tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6359880341438135322024-02-19T06:25:12.846-05:00...my heart will rejoice..."The Lord is my strength and my song;...This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:14,24Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-48737247038576141142021-10-26T14:10:00.003-04:002021-10-26T14:10:41.690-04:002021 today...<div>And here we are two years later. We had a vile presidential election in 2020, are still having a worldwide pandemic (Covid-19), and the voices of so many have flooded the news and social media and changed the physical, social and emotional state of our country, and parts of the world- some for the better, some for the worse. </div><div><br /></div><div>But here we are all. Still standing. And if anything, hopefully you have found your voice in the mess and chaos. I'm learning to treasure what is truly important to me. I'm learning to believe in myself and to shut out the noise of the naysayers, one of those voices being my own. This may be in connection to just getting older and realizing that I don't need to wait on anyone's approval or permission to follow the dreams in my heart. This doesn't mean me being a wild woman and throwing all cares to the wind! But what this does mean is stopping the excuses and living in fear of failure or judgement. I, like you, was created for God's glory, to honor and bless Him with my gifts and talents and to flourish in those areas. Sometimes, this looks like glorifying Him in a challenging situation, or in a take great risks situation. Sometimes it looks like waiting, sometimes it looks like jumping in the pool and then figuring it out to swim. But the most important thing in all of this is keeping the focus on Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every little step on His path, no matter how big or small, how exciting or mundane, is prep for the journey of this life. Daily commitment is key. The artist's first brush stroke builds and builds, and rests, and then starts again, eventually ending in a masterpiece. But it started with that first stroke of the bristles to the paper, with vision, not with an exact plan, but a step by step moment, grit and commitment. It's a good thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3</div><div><br /></div><div>"Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statues and keeping his commandments, as at this day." 1 Kings 8:61</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a></div>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-59635553356292017112019-07-26T07:48:00.001-04:002019-07-26T07:48:21.058-04:00how time flies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My goodness, how has it been more than a year since I've written on here? I must say I do like the ease and quickness of Instagram. But really, it's because I love to post pictures and my hard drive is full and I can't download any pictures on this awesome Macbook that I'm pretty sure is 7 or 8 years old- yep, shout out for Macs...Iphone, hmmph, not so much anymore, but we don't need to go there since I still have the silly thing that I owe an arm and a leg for. But I digress...<br />
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Ok, so we have an amazing little girl. She's pretty darn stinking special, just like her brothers. Delivery was ok. After five natural births, I opted for an epidural. Maybe because I'm older, maybe because I was struggling big time with fear over this delivery. I don't know, but I said yes to that beautiful ginormous needle filled with numbing medication. So the results- it was awesome during the delivery. My husband said it was our best delivery ever. And you know, it was amazing to not feel like I was going to pass out from the awful pain you can't escape. The cons- with the previous deliveries there was such intense pain and then such intense relief after delivery, there was an overwhelming wave of emotion. This delivery was quite the opposite, calm and thankful but not a rush of emotion and for me personally, I didn't feel that immediate bond with our sweet girl. Next, the back pain hung around for a good few months. Not cool. Before, that baby popped out and I was up at the bathroom and back to normal, but not so this time. Finally, but the most ridiculous and no validity, I "felt" bad that I hadn't been stronger and done natural. But this is just pride, I'm just keeping it real by sharing what my mind was going through. So if we did this again and you asked me which route I'd take, I would opt for natural again or at least try my hardest for it. But I speak only for myself. The pain of natural childbirth...oh man, at least I know I could never be a spy and deal with interrogation. It's no joke but I've also been through it and have something to compare it to. But there is never ever any shame in which option a mama chooses. A precious friend of mine had BIG babies and endured more pain then was ever necessary for her and I believe she would say get that dang epidural before you even leave your house! Birth should be a blessing, not traumatic if avoidable.<br />
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I returned to work after 6 weeks- again, something completely new from our past babies. It was heart wrenching. God and I had quite a few talks and crying sessions. But we're ok. Our sweet girl is safe and truly the happiest lil peanut I've ever seen. She is adored by her daddy and big brothers. And my job is a God thing. It's a place that is growing and stretching my faith, my reliance on the Lord, and learning to be strong while not losing my joy. If you ever wonder if God isn't listening, know He never stops. He is always there. And when your tears fall, He catches them. And when the laughter rolls, He is there rejoicing with you. This season of life, He continues to remind me, it is not my circumstances that are important, it is my heart in them. Paul rejoiced when free and when in prison. He was content with little and with much. It was his heart in his circumstances. His joy was complete in Christ. My heart through all of this, it is always has to go back to knowing and remembering I can trust my heavenly Father to lead us.<br />
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So on to buying pink flip flops and preparing to send our oldest off to college. How so much can happen in a year!<br />
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<br />Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-66700306940459677572018-05-01T08:59:00.001-04:002018-05-01T08:59:19.015-04:00Spring and simplicity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love fall. The smell of burning leaves, pumpkins growing, thoughts of pie and warm rich colors all around. It is a season that feels cozy, small and quiet and evokes a spirit of rest. But this year, maybe because our sweet girl is on the way, I am truly excited for spring.<br />
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I love flowers and happy bright colors. I am not one who wants bouquets of flowers brought home from the store. My hubby is awesome and knows that I can't bear the thought of spending more than $10 on a bouquet of flowers that will die in a week. Oh but give me a garden filled with blooms (heart eye emoji here) - it is a dream! I have mentioned it here before but my little dream home for us would be a farm house with some acreage and flowers, chickens, big garden and bees. Now, I have never had any of those items and I am not going to lie, the tomato plants I have had, they survived probably because they were hardy, but I would like to learn. The older I get the more I desire for that peace of simplicity. To be less in the world and more in what God has blessed us to care for.<br />
