tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53432656991850466642024-03-17T01:26:00.255-07:00Calico and CupcakesGetting Creative with the Scraps and Crumbs of the DayChiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.comBlogger289125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-72650325192288894792013-04-01T10:14:00.001-07:002013-04-01T10:14:34.428-07:00The Parable of the Seeds and The Importance of the Right Gospel<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I Corinthians 15:3-4 <a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/null" rel="v46015003"></a>"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,<span class="verse-num" id="v46015004-1"> </span>that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"</blockquote>
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In today's <a href="http://www.compasschurch.org/daily-bible-reading-new">Daily Bible Reading</a>, I read the parable of the sower in Luke 8. Jesus tells a great crowd of people about how the gospel will only be received correctly by some. Many receive it with JOY, but they fall away. The Bible teaches that we cannot lose our salvation, so these people were never truly in Christ. (John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.") In other words, many who think they are saved, are not. <br />
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There are 4 scenarios. There are some who don't accept the gospel and trample it. These are those who are hostile to the gospel and Christian message due to the devil's lies and influence. (Luke 8:12)Two, there are some who do not have any root. They take on Christianity to make their life better and then lose heart when there are tests and trials in this life. (Luke 8:13) Third, there are some who receive the gospel with joy, but it eventually gets choked out by the pleasures and cares of this life (worldly idols). God was never truly Lord of their life. (Luke 8:14) Finally, there are those who hear the Word and it is planted in good soil. They are shown to have endurance and to bear much fruit in their lives. (Luke 8:15)<br />
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This should be a scary passage to us all. It should cause us to examine if we are indeed saved. <br />
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<a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/null" rel="v47013005"></a>"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5) Luke 8 is a warning that most people don't receive the gospel correctly. Three fourths of these people mentioned in the parable are going to appear before God one day and hear, "Depart from me. I never knew you." (Matthew 7) In the illustration in Matthew 7 those who are being cast into Hell have done many good things throughout their life, even claiming the name of God in their lives. Whether they had a works based social gospel (doing good to others is somehow going to save them) or a gospel missing repentance and sin (just claiming Jesus because of love and His life's "purpose" for them), they have missed the mark.</div>
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What gospel "saved" you? Was it the correct one? I grew up on one that emphasized God's love, His grace, and the easy task of just inviting Him into my heart. This is a very popular "gospel." Unfortunately, it didn't save me. I didn't understand I was a sinner before a holy God. My sin had separated me from God and needed a payment. The gospel I heard led me to continue to live for myself and not really submit, for God was loving and filled with grace, right? I could keep living my life pseudo obeying and God would forgive me. I enjoyed doing Christian good works and routines because I got a lot of pats on the back. The emphasis was on me, rather than God. I had never repented of living against God and turning from my selfish propensities to submit to God's will and rules. <br />
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The gospel has to tell people that Christ is their Savior from SIN. I had heard that Jesus died for my sin on the cross, but that was the extent of it, and I didn't personalize that I was a bad person and Christ faced the WRATH that I would have faced as an unsaved individual. As with me, people have to recognize their need for a Savior before they can gladly submit to Him and trust in His work on the cross to reconcile them to God. To just tell someone God loves you, is your Savior, and wants to have a relationship with you is only HALF the story and will lead to confusion when life's trials come. <strong>They will wonder eventually, "Why do I need a Savior?" The wrong or incomplete gospel doesn't explain why.</strong> A God who saved you by paying for YOUR sin is a God you can trust wholly when He sovereignly brings trials and pruning into your life. A God who points to our problem for eternity (sin and Hell) and solves it through Christ is a God you trust and love when this world is full of temporary pain and disappointment. It isn't about this life or this world that is passing away. (1 John 2:17, 1 Corinthians 7:31)<br />
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For future reference and study, here are some New Testament examples of the Gospel's call to repentance:<br />
Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 13:3b, Luke 16:28-30, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 3:19, Acts 11:18b, Acts 17:30-31, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Hebrews 6:1, and 2 Peter 3:9.<br />
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Before I was 21, the fruit in my life bore witness against me. Though I was a "good" kid--I loved those horizontal comparisons to others around me because they made me look pretty stellar comparatively--I had selfish motives for doing good (church, missions, community service, singing in church, youth group, Bible studies) and still bristled when God's will for me didn't follow my desires or plan. I saw an extended pattern of sin and hardness of heart in college and realized I was hostile to God. When I was 21, I repented of my sin, submitted to Christ as my Lord and Savior and trusted that HIS work on the cross would save me, not any of my "goodness" and the praise I received from others. Though I wasn't sinless after that, I did sin LESS, and my motivations turned from myself and my own glory to pleasing my God through thankful obedience. <br />
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Because I was finally in Christ (saved), I bore fruit. I saw the fruits of the Spirit being matured over time. I became more gentle, patient, loving, humble and all the other fruits as the Holy Spirit convicted me of sin and gave me the desire and ability to grow in the likeness of Christ. (Galatians 5) I still fall short, but I desire to and continue to make progress. I started reading God's Word regularly to find out what exactly His will was in my life. I loved others more readily and truly did desire to consider others more significant than me. (Philippians 2:3) I wanted to share the gospel and shine God's light rather than figure out how little I could do and still be considered "okay." (The way I lived often before I was 21) Seventeen years later, I still obey God's rules and Word more fervently and mourn my sin when I fail.<br />
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I urge you today to search if you heard the correct gospel message. We were created by God. (Genesis 1:1) We sinned against our Creator who is Holy and perfect. (1 Peter 1:15-16) We are separated from Him (Isaiah 59:2) and He is just and MUST give punishment (Hell) for our disobedience to His perfection and righteousness. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Ephesians 2:3)) He is as loving as He is just (1 John 4:8), though, and He sent Christ to live the perfect, obedient life for us and then to die on the cross to pay the penalty we would have had to pay to a just God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) This is an undeserved gift--grace. We do nothing in ourselves to be saved, we can only repent of our sin and trust Christ solved our problem fully and completely. Then we can be covered by Christ and reconciled to God for all eternity. This is the only way! (John 14:6)<br />
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<em>Acts 20:21b "They must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus"</em></div>
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This gospel is clearly and simply stated in a presentable, few minute long clip <a href="http://www.compasschurch.org/the-umbrella-analogy">here</a>.<br />
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Praise God for the power of the true gospel and the work He does in saving souls!Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-7040544591750975152013-03-29T13:09:00.001-07:002013-03-29T13:10:32.609-07:00Good Friday: God's PlanI was listening to the radio this morning and the announcer said that Good Friday is good because all evil combined against Christ, brought Jesus to the cross and then it was overcome. I disagree with the connotation in part of that statement. <br />
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Yes, evil was overcome at the cross (defeated already at the cross but it will be fully expelled when Christ returns), and, indeed, our payment for the evil and sin we do was paid in full, but evil didn't place Jesus there. Jesus submitted to the cross and was led there by God the Father. Yes, God put Jesus on the cross. There is a big difference between understanding Jesus chose the cross in obedience and thinking Jesus was just a victim of the evil in the world, a victim who later overcame it. <br />
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If we think Jesus was a victim, a martyr of bad humanity, then we don't fully grasp His love and sacrifice for us. In Luke 22:42 He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane<em>,</em><span class="woc"><em>“'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.
Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.'”</em> Jesus submitted to the Father's will to pour God's wrath upon Him so we would be covered, forgiven, clean, debtless and reconciled in Christ Jesus. He stepped up to the cross with full knowledge of what He was doing and facing. It was the plan all along.</span><br />
<span class="woc"></span><br />
<span class="woc">He willingly humbled himself for us. God USED our evil, the taunts and pride of Christ's accusers, for His good plan. God is sovereign and all powerful. Evil NEVER had the upperhand or decided the plot in Christ's time on earth. God has control. He is the I Am.</span><br />
<span class="woc"></span><br />
<span class="woc">God could have long ago wiped us out like in the days of Noah. God could have erased us and our evil in a single word. Someday He will indeed judge and cast away sinners--those who do not repent and turn to Christ in faith--to Hell. In addition, though, because He is just and loving, He had a plan of reconciliation from the beginning. He was PLEASED to pour His punishment upon His own son for us. He is kind and good enough to offer LIFE to those who repent and trust in Christ.</span><br />
<span class="woc"></span><br />
<span class="woc"><em>Isaiah 53:10-11 says, "<span class="line">Yet <strong>it was the will of the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span></strong>
to crush him;</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">he has put him to grief;</span><br /><span class="line">when his soul makes an offering for guilt,</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his
days;</span><br /><span class="line">the will of the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> shall prosper in his hand.</span><br /><span class="line">Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be
satisfied;</span><br /><span class="line">by his knowledge shall the righteous one,
my servant,</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">make many to be accounted
righteous,</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">and he shall bear their
iniquities.</span></em></span><br />
<span class="woc"><span class="ln-indent"></span></span><br />
<span class="woc"><span class="ln-indent">So remember today that Christ was not a helpless victim, a martyr or a powerless man nailed to the cross by sin and evil. He is God--purposefully come in the form of man--so He could willingly <strong><u>submit</u></strong> to God's wrath and free us. He <strong><u>chose</u></strong> the cross because He knows He, God, is just. He knows there is payment for sin and we humans are wicked--all of us. We are dead in our transgressions. He chose the cross because His justice is side by side with His love. He desires that we all may come to repentance and be saved. We may be raised to life with Christ. Glory to God! Praise Him! Jesus is Lord!</span></span><br />
<span class="woc"><span class="ln-indent"></span></span><br />
<span class="woc"><span class="ln-indent"><em>Philippians 2:5-11</em></span></span><br />
<span class="woc"><span class="ln-indent"><em>Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,<sup> </sup>who, though he was
in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but <strong>made</strong> himself
nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in
human form, <strong>he humbled himself</strong> by <strong>becoming obedient</strong> to the point of death, even
death on a cross. Therefore God has
highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.</em></span></span><br />
(emphasis mine)Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-38333966219074603922013-03-16T16:51:00.000-07:002013-03-16T16:51:15.665-07:00Romantic Spots at Disneyland Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you, my readers, know, I love Disneyland. My parents and older sister all worked there when they were teenagers, and I grew up in Southern California, attending Disneyland often. <br />
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Last night my hubby and I enjoyed a nice dinner at the new Carthay Circle Restaurant and then strolled around both parks for a date night. It was very enjoyable and romantic.<br />
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It got me thinking about all the quiet, romantic spots in Disneyland that I enjoy. I've read other lists, but, though some are spot on, I don't always agree with all the spots listed. Haunted Mansion? Not so much.<br />
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Let's make this interactive. After you read through my list, tell me your favorite spots! <br />
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So, here are 10 spots that I think are romantic and special if you happen to go on a date at Disneyland. (or just some quiet spots for a breather during a long day enjoying the park . . .)<br />
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10. <u><strong>The walk by the Rapids in CA Adventure</strong></u>--Now, rapids don't sounds relaxing or romantic, but the pathway that meanders by the rapids can be both. Unfortunately, at peak times, it gets heavy with foot traffic, but you can find benches or little niches here and there to enjoy the area. The path is surrounded on both sides by pine trees and the Grand Californian Hotel. It has the feel of the Sierras and Redwood Forest. You will either find piped, soft banjo or guitar music playing relaxing folk songs, or you might luck out and get there when there is a live musician playing acoustic guitar to songs like "Riders on the Storm." Either way, the sound of rushing water from the rapids, the soft music, wind rustled pine trees, and shade spotted path all lend themselves to an enjoyable pause and look around. My favorite time of the day for this spot is in the late afternoon when the breeze picks up and the rapids crowd starts to dwindle.<br />
