tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78777671878893775112024-03-12T18:34:22.638-07:00The Roach ApproachJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-34889988581078168352016-01-19T09:10:00.002-08:002016-01-19T09:10:56.536-08:00How we eat...and why<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
I get it. People think it's obnoxious when they find out
we eat primal/paleo. They think we're just following another fad. That's totally
fine if that's what you think, however most people who think that about me
have never bother to ask why. So I've decided it's time to answer that
question. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
My mom was diagnosed with multiple auto immune diseases.
Rheumatoid<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>arthritis, diabetes, and lupus destroyed
her body. I watched it happen and it's horrible. I had read more and more about how our damaged guts
play a huge part in these diseases. I had early signs of arthritis starting
in my late 20s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had told my mom about
the pains and things I was feeling and she said it sounded exactly how
arthritis started for her at my age. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Of course I thought to myself at the time that can't
happen to me. And then I started having pain pretty much constantly in my knee.
It was miserable and I stopped running. I decided running must not be for me,
but I hated quitting. Truth is, I let my knee be an excuse for quitting.
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I started researching ways to naturally cure arthritis.
Everything I read kept pointing to cutting out gluten and sugar. I hated the
idea of that, but I toyed around with several gluten free recipes and realized
that it was possible for it to taste good. However, I still had knee pain off
and on. In 2014, I had a friend start a facebook page called "Primal Mom".
I had read about paleo/primal eating, but it seemed so hard. She claimed she
could make it easier, so I took the plunge. Ben and I did her 10 day detox. We both
lost a good deal of weight, but better than that, I was feeling better and my
knee pain was gone. We decided to repeat the detox several times, mainly
because Primal Mom hadn't released more recipes yet! (-: As soon as she did, you can bet I got them! </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Here we are, a year and half later, and lots of pounds
lost, and I feel great. My knee pain (presumably arthritis, but not tested)
only returns when I eat sugar. Hmm...so I soon realized sugar wasn't worth it,
if it meant knee pain for the days that followed.(No-I am NOT perfect. I still have sugar from time to time, but it has to something really good, or it's not even tempting to me.)</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
So-bottom line. My mom's diseases eventually killed her
at the young age of 54. I don't want that to happen to me. I want to take care
of the body God gave me here on earth so I can live fully for Him and watch my kids grow up. I hate that we didn't find this way of eating in time to
help my mom. I'm positive it would have extended her life.
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I wrote this, because I know people think we are crazy
because of the way we eat. However, please don't judge others for their
choices. Instead, ask why! You can be curious without being judgmental. (-; I don't judge others for the way they have chosen to feed their family. This was a very personal decision for me. I want to do what I see is best for our family, and this is what works for us. :)</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-13112729555503134312015-11-02T13:49:00.001-08:002015-11-03T07:18:02.783-08:00The last time...It was February 5, 2015. That is the last day I saw my mom outside of the hospital. She was supposed to go to lunch with me and others from the office, but she wasn't feeling well so she stayed home. I brought her lunch from Jul's. Chicken lettuce wraps...her favorite. She tried to pay me for it, and I wouldn't let her. It was obvious she didn't feel well. Her cheeks were flushed, which was always a sign of a lupus flare-up. <br />
I gave her the food, talked for a minute, hugged and said good-bye. <br />
<br />
I have thought about that day almost every single day since she passed away. I wish I could have stayed with her while she ate instead of rushing back to work. I wish she could have come to lunch with us that day. There are so many "I wish" moments...<br />
<br />
On January 31st, she came with us to watch Noah at gymnastics. My dad and her came and we sat watching him while keeping up with Luke. I am so glad she got to come watch Noah. He still remembers it and talks about her watching him do gymnastics.<br />
<br />
On January 19th, I had the day off work for MLK day. We had a campfire at the church fire pit and my parents came. I will always cherish this picture I took of my mom and Luke that day.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fKD2OBNLdo/ViaqmQFDocI/AAAAAAAAAgU/vDu595nQlWA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fKD2OBNLdo/ViaqmQFDocI/AAAAAAAAAgU/vDu595nQlWA/s320/5.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I think about the time leading up to her death a lot. There are so many things she missed because she was sick. We didn't get to have Christmas with her in 2014 because she had pnemonia. She missed the boys birthday party in 2014 because she was in the hospital. There are so many special moments she had to miss because she was sick. I hated it, and wish more than anything I had taken a million more pictures of the moments we did have with her. Why, oh why did I not take more pictures with her? So if you see me taking a million pictures now, you can make fun of me and think I'm crazy, but just know that this is why. I know that all moments don't need to be photographed, but when I think of all the times I wish I had gotten a camera out, I cry. <br />
<br />
As we are coming upon Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get a knot in my stomach. How do you celebrate without your mom? Even when she was sick, she was still here. Everything is different now. I see everything through "my mom has died" glasses. <br />
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I don't really know how to end this post. I just felt like I needed to write this, even if it was just for me. <br />
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My advice: Tell those around you that you love them and take lots of pictures. Tomorrow isn't promised to us.<br />
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<br />The circle is small this month. Click <a href="http://lovelikebreathing.com/132/talking-to-chickens/" target="_blank">here</a> to read what Tiffany has to say about talking to chickens. It's a good one about loss and loneliness and about how God is bigger than it all. <br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-12004701741357421972015-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:002015-10-21T08:00:14.650-07:00And I'm loved by you, It's who I am...What defines me? <br /><br />I've been thinking about that a lot lately. This past year has been a whirlwind in many ways. I've always been what some would consider "too sensitive" so it's no surprise that my feelings have been hurt a lot lately. There are a few people that used to talk to me, that now don't even make eye contact with me. I haven't done anything to deserve the treatment and maybe that's why it hurts. I've been asking God daily "what do I need to learn from this?" and I believe He's slowly been showing me. <br /><br />I have allowed this hurt and these people to take my thoughts captive. I have dwelt on what I wish I could say, and I've regretted ever opening up to them in the past. Ultimately, God has told me to let it go, but I feel like He's also telling me I can't just let it go, but I have to move past it and forgive them for their "mean girl" attitudes toward me. I hate thinking about what has been said about me behind my back, and
that these people, who never really cared to know me, have made up their
mind about me based on someone's angry ramblings. <br />
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Another thing he's shown me is that I have actual real-life friends that love me just the way I am. He reminds me of that daily with a text or phone call from a friend. These are people I can be myself around and that also show me what "The Church" should be made up of...people that love and care for each other. <br /><br />Ultimately, I think God has been trying to teach my stubborn self that no one else can define me. God defines me and that is ALL I should allow to capture my mind. This song came on the radio the other day and it was my first time to hear it. <br />The chorus says:<br />
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You're a good, good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />-"Good Good Father" by Chris Tomlin</blockquote>
