tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52642967425887053082024-03-19T00:58:07.811-04:00Come, Weary Moms!THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO
www.ThisMomGrowsUp.blogspot.com!Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-14243715313919758792014-07-19T00:17:00.001-04:002014-07-19T00:17:18.115-04:00Moving Blog to "This Mom Grows Up!"Dear "Come, Weary Moms" readers,<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I decided to change the name and place of my "mom" blog. I've moved to <span style="color: #e06666;"><b><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/">www.ThisMomGrowsUp.blogspot.com</a>.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><br /></b></span>
Take a peek and let me know what you think!<br />
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I am leaving all of the existing posts here, but not adding to them. Some of the posts on the new blog will still link back here since I don't have the time to change them.<br />
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For now, I will also still use the ComeWearyMoms subscription e-mail list.<br />
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Thanks - and I'll see you over at <a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>This Mom Grows Up</b></span></a>!<br />
Virginia KnowlesVirginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-70856346558572994212014-07-15T15:41:00.000-04:002014-07-15T16:54:15.138-04:00Adding Wisdom to Strength<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeRa8bNpMezGTGwlHrXCOl46FEjoG4qfU8FOlwB9kV5LHtzCIsXQEerjVH_P8I6Z6cTc0AlEzHDzH6MoYNDf7i9xR7RxFpVqh6B8gCN-w9uPp0RBkvtAF_v-mJ1Depf6qJGUSRXcA1ubG/s1600/Strength+and+Wisdom+rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeRa8bNpMezGTGwlHrXCOl46FEjoG4qfU8FOlwB9kV5LHtzCIsXQEerjVH_P8I6Z6cTc0AlEzHDzH6MoYNDf7i9xR7RxFpVqh6B8gCN-w9uPp0RBkvtAF_v-mJ1Depf6qJGUSRXcA1ubG/s1600/Strength+and+Wisdom+rocks.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Adding Wisdom to Strength<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As an often overwhelmed
mother of many, I crave inspiration where I can get it. I’m also a word person, and a single word
can sustain me for a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While on my way to a <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/hess-family-memorial-reunion-road-trip.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>family reunion</b></span></a> with my younger kids, we visited a coal mine tour in Pennsylvania. I
wanted them to have a sense of their family heritage, since my
great-great-grandfather <b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/memoir-of-heinrich-hess-my-german.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Heinrich Hess</span></a></b>, a German immigrant,
was a coal miner in that area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the gift store after the
tour, I found a bin of engraved rocks with words on them. Many of them – such
as “Organize” and “Simplicity” - appealed to me, but I decided to narrow my
choice to a single one: “Wisdom.” Right now, wisdom is the crying need of my
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So today, as I unpacked our
vacation treasures, I placed my “Wisdom” stone next to the “Strength” stone I had
picked out last year on my birthday as a gift from my daughter. The
juxtaposition of the two stones together reminded me of a key principle in life: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We need to always add wisdom to our
strength.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are so many things we <i>can</i>
do, that we have the power to do. I am glad of that. In the past year, I have needed the strength of courage,
energy, and focus to step up and do things that needed to be done. Strength is
good, <b>but</b> <b>we desperately need wisdom to make right choices and apply our strength to the right
things.</b> These are not always obvious, even when reading the Bible. The Holy Spirit can guide us more specifically as we listen closely with a yielded heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I sat yesterday to read my
old leather bound Bible and write notes in my Scripture journal. I opened to 2
Corinthians 1, where I had left off my study, and read verse 12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">“Our
conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and
especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are
from God. We have done so not according
to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought about this as I wrote:
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“This is what I want to be able to say as a
Christian. This requires <b>consecration</b> to
God, and wisdom about what he requires. I need to think of this verse as I make
<b>decisions</b> for the future, especially ones that affect other people. Some things
may seem godly which are not. Some things may seem worldly which are not. What
will bring the most glory to God? What is the best way to show his redemption
and rescue in my life? <b>How can I lead my children in the ways of the Lord?</b>”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">[Side note: Are you curious why I said, <i>“Some things may seem godly which are not.
Some things may seem worldly which are not”</i>? We must not be naïve in our attempts to please God. In the garden of life, we need to be careful not to be snagged by the thorns, even ones that seem pious. Remember that Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:16, <i style="font-weight: bold;">“Behold, <span style="background: white;">I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.</span>” </i>You can read more at the bottom of this post: <b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/06/follow-way-of-love.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Follow the Way of Love</span></a></span></b>.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I contemplate my future and the choices I need to make, I
know I need both wisdom and strength. I want to live with sincerity and holiness in the midst of a world of heartache and confusion. Pray for me,
will you? Write to me, and I'll pray for you, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of my favorite wisdom verses to ponder: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Who is wise and understanding among you? <b>Let him show
it by his good life, but deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.</b> But
if you harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast
about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but
is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish
ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. <b>But the wisdom that
comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. </b>Peacemakers
who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”</i> James 3:13-18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and
he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I
said, <b>“Wisdom is better than strength.”</b> But the poor man’s wisdom is despised,
and his words are no longer heeded. <b>The
quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of
fools.</b>”</i> Ecclesiastes 9:15-17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Heinrich Hess wrote at the end of his 1886 <b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/memoir-of-heinrich-hess-my-german.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">memoir</span></a></span></b>,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrxVQwddETBCv8USY3CAEO5Mog2tfirRpowd_k1SdkwdTRszaoiDMkcynqffUB7E6UksVfyLF1f4xlA36afKNBwzCkShHsbsFBaJtvnGWdyyar4sojoJ29RFfQMpWgXqGEgWBpyvfPnsq/s1600/Heinrich+Hess+family+in+1800s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrxVQwddETBCv8USY3CAEO5Mog2tfirRpowd_k1SdkwdTRszaoiDMkcynqffUB7E6UksVfyLF1f4xlA36afKNBwzCkShHsbsFBaJtvnGWdyyar4sojoJ29RFfQMpWgXqGEgWBpyvfPnsq/s1600/Heinrich+Hess+family+in+1800s.jpg" /></span></a><i><span style="background: rgb(255, 253, 248); font-size: large;">"At my confirmation I selected this verse, Psalm 143, verse 10, <b>"Lord, teach me to do thy will for thou art my God. May your good spirit lead me on a smooth road." </b> The Lord has lead me up to this point and I know that He will also lead me further on if I will only believe in Him. My wish and will is to make myself subordinate to Him and to be true to Him until my end."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Heinrich. That's a wise word for me 128 years later in 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wisdom and strength,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMoNmlZmjLZ1h4KqK2MQicKO116XpKkgiEJyU39aUY5VsTj7V9MQER9mU2BINMyPnM1a9z-Rj2HJI6lr1AtZY8rRA5gG7g8y3oW7RgNSK2fLOyigoYPqc3S7QFEjngMWgyQ-rgwOPJr9N/s1600/Accept+Affirm+Appreciate+Admire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.5600004196167px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMoNmlZmjLZ1h4KqK2MQicKO116XpKkgiEJyU39aUY5VsTj7V9MQER9mU2BINMyPnM1a9z-Rj2HJI6lr1AtZY8rRA5gG7g8y3oW7RgNSK2fLOyigoYPqc3S7QFEjngMWgyQ-rgwOPJr9N/s200/Accept+Affirm+Appreciate+Admire.JPG" height="150" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. You might also enjoy <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-simple-yet-mighty-gifts-of.html" style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Simple Yet Mighty Gifts of Acceptance & Affirmation</span></a><b style="color: #cc0000;"> </b>and </span><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-4-dignity.html"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dignity, Decisions, and Liberty of Conscience </span></span></a></span></b></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-3445543254708263302014-06-21T12:56:00.000-04:002014-06-21T13:37:58.084-04:00Quiet in Our Own Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkGNys2Jw3_3wruT1hWcTAvIyUuR5FZL8mBWP9O4HdzJ2n_amNxW-SlGXpAapIa-b9DOzovN2WHQKcmyPQpZNKL0oNE8lH6BVKaG6b_uTj0VX51RGGKxrb4M5RCFbROYQ8ul7jydQkyj_/s1600/Three+yellow+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkGNys2Jw3_3wruT1hWcTAvIyUuR5FZL8mBWP9O4HdzJ2n_amNxW-SlGXpAapIa-b9DOzovN2WHQKcmyPQpZNKL0oNE8lH6BVKaG6b_uTj0VX51RGGKxrb4M5RCFbROYQ8ul7jydQkyj_/s1600/Three+yellow+flowers.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">“I
gather you want to conquer the whole world,” replied the philosopher. </span><span style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">“What will you do when you have conquered
all?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt;">“Why
then,” said the king, “we will return and enjoy ourselves in quiet in our own
land.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt;">“So
may you now,” said Cineas, “without all this ado.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt;">So goes the story about King Pyhrrus, as told in <b><i>Awake My Soul: Practical Spirituality for
Busy People</i></b> by Timothy Jones. As history tells us, Pyhrrus won battles, but at a devastating price. That's where we get the phrase "Pyhrric victory" - the struggles that end up ruining the victor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Just
something to think about as we go about our days. Why do we do what we do? Is it to conquer for the sake of conquest -- to get more but enjoy less? Or is to live authentically with a love of
peace and beauty? There is a time to go out and fight against injustice. I, too, find ways to make a global and local impact, not for my own glory and gain, but for the sake of real peace and prosperity for real people. As a writer, I live by the maxim, “The
pen is mightier than the sword.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt;">But
then there is this family, this home, this quiet life that I treasure. As they also say, “The hand that rocks the
cradle rules the world.” My kids aren’t
babies anymore, but they still need me.
