tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82051765970258849682024-03-12T21:47:40.856-07:00The Whaley WallKarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-88057602276830664822020-04-07T19:24:00.001-07:002020-04-07T19:33:39.648-07:00The Easy Way Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During college, I worked at a little hometown grocery store.
One day I was helping the manager set up endcap displays for the weekly sales
items. I don’t remember what it was I did wrong, but I remember him coming up
to me after I finished. The look on his face made it clear I’d messed up. He
corrected my mistake, explained what I should’ve done (for probably the third
time), and said, “You like to do things the hard way, don’t you?”</div>
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Even though I can’t recall where my efforts went wrong with
that display almost thirty years ago, I remember those words like they were
said yesterday.<br />
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I’ve been struck by something lately. Not a bolt of lightning
or the Coronavirus, but something serious nonetheless.<br />
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<b>Sometimes we’re too quick to take the easy way out.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXjYT9zq8UDMOpzrOTP-od53Yy7M75wo9Pg1X70e2CSqmpBvZqsPbKoBhRG67_EL-WHobuoD3Efaaq7NJXAABppmUf_EK7OF9MRu-GCzMjBWKVdDyFmJPv6dvetJldGo1HG0a7Bj3CQQ/s1600/the-easy-way-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="900" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXjYT9zq8UDMOpzrOTP-od53Yy7M75wo9Pg1X70e2CSqmpBvZqsPbKoBhRG67_EL-WHobuoD3Efaaq7NJXAABppmUf_EK7OF9MRu-GCzMjBWKVdDyFmJPv6dvetJldGo1HG0a7Bj3CQQ/s200/the-easy-way-out.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Doing something the HARD way isn’t always a bad thing.<br />
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It’s human nature to choose what looks easiest on the
surface, right? Naturally, we don’t WANT to walk a quarter of a mile from a
mall parking space if we can find one up front. We don’t WANT to get off the
couch to discipline a misbehaving child if we’re in the middle of a really good
book. We don’t WANT to make a healthy meal for the family if Domino’s has a
$5.99 special.<br />
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But there are lessons and benefits in the hard way, friends.<br />
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Walking a quarter of a mile has health benefits.
Disciplining your child has spiritual benefits. And making healthy meals for
your family has benefits beyond measure.<br />
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<b>“Taking the easy way out is the habit
of a lazy man, and it will be his downfall.”</b></div>
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<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 21:25-26</b></div>
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In previous Facebook posts and blogs, I’ve alluded to the
fact that our family is dealing with a lot right now. We have five children
and, the Lord knows, they are far from perfect. Each day brings new trials. From
a toddler with no clue how to self-regulate to his parents who often fail
miserably with their own shortcomings. Throw in the nine-year-old and the three
teenagers and, well, there are hard days.<br />
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A few particular struggles are heartbreaking. We could take
the easy way out though. We could throw up our hands and accept the sin. We
could say, “well, this child is just a product of their past”, or “that’s just
how this child is wired. We can’t change that.” It’s often easier to accept the
sin and cave to what the world says is acceptable. <br />
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But you know what? <b>JESUS </b>is worth doing things the
hard way.<br />
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<b>“…let us lay aside every weight and
the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”</b></div>
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<b>Hebrews 12:1a-2</b></div>
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This week, in particular, I’m struck with the weight of my own
sin. In the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter, I’m reminded of how much
Jesus loves me. His death and resurrection are the foundation of my faith. Jesus
chose to fulfill His Father’s plan and die on the cross to take my judgment
upon Himself. I’d hardly call that taking the easy way out.<br />
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So, why are we so quick to take the easy way out in something
so important as our parenting?<br />
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Friends, if you’re a Christian parent, you should be girded
with truth, prepared for battle. Satan is aiming flaming arrows at our children
and we can’t afford NOT to do battle the hard way. <br />
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Many of my friends appear to face the same struggles we are
facing. Unfortunately, I see, all too often, parents choosing to throw in the
towel and move on. My prayer for you and for me is that we will seek to line up
with the will of God in all things, in all battles. Let us be persistent in
teaching, modeling, and living out the Gospel in front of our children.<br />
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If you are prone to taking the easy way out, take this week
to look at the days leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection. Let’s
partner with Him in doing things the hard way!<br />
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-73834894046963686232020-04-01T18:35:00.002-07:002020-04-01T18:50:47.246-07:00Real Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWH8RjIq-z6ZcLrX9ibzGfXK2YD-Q6WLsjvaHemMtJvM5fnrYkYGAadpSwslfjTdD8mzelB_Wrzji2pm95H46Onr9-mlE3h2gQY4RWPc6G8q_dOXAguAZCnM8joqF6D5-ZSxVoylUOTk/s1600/laugh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWH8RjIq-z6ZcLrX9ibzGfXK2YD-Q6WLsjvaHemMtJvM5fnrYkYGAadpSwslfjTdD8mzelB_Wrzji2pm95H46Onr9-mlE3h2gQY4RWPc6G8q_dOXAguAZCnM8joqF6D5-ZSxVoylUOTk/s320/laugh.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my best friends emailed me the other day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her words were biting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It wasn't that she said anything rude or mean. Rather, she wrote about how my life looks so perfect on Facebook and how God has richly blessed my family. We now live almost 500 miles apart, so we mainly keep up on Facebook and via email. She doesn't see the every day life of Kari Whaley. The Lord used her words to convict me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Am I being fake?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If people think my life is perfect (or even remotely close), then the answer is YES.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I emailed my friend back immediately. The last thing I wanted was for her to think it's all sunshine and roses around here. What good does that do anybody? I'm not looking to make anyone envious, and I'm certainly not trying to display a fabricated view of what my life is like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, let me tell you, the Whaley family covets your prayers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We're in difficult times right now. I'm not referring in any way to COVID-19. I'm talking TEENAGERS. And TWO YEAR-OLDS. And FINANCES.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of us is struggling with a bad temper. One of us is struggling with temptation. One of us is struggling with lying. One of us is struggling with a desire to be the center of attention. One of us is struggling with a loss of close friendships. One of us is struggling with guilt. One of us is struggling with the feeling of failure. And, if I'm completely honest, it's utter chaos around here the majority of the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would be disloyal if I went into great detail, but take my word for it, this life is hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After I responded to my friend with the truth, her response was, "I guess I just figured that having a pastor as a father that they would just all behave perfectly." No, friends. NO. If anything, Satan has his sights directly set on this humble, two-story home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last night was a tough night. One child's struggle with sin was once again brought to light and it felt like our world was crumbling around us. Tears were shed and I felt like my hope for this next generation was completely consumed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen, friends. I still wouldn't change a thing. My Lord blessed me greatly with these children and with my amazing husband. I trust His wisdom and I trust that He has a purpose in all things. I have an unwavering HOPE because of Him. I know that my Father goes before me and knows each day before I live it. He has orchestrated every moment of my life--including the suffering and the temptation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All this is to say, please don't look at my Facebook page (or anyone
else's) and think we've got it all together. It's just not true. The truth is
that I spend many nights crying myself to sleep because of my children. I spend
many nights awake at 2 am because fear for their future nearly devours me. In
all honesty, I lie awake many nights because I'm broken by my own sin and
shortcomings.</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So when you see my next casual post regarding my children or my family, pray for us. Lift us up to the One who sees and knows our every blemish and our every wound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kari</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-16325562448154366232019-03-12T17:20:00.001-07:002019-03-12T17:22:03.424-07:00PUKE, SUPER GLUE, BOOGERS, AND ROOT CANALSPuke, super glue, booger suckers, and root canals.<br />
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See any similarities there? No? Then you didn't experience the month of February like the Whaley family did.<br />
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February 2019 is in the books, as they say. It's done. Over. Finished. And I couldn't be happier about that.<br />
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We all have days, maybe even weeks, that we'd like to just forget, right? Well, we had that kind of month. I don't know how many times I've said, in the last week, how thankful I am that February is behind me. And when I say behind me, I mean that as in, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" It was the month from H-E-double hockey sticks.<br />
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If you follow me on Facebook, you saw the posts. You noticed that God was teaching me a lot in the month of February, didn't you?<br />
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So, I'm going to share some highlights with you. I'm going to let you in on what God taught me in the month from... well, you know.<br />
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<b>#1. We can't shield our kids from all the icky stuff out there.</b><br />
One of our kids struggled this past month. It was an internet struggle. This particular issue was major and it caused a lot of heartache for our family. There was great fallout. Without going into much detail, let me simply say that we need to do our best to protect our children from the evils of the internet. We thought we had protections in place. We were wrong. The result was painful. Protect. Your. Children.<br />
TEACH your children. Teach them the beauty of honor and respect. Teach them about purity. Above all, teach them Truth.<br />
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<b><i>Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching... </i>Proverbs 1:8</b><br />
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<b>#2. It is impossible to remove super glue from hardwood floors.</b><br />
Seriously, have you ever tried? I did. I tried EVERYTHING. No, coconut oil doesn't work. No, Goof Off doesn't work. No, lemon essential oils don't work. No, rubbing alcohol doesn't work. I'm now reminded of that on a daily basis by the two parallel smudges of super glue on my kitchen floor.<br />
What did I learn from this? I was reminded that the hardwood floors in my kitchen are, well, just hardwood floors. In the end, they're just another piece of this crazy world that will eventually rot. They're really not that important. What IS important? It's important that I remember, DAILY, that the things of this world are temporary. Those hardwood floors really aren't going to matter when all is said and done.<br />
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<b><i>Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.</i> Colossians 3:2</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLORHFkxNKEuYLdflUogWb-5lZuco6KwHSUJ66GoENqZ4g4uLsvTDsfmyFy1QLfbsVkmTQ2PQTy7lXLka3RnJjbQsTUqIim8bZHA7nZaT8HpXMZOYWzQ5G8x1iKtHeVuqFBe4CDQxfmnQ/s1600/three.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLORHFkxNKEuYLdflUogWb-5lZuco6KwHSUJ66GoENqZ4g4uLsvTDsfmyFy1QLfbsVkmTQ2PQTy7lXLka3RnJjbQsTUqIim8bZHA7nZaT8HpXMZOYWzQ5G8x1iKtHeVuqFBe4CDQxfmnQ/s200/three.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>#3. You can learn a lot from an abscessed tooth.</b><br />
My right front tooth began to hurt on February 1st. I started to bite into a piece of pizza and immediately dropped it back onto the plate. It was too painful to finish the first bite. For me to turn down pizza, something must be wrong. It was achy for a couple of weeks before it turned into a full blown abscess. I'd never felt or seen anything like it. Imagine half a marble protruding from your gums. Pretty picture, huh? Now imagine the pain of childbirth, but it's in your mouth. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but it HURT. That abscessed tooth was a lesson in faith and patience.<br />
I learned that I can endure more pain than I thought possible. I have a pretty low pain tolerance, so I can lose my religion over a stubbed pinky toe. I endured the pain for three days before getting in to see a dentist. That was mostly due to the fact that a dear friend had some amoxicillin on hand for me to borrow over the weekend. He is good, people. He gave me just what I needed to endure. Nothing more, nothing less. That's how He works with the Whaleys. If there's a lesson to be learned, He'll take the opportunity to teach it!<br />
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<b><i>And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance... </i>Romans 5:3</b><br />
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<b>#4. Five days and nights in bed does not necessarily equal rest.</b><br />
Graham was diagnosed with RSV on February 19th. Two days later, he was admitted to Children's Hospital.<br />
Graham started throwing up on a Tuesday morning and was in the hospital by Thursday evening. His oxygen level was hovering in the mid-seventies and he was dehydrated. We spent five fairly sleepless nights in a bed in room 228. I spent pretty much every second in that bed with him. At first, Scott and I were joking with the nurses that it was like a vacation for us. One child versus five, and we didn't have to do much of anything but sit there. After a few days, it was no longer a joke. The nurses were in and out of the room no less than every two hours. Vitals were checked. Boogers were sucked (with a frighteningly strong industrial booger sucker). Breathing treatments were administered. Momma was ready to go home by day three. Graham was a trooper, but Mommy and Daddy were over it.<br />
During that stay, we learned once again how God provides. Friends and family brought Starbucks, cupcakes, meals, toys... We were able to see the hand of God at work. We may have been tired, but we were filled with gratitude. We were lacking in rest, but our hearts were full.<br />
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<b><i>I will praise You forever for what You have done. In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.</i> Psalm 52:9</b><br />
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<b>#5. Sometimes you just have to take a bubble bath at 5 pm on a Tuesday.</b><br />
Not every day warrants a hot bubble bath before dinner. But some days do.<br />
I'm blessed to have a husband that recognizes when I'm overwhelmed. Those times are a little more common than I'd like to admit. But God gave me a man who knows me well, loves me well, and sees when I need to soak in a pool of bubbly, lavender goodness. There's nothing that relaxes me more. We all need to take time to breathe, withdraw from the chaos, and refocus our thoughts on what and Who really matters. Sometimes that needs to happen in the middle of the day and in the midst of the storm.<br />
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<b><i>Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. </i>Matthew 11:28</b><br />
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As I read back through this post, I'm faced with the realization that maybe February really wasn't all that bad. In actuality, my February was probably a bed of roses compared to that of someone battling cancer, grieving the loss of a loved one, or wounded by the sting of a prodigal child. In a sense, even though months like February are painful, I'm thankful for them. It's in the difficult times that I see God's goodness, His providence, His desire to draw me nearer and nearer to Him. Do better than me. Realize it before you spend hours writing about it.<br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-67806534118972278642017-12-27T18:05:00.000-08:002017-12-27T18:05:16.528-08:00Baby G's Story<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a little over six months since our lives changed...
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Married 26 years, we’ve been through a lot of changes.
