tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48237391533350625492024-03-14T01:50:43.795-07:00Beautifully SimpleWife and Mom navigating through the simple life with a lot of grace, love, and laughter. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-74862272213295696092017-01-30T20:25:00.000-08:002017-01-30T20:25:49.448-08:00Building A Bigger Table<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Noonday Collection world we have a saying that states when a table becomes full, we just build a bigger table.<br /><br />I love the imagery of gathering around a table.<br /><br />There is so much life that happens around tables. Strangers becoming friends, families sharing intimate moments, hearts and bellies becoming full, mourning and celebrations often all take place around a table.<br /><br />You know who else often found himself gathering around a table, Jesus.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus even chose to gather around a table with his closest followers just days before his death. <br /><br />Over the past several years, I have heard more and more people draw attention to the fact that Jesus essentially surrounded himself with only a handful of people, his 12 disciples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This focus has lead to an increased rationalizing of small, secluded groups in churches and the American Christian community. After all, if Jesus only had twelve close friends, then shouldn't I, right?<br /><br />Having a few, safe, close friends to share life with is great. We all need people to listen to us and speak life into us when we need it. Please hear this, having a small group of people you can trust and confide in is a good thing.<br /><br />The problem comes when we are so consumed with only saturating ourselves with our people, we fail to share Jesus with anyone not sitting at our table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> You see, friends, Jesus' plan in surrounding himself with the twelve was so that he could eventually build a bigger table.<br /><br />Jesus knew he had limited days to teach the good news. He had limited days to pour into what would become his bride, the church. He had limited days to prepare the people to share his sacrifice with the entire world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He had to saturate himself into the twelve, so that the twelve could saturate the world with Jesus. The plan was always to reach further than the few. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The sole purpose of teaching those close to him well was so they would be equipped and ready to share with everyone else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we as followers of Jesus want to live as Jesus lived, our purpose in drawing close to the few has to be so we can ultimately reach more people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We must always be willing and ready to build a bigger table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That, of course, begins with sharing our table with a few.<br /><br />Gather with a few, yes.<br /><br />Then pull up more chairs.<br /><br />Then when there is no longer room for more chairs, build a bigger table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The message of Jesus is one of inclusion, shouldn't we mimic that.</span><br /><br /><i>For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him</i>. John 3:17, NIV<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-44665051419761011352016-11-11T16:33:00.002-08:002016-11-11T17:05:37.244-08:00When New Lenses Are Needed...<div style="text-align: center;">
Deep in the "trenches" of Motherhood holding hands with an almost 4 year old and carrying a small babe, I froze in the middle of the Kroger parking lot at the scene playing out before me. I watched as my husband handed over an entire bag of candy to a shocked bell ringer in a red vest standing in the cold next to her red bucket. I watched as the words "you are the best bell ringer, you bring so much joy to everyone around. I know you purchase the candy you give to the kids out of pocket and I wanted to bless you today" left my husbands lips and a tear filled woman embraced him into a beautiful hug before he made his way back to his banking job inside.<br />
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I managed to begin walking and called to catch up with him. He didn't know we had been standing there and was excited to see us. My googly eyes were showing as he shared how she really is the most joyful bell ringer he has ever seen and he figures he can spare a couple dollars to help her do it. </div>
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I don't remember the events prior to getting out of our car to walk inside the store. I don't remember what we did the rest of the day. I don't remember what silly spat Caleb and I were likely in the middle of. <br />
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What I remember is how proud I was to be married to that man. A man who sees the best in people. A man who is kind. A man who loves well in his own way. A man who makes my world and the world around us better. </div>
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I fully believe God intervened and allowed me to witness my husbands kindness that day. I needed to see him through a different lens. I needed to take off my exhausted mom of littles glasses. I needed a new perspective. I needed to know that boy who wooed me with his heart for others was still there. I needed to know that there was hope. I needed to know we were going to be okay.<br />
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I tell you this today because I think a lot of us need to remove our lenses and find a new perspective. The recent election and events surrounding it have fogged up our glasses. Division, fear, and hopelessness have crippled us as a nation on all sides of the spectrum. We are indeed facing a critical moment, but it has nothing to do with who holds the presidential office.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />When we stop valuing humanity and simple acts of kindness, we are setting ourselves up for failure.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
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When fear guides our steps, our steps become about self preservation. Self preservation leads to division and division destroys. </div>
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We have an opportunity as a nation, a church, and as individuals to show the world that although we disagree, we value each other. We have an opportunity to show that America isn't great because of one office, but because we believe people, all people, have worth.</div>
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We have an opportunity to show the world that when things get hard, we take the kind road. The road that will repair and unite.<br />
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If you are feeling discouraged this week, I understand.<br />
If you are feeling sad, I am sorry and I get it.<br />
If you are worried, I share in your thoughts.<br />
If you are angry, feel it and release it.</div>
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But, don't let these feelings define or cripple you.<br />
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We have ugly things in our past. We will have ugly, hard things in our future. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We can be a nation that wallows in those ugly, hard things or we can be a nation that learns, reconciles, and makes the needed changes. </b></span></div>
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Trade out those old, foggy glasses for shiny, clear ones. Allow yourself to see the good in our world. Tell the stories of hope. Get to work spreading kindness like wildfire. Hug someone different than you. Send an encouraging card. Buy someone some candy, coffee, or a donut.<br />
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We can not move forward if we are paralyzed by fear, anger, and hate.<br />
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Personally, I am so ready to move forward. I would hate to leave anyone behind. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-72518628361658007122015-08-18T08:18:00.001-07:002015-08-18T08:28:38.063-07:00For The Love of Jen Hatmaker<div style="text-align: center;">
Today this book is released into the wild for all the world. </div>
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I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of<i> For The Love</i> by Jen Hatmaker back in March when I was chosen to be a part of her launch team.<br />
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I found myself literally cry laughing out loud one second and then ugly crying the next. I laughed, I cried, I shouted Amen and Preach it sister.<br />
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This book is filled with hilarity, but also hard truths.<br />
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Lets list a few, shall we...<br />
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"We are not promised a pain free life, but are given the tools to survive: God and people. It is enough."<br />
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"If doctrine elevates a women's married-with-children status as her highest calling, it isn't true because that omits single believers(whose status Paul considers preferable), widows, the childless by choice or fate or loss, the divorced, and the celibate gay..... Theology is either true everywhere or it isn't true anywhere."</div>
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"Truth creates a sincere community for which the earth is starving."<br />
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On parenting:<br />
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"They must be allowed to wrestle without being shamed, or they'll default to their open-armed peers and we will lost them."</div>
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"I pray for your kindness more than your success, because the latter without the former is a tragedy."<br />
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"We must shepherd their hearts, not their hemlines."<br />
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On Christians:</div>
"Our shared redemption should keep us grateful and kind, because what other response can even make sense?"<br />
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"May the world see a thankful, committed family who loves their God, adores their Savior, and can't get enough of one another. This is a story that saves, a story that heals, and the right story to tell."<br />
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Y'all. This book is filled with nuggets of truth and so much more.<br />
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Grab some copies, pass them out to your friends, pour some coffee, and enjoy. This is the kind of book you will want to share with friends.<br />
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You can get it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0718031822/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d20_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0FQPM06Y59VR2AJTW1PM&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop">here</a>.<br />
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Another favorite nugget from this book is on calling and theological truth is "If it isn't true for a poor single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn't true." <br />
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Gah. If that doesn't hit you where it hurts, I don't know what will.<br />
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Jen teamed up with Noonday Collection to create this bracelet. It was made in Haiti and provides sustainable work to Haitian moms. Also, $5 from each sold goes to Help One Now. You can purchase this reminder of truth <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/Pws/AmberBarrett/store/AMUS/product/For-the-Love-Bracelet,2527,396.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOBz8XZopOouYS8fcqFGngoTm6jMwK-A1EZ2XOatu2FW2tDE4Sfj1TSdem-I_chAj8fDqf9itAQ1gP-gjeuedJh35szy2uhocgWr33z3LDmhUq09eJZjpALBz4lSxqfcOALuyQiajvYI/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOBz8XZopOouYS8fcqFGngoTm6jMwK-A1EZ2XOatu2FW2tDE4Sfj1TSdem-I_chAj8fDqf9itAQ1gP-gjeuedJh35szy2uhocgWr33z3LDmhUq09eJZjpALBz4lSxqfcOALuyQiajvYI/s320/IMG_3905.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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PS. You can go to this <a href="http://forthelovebook.com/">link</a>, click through the endorsements and you might see a familiar name. *Hint*It's mine* ;)<br />
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Happy Reading, friends.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-77109014622861392302015-05-11T06:43:00.000-07:002015-05-11T06:43:16.336-07:00Winner...<br />
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Thank you all for entering the giveaway! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The winner of the necklace is Sunshine Robbins.</i></span></b></div>
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<br />Congratulations, Sunshine, I will get the necklace to you soon! </div>
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If you didn't win, you can still purchase one of your own <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/AmberBarrett/tabs/home.aspx">here</a>. OR you can host a trunk show to earn free product. </div>
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<br />Thanks again to everyone who entered! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-22097258973059035582015-05-01T07:00:00.000-07:002015-05-01T19:03:28.366-07:00Mother's Day Giveaway!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday I shared <a href="http://alcbarrett.blogspot.com/2015/04/that-time-i-was-called-bad-mom-early.html?showComment=1430447121995#c997851214056537300"> this </a> post about Motherhood. It received a lot of love. Thank you for so many kind words. The stories and words you shared with me confirmed that mother's need all the support and confidence boosts they can get.<br />
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I passionately believe that mothers should feel confident and empowered. I believe confident and empowered women will raise confident and capable children.<br />
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I, also, love how much Noonday Collection values family and women near and far. </div>
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When you purchase from Noonday you are allowing parents to keep their families together and provide basic needs. You are giving women, who may not be able to otherwise, a job and hope. </div>
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Mothers around the world are given value, while being able to effectively care for their children. <br />
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It is a beautiful mission and am so excited to be apart of it. </div>
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In honor of Mother's Day and my new role as an Ambassador for Noonday, I am hosting a giveaway for one lucky person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5iKMVlqvo2WrILeIa2ylWlcjtOmjVElUr3w56ytapniy-4-Z532vvbwAa9__sHaNTnJTtcjBYtJ8iMF03-BzqfkhGGawNRl-N7bNL8Cakbm4lyFO8aGUIoRAPrXLgc1bq7MHohZ1Bg8/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5iKMVlqvo2WrILeIa2ylWlcjtOmjVElUr3w56ytapniy-4-Z532vvbwAa9__sHaNTnJTtcjBYtJ8iMF03-BzqfkhGGawNRl-N7bNL8Cakbm4lyFO8aGUIoRAPrXLgc1bq7MHohZ1Bg8/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Sparkling Necklace in sea green is a combination of handcrafted paper beads, rhinestones, and seed beads. It is made with {love} in Uganda. It can stand alone as a pop of color or be layered to give a more trendy look. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0Pt_9wYCpx0GZMNz6yRynbQaF7pRGvazUxEa1kLsRfh-yqPas7Z2Fad-xdi30PEFTKOnDVyz39G9xRLJd7HUlaRAITouFzqNL6_VyXaaILIac_wo3p__uuEgSmnrXEqnYyBcFWtLVWs/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0Pt_9wYCpx0GZMNz6yRynbQaF7pRGvazUxEa1kLsRfh-yqPas7Z2Fad-xdi30PEFTKOnDVyz39G9xRLJd7HUlaRAITouFzqNL6_VyXaaILIac_wo3p__uuEgSmnrXEqnYyBcFWtLVWs/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