I have decided to make that my mantra. When I'm feeling sad or even angry that these people have hurt me, I remind myself "I am loved by Jesus Christ. THAT is who I am. Nothing more, nothing less." <br /><br />I read this on Facebook today by Ann Voskamp (if you don't follow her, you really should):<br />
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Lord, when I don't like me, <br /> You still love me, You still like me, You still lavish me with acceptance.<br /> When I am fed up with me, You invite me to Your feast,<br /> When I am done -- with me, with life, with everything, <br /> You whisper, "Hang on -- I am making *all things* -- *you* -- new." (Rev21:5)<span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
And when I want to quit, You cup my face: "This great work I started in
you? I won't stop that beautiful work until you are fully, completely,
gloriously beautiful" (Phil1:6, 1Cor2:7) </span><br />
So this becomes our brave & broken-hearted hallelujah, the one we sing into the dark, even when it's hard to believe: <br /> I am His Beloved, His Beloved, His Beloved... and even now I will be held.<br /> In the name of the only One who loved us to death & back to the real & forever life... Amen. </blockquote>
I think I'll need to put this on a poster and hang it up on my bathroom mirror, and I should probably post it in my office, too. <br /><br />I am loved by Jesus. It's who I am. I am His Beloved. He is making all things--ME--new. <br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-79360553681843402472015-09-30T13:26:00.000-07:002015-10-01T07:54:09.212-07:00#livinglavidaroachaWe are getting settled into our new normal. Our boys are in love with our new place. Luke is constantly saying "outside, outside, outside" and then proceeds to let himself out if we forget to lock the screen door. ;) The boys are ALWAYS dirty. Even after a bath, they somehow find a way to get dirt on them. And most of the time, I love it! I love that they are getting to be boys. Being a boymom is a lot of fun!<br />
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Our black lab, Annabelle, is loving it, too. She loves to wander all over the place, even into the neighbor's garage (oops-they weren't too happy about it). :/<br />
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The boys love to feed the dog, and she loves being fed. ;) This was Noah's chore, but Luke loves to help :)</div>
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The best thing about being "in the country" is that they can pretty much be naked at all times. Luke now thinks that if he's outside, he should be naked...haha!<br />
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These boys are definitely in their element. They LOVE the outdoors and now they have their own woods to run around in. I'm so thankful they can grow up here.<br />
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And here's my one of my favorite parts...looking out the kitchen window. It's just so peaceful in the mornings. <br />
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Today, I could have written about all the things we haven't been able to find since moving, or the stress of knowing we will have people over soon and the house is a mess, but instead, I want to share the good. I love my family. I love being with them and I'm so incredibly thankful that through all the hard times of getting to where we are now, He held us and got us here. We never imagined we'd find our "dream home" and it actually be within our budget. We know that God had a hand in it all and today I want to give Him all the glory. It could all be taken from us tomorrow, but He is still God and He is still on His throne.<br />
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<span class="p"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and beautiful
women. Click <a href="https://wheretheredfearnsgrow.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/the-new-normal/" target="_blank">here </a>and see what is happening with Lori this month. You can follow the links back around to me.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-77768408944723794232015-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:002015-09-01T07:23:54.412-07:00A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised...<div style="text-align: left;">
**I've started and stopped writing this about a 100 times. It's a mess, so I apologize for that, but it's done, for now. <br />
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On the morning of February 8, 2015, I got a call from my dad. He said he had to call 911 because my mom wouldn't wake up. I immediately got mad. I yelled at him and told him I was so mad that her doctors had her on so many meds. He, rightfully so, got upset with me, because he was just worried about her. I still feel guilty to this day for yelling at him that morning. Ben and I left the boys with his mom and then rushed to the hospital. It was bad. She was intubated. They had no idea how long she had been without oxygen. The next 2 days were horrible and long. We waited with anticipation hoping the neurologist would have good news, but it was never good. On February 10, we made the hard, horrible decision to let her go. She never would have wanted to live hooked up to machines. We sang at her bedside for nearly 2 hours after she was unhooked from the machines, praising Jesus for the life He gave her, but none of us were ready to let her go. My mom was a fighter throughout her life, and she fought to the end. She took her last breath early in the morning of February 11 while we sat by her bedside.<br />
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Over the past few years, as her illness got worse, I used to beg God to "give me my mom back." I screamed and yelled many times. I screamed again when I found out she wasn't going to get better this time. I yelled and asked God why He hadn't answered my prayer. I realized I had been praying for healing, and in the midst of it all, that's what He did, but not the way any of us wanted. We selfishly wanted her here with us. </div>
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My mom was a wonderful person. She cared for all 3 of her children (and many she loved as her own) and we never felt un-loved. She did that while getting her bachelor's and master's degrees. She did that while working full time. She was wonderful. As we all got older, she felt like she had failed us somehow. She said she knows she wasn't always patient with us and I could always tell she felt a tremendous amount of guilt for some reason. I constantly told her that she was wonderful and we all turned out to be great kids (in my opinion anyway). I hope she knows how amazing she was to us. </div>
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My mom was the serious one, at least that was what she led us to believe most of the time. My dad is the joker of the family, and I've always been told I got his sense of humor, but I like to think I got a little of her's as well. She definitely made us laugh and we had so, so many good times with her. </div>
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(Ine, mom, and me before the Komen in 2005)</div>
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My mom loved being a Nana. She was so excited when Lindsey had Elijah. He made her a Nana and boy did she love being Nana. She sent an e-mail to a friend in October 2014 and it ended like this: "I want to live longer than what is expected and be a good nana." <br />
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(Elijah, mom, and Noah-Christmas 2011)</div>
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I think one of the hardest things about losing my mom is that my boys won't get to grow up with her around. I'm so glad Noah got to stay with her the summer of 2014 one day a week. He loved going to Nana and Pops house and he still asks about her from time to time. For that, I'm so grateful. I'm glad he remembers her now, but I know her memory will fade as he gets older.<br />
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I would give anything to have more time with my mom. I'm so thankful for the promise of heaven and that she's fully healed now. That is the only comfort I can find in it all. <br />
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Tomorrow, September 2nd, my parents would have been married 37 years. Please take a moment and pray for my sweet dad, because it will be a hard day for him. <br />
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"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." <br />
Proverbs 31:30<span class="p"><br /></span><br />
<span class="p"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and beautiful