Change isn’t anything new to us. And it’s not something we’re afraid of. If
anything, I’d say we welcome it when we see it coming. In a way, that’s been
good for us. We’re less resistant to trying new things and we find that we’re
often blessed because of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In early June of 2017 we reopened our home to begin
fostering again. We had adopted our youngest son and daughter (Harris and
Katie) in December of 2016 and wanted to take a short break from fostering so
that we could fully adjust to the new normal. Our first son, Franklyn, needed
time to get accustomed to sharing a room with Harris and we needed to figure
out the rooming situation for any future foster children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As soon as we opened back up we got a call about a three
year-old boy and his one year-old brother. I was scared to even consider taking
on TWO more children, but something in me said to do it. Scott agreed and we
accepted the placement. The DCS worker brought them to our home early one
Monday morning. This was only our second time accepting a placement and we didn’t
know what to expect. It wasn’t long after the worker left that we realized we
might be in over our heads. Without going into detail, I’ll just say that the
children had issues we weren’t prepared to handle. I was in tears within a
couple of hours and it was obvious we’d have to disrupt the placement. The boys
ended up spending one difficult night with us and DCS found them a different
home the next day. (Side Note: We recently ran into their worker and asked
about the boys and they are in that same home and are thriving!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because of the disruption, I was worried that DCS would somehow
punish us and not call with another placement. We hadn’t limited ourselves to
any particular age group, only requesting that any placement calls be for
children younger than our youngest daughter who was ten at the time. We didn’t
want to bring in an older child that might influence our younger children in a negative way. There are so many unknowns in foster care and we simply wanted to
protect our children. Regardless, we assumed it would be a while before DCS
called us again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Less than a week later, on Tuesday, June 13<sup>th</sup>, I
was at the neighborhood pool with the kids. We had just started packing up to
head home and get ready for Harris’s counseling appointment later that
afternoon. My phone started ringing and I was surprised to see DCS Placement
show up as the caller. My heart started pounding. I was in utter shock when the
lady said they were trying to place a newborn baby boy. Still reeling from the
failed placement the week before, I was scared. I told her I needed to call my
husband and pray about it. I called Scott and we prayed together for wisdom
before discussing every aspect of the case based on the information we’d been
given by Placement. The baby had been exposed to numerous illegal and
prescription drugs. Even though we were stepping into the unknown, we decided
to accept the placement and leave the outcome in God’s hands. The lady with DCS
said that the baby was being released from the hospital the next day. We were
expected to ‘room in’ with him that night in the NICU at UT Medical Center. He
would come home with us the next day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The next few hours were a complete blur. I called my mom to
come help me shop for baby items at Target. We were up and down the baby aisles
grabbing everything from an infant car seat to Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Then I
loaded up the kids and took Harris to his counseling appointment. I was sitting
in the waiting room at the counseling office making a list of things I’d
forgotten to pick up for the baby when DCS Placement called again. It was the
same lady who had called earlier. She wanted to let me know that the baby we
were supposed to room with that night and bring home the next day was no longer
going to be placed through the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. His
birth mother was moving to Kentucky and she requested that he be placed in a
home in that state. My heart literally felt like it sank into my stomach. Fortunately,
the lady continued speaking. She said that there was another newborn baby boy
coming into DCS custody the next day. When she asked if we’d like to foster him
I immediately said yes. He was also born exposed to illegal and prescription
drugs, so the circumstances were similar to the placement we’d already accepted.
Details including his name and room in date were not yet available so a DCS
worker was supposed to call me the next morning with more information. Scott
and I were excited, but nervous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The next morning I received a call from a gentleman in
Placement. His first words to me were, “Good morning. Are you the one taking
custody of baby Graham?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I. Was. Floored.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Goosebumps went up and down my spine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s where you need a little background information…<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Scott and I were in our first years of marriage, we
decided on baby names for our future children. The first boy’s name we came up
with was William Franklyn. William is my dad’s first name. Frank is Scott’s dad’s
middle name. Lynn is Scott’s mom and sister’s middle name. We loved the name
and felt like we’d covered some bases by naming our first child after family.
The second name we came up with was made up of two names we just loved. It was
Harris Graham. When we were a few months away from adopting TJ and Anna we had
suggestions ready for when they decided to change their names. TJ liked the
name Harris, but he was not a fan of the name Graham. He decided on Harris Dane
and we were happy with that decision. However, Scott looked at me and said, “I
guess I’ll never have my Graham.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fast forward less than a year….<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the man with Placement said the baby’s name was Graham,
I nearly dropped my phone. My mind was going a mile a minute as I tried to
focus enough to write down the little bit of information he was able to give me.
The baby’s name was Graham. He was born a little over four lbs. We would be
able to start visiting him in the NICU at Children’s Hospital the next day,
June 15<sup>th</sup>. It just so happened that the next day was our 26<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary. I decided that was
the best anniversary gift I could ever ask for. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next day was a little crazy. Scott had a lot going on at
the church and wasn’t going to be able to go by the hospital with me to visit
baby Graham that afternoon. I loaded the kids in the car around 3:00 and drove
the short distance to Children’s. I had so much running through my mind. I was
scared to death. I’d NEVER cared for a newborn baby and I knew literally
nothing about what to expect. I felt certain the rug was about to be pulled out
from under me and I’d wake up from some crazy, exciting dream. It just seemed surreal that I was on my way to
meet this little baby that would be heading home with me for some unknown
period of time. I had people telling me, “Don’t get too attached,” and “Be
prepared to love him and let him go.” It was all a little overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we got to the NICU floor I sat the kids down in the
waiting room with their Nintendo DS’s and signed myself in. I was in a fog as I
scrubbed my hands and sanitized them before stepping into the actual NICU wing.
The lady at the desk explained the digital sign in process and directed me to baby
Graham’s room. I think I remember every single step I took as I turned the
corner to make my way down the hallway. It was like walking on a cloud. The
anticipation was killing me. Would he have dark hair? Would he be teeny, tiny?
Would he be able to open his eyes? I was so excited.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I walked into Graham’s room, stopped, pulled out my phone,
and took several pictures of him. He was asleep and I quickly decided he was
the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes on. His blanket was tightly
swaddled around him and he had on a precious little light green onesie. Tubes
and wires were hooked up to his ankle and his toes. He was so very tiny. His
sweet nurse walked in and asked if I’d like to hold him. I don’t know that I’d
ever felt such a mixture of joy and fear at the same time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I sat down in the chair beside his bassinet and held him
close. My eyes examined every inch of his precious face. He had the most
adorable little button nose, a wide little mouth, and a fuzzy head. I had a
lump in my throat from trying to hold back tears. I was already in love.</div>
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I took videos and pictures of everything he did while I was
there. If he sucked on his pacifier, I made sure to video it. If he took a
bottle, I got a picture. I didn’t want to forget anything about that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His nurse, Sara, came in and spent a lot of time with me.
She had to ask several questions for Graham’s paperwork and she gave me a
little bit of background on his situation. According to Sara, Graham’s paternal
grandmother had been with him every day since he’d been admitted to the NICU at
one day old. Sara said she was an amazing woman and only wanted what was best
for Graham. I was happy to know he had a grandmother that was interested in
doing what was best for him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I had a Bible study to lead that night and I stayed at the
hospital right up until the last minute. It was hard to leave. I just wanted to
bundle him up and take him with me right then and there. I called my mom as
soon as I got in my car. I was going on and on about how he was the closest
thing to heaven I’d ever laid eyes on. The kids were in the back seat saying, “Wow.
Thanks a lot, Mom!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott and I went back to the hospital later that night so he
could meet sweet, little Graham. Scott has never been one to want to hold
babies, but he didn’t want to put Graham down once he got his hands on him. I
think it was love at first sight for both of us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were able to visit Graham off and on for the next few
days. I spent a great deal of time in that hospital room loving on him and
telling him how precious and beautiful he was. It was hard knowing it was most
likely a temporary placement. Scott and I had gone into foster care to help
restore families and that was our honest goal. But the thought of bringing home
a newborn only to hand him back over to someone else after falling in love was
very, very hard to come to terms with. We just held on and trusted that the
Lord would give us the strength when the time came to let him go.</div>
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When you take custody of a NICU baby through DCS, you have
to ‘room in’ the night before you take the baby home. Our room in with Graham
was scheduled for Sunday, June 18<sup>th</sup>, which just so happened to be
Father’s Day. We went to church that morning feeling this crazy excitement and
anticipation. We left Franklyn, Harris and Katie with Scott’s parents and
headed off to the hospital early that afternoon. Throughout the afternoon and evening,
we received training on how to care for a newborn, especially an NAS (Neonatal
Abstinence Syndrome) baby. When we first found out about the ‘room in’ process,
I honestly thought it sounded like a waste of time. After going through it, I
think it’s one of the most valuable things I’ve ever been through. I learned so
much that night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had to sleep in the room with Graham and, even though
this wing of the hospital was only 7 months old, it was lacking in a comfortable
sleeping area for parents. There was a long narrow couch in his room that we
could sleep on. Let’s just say Scott did all the sleeping. I spent most of the
night in the chair by Graham reading or holding him. Graham’s nurse would come
in periodically throughout the night to check on him and see if we needed anything.
It was an exhausting night, but it was one that I’ll never forget.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Me trying to sleep in the limited space not consumed by Scott</span></o:p></div>
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The next morning, Monday, June 19<sup>th</sup>, we prepared
everything to head home. Around noon, Graham’s DCS worker called. We were still
waiting to be discharged and she was beginning Graham’s first CFTM (Child
Family Team Meeting) at the DCS office. She asked me to participate over the
phone. Graham’s two grandmothers were present, as well as his DCS worker and
her supervisor. We discussed Graham’s history, his birth parent’s history, and the
current situation regarding who might be seeking custody. Graham’s paternal
grandmother had recently retired and felt like she was too old to raise another
child. She wanted him to be adopted by a loving family. His maternal
grandmother was already raising Graham’s two older half-brothers and didn’t
feel like she could take on a newborn. Graham’s birth parents were both
suffering from addictions to a wide range of illegal and prescription drugs.
They left the hospital the day after he was born and had not returned. It
appeared they both came from happy, loving, middle class homes, but they had made
bad choices and ended up walking the painful, tragic road of addiction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were discharged much later that day. Graham’s favorite
nurse, Sara, carried him in his car seat down to the NICU pickup area. It felt
so strange to be leaving the hospital with a baby. We hadn’t signed one single
piece of paper and hadn’t paid a dime, but we were headed home with a tiny,
little infant…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIJWr3LL3DshRl5d698Gt-E8JdMcGI7NHIj1g27Yu9ocb-7wFrKTRtQM6gPzj8UdQoSwLdsAyKo-arcZcLiqqVeHjKs8j1LbgjfkLRfkU0Du9e-2tF1Wjx3ULNQHgMeB4NRZ8jQ4-Jcs/s1600/Graham11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIJWr3LL3DshRl5d698Gt-E8JdMcGI7NHIj1g27Yu9ocb-7wFrKTRtQM6gPzj8UdQoSwLdsAyKo-arcZcLiqqVeHjKs8j1LbgjfkLRfkU0Du9e-2tF1Wjx3ULNQHgMeB4NRZ8jQ4-Jcs/s320/Graham11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On the way home we stopped at Buy Buy Baby. That’s the first
store Graham ever went in! We bought a Halo Bassinest because that’s what the
nurse had recommended he sleep in. It was expensive, but it ended up being
worth every penny. If you’re expecting a baby, Google it and check it out! It’s
one of the smartest purchases we ever made!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV7VIbvx6p0vjJrkB3WAZyScIaETMFVBjH9JpHTqC-XiSdwZFg6XN-oSZ1PhQwNnMfaJenvbwYyQJqvLhd0Tu3dL4x9TFXk7GhgSrAknwxZ27EdmXwAvvU7B0LZY4iKGJIM7QqPMx5j4/s1600/Graham8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV7VIbvx6p0vjJrkB3WAZyScIaETMFVBjH9JpHTqC-XiSdwZFg6XN-oSZ1PhQwNnMfaJenvbwYyQJqvLhd0Tu3dL4x9TFXk7GhgSrAknwxZ27EdmXwAvvU7B0LZY4iKGJIM7QqPMx5j4/s320/Graham8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Halo Bassinest</span></o:p></div>
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The first few weeks with Graham were absolutely amazing. I
was exhausted and forgot to eat a time or two, but I was happier than ever. Graham
was a little over five pounds when we brought him home. He had weekly visits from
a Children’s Hospital Home Health Nurse. She would weigh him each time she came
and I was so excited to see him reach six pounds and then seven pounds! It made
me feel like I’d actually accomplished something when I could see him gaining
weight. Those were exciting days!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8gMrUWH-xJuRPZyPjIjfSsHzEianNVkU2XAvnC_aEapE3F7Pnuw7gg0-ROMcai_N17I4KUcLyLSs3nQur_-cY5qnGHudMlP2Y0yEdxS5suk0gWYTKCNCDCtZDzPhqhqMEsOGvRBQLss/s1600/Graham7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8gMrUWH-xJuRPZyPjIjfSsHzEianNVkU2XAvnC_aEapE3F7Pnuw7gg0-ROMcai_N17I4KUcLyLSs3nQur_-cY5qnGHudMlP2Y0yEdxS5suk0gWYTKCNCDCtZDzPhqhqMEsOGvRBQLss/s320/Graham7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Graham was so tiny!</span></o:p></div>
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After Graham had been with us for a couple of weeks we had a
visit scheduled with his paternal grandmother at the DCS office. We met her and
knew that she was going to play a special role in his life, no matter where he
ended up. She was his greatest advocate. A retired dentist, she was well
educated and more than willing to do whatever was necessary to see that Graham
had access to the best life available. Also a professing Christian, she spoke a
great deal about how she had been praying for baby Graham since the moment she
found out her son was going to be a dad. She feared for baby Graham’s life and
his future if he were to remain with them after he was born. During the visit,
she referred to me as Graham’s mom and she made it known that her desire was
for us to be his parents. At the end of the visit, we hugged and cried. Because
she wasn’t one of his parents, we weren’t required to have visits with her, but
we knew we wanted to continue to see her and allow her to develop a
relationship with her grandson. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We started meeting his grandmother and grandfather at Panera
Bread every few weeks. It was so nice to have a connection to his birth family.
We learned a lot about his birth parents and felt such compassion for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Around three months after we brought Graham home, it was
obvious his parents weren’t going to be able to get him back. They both decided
to surrender their parental rights. It’s hard to explain how we felt the day
they surrendered in court. We saw them both in person for the first time and it
was heart wrenching. There was such joy on our end, but also such a feeling of loss
for what they were losing. The paternal grandmother had brought Graham’s
father, also named Graham, to court that day. Even though it was painfully
awkward, we walked up to big Graham and introduced ourselves. We asked him if
he’d like to hold his son and I placed him in his arms. He held him close,
lowered his head, and sobbed. His tears were falling steadily onto baby Graham’s
fuzzy little head. It was painful, but beautiful at the same time. He loved his
child enough to do what was best for him. Graham’s mother, Danielle, was in
police custody and only got to see him in the courtroom. She was brought in
through a back door and wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone or have physical contact.
We made a firm decision that day that we would keep his first name Graham
(named after his dad) and change his middle name to Daniel (to honor his
mother, Danielle). Our desire is to honor them for choosing to give him life.
They made so many mistakes in life, but giving him life was an honorable
choice. We will always respect them for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3qp_aa7RUZVjiR4qpaaFz35MEa9rF7a6A4hh_JGpffqFD_WRwI1Y1Lp-F3Zepe596D4ncYv-VazzG_Dl1yp_rUgrKc11K43t_JMNATg8jc1Kl__q3jGRj8TtlcLIORz9v4TJQjIJU4c/s1600/Graham4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3qp_aa7RUZVjiR4qpaaFz35MEa9rF7a6A4hh_JGpffqFD_WRwI1Y1Lp-F3Zepe596D4ncYv-VazzG_Dl1yp_rUgrKc11K43t_JMNATg8jc1Kl__q3jGRj8TtlcLIORz9v4TJQjIJU4c/s320/Graham4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-xzBSGoWAtxRGhBILBDEeW4Waa2lIQUb9rHMcG1rL95HxyH3CIoHfbrqeRtXaDf2DI-kE9JFg_ueA2mAy4Eosg1-LP-j_ctgVsIrpM5LVsxCQkNrz-Jm5w19-gUZJIOIuAJotiqwxGY/s1600/Graham5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-xzBSGoWAtxRGhBILBDEeW4Waa2lIQUb9rHMcG1rL95HxyH3CIoHfbrqeRtXaDf2DI-kE9JFg_ueA2mAy4Eosg1-LP-j_ctgVsIrpM5LVsxCQkNrz-Jm5w19-gUZJIOIuAJotiqwxGY/s320/Graham5.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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After Graham’s birth parents surrendered their rights, DCS
put us on the road to adoption. We filed the Intent to Adopt in early October
and we were told to expect an adoption date sometime in December. It all
happened so fast. We’ve always loved baby Graham as our own, but to finally know
he was actually going to be a Whaley was an amazing feeling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I met Graham’s grandmother and great grandmother in
Maryville for lunch one day in November. We sat and talked for a couple of
hours. His grandmother, Kathy, told me an interesting story. When baby Graham
was born, Kathy heard from her cousin in Texas whose daughter and son-in-law
were unable to have children. Her cousin had heard about the baby and asked
Kathy to give her daughter’s name to DCS so that they could get custody of him.