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I desire that simplicity for our home as well. We are a big family. My husband and our kids are precious blessings and I want to cultivate a home that gives a feeling of peace and order. Having less stuff means more time to rest and enjoy each other's company. It has been a process for me for years of letting go of things. I am a dreamer at heart so I have 10,000 ideas and plans going on in my mind at one time. But unfortunately, I have this slight hurdle of follow through so the projects and plans tend to stay in their dream stage, meaning a pile (or piles) of projects growing around the house. I am a work in progress. I am happily finding that balance of allowing myself to dream (that is part of the fun) while still being realistic of knowing when to actually purchase items. Really, being a creative, it is just my desire to put something together that is pretty.<br />
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Not really sure where this post is going. Maybe just random thoughts :) It started with looking at <a href="https://magnolia.com/spring-silos-recap/" target="_blank">Magnolia's Silos</a> spring recap and how much I am drawn to the photos and desire to do something along those lines. Thinking about the different jobs I have had over the years, my favorite was working at an inn along the coast of Maine for the summers and being responsible to set up the decorations for weddings. I didn't do the big things, like lighting, bringing in the floral pieces etc. I was given the freedom to add those delicate touches the bride and groom hadn't considered, like the placement and organization of name cards, having the centerpieces be just so for balance and beauty, small details of lighting and candles to highlight the gift table and cake table. Really, just the little details that made them neat and orderly with simplicity.<br />
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My hope is that the Lord will see fit to bless us with some sort of creative job like that in the future. My husband and I are entrepreneurs at heart. He has the gifts of big picture, marketing and management. While I on the other hand have the small details, beauty, customer service part. What I love about how God has wired the two of us is that we are both creative in different ways. He is the one on the ground holding the big happy red balloon flying in the sky (me.) But, by God's grace and prompting, he keeps me grounded, aware of the God's faithful and secure character, and he doesn't let me go. And I let him see we can dream and have that reckless and free trust for our Heavenly Father's love for us. It is one of the sweet and refining gifts of marriage God has blessed us with. And it is truly by God's grace that we can see them as gifts and not hindrances.<br />
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So here is to joyfully embracing spring and the different seasons the Lord has for us. God has truly impressed upon my heart this past year that life is a gift, He is trustworthy and faithful, His love is steadfast and that to enjoy the season you are in. You just don't know what He holds for your tomorrow but we can trust that every prayer never ever falls to the wayside. He hears and cares for each one.<br />
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<br />Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-73972380039290931642018-04-09T09:38:00.001-04:002018-04-09T09:38:13.329-04:00He is a good Father always<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For years I'd prayed and yearned for more children. I wanted so desperately to have a large family (even when we already had a large family). But my husband was not on the same page. He knew our hands were full, the stresses of this dispensation of the reality of living in an area (that we knew was home) where we both have to work outside of the home full time, it just wasn't realistic. And I have to tell you, this girl here is a dreamer and I love Jesus and believe Him for His provision big time. However, I will honestly say, for some time I was putting the Lord in <u>my</u> little box of wants and dreams of me being able to homeschool, have a huge family, make everything from scratch, be an artist and on and on, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">but not taking the time to seek Him and His dreams for us.</u><br />
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But I will tell you from the depths of my heart, my other prayer during that time was to be a good wife to my precious man and to be a good mom to our boys and that, I believe, was the small still voice I was actually listening to in the midst of <i>my</i> dreams. So the slow painful process began of letting go of dreams and "facing reality" and placing our kids in school and looking for a job. But what happened with that was I actually started to hear my husband, not just listen to him, but hear him, which in turn honored and loved him. And the the kids, God gave them teachers whom He picked and schools, although public and there were (and still are) conversations that need to happen on an on-going basis (and yes, some that grieve our hearts), that were small and have helped them grow and thrive academically and physically beyond our hopes.<br />
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And then the Lord blessed us financially with a full time job for me with benefits and retirement, a job that by earthly standards, is amazing. But I will say, after the initial excitement of going to work and getting a paycheck and learning (I love learning new things) the reality of being gone from home, learning a new routine, dealing with angry people, feeling the "guilt" of not doing everything at home and feeling like a failure kicked in. And it was over two years I struggled with the Lord, questioning Him, our choices, my husband's leadership (was he listening to the Lord??---most definitely yes, but I was not hearing that then). But the Lord pressed on, never leaving me, ever gracious and patient, continuing to lead and minster to my fearful heart and continually softening my husband's heart with great patience for me. And bit by bit, He has ministered and counseled my mind and heart.<br />
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What have I learned in the past almost three year, when forced to be quiet, to trust Him wholly and completely with my life? <b>That I can</b>. I will tell you honestly, He revealed a deep fear in my heart and lie in my mind, that at times I am still working through- that I am not enough. Yet His Truth is renewing my mind that I don't needs others approval for my value. We hear so often, and accept that saying, "I'm a people pleaser." But why? I stopped saying it. <b>We need to speak life over ourselves. </b>Instead I say who I am.<br />
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<b>I am a daughter of the King.</b></div>
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<b>I am saved by grace.</b></div>
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<b>Greater is He that is me than he who is in the world.</b></div>
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<b>My sins have been paid for by the shed blood of Christ on the Cross.</b></div>
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<b>I <i>am</i> a <i>new</i> creation in Christ.</b></div>
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<b>My past is my past and His mercies are new<i> every</i> morning.</b></div>
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<b>His Word is Truth. </b></div>
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<b>He says I am who He says I am.</b></div>
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<b>I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created in His image.</b></div>
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<b>He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind.</b></div>
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<b>I am a God pleaser - not a people pleaser.</b></div>
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Daily, I choose these truths. Not in pride, but humble gratitude and confidence in His truth and the great sacrifice He made for me. He deserves no less! He has given us the gift of life. The living and personal God! And when I pray, read His Word, repeat these things and praise Him, His peace floods my soul. I stop looking out and comparing and thank Him for the sweet gift of my life and the plans He has for our life and can rejoice for others. That is a precious gift that gives freedom. Knowing your cup, maybe appearing through earthly eyes, to be cracked earthenware or fine silver, in truth, it is yours in His hands. <b>And anything in His hands is the finest of the finest! </b></div>