I still need to restore more calm and order to our chaotic little world. I still need to delight in the joys of the simple life. I will take the quiet in my own land.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">"The fruit of that </span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">righteousness</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">will
be peace;</span> </span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">its effect will be quietness </span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">and confidence</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">forever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"><span id="en-NIV-18278">My people will live in </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">peaceful</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="background: white;">dwelling places,</span> </span></div>
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<span class="text" style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">in secure
homes,</span><span style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">in undisturbed places of rest." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">Isaiah 32:17-18</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 18pt;">You may also like:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-blue-bowl-and-thoughts-on-making.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"The Blue Bowl" and Thoughts on Making a Home</span></a></span></b></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-45316837934253374952014-06-09T19:49:00.000-04:002014-06-09T20:14:14.324-04:00Order & Organization (What I Want & How I'm Doing It - Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean'; font-size: x-large;">Order & Organization</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean'; font-size: large;">(What I Want & How I'm Doing It - Part 1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At age 50 with busy days and a big family, I’m </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pondering a life management approach of priorities, goals, motivation, strategies, plans, and practicalities.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perhaps the keenest lesson I learned in my college management classes is this:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The difference between efficiency and effectiveness is that efficiency is doing things the right way, and effectiveness is doing the right thing.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m still learning that thirty years later. Yes, effectiveness is more important, but it’s not an either/or proposition. I need both. Here’s some of what I’m working on and how I’m doing it. I can’t cover it all in one post, but let’s start with Order & Organization, my most urgent practical need with seven of my kids still living at home.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I am trying to initiate more order and develop systems for success. It may not matter much to them right now, but it matters to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Systems & Strategies</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I see a problem area that is stressing me out or hindering our progress, I stop and think about what solution is needed. Sometimes it is a whole system, like setting up an equitable chore chart or deciding how to categorize a large book collection. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FdENz993n0B-ZYBz74ofr5unAzAIZZy6TPpmahj8abZtFgvw-AB-fJRWybxLoZsk_IOD7ZsAMGMqsH7wojE5JCxIMoFX_CrXEPOrjSelfyI5Rz4RBeYZPUSH_wBNvEfIs3a_d3uem2Gl/s1600/Art+desk+for+a+child.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FdENz993n0B-ZYBz74ofr5unAzAIZZy6TPpmahj8abZtFgvw-AB-fJRWybxLoZsk_IOD7ZsAMGMqsH7wojE5JCxIMoFX_CrXEPOrjSelfyI5Rz4RBeYZPUSH_wBNvEfIs3a_d3uem2Gl/s1600/Art+desk+for+a+child.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes it is more simple. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For example, my youngest daughter was always carrying the craft supply bins to the dining room table, but they didn’t always make it back to the shelf. I cleared off a nearby desk, and put all of the supplies on it so she can work there without moving the bins around. I also kept finding dirty hand towels and kids’ clothes on the bathroom floor, so I put a hamper (actually a small round trash can) in there, and it seems to be working. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First: I am setting goals to organize the house area by area. I already tackled the hall bath, the kitchen, the front hallway, though they still need daily maintenance. I am about halfway through my bedroom, our video collection, and the dining room / library. The other hot spots right now are the living room area, my closet, and eventually our storage/laundry room, which I’ve already been chipping away at bit by bit. I'll work with the kids on their bedrooms after we finish the public areas. When I declutter a room, I keep a large bin for items that don't belong. Then I completely clear everything from a small area (a cabinet, a closet, etc.), clean off the surfaces, and put back everything that really belongs there in an orderly way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBQmkktTHGq-tQbVYBcloRKNErDH_PsbOhMEaBgX0Txccm-vI-12V6myLLJ2-olaiKQaer2IH4aoxjMkQ1LGPIdqLNI9qVcrwptHT-o1EBsk0xJel7ZlBLBnU0AxwyVjAwDVgd34EAVD0/s1600/Bins+of+books+to+give+away+or+sell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBQmkktTHGq-tQbVYBcloRKNErDH_PsbOhMEaBgX0Txccm-vI-12V6myLLJ2-olaiKQaer2IH4aoxjMkQ1LGPIdqLNI9qVcrwptHT-o1EBsk0xJel7ZlBLBnU0AxwyVjAwDVgd34EAVD0/s1600/Bins+of+books+to+give+away+or+sell.JPG" height="142" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second: I am purging. I culled through a lot of the kids’ clothes and dropped them off at Salvation Army. Last night, I went on a rampage with the book cases. As a longtime home school mama and word nut, I probably have about a thousand books, if not more. We will never read them all, and they’re overflowing into much needed space. So I picked more than a hundred of them to try to sell at my favorite used bookstore or donate to the library bookstore. That project is still a work-in-progress. I still have books to put away and shelves to rearrange to fill the empty spaces, and I still have those giveaway/sell boxes to organize and figure out what to take where, but those are projects for another day. I can’t do everything at once. I just wish I’d done this in time to sell them at the big local home school used curriculum sale a few weeks ago, since most of them are educational. Oh well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWyKbBoVxZxiR1pmlbSEB_MbnGyMSc7jk0ae88AXwp7H6E6LHr9emKoKKrPamwlwEC1NBFHXgbCV73CahhkhbVGpemUoQptZCF2rIEWEkxFiIRdpMrkHaqufwJjNx1qiSoOKTvJv3tmv4/s1600/Red+clutter+container+in+living+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWyKbBoVxZxiR1pmlbSEB_MbnGyMSc7jk0ae88AXwp7H6E6LHr9emKoKKrPamwlwEC1NBFHXgbCV73CahhkhbVGpemUoQptZCF2rIEWEkxFiIRdpMrkHaqufwJjNx1qiSoOKTvJv3tmv4/s1600/Red+clutter+container+in+living+room.JPG" height="125" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Third: I am containerizing, mainly with baskets and plastic bins. More laundry hampers, more trash cans, more drawer organizers… I even bought a medium-sized dark red trash can that matches our living room couches – but not for garbage. The teen assigned to keeping that room tidy shouldn’t have to go put away other people’s junk, but it still needs to be off the floor, end tables, and couches. If one kid makes a big mess, they have to go in and clean it up themselves. However, I told my son that he should throw any other random stray stuff (except trash or dishes) into that container rather than trying to go hunt down the guilty sibling. If someone wants something, they can go look for it there, and when it gets full, we’ll clean it out and make people claim their stuff or forfeit it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean';">Technology</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">I function best with constant reminders of what needs to be done when. In my earlier years of motherhood, I made a lot of lists, and then lost or neglected those lists. My iPod Touch is by far the most practical gift I have ever received. My brain has a buddy now. Seriously. I’m quite attached. It’s almost always either in my pocket or my hand. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHGuF9XPkzBtM0i6huz6WXUht3ozFiCUCTf3rqHD-qu2zZzrJeOOQRDsHlnJcO8YlXck-xuDgkf8NOFLHuVDTAtN1ArDk_lU459-qv4uko3filIOCZonGhpKDf19vzs_Vbm4E4dtnCfa5/s1600/LifeTopix+app.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHGuF9XPkzBtM0i6huz6WXUht3ozFiCUCTf3rqHD-qu2zZzrJeOOQRDsHlnJcO8YlXck-xuDgkf8NOFLHuVDTAtN1ArDk_lU459-qv4uko3filIOCZonGhpKDf19vzs_Vbm4E4dtnCfa5/s1600/LifeTopix+app.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">I recently started using an app called </span><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://lifetopix.com/"><span style="color: red;">LifeTopix</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #222222;">, which is amazingly comprehensive, though a bit intimidating initially. Those who aren’t prepared to figure things out to get the full power of the system might prefer </span><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://toodledo.com/"><span style="color: red;">ToodleDo</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #222222;">, which is much simpler but doesn’t do nearly as much. I’ll write more about those some other time. For right now, I just want to say having an interactive To Do list integrated with calendar, contacts, multi-task projects, shopping list, notes, medicine logs, finances, maps, photos, and everything else is right up my alley. As soon as I think of something I need to do, I try to enter it before forget. I set alarms for tasks that need to be completed at certain times, such as taking my morning medicines, locking all the doors at night, or picking up a child from an activity or work. All for just $4.99, and my productivity level is definitely up! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Home Assignments</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have a chore chart on the refrigerator. In addition to their own rooms and laundry, the five younger kids each have an assigned dish day and one daily chore for their family contribution (trash, living room, computer room, preparing dining room for dinner, cleaning up dining room after dinner). I do the kitchen, bathrooms, extra dishes, household laundry, supervising, organizing, shopping, and cooking. I entered all of the chore assignments (mine and theirs) into my iPod app so I can remember to hold them accountable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I need to do next is give the kids more in-depth training on how to do their jobs. There seems to be some confusion about what constitutes successful completion. In addition to the hands-on training needed, I’ve been working on a document to go over with them about basic family policies for not only doing the work, but preventing the need for it in the first place by just being sensible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Few Tools</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The way I see it, the tasks I do each day, whether paid or not, are my job. I want to be professional. Part of that is acquiring the tools I need for success. I already mentioned the iPod and the apps, as well as the containers, but here are a few others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">My desk and bookcases</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">: I keep tweaking and it gets better every time. I try to keep everything I need to work within arm’s reach. My drawers are now fully stocked with all sorts of supplies, and my bookcases have teacher resource books that I will use this next year as I home school my youngest daughter and teach group classes. You can read more about my desk organizing project here: </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/05/organizing-little-at-time-my-desk-and.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Organizing a Little at a Time ~ My Desk and Bedside Table</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWwMrz-ikpoK6wyBMT4N0KAHuzuIsKtixxjRnLbVJ9uWTEuvnYjHgNSP86rQEWRhSLLbJX4hMzqA_aQTzH6pLEldr7oLIKpcQltkqHhS-njZMatAbQVHP1r06hWprwbmg5SUfZz42okt3/s1600/Hamper+in+bathroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWwMrz-ikpoK6wyBMT4N0KAHuzuIsKtixxjRnLbVJ9uWTEuvnYjHgNSP86rQEWRhSLLbJX4hMzqA_aQTzH6pLEldr7oLIKpcQltkqHhS-njZMatAbQVHP1r06hWprwbmg5SUfZz42okt3/s1600/Hamper+in+bathroom.JPG" height="156" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Labels:</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> I use these so people in the house can not only find things but remember where to put them back. Not that they always do this, but here’s for trying anyway? I like labels that are attractive, removable, and just the right size for the job. I’ve put some on my youngest daughter’s dresser drawers, my desk drawers, clothes hampers, school supply bins, and containers in the kids’ bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZN7i9X_V054HNUwIG8IvuN86h3OYI4rmLqHmnna5y3bUBFJRs0bbJuVXZERTzQeorrUVU-I-W-vItykyHvTw1m54GCng2j2DSwYbNv_v4ZO_wd9T9VvGGUXAO8x1vaVzezV09iekJJNU/s1600/Vacuum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZN7i9X_V054HNUwIG8IvuN86h3OYI4rmLqHmnna5y3bUBFJRs0bbJuVXZERTzQeorrUVU-I-W-vItykyHvTw1m54GCng2j2DSwYbNv_v4ZO_wd9T9VvGGUXAO8x1vaVzezV09iekJJNU/s1600/Vacuum.JPG" height="200" width="81" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New vacuum cleaner:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"> Our old one, purchased at a thrift store, is heavy, unwieldy, won’t click into upright position, has a floppy hose, and uses bags at an alarming rate. I can never find it anyway, because the kids move it around the house. Last week I indulged myself. I spent $35 at Walmart on a lightweight bagless </span><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bissell-PowerForce-Compact-Upright-Vacuum-23T7V/20658544"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Bissell Powerforce compact vacuum cleaner</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;"> just for my room. It is narrower, so it fits into the tight places. It is easier to maneuver, which is good for my arthritic hands. And it stays where I put it, so I don’t have to go looking for it. It may be inexpensive, but that thing sucks the dust! Wow! Laugh all you want at me splurging on my very own vacuum cleaner, but my bedroom is my haven from stress, even if it is Grand Central Station at times. It is so worth it to me.</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you have any organizing tips or tricks? Share them with the rest of us!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Hand Of Sean';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">P.S. Related Posts on My Blogs</span></span></div>
