tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63442423003417917972024-03-05T14:11:03.612-06:00As Two Lives Become OneA+Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939360307660222584noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-64222538954812684352016-04-26T09:15:00.000-05:002016-04-26T09:15:13.133-05:00Update<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I didn't continue with my "DIY" cleaning series. Maybe I'll get back to it one day. :) I've been kind of busy for a while. New projects, new life, all kinds of things. :) Time for an update. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am certifying to become a doula. <a href="http://www.pillarofstrengthdoula.com/denton-doula-what-is-a-doula/" target="_blank">What's a doula?</a> In short, I help a mom and her family during labor. While doctors/midwives/nurses </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pillarofstrengthdoula.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jafc2l7Yvqr76KtYpa1IUIrLb6y9qd4GXQB0T_pJmn0glnDHy7tPjHbVSeYxSBbHKMv56rqsE534fRIhU5N_VP_1Yz9nh4c6TBLKCEqsfSJ-y38LI26jBOgLz7HobGImdf3YVFp-5CXk/s320/WP+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">mainly concern themselves with the health of the baby and the mom, I will concern myself with helping the mom emotionally, physically, and informationally. Husbands and family members/friends are usually great at supporting a mom in labor but they are also emotionally involved with the mom and baby in a way that a neutral party is not. This is especially important when things deviate from what a mom has planned. A doula can help keep the mom and family calm while informing them of what is happening and giving ideas of how to deal with the change or make a change to get things back to "normal." A doula is great to help a dad know how to help his wife. Another great benefit is that a doula is there and available throughout the entire birth process. While doctors/midwives/nurses do come in to check on a mom throughout her labor, they are usually busy with other laboring mothers to show 100% undivided attention to one mother. A doula does not do anything medical, "catch" the baby, act as an advocate or speak for the mother or family to the medical staff, or guarantee a certain birth outcome. Not all doulas are the same either. For the best birth experience, it is important that the mother/family and the doula feel that each other are a good fit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The word "doula" comes from the Greek word <span style="background-color: white; font-family: blbGentium;">δοῦλος which means "servant" or "slave." Mary used the </span><span style="font-family: blbGentium;">feminine form of this word in Luke 1:38 when she had just been informed that she would give birth to the Messiah. She said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My new business is called <a href="http://www.pillarofstrengthdoula.com/" target="_blank">Pillar of Strength Doula Services</a> based on Psalms 144:12 which says, "May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace..." If you know someone who lives in the Denton, TX area and might be interested in hiring a doula for their birth, please send them my info. I offer a free consultation to anyone interested and I am currently offering a discount.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another change in our life is that I had weight loss surgery. This was not something I really ever saw myself doing but I have been battling my weight for decades. I was super successful a few years ago and lost about 70 lbs but the only way I was able to lose any weight was to eat between 1000-1200 calories a day and hard-core workout about 2-3 hrs a day. While that may work for some people, it was not something that I stuck to and was not something that would be feasible to stick to long term. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also decided to have the surgery once I started seeing some things show up in my health that were not a good indication as to what my future would look like. When I mentioned it to my cardiologist, he was 100% behind the idea and really recommended it for me. After 6 months of physician guided dieting, consulting a psychologist, researching, weighing my options, talking with people who have also had this surgery, and praying, I had the surgery in December. The two week pre-diet, not getting a good Christmas dinner, and the several weeks of post op diet was not fun...not fun at all. However, I am now a little over four months out and I feel fantastic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can eat pretty much anything I want with the exception of bread. I can physically eat the bread but it makes me feel yucky so I try to avoid it as much as I can. Before this surgery, I would have told you there is no way I would ever be ok with giving up bread but now, it doesn't even tempt me. There are somethings I really liked before this surgery that don't even sound good now and a lot of things I never liked that I love now. It's so weird. As of yesterday, I have lost just about 70 lbs since my highest weight. I have so much more energy and two weeks ago I started actually feeling like working out. That is a victory in and of itself. Anyone who knows me knows I do NOT like to exercise at all. But now that it is easier to just move my body in general, I'm enjoying going for longer walks and playing the Wii Fit is a lot easier and more fun. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqM3erMjmz04d80L6qidkQX9BLBDMot7La_cWOe7d34czTUSFTmJHvZerr8N0vaSdIwzPlbBP8tw_xiK1928pQ4aSOkPmSaZEXHFxF9q77afGzZqvuzMlGmm7uMt0C68x83mfc3uwWaIz/s1600/2016-03-26+20.06.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqM3erMjmz04d80L6qidkQX9BLBDMot7La_cWOe7d34czTUSFTmJHvZerr8N0vaSdIwzPlbBP8tw_xiK1928pQ4aSOkPmSaZEXHFxF9q77afGzZqvuzMlGmm7uMt0C68x83mfc3uwWaIz/s320/2016-03-26+20.06.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are still running <a href="http://kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a> and hoping to turn it into a bakery/cafe one of these days. We are making a few changes to some of the ways we do things but nothing major. I have been listening to and reading everything I can about marketing and business to learn how best to run a business in this online world. I've used a lot of it to really improve <a href="http://www.pillarofstrengthdoula.com/" target="_blank">Pillar of Strength's</a> SEO (search engine optimization...how you rank in Google when you search for your business using keywords). I'm now getting into a routine with <a href="http://www.pillarofstrengthdoula.com/" target="_blank">Pillar of Strength</a> and will be taking what I've learned to market Kapp's Kitchen more. I'm actually excited about how much I have learned and seeing actual improvements. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that's about it right now. I plan on making another post really soon. One of my friends recently asked me about the podcasts I listen to so I thought I would make a list and describe each one and share it in a post. She isn't the first person to ask me so I thought it might be a good idea. Till next time. :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-10180607018328909202015-08-10T10:45:00.000-05:002015-08-10T10:45:20.574-05:00Doing It Ourselves: Oven Cleaning <span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago, I ran the auto-clean cycle on my oven. It cleaned the oven but the oven window was still an icky, grease splattered mess. It was becoming a real pet peeve of mine but I wasn't sure what to do about it. So, I did what most women of my generation do. I logged onto Pinterest. LOL</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquK69VMUxje6Y06WWK33aOOuHsf1t355jipWeFsOLst1insLmuXZz-tTIJlBHAoOBaLIsPOdXxCY2LTrBZekydB4KxFbNIG1mt_EZNaBl5vTJ-blNzLDS-rz5aNYoa8zUsnGQjli3hWMI/s1600/Oven+Door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquK69VMUxje6Y06WWK33aOOuHsf1t355jipWeFsOLst1insLmuXZz-tTIJlBHAoOBaLIsPOdXxCY2LTrBZekydB4KxFbNIG1mt_EZNaBl5vTJ-blNzLDS-rz5aNYoa8zUsnGQjli3hWMI/s640/Oven+Door.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had an idea of what to try but wanted confirmation that someone else had tried it and their family was still alive. Ha.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT2XMy58X61SxNM4THWNoMeS_9DiKGaJE90fXq-f2rRvYXMF495XWwpAW8cebtSzLOGLwtzcjv7Bq0f52Xe_doWDehix6eTx3rJwhP27oks18__-40M3DpdmFRb1y1YTGPJJAvu7WQ-PS/s1600/2015-07-10+12.21.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT2XMy58X61SxNM4THWNoMeS_9DiKGaJE90fXq-f2rRvYXMF495XWwpAW8cebtSzLOGLwtzcjv7Bq0f52Xe_doWDehix6eTx3rJwhP27oks18__-40M3DpdmFRb1y1YTGPJJAvu7WQ-PS/s200/2015-07-10+12.21.04.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I made up a paste of baking soda and water. Then I smeared it all over the inside of the window and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes. I then used a wash cloth to scrub it in a bit and clean it off. Most of it came off. There were still a few spots that were really baked on. So I carefully used my kitchen razor to scrape off the thick stuff and then scrubbed again with some more baking soda paste.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlfXmD6xPH6ug-2WxiPBqXtg9dZUBG9o_b_Sv4Veg-VHfMC1vbSXcdQQYaOjijlmnmu9yt-NxUzkIHx5N51pIKsSoiIkXsqSnGWPjZM-fFQ6l7qhEiC93dycdYPiP9vny1SOaySNN-H9d/s1600/2015-07-10+13.23.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlfXmD6xPH6ug-2WxiPBqXtg9dZUBG9o_b_Sv4Veg-VHfMC1vbSXcdQQYaOjijlmnmu9yt-NxUzkIHx5N51pIKsSoiIkXsqSnGWPjZM-fFQ6l7qhEiC93dycdYPiP9vny1SOaySNN-H9d/s320/2015-07-10+13.23.07.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Viola! Crystal clean oven window. My kitchen was already pretty clean that day but this was the icing on the cake. I had to stare at it for awhile. Oh the things us adults get excited over. Hehe</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-48899352127485224612015-07-18T19:47:00.002-05:002015-07-18T19:47:56.538-05:00Doing It Ourselves: Swiffer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyBVaQUXK_VjlIIoFjzuRUuQ1dzbU0hffZsu-foZbKZ47QSOdIdOFpvXUGadw1-i2s0xR__YW25apCvrIlMbOc2RUou5SDjujAo0BdLlCQcuEtq1ELteFr8NVIaJXYZkiZvgSuFxSk6kC/s1600/IMG_0409_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyBVaQUXK_VjlIIoFjzuRUuQ1dzbU0hffZsu-foZbKZ47QSOdIdOFpvXUGadw1-i2s0xR__YW25apCvrIlMbOc2RUou5SDjujAo0BdLlCQcuEtq1ELteFr8NVIaJXYZkiZvgSuFxSk6kC/s320/IMG_0409_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I love my Swiffer. I just don't use it as often as I should. It is a great way to "mop" your floors </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">between really scrubbing, soaking mopping and is way easier than finding the mop and bucket out side (because you forgot once again to bring it in after it had dried the last time you used it), cleaned the bugs and dirt off of them (because they stayed outside for several days...ahem...weeks), fill the bucket with water and soap, mop all the floors, then wait 2 hrs for everything to dry (then still finding a puddle and nearly doing the splits in the kitchen).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still feel like I have to do a good soaking mop every once in awhile, but if I could get into the habit of using the Swiffer every day, I would feel like I've really progressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also love the presoaked pads for the Swiffer. What I don't like is the price. They typically cost about $0.33 per pad. I usually use about two-three pads just for my kitchen alone. So, just to clean the floor in my kitchen alone, that is around a dollar. If I do that every day that is about $30 a month and $365 a year; and that is if I don't end up making a mess and having to clean it more than once. That's pretty pricey just to mop a floor, in my opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I took to Pinterst, the woman's encyclopedia for all things home, to see if any of those amazing DIYers out there had come up with an alternative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was not disappointed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are tons of great options. Here are a few I found:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a great sewing option that looks really cute with the buttons from <a href="http://berlinswhimsy.typepad.com/berlins_whimsy/2009/10/swiffer-cover-sewing-pattern.html#tp" target="_blank">Berlin's Whimsy</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oaOgOdilykuq-RtvlmbP3x64rj1xqJQULo-FA3IBP6mlm07IwnPoe-q8nT1ouKf2tMtCK-NNpEw_DhPdxtO8JV7_GtwxUXfj5uCyuGDUtRC_Lhu1FQVPX8UN70v_bg7ze8qrZobEdPSS/s1600/6a00d8341c00f553ef0120a6247c00970b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oaOgOdilykuq-RtvlmbP3x64rj1xqJQULo-FA3IBP6mlm07IwnPoe-q8nT1ouKf2tMtCK-NNpEw_DhPdxtO8JV7_GtwxUXfj5uCyuGDUtRC_Lhu1FQVPX8UN70v_bg7ze8qrZobEdPSS/s200/6a00d8341c00f553ef0120a6247c00970b.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This one from Sarah at <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Homemade-Reusable-Floor-Wipes-28139096" target="_blank">POPSUGAR</a> has a recipe for a cleanser for soaking the reusable pads. I'm not sure about using lemon juice, though, if it is going to sit out for a long period of time. A lemon essential oil might be a better alternative, in that case.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6p5_erB16MUYFZbnoESadO-47H0VgzyAMIpSFuJ5vOWxVk-fHIMU9I-JYlCj36ExkTd4FiDM4KHD8LlswiIh99Pv9YDrSvNVJZTiRz6LTktL4kb0qvivQds_XN_Do3V-UjmkAkRhXSdn/s1600/fa6f7f99cb2688a5_P1130228.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6p5_erB16MUYFZbnoESadO-47H0VgzyAMIpSFuJ5vOWxVk-fHIMU9I-JYlCj36ExkTd4FiDM4KHD8LlswiIh99Pv9YDrSvNVJZTiRz6LTktL4kb0qvivQds_XN_Do3V-UjmkAkRhXSdn/s200/fa6f7f99cb2688a5_P1130228.preview.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the crafty person, here is a crochet pattern option from Jessica at <a href="http://candleinthenight.com/2014/01/reusable-swiffer-pad-free-crochet-pattern/" target="_blank">Candle in the Night</a>. I really like this one but I need to keep practicing my crochet skills. This may be a way for me to practice. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdOiqVQxxXiNRxHIJ86zuXkhHkM_BVnsQJSPanXLpsXd3MK814U_HFEhWA55wUWG-tmNs1ZS8H2NPnjOW_08JA7Tbl_m3popBlZkbzoHl2uTysQODP0LyfGT4UWjTkqYdxO_Z3pvkcYwv/s1600/Reusable-Swiffer-Cover-Crochet-Pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdOiqVQxxXiNRxHIJ86zuXkhHkM_BVnsQJSPanXLpsXd3MK814U_HFEhWA55wUWG-tmNs1ZS8H2NPnjOW_08JA7Tbl_m3popBlZkbzoHl2uTysQODP0LyfGT4UWjTkqYdxO_Z3pvkcYwv/s320/Reusable-Swiffer-Cover-Crochet-Pattern.jpg" width="128" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a really nice sewing idea from Penny at <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2012/01/diy-swiffer-pad.html" target="_blank">SewTakeAHike</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXEm60RS6pxlXUTIIH9n6fiQjTG0vaNXDm8SHHjwp27CJEC0It6jmEMGN4kqLStjlXLIuHqFk-ID6IufH90PC5qLxvCGz1CsHLSfSvp8cKXx4WjPFgtM0qQqMzOKtvLbFz7Fw_HeKuKqB/s1600/Swiffer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXEm60RS6pxlXUTIIH9n6fiQjTG0vaNXDm8SHHjwp27CJEC0It6jmEMGN4kqLStjlXLIuHqFk-ID6IufH90PC5qLxvCGz1CsHLSfSvp8cKXx4WjPFgtM0qQqMzOKtvLbFz7Fw_HeKuKqB/s200/Swiffer.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one from <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/11/make-your-own-reusable-swiffer-pads-and-cleaning-solution.html" target="_blank">One Good Thing by Jillee</a> uses a fuzzy sock. Talk about simple. I'm not sure how this one would be at being used as a wet alternative but it looks like it would be great as a dry alternative.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1QS00ijwPHWspn_TLLQ-EaLC3wN1GTr1MI8BKPWVoi1VP4H2EnY2qVhWSwPxi4bamDlXnRL6ULT8Sqm_OnGZSE6qtY-9fi1FTOYarU1QQwA0dpnB-XyOOpeJg6gDKppGATmLTZLLDS2E/s1600/diy-swiffer-refills-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1QS00ijwPHWspn_TLLQ-EaLC3wN1GTr1MI8BKPWVoi1VP4H2EnY2qVhWSwPxi4bamDlXnRL6ULT8Sqm_OnGZSE6qtY-9fi1FTOYarU1QQwA0dpnB-XyOOpeJg6gDKppGATmLTZLLDS2E/s200/diy-swiffer-refills-3.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, this is the one by Karrie at <a href="http://happymoneysaver.com/make-swiffer-wet-pads/#_a5y_p=2274842" target="_blank">Happy Money Saver</a> is the one I ended up going with. I liked the use of old rags/towels and her recipe for the cleanser better than some of the others I had seen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC8domGeB__Ig3isN7Cycqo4yNHb07t71v9rCYz5CTcW2HMLV4Fow59QDXRTxvFKgdcGJKEfXn0IuwVFi0mttkPiMtDeRTjSyg4ZZMsawNzLVdxxoU7os0B7iKRDdFzspgtk5rV6m1gI2/s1600/Ingredients-Long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC8domGeB__Ig3isN7Cycqo4yNHb07t71v9rCYz5CTcW2HMLV4Fow59QDXRTxvFKgdcGJKEfXn0IuwVFi0mttkPiMtDeRTjSyg4ZZMsawNzLVdxxoU7os0B7iKRDdFzspgtk5rV6m1gI2/s200/Ingredients-Long.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had recently been talking about how we needed to find a new use some of our towels and washcloths. Some of them are starting to look a bit ratty faded (or bleached on accident). We didn't want to throw them out because they still work they just don't look as nice anymore and we got so many towels and cloths when we got married we hardly have room in our bathroom closet for anything else (talk about a cabinet that needs organizational help).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Result:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Price wise, this is way cheaper. A gallon of vinegar runs around </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">$2.50, a gallon of distilled water cost me $0.50, I already had the essential oils. Essential Oils can be quite expensive but (1) they aren't really necessary, (2) you can shop around for better priced ones or chose oils that aren't that pricey, and (3) you only use a few drops so it isn't like you are using an entire bottle. I modified the recipe just a little so mine came out to be less than $0.50 for an entire container. My container held about 6 wash cloths so that is about $0.08 per wash cloth. I ended up using three cloths to "mop" my kitchen/dining room, both bathrooms, the entryway, and hallway. So, what use to cost me around $2.00 to "mop" my whole house now costs me only $0.24. That's a pretty significant savings, if you ask me. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vinegar is one of those "miracle" cleaners. It breaks down grease and grime, disinfects, deodorizes, and is much nicer to the environment than other household cleaners. After using these to clean my floors, I felt like they worked much better. I was able to really scrub some spots much easier than with the Swiffer pads and they seemed to come up much easier. My cloths also seemed to stay wet much longer than the Swiffer pads.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKwQWIBW04G3a0oY_hK0wHyY3afyc4YgEbE5CCVNP0X4lKIUc1Dg3ieFpzk6o7Xnnin4Ws_DXTq3WTNGYGyxrSajeDOy1QWweaL4Fz1CnQV0rT3FHLNbywfMR8c8gXYYMAL1fkkeVPI03/s1600/2015-07-10+14.18.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKwQWIBW04G3a0oY_hK0wHyY3afyc4YgEbE5CCVNP0X4lKIUc1Dg3ieFpzk6o7Xnnin4Ws_DXTq3WTNGYGyxrSajeDOy1QWweaL4Fz1CnQV0rT3FHLNbywfMR8c8gXYYMAL1fkkeVPI03/s200/2015-07-10+14.18.47.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4H5N0b-j38vo0HuCNzKkXZE4Rs5OKDVrJS09Ds1iLGxLWQNlm4Qcde2jxcZY2qTmKNthBpkRLv1Syc1ioRLAMRVwlufyshgmnpXKHiDkXGKXTgWJVFup5HUrLK2ESaVihMmBD7ApZkij/s1600/2015-07-10+14.26.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4H5N0b-j38vo0HuCNzKkXZE4Rs5OKDVrJS09Ds1iLGxLWQNlm4Qcde2jxcZY2qTmKNthBpkRLv1Syc1ioRLAMRVwlufyshgmnpXKHiDkXGKXTgWJVFup5HUrLK2ESaVihMmBD7ApZkij/s200/2015-07-10+14.26.37.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Final Grade:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Works great. Happy budget, "naturally" safe, creation friendly, and convenient. Happy homemaker approved. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjWVNkNzVnaUhYMXc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVY3Zhjctpz4ggaZWsyqMYGkteQ2tuq3NVwt3X1TXoevEUEw95s0gyHKlq8gL69oTw-0iJLvt1_GT7T_chD-bT-UFEMoSFwJVXA20V7DAObxBlfdBoqbWul45oVTSbst7z17VTbUqyvpu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-18+at+5.54.31+PM.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-35965934907940075642015-07-06T16:31:00.003-05:002015-07-06T16:31:52.323-05:00Doing It Ourselves: "Naturally"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLv0UItlwi8oVKhoCAk01cT0SjKXmqJZjUlfv-hDOdCe8zoXE7uMLN5V7RCKexWYH0YtOrlfFHbX5GNUJvzunqYJuGmVDFaF_9U2tPf94IHh2TwKfLc0TUWCK51QPlzNJ3gHsclNTdAZr/s1600/treehugger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLv0UItlwi8oVKhoCAk01cT0SjKXmqJZjUlfv-hDOdCe8zoXE7uMLN5V7RCKexWYH0YtOrlfFHbX5GNUJvzunqYJuGmVDFaF_9U2tPf94IHh2TwKfLc0TUWCK51QPlzNJ3gHsclNTdAZr/s320/treehugger.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, I was a tree-hugger. In fact, in college, I went to a Sierra club meeting with one of my friends. During the meeting, they talked about going to Little Rock and chaining themselves to the capital building or the court house. While they were talking, I was a little scared at first with what they were talking about but the longer I stayed that evening the more my brain was washed. However, God was protecting me from that kind of nonsense. As my friend and I walked back to the dorm we discussed the meeting and decided they were a little too radical for us at least at that moment in time, in other words, we were afraid we would get in trouble with our parents is we got up to the shenanigans this group was proposing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "natural" movement in today's culture would have been right up my alley. I would have gone head long into that sea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward a few years and I moved from being liberal leaning, tree-hugger to far right, conservative, recycling is a political conspiracy. I definitely swung to the to the opposite end of the spectrum. I refused to recycle and scoffed at anything that people called "natural" or those who said stuff like, "That has so many chemicals it it." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, however, I think I have mellowed a bit. Much to the credit of my wonderful and wise husband who tends to ground me and make me think of things with a cooler head. He and my Aunt Connee convinced (somewhat conspired) me to start recycling. I'm certainly not back to my "the world will end if we don't save the environment" days but the Creator did <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26-28&version=KJV" target="_blank">give man dominion over the land</a> and I doubt He is pleased when we abuse His creation. I deny the whole climate-change/global warming movement, I'm not worried about the hole in the ozone, I am certain a world-wide flood isn't going to ever happen again. However, I also don't think it is being a good steward of what God has given us to not at least attempt to take some sort of care of the environment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDDDgn-skwI_a27QrRdZyPLgGsj3lThjsn_-fZrYFh_tyb_klbEI7-9RbLMl_aLBtcNHaEjuHjqdBsXUGgOZG52mWSHIwq_YiIlvewlaMx0XpIZFnmadXghjMa0dw98_6RQ_GQCYRIoFl/s1600/vlcsnap-2792975.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDDDgn-skwI_a27QrRdZyPLgGsj3lThjsn_-fZrYFh_tyb_klbEI7-9RbLMl_aLBtcNHaEjuHjqdBsXUGgOZG52mWSHIwq_YiIlvewlaMx0XpIZFnmadXghjMa0dw98_6RQ_GQCYRIoFl/s320/vlcsnap-2792975.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still don't necessarily trust someone saying "it's natural." Poison ivy is natural but you don't see me wiping my counters down with it's leaves. "That has so many chemicals in it" still irritates me a bit. This entire world is made of chemicals. I understand what they are saying, it has many man-made chemicals, but in this culture today, we must be careful with the words we use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having said that, I am concerned with the amount of manufactured chemicals that are considered toxins and poisons that we use without thinking these days. I get the sentiment of "natural" and don't disagree that it's probably better to stay as close to the original product as God created it. However, we live in a <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+3&version=ESV" target="_blank">Genesis 3</a> world and due to Adam's sin, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+24%3A5-6&version=ESV" target="_blank">the world suffers from the curse</a>. Before The Fall, there was <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+1%3A31&version=ESV" target="_blank">no death, no disease, no danger</a>. But after <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5%3A12&version=ESV" target="_blank">Adam sinned</a>, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6:23&version=ESV" target="_blank">death was the sentence</a> and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A20-22&version=ESV" target="_blank">the whole world suffers under that verdict</a>. Therefore, what was safe and likely beneficial before, is now often harmful. Before using something touted as being "natural," it is wise to do some research and find out just how "safe" it really is. Also, there are some things that may be safe to use in certain ways and very dangerous in others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I became especially concerned about the ingredients in a cleaning product after using one of my favorite cleaning products. I love the Clorox wipes. They are easy to use, they work great, and I'm pretty confident that anything on my cabinet is dead by the time I finish using them. However, when I use them, my hands will start burning like crazy. No amount of washing will stop it either. I can use gloves and do when I'm cleaning for a long time, however, just wiping down the counter after dinner, I typically don't take the time to put gloves on. So, Anthony and I have done a little research and have found some supplies we are giving a try.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw3bKUJQR-qQmyl0dHvpr6SRmtBqbADLJqMryIQuTQW_Mm0rKiG5ESMGUfXAslf5PFWOqUWBZ8AljW_SucyWrBEr18OZ6Zk2ESwkXIrI6lOZzywU0ajpsYQX3NjlepZEA7jYgCQB4OYnC/s1600/2015-07-02+09.57.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw3bKUJQR-qQmyl0dHvpr6SRmtBqbADLJqMryIQuTQW_Mm0rKiG5ESMGUfXAslf5PFWOqUWBZ8AljW_SucyWrBEr18OZ6Zk2ESwkXIrI6lOZzywU0ajpsYQX3NjlepZEA7jYgCQB4OYnC/s200/2015-07-02+09.57.45.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been making our own laundry detergent for over a year now and are very happy with it. I have an all-purpose cleaner and a shower spray that I mixed up myself that works pretty well and I love the cleaning power of baking soda and vinegar. We also recently also bought a couple of Mrs. Meyer's products to try...Anthony found a good deal. ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have lots of friends who have jumped on the essential oils bandwagon. I have some mixed feelings about them but I don't deride anyone for trying them. I have a few myself that I do use occasionally for making the house smell nice or adding to my homemade cleaning supplies so they smell nice. However, I'm not quite convinced of them yet. I tend to be the type of person that is easily lured into things like this (see first paragraph), so I have learned over the years to slow down before jumping into something (not that I'm always that great at it in practice). I will say, I have seen a friend's condition improve amazingly and it certainly has me wanting to so some serious research.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing with EOs is, that again, you have to do a lot of research before using them because many of them can be quite dangerous. I'm not going to talk any more today about EO's because I may make a separate post one day about them. The only thing I'll say is if it doesn't harm you, you feel better using it over popping a pill, and you can afford it, great! But, please do research and don't just trust what the EO company is claiming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another reason for trying to make our own products is that they tend to be significantly cheaper than what you find in stores. Sometimes there may be a little more up front cost but it ends up saving you a lot down the road...seeing that you continue using them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wbt1V1sryBQbNpp2cL_Us-CRjjCJo3l94t_Hp1OWAmtXhNoXFCNLrdZcJXdfWnxvDLQEzpyELtYRZ0mvtzx2Heg4ucgqcMLTMYhVC8xB82Ioi9TU1WxoxECCauZOw2Zer6ByOd5nN3ZZ/s1600/cleaning-300x202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wbt1V1sryBQbNpp2cL_Us-CRjjCJo3l94t_Hp1OWAmtXhNoXFCNLrdZcJXdfWnxvDLQEzpyELtYRZ0mvtzx2Heg4ucgqcMLTMYhVC8xB82Ioi9TU1WxoxECCauZOw2Zer6ByOd5nN3ZZ/s200/cleaning-300x202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'm going to try to experiment with a few DIY supplies and products from time-to-time and write about them here and tag them "Doing It Ourselves." For me to use something on a regular basis it has to meet certain qualifications and I'll be judging all of the products and methods I try based on essentially four criteria: Is it safe? Does it make my budget happy? Is it creation-friendly? Is it convenient?