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All that had to be said so it could be understood the surprise the Lord heaped upon us last November with the addition of new jobs, was a miracle baby. I say miracle because it was a prayer I had finally set at His feet with joy and let go, praying every so often, but not in desperation, and thanking Him for our sweet ones and knowing my husband's heart and wanting to truly honor him. I will keep it real, it wasn't a jump for joy finding out, but I had peace (and still lots of prayer for my sweet man who sees our age and finances). <i>But there was peace</i>. And our precious Father topped it off when at the 20 week ultrasound, the tech looked at hubby and said, "Papa Bear, you are going to have a princess." Humbled mama with tears right here.</div>
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I want my life to bring Him glory. I am a wretch He saved from the pits, clothing me in white, and He continues to heap blessing upon us. <i><b>He is patient and when we question, He patiently ministers to our hearts and waits for our obedience. It is a daily walk, but His love is repeated over and over again in His Word- His love is steadfast and He is faithful! He gives good gifts, by His standards, not the world's. And despite the hardships and sadness of this world, my heart can trust Him. He is a good good Father.</b></i></div>
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Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-38782694212210471762018-01-19T15:14:00.003-05:002018-01-19T15:14:59.306-05:00Pray without ceasing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ9N5fZKCkT3TZZprsTqef2IFVBcWLUd9GxwwjtmaCUEtzJAsqAjRpbrR9gNJqi6_gNdOSNCAu2XN_AVmbFT7EQ4R099bXLztCliXbfDHPVIlVScle12f8yKBu3em67GW_5cb5tswlXFO/s1600/DSC_3028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ9N5fZKCkT3TZZprsTqef2IFVBcWLUd9GxwwjtmaCUEtzJAsqAjRpbrR9gNJqi6_gNdOSNCAu2XN_AVmbFT7EQ4R099bXLztCliXbfDHPVIlVScle12f8yKBu3em67GW_5cb5tswlXFO/s640/DSC_3028.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cousin's precious wife and their sweet girl. When the Lord so graciously answers years long prayers. đź’“ </td></tr>
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This past year the Lord has impressed upon my heart His faithfulness. In His provision for our family, He has used a job that has forced me to stay quiet with my own thoughts, to be on my face in prayer, to cling with desperation knowing my own strength was nonexistent and to truly seek Him and who I am in Him. </div>
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Realizing I am not in control of this life and that He truly loves me and hears me is priceless. Being able to have that peace and security of knowing He is for me has allowed me to begin to move forward daily with joy and trust. My husband and I have been pressing into the Lord with prayer and He answered some huge things in our lives that are unmistakably Him. But we had to go through the seasons we were in for Him. These were specifically with work but the Lord used them to refine us, to praise Him no matter what and, I believe, to bless others in the process. God does and is doing so much more than we realize and this is when praying without ceasing and letting go come in full force. </div>
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I will be sharing in my next post about our crazy but amazing month of November. It is truly a sweet and huge testimony of His continued faithfulness. </div>
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Bless you sweet ones, press into Him and if I may recommend, my friend posted on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brigittelisaschlosser/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram </a>recently about her morning routine in the Word. I have been being intentional to read His word for 30 minutes everyday this week. I am quick to pick up my phone and scroll through social media or start the laundry or anything else thinking reading my Bible has to be a perfect time and place. But the truth is I need to stop and sit to start well (and it helps I also am reading Having a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Having-Mary-Heart-Martha-World/dp/1578562589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516392166&sr=8-1&keywords=having+a+mary+heart+in+a+martha+world" target="_blank">Mary Heart in a Martha World</a> I am definitely on the Martha side, which can steal my joy a lot of the time.)</div>
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Any morning or evening routines you have with the Lord?</div>
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Happy and blessed week.</div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For this child I prayed, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-7240A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-7240A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> has granted me my petition that I made to him.</span> </i></div>
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Samuel 1:27</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-83971509668841898062017-11-10T23:00:00.002-05:002017-11-10T23:00:07.871-05:00tomorrow is not promised<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg56l_fyaeAwSI8HuBWP0SR5ab45M9HsMqUcXARF9SAXJ3877etdGh3n7MT4lUwPgv8_OkGvh8xq0bEe3Y3kzajbm9wrUDJVNPgNzVUJ4AqIW6bM9Qmy7UAbyj7S65exNLwwA-A5dKKs4d/s1600/DSC_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg56l_fyaeAwSI8HuBWP0SR5ab45M9HsMqUcXARF9SAXJ3877etdGh3n7MT4lUwPgv8_OkGvh8xq0bEe3Y3kzajbm9wrUDJVNPgNzVUJ4AqIW6bM9Qmy7UAbyj7S65exNLwwA-A5dKKs4d/s640/DSC_1399.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XMXSY-F2uQ6ZMJBWGL_sJOeNjTmyFhV08M4KeP1qRUW0u52clD_G3RR1KV_ULL29Kfw9Nwcz5CnGzxtnhyXf9RJaSriBoqFqxeGyYAR2uZEPXCNQYFDwUo9QTEcjstBjHCwVaG9JpB1f/s1600/DSC_1408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XMXSY-F2uQ6ZMJBWGL_sJOeNjTmyFhV08M4KeP1qRUW0u52clD_G3RR1KV_ULL29Kfw9Nwcz5CnGzxtnhyXf9RJaSriBoqFqxeGyYAR2uZEPXCNQYFDwUo9QTEcjstBjHCwVaG9JpB1f/s640/DSC_1408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm thankful for God's continued
grace and provision. It's been a season of layers slowly being peeled back on
the onion. Heart and mind at His feet. His grace is above and beyond
sufficient.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday, I opened my
Instagram feed and read my sister had died. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We weren't close but it
still shook me. She has two babies that are our second son's age. 15. Babies
still. She's gone and she leaves behind a husband and two sweet ones and dreams
and hopes. But more importantly, did she know Jesus?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For a brief moment, when
she was expecting we reconnected. She was expecting twins (their first and
miracle babies) and us with our second. We talked about strollers and other
baby things. Several months later hubby and I and our two littles had the sweet
privilege to visit them and meet their little wee ones. It was the last time we
saw them. We enjoyed a nice visit and I later sent her a few books, one, The
Power of a Praying Mom. Her response was they didn't have any religious
beliefs. And then communication went to Christmas cards, and eventually just me
sending a Christmas card with no response back.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 years ago. And now she's
gone. And it was a wake up call to me. It was the reminder that everything here
on earth is temporary. This is the one and only life we will have. So the
social media, the job, the dreams, the plans, none of them matter. What matters
is what I do for Christ. How I love these people with fierceness that God has
allowed me the privilege to be with. What matters is that I live with joy, not
anxiousness, fear, worry, doubt. Our days are not promised. We have our today.