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<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/05/organizing-little-at-time-my-desk-and.html"><span style="color: red;">Organizing a Little at a Time ~ My Desk and Bedside Table</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-day-little-beauty-and-order-in-my.html"><span style="color: red;">One Day: A Little Beauty and Order in My Home</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #ffffe5; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/04/busy-creative-at-home-grasshoppers-have.html"><span style="background: white; color: red; text-decoration: none;">Busy & Creative at Home (with links to organization blogs)</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/03/bathroom-areas-on-budget.html"><span style="color: red;">Decorating and Organizing Bathroom Areas on a Budget</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/01/kitchen-organization-ideas.html"><span style="color: red;">Kitchen Organization Ideas from a Mom of 10</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #ffffe5; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/06/room-redo-1-front-hallway.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Impulsive Decorator's Room Redo: Front Hallway</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b style="background-color: #ffffe5; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.ca/2012/10/turning-angst-into-clean-closet.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Turning Angst into a Clean Closet</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/organizing-and-laundering-your-linens.html"><span style="color: red;">Organizing and Laundering Your Linens</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/place-for-everything.html"><span style="color: red;">A Place for Everything</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/household-organization-clutter-clothes.html"><span style="color: red;">Household Organization: Clutter, Clothes Storage and Chores</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/02/mt-washmore-laundry-for-large-family.html"><span style="color: red;">Mt. Washmore (Laundry for a Large Family)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-blue-bowl-and-thoughts-on-making.html"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The Blue Bowl" and Thoughts on Making a Home</span></span></a></span></b></li>
</ul>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-23547777831284229242014-05-29T07:00:00.000-04:002014-05-31T22:40:28.544-04:00Organizing a Little at a Time ~ My Desk and Bedside Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I worked part-time as a teacher this past year, I put off a lot of organizing projects until school let out two weeks ago. I have been listing them all on an iPod app as I think of them, and I try to knock them off one by one, little by little. Each day I think, "What am I up to doing today?" It depends on my available time, which area of the house is bugging me most, and other factors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The past few days, I've kept coming back to my bedroom to work. I may not be able to totally control what happens in the other rooms of the house, but I can at least take full responsibility for my own! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, I spent the most time at my desk. Until recently, I had a metal and laminate computer desk, but it was getting more wobbly by the day. In fact, when we moved it out of the bedroom, it split into two pieces! Yikes! Last month, I found my current sturdy wood desk (pictured above) at an estate sale for $5. I replaced the hinged handles (which were on three drawers) with much nicer knobs that I salvaged from an old dresser. I filled the desk drawers with some of my office supplies and papers when I got it, but I continually add more and rearrange as I go along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is simply amazing to have a bunch of desk drawers. I'm not sure how I ever got by without them. I labeled two of them "Supplies" and "Paper" and told my family that those are the only two drawers they may open if they really need something. (We have the some kind of supplies and paper in the dining room, too.) The rest of the drawers are just for me -- for my hanging files and such -- because my desk is my own private area to work. In a busy household with several kids still at home, I need a quiet place where I can close the door to work, as well as a safe place for my lap top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the same estate sale, I bought this wicker drawer unit to hold charging cords, receipts, snacks, and other small items. I store extra books on top, so I had to move my bulletin board up and over to make room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two days ago, I decided to tackle the piles of miscellaneous store receipts that had been plaguing me. I'm trying to get a system for dealing with them. I folded several pieces of card stock in half to make small file folders to store receipts for purchases from different bank accounts, tax deductible expenses, items which might need to be returned, and warranty information. My plan is to empty receipts from my wallet into the folders every day or two. When it is time to itemize them for our records, I will take a folder, tally up the budget categories, and then throw away any receipt I don't need for product returns or tax purposes. Think it will work? I hope so!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6eGtJSBFwmQkh3L_eOw4zCG7GZeLTlVXCp1_E486d1oh_hZU4tLsZsFcKBTKYwPLFiL6WZP_gBI_fjt6lsgWiE3LPS9mpZ1VbP_t8CUil9iikFwWPxx5W8ElZRGcPIm1nAv0V4r6ebO1/s1600/Receipt+drawer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6eGtJSBFwmQkh3L_eOw4zCG7GZeLTlVXCp1_E486d1oh_hZU4tLsZsFcKBTKYwPLFiL6WZP_gBI_fjt6lsgWiE3LPS9mpZ1VbP_t8CUil9iikFwWPxx5W8ElZRGcPIm1nAv0V4r6ebO1/s1600/Receipt+drawer.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've had the white cabinet on my desk for quite some time, and it's gotten quite messy on the inside. (Yay for doors.) Yesterday I took everything out and started fresh. What did I want in there? Where should each thing go? The top shelf in holds all medical supplies, the next shelf down is for extra office supplies and eye glasses cleaning supplies, and the open bottom shelf has a butterfly flower pot with my most commonly used supplies and a basket for miscellaneous small stuff.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcMq060LTsoIujQFrqiDA2ycTHzFpiu5oKXhLlBp-a4gHDCvVxuLUZ3V-p3pzCANtTXsiynVaccrCgt6BdueeHKdVs3_oOyRk3zgAdnmtYu1PlONuYoVHNTRdxUly2sUza4-fYvYGeVWO/s1600/Inside+cabinet+on+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcMq060LTsoIujQFrqiDA2ycTHzFpiu5oKXhLlBp-a4gHDCvVxuLUZ3V-p3pzCANtTXsiynVaccrCgt6BdueeHKdVs3_oOyRk3zgAdnmtYu1PlONuYoVHNTRdxUly2sUza4-fYvYGeVWO/s1600/Inside+cabinet+on+desk.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I taped </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">my Mary Engelbreit greeting card collection on t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">he outside of the cabinet. This one says, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with what happens to you." I decided to use some of the blank space to write in some of my priorities: Jesus, family time, home making, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">creativity, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">planning, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">friendship, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">inspiration, learning, writing, teaching, rest, service, exercise, focus, nutrition, and peacemaking. Just a reminder when I'm tempted to fritter away time with mindless web surfing!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-jwz_Oy_INblNFeyvFx7mnrcf_JrYQcrupxOk2ajSkpzX0L32HEX6qG46OvRJPSlzz2RVIDnVA8Za2DmXQ7IstgK8DEkqMYrDNaZJhBTatyWrdUVqWMRPbCcjQd-ChVsPvdepC-fJxj5/s1600/Priorities+written+on+Mary+Engelbreit+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-jwz_Oy_INblNFeyvFx7mnrcf_JrYQcrupxOk2ajSkpzX0L32HEX6qG46OvRJPSlzz2RVIDnVA8Za2DmXQ7IstgK8DEkqMYrDNaZJhBTatyWrdUVqWMRPbCcjQd-ChVsPvdepC-fJxj5/s1600/Priorities+written+on+Mary+Engelbreit+card.JPG" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I keep an old piano bench next to my desk to hold a big basket for my two clipboards and other things. One clipboard is for papers (like budgets) that my husband wants to leave for me, so they won't get lost in my piles. The other clipboard is for papers I need handy for specific purposes, such as for upcoming events.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4sqUvSNhzdwJsHh7XW-CvY4SRX8jo8sB3CjEZODLf8iD-IQTS5xSs4XYhyphenhyphenkwKngpgp_qaO5vgm45QAsnIqYAjAYemWoUXUysvf3OZG8OSD4gcNC3cH4KK2vFRNwB-rzcXbIIteb_S15h/s1600/Wicker+drawer+unit+on+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrRK37UgPzaBvjxar2Z4oYM6r0PqO3UnOXBPN-n1_noedVP0qq5Nfund_EG3meoCt9ddB2gZtUE5Vy62Tpy1zHEUtBlaNHKX_XcS3i9v_RYnC0G5z3L5_cCGuoYdK0krcsivRXXA5Yz1j/s1600/Basket+with+clip+boards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrRK37UgPzaBvjxar2Z4oYM6r0PqO3UnOXBPN-n1_noedVP0qq5Nfund_EG3meoCt9ddB2gZtUE5Vy62Tpy1zHEUtBlaNHKX_XcS3i9v_RYnC0G5z3L5_cCGuoYdK0krcsivRXXA5Yz1j/s1600/Basket+with+clip+boards.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I work in my room, I often find stuff my kids have left in here. I grabbed a big empty bin from our storage room and just started tossing it in. I'll take the bin out when I'm done with the room, and get them to put their belongings away. I have similar bins in some of the other rooms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqsaU06eS3jk369O7zQDWxs4ZF90URjx1rlYZA2s_Z5VNC4O8rxzuYMmJ8NJjZEyU3GLJMn0ZU-4ew7tH36zV-RZQ55mFqKqVJn6b9_EMl-vi9uXJWMp_v0lVFWhevZZfq1IgbgNQ6m5N/s1600/Clutter+bin+during+bedroom+cleaning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqsaU06eS3jk369O7zQDWxs4ZF90URjx1rlYZA2s_Z5VNC4O8rxzuYMmJ8NJjZEyU3GLJMn0ZU-4ew7tH36zV-RZQ55mFqKqVJn6b9_EMl-vi9uXJWMp_v0lVFWhevZZfq1IgbgNQ6m5N/s1600/Clutter+bin+during+bedroom+cleaning.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other area I worked on in the past two days is my bed area. I washed all the linens, including my ultra-soft comforter. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This vintage wooden tea cart that I use as my bedside table had gotten cluttered up and dusty. I took everything off, wiped it down, and started putting back only the bare basics: a lamp, my iPod dock/clock, two small baskets, my medicine bottle, and a water mug. I keep my glasses on the padded blue box on the headboard shelf at night, along with my phone. I always know where to find them if I have to get up in a hurry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_QqrAj8HsMFm0AKD0qVbrZxrfW-K9JJYBgnNPirg_etERaf15IBv4yxw18IH_1n6izkvgdog0KZwmJkkBtFnOVOhZCJqGAv8mP6iRCHDfIStk-kXicr__i5yOcHCQtf79tAljKbiG_Nz/s1600/Bedside+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_QqrAj8HsMFm0AKD0qVbrZxrfW-K9JJYBgnNPirg_etERaf15IBv4yxw18IH_1n6izkvgdog0KZwmJkkBtFnOVOhZCJqGAv8mP6iRCHDfIStk-kXicr__i5yOcHCQtf79tAljKbiG_Nz/s1600/Bedside+table.JPG" height="263" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, and I decided to put it in my biggest Longaberger basket on top of my headboard. The basket helps camouflage it and it also corrals the long air tube and face mask during the day time. I just have to make sure I leave adequate room behind the machine for its air intake. The jug of water on the bottom shelf of the cart is for refilling the CPAP humidifier chamber. I like to keep things handy so I'm more likely to use them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the Grandma mug a couple of weeks ago when my youngest grandson was born, but just put it on my bedside table yesterday. My plan is to fill it up every night before I go to bed so I can take my thyroid medicine early in the morning without getting up. If I use a regular plastic cup, someone always takes it. This one will be dedicated wholly to its job, and the cover will keep dust and bugs out at night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoekH7I4uv937wDQ_hU89NSF1aQJu2gGxEnEwdY1PsQJvq73-QdGTsDwTrEJQPlIOlQQBveGDsxNP2pDvjQ84FcZ7MpjONzLLgjPuBkq4ouz5y5twp2TH8Tut44C54HSfop25hKvxoa_N/s1600/Grandma+mug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoekH7I4uv937wDQ_hU89NSF1aQJu2gGxEnEwdY1PsQJvq73-QdGTsDwTrEJQPlIOlQQBveGDsxNP2pDvjQ84FcZ7MpjONzLLgjPuBkq4ouz5y5twp2TH8Tut44C54HSfop25hKvxoa_N/s1600/Grandma+mug.