Kathy said that she told her cousin she’d pray about it. She prayed and prayed
and she said she never felt God leading her to give DCS their names. During the
first CFTM with DCS, when I was part of the meeting over the phone while
waiting for Graham to be discharged from the NICU, Kathy said she heard my
voice and knew that I was meant to be baby Graham’s mom. I’m not sure what she
heard in my voice that day, but I know I was already overwhelmed with love for
that sweet baby boy and it must’ve been evident in my voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw96qu7Vfyb-ZpW9r0PEZZkK9YSBXGL7WBt5MXrN_geOlAKuq7zo15tGPSISf2Jb9G-o42fXrWiBEfj-83p-YrvgoT1E69RhpMhyutOC2WMdUDn-D9MgmgFgquMLft8ScFoWSMWJ_Lsg/s1600/Graham2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw96qu7Vfyb-ZpW9r0PEZZkK9YSBXGL7WBt5MXrN_geOlAKuq7zo15tGPSISf2Jb9G-o42fXrWiBEfj-83p-YrvgoT1E69RhpMhyutOC2WMdUDn-D9MgmgFgquMLft8ScFoWSMWJ_Lsg/s320/Graham2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, that’s the story of how sweet Baby G came to be a
Whaley. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott and I have experienced a lot of loss and a lot of hard
times in our 26 years of marriage. There were years where we thought we’d never
be parents. We had decided that our kiddos would be those we ministered to in
the youth ministry and we were fine with that. Then, we were blessed with the
opportunity to adopt internationally. What an amazing journey that was! Never
did we imagine we’d have the joy of adopting three more children! When we were
at the courthouse last week to finalize Graham’s adoption, our attorney asked
if we were planning on coming back the same time next year since we'd adopted two Decembers in a row. Well, we’ll leave
that up to the Lord. All we’ll say is, never say never. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from </span>the Father of lights…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">James 1:17</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mL5rqESfHFsY1CNt8MA7jXG5sYJLb6i17vFeeWvW-Y29ZBMmPVB9wISnpiUbO5kCp-tHCTEZcgQW-hXbXKghZtwEPY8nyjf9eNpJOx09t_h3Yw6BrUaZTfa5Pb504joAxlIJarzylYA/s1600/Graham3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mL5rqESfHFsY1CNt8MA7jXG5sYJLb6i17vFeeWvW-Y29ZBMmPVB9wISnpiUbO5kCp-tHCTEZcgQW-hXbXKghZtwEPY8nyjf9eNpJOx09t_h3Yw6BrUaZTfa5Pb504joAxlIJarzylYA/s320/Graham3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-12411145532822757682016-04-23T19:09:00.002-07:002016-04-23T19:09:43.179-07:00Fourteen Months Later...<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't write in March. I didn't write in April. I didn't write in May. I didn't write in June... You get the picture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's been 14 months since my last blog post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">14 interesting, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> exhausting,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> challenging,</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> educational, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (sometimes) joyful MONTHS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As most of you know, a little over a year ago we added two foster children to our family. We thought we were prepared. We thought we knew what we were stepping in to. We thought a lot of things. But there was only one thing we knew for sure. God had called us to a task and we were going to accept it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">They came on a Thursday. It was the Thursday before Easter. I cried for four days straight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I. was. scared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Adding an 8 and 9 year-old to your home overnight is pretty scary. Not knowing ANYTHING about their past and what they've been through is scary. Suddenly having to divide your attention between three school age children rather than one....well, it ain't easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We honestly thought they'd only be with us for a short time. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Maybe a couple of months.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Maybe until the end of summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the end of July it was obvious they would be with us a while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, as most of you know, I'm a tad bit controlling. I like to be in control and I like my own personal space. I'm not used to having someone under my feet all day long and I don't have a high tolerance when it comes to 'neediness'. When it became clear that I would be parenting three children into the beginning of another school year...I. freaked. out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It had already been a rough summer. I was always anxious. As sweet as our foster children are, they have their moments. I was used to Franklyn. Calm, honest, loving, obedient, Franklyn. Now I had two children in my home that were sassy, defiant, and dishonest. I couldn't control them like I could control Franklyn with just a look. The fear and realization of my inability to control my situation was manifesting itself in near panic attacks. I would be in the car sitting at a red light and I'd suddenly feel faint and sick because I couldn't control the fact that I couldn't move my vehicle. It got to the point that I would avoid stopping at red lights altogether. And there were NO left turns at red lights for this girl! At least traffic was able to move voluntarily at right turns... Honestly, red lights just freaked me out either way. It didn't matter if I was driving or if I was the passenger. It just seemed like my world was spinning out of control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If there's one thing I've been proud of over the last 23 years of my life, it's the fact that I've battled depression and anxiety without medication. If you've read my previous posts, you know my story. I've been through some difficult times, but the Lord has always been gracious to see me through. I could tell this time around might be different. I prayed my little heart out. I clung to Him like glue. I memorized Scripture. I tried, minute by minute, to hand it over to Him. I felt like a failure because it just wasn't happening. I wasn't able to move past my fear. I wasn't able to just trust that He was in control and I didn't need to be. My brain just wouldn't let me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My brain wouldn't let me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One morning I was drying Anna's hair and I had on one of my favorite, lazy day t-shirts. She's observant and she is quite the little inquisitor.. She stared intently at my shirt while I was battling her long, blonde hair. I was undoubtedly in a world all my own, thinking about all the errands ahead of me and plotting what side roads I would take to complete them. After a few minutes, she asked, "Ma, what does that mean?" She pointed to the picture and the Scripture reference on the front of my faded blue t-shirt. I stopped the whirring of the hairdryer, looked down at my shirt, and tried to explain...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2hzEd32pxjfbV-iIB977Wwzfdi2MPhioqP5hQTuVdDnnxhMbufYV4f-SkMWWaPv8jp_3jFL7heJ76s2OUAWckv_dXCPZTof0U8YdrUB0YZk25LZdI__V37BjHNw7UQbwoDHYJY1WBt4/s1600/No+worries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2hzEd32pxjfbV-iIB977Wwzfdi2MPhioqP5hQTuVdDnnxhMbufYV4f-SkMWWaPv8jp_3jFL7heJ76s2OUAWckv_dXCPZTof0U8YdrUB0YZk25LZdI__V37BjHNw7UQbwoDHYJY1WBt4/s320/No+worries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Well, it's kind of like the cure for anxiety, Anna. You know how the Bible says that God takes care of the birds and we can trust Him to take care of us? The little chick represents the birds and it says 'no worries' because He's in control and there's nothing we can do to change that. We should just trust Him in everything, every situation. If we do that, we should have no worries." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <b>"Look at the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying?" Matthew 6:26-27</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My words stung. So, if I was trusting Him and abiding in Him like I was, why wasn't I able to move past my fear? It dawned on me that there might be something else going on. Might God be trying to teach me something about pride? Might He be working in my life to show me that although I was giving Him the glory for seeing me through the last 23 years, I might also be holding on to a little pride in thinking that I didn't 'need' medication? I have nothing against medication, but I didn't want to be dependent on anything. Nothing other than Christ, that is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> A couple of days after that conversation, and after a lot of prayer, I decided to go see our family doctor. I'd talked to my son's pediatrician (who is also a family friend from church) and he had encouraged me to consider medication. I was so fearful. What if I was stepping out of God's will? What if this meant I wasn't trusting Him enough? Would God be disappointed in me? What if medication didn't help and I lost hope altogether?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I sat in my doctor's office with tears running down my face before he ever even entered the room. It was only the second time I'd ever been to see him, so what if he thought I was crazy? The first time I'd been to see him was for my physical for foster parenting. We'd discussed foster care and he'd mentioned that he was a Christian and had even attended seminary before deciding on medical school. I felt as if God would help him to see me through the eyes of Christ. When he came in he asked me what was going on and I just started bawling. I explained that I'd been through anxiety attacks before and I'd made it through by relying on Scripture and the Holy Spirit. I didn't want to be dependent on medication. But, I cried, I just didn't think I could do it this time. It felt different. He looked at me with compassion and spoke with such wisdom. "Kari," he said, "there's nothing that breaks my heart more than patients that come in and share stories like yours." He went on to ask me what I'd do if I had a broken back or even cancer. Would I seek treatment or would I suffer and just expect God to heal me? He explained that what was going on in my head was no different. I would use medication to treat an ailing body and there would be nothing wrong with me using medication to treat my ailing mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I left that office with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. Someone understood, and someone put it in terms I could relate to. I filled a prescription for Celexa that day. I started taking it the next morning. Every morning I take the pill and thank God for providing it. I can't tell you the difference in how I feel. There used to be days where the world would just seem dark, no matter how blue the sky might be. There were days where I would feel overwhelmed and it seemed as if a dark cloud was all around me. I honestly don't have those days anymore. Eventually the fear of sitting at red lights began to subside. There's a little lingering anxiety in that regard, but it's nothing like it was last summer. There are days where my circumstances feel overwhelming, but that's completely normal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I feel as if God has done amazing work in my life over the last year. He's shown me how selfish, prideful, impatient, and downright blackhearted I can be. With a clearer mind, I can see these things for what they are. With unclouded focus, I can see Him more clearly. I am still dependent on Him, but medication has given me the clarity to see who I am in Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1</b></span></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-3989290425461812972015-02-21T19:56:00.001-08:002015-02-21T19:58:17.237-08:00Satisfaction...<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Today your heart will search for satisfaction. Will you look for it in</i></b></div>
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<b><i> the creation </i></b><b><i>or in relationship to the Creator?"</i></b></div>
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<i>Paul David Tripp</i></div>
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I helped Franklyn slip his coat on and handed him his fresh out of the oven chocolate chip muffin. "Get moving, guys. You're gonna be late." I urged them toward the door as he grabbed his backpack and Scott grabbed his keys. It was a typical weekday morning in the Whaley house. Running late. Last minute reviews of the week's spelling words. Finally getting them out the door with kisses and an "I love you." </div>
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I watched Scott's truck pull out of the driveway and disappear from our cul-de-sac just like I do every morning when they leave for school and work. But there was something different about this particular morning. It was beautiful outside. The sun was barely peeking through the trees from our backyard, but it just seemed....brighter.</div>
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It just seemed...right.</div>
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I just felt...happy.<br />
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I just felt...alive.</div>
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I stepped back from the glass storm door and sat down on the steps leading upstairs, still looking outside, still taking in the beauty of the morning. I took a deep breath and a tear fell down my face. </div>
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<i>Why, God? Why are you so good to me?</i> I thought about where I was a year ago, and where I was just six months ago, and I marveled at His goodness. I marveled at His grace.</div>
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A year ago I went to bed every night fearful of losing my job. Six months ago I was unemployed and had no idea what was in store for me. </div>
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But He did.</div>
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He knew the best way to build my faith. He knew the best way to teach me to truly trust in His providence. He knew it would be painful, but He knew I would grow.</div>
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Sitting on those steps, I felt satisfied. I felt fulfilled. I felt that "<i>this must be what life is all about</i>" feeling.</div>
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After a few minutes I bounced up the stairs to change into my painting clothes and read my morning devotion. I was feeling gooooooooood. I was feeling like it just couldn't get any better than this. I had a wonderful family, a nice house, an incredible job, a sweet puppy dog, a great church.... <i>Yep, life is goooooooooood, </i>I thought.<br />
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Then I started reading.<br />
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Then I was convicted.<br />
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I read, <i>"Creation does not have the ability to satisfy your heart. Earth simply will never be your savior. When you ask the created thing to do what it was not designed to do, you get short-term fulfillment..." </i><i> </i></div>
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<i> -Paul David Tripp, <b>New Morning Mercies</b></i></div>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
OUCH.<br />
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Short.Term.Fulfillment.<br />
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Been there. Done that.<br />
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And then I read, <i>"Will it be the Creator, whose grace alone can satisfy and transform your heart, or the creation, which was designed to do neither?"</i><br />
<i>-Paul David Tripp, <b>New Morning Mercies</b></i> <br />
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Ok. OUCH again.<br />
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That satisfied feeling? That fulfilled feeling? That "<i>this must be what life is all about</i>" feeling? Gone. Sooooooo gone.<br />
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His created world is beautiful. My family brings me joy. My home is a place where I feel safe and loved. My job.... Oh, how happy my job makes me! My sweet Pepper dog is the best dog in the world (Don't even try to argue that!). And I love my church. But, those things can't really bring me satisfaction. They can't really fulfill me. And, no, this isn't what life is all about. The things of this world aren't meant to be what I look to for life. They were merely meant to be what points me to the Maker of all things, the only One who is able to give me lasting joy. If they aren't doing that, they are worthless. His created world brings short-term fulfillment, but He brings everlasting life.<br />
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So, here's to finding that bounce in my step, that <i>"this must be what life is all about"</i> feeling in Him. Not in a job. Not in my home. Not in my child or my husband (or my dog). Here's to leaving behind short-term fulfillment and finding everlasting joy in the Creator of all things.<br />
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-82814783107499936512014-08-03T19:06:00.000-07:002014-08-03T19:06:21.915-07:00Three Nights In a Row...It happened three nights in a row.<br />
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I generally have no problem going to sleep. Usually I kiss all three of the boys goodnight <i>(Pepper counts too)</i> and head to bed an hour or so before them. That gives me plenty of time to get my ear plugs in, turn on the sound machines <i>(yes, more than one)</i>, and fall asleep before the snoring trio settles in for the night. Lately, the trouble has been <i><b>staying</b></i> asleep.<br />
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I'm an incredibly light sleeper. The slightest amount of light. The faintest hint of a snore. The sharpest jab of a bony 9 year-old's elbow <i>(well, I guess that would wake anybody)</i>. The point is, it doesn't take much to wake me. But of late, it hasn't been those things waking me in the middle of the night.<br />
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I could lie and say, "Hey, I've got this!" Or I could be real and say, "You know what, friends? There's a little fear trying to seep in here." <i>(I'm being brave and choosing the latter....)</i><br />
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I've been waking up with a million different things running through my mind.<br />
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<i> <b> "What if I don't find a job by the end of August?"</b></i><br />
<i><b> "What if I do get a job and I never get to see my family?"</b></i><br />
<i><b> "How will I have the energy to teach Sunday school and lead the women's ministry?"</b></i><br />
<i><b> "How will I suddenly get used to waking up at 4 a.m. again?"</b></i><br />
<i><b> "Why haven't they called me back?"</b></i><br />
<b><i> "What if nobody EVER calls?"</i></b><br />
<b><i> "Why didn't I finish college?"</i></b><br />
<b><i> "Why do I feel like such a failure?"</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Here I am, two months into my employment search, and I still have no job. It's. A. Bit. Scary.<br />