And on the day when I sit at Christ's feet I want Him to say, "well done
my good and faithful servant." I want Him to know I lived in this world
but not of it. I want Him to know I treasured His life and His death given for
me. I want to be able to rest my head at night knowing my life is for Christ
and not myself.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let us wake up to the great
calling God has upon our lives. To glorify Him. To lift one another up. To be a
light in an ever-darkening world. To love. To rejoice. To speak Truth. To seek
His kingdom first. To live with joy and peace, even in the midst of chaos. Because tomorrow is not promised, today is our today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Let
your reasonableness be known to everyone. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Lord is at
hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">let your requests
be made known to God. <b> </b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">w</span></i></span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ill guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.</span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">-Philippians 4:4-7</span></i><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-78245103325654362992017-06-02T08:53:00.001-04:002017-09-04T11:35:18.184-04:00Daily life ... to thrive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAapznNpLuP_sldFrvCz2gSY0kBiQJpcCIM04_jD1_9Ja5marMKulGzMa3GHfP-OH5dmz8ZZalB9jJQnC4pqhxq8so6SHfxcr1EuWoYlH_niTFdrxhb9VCtZIkipDMd8MO-mou1_4usjLP/s1600/IMG_2566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAapznNpLuP_sldFrvCz2gSY0kBiQJpcCIM04_jD1_9Ja5marMKulGzMa3GHfP-OH5dmz8ZZalB9jJQnC4pqhxq8so6SHfxcr1EuWoYlH_niTFdrxhb9VCtZIkipDMd8MO-mou1_4usjLP/s640/IMG_2566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This journey of life-daily routines... sweet one, do you see the sun peeking through? The Lord is always present, perfect in His steadfast love. So as you're going about your day, remember this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Don't just survive, thrive. Thrive. There's this big beautiful story God is weaving and you are part of it. You are a main character that He loves and adores and He is for you!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"-Romans 8:31</span></div>
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Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-90189665713578737832016-07-10T00:38:00.004-04:002016-07-10T00:40:50.314-04:00to God be the glory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, </div>
<br />
It has been over a year since I have written here. It has flown though. It has been a good year. It has had its struggles but God has been faithful. When I had first started writing this post I was talking about the struggles and, on a good note, the beauty God has brought from the ashes. But the truth is, I want to just get to the point.<br />
<br />
I love Jesus and He loves me.<br />
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I love my husband and he loves me.<br />
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I love my kiddos and they love me.<br />
<br />
And that's it. This is all that matters.<br />
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This is my story. This is what God has shown me over the past year. And this is good, so, so good.<br />
<br />
So I think I will continue to write here. Maybe. I want to bring glory to God with the time I spend here. And there are some sweet creative ideas I have had milling around in my mind and heart for a while that my sweet man has encouraged me to pursue. Fear has held me back forever. But no more. This is not honoring to the Lord. It is for His glory and not mine. There is freedom in that. I am not going to make light of fear. It is a nasty, ugly lie from the enemy, but Jesus has defeated him! And Christ lives in me! Amen (insert huge heart emoji)!<br />
<br />
If I continue here then be on the look out for changes to this blog - good changes. Definitely still family happenings, but the addition of some of those creative "things" I mentioned before and more of Christ. More of His Word. Diving deeper and digging into His love, truth and grace. Seeing Him in marriage, motherhood, the church, friendship... living intentionally.<br />
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Happy weekend friends! To God alone be the glory!<br />
<br />
<br />Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-63982215235337690322015-06-28T00:17:00.002-04:002015-06-28T00:24:29.878-04:00art, family and creating...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ37mzFp1EMCcFJ0_xv8ccyUHf2eIMkb6PeABUiU1kyYt1HN3_YnzRWpR3Ezar0FmUQEQJFe2IiALefUq4gPHgloiOOeA5t6Tg1r_TNb5zfcMdDjjoGaACRLsys0TVtK4MVrgnv1nN8Dy/s1600/DSC_8891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ37mzFp1EMCcFJ0_xv8ccyUHf2eIMkb6PeABUiU1kyYt1HN3_YnzRWpR3Ezar0FmUQEQJFe2IiALefUq4gPHgloiOOeA5t6Tg1r_TNb5zfcMdDjjoGaACRLsys0TVtK4MVrgnv1nN8Dy/s640/DSC_8891.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos from this Mother's Day visit to the Chrysler Museum </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last few months, possibly six already, I have been slowly embracing that idea that it's ok to feed my desire to create. All the way up through high school I did art. I was even accepted to a prominent art school in New York but because of a couple factors (and my lack of patience) I decided to go to school for culinary arts instead. Despite how that college season of life turned out (not so good), God used it for His glory as the ashes were turned to beauty. The Lord took this broken girl and blessed me with a God-loving husband; a man who made me feel loved, special and worthy. He then blessed us with a son and a few months later my new life in Him. A year later, quite pregnant with our second, He called to my heart and I wanted to publicly confess my precious belief and need for Jesus, my Savior. I was baptized at that moment and sobbed (it was quite comical at the fear in the pastor's face at this sobbing pregnant mama lol.) The story, His story, slowly unfolds from there on, like layers of a sweet onion being peeled. This is pretty much reflected in this blog. For the most part this is why I wanted to start this. I wanted an outlet. Now, truth be told, I had some sort of high hopes and dreams of having one of "those blogs"; something that would be famous, insightful, money generating, fabulous photos, exquisite words. Oh how patient God is with me. Little did I know, God would use this blog instead for so much more. Blogging has allowed me to journal, to see God's workings in my heart, to help me see my heart (always helps to see your thoughts written out, gives a fresh perspective and hopefully a better one than your own), and truthfully just a sweet record of our family with pictures. I am thankful for this blog and for the creativity it allows. I am also thankful for the connection it's availed to so many other mamas, their creativity and the encouragement I have received from their walks with the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some things I have been embarking upon to add to the blogging outlet have involved reading <b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fringe-Hours-Making-Time/dp/0800723481" target="_blank">The Fringe Hours</a>, </b>and this mama's sweet <a href="http://www.themomcreative.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>blog</i></b></a> The book rocks. I haven't finished it yet, it's more of a slow read, depending on where you are at in life, savoring the chapters. But it was eye opening to see how many of us women think alike and that nasty burden of guilt most of us live under (that's for another post though ;) ). I have also started regularly reading the blogs I have on my side bar, several of them artist mamas learning to balance life, family while still being creative. They are embracing how God has made them, using the gifts He has given them. Mostly, what I have gleaned from these past few months is learning that it is okay to spend some time creating, I need to be intentional in making the time for it, whatever I create is not going to be perfect (so just do it!), and actually acknowledging that it is something that makes my soul happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it. Create. Use what God has given you for the main purpose of His glory, not man's. If you end up benefitting financially or some other earthly way, awesome! As long as it is for His glory, then He will use it for what He wants, whether it's just for a filling in your heart or for the benefit of others. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy and blessed Sunday to you! I am so thankful to have today off, to be able to spend time with our family, go to church, plus have lunch with some of hubby's family and their five wee ones (they were diligent in gently mentoring us as newlyweds and baby Christians) and later, a visit with my cousin, his wife and their sweet little girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To God be the glory.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2%20Peter%203:9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none;" title="2 Peter 3:9">2 Peter 3:9</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></span></i></div>
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Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-18340176446591998952015-06-23T07:23:00.000-04:002015-06-23T07:23:23.676-04:00His will, not my own...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week...hmm, maybe actually these past two years, I have been learning:<br />
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1. God hears my prayers<br />
2. God answers my prayers in His ways, not my own<br />
3. He is faithful<br />
4. He really does love me and my (His) family<br />
5. One step at a time (and this is SO hard)<br />