</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-55855720651297158022015-06-30T17:27:00.000-05:002015-07-02T08:33:47.383-05:00Prayer<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters f the knowledge of Christ."</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Charles Spurgeon</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPCqSaxm1oMnUrNEgJcyEN0hiNotU_7WzvHTbc8KcTTVmkkULfE4GcTeY-2Dshl_Blizg9eamwhp982l3KviXEMVK6QteFORLve7_cGoRleCO8WX_Z1s4kBlz_LRJQ2rxFU7ZQWeDJ3k/s1600/Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPCqSaxm1oMnUrNEgJcyEN0hiNotU_7WzvHTbc8KcTTVmkkULfE4GcTeY-2Dshl_Blizg9eamwhp982l3KviXEMVK6QteFORLve7_cGoRleCO8WX_Z1s4kBlz_LRJQ2rxFU7ZQWeDJ3k/s400/Prayer.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Pastor Trey preached <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/sermons/ephesians-314-21-gods-love-the-more-you-know-the-more-you-grow/?download_mp3=mp3" target="_blank">another excellent sermon</a> Sunday night at <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/" target="_blank">The Church of Pecan Creek</a>. One of the things I appreciate most about Pastor Trey is his exegesis and expository preaching. Currently, he is teaching us through the book of Ephesians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He did not break to have a sermon regarding the latest cultural change but covered <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+3%3A14-21&version=ESV" target="_blank">Ephesians 3:14-21</a> just as he would have if last week had just been another, uneventful week. Yet, the passage still spoke to our current situation. When a person teaches or preaches the full counsel of God, it will address whatever we are in at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Verse-by-verse, expository preaching is by far the most affective, efficient, and Biblical form of preaching, in my opinion. As a person preaches, verse-by-verse, you get the entire message, in context. With other forms, such as topical, it is common to have verses ripped out of context and twisted to fit into the topic the preacher has chosen to speak on that week. Also, with verse-by-verse preaching, you may address many topics in one passage rather than just one topic. Now, there is a time and place for topical preaching and, yes, there can be abuses in verse-by-verse preaching, but, on a whole, it is the safest and most beneficial for addressing the whole counsel of God. In addition, I doubt you will ever hear of a verse-by-verse expositor saying they have "run out of things to preach about."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This past weeks sermon touched on many topics but one topic especially resonated with me this week and it may be partly due to having thought about the subject a lot over the last few month. That topic was prayer. Not just that actual act or that we never do it enough, but what we really should be praying.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+3%3A14-21&version=ESV" target="_blank">Ephesians 3:14-21</a>)</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Paul stresses many times in his epistles praying for his and other brothers and sisters in the Faith spiritual health. Many times, in churches today, the prayer list reads like a list of diseases a physician my address. Not that we shouldn't pray for the health of each other, we absolutely should, we are to bare one another's burdens (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A14&version=ESV" target="_blank">James 4:14</a>). However, what is so much more important is the persons spiritual health, his sanctification. While we should not neglect the praying for our friends and families health, it is vitally more important to pray that their faith is strengthened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The best place to learn how to pray, is the Bible. I have found it most helpful to look at the opening and closing paragraphs of just about any epistle. Here are a few I have found especially instructive recently:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who was qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-12&version=ESV" target="_blank">Colossians 1:9-12</a>)</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." </span><span style="color: #38761d;">(</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A23&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Finally brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A1-5&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:1-5</a>) </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTDMQsYgxLqFBqCfuf2E-MpOK1aTZb5kOnuqUvGNoJdpPkrXXYE3d_Ol_3_VT94EMuGAkjaCK0odiTrt7blViIP1nPGyYMN6RYMsEw_TYGpA01qKAQUAUN6Fr8AJZnkx4erCEoFUYDO_x/s1600/Philippians+1%253A9-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTDMQsYgxLqFBqCfuf2E-MpOK1aTZb5kOnuqUvGNoJdpPkrXXYE3d_Ol_3_VT94EMuGAkjaCK0odiTrt7blViIP1nPGyYMN6RYMsEw_TYGpA01qKAQUAUN6Fr8AJZnkx4erCEoFUYDO_x/s400/Philippians+1%253A9-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="text 2Thess-3-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Now may </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29678Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29678Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">the Lord of peace himself </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29678AA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29678AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">give you peace at all times in every way. </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29678AB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29678AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">The Lord be with you all." (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A16&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:16</a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></span></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon+1%3A4-6&version=ESV" target="_blank">Philemon 1:4-6</a><span style="color: #38761d;">) </span></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A20-21&version=ESV" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:20-21</a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3+John+1%3A2&version=ESV" target="_blank">3 John 1:2</a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We are also instructed to pray for the leaders of our country, state, county, city, church, etc... This may not always be the easiest of tasks but no one ever said the Christian life was the easy life. </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quite life, godly and dignified in every way." (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A1-2&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here are some quotes by some wonderful men of God. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Pray, and let God worry."</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Martin Luther</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"You are close to people who are far from God -- will you beg God for their soul? Will you give them the gospel?"</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.deliveredbygrace.com/" target="_blank"><i>Josh B</i>uice</a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Fear not because your prayer is stammering, your words feeble, and your language poor. Jesus can understand you."</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>JC Ryle</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Let us resolve by God's grace that however poor and feeble our prayers may seem to be, we will pray on."</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>JC Ryle</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Grant, Almighty God...[that we may] learn to elevate our minds higher, and so make continual advances in your spiritual service."</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>John Calvin</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8R7ysF45L-HevDMpQC2GmuGntVoXzf3R67SqoLfJGQoT8d1w_ELltA7RMvSwqpW6z4Vm7O1DPgWyg1V7oXobDBwGaLswBv9vcBGryDa7wtj4f9sBiuA0O7tgmmwUGJk1Adxq9gKK29NY/s1600/ValleyOfVision_pbk_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8R7ysF45L-HevDMpQC2GmuGntVoXzf3R67SqoLfJGQoT8d1w_ELltA7RMvSwqpW6z4Vm7O1DPgWyg1V7oXobDBwGaLswBv9vcBGryDa7wtj4f9sBiuA0O7tgmmwUGJk1Adxq9gKK29NY/s320/ValleyOfVision_pbk_front.jpg" width="202" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you have the desire to read some of the most beautiful prayers written outside of the Bible, I would highly recommend purchasing"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Valley-Vision-Collection-Devotions/dp/0851512283" target="_blank">The Valley of Vision</a>." It is a collection of Puritan prayers that will humble you and teach you how to separate yourself from our physical desires and seek God's will for our spiritual sanctification. Anthony and I try to read one prayer before bed each night. We fail more than we succeed but it is always a humbling and encouraging experience when we do. Here is one prayer, the prayer in which the book received it's name:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Valley of Vision</span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold they glory.</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Let me learn by paradox</i></span> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that the way down is the way up,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that to be low is to be high,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that the broken heart is the healed heart,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that to have nothing is to possess all,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that to give is to receive,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> that the valley is the place of vision.</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Let me find Thy light in my darkness,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Thy life in my death,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Thy joy in my sorrow,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Thy grace in my sin,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Thy riches in my poverty,</i></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> Thy glory in my valley."</i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5585572065129715802&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-C4UHK1KyDLg%2FVZMJLp1fvRI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FnG-AsX_R-yA%2Fs400%2FPrayer.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=CaVKr0JsNER7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 279px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 142px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5585572065129715802&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-C4UHK1KyDLg%2FVZMJLp1fvRI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FnG-AsX_R-yA%2Fs400%2FPrayer.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=CaVKr0JsNER7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 279px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 142px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5585572065129715802&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-C4UHK1KyDLg%2FVZMJLp1fvRI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FnG-AsX_R-yA%2Fs400%2FPrayer.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=CaVKr0JsNER7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 279px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 142px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5585572065129715802&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-C4UHK1KyDLg%2FVZMJLp1fvRI%2FAAAAAAAABPs%2FnG-AsX_R-yA%2Fs400%2FPrayer.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=CaVKr0JsNER7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 279px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 142px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-76836495961955915922015-06-22T12:52:00.000-05:002015-06-22T12:56:10.112-05:00Trim Healthy Mama: Our Take<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwwYIpm6f4mWdP1Oo86TICOLrOFuepC0ixYN5LeEdoPQecBJY_Y_a2IckWMQtgQc1gqB65WGRCu_B6MDOBKKOTqZM0_d-N3S_9OuVw2lrX0wuqBzVkLe3oXd5cuQxEVhJtkkOwhNauPvg/s1600/TrimHealthyMama.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwwYIpm6f4mWdP1Oo86TICOLrOFuepC0ixYN5LeEdoPQecBJY_Y_a2IckWMQtgQc1gqB65WGRCu_B6MDOBKKOTqZM0_d-N3S_9OuVw2lrX0wuqBzVkLe3oXd5cuQxEVhJtkkOwhNauPvg/s320/TrimHealthyMama.png" width="267" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">So, we aren't so happy with the <a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy Mama</a> plan. We definitely like some parts of it but other parts concern us. Not to mention that we haven't been happy with any recipe we have found while doing the program. I'll talk about our dislikes and concerns first, then I'll talk about what we did like. Before anyone asks, we did try this program (not strictly) for about a month.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Cons:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who may love the THM life, don't get too mad at me, there are many positives with the program and if it works for you and your family, that is wonderful and I am happy you have found a healthy plan for your family. I would actually encourage people trying the plan. Every family is different, every cook is different, every person's taste is different. We all need to find what works best for our families. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Less than plan friendly foods</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My first issue is that there are several foods that are not exactly plan friendly but are very healthy. I will say the plan isn't necessarily against these foods and they do stress eating these foods but only rarely. Most of them are off-plan if you are attempting to lose weight. Some of these foods include all fruit, carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, and honey. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I will repeat, these aren't exactly "off-plan" foods but they are encouraged to be eaten only in very moderate amounts. That I do agree with, at least the eating in moderation part. Moderation in all food types is a key to healthy living and something most of us have a very difficult time practicing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What I don't agree with is that these foods are looked at as almost bad guys. Some may say I have gotten the wrong impression but this is the feel I have gotten from this program. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the plan teaches a low glycemic index diet which I totally agree with and the foods that they put in this "less-than-friendly" category are on the higher end glycemic index foods and should be eaten in moderation but s</span><span style="font-size: large;">ome of these foods are incredibly healthy alternatives to less healthy counterparts. For example, a sweet potato is much better for you than a russet potato, carrots are better than chips, and you can sweeten foods with carrots and onions rather than using sugar. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Honey. They state in the book that "honey can make you very fat." I agree that eating too much sugar in any form can lead to gaining weight. However, most people don't eat tons and tons of honey. We use honey but we can keep a bottle of honey in our cabinet long enough for it to crystalize. We occasionally sweeten a cup of herbal or green tea with honey and we use it in cooking from time to time. There are many benefits to consuming honey and I believe that it is a much healthier alternative to sugar. Unless you are slathering your Chick-Fil-A or Babe's biscuit in honey, you are likely fine. And, lets be honest, if you are eating at Chick-Fil-A or Babe's, honey is probably the least of your concerns. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While I agree you should be careful with them, I hesitate to criticize them as much as I feel this plan does. Again, this may just be a misunderstanding on my part but many of these foods are considered low glycemic index (GI) foods so I'm probably going to use them in cooking more than this plan prefers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4adc9We96AgqkhhOjlvC3tJFzoh2oKFOq8hDYpUb2uuAZI1c-IWtLoV_qUtLf2BPvUOALiRtefyd8dhofSFAcNDPFSRTGOGE0r2CKNjAAGAK1oGDWKweNCP_Xzqxch0SYTsYdUiujOxGh/s1600/stevia-side-effects-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4adc9We96AgqkhhOjlvC3tJFzoh2oKFOq8hDYpUb2uuAZI1c-IWtLoV_qUtLf2BPvUOALiRtefyd8dhofSFAcNDPFSRTGOGE0r2CKNjAAGAK1oGDWKweNCP_Xzqxch0SYTsYdUiujOxGh/s320/stevia-side-effects-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sugar alternatives</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who knows me, especially from my younger years, probably knows I had a probably unhealthy love of Sweet-'n'-Low. I've never been too afraid of sugar alternatives. I love to add generous helpings of Splenda when I'm making sweet tea. However, let's be honest, in the back of our mind have we not always had the inkling that sugar alternatives may possibly just be one of those "too good to be true" situations? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a kid and don't-care-about-"healthy" adult, I scoffed at people who were skeptical of sugar alternatives, or pretty much any "healthy alternatives." People who criticized margarine, products marketed as fat-free/low-fat, and processed/packaged foods, annoyed me slightly. I figured either they were overly cautious, just didn't like the taste, or were conspiracy hunters. However, I still managed to marry one of these people. Anthony immediately changed some of the ways I cooked. We cooked more at home with real foods, opted for the full fat rather than low-fat/fat free alternatives (real sour cream, real cream, higher fat milk, etc), used real sugar, and real butter. After about a year of this, my cholesterol dropped by about 20 points. I didn't lose any weight but I figured there had to be something to this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One the THM plan, most sugar alternatives are highly discouraged but sugar is not on-plan at all. They do have a couple of sugar alternatives that are used and used in almost everything. They allow stevia and erythritol. I have used stevia before and found it tolerable in very small amounts. When we first started the plan, I got some Truvia. It's probably the most common and popular form of powder stevia on the market. We did not like it at all. So, we purchased the Sweet Blend and the Pure Stevia powder from THM. I will say, these are much better, and if you are looking for an alternative, I highly recommend their blends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stevia is a sugar alternative that is natural. It comes from a herb that a lot of people have started including in their home gardens. I am not one of those that jumps on the band wagon of anything that someone says is "natural." Usually when someone is telling me "______ is good for you. It's natural." I usually reply with something like, "Poison ivy is natural too but you don't see me eating it." Yes, I know, I'm a little snarky sometimes. But, the point is, just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it is good for you. Due to the fact we live in a Genesis 3 world means we have to be careful of the "natural." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I'm not trying to denigrate stevia. However, I have done a little research looking into whether stevia is really a safe alternative to sugar. Here is what I have found:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Animal testing in the 1980's linked stevia with problems with fertility, reproductive growth, and genetic mutations. Stevia could only be sold as a dietary supplement due to the safety concerns. However, in 2008, Truvia and a few other manufacturers, using a highly purified extract of stevia called Rebaudioside A (aka Rebina or Rep A), petitioned the FDA to rate Rep A as <a href="http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/gras/default.htm" target="_blank">"generally regarded as safe" (GRAS)</a>. <a href="http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm397725.htm#Steviol_glycosides" target="_blank">The FDA accepted Rep A as GRAS but not whole leaf or crude stevia extracts</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is what the FDA says about <a href="http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm214864.htm" target="_blank">stevia</a>:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"<i>FDA has not permitted the use of whole-leaf Stevia or crude Stevia extracts because these substances have not been approved for use as a food additive. FDA does not consider their use in food to be GRAS in light of reports in the literature that raise concerns about the use of these substances. Among these concerns are control of blood sugar and effects on the reproductive, cardiovascular, and renal systems. Food additives and GRAS affirmation petition or pre-petition submissions for the use of such substances that FDA has received in the past have not contained the data and information necessary to establish the safe use of these substances as ingredients in food.</i>"</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even though the FDA approved Rep A as a GRAS ingredient, there are some people/<a href="http://cspinet.org/new/200812152.html" target="_blank">organizations</a> who are concerned at that the FDA did not require as strict of testing for Rep A as they usually do for other ingredients. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be honest, "generally regarded as safe" doesn't generate confidence in a substance. Even then, how do we know if a product is using Rep A and not the pure or crude extract? I just checked all my containers of Truvia, THM Sweet Blend, and THM Pure Stevia Extract. None of them said what form of stevia they used. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also not super trusting of the FDA considering some of the things they do pass but when even the FDA finds concern with a product, that makes me a bit more skeptical regarding that product.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Considering that we have issues with the three biological systems that the FDA were concerned as to the effects of stevia, I'm not super comfortable with continuing using stevia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have read a few other testimonies from women who struggled with infertility while using stevia and then their problems resolved after they removed stevia from their diet. This is just anecdotal evidence but probably does suggest more testing being done regarding this product.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not saying stevia isn't safe but I do think their may be some concerns worth considering. Personally, I'm no longer comfortable with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I need to break my addiction to adding sweeteners to my tea and coffee. Personally, I would rather have less of the real thing than all I want of the alternative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The THM Food</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, we have tried several of the recipes and only had one that was good. Several we had to throw out because they were inedible. We bought the THM Baking Blend and made pancakes the other night. They were full of fiber so we weren't hungry after dinner but I must say, we were less than happy with the texture. We would never make them again. Hopefully, we can find something to do with the rest of this Baking Blend because it was quite expensive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWp_EfTu8Kc_rr7h7J9nkgm54KXWCPv1yOfLhKnHq90mve0v8BtuIz8spD4_8MEnbnoQhNrNBgOcQLGFj45UyxOHn1VEWTbrrn8uJnyu2JEGRrenaFSkZNFADtprCMltvPcmN4-KQebMj/s1600/most-expensive-food-in-the-world-top-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWp_EfTu8Kc_rr7h7J9nkgm54KXWCPv1yOfLhKnHq90mve0v8BtuIz8spD4_8MEnbnoQhNrNBgOcQLGFj45UyxOHn1VEWTbrrn8uJnyu2JEGRrenaFSkZNFADtprCMltvPcmN4-KQebMj/s320/most-expensive-food-in-the-world-top-5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Expensive</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That brings me to another point. This lifestyle is less than budget-friendly, if you ask me. Much of this food is essentially gluten free. Anyone who has had to go to a gluten-free diet knows buying flour alternatives is anything but cheap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fat</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will talk more about fat in the Pros section but this is my concern regarding fat on this program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This program has categorizes meals into "S," "E," and "FP." I explained these meals in my last post. The "S" meals have to include over 5g of fat which is not really the problem. However, most recipes I have found for "S" meals seem to be overly generous with fat. To the point that it would never be considered a healthy meal by any sane person. Delicious, possibly, healthy, not likely. This seemed to be a complaint by many people with the Adkins diet. People seem to get in the mind set that as long as a meal doesn't have carbs in it, you can throw caution into the wind. I don't think this is what the creators of THM intended but it does seem to be inevitable in plans like this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is probably more of a complaint with how humans react than with the plan itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eating out or eating at a friend's house</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Like many diets, eating out or eating the food someone else cooked, is almost impossible to stay on plan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Planning a menu</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who has read this blog at all knows I have no qualms regarding planning our meal. I actually enjoy it. It has really been one of the most helpful and enjoyable habits I have adopted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have certain rules I stick to in making our menus (topic for another future post). However, with this plan, trying to make sure each meal type alternated was beyond difficult. Menu planning became less than enjoyable and if I don't enjoy it, I probably won't stick to it. Another major reason this plan will not work for our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Religious aspect</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sisters who created this plan are two Christian women. They love the Lord and love the Bible. I am thankful for that. However, I think they may have tended to over-spritualize their plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, there is a spiritual aspect to all parts of our lives and I believe it is important to recognize that. Our temptation and addictions to certain foods can be a form of idolatry and a parable to how we approach sin in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, these ladies implied that aspects of their diet plan came directly from the Bible. I believe they may be leaning a little too far into "twisting Scripture" to come up with some of their ideas. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWZ4eKvqqEv_fOCt2uCfKXNi4qhHppzmXPwxkedQigR_RdiylGXOjUNCWnZbJ_cQyiuPWlKZd1LRJZU1f8o_PXlLwTdebtqPaRQEtQb-dDh2wfZomuAGOc_MYEQZx2F7UrYSzX7p4I6pp/s1600/admin-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWZ4eKvqqEv_fOCt2uCfKXNi4qhHppzmXPwxkedQigR_RdiylGXOjUNCWnZbJ_cQyiuPWlKZd1LRJZU1f8o_PXlLwTdebtqPaRQEtQb-dDh2wfZomuAGOc_MYEQZx2F7UrYSzX7p4I6pp/s200/admin-10.