women. Click <a href="http://itcouldabeenworse.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-crosswalk.html?m=1" target="_blank">here </a>and see what is happening with Bella this month. You can follow the links back around to me.</span></span></span></i></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-9115464128904246112015-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:002015-07-31T08:17:37.609-07:00 I’d never forget you—never.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18" id="en-MSG-7959">“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">walk away from the baby she bore?</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">But even if mothers forget,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> <b><u> </u></b></span><b><u><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">I’d never forget you—never.</span></u></b></span><br /><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">Your builders are faster than your wreckers.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">The demolition crews are gone for good.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">Look up, look around, look well!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">See them all gathering, coming to you?</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">As sure as I am the living God”—<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>’s Decree—</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">“you’re going to put them on like so much jewelry,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">you’re going to use them to dress up like a bride."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-49-15-Isa-49-18">Isaiah 49: 15-18 (The Message)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since 2010, I have worked at a camp called Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC). My first summer I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect. This is a camp for 6 to 11 year olds that are in the foster care system. Some of the kids are new to the system and are terrified. Some have been tossed from home to home, very familiar with the foster system. None of it is their fault. <br /><br />Since 2011, I have also worked at a camp called Teen Reach Adventure Camp (TRAC). I was equally nervous my first time there. It is for teens 12 to 16 in the foster care system. Some of these kids have been in the system since they were little. There is little hope for adoption and many don't expect it anymore. It's heart wrenching. <br /><br />There was one girl at TRAC this year that I can't get out of my mind. She was tall and beautiful. My heart broke thinking about what her future could become. The sad statics are that she will end up homeless, working for a pimp, and broken. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I first saw this
girl, straight off the bus, I thought-Man, she's beautiful. I hope she
beats the odds and doesn't become another statistic. </span> But what if, because of the weekend at TRAC, she goes a different direction? Maybe, just maybe, a seed was planted and she will slowly change her perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's what bugs me. This year at girls TRAC camp (the boys and girls camps are separate weekends, because-HELLO! Teen girls are boy crazy--haha!!) we were short adult workers. The camp went smoothly, by the grace of God alone, but there were definitely times that another trained adult worker could have been used. We are CALLED--every one of us that calls ourselves a believer--to take care of orphans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-1-17" id="en-NLT-17648">Learn to do good.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-1-17">Seek justice.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-1-17">Help the oppressed.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-1-17">Defend the cause of orphans.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-1-17">Fight for the rights of widows.<br />Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-27" id="en-NLT-30254">"Pure and genuine religion
in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in
their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."<br />James 1:27 (NLT)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-1-17">So-here's my challenge. Find a way to take care of orphans around you. That could be mentoring a child, volunteering at a camp, becoming a CASA volunteer, etc...<br />There are TONS of ways to get involved. Guess what? Start praying--maybe you're even being called to adopt! <br /><br />RFKC is an international camp. They are all over! Look it up and see if there is one near you. I promise you will never be the same. I can't imagine not being at camp every summer. I've even gone when I've been pregnant with both my boys. It's just too life changing for me to miss. It helps open my eyes every summer, and re-adjust my way of thinking. When life gets stressful or things don't go how I expect, I can think about the faces of the campers. It helps give me perspective on what I should and shouldn't be concerned about.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-1-17">The theme at TRAC this summer was Joseph. Joseph was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, lied about by his master's wife, and thrown in prison. He had no control over his situation. It seemed hopeless, but Joseph never gave up and kept trusting in God. Joseph was 17 when he was sold into slavery. He was 30 when Pharoah called him out of prison to ask him to interpret his dream. Joseph said he couldn't interpret his dream, but his God could. Oh what faith!! After 13 years, Joseph was finally freed from slavery and prison. God didn't forget him. He was using him and had a purpose, just like God has not forgotten these orphans in foster care. He has a purpose for them!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NIV)</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and beautiful women. Click <a href="http://awinkofwhimsey.blogspot.com/2015/07/coco-puff-and-her-spoons.html" target="_blank">here </a>to see what Suzy has to say this month! </span></div>
<blockquote>
<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text2:0"></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<span class="text Gal-6-9" id="en-NIV-29198"></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-32559071651357738472015-07-22T13:37:00.001-07:002015-07-22T13:37:43.013-07:00This God—His way is perfect...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h4 class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves
true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 2 Samuel 22:31 ESV</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></h4>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My son is 3 and his bible verse at church this month is "God's way is perfect." 2 Samuel 22:31<br />I love to hear his sweet voice and the way his pitch goes higher as he gets to the end. <br /><br />I wonder how often we believe that, though. Do we REALLY believe God's way is perfect? There is a VeggieTales song that goes like this: </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Lord has given this land to us<br />
No need to fuss, He knows what He's doing<br />
We know that He will take care of us<br />
If we will follow Him.<br /><br />God's way is the best way,<br />
Now that I know He loves me so<br />
His way is the best way<br />
And that's the way for me!
</span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Recently my family bought a house. Our contract said we
would close on June 29th, but that didn't get to happen. Thankfully we were
given 2 more weeks to close, but up until a few days before our deadline, we
weren't sure it would happen. I was frustrated, annoyed, angry, and every other
emotion you could imagine. I just couldn't understand why God would take this
house from us after we had been praying about it for over half a year. Well, it
turns out He didn't want to take it from us, but He did make us wait until the
very last moments to let us know it would be ours. <br /><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why? I still have no idea. I do know I have a HUGE trust
issue. I feel like I should be able to do everything on my own. When I can't
control a situation, it's hard for me. I need to be able to help in some way to
get things done. So maybe through it all, I will remember this next time I am
questioning God and His timing. Because you know what? He knew, back in April
when we signed the contract, that we would close July 10th. Wild, isn't it? Even
though everyone involved would have preferred it to happen much earlier, it
didn't. That didn't surprise Him at all. Not one bit. <br /><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A lot of other junk happened during this process. And I'm
reminding myself even as I write this that none of that surprised Him either. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So today, I'm finding my comfort and peace in that. I'm
so thankful that He knows what is best. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My family is so excited about what the future holds, but
what I know now is that whatever happens, God already knew it would happen.