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Like Dory says, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."<br />
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.</span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: #990000;"><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1%20Peter%202:24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="1 Peter 2:24">1 Peter 2:24</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite what I want or experience here on earth, eternity has been bought for my life by the shedding of Christ's blood. And life in this fallen world is truly only temporary. Despite it being hard, I can have joy here and now because of His Spirit. He loves me! He cares for my needs and when my focus is on Him my perspective is fresh and new-it is His! Our circumstances are not ideal and our continued efforts are yielding such small fruit it seems. But I believe, not in a wishy-washy oh-so-spiritual-way, but in Truth, that God does have the bigger picture and plan. Proverbs 16:9 says, </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> My prayers are not going unheard. Hubby and I are trying to do what we think is right and what would be best for these sweet boys God has entrusted to us. But I also know...and trust...that He is closing doors that are not on the path to where He wants and knows is best for us, and for this, I am forever grateful and can have peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, two recent events that God has used to greatly encourage me, continuing to reveal His faithfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This past weekend I was blessed to help set up for our church's upcoming VBS. It was a bunch of mamas, most whom have been friends for quite some time and I am new to the group. But we had a lovely time and I realized that I was thankful to have been asked to help. I tend to not want to "bother" people and try to do everything on my own. But the Lord opened my eyes to see how this other mama asking me to help (truly because she needed help) blessed me. I had never considered asking someone to help would be a blessing instead of a hindrance. God is so good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While I was setting up at the church, hubby and four of the boys were traveling to NC for his cousin's wedding. I can't tell you how much his family means to me. My husband's aunt has such a precious testimony of God's redemption and I think of her often as I walk this road of motherhood, career, the boys' education. The wedding was a precious reflection of Christ being at the center of parenting despite the world and circumstances. The parents' lives have been far from perfect; one set a lineage of pastors, the other first generation Christians. But here stood two beautiful people, reading their vows to one another, promising to love Christ first and then each other; vowing to encourage and support one another and the dreams God has given them individually; vowing to love, not in the feely mushy way, but in the way God commanded us to- with their whole being and not just when they "felt" like it. My frequent fears of "messing up" by not homeschooling, missing family meals, being in public school, working outside of the home, not being the "perfect Christian family" (hello?! seriously??) are put to ease by this family's living testimony of the truth that Christ is bigger than my small mind can comprehend. Yep, deep breath. Please don't misunderstand me and think I am not saying these things are important because they are! However, we must bow to Christ and live the life He has given us and watch Him work. It is in our weaknesses we see His glorious strength. What is the most important thing in this life? My relationship with Christ. When I am at His feet, the rest falls into place. What is the most important thing for my husband and my kids and those I encounter? They're relationship with Christ and them seeing my relationship with the Lord. Life is not perfect. We live in this fallen world where we make mistakes and there are consequences. But God can redeem and bring beauty from the ashes. Oh, how His love is so sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is to a new week and His glorious will, mercy and grace in our lives. May I bow, without fear, but with the security of being under His wings. In Jesus' name I pray this, amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-39101104452142698472015-05-27T07:36:00.004-04:002015-05-27T07:37:43.240-04:00Boot straps...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_tbNFohNrHKEOUwPu-nZ6buCTKSdlqsEZCPxruFm8Yu8rs-XEmgjuLLJqCGNP5rtdy7Edb1KvKQ7xH0KNYDwryRZ2zxig2HwObS9Xu-BT1oxgwaA6fpycT392ib52EtZRUMa6OktCucC/s1600/DSC_8879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_tbNFohNrHKEOUwPu-nZ6buCTKSdlqsEZCPxruFm8Yu8rs-XEmgjuLLJqCGNP5rtdy7Edb1KvKQ7xH0KNYDwryRZ2zxig2HwObS9Xu-BT1oxgwaA6fpycT392ib52EtZRUMa6OktCucC/s640/DSC_8879.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysler Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I may finish my course and </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the ministry </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">that I received from the Lord Jesus, </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to testify to </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the gospel of </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-27637AQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27637AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the grace of God. Acts 20:24</span></div>
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<i>Life is not easy, but He gives you the courage to pull your boot straps up and start a new day. There's more than what we see. He knows the bigger picture and we move forward with trust in Him! I have started a new job. It is hard. But I can either press on and be courageous giving it my best, or quit. And I don't want to quit. I won't quit. Just like my sweet L said to me yesterday, comparing my job to MMA class, "When you first go it's hard and a lot of people don't come back. But if you keep going you start to get it and then it becomes fun." The precious wisdom of my 12 year old. Today is a new day and I will not wallow in the lies of the enemy. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and giving it my best, and that is the best. To God alone be the glory.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Pulling my boot straps up for a new day with my Father!</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-36606095202837528812015-05-14T07:14:00.001-04:002015-05-14T07:14:33.042-04:00Being a wife and mom...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, randomness for the pictures. Some funny, mostly older but the sweetest memories of daily life through the ups and downs. It is because of this man and these five precious boys the Lord has blessed us with that I can be called "Mom." I say often in my mind that marriage and motherhood is not for the faint hearted. It is a gathering of sinful people trying to work together and love each other more than themselves. It is a process of humility, constant grace, forgiveness, courage and learning of the true meaning of love...something only done through Christ.<br />
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I love these six people madly. They teach me daily. They show me Christ daily. Our days are not fuzzy and sugar coated but they are real and full, most times with joy, but some with tears and disappointments. It is here I cling to Christ, to His Word and His mercies being new every morning. We live, we love, we forgive, we extend grace, we pray, we do over, we laugh, we breathe.<br />
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Thank you, Father, for blessing me with the privilege of being a wife and mom.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalm%20139:13-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="Psalm 139:13-14">Psalm 139:13-14</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-46213855399897076612015-04-19T21:54:00.001-04:002015-04-19T21:54:58.117-04:00this week...hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1%20Corinthians%2015:20-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="1 Corinthians 15:20-22">1 Corinthians 15:20-22</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">wait</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">ed </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">patiently</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> for the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">; he inclined to me and heard my cry.</span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 40:1 ESV </i></span></span><br />
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Yes, patience is a virtue...but He continues to give us the strength to keep on. Praises for a week filled with glimmers of hope for the everyday, continued reminders of our ultimate hope, complete in Him.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-32510290090283718142015-03-27T17:45:00.001-04:002015-03-27T17:45:30.486-04:00I will always be with you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Divine Grace</i> can make the coward <i>brave</i>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Charles Spurgeon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalm%2062:7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" title="Psalm 62:7">Psalm 62:7</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></b></i></span></div>
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Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-63000612656779747222015-03-23T07:22:00.001-04:002015-03-23T07:25:13.544-04:00daily...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.</i></div>
<i><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=James%201:12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="James 1:12">James 1:12</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></i><br />