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I did watch a video where they discussed their plan at a conference for women associated with The Hebraic Roots Network. I am not exactly familiar with this organization but I suspect they are a part of the Hebrew Roots Movement. This movement is a false teaching within Christianity. While I don't doubt their salvation, their passion, or their devotion to Christ and the Gospel, if they are involved in the HRM, it does reveal that their interpretation of Scripture is less than reliable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While that may not exactly make much of a difference regarding the safety and healthiness of their plan, it is a con for me. Any plan, like this or Rick Warren's "The Daniel Plan," that tries to make the Bible or certain passages into a diet book concerns me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Pros:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are many good points this plan makes and we have definitely used this program to add some healthy aspects to our own diet. As far as diet plans out there, THM is probably one of the better one's I have seen in a while.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Kx39WWgoChWC2unDzwriYFSHfga_uRzjofh6n9Jqzi-izW2OUB12JLBncZQDFNKNvswPndwguJ9ptM4fkKsr3JY1_MGiKm2IYr2GGE5pCJCnAGprR54x_zfK1KB8HqKwl-6bjlOPMCD7/s1600/whole-food-shopping-list-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Kx39WWgoChWC2unDzwriYFSHfga_uRzjofh6n9Jqzi-izW2OUB12JLBncZQDFNKNvswPndwguJ9ptM4fkKsr3JY1_MGiKm2IYr2GGE5pCJCnAGprR54x_zfK1KB8HqKwl-6bjlOPMCD7/s320/whole-food-shopping-list-.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Whole foods/Cleaner eating</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There has been a movement in the nutritional world in the last few years to move to a cleaner diet, a diet of more whole foods. There isn't an exact definition of "whole foods" or "clean eating." What some people call "clean eating" others would not. However, the essential aim of these movements, is to get away from overly-processed foods and eat more foods as closely to what would be picked off the plant or taken from the animal as possible. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One recent suggestion I have seen in this program and others is to consider "Is this something my great, great, grandmother would recognize as food?" This doesn't always work but it is something worth thinking about before purchasing a product. Would my great-grandmother recognize me making mashed potatoes from freeze-dried flakes or from a potato? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, much of what she would call food these days isn't the same as when she was around. Wheat is completely different than it was a few decades ago, corn has changed as well, and the chicken we purchase in the grocery store is not even recognized as an animal by US law and referred to some people as "frankenchicken" due to the way this particular type of chicken was bred. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moving away from overly-processed foods is a undeniably more healthy step in the right direction. It is also something our family doctor was completely in agreement with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do wish that organic, grass-fed, free-range food was more affordable. But, until then, we will just do our best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Glycemic Index</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had heard of the Glycemic Index prior to this diet but I did learn more about it. It is definitely something Anthony and I must start paying more attention to due to diabetes being so prevalent in our families. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fat</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All fats are not created equal. All saturated fats are not created equal. In the past, anything that had fat in it was bad, anything with saturated fat was down right evil. In recent years, more research has been done regarding fats and this myth has been exposed. There are some saturated fats that are actually healthy. More research is needed to fully understand fat but it goes to show that we don't always know everything. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Conclusion:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While I don't think the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle is for us, we did learn some beneficial habits and would recommend it as a diet for people to try if they are trying to find a plan they like but it isn't for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, this may be a result to trying this plan for a few weeks or not but as a side note, I had to have lab work for our annual insurance lab draw and my cholesterol is back up where it was when we first married. I'm not sure it can be blamed on this program but it did concern me a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will say that Anthony was quite the trooper during this time of new food trials. He was really positive about everything and willing to really try which is never easy for us foodies with all our very strong feelings regarding food's taste, food's texture, and how food is made. I have an amazing husband!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I am going to continue making menus and I'm going to incorporate more of the good habits but I'm not going to be stressed out over the correct combos. We are going to continue moving to a more whole food/cleaner diet and just opt for less of the real stuff rather than all we want of the manufactured. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhNGAYhHFR52rVpUP_OSHP7nKIE3cGA2jMz6IRy7IS7onhat_teowQMgJ3NUn8TfoBrbCcdjW1KsO2hGmFwE8gjzEV8P7t1Ml_b9SLNWpa0A2guB7WWKwMZHig0j0VruD7mgbG-fLhsR1/s1600/WEBREAD_CPKnewheadshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhNGAYhHFR52rVpUP_OSHP7nKIE3cGA2jMz6IRy7IS7onhat_teowQMgJ3NUn8TfoBrbCcdjW1KsO2hGmFwE8gjzEV8P7t1Ml_b9SLNWpa0A2guB7WWKwMZHig0j0VruD7mgbG-fLhsR1/s320/WEBREAD_CPKnewheadshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As Christopher Kimball said on a recent installment of <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/AmericasTestKitchenRadio" target="_blank">America's Test Kitchen Radio</a> podcast (episode 417):</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"<i>Please don't ask me about diet, health, and weight. Is it calorie intake, is it when one consumes those calories, is it the type of calories, or is it simply your metabolism? All of this leads to a very simple fact, when it comes to the human ecosystem, theories abound. So, until scientists sort all this out, follow this simple maxim: Eat early, eat natural, and enjoy your food.</i>"</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjN2R1TXNKeDRhNW8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xekTYoinGYelfWSnfaql9aMs-dgKJsLVgdIbPBlO_YR8V3auJNwfabEZAFvbft_JqGQVhDAwE1nfb6piCodpffKlwBz1d0W8j3RmlrTH3i5NSVfzVTVwYLnqIPVpwwDOWRG8D2_zuFdQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-22+at+12.38.07+PM.png" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-64847944182509671962015-06-11T12:40:00.000-05:002015-06-11T12:48:29.650-05:00June 2015...A Change of Plans<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEru761aCH-2RZJ2mNLL6MR-SXiO5v60gSw3WBZEn0G-PisyV8rhX-alK7H3lmTgy0gBZK8zUiSHXzRqCk-TtALkHmMniNvUTMhWUtQGCmVW4H0Nj5OWn7b9Ons7X-l-5TAP_iO9wFT_C/s1600/Tati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEru761aCH-2RZJ2mNLL6MR-SXiO5v60gSw3WBZEn0G-PisyV8rhX-alK7H3lmTgy0gBZK8zUiSHXzRqCk-TtALkHmMniNvUTMhWUtQGCmVW4H0Nj5OWn7b9Ons7X-l-5TAP_iO9wFT_C/s320/Tati.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">May was a really busy month for us. Anthony's youngest sister, Tanya, graduated from high school. We are so proud of her. She has come a long way both literally and </span>figuratively. Just in the few years I have known her, I have seen her grow from a cute girl with a deep Ukrainian voice to a beautiful young lady who love the Lord deeply. Yet, she is still as silly as ever. Hehehe. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have officially been an aunt & uncle for a year now. Elijah is one year old. Crazy. He had a great party with family and <a href="http://kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a> decorated sugar cookies for his party (unfortunately I forgot to take pics of them). Along with the other goodies, we were stuffed and all on sugar highs for days. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anthony and I have taken on more and more in our church, <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/" target="_blank">The Church at Pecan Creek</a>. Too much, actually, but there are some people taking over what we can't keep up with to keep us in a more technical role. Anthony is now essentially the IT guy for our new church. He is learning how to run the sound board; post-editing the sermons, music, and discipleship lessons; and uploading everything to the website and iTunes. Having said that, please check out <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-church-at-pecan-creek/id1003628484?mt=2" target="_blank">The Church at Pecan Creek on iTunes</a>. I'm in charge of lyrics and the projector. Making sure the lyrics are uploaded into my iPad correctly can take about two hours before going to the church but the projector only takes a couple of mins to set up at the church. So, I try to help the rest of the team but I really don't know what I'm doing right now, so I need to get in there and figure it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGKg2sUXahH_n9pqVUASQgEyFigafuuy0APgd5BNkwCM1vBi7x5nK7IU-YQWTNSEXhyZJPxdRV68dS-Xbs6iQQpX67OxBGeOxoyeQe9G3Kygc8QGhpNYcPKX69bOvTmWhyphenhyphenVdqogbX-BWZ/s1600/1779916_10153130522395555_1585010290944852454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGKg2sUXahH_n9pqVUASQgEyFigafuuy0APgd5BNkwCM1vBi7x5nK7IU-YQWTNSEXhyZJPxdRV68dS-Xbs6iQQpX67OxBGeOxoyeQe9G3Kygc8QGhpNYcPKX69bOvTmWhyphenhyphenVdqogbX-BWZ/s200/1779916_10153130522395555_1585010290944852454_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brandie is on her way back to the US from Mongolia and I can't wait to see her. I have a newer friend who just had a baby the other day so I can't wait to introduce the two of them, I think they will get along just great. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzboWDo5LUfNKzC2otaTkXTEEgly_FNs8bfK0Fq4TWzeVmBMkR1LX4CY_QTqVhqxG5SVhz7QIC4r6oV7DZtSp235Oavo2Xm7bmleHX6mstWQBsdB_K7qkeC_TR2R2uO7gM11m4yga6eJAT/s1600/71jC-Ld8DBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzboWDo5LUfNKzC2otaTkXTEEgly_FNs8bfK0Fq4TWzeVmBMkR1LX4CY_QTqVhqxG5SVhz7QIC4r6oV7DZtSp235Oavo2Xm7bmleHX6mstWQBsdB_K7qkeC_TR2R2uO7gM11m4yga6eJAT/s200/71jC-Ld8DBL.jpg" width="161" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, I have been making monthly menus for over a year now. We stuck to them fairly well, not great, but it helped guide me at the grocery store. I hope to return to it soon. But, for now, there is a change in the plans for food in our house.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anthony and I are starting a new eating plan. This plan is called <a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy Mama</a>. It is a low glycemic index eating plan but also includes eating certain foods in separation from each other. They divide meals into three categories: "E" meals are for energizing, "S" meals are satiating or satisfying, and "FP" are fuel pull meals. E meals are lower in fat but allow for healthy carbs. S meals are higher in fat but very low in carbs. FP meals are low in both fats and carbs; they cause the body to pull from fat stores at a higher rate and burn fat more quickly than the other meals. It is a more whole foods type diet as well.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgYuZ2-AxDW0BThsXyR0DAK_vjC3-m8CRMOhRejXrHdipTqr-j-qTvN2vUzcnz55fZnE2t4J984uwBNYUGYcwQA-joTPODlrb3f6R0fgAtrONy0tBLAvwDoVvDZqADhNoMkWkmYrCpWvI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-11+at+11.37.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgYuZ2-AxDW0BThsXyR0DAK_vjC3-m8CRMOhRejXrHdipTqr-j-qTvN2vUzcnz55fZnE2t4J984uwBNYUGYcwQA-joTPODlrb3f6R0fgAtrONy0tBLAvwDoVvDZqADhNoMkWkmYrCpWvI/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-06-11+at+11.37.46+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With this plan, you need to eat every three hours to keep your metabolism up. So you don't really get "hungry." There is no keeping up with a daily counting of calories or points or anything else. You do need to take a look at your meals occasionally to make sure you are eating the right type of meal. My nutritionist told me she is no fan of counting any nutrition. She said she prefers to help people just make wiser choices rather than beating yourself up for going over some number that that is very subjective.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This plan helps to break our addiction to sugar. In most developed countries but especially so with America, we eat WAY too much sugar. If we eat processed foods, low fat/calorie, or in restaurants, those foods are packed with extra sugar in order to make the food palatable. This plan allows for certain types of natural sugar alternatives including stevia and xylitol. This is certainly going to be a challenge for us. I'm personally not a big dessert eater but lots of foods I like including breads, pastas, potatoes, sauces, etc... all contain lots of sugar. I have heard from others on this plan that the first couple of weeks are really tough but afterwards it gets much better and you usually really regret it when you "cheat" because you feel awful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anthony & I both have family histories of diabetes so we need to be better about how we eat and at least get in the habit of eating low glycemic before we have to. We both need to lose weight so hopefully it will help with that as well. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, for now, I have to plan all our meals so I will just be doing a week at a time for now. As for snacks, I'm going to post a list of snack options in our pantry so we know what we can grab when we just need a little something. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One bread that is allowed is sour dough. So, I need to learn to make that as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, below is my menu for next week. If you want to look at it closer, the pic is linked to the pdf of the menu on my Google Drive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjTVpJQldXcTJoSUU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEN4lkA3baLo3DYbBr25-mlgZ-wqEDkuRW96azlk5cia_Mm-Bwb5lV6xa9Mvs6DlPX_37gpwlzWyvZwnM7b7JsZIf1JH9F06TDN9UnXV-x6KrFI0V2QsbbdWfkTpuPJxiBa5qEyoDUdlv/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-06-11+at+11.39.57+AM.png" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-60475448629784366432015-05-20T10:13:00.000-05:002015-05-20T10:13:27.515-05:00May 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_B8IuY9D_WijVxBSBjY9D4oRU138SAo1ya3AVxus82M9fHfpt54MDYuPQQmo0eAQA7rX5PLSj4MwYZm8ssBYEa-CQHgHb8JRohUprhq88xvHfER1LYqOKqovUAqKgd99SaCIckoNjTaD/s1600/11141218_10153222112776489_6649095956799399376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_B8IuY9D_WijVxBSBjY9D4oRU138SAo1ya3AVxus82M9fHfpt54MDYuPQQmo0eAQA7rX5PLSj4MwYZm8ssBYEa-CQHgHb8JRohUprhq88xvHfER1LYqOKqovUAqKgd99SaCIckoNjTaD/s320/11141218_10153222112776489_6649095956799399376_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Sunday</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm more than a little late this month. :) Oh well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">April was a busy month for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Easter was very nice. Anthony was a little disappointed because he was unable to sing in the Easter choir at church due to a throat infection. He is much better now but it had the potential to turn serious at one point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was both of our birthdays, so we celebrated pretty big this year. In honor of both our birthdays, Valentines Day, & our anniversary, we took a short trip to Disney World. We only stayed three days but we were more exhausted from those three days than we were when we went for eight. We tracked our steps while we were there as well and found out we were averaging between 12-14 miles per day. For someone who gets in probably less than two miles (maybe three if I go for a walk), that is quite a workout.</span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENsgIF72uo9KhyphenhyphenmtS5172cA3jwKoKmr-24dcHACOiNgic9sSgFK4TfiMyVp0G3DHpPLwwuL23HVyq6zouTp1dxAZ7fc47551Pm_A_mvwqED3kIud4l05aijUlkdEt9RRESvFjf62Qmzvc/s1600/2015-04-21+13.40.32.mov" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENsgIF72uo9KhyphenhyphenmtS5172cA3jwKoKmr-24dcHACOiNgic9sSgFK4TfiMyVp0G3DHpPLwwuL23HVyq6zouTp1dxAZ7fc47551Pm_A_mvwqED3kIud4l05aijUlkdEt9RRESvFjf62Qmzvc/s320/2015-04-21+13.40.32.mov" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony trying Beijing Strawberries</td></tr>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Spring is when Epcot hosts it's Flower and Garden Festival. They have started adding food booths at this festival as well, now. So we got the best of both worlds this year: the beautiful flowers and the tasty food. :) The best thing we had, by far, were what they called Beijing Strawberries. Man, they were good! It was three gigantic strawberries on a skewer, encapsulated in a hardened sugar/syrup shell, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I didn't really think it sounded good but it was AMAZING! We sat down to eat it and we were getting several stares and a few people asked us where we got them. We should have gotten paid a commission fee for as many people as we sent to the booth. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It rained two of the three days we were there. Hard, torrential rains. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqf1WKP7bj-Fhyphenhyphendq_FLT3S4RT5rj8sI2ibnja97l7FYqACS8B9jFIN42qwsFsDyTzbaZgagAT5hVmsjAuDfcmOHcHm50IZkmnASJsDwjHe0qNwwX1LsmhTRkO8yOJg4GtsRT1QQzNJ_3l/s1600/2015-04-19+16.59.33+HDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqf1WKP7bj-Fhyphenhyphendq_FLT3S4RT5rj8sI2ibnja97l7FYqACS8B9jFIN42qwsFsDyTzbaZgagAT5hVmsjAuDfcmOHcHm50IZkmnASJsDwjHe0qNwwX1LsmhTRkO8yOJg4GtsRT1QQzNJ_3l/s320/2015-04-19+16.59.33+HDR-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in the rain to ride Splash Mountain</td></tr>
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But, it kept everything fairly cool, so we didn't complain. The first day we got to Florida, we check in at our hotel and then headed to the park. We had a fast pass to ride Splash Mountain. We were about to step into the next boat when they shut the ride down due to the storm passing over. Luckily, I had insisted on bringing our ponchos that day so we stayed much dryer than most of the rest of the people in line. We waited there for over an hour and then just decided to leave our ponchos on for the ride. Ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love Disney but we made some decisions on this trip:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">We will only visit Disney every five years or so. That way there are a decent amount of changes between visits and we will really appreciate the trips more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">We will save up in order to pay extra to stay at Coronado Springs. Pop Century is fine, its a bed & that's really all you need. But, it is still pretty expensive and if you are going to stay on property and pay that much money, it feels like more of a vacation staying at a place where you will always get a seat on the bus and will never have to wait for a second bus to show up. Coronado Springs just has such fewer people at it. Granted, it is the only conference center at Disney World (that I know of) so you may want to make sure you go when there isn't a major conference going on because I'm sure it really gets crowded.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Unless we have grandparents or other help, we will never take children under eight. Our minds may actually change once we have kids but for now, they would have to be some very mature kids to convince me to take them. ;)</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I may make a few posts about Disney, tips, and recommendations later but for now, here are a few more pics from our trip. Enjoy. :)</span></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/AVvXsEig23iH6b8Mr3nQB9fkPbfnY0bXb4eCkHc1rarE0DeGbzw9uvEkN6zenUj-CXoSH5KyJh5DKVI3X982nlkbZZAlFDKsLyMaZFyinArpoKRHvfHt8QbymcMHNJ3Vf7L3Gtgk6kJr_kxSwvjs/s1600/2015-04-19+16.23.13-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig23iH6b8Mr3nQB9fkPbfnY0bXb4eCkHc1rarE0DeGbzw9uvEkN6zenUj-CXoSH5KyJh5DKVI3X982nlkbZZAlFDKsLyMaZFyinArpoKRHvfHt8QbymcMHNJ3Vf7L3Gtgk6kJr_kxSwvjs/s400/2015-04-19+16.23.13-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the Haunted Mansion </td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjH-QPaU93QESYiKMmc_1xcZ1ZP4MdMtbbEyh4lBgf1dDLVYyAoKcKI1QF2HSPM9bkgT9F3kFFSezXAn_Bt2RIFz20ZhBRYYH6tMV80s0hqX977J89pIP9U0RtM026ozyhhEfd-qiMNXcdF/s1600/2015-04-19+22.11.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-QPaU93QESYiKMmc_1xcZ1ZP4MdMtbbEyh4lBgf1dDLVYyAoKcKI1QF2HSPM9bkgT9F3kFFSezXAn_Bt2RIFz20ZhBRYYH6tMV80s0hqX977J89pIP9U0RtM026ozyhhEfd-qiMNXcdF/s400/2015-04-19+22.11.48.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Kingdom's Wishes firework show</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjKJXZCaZr8VhMRN927jEHukpqSNiLIuHDLfppfLMmVBZ5S1noT0p5IGgKY9o5lTMasTzlCPQhRnhMboSUYnXmz5ZRBiJm1FqIjgBIbxG2q9BpKnRc8rjkzA5CV5O8s1C_oMWDOaeJkKalK/s1600/2015-04-20+11.17.49+HDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJXZCaZr8VhMRN927jEHukpqSNiLIuHDLfppfLMmVBZ5S1noT0p5IGgKY9o5lTMasTzlCPQhRnhMboSUYnXmz5ZRBiJm1FqIjgBIbxG2q9BpKnRc8rjkzA5CV5O8s1C_oMWDOaeJkKalK/s400/2015-04-20+11.17.49+HDR-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Be Our Guest restaurant. You can see<br />
Beast's castle in the upper left hand corner of the pic. </td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjHm__Pgkvehxc7WDPzCvt9phUNhNi2LJ8xjQrAJqR0xeeiTT32t6STkHNTZ1DGBgeGxdGpskdJYIfuCXP6hZ9fM1lTUPqugcoFWzwq1hPnE8FrfjWMK4eZJwc6hF5MoWT2VxA0Vz06bD90/s1600/2015-04-21+10.34.27+HDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm__Pgkvehxc7WDPzCvt9phUNhNi2LJ8xjQrAJqR0xeeiTT32t6STkHNTZ1DGBgeGxdGpskdJYIfuCXP6hZ9fM1lTUPqugcoFWzwq1hPnE8FrfjWMK4eZJwc6hF5MoWT2VxA0Vz06bD90/s400/2015-04-21+10.34.27+HDR-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding Expedition Everest</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgyCvp79VWg8SH3RKDsrm-3p1UbAZcGkm2DJrljyf_sIxdaMBiwPZmCpzvj3mtLIigkJO_f7u5iJHSKJ8Hi3jwI7YfGIQmpm4R4zzrAYWUZ4cMsP2O2dt25X6yz0CizfHl5wWYm56NGYPKm/s1600/2015-04-21+11.58.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCvp79VWg8SH3RKDsrm-3p1UbAZcGkm2DJrljyf_sIxdaMBiwPZmCpzvj3mtLIigkJO_f7u5iJHSKJ8Hi3jwI7YfGIQmpm4R4zzrAYWUZ4cMsP2O2dt25X6yz0CizfHl5wWYm56NGYPKm/s400/2015-04-21+11.58.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony in front of Spaceship Earth. Goofy & Pluto topiaries gardening. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DZ1_iv-rsJBt6n51OO_bexlyoNYNpvFJjRGkvi3bFV2QFnx1lA4njNxdMYOZRSHOUiAQyTVQHsV4D2nfvDHyzr5SLutoh0UFV2GieDyebvAtXo4lVDPNrJPgRTAEgOvswzZUkrpTvDki/s1600/2015-04-21+12.10.06-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DZ1_iv-rsJBt6n51OO_bexlyoNYNpvFJjRGkvi3bFV2QFnx1lA4njNxdMYOZRSHOUiAQyTVQHsV4D2nfvDHyzr5SLutoh0UFV2GieDyebvAtXo4lVDPNrJPgRTAEgOvswzZUkrpTvDki/s400/2015-04-21+12.10.06-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These crazy ladies were driving around handing out maps & talking to people.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEicus2Bj50q6_Qj0cq9QyYK9iLnJ4ttd5SjAro2LbQ_ga0ACcbhLGwajk6qGMJ68Dw9jaB7oGonz8l8SvQbyZsWoWK1Pyw0ACzVIAhqrakhS9J7sflfGgqDMpa_h_zJn69VMyHLvZpWRryw/s1600/2015-04-21+12.22.00-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicus2Bj50q6_Qj0cq9QyYK9iLnJ4ttd5SjAro2LbQ_ga0ACcbhLGwajk6qGMJ68Dw9jaB7oGonz8l8SvQbyZsWoWK1Pyw0ACzVIAhqrakhS9J7sflfGgqDMpa_h_zJn69VMyHLvZpWRryw/s400/2015-04-21+12.22.00-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony trying a cronut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEiy3qdPQ6aY6f-zCKzfQPPa9BW_vIDGrYtRTVMv1sdRePojoHg-qhGYK9W-_3y66fQiYAVVfyWAxFUDWrhVkP-P1e8vy8Iz4LUSCX6qwhbIdWzCodGl1TnydESvTkDcN8IwlWatU5GOGe2i/s1600/2015-04-21+12.36.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3qdPQ6aY6f-zCKzfQPPa9BW_vIDGrYtRTVMv1sdRePojoHg-qhGYK9W-_3y66fQiYAVVfyWAxFUDWrhVkP-P1e8vy8Iz4LUSCX6qwhbIdWzCodGl1TnydESvTkDcN8IwlWatU5GOGe2i/s400/2015-04-21+12.36.08.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Hook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEi7I5jNxfTanwL2Bl76GxbaMLZgQwKlaCbnQ45oEQd5qoQaVshTNJxHfWq4XuPmhnv35D2te8Yd7OOivV8LreqZLKevnQpVr1XmsrBNfC0P4ToBg0RzJ067KiGyv79Q-aIo2kLL42uQe52H/s1600/2015-04-21+12.36.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I5jNxfTanwL2Bl76GxbaMLZgQwKlaCbnQ45oEQd5qoQaVshTNJxHfWq4XuPmhnv35D2te8Yd7OOivV8LreqZLKevnQpVr1XmsrBNfC0P4ToBg0RzJ067KiGyv79Q-aIo2kLL42uQe52H/s400/2015-04-21+12.36.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Never smile at a crocodile..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEiAMohfxmSG1ugD_YVZxcWnYaBh2zAl6BBITAZLNo_2zptYeexMqgtAi_oRU_zJ3jtkV4HWEr71d51avRc5Ztcs4KuyP-32iHoXqsoHWwre8FmXf_AkAMG91UvyoXYDE8pAhH574ptZJUGK/s1600/2015-04-21+12.51.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMohfxmSG1ugD_YVZxcWnYaBh2zAl6BBITAZLNo_2zptYeexMqgtAi_oRU_zJ3jtkV4HWEr71d51avRc5Ztcs4KuyP-32iHoXqsoHWwre8FmXf_AkAMG91UvyoXYDE8pAhH574ptZJUGK/s400/2015-04-21+12.51.02.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macaron Guimauve a la Fraise<br />
(Strawberry Marshmallow Macaron)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgNdjC_0O0TWQwqGilv1HIs2XbCr-YBWFXHImxIVZC_bi9zNYn94ZLSWW1ljmtK-0cwGsW0szri2CPjqqCHDjsbj-0ssh_xce4IHmk3JsqW7-nMWZ72tzwihyjYXUnGL6crQxcpQMjxMgBL/s1600/2015-04-21+13.08.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdjC_0O0TWQwqGilv1HIs2XbCr-YBWFXHImxIVZC_bi9zNYn94ZLSWW1ljmtK-0cwGsW0szri2CPjqqCHDjsbj-0ssh_xce4IHmk3JsqW7-nMWZ72tzwihyjYXUnGL6crQxcpQMjxMgBL/s400/2015-04-21+13.08.56.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frushi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhgeCbtDk-N6baOSJb783jG6wGSQ-M_QT9lAJ0DZSbq2FORwqU-D8zRzlbo7tC_gRnXs7n_CN_qBcVXUFXXWCdAFbw0hy7KBLIxSPb_kirJcw3zKLWd7ReDiuekP-5r8isk31vWUHkUW5zL/s1600/2015-04-21+13.39.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeCbtDk-N6baOSJb783jG6wGSQ-M_QT9lAJ0DZSbq2FORwqU-D8zRzlbo7tC_gRnXs7n_CN_qBcVXUFXXWCdAFbw0hy7KBLIxSPb_kirJcw3zKLWd7ReDiuekP-5r8isk31vWUHkUW5zL/s400/2015-04-21+13.39.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing Strawberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhpFkmflBLQsHaeYYC-nLdGlKAP2VPE7dbUTdQqIZw7qFAaDuLPrlYzNePliULpj1iCxUhIXyP9bZeRT55P4NQR_OV01_sStgW-tTP1WAMQfsQXM2Broonoy4irTRY0HrtRKWDECjbfopg9/s1600/2015-04-21+17.58.24+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFkmflBLQsHaeYYC-nLdGlKAP2VPE7dbUTdQqIZw7qFAaDuLPrlYzNePliULpj1iCxUhIXyP9bZeRT55P4NQR_OV01_sStgW-tTP1WAMQfsQXM2Broonoy4irTRY0HrtRKWDECjbfopg9/s400/2015-04-21+17.58.24+HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhSpZmmnnavh1ew5bZcqRwr2ihrp48QkHzDNYDQReZAws7UDGBJRAuedIZurG42O_LX2W0h0u9CP6GJzAssWUA42riqV1ZRk1pSm3HgyE_6JRwgqq0WbvcKgMs1nqmanzPQvz68tbB_AYLh/s1600/2015-04-21+17.58.54+HDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpZmmnnavh1ew5bZcqRwr2ihrp48QkHzDNYDQReZAws7UDGBJRAuedIZurG42O_LX2W0h0u9CP6GJzAssWUA42riqV1ZRk1pSm3HgyE_6JRwgqq0WbvcKgMs1nqmanzPQvz68tbB_AYLh/s400/2015-04-21+17.58.54+HDR-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightening McQueen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgpK4qJAuYqfcaafmvSwkQQe5FXV6-u31yTDUJwtOvM3o2UaJVURt2yJJsOqiJjaeWeAEK1pSX2q5rOjx8-QLzZkTjCg0pniXhttZxtCBWjknYiGKds6zt8lGGMiQo0h7_CVusSwlB_GQ0b/s1600/2015-04-21+20.04.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK4qJAuYqfcaafmvSwkQQe5FXV6-u31yTDUJwtOvM3o2UaJVURt2yJJsOqiJjaeWeAEK1pSX2q5rOjx8-QLzZkTjCg0pniXhttZxtCBWjknYiGKds6zt8lGGMiQo0h7_CVusSwlB_GQ0b/s640/2015-04-21+20.04.53.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset outside our hotel room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhAXy9D-URozeIWafwHQH7ffT5ETsnlwnUHyn2yuZk3FKWbxXVLaAn_Ere1VlkReawaIWdsB1Bmj4BVej812vaPPrhNkLNWcGjJM24PzbXSuGB6BXidL9QODtx5MXsvIX_STwySiAOGgQZp/s1600/2015-04-22+15.15.38-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXy9D-URozeIWafwHQH7ffT5ETsnlwnUHyn2yuZk3FKWbxXVLaAn_Ere1VlkReawaIWdsB1Bmj4BVej812vaPPrhNkLNWcGjJM24PzbXSuGB6BXidL9QODtx5MXsvIX_STwySiAOGgQZp/s400/2015-04-22+15.15.38-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhausted but happy to be back home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjmzdxT_x-Jo11dhcIrKoNmkzwyL-Whe99_-jhE0DgWBaNiVeElw4AzXXeaxzKjKGLU4HF1gZ7tDTQ_RgVt7ONCgUN7xiicRfazjY_HsBc1L727KZJcDBd6UL6uVyIbi8bCosGUK1sP7X3T/s1600/2015-04-22+21.15.50-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzdxT_x-Jo11dhcIrKoNmkzwyL-Whe99_-jhE0DgWBaNiVeElw4AzXXeaxzKjKGLU4HF1gZ7tDTQ_RgVt7ONCgUN7xiicRfazjY_HsBc1L727KZJcDBd6UL6uVyIbi8bCosGUK1sP7X3T/s400/2015-04-22+21.15.50-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being inspired by all the flowers & gardens, I turned my awesome<br />
