived she shimmied her way between them. Josie likes being at the center of attention and affection in our family. She thrives there. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;">We could each learn to be more like Josie, especially when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. We should shimmy, squirm, and squeeze our way through anything that tries to barricade or keep us from Him. We thrive when we're planted in the center of His attention and affection. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVNyMJgBb68eXWhSKhS7yI6aYLBFogQzaB3dvHuvEyBh1UOTeJ_EOZlJYhaRvH0K_E-IguXs6ay5M4qO3zdwyrnokZBxQK9Rvki7xMB2FCMTYzTj2cbyz7T8qEOsEbxRkzfUm40zR1cU/s1600/BP+Em+jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVNyMJgBb68eXWhSKhS7yI6aYLBFogQzaB3dvHuvEyBh1UOTeJ_EOZlJYhaRvH0K_E-IguXs6ay5M4qO3zdwyrnokZBxQK9Rvki7xMB2FCMTYzTj2cbyz7T8qEOsEbxRkzfUm40zR1cU/s1600/BP+Em+jump.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: black;"> After goodnight kisses were shared the kids skipped off to their rooms. And as the lights went out and the bedroom doors closed I could hear the sweetest name being sung down the halls -the Name that is <span style="color: #45818e;">all that we are and all that we have</span> "Jeeeesuuuus!"</span></span></span></span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-11759700419269664142014-08-28T06:39:00.001-07:002014-08-28T06:46:22.696-07:00#tbt <div style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/08/back-by-popular-demand.html">Throwback Thursday!</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where I take a walk down memory lane and share something from </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the archives of my lit'l ol' blog. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, we're revisiting the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/09/reap-what-i-sow-day-1.html"> 31 Days of God-giving </a>series,<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/09/reap-what-i-sow-day-1.html"> </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the blog post- </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Get to Know God. </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was a young teen I didnāt want to know God. My <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/06/nothing-is-worth-more-than-this-day.html">life was miserable </a>and my attitude was 'If there is a God then why did he give me this life? I had done nothing to deserve it.'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As my relationship with God grew, I realized that that was precisely why He wanted me to get to know Him. He wanted to be Comforter, and the Light that would lead the way out.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd0WWaCQrfq8AS7nvMx7EMVI_4AXKfjFQWyIRkTEfNuvY9wTFEUMNHw3sWIXtBLokglrQHwtPfRHZqgSViChAwAxRnlsUVsMxi3OW4lLV7_MngnIREIw8PxMriO0tlSRqOFRQNhftvbU/s1600/girls+swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd0WWaCQrfq8AS7nvMx7EMVI_4AXKfjFQWyIRkTEfNuvY9wTFEUMNHw3sWIXtBLokglrQHwtPfRHZqgSViChAwAxRnlsUVsMxi3OW4lLV7_MngnIREIw8PxMriO0tlSRqOFRQNhftvbU/s1600/girls+swing.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Get to know God as friend. </span></span><br />
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You know when you get to know someone, and by simply being with them you feel at home, and free to be who you really are. No masquerading, no having-it-all-together, because that person delights in quirky, wonderful you! That's what it is like being friends with God, except a million times better. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Id78wR2934_-7KSuze47KTilnrD3aBamPhe-2Ka0xs-pkU6xO2nxHdNl7AWdGH7jCCh6qIjz5FPpm8zJ76dzfE_2XmKfNXrnxQRcu3SnIU2E3XIjbF_gxbt81qk2kdEgdAQOyl39mw/s1600/girls+swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God has the best sense of humor. The stories I could tell about things I've prayed, and the ways He has responded are comical! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like any friendship your going to get ticked at God because he won't always do what you want, or think what you want him to. He won't explain himself either. You'll be good and mad at Him because you'll want to take a turn being God, and He won't let you. If you stick with him (and oh, I pray that you will) hind-sight will be 20/20, and you will see that he always has what is best in mind. Always.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH18pxA4xrt9FnHc1Sck8l4AzwVFocrQTOi3-DmmJWWKVuoSRV6jn0n2FVTtBFpK3te0CV5IoL1plvTTvL-R56SDswUemuoqn5LYl8BwQdMdmHfvis5uvBJWRXQu-hEyC3nQ_P01eQVFI/s1600/girls+talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH18pxA4xrt9FnHc1Sck8l4AzwVFocrQTOi3-DmmJWWKVuoSRV6jn0n2FVTtBFpK3te0CV5IoL1plvTTvL-R56SDswUemuoqn5LYl8BwQdMdmHfvis5uvBJWRXQu-hEyC3nQ_P01eQVFI/s1600/girls+talk.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nowhere else will you find a friend as wild about you as God~</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He thinks you are amazing, gifted, capable, and delights in being your own personal cheerleader rooting you on! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you get knocked down, God whisper's truth to you (listen), is protective of you, and fights for you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because He loves you, He tells you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear (you won't like this, but you'll trust Him more for it). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's generous in so many ways, even when you don't deserve it (I now find myself joyfully exclaiming to God, "why did You give me this life, I've done nothing to deserve it!")</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His friendship stands the test of time AND the <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/03/test-of-grace.html">test of grace.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM7STvPTkbpaJCifYuqJGe_e2KayibNDIsBsHHZ7vIvP_Mt00KzszVLCN1VHv9JAriTMUsWS22StDbBNYM7pzhUSdvhQNUcYxPzTZEW3TNlDYsgEdnDbyqawQ8ayBAwBzPWfKjQx7ITc/s1600/girls+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM7STvPTkbpaJCifYuqJGe_e2KayibNDIsBsHHZ7vIvP_Mt00KzszVLCN1VHv9JAriTMUsWS22StDbBNYM7pzhUSdvhQNUcYxPzTZEW3TNlDYsgEdnDbyqawQ8ayBAwBzPWfKjQx7ITc/s1600/girls+hands.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photos of Emilie and Josie on the homemade swing on our old hillside, 2010.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is my prayer that you will be purposeful about getting to to know Him. You will find the God of the universe to be your greatest companion as you journey through life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-size: small;">"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future. Then you will <b>call on me</b>, and <b>I will listen</b> to you. You will <b>seek me</b> and <b>find me </b>when you <b>seek me </b>with all of your heart. <b>I will be found by you</b>," declares the Lord. </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">Jeremiah 29: 11-14</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-61916593679854134652014-08-23T10:21:00.002-07:002014-08-23T11:30:30.007-07:00Summa Summa Summa-Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We've polished off our first week of back-to-school here, and we're already missing the lazy days of summer. Typically I'm one of those folks that enjoys her some routine, but instead I'm feeling<b> "routine shmoutine! the long days of summer that we can fly by the seat of our pants are the best." </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of "flying by the seat of our pants," here's how our summer 2014 flew by~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our summer took off the usual way beginning with <a href="http://maycation./">Maycation.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFaAI55JNoZKbnkuWdsMbbI5ecyIh-lvdDA_flsv1qF1kPSAeaWWELGAmq-Tt5EbSHhky0IMRNbuCiiBM5_UbjqxEpq5oVIFcTXZq_BPzhzvra_2sM-p4a-LJmTMmwu1BDa7alvC5ijI/s1600/Maycation+Rockers+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFaAI55JNoZKbnkuWdsMbbI5ecyIh-lvdDA_flsv1qF1kPSAeaWWELGAmq-Tt5EbSHhky0IMRNbuCiiBM5_UbjqxEpq5oVIFcTXZq_BPzhzvra_2sM-p4a-LJmTMmwu1BDa7alvC5ijI/s1600/Maycation+Rockers+.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From L-R; Lily, Noah, Gabriel, Brook /Emilie, Christian, Blake, Josefine/ Benjamin, Ruby, Sampson, Eli</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These rockers "fight for their right to party!" And are the #1 reason I {heart} Maycation!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Maycation fun included the usual campfire music and S'mores, Air-Soft (Obviously, Michael was an easy target), as well as biking the 007 Trail, and a Flume Hike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Maycation gals and I also ventured off to the annual Peddler's Fair, where I met this Elvis-loving lady, Buelah, who sold me this fantastic lamp for $8, which I also named "Buelah." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The moment we returned home from Maycation, Josie got to serious summer business-
making the annual <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/06/paper-chains-big-god-and-this-changed.html">paper-chain </a>to count down the days 'til camp at "the home of the world's greatest campers." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the meantime Emilie was gearing up to host an end of the school year "Slumberless Party!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Emilie
has the sssswwweeetest gal pals! Seriously wish I could make them