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His love is always present...in the good, the bad and the ugly. He is unchanging, faithful, lover of souls. He is the comforter, healer, restorer, hope-giver, life-giver, joy-giver, truth-giver and love-giver. He is my All. He is my rescuer. He is my God, my Father who has showered blessings upon me that I have never deserved. He fills me with joy. He loves me despite who I am and never gives up on me.<br />
And I am thankful He is this same God to my husband and children. He loves them an infinite times more than I ever could in my human strength. My all can never be compared to His and there is a precious comfort in that for this wife and mama's heart.<br />
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Today is Monday, the beginning of the week, trying to adjust to new schedules and uncertainties of work and dealing with my own insecurities. But I am so thankful for His new mercies and this process of refining me and drawing me closer to Him and making me more like Him. I am thankful for little hugs, for words of encouragement from my honey, for opportunities God has allowed us and His abundant provision. One day at a time, isn't that all that He asks of us? Trust Him, walk with Him, lean on Him, love Him, be a reflection of Him to our family, friends, strangers...<br />
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I love my Heavenly Father, His Word, His Spirit, my strength to go through each day- to go beyond myself, to love myself, to love this sweet family of mine. This is good stuff!<br />
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Praying your day is blessed and joyful, knowing your worth and value is in Christ.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-26250253013256478052015-03-19T21:15:00.000-04:002015-03-19T21:15:46.865-04:00why I love swishing diapers in the toilet...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...Well, actually I don't really love swishing diapers in the toilet...it might be quite the opposite actually. But it was a funny thing that swishing of the diaper the other day. So first, if you have no idea what I am talking about, I will spare you the details, it is one of the simple joys of cloth diapering if you have neglected to attach a sprayer to your toilet (are you getting the gist of it?) For those of you familiar with the cloth diapering, are you sympathizing with me, especially considering it is a two year old who is wearing them? But back to the point. As I sat there and swished the other day, feeling the woe-is-me pity party coming on I began to sing "Oh how I love..." and swishing was going to come out with sarcasm but what came out, "Jesus." And by His grace, I kept singing "oh, how I love Jesus because He first loved me." And how quickly my perspective changed.<br />
He reminded me:<br />
~how I had so earnestly wanted to use cloth diapers<br />
~how an old college roommate (and friend) had sent me an entire box of new cloth diapers because she had never used them, only because she saw I was hoping to use them in a random Facebook post<br />
~how we had held on to these diapers and not gotten around to selling them<br />
~how even though these diapers had caused an allergy earlier in this little one, were now working beautifully when our finances were tight<br />
~how I was blessed with sweet ones<br />
~how I was blessed to have a bathroom<br />
~how I was blessed to have water<br />
~how I could and should praise Him even in the swishing of diapers<br />
...and I sang with joy that day and I continue to each time I swish...because He blesses.<br />
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Perspective through a heart of gratitude...not in my own strength but by His grace, as I ask Him to renew my mind, to fill me with His Spirit and to give me His perspective. Humbly, day by day, treasuring each joy He fills me with, seeing it through His eyes and not my own and with the world's perspective. He is faithful.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.</b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Galatians%205:22-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="Galatians 5:22-23">Galatians 5:22-23</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></b></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-17402325009502670162015-03-12T07:41:00.004-04:002015-03-12T07:41:46.371-04:00love thy neighbor (linked post)...being content<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(From <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Devotional-Standard/dp/158134466X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426159830&sr=8-1&keywords=morning+and+evening+by+charles+spurgeon" target="_blank">Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional</a>)</i></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">"Thou shalt love thy neighbour."<br /><a class="ecxbibleref" data-bibleref="Matt.5.43" href="http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=13&ms=NDgyMDc1NjkS1&r=MjgwMDY4ODI0NjAS1&b=0&j=NjQxNDQ5NTkyS0&mt=1&rt=0" name="www_biblegateway_com_passage__" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Matthew 5:43</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">"Love thy neighbour." Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Perhaps, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbour. Own that thou art bound to love them. The world calls them thy inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more thine equals than thine inferiors, for "God hath made of one blood all people that dwell upon the face of the earth." It is thy coat which is better than theirs, but thou art by no means better than they. They are men, and what art thou more than that? Take heed that thou love thy neighbour even though he be in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">But, perhaps, you say, "I cannot love my neighbours, because for all I do they return ingratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism of love. Wouldst thou be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if rough be thy path of love, tread it boldly, still loving thy neighbours through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they be hard to please, seek not to please them, but to please thy Master; and remember if they spurn thy love, thy Master hath not spurned it, and thy deed is as acceptable to him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love thy neighbor, for in so doing thou art following the footsteps of Christ."</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfj3TZT21wEQ27DXn3lCa6UVudOz-Tay65AscdKL2OH4wmgLvV8zO1-PUwGwm2vx-eOmD29vls7yhJU9ZuOa0z9lISkTqtuWIqsjkN21xbKvooniEnLCh4VXaDrnMBGVUxL1jZ38RQ0D7/s1600/DSC_6172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfj3TZT21wEQ27DXn3lCa6UVudOz-Tay65AscdKL2OH4wmgLvV8zO1-PUwGwm2vx-eOmD29vls7yhJU9ZuOa0z9lISkTqtuWIqsjkN21xbKvooniEnLCh4VXaDrnMBGVUxL1jZ38RQ0D7/s1600/DSC_6172.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This might be one of my favorite devotionals. The gift the Lord gave Mr. Spurgeon in his ability to write so </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">eloquently and with such truth touches my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Thinking on this devotional...remembering to be content where you are at (no you don't have to stay there, but if that is where you are to be, be content) and you are not better than anyone else. The Lord has a plan for each of us and a refining process, and He knows just how to get to those weak, unfruitful areas in our lives. We praise Him through it all. Isn't that what we are called to do? To love and worship Him. Paul praised Him with little and much. He praised Him in the most beautiful of places and in the pits of prison. Can't I do the same? Yes, by His grace and mercy. He has shown me so much this winter...weak areas, prideful areas and more of who He is and how I can trust Him. I am humbled and thankful. I am praying we are going into a restful season, it's not easier but more of a time feeling a bit more secure financially. No matter what though, I know His provision, faithfulness and grace is sufficient for this mama. I love my Father with all my heart!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Praying your day is blessed!</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-44011021870514526112015-03-04T08:02:00.003-05:002015-03-04T08:02:46.660-05:00Words of truth (linked post)...<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #333333; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">"It reminds me of the Lord....you see I'm His daughter and there are countless times that I have a desire, one that wouldn't really amount to anything if it came true, except to put a smile on my face. And the Lord does it for me. Not because I deserve it, because I sure don't. But, because He loves me. What a thought! The Creator of the Universe loves me and gives me the desires of my heart! And I can't help but think that as I smile for His wonderful gifts He showers on me, that it makes Him happy that I'm His girl."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><b><i><a href="http://adayinthelifeofamissionarywife.blogspot.com/2015/02/someday-im-going-to-plant-apple-tree.html" target="_blank">~Kami- A Day in the Life of a Missionary Wife (blog</a>)</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Beautiful words that we should all be remembering as His children :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God is with you wherever you go.”~</span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua%201:9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-decoration: none;" title="Joshua 1:9">Joshua 1:9</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a></span></div>