Spaceship Earth mug into a succulent garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjaVFSdEFwZVBURUU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe7CwsUNywjUX_IwwAIJw4wXPRCEmQBBXnmuoDN8iTFlz8rF48LSfWxMhbs84ni-HAPfcMPYXh0MLEjuB1N5YomjUMGdpVdGm_fZTgfbVTZL0LUCVPoYMnLylfAjQ2irBzvgx7wwPtihn/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-13+at+12.56.16+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-25303866117454248462015-05-19T09:00:00.000-05:002015-05-20T17:16:04.589-05:00Slow Leak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF19vRWijqWpkDiwr__hdKitQff8C7fOcgnZ1jIHHZrXyjdiWDb9iyPLFKzJhwWKMTfP78PvGZbkC5cKiOMHtFQ_O3We9-RU7TUSlRZsrQJ8QFZQFHF8Im_sgZKXVB6zJIDOAsfA9RtElC/s1600/2015-04-24+12.26.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF19vRWijqWpkDiwr__hdKitQff8C7fOcgnZ1jIHHZrXyjdiWDb9iyPLFKzJhwWKMTfP78PvGZbkC5cKiOMHtFQ_O3We9-RU7TUSlRZsrQJ8QFZQFHF8Im_sgZKXVB6zJIDOAsfA9RtElC/s320/2015-04-24+12.26.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few weeks ago, I had printed off some recipes and had separated them into categories on the carpet in our living room. The next day, I picked them up and noticed they felt like they had been in a damp environment. Not wet, just kind of soft feeling. I felt the carpet where they had been sitting & it felt damp. I moved a book case and the carpet under it was soaked and mold had starting growing. I knew instantly we had a big problem. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We called a plumber who had to cut into our wall to find the leak. He originally thought it was a leak in the slab which would have been very expensive to fix. Luckily, the leak was higher up and he was able to fix it. It was still pretty expensive but better than he originally thought. He said we had a fairly decent amount of water damage and suggested we call a water restoration company. Thankfully, God was protecting us once again and the man from the company told us "I am not in the business of robbing people. My fees start at $800 and you don't have $800 worth of damage here." He then instructed us how to clean up the mess ourselves.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-OXIv38-nyJK6sHD1HqOjN4TZKWW0gcfs9OGS4PHd24356rtXKV6NImdi956b8T9tOcln9OrQP9cu8txTjN3CBLJnC97tETL3B81Ks41Q63n_Km2kS7hoc6NLD0DEJnJohjSuHpOOcih/s1600/2015-04-25+12.13.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-OXIv38-nyJK6sHD1HqOjN4TZKWW0gcfs9OGS4PHd24356rtXKV6NImdi956b8T9tOcln9OrQP9cu8txTjN3CBLJnC97tETL3B81Ks41Q63n_Km2kS7hoc6NLD0DEJnJohjSuHpOOcih/s320/2015-04-25+12.13.02.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We ended up having to purchase a new book shelf, patch the wall, and we will have to replace a section of the carpet pad and shampoo the carpet when we are done with everything. All in all, a little hole in a small pipe that has been slowly dripping for at least a year is going to end up costing us quite a bit of money and effort that we would have preferred spending in other ways.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That concept had me thinking today. Here we have a house, with lots of pipes, wires, wood, brick, concrete, etc and our whole life was turned upside down for a tiny little hole in one small pipe. This small, drip over the span of at least a year, ended up causing so much damage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've been relistening to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpTMSL-FR-duvHk-xYVLOGCQRLnYBNxU" target="_blank">Strange Fire Conference</a> hosted by <a href="http://www.gracechurch.org/" target="_blank">Grace Community Church</a> in California in 2013. This conference addressed some of the false teachings that have slipped into the church, have been tolerated, accepted, and finally practiced by much of the church today. It had me thinking about how a small leak of bad theology has grown into a full movement and has infiltrated most of what claims to be "Christianity."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Galatians 5:9 says, "<i>A little leaven leavens the whole lump.</i>" A little false teaching can bring down an entire church and even a whole denomination and eventually taint the reputation of the universal church to where what most "Christians" claim to be the Gospel is actually no gospel at all. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsvYYNEkrJ7sgpOSZqAA61yJFQWxdkiyG33oXmUrnrTsneEFEoiXPpbH5-S-bmy0i6dBUKIBqwAZWkefnC7x430E6F-IrL75pPjfVy7upV3PkKYtMBiEQjOc_3_xWnOBCR-dipOC9QOmE/s1600/glass-of-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsvYYNEkrJ7sgpOSZqAA61yJFQWxdkiyG33oXmUrnrTsneEFEoiXPpbH5-S-bmy0i6dBUKIBqwAZWkefnC7x430E6F-IrL75pPjfVy7upV3PkKYtMBiEQjOc_3_xWnOBCR-dipOC9QOmE/s320/glass-of-water.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://justinpeters.org/" target="_blank">Justin Peters</a> says that many false teachers today do teach quite a bit of truth, but there is just enough false teaching that it becomes deadly. He compares it to putting a tiny drop of strychnine in a glass of water. The contents of the glass may be 99% healthy, beneficial water but that tiny fraction of poison will kill whoever drinks from it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
We must address false teachings when we hear them. Even if they don't seem like a big deal or like something most Christians would fall for. We cannot let even one small drip, one small grain of yeast to exist in the church. We must root it all out. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The best way to do this is to not neglect daily reading the Word of God.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This was part of Jesus' prayer to the Father for all those whom would become Children of God:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-17-14" id="en-ESV-26762" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">"I have given them Your word, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26762AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26762AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the world has hated them <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26762AT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26762AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>because they are not of the world, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26762AU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26762AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>just as I am not of the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text John-17-15" id="en-ESV-26763" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26763AV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26763AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>do not ask that You <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26763AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26763AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>take them out of the world, but that You <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26763AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26763AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>keep them from <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26763AY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26763AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the evil one.</span><span class="text John-17-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="text John-17-16" id="en-ESV-26764" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text John-17-17" id="en-ESV-26765" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.</span><span class="text John-17-18" id="en-ESV-26766" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26766BC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26766BC" title="See cross-reference BC">BC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i><span class="text John-17-19" id="en-ESV-26767" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><i>And <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26767BD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26767BD" title="See cross-reference BD">BD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>for their sake <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26767BE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26767BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I consecrate Myself, that they also <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26767BF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26767BF" title="See cross-reference BF">BF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>may be sanctified in truth."</i> (John 17:14-19)</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This leak also got me to thinking of the Christian life. How much "damage" can a small leak of good theology, of Truth, do to the enemy, to the false religions of the world. The small, constant, dripping of one voice can begin to eat away at a big conglomeration. A small leak is typically silent and can go on unnoticed for a long time, it usually isn't noticed until substantial damage has taken place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, the loud voices, "the burst main lines," are needed in the church today. Those who make dramatic differences in the world today. Missionaries, preachers, debaters, authors, speakers, etc. But it is the sheep within the church, the ordinary man, the layman, the "silent slow leak" that really causes a whole change in trajectory of a group, church, city, state, country, world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says we should "<i>aspire to live quietly</i>" in order that we will "<i>walk properly before outsiders.</i>" Teaching a correct view of God and worldview leads to people being saved and equipping them to go out and do the same. A group of a thousand p</span><span style="font-size: large;">rotesters usually does little than just upset those who are on the other side of whatever movement the protesters are upset about. I'm not saying their isn't a place for protesting but much more is done by the changing of the worldview of the masses. </span></span><br />
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We must pray for our leaders, political and spiritual. We must pray for each other as well. Not merely prayers of addressing felt needs (health, family, finances, etc) but prayers for wisdom, discernment, to be protected from falling into sin, to remain faithful to God, and, above all else, to bring glory to God's name. </span><br />
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If you need help knowing what and how to pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ, check out the openings and closings of the epistles. These are letters from the Apostles to the churches. They often open with how they thank God for them in certain ways and then close telling the church how they will pray for them in specific ways and then tell the church how they can pray for writers in specific ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.</i>" (Philippines 1:3-5)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>We always thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,</i>" (Colossians 1:3)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.</i>" (1 Thessalonians 5:23)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.</i>" (2 Thessalonians 1:3)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one...May the Lord direct your heads to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.</i>" (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 5)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.</i>" (2 Thessalonians 3:16)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We must also pray for a real revival in the church, not a manufactured, emotional high type revive, but a true drawing close to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>We cannot organize revival, but we can set ourselves to catch the wind of heaven.</i>" ~ G Campbell Morgan</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>We must set our hearts to treasure the God who describes Himself in Scripture, never again be satisfied with His absence. It is His name which is at stake. It is also our everlasting joy to have Him near.</i>" ~ John Snyder (Behold Your God, p. 263)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Regardless of the spiritual and moral decline, it is never so dark that God, the Eternal Light, cannot expel the darkness.</i>" ~ John Snyder (Behold Your God, p. 262)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.</i>" </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(James 4:7-10)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2530386611745424846&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yU6YsQbwMjs%2FVV0HlrOK1wI%2FAAAAAAAABLg%2Fgqft-7SkM40%2Fs320%2Fwaters.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2894px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6344242300341791797%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2530386611745424846&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yU6YsQbwMjs%2FVV0HlrOK1wI%2FAAAAAAAABLg%2Fgqft-7SkM40%2Fs320%2Fwaters.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2894px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-35612805761206582822015-04-14T09:49:00.000-05:002015-05-03T13:26:38.660-05:00April 2015<span style="font-size: large;">March wasn't super eventful. However, it was a month of personal realizations. Most of what went on in March is personal and not really something to put out for the world to read...and be bored with. It isn't anything serious or world rocking, just normal life things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For example, both of our birthdays are in April, so like a lot of people, the last month of the year, you seem to reassess where you have been and where you are going. It seems that the whole world usually does this in December with January being the "month that I change my life." However, for me, that has always come in the March/April transition. It seems like most of my big life changes have occurred in March/early April. When I lost a lot of weight several years ago, I started in March/April; I quit my job and became a stay-at-home/work-at-home/small business owner in March last year; I got married in March. So, this year wasn't much different. It is just a look at where I am, where I want to be, where I'm afraid I may end up. It is turning my fears over to God and praying about what I need to do next. Most of that is just a very personal journey that my be very impactful for me but probably really boring to the world. ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI3nD8exKkHL8JiQ8Gv23YELapB_DUKMWMPJDFgFhTlHjF1_dVI3LOZ84jQEBYx1O1B7CV6jXYf0gCYC9o7fWr2wVrQtehua_tHhPNjpwCH0m6bPclgmUTadjqQEeCzGm0QEwhUDlvHaN/s1600/Wedding+-+The+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI3nD8exKkHL8JiQ8Gv23YELapB_DUKMWMPJDFgFhTlHjF1_dVI3LOZ84jQEBYx1O1B7CV6jXYf0gCYC9o7fWr2wVrQtehua_tHhPNjpwCH0m6bPclgmUTadjqQEeCzGm0QEwhUDlvHaN/s1600/Wedding+-+The+Kiss.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">The best thing about March was that Anthony and I celebrated our third anniversary. I cannot believe it has been three years. It feels like we just got married a few weeks ago but at the same time, I feel like we have always been together. We were told so many times before we got married that marriage is hard and especially the first few years, getting use to living with each other. I fully expected that to happen but it didn't. We have had a few bumps such as me being stressed about work and crying a lot and him having to comfort me; Anthony learning I get a little crazy from time to time, especially in the kitchen when I mess something up and him learning to calm me down; learning how to share a queen size bed. However, nothing really that I would call "hard." I've done hard things and the first three years of our marriage has not been one of them. In fact, I really can't think of anything I've done in my life that has been easier than marrying Anthony. We may have had a few struggles like having issues with getting pregnant, but it isn't as difficult when you are doing it with your best friend. Our burdens aren't as heavy when two people are carrying them together. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaW9cvVm3_uQPLn3bMgDquDw6AA9UWm4MyEDvrov9wJs3e73XG10VnWEROCoCP_jur-YFQofgRvT9m8Hd-WLVaIs8Jod4ItYMREVvSXgqqrMCT-mP5MNlE7XDdohcax49h3HI1Xu99YD0/s1600/Engagement+Pics+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaW9cvVm3_uQPLn3bMgDquDw6AA9UWm4MyEDvrov9wJs3e73XG10VnWEROCoCP_jur-YFQofgRvT9m8Hd-WLVaIs8Jod4ItYMREVvSXgqqrMCT-mP5MNlE7XDdohcax49h3HI1Xu99YD0/s1600/Engagement+Pics+1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Our marriage and relationship is a testimony to the work of God in our lives. I was thirty when I met Anthony, he was twenty-eight. We both thought God had forgotten about us. I had heard people say that God was preparing my future husband for me. So, I use to pray, "Lord, hurry up & finish fixing him so we can get on with this!" Little did I know that He was working on both of us. There are things that if I had met Anthony even three months earlier, I may not have been as interested in him. And, he tells me that if he had met me earlier, he was in no place emotionally to be starting a serious relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God is truly YHWH-Yireh, Jehovah-Jireh, "The LORD Will Provide." He does provide, and He does so in His own, perfect timing. I look back now on my life and wouldn't have changed a thing. We also know that if He ever sees fit to bless us with children, it will be in His perfect timing and in His perfect way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is half-way through April now and it has been a busy month and it doesn't look like it is going to let up for a while, but I'll write about that more next month. ;) </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-70536832541719238952015-03-16T17:33:00.001-05:002015-03-16T17:35:02.379-05:00March 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, February wasn't that busy. The last weekend, I went to a conference with my friend Tara. It is called The Art of Homemaking and is presented by the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. We had a great time. Next year, I hope to get a fairly decent size group to go. I have been to several very bad women's retreats, so I wanted to check this one out before inviting a bunch of people. I wouldn't say it was the best conference I've ever been to but it was the best women's conference I've ever been to. I dream of hosting a women's conference one of these days & I would do a lot of things differently but this one is still one I would highly recommend. Next year it will be in the fall, so we have to wait almost 18 months for the next one but it will be worth it. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEDQzM92VF4R_JWt-x0ZhKFmE_RNrt-M7-i-2w-CPCdpOzGp_FAMcXpVZHzdyx8ZXvaJrvgpEj22Xzwys97Ghr2zXA9mJXiEsx6zMsJDI-2fxAHrOlBy89z8UXlS164GMHjvnrDLpParz/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEDQzM92VF4R_JWt-x0ZhKFmE_RNrt-M7-i-2w-CPCdpOzGp_FAMcXpVZHzdyx8ZXvaJrvgpEj22Xzwys97Ghr2zXA9mJXiEsx6zMsJDI-2fxAHrOlBy89z8UXlS164GMHjvnrDLpParz/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Valentine Day, Anthony got up early and made me breakfast in bed. It was so wonderful. Red roses, heart shaped biscuits, man, I am one blessed woman!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I said in my last two posts that I was going to talk about my goals for 2015. I am going to be really general because I have a very, very long list that speaks of the specifics of each goal so there is no need to address that here. So, here I go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have categorized all of my goals into nine main groups: spiritual, physical, mental/educational, entertainment, emotional, family, social, home, and work. Because I'm a little bit crazy when it comes to making lists and outlines and organizing (despite my home not exactly evidencing that), I have subcategories & subsubca</span><span style="font-size: large;">tegories. Hehe. So, I'll only share a few of them with you and tell you how I'm doing on them so far, being that we are almost 1/4 of the way into 2015. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9dIxVeAl8NPxin7rvcNlZ7fyGaQww-3_8oQtXF3xcKwjNoWbBolfevcjeqpv-y-_mC2zKDo7VUMO0k7UJl5gQXBsuMtqHFH3HkUd0peF2jTifB7LqQ0k-Q3fhlJuLDNwueJSSlOtSQiF/s1600/gratitude_old_woman_praying_l.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/AVvXsEiJ9dIxVeAl8NPxin7rvcNlZ7fyGaQww-3_8oQtXF3xcKwjNoWbBolfevcjeqpv-y-_mC2zKDo7VUMO0k7UJl5gQXBsuMtqHFH3HkUd0peF2jTifB7LqQ0k-Q3fhlJuLDNwueJSSlOtSQiF/s1600/gratitude_old_woman_praying_l.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I. Spiritual</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">A. Prayer</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Prayer journal</span> - I am no where near consistent in setting aside time to pray. However, when I write my prayers out, I can concentrate better. I have also seen how my prayers often start out me-centered but end more God-centered. My husband and my mother-in-law both got me journals for Christmas that I am using as my prayer journal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Read a prayer from Valley of Vision each night together before we go to bed</span> - I was doing this for a little while and then I stopped. I need to get back into this again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> B. Bible reading</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. <a href="https://www.bsfinternational.org/" target="_blank">BSF</a></span> - I am almost through my first BSF session. I'm looking forward to studying Revelation. I have different thoughts on eschatology than I did even four years ago so I'll be interested in seeing how they deal with the different viewpoints and it will be good for me to read through Revelation slowly now that my presuppositions have altered somewhat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Daily Bible reading with Anthony</span> - We have been doing this since we got married. We miss days/weeks every so often but it is a definitely a habit we want to always be a part of our marriage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">3. <a href="http://www.beholdyourgod.org/" target="_blank">Behold Your God</a> study</span> - I am almost finished going through this with my friends. Wow! What an amazing study! It will reprogram your mind to think of God differently, more Biblically. It is by far the best book study I have ever participated in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 4. Keep a list of what God says about Himself</span> - This was an idea I got from one of the pastors interviewed in the <a href="http://www.beholdyourgod.org/" target="_blank">Behold Your God</a> study. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 5. After reading a passage, always ask, "What does this passage tell me about God?"</span> - The Bible is not all about me, I need to remember that. Asking this question will help me to remember who the Bible really is about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">6. Practice homiletics</span> - No, I don't want to preach. However, I did take a one hour BSF seminar on homiletics and I can see how it really helps you in studying a passage. I haven't practiced this much but I really want to work on it this year. Plus, I one day want to write Bible studies for women and this will help me practice in doing that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">C. Scripture memory</span> - I've posted a verse to memorize by our door but I really don't see it that often so I think I'm going to put the same verse in our bathrooms as well so we see it more often. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> D. Church</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. Get involved</span> - I have joined the audio visual team and Anthony is the hospitality person for our new church, <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/" target="_blank">The Church at Pecan Creek</a>. What is great is that we can actually help each other out. Anthony is so gifted at understanding technology and has been helping me & the whole team get some things set up. The other night he was sick so I and another friend of ours took care of the hospitality stuff. I will say that this audio visual stuff is daunting but I'm learning a lot. We have the ability to control both the projector and the sound system from our iPads, allowing us to sit in the audience rather than in a sound booth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #741b47;">a. Audio Visual team</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"> b. Hospitality</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"> c. Women's ministry</span> - I want to get a women's ministry going eventually at our new church. We aren't quite there yet but I definitely want to be involved with it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-_tzyPiq6vMCLHZN6meFmUqwMwBWSvJVU_yPWjbLhhhrGuVk5DMUlh_DpSFKWtkkIBUr2f2CqlVzwyaIrQJIA-FwWjtp76387OUuSL-qQZIiLs4uKnLuDod5ouisQQuiD8kaLmGfPE5o/s1600/man_jogging_clip_art_26445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-_tzyPiq6vMCLHZN6meFmUqwMwBWSvJVU_yPWjbLhhhrGuVk5DMUlh_DpSFKWtkkIBUr2f2CqlVzwyaIrQJIA-FwWjtp76387OUuSL-qQZIiLs4uKnLuDod5ouisQQuiD8kaLmGfPE5o/s1600/man_jogging_clip_art_26445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-_tzyPiq6vMCLHZN6meFmUqwMwBWSvJVU_yPWjbLhhhrGuVk5DMUlh_DpSFKWtkkIBUr2f2CqlVzwyaIrQJIA-FwWjtp76387OUuSL-qQZIiLs4uKnLuDod5ouisQQuiD8kaLmGfPE5o/s1600/man_jogging_clip_art_26445.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