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I love this necklace. The paper beads make it very light and comfortable to wear, while the rhinestones give it some sparkle and added character. I am wearing it below along with the leather leaf earrings. </div>
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The necklace is valued at $36, but you could win one here for FREE.<br />
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<b>To Enter:</b></div>
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Simply leave a comment on this post for one entry.<br />
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<b>Additional Entries:</b></div>
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If you make any purchase from my <a href="http://www.amberbarrett.noondaycollection.com/">Noonday site</a> today - 5/9, you will earn another 2 entries. (This can be associated with a trunk show or just through my site)<br />
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If you schedule a date to host your own Noonday trunk show to earn more free product and style your friends during the months of May - July, you will earn another 2 entries.</div>
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I will post the winner on Mother's Day! </div>
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Good Luck!<br />
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I would love to share more about Noonday and the purpose behind it with you. For more information, email me at alcbarrett@gmail.com and I will gladly get back with you. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-82056992164604872992015-04-30T08:47:00.000-07:002015-04-30T19:37:20.492-07:00That time I was called a bad mom... (An Early Mother's Day Post)<div style="text-align: center;">
"You need to fix this. You need to do something about your kid. You are a bad mom." </div>
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These are the words I remember. I have no idea if these were the words actually said. They were definitely the words I heard. </div>
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I don't know what day of the week it was. I don't know what I was wearing. I don't know what the weather was like outside. I just know that this is a morning that I will never forget. </div>
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I was working full time outside the home and commuting to and from work. Brady was about 2 and in an in home daycare.<br />
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Brady was a biter.<br />
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He used biting as a way to communicate and deal with conflict. </div>
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It was awful. I remember saying to Caleb one night, "I don't know how to do this. Its not like I get mad at you and start biting you. If that were the case maybe I could figure out what to do. Also, I am at work when the majority of the biting takes place. I just don't know what else to do." </div>
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This particular day Brady had bit one little girl at daycare one too many times and her mother had had enough. So she decided to very clearly let me know what she thought of my son, his biting, my parenting ability, and the situation. </div>
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I calmly(meaning I managed to keep from breaking down into a puddle of snot and tears until she left) listened to her case. I tried to validate her concerns and apologize for the umpteenth time. I tried to express our side and that we feel terrible that our little creation is causing harm to your little creation and we are trying to remedy the situation. It is just so hard to do 8 hours after the incident.<br />
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She wasn't amused nor did she care about our side. She wanted her precious baby to stop coming home with teeth marks, and rightly so. </div>
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On top of the, er, <i>conversation </i>that had just unfolded, I was a hot mess AND I was late for work. Awesome. </div>
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It was an ugly few days. </div>
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I already felt an unbelievable amount of guilt from leaving my child with some else 5 days a week. I felt guilty for spending over an hour in the car each day away from him. I felt guilty for date nights. I felt guilty for spending time with friends. I felt guilty for the biting. I felt guilty for enjoying my work, my drive to work, and time with my husband. I felt guilt for being late to work. I felt guilty for thinking about being late when my child obviously needed me. I felt guilty for not being fully present at work. </div>
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But most of all, I felt like a really, really bad mom. </div>
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Every insecurity and fear I had in this motherhood journey, had just been vocalized by another mother. </div>
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It took days before I agreed to pick up or drop off Brady at daycare. I was a mess. </div>
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This stands as one of the worst moments of being a mom to date for me. This is still a story I reluctantly share. It will take loads of courage to publish this. </div>
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It's a story I need to share, though. </div>
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You see, I am not a bad mom. I am a good mom. I love my children. I just had a moment when I let someone else's words define my abilities. </div>
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The thing is, though, bad moms they do exist. </div>
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Let me be clear, IF you are reading this, YOU are likely NOT a bad mom. </div>
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But they do exist. </div>
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I have met them, maybe you have too. </div>
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I have sat across from babies who have suffered seizures and brain damage because their mother sold their formula for drugs and only fed the infant tap water. </div>
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I have watched a little girl with cigarette burns covering her arms play with my hair while counseling her Foster parent as she explains how the mother inflicted each wound.<br />
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I have listened to a young woman cry her eyes out because her own mother completely abandoned her and now she is becoming a mother and she is so afraid of becoming like her own mother. </div>
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I have listened to a young mom un-apologetically admit to opening her bedroom door to multiple men while her child watched in the same room. </div>
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I don't claim to be an expert or know all the details to these situations. My experience in this area is limited. Many of these situations are much more involved than an one sentence summary.<br />
However, my experience opened my world to parents who don't put the needs of their children first. Parents who aren't good parents. </div>
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The good news is, good parents, they exist too. </div>
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The only non-existent parent is the perfect parent. </div>
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I don't want my children to look back and think wow my mom was perfect. (Trust me, they won't.) I do want them to look back and think my mom tried as hard as she could. I want them to see a woman, who faced hard, ugly days, but didn't give up. A woman who got up and did what she needed to do no matter what. A mom who loved them so much her love made her a little crazy. It made her doubt and second guess every single thing she said or did. It kept her up at night thinking of how she could have done today better. <i>A love that makes her yell like a wild banshee at the t-ball field. </i></div>
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I want them to see a mom who failed daily, but asked for forgiveness, extended and accepted lots of grace, and learned to be better and love greater the next time. </div>
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I want them to remember a home filled with love and TONS of grace. Because, at the end of the day, that is what we all need, love and grace, parents and kids alike. </div>
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And the great thing about grace is that those, <i>bad moms, </i>the ones who really are bad or the ones who have just had bad moments, grace can cover them too. They can turn things around and become one of the crazy, good moms too. </div>
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I may not know you or your situation as a mom personally, but this is what I do know.<br />
If you feel like you are screwing it up every single day and you sit awake wondering if you are doing it all okay, then you are likely one of the good ones. </div>
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At the end of it all, that is what makes you a good one, the desire to do this job as well as possible, not a label, not a moment, not a decision, not a status. </div>
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So as we approach Mother's Day lets embrace the imperfection of this role, lets join together and say I just want to have more good moments than ugly moments, and toss those unrealistic expectations and all the labels out the window.<br />
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<b>Lets wear the one label we truly love with pride and simply be Mom.</b><br />
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In honor of Mother's Day approaching, I am hosting a giveaway beginning tomorrow to celebrate the value of women and moms around the world. Stay tuned...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-81997921417333936042015-04-28T09:55:00.001-07:002015-04-28T09:55:29.063-07:00Noonday Collection Ambassador<div style="text-align: center;">
I am wrapping up my first month in my new adventure as a Noonday Ambassador. I realized I haven't mentioned that here. </div>
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I took a leap of faith and decided to join Noonday Collection as an Ambassador.<br /><br />I am so excited to start this journey. I have learned so much in the past few weeks and am excited to extend the mission and ideas behind this beautiful company with you. </div>
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Noonday Collection is a business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. We do this by creating an international marketplace for artisans around the world in your home through trunk shows. Together we provide dignified jobs in vulnerable communities. We develop artisans through fair trade and work together to develop a flourishing world.<br /><br />The Noonday products are beautiful and unique, but the stories behind the product are even more beautiful.<br /><br />I would love to share more about this company and my role as an Ambassador with you. </div>
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I will be hosting a giveaway later this week in honor of this new journey and Mother's Day, so stay tuned. </div>
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Until then feel free to check out my site <a href="http://www.amberbarrett.noondaycollection.com/">here</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-66684896004191370042015-03-14T18:28:00.000-07:002015-03-20T07:11:56.781-07:00Unity and Hope Through Humanity<div style="text-align: center;">
I stood in a hot, crowded, dirty hospital room nestling a brand new, tiny baby in my arms in the middle of SE Asia. Prayers were going up in three different languages while the new life in my arms began to whimper. I slide off to the side, repositioned, and bounced away the whimpers. As I was standing there, I caught myself whispering words over this beautiful baby boy. "Lord, protect this life, guide his parents, develop the bond with his twin brother. Lord, let them see you. Lord, let them see you! Let them see you!" </div>
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This moment might be one of the most precious moments of my life to date, right there with holding my own babies for the first time. It wasn't expected. God led us to this woman and new life. I didn't know what to expect when we climbed the long ramp and entered the crowded room. I was dying to get my momma hands on one of the precious babes, but wasn't sure if I would be allowed. When the baby was placed in my arms, I was filled with so much love and joy, the rest of the world faded away. </div>
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My vision became tunnel vision only able to see one thing. </div>
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<b>All I saw was raw and real humanity.</b> </div>
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I became blind to the dirt, the heat, the smells, and all the other cringe worthy concerns of that hospital. In that moment, I no longer felt pity or worried about contamination or the like. </div>
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I had to later process the conditions of that overcrowded hospital room, but in that moment<i> all I could see were people. </i></div>
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People. Real people. Real life. </div>
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People excited to welcome new life. People worried about bills, pain, and adjusting to life with 2 babies. People mourning loss of life in one bed while rejoicing together with new life in the other. </div>
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<b>The conditions, the circumstances, and the culture might have been different, but the emotions, fears, and love filling that room were the same. </b></div>
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I have stories on top of stories about our recent trip to SE Asia. I love sharing them. I love that they have helped rewrite the way I see things. I love that when I talk with my friend Lauren, I know who and what she is referring to.</div>
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Most of the stories must be told by mouth, in living rooms or on porches over cups of coffee and glasses of sweet tea. I had such an opportunity last weekend to fill my living room with 15 sweet friends and smother them will all the SE Asia I could muster. It was intimate, beautiful, and fun. We laughed, we cried, we walked through muddied waters, and mapped out the path God is weaving in that city. </div>
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Though, If I could only share one thing with you from our trip, it would be this. </div>
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These people, the poor, oppressed, searching, lost, etc. people, they are real. </div>
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They aren't just some idea or cause.<br />
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They aren't untouchable, dumb, or another statistic. </div>
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<b><br />They are real people walking through hurt, loss, love, life, and beauty. </b><br />
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They are much more the same than they are different. </div>
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They are human, feeling all the feels and dreaming all the dreams.</div>
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Just like you. </div>
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You are not just a label, personality, degree, or career. You are a person. A real breathing, feeling, dreaming person. How would you feel if you were only identified by your bank account, <i>or lack thereof?</i> </div>
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I could give you about 9 million 'differences' between the SE Asia land and the American land I stand on. I could dissect how things are better and worse in each place. I have had a lot to process, take in, and attempt to wrap my mind around. There is a place and time for all of those things. </div>