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Friday night was the most difficult. I was awake, tossing and turning, for more than two hours. My shoulders shook and tears fell. I prayed, more than anything, that God would be glorified in my suffering. And then I fell back asleep.<br />
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I shared my struggle with Scott yesterday morning while I was sweeping. I kept my head down, concentrating on each grass clipping and ball of dust as I swept it into the dustpan. He stood in the doorway, listening intently. I quietly wept as I told him how I'd been waking up in the middle of the night with so many fears running through my mind. Slowly I lifted my head and he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Fear is okay, Kari."<br />
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Fear is okay? FEAR IS OKAY?<br />
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I stopped sweeping and said, "But I'm NOT afraid God won't take care of us! I'm afraid of the unknown. I don't understand this. I KNOW God is at work. I just need a<i> little glimpse</i> of what He is doing because I don't understand it!"<br />
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<b><i>"When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear..." Psalm 56:3</i></b></div>
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We talked a little longer about all the reasons we have for concern in our circumstances. <i>(There are many.)</i> I think my greatest fear is that I don't know what God will allow. I've surrendered this situation to God. I'm doing all that I know to trust and obey Him. But I don't know what is to come.<br />
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So. What is the remedy? How do I resolve the fear? FAITH. There is obviously a gap between my own understanding and the possibilities of God's will. That gap can only be filled with FAITH. I might not know what is in my future, but I can put my trust in the One who does.<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><i> "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will</i></b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><i> strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold onto you with my righteous right</i></b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><i> hand." Isaiah 41:10</i></b></div>
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<b><i> "...in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Psalm 56:11</i></b></div>
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I finished sweeping and Scott returned to his errands outside. The rest of the day was spent cleaning, enjoying dinner with friends, and shopping for paint supplies. I don't think I gave my fears another thought.<br />
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And, you know what? Last night I slept like a baby.<br />
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-44189370600121398302014-07-28T20:23:00.001-07:002014-07-28T20:28:14.873-07:00Compassion, Mercy and....Coffee<br />
I slept until nearly 10:00 this morning.<br />
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If you know me, you know that's a big deal. I just don't do that.<br />
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I rolled out of bed and the only thing I could think of was coffee. It's not the caffeine. My nerves can't handle too much of the hard stuff. It's just the taste and the warmth and the idea of a fresh cup of sweet decaffeinated goodness.<br />
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To me there's just something comforting and satisfying about a morning that includes an unhurried, laid-back cup of coffee. This morning I savored every sip.<br />
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I spent the rest of the day cleaning the house, organizing closets, and planning projects to complete around the house later in the week. <i>(I still have no job, so I have a lot of free time, you know...)</i> This afternoon when Scott suggested Jason's Deli for dinner, I was more than ready to jump on board. We ran into several friends at dinner and ended up sitting at the restaurant talking for a long time after we finished eating. Freezing from all the free ice cream I'd consumed during the conversation, I grabbed a cup of decaf coffee to sip on while we continued to talk. Scott jumped up to grab some regular coffee, but returned to the table with more sweet tea instead. "That coffee is terrible," he said. Apparently the regular coffee wasn't as fresh as the decaf...<br />
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When we got home tonight I sat down to read a little. I've been doing a word study on faithfulness and this evening it led me to Lamentations.<br />
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<i>"Yet I call this to mind, </i></div>
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<i>and therefore I have hope:</i></div>
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<i>Because of the Lord's faithful love</i></div>
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<i>we do not perish,</i></div>
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<i>for His mercies never end.</i></div>
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<i>They are new every morning;</i></div>
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<i>great is Your faithfulness!</i></div>
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<i>I say: The Lord is my portion,</i></div>
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<i>therefore I will put my hope in Him.</i></div>
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<i>The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,</i></div>
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<i>to the person who seeks Him."</i></div>
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<i>Lamentations 3:21-25</i></div>
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Would you believe that Scripture reminded me of coffee? </div>
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I get up each morning and brew a fresh pot of coffee. It's new. It's fresh. It's comforting. It's a delight to my taste buds.</div>
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If I don't finish the whole pot I leave the rest sitting until the next day. What if I woke up one morning and decided to just finish off the pot from the day before? I have a feeling it wouldn't taste so good. I have a feeling my taste buds would promptly declare their disgust. My response would be to turn away and grab something else, just like Scott did tonight at Jason's Deli.</div>
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The Lord's mercy and compassion are new every morning. His faithfulness is unspoiled. It's fresh. It's comforting. It's a delight to my soul. I have no need for anything else. If all other comforts in this life (including coffee) are removed, He is my portion. He is sufficient. </div>
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Savor your coffee. Savor Him more.</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-10653478504438518202014-07-24T19:24:00.001-07:002014-07-24T19:24:32.578-07:00I Don't Deserve ThisTwenty-one years ago I was sitting in my political science class at Carson-Newman pondering whether or not to take the LSAT. I'd always wanted to be in broadcasting, but I'd recently grown increasingly interested in politics and law. In the midst of mulling over my future, a sudden wave of nausea and panic came over me and I felt the room spinning. Somehow I made it out of the classroom and into the nearest bathroom. Fellow students helped me to the infirmary where the nurse suggested I see my family doctor. Later that day I was sitting in my doctor's office listening to him tell me that I was pushing myself too hard and that I'd obviously just suffered a panic attack. I shrugged it off until a couple of days later when I couldn't force myself to go back to class. I was scared to death that it would happen again. Needless to say, I never returned to Carson-Newman.<br />
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And I said, <b>"God, I don't deserve this."</b><br />
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Fifteen years ago, after 8 years of marriage, Scott and I decided it was time to have children. I quit taking birth control and we were certain it would happen right away. After all, my mother and sister both became pregnant at the snap of a finger (well, not exactly, but you get the idea). This might be too much information, but my menstrual cycle completely stopped after I quit the pill. During the 6 years that we <i>actively</i> tried to conceive, I did not have one.single.period. Not one. I saw specialists at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill during our time in North Carolina and no one could explain why I wasn't cycling and why I couldn't get pregnant. One doctor told me it was all in my head, stating that subconsciously I really didn't want children and that my mind was telling my reproductive system not to function properly. I cried many tears during those painful years.<br />
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And I said, <b>"God, I don't deserve this."</b><br />
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Nearly two months ago I was told I was losing my job. I was hurt. I was scared. My mind raced with the fears and anxieties that come with knowing you're losing a needed income and facing a job search. I cried the 'ugly cry' for a month. Tears soaked my pillow, my desk calendar, my treadmill, my steering wheel.... You name it, I cried on it.<br />
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And I said, <b>"God, I don't deserve this."</b><br />
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Tonight I was driving home from a day trip to visit friends in Manchester. Franklyn was asleep in the back seat and I was blaring praise and worship music. I was singing along and deliberately studying each word as it came out of my mouth. Praises rolled off my tongue with ease and I felt indescribable joy.<br />
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And I said, <b>"God, I don't deserve this."</b><br />
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And you know what? That's the truth. I DON'T deserve this. I don't deserve the peace I have right now. I don't deserve to have had the joy of working from home for fifteen months. Absolutely NOTHING I've done merits the delight I have when I look into the eyes of my precious son. I don't deserve an incredible husband that loves me in spite of my nastiness. I look back and I know God protected me when He kept me from going down the path that leads to law school. I would've been a miserable woman and a terrible wife if I'd become an attorney because the stress would've eaten me alive. If I were given my due, I'd be destined to hell and this life would only be the precursor.<br />
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I do know that I'm blessed beyond measure, simply because I honestly <i style="font-weight: bold;">don't deserve this.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold;">"He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our offenses.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">" </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm 103:10</span></i></span><br />
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That being said, I challenge you. What are three things in your life that you <b><i>don't deserve</i></b>? What has happened to you to cause you to say, <b>"God, I don't deserve this"</b>? Can you now look back and see those things as blessings in disguise? Feel free to comment below or share with me on my Facebook page.<br />
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-81230564271067378412014-07-10T04:25:00.002-07:002014-07-10T04:25:16.609-07:00Ain't That PeculiarHere I sit. <br />
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I have a little over a week until my job with the company I've served for 8 years ends. ENDS. <br />
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In the midst of it all, there's something peculiar about the way I feel today. I guess that's the right word. It's <em>peculiar</em> because it's <strong>not</strong> something I expected. At all.<br />
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I feel peace.</div>
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I didn't feel it a week ago. I didn't feel it two days ago. I feel it today. </div>
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<em>"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful."</em></div>
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John 14:27</div>
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Understand, I have a lot of reasons to be worried. I have no real job opportunity lined up. Our savings will be depleted. The joy and convenience of working from home will no longer be my reality. Reasons to be fearful are piling up, accumulating like the dust on my stove (<em>wink wink</em>). I'm most likely looking to be unemployed for the first time in my life with no promise of a new job on the horizon. It's not something I'm looking forward to.<br />
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But......<br />
My hope isn't in my next job. My hope isn't in the assurance of something better to come. There might not <em>BE</em> something better in my future.<br />
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My only hope is in the knowledge that there is a sovereign hand at work. I expect nothing but what is right for Him to give. That being said, I trust Him with what it is to come. He is still good.<br />
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<em>"Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him."</em></div>
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Psalm 62:5</div>
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This peace has been a long time coming. I've had a lot of people tell me over the course of the last five weeks, "This might end up being the best thing that ever happened to you." It got to the point that each time I heard those words I wanted to say, "<em>Really? How about if I reach out my hands and strangle you? Would that be the best thing that ever happened to YOU?" </em>Don't get me wrong. I know people meant well. But at the time, it was the last thing I wanted to hear. Now I look back at the last five weeks and realize it's ALREADY been a blessing in a strange way. I've been able to take a day off every week due to company pay cuts across the board and I've felt less stressed about my job. I guess I lived with the fear of losing my job for so long that now it almost feels like a weight has been lifted.<br />
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I honestly can't understand how anyone can live this life without the hope of Christ. In the light of day and deepest darkness of night I know He has my back. <br />
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<em>"I look up to the mountains;</em></div>
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<em>does my strength come from mountains?</em></div>
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<em>No, my strength comes from God,</em></div>
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<em>who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.</em></div>
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<em>He won't let you stumble,</em></div>
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<em>your Guardian God won't fall asleep.</em></div>
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<em>Not on your life! Israel's </em></div>
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<em>Guardian will never doze or sleep.</em></div>
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<em>God's your Guardian,</em></div>
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<em>right at your side to protect you--</em></div>
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<em>Shielding you from sunstroke,</em></div>
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<em>sheltering you from moonstroke.</em></div>
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<em>God guards you from every evil,</em></div>
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<em>he guards your very life.</em></div>
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<em>He guards you when you leave and when you return,</em></div>
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<em>he guards you now, he guards you always."</em></div>
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Psalm 121</div>
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My God doesn't sleep. My God offers hope and a peace that surpasses all understanding. I'm giving up some control and learning to accept the peace He offers. Now, for me, THAT is <strong><em>peculiar</em>.</strong><br />
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-83882915039654970872014-06-24T18:18:00.003-07:002014-06-24T18:18:48.164-07:00Stretching HurtsI don't like stretching.<br />
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As a child I hated being made to stretch before soccer practice or dance class. In high school my least favorite part of cheerleading practice was stretching. As an adult who loves to run, I HATE to stretch. Like I said, I've never liked it.<br />
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Maybe that's why today has been so hard on me.<br />
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I feel stretched. <br />
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This morning it felt like I propped my leg up on a bench, reached over to touch my toes, and....SNAP! I just couldn't handle it anymore. Tears flowed. Cries wailed. Prayers went up (again).<br />
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Someone once told me stretching would make me more flexible and that it would get my muscles in balance and help them work more smoothly. I've read that muscles that are warmed up before they're put under stress are more likely to be able to handle that stress. <br />
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<strong><em>(I'm hoping this isn't just a warm-up.)</em></strong><br />
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So here's the deal... I'm having a hard time with the whole 'losing my job' thing. It's painful. It hurts. It's stretching me and it is QUITE uncomfortable.<br />
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I've spent pretty much the whole day in tears. My eyes are red and bloodshot. My tissue boxes are nearly empty (thank God for Charmin as a backup) and there are tear stains all over my desk calendar. It's. Not. Easy.<br />
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So, in my pity party, I was thinking back on last week and how difficult it was to start training my replacement in Murfreesboro. I spent the week in a hotel, away from boys, schooling my predecessor on the ins and outs of the job I love. I watched life go on like normal for my co-workers, wishing I knew the feeling. Then, amidst the craziness of that week I got the most incredible message on Facebook from a dear friend. There's no way I can summarize it for you, so I'll just paste it below.<br />