I'll rest on that today. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-43780777749902173252015-07-14T14:52:00.001-07:002015-07-14T14:52:05.332-07:00Reconciliation<div class="def-content">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><span class="oneClick-link">I have always been a peacemaker. I hate for people to be upset and I hate for people to not like me. It's ok if someone isn't my friend just because we have nothing in common, but for someone to dislike me, because they know me and don't like me is hard for me to accept. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br />Life lately has been weird. In my adult life, I've had exactly 2 people that I've asked for reconciliation. The first time, I was in college and had been hurt by someone's actions, but I went to her and asked if we could move past it. I didn't really care if we remained friends, but I did want her to know that as a Christian I didn't plan to hold a grudge for what had happened. It certainly didn't happen overnight, and we aren't good friends, but if I saw her in public, we would surely say hello. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br />The second time was much more recent and ended with a lot of unanswered questions. I prayed about reaching out to this person and was even encouraged to do so by someone that knew her well. I prayed as I wrote to this person, and after several rough drafts, I sent only what I felt like God wanted me to say. I got a response, but still a lot of unanswered questions. It's hard to be accused of things when you have no idea what you did and the only person that can answer that won't. It's also hard to be spoken to so harshly and uncaring by someone I used to think was a friend. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link"><br />Through this process, I was reminded of something I read awhile back from Jen Hatmaker:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">If we knew what was really going on, we would be so much kinder,
gentler, and more understanding with each other. We would understand
that fear sometimes looks like anger, and that sadness sometimes looks
like cool detachment, and that pain sometimes looks like cynicism. The
exaggerated reaction usually belies something very raw underneath. Life
is hard and people are struggling. We would do well to assume most folks
are far more tender than they are letting on. We should treat people
with a disproportionate amount of grace, because the worst thing that
could happen ISN'T that they didn't really need it when we offered
it...but that they really did need it and we failed to notice.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Here's what I do know: I have no idea what this person is going through personally, just like this person has no idea what I'm going through. Fear sometimes looks like anger. All I see is anger from this person, but underneath it all, maybe it's fear. I reached out in grace and love, hoping for answers, and I came up empty, but what I do know is that I did what I felt like God told me to do. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">Thankfully I have been surrounded by my husband and friends that love me and now I can only forgive and move on. I know that I have honored God in my words and actions. I have gone before Him and asked for his guidance, and I believe He brought me to this point. I also believe that He already knew this would happen, and that there is a lesson in it all. <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link">I found this definition of </span><span class="oneClick-link"><span class="oneClick-link">reconciliation:</span> the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">state</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">being</span> <span class="oneClick-link">reconciled,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">as</span> <span class="oneClick-link">when</span> <span class="oneClick-link">someone</span> <span class="oneClick-link">becomes</span> <span class="oneClick-link">resigned</span> <span class="oneClick-link">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">something</span> <span class="oneClick-link">not</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">desired.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"><br />That is exactly what I've had to do today...become resigned to something not desired. However, I believe what Matthew wrote: "</span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven" and so today, I will loose the hold this has had on me here on earth, so it shall be loosed in heaven. <br /><br />What I DO know as truth--God uses everything for HIS glory! </span></span><br />
<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />And, as Taylor Swift says, "Shake it off"... :)<br />(Just had to end with a little humor after getting that off my chest...)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-30973555235337686262015-07-10T10:36:00.002-07:002015-07-10T11:06:10.124-07:00These are a few of my favorite things... (Sing along with me!!)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've been working on a post about my mom, but I'm just not ready to post it yet. So instead, here's what I have today.<br /><br />Here is a list of things that make me happy (in no particular order):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. My family</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-QG8z9RH9I/VZwxsQDkOGI/AAAAAAAAAag/QV_eO2u1VE0/s1600/me%2Band%2Bmy%2Bfam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-QG8z9RH9I/VZwxsQDkOGI/AAAAAAAAAag/QV_eO2u1VE0/s320/me%2Band%2Bmy%2Bfam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (picture from my birthday last week; notice what makes Luke, my serious kid, smile--CAKE)</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These are my people. I can't imagine life without them. Ben is exactly who God led me to when I was all messed up. (<a href="http://the-roach-approach.blogspot.com/2012/01/mawage-that-bwessed-awangment-that.html">http://the-roach-approach.blogspot.com/2012/01/mawage-that-bwessed-awangment-that.html</a>) Our 2 boys have been SO much fun and SO hard at times. I can't imagine not having them in my life. With all the frustration, also comes immense joy. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Coffee, pie, and paleo yumminess...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Photos from Facebook)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're looking for good coffee, go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thefoundrycoffeehouse?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Foundry</a> in downtown Tyler. They also have "Friday pie day" where they have Emporium pies, which are just amazing, especially on a bad day. I don't get it often, but when I'm having a splurge day, it's the best. If you want to make your coffee at home, we are so blessed to have the best coffee roasters right here in Tyler, <a href="http://porchculturecoffee.com/" target="_blank">Porch Culture Coffee Roasters</a>. You can pick up a bag at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rosecityfarmersmarket?fref=ts" target="_blank">Rose City Farmers Market</a> or at many other retailers around town. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mkprovisions?fref=ts" target="_blank">M+K Provisions</a> makes the best paleo treats! Cookies and donuts and paleo crunch...it's all SO good. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Traveling</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpqUHirB0H4/VZw_FxVQCTI/AAAAAAAAAa8/qHe3iVPFDQ8/s1600/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpqUHirB0H4/VZw_FxVQCTI/AAAAAAAAAa8/qHe3iVPFDQ8/s320/paris.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We got to travel to Belgium and France the summer of 2013. That was the first international trip we had taken with Noah and we had so much fun! (Luke was technically there, too, but he wasn't done baking.) <br />I lived in Japan from 2005-2007 and did a ton of traveling while there. I have been to 15 countries (and more if you count ones I just stopped at the airport, but I don't count those). Traveling is a way to disappear into another world. I have traveled alone, with friends, and with my family. I love it all. I still have a list of places I want to travel one day. The top of my list is Africa. I have wanted to go there for many years, and God-willing, I will visit one day!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4. Prayer & Social Media</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This probably should be first on my list. I generally hate the way social media/facebook makes me feel about myself. It's so easy to feel sorry for yourself when you see other people having fun and living what looks like a perfect life. I remind myself constantly that most people are only showing you the best part of their day. They aren't showing you a video of them losing it with their kids. However, do you know what facebook is so good for? Prayer warriors! If you are struggling, or having a bad day, there are always people there ready to go before the Savior on your behalf. The other day, I asked for prayer and within 4 hours over 50 people had prayed for my family. I had several people text me asking how they could help and letting me know they were praying. I felt a peace knowing that even if things didn't go the way I had planned or wanted them to, God is in control. In fact, He already knew what I was fretting and crying over would happen. He was not surprised at all. It doesn't make the process any easier, but knowing He knows what is best for me and my family makes it all more bearable. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5. Jen Hatmaker</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(picture from Facebook)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm positive that we would be best friends. I mean, maybe she would think it's crazy that I tried to find her house when driving through Buda, but that's normal right? I'm not a stalker, ok? Here's what I love about her: </span></blockquote>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She's honest. She doesn't hold back and she's real. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She loves Jesus so fiercely and you can see it in all she writes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She loves orphans. She takes care of the poor. She doesn't just talk about it, she is living it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She is doing exactly what Jesus has called her to do. It's just so obvious. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She's hilarious. She writes in a way that draws you in and has you laughing hysterically. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She sends out regular e-mails to her "EF's" (E-mail friends) and they are awesome. I mean, who doesn't want to be her friend? This makes it possible...in a dream world, but still. Haha! <br />Ok-I'm stopping this list, but only because I have other things to write about and this isn't all about Jen Hatmaker!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6. Love 41, Saddleback Leather and The Munson Family</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lqZqsertn8/VZ7RTMXfRyI/AAAAAAAAAbw/wEm9OAe9uvg/s320/munson%2Bfam%2Bwith%2Bthe%2Broach%2Bfam.jpg" width="320" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Dave, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Suzette,</span> Sela & Cross Munson with Ben, Jennifer, Noah (and Luke in utero)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Can I tell you how much I love this family? These people love orphans, widows and street kids so fiercely. They have adopted several boys from the streets in Africa who now proudly bear the Munson name. They have been rescued and changed forever. Ben became mildly obsessed with <a href="http://www.saddlebackleather.com/" target="_blank">Saddleback Leather</a> years ago. This is how we first learned about the Munson family. After Saddleback Leather, came <a href="http://www.love41.com/" target="_blank">Love 41</a>. Love 41 got it's name from Psalms 41:1-3: <span style="font-size: 12px;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.3943192348815501" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness, You will sustain him on his sickbed.” </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100% of the profits from Love 41 support the work of <a href="http://www.africanewlife.org/" target="_blank">Africa New Life Ministries</a>. </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just love their hearts. Ben, Noah and I went to visit San Antonio a few years ago and Suzette, never meeting us prior to that, invited us to stay in their home. It was so neat getting to meet people who had successful, mission-minded businesses. I highly recommend shopping at Saddleback Leather and Love 41!!! You will NOT be disappointed! </span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7. This is one of my favorite quotes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I'm thankful for all the things I wanted and never got. As it turns
out, sometimes I have a small minded understanding of my true need, and
anyone else's for that matter. I tend to demonstrate blind judgement
more often than blind trust. As much as I love to dream and scheme, I'm
grateful for Providence and the lovely way she moves with reckless
precision through all my wills and ways. I'm thankful for all the things
I can't afford. I'm thankful that I don't pen my own story. And that my
needs are not hinged on my asking."<br />--Sandra McCracken </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll stop for now, even though I could keep going...maybe I'll continue it another day :) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text2:0">I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and
beautiful women. Click <a href="http://bryanfamilybabble.blogspot.com/2015/07/broken-together-and-friends-who-are.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />to see what Danielle has to say.</span></span></span></span>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-83926627737903702862015-06-29T13:56:00.000-07:002015-07-01T16:44:27.590-07:00Shalom...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here we are...it is the end of June. We are halfway through 2015. When I think back on the first half of this year, the last word that comes to mind is peace. <br /><br />I lost my mom in February, and two weeks later lost my grandpa. Definitely not a peaceful time in my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Recently my family has gone through a lot of changes. While some are good and exciting, it still comes with stress, unknowns, and no peacefulness. <br /><br />I found this definition of peace:</span><br />
<div class="def-content">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">-freedom</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">mind</span> <span class="oneClick-link">from</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">annoyance,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">distraction,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">anxiety,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">an</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">obsession,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">etc.;</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">tranquillity;</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">serenity.<br /><br />That's basically the total opposite of how I've felt lately...<br />I've had relationships fall apart, distanced myself from others, and cried a lot when I've been alone. <br /><br />My friend, Elizabeth, recently went to Israel, and sent this e-mail to me:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
Israel, they use the word Shalom a lot. Shalom means Peace. It was a word that
I needed to hear and learn, especially lately. I had no idea that word would
mean what it does to me. Now I'm passing it on to you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shalom,
friend. Love you and praying for you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John
14:27</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">I didn't realize it until this morning, but the real reason I have no peace, is because I'm fearful. I'm scared of the unknown, the unexpected. Lately I've had so much crashing down around me, that I can't see how to get out of it. But I see it now. Peace...freedom of the mind from anxiety. That's what I crave, what I need. I realized that's what I needed when listening to a song I've listened to a lot after my mom passed away. It's the song "I am not alone" by Kari Jobe. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I walk through deep waters<br />
I know that You will be with me<br />
When I'm standing in the fire<br />
I will not be overcome<br />
Through the valley of the shadow</span><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b><i>I will not fear</i></b></u></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
I am not alone<br />
I am not alone<br />
You will go before me<br />
You will never leave me</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Side bar: Listen to this adorable version of it. I LOVE that he loves to sing with me :) <br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">I underlined "I will not fear", because when that line was playing I stopped singing, and started crying. I've been so fearful that I haven't even allowed Christ to give me His peace that He is willing and able to give. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />This is it:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Matthew 6:30-34 (The Message)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-6-30-Matt-6-33" id="en-MSG-9959"><sup class="versenum">30-33 </sup>“If
God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which
are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in
you, do his best for you? <u>What I’m trying to do here is to get you to
relax, to not be so preoccupied with <i>getting, </i>so you can respond to God’s <i>giving</i>.</u>
<u> People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things,
but you know both God and how he works.</u> Steep your life in God-reality,
God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll
find all your everyday human concerns will be met.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-MSG-9960"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>“Give
your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and <u>don’t get
worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. </u>God will help you
deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">So now, what does this mean? I don't really know. I do know this, though--He cares. He loves me. He wants good things and not bad things for me. Nothing good comes from worry--only destruction. It destroys my mind and my attitude. I should probably write these verses on a poster and wear them around my neck. I do know this--I want to actively pursue God's gifts for me. He has them there for us all. It must break His heart when we are too fearful or preoccupied with our lives that we don't stop to accept what He so willingly wants to give. <br /><br />I'll leave you with lyrics from another song that has meant a lot to me for many years. <br />"Table for Two" by Caedmon's Call</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Well this day's been crazy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