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But seeing people as human, that is the lesson to take away. </div>
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Our humanity is what unites us. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">We can gather around the throne and unite in Jesus, because at the end of the day, regardless of where we come from, go, or what language leaves our lips, <i>we are all human</i>. </span></b></div>
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People searching for something greater than ourselves. People searching for love, grace, and acceptance while finding our way through this crazy gift of life. </div>
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And Jesus, he joins us in that, because, likewise, he tasted humanity.<br />
He felt it, lived it, and died in it. </div>
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The specifics and details may be different, but the emotions, challenges, and processes are so much of the same. </div>
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Oh, the hope that comes from this. </div>
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<b>We can overcome differences, mistakes, and failures when we see others as human. When we only see differences, mistakes, and failures, we fail to see people as human. When we fail to see humanity as human, we lose all hope. </b></div>
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My prayer upon returning has repeatedly been, "Lord, let me see people as you see them, as created, beautiful, broken people". </div>
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When we simply begin to see people as people, without all the labels, we can slowly start to change the world.<br />
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Let's start to change the world...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-67287774414927922552015-02-13T19:38:00.001-08:002015-02-13T19:47:17.103-08:00Traveling, Motherhood, and Jesus<div style="text-align: center;">
The summer of 2013 I loaded my 4 year old and my 11 month old into a car and began a 12 plus hour drive north with a group from our church while my husband stayed home for work. We would spend a week providing a Vacation Bible School and helping the local church reach the community. Before we even left the parking lot, Presley had covered herself and car seat in granola bar. I was beginning to regret my decision...<br />
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Thinking the trip was just too hard.<br />
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It was hard. It was exhausting. It almost pushed me to my breaking point at times.<br />
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But it was also beautiful.<br />
Jesus met me in the form of community, support, and coffee. I saw Jesus in friends when they offered to nap with Presley despite her protests. I saw Jesus when another drove me to the store. I felt His presence as I read Bible stories to children who had never heard of Paul, James, or John. Jesus was there in the car as my children patiently and quietly took in the long drive. He held my hand and pushed me forward. He whispered words of validation and encouragement through various voices. I was surrounded by hands, feet, and voices of Jesus. I wasn't alone. It was beautiful because I found so much peace underneath the hard.<br />
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I learned quickly when we step out of comfort and answer the call of Jesus, <i>He shows up. Right there. Right where we are. Right when we need him</i>.<br />
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My children learned about servant hood, trusting the Father, a sense of community, and a worldview that expands farther than our back yard was forming.</div>
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<b>I am a huge advocate for showing the world to your children. </b></div>
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I am also, simultaneously, a huge advocate for not losing your identity in your children.<br />
While I agree there is a time to share the world with your children, there is also a time to see it for yourself. A time to be intentional, free from distraction, and fully present to dream dreams and grow relationships.<br />
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It is just as much a gift to them that I remain my own person, with her own dreams, desires, and plans.<br />
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Just as my faith is not my children's faith, my children's faith is not my own.<br />
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I must leave room for myself to continue learning, growing, and searching.<br />
I must leave room for them to learn, grow, and search <i>without me</i>.<br />
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Sometimes that comes in the form of sleepovers, school, or date nights.<br />
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This past January it came in the form of a trip. A trip not for our entire family, but for just Caleb and I. A trip I didn't anticipate. I trip I had unknowingly prayed for. A trip that would test if my trust in God matched the words of my mouth. </div>
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<b><i>I had fears and doubts, but my desire to serve the Lord and experience the world was greater than the fear of leaving my children. </i></b></div>
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<i><b>The desire to teach my children bravery and trust outweighed the fear of all that could go wrong. </b></i><br />
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There were moments, though, when fear won.<br />
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Once again when I was weak, God showed up. He showed up in the form of texts messages of kindness and encouragement. Jesus showed up when an unbelievable amount of hands offered to care for my babies. He showed up in the form of checks tucked into our hands during sincere hugs. Jesus showed up in the countless prayers and thoughts on our behalf. He showed up in long overdue hugs and late night laughs with great conversation. He was there in hospital rooms, on walks, and in the market.<br />
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He showed up when I watched my husband soak up a culture and language beautifully. I watched him through a lens of peace, love, and intention rather than a lens of distraction and bitterness. The lens I wear far too often when arguing with a 6 year old and being mauled by a 2 year old.<br />
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He showed up when opportunity after opportunity to speak His name and show His goodness arrived while we were visiting.<br />
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He showed up in the prayer of my son while were gone that in so many words said keep my mom and dad safe while they are showing Jesus to others away from home.<br />
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<i>He showed up. Right there. Right where I was. Right when I needed him.</i><br />
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After we returned home, we were all in the car. Brady had forgotten something and was trying with all his might to not cry. He hugged the handmade elephant we had brought him and tightly clenched his eyes. I looked back and said, "Brady we are home. We are safe. You don't have to worry anymore."<br />
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He responded with words no parent wants to hear, "Why did you have to go without me?"<br />
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I held back my alligator tears and channeled my best Danny Tanner voice while the this-is-the-lesson-moment music played in the back ground.<br />
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<i>"Brady, one day you are going to come home and say Mom! a group is going to Haiti, Uganda, London(you fill in the blank) and I want to go too. I am going to reply, I want to go too. Lets go together. You will say Mom, I want to go alone. I need to do this without you. <br /><br />And I will say Okay, you can go. <br /><br />And you will go and it will be great. And I will be proud.</i><br />
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<i> You will go because you are brave. You will have confidence and trust because I had confidence and trust. And I hope you will remember how I was brave and that you can draw strength from that.</i>"<br />
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These words spilled out of my mouth before I had a chance to think.<br />
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Caleb quickly responded whoa, that was good. <br />
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Brady quickly responded I want to go to Tokyo. <br />
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I am in constant prayer that<b> I am raising</b> independent, contributing, kind humans who love God and their neighbors near and far. People who will enhance the Kingdom and speak Jesus.<br />
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I am also in constant prayer that <b>I am </b>an independent, contributing, kind human who loves God and my neighbor near and far. A person who enhances the Kingdom and speaks Jesus.<br />
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There will come a day my children will have to decided for their own whom they will follow, I will not be there to guide them. I will not be there to tell them. I will not be there to do it for them. It will be their journey and their's alone.<br />
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And I will be left on my own journey without them.<br />
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So show your children the world. Serve right along side of them. Yes!<br />
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But also see the world for yourself. Cultivate your relationships. Serve even when no one is watching. Yes!<br />
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And lets put our trust and faith in God for the rest because He is able.<br />
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<i>"Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you."<br /> - 1 Peter 5:7</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-54560753174503303302015-02-10T07:44:00.001-08:002015-02-10T07:44:42.017-08:00Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13638323/?claim=wxnx8643c5r">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-32236752634681568642015-01-01T11:48:00.001-08:002015-01-01T11:48:46.998-08:00New Year. New Opportunities.<div style="text-align: center;">
Gifts have all been opened. We have overindulged in yummy food. The Christmas lights have been unplugged, the ornaments carefully wrapped, and the tree stuffed away until next year. We have counted down and welcomed 2015 with excitement. </div>
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Monday will officially end our 'winter break'. It is typical for this to be a bittersweet time for me. I love the holidays. I love every stinking bit of it. I am always a little sad to see it wind down. When most people are ready to retreat and slow down, I long to keep running at full speed. On the other hand, I am ready for routine schedules, eating, and sleeping to return for everyone. </div>
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January is normally one of my least favorite months. It just seems so sad, deflated, and lonely for me. </div>
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This year things are incredibly different.</div>
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I have been clinging to the holidays because, if I am honest, they have served as a beautiful distraction to what lies ahead in 2015. </div>
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Caleb and I were presented with an opportunity to lead a small group to travel to encourage and support our friends in South East Asia (SEA). The trip would consist of 10 days in the month of January. </div>
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When we were first presented with the opportunity back in the fall, I was a little surprised and shocked, but Oh. So. Excited and honored. I asked Caleb what he thought about it and he was enthusiastically, no hesitation, feet first ALL in. It was the perfect response, the response I needed.<br />
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<i>I am unbearably thankful he is the one I get to share this crazy life with.</i></div>
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I desperately wanted to be that confident with my yes, however my mommy heart and mind nagged at me. Ten days away from our small children. Both parents on extensive plane routes away from our babies. Thousands of miles separating us from our precious little ones. Can I do this? Should I do this?</div>
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Then the what ifs began. I have spent many nights swirling all the things that could go wrong around in my mind. </div>
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It went something like this..</div>
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Yes, Lets go! <i> Wait! What will we do with our children.</i></div>
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This will be affordable.<i> No, even with the assistance, we cant afford this. </i></div>
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10 days isn't that long<i>. 10 days will be way to hard on Presley. </i></div>
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Brady will be distracted by school. <i> What if Brady needs me while in school?</i></div>
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Caleb and I can spend some great experiences together and strengthen our relationship.<i> Oh no, both parents will be gone, if something goes wrong. </i></div>
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Our children will see our example of trusting the Lord with all our heart and hopefully live a life without fear<i>. But I am a little afraid. </i></div>
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The kids will be fine. <i>What if they aren't? </i></div>
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We will be fine.<i> What if we aren't?</i></div>
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Exhausting I know. This is only a taste of what it is like to live in my head.</div>
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To some it might seem silly. To some it is also your reality. </div>
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Most of the time I put an end to them by praying each one of them away before allowing myself to be taken over by sleep. </div>
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Amazingly, nearly all fears have been alleviated in the most unexpected of ways. </div>
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I have been repeatedly reminded that the God I serve is incredibly more capable than I give Him credit. </div>
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But still... As each fear is alleviated, I allow my mind to create new ones. </div>
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The holidays provided the perfect distraction for all my fears, concerns, and even excitement. </div>
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Now they are over. January is here and the trip is rapidly approaching. </div>
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I am excited. I am honored. I am hopeful. I am thirsty with anticipation. </div>
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I am also nervous. I am scared. I am hesitant. </div>
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It is a whirlwind of emotions around here. </div>
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The purpose of this trip is so good. The work being done in SEA is good. Our friends are good. I am so confident God is the center of all of it. </div>
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Even still, I am so aware of the risk. I don't need to be reminded of that part. </div>
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I am choosing to trust. </div>