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9. <u><strong>Pirates Cove Island</strong></u>--My husband did not agree with this one, so maybe it is just me, but I think the little picnic areas all along the edges of Pirate Cove Island (or Tom Sawyer Island to anyone over 30 like me) are so nice. Bring your lunch or picnic food over to the Island, hunt out a secluded bench or picnic table and put your feet up. Watch the Mark Twain, the canoes or the ducks swim by on the Rivers of America and watch the crowds streaming around across the way in New Orleans Square or Frontierland. This is a great spot for a relaxing lunch. I like the picnic benches across the Island that face Frontierland, as they offer a little shade and are away from the loading and unloading dock. They close the island before the sun sets, so this is not a night spot.<br />
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8. <u><strong>Snow White Grotto</strong></u>--My friend got engaged here. I mean what is not romantic about a stone well with the song "I'm Wishing" playing every so often? Fountains surround, the castle backdrops your spot nearby, and swans swim around. It is usually not very crowded, though occasional character appearances or tour groups may cause a temporary swarm. You can find this spot on the right of the castle as you face the front drawbridge. Take a penny and make a wish in the well. <br />
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7. <strong><u>The Big Wheel in CA Adventure</u></strong>--The line can be long for this ride, so go early or just buy a snack to enjoy in the line if you go when it is crowded. I personally LOVE the swinging gondola on the wheel, but I know many of my friends hate it and get queasy even thinking about it. There is a stationary gondola also offered on the wheel. Great views are offered at either and you get to sit for awhile next to the one you love. This is a great view at any time, though you get more snuggling and pretty lights in the chill of evening.<br />
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6. <strong><u>The Fireplace in the Lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel</u></strong>--If you haven't wandered around the grounds of the beautiful Grand Californian Hotel, you need to do that. Whenever we buy annual passes, we try to stay here once a year and do a mini vacation with the kids. We eat breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe and enjoy the great ameneties at the hotel. One of our favorite things to do is find a cushy rocking chair in front of the fireplace in the lobby and just talk. Especially after a long day in the park, it is easy to just melt into the seats and chat with your spouse. There will often be a live piano player in the lobby to make the experience even more special. If you do happen to have your kids with you, just nearby and in eye view if you sit a little further back from the fire, is a little kid seating area and a TV playing classic Mickey cartoons. Have them sit and enjoy Mickey while you get a moment or two with your sweetie.<br />
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5. <u><strong>The side of Flo Jo Cafe walkway where you can view Racers in CA Adventure</strong></u>. This has to be done at night to be romantic. During the day, you will just see swarms of people and, though a cool backdrop on the ride, it isn't "pretty." At night, though, they light up all of Cars Land just like Radiator Springs, but the "canyon" and red rock environment of the Racers Ride is lit up beautifully. Since the viewing area is a bit removed and off the main road, you can find some quiet, enjoy the lighting and sit to chat with your date. There is either seating on the side of Flo's Cafe where you can snack and still see the view from your table, or you can just go stand by the Racers viewing area and take in all the Disney magic and beautiful lighting for a few moments.<br />
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4. <strong><u>Fireworks Viewing from the back of Fantasy Land/by Casey Jr</u></strong>.--Some of you might think I'm crazy for not recommending the fireworks from Main Street, but I am not a crowd person. Though you get the full music and lighting effect of the fireworks show on Mainstreet, you also get a lot of people and, inevitably, someone standing in front of you affecting your view. I like to go stand by Casey Jr. and watch the fireworks there. You have to turn to the castle to catch the pyrotechnics from time to time, but most of the fireworks, and all the larger fireworks, are launched from behind Small World and the Toon Town area. If you look in that direction, you get most of the action. There are tables where you can sit, and the crowds are a fraction of a fraction (is there such a thing?) of what you would get on Main Street. Unfortunately, you might have a harder time getting out of the park right away when the fireworks end (they close off the castle drawbridge during and for awhile after fireworks), but if you plan to just go on a few rides and leave about 45 minutes later, you'll be great. Plus, you'll avoid the crazy tram ride lines that way. I highly recommend viewing fireworks from a ride if you can time it correctly. I've viewed them from Thunder Mountain (which is currently closed at the time I wrote this post), the Tea Cups--which is a great ride to be on during the parade, by the way, and Casey Jr. Train, and they are all fun places to view the fireworks. If you want the music, the narration, the lighting and the full effect, you have to join the many people on Main Street, and it is worth doing at least once. If you just want to sit with your honey, escape the commotion and see some pretty lights in the sky, go to my spot, relax and enjoy the moment!<br />
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3. <strong><u>Carthay Circle Restaurant and the surrounding terrace</u></strong>--As I said, my hubby and I enjoyed the new Carthay Circle Restaurant in CA Adventure for the first time yesterday. I had salmon and he had a ribeye. They were both delicious. What we loved most was the departure this restaurant had from being very "Disneyland Parkish." Though we have eaten at Club 33 and Blue Bayou, both very nice restaurants for the Disney visitor, the tables are usually all close together and the food is very standard. Carthay felt much more luxurious and special, and the food was definitely different from other park food. The pace was slow, the waiters were pleasant and helpful, and the nod to classic Hollywood in the 30's was fun. If the terrace isn't open when you go, ask the waiter or hostess if you can go stand on the terrace and they will open it. We did and then enjoyed several minutes snuggling and watching the visitors and views from our perch above. It was magical and fun. I recommend this experience for dinner time when you can get the lights view.<br />
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2. <strong><u>The Dining Patio in the Back of CA Adventure</u></strong>--Okay, the resort map I found online doesn't even LIST the name of this eating area. They added this location when they remodeled the park last year. It is in the back of the park by Goofy's Sky School. There is a huge terrace with pretty decent food choices. The best part of this area though is the shade and live music offered. We have stopped here several times to listen to various bands play live-- Big Band style music, Irish band music, and folk music. They were all FANTASTIC and it is never very crowded. If you have kids, they can dance around and play while you keep an eye on them, relax and listen to the live bands play fun and soothing music. If you go at normal times for lunch or dinner, you should catch a performance.<br />
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1. <strong><u>Rancho del Zocalo at Night</u></strong>--Seriously I love this place. The food is ho hum, though I do LOVE the Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad I order every single time. I grew up and still live in Southern California, so I'm a Mexican food snob. The tacos and refried beans they serve cafeteria style never had a chance. However, the ambiance is AMAZING at night. They have colored glass lanterns and metal cut lanterns all hanging fabulously overhead. It is so romantic and dreamy. One area has an indoor/outdoor fireplace (shared on one wall) if you can snag one of those two lucky tables. We always sit by the wall that hugs Thunder Mountain so my boys can wave at the trains that go by while my husband and I enjoy the dim, colored lights and outdoor patio. There is no waiter, so you aren't hurried as you relax and listen to the acoustic guitar strums of Spanish music being piped onto the patio. This used to be a little bit off the beaten path, but now that the new Fantasy Fair opened nearby (as of this week, actually), there might be a bit more foot traffic. So sad! I love my little hidden patio with romantic lights.<br />
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So those are my favorite romantic, quiet spots. I know everyone has their own ideas. What about you? Is there a spot I didn't mention that you love? Share with us in the comments!<br />
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-1481974073137382412013-03-13T14:03:00.002-07:002013-03-13T14:03:52.635-07:00Blue and Orange Baby ShowerMy sweet sister in law is having her first baby--a boy! I'm so excited to be an aunt again. We just celebrated this baby and momma at a baby shower I co-hosted last Saturday. <br />
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She is doing a darling nursery in tan, white, navy and splashes of orange. We decided to do a similar color theme for the baby shower.<br />
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I was in charge of the game, the favors and a banner for the mantle. I didn't get a good picture of my game board, but I have a tutorial on the game and a similar board from an owl themed baby shower I co-hosted. You can read it <a href="http://calicoandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/05/fun-candy-barmemory-card-shower-game.html">here</a>.<br />
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Enjoy the pictures! It was a beautiful day!<br />
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We had the guests write in Sharpie on their mason jars. I never knew sharpie comes right off of glass!</div>
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I used Mentos mints in the favors and wrote "It mint a lot that you came to celebrate today!"</div>
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I made the much loved sea salt, browned butter, Nutella cookies. You can make them too--the Ambitious Kitchen shares the recipe <a href="http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2012/09/nutella-stuffed-brown-butter-sea-salt-chocolate-chip-cookies-my-favorite-cookie-ever/">here</a>.</div>
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My sweet mother in law reading a loving note to the momma to be, her daughter.</div>
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Congratulations, Katie! We can't wait to meet this new blessing!</div>
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-1412354088891824442013-03-06T10:47:00.002-08:002013-03-06T10:47:25.308-08:00Painting a Picture of Your Son's Future Spouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I often pray for both my boys to not only come to salvation in Christ, but that they would be wise in their choice of spouse if God leads them to marriage someday. Like King Lemuel's mom in Proverbs 31, I so greatly desire to point my sons to picking a godly and wise wife.<br />
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I realize, as an adult, how much a spouse affects your marriage, ministry and life. The choice of a good spouse is extremely vital.<br />
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I waited 28 years to meet the right spouse and marry him, but, though that was longer than I planned, it was such a blessed wait and fruition. My spouse is a godly, encouraging, sacrificial and loving leader. Because of him, I can be busy in ministry with joy, rearing boys in a Biblical manner and grow in my own spiritual maturity. He protects me from worldly influences that will harm me and slow down my sanctification, and he cheers me on when I am obeying God--all with a huge dose of love and humility.<br />
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Of course God has a perfect plan for both my boys--including their choice of spouse, but, even in His sovereignty, He wants me to pray about my requests, instruct my boys in Biblical wisdom and do my best, with the strength and direction of the Holy Spirit, to model righteous behavior of a wife in marriage.<br />
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You might ask, "What can I do as a mom?" Mine are almost 4 and 7. Isn't it a little early to be thinking about their marriages and spouses?<br />
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Not at all! They are watching and taking mental notes! How am I modeling how a Christian wife should act and speak? My boys are at home a lot, and they constantly see how I interact with my husband. Do I want them to find a wife who acts like I act? That is a powerful question, and a very important indicator of what they will consider "normal". <br />
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If I am submitting to my husband, helping him in life and ministry, and encouraging him as a helpmate, my sons will see this as the "norm" for what a wife does. Later in life, if they find themselves spending time with girls who argue constantly, girls who assert prideful authority over them, and girls who concern themselves with her own interests over God's or my boys', they should bristle with the sense that this is not right. They will realize they need to end that kind of relationship. That kind of girl should feel "off" and "uncomfortable" to them.<br />
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Most importantly, I pray they find it very normal and familiar to find a girl who loves God more than anything--putting her love into action and obedience to Him. May they seek a Christian not just in title and church attendance, but a Christian in reality--having a changed heart, loving God with her all, bearing fruit in her life, including in how she is interacting with anyone courting or dating her.<br />
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I want them to be blessed by finding a girl who behaves like their mom. Am I living up to the description I list above? How do I know?<br />
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Well, first I need to inspect my time. Most importantly, is God the center of my life? Is this apparent in the time I spend in Bible study, prayer, devotions, serving at church, fellowshipping and training my children in the Word? I KNOW I want my sons to find a wife who puts importance and priority on God and the pursuits of His kingdom. Am I training them that this is how she should behave and spend her time?<br />
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Also, regarding time, am I spending a majority of my time on selfish pursuits--participating in pasttimes often for my own glory or selfish pleasure, spending time with friends to the detriment of my duties and family's needs, shopping excessively to please my vanity, being obsessed with my appearance, or making an idol of my beauty routines--or, rather, am I spending a majority of my time serving God and my family? Am I counting others more significant as myself as Philippians 2:3-4 commands?<br />
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Is my time spent helping my husband with a happy heart? Do I clean without complaining? Do I make meals with love, often considering what meal will bless my husband with health and enjoyment? Do I ask him how I can help him that day with a sincere hope that there is a way I can, even if it means an extra errand? Do I demonstrate joy in my role as a homemaker and wife? <br />