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"<strong><em>I was so blessed thinking about and praying for you in your trial at work. You know how Joseph (with the colorful coat) was a righteous man and a responsible employee. He could relate to you, as he was wrongfully imprisoned because he wouldn't be seduced by the most powerful woman in the land. After all the injustice done to him, he still interpreted the Pharoah's dream years later and served him well. God was working all things for His glory and Joseph's good. In fact, Joseph said, "God sent me ahead of you [my family] to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Unjust imprisonment was the best thing that could ever happen to Joseph. Through the actions of bad leadership, God was accomplishing the BEST thing that could happen to him. And by faith, that's what we can be certain of in all our life. You can work like being fired is the best thing that could happen to you, because of your faith in God's sovereign goodness toward you. God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. The words of George Muller at his wife's funeral always make me cry. He grieved deeply over his wife's death and it took years for him to recover. Knowing that God is sovereignly good to us doesn't change the grief over injustice and the fallenness of the broken world. Anyway, this is the truth he clung to at his wife's funeral: </em></strong></div>
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<strong><em> "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing </em></strong></div>
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<strong><em> does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Muller said, "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly--I am in myself a poor worthless sinner, but I have been saved by the blood of Christ; and I do not live in sin, I walk uprightly before God. Therefore, if it is really good for me, my darling wife will be raised up again; sick as she is. God will restore her again. But if she is not restored again, then it would not be a good thing for me. And so my heart was at rest. I was satisfied with God. And all this springs, as I have often said before, from taking God at His word, believing what He says." I am praying for you that you would have faith to believe that God is sovereignly good to you. I am praying that as you feel your weakness and turn to the Spirit, you will work with all your heart toward your weak employer, for you know this is the best thing that could happen: for you, and for God's kingdom. I am out of time, but sometime I will tell you how your trial has brought me comfort as I pray for you!!! Love you, Kari!!"</em></strong></div>
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I came back to this message tonight just to read it. Just to feel the encouragement and remember the truth found in those words.<br />
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Yes, I'm being stretched. Yes, it's painful. Yes, it hurts like nothing I've experienced before. But, oh, HE is so good. He is sovereign. He knows so much better than me what is good and what is best. I'll hurt and I'll grieve over the loss of something I loved, over the injustice I feel. But I'll move on. And I'll remember His lovingkindness to undeserving little me. I'll hold fast to what I know is true. I may have bloodshot eyes and a wastebasket full of tissue, but I've also got a Savior holding my future in His hands. <br />
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(Again, thank you, Angelica.) <br />
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300304791590571614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-34386847890845428092014-06-11T13:40:00.001-07:002014-06-11T13:42:25.187-07:00Letting It Go....My natural reaction last Thursday morning was, "What am I going to do?! I can't handle this!" I walked out of the office building feeling completely numb.<br />
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As soon as I fell into the driver's seat of my car I felt the numbness and disbelief turn to shock... and hurt.<br />
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I wanted to close my eyes and get rid of the pain. I wanted to believe it wasn't true and just climb under a rock and feel nothing. That didn't happen. The tears started to fall and so did the rain. It poured from the moment I pulled out of the parking lot until the second I hit the Knox county line a little over two hours later. The rain AND the tears. <br />
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I always wondered what it must feel like to lose a job. Always thought it would floor me. I was right.<br />
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It floored me for two days. I had no appetite and all I wanted to do was cry. The thought of food made me absolutely nauseous. <br />
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Thursday was a rough day. I worked on my resume and applied for some positions in Knoxville as soon as I got home from Murfreesboro. Then I prayed and cried and prayed and cried some more. Scott and Franklyn spent the afternoon and evening at his parent's house. When they came home I had to tell Franklyn why my face was a twisted mess. We sat him down and I told him that I'd lost my job that morning. He looked up at me with the most sweet and innocent face and said, "Mommy, if you work at a gym will you get a discount? Or a lunch buffet?" Aaah, the innocence of babes... and naïve 9 year-olds.<br />
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Friday wasn't nearly as bad as Thursday, but it was a hard day. Scott and I went to watch Franklyn graduate from his Vertebrate Zoology class at UT and then we went to Chili's as a family. Chili's is one of my favorite places to eat. That day all I could do was sit and stare at the menu. Nothing looked good. Nothing smelled good. I ate fries and a few bites of a skillet cookie. And tears filled my eyes all day long.<br />
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The hardest part about this loss is knowing it means I will have less time with Franklyn. The last year of my life has been incredible. I've been so relaxed, so laid back, so happy. I've enjoyed going to bed late, waking up late, picking Franklyn up from school, not being nearly as stressed as I used to be... I've even skipped cleaning the house a few Saturdays! What? Really? Yes, really! Life has just been, well, good.<br />
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I've done a lot of praying. I've spent a lot of time on my knees.<br />
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By Saturday the tears were done. By Saturday my faith took over. By Saturday I let it go.<br />
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Finding another job is honestly out of my hands. I'm online every day searching. I'm networking on LinkedIn and Facebook. But there is only so much I can do. I know God allowed this in my life and I know it's for a reason. So I'm leaving it to Him. There is no sense in me worrying because it won't do a bit of good. He is good and He is in control. In my eyes, He is protecting me from something I know was coming. I was playing in a losing game and now I have the chance to move on. That, my friends, is a good thing.<br />
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Now I wait. I let go and let faith take over. I trust that He is at work and His plans are good. I hold to what I know is true and how I've seen Him work in the past. <br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." </em>James 1:2-4</span><br />
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I shared those verses on Facebook the day before I was told to look for a new job. I knew God was good then and I know it now. I'll take the trials. I'll take the pain. And I'll draw closer to Him through it all. <br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>"Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning." James 1:16-17</em><br />
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He was good then and He is good now. I look forward to what He has in store. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-808766400853268592014-05-28T19:41:00.000-07:002014-05-28T19:41:24.922-07:00E.D.E.N. - What It's All About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It started with a simple question.</div>
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"Would you like to lead the women's ministry this year?"</div>
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That was around August or September. Can't remember exactly. It's all a blur now. </div>
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Needless to say, I agreed to take on the task. Having been a part of different women's ministries in the past, I felt like we needed to do something different. This couldn't be your typical women's ministry. After a little searching I found a book that seemed to lay out exactly what I had in mind. Something different.</div>
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<a href="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/LifeWayChristianResources/005112610?$Product$" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh Ideas for Women's Ministry" border="0" src="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/LifeWayChristianResources/005112610?$Product$" height="320" id="item_image" width="220" /></a></div>
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I remember being excited to host our first women's ministry team planning meeting at my home in early October. The five of us met around my kitchen table and discussed what we felt the Rocky Hill women's ministry should be all about. We decided to have the women of the church complete a survey to get an idea what type of ministry would 'fly' at Rocky Hill. We initiated the survey in mid-October and then things got busy. Not with the ministry, but with the holidays and our personal lives. We didn't meet again until February. </div>
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<img alt="Photo: Ready for our first RHBC women's ministry team meeting for this year! So excited to welcome these ladies into our home!" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/p526x296/1384328_10151680127092957_934562267_n.jpg" /></div>
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I had lots of anxious nights in the months between October and February. There were times I'd lie in bed feeling guilty for not having a meeting and not being a better leader. Life calmed down a bit in January and we decided to meet in early February. I emailed everyone and asked them to finish reading the book and pray about a name for the ministry before our meeting. Driving home from Murfreesboro one afternoon all I could think about was the women's ministry... I prayed for God to lead us to the right name, one that would encompass everything we wanted the women's ministry to be about. Then it hit me. I emailed everyone the next day to see if they liked the idea. We decided to go with the name and E.D.E.N. was born!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Vladimir Script"; font-size: 48.0pt;">E.D.E.N.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Vladimir Script"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Evangelize. Disciple.
Encourage. Nurture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;">The Women’s Ministry of Rocky Hill Baptist Church.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When we all finally got together for our meeting in February we discussed everything we'd read in the women's ministry book. We had so many ideas! I can't even remember how many more times we met over the next several weeks, but we laid out plans for the ministry and set dates for the kickoff and the monthly meetings. We decided to have one big kickoff event and then hold monthly meetings on the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. until noon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5QBgNoduBLy769sJdLZk_TdlBISe9jLgKldtaqLkq93kd0DrkJiPl5wJucfHN1mnyNjkhp3akbCMxnFbTq90XeLVUdT1-F_rJlbTvzLI3PW6aAET0Sr6veWYOCW_aABXUtw2SGO-MXA/s1600/googy+girls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5QBgNoduBLy769sJdLZk_TdlBISe9jLgKldtaqLkq93kd0DrkJiPl5wJucfHN1mnyNjkhp3akbCMxnFbTq90XeLVUdT1-F_rJlbTvzLI3PW6aAET0Sr6veWYOCW_aABXUtw2SGO-MXA/s1600/googy+girls+2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can you see a common theme in these team meetings? We like to eat...... I think I ate more hummus, pita chips and grapes during our meetings than I've eaten in my entire lifetime!</div>
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We did do more than eat.... We discussed our vision and the format for each meeting. We also determined the mission of our ministry. From those discussions, and much prayer, the Mission Statement for E.D.E.N became:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b>To see all women come to know Christ personally<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b>To strengthen and equip women with the wisdom of God’s word<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b>To encourage women to live according to God’s purpose<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b>To nurture and reach our community through service and hands-on </b><br />
<b> ministry<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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We seek to <b>EVANGELIZE</b> the lost and <i>see all women come to know Christ personally</i>. We seek to <i>strengthen and equip women with the wisdom of God's word </i>in order to <b>DISCIPLE</b> each other. We seek to <b>ENCOURAGE</b> <i>women to live according to God's purpose</i>. And we seek to <b>NURTURE</b> <i>and reach our community through service and hands-on ministry.</i></div>
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Believing that every E.D.E.N. meeting should follow our mission and adhere to our vision, we were intentional in how we set up the two-hour monthly sessions. We felt that women should have the opportunity to evangelize, disciple, encourage and nurture each time they attended a meeting. In order to make that vision a reality, we set up the following meeting schedule for the first six months:</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;">MEETING SCHEDULE</span><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">10:00
a.m.-</span></b><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">
<b><i>(“for me”)</i> </b>Women participate in a Fellowship Class to attend for 6 months. Options for the first 6 months are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> <b>Bible
Study:</b> <b><i>The Christian Atheist, </i></b>a
video-driven study <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> Led
by Kari Whaley</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> <b>Crafts
for a Cause: </b> Craft projects
to support missions</span></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"> Led by Suzie Dulaney</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">10:45
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<i><b>(“for us”)</b></i> Women enjoy a time of
fellowship with donuts and coffee!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">11:00
a.m.-</span></b><span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><b>
<i>(“for Him”)</i></b> Women participate in a
Ministry Team to “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James
1:22) for 6 months. Options for the first 6 months are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> <b>Clothes
Closet: </b>Clothes Closet manned by E.D.E.N. participants</span></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">Led
by Judy Goins and Cheryl Barnfield</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> <b>Outreach
Ministry:</b> Team members visit our community by reaching out to local hospitals, </span></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">nursing homes, and members that are </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Univers, sans-serif;">homebound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> Led by Juanita Rucker<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> <b>Quill
Ministry: </b> Write
encouraging notes to college students, visitors to RHBC, shut- ins, etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Univers, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> Led by Suzie Dulaney</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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I suddenly became best friends with VistaPrint. Over the next month I ordered business cards, kickoff event invitations, promotional items, posters, etc. It was so exciting to see everything come together and it was almost surreal...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAA4YQ3Uqorn3NoL5Q7ycmPV1L7qSQDFm2mdiakA1Dv2bTMXU8gesvyOl7OZzNXbHL3c5macdNQFAGYEomnvGoP2YvE9PCPn38fJLnD-BHD9IYHxRGJprU8UHmLpIU3194BEBY6pNGV4/s1600/EDEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAA4YQ3Uqorn3NoL5Q7ycmPV1L7qSQDFm2mdiakA1Dv2bTMXU8gesvyOl7OZzNXbHL3c5macdNQFAGYEomnvGoP2YvE9PCPn38fJLnD-BHD9IYHxRGJprU8UHmLpIU3194BEBY6pNGV4/s1600/EDEN.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiApA6ZiCQyA0wZx3YHESY1hSR2HtaGIV16rQ_w47c4kf_LVW0vi0GBFix9eQ0qvsm4W08718F6MY2Eb506xGeNVHi9tzmKv_Olv8Tf6hswW9QpFSalEmFS1T_QuGiCQVM97-z3FQXsTw/s1600/EDEN+postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiApA6ZiCQyA0wZx3YHESY1hSR2HtaGIV16rQ_w47c4kf_LVW0vi0GBFix9eQ0qvsm4W08718F6MY2Eb506xGeNVHi9tzmKv_Olv8Tf6hswW9QpFSalEmFS1T_QuGiCQVM97-z3FQXsTw/s1600/EDEN+postcard.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img alt="Photo: Our banners, posters and decals have arrived! The Whaley house is full of excitement! Lol" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/p526x296/1239482_10152005801412957_1730065675_n.jpg" /></div>
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Franklyn was right there in the middle of everything and I think he was just as excited as I was every time something new arrived for E.D.E.N.! </div>
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Eager to dive in and prepare for the Bible study portion of the monthly meetings, I ordered the books and participant guides for The Christian Atheist. I started studying and the rest of the ministry team started preparing supplies for their individual classes and groups. We began asking for donations for the E.D.E.N. Clothes Closet and things started piling up! It was so exciting to watch everything come to fruition!</div>
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<img alt="Photo: Reading back over one of my favorite studies. This is the study I'll be leading every third Saturday at our women's ministry meetings. Can't wait!" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/p180x540/1932354_10152006526552957_9932922_n.jpg" /></div>
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And then.......</div>
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And then it was time for the kickoff. I was so unbelievably stressed that day. The picture below reflects how I felt the entire time - like a DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f8HTH7RP9ZYFnynrJh1B1Wup28eMy8Rdv4XfkN8xYxdJn1Tdl82zkSRBhdxnhyphenhyphennGF1gip-CMTyHrqfTU8ZTrpDscpI1tUPIMJXrkDLUZTeHRHRip3AR5lMrQf6x-Imhb5bEOnKgNZlU/s1600/scared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f8HTH7RP9ZYFnynrJh1B1Wup28eMy8Rdv4XfkN8xYxdJn1Tdl82zkSRBhdxnhyphenhyphennGF1gip-CMTyHrqfTU8ZTrpDscpI1tUPIMJXrkDLUZTeHRHRip3AR5lMrQf6x-Imhb5bEOnKgNZlU/s1600/scared.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI3Z1fme05KDpDAV5ViGHtN3cnRJE5BPhTKY7xEZhSmC8mk4BchTDwEHHRzFe76PaAU6Q7iXBnyQcsOZSDD7MchBG6j6VlbPqFWWx1CrLyHavDMZEVZz6kDmd54KAmPetRkRjpx7jc_8/s1600/DeerInHeadlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI3Z1fme05KDpDAV5ViGHtN3cnRJE5BPhTKY7xEZhSmC8mk4BchTDwEHHRzFe76PaAU6Q7iXBnyQcsOZSDD7MchBG6j6VlbPqFWWx1CrLyHavDMZEVZz6kDmd54KAmPetRkRjpx7jc_8/s1600/DeerInHeadlights.jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">See the resemblance?</span></b></div>
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The E.D.E.N. kickoff event was the culmination of months of preparation, hard work, prayer, and dedication on the part of the women's ministry team. Juanita Rucker, Judy Goins, Suzie Dulaney, and Cheryl Barnfield are the BEST team a leader could ask for! We put so much time and energy into that one event. It may have been stressful, but it was worth every second! </div>