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Reading about fear this morning and knowing He is right here with us, trusting Him on this journey for His glory, because we are His.</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-42227141532513452682015-02-23T07:31:00.005-05:002015-02-23T07:31:56.416-05:00Him, and not the world...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">~1 John 2:15-17</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Food and nourishment for the soul...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A blessed and happy week to you, keeping our eyes on Him :)</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-19590488097544071862015-02-18T07:20:00.001-05:002015-02-18T07:22:50.693-05:00thankful...rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankful for...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rest, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">snow days & hot chocolate, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prayers, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His grace,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">encouragement from a friend and our similar seasons, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lavendar, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chicken soup from my mama, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being pat on the head (lop-my love language is touch),</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">smiles from little ones,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hot showers, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blog reading, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">glorious sunrises, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">moonlight upon the fresh fallen snow (that is rarely here-amen!),</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">learning to truly trust my Heavenly Father,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thankful my Father is so patient with me,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my husband (love this guy),<span style="color: red;"><!--3--></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">peace,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a whole lot of love,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HIs mercies are new every day...</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Romans 8:35, 37</i></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-60804182491456358832015-02-08T09:05:00.002-05:002015-02-08T09:14:01.169-05:00rest for the weary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love sitting outside. I was recently listening to <i><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/lifeingrace-podcastgrace-talks/" target="_blank">Edie Wadsworth’s podcast, The Life You Love Manifesto</a>,</b></span></i> and at some point she said (I am paraphrasing) how there is a
longing in us when we see God’s creation, almost a yearning and thirst. My
initial thought was of desperation but I couldn’t wrap my head around that. I
feel peaceful when I am sitting here in the mornings before everyone else is
up? But then all of the sudden it sunk in- she’s right! Being outside in the
mornings listening to the birds, watching the squirrels gather what they need,
the gentle breeze and the sound of the leaves fluttering or seeing the sunset
(simply just from the backyard) with its glorious and rich colors not made by
anything but the hand of God, it is overwhelming! There is a glorious richness
of peace that blankets you as you take in just a sliver of His glory. There is
an awesomeness that can’t be put into words.</div>
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Life is fast and hectic: laundry, bills, dishes, meals,
school, quality time…There is so much to do and it too can be overwhelming, but
not in the same sense. Taking the time to rest in God’s presence in <i>quiet</i> is a need. It is a time to
recharge, to be loved on by the Father…it is a gift to us. When we can rest in
His presence, we are then refueled to do what we need to.</div>
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Yesterday I was almost to my breaking point. Tired, empty,
overly emotional, stressed by a to do list and for me it is in those times that
the enemy likes to remind me of my own ugliness and distort truth into the
world’s lies. I can’t explain it any other way. And in these moments I must
cling even more tightly to my Father (one of the huge reasons to memorize
scripture!) It’s sink or swim time. There is no reasoning with one’s self,
simply prayer, His Word, praise music…think on that which is lovely (Him!)</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010f18; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good
repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on
these things. <a href="http://biblehub.com/philippians/4-9.htm"><span style="color: #0f7cee; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">9</span></a>The things you have learned and received and heard and seen
in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010f18; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">~Philippians 4:8-9<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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God is so faithful. He, as always, met me where I was.
Yesterday became better, nothing physically changed and I still had everything
to do, but my heart and mind were put at rest and I didn’t crawl into the bed
and hide. And this morning I am sitting in the backyard (nothing special or
grand by any means) with a mug of coffee and having the sweetest moment,
reading one of my favorite devotionals, Oswald Chambers’ <i>My Utmost for His Highest </i>and taking the time to write this. To God
always be the glory.</div>
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Running this marathon of life with the Father (and
remembering I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need </i>to rest with Him
along the way) that I may press on towards the goal. If I am empty I have
nothing to give but my own self, which isn’t pretty. If I am full in Christ, He
can use me to love and serve others in His love, a humbling truth…and gift.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZOqybZFd0nujblw-MvSUSq2ngLA7pMZPGmDrijIsRJUMNYik_Hly8TG0eivloPLNPux0eIRZpocTKTBPvTJJ-yePNQWio4dwchZ0TYeXhEVixaCkbNe2ANOoNS0wCfVQWZ_aMUYB1LUu/s1600/DSC_6612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZOqybZFd0nujblw-MvSUSq2ngLA7pMZPGmDrijIsRJUMNYik_Hly8TG0eivloPLNPux0eIRZpocTKTBPvTJJ-yePNQWio4dwchZ0TYeXhEVixaCkbNe2ANOoNS0wCfVQWZ_aMUYB1LUu/s1600/DSC_6612.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>How are you doing?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in
anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Only let us
hold true to what we have attained.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">~Philippians
1:14-16 ESV</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-33386018401530376062015-02-06T07:49:00.000-05:002015-02-06T07:49:45.548-05:00"I've got this"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9o4yLHtdjqoIL-BbnWff3VYT0GSw2PfyMQn4v4XBc5bgkWGrLOVCslB9BHNtfZU7D2SJtFvmBDGe2uBPkzrxQVrurWHzBSEwBTlET9Fr6ao_2KM4xvGej2EqtcWCbQuKiQd03C67pnoA/s1600/DSC_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9o4yLHtdjqoIL-BbnWff3VYT0GSw2PfyMQn4v4XBc5bgkWGrLOVCslB9BHNtfZU7D2SJtFvmBDGe2uBPkzrxQVrurWHzBSEwBTlET9Fr6ao_2KM4xvGej2EqtcWCbQuKiQd03C67pnoA/s1600/DSC_6323.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Reading <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://holleygerth.com/give-up/" target="_blank">here</a></i></span> this morning...<br />
...how I am feeling right now. Not in a bad way, just tired. My plate is full, the soup bowl is sloshing around and I am feeling pulled in so many directions. I am a tired mama...but I keep going because He gives me the strength to. I am so very thankful for the husband and children God has blessed me with, the opportunities He has allowed us and the favor He showed us yesterday in such a mighty way. A nudge and hug to say, "Keep going, I've got this, I am with you."<br />
One step at a time, praising Him through it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Take no thought for your life" ~ Matthew 6:25</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Be careful about this one thing only," says our Lord, "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I <i>must</i> consider how I am going to live, I <i>must</i> consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not...Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">~Oswald Chambers</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-26505344808581926982015-01-31T11:42:00.000-05:002015-01-31T11:42:38.495-05:00sweet to the soul...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruPgwzHkPikhN6cZUCbDuMwqsZQymZFBbi3tzg7jv8-KCIFc2sYHYIFAK0YTX9_YfMrOmaBCCdyJUOqY3f4Vw71PRpmVpqplIXjeYYpUH4hFAi3PVg6mLFtJu_O0Efbxaqc7_H8Bbwd0Q/s1600/IMG_4058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruPgwzHkPikhN6cZUCbDuMwqsZQymZFBbi3tzg7jv8-KCIFc2sYHYIFAK0YTX9_YfMrOmaBCCdyJUOqY3f4Vw71PRpmVpqplIXjeYYpUH4hFAi3PVg6mLFtJu_O0Efbxaqc7_H8Bbwd0Q/s1600/IMG_4058.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by our 5 year old :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.</div>
<a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalm%2086:5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none;" title="Psalm 86:5">Psalm 86:5</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none;" title="English Standard Version">ESV</a><br />
<br />
Finding joy in the little things, resting in His care, thankful for His provisions (both physically and spiritually) and knowing we are the apple of His eye. May His Word be the apple of our eyes.<br />