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Second, I need to inspect my speech. Am I building up my husband? Do I portray him as the leader and decision maker to my son? Do I say things such as, "Daddy works so hard for us. What a blessing to us! Let's pray for his day." "This is a big purchase. Mommy needs to ask daddy if this is something he wants our family to buy." Do I apologize when I make a mistake? "Mommy did not speak the way God wants her to speak. I should not have complained, or have gossiped, or have lost my temper. Please forgive me for sinning in my words and actions." <br />
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We all fall short. Of course, when we do, we repent and confess our sin before God. Then we trust He has given us all we need for life and godliness and we pick up tools we need in scripture to make progress, all with the help of the Holy Spirit. Then our aim is to grow in these areas. <br />
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We have to have a plan--we battle against sin with the help of the Holy Spirit and effort. Put off any sin and PUT ON righteousness--this is work! The work doesn't bring us salvation, but it is a natural behavior when one is a new creation in Christ. Stop watching the questionable TV show and spend the time doing devotions with your boys. Stop spending the money your husband would rather you didn't spend, and instead of the time you used shopping/spending, serve others with a specific, planned service. Come up with a specific plan and PRAY about it. <br />
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Realize that you are daily contributing to painting the picture of what your son will consider normal and good in a wife. If you have girls, you are helping to paint the picture of how they will behave in their own role as a wife.<br />
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May the brush strokes I add to the picture today be glorifying to God and a powerful influence in bringing a good and godly wife into my son's life someday.<br />
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-29582082999680497612013-02-19T11:13:00.000-08:002013-02-19T11:13:06.131-08:00For Everything There is a Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Psalm 62:5-7</div>
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For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,<br /> for my hope is from him.<br /> He only is my rock and my salvation,<br /> my fortress; I shall not be shaken.<br /> On God rests my salvation and my glory;<br /> my mighty rock, my refuge is God.</div>
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The past 2 weeks have been a season of trial. Water leaks in our house, cancer surgery in our family, and a round of influenza hitting all 4 of us here have been keeping me busy and quiet on the blog. It has kept me close to God, though, and I am thankful for that. Though my physical body is quite tired and weak right now, my spirit is feeling extremely strengthened and firm in the Lord. Praise Him!</div>
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As Ecclesiastes 3 tells us, there is a time for everything. We will have seasons of blessing and comfort, and we will have times when life seems quite hard. Knowing that circumstances change and come and go is important. When a trial period hits, we aren't knocked down in shock, surprise or disbelief. We are content and trusting. We nod, knowing it is just part of the seasons of life, and we grasp firmer to our immutable, faithful God who is a firm foundation when the storms of life rage around us. <br />
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We know that God uses hard circumstances to discipline Christians (sometimes), prune us (always), and teach us (always). Knowing this, we trust God's sovereign hand if He allows difficult circumstances. When we are healthy again, the cancer is gone, and the rain has passed, we will praise God all the more for growing us ever more in the likeness of our precious Savior.<br />
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Whether you are in a blessed, easy phase of life or in a hard, draining time, know it is being allowed by God for good and you are not alone. I pray this encourages you and roots you in Biblical truth in your circumstances today.<br />
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Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8<br />
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:<br /> a time to be born, and a time to die;<br /> a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;<br /> a time to kill, and a time to heal;<br /> a time to break down, and a time to build up;<br /> a time to weep, and a time to laugh;<br /> a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<br /> a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;<br /> a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;<br /> a time to seek, and a time to lose;<br /> a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<br /> a time to tear, and a time to sew;<br /> a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;<br /> a time to love, and a time to hate;<br /> a time for war, and a time for peace.Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-62350481867095991192013-02-04T21:04:00.001-08:002013-02-04T21:04:10.584-08:00Hawaii One-o<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6s8XuYYr-eUvGNTid-G8wyLtCV_GX_USoiPj40QERqcp74TzcFkcTJnZPNtwGc86l6m6lX2Ynf_jKAPTFiQleW7eC-FsuQPFr7vjAsBMCT50kR6sMkmRy4xNg7jx3BPc5932fjwYJF4J/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6s8XuYYr-eUvGNTid-G8wyLtCV_GX_USoiPj40QERqcp74TzcFkcTJnZPNtwGc86l6m6lX2Ynf_jKAPTFiQleW7eC-FsuQPFr7vjAsBMCT50kR6sMkmRy4xNg7jx3BPc5932fjwYJF4J/s400/DSC_0464.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Our fabulous helicopter ride over Kauai. Awesome!<br />
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For our ten year anniversary, hubby and I went WITHOUT kids to Hawaii. I know--blessed!<br />
We are very blessed to have both sets of parents nearby, so the kids were well loved and well watched. <br />
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Ryan and I decided to return to Kauai since we went there on our honeymoon ten years ago, but we decided to try a new island too--the Big Island.<br />
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If you haven't been to Hawaii, I highly recommend it. Maui is still my favorite island, but Kauai is a VERY close second. I enjoyed the Big Island too, but we have many memories and sentimental reasons to prefer Maui and Kauai. <br />
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Here are some of the pictures to wrap up our trip. Enjoy!<br />
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The beautiful Hyatt grounds in Poipu, Kauai</div>
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The LOBBY of the Hyatt</div>
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The Na Pali Coast in Kauai (from helicopter)</div>
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Waterfalls on Kauai</div>
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Kauai is COVERED with wild chickens. No joke. The Big Island had wild cats everywhere.</div>
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Hiking on the north side of the Big Island</div>
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A room view from the Hilton where we stayed on the Big Island</div>
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Shave Ice (In Hawaii they say "shave ice" not "shaved ice," and the ice IS differently shaved than our mainland "snowcones"). I love it stuffed with ice cream and covered in sweetened, condensed milk. </div>
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Sunset dinners are awesome in Hawaii. This was the last one of our visit. We saw whale after whale in the ocean.</div>
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It rained on us--quite a lot. It was their winter. Here we are on the Big Island visiting another gorgeous waterfall.</div>
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Being silly in Kona. Did I mention the yuminess of a shave ice?</div>
Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-31908421127743414002013-01-20T15:23:00.000-08:002013-01-20T15:23:14.255-08:00Love is KindWe are studying different characteristics of love from I Corinthians 13. We last broke down the idea that love is <a href="http://calicoandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2013/01/love-is-patient.html">patient</a>. Today we are going to look at the truth that love is kind.<br />
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I looked up the definition of kindness. Google says Kindness is an adjective that means "<em>having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature</em>."<br />
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Most of us can think of people in our lives we consider kind. These are the people that always take the time to make us feel warmly welcomed when we see them. These are the friends who have us over to their home and give generously of their time, home, money and talents to help others. <br />
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My favorite explanation is that they are considerate. These are the people who just naturally say, "Excuse me" and open doors and let you go first in line. In other words, these are the people who put others first, and that certainly is applauded in scripture.<br />
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Philippians 2:3-4 says, "<em>Do nothing from <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29378A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>selfish ambition or <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29378B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>conceit, but in <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29378C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>humility count others more significant than yourselves. </em><span class="text Phil-2-4" id="en-ESV-29379"><em>Let each of you <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29379D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.</em>"</span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4">That explains why considerate and kind people love so well. They are not prideful. They think about others' needs more than their own. They consider others as MORE significant than themselves.</span><br />
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<span class="text Phil-2-4">That sounds like a love that is like Christ's love for us. Philippians 2:5-8 goes on to say that Christ exemplifies humble kindness. "<em>Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, <span class="text Phil-2-6" id="en-ESV-29381"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29381K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup>who, though he was in <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29381L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>the form of God, did not count equality with God <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29381M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>a thing to be grasped,</span> <span class="text Phil-2-7" id="en-ESV-29382"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>but <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29382N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup>emptied himself, by taking the form of a <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29382O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>servant, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29382P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>being born in the likeness of men.</span> </em><span class="text Phil-2-8" id="en-ESV-29383"><em><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>And being found in human form, he humbled himself by <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29383Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>becoming obedient to the point of death, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29383R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>even death on a cross.</em>"</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">How can you exemplify kindness like Christ today?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--How about letting your spouse pick his movie or restaurant for your next outing?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--How about letting that person with a few items move ahead of you in line?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--Maybe you can go strike up a conversation with that girl/co-worker/mom who seems to be isolated or alone at school/work/etc.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--Park far away from the church so someone else can have the better parking spots.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--Volunteer to serve at church so you can minister to the needs of others in your body of believers.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">--Write a note of encouragement to someone who ministers to you.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Phil-2-4"><span class="text Phil-2-8">Love is kind. </span></span>Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-12988689638788273282013-01-17T13:17:00.001-08:002013-01-20T15:23:31.151-08:00Love is PatientHi, everyone! I have been so busy, but life has been awesome! I really see God teaching me some good things in 2013 so far. I pray all your New Years have been off to a great start too.<br />
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For the next month or so, I am going to dissect I Corinthians 13's love verses and share some thoughts on the characteristics of love.<br />
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Here is the entire section: <br />
I Corinthians 13: 4-8 <em> Love is patient and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28653B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>kind; love <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28653C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>does not envy or boast; it <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28653D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>is not arrogant <span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-ESV-28654"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>or rude. It <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28654E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>does not insist on its own way; it <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28654F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>is not irritable or resentful;</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-ESV-28655"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>it <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28655G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28655H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>rejoices with the truth.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-ESV-28656"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28656I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28656J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>endures all things.</span> </em><br />
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-ESV-28657"><em><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Love never ends.</em></span><br />
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Today's focus is <strong><u>love is patient</u></strong>. <br />