all Marty McFly and go "Back to the Future" to be my high school pals!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here they are playing Messy Twister, which involves Twister, shaving cream, food coloring, and a willingness to get giggly and messy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Both Michael and Noah had the super cool opportunity to participate in a <a href="http://beargryllssurvivalacademy.com/">Bear Grylls Survival Academy</a> for free-firty-free! They'd tell you how they made and slept in their own shelter, skinned a rabbit and ate it, ate meal-worms and grubs too.. ick! My photographer husband was even invited to photograph on two occasions... One of those times this happened-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yep. Bear broke away from his time <a href="http://www.nbc.com/running-wild-with-bear-grylls/episode-guide/season-running-wild-with-bear-grylls/channing-tatum/103">filming with Channing Tatum </a>only to find himself in the company of an even hotter guy, Michael. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When my people weren't bunkin' outdoors with the BG folks, they were bunkin' here in our backyard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See that hammock back there...that's where Noah bunks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This summer there were lots of tears. Lots. Noah graduates high school in less than 2 years... <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/06/726-days.html">in 655 days</a>. Time flies. Between the tears I stocked up on all the fun I could get with my three. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We loaded up the bikes and headed to Yosemite Valley to ride and hike and just be together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yosemite is majestic. Hands down the highlight of our day was riding though the meadow. Emilie shouted, "It's so beautiful! I wish I could take a photo with my mind and keep it!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I made a decision this summer to get over my hatred of myself in a swimsuit and wear mine. In water. With my hair wet. I did it 5x folks. That's Guinness Book World Record worthy 'round here. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first time was at a water-park. Want to know something, my kids were having so much fun that I totally forgot I hate myself in a swimsuit. And It was awesome. So awesome that I rewarded myself with my first Sonic experience. Dear Sonic Guy On Skates Who Delivered Our Milkshakes, You better believe we'll be back!! Yuuu uumm! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This date to pizza, bowling, and the arcade was a blast... literally. If you're local check out <a href="http://www.blast825pizza.com/">Blast 825 Pizza</a>. Order Chipotle style, Chipotle prices, but it's delicious pizza ready in literally a few minutes. Also check out the Arcade in Riverpark. There's an arcade "ride" that simulates being on a roller-coaster. $2 to laugh and scream and "woahhhhh." Also, we recommend our new bowling rule: Loser has to return all shoes. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br />Needless to say, <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/07/campsick-homesick.html">going to camp</a> remains THE HIGHLIGHT of summer for our kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every evening of the 2 weeks the kids are at camp (Yes, 2 weeks kid-free!!) we get to see glimpses of their day at camp through pix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Years ago the kids decided to communicate they love me in the pix by giving me two thumbs up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Emilie, who turned 15 during camp, showed me BIG LOVE after dropping 80ft from the King Swing!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> While the kids were away the parents did play. We headed over to California's Wine Country, where we didn't drink wine because it tastes icky. Instead we tasted ice cream. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We take ice cream tasting seriously. Lappert's Hawaiian Salted Caramel is a MUST if you're in Sausalito. A must. And if you're "lactarded" like me it won't... you know.. make you... well.. you know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We also enjoyed some leisurely time on the in-laws boat, as well as perusing Sonoma, Petaluma (which is now my favorite place for vintage shopping),Tiburon, and Angel Island. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On my fridge I have a magnet that says <i><span style="color: #45818e;">"I'd rather do nothing with you than something with anybody else." </span></i>I feel that way with Michael. I don't care what we're doing or not doing as long as we're together. I just like Him, and I like who I am when I'm with him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back from camp we spent some time with the Maui cousins, Luke and Nicholas. Noah especially enjoys this part of summer because the guys in the house finally outnumber the girls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One day Noah lead us to this great waterfall/swimming hole that he learned about during camp. If you're a local it's super eeasssy to get to. If you're not come visit! We'll take ya there! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is only one reason other than camp that Josie loves summer- Emilie's home. To say she adores her big sister is an understatement! Thankfully, Emilie is just as wild about Josie. I'm blessed Y'all! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The girls scoured Pinterest and came up with a plan to fill the "lazy days of summer." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They baked, sewed, crafted, baked, <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2014/06/brighter-than-shooting-star.html">made a music video,</a> baked, played games, and even played with their AG dolls (Emilie isn't too cool or too old or too above playing AG with her sister. Seriously, she. is. a. keeper!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, we took our annual family camping trip to Sunset Beach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I neeeeeeeeeeeeed this shirt for next time we go camping. It's true- "I love NOT camping," but I do it for the children, and the S'more French Toast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This camping trip we treated the family with a kayaking adventure in the Elkhorn Slough just outside of Monterey, where we kayaked beside seals, sea lions, otters, jellyfish, and more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A moment from our camping trip that I don't want to forget was when Noah, who I'd been having a rough time with, asked me to do a short hike with him at sunset to look out over the beach. It was cold, and I hate being cold as much as I hate being in a swimsuit, so he coaxed me with the promise of a hug, and I loooovvve Noah's hugs more than S'more French toast. Once we arrived I took in the beauty and the quiet and the magnitude of the ocean. I thanked Noah for inviting me. And he reached over grabbed me and gave me the hug he'd promised. It was the best hug, the best <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/11/5-minutes-on-friday.html">"hold you;"</a> a long embrace, one his mama really needed from him. I stood there wrapped safe in the arms of the youngman who towers over me. I laid my head on his shoulder, closed my eyes, and breathed in that moment; breathed it in deep. And he let me. <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html">#andicantafforditbutitsmine</a>. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And that was our summer 2014 in a nutshell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our days are already being swallowed up by school and work
and activity. I'm thankful for all our days, but these days of summer filled my mama-tank... and I'm pretty sure they filled Michael, Noah, Emilie, and Josie's tanks too. They're days we never want to forget.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What was a highlight from your summer 2014?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-36526239238680962292014-08-14T06:24:00.001-07:002014-08-14T07:43:27.646-07:00Back By Popular Demand... <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My lit'l ol' blog, Victory Rd. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Okay, popular is subjective. The only folks really missing me 'round these parts are Great-grandma, a few aunts, a small handful of friends, and a female cat in Washington D.C. named Moses. None the less, here I am! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So to get back into the rhythm of blogging I've decided on a "Throwback Thursday." Those of you that<a href="http://instagram.com/jonesidosio"> instagram </a>know what this is, but Great-grandma, my aunts, and Moses have no idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Throwback Thursday, better known as #tbt in the world of instagram and hashtags, is a weekly photo "throw back" to the past. It's not to be confused with "Flashback Friday" (known in the world of hashtag as #fbf), which is essentially the same thing, only it falls on... you guessed it, Friday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For this "Throwback Thursday" I'm gonna mix it up a bit and share not a photo, but a previous post from my blog. I've been blogging for more than 7 years, and like a good sitcom, I'm think'n there are some sweet <strike>episodes</strike> posts that ought to be rerun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So for this weeks #tbt (I'm planning on making a regular thing out of this), I'm sharing a blog post from August 2007, containing a short video of my then home schooling kindergartner, Josie, reading her first book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I chose this post because I'm feeling <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/08/sentimentally-ill.html">"sentimentally ill"</a> again. Monday Josie begins 7th grade, Emilie 10th, and Noah 11th... I'm wishing I could press rewind and that we could literally throwback and flashback. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Follow me on instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/jonesidosio">HERE. </a><a href="http://instagram.com/jonesidosio"> </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2007/08/5-down-175-more-to-go.html">Original Post: </a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">5 down, 175 more to go! </span></b></span><br />
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I am glad to say we have completed 5 of our 180 days of school (How many more days till fall break?).<br />