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two last pictures! I bought this <a href="http://www.abcinspirationalpoems.com/index.php?/Dare-To-Poems/dare-to-2.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Dare To" butterfly poster</span></b></a> at Michael's craft store before Christmas and hung it with inexpensive poster hanging rods that slip onto the top and bottom edges. This was much cheaper and faster than framing. I like to be inspired and motivated, and you probably already know I am a word person from morning until night!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-size: large;">is for </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Reinvent Yourself</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. I've had to do that a lot in recent years with so many life transitions. </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overcome Adversity</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">, too! There is always a bit of</span><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fail, and Dare to Suceed.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Most of all, </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love All You Can.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm glad my bedroom is becoming a place for rest, reflection, and renewed responsibility along the journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What have you done to make your bedroom special?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can find two other posts related to my bedroom here:</span></span><br />
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<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/06/desk-for-mom-featuring-habitat-for.html"><span style="color: red;">A Desk for Mom</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-space-of-my-own.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Space of My Own</span></span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/09/sacramental-big-words.html"><span style="color: red;">Sacramental (Big Words)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-day-little-beauty-and-order-in-my.html"><span style="color: red;">One Day: A Little Beauty and Order in My Home</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/03/bathroom-areas-on-budget.html"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Decorating and Organizing Bathroom Areas on a Budget</span></span></a></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</a></span></b></span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-8380523113377884402014-05-10T00:33:00.001-04:002014-05-31T22:41:31.105-04:00"Thy Good and Comfortable Word" by Amy Carmichael<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZqHOC601PivWANq_bA2bCKoaynUCm4LwjPTlzwssHDgIOzLbDpTh2iYgryiFVROEIZXJFFjs1ZRmrN1jY4ky_Zd9ICNNLwRuMvdCd65m9jdObzIkbIwF3F8fjt6etfXbYMOdPjmv3jJa/s1600/Magnolia+in+full+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZqHOC601PivWANq_bA2bCKoaynUCm4LwjPTlzwssHDgIOzLbDpTh2iYgryiFVROEIZXJFFjs1ZRmrN1jY4ky_Zd9ICNNLwRuMvdCd65m9jdObzIkbIwF3F8fjt6etfXbYMOdPjmv3jJa/s1600/Magnolia+in+full+bloom.JPG" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;">“Thy Good and Comfortable
Word”</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Lover of souls, Thee have I heard,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Thee will I sing, for sing I must,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Thy good and comfortable word</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Hath raised my spirit from the dust.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W5vypdQblF1ocZSiAYnlDM6CQIS4Oie2wI3YWrzq38jgVPEgC8uxGHo9AG-q8dVYTEEG-cl3_dECjmcqmyAMA-8lANo-em8FNfCIaDa1cA65iAj43ew5gABRKBmnP4rEtjrTh5pUgd0x/s1600/Magnolia+bud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W5vypdQblF1ocZSiAYnlDM6CQIS4Oie2wI3YWrzq38jgVPEgC8uxGHo9AG-q8dVYTEEG-cl3_dECjmcqmyAMA-8lANo-em8FNfCIaDa1cA65iAj43ew5gABRKBmnP4rEtjrTh5pUgd0x/s1600/Magnolia+bud.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">In dusty ways my feet had strayed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">And foolish fears laid hold on
me,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Until what time I was afraid,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"> I suddenly remembered Thee.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IGGSNvj467rqRfdXx5xG375uP9VLVxnokSOltMTAxe4_7R4RdAe_TSO-Equ_pYyoo9NMcQRy2TE39ELT7PrXqNvc253JFj95Y1w6SkEXcCAhYW-km_hhJGFPZ0Vau_hS7gt-mudwzcoe/s1600/Magnolia+partially+open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IGGSNvj467rqRfdXx5xG375uP9VLVxnokSOltMTAxe4_7R4RdAe_TSO-Equ_pYyoo9NMcQRy2TE39ELT7PrXqNvc253JFj95Y1w6SkEXcCAhYW-km_hhJGFPZ0Vau_hS7gt-mudwzcoe/s1600/Magnolia+partially+open.JPG" height="312" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Remembering Thee, I straight forgot,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">What otherwhile had troubled
me;</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">It was as if it all were not,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">I only was aware of Thee.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2TPLChzqG-D3-_Edw29155KbK798XpalIALMlOrB8kOtqMb-sDLMrOjwCMoSD-fHyq63uJEWvSrNXwyFg1UN1pK2ypbL3xaBWZ1DzfgH1Ums9x3Tc7G3MzgCBoBt_qcBhNuPb4eu2un4/s1600/Magnolia+in+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2TPLChzqG-D3-_Edw29155KbK798XpalIALMlOrB8kOtqMb-sDLMrOjwCMoSD-fHyq63uJEWvSrNXwyFg1UN1pK2ypbL3xaBWZ1DzfgH1Ums9x3Tc7G3MzgCBoBt_qcBhNuPb4eu2un4/s1600/Magnolia+in+bloom.JPG" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Of Thee, of Thee alone, aware,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">I rested me, I held me still,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">The blessed thought of Thee, most Fair,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Dispelled the brooding sense
of ill.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9ta09jNWQFqFfswGzbDgJKi7HG184als2bk3VjcYqBHcnlrWh-O8SAJjiwWGid_6teNpqInOmxs1oaHDHA_d93vu4n2YK0oAGC3P9KIvDWj8VDJnKiYA-6aapjDtZHX2Rahn-6FU6MhP/s1600/Magnolia+wide+open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 29.09090805053711px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9ta09jNWQFqFfswGzbDgJKi7HG184als2bk3VjcYqBHcnlrWh-O8SAJjiwWGid_6teNpqInOmxs1oaHDHA_d93vu4n2YK0oAGC3P9KIvDWj8VDJnKiYA-6aapjDtZHX2Rahn-6FU6MhP/s1600/Magnolia+wide+open.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">And quietness about me fell,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">And Thou didst speak: my
spirit heard;</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">I worshipped and rejoiced; for well</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">I knew Thy comfortable word.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZqHOC601PivWANq_bA2bCKoaynUCm4LwjPTlzwssHDgIOzLbDpTh2iYgryiFVROEIZXJFFjs1ZRmrN1jY4ky_Zd9ICNNLwRuMvdCd65m9jdObzIkbIwF3F8fjt6etfXbYMOdPjmv3jJa/s1600/Magnolia+in+full+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZqHOC601PivWANq_bA2bCKoaynUCm4LwjPTlzwssHDgIOzLbDpTh2iYgryiFVROEIZXJFFjs1ZRmrN1jY4ky_Zd9ICNNLwRuMvdCd65m9jdObzIkbIwF3F8fjt6etfXbYMOdPjmv3jJa/s1600/Magnolia+in+full+bloom.JPG" height="292" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">Whoso hath known that comforting,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">The inward touch that maketh
whole,</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">How can he ever choose but sing</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;">To Thee, O Lover of his soul.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amy Carmichael was a missionary to India in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Her main ministry was rescuing
children from immoral duties in the Hindu temples, and then raising them in the
Christian faith at Dohnavur Fellowship. The children often sang songs of praise to
God throughout the day; this was a key part of their upbringing! Amy did not have an easy life. After a painful injury, she spent
her latter decades as an invalid. These
experiences enabled her to write straight from the heart of God to comfort
those who faced trials and difficulties, and to challenge them to rise up to
the call of God on their lives no matter what.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to share an Amy Carmichael poem with these magnolia pictures, so I thumbed through my dog-eared copy of her book <u style="font-weight: bold;">Toward Jerusalem</u> which I've had since college. It was hard picking. Perhaps "Bud of Joy" would have been more fitting for the pictures, but that one didn't "speak" to me at the moment. I also like "Wandering Thoughts" - I remember that going deep into me one hard year. "Love Through Me" and "The Sign" and "Cape Comorin" are other old favorites which I shared at our ladies' Bible study two weeks ago, since our lesson mentioned Amy Carmichael.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I finally settled on "Thy Comfortable Word", I did a Google search on the title so I wouldn't have to type in all the stanzas. The top entry on the list? Mine! Apparently, I had included it in one of my old e-magazines over eight years ago, the same issue in which I announced the birth of my youngest daughter Melody. If I'm not mistaken, I think I remember breathing out these poems' lines during labor. (I really did strange things like that.) I do know, based on a note I included with it in that e-magazine, that I sent one of my older daughters to grab the book from the shelf one day when I was feeling really low. It could have been a day when I felt like that first and last magnolia in the pictures above, with the stamens falling out of the center, just lying there disconnected in a heap. As I read the poem then, I could sense the comfort of God wash over me, his inward touch that made me whole. Read it again, and maybe it will bless you now, too. Perhaps these links about magnolias, Amy Carmichael poems, and lessons I learned from mothering Melody will also encourage you. Enjoy...</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/05/weekend-gratitude-still-life.html"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still Life Magnolias</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/05/little-gems-first-bloom-and-day-of.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Little Gem's First Bloom and the Day of Small Things</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/praying-for-our-children.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">“A Parent’s Prayer” by Amy Carmichael</span></a> </span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/08/melody-my-bud-of-joy.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Melody, My Bud of Joy</span></a> (with a poem by Amy
Carmichael)</span></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/06/melody-isms.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Melody-isms</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/03/password-of-praise.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Password of Praise</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/03/mommy-can-i-help-you.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mommy, Can I Help You?</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/04/simple-shoes.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Simple Shoes</span></a> </span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/02/melody-and-bab.html"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Melody and Bab</span></a></span></b></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaytxU5LK1pD6T7lidPAMD1UTia_ZYYZdgJ_DPdUQkt94ATUX_85sVhMxuS-CwqltfL1_y8cKB_2Z9vdtvNo4mXP2iw1-5ULd1NTmql6gti7BsaN7-I-lJlachMYdLBnL-6Zhxo8MmVgi/s1600/Melody+in+black+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaytxU5LK1pD6T7lidPAMD1UTia_ZYYZdgJ_DPdUQkt94ATUX_85sVhMxuS-CwqltfL1_y8cKB_2Z9vdtvNo4mXP2iw1-5ULd1NTmql6gti7BsaN7-I-lJlachMYdLBnL-6Zhxo8MmVgi/s1600/Melody+in+black+hat.JPG" height="199" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"> Melody</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. My daughter Julia is about to give birth to her first child any day now. Say a prayer for her, will you? Funny thing is, the midwife who is supposed to deliver baby Lucas also delivered my little Melody. We didn't make that connection until about a month ago. How time flies... </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 24.150001525878906px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I often link my posts to these blogs:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 24.150001525878906px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 24.150001525878906px;"></span></span>