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This is a tough one for me. I am a multitasking, quick acting, low attention span kind of gal. To practice patience takes self discipline.<br />
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According to Google, the definition of patience is: <em>The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset</em>. Synonyms of patience are: endurance, forbearance, and sufferance.<br />
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This is why patience is so difficult for us. It is sacrificial. It doesn't come naturally. We put off our feelings and fleshly instincts and, instead, put on and CHOOSE to have empathy, understanding, possible painful waiting, and love toward someone.<br />
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This defines God's love for us, does it not? While we were still putting ourself as god of our lives, while we were enemies of Him, He loved us and sent Christ to die and suffer for our sin and reconcile us to Him. Then, he patiently waits for those He chooses to respond to this gift of grace and mercy.<br />
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2 Peter 3:9 <em>The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.</em></div>
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God is also patient to deal with our sin. He wants us to repent and choose obedience. We know He will be just someday, but He often patiently waits for us in our slow, stupid ability to recognize and stop sinful actions.</div>
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Romans 2:3-4 <em>Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance</em></div>
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Yesterday, at Women's Bible Study at church, our teacher told us that we need to be patient and wait after we lovingly and gently admonish or warn a sister in Christ who is in sin. We have to pray for her after we talk to her and be there when she needs encouragement and help in stopping her sin. We might even have to be patient with her if she responds defensively and badly at first. Love her. Be patient. God is patient with us.</div>
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How can we be patient in love today?</div>
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--CHOOSE to extend grace to someone who offends you driving, in line at a store, in a meeting at work, or a friend who puts her foot in her mouth. Smile and pray for them with love instead of brooding and simmering inside.</div>
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--Don't assume the intentions of your husband, friend or children. Patiently draw them aside and ask them about an issue before you respond in anger or hurt.</div>
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--Think of someone who is sinning against you and choose to pray for that person in love and compassion.</div>
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--Share the gospel with a non-Christian in your life who you would think, humanly,<em> there is no way God can reach this person</em>.</div>
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Pray about it. How can you be loving with patience today? </div>
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Remember, love is patient, and God is our ultimate example of loving us patiently and perfectly.</div>
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-16559997140425472162013-01-02T10:05:00.001-08:002013-01-02T10:09:54.819-08:00A Very Non-Pinterest Thanks Journal<em>I Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."</em><br />
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I have seen gratitude jar projects floating all over Pinterest this month. I think they are darling, but I, personally, would not be successful at keeping up with it. Sad to say, but the time it takes to cut up little pieces of paper, decorate a jar, open the jar, drop in some notes of gratitude, reseal it and always have little papers available would deter me.<br />
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So, I am sharing our no nonsense approach to gratitude that we have had for several years now. It is as easy as it gets.<br />
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1. Buy a spiral notebook with at least 52 sheets of paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG8BSyJ7N2rBIKGVy-VNrJm-d0wPy5W0xpvAxMelS0QqhHE2qI8Zm3aKxwvS53f_j-ZAnNlcdrlUZkTzbbgtFrd27Fwi-57uoZP8GSTdacf8E5CvwX6z7JSMHFGm4FLAd50xcpSWrdPUX/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG8BSyJ7N2rBIKGVy-VNrJm-d0wPy5W0xpvAxMelS0QqhHE2qI8Zm3aKxwvS53f_j-ZAnNlcdrlUZkTzbbgtFrd27Fwi-57uoZP8GSTdacf8E5CvwX6z7JSMHFGm4FLAd50xcpSWrdPUX/s400/DSC_0320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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2. Find a place in your home where you can put it and see it often. (Our spot is our bathroom countertop. Classy, I know. It works, though. We are there a lot and it is a great activity to do while brushing your teeth!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BR5iz-XBl_kNwNQb-V9YMPc4vmsO4HJVtJk8DZMXB0ZLjODqF2tiWKJ3uGCUuQt_ul9MqN7ze1pi-NvHgu_MRLRUh06f1CukisgV8sfG0jMxxVEPQ11EoXnpiMtlEB0aK-i1d1qj6lrZ/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BR5iz-XBl_kNwNQb-V9YMPc4vmsO4HJVtJk8DZMXB0ZLjODqF2tiWKJ3uGCUuQt_ul9MqN7ze1pi-NvHgu_MRLRUh06f1CukisgV8sfG0jMxxVEPQ11EoXnpiMtlEB0aK-i1d1qj6lrZ/s400/DSC_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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3. Open the journal to a page each week and have a pen ON the journal, ready to go.<br />
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4. Throughout the day, week, and year, jot down big and small things for which you are thankful to God. This can be as small as "Homemade waffles" or "rain today" to as big as "our new baby" or "healing from __disease" or "the salvation of _____". You will find a MILLION little things for which to give gratitude each day.<br />
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5. Flip the page each week so there is a page for each week of the year. (We review the page each week in our longer Bible study and prayer time that we do as a couple on Mondays--we do short devotionals and prayer together each night).<br />
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6. Next year, in December, flip through the journal and highlight the BIG thanks that you had as a family--pull out the nuggets, summarize and make a summary thanks list page for 2013. It is AMAZING when you go through the journal and truly realize HOW MUCH God gives grace and blessings over the course of a year--even in a year of trials.<br />
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Voila! <br />
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If you like to make it pretty, here is a printable cover you can use for your journal. Have a grateful 2013!<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/118696300/Our-Gratitude-Journal" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/normal Helvetica, Arial, Sans-serif; margin: 12px auto 6px; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Our Gratitude Journal on Scribd">Our Gratitude Journal</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_48409" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/118696300/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-12wxia7yirtr7aod6l3q" width="100%"></iframe>Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-78980017275130095052012-12-23T08:32:00.003-08:002012-12-23T08:35:58.236-08:00Hostess with the Mostess--or notDecember was crazy this year. I'm not going to lie. I hosted a <a href="http://calicoandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-boutique.html">boutique</a> at my home on December 2nd, so that consumed much of the beginning of December. In mid-December, we were planning a large scale ministry, Christmas celebration for about 250 people. Last Thursday we decorated, organized and planned to throw a Christmas dinner for 70 people on a ministry's leadership team. <br />
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What great opportunities to be thankful, to serve others and to demonstrate the love of Christ! That was my goal, but, sadly, I failed miserably at times.<br />
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I'm not going to lie and pretend I did all that without sinning. I had moments of complaining and stress. In fact, even if we get through an event we are hosting with grace and joy, we have to look at our attitude when we had to run to an overpopulated Costco to pick up food for the event or how we felt when we finish the night and have hours of dishes and clean up to do. Are we filled with joy, sacrificial love and thanksgiving then?<br />
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I was reading 1 Peter 4:9 this morning. It says it pretty clearly: "<strong>Show hospitality to one another without grumbling</strong>." Wow. There isn't any room for excuses there. Thanks, God, for putting that mirror before my, at times, grumbly heart.<br />
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If you are in Christ, sisters, I urge you to align your thinking to God's like I am having to do. It is SO easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, but remember that every imperfect detail is allowed by God to grow us, prune us and test us--even the failed centerpieces, missing guests and parking lot mishaps. He doesn't want us to have the perfect, Martha Stewart Christmas party. He wants us to grow into the likeness of Christ Jesus, the Savior we are celebrating.<br />
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This was just in time for those of you hosting Christmas Eve or Christmas. When the turkey burns, someone spills on the couch, guests don't show, or you realize you forgot to buy the butter, just stop and pray. Thank God for the growing lesson and extend grace and patience because we have been shown much more grace and patience than we are ever asked to give.<br />
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Merry Christmas, my fellow hostesses! Our Savior is born!<br />
<br />Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-85141203904594350622012-12-17T13:39:00.002-08:002019-12-17T09:02:57.162-08:00Violent Crime: More than Conquerers<em>Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.</em><br />
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My closest friends and family know that I was a victim of violent crime in college. I will share the details of the story some day, as God has been putting it ever more on my heart to have Him redeem my experience and story to minister to others. <br />
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Briefly for now, one morning in June, a man I had known well for two years in the dorm (and a friend of my boyfriend at the time) knocked on the door of my dorm room, asking to borrow my phone (this was before cell phones) and use my bathroom. He said his roommates were hogging the phone and bathroom, which he had to use before he ran to class. He lived two rooms down from me. As I said, I had known this person well for two years, so I let him in without a second thought. My roommates had just left for class, so I was alone, but he would surely be on his way in a couple of minutes and I could finish getting ready for class and work that day.<br />
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Indeed, a couple of minutes later, he did emerge from our bathroom, but with duct tape and a hunting knife that he had brought in his backpack. He attacked me, tried suffocating me, and put the knife to my throat, attempting to rape me. Again, I will get into the story another time, but, in this case, God intervened and stopped evil, and I truly witnessed unchecked evil on this man's face during the attack. However, God gave me grace. I wasn't raped. I didn't die. My attacker was put in prison. I had small knife cuts and some physical bruises and lacerations from the attack, but the greatest injuries were to my sense of trust and "innocence." At that time, I thought people are basically good and trustworthy, right? I was so confused. How could this happen? This confusion was the beginning of God calling me to truly understand the right gospel.<br />
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Because of my experience, when there is a violent crime in the news, like in Conneticut, I am saddened deeply. I mourn the evil that exists. I weep. My heart breaks for the teachers, students and families. I am not surprised by the evil though. In understanding scripture and the gospel, I know man is ultimately evil, and we shouldn't be shocked when evil makes a horrific appearance. People respond quickly to say that we need to show love and prove that people are more good than evil. We do need to show love and compassion--this is good. Man is not good, though. Satan would love to promote this lie that we are more good than evil, but we need to look away from ourselves for hope. The promise of salvation, rescue and hope is not going to be found in us.<br />
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<em>Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.</em><br />
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<em>Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts</em><br />
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<em>Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can
understand it?</em><br />
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Where is the hope then? What discouragement if the story ends there, but it doesn't.<br />
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God created us, but we chose to disobey our Holy, righteous Creator. We ALL foolishly chose the yoke of slavery under sin. We ruined our relationship with our Maker, because a holy, perfect God cannot have fellowship with evil, sinful people who despise His commands and choose to glorify themselves.<br />
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<em>Romans 3:23 for <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27999A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God</em><br />
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In fact, because God is holy, He must be just and give us consequences for sin--separation from Him and an eternity in Hell. Though, in our human minds, this sounds harsh, imagine how angry we would be if the attacker in Conneticut had lived and the jury and judge who were presiding over his trial excused him with compassion? We ultimately understand justice is good. We just don't want it for ourselves.<br />
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One of the first realizations I made when I truly understood the gospel was that my own attacker and myself were both guilty before a holy God. Though I had never attacked anyone with a knife or tried to rape someone, I had "murdered" by hating, I had injured through gossip and slander, and I had despised the Holy Creator who made me by choosing to obey my own desires over His commands.<br />
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God is loving, though, and He told us early on that He would conquer evil and sin. He would give us hope and freedom from our sin. He had a plan--a good plan.<br />
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<em>Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her
offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.</em><br />
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Christ was promised even in the third chapter of the Bible. A Savior would have to suffer for our sin, but He would ultimately give the fatal wound to Satan, ultimately overthrowing sin and evil. He would conquer them for us and bring us hope.<br />
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<em>Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.</em><br />