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Here's a rundown of the evening.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNeKB_8AqFAYSFUh3cVHz3JNj86Ki9UXlLQqoeHuzXngGCEjmYhAtakp2aNJSyutc5qNltTNXa9FbAMRA8je5oHJ-wjyMc-SpSah1_SzLoyenu7lcBNm6Uu9xLLaiDcYlZJuC8DareRE/s1600/arrival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNeKB_8AqFAYSFUh3cVHz3JNj86Ki9UXlLQqoeHuzXngGCEjmYhAtakp2aNJSyutc5qNltTNXa9FbAMRA8je5oHJ-wjyMc-SpSah1_SzLoyenu7lcBNm6Uu9xLLaiDcYlZJuC8DareRE/s1600/arrival.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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Women started arriving about an hour before the event. I was just glad people were eager to get there! The deacons were enlisted to cook and serve, so several men were there as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAeuryoZu3TjY0J84vUEMPDNMfE-I7sIJaO14t6PxbVvRjaJVa9iyZQ3gOjN7fnyPNuaknLCVI7VDCfwtfG6OyPauxg-fPVymrWzGVy7J1nlrf4EZSxsqrfoWCTMRcWzQbqgXXyjW2ZM/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAeuryoZu3TjY0J84vUEMPDNMfE-I7sIJaO14t6PxbVvRjaJVa9iyZQ3gOjN7fnyPNuaknLCVI7VDCfwtfG6OyPauxg-fPVymrWzGVy7J1nlrf4EZSxsqrfoWCTMRcWzQbqgXXyjW2ZM/s1600/winner.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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We began the evening with an icebreaker. It was a purse scavenger hunt. For future reference, I can now tell you who to see if you need a screwdriver, a chewing gum wrapper, a battery, exactly .37 cents, a tape measure, a used tissue, and a theme park map on any given Sunday morning. Lol. The winner, Tammy Stevenson, received a beautiful hanging plant for her front porch.<br />
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The deacons served lasagna, salad and garlic bread while the ladies listened to members of the ministry team explain what E.D.E.N. is all about. I shared a bit about how E.D.E.N. was born and then each of the team members shared about the different ministries offered during the monthly meetings. </div>
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They laughed.</div>
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They ate.</div>
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They talked.</div>
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They smiled.</div>
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And they learned a little about E.D.E.N....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8ktrcPFP_efu4C0bUpT0sMrdyfFO1MorVum1_fqMoJcghnD7j1EYrXl4bz8yzL8N9aAdEN6xN9aoHsvXLYqBI481iWuODKZ6cQBsKTE2DYMiBs3p7u_tKQg_fX6qfslAb2Ie8iB_iHA/s1600/team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8ktrcPFP_efu4C0bUpT0sMrdyfFO1MorVum1_fqMoJcghnD7j1EYrXl4bz8yzL8N9aAdEN6xN9aoHsvXLYqBI481iWuODKZ6cQBsKTE2DYMiBs3p7u_tKQg_fX6qfslAb2Ie8iB_iHA/s1600/team.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then they smiled some more. </div>
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Two of the BEST parts of the evening.... </div>
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....HAD to be the CAKE and the Soggy Bottom Boys!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-QON-UoZSGnrrlcrEhDNG7VLSl6PrsnSbmKeBBLc8qFvlNw9SfM5EYza5B-amwfZq-elvL5hXuoYxAaS8y43FOD1BKNX1TnBvqtZ6hI2Sn_5pb0JYq3vwDsEYOUPnWLdooTWTkIjfYs/s1600/Cake+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-QON-UoZSGnrrlcrEhDNG7VLSl6PrsnSbmKeBBLc8qFvlNw9SfM5EYza5B-amwfZq-elvL5hXuoYxAaS8y43FOD1BKNX1TnBvqtZ6hI2Sn_5pb0JYq3vwDsEYOUPnWLdooTWTkIjfYs/s1600/Cake+3.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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I ordered the cake from Sam's and we were not disappointed! They did a great job and it tasted incredible!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa5trqO6eFRPE_gZRKb0UHa8edbHVGwHNhnqddrFYXvFL9wxUzTNMYTGqg4wiEanN7BK8jAw7Gz5ve3T9LzpqXVAthPAj4e3XotGmo3sQXBeRhvYTpNnAKO7lQdJQYmS8xmeyB6Wt65Y/s1600/Cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa5trqO6eFRPE_gZRKb0UHa8edbHVGwHNhnqddrFYXvFL9wxUzTNMYTGqg4wiEanN7BK8jAw7Gz5ve3T9LzpqXVAthPAj4e3XotGmo3sQXBeRhvYTpNnAKO7lQdJQYmS8xmeyB6Wt65Y/s1600/Cake2.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sorry for all the cake pictures... It was just so pretty and so tasty.....</div>
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What fun is a kickoff event without entertainment? Knowing what a fan my husband is of the Soggy Bottom Boys from "O Brother, Where Art Thou," I had a feeling I could talk him into enlisting a couple of other men from the church to perform with him...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ngYF5aSeI3zV0zi_XZGWuzTGOU-eNusj5pod2f8rLpfyucDdT_KE1B-cyJ0xr_uWyCmXVYW4Uyz9puXlouriTrrU-GLR8GGO5px5TuQLRiJVbF0bAhUPgWz94FnFIbkb8rDnlIZlfEk/s1600/soggy+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ngYF5aSeI3zV0zi_XZGWuzTGOU-eNusj5pod2f8rLpfyucDdT_KE1B-cyJ0xr_uWyCmXVYW4Uyz9puXlouriTrrU-GLR8GGO5px5TuQLRiJVbF0bAhUPgWz94FnFIbkb8rDnlIZlfEk/s1600/soggy+bottom.jpg" /></a></div>
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I was right. Scott, Dr. Charles Machen, and James Cable put on a surprise performance as the Soggy Bottom Boys. They started with a comedy routine that had every person in the room doubled over in laughter. I could barely stand up straight to watch because I was laughing so hard. They were the hit of the night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow2y2RQHDxF1XX_mgHFjOcjzKI8pKxaIwckn6P4kjz7Pe5ofZwYzr8p9kFdQKbG6NwKU0aRqeEJPZlvU6C37bcxeCRDovaIF5fsLXCPio3KlkxlfCaz1Xfk1fq4CbzE2iVjZAne5p9hQ/s1600/goofy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow2y2RQHDxF1XX_mgHFjOcjzKI8pKxaIwckn6P4kjz7Pe5ofZwYzr8p9kFdQKbG6NwKU0aRqeEJPZlvU6C37bcxeCRDovaIF5fsLXCPio3KlkxlfCaz1Xfk1fq4CbzE2iVjZAne5p9hQ/s1600/goofy.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHD8TypJrjjXVbYlS5j-NJqL1g4eb1x416fMi5xPAN0-ZbCgCqBXulc1GRrzj9yLDkTrwsWG9IHb_jgLcTp26qR_HmuHDKgAxzaXAuwl5AciNflH-hOurTxGKT1bSjZkU9HhoFjNH8BM/s1600/laughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHD8TypJrjjXVbYlS5j-NJqL1g4eb1x416fMi5xPAN0-ZbCgCqBXulc1GRrzj9yLDkTrwsWG9IHb_jgLcTp26qR_HmuHDKgAxzaXAuwl5AciNflH-hOurTxGKT1bSjZkU9HhoFjNH8BM/s1600/laughs.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYB3PJ54eXd6v2ESYlYatcrq3ewdSh10hoSw5hiDBHHE5QJ3oKovr7mbYZ6b2_FN6_ElwO6dSZNKjVZYOBmFqw2keMQofVnPcPhwxCNgX3vYqxikXh8DgA2nRVlief28_ApnilsL57go/s1600/laughs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYB3PJ54eXd6v2ESYlYatcrq3ewdSh10hoSw5hiDBHHE5QJ3oKovr7mbYZ6b2_FN6_ElwO6dSZNKjVZYOBmFqw2keMQofVnPcPhwxCNgX3vYqxikXh8DgA2nRVlief28_ApnilsL57go/s1600/laughs2.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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We enlisted Jerry Barnfield, our resident artist, to create a portrait of the Soggy Bottom Boys during their performance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrZTHW_fP6w3f5MMwqSUkskIY73b8eX3l6A0y0zrZ8siXNGjad0zmc8isuIX0-ncDqeutU90db4GXUJ0KJmkVoLme-uUvCougCM_B0QzwhMI4p0PTHX8liPN4bpMYh2iHchI-w_R6urk/s1600/artist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrZTHW_fP6w3f5MMwqSUkskIY73b8eX3l6A0y0zrZ8siXNGjad0zmc8isuIX0-ncDqeutU90db4GXUJ0KJmkVoLme-uUvCougCM_B0QzwhMI4p0PTHX8liPN4bpMYh2iHchI-w_R6urk/s1600/artist.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5FR9S4VLCy_kLMKnvy9fbhda5AuC-isbbPoJ5kR3joj4r0xVtE6tlhMGZ2CCX_hwzFPIT7deUFRhT4_UD1tk_SXv0MRCkW7Moire5MJf5mOXnSQ8HyezdZK8ZIHhyaOIQkg67lD8k54/s1600/shocked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5FR9S4VLCy_kLMKnvy9fbhda5AuC-isbbPoJ5kR3joj4r0xVtE6tlhMGZ2CCX_hwzFPIT7deUFRhT4_UD1tk_SXv0MRCkW7Moire5MJf5mOXnSQ8HyezdZK8ZIHhyaOIQkg67lD8k54/s1600/shocked.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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It turned out better than expected!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapvpPNwedaoDzkzbVHoaJPpw8A_trs5X5vfeTxDRjrFT-LD1UcrgBAtyaIvJyUN47A8S-doscgSmiZlWqJn8ZEcaPuASiBmO2ZhwK776rxlNthOU-T5jGGrhy84NopQDE1XaTDkM0X3k/s1600/love+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapvpPNwedaoDzkzbVHoaJPpw8A_trs5X5vfeTxDRjrFT-LD1UcrgBAtyaIvJyUN47A8S-doscgSmiZlWqJn8ZEcaPuASiBmO2ZhwK776rxlNthOU-T5jGGrhy84NopQDE1XaTDkM0X3k/s1600/love+it.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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We gave the portrait to Scott (my wonderful husband, performer, and pastor) to hang in his office. Come to think of it, I haven't seen it since that night.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLX9vVg9KbE8VxD0A_9qPIbnLmIP-beASkkwvn2zmBGcazYXeooUBAc0VwSjNzqvL3qyj3CYQHQyrPrHIqGsquOPPjiaA9I2ssU1BUmUg2pMjv5GXdNyJREsT04sty_6-I4al24bsxxA/s1600/prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLX9vVg9KbE8VxD0A_9qPIbnLmIP-beASkkwvn2zmBGcazYXeooUBAc0VwSjNzqvL3qyj3CYQHQyrPrHIqGsquOPPjiaA9I2ssU1BUmUg2pMjv5GXdNyJREsT04sty_6-I4al24bsxxA/s1600/prize.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also gave away door prizes. Random winners were chosen based on where they were sitting. </div>
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At the end of the evening we asked the ladies to register to be a part of E.D.E.N. They were asked to sign up for one fellowship class and one ministry team in which to participate during the monthly meetings. We were blown away by the number of women that registered. We were only a week away from the first meeting and excitement was high!<br />
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The monthly meetings began on April 19th. <b><span style="font-size: large;">28</span></b> women attended the first meeting! For a church our size, that was incredible! We've had two monthly meetings so far and they've both been successful. We've completed two sessions of The Christian Atheist, made 'wordless' books for the Good News Club, provided snack baskets for the waiting room at Parkwest Medical Center, provided for those in need through the Clothes Closet, encouraged our community through notes and cards, and, in the midst of ministering to others, enjoyed Christian fellowship.<br />
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We provide permanent name tags for each lady. Name tags are passed out when the women sign in and then returned to us when they leave. This way we don't have to keep making replacements!</div>
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Ready to study!</div>
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Ready to encourage!</div>
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Ready to serve!</div>
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Ready for pastries, coffee, and fellowship!</div>
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E.D.E.N is open to women of all ages. You don't have to be a member of Rocky Hill Baptist Church to join us. If you live in the Knoxville area, we'd LOVE to have you as part of our ministry!</div>
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Well, I'm past the 'deer in the headlights' thing. I'm now in the 'life is good' phase.</div>
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It's hard to believe I get to be a part of such an amazing ministry. I'm looking forward to watching E.D.E.N. grow, watching women grow, and watching Rocky Hill grow. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Vladimir Script"; font-size: 48pt;">E.D.E.N.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Vladimir Script"; font-size: 16pt;">Evangelize. Disciple. Encourage. Nurture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;">The Women’s Ministry of Rocky Hill Baptist Church.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-32490638732482503982014-04-02T19:49:00.002-07:002014-04-02T19:49:42.899-07:00Illegal U-Turns I made an illegal u-turn Monday.<br />
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Innocently enough, I didn't KNOW it was illegal. But the motorcycle cops did. </div>
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As the story goes, I was taking my lunch hour while working in Murfreesboro and had decided to spend my time browsing around Target and then grabbing a bite at McAlister's. Driving up Old Fort Parkway I realized <i>'browsing'</i> around Target wouldn't exactly be beneficial to my checkbook ('cuz we all know you can't just <b><i>browse</i></b> in Target), so I decided it would be best to just head back to the office and get something from the break room. CHEAP, healthy, and quick. Coming up on an intersection, I decided to make a u-turn and head back to the office. I didn't see a sign prohibiting it, so I got into the left lane and proceeded to turn. The moment I began to complete the turn and straighten out the steering wheel to go in the opposite direction I noticed two motorcycle cops on my tail end. Literally, On.My.Tail.End..... At first I assumed they were just trying to get by me to chase a speeder. But it didn't take long for me to realize those blue flashing lights were for me. The fact that one of the officers was waving at me in the rear view mirror and sharply pointing at the emergency lane kinda clued me in too.</div>
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<a href="http://4vector.com/i/free-vector-leomarc-sign-no-u-turn-clip-art_103650_Leomarc_Sign_No_U_Turn_clip_art_hight.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4vector.com/i/free-vector-leomarc-sign-no-u-turn-clip-art_103650_Leomarc_Sign_No_U_Turn_clip_art_hight.png" height="200" width="110" /></a></div>
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I had a little conversation with one of the officers while the other stayed on his bike and stared at me non-stop in my side mirror. <b><i>AWKWARD</i></b>. After me clarifying why the address on my registration and the address on my driver's license weren't accurate, the policeman asked what I was doing in Murfreesboro. I had to spell out my 'work from home' situation and explain to him that I traveled to the area about every two weeks to work in the office. He eventually asked, "So, do you travel <i>THIS</i> road much?" Knowing I used to travel it at least five days a week and not wanting to lie, I replied, "Yes, allllllllllll the time." As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized I'd probably just dug my own grave. He proceeded to tell me that there was a sign CLEARLY stating that u-turns were illegal at that intersection. I promised him I didn't see a sign, which I honestly didn't. He made his way back to his motorcycle with all of my information in his hand. I sat in the car shaking and trying not to look into the face of the officer staring at me in my side mirror. Again, <b><i>AWKWARD</i></b>.<br />
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After about seven minutes that seemed like an eternity, the officer returned to my window with a pink piece of paper dangling from his right hand. He gave me back my license, registration, and insurance information and said, "I'm gonna give you a 'gimme' today." Confused and completely unsure of what he meant, I prepared for the worst. Then he said, "Most people wouldn't be so forgiving. You said you travel this road all the time, so you should know there's an illegal u-turn sign back there. But, you were honest with me." He handed me the pink piece of paper with WARNING written on it and said, "I'm just giving you a warning today. That means no court appearance, no citation, just a warning. But next time you decide to make an illegal u-turn, DON'T do it with two motorcycle cops on your tail end!" Shocked, I said, "What?!? You were behind me when I turned?!?" He replied, "Yes! How do you think we pulled you over so fast?" I laughed and said, "I don't know! I would HAVE to be an idiot to do something like that..." He laughed and replied, "No, you're not an idiot. I understand. You were probably just focused on getting to work." I kind of chuckled and told him that what was so crazy about the whole thing was that I was actually on my lunch hour and had decided not to spend any money so I was turning around to head back to the office and eat something cheap out of the break room. He laughed and said, "And then you almost ended up spending <b><span style="font-size: large;">$130</span></b> on lunch!" I sunk in my seat and let out a huge sigh of relief knowing that a $130 ticket would've been very difficult to pay. Then, with a charge to drive carefully, he sent me on my way.<br />
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<b><i>I think my legs were jell-o for the next thirty minutes or so. </i></b></div>
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I thought about my interaction with that motorcycle cop all the way back to Knoxville that evening. I also thought a lot about u-turns... My u-turn was a criminal offense, whether I knew it or not, whether I believed it or not. Truth is, he could have given me a $130 ticket and been justified in doing so. I may have thought there was nothing wrong with what I did, but Murfreesboro's criminal code says differently. Absolute truth is that it is illegal to make a u-turn at the intersection of Old Fort Parkway and Stones River Mall Boulevard. Remember that, my 'boro friends.<br />
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According to that truth, I should have been cited for my offense. But this particular police officer showed me mercy. Some might say he showed me grace. But it was mercy. It was compassion. He gave me something I didn't deserve.<br />
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I think it's difficult to understand grace until you first understand mercy. Mercy is NOT punishing me for my sin (or my illegal u-turn) like I deserve. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. In light of the law, I <b>should have</b> been punished and there <b>should have</b> been a judgment. But, thank God, that officer gave me mercy instead. I could've rejected it. I could've denied that I'd done anything wrong, using the fact that I didn't see the 'no u-turn' sign as my excuse. But that would be nothing but an excuse, and it would be ludicrous. Why would anyone deny mercy and choose judgment instead?<br />
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So many people make this choice in life. Turning away from the mercy and grace offered by God, they choose to deny what is freely available. Some believe it's a lie. Some believe Christians are fools. Some are simply blinded by sin.<br />
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Eternally, there is no mercy and there is no grace without Christ. There is no merciful motorcycle cop standing at the gates of Heaven waiting to allow you in with just a warning. There is no 'gimme.' There is no hope for eternal life without Him.<br />
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God's grace is a person...</div>
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"<b><i>For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession,eager to do good works." </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Titus 2:11-14</i></b></div>
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Jesus Christ is grace personified. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">You know, not all u-turns are illegal.... </span></b></div>
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<b><i>"Therefore <span style="font-size: large;">repent and turn back</span>, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." Acts 3:19</i></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-87275618433825235822014-02-20T14:47:00.000-08:002014-02-20T14:47:26.499-08:00Dark Alleys and PuzzlesHave you ever found yourself in a dark place?<br />
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<i>I don't mean a dark alley or a dimly lit room.</i><br />