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<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://sandraheskaking.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Still Saturday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.deidrariggs.com/category/the-sunday-community/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Sunday Community</span></a></span></b></li>
<img src="http://sandraheskaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SS-08-3.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> </span><img src="http://www.deidrariggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-Sunday-Community-4OR.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px; text-align: justify;" /></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-39389935647426415742014-04-16T08:33:00.000-04:002014-04-30T07:04:07.574-04:00Welcome to Visitors from No Longer Quivering!<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uKBe2D8jceMMzFyt6NqAb3z5gjhMZEfDQQhSmc3fjmqbiofseVfpWIMVlYDQV8rfkmTP9eUCtjnjzkxnF5eCtdr1uQXEaZo7S7Y1Qj7Kpy7ORqGI9CVujRaRYBwb56RuNYna65J_vWk/s1600/Virginia+in+a+quiet+moment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #cc0000; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uKBe2D8jceMMzFyt6NqAb3z5gjhMZEfDQQhSmc3fjmqbiofseVfpWIMVlYDQV8rfkmTP9eUCtjnjzkxnF5eCtdr1uQXEaZo7S7Y1Qj7Kpy7ORqGI9CVujRaRYBwb56RuNYna65J_vWk/s250/Virginia+in+a+quiet+moment.JPG" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;">Welcome to my new blog visitors! If you are
looking for the cross-post of </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nolongerquivering/2014/04/my-recovery-story-so-ive-been-spiritually-abused-what-next/" target="_blank"><b><span style="background: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: 24.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">my post on No Longer Quivering</span></b></a></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;">, you can find it on my blog </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="background: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: 24.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.WatchTheShepherd.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;">. The direct link is </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/moving-on-from-broken-my-church-and.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="background: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: 24.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Moving on from Broken: My
Church and Life Transition Story</span></b></a></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;"><span style="background: white;">While you're
here, please feel free to poke around on my blogs!</span><br /><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 24pt;"><span style="background: white;">Virginia Knowles</span></span><span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #900007; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12.800002098083496px; line-height: 14.560003280639648px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #900007; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800002098083496px; line-height: 14.560003280639648px;"></span><span style="background-color: #900007; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12.800002098083496px; line-height: 14.560003280639648px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #900007; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800002098083496px; line-height: 14.560003280639648px;"></span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-24174827005562899082014-04-11T20:53:00.000-04:002014-06-14T08:19:52.414-04:00Mom's Chauffeur and Courier Service (A Little Encouragement)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb-laNAcppUc7z4NsOUXBDRlvzlG6XfxpiCCEp8gTtMG4ADJzgaiZxgAY0Em4XUA2XJ5hntEOjWLi1-lA5J9i_M9EclpIj4lE4av5jAipQsmEhH-S2c-_j6K0Wa-PPXMON6TEHPl1Ze0k/s400/Red+Grand+Caravan.JPG" /></span></div>
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My day "off" started off not with a bang, but my teenager's gentle voice around 6:30 in the morning: "Mom, I missed the bus. I tried to let you sleep as late as I could, but I need a ride to school." Huh? What? Oh. Up I go. Change into day clothes, keys in hand, we can do this. Let's enjoy the beautiful sunrise and a little time spent with a very sweet son. I'm a mom of 10 with seven still living at home, so one-on-one time is precious.</span><br />
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I got home in time to make sure my youngest daughter's hair was combed and that my youngest son was out of bed. Keys in hand, off to the elementary school several blocks away. Then home again in time to eat some breakfast and take another daughter and a neighbor to their middle school bus top several blocks away. Done yet with driving? I thought so...</span><br />
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But no. Within minutes, I got a text from my daughter that she had left the Cheetos for a class party in the van. Could I bring them to school for her at lunch time? Sure, why not. Not so far away, eh?</span><br />
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And then, and then, I got a call from one of my adult daughters asking for a "big favor, Mom." Could I bring the set of her paint brushes she had left on her bed? As soon as possible, please? I had to laugh. Yep, got it. I took a shower, threw some laundry in the washer, printed out my To Do list for the next few days. Keys in hand, off to the college to bring my amazing artist her tools. (I can't wait to go see the college's juried art show opening night next week. She had six pieces accepted for display, out of the 60 total. Did I say she is an amazing artist?)</span><br />
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On the way back from from the college, I decided to take advantage of being in that end of town and stopped by an antique store I spotted. The owner was just unlocking the door, a half hour past the regular opening time. Chatting with her in the store, I discovered her morning had been much like mine, running around town taking care of stuff for her adult son's family since he was sick. We both smiled and agreed: "We do for family." Yes we do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC0fESD61lfyhmqDJd9J1qjiPi0uGMCqCsNmq9TLhT0UARQqQ9lIEX0XGgiMca9a3GEFERS1ZRK8UMtHRE2r8wBAnljJlCCqqJsva7BoRkm9uDxP3w6yTj9x552gywk4uiHelrpuz5HdB/s1600/Laundry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC0fESD61lfyhmqDJd9J1qjiPi0uGMCqCsNmq9TLhT0UARQqQ9lIEX0XGgiMca9a3GEFERS1ZRK8UMtHRE2r8wBAnljJlCCqqJsva7BoRkm9uDxP3w6yTj9x552gywk4uiHelrpuz5HdB/s1600/Laundry.JPG" height="200" width="187" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After sorting a huge laundry pile into baskets for the kids to fold, and then doing a little prep work for school (I teach three days a week), I crashed for a much needed nap in the afternoon. My husband kindly offered to pick up two kids from school, and another from a bus stop. But I still needed to take one son to work at Chick-Fil-A. The two youngest each had a coupon for a free small pizza from Dominoes. Yes, we could stop by on the way home, couldn't we? Sure, why not? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At least I didn't have to make dinner, right?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Except that when we got there, we found out they didn't take those "Student Reward" coupons, which were issued by a store several miles north. Just as well, that would give me time to order ahead by phone so we wouldn't have to wait long. Off we go again. Serendipitously, this Dominoes was right next to a used book store I had been wanting to visit since I had seen it on the way home from the college in the morning. And even better, they take trades, and I just happened to have a bag of books in the van that I had intended to sell at a different bookstore closer to home. I was able to find three very encouraging and timely books to apply my store credit from what they wanted from me. Yes! My son was also enthralled with their amazing manga collection. And eating pizza in the van. His very own pizza. All for him, and all gone now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So yeah, today I've been "Mom's Chauffeur and Courier Service." Lest you think my kids are taking advantage of me, it's rare that one of them needs to be bailed out, and truth be told, they bail me out just as often by driving a sibling to work, picking up something at the store, making dinner when I'm rushed, baby sitting, helping the younger ones with homework... It's all good.</span><br />
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It's been a day. A good day. A Mom day. But now, my keys are in my purse!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VdWkt9Yrcmipq_a-WwqLVWexbXPooy9EaEp3bKvPgKpGEsOuE5wSMA7wk3PlBLNXrYs03KvB4s5GRw8L7zDA8NCD5qrDpaka60J1wsV6g1xlU9Qj07CqvTvAOTGQ_v0x_3zMP0v3gig_/s1600/Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VdWkt9Yrcmipq_a-WwqLVWexbXPooy9EaEp3bKvPgKpGEsOuE5wSMA7wk3PlBLNXrYs03KvB4s5GRw8L7zDA8NCD5qrDpaka60J1wsV6g1xlU9Qj07CqvTvAOTGQ_v0x_3zMP0v3gig_/s1600/Books.JPG" height="203" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh yes, those books! Here is <i>such</i> a relevant snippet from one of them, starting on the very first page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And it's not uncommon to find ourselves wondering, <i>How does this whole crazy puzzle fit together?</i> Anne Morrow Lindbergh observed somewhere in her timeless little book, <i>Gift from the Sea, </i>that most of us don't really mind pouring our lives out for a reason. What we do resent is the feeling that it is being dribbled away in small, meaningless drips for no good reason." For me, one of the greatest frustrations of walking through the "dailiness" of my life is that I don't always get to see how the bits and pieces of who I am fit into the big picture of God's plan. It's tempting to see my life as a meal here, a meeting there, a carpool, a phone call, a sack of groceries -- all disjointed fragments of nothing in particular. Yet I know I am called, as God's child, to believe that they do add up. That in some way every scrap of my life, every step and every struggle, is in the process of being fitted together into God's huge and perfect pattern for good (Romans 8:28). As difficult as that is to "live into" daily, it had become for me a transforming truth, adding meaning to the mundane and purpose to the plodding." (<i>Kaleidscope: God's Pattern in the Bits & Pieces of a Woman's Life</i> by Claire Cloninger)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(I picked up the book because the concept of the kaleidoscope is one I've been pondering lately. You can see more here: <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/01/kaleidoscope-big-words.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Kaleidoscope</span></b></a>.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span><br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-59325120929702973822014-02-20T14:23:00.000-05:002014-02-22T20:09:15.149-05:00Brain Boosting: The Physical Factors<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">BRAIN BOOSTING: THE PHYSICAL FACTORS</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp_V6PJRHmAMhCNjqUw1ltjEr8X2ln-3YidJQQFpFPxEQNaF1avWCyJKfopOdv0t_Vm7ARI8f5WrRvRjWLqY4j_ZkcrwThuaFbVDZrVKSH5ZgjZvCQvSPJAyTguZIB-7JPQJJUj6Qdm2m/s1600/Melancholy+with+heat+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp_V6PJRHmAMhCNjqUw1ltjEr8X2ln-3YidJQQFpFPxEQNaF1avWCyJKfopOdv0t_Vm7ARI8f5WrRvRjWLqY4j_ZkcrwThuaFbVDZrVKSH5ZgjZvCQvSPJAyTguZIB-7JPQJJUj6Qdm2m/s200/Melancholy+with+heat+map.jpg" height="200" style="background-color: transparent;" width="82" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">In a mental fog? Feeling sluggish or forgetful or distracted? I’ve been there, too! Our brains are amazing, complicated organs,
affected by so many factors. I’ve been
working on various areas of brain boosting over the past few years and thinking lately about how
to increase my mental accuity and focus even more. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>I've been planning to write this post for a while, but my memory was jogged this morning by these electronic sign messages outside my son's high school about preparing for the upcoming standardized writing tests.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>Great reminder, but it's not just for students preparing for tests! We all need to remember to care for our brains!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Before we take a look at the physical factors affecting brain function, I want to
mention two books that I am currently reading.