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While God patiently waits for as many as possible to come to repentance over their sin and trust in the gift of Christ's righteous life and substitutionary death to reconcile us to God, He restrains evil all the time. It is amazing in the fact that God loves us enough to give us all consciences and moral compasses that check the sin that plagues us. <br />
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He restrained evil from killing me in June 1994. I saw and experienced it. Because of that attack, I lost my trust in man and misunderstanding that man is basically good, but I gained an unconquerable, steadfast trust in God for my salvation, for sovereignty over each day He has ordained for my life.<br />
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So when evil does emerge violently and glaringly, I am not surprised. It drives me to thankfulness that God restrains evil often and, when He allows evil to temporarily happen, He does so for a purpose only He, as God, can understand. Perhaps He will use this to bring people to eternal salvation. We don't know His plan. I do know that evil cannot and will not triumph. He has conquered it. He will judge those who practice it who are not found in Christ.<br />
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Such instances of evil, such as the attack on me or the shooting in Connecticut, drive me to the foot of the cross--clinging in absolute amazement that God could look upon such a wicked people (all of us) and, while we were still His enemies, love us enough to die for our sin so we could be free from that sin and evil and reestablish a loving relationship with Him. <br />
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<em>Romans 5:8 but <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28040A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>God shows his love for us in that <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28040B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</em><br />
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Though the shootings in Connecticut were all the more awful for happening at Christmas, a time of joy and family celebrations; yet what comfort in the fact there was a fulfilled promise and hope at Christmas--a baby lying in a manger, denying His glory and power in order to be born in humble, human form so that He, truly innocent and perfect, could face that pure evil, pay for all of it on the cross and conquer it--crushing its head, as God, in Genesis, fortold.<br />
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Evil is horrific, but it has a determined ending that is quickly approaching. When I am overwhelmed with sadness and grief at evil, I remember that my God is greater than any circumstance and, because He is loving, He restrains evil every day. Ultimately, the hope we crave is not found in sinful men or good works, but in Christ Jesus. He has made us conquerers with Him if we truly repent of our sin and trust in what He has done for us in His life and His death on the cross. Then, if we truly trust this, whatever we face in His sovereign plan will not shake us. We are conquerers with Him.<br />
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<em>Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? <span class="text Rom-8-36" id="en-ESV-28137">As it is written,</span></em><br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-36"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28137BP" title="See cross-reference BP">BP</a>)"></sup><em>“For your sake <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28137BQ" title="See cross-reference BQ">BQ</a>)"></sup>we are being killed all the day long;</em></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><em><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rom-8-36">we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”</span></em></span></div>
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<em> <span class="text Rom-8-37" id="en-ESV-28138">No, in all these things we are more than <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28138BR" title="See cross-reference BR">BR</a>)"></sup>conquerors through <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28138BS" title="See cross-reference BS">BS</a>)"></sup>him who loved us.</span></em><br />
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<br />Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-82120670494937038372012-12-04T13:55:00.000-08:002012-12-04T13:55:20.913-08:00Christmas Boutique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTcu-20A1UpEgJXg4RPF58VuwzSOMr03X5xQrDtnLNA-vfH4y9CEvKuLqjJVpaHDyMo9_IMPNKz-6_RdFwpxqyY7PAOPKFm1mhZ6Bfjd-IXNYkjpx8riC41nl5OF9M7iFBSEqB8mh03Pi/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTcu-20A1UpEgJXg4RPF58VuwzSOMr03X5xQrDtnLNA-vfH4y9CEvKuLqjJVpaHDyMo9_IMPNKz-6_RdFwpxqyY7PAOPKFm1mhZ6Bfjd-IXNYkjpx8riC41nl5OF9M7iFBSEqB8mh03Pi/s400/DSC_0233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Christmas boutique I hosted last Sunday was a fun success. My favorite part of the day was just seeing all the friends coming over and getting to chat with people I don't see all the time. I won't bore you with too many words--the pictures tell it all. <br />
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I only got pictures right before the boutique since I was busy during, but it was packed and busy. I didn't get pictures of my friend Tracy's beautiful wrap leather bracelets that she was selling. They are beautiful! I wish I could go back in time and take a picture. Here are some other pictures from the event. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_ANumeLP9Rtap2UVcIkhcnJ35jhBIBEK4Dx4JxpsJcn4D-5wVa2xiAYAHAPLmZPS4fd1rk3KurgcQOrAR3EhBOhSr3kYWd4ymlZvvA0tDDShse10ifqwiZLCTilMUP1DtBbIJHVdd8XS/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_ANumeLP9Rtap2UVcIkhcnJ35jhBIBEK4Dx4JxpsJcn4D-5wVa2xiAYAHAPLmZPS4fd1rk3KurgcQOrAR3EhBOhSr3kYWd4ymlZvvA0tDDShse10ifqwiZLCTilMUP1DtBbIJHVdd8XS/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was at my house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ntmJ3lHjElww_qG9kpYp9iGaSzYybEgG7956fkxBz5CmCKPJGsWq8gXV5ONR9KqEzhe61bBU7GJveC_iwXyaXsFUXZDgL7rdhlrtbLHkr250GAP6SmSvHi7fjWQknJ9BJhqRr0asqvY/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ntmJ3lHjElww_qG9kpYp9iGaSzYybEgG7956fkxBz5CmCKPJGsWq8gXV5ONR9KqEzhe61bBU7GJveC_iwXyaXsFUXZDgL7rdhlrtbLHkr250GAP6SmSvHi7fjWQknJ9BJhqRr0asqvY/s400/DSC_0188.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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Here is my little table area. I sold banners and canvas art.</div>
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Next, my friend Beth of Sew Blue Boutique. She sells fabric flowers, clips, applique t-shirts and name signs on wood.</div>
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Her cute wood signs. I bought a JOY sign.</div>
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Her flower necklaces, clips and t-shirts.</div>
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There were beverages and food--OF COURSE!</div>
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My friend, Lillian of Lil Desserts, made pinnk velvet maccaroons and</div>
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chocolate peppermint cake balls. . .</div>
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My friend Lisa sells Premier Jewelry. She came to sell items too!</div>
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Denise made homemade prayer journals in beautiful patterns. I got one to make a journal for my son and I to write back and forth to each other. </div>
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Sarah, of I.B. Spoiled, makes hair clips and headbands for little girls. She had SO many beautiful products.</div>
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Cami, of MillaTuelle, sewed beautiful bags and coin purses, crafted tie necklaces and made homemade canvas art. . . Amazing!</div>
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My friend, Meredith of Simple Purity, brought her homemade lotions and skincare. She also sews and made BEAUTIFUL table runners. I got one in black and white chevron. Love!</div>
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The event was busy and blessed. I can't wait for the next one. Thank you to all who stopped by and to all the amazing, creative ladies who sold items.</div>
Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-10295333143566405162012-11-26T16:57:00.001-08:002012-11-26T17:16:54.407-08:00Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. . . I apologize for the lack of posts. I have some good reasons.<br />
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First I got a bad cough/chest cold two weeks ago.<br />
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Then I got the stomach flu over Thanksgiving break. (From what I hear, about half of America had it).<br />
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Then I was getting ready for the boutique I'm hosting at my house this Sunday (I'm still busy).<br />
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Then Blogger told me I had reached my free photo storage capacity, and I couldn't write any posts with pictures. I spent most of today researching the migration from Blogger to Wordpress--the complicated migration where I attempt to keep my subscribers and reroute to the new web address. For now, I have upgraded my photo storage plan, but I have e-mails into friends to get me onto Wordpress soon. It's time!<br />
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Another decision I'm pondering: Should I focus on celebration banners and scale back my scripture signs? They are beautiful, but they are super time consuming for the price I charge. I need to constantly pray about keeping a Biblical balance of ministry, family and creative business. <br />
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After my tummy flu settled down a bit, we did a few, fun family outings this weekend. Here are some pictures of our outings. . . (I can finally add pictures again! Yay!)<br />
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They look like little angels here. The posing lady made them fold their hands. This cracks me up!</div>
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A family pic</div>
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Posing with my boys</div>
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Carter and Micah</div>
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The Christmas tree at Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach. It is REALLY tall.</div>
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The fountain in front of Neiman Marcus. The water changes colors, and the boys were fascinated!</div>
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We always end our Christmas at Fashion Island night with hot cocoa or coffee(me) at Roger's Gardens, a posh nursery in Newport Beach where they put up thousands of decorations and millions of lights every year.</div>
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<br />Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-78149420794071485432012-11-12T11:22:00.000-08:002012-11-12T11:22:17.623-08:00Some Design Rules for a Gallery Wall<br />
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I am in no way a designer. I wish I were, but I do know when I look at something if it is right or wrong aesthetically. I know what is pretty or what looks "off." Technical terminology, I know, but stay with me.<br />
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This gut instinct served me when I was creating my gallery wall for our living room. Here are some "rules" from a non-designer. <br />
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I knew that when the TV was turned off, we had a huge negative space black rectangle on our wall on a neutral colored paint, so, in order to soften and meld with the large, black TV, I did black and white objects all around. When we first moved in, I had bought a large colorful painting for the side of the TV, and it was SO busy. When the TV was off, it wasn't a balanced look--your eye was drawn to the large, black hole of a TV on the wall, and when the TV was on and had colors moving all around, it was a busy, competing, mess of a wall design. I make mistakes and I learn. Maybe it was just the colors and pattern I had, but it definitely didn't work.<br />
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If you have a large flatscreen on a neutral wall, <strong>I personally recommend using black and white pieces around. The white softens the negative space of the black and the united colors tie it together, almost creating art out of your TV. If you do splashes or pops of color to tie into your room, that works too--just keep it balanced around other neutral shades.</strong><br />
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I am using color (shades of light blue and rust) in the chair pillows that will be on the chairs I will place on each side of the console below the TV (still to be found and bought), in drapes on the other side of the room, and on the couch pillows on the other side of the room. A canvas artpiece next to my fireplace wall (adjacent to this wall) has oranges and blues in it too.<br />
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I also knew that with that large of a wall, I needed weight in the size of my pictures. <strong>When you get too many small pieces, the wall gets busy and cluttered--floating all over with nothing centering and weighing the space down. So, my frames are mostly large </strong>(they don't look huge, which shows you the size of that wall!), with one or two small accents thrown into the grouping. <br />
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(We have a big slider behind me that causes glare, so I apologize that some of the pictures have that glare)</div>
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I also wanted a set of "three" (that perfect design number we hear about) look of appearing on my wall since it is long and narrow. I essentially used the TV as my center and then two clustered groupings on each side--connecting it all with the top photos above the TV. The color is uniting it all together as well.<br />
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Side grouping on one side of the TV</div>
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A closeup of the other side grouping on the other side of the TV.</div>
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Today, I also learned a rule from Sarah 101 for gallery groupings. I actually followed this rule unknowingly. <strong>Pick either the bottom or top of the gallery wall to be lined up</strong>. The opposite side can be at different heights. As you can see from my pictures, I, in essence, unknowingly lined up the top of my gallery wall in a line (with a slight alteration in line above the TV, which works with the long wall and high ceilings we have). The bottom is all at different heights, which works since the top is structured.<br />
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See how the top is in a straight line (with a purposeful rise in the line just above the TV) but the bottom is at all different heights. . . The line on the top or bottom helps anchor the gallery.</div>
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<strong>You want to keep any groupings equally weighted but not too matchy matchy</strong>. Each side of the TV is in a different grouping, but they have equal "weight" and substance to them. You can see in my pictures above that each side is in a different formation, but they each have 6 pieces and have something centering the "circular" arrangement around them. On one side the "H" is anchoring the group and, on the other side, the canvas topography is centering the grouping.<br />