Here is one of my favorite moments from this school week- Josie reading her first book.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Oh how I miss her "r" less words. <br /><br /><br />See you next time when I bombard you with photos and details of every. single. thing. we did this summer. Just kidding... maybe. <br /><br /> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-48967056725774947692014-06-23T17:01:00.001-07:002014-06-24T12:46:10.437-07:00Brighter than a shooting star<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My girls...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">they are the cutest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The way they love each other...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">it's my favorite.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MY. ALL. TIME. FAVORITE! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They make their own<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-fun-list.html"> summer fun.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They're so glad to be together (it was hard on Josie having her bestie gone every day at <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-09-06T11:59:00-07:00&max-results=6">high school </a>this past school year), and are intentional about making memories together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They're so sweet... I could eat them up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One day last week they spent an entire day in Josie's room creating...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">they surprised us with this! </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/98875518" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Told you! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">THE CUTEST! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EVER!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;">Some of the lyrics to the song, "Shooting Star" ~ </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">'Cause it's time for you to shine </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Brighter than a shooting star</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">So shine no matter where you are</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Let your colors burn and brightly burst</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Into a million sparks that all disperse</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">And illuminate a world that'll try to bring you down</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">But not this time</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Brighter than a shooting star</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Shine no matter where you are </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">they <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/08/he-wins.html">suit my girls. </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every day <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170460275/you-are-my-sunshine-14x14-canavs?ref=shop_home_active_7">they shine </a>so much light into my life... </span><br />
<a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2013/09/and-i-cant-afford-it-but-its-mine.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I can't afford it, but it's mine! </span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Live in Peace,</span></span></span></i></span></span>
</span></span></b></span>
</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-84792056141715393472014-06-19T13:35:00.001-07:002014-06-20T07:37:41.287-07:00Tell <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love to tell stories.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is one story I have told more times than I can count. I've told it to waiters and waitresses, in the grocery line, at Target, while waiting for a prescription, to our old neighbors and our new ones, to my kids' friends, to their parents... to anybody and to everybody<b>. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's my But God story. </span></span><b><br /></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddQwOrG1RnsBiDnLLPgKN6gGon46iDieN7aLN5ckCBe2-143YbBGyAkF4WqLfi91eL4XmjPflc1A3dNx1Bmm0B5bQusNreK-qsnSM_QtDgDm-DBcfRxLs7litG010QlsZzaB_9xtuxQ/s1600/But+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ddQwOrG1RnsBiDnLLPgKN6gGon46iDieN7aLN5ckCBe2-143YbBGyAkF4WqLfi91eL4XmjPflc1A3dNx1Bmm0B5bQusNreK-qsnSM_QtDgDm-DBcfRxLs7litG010QlsZzaB_9xtuxQ/s1600/But+God.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's when I realized that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, was pursuing me. It's the story of how at 14, I heard and saw God with my own ears and my own eyes. It's not a made-up story. It's for real. <b>God. is. for. real. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the time my dad was a drug user. He did not claim me as his daughter
(he acknowledged my younger sister and half-brother as his). He was mean. Awful. I wanted him to want me so badly that whenever I saw him I'd approach him. I hoped he'd want me. Instead he called me "the daughter of
a whore" or a "little #&*@ing whore." Instead, he made it clear that he did.