Please note that I haven’t finished either of them yet, and I’m sure I
would not endorse everything in them, but they are extremely helpful for both
inspiration and practical ideas. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Next </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';">time, we’ll cover mental, emotional, and life management factors.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"> </span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Leonardo-Vinci/dp/0440508274" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day</span></a></span></u></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">by Michael J. Gelb: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">This book takes a long look at how da Vinci
approached life and learning, incorporating curiosity, learning through
experience/persistence, cultivating sensory attention, embracing ambiguity, balancing
between the arts and sciences, nurturing the physical body, and an appreciating
interconnectedness.</span></li>
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<li><b><u><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Brain-Drain-Maintain/dp/1606529862/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392921489&sr=1-1&keywords=no+more+brain+drain" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">No More Brain Drain: Proven Ways to Maintain Your Mind and Memories</span></a></span></u></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"> by Readers Digest: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">Based on more than 100 scientific studies, this
easy-to-read, visually pleasing book is full of practical and innovative ideas
for boosting your mental edge – foods, exercises, mental games, sleep tips,
etc. Please note that there are other books with similar titles. Maybe they're good, too!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Ready for a little tour through the brain
factors? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Sleep<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">This is the biggest one for me. I have a hard time making myself go to bed on
time if I don’t have somewhere to go the next morning. Then I pay for staying up until 1 AM with
grogginess the next day – and even for a few days sometimes. Working too late on the computer is also said
to overstimulate the brain, though I don’t seem to have much problem getting to
sleep once I’m in bed, so that’s not as much of an issue for me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222;">The other thing that affected my sleep for
years is that I have a severe case of obstructive </span><a href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">sleep apnea</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;">, which means my airways get blocked while I'm in bed at night, and my brain doesn't get the oxygen it needs. Untreated, this would cause me to wake up
briefly at least once per minute. Even
though I am not conscious of it when it happens, it definitely prevents a good
night’s sleep and creates other health risks, including heart attack. Last year, I finally went to do an overnight
sleep study at Florida Hospital, and started using a CPAP machine with a breathing
mask every night. I breathe so much
easier and sleep so much better with it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Another thing that helps me sleep better at
night is using a side pillow to support me in the correct position. If I don’t use it, my back is too
uncomfortable to sleep well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">If I find myself getting really foggy or cranky during the day, I will lie down for a nap. Sometimes it is just five minutes to close my eyes, and sometimes I need to crash for a few hours to get my brain back. I guess it should also be said that too much sleep can also impair brain function. Find out what works for you.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Some people take sleep medicines, but many of these are known to cause serious side effects or make you feel groggy in the morning. Melatonin is a more natural supplement for assisting healthy sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>Aim for eight hours of nightly sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room. The ideal hours are before midnight!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">What is affecting your sleep? Going to bed too late? Chronic pain? Anxiety? Too much caffeine? Too much household noise? Small children? Too much screen time? What can you do to get more ZZZZ's?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Nutrition<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">This is probably the other biggie for me, but
it’s very confusing. There are so many
opinions out there about what we should eat and how it affects brain function. You have the paleos and gluten frees on the
one side, and the vegetarians and whole grainers on the other side. I think all agree that junk food is
detrimental to clear thinking! I don’t
have much to say about nutrition at this point, except for try to be aware of
how individual foods affect you personally.
I do best with protein first thing in the morning. I try to stay away from inflammatory foods
since I have arthritis and other joint problems. My biggest struggle is sugar. I keep saying I want to cut it out, but then
I go right back to it. I’m sure the
extra weight I’m carrying around is no help to my physical and mental health. Blech.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #222222;">Some of the brain-happy foods listed in the </span><b style="color: #222222;"><u>No More Brain Drain</u></b><span style="color: #222222;"> book are olive
oil, nuts, fish, whole grains, fresh produce (blueberries, apples, bananas, spinach,
brocolli), flaxseed, garlic, low-fat dairy products, and green tea. What I'm confused about is that Dr. Perlmutter, the medical consultant for this book is also the author of the book <b>Grain Brain</b>, in which advocates a low carb, gluten free, higher fat diet with minimal grains. You can read his article </span><a href="http://www.drperlmutter.com/5-keys-eating-better-brain-healthp/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">5 Keys to Eating for Better Brain Health</span><span style="color: #222222;">.</span></a> I guess the jury is still out on brain nutrition! Like I said, I'm not sure quite what to think. I guess I will stick to what is generally known as healthy food, and all in moderation. Other brain foods I've seen on multiple lists are almonds, coconut oil, eggs, avocados, dark chocolate (yes!), salmon, kale, strawberries, curry/turmeric, rosemary, sage, apple cider vinegar...</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>Oh, and don't forget to drink plenty of clean water! A body that is not properly hydrated can feel sluggish and tired! How much water? Take your weight in pounds. Divide that in half. Drink that many ounces per day. That's a lot of water, but your body needs it for so many reasons!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><b><u>Exercise</u></b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>Exercise - especially aerobic - gets your blood and oxygen flowing to the brain, and improves mood and general stamina. It also increases physical awareness, such as hand-eye coordination, that is crucial to strengthening your mental muscles. It helps posture and flexibility, and, done correctly, can alleviate pain. It releases calming hormones like serotonin and dopamine, reducing stress. All of these will help you think better, too.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p>Can't afford a gym membership or just can't get out much? Lace on your sneakers and take a brisk walk in your own neighborhood! Walk with a friend for extra motivation. Or buy yourself an exercise DVD to use in your own home! I just bought the "Keeping Fit in Your 50's" DVD set at Sam's Club, but I need to go to the chiropractor before I start using it!</o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Health & Medications<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Other health issues that affect my own mental
powers are low thyroid, chronic pain, seasonal allergies and Attention Deficit
Disorder. (See </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/09/add-and-me-well-manage.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">ADD and Me? We’ll Manage!</span></a></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">) Fortunately, there
are medications for these and other maladies. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Unfortunately, some medications have side effects which hinder brain
power. For example, some allergy
medicines cause drowsiness. Make sure
you buy one that specifically says it is non-drowsy or daytime. (I use loratidine, and my children use chewable Alavert.) </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Some pain medications and anti-depressants can
make you more tired and foggy brained. According to friends who take it, Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant stimulant, doesn't seem to have that effect. It is known for helping people with ADD focus better, as well as promoting energy level and weight loss. For pain, I use ibuprofen (not every day since it has long-term side effects), Icy Hot arthritis lotion, chiropractic
adjustments (every several months) and occasional massage therapy. Muscle and joint pain can be a huge mental distraction to me, so I have to deal with it in order to concentrate well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Other health factors which commonly effect
brain function include high blood pressure, vision/hearing problems, smoking, alcohol
or drug use, migraines, brain injuries (even mild ones), and neurological &
psychiatric disorders, etc. Be sure to go in for
regular physical exams, and, if needed, ask for referrals to a specialist such
as a nutritionist, optometrist, audiologist, allergy doctor, chiropractor, endocrinologist, neurologist,
psychiatrist, or cognitive behavioral therapist. This goes for your kids, too! If your child has a health issue which impairs
learning, better to catch it and treat it early!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Other supplements are also used to increase
brain power. Vitamin B complex, vitamin
E, fish oil, potassium, magnesium, calcium are all ones listed in the <b><u>No More Brain Drain</u></b> book. Gingko biloba is another one commonly used, but I don't know much about that. </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">Caffeine can be either positive or negative. I only use the sugar-free drink packets when I really need to be able to focus for a few hours. It's not good to drink a lot of it, get dependent on it, or use it within a few hours of bedtime.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">Stay tuned! Next time, I'll write about the mental, emotional, and life management factors of boosting brain power.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</span></a></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-54995974901469905732014-02-10T18:56:00.000-05:002014-02-10T18:56:01.309-05:00Good Words from Colossians 4<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good Words from Colossians 4</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCuLkQ4YEMyM05al9NwdbrhbmFB6vNnHK4G1qEEljHRvXHydEE7ELqchi1gAaeuz6mP6sQ3gNxpZBxij3hBrqS2sG3qeZaDit_TIYb94IVFAfRCjZT919n81F9fLo72GwZBBomHaY0dn_/s1600/a+Sculpture+of+woman's+face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCuLkQ4YEMyM05al9NwdbrhbmFB6vNnHK4G1qEEljHRvXHydEE7ELqchi1gAaeuz6mP6sQ3gNxpZBxij3hBrqS2sG3qeZaDit_TIYb94IVFAfRCjZT919n81F9fLo72GwZBBomHaY0dn_/s1600/a+Sculpture+of+woman's+face.JPG" height="200" width="158" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">DEVOTE:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">commit
effort and affection</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">PRAYER:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">communion
with God and intercession for others</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">WATCHFUL:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">attentive
to God’s voice and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">to what’s going on in the world around us ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">ready to respond appropriately</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">THANKFUL:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">gratefully
aware of blessings (even in disguise) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">and acknowledging their source</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">DOOR
FOR OUR MESSAGE:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">a
divine opportunity to move into <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">a fruitful
communication of grace</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaBsjn2JUiVNDlSljEbJT-TIj_XhX2HCx39qhLK0PG2o0CXj2kQTyOH0hUuOIFuPx-aBESas93sOnhAjouz986xlIJNpTh6XDVgVU29fFniDt9ZW9wzlMcYTQNXEFk-vEWH6EadjSWUji/s1600/Door+handle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaBsjn2JUiVNDlSljEbJT-TIj_XhX2HCx39qhLK0PG2o0CXj2kQTyOH0hUuOIFuPx-aBESas93sOnhAjouz986xlIJNpTh6XDVgVU29fFniDt9ZW9wzlMcYTQNXEFk-vEWH6EadjSWUji/s1600/Door+handle.JPG" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">PROCLAIM:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">call
attention amid the distractions of the world </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">and then </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">share the details of the gospel</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">MYSTERY:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">a
story unfolding to open hearts, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">not
immediately clear but progressively revealed</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">WISE:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">prudent
choices, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">carefully thought through <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">and
then carried out</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">EVERY
OPPORTUNITY:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">the
chances and choices are there ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">what
will we do with them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">CONVERSATION:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">out
there interacting, not in isolation,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">not
a lecture but a dialogue</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">SEASONED
WITH GRACE:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">attractive ~ inviting ~ savory ~ intriguing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_N8BQQMn5Wj5-NP8K58WbIJCNClJBsjRQmEIjg2Q-IC_DKWC02N4uOgBHRElZTxJFA6R6ReCX1pI-KUWVL79EoY3ZIxaNn3GI0ulYqU3Ck9JiwqcQuh_73-5c5oOj1lT9dmI1tPuA_5O/s1600/Entryway+columns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_N8BQQMn5Wj5-NP8K58WbIJCNClJBsjRQmEIjg2Q-IC_DKWC02N4uOgBHRElZTxJFA6R6ReCX1pI-KUWVL79EoY3ZIxaNn3GI0ulYqU3Ck9JiwqcQuh_73-5c5oOj1lT9dmI1tPuA_5O/s1600/Entryway+columns.JPG" height="193" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">KNOW
HOW TO ANSWER:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">intelligent ~ informed ~ listening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">appreciating
nuances ~ responsive</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">FAITHFUL
MINISTER</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">constant ~ diligent ~ active <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">on
behalf of real people with real needs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">ENCOURAGE
HEARTS:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">spur
others to faith, love, and courage <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">in
the inner core ~ it flows from there</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">GREETINGS:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">friendliness
sent forth ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">“I
am thinking of you and I care”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">WELCOME:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">“well
come” ~ make it a good and gracious arrival </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">not
awkward but accepting with open arms and hearts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">KINGDOM
OF GOD:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">where
our citizenship belongs and our loyalty is due ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">what are our responsibilities?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">COMFORT:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">we
all need this, from the timid to the zealous ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">a
place for soul to rest ~ embrace grace ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">be filled with peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">SERVANT:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">“in
the Lord” and “of Christ” ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">action
with humility<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">STAND
FIRM:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> “in
all the will of God” ~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">time to sink down roots ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">grounded
in truth learned through study<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">MATURE:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: medium;">not
presumptuous or hasty or </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: 19.09090805053711px;">naive</span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: medium;">, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">but
confident and patient ~ seasoned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">FULLY
ASSURED:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">letting
faith seep in and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">fill
up the crevices of doubt ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">convinced
through testing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">WORKING
HARD:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">going
the extra mile ~ above and beyond ~ pressing onward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">COMPLETE
THE WORK:</span></b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">follow
through ~ get it done ~ persevere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">REMEMBER
MY CHAINS:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">know
the injustice which exists in the world</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;">so
you can intercede and intervene</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I went to the </span><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/02/refresh-retreat.html" style="color: #aa0033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><b>Refresh Retreat</b></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a few weeks ago, we were
each encouraged to take most of our time there to read through the book of
Colossians and journal our responses. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I
finished up through chapter 3, jotting down key "Good Words" on one part of each page, a “Jesus Is…” list in another area, and tucking in “Exhortations to Me” and
other notes wherever they fit.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">It’s a
good thing my newest journal has big pages! I used some of my good words on my </span><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/01/kaleidoscope-big-words.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Kaleidoscope</span></b></a><span style="color: #333333;"> picture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been meaning to get back into Colossians to journal
through chapter 4. Yesterday, while I
was waiting for my children to get out of youth group, I took out my journal
and my iPod Bible app and worked away.