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Therefore, I am bursting with excitement to see how God can be glorified throughout all of it. </div>
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In these moments, I am reminded of the book of Daniel. Throughout the book, Daniel and his friend's faith was challenged in many different ways. Around chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are commanded to worship an image King Nebuchadnezzar had created or be thrown into a fire furnace. They refused. When approached about their decision to resist, their response is remarkable. </div>
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"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King.<b><i> BUT even if he does not,</i></b> we want you to know, O King,<b><i> that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."</i></b></div>
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Daniel 3:17-18, NIV, emphasis added</div>
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<b><i>I began 2014 desiring more <a href="http://nothingspectacularblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-word-resolution.html">Trust</a> in the creator of all things.<br />I am ending 2014 by laying a ginormous amount of trust at the feet of our Father in heaven.</i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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I am hopeful everything will be fine and 2015 will be a great year for our family, <i>but if not</i>, I am confident we will serve the Lord. </div>
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If you don't mind, friends, I am asking you keep us in your thoughts and prayers throughout this month. I would so appreciate prayers of safe travels, things running smoothly at home, and peaceful hearts and minds for us, our children, our travel team, and our friends and families. </div>
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Mostly I petition you to pray God will be glorified through all of this. </div>
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Here is to a fruitful and joy filled New Year.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-72054038105398205812014-09-17T08:35:00.003-07:002014-09-17T08:51:18.588-07:00The Prison of Fear...<div style="text-align: center;">
Chances are if you know me, you know I place a great importance on obedience. Deep down to my core I believe if children never learn obedience with their earthly father, they will never learn to be obedient to their heavenly father. I believe obedience coupled with discipline, respect, independence, critical thinking, love, etc. can set our children up for success in whatever way we define it. Our children are far from perfect and are just like all other children in that they don't always obey the first time around or at all from time to time. However, we strive to teach them obedience.</div>
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With that being said, I often catch myself praying to be more obedient to God's commands. I want to be obedient. I want to do good. I want to be Christ-like. I want to be obedient to His work and growing his kingdom. </div>
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Many times, though, I choose the disobedient way out. Many times I choose to do what I want instead of what God wants. </div>
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There are some crazy things happening on the horizon here. Dreams becoming realities. Opportunities to be obedient at our feet. Prayers being answered with desired results or unexpected results which are greater than our desires. The unknown turning into clarity. </div>
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As all of these things are playing out, my first emotions have been overwhelming excitement and joy. It is exciting to see God moving and working in ways you couldn't even imagine. </div>
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Watching things work together so perfectly and so intricately brings awe and amazement. I am not sure I can even articulate all the excitement going on over here.</div>
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The next emotion that comes, usually in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping, is fear. The fear of the what if's. What if we aren't kept safe? What if this drastically changes things? What if it doesn't? What if we are hurt? What if we are rejected? What if...</div>
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I was in the middle of having a major nervous breakdown when I looked down at my leather cuff on my wrist. "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders." -Hillsong<br />
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I have sung this song for months. I wear these words on my wrist. I pray them with my whole heart. </div>
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I want to trust the Spirit to lead me. I want the Spirit to drive out fear, to drive out borders. </div>
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<b>When you ask for opportunity to be boldly obedient and for trust without borders, you just might get it. </b></div>
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You see, I like borders. Borders are safe and comfy and border-like. They provide me with limitations, excuses, if you will, to assist in holding me back and continue in my comfortable life. They keep me feeling contained. They provide me some security and peace of mind. They give me some feeling of control. </div>
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But outside the borders, outside the security and comfort, anything can happen. The risk is greater. That is when the fear pours in. </div>
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<b>As long as I am inside the borders I can feel brave. Once I cross that line, though, my false sense of bravery disappears and my true feelings of fear and doubt are left exposed. </b></div>
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Now I have to really decide am I going to trust God with everything I have or am I going to crawl back into my false sense of bravery?</div>
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The truth is we like to be obedient as long as it fits within our plans and our borders. We like to trust God as long as He provides us with what we want. As long as our children, spouse, and money are kept safe our faith is strong. Compromise those things and we are shaken. </div>
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I hope to be able to share more soon about how God is moving in and through us. There are still some unknowns to work out. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared, if I wasn't hesitant, and even a little worried. However, Caleb and I together have decided to take some leaps of faith. We are prayerful that great things will come from our simple act of obedience.<br />
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I never want my children to see fear defining my life. I never want them to shy away from stepping out in faith or taking risks, only because they are afraid.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I don't want my fear to become my border, because then it actually becomes more like a prison. </span></b><br />
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And a prison is never ideal. </div>
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Maybe there is freedom outside the borders, but you must be brave enough to find out first.<br />
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What fears keep you from being boldly obedient and trusting God fully? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-24677172314612536732014-09-10T09:46:00.001-07:002014-09-10T09:56:20.175-07:00Let's Just Get Over Ourselves, Shall We? <div style="text-align: center;">
A few months back, I received a text message from a sweet friend that read something like this...<br />
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<i>'You appear to handle and balance the crazy and fun of summer so well. I would have never thought to check on you to see how you are handling it all.'</i><br />
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It was in the thick of summer madness. In an effort of full disclosure this message was received shortly after a confession to said friend about a mild breakdown and mommy failure moment. </div>
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Here is the thing. This mom thing. It is hard. </div>
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I have absolutely no idea what I am doing. Each day brings new challenges. I just roll with it the best I can and pray God takes care of the rest. If I fail, I knock off the dirt, pray, and try again. </div>
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And I am okay with that parenting strategy. </div>
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Because *news flash* no one else knows what they are doing, either.</div>
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The rest of my life strategy is basically the same thing. I make decisions based on the information and knowledge I have at that given time and pray for the rest. </div>
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It works pretty well for me. </div>
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<i>Until...</i></div>
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I start buying into the the criticism, defensiveness, and over-sensitivity of the world. </div>
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This isn't a problem with the internet or social media; its a problem with the world. It isn't a problem with churches, mothers, or politics; it is a problem with people. </div>
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<b>The only way it will change is if we change ourselves. </b></div>
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The first way to do that is to put down your pitch fork, your shield, and your tissues. Now that your hands and heart are free try picking up some forgiveness, grace, and understanding. </div>
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Much better, right? </div>
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Oh my word. What I wouldn't give to see a little more forgiveness, grace, and understanding with a lot less defenses, accusations, and offended people. </div>
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Can we just all chill out a little, people? </div>
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If Mrs. Smith attends your mothers funeral and offers condolences, she probably isn't trying to offend you with insensitive words. She is trying to be nice. People are different. Loss is hard. Some words comfort some but not others. She came, she supported, she offered love in the only way she knew how. </div>
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If pinterest mommy throws a circus party for little sue with camel rides, homemade cotton candy, and freshly fried funnel cakes and hand sown ringmaster costumes, maybe she isn't trying to one up your Wal-mart cake and ice cream-no decorations- free park party. She has the beautiful gift that her pinterest projects actually resemble the picture and she is just trying to make her beloved child feel special, loved, and wanted on their birthday. </div>
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If a wife shares her healthy, home-cooked meal with ingredients she grew in her organic soil garden, maybe she isn't calling you a bad wife for calling your husband and having him grab a pizza and some break and bake cookies on the way home. Maybe she has just discovered a new passion and wants to share it with the world in the hopes some one else might share that passion. </div>
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If a family dunks a bunch of ice water on their heads for a cause, it doesn't necessarily mean they expect that to be considered worthy, ignore other diseases, or even think the disease will no longer exist. Maybe they were challenged and accepted because they weren't aware of the disease until great aunt Mable contracted it and suffered a hard and unbearable death and, as the caretakers during the toughest moments, would hate to witness anyone else bearing that burden. </div>
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I could come up with a million other what ifs, but the examples aren't the point. The point is I think people need to be given a little more credit. I think we need to put down the weapons and arguments and spend a little more time listening and forgiving and loving. </div>
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Criticism, defenses, and sensitivity have a place. They can be helpful in the appropriate setting. Hurt feelings, judgement, discernment, constructive criticism, etc are all real and have their purpose. These things are necessary and important for many reasons. They all can be used for good. All too often, though, they are used to cut, wound, and/or play the victim. </div>
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I am all for addressing feelings and standing up for yourself. Please don't misunderstand me. </div>
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But, for the love, can we please just lighten up a little and stop with all the fighting, pointed accusations, and poor-pitiful-me-someone-hurt-my-feelings bit?</div>
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Can we pull up our big girl panties for once, take responsibility for our actions, and get to work loving, supporting, and caring for one another without the worry of am I doing this right? </div>
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I believe I can only change myself, so I am striving to be less critical and more forgiving, less defensiveness and more listening, less offended and more understanding. </div>
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Will you join me in putting down the pitch forks, including the one pointed at yourself? </div>
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I hope so. Now if you will excuse me I have to scrape smushed banana off my hardwood floors and I don't feel guilty or embarrassed about that at all. ;)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-27797035392109956932014-07-14T20:35:00.000-07:002014-07-14T20:40:10.635-07:00Resting and Refocusing<div style="text-align: center;">
To say I have been uninspired lately is a huge understatement. </div>
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Life is beautifully hard. Changes, struggles, meanness, discouragement, hurt, death, love, blessings and loss all mix together and create a world which at times is difficult to navigate. I have had the privilege of walking alongside many friends recently as they experience different ups and downs of life. I have loved it!<br />
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I have loved listening to stories, hopes, and dreams. I have loved checking in and encouraging each of them when needed. I have loved share scripture and prayers. I have been honored to be trusted with honest feelings of hopelessness, fear, and concern. I loved pouring specific prayers over my sweet friends. I have loved mourning and rejoicing with my people as they navigate through this crazy life.<br />
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In the midst of it all my life didn't stop, though. We have been busy with programs, trips, meetings, service, new jobs, birthdays and preparing for some upcoming changes.<br />
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I LOVE it all! I love the busy. I love the going. I love the doing. I love the listening. I love the people. I love supporting. I love encouraging. I love sharing. I love it all.<br />
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But sometimes it becomes too much. Sometimes between the listening, supporting, loving, sharing, serving, going, doing, changing, growing, mourning, and rejoicing, I am left exhausted and overwhelmed. I begin to have trouble processing it all. I lose my focus. </div>
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I need to stop. I need to breathe. I need to refocus. I need to rest. I need to refuel. I need to be comforted. I need to be encouraged. I need to be loved.<br />
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<b>I need the very thing I have tried so very hard to give all those around me. </b> </div>