But everything's happened on schedule</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
From the rain and the cold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
To the drink that I spilled on my shirt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
'Cause You knew how You'd save me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Before I fell dead in the garden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
And You knew this day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Long before You made me out of dirt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
And You know the plans that You have for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
And so I suppose I just need some peace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Just to get me to sleep.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1" style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text2:0">I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and
beautiful women. Click <a href="http://www.thelavenderdrop.com/2015/06/peppermint-brownies.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />to see Jana's recipe for peppermint brownies. I LOVE that she has a paleo version :)</span></span></span></span>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-51495659401753103562015-06-23T11:39:00.000-07:002015-06-23T11:39:03.316-07:00His mercies are new every morning...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sorry, before you read my words, you need to read this first:<br /><a href="http://monicaswanson.com/the-anger-lecture-habit-in-parenting/">http://monicaswanson.com/the-anger-lecture-habit-in-parenting/</a><br /><br />Basically, I could have written this...and I hate myself for it. There are days that things go simply wonderful, but those days have been few and far between lately. In the midst of packing and preparing to move, I haven't gotten enough sleep and things seem to keep piling on my plate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Yesterday, I got off work, picked up the boys, and then rushed to swim lessons (because who doesn't sign their kid up for swim lessons the week they have to move?!). Then we went to the grocery store, because I haven't been all week. By the time I got home, it was 6:30 and I was done. I carried in a sack of groceries, set it down, and walked off to go get more stuff out of the car. As I turned around, the sack crashed to the floor, spilling 3 pints of blueberries ALL OVER THE FLOOR. I lost it...I screamed. I was frustrated with myself and that now I had created more work for myself. Even though the anger wasn't directed at him, Noah immediately started crying. I could see the effect my reaction had on him and it wasn't good. I calmed down quickly because of that, but I felt awful. I asked him to forgive me for screaming and getting frustrated. He then continued to ask me multiple times "are you going to scream again, mommy?" Yep-no "mom of the year" awards will be coming my way. After about the 4th time he asked me, I said to him, "Noah, mommy messed up. I should not have screamed. I am very sorry. Can you please forgive me?" Of course he said yes and then needed a kiss right away.<br /><br />Here's what I know--at 3, Noah is quick to forgive my mess ups. As he gets older though, I know he will form his behaviors around me based on my reactions now. I want to show him now that it's never ok for me to let a situation dictate my actions. Sure, I know things won't be perfect, but I can learn now to have self control. </span><strong><br /><br />My favorite excerpts from the article:</strong><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>Thankfully, God’s forgiveness is not in short supply. His love is enduring, and His grace is enough.</strong></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><strong>But most important of all is remembering HOW MUCH GOD has
forgiven me, and then forbidding myself from behaving in a way that only
hurts my kids and myself. (Also known as SELF CONTROL, and <em>if we are taking this seriously,</em> we CAN DIG DEEP and find it.)</strong></strong></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><strong>I have realized that when I handle my frustrations the wrong way, I am
being lazy, and selfish. I am putting my need to vent above my kids
need for a reasonable, wise mother. And yes we are all pushed to our
limits, but no–it’s not ok to be a lousy parent. I wouldn’t let this
stuff fly to any friend, co-worker, or human being on earth, so why
should I do it to my kids? </strong> </strong></blockquote>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-66257250591648394632015-06-19T11:02:00.002-07:002015-06-19T11:02:53.975-07:00For the times they are a-changin'...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just like that, June is almost over. We've known we were moving for awhile, but I've somehow delayed packing as much as I could. Now we're down to the wire and will be completely out by next week. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We will miss living with Momo, Ben's mom. The boys simply love her and have grown accustomed to seeing her every morning. I imagine it will just make time with her even sweeter now that they won't see her as often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The "fun" part is that we aren't moving into the house we're buying yet, because we are going to do a little remodeling first. My BFF is simply amazing and was too nice to say no when I asked if we could move in with her ;) So for our next adventure, we will move in with her, drive her crazy, then leave before she hates us all (hopefully!!). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are SOOO ready to be settled and move into the new place. I'm praying the remodeling and work all goes smoothly, and that I'll be patient, as those things never go completely as planned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We are moving into our dream house. In fact, when I found out it was going to be for sale, I started praying about it. That was last fall, maybe around October. Here we are, many months later, and God has brought us here. It may not fall into the "dream home" category for everyone, but it's simple and exactly what we've wanted. It's on a little bit of land so the boys can run and play. Maybe I'll even get some chickens ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Please say a prayer for us, for the transitions, and that it will all go as smoothly as possible!!</span><br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-67443962723710239482015-06-01T08:31:00.000-07:002015-06-01T12:33:24.024-07:00My thoughts on being late...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm sure you've all read the article by now entitled "No, you're not 'running late', you're rude and selfish." (If you haven't, here it is: <a href="http://vitamintalent.com/vitabites/no-you-are-not-running-late-you-are-rude-and-selfish">http://vitamintalent.com/vitabites/no-you-are-not-running-late-you-are-rude-and-selfish</a>) I've had several friends share the article on facebook, and it makes me cringe every time. <br /><br />Ouch. I've read it several times and here's the deal. I want to be on time. I really do, but sometimes a kid poops right as we are walking out the door. Sometimes my 3 year old takes a hour to eat breakfast and no matter how many times I tell him "we are going to be late", he doesn't speed up. I have planned and planned our mornings--laid out clothes, packed lunch the night before, prepared breakfast so it just has be heated up--and guess what? We are still late sometimes. <br />Then there are the days I don't get anything ready the night before and we are 15 minutes early to our destination.<br /><br />Here's what I've discovered--sometimes you just can't plan life, especially with a 19 month old and a 3 1/2 year old. If my son asks me to play in his room with him and we are running behind, guess what? I still go play with him. I want my family to know that I value them. Outside of my relationship with Jesus, my family is the most important thing to me. So am I being selfish and rude when I let my 3 year old take all the time he wants to eat breakfast? Maybe to you, but for me, that's my life right now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I'm rarely super late, but yes, sometimes I'm 5, 10, or even 15 minutes late. Thankfully my friends extend grace when I'm running behind. If they were like the article's writer, I'm afraid I'd be without friends. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So today, I'd like to say thank you to my friends that have stuck by my side, even when I'm late.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text2:0"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".13h.1:4:1:$comment1628782827357643_1628913877344538:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text2:0">Beginning
this month, I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and
beautiful women. Click <a href="https://wheretheredfearnsgrow.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/im-not-sorry/" target="_blank">here </a>and see what Lori has to say