(Deut 32:10, Psalm 17:8, Prov 7:2).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-77403727994162217752015-01-24T00:18:00.000-05:002015-01-24T00:18:35.617-05:00Praise!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But he said to her, “You speak as one of the </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12902A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12902A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">foolish women would speak. </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12902B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12902B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12902C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12902C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">In all this Job did not </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12902D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12902D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">sin with his lips.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~Job 2:10</div>
<br />
<i>When we don't have answers to our whys...</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGfvm7ZIbIbp93jaUUDbEAizg88ICEejldNOd6wUR6GwYW_wO7G0jFFOa0JIGaHUz7FsuesqymQS4y6_9qqo-6di7gdv9ZvtwapCyg_-FgQOSGHFOlFHnTfr4eS6NAy71nY2keGf0NWL-/s1600/DSC_6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGfvm7ZIbIbp93jaUUDbEAizg88ICEejldNOd6wUR6GwYW_wO7G0jFFOa0JIGaHUz7FsuesqymQS4y6_9qqo-6di7gdv9ZvtwapCyg_-FgQOSGHFOlFHnTfr4eS6NAy71nY2keGf0NWL-/s1600/DSC_6366.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbErsepwrLX9MJh8nMEs1etiBRwtnN8YSBM9lUSG_ssjPItmO0cYYlsh1ml_z5uB0XYN6xa8JwPPM6oTx5XrL4B7nLFXT0DYHGfWu2r6efP87Lj8IUvtN2QhibpacPEdEprfTDtSKcUE20/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbErsepwrLX9MJh8nMEs1etiBRwtnN8YSBM9lUSG_ssjPItmO0cYYlsh1ml_z5uB0XYN6xa8JwPPM6oTx5XrL4B7nLFXT0DYHGfWu2r6efP87Lj8IUvtN2QhibpacPEdEprfTDtSKcUE20/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Ps-64-10" id="en-ESV-14861" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;">Let <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14861A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14861A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the righteous one rejoice in the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-64-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14861B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14861B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>take refuge in him!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Let all</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14861C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14861C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the upright in heart exult!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">~Psalm 64:10</span></div>
<br />
<i>we continue to praise Him... </i><br />
<br />
Thanking God for who He is, despite struggles, knowing He is unchanging and His love is sufficient<br />
... and that our struggles are minor in the grand scheme of things.<br />
<br />
Praise the Lord for His unending mercies.<br />
My heart will rejoice :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85689/jonbree/b3b90b882a2c9ec062e2efb177857028.png" /></a>Breehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12235535066704672342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635988034143813532.post-55088036329456418022015-01-05T08:39:00.000-05:002015-01-05T08:39:00.762-05:00Organization and...The Power of Moms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVApQvHL-I7xQfxtN6LaIPGpZ0dAV5BdKCuSsCnOVgo-NSL9M75OFGbrhD-zsm7l1NpT4jiqrQVhA_ovQ5E86mk6U-67TWjEXZbDMZfvTcwcVVLAu8TRpFCd0yAOVLY9V6rZ1BIV16mt0z/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVApQvHL-I7xQfxtN6LaIPGpZ0dAV5BdKCuSsCnOVgo-NSL9M75OFGbrhD-zsm7l1NpT4jiqrQVhA_ovQ5E86mk6U-67TWjEXZbDMZfvTcwcVVLAu8TRpFCd0yAOVLY9V6rZ1BIV16mt0z/s1600/images.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NQXOLsOVi4CdKdRkRrIliy6Z7AZCTKfduDWFq8nju2cxQlAbz3x5MaKKg3AB7YvPxi2zutJ07-gpINb1vgM8v20dINHvhRONLON_Fya0RBln9uKzZQTlwmL4hWPw2TpY0ojlEZaJxzIR/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NQXOLsOVi4CdKdRkRrIliy6Z7AZCTKfduDWFq8nju2cxQlAbz3x5MaKKg3AB7YvPxi2zutJ07-gpINb1vgM8v20dINHvhRONLON_Fya0RBln9uKzZQTlwmL4hWPw2TpY0ojlEZaJxzIR/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" height="87" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(buttons from google images)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Have you heard of the<b><i><a href="http://powerofmoms.com/" target="_blank"> Power of Moms</a></i></b>? After Christmas was winding down I was scrolling through Facebook and came across a free webinar with a happy looking lady at a desk. Needless to say I thought how lovely that would be to learn about organizing and have some quiet time to glean something new. Oh my goodness, can I tell you this was an answer to prayer! The webinar was so well done and honest and easy to follow. Although the ultimate part of the organizing part of the program does have a <b><i><u>very</u></i></b> reasonable cost, April Perry doesn't just sell you something on the webinar. She actually gives you information that you can take and implement for free! Everything beyond that is a wonderful bonus, learning opportunity and community gathering. There is an eCourse available and a Moms Premium subscription. In addition, the website is full of not only organizing help and instruction, but also encouragement and other topics (kids, life, support...).<br />
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I so highly recommend this! I have the precious opportunity to take the Mom eCourse so I will be posting pictures of my (gasp...please don't judge! ;) ) piles and the transformations, not just of the piles, but also our organizing system. Being a wife, full-time student and mama of five and hubby and I running our own business...oh what a blessing this would (and will) be!<br />
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What a gift for others to share their talents to help others. God created the body of believers to support and encourage one another. The Power of Moms has brought together a team of women (families truly) to use their talents to help others and also as a means of support while still being able to care for their families.<br />
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Happy and blessed week to you as the kiddos start back to school. As our sermon at church yesterday emphasized...FOCUS. Focusing on Christ, being intentional, and the rest will all fall into place.<br />
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<i><span class="text Rom-12-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">"3 </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28233G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28233G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28233H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28233H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28233I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28233I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>each according to <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28233J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28233J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the measure of faith that God has assigned.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-4" id="en-ESV-28234" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28234K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28234K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>as in one body we have many members,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28234e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28234e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28234e" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span>and the members do not all have the same function,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-ESV-28235" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>so we, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28235L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28235L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>though many, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28235M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28235M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>are one body in Christ, and individually <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28235N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28235N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>members one of another.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-6" id="en-ESV-28236" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28236O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28236O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28236P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28236P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>prophecy, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28236Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28236Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>in proportion to our faith;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-7" id="en-ESV-28237" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>if <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28237R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28237R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-8" id="en-ESV-28238" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28238S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28238S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the one who leads,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28238f" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28238f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28238f" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</span> with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28238T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28238T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>cheerfulness."- Romans 12:3-8</span></i><br />
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