This time, at least so far, I only did the “Good Words” section, and didn't even finish that much until today. I
decided to expand this section, and write a brief impression of each key word
or phrase. That’s what you see above. Obviously there is much more to Colossians 4. You'll have to read it yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also thought about what I would write in an “Exhortations to Me”
section for this chapter. I think the
main gist of it is to be fully engaged with my Christian life, to be immersed
in fruit-bearing spirituality and ministry, not as a hobbyist but as a disciple
of Jesus. It means living authentically and on purpose, looking for opportunities to
serve and share. It means not letting myself drift into apathy or empty busyness. It means doing my part, with my unique gifts and sphere of influence, to extend the Kingdom of God through the good news of truth and grace. It means multiplying these efforts by equipping and encouraging others to do these same things in their own way with their own gifts. In my life, so many of those “doors for the message”
are right in my own home with my own children.
So much of that depends on living with Christ at the center of my life, which
can be the most powerful example in word and deed. I’m certainly not there yet, so this is a lot
of meat to chew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have more to say, perhaps in another post, but for now, a
few extra encouragements for you:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read all the way through Colossians.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s a wonderful book, full of both
inspiration and practical instruction.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take it a little section at a time.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meditate on it.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No need to hurry. When you are done with that, work through the Gospel of John.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jot down your impressions.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It doesn't have to be formal or fancy or even terribly profound.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How do the words speak to you right where you are at in
life?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While the words in this chapter were written in the context
of a larger ministry setting, how can you, as a mother, apply them as you seek
to disciple your children?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More posts!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nurturing your own spiritual life:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/busy-dizzy-and-in-tizzy-christian.html"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Busy, Dizzy and In a Tizzy: Christian Contemplation for Moms</span></span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><h3 style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; margin-top: 9pt;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/09/wisdom-from-letters-of-direction-by.html"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wisdom from
Letters of Direction by Abbé de Tourville</span></span></a></span></h3>
</b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/08/words-of-promise-comfort-and.html"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Words of Promise, Comfort and Encouragement</span></span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/08/sanctuary.html"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sanctuary (Big Words)</span></span></a></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Teaching children spiritual truth:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/08/teaching-our-children-to-walk-with-god.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Teaching Our Children to Walk With God</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2009/12/thessalonians-prescription.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">The Thessalonians Prescription</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/03/bella-sophia-lady-wisdom-sets-her-table.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Bella Sophia (Lady Wisdom Sets Her Table)</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/10/trust-and-obey-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #990000;">Trust and Obey</span></a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. The photos are from the EPCOT Italy pavilion. I thought I had lost them, so I didn't use them in my <span style="background-color: white;">other photo post here: </span></span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/01/impressions-of-epcot-or-what-i-learn.html" style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Impressions of EPCOT</span></b></a></div>
</div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-22228122867823952162014-02-04T21:45:00.000-05:002014-02-10T20:54:08.579-05:00Refresh Retreat <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoSlfSObaFb1uUf9dcQPC9KG_Er1oIavCKwxom_o8e5KrG7V_mu7lKBZ4m8USskwWwSvBKnA9R9e7xGgsZiQh_Q7G2f0AJ9Myegr9o4WPTf2nh2uOmIbb4x91MVL024o3fxsqPZNhAU9s/s1600/1+Bible+and+journal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoSlfSObaFb1uUf9dcQPC9KG_Er1oIavCKwxom_o8e5KrG7V_mu7lKBZ4m8USskwWwSvBKnA9R9e7xGgsZiQh_Q7G2f0AJ9Myegr9o4WPTf2nh2uOmIbb4x91MVL024o3fxsqPZNhAU9s/s1600/1+Bible+and+journal.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nearly two weeks ago, I had the immense privilege of attending a <a href="http://refreshretreat.org/Refresh_Retreat/Welcome.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Refresh Retreat</span></b></a> hosted by my friend Sandy Traugott. I'd like to share it with you through pictures and captions. It's funny that <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-word-refresh.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Refresh" was my "one word" for 2013</span></b></a>, and I still need it now more than ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkzuxj18hIqbW0EOQ4e9DLJi3yaaaDqABEudmLUdhnfBhwXYaxa-koNPfJGsMsiaAMmUHhHbxJvTuR93ESkc7vNOIfmm3HTfidfmX4Dx8oErnPaUXmkoEzjtyWa1IDSmPWmpjghC99lNO/s1600/2+Sandy+at+Refresh+retreat.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="222" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sandy is a veteran home school mom<br />whose children are all grown.<br />She is a seasoned saint,<br />well-acquainted with the trials of life,<br />but filled with a flourishing love of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She inspires me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO76spPUsuNeSMuHxH6drmIc_ERS7UH-1aE3SXV510otj26oeyjNx23_OHpO8G2M6sjO_1D_TvYPP6C3HmOGzFsPHd5Ziph4F6caKVA_Ymo3Rj4qIE6W5m-Kp4wLTqBC9mROQDrXN_xEh/s1600/3+Cell+phone+basket.JPG" height="290" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drop your cell phones here!<br />This is a day to get away </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">without distraction.<br />(But it's there if you need it.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO76spPUsuNeSMuHxH6drmIc_ERS7UH-1aE3SXV510otj26oeyjNx23_OHpO8G2M6sjO_1D_TvYPP6C3HmOGzFsPHd5Ziph4F6caKVA_Ymo3Rj4qIE6W5m-Kp4wLTqBC9mROQDrXN_xEh/s1600/3+Cell+phone+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLC6Oq_UXb8PF6Y9923Mf__1laE8DxP-vZylsKf_X2td7DviyGQUvyEy9NDdG8wDrOXfNK6sPiJ6TX1z1PnBgTpdrwyPwL7AQp1i6eHZkxXjoUxGfCZPRctWeCuObFcF27_mjpbLbYuUC/s1600/4+Exercise+mats+in+bag.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="153" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A time to breathe and stretch,<br />in a posture of devotion and worship.<br />It's called DoxaSoma, an integration <br />of Christian prayer and movement.<br />Pray and praise </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">with body and soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I loved it. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sandy brought the mats.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLC6Oq_UXb8PF6Y9923Mf__1laE8DxP-vZylsKf_X2td7DviyGQUvyEy9NDdG8wDrOXfNK6sPiJ6TX1z1PnBgTpdrwyPwL7AQp1i6eHZkxXjoUxGfCZPRctWeCuObFcF27_mjpbLbYuUC/s1600/4+Exercise+mats+in+bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-upxg7EiRoRMlKB80WjQsasGDEM3WAurC6VGryzCDFFy9r9Pj78h9RsnUVuT7brk1pMoY3aiioycTZ4F15kGTZU501ah_inRJitLlueiBM43Kgjz9kIxOUkrKQq0gxQnsgDmGrNrIJ94R/s1600/4+Virginia+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="246" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a time of listening </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to worship music,<br />we each sat with our own </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bibles and journals,<br />turned to Colossians,<br />and asked God to speak </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">into our hearts<br />as we reflected on his Word.<br />This was not a lecture and workshop retreat.<br />It was mainly a silent retreat.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-upxg7EiRoRMlKB80WjQsasGDEM3WAurC6VGryzCDFFy9r9Pj78h9RsnUVuT7brk1pMoY3aiioycTZ4F15kGTZU501ah_inRJitLlueiBM43Kgjz9kIxOUkrKQq0gxQnsgDmGrNrIJ94R/s1600/4+Virginia+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7_3xwwqan9ZxzdVzOghyKCxYHWJpphzp4gJhEokWIQ7XYltzjsgNBXiKbuv_wjq-Lff68ux5zJVNHy2GQj7ipmOyBSvcu6SlP0rMkY4mFEGucn1eowm0tXsQOQZAIr-Im57pRB_XurWl/s1600/5+Communion+table+at+Refresh+retreat.JPG" height="303" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Communion was available <br />to take in solitude as we wished.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7_3xwwqan9ZxzdVzOghyKCxYHWJpphzp4gJhEokWIQ7XYltzjsgNBXiKbuv_wjq-Lff68ux5zJVNHy2GQj7ipmOyBSvcu6SlP0rMkY4mFEGucn1eowm0tXsQOQZAIr-Im57pRB_XurWl/s1600/5+Communion+table+at+Refresh+retreat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITzrvssM8SqFaBIjex80eWyCvO_B469f0touSOq4Q-brF-VzL-KJwRnaiUMkhq9AtzGyaKmT1OjZSbEEu3Zso2mh61Qea9zOoxkD2Be6HAMV_fwHMo-25cJrsxW9aCMzU3ooc4eRNDGYU/s1600/6+Food+table.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="259" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plenty of healthy snacks - strawberries, <br />hummus and gluten-free crackers,<br />lemon water, a variety of teas...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also brought our own lunches.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITzrvssM8SqFaBIjex80eWyCvO_B469f0touSOq4Q-brF-VzL-KJwRnaiUMkhq9AtzGyaKmT1OjZSbEEu3Zso2mh61Qea9zOoxkD2Be6HAMV_fwHMo-25cJrsxW9aCMzU3ooc4eRNDGYU/s1600/6+Food+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87NXkhwb6RsNBDN1_Sgi51fkafwKIyS0wdPjJIIaCjIfT-Wknpkpzn1_IMoPGpKZZub-_AZDdFD4-Avi9z5ocFY5VkW91fEz-1921P3LRZUwTUgukx9uPItJJ9JoNM4v-J6eHJjxH0sjs/s1600/6+Shirley+at+Refresh+retreat.JPG" height="298" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only six ladies come to each retreat.<br />One of my fellow participants <br />is my son-in-law's sweet grandmother.<br />Chatting on the porch with her,<br />I find that she hosted dozens of ladies' retreats <br />at her mountain cabin in North Carolina.<br />Between that and visiting missionaries,<br />2,000 people from 20 nations </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">stayed overnight at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CabinatHigherGround" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Higher Ground</span></b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which is now available for week-long rentals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She is also active in homeless ministry,<br />as are most of the others who came that day.<br />Shirley's hospitality and grace astound me.<br />I am so grateful for the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">family legacy she lives<br />for my soon-to-be born grandson Lucas.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnBI9FSG_8HxMjhpk9i2YFIbaw5CTe7Fkkv980FiUJVRpcYC1MsuZS3DV9Qvtyur5VvmLdolu7p0-8ejnWatshQBqYFTykP6N6CZvMxrbKb0lkvc2jGm0w__0bzwG22oJem0BqK9JhtYo/s1600/7+Art+time+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" height="150" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Art time with lots of supplies - <br />a way to creatively express </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">who we are in Christ,<br />and who we want to become in him.