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<strong>I've tied all these "pieces" together to avoid a cluttered look. In my gallery, the colors of black and white, the lined up top, and the two topography canvases tie the sides and groupings altogether.</strong> <br />
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I explained how I figured out my design <a href="http://calicoandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/gallery-wall.html">here</a>. In summary, I cut out pieces of paper the size of my frames and TV and practiced the designs on the floor until it looked right. Then I taped the papers on the wall to see it there and just attached the frames by removing one paper at a time. <br />
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Happy gallery wall planning!<br />
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-58056499724973080832012-11-05T13:53:00.000-08:002012-11-05T13:53:10.962-08:00Christmas Pictures with Letter Props<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCmtT1K-aJvaI1hffr1OB4u1ZxBXTHfyb0zsTHr3E_gdSyhyphenhyphenU5UaPlamNBb6x96e2iTlcBF7zysfOGXqb8Os2AshqCC4RIFnZYtra9TXSyQ-5VnLEv1TBCxHugqG-wL5hf7zvT6tCjdIS/s1600/pic+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCmtT1K-aJvaI1hffr1OB4u1ZxBXTHfyb0zsTHr3E_gdSyhyphenhyphenU5UaPlamNBb6x96e2iTlcBF7zysfOGXqb8Os2AshqCC4RIFnZYtra9TXSyQ-5VnLEv1TBCxHugqG-wL5hf7zvT6tCjdIS/s400/pic+17.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Last year we took our pictures with letter props. I highly recommend it if you have kids. It gave them something to hold and keep them focused, and it keeps the picture fun and fresh, so it still looks in theme if one of your kiddos is doing his or her own "look." <br />
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I went to Michael's and bought J, O, and Y from the wooden letter aisle. That's it! You could spell out your last name, you could spell out NOEL or MERRY. Think about the size of your family and that will help you pick out the length of your word. Go early to get your letters, though! Christmas crafters come and take the popular Christmas letters. I had trouble finding some of the letters for crafts later in the season.<br />
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Have fun with it! This year we are taking a year off from a formal picture session and just making a card with pictures from the year. Here are some poses from last year's photo session . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31UdAmIEJ_s-Dx-xA0dN8NcnIZMJPjqTEP4YFC3wOqJYugZoQKwDJcYbC9YLmA7DsMp8GEt7FFIKTVHQLP-l5fKwdbvQ1ijXhBQW0RjWzR47qT5-P80KTXZZRE0kejdk5B4h50zMLjsEz/s1600/pic+6+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31UdAmIEJ_s-Dx-xA0dN8NcnIZMJPjqTEP4YFC3wOqJYugZoQKwDJcYbC9YLmA7DsMp8GEt7FFIKTVHQLP-l5fKwdbvQ1ijXhBQW0RjWzR47qT5-P80KTXZZRE0kejdk5B4h50zMLjsEz/s400/pic+6+again.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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My youngest is 2 and 1/2 here, and he was acting very much his age that day. We had to tickle him to get a smile.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF1jXZwAXiPOJTtVFXH59Dn9SWnCRbqX5yagvqR8ScP7fwzoPamXeSp8ZYUI3FWH5zRICaeWTqANKvs2JKDQr_co58T5yzGC372dJz4HzioDd1X2vZRKgz6-7BUJJ5dLXjcUp5eCHBYuB/s1600/pic+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF1jXZwAXiPOJTtVFXH59Dn9SWnCRbqX5yagvqR8ScP7fwzoPamXeSp8ZYUI3FWH5zRICaeWTqANKvs2JKDQr_co58T5yzGC372dJz4HzioDd1X2vZRKgz6-7BUJJ5dLXjcUp5eCHBYuB/s400/pic+14.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcomXRxcryauREHykAu4YI6LIJsGTzS4jsXcs2zRvDlFoHcwdXyVpQe7oZLTf_a7ud27w6T8RsOyJE8MYYC8bZx5oufS48k2oL57ghIrGKritIGI-QAk4RCouJ0v98UFp1OYk3ObvUR8Ps/s1600/pic+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcomXRxcryauREHykAu4YI6LIJsGTzS4jsXcs2zRvDlFoHcwdXyVpQe7oZLTf_a7ud27w6T8RsOyJE8MYYC8bZx5oufS48k2oL57ghIrGKritIGI-QAk4RCouJ0v98UFp1OYk3ObvUR8Ps/s400/pic+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is what to be careful of avoiding--having your kid cover his or her face with the letter. </div>
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It's a wrap!</div>
Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-74270267098771053152012-10-24T15:31:00.002-07:002012-10-24T15:31:57.078-07:00Memory Ornaments<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6gRlxSfhWpFfMirsF7ESHT8lyBm0cWLESVLFGknUrOAK934gfRAMkI_uV-cOMyt22UE-iTuhv7XTV0Mhpodg6wQ9VYIRF5waXSoF5S5kGJJGCNDqz-SDMGw1BpAU9vuU3FGR-WkgKgAM/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6gRlxSfhWpFfMirsF7ESHT8lyBm0cWLESVLFGknUrOAK934gfRAMkI_uV-cOMyt22UE-iTuhv7XTV0Mhpodg6wQ9VYIRF5waXSoF5S5kGJJGCNDqz-SDMGw1BpAU9vuU3FGR-WkgKgAM/s400/DSC_0070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I have seen those pretty ornaments on Pinterest with the curled pieces of an invitation or birth announcement in a clear glass Christmas ornament. I have always wondered how you can easily read it all, though. There are just some things you want to be able to revisit and read!<br />
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This year I decided to make memory ornaments for my boys. I bought clear plastic ornaments at Michael's and then wrote out memorable moments for each boy over the past year. I Mod Podged these onto the outside of the ornament and then stuffed the clear ornament with Burlap. The top will have a tag eventually that says, "Carter 2012" or "Micah 2012." <br />
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A burlap ribbon tied at the top would be pretty, but I didn't have any at home. White ribbon looked nice too.<br />
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Carter had a fun year of firsts: started first grade, learned to read, lost first tooth, played baseball/t-ball for the first time. . . Micah also had some fun things to remember: Potty trained, started preschool, started speech, and learned his ABC song. <br />
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I also added likes and dislikes to the lists. Since all this is pasted on the outside of the ornament, I easily can go back and remember the highlights of each year as these ornaments dot our tree.<br />
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Start your own family memory ornaments. They will be fun to revisit each year and the beginning of a fun family tradition.<br />
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-53040330169874850302012-10-15T12:10:00.000-07:002012-10-15T13:25:38.398-07:00Beautiful DeclineRomans 8:18-25<br />
<em>For I consider that the sufferings of this present time <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28119AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup>are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. <span class="text Rom-8-19" id="en-ESV-28120"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>For the creation waits with eager longing for <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28120AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup>the revealing of the sons of God.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-20" id="en-ESV-28121">For the creation <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28121AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup>was subjected to futility, not willingly, but <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28121AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup>because of him who subjected it, in hope</span> <span class="text Rom-8-21" id="en-ESV-28122">that <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28122AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup>the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-22" id="en-ESV-28123">For we know that <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28123AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup>the whole creation <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28123AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup>has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-23" id="en-ESV-28124"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></sup>the firstfruits of the Spirit, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup>groan inwardly as <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup>we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)"></sup>the redemption of our bodies.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-24" id="en-ESV-28125"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>For <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28125AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></sup>in this hope we were saved. Now <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28125AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup>hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?</span> <span class="text Rom-8-25" id="en-ESV-28126"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>But if we hope for what we do not see, we <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28126AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup>wait for it with patience.</span></em><br />
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It is getting scarier and scarier to look in the mirror in the morning. Wrinkles, skin splotches, gray hair--things aren't staying put together the way they were fifteen years ago. I have daily medicine for my thyroid and vitamins to help keep the germs at bay. I am reminded often that this physical shell is not going to work forever. Even with exercise, diet and hard work, we all fade physically.<br />
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My husband made the observation that we hit our peak physically in our teens and twenties, and the rest of our lives are a slow (sometimes fast) decline. Rather than be depressed by this, he pointed out the positive to what God has put in place. Because we age, we spend most of our wiser years being reminded by God that this earth is temporary, that our world and our bodies are cursed with sin and death, and that we need to focus on eternity and the more important eternal status of our souls. <br />
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Through aging, God motivates us to have faith in Jesus as our Savior. Our mortality and physical failings should prompt us all the more to know we cannot rely on selves and our good works. We are incapable and frail. If we can't keep our health and physical appearance in check, how can we save our souls? It reminds me of the Matt Redman song, <em>You Alone Can Rescue</em>, that opens, "Who, oh, man, can save himself, his own soul can heal?" No one. We can't. Thankfully, Christ gave us righteousness and paid for our sin on the cross if we repent and have faith in what Jesus did. Our souls can be saved through Him.<br />
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I often think that this fact explains why the world is so obsessed with physical perfection, makeup, cosmetic surgery and youth. The world does not want to dwell on God, the sin plaguing us all, and the need for a Savior to repair the separation we have from God. Blemishes, wrinkles, gray hair, extra pounds, and disease are reminders that we die and physically fail because of sin. We are cursed by sin and separated from our Creator. Such physical problems remind us we need a relationship with God. We need a Savior.<br />
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Though it is painful and hard to age, as Christians we can find hope in the experience. We can realize the world is slowly fading away, just like our bodies. It is a beautiful decline to those in Christ, to those with the promise of Heaven.<br />
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Hebrews 6:19-20 "<em>We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek</em>."Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-75387611431049610482012-10-08T17:18:00.000-07:002012-10-08T17:18:23.690-07:00Birthday Flight<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oicbMyAe8lz3_8G9HKnvGFIVbMUSuab_ACMucFjM-jlBY4KH4Aec4pBP0zcJQlm_GD5xe8YkzcI7UsvySo2A6amxmoaiRjECgg5wtzLiGBrqFmVOUw3VKzOSUiz58mWeRkAHj-QkWCty/s1600/DSC04344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oicbMyAe8lz3_8G9HKnvGFIVbMUSuab_ACMucFjM-jlBY4KH4Aec4pBP0zcJQlm_GD5xe8YkzcI7UsvySo2A6amxmoaiRjECgg5wtzLiGBrqFmVOUw3VKzOSUiz58mWeRkAHj-QkWCty/s400/DSC04344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My birthday was at the end of September, and my sweet hubby surprised me with an afternoon flight to Catalina for lunch and pictures. Our sweet friend, Jason, has his pilot's license and offered to fly a rented plane for us. <br />
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We took off in a rented 4 seat plane from Orange County and landed in the "airport in the sky" for lunch, a short hike and some picture taking.<br />
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What a fun hubby I have! He completely surprised me, and it is a birthday adventure I'll always remember!<br />
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Enjoy the pics!<br />
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Getting ready for our adventure</div>
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Flying in the cockpit</div>
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The beautiful coast of Catalina Island</div>
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Twin Harbors, Catalina Island</div>
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Enjoying lunch on the patio at the airport in the sky</div>
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Taking a mini hike and enjoying the island</div>
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Airport in the Sky with my sweetie</div>
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The historical hanger at the Catalina Airport</div>
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The controls were so interesting!</div>
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Our thoughtful pilot, Jason</div>
Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-28869559315458259702012-10-02T21:41:00.001-07:002012-10-02T21:41:26.563-07:00A Night Away in Julian<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMARoOE4yKR-TaTRLnYfuvLKu112Y06CXbLDwFMkBpqXlpCcXq9vHvQrp-lEtBgz4xOrUFnNRH6VDjoiUKno0M12aeErkgGAMY4TOV4REJob3i8Zt6jrpJ27TO9PbOtt9QKiYPwkhanV1/s1600/DSC_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMARoOE4yKR-TaTRLnYfuvLKu112Y06CXbLDwFMkBpqXlpCcXq9vHvQrp-lEtBgz4xOrUFnNRH6VDjoiUKno0M12aeErkgGAMY4TOV4REJob3i8Zt6jrpJ27TO9PbOtt9QKiYPwkhanV1/s400/DSC_0675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had a perfect fall weekend, even though the temperatures were still in the high eighties and low nineties.<br />
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We left home on Friday night and had a family get away in the quaint little town of Julian. Julian is a historic, beautiful, little town in the middle of the southern foothills of Southern California. It is known for its annual Apple Days and the many apple orchards all around.<br />
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We had apple picking time, a tour of a gold mine, "gold" panning, a mini train ride, and lots of good country cooking and eating. <br />
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If you live in Southern California, set late September or early October aside for a day trip or quick weekend to Julian.<br />