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Occasionally when life gets too crazy, I am reminded of why Jesus made time to retreat to the mountains alone. I am reminded of the need to rest, pray, smother my thoughts with God, and return focus to Him.<br />
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I want to live a life which exudes Christ. I desperately try to do so. I am so often reminded though that there has to be balance between focusing on my own growth in Christ and encouraging others to know him.<br />
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I must have both. I must retreat to the mountain to abide in Him and I must use my life to share Him.<br />
It is an and where so many of us put an or.<br />
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This past week I caught myself retreating to one of my mountains. </div>
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This past week was the week my people were at the Bible camp I spent one week each summer growing, learning, and loving as a child. Due to small children, other obligations, and diapers I haven't been able to commit to the full week in several years. This year as my family made our way up the mountain to visit the first night, I looked at Caleb and exclaimed when I am here I feel home, I feel loved, I feel encouraged, and I feel renewed. I feel peace.<br />
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He laughed.<br />
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I really do feel those things there. I was baptized on that mountain. I spent a portion of every summer there for so many years. I met my husband there. I made some of my most precious memories and relationships there. He proposed to me there. There is peace in that place for me. I became so much of who I am there. </div>
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Each night I found myself driving up the one lane, rough, bumpy road in search of that peace. Each night I left with it.<br />
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Slowly the mountain was renewing me. Slowly it was reminding me. Slowly it was refreshing me. Slowly it was remaking me.<br />
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It wasn't until about Tuesday that I realized I had been searching for a mountain to retreat to for a while now. Over the past several months as I have searched, listened, encouraged, prayed, mourned and rejoiced for myself and my friends, one thing held true. In all of it I was searching for a peace. I was searching for Jesus.<br />
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I needed a mountain to retreat to in order to see it.<br />
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I needed to be anchored in Jesus so I could balance the mourning and rejoicing, the serving and abiding, the encouraging and the encouraged.<br />
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The last night I made my way down in the wee hours of the night. I whispered prayers in my car that God would remind me when I needed rest and renewal. It comes in so many forms and places. I need my eyes opened to see it. </div>
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I left that mountain inspired and excited. My faith was challenged and renewed. I was reminded that my commitment and duty as a follower of Christ matters. I was reminded of my purpose. My focus was removed off of self and replaced onto the creator.<br />
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This week I am left with a little bit better understanding on why Jesus chose to temporarily leave his followers, leave his purpose, and leave his works. In order for him to stay committed and focus on his Father and His ultimate plan he had to do so.<br />
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I am not sure why, in all my humanity, I fail to realize that very need in myself. </div>
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I am continually amazed by Jesus. He managed to give a perfect example of dying to self while preserving his well being in order to fulfill the greater plan.<br />
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Now if only I can remember to follow it...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-78996106682954215872014-06-06T10:00:00.001-07:002014-06-06T16:23:11.984-07:00Differences<div style="text-align: center;">
The first time I remember the 'aha' moment crashing over me, I was riding in the car with my husband and one year old baby boy while <a href="http://yogabbagabba.com/">'Yo Gabba Gabba'</a> was blaring through the speakers. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8VOCitOyl9Ax01rKT5eRPCASu1jOsyci48LddZmnkVrMG7mq0fppVIjlPnvL8ccEvb4sgV34qZj-VpNEjYYaUf-zjnWc8WyhdyRNZg1FHDq0uAuXT1Uae2CSQz2Rjc4Ue-mf5-UPhUY/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8VOCitOyl9Ax01rKT5eRPCASu1jOsyci48LddZmnkVrMG7mq0fppVIjlPnvL8ccEvb4sgV34qZj-VpNEjYYaUf-zjnWc8WyhdyRNZg1FHDq0uAuXT1Uae2CSQz2Rjc4Ue-mf5-UPhUY/s1600/028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brady at his 3rd B-day party with his Brobee Gabba cake.</td></tr>
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Both of my children have loved this odd and quirky show. At first I was mortified by the strange characters and apparent drug use that it took to create this show. Upon further observation, I quickly began to realize this very weird show portrayed a great message. The lyrics and story lines are educational and positive. I mean, Muno was a key element in helping teach Brady to not bite his friends. It was a dark few months of biting any kid in his way, we were grasping at straws. </div>
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The day of the 'aha' moment the song <i>differences</i> was playing. I looked at Caleb and said, "I just learned something from Yo Gabba". He sighed and looked over with a look that shouted oh boy here she goes again. </div>
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One line in the song says <i>all my friends are different, but I love them all the same</i>. </div>
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Bam! Right in the face it slapped me. All are different, but loved the same. </div>
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I worked out the thoughts flooding my mind while my mouth struggled to keep up and share them with listening ears. I looked at him and asked, "why don't people believe this? Think of the possibilities if people would love and embrace the differences of their friends instead of compare and beat each other down over them? I don't think I have done a good job at this. I am going to do better at this. " </div>
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Once I had spilled all my thoughts on the subject. I mentally prayed a quick prayer that I would be able to effectively teach my children to love and embrace the differences of those around them by my example of loving and embracing those around me. </div>
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Four years later and I still whisper this prayer when the song plays in our van. My prayer has developed and changed some, though. Over the years my eyes have been opened to all the ways we allow differences to hold us back. </div>
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<b>If I could tell the whole world one thing it would be that <i>different doesn't always equal wrong. </i></b></div>
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Brady may have said it best about this time last year when he marched into the kitchen and announced, "Alma(our hispanic neighbor) has much darker skin than me." I asked him what he thought about that and he quickly replied, "I don't think about that".</div>
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The truth is different is just different.<br />
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(Disclaimer: I am not talking about differences which go against absolute truth, sin, or breaking the law. There are differences that could be considered wrong, but they should still be greeted with love. ;) That is a different ball game, I am speaking of just plain old, every day differences.) </div>
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I take great comfort that I believe in a God who intentionally created humans to each be unique. A God who designed the church to be like a body with all different parts working together for a common purpose. A God who is wise enough to know that in order for things to work, grow, and progress, differences are necessary. </div>
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At some point we as a society have decided that if something is different it must be bad, wrong, or evil. When a friend parents a little differently than we do, we often immediately begin to defend our decisions instead of loving and respecting one another. When a sister serves and shows obedience a little bit differently, we often become critical and begin to compare works. When a Christian college graduate decides to live a single life, we often wonder what is wrong with them or other things. When a neighbor who looks a little different moves onto our street, we often swirl thoughts of lowering property values and changing demographics of our community around in our minds. </div>
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I could go on and on, but the point is the world NEEDS different, not criticism, comparison, or hate. </div>
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<b>We each have to learn how to be who God intended us to be while loving, encouraging, and allowing others to also be who He intended them to be. </b></div>
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It is hard, ugly, and downright messy at times. BUT when we all appreciate each other and work together while finding a balance of giving and taking and shouting and holding back,<i> then mountains will move. </i></div>
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<b>The key to learning all of this begins with love.</b> </div>
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Love God. </div>
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Love people. </div>
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It is so simple and so complex. </div>
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Think of the possibilities if the world believed this. Think of the way things would change if instead of defending differences we welcomed them. Think of the work we could accomplish if we allowed the foot to be a foot and the hand to be a hand. Think of the glory God would receive if we chose to grab each others hand and shout we are all different, but we love all the same. </div>
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Today I ask you to allow God to reveal where you are allowing differences to hold you back and where you can insert love and begin to embrace those differences around you. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-13434733139511630142014-05-26T17:53:00.001-07:002014-05-27T06:48:51.069-07:00No One Likes To Be Ignored.<div style="text-align: center;">
I never thought entering a contest and rallying your people to win would pull, stretch, challenge, or exhaust me as much as this <a href="http://nothingspectacularblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/styleforjustice.html">#styleforjustice</a> contest with Noonday and IJM has. </div>
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I have experienced nearly every emotion I can think of over the last several days. It has been exhausting. </div>
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Each day as I sat with my husband and reflected on the day, my response nearly every time was <i>I would rather be hated than ignored.</i></div>
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<b>I would rather people hate me than never acknowledge my existence. </b></div>
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I would rather people type mean and ugly things all over my Facebook page, than completely ignore my desire to be a part of this trip. </div>
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Each time I said this, my intentions were selfish. </div>
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I would see friends sharing and supporting others in their endeavors, whatever that may be, and I would think why do they not even notice me. Why don't people care about me?</div>
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As the competition continued I felt less like this and more overwhelmed and humbled that my people and my people's people would help me move up OVER 100 spots in just a few days. </div>
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That thought, however, of rather being hated than ignored was burned into my mind. </div>
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As the words swirled around in my head it finally hit me.</div>
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I am so guilty of doing this. </div>
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There was a little girl in Brady's class all year. This little girl lives on our short, dead end street. I had no idea until the last 2 weeks of school. There were 9 kids in his class. I have no excuse as to why I never realized they lived only a few houses down. I failed to acknowledged their existence in our lives. </div>
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Our worship services are filled each Sunday with people no one ever notices. </div>
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Our students are sitting in classrooms and no one ever notices the battle they are fighting at home. </div>
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People are starving right under our noses and we are too busy to even believe it. </div>
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Women and girls are being used and sold and it is easier to just pretend it doesn't exist than to care. </div>
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Children often scream, yell, fight, bully, and bite in order to be noticed. They often do these things because they would rather get in trouble than be ignored. </div>
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<b>They would rather be hated than to never be acknowledged.</b></div>
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We have become busy, selfish, and indifferent in many ways. The story of Annanias and Sapphira in Acts has long been the most disturbing story in the Bible for me. Basically what happens is they sell all their belongings, but agree to lie to the apostles about the sum and agree to keep a portion for themselves. When they come forward to offer the money, they are caught in the lie and struck dead before the apostles. There is a little more, but this is the basic idea. </div>
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It is crazy, disturbing, and unbelievable. I am sure there are many conclusions you could draw from this story, but one that screams out to me is that there is great danger in claiming to be all in, but in reality being half-hearted. Annanias and Sapphira believed what they had seen and heard and even acted on it. However, they couldn't fully commit. They were lukewarm. They wanted to serve both masters. They were in a sense indifferent to the call of God. </div>
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<b>When our hearts become indifferent, we are in great danger of death. </b></div>
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Indifference leads to a group of people who know there is work to do, but don't care if it is done or not. </div>
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I believe indifference is Satan's greatest tool. I believe indifference is the way to hurt someone in the most damaging way. </div>
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I wanted to go on this trip to Rwanda, not to save the people there or elevate myself, but to give them faces. I wanted to hug them and tell them I love them and I care. Hear their stories and love their babies. Tell them they are important to me and allow others to see they are real, they are human, and they have worth. </div>