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Sometimes our doubts, our fears, our anxieties, our shame... they drive us into hiding. They take us to a really dark place. We find ourselves lonely and feeling like, in some way, we're not normal. We look around and it seems like everyone else has it all together. Everyone else is happy and thriving, or at least dealing well. That's how it seems. But that's not how it is. <br />
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In our restlessness, we withdraw. We find shelter in our dark places.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> <i>Do you know God never meant for you to be alone? Do you know </i></span><br />
<i><span style="text-align: center;"> God never meant for you to </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: center;">suffer</span><span style="text-align: center;"> alone? </span></i><br />
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Alone in your dark place you won't find answers. You won't find peace and you won't find comfort. You will simply find loneliness and despair.</div>
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It's easy to turn your back on fellowship with other believers when you're in that dark place. And it's easy to convince ourselves that church is the <i>LAST</i> thing we need. It's easy, but it's <b>wrong</b>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Therefore encourage one another and build one another up...</span></div>
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Have you ever known anyone who had all the answers? Sure, you know people who THINK they have all the answers. But do they really? No one person can solve the mysteries of this jigsaw puzzle that we call life all on their own. Not gonna happen. But, you know what? Christ DOES have all the answers. And He works in the lives of believers and gives us individual pieces to that puzzle.</div>
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He doesn't give all the answers to one person. We, as believers, learn from our mistakes and from our pain. We each hold wisdom and knowledge we wouldn't have if it weren't for those life experiences, those joyful victories and those painful losses. We understand Christ's love through those experiences and we mature in our faith. What happens when we fail to share that understanding and knowledge? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ...</span></div>
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Your pain and your blessing have a purpose. You hold a piece of the puzzle. When you dovetail your wisdom with mine we find answers. We see Christ revealed. We see the puzzle begin to fashion into an incredible masterpiece. A masterpiece created by God's hand. Courage comes to the fearful. Joy comes to the weeping. Praise comes to the lips of the ashamed. Comfort comes to the hurting. And Jesus comes to the lost. </div>
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Don't run to that dark place. Don't forsake fellowship with other believers. Don't hold tightfisted to your pain. I may hold the puzzle piece that you desperately need. You may hold the puzzle piece that I've been longing to see. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.</span><br />
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Now I'm in the mood to put together a puzzle. See you at church Sunday!</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Kari</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-87752212716985510082014-02-13T14:45:00.000-08:002014-02-13T14:45:56.239-08:00Our 25th Valentines Day - A Tribute to Hottie Scottie<br />
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"Who is that?" I said, leaning closer to my new friend, yet not taking my eyes off the stocky blonde walking across the commons area, "He's HOT."<br />
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"Oh, that's Scott Whaley," she replied.<br />
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It was the first day of my junior year at Jefferson County High School. My family had just moved to East Tennessee from Fairfax, Virginia and, like most other 16 year-old girls I was already scoping out the boys. There was <i>something about </i>this particular boy. Couldn't put my finger on it, but I was smitten.<br />
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He was a senior and we didn't have any classes together, but I kept my eye on him... One day I forgot my lunch money. The handsome blonde just happened to be in front of me in the lunch line. Not wanting to lose my spot to run back to my table to borrow money, I nervously tapped him on his shoulder. Eager to help, he reached in his pocket only to discover his pockets were empty and he'd forgotten his own money as well. Being that he never met a stranger, he went straight to the table beside the lunch line and begged for money. That was our first encounter.<br />
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About a month later the Home Economics classes had a fundraiser. Students in Home Economics classes during second period could pay $2 and watch a movie in one of the classrooms. Sitting waiting for the movie to start, I couldn't believe it when Scott filed into the room with his Interior Decorating class (yes, you read that right, Interior Decorating...). He sat down right next to me! Throughout the movie he was goofing off with friends and laughing. As soon as the movie was over and the lights flipped back on, Scott turned to me, finger in his nose, and said, "Don't you hate it when you get those crusty boogers in your nose and you can't get 'em out?" Shocked, I made a weird face and turned to leave. That was our second encounter.<br />
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Months passed, Scott graduated, and we both dated other people on and off. I was a varsity cheerleader my senior year and I would see him every now and then at Friday night football games. He would stand on the track and talk and I couldn't keep my eyes off him. One Friday night he came over to the hurdles that divided the cheerleaders from the crowd. He leaned over, motioned for me to come talk to him, and said, "We need to go out some time." I almost passed out. Knees weak, my shy demeanor taking the back burner for a moment, I grinned and shouted, "Sure!" A couple of months passed before we would get that chance.<br />
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Our first actual 'date' was in the storm drain underneath the town of Dandridge in mid December. Yep, that's right, folks. A storm drain. We had to climb through the locked bars to get inside and had to hop from side to side while running through the drain so as not to fall into the drainage water pooled in the bottom. My heart was pounding and I could just imagine the dam being opened and us drowning on our first date. Scary, but exciting!<br />
<img src="http://nostalgia.uer.ca/uec/_uec/images/harvey/harvey1.jpg" /><br />
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We were INSEPARABLE from that moment on. We couldn't get enough of each other. By early January of my senior year we were talking about marriage. It only took a month for us to realize we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We discussed our future dreams and what we expected out of life. We were on the same page. Scott wanted to be a teacher and I wanted to be a news anchor. We both wanted 2 to 3 kids and we had everything planned out. He gave me my engagement ring on the day of my high school graduation. Our future looked bright.<br />
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Scott had made mention of the fact that he felt called into the ministry when he was in high school. However, he assured me that ministry was <b><i>NOT</i></b> in his future. Good thing, because I would <b><i>NEVER</i></b> have dated, much less become engaged to, someone planning to go into the ministry. I was a Christian, but my Christianity was nothing more than fire insurance to me at that point in my life. I knew I wasn't cut out to be a pastor's wife. But I also knew that wasn't anything to be concerned about. Or so I thought. <br />
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This is what's amazing about how God works.<br />
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I <b><i>WASN'T</i></b> cut out for a life of ministry, but God set out to prepare me for something incredible. After two years of marriage I started having anxiety attacks. I dropped out of school, completely setting my life on a different track. My dreams of anchoring a news desk were shot. Scott had changed his major multiple times and ended up deciding upon a career as a Golf Course Superintendent. He graduated from UT and we moved to Nashville for him to begin his life on the golf course. It didn't take long before we realized we were miserable with a capital <b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">M</span></b>.<br />
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Life just wasn't what we expected. Sometimes it felt like all of our dreams had been shattered. In February of 1998 I had the worst panic attack I'd ever had. I begged Scott to take me to a mental hospital and leave me. He didn't, thank God. Instead he held me and prayed with me all night long. In the days and months following, I learned what it meant to depend on God. To <i><b>TRULY</b></i> depend on Him. I breathed Scripture, literally. I couldn't survive without the hope I found in His word. My suffering brought me closer to Christ. My suffering brought my husband closer to Christ. We learned a lot over the next few years. </div>
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We moved to Manchester in 1999 for Scott to take the Golf Course Superintendent position at a smaller course. He went into the job telling the owner that church would come first on Sundays, not the golf course. This was a total change in priorities for Scott. I was so proud of him. We found an incredible church and became very involved. I taught 11th and 12th grade girls in Sunday school and Scott was asked to serve as the director of the youth Sunday school department. He loved working with the kids and so did I. One afternoon Scott came home from work and we started talking about life and where it had taken us. He mentioned that sometimes he still felt like God wanted him in the ministry and that he didn't think the call on his life had ever gone away. All I know is that we ended up on our kitchen floor sobbing. We cried out to God and asked Him to guide us and show us His will for our lives. Within months, Scott was in Wake Forest beginning seminary.</div>
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Before finishing seminary Scott was called to serve as the Minister of Youth at our home church in Manchester. We were thrilled. It felt like God had finally brought us full circle and we were right where He wanted us. Only one thing was missing...</div>
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We struggled with infertility for several years. Even though we desperately wanted children, we trusted that God had a perfect plan for our lives with or without a child. In 2005, God gave us the most beautiful gift we could ever have asked for.</div>
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We had been married for 14 years and it was quite a change to suddenly have another human being in the house! I think we surprised ourselves at how well we handled it.</div>
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Scott graduated from seminary in 2007 and is now working on his Doctorate. We moved back to East Tennessee in April of 2013 and we feel like, once again, we're right where we're meant to be. Life has brought many challenges in the lives of the Whaleys, but somehow we've made it through. </div>
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I know I couldn't have survived the last 20 years of my life without Scott. He's been the one to point me toward Christ every step of the way. We've been together almost 25 years now. I couldn't ask for a better husband. He has his faults, but mine surely outweigh his! </div>
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Thank you, Scott Whaley, for loving me and CHOOSING me! I adore you, my friend. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Happy Valentine's Day! </i></b></span></div>
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<b>Now, enjoy a photo tribute to Scottie! </b></div>
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<b>Sorry, you can't actually click on the text above to access his sermons! But, if you're interested you can visit the church website at www.rockyhillchurch.org!</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-37911476590436123062014-02-06T18:53:00.000-08:002014-02-06T18:53:53.316-08:00Grace Is Not An ExcuseGrace is not an excuse.<br />
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It's not an excuse to<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>live</i> </span>in sin.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; line-height: 16px;"><b>"</b></span><span class="text Rom-6-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">What should we say then?<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28069A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28069B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> </span><span class="text Rom-6-2" id="en-HCSB-28070" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Absolutely not!<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28070C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> How can we who died to sin<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28070D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> still live in it?" Romans 6:1-2</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I'm a born sinner. Yep, it's true. That sweet, pudgy little face in my baby pictures is the face of a sinner. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And the face you see in my Facebook profile pics? Yep, that's the face of a sinner, too. Just ask my sweet husband. He'll tell 'ya.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><img alt="tiny-smileys-yesemoticons-052" src="http://www.yesemoticons.com/free-cool-d/4757-2/tiny-smileys-yesemoticons-052.gif" /><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-2" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">The difference in the two is that the latter is the face of a sinner saved by grace.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-6-2" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I've been struggling with something lately. I'm trying to figure out this whole 'grace' thing. Trying to get to that light-bulb moment where I say, "Now I get it!" I'm not quite there yet, but I do know one thing about grace. <b>It's not an excuse.</b> Grace is what saved me. Grace is what justifies me through my faith in Christ's death on the cross. It's the foundation of the Christian life. But Jesus didn't die on the cross to give me freedom to follow my heart. He didn't die on the cross so that I could do what 'feels right' and not have to worry about the consequences. He didn't suffer for my sins so that I could live my life the way I please. Grace is not in an excuse to live a life of sin. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's an amazing thing, you know? Grace, that is. For those in Christ, sin doesn't separate us from God. It can't. Nothing can. His grace covers our sin. But sin does damage our testimony and hinder our relationship with Him. Disobedience in the life of a true believer will cause misery. I know this to be true. I speak from experience. I've been there, done that. I know the shame, the ever present awareness that I'm grieving God. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Grace frees you, but it binds you. It pardons you from the penalty of sin, but it binds you to a life of faithfulness and obedience. This doesn't mean that we automatically live a perfect life when we accept Christ. But it should be motivation to live a righteous life. This same grace disciplines us when we're off the mark because it calls to mind the penalty Christ paid for our sin. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's hard to understand how a Christian can say God's grace permits them to live a sinful lifestyle. Many Christians today negate the severity of sin often saying, "Oh, I think Jesus would look the other way on that." No, I don't think so. I think sin grieves Him. I wonder if He thinks we cheapen grace with such an attitude when He paid such a high price for it. </span><br />
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<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Romans 6:13, "Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead."</b></li>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-23319918193130470452014-01-29T15:51:00.001-08:002014-01-29T15:51:42.973-08:00If You Only Knew..."I'm beginning to think people aren't really as happy as they seem on Facebook."<br />
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The other day a friend from high school made a post stating simply that. I thought, "Honey, if you only knew."<br />
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Wouldn't it be great if our lives were really as incredible as we make 'em look on Facebook? Well, I'm just here to tell 'ya, they're NOT! If you could see into my mind and see the everyday struggles I face, you'd cover your eyes and RUN!<br />
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My life isn't all rainbows and roses. I don't wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Bluebirds don't fly around my head chirping and flitting gracefully to joyful music filling the air... Shocked? If you have a clue, you're not. I can actually remember, in the years before Scott went into the ministry, looking at the youth pastor's wife at our former church and thinking, "I wish I had it all together like she does..." Her life looked perfect to me. She was always smiling. She had lots of friends and she seemed genuinely happy. When Scott became the youth minister at that same church, I took my place in her former pew. I often wondered if people were sitting in the balcony looking down on me thinking that<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> I </i></span>had <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>my </i></b></span> life all together in the same way I used to look at her... I hoped that wasn't the case, because I knew better than anyone that my life was just as chaotic as theirs might be, if not more.</div>
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I've struggled with depression and anxiety since the fall of 1993. I had to drop out of college because of panic attacks. I couldn't force myself to return to school after having my first panic attack during a political science class. There are times now when I can't pull myself out of the funk, no matter how hard I try. There are times I fear the silliest things... They aren't silly to me, but they would be to you. Sometimes I lie in bed at night afraid that I'm losing my mind. I can be sitting at a red light and suddenly fear that I might gun it and drive straight into traffic. I can be the passenger in a car and suddenly fear that I might open the door and jump out while the car is moving. I have a fear of 'losing control.' When the fear overwhelms me I simply take a deep breath and cry out to Him. I'm thankful that, no matter what, I know the One who <span style="font-size: large;"><i>IS</i></span> in control. Even if I lose it, He is still on the throne.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Philippians 4:6</span></h3>