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II. Physical</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">A. Exercise</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Wii Fit</span> - I got a Wii Fit for Christmas and I love it. I need to be more consistent about doing 20-30 mins every morning, which means I need to get up earlier (another goal further on).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Work up to 10,000 steps a day</span> - I got a pedometer that connects to the Wii Fit so I'm keeping track of this. I didn't realize how sedentary I really am. Very depressing. The other day I walked almost three miles and still didn't even get close to 10,000 steps. I never realized how much walking that actually means. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">3. Thirty min move after every meal</span> - Last week I came up with the idea to try to take a 30 min exercise of some sort (gardening, walking, wii) after every meal. I haven't done this yet but I think it is doable and healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> B. Food</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. Monthly menues</span> - I've been consistent with this for a year; I just want to keep doing so and hopefully be better at sticking to it this year. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 2. Try more healthy recipes</span> - I've researched a few new recipes I want to try including cooking with spring rolls, quinoa, and cauliflower, all things I've never experimented or even tasted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">3. Keep a food journal</span> - I'm a member of <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/" target="_blank">SparkPeople</a> and keep up with my nutrition through <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id568471693?mt=8&&referrer=click%3D779d96ec-85a4-475b-b88d-6e45159a9cf7" target="_blank">their app</a>. I just started back at this last week and I've been pretty good at keeping up with it, with a few meals missed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">4. Water</span> - I am an avid water drinker however, over the last couple of years, I've gotten into a bad habit of not drinking as much as I use to. I need to be better at getting my water in each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">C. Checkups</span> - working on these</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">III. Mental/Educational</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> A. Reading</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnx65RQVkgglnplaOv2Mm67uQgUPFnFzZ94yLUUfoCy7-SXch3TQX9cLT1TyjyGrwP0R8euIz-1iqxAc4tKUlM6UYi5CzC_0TxwAKSWvK-ws_JmQDWmmgPRlwIAqOyvJfoTGg1sw0deya/s1600/educational-subjects.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/AVvXsEhwnx65RQVkgglnplaOv2Mm67uQgUPFnFzZ94yLUUfoCy7-SXch3TQX9cLT1TyjyGrwP0R8euIz-1iqxAc4tKUlM6UYi5CzC_0TxwAKSWvK-ws_JmQDWmmgPRlwIAqOyvJfoTGg1sw0deya/s1600/educational-subjects.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Read 10 books this year (not including the Bible) </span>- I am currently reading two books. So, I'm already behind but as long as I'm consistently working toward this goal, I'm happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #741b47;">a. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Ministry-Local-Church-Duncan-ebook/dp/B0028BWAZC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426539882&sr=1-1&keywords=women%27s+ministry+in+the+local+church" target="_blank">Women's Ministry in the Local Church</a></i> by Ligon Duncan & Susan Hunt</span> - I'm 65% (according to the Kindle app) of the way done with this and I can say it is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it to all women and all leaders (including the men) in a church to read this book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #741b47;"> b. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everyones-Theologian-R-C-Sproul-ebook/dp/B00IPLHY64/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426539942&sr=1-1&keywords=everyone%27s+a+theologian" target="_blank">Everyone's A Theologian</a></i> by RC Sproul</span> - I'm only a couple of chapters in but this book is so great. It is an intro to systematic theology and is a book that every Christian should read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> c. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">B. Sewing</span> - I haven't done these yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. Learn to make a skirt</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> 2. Learn to make PJ pants with pockets for Anthony</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> 3. Learn to make toys</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> 4. Learn to make window treatments (cornice, drapes)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PDL6HeEA0uVkpZibCqjkvRqwkS4Y57i62K8Z_BStpiykESphyphenhyphen3ZRt6cXjcjMoM17_Rp_EHmRyk7PXezLZRweYtQ_hPtfV1iuir-U9EKhnkR0nbP_meOBGak1RptdMgpocNQLtOGlh_6N/s1600/tumblr_ldachzWKlm1qa5699o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PDL6HeEA0uVkpZibCqjkvRqwkS4Y57i62K8Z_BStpiykESphyphenhyphen3ZRt6cXjcjMoM17_Rp_EHmRyk7PXezLZRweYtQ_hPtfV1iuir-U9EKhnkR0nbP_meOBGak1RptdMgpocNQLtOGlh_6N/s1600/tumblr_ldachzWKlm1qa5699o1_500.png" height="154" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">IV. Entertainment</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">A. TV time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. Limit TV time to two hours a day (except when sick and doing laundry)</span> - We are actually pretty good at doing this right now. Many nights we don't even turn on the TV. The problem is that when we do, it is very difficult to turn it off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06;">B. iPhone/iPad games </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 1. Delete the time wasting games</span> - Done. I had some games on my iPad that I realized one day I was spending hours on and wasting much of my day. They are now gone. I feel so free now; I didn't realize what a slave I had become to them. I still have a couple of games that only take a min to make a move before waiting for the next person to move so those don't suck my time away. I also still have Sudoku but I usually only play that while watching TV.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">V. Emotional</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> A. Time management</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O3l6o-AkXmHVhunpszfmBDPbdB56_m1bdIfqfgF7c23vpmRceawOcX3L9Lwp8qFJq6Iiy5v_Zc-XcCfRCy9E7ho6AEIEWnTSIRW85aNOwJZKevMiruxZVv-NLKDoZRBna6z8kXzMIMiW/s1600/time-management-wide.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O3l6o-AkXmHVhunpszfmBDPbdB56_m1bdIfqfgF7c23vpmRceawOcX3L9Lwp8qFJq6Iiy5v_Zc-XcCfRCy9E7ho6AEIEWnTSIRW85aNOwJZKevMiruxZVv-NLKDoZRBna6z8kXzMIMiW/s1600/time-management-wide.png" height="73" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Get up by 6 am</span> - I am so not good at this. I have got to get better at this. If this is the only thing I get in the habit of doing this year, I will cut it a good year. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 2. Create and stick to a daily schedule</span> - I have done this several times but I finally think I have created one that works for me. I have been pretty consistent at sticking to it as well...at least most of it...still need to work on getting that exercise in as one of the first things in the morning...hence needing to get up at 6 am. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">3. Prep dinner in the morning</span> - When I don't do this, I can sometimes dread having to stop what I'm doing to spend the next two or more hours cooking & then cleaning up from cooking. When I get most of the prep work done in the morning, I know if I need anything in time to go to the store, I can know the meat is thawed/marinated, and I usually end up saving myself a lot of frustration and time. Another reason for needing to be out of bed by 6 am.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9oT3SgUjQYDJiCMBd10tcDDqY6jf0jxMffYOknsqrzcoQDd0D7tlcXli7JGPOx-BkD_P59uT23F8D9qvS2AhXBdKRvtD7X9TiPM3C8tP0ppoZDIetbW1wPEAG6iYjHez5WVQhUU4h5o6/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9oT3SgUjQYDJiCMBd10tcDDqY6jf0jxMffYOknsqrzcoQDd0D7tlcXli7JGPOx-BkD_P59uT23F8D9qvS2AhXBdKRvtD7X9TiPM3C8tP0ppoZDIetbW1wPEAG6iYjHez5WVQhUU4h5o6/s1600/family.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">VI. Family</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> A. Family archival</span> - I'm still working on this. I was really consistent of doing this for a while but there was a few weeks that I couldn't and just never got back in the habit. I cleaned off my desk on Sunday so that I would have room to get back at this again.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">VII. Social</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEJVrVanARmqAUfg4rGDv8B7N8gF1H64bY7fmBpBLS_FiEGDuiMv-MC96Yt4eg9E2zBuAQjYl6cUKCuNOQqBkyDV0OSXt_aQbXzKDpyX5NX1IzPsMo-Pteg5MiWYl2DPZ7hSkCJV0AVSX/s1600/iStock_000016408006_Small.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/AVvXsEgrEJVrVanARmqAUfg4rGDv8B7N8gF1H64bY7fmBpBLS_FiEGDuiMv-MC96Yt4eg9E2zBuAQjYl6cUKCuNOQqBkyDV0OSXt_aQbXzKDpyX5NX1IzPsMo-Pteg5MiWYl2DPZ7hSkCJV0AVSX/s1600/iStock_000016408006_Small.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">A. Game group</span> - We want to create a gaming group that meets fairly consistently. Right now there are four of us but we would like to invite a few other people to join in with us. We are working on this one. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">B. Have people over at least once a month</span> - We do this fairly often already but I want to start inviting people who we don't have over that often.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPnqeA2IlQjG9VbpQx3JdP5gIyH2OnbHWeoZgNe4_tJkqWVxCuI_vfEruupLHjO1zt4YE3Ja44VPbkYfqVti-3kmIm2lCOXFSB_F9aR1DCHBxcNLtozaq3xNrYDvYIFB3sNKLj6dVLLy6/s1600/Firstfear-Whistlepuff-Home_thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPnqeA2IlQjG9VbpQx3JdP5gIyH2OnbHWeoZgNe4_tJkqWVxCuI_vfEruupLHjO1zt4YE3Ja44VPbkYfqVti-3kmIm2lCOXFSB_F9aR1DCHBxcNLtozaq3xNrYDvYIFB3sNKLj6dVLLy6/s1600/Firstfear-Whistlepuff-Home_thumb.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">VIII. Home</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> A. Major projects</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. New garage door opener</span> - done</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 2. New roof & gutters</span> - I need to call the insurance company to see if they can come take a look at the roof.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> B. Minor projects</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. New tires</span> - done</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Fix door panels</span> - done</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 3. Fix fence</span> - not done yet...the weather & our busy weekends had been impeding this. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKb0Z28E5HUr8MxS_zBM9_Oq1r8XuWjbU8Q8b0LYtP_kU_czr0SSkSy57mLfbpBHqdH8mjAuujSAy7OBT6lIApnro050g59g1r2S5zwEVIHQ-x9hBR71n-pWj7dt0uAN4VRH1nOiUSsn9/s1600/Colossians-3.23.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/AVvXsEgaKb0Z28E5HUr8MxS_zBM9_Oq1r8XuWjbU8Q8b0LYtP_kU_czr0SSkSy57mLfbpBHqdH8mjAuujSAy7OBT6lIApnro050g59g1r2S5zwEVIHQ-x9hBR71n-pWj7dt0uAN4VRH1nOiUSsn9/s1600/Colossians-3.23.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">IX. Work</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">A. Kapp's Kitchen</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Make one batch of cookies a day</span> - I'm not doing this consistently yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 2. Work the Denton County Community Market</span> - We are trying to get our application in for this but we have a question that hasn't been answered yet, so we are kind of in limbo at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> B. A Narrow-Minded Woman</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Research/write 1-2 hrs a day</span> - I am not consistent in this, yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Publicly publish the site </span>- Not quite ready yet. I have all the pages up and ready but I want to get at least 10 articles written before I start posting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"> 3. Post 2-3 articles a week</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">C. COO of the Kapp Family</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">1. Create a home management binder</span> - I have created several printables and I am working on more. I have been enjoying a few of the ones I have created so far. One of these days I may put them online for purchase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">2. Organize & clean office</span> - I cleaned part of my desk off on Sunday, does that count? ;) Granted, much of this is directly proportional to how far along in the family archiving I am. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So that is part of what I'm working on this year. Ha. Like I said, I like making lists. It makes me feel calmer and less overwhelmed. Some of these are already complete, some are just habits I want to maintain, others may take many years or a lifetime to complete, and it is highly likely I'll add more to this list as the year goes along. There are a few other things that I didn't list either because they were a little more private or I just didn't want this list to get crazy. Ha. Fail there. ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjUC1xcGhOa2dwNDA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ6eRiyAFUWJJCOZrYgaNCrApcw8XeD1_u0dfwX5J_RxV_Wc_6JkDXQjyH4CGCiYR_KqY_sVOiLClX-1fCKJ5t5q3vgTNeogUV-5M1SIXoJvBcjbag_FsQsZ5-d312noMfaxYKqKn_g6G/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-15+at+11.01.19+PM.png" height="560" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was nice. I finally got most of the house cleaned & organized after being sick and the holidays. Anthony installed new lighting under the cabinets in the kitchen and put together a bookshelf for our bedroom. I moved all our books (except the cook books) from the living room & into the bedroom so that we could fill the bookshelves in the living room with our board games. What we learned is that either we need more bookshelves (& a bigger house for them to go in) or we can't buy anymore games for a while. :) On an unrelated note, if you like the looks of our bedroom furniture and you have a way of hauling it, we can make you a very good deal on it. :)</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTF6R4lKg1JfaK8jVU7WIp01kU4PiccDDusIjrTR2iVq-mi_rmMm-4cZQZgyOj_oXnhRvEwVcYHZ5KImj9jO25g47nsR73__KBMibbVsztwGs1vFbz2aPwsl5bYlOBpY0KLg95WFNW7u-/s1600/10952137_10153024640847866_6303461202172238739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTF6R4lKg1JfaK8jVU7WIp01kU4PiccDDusIjrTR2iVq-mi_rmMm-4cZQZgyOj_oXnhRvEwVcYHZ5KImj9jO25g47nsR73__KBMibbVsztwGs1vFbz2aPwsl5bYlOBpY0KLg95WFNW7u-/s1600/10952137_10153024640847866_6303461202172238739_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">New bookshelf in our bedroom.</span></td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgQJ1ROM0yUlyB2ZJKcv-5HL1hYgKQztjhC-DelbiGjsajxYXTJ68iTv3OwDpvGKFpDhytgYQDDRaOgDnIvSKuIj8SKguKWibTVFn1LZEIY20DxXFaDv-96rzemgKCj4PG_a90Vx98xQnz3/s1600/10942324_10153024640897866_6919008629195204354_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ1ROM0yUlyB2ZJKcv-5HL1hYgKQztjhC-DelbiGjsajxYXTJ68iTv3OwDpvGKFpDhytgYQDDRaOgDnIvSKuIj8SKguKWibTVFn1LZEIY20DxXFaDv-96rzemgKCj4PG_a90Vx98xQnz3/s1600/10942324_10153024640897866_6919008629195204354_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our games are taking over.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what has really made us feel like our house is now a home is the purchase of a lamp. It is so weird that that one little thing has made our living room so much more cozy and homey. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl8h06LMWkyAOO9h7baS6u7lcmMwF3BJJxazHyD5K9ou1sRTmCyFnVjg5dWRpIXbeEOpbQ23a8qOqgxweguIWocO_EdQs_mZ9aEdJx_Zfozu8-Pom2eOdoyBIUTi_Ey_DEN8AHywy821H/s1600/1503287_10153024640802866_962552359413861597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl8h06LMWkyAOO9h7baS6u7lcmMwF3BJJxazHyD5K9ou1sRTmCyFnVjg5dWRpIXbeEOpbQ23a8qOqgxweguIWocO_EdQs_mZ9aEdJx_Zfozu8-Pom2eOdoyBIUTi_Ey_DEN8AHywy821H/s1600/1503287_10153024640802866_962552359413861597_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January 18th was our first official service as <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/" target="_blank">The Church at Pecan Creek</a>. We held it at our future site, Pecan Creek Elementary, and will be meeting there once every two months until we move there permanently in August. It was a great service. We are really starting to make some close friendships. It is very exciting for us two introverts to make friends. :)<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/AVvXsEigV4nD0IWhqT2PVwZfTVfnZb1HeCIxHLKE5A0inSZIBIJg4l5dxMw-Jdy-rUZmslwir0f4awtOFfHI7NPmuUTbDKRRPRiO0lFk6I1b-kJ2iOcn6yjNAsTVTeqfKWOSL4LeJHzkcbCA6wT9/s1600/10926412_10153014702722866_6760365089062986098_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV4nD0IWhqT2PVwZfTVfnZb1HeCIxHLKE5A0inSZIBIJg4l5dxMw-Jdy-rUZmslwir0f4awtOFfHI7NPmuUTbDKRRPRiO0lFk6I1b-kJ2iOcn6yjNAsTVTeqfKWOSL4LeJHzkcbCA6wT9/s1600/10926412_10153014702722866_6760365089062986098_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Trey Talley</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We visited Malta for a few days and shelled some pecans. Anthony made pecan chicken & pork chops that was amazing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd8ILBB4_Bge_zRu3ljN3BcdFWqUcQbS-m7HHjcH9XF9bSsPi6rNVvyLOvg7euMphaXHP1C60oFrjVHNMWwYFkpIe3zwmWTrfS-rUtDNZYWr_MgdxIoUaTH6h1GXh-CmcjnaMNpeLjdO4/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd8ILBB4_Bge_zRu3ljN3BcdFWqUcQbS-m7HHjcH9XF9bSsPi6rNVvyLOvg7euMphaXHP1C60oFrjVHNMWwYFkpIe3zwmWTrfS-rUtDNZYWr_MgdxIoUaTH6h1GXh-CmcjnaMNpeLjdO4/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other than that and a couple of game nights, January was pretty quite. Seemed so much busier at the time but when I look back, it seems less impressive. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did say last time that I would discuss my goals for this year. I still plan on doing that. I've got them written out but I am still thinking about how I want to talk about them here. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjU1EtMjVSY1Jma3M/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZE6NNyp-4f9NUMvLmbwOcfCX90QmPf47M3BAVKRyoZW8sSuB8wZ-Mk-Fs_cqV8X5rxI60mxcJLq-TY6uhuXJjUIvg-nVwVaRLe2eEcOoZfnOx1AXImc9a7wM_cV5AgySuHqoxss9D3tD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-03+at+11.45.58+AM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-64264180344420767082015-01-06T13:28:00.000-06:002015-01-06T13:28:03.918-06:002015...January<span style="font-size: large;">December...well, that was marked by me recovering from a 3-4 week long respiratory infection/cold followed by the flu. </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have typically been anti-flu vaccine, not because I thought there was something wrong with it but because, when I worked for the hospital system, we were essentially forced to take the flu vaccine. I do not respond well to being forced to do anything. I was born with a rebellious spirit (just ask my parents) & it is something I have struggled with all my life. Another reason I didn't like the flu shot was that I would always come down with a terrible cold, which I thought was the flu, each year that I had taken the flu shot with the exception of last year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, since I no longer work for the health system, I was going to take the shot...because I wasn't being forced to. Then I got that awful respiratory thing. Then I just forgot. I will say, that after this bout of flu, I can only think of one other time where I may have had the flu. That was pretty, stinking terrible. Even when I was feeling better, I was so weak I couldn't do anything productive. Christmas day was the first day I actually felt good. Thank God that we didn't have any Christmas orders through <a href="http://kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a>. I would have hated to contact people a week before Christmas to cancel their orders. Talk about a blessing in disguise. :) Needless to say, I'll be taking the shot next year. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUGM9m2hvJg05UDpWT85dXfG8sqdFmh1j4HzWOHN2kJ9YkkqMjVnfbdr1i5QoiyNjADzKtVRktwwXWiSd0XSrj3nQS-fA4RRuLyXjevcYxootLDmoVDD1nGx1BikS4ik5TcTonojStpl4/s1600/10603734_10153406383084606_8774343570296516108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUGM9m2hvJg05UDpWT85dXfG8sqdFmh1j4HzWOHN2kJ9YkkqMjVnfbdr1i5QoiyNjADzKtVRktwwXWiSd0XSrj3nQS-fA4RRuLyXjevcYxootLDmoVDD1nGx1BikS4ik5TcTonojStpl4/s1600/10603734_10153406383084606_8774343570296516108_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz20zkJxrYF4l8TRP34Mzpfh9C4vKmHJvKQNJUSlbva0XIz0fhBmJOFrvKnF0spU8JXtEY1BGPbQz-jervCaxaUnIfJSyE3__TM63515buPiGITvrS4fgzNEw9kaoa77t2w1gdEp3T0EbZ/s1600/IMG_9987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz20zkJxrYF4l8TRP34Mzpfh9C4vKmHJvKQNJUSlbva0XIz0fhBmJOFrvKnF0spU8JXtEY1BGPbQz-jervCaxaUnIfJSyE3__TM63515buPiGITvrS4fgzNEw9kaoa77t2w1gdEp3T0EbZ/s1600/IMG_9987.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">December wasn't all kleenexes & Tamiflu, however. We did manage to get in our annual Christmas lights drive and we had several Christmases this year & all of them were wonderful and we were very spoiled, as usual. I am also so very thankful for technology. Since I was sick, I stayed home from the first Christmas but was able to FaceTime for it. I also was able to FaceTime into my sister's Christmas with our parents and we were able to have one of my sisters-in-law Skype our Christmas with the Kapp's. It is amazing that despite being thousands of miles away, we can still connect with those we love. Sure beats the days of telegram & Pony Express. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fCvOD7ftXC4-RDyMVo_msFGDTonxeAiqTqdANAvD2XcwpkmE3ZS8q0dD2nziE14_Wum-b71QPMBtZu7imfXQZSkNfNrbLh81lNrzZ0cdoKegIOKOGEf5-WiISyJsxOdTx5X2p7tKSBmG/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fCvOD7ftXC4-RDyMVo_msFGDTonxeAiqTqdANAvD2XcwpkmE3ZS8q0dD2nziE14_Wum-b71QPMBtZu7imfXQZSkNfNrbLh81lNrzZ0cdoKegIOKOGEf5-WiISyJsxOdTx5X2p7tKSBmG/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">We spent New Year's Eve at home. We were supposed to have some friends over for a game night but they were stuck by winter illness as well. It was a nice quite NYE for us. We had Kahlua Carnitas Street Tacos with homemade corn tortillas (made by Anthony) and pineapple pico de gallo. Then we watched Jurassic Park II and III. LOL Anthony got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jurassic-Park-Ultimate-Trilogy-Blu-ray/dp/B0057R5XRG/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420571391&sr=1-2&keywords=jurassic+park" target="_blank">whole trilogy</a> for Christmas and we had watched the first one earlier that week. Good times. Can't wait for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFinNxS5KN4" target="_blank">Jurassic World</a>. :D</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix92gL4hTR4i-H3ivPebOXMbeSPpvnw9hqdWG1xDGQx0g8QXXNk6EvBwiTiUn1VhXqsHRYYG417cCmnpwPK5F-Aq8qBldr-rREDwQn0lFZFkTTqnRoxYx32hQOkRsKYTeHKy8BhMhMZku6/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix92gL4hTR4i-H3ivPebOXMbeSPpvnw9hqdWG1xDGQx0g8QXXNk6EvBwiTiUn1VhXqsHRYYG417cCmnpwPK5F-Aq8qBldr-rREDwQn0lFZFkTTqnRoxYx32hQOkRsKYTeHKy8BhMhMZku6/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">New Year's morning Anthony made Crème Brûlée Oatmeal and we had sparkling cranberry-apple juice. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sooooo...New Years Resolutions. I've never been one to make resolutions but I always think about my goals for the next year, which I guess is essentially the same thing. I try to break them into different categories because I am a list maker and that is how I work. :) The categories I like to consider my yearly/monthly/weekly/daily goals for are: Home, Work, Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Mental/Educational, and Social. And...since I am a big fan of outlines, there are subcategories under each of these categories. LOL Anyway, I won't bore you with all that now. I'll be kind and make a separate post on these goals for 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEcHp-FuQzIHVNQf-KUUQEKvJrPVlEfshrhe5BA2LISKjNomdYgMhj_NlRjCEy5c8G04bhLsIRTKibSLGDigvzN2GUTSY0aIKvy_elRo7PPCKulbIBWnoXIDvVFduLY9VKBgi_8XYrKq2/s1600/Back-to-the-Future-Part-II-Documentary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEcHp-FuQzIHVNQf-KUUQEKvJrPVlEfshrhe5BA2LISKjNomdYgMhj_NlRjCEy5c8G04bhLsIRTKibSLGDigvzN2GUTSY0aIKvy_elRo7PPCKulbIBWnoXIDvVFduLY9VKBgi_8XYrKq2/s1600/Back-to-the-Future-Part-II-Documentary.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">2015...can you believe it?! This is the year that Marty McFly visited in Back to the Future II. 2015 sounded so futuristic in the 80's and 90's. We do have some pretty fascinating technology now. Maybe no flying cars or self-drying clothes but look at what we do have. Phones that are more powerful than most mainframe computers in the past. The internet is a vital part of our day-to-day lives. Like I mentioned earlier, FaceTime and Skype to see people on the other side of the earth. Netflix, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, Etsy, Hulu, blogs, Pinterest, iPads, Kindle, podcasts, apps and all the other new words that have entered our common vocabulary that represent how we live our lives today. The future may not have turned out as we imagined in the 80's, 90's, 50's, 40's but it is pretty fantastic, after all. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1k2KEwCA94EEH2pJ-NtxalXuBkl0aArCAIiJszxEFjQ1WMP8WuEQbauIcXRW36FbDJ7n_vC_ip92N5ENZycOkQ9DbadK6tXQ23goe5r9tc-UrPgHmYAFPcWoRywGXyzmiCHTmAvpzyoe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.23.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1k2KEwCA94EEH2pJ-NtxalXuBkl0aArCAIiJszxEFjQ1WMP8WuEQbauIcXRW36FbDJ7n_vC_ip92N5ENZycOkQ9DbadK6tXQ23goe5r9tc-UrPgHmYAFPcWoRywGXyzmiCHTmAvpzyoe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.23.52+PM.png" height="94" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of exciting and fantastic. We are a part of a new church plant. We will officially be meeting as <a href="http://www.thechurchatpecancreek.com/" target="_blank">The Church at Pecan Creek</a> near the end of this month. We will be temporarily meeting at <a href="http://northviewbaptist.com/" target="_blank">Northview Baptist Church</a> at 5pm on Sunday nights until August when we will move to our first official location at Pecan Creek Elementary School in Corinth. We are very excited in this endeavor but we also ask for your prayers at this time. There are many challenges in starting a church, especially when we it is our mission to do so as closely to the Scriptures as we can, with holiness and integrity, not compromising in any way in Biblical doctrine while living with a spirit of mercy, grace, patience, and gentleness. We do not intend to offend or hurt anyone's feelings but we place the Gospel and living an increasingly holy life in higher importance. We hope through this adventure, we will grow in Christian maturity, encourage one another in our Christian walk, sharpen one another, hold each other accountable, show each other and those outside our circle the love, grace, and mercy that we have all had shown to us from our Father, and share the Gospel with those in our community and beyond. If you are in our area, please consider worshiping with us. If you are not, then please keep us in your prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There isn't much more to say about January except keep warm. This is the month when winter really starts to set in here in Texas. Granted, most of the rest of the US laughs at us shivering in 30º and 20º weather. Of corse in the summer we laugh at the rest of you sweating in 80º and 90º weather. ;) I'm freezing right now but I am also soaking it up. I would much rather be cold than hot. I can always throw on another sweater or drink another cup of hot tea or cocoa. In the summer, there is only so much iced tea and lemonade you can drink. I guess I should just "Let it go, let it gooooo-oh..." Mwahahahahaha! ;)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-20945613210611459522014-12-11T09:00:00.000-06:002014-12-11T09:00:00.207-06:00December<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmlnrgqhX_q9AEAw6uYqQiyhgjZLLi-OnMleuecY6X08pj-9ovJvkJ_VKhm4sSP9l0Z9ATh85E6VjUj4qBx8P5dA2VFLe9MMQfnHKP_USnOh5Ni0P9QMJgsyo6GaoWZhhsLShf3tgNjDF/s1600/10518833_10152840144337866_205303149895252660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmlnrgqhX_q9AEAw6uYqQiyhgjZLLi-OnMleuecY6X08pj-9ovJvkJ_VKhm4sSP9l0Z9ATh85E6VjUj4qBx8P5dA2VFLe9MMQfnHKP_USnOh5Ni0P9QMJgsyo6GaoWZhhsLShf3tgNjDF/s1600/10518833_10152840144337866_205303149895252660_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGG Con</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">November was a blast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We went to the 2014 Board Game Geek Convention in Dallas. So much fun. I (Kristy) didn't have a break down from social anxiety this year. Yay! I only got really moody once (that I can remember) but it was super late at night. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I played 38 games in 5 days. Anthony played 33. Anthony volunteered in the library for an hour and went to a charity auction for a couple of hours, so I was able to play a few more than him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to see all the games I played, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjbkJXelk1NENXMmc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>. Games I would highly recommend include:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJrfVkwCT0qrd56QEWnXKD4CNkFOJYVIQyxY7yuUs4mcTZ_18JznCYaITP1RJQFIwZE910Kxw520Ib9SOnKP1E2bmcO22rCaMSXxWqYyplPah4_fwTH3zwZHqYVNZ0tBAvtlIT96L0LFC/s1600/Las+Vegas4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJrfVkwCT0qrd56QEWnXKD4CNkFOJYVIQyxY7yuUs4mcTZ_18JznCYaITP1RJQFIwZE910Kxw520Ib9SOnKP1E2bmcO22rCaMSXxWqYyplPah4_fwTH3zwZHqYVNZ0tBAvtlIT96L0LFC/s1600/Las+Vegas4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Playing Las Vegas</span></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Black Fleet (pirates...need I say more)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Colt Express (very cool game with a cool "board")</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">7 Steps (pretty abstract...not in America yet)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Machi Koro (we already owned this one but it is worth mentioning)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Robinson Crusoe (extremely difficult co-op game but very cool)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Hot Tin Roof (very similar to Ticket To Ride but maybe a little simpler...I liked it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Paperback (kind of like Scrabble mixed with Dominion...if you know what Dominion is)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Planes (like Mancala but with a twist)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Mysterium (similar to Dixit...also not in America yet)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Alchemists (cool use of new technology...iPhone)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Eight Minute Empire (quick, light Euro)</span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKyHdM6343Mnd7ZYIFPuFCk03h8vdYvrUbumNSIxOItsXK6a_DckISu7LZr8MIYu6BBnS-14iVEz0f8jFO-xth8N990I3Dr6GrYIV4kaonHhgUi7uR4AtgMIOsmmIKNSUxPEkn7b1CRIl/s1600/10838165_10152861687132866_76725872962384296_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKyHdM6343Mnd7ZYIFPuFCk03h8vdYvrUbumNSIxOItsXK6a_DckISu7LZr8MIYu6BBnS-14iVEz0f8jFO-xth8N990I3Dr6GrYIV4kaonHhgUi7uR4AtgMIOsmmIKNSUxPEkn7b1CRIl/s1600/10838165_10152861687132866_76725872962384296_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony, Alejandro, Jordan, & me</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One night we went with a group to <a href="http://www.hardeightbbq.com/" target="_blank">Hard Eight BBQ</a>. It was pretty good, not my all time favorite BBQ place but it is seriously hard to compete with <a href="http://www.phtexas.com/" target="_blank">Prairie House</a>...mmmmm....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After staying up past 2 am four nights in a row, we were exhausted when we got home. I was super irritable and ready to fight somebody for two days after that. I even risked going to a post office I had an incident at about 3 years ago but this time was much nicer despite my attitude. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm starting to recognize a theme. I would like to ask all two of my readers to please remember me in your prayers. I need God to work on my attitude. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUerKbKl2iC3H7l13y_3dEfaZRGomjnyN-ml1-F6J3c1qckFPso6Q9GiGQKXMI35q7Yep8WjFhxiNhrSWAGcn1q4JuiIjlbPiWZbQX2uuiz-gk50B5qwXz-stb30K4-p6gqFN4jRQrCggE/s1600/10384899_10152860087187866_8709455163190971235_n.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/AVvXsEhUerKbKl2iC3H7l13y_3dEfaZRGomjnyN-ml1-F6J3c1qckFPso6Q9GiGQKXMI35q7Yep8WjFhxiNhrSWAGcn1q4JuiIjlbPiWZbQX2uuiz-gk50B5qwXz-stb30K4-p6gqFN4jRQrCggE/s1600/10384899_10152860087187866_8709455163190971235_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUerKbKl2iC3H7l13y_3dEfaZRGomjnyN-ml1-F6J3c1qckFPso6Q9GiGQKXMI35q7Yep8WjFhxiNhrSWAGcn1q4JuiIjlbPiWZbQX2uuiz-gk50B5qwXz-stb30K4-p6gqFN4jRQrCggE/s1600/10384899_10152860087187866_8709455163190971235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We spent Thanksgiving with Anthony's family in Paris...Paris, TX, that is. We had a great time and so much delicious food. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG83GtdLUC1IsbQmKD0FgL84f2Nvmefm-oVSgbwX7PhC42p5g0LydY9AhEnMTD-ZDOkV7rooDivdhcOCRaULHYoaw_23BIe6vPXLTq8YbDQkE3NM-r6nBpt8W_zdWBi7icMot22fjfJBXa/s1600/10600445_10152860104947866_1043090890514138543_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG83GtdLUC1IsbQmKD0FgL84f2Nvmefm-oVSgbwX7PhC42p5g0LydY9AhEnMTD-ZDOkV7rooDivdhcOCRaULHYoaw_23BIe6vPXLTq8YbDQkE3NM-r6nBpt8W_zdWBi7icMot22fjfJBXa/s1600/10600445_10152860104947866_1043090890514138543_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The day after Thanksgiving we all went out to the bottoms on the Red River. A lot of them spent several hours riding four wheelers over the dunes. Anthony's aunt made chili and hot cocoa. We roasted hot dogs over a camp fire and made a campfire dump cake. I had never had a dump cake, much less one made over a campfire and, oh man, was is delicious!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZBMJt31NzS8fPufEBEU6fQM1yDr5hj_Xz0bu4bEOYcJEedBdpK-wBcizBWOwlxS52RQNcr7y1Sd1CWh2ja871LNGwwRRYwyVD913KpnsGXiVmwR5gPq8aXNN1X1D_Qp88w1kQDo_SYXn/s1600/10847910_10152874055737866_9138882596864532460_n-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZBMJt31NzS8fPufEBEU6fQM1yDr5hj_Xz0bu4bEOYcJEedBdpK-wBcizBWOwlxS52RQNcr7y1Sd1CWh2ja871LNGwwRRYwyVD913KpnsGXiVmwR5gPq8aXNN1X1D_Qp88w1kQDo_SYXn/s1600/10847910_10152874055737866_9138882596864532460_n-2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now December is in full swing. We went to the Denton Tree Lighting and had funnel cakes. Anthony and I are really starting to feel at home in Denton. We tend to run into people we know when in stores or out at community events.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCZnXsh9XP-fSAYNeUvKp5PcSEIeNqeXhHfJha7LuSgiiEiOcV0_bmioKfUSVsvrL3i8e4C6fsSL5Y4Nzp4Xt-n-37VB_NjveyE2IaJpknPytbeDV-lA8nXWd7ylqTwbFf11vih5jDp71/s1600/10176082_10152876822817866_5838999448360535050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCZnXsh9XP-fSAYNeUvKp5PcSEIeNqeXhHfJha7LuSgiiEiOcV0_bmioKfUSVsvrL3i8e4C6fsSL5Y4Nzp4Xt-n-37VB_NjveyE2IaJpknPytbeDV-lA8nXWd7ylqTwbFf11vih5jDp71/s1600/10176082_10152876822817866_5838999448360535050_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We had our own little tree lighting event of ourselves the other night. We watched Mickey's Christmas Carol and A Muppet's Christmas Carol while decorating the tree and mantle. It was a nice cozy evening just the two of us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjNGFQSUdoSExQa0U/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIQgxBS0gfHOPFuYgjLEL3xII_sMLPI1t4yzii8GD17rW9DNU9V0OaizB3GbqX2uz4Cub023UE9tQvM046k6ixX6yMs93Jzd65GPI1UWjz7DtYgqcDEgB8zCfbUoM_1umjvcaPXEujeIi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-06+at+10.54.33+AM.png" height="576" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a merry Christmas everyone!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good news, we have had quite a few orders through <a href="http://kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a>. Very encouraging. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAV-bAlzVPZSYS730omlPaGITdWoTZwWR3oJpezM0mQll231GOYrrK7PKHjU74839BltfWmEs41qRI9wx7wNiHKCVRSxNs46gNBIObGa9SOK8P9BBBL-xc9DVbHIo85WZQqUaM0Nqku2QS/s1600/B1eklJ1CQAAZElh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAV-bAlzVPZSYS730omlPaGITdWoTZwWR3oJpezM0mQll231GOYrrK7PKHjU74839BltfWmEs41qRI9wx7wNiHKCVRSxNs46gNBIObGa9SOK8P9BBBL-xc9DVbHIo85WZQqUaM0Nqku2QS/s400/B1eklJ1CQAAZElh.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rick Morton with Tanya and Anya</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The weekend of Nov 1st, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Project127AtShadyOaks" target="_blank">Project 1:27 at Shady Oaks Baptist Church</a> hosted it's first big event in acknowledgment of <a href="http://orphansunday.org/" target="_blank">Orphan Sunday</a> (Nov 2nd). <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Project127AtShadyOaks" target="_blank">Project 1:27 at Shady Oaks Baptist Church</a> is a ministry my in-laws started at their church for support for adoption, foster care, and orphan care. They are just in the early days of the ministry but it is very encouraging to see interest growing. On Nov 1st, they hosted a mini-conference at the church. <a href="http://www.rickmortononline.com/" target="_blank">Rick Morton</a> was the guest speaker and <a href="http://kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a> provided quick breads as refreshments. There was around 30-40 people who came and it was very encouraging. Mr. Morton also spoke at Shady Oaks on Sunday morning. If you would like to hear his sermon, you can <a href="http://vimeo.com/110876577" target="_blank">see the video here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a related note, Phyllis called us telling us of two little girls who were in need of a "forever family." Anthony put it on our church's Facebook page with little expectation of getting a response. Within 20 mins, a couple from our Sunday school class messaged Anthony. Long story short, they are now in the process of adding these two beautiful girls to their family. It is a beautiful story but it will be a challenge. Every adoption is. However, they have a large, willing support group around them. They also have started a <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/gosa1g" target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a> to help the raise money or the adoption process and expenses to come. If you are interested in giving to this sweet family, check out their page <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/gosa1g" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have volunteered to learn the sound board at our church. Very intimidating but I'm getting it. I have been doing the words for the screen for a couple of weeks during Sunday night church but that is way easier than learning the little intricacies of the sound board, cd player, and lights. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeuEKwT-onFueCpnhZvxIbgg4FKqYWJNzqP5b3XGbaAUHqEsQVXhaP_KeEgK2TnPsHzd7C9ObkSsK1KX7zaW4AhDNtxbAz0cyJChFo00HihXdrrMuQ9if93O-wIGyh_7STw_fgN-eIzc-/s1600/64360_10152804543657866_3572479819916152953_n-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeuEKwT-onFueCpnhZvxIbgg4FKqYWJNzqP5b3XGbaAUHqEsQVXhaP_KeEgK2TnPsHzd7C9ObkSsK1KX7zaW4AhDNtxbAz0cyJChFo00HihXdrrMuQ9if93O-wIGyh_7STw_fgN-eIzc-/s320/64360_10152804543657866_3572479819916152953_n-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My back row Baptist view.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soooo, November....this is a very full month for us. Next week, we are at the <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/bggcon" target="_blank">Board Game Geek Convention</a> playing board games for five days. We are so excited about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I always get a little nervous because there are a lot of people at this event and I am not the best in a crowd. The other thing is my confidence drops dramatically when I am in a crowd...especially when females are a minority. It is a roller coaster of emotions for me. First, I'm confident because I'm one of the few women at the event. Then, I start wondering, do these people even want to play a board game with a woman, what if I don't catch on right away, what if I do something stupid and ruin the game and once again fulfill these guys preconception that women should not play board games....see how my mind sometimes runs away. However, I am blessed with a wonderful husband that keeps reassuring me and two other great friends. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEkI8hfTa7kFxKfPEEd8MhCpxDF-l1rxKo2WxpIAC_gwZ3GohFxmUnjaJVtrM6NeTwDM8PM3eILYkNa5lKP8UkP-BTou8ILvz_zLK8AFRHpP7gWV6uhG-SfrUDor24M8wpQ3cZyhhh1KA/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEkI8hfTa7kFxKfPEEd8MhCpxDF-l1rxKo2WxpIAC_gwZ3GohFxmUnjaJVtrM6NeTwDM8PM3eILYkNa5lKP8UkP-BTou8ILvz_zLK8AFRHpP7gWV6uhG-SfrUDor24M8wpQ3cZyhhh1KA/s640/IMG_4017.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture of the main hall at BBG Con 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year when we left the event, we said we would try to step out on our own more and face our introvert fears and try to meet more people. One good thing to keep in mind is that a large majority of these people are just as geeky, introverted, and socially awkward as I am. :) All the same, we are getting so excited. This year we are staying at the hotel instead of driving back and forth, so it is going to feel like a mini-vacation.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cSPpdYhubolNUjbMQJuo66xTCg4Cnf1NBKlYh3qXiQSjfHUgAVRT5B1rw1OAhu5-kYp2ZpYsyxsz85p1af91JF308i5XiNszkWSv4-Hybf_rZfyUKXp9fiBN1oT_1QzLRlKtlQS4E6Qa/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cSPpdYhubolNUjbMQJuo66xTCg4Cnf1NBKlYh3qXiQSjfHUgAVRT5B1rw1OAhu5-kYp2ZpYsyxsz85p1af91JF308i5XiNszkWSv4-Hybf_rZfyUKXp9fiBN1oT_1QzLRlKtlQS4E6Qa/s400/IMG_4020.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The four of us geeks at BGG Con 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have come down with a cold that I'm fighting off. We are praying that Anthony doesn't catch whatever it is that I have so we can have a good time at BGG Con. We would appreciate your prayers as well. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next week is Thanksgiving, which in addition to great food, always means, for us, more board games. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am never one to get excited about Christmas. I'm usually a bit of a Grinch however, this year, I am so in the holiday spirit. I'm actually having to restrain myself from making cocoa, putting on Christmas music, and decorating the house. I refuse to do it until after Thanksgiving...however, I don't see anything wrong with making some hot cocoa. :D</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLBT5d6KuFu5isTo7AV6Un_1DZuKZcmc84C1TcULQlgrbeZ93FtK5O5x9pxRaUbVRm2zSp624tzPtyaAQEcE01lxFAZa8z6tM87niiKXCEeWVclAE21IRsTugRhyphenhyphenEgqzpbI7U81bdyxkM/s1600/10341830_10152823754777866_2722941061642618727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLBT5d6KuFu5isTo7AV6Un_1DZuKZcmc84C1TcULQlgrbeZ93FtK5O5x9pxRaUbVRm2zSp624tzPtyaAQEcE01lxFAZa8z6tM87niiKXCEeWVclAE21IRsTugRhyphenhyphenEgqzpbI7U81bdyxkM/s200/10341830_10152823754777866_2722941061642618727_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLBT5d6KuFu5isTo7AV6Un_1DZuKZcmc84C1TcULQlgrbeZ93FtK5O5x9pxRaUbVRm2zSp624tzPtyaAQEcE01lxFAZa8z6tM87niiKXCEeWVclAE21IRsTugRhyphenhyphenEgqzpbI7U81bdyxkM/s1600/10341830_10152823754777866_2722941061642618727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I have decided to finally learn to sew. I bought a sewing machine before we got married and I haven't even taken it out of the box until this past weekend. Today, I figured out how to change the needles out, attach a walking foot, wind a bobbin, and thread the machine. I also made a hand warmer as a practice project in honor for the cold weather that blew in last night. Yay! Now, on to my first project...I'll post on the results next month. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because of all that has gone on in the last couple of weeks, I was just able to get a menu for November made this past weekend. As such, I couldn't remember what we had for some of the meals earlier in the month. :) I'm actually already deviating on the plan for today because, like I said above, I'm sick and just didn't have the energy to make a quiche. ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjM3JzZHIxTlBIa0U/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q7Q8g9_PAjvI-VuzrQmG7EW-vmNfLi7s-VQ2kfC9TCeSNG9mWDggPfvSrm3Ejl_yzU6c4Lx-yVadaXP7TkdHBMKWMDt_4mnZFLGU8E50INsB6et4ZD9o0rDs3SiTP45SmpcQB5RpbE9z/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-11-09+at+11.23.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-31955415828506589062014-10-31T07:30:00.000-05:002014-10-31T08:37:05.067-05:00Reformation Day<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Iowan Old Style';">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntoovvMX4hMtfQNjDUDR2lF28KZ9PuBKmEuXrhjwObLN7sd5ClL-4VxnlQ8indOXheMYT2_mkYMrCYZO21HCoxT7QeSxKDbNGj04KyILUVXixa8AV68Ejvr7P8k6SSX_6TDMo7W3Sg7P5/s1600/Luther+Posting+the+95+Theses.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntoovvMX4hMtfQNjDUDR2lF28KZ9PuBKmEuXrhjwObLN7sd5ClL-4VxnlQ8indOXheMYT2_mkYMrCYZO21HCoxT7QeSxKDbNGj04KyILUVXixa8AV68Ejvr7P8k6SSX_6TDMo7W3Sg7P5/s1600/Luther+Posting+the+95+Theses.png" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is a very important day in history. Possibly the most important day in in the last 500 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On this day, 497 years ago, in the town of Wittenberg, Germany, a German monk, Martin Luther, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, most people picture this angry man stomping up to the church door, pulling out a railroad spike, & nailing his letter to the door using a giant mallet. This couldn’t be further from the truth. At this time, it was customary to post writings on the door of the church almost like we would to a bulletin board these days. Using a nail was the method of doing so. I’m sure the local door maker loved this custom…maybe he even started the tradition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Martin Luther was a teacher at the university. He had been teaching through Paul’s letter to the Romans when God saved him. He wrote of his salvation: </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My situation was that, although an impeccable monk, I stood before God as a sinner troubled in conscience, and I had no confidence that my merit would assuage him. Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement 'the just shall live by faith.' Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning...This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love that testimony so much. It is very similar to mine, as well, especially the “The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Luther continued teaching through Romans, he began to see the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. He wrote his Ninety-Five Theses in a response to the errors that he saw in the Catholic church and theology. He nailed one copy to the door of the church, sent another copy to the archbishop Albert of Mainz and Magdeburg, and sent a third copy to the bishop of Brandenburg (his superior). He wasn’t intending to be disrespectful or challenge the church. His intention was to invite the scholars of the day to debate these ninety-five issues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">None of what Luther believed was new. However, this particular paper really set fire to people. Martin Luther was condemned by the Pope and he and his followers were viewed as criminals deserving death by the Roman Catholic Church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In one of the most loved scenes of Luther’s life, he is brought to Worms, Germany to stand before an assembly of the Holy Roman Empire and either renounce or reaffirm his work. This is referred to as The Diet of Worms. I know it sounds hilarious, however it is pronounced “Deet of Vorms.” A diet is a council.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Johann von Eck asked Luther if the 25 writings Eck had presented were his and if he was ready to renounce them as heresies. At this point, movies have shown a confident Luther boom in a loud voice his reaffirmation of all he had written. However, that is Hollywood and no where near the truth. Luther’s response to Eck was to ask to consider the question over night. Luther no long resembles the brave hero but more like me…scared, intimidated, unsure if what I am doing it the right thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That night, Luther prays. He had been promised safety but is not sure if that promise will be honored. He doesn’t know if he will be executed, imprisoned, or allowed to return home safely. His prayer that night is one of the most honest and beautiful prayers I have ever read outside of the Bible.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">O God, Almighty God everlasting! how dreadful is the world! behold how its mouth opens to swallow me up, and how small is my faith in Thee! . . . Oh! the weakness of the flesh, and the power of Satan! If I am to depend upon any strength of this world - all is over . . . The knell is struck . . . Sentence is gone forth . . . O God! O God! O thou, my God! help me against the wisdom of this world. Do this, I beseech thee; thou shouldst do this . . . by thy own mighty power . . . The work is not mine, but Thine. I have no business here . . . I have nothing to contend for with these great men of the world! I would gladly pass my days in happiness and peace. But the cause is Thine . . . And it is righteous and everlasting! O Lord! help me! O faithful and unchangeable God! I lean not upon man. It were vain! Whatever is of man is totering, whatever proceeds from him must fail. My God! my God! dost thou not hear? My God! art thou no longer living? Nay, thou canst not die. Thou dost but hide Thyself. Thou hast chosen me for this work. I know it! . . . Therefore, O God, accomplish thine own will! Forsake me not, for the sake of thy well- beloved Son, Jesus Christ, my defence, my buckler, and my stronghold. Lord - where art thou? . . . My God, where art thou? . . . Come! I pray thee, I am ready . . . Behold me prepared to lay down my life for thy truth . . . suffering like a lamb. For the cause is holy. It is thine own! . . . I will not let thee go! no, nor yet for all eternity! And though the world should be thronged with devils - and this body, which is the work of thine hands, should be cast forth, trodden under foot, cut in pieces, . . . consumed to ashes, my soul is thine. Yes, I have thine own word to assure me of it. My soul belongs to thee, and will abide with thee forever! Amen! O God send help! . . . Amen!</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day, Luther was brought back to the assembly and, once again, asked to renounce his writings. Luther did respond and his speech is still talked about today and used as a battle cry of Christians being demanded to bow before man rather than God.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other. May God help me. Amen.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While the council were deliberating what to do with Luther, he fled. The Edict of Worms read:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend, sustain, or favour the said Martin Luther. On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have captured him inform us, whereupon we will order the appropriate manner of proceeding against the said Luther. Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">People were also banned from reading or owning any of his writings. Many people were executed, including being burned at the stake, for supporting Luther.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what is the big deal with these ninety-five concerns? What are they exactly? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Luther’s biggest concern with the Catholic Church was the selling of indulgences. An indulgence is where you can pay the Roman Catholic Church an amount of money to have your time in Purgatory lessened. Purgatory is a fictional place the Catholic Church teaches a Christian will go to burn off sins until they are purified enough to enter Heaven. During Luther’s time, the Pope sent Johann Tetzel to sell indulgences in order to raise money to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Tetzel is attributed with the creation of the slogan of indulgences, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” Thus, the topic of selling indulgences is the main focus of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most Protestants have never read Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses. They are essentially the Protestant birth certificate and </span><span style="font-size: large;">I encourage you to read them</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Some of the topics Luther references have long been rejected by Protestants (the papacy, Purgatory, indulgences, etc.) but are still important to know in the understanding of our history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can read all ninety-five <a href="http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/95theses.htm">here</a> but here are a few:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#5 The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#8 The penitential canons apply only to men who are still alive, and, according to the canons themselves, none applies to the dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#10 It is a wrongful act, due to ignorance, when priests retain the canonical penalties on the dead in purgatory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#13 Death puts an end to all the claims of the Church; even the dying are already dead to the canon laws, and are no longer bound by them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#21 Hence those who preach indulgences are in error when they say that a man is absolved and saved from every penalty by the pope's indulgences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#22 Indeed, he cannot remit to souls in purgatory any penalty which canon law declares should be suffered in the present life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#27 There is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of the purgatory immediately the money clinks in the bottom of the chest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#32 All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#36 Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of indulgence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#40 A truly contrite sinner seeks out, and loves to pay, the penalties of his sins; whereas the very multitude of indulgences dulls men's consciences, and tends to make them hate the penalties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#43 Christians should be taught that one who gives to the poor, or lends to the needy, does a better action than if he purchases indulgences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#44 Because, by works of love, love grows and a man becomes a better man; whereas, by indulgences, he does not become a better man, but only escapes certain penalties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#45 Christians should be taught that he who sees a needy person, but passes him by although he gives money for indulgences, gains no benefit from the pope's pardon, but only incurs the wrath of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#62 The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#68 Nevertheless, they are not to be compared with the grace of God and the compassion shown in the Cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#72 On the other hand, let him be blessed who is on his guard against the wantonness and license of the pardon-merchant's words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#76 We assert the contrary, and say that the pope's pardons are not able to remove the least venial of sins as far as their guilt is concerned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#79 It is blasphemy to say that the insignia of the cross with the papal arms are of equal value to the cross on which Christ died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#82 They ask, e.g.: Why does not the pope liberate everyone from purgatory for the sake of love (a most holy thing) and because of the supreme necessity of their souls? This would be morally the best of all reasons. Meanwhile he redeems innumerable souls for money, a most perishable thing, with which to build St. Peter's church, a very minor purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#86 Again: since the pope's income to-day is larger than that of the wealthiest of wealthy men, why does he not build this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of indigent believers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#90 These questions are serious matters of conscience to the laity. To suppress them by force alone, and not to refute them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian people unhappy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#94 Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#95 And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In closing, I hope you remember Martin Luther's work and his humility when you sing the song he penned, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-48983810918989712222014-10-07T09:06:00.001-05:002014-10-07T09:06:36.658-05:00Fish with Trish Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo38W_E-MxgrdYaup7EyKy0-FYKxAEs-OHi8ujhUC95Y56p5D8-2xSF4TQNvoTBDpZ-hBNfn0eEN7SrzdKqIT2B8iBBDVA2MnIAM1LjNZLYTTtctjsIiurPM2-G82oqxHU6oT6CvzNdzf/s1600/20141004_172758-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDo38W_E-MxgrdYaup7EyKy0-FYKxAEs-OHi8ujhUC95Y56p5D8-2xSF4TQNvoTBDpZ-hBNfn0eEN7SrzdKqIT2B8iBBDVA2MnIAM1LjNZLYTTtctjsIiurPM2-G82oqxHU6oT6CvzNdzf/s1600/20141004_172758-1.jpeg" height="400" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fishwithtrish?fref=ts" target="_blank">Trisha Ramos</a>, of <a href="http://www.fishwithtrish.com/" target="_blank">Fish with Trish</a> and <a href="http://www.wretchedradio.com/" target="_blank">Wretched Radio</a>, is giving away this beautiful bag full of Christian evangelism tracts. If you are interested in entering, go to her site <a href="http://www.fishwithtrish.com/">www.fishwithtrish.