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As it stands it is very unlikely I will move up the 48 spots or so I need to be in the top 7 and move forward in the competition. I would still love the opportunity, but I am okay if this is not mine. I know more opportunities will come. I hope when they do, I will be able to say yes. I hope I will be able to notice. I hope I will care. </div>
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Until then I am challenging myself,<i> and you too if you want</i>, to look for the unnoticed in my life. Maybe it is someone on your street, maybe it is the bully in your school, maybe it is the defensive, bitter man in your community, maybe it is a grandmother unable to get out and about, or maybe it is a small child or husband you have put on the back burner. </div>
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If my hands are the only hands Jesus has, I want to wrap them around the broken and unloved. </div>
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If my mouth is the only mouth Jesus has, I want to use it to speak words of love and Jesus. </div>
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If my feet are the only feet Jesus has, I want to walk where people need to see him. </div>
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In order to do these things and have them mean something, I have to care and love first. </div>
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Where is your heart indifferent? What areas do you need God to soften your heart and open your eyes? How can we let people know we care? </div>
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Thank you, friends, so very much for loving and caring about me through this. You have taught me so many lessons on community, love, and support. I am incredibly humbled by your support and desire to make this happen for me. The amount of kind words, texts, and messages shared with me over the past several days have overwhelmed me. I love you. I need you. I care about you. Thank you! </div>
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You can still vote until Wednesday <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/styleforjustice#view/23056/2108841">here</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-21627375114713439882014-05-17T07:45:00.000-07:002014-05-17T07:46:22.732-07:00#StyleForJustice <div style="text-align: center;">
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<div id="sfjBox" style="height: 266px; margin: 4px auto 19px; text-align: start; width: 557px;">
<a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/" id="sfjNoonday" style="background-image: url(http://www.noondaycollection.com/style-for-justice/img/style-for-justice.jpg); background-position: -97px -169px; bottom: -7px; display: block; height: 79px; left: 97px; position: relative; text-indent: -10000px; width: 224px;" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a><a href="https://www.ijm.org/" id="sfjIjm" style="background-image: url(http://www.noondaycollection.com/style-for-justice/img/style-for-justice.jpg); background-position: -330px -125px; bottom: 116px; display: block; height: 145px; left: 330px; position: relative; text-indent: -10000px; width: 134px;" target="_blank">IJM#s</a></div>
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Noonday collection and the International Justice Mission has teamed up <span style="text-align: start;">for the #StyleForJustice Story Team Trip to Rwanda. An amazing group of bloggers will be making this trip to </span><span style="text-align: start;">spread the word that when we use our purchasing power for good and pursue the cause of justice, hope for the poor is possible. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">They have left room for one lucky winner to join the team with an all expense paid trip. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">After much prayer, consideration, and questioning myself and competence, I have entered to win. You can vote </span><a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/styleforjustice#view/23056/2108841">{HERE}</a> for me every day on all your internet devices from now until May 28. This would be a life changing opportunity and I would be so grateful for your votes. </div>
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I am including my entry essay on why I should be chosen for this trip. </div>
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Thanks for your support in all things, friends. Much love to you all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <i> I don't have a fancy
reason or story on why I should be chosen to go on this trip. The truth is I don't believe there is one
deserving woman. I think we all are in so many ways. My heart leaps with joy
and excitement at the thought of being able to travel to Rwanda with such
brave, bold, confident, and loving women. My arms ache to hug mothers all
over the world trying to survive and make a better life for their family. My
mouth waters to whisper words of love and encouragement to children living in
unimaginable conditions. My mind races with millions of ways this trip would
change my mind and open my eyes.<br />
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I would be so honored to join in
this campaign and cause, not because of who I am, but because of who God is. He
is the link that joins us and the tie that binds. I am just a vessel. A vessel which spends her days doing very
ordinary things in the hopes my children, and those around me, will see Jesus
and see the world through love. A vessel
who desperately desires to share His greatness.
A vessel which truly believes the way to a better world and life is to
fiercely love day in and day out through the big and the small. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i> I believe Noonday is a
living, thriving example of this and it thrills my soul to share in that
cause. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-8149690867743111122014-05-09T18:38:00.000-07:002014-05-09T18:38:26.892-07:00Mothers.<div style="text-align: center;">
We sat brokenhearted and lost inside our small house in our small town. I was 6, my little sister was 3, and mom was 30.<br />
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<i>(Don't think I haven't picked up on the fact that I turn 30 this year and Brady turns 6, it haunts my dreams)</i><br />
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Our family of four literally changed to a family of three overnight.<br />
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I went to bed a part of a happy, imperfect family of four, and I woke a part of a shattered family of three.<br />
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I woke to a house full of somewhat familiar faces and lots of cries.<br />
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Once my daddies funeral was over and everyone else went back to their lives, we sat missing one vital piece of our family.<br />
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As the tears poured down our faces, I asked my mom to stop crying, just please stop crying.<br />
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And she did.<br />
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Just like that she stopped crying.<br />
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In fact, I never saw her cry again until I moved off to college and showed up the next morning back home claiming I needed more <i>stuff, </i>desperately trying<i> </i> to cover up my tears and fears as I pretended it was everything I thought it would be and I wasn't scared at all.<br />
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We both knew.<br />
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We both cried.<br />
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She fought with every ounce of her being to tell me that I didn't have to go back, that I could just stay home.<br />
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I could tell.<br />
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I could see the words, the grief, the fear, the desire to comfort and make it all go away building inside her. <br />
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Instead she helped me gather up some more<i> stuff </i>and load it into my car. Then with a brave face and a smile she sent me back to Nashville.<br />
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I was fine and so was she.<br />
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I don't think my sweet mother realizes the beautiful lessons she taught me in these <b>and many other</b> moments.<br />
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She taught me to be a mom, well before I felt that first flutter or wiped that tiny nose.<br />
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She taught me our hope is above and nothing in this world is bigger or scarier than our God.<br />
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She taught me that when life is hard, you wipe the tears, get up and get moving.<br />
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She taught me that love is stronger than any grief you might ever experience.<br />
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She taught me to love, to be strong, to be weak, to be compassionate, to care, to help, to teach, to lead, to listen, to follow, and so so much more I am still learning.<br />
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She is still teaching and loving me. I don't think it will ever stop.<br />
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As Mother's Day approaches my thoughts have been overcome with thoughts of mothers every where.<br />
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<i> I think of the mother who so desperately desires to hold her baby, but is unable to. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mother who is so filed with joy because her heart and arms are full with squishy cheeks and sweet smiles, maybe for the first time. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mother who would give her whole life to bear the name. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mother whose daughter is very much alive, but far away in distance. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mother who is so tired but so in love with her children that she keeps pressing on.</i><br />
<i>I think of the mothers with broken lives and deep feelings of guilt eating them away when it comes to their children.</i><br />
<i> I think of the sons and daughters who so desperately want to pick up the phone or drive down the street to love their mother. </i><br />
<i>I think of the grandmothers. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mothers who literally only have love to offer their children. </i><br />
<i>I think of those very much in the mothering role, but aren't actually given the name. </i><br />
<i>I think of the mothers who have given up their child for a life much better than they could dream of offering.</i><br />
<i> I think of the young mothers, the old mothers, the great mothers, and the mothers who have failed. </i><br />
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All I know is that mothers are a chosen, unique group.<br />
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They aren't perfect. They aren't super heroes. They aren't well payed. They are overworked. They are under-appreciated. They definitely aren't glamorous. <i>Hello, poopy, vomit, and snot!</i><br />
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But mothers have the most important role in the entire world.<br />
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Mothers make the world go around. <br />
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Mothers teach.<br />
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Mothers lead.<br />
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Mothers mold.<br />
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Mothers unite.<br />
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Mothers love.<br />
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No one loves like a mother loves.<br />
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I mean who else's proud, knowing, or disappointed stares can transcend all languages, cultures, countries, and demographics, but <i>Momma's</i>.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day, friends!<br />
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Go love your Momma and thank you for jumping in the messy trenches of motherhood! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-29512729816904841932014-04-18T23:41:00.002-07:002014-06-06T16:33:17.366-07:00Loving the Church People<div style="text-align: center;">
Caleb's junior year of college, he took a class entitled Marriage and the Family at a non christian college. I, ironically that same semester, took a class entitled Marriage and the Christian Home at a Christian college. </div>
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We spent many nights that semester on the phone discussing the differences between these two classes with similar names and subject matters. </div>
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While I was discovering family bias's, gender roles, and learning how to place God at the center of all relationships. Caleb was being taught something very different. </div>
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One particular night he was exceptionally fired up after a frustrating class. The professor was pretty cynical when it came to love, specifically the dating relationship. This particular class the professor used an example of how guys pay for dinner and/or express love with the notion the girl will provide something in return. I understand he was very specific in what the girl was to return,<i> if you know what I am saying</i>. The point being that love is conditional and, therefore, superficial.</div>
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I sat in my tiny dorm room while Caleb and I dissected all of our thoughts on love over our flip phones.</div>
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We are old, people. </div>
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We ultimately agreed to disagree with that professor.</div>
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However, all too many times this is exactly how the world views love. It looks at love as conditional, superficial, and reserved only for those who look, sound, and believe just like me. </div>
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Our churches are filled with people shouting love, love, love. Love the orphan. Love the homeless. Love the unloved. </div>
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But at the same time our churches are splitting over neck ties, song choices, and auditorium temperatures.</div>
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I find it fascinating that Jesus shares these words to his closest followers, while most likely wearing sandals, 2,000 years before any 90 year old ladies complained about the ministers choice in footwear at the pulpit. </div>
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<i><b>"I am giving you a new commandment, and it's this: love one another! Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another. This is how everybody will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13: 34-35</b></i></div>
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He tells them to love one another AND by this they will know they are His. </div>
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Jesus knew in order to get people to buy into this life of sacrifice and love, the disciples, the very ones he put his faith into continue sharing the gospel, MUST LOVE EACH OTHER. </div>
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If they weren't united, then it wouldn't work. </div>
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If Peter loved the poor, but didn't love John, then it was superficial. </div>
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If James only loved Matthew when he agreed with everything he said, then it was conditional. </div>
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And if Timothy adopted an orphan, but wouldn't even acknowledge Andrews existence, then it was pointless. </div>
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<i>When our love becomes superficial and conditional, it becomes something people run from rather than run towards. </i></div>