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<b style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.</span></b></div>
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I wake up every morning grateful for another day. I thank God every night for my family, my friends and my incredible church family. I do <b>NOT</b> have it all together and I never will in this life. My life is not perfect. My marriage is not perfect. My child is not perfect. And I am not in control, no matter how much I would like to be. I am happy and I have incredible joy in my life. But, my life is certainly not one to be envied, no matter how great I make it look on Facebook. I'm not saying anyone <i>DOES</i> envy my life. I'm simply saying that the only real joy in my life comes from the peace I have in knowing that Jesus is the Lord of it.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">But whatever is good and perfect comes to </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">us </span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">from God, the Creator of</b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> a</span></b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">ll light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. </b><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">James 1:17</b></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-3328633539893577142013-12-09T09:23:00.000-08:002013-12-09T09:25:08.093-08:00Mary's View<div style="text-align: center;">
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A couple of weeks ago someone asked me to name my favorite Christmas song. I'm a big fan of the traditional Christmas carols, but my absolute favorite Christmas song is "Breath of Heaven." I love imagining what Mary was thinking and how frightened, yet excited, she must have been. A few years ago that led me to write the following poem about Mary's view of the birth of Christ...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mary’s View<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How,
Lord, shall I nurture as divine a life as this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why
send Thine hope through such a one as me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mine
bosom is not fit to brush the cheek of this sweet Child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I
am lowly, Lord, and He is Majesty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mine
eyes behold such glory when I look upon His brow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And
I cannot fathom all His shoulders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’ve
pondered in mine heart the depth of all that is to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yet,
now mine arms embrace Thine Truth declared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This
gentle Babe, now born of flesh, beneath the moonlit sky,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shall
light the way for all who long to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His
brow shall bear the crown that is above all other crowns,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And
He shall rule throughout eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Faithful
ones will long to touch His garment,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And
the wise will bow to worship at His<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His
name shall be esteemed above all other names,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Emmanuel,
the Highest, Servant-Priest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Still,
I wonder at the favor Thou afforded unto me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As
I gaze upon this One to be adored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As
Thou proclaimed, mine womb brought forth this Savior, Prince of Peace,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This
King of Kings to reign forevermore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">O’
grant mine heart the strength to be Thine servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To
carry out Thine plan as Thou<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">foretold,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To
foster this great One as Thou wouldst lead me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As
Thine hand fulfills Thine prophecies of old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kari Whitworth Whaley ©2004</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-9153836606095692722013-11-07T17:47:00.000-08:002013-11-07T17:47:48.489-08:00National Adoption Awareness MonthHe doesn't look like me. He doesn't look like Scott. He has dark skin and the most beautiful rich, brown eyes. His tender heart is unlike that of any person I've ever known. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySXei3xR3ly2TGzrzFchMgRg1g30SWx5OkhjCYDA90GEPcDy75wWieKvlNLhPM8sLyJQ0pHhvlU1a-HVzJcRN_Cggv76SInxJpYoNt2DcFmHTOaNgH-4QFTlRuKD0x9JkZew5I9GMW6I/s1600/Franklyn+and+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySXei3xR3ly2TGzrzFchMgRg1g30SWx5OkhjCYDA90GEPcDy75wWieKvlNLhPM8sLyJQ0pHhvlU1a-HVzJcRN_Cggv76SInxJpYoNt2DcFmHTOaNgH-4QFTlRuKD0x9JkZew5I9GMW6I/s320/Franklyn+and+Scott.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I see his dad in him all the time. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Selfless.</span> <i><b>Kind.</b> </i><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Faithful. </b><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Funny. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">They're two peas in a pod.</span><br />
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No, they don't look like each other. They don't share DNA or the same blood type. But, they're no less father and son.<br />
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Franklyn came into our family through adoption. I can remember as a child thinking that adoption was the most incredible, amazing thing. I was completely in love with the idea of adoption as a little girl and always knew I wanted to experience it when I was older. Once I found out where babies came from, I was even <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>MORE</b></span> convinced that the only way I would ever have children was through adoption. But, once Scott and I decided we were <i><span style="font-size: large;">ready</span></i> for children, we longed to bring a child into this world the way most people do. I dreamed of being pregnant and having the blonde-haired, blue-eyed child we were sure God wanted to give us. Well, our desires didn't line up with His will. And we are <b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">SO</span></b> glad things worked out the way they did.<br />
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Our adoption journey was incredible. God worked in the most unbelievable way to bring Franklyn home to us in a short three months. <br />
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Adoption is a pretty remarkable thing. It paints a beautiful picture of God's love for us. <br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">a·dop·tion</span> </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">: the act or process of giving official acceptance or approval to something</span></span><div>
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<span class="pr" style="color: #717274; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: 10px;"><br /></span>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: 'Premiera Italic', 'Elena Basic', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a virgin, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: 'Premiera Book', 'Elena Basic', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 29px;">. [Galatians 4:4-7]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was once an orphan. But, through God's grace and mercy I came to faith in Christ at the age of 16. I was a sinner. Now I'm a sinner redeemed by grace. I was accepted into God's family because I chose to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. I chose to recognize my sin and accept the fact that <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">MY SIN</span></b> was the reason for Christ's death on the cross. I'm still a sinner. I still mess up every day. But, I'm no longer an orphan. I'm a part of God's family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Franklyn was once an orphan as well. He needed a home. He needed a mother and father that would care for him, teach him and love him. We chose him. We chose to bring him into our home and give him all of the rights and privileges that come with being our son. He will carry on the Whaley name and he will inherit all that we leave behind. <i> (disclaimer: there may not be a lot left behind!)</i></span><br />
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Franklyn accepted Christ a couple of years ago. At that time he was also adopted into God's family. God chose to bring him into His family and assign him all the rights and privileges that come with being His child. Franklyn chose to accept God's gift of salvation. He is to carry on the name of Christ. He is to be an example of Christ in a lost and dying world. Along with that, he inherits eternal life.<br />
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Adoption is costly. Scott and I were blessed to be able to afford to bring Franklyn into our family. In the same way, adoption was costly to God. His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the price to bring us into His family. <br />
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November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Take a moment to consider how adoption has or could have an impact on your life. Maybe God is leading you to examine the idea of bringing an orphan or a foster child into your own home. Maybe you're not a Christian and God is prompting you to see Him for who He really is. <br />
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We brought Franklyn into our home to give him a hope and a future. But, the hope and the future we offer him is nothing like that offered to him by God.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-35089078957949434092013-10-30T13:29:00.000-07:002013-10-30T13:30:24.994-07:00Success vs. Value<div class="me" data-syllable="strive">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a quote by Albert Einstein this morning. It said something about striving to be of value rather than striving for success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em> <strong>v. strive: to exert oneself vigorously; try hard.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That made me think a little about what I'm striving for in life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">NEWS FLASH: I struggle ALL the time </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> with my self worth.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether I realize it or not... Whether I GRASP it or not.... I AM of value to God. He formed me and He saw value in who I would be before He even created me. Why is that so hard for me to really believe?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tend to compare myself to others way too often. My mind is usually flooded with, "I wish I could do that like she does," or "I wish I had a degree in [fill in the blank] so I could do that." Living in a world with things like Facebook and Pinterest makes it hard for my envious eye to restrain itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Like a lot of people I mistakenly buy into the idea that my success in life is based on worldly things. I fall for the lie. I <span style="font-size: large;">look</span> for different things to do, different things to buy, different things to make... things that I think will lead to a feeling of success or even value. Deep down though, I know the truth. The truth keeps smacking me in the face. It's a good smack. It's a God smack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">He knows. He knows that I am already valuable. He knows that He has placed inside of me a purpose. He's gifted me with ways to fulfill that purpose and He wants me to see the same thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We recently started a small group study at church that focuses on what you would do if you only had one month to live. That smack I mentioned a second ago? The first night of the study was the first time I felt it. Well, not really the first time. But it was the first time in a long time that I let the 'smack' sink in. I knew right away what God was leading me to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I love to write. Writing is therapy for me. I like to write poetry and I like to write about how I see God at work in everyday life. He poked at my heart that night. Well, actually He smacked me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, here it is. Here is my first attempt at doing what I know God wants me to do... doing what I feel He has gifted me to do to fulfill His purpose for my life. My life is valuable because I'm made in His image. <span style="font-size: large;">I am </span><span style="font-size: small;">valuable because He loves me. My purpose? To lead others to Him. To use my gifts to show others His love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We're here for a reason, friends. It's not to outdo our neighbors with a better front porch display for Christmas. It's not to make the other class moms jealous when our child walks in with the best treat bags for the Halloween party. It's not to induce envy with our most recent Facebook posts. [Speaking from experience here] Your purpose and your value is found in Him. Without Him life has no meaning, no purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, let's not strive for success. Let's not even strive for value. Those endeavors are in vain. Instead, let's just strive for Christ. In Him, and in Him alone, we should find our value. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-58975943416188973392012-11-02T07:58:00.000-07:002012-11-02T07:58:22.705-07:00Trick Or Treat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy21Q31-VRnJ184ytmLs_Ge_oXfM_kB-JqNG22a2_f0fyQcXfUiIpscScZyhl6maS_Yato-P89BFIaXKDYF46-bMXYnu7GvZ2WI1LcP-F5T9DSl5Es4zSpWlViBuuiVTcUvncHLBcel8/s1600/Trick+Or+Treat+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy21Q31-VRnJ184ytmLs_Ge_oXfM_kB-JqNG22a2_f0fyQcXfUiIpscScZyhl6maS_Yato-P89BFIaXKDYF46-bMXYnu7GvZ2WI1LcP-F5T9DSl5Es4zSpWlViBuuiVTcUvncHLBcel8/s320/Trick+Or+Treat+2012+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I was able to leave work early on Wednesday, so I picked up Franklyn and took him trick or treating on the square in Manchester. This is something I've always wanted to be able to do with him and I was really excited to finally see what all the hype was about! The square was packed when we got there. Children and their parents were lined up by the hundreds. I can't imagine how much candy those businesses went through!<br />
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You can't tell by the picture, but it was really busy along the storefronts! Manchester has a really beautiful town square. It's fun to be able to participate in activities in a small town!<br />
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After making the rounds on the square, we made a quick trip to Starbucks before heading over to our church for Trunk Or Treat. Lots of vehicles were lined up and decorated, just waiting to pass out candy. Franklyn racked up on the treats!<br />
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I wore my Romney Ryan t-shirt to Trunk Or Treat! Gotta show my conservative PRIDE! Got some sideways looks, but I don't care! Go Romney! <br />
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Fun times! Franklyn had candy for dinner that night. I'm such a good MOM! Ha Ha!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-40227993715998044352012-10-31T10:20:00.001-07:002012-10-31T10:20:51.633-07:00Pumpkin Poop and Football PlayersA few weeks ago a friend of mine found a really neat idea on Pinterest. I decided Franklyn would HAVE to help me put it together and take it for his class Halloween party. We had a lot of fun putting the PUMPKIN POOP together! Cheap project... Little bags from Hobby Lobby ($1 for 100), card stock pumpkin paper from Hobby Lobby (about $3), and a big container of Cheese Balls (about $5.48 at WalMart)! We bagged it up and he took it to school with him this morning. I really hope the kids get a kick out of it!<br />
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Considering Franklyn is not at all a sports fan, I was shocked when he told me he wanted to be a UT football player this year! Franklyn's school always has a costume parade on Halloween. So, this morning I dressed him up in his AWESOME costume and sent him off to school. I have to say, the costume was incredible!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-78490493558552262182012-10-26T08:58:00.003-07:002012-10-26T08:59:21.458-07:00On his heart.....Last night when I was cleaning out Franklyn's backpack I came across the most precious project. Around Columbus Day his class had to write what they would have done if they discovered America. Each student wrote their paragraph on a sheet of paper attached to a picture of Columbus and the teacher had the projects hanging outside their classroom. I didn't know anything about it until I pulled it out of his backpack. I was in awe when I read what Franklyn wrote. The most special thing about it is that THIS is what was on his sweet, little heart... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VdaVckmgbqiL3Che9pXroD5npwR0LOyronHZuehDvD6FskA7PK9npLw7pS8tWAQ1u9EdtLHXmxX2wvdRYZtDeRriQjCuda0AXBBe12maaQ4qmSvphzsspNO1c_oKFO4yZmtnKarfyR8/s1600/Franklyn+-+Columbus+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VdaVckmgbqiL3Che9pXroD5npwR0LOyronHZuehDvD6FskA7PK9npLw7pS8tWAQ1u9EdtLHXmxX2wvdRYZtDeRriQjCuda0AXBBe12maaQ4qmSvphzsspNO1c_oKFO4yZmtnKarfyR8/s320/Franklyn+-+Columbus+Day.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
Well, if you could actually read it, you would see that it says:<br />
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<em><strong>IF I DISCOVERED AMERICA:</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>First, I would tell people about God and give them Bibles. Then, they would teach me how to shoot a bow and arrow. Last, I would call the new land CrishtenLand.</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>Franklyn</strong></em></div>
To know that my son had THAT on his heart when told to write about what he would do if he discovered our great country made my heart melt! He would first tell people about God and pass out Bibles and he would then name our country CHRISTIAN LAND! Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of that kid??????Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205176597025884968.post-90007159342977310262012-10-26T07:22:00.002-07:002012-10-26T07:22:43.073-07:00A Pikachu PumpkinFranklyn always wants to participate in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest at school... Knowing it means more work for me or Scott than for him, I normally discourage it! This year, however, I had a change of heart. I went to WalMart at lunch yesterday and bought supplies to transform a pumpkin into something I knew Franklyn would LOVE! In the midst of our project, Franklyn repeatedly told me, "You're the best mommy in the world." I'm so glad I decided to let him decorate a pumpkin this year!<br />
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Ta Da! Here is Franklyn's Pikachu Pumpkin!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0