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Here's a little documentary in pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20HX7wIl15XqtKnf28piJ0vfIVo1yl4fIMcSR6arQABW2bBnIiIDR9HvTMA8GKEZP800DUx1fU11e7jjxLEg-xlBJFfCATP8V-p1l6OpNideSG8MTtcUa_WNbq8XmrTHDQJZ42hyphenhyphenifwNn/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20HX7wIl15XqtKnf28piJ0vfIVo1yl4fIMcSR6arQABW2bBnIiIDR9HvTMA8GKEZP800DUx1fU11e7jjxLEg-xlBJFfCATP8V-p1l6OpNideSG8MTtcUa_WNbq8XmrTHDQJZ42hyphenhyphenifwNn/s400/DSC_0631.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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We picked organic apples at Apple Starr farms. The boys loved it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaO-vaRj95JZ84ftsZytHEuOzcq6P48x4Bc7U7Kj6W8IfpDHctdVf66vyB73w-hl_MqheVGL7MSlwoB5p3cH5V0VhFtdbsmmizKluQpFJIsGsuTFhP86w029iR-Ic6qibCciciR9ub-cd/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaO-vaRj95JZ84ftsZytHEuOzcq6P48x4Bc7U7Kj6W8IfpDHctdVf66vyB73w-hl_MqheVGL7MSlwoB5p3cH5V0VhFtdbsmmizKluQpFJIsGsuTFhP86w029iR-Ic6qibCciciR9ub-cd/s400/DSC_0633.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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The apple trees were filled with tons of apples ripe for picking.</div>
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Success!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wxpSuAdwpZp1aMFpv07gYao3PZa0ePamkV1TvdiUaDc1nutDPPwGhvOulCxZVWAXSTQQD_eaGwJ3S9-BKfCfBRzhlq-fSUwYHzsPBP36d1pUl-dD9QXymdKQLgsWGfZ60KtyfFSEklgH/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wxpSuAdwpZp1aMFpv07gYao3PZa0ePamkV1TvdiUaDc1nutDPPwGhvOulCxZVWAXSTQQD_eaGwJ3S9-BKfCfBRzhlq-fSUwYHzsPBP36d1pUl-dD9QXymdKQLgsWGfZ60KtyfFSEklgH/s400/DSC_0653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cheesy posing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaIFeKo-zN_Q1rSjpTOgD4d-Mloryv4KVVNqjYl8LJXkazea6HC71Nvrl3EvU-5StzFilmuWsx0NzRfFy-SbwDWuWj8ZQwfn1U6QugFsH_Vd_99h3tlF7sruXksDo6SYx5YOPELQ44hZ-/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaIFeKo-zN_Q1rSjpTOgD4d-Mloryv4KVVNqjYl8LJXkazea6HC71Nvrl3EvU-5StzFilmuWsx0NzRfFy-SbwDWuWj8ZQwfn1U6QugFsH_Vd_99h3tlF7sruXksDo6SYx5YOPELQ44hZ-/s400/DSC_0661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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What a beautiful day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbf16SppdDj278wi4qM6laaUjYVNKY0gmbohFLtiR7qmapOPFnGQKRuLElgBtDgUi1P-LeR4MMhy_YlJgmAnpDuMnm5-6JAk04-GiidtedVGP_MR7OaMHDiHM881MddGKA5A-lZLOypAZ/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbf16SppdDj278wi4qM6laaUjYVNKY0gmbohFLtiR7qmapOPFnGQKRuLElgBtDgUi1P-LeR4MMhy_YlJgmAnpDuMnm5-6JAk04-GiidtedVGP_MR7OaMHDiHM881MddGKA5A-lZLOypAZ/s400/DSC_0678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The downtown district in Julian is so quaint and cute.</div>
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We visited Smith Ranch to do a train ride, "gold" panning and tour a gold mine.</div>
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The little train we rode up to the gold mine.</div>
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The Smiths collect historical artifacts on their ranch. This flag has only 48 stars and dates back to Roosevelt's time, and the cannon is from the Mexican American war.</div>
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Micah LOVED all the educational lessons they were teaching. We got to feel the equivalent weight of a brick of gold.</div>
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They got to pan for gold. When they found the "gold" nuggets, they took it into the general "store" and traded it for licorice sticks.</div>
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Micah wanted as much "gold" as possible so he could get lots of licorice.</div>
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They had a rope bridge obstacle course which Carter loved.</div>
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They had a historic gold mine on their property dating back to the late 1800's. We all took turns going inside and seeing the quartz veins running through the walls and ceilings.</div>
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Carter and Micah got to ride into the mine on an old fashioned mine car.</div>
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I got to wear the obligatory hard hat. . .</div>
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Another view of the historic downtown buildings.</div>
Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-50356112125989847322012-09-25T10:56:00.000-07:002012-09-25T10:56:05.554-07:00Caramel Apple Mini Pie Pockets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I woke up this morning feeling very fallish. Is that a word? I saw pumpkins at the grocery store and had pictures of crunchy leaves and pumpkins on the porch. It is still hot in Southern California, but I still had a sense fall is here.</div>
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I decided to try out a <a href="http://pinterest.com/chiarahawley/">Pinterest</a> idea to welcome fall. Taste of Home has a <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Pumpkin-Filled-Crescent-Rolls?pmcode=ILIDV04T&_mid=2296525&_rid=2296525.558202.174841">recipe</a> pin for pumpkin filled crescent rolls, but I wanted to try it with apples. I also threw a container of caramel dip into my grocery basket and decided to make the pies caramel-apple filled.</div>
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Besides some sugar from your pantry, these are the three ingredients you need.</div>
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I sprinkled sugar over my crescent rolls to sweeten up the "crust."</div>
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I separated the cresent rolls, added a tiny bit of cinnamon, and used a dollop of caramel dipping sauce in each roll.</div>
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I topped the caramel with a little bit of apple pie filling.</div>
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I pinched together all the sides to cover the filling until it looked like a little pastry ball.</div>
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As it baked, the breading spread and made little pie pockets.</div>
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While the pies were still steaming and hot, I drizzled more caramel across the top. Here is what the gooey filling looks like once you dig into the pie pocket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRA6CXsVpR4bDwlQ8wb0e2RT1Z3T-igYsiA0vWG57HiBInRxWsfyo1rfM4uki4we47oF35hm_nlzrIVcugpmEttKQ9LCaS27K7QOpebvY2Mq2WnO1MFNSS2NqMq4VCeg4tGigInPE1Oix/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRA6CXsVpR4bDwlQ8wb0e2RT1Z3T-igYsiA0vWG57HiBInRxWsfyo1rfM4uki4we47oF35hm_nlzrIVcugpmEttKQ9LCaS27K7QOpebvY2Mq2WnO1MFNSS2NqMq4VCeg4tGigInPE1Oix/s400/DSC_0621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u>:</div>
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1 crescent roll container (8 per container)--butter flake kind</div>
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sugar for sprinkling</div>
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cinnamon for sprinkling</div>
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Melted caramel or caramel dip (about 1/2 cup)</div>
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1 can of apple pie filling</div>
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<u>Directions</u>:</div>
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Preheat the oven to 375</div>
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Spread out the crescent rolls out on a sprayed cookie sheet</div>
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Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the pastry</div>
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separate the rolls into individual crescents</div>
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Add a small dollop of caramel in the middle of each crescent</div>
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Add a small dollop of apple pie filling in the middle of each crescent</div>
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Pinch up all the dough sides to cover all the filling and keep it inside. It results in looking like a pastry ball.</div>
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Cook at 375 for about 10-12 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and cooked through.</div>
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Remove from oven and drizzle caramel over the top while it is still piping hot.</div>
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Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-50374268216211944722012-09-21T19:59:00.002-07:002012-09-22T19:23:14.734-07:00Christian Encouragement: The authority and validity of the BibleOur church's Women's Bible Study started up again this week, and it was GOOOOD! I love our women's ministry director. She is one of the brainiest people around, but she is full of compassion and grace. She talked about God's Word and the validity of the Bible and what it says.<br />
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I don't know about you, but I am flabbergasted when my non-Christian friends dismiss the Bible as mumbo jumbo for the unintelligent. If one spends any small amount of time studying the validity of scripture, one realizes that intellect can only lead you to believe in God and the absolute truth of His Word.<br />
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People say we are arrogant for believing OUR way is the only way. Unfortunately, it isn't OUR way. It is God's way. He wrote it down in scripture and decided it and our belief is a humble, dependent belief in Him. Then, people dismiss the Bible as just "another religious book." If you really take the time to study the historical validity and prophetic truths that have come from scripture, people can't really find a solid argument against scripture. What it boils down to, ultimately, is that they don't want God as their Creator and authority telling them what is right and wrong. That is humbling and makes our sinful flesh bristle. That, however, is where God can step in and soften our hearts, which are hard as stone and slaves to sin without Him. <br />
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Stephanie, our women's director, used Greg Koukl's 5 point finger illustration to help us remember simple arguments for the Bible's accuracy and validity. It was powerful, and I wanted to share it with you here. Next time someone dismisses the Bible as just another "religious" book, have these 5 "finger arguments" ready for discussion.<br />
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1. <strong><u>Ring Finger</u></strong>--You wear a marriage ring on your ring finger, which stands for the unity of 2 people--husband and wife. Use this finger to remind you of the unity of scripture. Scripture was written over 1,500 years, by 40 authors inspired by the Holy Spirit, on about 3 continents. Despite this span of time, scripture doesn't disagree. Though there are obvious points of view and personalities, the difference in authors almost strengthens the fact that the points, laws, prophesies, all agree and fit together like a perfect puzzle. When people take scripture out of context, they can twist scripture to sound any way they want, but if you read verses in context and entirety, it all is united and in perfect harmony.<br />
Other religious books change over time, have things added or subtracted, or they have parts that contradict. These are often only written by ONE person and yet it still isn't unified. The Bible is completely unified despite so many authors and such a long span of time between start to completion.<br />
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2. <strong><u>Pinky Finger</u></strong>--P in pinky stands for Prophecy. The Bible is FULL of prophecy, and this is what God uses to fingerprint scripture as FROM HIM. He doesn't give VAGUE, mystical prophecies, but he gets EXACT. He names names and gives dates and lists places that haven't happened yet. Guess what? They happen. People don't study this because it is so irrefutable. In the Old Testament alone, there are 300 messianic prophesies about Jesus that came to pass. In Isaiah 44:28 (written about 700 BC), the Bible names the ruler Cyrus by NAME a couple hundred years before he ever ruled (550 BC). The Bible talks of Cyrus as allowing Jerusalem to be saved and delivered. In fact, Cyrus was a Persian King who took over Babylon when Babylon held the Jews. He allowed religious tolerance (unheard of for conquering kingdoms at the time) and even sent the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and temple. You can go today and view the Cyrus Clay which proclaimed all this in Great Britian. <br />
People might say that Jesus just knew the prophesies about the Messiah from studying the Old Testament and he tried to fulfill them. Well, here are 3 prophesies he had no control over that came to pass. Memorize these. <br />
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Zachariah 9:9 This verse talks about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey and how the people would receive him well. This foresaw the triumphal entry. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. People laid down palm branches yelling "Hosanna!" God, save us! Though Jesus could have purposely found a donkey, he couldn't have controlled how hundreds of people would receive him entering into the city.<br />
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Micah 5:2--Jesus is born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a tiny city. The likelihood of being born there is small, even back then. We know the story. The census happens and brings Joseph and Mary back to Joseph's hometown. She has the baby in a manger. Christ could have no control over where or how he was born. This was prophecy fulfilled.<br />
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Isaiah 53:9--Isaiah 53 is all about Christ's crucifixion. This specific verse talks about how Christ would be in the grave of the wicked. He was killed on a cross between two thieves. Then the verse says he would be put in the grave of a rich man. A rich man, Joseph of Aramathea, buys Christ's body from Pilot and buries him in his private tomb. Again, these are circumstances Christ couldn't control. They were spelled out way ahead of time. Isaiah 53 has tons of specifics--his bones wouldn't be broken (the legs were broken of the still alive thieves on the side of him), he wouldn't speak out against those hurting him like a lamb to slaughter, he would be pierced in his side (a sword was thrust into him).<br />
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These are great prophesies to know and memorize because they are revealed as historical fact with many witnesses and accounts and they are things Jesus couldn't formulate himself.<br />
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Many scholars studied these prophesies and said, "Well, these parts of Isaiah must have been written after Christ. They couldn't come to terms with the exactness of the prophesies and the historical data that pointed to the facts that they happened!" That idea lasted until the 1940's when we discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. The first book pulled out of the cave? Isaiah in entirety. It is dated to 200 B.C. by archeologists.<br />
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3. <strong><u> Middle/Big Finger</u></strong>--This finger should remind us that the Bible talks about BIG topics like life and death. Many religions talk about philosophical stuff. Karma. Be kind. Love nature. The Bible gets down and dirty with specific topics--death, life, love, murder, hate, hell, Heaven, God, creation, judgment, sin. . . It doesn't use vague cookie fortune type quips to fill its pages.<br />
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4. <u><strong>Pointer Finger/Index Finger</strong></u>--The Bible is a historical index. It is reliable. Archeologists can only agree that the Bible is historically accurate. People and places are authenticated. It doesn't have any error. Historians and archeologists actually find information IN the Bible that helps them understand discoveries. <br />