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Is it possible that the unlovable person in your life is your own brother or sister in Christ? Have we become so outwardly focused that we have failed to cultivate and preserve the relationships with each other? What if "the church people" have become the very people we want to run from?</div>
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What good does it do to love those who don't yet know Jesus, if we can't even love those who already do? </div>
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I believe it is counterproductive. </div>
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I am not asking you to abandon all efforts of outreach or evangelism.</div>
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I am not asking you to abandon your preferences on dress or worship, necessarily.</div>
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I am not asking you to stop buying TOMS. </div>
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I am asking you to think about who among your fellow believers you are failing to love.</div>
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I am asking you to offer respect to those believers who may not agree with everything you say. </div>
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I am asking you to offer compassion instead of defenses when with your body of believers.</div>
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I am asking you to work through your problems instead of spreading them to others. </div>
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I am asking you to love one another. </div>
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<i>I am asking you to be a community of people so committed and engrossed in love that outsiders want to be apart of it. </i></div>
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Love.</div>
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It is intertwined with God. </div>
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Christ loved the church so much that he was willing to die for it. </div>
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I think it is time we try to do the same. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-10597169871001431092014-04-14T13:16:00.001-07:002014-04-14T15:21:44.348-07:00Forgiveness and Freedom<div style="text-align: center;">
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Imagine you are on vacation with your family at the beach. You are sitting in your chair with sand between your toes, a cold drink in your hand, the warm kiss of sun on your skin, the smell of sunscreen and salty air filling your nose, and the soothing sound of waves crashing at your feet as your thoughts and eyes drift away.<br />
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Suddenly, you are jarred awake by panic and screaming in an all too familiar voice. You jump to your feet and see your spouse flailing and yelling in your direction. You can hear the voice, but you are unable to comprehend the words. You quickly look to your right and see one child, where is the other one?<br />
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Before you know what is happening you are running towards the sporadic splashing of ocean water. You search for your sinking child. Your beautiful, smart, funny, wonderful blessing is sinking and you reach out to him. <i>I am here. I can show you the way, </i>your eyes speak.<br />
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He is calling your name, however, he is resisting your touch. He won't let you save him. He is drowning. The more you try to rescue, the more he resists. You cry out, "<i>let me help you, I know the way to dry land. I can erase this from your life, give you life. I can save you. I love you, please stop pushing me away.</i>" He insists he needs you, but will not let you near. With each splash of water you can feel him drifting from you.<br />
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With tears streaming down your face and salty water entering your mouth, you make one last effort to grab your sweet, perfect child and carry him to safety. But life leaves him and he drifts away.<br />
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"My sin is so great, the creator of the entire world could never forgive me."</div>
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"The guilt of my former life eats away at me day after day."</div>
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"My failures are so large, no one could ever forgive me, especially the God of all things." </div>
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"If I had known participating in sin would've had such a huge effect on me after all this time, I would have stayed away from it." </div>
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These are just a few statements I have heard from women over the short course of my adult life. </div>
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I asked my husband if past sin left him with unimaginable guilt, he responded, "what do you mean?" I attempted to further explain, but was left with the all too familiar blank stare in which my husband looks as though I have suddenly begun speaking in tongues and all comprehension is lost. </div>
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I quickly took this response to confirm my suspicions that this is an issue which mostly haunts women. </div>
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We tend to have a difficult time forgiving OURSELVES. </div>
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Long after our slate has been wiped clean by our redeemer through baptism and grace, we are still hoarding those sins in our hearts and minds. Leaving ourselves trapped in the bonds of sin despite the forgiveness that has been so freely extended to us.<br />
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Guilt literally eats away at us, while we miss out on the freedom our Father has extended to us. </div>
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While the example above may seem ridiculous and extreme, I fear it is all to real to the Christian woman(and maybe man, sans my husband) today. We are calling out to God to save us and he is standing with open arms. <i>I already have</i>.<br />
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<i>"If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I'm not going to judge them. That wasn't why I came. <b>I came to save the world, not to judge it</b>. Anyone who rejects me and doesn't hold on to my words has a judge. The word which I have spoken will judge them on the last day." </i></div>
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<i>John 12:47- 48, <b>The Kingdom New Testament</b></i><br />
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If Jesus came to save, why won't we let him save us?<br />
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If I am not willing to be saved, what good is a savior?<br />
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Sin is real. Judgement is coming. Death will happen.<br />
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However, through Jesus, we have been given an opportunity to break free from these things.<br />
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New life and hope has been breathed into believers who seek and follow Jesus. The old has been removed. We are cleansed. We are set free.<br />
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If our old lives of separation from God consume our hearts and thoughts, then we are unable to experience and fulfill the love, joy, peace and goodness our Savior brings us.<br />
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Satan is binding you to your sin by your guilt. He has you in his stronghold and is laughing as you drift towards him and away from freedom.<br />
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If you are burdened with the deep scars of sin from the past, I ask you, to let your Savior save you. Let Him draw you out of the deep waters of guilt and shame the enemy is binding you to. Allow God to provide you with peace and joy.<br />
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Offer forgiveness to yourself as your Father has forgiven you. Move along onto better things, my friend. <br />
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<i>"If you remain in my word," he said, "you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8: 31b-32</i><br />
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Join me as we let go of the old and forge ahead with the new. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-25044880627525008582014-04-03T09:01:00.000-07:002014-04-03T09:10:19.918-07:00The Little Encourager<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little Presley will turn 2 in July. From the moment Presley was beginning to form in my womb, she has been a firecracker, so its only fitting she was born 2 days before the 4th of July. </div>
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I became very sick a week before I even knew she was developing. Baby girl was so strong her earliest kicks were visible from the outside. Caleb and I began to play a game nightly to see how far she could kick an object off my growing belly. </div>
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I will never forget one night in our hospital room hearing a baby cry down the hall in the nursery and looking at Caleb and saying, "that's Presley". The nurse walked in giggling while Presley was red faced from screaming her lungs out. The experienced nurse gently said, "I have never seen one get so worked up the moment she was hungry. She was fine and then she wasn't and she let me have the whole way here." We all laughed because we had heard her as they made the entire walk through the halls to our room. </div>
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My brother recently commented about Presley being the most opinionated baby he has ever met. </div>
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Its true. </div>
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Its a running joke in our family that if you sit with or around us during Sunday morning worship, you need to be prepared to duck in the event of flying objects. You see, if you offer Presley a bowl of goldfish and she wants raisins, she doesn't just nod no or turn away. She takes them and launches them back at you. Despite my best efforts, this is still her response. </div>
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These are characteristics of Presley that people notice. These are the things that speak the loudest. These are the things she is known for the most. </div>
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However, in the simple moments of bath time, ball practices, car rides, and playing in the living room floor, <i>Presley is a beautiful encourager.</i> </div>
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Brady recently lead a song and prayer at a singing service. He did an excellent job. For the entire 30 minute drive home, Presley exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "Yay, my bubba, Yay!". </div>
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At Brady's ball practice, she passes the time by cheering and encouraging her brother from the sidelines. </div>
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<i>Go, Bubba, Go Go Go!!!</i></div>
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While Rylan (a friends 1 year old I watch during the week) figured out how to work a toy, Presley was there shouting, "Yay, Baby Ry! Luh you!". </div>
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When I hand her her blanket and paci in the car she sweetly replies, "Thank you my Momma! yay!" </div>
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When a waitress at a restaurant brings food, Presley yells, without fail, <i>YAAAAY! </i> I have yet to see a waitor or waitress walk away from her cheers without a smile on their face. </div>
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In a world where everyone seems to seek personal gain and spotlight, Presley loves sitting on the sidelines and cheering others on. She has her desires, wants, and opinions. She makes them VERY clear. But she is genuinely happy when others seek and find their desires, wants, and opinions. </div>
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I am in the midst of studying the book of John. Recently while studying chapter 3, this very lesson Presley has been teaching me jumped out and smacked me in the face.</div>
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John the Baptist is being questioned because Jesus is now baptizing more people than John. John the Baptist once again exclaims he is not the Messiah and continues into a story of how the bridegroom gets the bride, not the bridegrooms friend. </div>
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Then John the baptist turns the world upside down with this response. </div>
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At the end of verse 29 through verse 30, John the Baptist states "Therefore I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater, and I must become less." </div>
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Joy at <i>his</i> success. </div>
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Not <i>my</i> success. </div>
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<i>I become less and in this I find joy. </i></div>
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As Presley finds joy in the success of her brother, my heart is softened to search where I need to become less and find joy.</div>
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I also am reminded that the encourager has a huge role in the kingdom. The encourager keeps spirits high, the encourager motivates to keep going, the encourager moves people to seek the Lord working in their lives, the encourager brings us back to focus, and the encourager challenges those to run faster. </div>
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The encourager is important.</div>
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I am so in love with our little encourager and I beg you to never overlook the encourager in your life. </div>
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I beg you to appreciate them, learn from them, and encourage them in response.<br />
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My prayer today is that I can help Presley see the importance in this gift of encouragement she has been given. I pray I can provide an environment which allows her gift to flourish. I also hope to become an encourager myself through her innocent example. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-4906074282404659322014-03-31T21:47:00.001-07:002014-03-31T21:47:56.141-07:00A lesson from a water bottle hoarder...<div style="text-align: center;">
I cleaned out my "<i>tupperware" </i>cabinet a few weeks ago. I feel its important to note I don't actually own a single piece of brand named tupperware, it is all cheap plastic containers we put leftovers in. I am also not sure what I did classified as cleaning out. Basically what happened was the tower of unmatched bowls and lids fell into the floor for the millionth time and I decided to quickly toss out a few pieces, take a few to my mom, and stack the others back in as neatly as possible.<br />
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What I discovered in the back of the cabinet was 8 different reusable water bottles. EIGHT. Some with squirt tops, some with straws, and even a cute, fancy Tervis with a clip. I pulled them all out and thought well that is a bit excessive. I can vividly remember purchasing or being gifted each one and EVERY SINGLE TIME thinking, "oh this will help me drink more water".<br />
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Well guess what...<br />
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I still don't drink much water.<br />
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It may have helped for a week or so, but once the new wore off, I was back to my old habits.<br />
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The thing is the problem isn't in the water bottle.<br />
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The problem is in me.<br />