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trisha Ramos is a super sweet lady who has a passion for reaching the lost. She & her husband, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emilioramoshgcc" target="_blank">Emilio Ramos</a> of <a href="http://redgracemedia.com/" target="_blank">Red Grace Media</a>, author of <i><a href="http://convertthebook.com/" target="_blank">Convert: From Adam to Christ</a></i> & pastor of <a href="http://www.heritagegrace.com/" target="_blank">Heritage Grace Community Church</a> in Frisco, TX, evangelize every week at <a href="http://www.unt.edu/" target="_blank">UNT</a>. Such a lovely family. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-51348459810203634892014-10-01T00:42:00.000-05:002014-10-01T00:42:45.174-05:00September<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is September is over and I never posted. Oh well. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really can't remember much about August anymore...I'm guessing it was hot & dry...it is Texas. ;)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jfMh2XX0fUMv0GxO_pzF1q5jhSDWVncmUidlKe00kxxJxJ4yrwc8V_wWJ7gqvMM8Cf6fxaEVQHDm_26lVn41lnIWDm9RCEnFM9k_MbF3zNFcQzwejZDcPcdCFY2ABlbgNHSNFRHqCOT8/s1600/10665882_10101698371342103_8940962680365443330_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jfMh2XX0fUMv0GxO_pzF1q5jhSDWVncmUidlKe00kxxJxJ4yrwc8V_wWJ7gqvMM8Cf6fxaEVQHDm_26lVn41lnIWDm9RCEnFM9k_MbF3zNFcQzwejZDcPcdCFY2ABlbgNHSNFRHqCOT8/s1600/10665882_10101698371342103_8940962680365443330_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One cool world-traveler.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past month, Jonathan, Kim, and Elijah came in for a whirlwind trip. They were here a few days, then took off to the Cayman Islands with Mom and Dad for a much needed trip and to see one of Kim's wonderful college friends get married. We got to see them again last night after picking them up at the airport.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a> has been getting a lot of encouraging comments lately and we have had a little business. We are going to be doing pies at Thanksgiving and Christmas so that should really pick things up. Also,...praline season is coming up and that is one thing that the people at church are already asking us about. We are working on getting our fall menu up, but I would certainly suggest our molasses cookies. They are so soft and yummy, and it makes our house smell like Christmas when we are baking them. :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started <a href="https://www.bsfinternational.org/" target="_blank">BSF</a> (Bible Study Fellowship) this past month. I have never been a part of this and only heard about it about a year ago when my mom and Granny started attending and telling me about it. I am really enjoying it so far. It is one of those studies that you get as much as you put into it. Anyone who knows me, knows I tend to write...a LOT. So, while everyone comes to class with their little sheet of questions over the study the previous week and they all have answered the questions on the pages that the questions were typed on, I walk in with my giant notebook of about 10 pages of notes/answers. I know I turn red every time I have to flip the page of my notebook and everyone else is just sitting there with their nice, neat paper. Everyone probably thinks I'm nuts. LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I met one girl in my group at BSF who lives pretty close to us. Her and her husband have only been married just over a year and moved here last December. They don't have any kids yet and she is a stay-at-home wife right now. So, we are talking about becoming walking buddies. We also had a newlywed couple move in across the street a couple of weeks ago. They seem to be a really sweet, Christian couple and he is part of the youth ministry at a Baptist church up the street. So, maybe one of these days we will have them all over...maybe even start a little game group. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the next few months, Anthony and I may start trying to practice hospitality more often. We would like to have a small group to actually start a little, regular game group, too. Our house is so tiny but I think we could manage to move some furniture around, set up some card tables, and actually be able to fit 5 or 6 couples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did do a menu for September but we did not do too well sticking to it, so you may see some of the same meals planned for October. If you want to see it, you can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjQVNZdThhb3Y1aWM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>. I'm trying to keep all these on line so that I can just reuse them later. At the end of the year, I should have an entire year of monthly menus that I can go back to when I don't have time or the motivation to make one. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is this month's menu. Hopefully, we will be better about sticking to it this month. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjQ0dTeEVNMWhfTFE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL73aTN7jgw78KOivbxd-FxopjM-R-9waHc9QSNXGMMqmOejSUznSfOPesZ2TCwi8xnxX72v7ALWqKcXWutA-tNOdivD2N-cEVvmFJASVJnUMBi4x3LGqycwy7b5u1T9z5N3cfC0phl8A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+12.30.13+AM.png" height="547" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-59167356698511319162014-08-19T16:07:00.002-05:002014-08-19T16:08:55.316-05:00August, a late post<span style="font-size: large;">Well, August is half way over and I'm just now getting to posting. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last of July...well, all of July, really...was very busy for us. My trip to Alaska took up much of my time. After two weeks of being in Barrow, Kim and I flew down to Anchorage and Anthony joined us. Poor Jonathan had to work. We had not been apart that long since we met. It was not easy being away from each other that long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great time playing with Elijah and having Kim chauffeur us around. We went to the botanical garden one day and as we were pulling into the parking lot we were all staring at this really cool moose statue...then it walked away. We all started laughing & taking pics of her. We also went out to the marsh and saw two bald eagles, enjoyed some great food, and had some delicious chocolate. We would move there if we were willing to shovel snow in the winter. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Granny past away on July 21st. We will all miss her but it was a joyful experience for her. She had been very much ready to go Home since her heart attack just after Thanksgiving last year. Most of us fight hard against death, but for Granny, it was like relaxing, like going home...which is exactly what it was.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In John, Jesus pray's to God the Father regarding His Apostles and includes all who would become a part of His bride. He speaks of us not being of this world. Those who have been chosen by God have been adopted as His children. A Christian is just like a child who has been adopted and is waiting to go to his new home. Granny got to go home in July. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"<i>I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 'I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,</i>" </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(John 17:15-20 ESV)</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjclhrNzhxQVhSbVk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzfaLHJ-gEH4-RCh4C_sTauRWwbMVpYLXZ78H56EBIlh9APc2eS0kgqVNZzge9MzZzh0dFFBe0FrfFSiSUdRD3Ix_pCkDx4gQ_JOczuytACnDlUZdoSbrAm5CrTQDnaEYJMbsrp4CIAtp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-05+at+1.22.16+PM.png" height="609" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-68074673536149524032014-06-28T16:36:00.000-05:002014-06-28T16:36:58.589-05:00July 2014 and Alaska Trip UpdateSix months down, six to go for the year of 2014.<br />
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I've been in Alaska for about a week now. I'm in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrow,_Alaska" target="_blank">Barrow</a> for two weeks baby sitting my adorable nephew and then in Anchorage for a few days.<br />
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Barrow is the top of the US. It is the largest town on the North Slope of Alaska, 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle with a population of a little over 4,500. This week the weather has been alternating between sunny and raining with a temperature ranging from the upper 30's to the mid 40's (36 degrees as I write this right now). Barrow is a whaling town. Whaling is illegal but is still legal for natives. They stick very close to their historical methods by going out in small boats rather than large whaling boats. They whale in the spring and the fall. This past spring they caught 7 whales which is about average for a spring catch. They are allowed to catch up to 18 a year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGPaMlIZFUz28bDIHBnZrtIPl8KTt9BzEETneLYzOTtMetzJn2CnPx9PE9BO38XH3j-upxCCXhaPnkBfO6pg5ikEyoU8l0kgu9F91MZUnHpgx_zrS-d60kwrZ31iuItN-DLA6h7uJMeNF/s1600/Barrow_AK.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGPaMlIZFUz28bDIHBnZrtIPl8KTt9BzEETneLYzOTtMetzJn2CnPx9PE9BO38XH3j-upxCCXhaPnkBfO6pg5ikEyoU8l0kgu9F91MZUnHpgx_zrS-d60kwrZ31iuItN-DLA6h7uJMeNF/s1600/Barrow_AK.gif" /></a></div>
I am lucky this year that I happen to be here for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalukataq" target="_blank">Nalukataq</a> which is several days of celebration for the spring catch. The most famous part of this celebration is the Blanket Toss. Everyone is welcome to jump, including visitors. One of Jonathan and Kim's native friends tried to get me up there but there is no way I'm doing that. I would come home with a broken leg for sure. In the below video, a guy is jumping with a bag of candy & tossing it in the air for the kids. It was so cute, like an Alaskan piñata.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxYVVWJhIBLwCmIQoTxdK2rP0lfPSJpPPIG2uo6RMpFPraWWFLyc5365D2Kw1Nj-S2GQCvjnHyaVT9PJutmBw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Keep in mind that the video was taken at about 10:30pm. Yes, the sun is up 24 hrs a day right now. Luckily, the room they have me in has wonderful curtains that block out most of the light. The only hard part is getting the urge to go to bed when it is still sunny out. But, I've worked nights so it isn't that big of a deal for me.<br />
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My nephew is so adorable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7OVkRWXnvZahbRj0ltkvTBTWMgFp5zyiaYdkCvJnkN4DDnUt2D0qLVyd_4F8nNby5hoh9wIizfE55P7mvVFGb89O7Gt9g68P2jr6_fbAa211494RWeZL5J9__JQfG4T_Q3cIiUzfyUEE/s1600/IMG_6619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7OVkRWXnvZahbRj0ltkvTBTWMgFp5zyiaYdkCvJnkN4DDnUt2D0qLVyd_4F8nNby5hoh9wIizfE55P7mvVFGb89O7Gt9g68P2jr6_fbAa211494RWeZL5J9__JQfG4T_Q3cIiUzfyUEE/s1600/IMG_6619.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A time for laughter...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstD1xShPmRGINKXuJ6SQT06tZp8gEBqH2sp8ZQIoVeLYJYgwxfw99jjyT8AqqBfCWI0EOrYOj3ydd8bnEBG1zuu5Rf_p5X4sRp6yXrGOLwSVLMcsvQnMNMkdLYQHUC0X2c0kf1O4zzlDm/s1600/10383558_10152492563402866_2365398655442323943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstD1xShPmRGINKXuJ6SQT06tZp8gEBqH2sp8ZQIoVeLYJYgwxfw99jjyT8AqqBfCWI0EOrYOj3ydd8bnEBG1zuu5Rf_p5X4sRp6yXrGOLwSVLMcsvQnMNMkdLYQHUC0X2c0kf1O4zzlDm/s1600/10383558_10152492563402866_2365398655442323943_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A time for weeping...</td></tr>
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I'm trying to soak up all the cool air over these weeks. There is still a little ice left on the sea.<br />
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I've been away from Anthony for 7 days now and I'm, according to my phone, 3,396 miles away from him. We haven't been apart this long or this far since we met. We still have one more week to go apart from each other, then Anthony will come up to Anchorage when Kim & I go down to Anchorage. We'll get to see their new house and he'll get to meet his nephew.<br />
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Since we won't be back in Texas for part of the month, this month's menu will be a little abbreviated. I've moved some of last month's planed meals to this month's menu since several of them didn't get made last month.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjbU9aOXp1bW1BR3M/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEFb43hD6oBvXAnp_x4VsP3WTR91ORaO2eLfs-Xln-Tur5P5pH-F7MJdGdjAkA37eqUmsF4YD-xP-vKU6Z1STIys_OCYqqOL-MtCYbBMUICjrQUVGpbyD20lcZlGEQR7NQtXMWrBYnela/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-28+at+4.20.01+PM.png" height="542" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-14000874936143143252014-06-03T14:50:00.000-05:002014-08-19T16:09:35.431-05:00June!!!<span style="font-size: large;">May was such an emotional month. I have a blog post drafted about it but I'm not sure I'll post it. A friend from Twitter lost his wife and I really took it hard. They were married about a year before we were & are about the same age as us. She found out she had cancer, looked like she was going to beat it, and then they found another type of cancer. She was an amazing woman and her and her husband are amazingly strong in the Faith. I cannot wait to meet her when I go Home. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqo6GWD3Xms26_r4Wvt-bXbd_7lEy_s27mtBm8L0ij8W_z7d68cxau-W4ka95VkjjYZfLDUP1p4jIY-aXI2uH4pl1cxwuZgbTYrlXqHtpoob4PLehcV8ckYA126pJKH02vTZmLJcTj5bc/s1600/Elijah+-+tongue+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">The best news though...I'm an aunt!!! Elijah was born a week early and then spent a week in the NICU but is much better now. My amazing sister labored for 35 hrs! I haven't gotten to meet him in person yet but I will be in June! Can Not Wait!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqo6GWD3Xms26_r4Wvt-bXbd_7lEy_s27mtBm8L0ij8W_z7d68cxau-W4ka95VkjjYZfLDUP1p4jIY-aXI2uH4pl1cxwuZgbTYrlXqHtpoob4PLehcV8ckYA126pJKH02vTZmLJcTj5bc/s1600/Elijah+-+tongue+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqo6GWD3Xms26_r4Wvt-bXbd_7lEy_s27mtBm8L0ij8W_z7d68cxau-W4ka95VkjjYZfLDUP1p4jIY-aXI2uH4pl1cxwuZgbTYrlXqHtpoob4PLehcV8ckYA126pJKH02vTZmLJcTj5bc/s1600/Elijah+-+tongue+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also got to spend several very nice days on the Arkansas/Mississippi border with my Granny. We had a really nice time relaxing in a gorgeous old home on the lake, couple of trips to Sonic for Granny's favorite pineapple slush, a little shopping, and a nice picnic in the park. I missed Anthony very much but it was really nice to spend some quality time with her.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr8wHCN7OUhjfCX_vgWsCqy3660OozPVJCOD5Yx_r71_eoaLauNAr755kO5THi4tPr4vD2FfNuW2nypPUXFGY6GDSf6bLqHKS-WznUGUGNf-MjxoTkK8datheIZX_Gz_84IUruXZw5HLk/s1600/Granny+and+Me+-+picnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr8wHCN7OUhjfCX_vgWsCqy3660OozPVJCOD5Yx_r71_eoaLauNAr755kO5THi4tPr4vD2FfNuW2nypPUXFGY6GDSf6bLqHKS-WznUGUGNf-MjxoTkK8datheIZX_Gz_84IUruXZw5HLk/s1600/Granny+and+Me+-+picnic.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5yWYdCa81RU6LEo7pgStGSGrP5wPxSGRdbjY2UsNQnml-5Tgzq4UQ8Q4zfFvyMx-4FVaaTet3-zS376p2ppZkC-5CAzfW1-a6mrZcg-pPb0C1e7E96jIAK8wDnPjCXTX2YG4a7ACxPp1/s1600/Henry+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5yWYdCa81RU6LEo7pgStGSGrP5wPxSGRdbjY2UsNQnml-5Tgzq4UQ8Q4zfFvyMx-4FVaaTet3-zS376p2ppZkC-5CAzfW1-a6mrZcg-pPb0C1e7E96jIAK8wDnPjCXTX2YG4a7ACxPp1/s1600/Henry+House.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqo03xsqDvutTXg9HtH-1vFRsGBTTUDTC1rl1msb0oMjmJ8ldLVtv3UrDaDtL8ccvj8U-0qLqhK2sn2RMjl6aX6G6b3uOCzERUGEI3QzK9J5FKjyUf1s8T2uDBaBSa992bN8s3rXlSiYZ/s1600/Granny+and+Me+-+Sonic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqo03xsqDvutTXg9HtH-1vFRsGBTTUDTC1rl1msb0oMjmJ8ldLVtv3UrDaDtL8ccvj8U-0qLqhK2sn2RMjl6aX6G6b3uOCzERUGEI3QzK9J5FKjyUf1s8T2uDBaBSa992bN8s3rXlSiYZ/s1600/Granny+and+Me+-+Sonic.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5yWYdCa81RU6LEo7pgStGSGrP5wPxSGRdbjY2UsNQnml-5Tgzq4UQ8Q4zfFvyMx-4FVaaTet3-zS376p2ppZkC-5CAzfW1-a6mrZcg-pPb0C1e7E96jIAK8wDnPjCXTX2YG4a7ACxPp1/s1600/Henry+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my three beautiful sisters-in-law graduated from high school as well. Congrats to her on that!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYtxm3CwI6vATOJfNBXcbPmn9kqKZeMizJxWAJ3U6ZArxLv6ew-m2YKlS2AxqAhPzSYxos_eAuQxcX_xSvWAjH2gkBqH01_yNXzr7ukDL3xGYaPAgYv8mogWO2yewhVudWCw0ZmxcmqIX/s1600/Anya+-graduation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYtxm3CwI6vATOJfNBXcbPmn9kqKZeMizJxWAJ3U6ZArxLv6ew-m2YKlS2AxqAhPzSYxos_eAuQxcX_xSvWAjH2gkBqH01_yNXzr7ukDL3xGYaPAgYv8mogWO2yewhVudWCw0ZmxcmqIX/s1600/Anya+-graduation.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, here is the menu for this month. Several of these days won't happen because I will be out of town so Anthony will have to fend for himself. :( </span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjYThsN2ZIbEtrZW8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JLARCrvwxGbA4gHTVW_JEAJhu1u4dyfxi6aq_3BaTxWYTAqW0Q6cLf0oZhRIazvEigAjcAZF4VuGs3nFUD5HDoUhsUxX-pXHr6KH1RwMxWk2OmFUgYm31G440DIfup161h29BXW-QvGf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-03+at+2.05.31+PM.png" height="541" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've decided to hold off on starting <a href="http://www.kappskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kapp's Kitchen</a> in full force until after we return from Alaska. In July, we hope to hit the ground running. Still have to get back to our amazing friend, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jordyluxe" target="_blank">Jordan</a>, on what we want for a logo...never thought this would be the most difficult thing to decide, apply to sale at the <a href="http://dentonmarket.org/" target="_blank">Denton Community Market</a>, order a cabana and packaging supplies, and create business cards and labels. So exciting, though!</span></div>
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This month it the month our business will be fully established. We have both completed the required Texas Food Handlers training. Monday, we will go get our food handlers cards, register the business with the county and state, get our sales tax ID number, and open our business bank account. Once that is complete, we will be able to apply with the Denton Community Market as a vender. I still need to work with our friend to design us a logo, create some business cards, price our goodies, make labels for the goodies, and finish the website.<br />
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So far, some of the recipes we have ready are a chocolate chip cookie, white chocolate cherry cookie, corn cookie (sounds odd but is amazing), a chocolate chunk toffee cookie, a cream scone, a white chocolate cherry cream scone, a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, a cookie we will probably call Kitchen Sink cookie, a focaccia bread, a French baguette, and a spice brownie. We are working on a chocolate cookie, a brown sugar cookie, a molasses cookie, an oatmeal cookie, among a few others.<br />
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As far as the home goes, things are getting cleaner. I'm still avoiding my arch-nemisis, the office. I will conquer that room someday...I will!<br />
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So, here is the menu for this next month. I did forget that I will be in Arkansas partying it up with my Granny in Arkansas for a few days this month, however, I never feel bad when we don't get to one of the day's plan. It just makes next month easier to plan for. :)<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjdWs5Vm1KRmdvbkk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkLc6OB593YUIg-QfU0l-0U9OqzN_zwpg8dZsA7hDaoLoRtWoXY2o21Hpa27-HFc_8_DuLZCn7b3Tl4gRNbfVg6jpToUz4alhp9qFDGmT3krzCM05edXxbQQehyphenhyphenEk7nhgBdDsIeGiAGF7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-03+at+3.02.50+PM.png" height="537" width="640" /></a></div>
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We actually did not have the Potato & Sausage Breakfast Popover Casserole today, after all so that will be saved for another day. Instead, I made White Chocolate and Cherry Cream Scones for breakfast. They are delicious & one of the products that we hope to sell. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyhPRfD95MN4uPvdWiYm40wNA5W4F1qpQyCJwn0wMQmttMLtIh2fLBpFzPczp1Jjh5mA2d6TPgKScqzwzH9TFlkQ9DeJQSnus_DMC3weBgzhyazAa764nurWgTqbSbAymuN-eblqwyzcd/s1600/10264750_10152363971287866_654558471543425732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyhPRfD95MN4uPvdWiYm40wNA5W4F1qpQyCJwn0wMQmttMLtIh2fLBpFzPczp1Jjh5mA2d6TPgKScqzwzH9TFlkQ9DeJQSnus_DMC3weBgzhyazAa764nurWgTqbSbAymuN-eblqwyzcd/s1600/10264750_10152363971287866_654558471543425732_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today my husband replaced the light fixture in our entry way. It is so bright but looks so nice! Now I just need to decorate the walls around the entry way. The seem even more empty now with all this light. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAEKR-SNmZW7V9dJE4Rv76IxfG1j1URmY3R_ESmD_rO43l6Xqm9Im9jtZYvAU1D3GJRnjkoieDw3SON2P7KBgg-17ZzURrY7snmHtgyaDUZg_Zbii-KBib_qBdtwLciqucPKPmLJxATbI/s1600/10157249_10152364525307866_1881802490756182361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAEKR-SNmZW7V9dJE4Rv76IxfG1j1URmY3R_ESmD_rO43l6Xqm9Im9jtZYvAU1D3GJRnjkoieDw3SON2P7KBgg-17ZzURrY7snmHtgyaDUZg_Zbii-KBib_qBdtwLciqucPKPmLJxATbI/s1600/10157249_10152364525307866_1881802490756182361_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In other news, I took dad to the airport on Friday (yesterday) & he made it to Anchorage. Soon my parents will have their first grandchild, Kim and Jonathan will have their first child, and I'll be an aunt for the first time! I cannot wait to meet Elijah!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-16008932559962358512014-04-11T09:16:00.001-05:002014-04-11T09:19:13.494-05:00On To Our Next AdventureThis week is officially the third week of me being a stay at home wife. There are several reasons for me quitting my job: (1) Anthony and I have decided to start a home baking business, (2) we have already started another business (that I really need to get caught up on) called <a href="http://www.texas-dining.com/" target="_blank">Texas Dining</a> where we are reviewing food establishments in Texas, (3) I want to write so I'm hoping that I will have some time to devote to it, (4) I need to focus on my health and get that back under control, and (5) it is way past time for me to get this house organized. I will be going into much more detail about each of these in posts to come but that is kind of a summery of our decision.<br />
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So, for the last three weeks I have been working on getting the house clean and organized. I am still avoiding my archnemisis, aka the office, but once I get it organized, I'll feel like I've really accomplished something. :)<br />
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In order to help me with this goal, I am using a few tool. One of these is the <a href="http://www.flylady.net/" target="_blank">FlyLady</a> but customizing it for me (which is what she suggests). Each week is a different "Zone" and each day you do a 15 min "Mission" in that Zone. For example, this week's Zone is the kitchen and today's Mission is to sweep & mop. In addition, each month has a "Habit of the Month." This month's habit is making your bed. So far, I have stuck to this every day but one which, for anyone who knows my history with bed making, is a major step in the right direction. :)<br />
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In addition to FlyLady, I am using a couple of apps. FlyLady recommends the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cozi-family-organizer/id407108860?mt=8" target="_blank">Cozi</a> app. I'm not sold on it yet, but I am giving it a try. I also use an app called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homeroutines/id353117370?mt=8" target="_blank">Home Routines</a> that must have been developed by someone who was familiar with FlyLady, as well. I got it a couple of years ago but have never really used it much until now. For shopping, Anthony & I use the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ziplist-shopping-lists-grocery/id335575008?mt=8" target="_blank">Ziplist</a> app because it can be shared. I think the Cozi app can as well but I'm just testing it for now.<br />
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Some things I've learned over the last couple of weeks is that I need to be better about sticking to my schedule. I made up a schedule that, so far, I have not followed very well but I have tweaked it a bit so hopefully this will be a little better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguClWtmWaaLwr3Z8aty7f6IQ9N4_cVEudSaQdhzL-6oRGMBtwUmzqkGRBcB9QogNDLVbVsGKY0mkv02jzRv_O7vBpPtGOtpOGgb9BIktSMs6hfx1McmqVgxxHnjrbgAN0O08aLi4b3vS7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+10.08.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguClWtmWaaLwr3Z8aty7f6IQ9N4_cVEudSaQdhzL-6oRGMBtwUmzqkGRBcB9QogNDLVbVsGKY0mkv02jzRv_O7vBpPtGOtpOGgb9BIktSMs6hfx1McmqVgxxHnjrbgAN0O08aLi4b3vS7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+10.08.09+PM.png" height="640" width="162" /></a></div>
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I also have a weekly plan for my "Daily Chore." For example, I know that the best day for groceries is on Wednesday because that is when the new sales come out, so Tuesdays I will clean the kitchen. Shopping day is Wednesday because some stores will let you use the sales from the previous week in addition to the new sales so you get double sales. Since I know I will be getting groceries on Wednesday, I will make the kitchen my "Daily Chore." This will give me a chance to clean out and inventory the pantry, fridge, and freezer. (Boy, do I wish trash day was on Thursday.) I have Saturday set to do the garage & car but as I get some of the other areas organized enough where it doesn't take as long anymore, I may work on the garage then, as well. I plan on changing this quite a bit as time goes along but this will help me until I get things under control.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74pexkOEmJM4xXmN4_TWxTI5FXHlCucSC6l3SQAkDAWHBRnqolHKS9KXKRU-VTWeJcXiJjIe2t1BDSNqSstuL8iRErRq0icbDcvK-XE_ng061MQZ6_M0xxsZOOQ0kAUUsvNycwdmx-WAf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+10.25.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74pexkOEmJM4xXmN4_TWxTI5FXHlCucSC6l3SQAkDAWHBRnqolHKS9KXKRU-VTWeJcXiJjIe2t1BDSNqSstuL8iRErRq0icbDcvK-XE_ng061MQZ6_M0xxsZOOQ0kAUUsvNycwdmx-WAf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+10.25.02+PM.png" height="49" width="640" /></a></div>
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I may only vacuum once a week (probably on Thursdays since Friday is trash day). Anthony says he wants to be in charge of that, so what ever day he wants, is fine with me. :)</div>
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I wish I had taken before and after pictures of each of my rooms as I go along. So far, our bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the bathrooms are staying pretty clean and organized. The biggest hurdles are going to be the office and the garage. I've already got a load of stuff in my car to take to Goodwill but, sad to say, you can't tell I have removed anything from the garage. Oh well, one box at a time and this mountain will be moved! ;)</div>