this month.</span></span></span></span></span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-81292681377133847432013-03-05T07:25:00.000-08:002013-03-05T07:25:10.898-08:00Happy birthday to my baby brother!!I love my brother :) Today is his birthday, so I decided to post a few pictures from our photo shoot last year!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was almost a year ago!! The boys have definitely grown :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No argument that we are related...haha. Someone once asked if Cory and I were twins. Umm, thank you for the compliment. I'm 9 years older than him--haha!!</td></tr>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-9649876869958095862013-02-28T10:44:00.000-08:002013-02-28T10:44:07.957-08:00Facebook fastI don't think I have many blog readers. That's ok. I'm sure when I took a year long "break" from my blog, anyone that was reading gave up on me. Since I gave up Facebook for Lent, this blog has become therapeutic to me. One thing I realized was happening with facebook is jealousy. You would see pictures of people on vacation, or showing off a new car. Facebook is a narcissistic haven. You can show off all the good things and hide the bad.<br />
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That is the number one reason I do NOT miss Facebook. If we can't be honest, then what are we doing? I hope this break from Facebook will give me time to relax and stop comparing myself with other people.<br />
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I want to be happy and satisfied with exactly what God has given me: i.e: These 2 guys :)<br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-1196084015217582372013-02-27T07:35:00.000-08:002013-02-27T07:35:01.593-08:00Pony rides!Noah got to ride a pony at Max & Caidy's birthday party! He wasn't too sure about it all, but I think he had fun :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the pony!</td></tr>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-71604167463576333292013-02-25T10:27:00.000-08:002013-02-25T10:27:20.767-08:00Double Date night!Ben and I had the pleasure of going on a double date with the Breedloves on Friday night! We went to our very first coffee cupping! We had no idea what to expect, but it was a lot of fun :) A coffee cupping is sort of like a wine tasting, but with coffee. The best part is that it's totally acceptable to spit...haha. Paula and I really liked that option!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My coffee cupping chart-before we started</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben just LOVES having his picture taken...can't you tell??</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula and I really wanted a picture with the pretty background :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chart completed: It was a "blind cupping" so we didn't know what we were tasting until the end. Turns out Light Roast was my preference and that's what I already have at home! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe the best part from the night...chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting! YUMMY!!</td></tr>
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We had a great night with great friends. Thanks, Paula & Cody, for joining us!! <br /><br />If you want to check out some wonderful fair trade locally (in Tyler) roasted coffee, check out <a href="http://porchculturecoffee.com/" target="_blank">Porch Culture Coffee</a>.<br />
<br />If you want to check out some delicious fair trade treats, check out <a href="http://www.sweethopecafe.com/#!" target="_blank">Sweet Hope Cafe</a>! Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-614097087292496762013-02-22T08:37:00.001-08:002013-02-22T08:37:23.918-08:00What matters more to you?I have friends that are gay. I love them. Every single one of them. I don't understand the hatred that comes from so many Christians. I also don't know why anyone has to be defined by their sexuality. Is that really what you're known for? I'm not an eloquent speaker, but Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call) has become someone I look up to, because he doesn't care what people think. He knows this simple thing: God is LOVE. That's right-LOVE. <br />
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He makes some incredible points in this interview (3 parts-all worth listening to):<br />
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He wrote a song a few years ago called "What Matters More". I'm sorry (ok, I'm actually not sorry...) if you're offended by this, but I think these lyrics are so fitting:<br />
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<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblContent" style="display: block;">If I can see what's in your heart<br />By what comes out of your mouth<br />Then it sure looks to me like being straight<br />Is all it's about<br />It looks like being hated<br />For all the wrong things<br />Like chasing the wind<br />While the pendulum swings<br /><br />'Cause we can talk and debate<br />Till we're blue in the face<br />About the language and tradition<br />That He's coming to save<br />And meanwhile we sit<br />Just like we don't have give a shit about<br />Fifty thousand people who are dying today</span></blockquote>
I was watching the above videos and just thought they needed to be shared. Since this is my blog, I'm allowed to post them. :)<br />
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I love you all--every single one of you. Even the ones that don't agree with this post ;) <br />
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Side note: Derek is happily married with 2 kids. He isn't speaking about this to support his own agenda. He just loves Jesus and wants others to know that Jesus loves them, too. :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-68954889501888410592013-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:002013-02-20T09:49:23.533-08:00Noah's first dentist appointment!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah has his first trip to the dentist today! He did GREAT! <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZrrNRDtEbw/USUCTXkc2_I/AAAAAAAAAII/iNUoTUuuLYQ/s640/blogger-image-421111058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First order of business-throw all the toys in the waiting room. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He seemed to like the orange scented gloves :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing kisses...always!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting in the chair like a big boy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His reward for a good visit: Driving the car :)</td></tr>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-78225694963239483902013-02-18T13:14:00.001-08:002013-02-18T13:14:50.985-08:00Love 41I really love blogging right now. Maybe I'll keep it up after my return to facebook...we shall see.<br />
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I wanted to tell you guys about someone I admire. Her name is Suzette Munson. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her face-to-face, but I can absolutely see the love of Jesus pouring out of her life. She loves other people so much and you can't help but see that in her.<br />
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I found this interview from a few years ago and it sums up who she is and what she is passionate about pretty well:<br />
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<a href="http://www.theworkpreneur.com/the-joys-of-those-who-are-kind-to-the-poor-the-story-of-suzette-munson/">http://www.theworkpreneur.com/the-joys-of-those-who-are-kind-to-the-poor-the-story-of-suzette-munson/</a><br />
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If you are looking for a unique gift for someone, you should check out <a href="http://www.love41.com/" target="_blank">Love 41</a>. All of the profits go to help others. She does not make a single dime on this company. She loves Jesus and wants to share it with others. <br />
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If you're looking for some awesome leather gifts, you should check out <a href="http://www.saddlebackleather.com/" target="_blank">Saddleback Leather</a>, too. This is the company that her and her husband run together. Ben is mildly obsessed with all their leather goods :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-82520741502146368412013-02-14T11:47:00.000-08:002013-02-14T11:47:21.170-08:00Bonus time-pictures of Noah!I love sharing pictures of my sweet boy :)<br />
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He, of course, is a typical toddler and is NEVER still. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-49214650252758279032013-02-14T08:33:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:33:54.584-08:005 years ago today...Five years ago, a cute guy named Ben asked me to go to lunch with him. I knew him well. We had dated in the past and remained friends through it all. I wondered to myself "Does he even realize he's asking me to go to lunch on Valentine's Day??". We started dating a month later on March 14th. Exactly one year later, we were married...I still can't believe it some days.<br />
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This is probably my favorite picture from our wedding day :)<br />
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(This picture was taken in April 2011. Little tiny Noah was in there already!!) :)<br /><br />
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One of my favorite songs is "God gave me you" by Dave Barnes. And just for the record, I have liked and listened to Dave Barnes for a long time--way before he was cool ;) (I was a music snob in my former life.)