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I don't hate water, but I don't love it. <br />
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Mostly I don't <i>want </i>water.<br />
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I want a cherry Dr. Pepper, sweet tea, or coffee.<br />
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I have had at least 4 separate conversations with 4 very different people over the past several months, but the content was very much the same. They all expressed in some way, how they were having trouble focusing and getting the important things done.<br />
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What struck me as interesting is all of these people had something to blame for their lack of focus. Its possible social media or their new love of Downton Abbey(okay, so no one has actually mentioned giving up Downton, pending no one else dies) is in part to blame for the struggle.<br />
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<i> Let me preface this next paragraph by saying, I always think there is benefit in stepping back from things that we fill our time with to refocus. I think it is necessary, important, and biblical. </i><br />
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However, what concerns me is that we tend to have a really hard time owning our failures. It is easier to blame something or someone else for our problems. It is easy to blame the tiny humans for my messy home. It is easy to blame my DVR for my lack of time in the word. It is easy to blame being tired for forgetting to pray. It is easy to blame the water bottle for the lack of water intake.<br />
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When the real problem is in me, in us. I just don't want to do this.<br />
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I <b>want</b> to watch Downton Abbey... or read Divergent... or take a nap... or fill in the blank...<br />
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When we take on Christ in baptism and commit to following Him, we essentially give up our life and entrust it to God.<br />
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<i>We are committing to changing our desires to God's desires. </i><br />
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And guess what...<br />
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Its no longer about me.<br />
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Its no longer about what I want.<br />
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Its about what God wants.<br />
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And God wants my life.<br />
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ALL OF IT.<br />
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<i>So maybe instead of blaming and running away from all the distractions in our life, we give them to God and allow him to transform them into avenues for his work to be done. </i><br />
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Maybe we use the internet as a tool to strengthen our bible study, maybe we use our Facebook to tell 500+ people in one second how God has rescued us and he can rescue them, maybe we use our radio to worship our Father and teach our children of His greatness while driving, or maybe we use the baseball field to love the unloved.<br />
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And then if you can't give it God, you prayerfully consider purging it from your life.<br />
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What is God asking you to hand over or purge? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-64456502707275698332014-02-19T12:21:00.003-08:002014-02-19T20:15:18.192-08:00A Lesson from my Children...<div style="text-align: center;">
A little over 5 years ago, Caleb and I jumped in head first to this thing called parenting. I think it is safe to say we had absolutely no idea how much that a tiny human would change our world. We were warned about the sleepless nights, change in priorities, and miracle of it all, so there was a sense of change well before we ever experienced it. However, no one ever said this child will teach you more than you could ever dream of teaching him. </div>
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It's no secret Jesus spent much time with and used children in his teachings. I tend to believe the reason, in part, being that children have an amazing ability to use their simple innocence as a great ministry. Children don't typically have an agenda or biases. They just have simplistic innocence. They are pure, honest, and open.</div>
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Last night, I was over being Mommy for the day. It was still an hour or two before Caleb would walk in and save the day. As a result, I did what any tired, American, good mom would do, I sent them to Brady's room to watch a movie and then told them to not come out until they heard their daddy come home. Parenting at its finest. I should probably have a trophy for best mom ever. </div>
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Imagine my distraught, when they didn't stay in his room at all, but came parading into my space. </div>
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The two of them stood before me, each grasping a canister in their hands. A canister that they had picked up at church. These particular canisters are to collect money for a nearby orphanage. </div>
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Brady quickly asked, "would it be okay if we emptied our piggy banks into these?" </div>
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I nodded, a little in shock of the question being presented to me, when I so clearly was done being a good influence for the night. The two scurried off and began to line up every piggy bank in the house. Together they emptied each one into the two canisters before them. Brady gently expressed to Presley, "that isn't money, baby, the children need money. They don't have mommies or daddies."</div>
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I sat on my couch watching and praying with tear filled eyes. </div>
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Quickly before putting everything away, Brady ran in and declared, "I found a dollar, can I put it with the money for the children that don't have mommies and daddies, too?"</div>
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They each returned their canisters to me much heavier with big grins on their faces. </div>
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In an effort of full disclosure, about a year and half ago, Caleb and I spent some time collecting money and teaching Brady about orphans. We filled and returned a couple canisters and went on with life. </div>
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I noticed a few weeks ago, the empty canisters had returned to the church lobby. In all honesty, I secretly hoped Brady wouldn't see them and avoided walking near them at all cost.<br />
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I want to help orphans, really, I do. But I did not want the hassle of making sure it was full and remembering to return it to the church building. </div>
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After all, we had already filled and returned two. We sponser a child overseas monthly. We wear friends adoption fundraiser shirts proudly. We have devotionals explaining how not everyone is blessed with one or both parents. </div>
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We are done with that service and teaching, right?</div>
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<i>This is the amazing thing about this situation.</i></div>
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Caleb and I had a goal to soften our children's hearts to those who aren't blessed with parents. We were intentional and focused on this goal for a while. We eventually got to a point were we felt it was complete and we stopped teaching intentionally on this specific issue. </div>
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<b>But Brady hadn't stopped learning. </b></div>
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<b>He understood much more clearly than even I did. </b></div>
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<b>We are never done. Walking in the light is continuous. Forever.</b></div>
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<b>Once one can is full, we move to fill the next. </b></div>
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When he spotted those canisters in the lobby, he remembered their importance. He remembered the meaning. He remembered the call to action and obedience. </div>
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He stuffed, not one, but two empty canisters into our bag, <i>despite my attempt to return them</i>. He wanted to share with his younger sister this need. He wanted to teach her about orphans and encourage her to act in love as well. </div>
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So as I retired to my couch last night drained from the obligations of life, God presented me with an example of discipleship in its simplest form right in my living room. </div>
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I have been so vividly reminded that my walk with Jesus is just beginning. It is continuous. It is important. It calls me to action and obedience. I still have so much to learn. </div>
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<i>Thank you Lord for my children. Thank you for their innocence. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to see you through them. </i></div>
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<i>Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. </i><br />
Matthew 18:3, new living translation</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-56911517689365425892014-01-17T06:44:00.000-08:002014-01-17T06:44:39.180-08:00One Word Resolution<div style="text-align: center;">
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New Years Resolutions aren't really my thing. I am, however, a big fan of small goals throughout the year. I like focus. I like having something to work towards. I like the accomplished feeling when one of those goals are met. </div>
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I have a running list of goals at any given time. </div>
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We recently spent some time at a couples retreat. We were asked to pair off with our spouse and write out 6 goals for 6 different categories. I am not the best at math, but that is 36 goals, y'all! <br />
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I rattled off about 20 goals in about 5 minutes as Caleb struggled to come up with one for each category. So, I don't really need the new year to make me sit down and come up with a resolution. </div>
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However, I am loving the idea of the One Word Resolutions. I mean one word that will carry you through 2014 and inspire you throughout. Count me in. </div>
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I have had the hardest time nailing down ONE word for the entire year, though. </div>
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Immediately at least 100 words scroll through my mind. </div>
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Bold, obedient, faithful, servant, share, prayer, prioritize, search, see, go, goodness, kind, love, follow, humility, hope, desire, present, intentional, submit </div>
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<i>I have so many areas in my life that need improvement, that I have trouble narrowing down one area I need to focus on this year. </i></div>
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But if I am completely honest, God has been whispering one word to me over and over for a while now. Not literally whispering, but turning my attention to one word repeatedly. My friend alludes to it when she persuades me to write. A sweet lady at church speaks it when she gently encourages me to teach more classes. My husband begs for me to hear it when he says everything will be fine. My children yearn for it when they see the doubt in my eyes. The scriptures scream it at me when I study them. </div>
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The word floats around in my mind constantly as I struggle to stuff it into a deep corner and forget it. </div>
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So my word for 2014 is TRUST. </div>
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Trust that God is who He says He is. </div>
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Trust that God will do what He says He will do.<br />
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Trust in my marriage.</div>
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Trust in God to take hold of my fears and alleviate them as submit myself to complete obedience.</div>
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Trust that I am worthy.<br />
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Trust God will provide. </div>
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Trust that God can use me.<br />
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Trust when my baby boy walks into his kindergarten classroom alone, that he isn't really alone.<br />
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Trust as I enter the land of the 30's. </div>
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TRUST.</div>
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Throughout this year, I may face ridicule. I may face struggles. I may face heartbreak. I may be disappointed. It may be our best year yet.<br />
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2014 may fail me. I am choosing to trust with my whole heart, despite my independent spirit, no matter what comes, that God will not. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823739153335062549.post-72427643738418367002014-01-16T13:27:00.001-08:002014-01-16T13:27:06.760-08:00Welcome. <div align="center">
Welcome to my new space. </div>
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I hope to use this space to write and hopefully share my thoughts and ideas in a way that uplifts and encourages and maybe even makes you laugh. You see, I have a lot of thoughts and ideas. I have a lot of opinions. My brain NEVER stops. This is why I watch shows like the Bachelor, it requires no thinking of any kind. It is completely mindless. Sometimes I need something mindless.<br />
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<strong><em>BUT</em></strong> I am a <strong>nothing spectacular</strong>. Our life is fairly uneventful. Our home is small. Our street quiet. I am not a theologian. I only speak one language. I am young. I have only lived in one state and 3 cities. I have traveled, but not excessively. I haven't started a non profit organization or saved the world. I don't have all the answers. I am learning, growing, and changing. I hope I always am.<br />
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I am nothing spectacular. <br />
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<em> I am a sinner struggling to overcome a multitude of sins every day that stand in the way of reaching the full potential God has for me.</em> <br />
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Fortunately for me (and you), my God <em><strong>is</strong></em> spectacular and he chose me (and you). He is fully capable of using an ordinary wife and mommy for his glory. <i>He is fully capable of turning nothing into something.</i> He is able to transform my nothing into something spectacular. <br />
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God is capable.<br />
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My hope is that the words in this space point you to God. I pray that God can use this space to be his voice. I will try to get out of the way. <br />
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As we jump into 2014 full force, I pray that God can open our eyes and hearts while we embark on this journey together. </div>
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Thank you for joining me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07742376158947711893noreply@blogger.com0