not. want. me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(He was a drug user for 27 years, until 1998, when he was arrested. He currently resides in a state hospital, where he is being treated for Bipolar schizo-effective disorder). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was almost 3 my teenage mother left my younger sister and I, a routine visit to my paternal-grandparents turned into a 3 year stay. When I was 6 she
returned. I think she wanted to be ready to be a mom, but she wasn't. In the 12 years I lived with her she was preoccupied with men, and payed little attention to my sister and I. She was married, divorced, engaged, separated, married,
divorced, engaged, separated, married, divorced, married. I've had <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2010/03/7.html">7 "dads." </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So by the time I was 14 I was certain something was lacking in me. I was sure my parents had rejected and abandoned and continued to leave because I wasn't pretty, lovely or good enough... because I wasn't deserving. <a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/10/get-to-know-god-day-2.html">I was miserable</a>, and in my 14 year old mind had concluded that my life would always be this way. At that point I considered taking my life regularly. I tried once. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I see now that at the time God had intentionally placed classmates
in my life to draw me to Him (in fact, I can see that He had
thoughtfully placed individuals in my life from day one who would draw
me to Him). At the end of my freshman year of high school one of those
classmates invited me to join her that summer for a week at <a href="http://www.humelake.org/">Hume Lake Christian. </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By that point I wanted nothing to do with God. <i>If </i> there was a
God I had one question for Him, <b>"Why did you give me this life? I've
done nothing to deserve it."</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still, the thought of being away from my chaotic life for a week caused
me to pursue that week vacation; however, that pursuit was short lived as camp was
too costly for the daughter of a waitress.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/but-god.html">But God. </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One week before camp I received a call from my friend, who excitedly
informed me that another girl had cancelled, her spot was paid-in-full,
and her church wanted me to go in her place.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know now why God wooed me to a camp in the mountains. At camp my
vision wouldn't be obstructed by the lies that plagued me in my home in the
valley (both literally and emotionally). At camp I would see that God
wanted me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I went.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIWxn8udBDKHCB-0_-54WC7aCn-7Hao2dEtrsdnRp4vEI49h_Y99NNI4Sxq9yQbEwbLaQ1pRJW4oJx5wxYeG4FzGVTqXsbmFc9FRaLBHYDtexLg9RLaco9nlaEaPsl8GX9YseidTNvxQ/s1600/arrows+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIWxn8udBDKHCB-0_-54WC7aCn-7Hao2dEtrsdnRp4vEI49h_Y99NNI4Sxq9yQbEwbLaQ1pRJW4oJx5wxYeG4FzGVTqXsbmFc9FRaLBHYDtexLg9RLaco9nlaEaPsl8GX9YseidTNvxQ/s1600/arrows+.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hume Lake was breathtaking. The camp experience was like no other, and I was invigorated by the activities, games, being part of community, 3 meals a day, the singing (my favorite), and especially by the people who poured into me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That week the speaker shared that<span style="color: #45818e;"> <b>"God is a father who will never leave or forsake us." Psalm 27:10 </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He also shared <b><span style="color: #45818e;">Romans 8:38-39 </span></b> <b><span style="color: #45818e;">"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He shared how God gave His son, Jesus, to take on Himself man's sin which separates us from perfect God. Jesus was punished in our place through a painful death on a cross. <b>But God</b>. 3 days later Jesus came back to life! And by believing in Him we can have a new and whole life, too! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted that. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>All of it.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I longed to be wanted.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I begged to be permanently and unconditionally loved.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted a whole life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>And here was the God of heaven and earth so intimately telling me 'I want that for you, and you will find it in me.'</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And on June 19, 1988 I expressed that<b> I believed Him.</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SvB-_Lbukyp3aPcmkkXFg3wq0krFngetwrwBjuttVk4hH08yBc_8mV3C6hfQgYWdcHSRXcpkxJhFMNidwTa0rwf8NVO2Zcbm_YCbpVXSZs5KkEHE-VWQv-EeSwKoIpIUmMSsne-neP4/s1600/victory+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SvB-_Lbukyp3aPcmkkXFg3wq0krFngetwrwBjuttVk4hH08yBc_8mV3C6hfQgYWdcHSRXcpkxJhFMNidwTa0rwf8NVO2Zcbm_YCbpVXSZs5KkEHE-VWQv-EeSwKoIpIUmMSsne-neP4/s1600/victory+.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span> </b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fast forward to 15 years later. I wanted to go back to Hume Lake to