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The other goal I have, which we actually have been pretty good at doing for a while now, is creating menus. Last year, I did a whole month menu & we went shopping only once for a big trip & then got fresh fruits and veggies on a weekly basis. It was great. However, I was not great at doing that much more the rest of the year. I was pretty good about doing a week at a time, though. So, now, I'm hoping to go back to the monthly menu design. I'll try to remember to post our monthly menu at the beginning of each month on this blog. That will also give me the opportunity to login on my phone if I'm at the store and want to check something (I always make a list but sometimes I like to make sure I didn't miss something). So, here is this month's menu (if you click on it, it will take you to a larger view):</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3hO6oxM7EYjZFoyUDRTNGpfVzg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIdqEl9CQFYaI1dCji6jNiuRIeEXjmQQ4EtmQu-zei4JDTfGESUW2WQgPeUiPeXdkfdO1QyMKJtbwUYInZjTKW9uFllHKRak89eMaNhkXYdDmW6g1qpfpessjA38v2x2g5Cabvn5JEDYZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-11+at+8.47.24+AM.png" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651950351947133261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344242300341791797.post-44354206737635312192014-02-08T11:16:00.000-06:002014-02-08T11:16:36.292-06:002013 In Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWtfBMdGLRgKrqykWI0VPtmZEFge8TOnQiNX593L4ftX27IUrHGVAI97aPt9njJRYkyX2Mtjv25NdxnrPimVpNfD8pGSmS5OUZkwXsGjjm4oPlAgq4gmHm5np5v15fpbn0ZVfMv6nosUe/s1600/IMG_4100.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/AVvXsEhlWtfBMdGLRgKrqykWI0VPtmZEFge8TOnQiNX593L4ftX27IUrHGVAI97aPt9njJRYkyX2Mtjv25NdxnrPimVpNfD8pGSmS5OUZkwXsGjjm4oPlAgq4gmHm5np5v15fpbn0ZVfMv6nosUe/s1600/IMG_4100.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>So, I have started so many blog posts but either never finished them, became frustrated with some aspect of the post, or had so much to write/research that I didn't know where to start. In order for me to try to get back into blogging again, I decided to do a bit of a "year in review" of sorts.<br />
<ul>
<li>In January, I started a new job as an Imaging Systems Administrator (ISA) for the hospital that I have worked for 9 years now. I started with this hospital as the deep night (11pm-7am) CT tech. After 5 years of that, I moved to our off campus imaging center as the supervisor for 3 years. My job currently is considered an IT job handling the applications associated with the radiology department. It has been an incredibly challenging year but I work with an amazing team that has supported, encouraged, and helped me learn a complete new set of skills.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In March, we took a trip to Alaska. We visited Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Barrow with Kim and Jonathan. We had an amazing time and got to have a couple of those "once in a lifetime" type of experiences. I got to check off one of my "bucket list" experiences...seeing the Aurora Borealis. I loved Alaska so much. I cried much of the way home. I didn't want to leave and I didn't want to leave my sister. :)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<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/AVvXsEjKFspk2nHBRqaUjxxqi-_k9olyozBj-9NuBY8P5bdfhwp3kqyLBq6FD7kVEfd7bDAvTnuExLR6R1Y-XL6JxIPeH9gBNNcseiOvygXkYk6H60SqlpPRoHZK0m7LVV_GOif2H3Ma_FVoesmI/s1600/P3211003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFspk2nHBRqaUjxxqi-_k9olyozBj-9NuBY8P5bdfhwp3kqyLBq6FD7kVEfd7bDAvTnuExLR6R1Y-XL6JxIPeH9gBNNcseiOvygXkYk6H60SqlpPRoHZK0m7LVV_GOif2H3Ma_FVoesmI/s1600/P3211003.jpg" height="240" title="Barrow, AK" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrow, AK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<ul>
<li>On our way home from Alaska, Anthony and I celebrated our first anniversary. :) We had our cake topper once we got home. :)</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEgiPfrWbUWbFUFdq1tIVRf80o9wmXrXmVuNhsIkQX2J37AjEIdtv92jHGsZGlOs1q_dP3xXJ_8tfRSWHKwRJaOJEKxOlTgc9CmQqrvs8lEVODQ3Kk1saWuFpWO-qYM1gn_7UYDKT2jaJlKV/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPfrWbUWbFUFdq1tIVRf80o9wmXrXmVuNhsIkQX2J37AjEIdtv92jHGsZGlOs1q_dP3xXJ_8tfRSWHKwRJaOJEKxOlTgc9CmQqrvs8lEVODQ3Kk1saWuFpWO-qYM1gn_7UYDKT2jaJlKV/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" height="320" title="First Anniversary" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Anniversary Cake. It was actually really tasty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>The choir at our church that Anthony is a member of, recorded a CD and Anthony had a solo. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Apparently, my little 2nd cousins who my parents take care of as often as they are able, love this CD. The CD is very Southern Gospel and these 2-7 year old kids love this music...I love that. :)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We both went on the choir trip to Killeen, Texas. The choir performed the music from the CD at two churches, one a large church in Killeen and the other a very small church near Waco. The small church was my favorite. This church was smaller than Malta but reminded me a lot of it. There were probably 4 or 5 times as many people in the choir than the congregation who came that night but they were amazing. One little old lady was so moved by the whole experience that the choir director had her pull a chair up front. We sang a great song that half way through, the little old lady was bawling. By the end of the song, half of us were wiping tears away as well. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In October, Anthony and I finally took our "official" honeymoon to Walt Disney World. This was Anthony's first time and he keeps talking about "the next time we go..." LOL He has joined our dark side. Mwahahaha. ;) We had a lovely time. We visited his grandfather while we were in Florida as well. </li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEjmtJr3c6n3JpGw0kZIOyn9yYNM-UHi1n7wikaiAcGAemKEzr6IQ8VjstdQ-_0BUFNgA_9omjRqyonCsINysxZxFosbT50X5huMFlWzwEqQBVtl-tflPEO-4xl5AQrUnueHEZ3RlSzwObud/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtJr3c6n3JpGw0kZIOyn9yYNM-UHi1n7wikaiAcGAemKEzr6IQ8VjstdQ-_0BUFNgA_9omjRqyonCsINysxZxFosbT50X5huMFlWzwEqQBVtl-tflPEO-4xl5AQrUnueHEZ3RlSzwObud/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" height="320" title="Disney World, Magic Kingdom" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1, Magic Kingdom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Anthony has been given additional duties at work along with a couple of raises this year. I am so proud of him. He is a very hard worker and excels in his position. It isn't the easiest job and can be quite frustrating at times but he does a great job and his coworkers love him. [Note from Anthony: They mostly love me because I bring baked goods.]</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I found out that I have hypothyroidism and that most physicians don't know much about the current research regarding hypothyroidism. I found a physician, thanks to a friend, who did finally diagnose me and would prescribe meds for me. Since being on the medicine, the severe swelling in my legs and feet, I have suffered with for about 3 years, has all but disappeared. Other physicians I have visited simply ignored or wrote the symptoms off as "just my hormonal cycle." I have had more energy and other symptoms have improved as well. I believe that I have been hypothyroid for most of my life but due to outdated "normal ranges" provided by labs, I have never been considered in the hypo range. As you can tell, I'm not exactly happy with the majority of physicians at this point. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In November, we attended the <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/" target="_blank">Board Game Geek</a> Convention in Dallas with our friends Alejandro and Jordan. We had a great time, got lots of games, and have decided to make this a "once every two years" thing after next year. The only downside was that there was a Doctor Who convention going on in Dallas at the same time. Oh well. ;) </li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEjOJJxNM6ufzDBYozGARK8-eslrVcLy-EKk4lzUd9LSasATSUvV3gqNnc0mV6N_8Xw1akXPz45VbfVtBfBoV0ffQmQNXsTJggto6ZzZzH2e09P3vAevJaFknUOEUD39P-OH4wyqQyBvE3JW/s1600/IMG_4020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJJxNM6ufzDBYozGARK8-eslrVcLy-EKk4lzUd9LSasATSUvV3gqNnc0mV6N_8Xw1akXPz45VbfVtBfBoV0ffQmQNXsTJggto6ZzZzH2e09P3vAevJaFknUOEUD39P-OH4wyqQyBvE3JW/s1600/IMG_4020.jpg" height="240" title="Board Game Geek Con" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Pointless at BGG Con</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Kim and Jonathan came in for Thanksgiving the week we were at the BGG Con. We picked them up at the airport and took them to Chick-fil-A (usually their first stop once getting back into Texas). We brought them home and they wanted to show us a DVD of pics from their trip up the Ice Road and of the house they are buying in Anchorage. The video ended with a picture of an Ultrasound. SHE'S PREGNANT!!!! I bawled and bawled. I am soooooo excited!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We also attended the Tucker family Thanksgiving reunion this year. This is my mom's side of the family. Every two years, we all get together for a family reunion. This is usually filled with great fellowship, delicious food, games until the wee hour of the morning, and bocce tournaments. We were not able to be at the reunion until late Friday night due to the fact that I was on call on Thanksgiving Day. But Anthony and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, just the two of us. </li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEiCKWqlXHHFYwgVvrg-kYQgZiyThPvBrTkDXhmB9DZlLyNOboxljh1RVi-BhCsIxIN9KygDYr_dPlkEhg2Z1D5mQSBtm83XrMzzMImqioF_kYAInWHSYtXaDGugJAgYnVHbz1WKgoeaSxxe/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKWqlXHHFYwgVvrg-kYQgZiyThPvBrTkDXhmB9DZlLyNOboxljh1RVi-BhCsIxIN9KygDYr_dPlkEhg2Z1D5mQSBtm83XrMzzMImqioF_kYAInWHSYtXaDGugJAgYnVHbz1WKgoeaSxxe/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony baking his famous rolls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>The Monday after Thanksgiving, my Granny had a heart attack. Since then, she has had at least one more. She is in a lot of pain and it has taken up to this point to get things regulated for her. In fact, things still aren't great for her, so prayers for her comfort and spirits and prayers of wisdom for the physicians are most appreciated.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Shortly after Granny's heart attack, Shiloh ran out into the street and was hit by a car. It was a very traumatic night that ended in us having to put her down. We took the day off the next day because we were still so upset and a major ice storm hit that prevented us from leaving the house for several days. With the exception of a hike to the Walgreens for a few things we needed...thank goodness for our Alaska gear. :) We miss our little neurotic buddy, so much. I still tear up sometimes when I come home and she isn't jumping up and down so excited to see me.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxmiy74yRHzwK0suKHMWW2mGTuotkdX7i_IEKqTQxK6VckguKsBwTWEAmJ8n-Jy66OmHnPoWYXeDMhNUGJfvI-N-tWGOePPOOd-3S10_ZhvahAIv4dq0PNG4rKaHSu-7mBVYv7B_1iEbr/s1600/IMG_4191.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxmiy74yRHzwK0suKHMWW2mGTuotkdX7i_IEKqTQxK6VckguKsBwTWEAmJ8n-Jy66OmHnPoWYXeDMhNUGJfvI-N-tWGOePPOOd-3S10_ZhvahAIv4dq0PNG4rKaHSu-7mBVYv7B_1iEbr/s1600/IMG_4191.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>We found out Kim is having a boy. His name is going to be Elijah. I love it!</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEgo5GhAFvP0DQ1qo8VQraUyZJ4htwr8OF7OfkMYvIJOuGoF8DPcOioYXmMdaYExCD1SFmkgJdLHFWh_ecGK1IE2t2ulsbgFxL702J02h-GZ_QiC5_immzn6rOUkgTVo7SXXczfTgME3-N7S/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5GhAFvP0DQ1qo8VQraUyZJ4htwr8OF7OfkMYvIJOuGoF8DPcOioYXmMdaYExCD1SFmkgJdLHFWh_ecGK1IE2t2ulsbgFxL702J02h-GZ_QiC5_immzn6rOUkgTVo7SXXczfTgME3-N7S/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Kim is training Elijah to be a Baylor Bear in utero. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>I have started learning to knit. I made a scarf & hat for my Grandma & a shawl for my Granny. I used a loom for those projects so now I am trying to learn to knit with needles. I've got a nephew on the way & 100's of projects I want to make for him. ;)</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEguumg8Ry44t7_2CXPemDpx6gkbtQiGYHUbm-VN_Bhnnt8baDc5DZV37dau39u3cOnpp1RvwaXP9snlP_Rco3JO2PoKiIHYHjj8SgYPaAfMEUhuhV5iMiWa8tAxE7FwFSNtJN9cLmWEQIJD/s1600/IMG_4069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguumg8Ry44t7_2CXPemDpx6gkbtQiGYHUbm-VN_Bhnnt8baDc5DZV37dau39u3cOnpp1RvwaXP9snlP_Rco3JO2PoKiIHYHjj8SgYPaAfMEUhuhV5iMiWa8tAxE7FwFSNtJN9cLmWEQIJD/s1600/IMG_4069.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first scarf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
It has been a year filled with challenges, tragedy, stress, excitement, joy, family, and friends. Not much unlike any other year. The best part of it all is that I get to share it with my best friend and love of my life, Anthony.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfhBZHhvhaQJRLNDKY920oqSc-hW9b1_XHPUQcC_VelZe-PGwBb_Yj-tz2InqLndg7PYsKpAJlnvzFFRoghUCB4GpGqC9_fo1OK7o4pD0Pz9QKguro7mNiwbAbf3M6dGNvXvkrghYjv1s/s1600/IMG_4555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfhBZHhvhaQJRLNDKY920oqSc-hW9b1_XHPUQcC_VelZe-PGwBb_Yj-tz2InqLndg7PYsKpAJlnvzFFRoghUCB4GpGqC9_fo1OK7o4pD0Pz9QKguro7mNiwbAbf3M6dGNvXvkrghYjv1s/s1600/IMG_4555.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We totally get each other's silliness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>So what are our hopes for 2014?</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.northviewbaptist.com/" target="_blank">Our church</a> has started a <a href="http://www.northviewbaptist.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/applogic+ftcontentserver?GXHC_gx_session_id_FutureTenseContentServer=d31cfb75601c29d6&pagename=faithhighway/10000/7000/105NO/floating2" target="_blank">Sunday night service</a> that includes a discipleship time. We are table facilitators during the discipleship time. We are very excited about this new adventure in our church.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaUJISYMmqmUlqLeAMarYQD8eOk7yGnfSyBm16xT1gwdIbpdlxsdMkir5YArVDxJz1NYreoHTJLNEBs2g1LlliWNIpvAolF-A5ykXBQfNWyb5sgnahfOlx8rgoyr74sKsXIrYlzshyphenhyphenaLo/s1600/1016442_10201972573054902_656476888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaUJISYMmqmUlqLeAMarYQD8eOk7yGnfSyBm16xT1gwdIbpdlxsdMkir5YArVDxJz1NYreoHTJLNEBs2g1LlliWNIpvAolF-A5ykXBQfNWyb5sgnahfOlx8rgoyr74sKsXIrYlzshyphenhyphenaLo/s1600/1016442_10201972573054902_656476888_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>We are really working towards starting a baking business. Our first step is working on some awesome recipes. I've got an AMAZING chocolate chip cookie recipe and adjusted it the other night to make a White Chocolate Cherry cookie that was equally amazing. Anthony sold a fantastic Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake around Thanksgiving. Soooo good. So, if you or anyone you know is looking to purchase some cookies or cakes, we may have an offer. ;) We have a few things we need to work out like, a name for our business, a logo (I'm sure our friend <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jordyluxe" target="_blank">Jordan</a> will help us with that), etc... Also, if you have any requests or suggestions for items to try, please, let me know. :)</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEgY5aWgB3dqjrxzOXQThr9LblYkCQLnKzvVQNj_FwvhAMnBPf-opqxoDH235dHA2nXwx6u9Jd_1LrgVkmqoD_EQJ_Gakc64BSug5ykCjqu2hEQ4Bkn49QnPgKmSFPhApISi-BhjD1KObXyJ/s1600/IMG_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5aWgB3dqjrxzOXQThr9LblYkCQLnKzvVQNj_FwvhAMnBPf-opqxoDH235dHA2nXwx6u9Jd_1LrgVkmqoD_EQJ_Gakc64BSug5ykCjqu2hEQ4Bkn49QnPgKmSFPhApISi-BhjD1KObXyJ/s1600/IMG_4718.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Chocolate Cherry Cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Seeing my nephew sometime in May or June.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We hope to announce we will be adding to our family as well, but things seem to be going a bit slower than we had hoped. So, prayers on that front are appreciated as well.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I hope to start writing more and publish some articles (just need to find out how and where). I dream of writing women's Bible studies and speaking at women's seminars. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I hope to study theology more and understand God more accurately. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We hope to finish our reading through the Bible and find a good resource to go deeper in our daily Bible reading together. Maybe a systematic theology guide or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baptist-Catechism-J-D-Hall/dp/1462729738" target="_blank">A Baptist Catechism</a>...something to help us understand what it is we claim to believe and "to be able to give a reason for the hope that is within us" (1 Peter 3:15)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There are other hopes and dreams we have....I guess we will just have to see what God will bring to us. :)</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I actually really liked this video and thought they made an excellent point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Atheists, like every other group of people, have a wide variety of personalities. Some are calm, logical, deep thinkers (like these) and some are irrational, angry, vehement (like the one <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43WJ4AlOI2Y&feature=youtu.be"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">here</span></a>...warning, the video contains very bad language) and lots of personalities in between. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When witnessing to any person, atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Jew, Mormon, etc..., you must tailor your delivery without changing the message. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;">Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, </span><span style="color: #38761d; letter-spacing: 0px;">"</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.</i>"</span><span style="color: #363030;"> Paul met the people in the place they were in order to help them understand. To the Jews who understood the Law, he preached the law to them in order to convict them and then revealed the Gospel to them. To the Greeks, he acknowledged the fact that they were a very spiritual/religious people. He pointed out that they had an altar to </span><span style="color: #38761d;">"<i>an unknown god</i>."</span><span style="color: #363030;"> Then he went on to tell them about that God, Yahweh (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:16-34&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 17:16-34</span></a><span style="color: #363030;">). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jesus did the same thing. To the arrogant Pharisees, He preached very harshly to them (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+23/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Matthew 23</span></a>). To those who needed hope, He preached the hope that is in Him (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/John+4/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">John 4</span></a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">There may be times when a Bible verse alone is enough to humble a person unto Christ. However, there are times and people who need different forms of apologetics Apologetics comes from the Greek word</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">ἀπολογία ("apologia") </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; letter-spacing: 0px;">that means "speaking in defense." Many Christians say they feel uncomfortable with that word because they think it sounds too much like apologizing. That is not what it means, but when I felt this way, I thought of it more like when I do apologize for something, I usually follow it up with a reason for why I did what I did. It isn't really the same thing but it helped me get over the similar sounds. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #363030; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are two popular styles of apologetics; evidential/classical and presuppositional. <a href="http://carm.org/classical-apologetics"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Evidential apologetics</span></a> is the most common form. This is where you used rational arguments and present evidence to support the claims of the Bible. For example, to argue that the Bible is reliable, evidential apologists may reference these evidences: <a href="http://carm.org/manuscript-evidence"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">compared to other ancient writings, there are substantially more manuscripts for the New Testament</span></a>; <a href="http://carm.org/non-biblical-accounts-new-testament-events-andor-people"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">the numerous non-Biblical accounts of Biblical events/people</span></a>; <a href="http://carm.org/questions/archaeological-evidence-verifying-biblical-cities"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">the vast amount of archeological evidence supporting Biblical claims</span></a>; <a href="http://carm.org/prophecy-bible-and-jesus"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">the prophecies that have come to pass have been 100% accurate</span></a> (I’m not a huge fan of Reasons to Believe but <a href="http://www.reasons.org/articles/articles/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-for-the-reliability-of-the-bible"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">this was a very interesting article on the probability of fulfillment of several Biblical prophecies</span></a>); and <a href="http://carm.org/scientific-accuracies-in-the-bible"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">the scientific accuracies of the Bible</span></a> (also, I am a big proponent of <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Answers in Genesis</span></a>, <a href="http://www.icr.org/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Institute for Creation Research</span></a>, <a href="http://www.creationtoday.org/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Creation Today</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.scriptureoncreation.org/"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Scripture on Creation</span></a> if you are interested in more resources of how science and the Bible line up). Some examples of classical/evidential apologists would include Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Norman Geisler, William Craig, JP Moreland, and RC Sproul. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Presuppositional apologetics presupposes that there is a God and the Bible is true. “The battle is not over evidence by over philosophical starting points: presuppositions.” </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">(<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n4/presuppositional-apologetics"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">David Wright, AIG, 2007</span></a>) </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is actually more in line in how the prophets and Apostles seemed to reason. It is difficult to find an instance where one of the prophets or Apostles made an argument for the existence of God. It is also easier for those who want to evangelize but don’t have an extensive education in evidential apologetics or a doctorate in a science, religion, debate, or philosophy. The best argument I have heard for presuppositional apologetics was by <a href="http://www.proofthatgodexists.org/main.php"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Sye Ten Bruggencate</span></a>. He made this argument: when before a court, as a defense attorney, you bring evidence to defend the person on trial. God is not on trial. God is the judge, not the defendant. Presenting evidence in defense of God puts God on trial and puts the unregenerate in the place of judge and jury. That argument makes a lot of sense. There are many passages in Scripture that support this type of apologetics. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Answer not a fool according to his folly, </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5) </i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.‘ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” (Psalms 14:1)</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16)</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>As for God, His way is perfect; </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (Psalms 18:30)</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” Acts 17:2</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Many people seem to say one is better than the other but, for me, I think it depends on the personality of person you are witnessing to. Personally, I can relate to both. The scientific side of me loves and really responds to evidential apologetics. I understand why the presuppositional apologist argues the way he does and agree with him, but I'm not sure I would respond to his arguments positively if I were not already a Christian. Not that his arguments are not accurate or effective. I'm just not sure it would be the right kind of apologetics to have used on me as a non-Christian or even if I had not been raised in a Christian home. Having said that, there are people who have responded to pre-suppositional apologetics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In my Wednesday night Bible study this week, a man talked about two of his children. One is on fire for God and wants to become a pastor. The other child, has pretty much turned her back on God. The boy will call the girl and his dad and point out all their sins. The father said he has told his son that this isn't the right way to witness to his sister and he said that it gets old when he hears it as well. The problem with this son is that he preaches all law and morality without following it up with the Gospel. This is very common today. People focus on morals rather than the Gospel. This makes is no different than every other works based religion out there. Morals do not save.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our Bible study teacher, mentioned a quote he had heard somewhere that said, "If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." That was a good point. There is a time and place that a hammer is the perfect tool, but if you are performing an appendectomy, it probably isn't the best tool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #363030;">It's the same thing with street preaching. I have met people who heard the Gospel from a street preacher and were converted. I really admire street preachers, or at least the ones who do it properly. Then there are others who respond after years and years of a relationship and prayer. The delivery may be different, but the message is the same. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, Paul says, </span><span style="color: #38761d;">"<i>I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.</i>"</span><span style="color: #363030;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The couple above made a great point that we should be able to reasonably explain what and why we believe what we say we believe. The Bible even instructs us to do this in 1 Peter 3:15. In the second video, if you didn't choose to watch it, a very angry atheist goes on a several minute long screaming monologue after passing a man holding a sign with a Christian message. He finally leaves after the police ask him to leave the college campus he was jogging on. The entire time, the Christian kept his cool and offered to debate the man but he would not. A crowd gathered and some of them tried to calm the man down. Even one guy who agreed with some of his statements pointed out that his irrational behavior was actually making a statement about his claims. Because the Christian kept quite and calm, he appeared more rational and respectful than the atheist, giving strength to his case over the atheist’s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Just my thoughts. So, I’ll leave you with this passage. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"<i>But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.</i>"</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> (1 Peter 3:14-17, ESV)</span></span></blockquote>
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