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5. <strong><u>Thumb</u></strong>. The emperors in Rome would decide a gladiator's fate with a thumb up (life) or thumb down (death). The gladiator's life was affected and changed by one finger. The thumb should remind us that the Bible changes and affects lives. It is active and sharper than a two edged sword. It is a fragrance of life to Christians or a stench of death to those who reject God.<br />
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I hope this helps you remember a visual to have apologetic discussions with others when discussing the Bible. I recommend <u>The Case for Christ</u> for further reading. A great book discussing the huge gaps and scientific lies in evolution is <u>Bones of Contention</u>. <br />
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Thanks for reading through a deeper post today. I pray this truly will be a helpful tool when evangelizing.Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-3022769298611321972012-09-15T14:33:00.000-07:002012-09-15T14:33:42.201-07:00Ministry Kickoff Night and Wisdom Theme<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FaRQ7yybDJIdE89-OIOzB833HG8j91ZZh3HJz6FK8gdoc-bZsHKYtHNi2vIViDJq8OHjSdtCw6gJSStpxrkhAVqWSgoP1dMf7gIG169fyfk13Heg4FD3DeiA1S_IvJWgfTxKBGgOQQIO/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FaRQ7yybDJIdE89-OIOzB833HG8j91ZZh3HJz6FK8gdoc-bZsHKYtHNi2vIViDJq8OHjSdtCw6gJSStpxrkhAVqWSgoP1dMf7gIG169fyfk13Heg4FD3DeiA1S_IvJWgfTxKBGgOQQIO/s400/DSC_0596.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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Our Tablescapes for our Wisdom Night Kickoff. We had 31 tables . . .</div>
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For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know that my hubby and I co-lead a marriage ministry, <a href="http://www.compasschurch.org/marriage-ministry">Thrive</a>, at our church, <a href="http://www.compasschurch.org/">Compass Bible Church</a>. I posted recently that I was doing a "school" theme for the night, since our year's theme is the "Wisdom books" of the Bible--Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.<br />
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We had our first meeting this week in a bigger, fellowship-hall type of room our church acquired for growing ministries like ours, which was good, as we had about 275 people attending. We meet every Thursday evening. I can't wait to see what God does in lives and marriages this year!<br />
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As you look at the pics, you can see why I can't be a full time, daily blogger/crafter. It would be impossible. I'm a wife and mommy and ministry leader at church first. Blogging and selling scripture signs are my awesome part time hobbies, and I am thankful to God for the blessing they are and the amazing, supportive readers and customers God brings me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuo2HM2CfpfktF_tONhW9qLmJ6a1p5PSI90BIVdrnM5x4xFNwd1MDPYqZm2jPwqNhj6G6T4HxwFxvVx5yKSuxykeNjTdOf6tPj79ZWq2Vgx6f4ls2EbPdesHxyev_PgiQYWvH_mTD6MPo/s1600/_mg_7491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuo2HM2CfpfktF_tONhW9qLmJ6a1p5PSI90BIVdrnM5x4xFNwd1MDPYqZm2jPwqNhj6G6T4HxwFxvVx5yKSuxykeNjTdOf6tPj79ZWq2Vgx6f4ls2EbPdesHxyev_PgiQYWvH_mTD6MPo/s400/_mg_7491.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Excited for Thrive and all the couples coming this year!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfQeVj5_Do37a4dfeCbyuQY70J8JOZbrRij9cr2N_cSW9AJyWyNFhLJsNWi2TaK6IM4PVn1AyA-LuZzxyCVB4kSOjdfLVf7J5rrmf_mGQRDlUVL7_tPwRsBw-igiVlp3JdHJU3JG6h3O1/s1600/_mg_7308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfQeVj5_Do37a4dfeCbyuQY70J8JOZbrRij9cr2N_cSW9AJyWyNFhLJsNWi2TaK6IM4PVn1AyA-LuZzxyCVB4kSOjdfLVf7J5rrmf_mGQRDlUVL7_tPwRsBw-igiVlp3JdHJU3JG6h3O1/s400/_mg_7308.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Our color theme was yellow, apple red and black. I had some red frames, so I wrote on black cardstock in chalk and made fake "chalkboard" verses for the entry table. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQgCv_xjmChQsl0STHq5hAA3UFaYTdv46TQ88bDh80i26rfwXYWL9e1rZQii778D6WDPf52EJ__fEwOfo24Uz4xMLvPoFiZNxHtRXTC1npadD53Pa9SOSy8ErRCKbcaukTF9FeRAqtbUt/s1600/_mg_7467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQgCv_xjmChQsl0STHq5hAA3UFaYTdv46TQ88bDh80i26rfwXYWL9e1rZQii778D6WDPf52EJ__fEwOfo24Uz4xMLvPoFiZNxHtRXTC1npadD53Pa9SOSy8ErRCKbcaukTF9FeRAqtbUt/s400/_mg_7467.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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My hubby (standing) running a game with our co-leaders in the ministry, the Gilmores (Scott is sitting).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0BOqMDHDVW8zzOTPZJyJ9uU4NfOo8ZtT_VEEboMtbar0t1uH6PvRtLIiSI2qNxEIb1JZnQVjt4hnme4F0q1fqQ8n1DXLVlNKBeYf7Mx0JSBZ90oNW98Wcqp9zyr5S4JmPxo4c9qbkuwr/s1600/_mg_7301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0BOqMDHDVW8zzOTPZJyJ9uU4NfOo8ZtT_VEEboMtbar0t1uH6PvRtLIiSI2qNxEIb1JZnQVjt4hnme4F0q1fqQ8n1DXLVlNKBeYf7Mx0JSBZ90oNW98Wcqp9zyr5S4JmPxo4c9qbkuwr/s400/_mg_7301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The church provides family dinners for everyone before the study starts, and the kids go to AWANA and Kid's Club (Sunday School classes) while we meet for our study.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmrVjDbWdkq529ay1ocbEjaBr3GO8MUQX56LiH0r4Rharre2Z9-UG5iKC0zbpmz9b_8cw03DrD2UQa4DFvS-7NHoveHJ-VfHJamB_eXeBKXE7rNJEEa2jJWaYiHITOWDc8YZnW-ICeQXS/s1600/_mg_7303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmrVjDbWdkq529ay1ocbEjaBr3GO8MUQX56LiH0r4Rharre2Z9-UG5iKC0zbpmz9b_8cw03DrD2UQa4DFvS-7NHoveHJ-VfHJamB_eXeBKXE7rNJEEa2jJWaYiHITOWDc8YZnW-ICeQXS/s400/_mg_7303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Entering Thrive</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchdeVnGInPu5MR3abdIstKmZrHYh9DUVIQpzsRa3K24G_RvL1p7f7XbuA84h0q9PubskSJoEAx8cyg7SmxvWo4wo3TjlX7nky4bFk_OG0wOkRE5NE-4NQTkNKPVy1Tjym6pujNPKIxGRH/s1600/_mg_7319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchdeVnGInPu5MR3abdIstKmZrHYh9DUVIQpzsRa3K24G_RvL1p7f7XbuA84h0q9PubskSJoEAx8cyg7SmxvWo4wo3TjlX7nky4bFk_OG0wOkRE5NE-4NQTkNKPVy1Tjym6pujNPKIxGRH/s400/_mg_7319.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a messy view of the tables--Pinterest copied pencil vases with flowers, polka dot ribbon and matching polka dot wrapping paper, table "runners", and stacked Bibles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxjxi7VEoXaz8bje7TD54GpiQAd1vZURVv53xRZTM47-DZwuaPxJ9Ur2qMfM_EccY06vhyphenhyphenzSIP_mgwhwL5rkxw6bcZHR5xoXxzLrzdrHGDHzl8NWqi8n3DjdvlDdyqlyvBgM9Z_Xx1cwf/s1600/_mg_7323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxjxi7VEoXaz8bje7TD54GpiQAd1vZURVv53xRZTM47-DZwuaPxJ9Ur2qMfM_EccY06vhyphenhyphenzSIP_mgwhwL5rkxw6bcZHR5xoXxzLrzdrHGDHzl8NWqi8n3DjdvlDdyqlyvBgM9Z_Xx1cwf/s400/_mg_7323.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another fun family enjoying dinner and a shot of the centerpieces</div>
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Welcome table</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNomOQzkH8RVM5N_h_0iw5kyXyz7xxR_sJFfLbEdm1rAqrG_qDjcfHZ57xZrrrwBDwIWrPCiHh7UpmemRCHLFyBdnss_Bdb5sCfLQ5EqN0zrgsQY3nk8RO90d2-WAzx2GCx-loIy7c6NG/s1600/_mg_7372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNomOQzkH8RVM5N_h_0iw5kyXyz7xxR_sJFfLbEdm1rAqrG_qDjcfHZ57xZrrrwBDwIWrPCiHh7UpmemRCHLFyBdnss_Bdb5sCfLQ5EqN0zrgsQY3nk8RO90d2-WAzx2GCx-loIy7c6NG/s400/_mg_7372.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lindsey (shown here) and her husband (not shown) are our activities leads. She helped me decorate for the night.</div>
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We start with worship</div>
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My hubby emceeing the night</div>
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Thrive's overseeing pastor, Mike Elliott, our church's Men's and Family Pastor</div>
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Playing a "wisdom trivia game" to see which small group wins and gets the cushy conference room for their small group breakout sessions.</div>
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That's me handing out ice cream for dessert. I'm always near the treats!</div>
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Our AV/Tech team running all the video, sound and power point in the back</div>
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I used my Silhouette to cut out "Wisdom" and attached them to paper fans.</div>
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We can't wait to dig into the wisdom books and start applying more of God's Word into our marriages and lives. Join me in praying for this amazing ministry and the work God is doing!Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-86760611254109256982012-09-09T10:41:00.001-07:002012-09-09T11:18:23.130-07:00Fabric Headband Tutorial<br />
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I know school has started because the germs have started making rounds. Vapo Rub, Robitussin, Sudafed, Advil and Kleenex surround me. I am in the midst of a chest cold that has really slowed me down. <br />
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Yesterday I started to feel a little better in the afternoon. It was naptime for the kids and hubby was watching his MSU game. My Bruins didn't play for a couple more hours, so I decided to craft a fabric flower headband with my burst of energy and rare little pocket of free time.<br />
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I had a packet of circular, elastic, work-out headbands from the grocery store, including a white band. These hold my sleek, straight hair better than a normal headband. I dug into my fabric pile and found some oatmeal fabric scraps that were soft and fluffy. Perfect!<br />
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I found a mason jar and used the inner lid as my circle template. I traced one on white felt for the bottom of my flower, and then I traced about 9 or 10 large circles on the oatmeal fabric and about 8-10 small circles (I used a water bottle) to be filler petals to add volume. <br />
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The process and tutorial for these flowers and folding the circular petals is found on my earlier post<a href="http://calicoandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/04/baby-shower-favor-flowers.html"> here</a>. As you can see, my flower headband is using more petals than my tutorial link, and, because of that, it looks fuller and thicker. I did not use any cardboard in my base like I did in the tutorial for the flower pins because I wanted the felt base of the flower headband to mold to the shape of the head and not look rigid. <br />
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I always start adding petals on the base edge first and work my way to the center of the flower. I just keep hot gluing the folds until it looks full and pretty. <br />
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This can be worn in a hipster, forehead manner or as a normal headband style. I was feeling adventurous and, despite my not so hipster age, I went for a more hippie look. I paired it with a flowy, chiffon blouse over skinny jeans and went out for a casual family dinner feeling very fun and almost forgetting I was sick.<br />
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Have a healthy, blessed week, everyone!<br />
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<br />Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343265699185046664.post-31093032526384707342012-09-06T13:32:00.003-07:002012-09-06T13:32:43.553-07:00First Days of School and My First Morning Alone<br />
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My kids both started school today. It was a day of firsts--first day of Micah going to school at all (he is in preschool 2 days a week), Carter starting first grade, and my first morning alone due to school schedules in 7 years. I always think of "lasts" when "firsts" hit. There is a great poem about "lasts" out there by Karen Kingsbury called, "Let Me Hold You Longer. . ." Get tissues. For real--go grab some if you have littles who started school this week. <br />
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I am ready to hand my kids to God's will and to teach them independence. I'm not trying to keep them from growing, but I sure do want to cherish every first and last along the way. They are a treasured blessing from God.<br />
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<strong><u>Let Me Hold You Longer</u></strong>a poem by Karen Kingsbury<br /><br />Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts;<br />First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.<br />But one day you will move away and leave to me your past<br />And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.<br /><br />The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips<br />The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip,<br />The last night when you woke up crying,<br />Needing to be walked,<br />When last you crawled up with your blanket<br />Wanting to be rocked.<br /><br />The last time when you ran to me still small enough to hold<br />The last time when you said you'd marry me when you grew old.<br /><br />Precious simple moments and bright flashes from your past<br />Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?<br />Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap<br />The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.<br /><br />Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade,<br />Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.<br />I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long past<br />So what about tomorrow? Will I recognize your lasts?<br /><br />The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond<br />The last that you ran barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn<br />Silly, scattered moments and bright flashes from your past<br />I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your last.<br /><br />The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight,<br />The last time that I tuck you in and pray with you at night.<br />The last time when we cuddled with a book just me and you,<br />The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.<br /><br />The last piano lesson, the last vacation to the lake<br />Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.<br />I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass<br />But as I do I sometimes miss today's sweet precious lasts.<br /><br />The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test<br />The last time when I shout that "Yes! Your room is still a mess!"<br />The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there<br />The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.<br /><br />My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass<br />I want to hold on longer, want to recognize your lasts.<br />The last thing that you need my help with, details of a dance,<br />And the last time that you asked me for advice about romance.<br /><br />The last time that you talked to me about your hopes and dreams<br />The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.<br />I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass<br />If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold onto your lasts.<br />
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For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away<br />College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way<br />One last hug, one last goodbye, one quick and hurried kiss,<br />One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.<br /><br />I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed<br />So let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.Chiarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171279613862491858noreply@blogger.com0