celebrate my 15th "birthday" with my husband and 3 young children; to
take them to the mountain where my life began.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We hadn't told anyone of our plans. We were financially strapped and our plan was to camp there for a couple of days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/04/but-god.html">BUT GOD. </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was approached by a couple from our church, who mentioned that they
had a cabin at Hume Lake, a cabin that they wanted us to use <b>for free!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God wanted me at Hume Lake. With Him. Again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One morning while there I took a long morning walk. During my walk
around Hume, I looked back and thanked God for 15 years earlier- for the rescuing, lavished love, healing and blessing He had generously poured
into me over the years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And as I talked with Him I recalled the question I'd had for Him 15 years earlier and said, "15 years ago I came here with one question, 'Why did you
give me this life, I've done nothing to deserve it?' And today, today, I have
the same question for You, 'Why did you give me <i>this </i>life, I've done nothing to deserve it!'</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">*********************************************************************************</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>We did not tell you cleverly invented stories </i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>when we told you about
the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, </i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>but we were eye witnesses
of his majesty. </i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><b>II Peter 1:16 </b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">And that is why I tell stories. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">My stories aren't cleverly invented stories, they're my firsthand account of how the GOD of heaven and earth pursued and continues to pursue me! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><b>I tell stories because I have to</b>... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
Because I want so much for you to know Him; to know what it is like to belong to the One who made you and knows you and wants you... Who is wild about YOU! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because I want so much for you to live in the love of One True God, Who loves you higher and wider and longer and deeper than you can grasp or image. Seriously, His love is the best ever! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And because I want so much for you to live a whole life. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Live in Peace,</span></span></span></span></i></span>
<br />
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855892413122659715.post-36768931282990022762014-06-14T20:54:00.002-07:002014-06-14T21:19:07.557-07:00726 Days<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Q6YUHdsK_ZvTdZUqPQS-g0MEayIsunQGD9mCtQa5VpBP79lTZJsiaSAFADyci-ivcXYeW2ngPzAQawX3VFc3LF9MgEbTYVkB834UeoDEO7t_nzRuose9qZNhee7rGaoIUZNsD8kYu8/s1600/noah+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_Q6YUHdsK_ZvTdZUqPQS-g0MEayIsunQGD9mCtQa5VpBP79lTZJsiaSAFADyci-ivcXYeW2ngPzAQawX3VFc3LF9MgEbTYVkB834UeoDEO7t_nzRuose9qZNhee7rGaoIUZNsD8kYu8/s1600/noah+a.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Noah graduates from high school in less than 2 years... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in 726 days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_DnfcoWWZpBU52Wvr0mhVtmReIrP8ZaK_K8BW5k_cVck0FDGEaE_B0o5Qe8l23QUxuNuM2yrVJrtNdn4ByfzYb72X4qBKyulRiVLqwVDBZYVKU85B9oPib3u62qb7wMoFFeW9Yw2L0I/s1600/noah+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_DnfcoWWZpBU52Wvr0mhVtmReIrP8ZaK_K8BW5k_cVck0FDGEaE_B0o5Qe8l23QUxuNuM2yrVJrtNdn4ByfzYb72X4qBKyulRiVLqwVDBZYVKU85B9oPib3u62qb7wMoFFeW9Yw2L0I/s1600/noah+b.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm counting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not counting down the days until he can go. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-nc_HlcGFLJ3v4pPZt0_XShcq92HwkxuHURTIx0VN1fRitgtZzyX2lHY0VuP0LDYYCM67uhCBZEFhTYx8Zd41WeGQ7nthwoGFpgr40AcGx-Z68s3RBG1WOk6wjQN0vDBVlhnz3jyb9o/s1600/noah+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-nc_HlcGFLJ3v4pPZt0_XShcq92HwkxuHURTIx0VN1fRitgtZzyX2lHY0VuP0LDYYCM67uhCBZEFhTYx8Zd41WeGQ7nthwoGFpgr40AcGx-Z68s3RBG1WOk6wjQN0vDBVlhnz3jyb9o/s1600/noah+c.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I'm counting the days</b> I have left- </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Sy86eB8Hl6-8Fp_4toU2Bhn8Ypa5uEYiON6Pmh-7b3ZmXiNWkN_1hYIAfDyH7gOHT9SxUDWvleJUQ9tSRTMwqkky0hUP9Z9-ILr1UtiJsbJXhRTYdo8lpIt0ZRb8ekUa-6PIwUr_zk/s1600/noah+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Sy86eB8Hl6-8Fp_4toU2Bhn8Ypa5uEYiON6Pmh-7b3ZmXiNWkN_1hYIAfDyH7gOHT9SxUDWvleJUQ9tSRTMwqkky0hUP9Z9-ILr1UtiJsbJXhRTYdo8lpIt0ZRb8ekUa-6PIwUr_zk/s1600/noah+d.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> the 726 days that are mine. </span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240575765252692365noreply@blogger.com3