These words are just perfect:
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<blockquote>
On my own, I'm only half of what I could be
<br />I can't do without you
<br />We are stitched together
<br />And what love has tethered
I could never undo</blockquote>
And for fun, here's the video :)
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5hQK6GIrpYU" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Bonus: KLOVE is giving this song away for free today!
<br />http://www.klove.com/music/store.aspx<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day, friends!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-66519198302666977762012-03-03T06:47:00.001-08:002013-02-14T08:40:01.125-08:00Noah first trip to Canton!<br />
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Corn dogs at Canton are a must!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cCs3Egr2tkM/T1Iu4PAVK3I/AAAAAAAAAFY/jnU7SDWAvFg/s640/blogger-image--2107452605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cCs3Egr2tkM/T1Iu4PAVK3I/AAAAAAAAAFY/jnU7SDWAvFg/s640/blogger-image--2107452605.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hv0ejVNISfM/T1Iu4XXBGLI/AAAAAAAAAFg/u8rLSgeS8Z4/s640/blogger-image--364676372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hv0ejVNISfM/T1Iu4XXBGLI/AAAAAAAAAFg/u8rLSgeS8Z4/s640/blogger-image--364676372.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v7TbuoPCDPU/T1Iu42E2OJI/AAAAAAAAAFo/XVZcY_V26GE/s640/blogger-image--1065081355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v7TbuoPCDPU/T1Iu42E2OJI/AAAAAAAAAFo/XVZcY_V26GE/s640/blogger-image--1065081355.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L4hIyrx01qY/T1Iu5Ldei6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/zkd79Cwma6U/s640/blogger-image--1835142270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L4hIyrx01qY/T1Iu5Ldei6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/zkd79Cwma6U/s640/blogger-image--1835142270.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ja8fmiy880k/T1Iu5hyrRCI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Wm-MufT8gSU/s640/blogger-image-103160833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ja8fmiy880k/T1Iu5hyrRCI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Wm-MufT8gSU/s640/blogger-image-103160833.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EkUjgu_NWlM/T1Iu6PV1sbI/AAAAAAAAAGA/LwV0H54YRXU/s640/blogger-image--398875916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EkUjgu_NWlM/T1Iu6PV1sbI/AAAAAAAAAGA/LwV0H54YRXU/s640/blogger-image--398875916.jpg" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-35931860061799715972012-03-01T08:24:00.000-08:002012-03-01T08:24:15.300-08:00Watch me grow!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah's birth stats:</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8 lbs 2 oz</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">20 1/2 inches</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3AXgxDTxR8A/T0-b8Eybl7I/AAAAAAAAAFA/0vQl94RlCnU/s400/blogger-image--1101910028.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VaJTEVNt14I/T0-b4begwSI/AAAAAAAAAEw/GJrIuhQabpY/s640/blogger-image-1820645740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VaJTEVNt14I/T0-b4begwSI/AAAAAAAAAEw/GJrIuhQabpY/s400/blogger-image-1820645740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Noah at 2 months:<br />
12 lbs 0 oz<br />
24 inches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KMFmXqcHLUc/T0-b9UKDMAI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/SZwVmJOSTeE/s640/blogger-image-938040668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KMFmXqcHLUc/T0-b9UKDMAI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/SZwVmJOSTeE/s640/blogger-image-938040668.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3AXgxDTxR8A/T0-b8Eybl7I/AAAAAAAAAFA/0vQl94RlCnU/s640/blogger-image--1101910028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyxjeVmbEgg/T0-b8tLR71I/AAAAAAAAAFI/PxmPXn9e2Jo/s640/blogger-image--697016810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyxjeVmbEgg/T0-b8tLR71I/AAAAAAAAAFI/PxmPXn9e2Jo/s640/blogger-image--697016810.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Noah at 4 months:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">17 lbs 5 oz<br />
26 inches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KMFmXqcHLUc/T0-b9UKDMAI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/SZwVmJOSTeE/s640/blogger-image-938040668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qJq6zMLEYQ/T0-b7PKTQQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/ZeE6AZw7TzA/s640/blogger-image-374051897.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qJq6zMLEYQ/T0-b7PKTQQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/ZeE6AZw7TzA/s640/blogger-image-374051897.jpg" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877767187889377511.post-30346353720618195642012-01-23T11:44:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:44:37.096-08:00Friday=Family Day!On Friday, I had the afternoon off, so Ben and I decided to go to the park with Noah. The weather was PERFECT!! Low 70s in January!! No complaints from me! <br />
We took a walk at Rose Rudman. Noah had a great time! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zpeih6kGUA4/Tx23WknvCEI/AAAAAAAAAEM/H2ALhHnwdXM/s640/blogger-image-1555870736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zpeih6kGUA4/Tx23WknvCEI/AAAAAAAAAEM/H2ALhHnwdXM/s640/blogger-image-1555870736.jpg" /></a></div>Ben also showed me his art work he did several years ago, but never showed me! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iJ89SwWdXFQ/Tx23m9d4URI/AAAAAAAAAEU/SQtMgOo_nzE/s640/blogger-image-1441022069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iJ89SwWdXFQ/Tx23m9d4URI/AAAAAAAAAEU/SQtMgOo_nzE/s640/blogger-image-1441022069.jpg" /></a></div>He's so sweet (-:<br />
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After the park, Ben decided to give me my first tennis lesson. He got me a tennis racquet at Christmas, because we wanted something we could do together. I think I did alright for my first lesson! Hopefully the nice weather will stick around and we can make it a regular Friday afternoon activity! Next time, maybe Noah will enjoy "watching" us more, because we only got to stay about 30 minutes before he began "disturbing" the other players. :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11561534646167330469noreply@blogger.com0