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPIXYbrUq9uS7ANt2knsCYiLzoAiCQkPDoKhwwlY0HbWAQOa7uaY1RrNcaacdfyoWhqRT2lXkTAHzFsWlYHiHt4ooh9qe-QYI5_8eMXSCfdsGcrWm2ZGYA_hQtic4kJZmU65ERiT6qnah/s1600/7+Sandy's+collage.jpg" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone else made </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had already decided, <br />after pondering on Colossians,<br />to sketch my version </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of a kaleidoscope image,<br />inscribing Scripture </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">words </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">of grace and truth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">onto the broken pieces my life, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">reflecting radiant beauty in the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">light of God's glory.<br />You can see and read about </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">my finished piece here:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/01/kaleidoscope-big-words.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Kaleidoscope (Big Words)</span></a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We ended our day with a brief time </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of sharing what we had learned,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">encouraging and praying for one another.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9emy7rR2gEkWklTU9Hbj4buQ5Y75RvR6-YxEW5Ngt8Ozut6BTJMQXhtYz1qsNnvYGkPScD7FoEfX6ID53TAwZZok_CkDmBEc2huDWh7gHZUeKdSkuBcTu6sHO6ZK8c7979bZj5kVjXFS/s1600/9+Window+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9emy7rR2gEkWklTU9Hbj4buQ5Y75RvR6-YxEW5Ngt8Ozut6BTJMQXhtYz1qsNnvYGkPScD7FoEfX6ID53TAwZZok_CkDmBEc2huDWh7gHZUeKdSkuBcTu6sHO6ZK8c7979bZj5kVjXFS/s1600/9+Window+view.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our view out the window <br />of the condo clubhouse...<br />I went outside later <br />to take pictures by the lake.<br />You can see them here <br />in this related hymn post:<br /><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-friend-we-have-in-jesus-strength.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">What a Friend We Have in Jesus</span></a>.</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a refreshing day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you live in the Orlando area, and would like to attend one of Sandy's free day long (9 AM - 4 PM) retreats, please visit her web site here: <a href="http://refreshretreat.org/Refresh_Retreat/Welcome.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Refresh Retreat</span></b></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Note on February 10: I finally finished journaling through Colossians 4. Here are my <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/02/good-words-from-colossians-4.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Good Words</span></b></a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">P.S. Please enjoy one of the songs of worship from the retreat...</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrBEpWE5Z6Q" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>"I Need You Now" by Matt Redman</b></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. I downloaded it for my iPod, of course.</span></span><br />
<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-3690712356309807522014-01-24T23:26:00.002-05:002014-05-31T22:42:53.892-04:00Kaleidoscope (Big Words)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is this?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjIFoGjvO1zad-qqMUPca_ur4lgyPoWOUbOPebffRBe5edsFWde5r7wHqNf3-PwmjDIGAjM4nZIwDEBxx5jnITAi96SruVYoG2RT6Yth_TnsBOZhwIZJfKfE-swCGkD5xQ6BABwqbMhE7/s1600/Blooming+kaleidoscope+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjIFoGjvO1zad-qqMUPca_ur4lgyPoWOUbOPebffRBe5edsFWde5r7wHqNf3-PwmjDIGAjM4nZIwDEBxx5jnITAi96SruVYoG2RT6Yth_TnsBOZhwIZJfKfE-swCGkD5xQ6BABwqbMhE7/s1600/Blooming+kaleidoscope+flower.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's my blooming kaleidoscope flower!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I created it today at the <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://refreshretreat.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Refresh retreat</span></a> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">hosted by my friend Sandy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a mostly silent retreat, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and I'll write more about it later on <a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">another blog</span></b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But for now, just the story behind the picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It started here on the couch,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">before I even picked up my colors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my private devotional time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">reading through Colossians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wrote down key words</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and pondered how they applied to me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01EZj4QO6jJdeJHRoKD4eUzgHy0wvAt-8XV7ClzYvTJpNtHocAhyphenhyphenzjKrVRtKFAUsk4JQJ6RrVltNfgZk3NhXq9MYdCdO6eNKiiL4E2aE2B_tu8WSnH_ri5TEPpCI9UJkN75H02gVEKEO0/s1600/Virginia+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01EZj4QO6jJdeJHRoKD4eUzgHy0wvAt-8XV7ClzYvTJpNtHocAhyphenhyphenzjKrVRtKFAUsk4JQJ6RrVltNfgZk3NhXq9MYdCdO6eNKiiL4E2aE2B_tu8WSnH_ri5TEPpCI9UJkN75H02gVEKEO0/s1600/Virginia+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I came in weary and grieving this morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year, my most challenging ever,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">left me feeling fragmented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not yet over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, in my meditations on </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scripture and my tumultuous life,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought of the word:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">KALEIDOSCOPE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Broken pieces,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">raised to the light,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">jumbled and reflected,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">turned and turned <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">and raised up again,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">ever-changing</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 28pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">beautiful patterns:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why yes, I did just write an impromptu poem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So when we sat down at the art tables,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">while the others made collages,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I knew what I would draw with markers instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7w3sS_NaT1MrHbikxHowxuxLopYPYpxrqMrj1YMX7t32htE8iLIJE635YefgAOca0cawqKzoklDJ1VFet9Si_MHKr5opCsPcij9ZIJWLiHgFpjYLFpBtiUfTPysHvKSSjFQMTjKz3ugQ/s1600/Art+time+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7w3sS_NaT1MrHbikxHowxuxLopYPYpxrqMrj1YMX7t32htE8iLIJE635YefgAOca0cawqKzoklDJ1VFet9Si_MHKr5opCsPcij9ZIJWLiHgFpjYLFpBtiUfTPysHvKSSjFQMTjKz3ugQ/s1600/Art+time+at+Refresh+retreat.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My outlines uneven,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">shading splotchy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">as my life often is also.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started filling in around the edges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The words came from </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">my morning's journaling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">chapter by chapter in Colossians in my</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/03/rebound-poem.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">well-worn Bible, which has a story of its own</span></b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I apply words of TRUTH</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to the broken places of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Glory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Reverence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Gratitude<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Encouragement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Growth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Devotion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Treasure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Endurance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Singing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Service<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Reality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Unity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Fullness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Strength<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Sincerity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjIFoGjvO1zad-qqMUPca_ur4lgyPoWOUbOPebffRBe5edsFWde5r7wHqNf3-PwmjDIGAjM4nZIwDEBxx5jnITAi96SruVYoG2RT6Yth_TnsBOZhwIZJfKfE-swCGkD5xQ6BABwqbMhE7/s1600/Blooming+kaleidoscope+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjIFoGjvO1zad-qqMUPca_ur4lgyPoWOUbOPebffRBe5edsFWde5r7wHqNf3-PwmjDIGAjM4nZIwDEBxx5jnITAi96SruVYoG2RT6Yth_TnsBOZhwIZJfKfE-swCGkD5xQ6BABwqbMhE7/s1600/Blooming+kaleidoscope+flower.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And on the stem, the words:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Rooted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Growing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'AR HERMANN'; font-size: 28pt;">Bearing Fruit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's what I want to be and do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the end of the day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">one of the sweet ladies shared</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">what a blessing it was </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that she saw me blossom into joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">during the day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">as I spent extended quiet time with God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It happens that way,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">doesn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, here it is now, two weeks later!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two more posts featuring this retreat!</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2014/02/refresh-retreat.html"><span style="color: #c00000; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Refresh Retreat</span></span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-friend-we-have-in-jesus-strength.html"><span style="color: #c00000; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a Friend We
Have in Jesus</span></span></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/">www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com</a></b></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-15407216743284584472014-01-07T17:50:00.000-05:002014-05-31T22:43:26.765-04:00The Day of Small Things<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtcvGpX8oPKIYIcwF3rgxhqbfixPddlP_CeXrUDedu2fL8-GP1wCCdBRDTwtI_zrW72shjGXxpPEkLXzvPL2uTWLKNoMSrJHw04LtNj6ceKb4nEMvaSD-32ihlsiFMv-lMItGjG75AtwZ/s1600/Flame+Vine+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtcvGpX8oPKIYIcwF3rgxhqbfixPddlP_CeXrUDedu2fL8-GP1wCCdBRDTwtI_zrW72shjGXxpPEkLXzvPL2uTWLKNoMSrJHw04LtNj6ceKb4nEMvaSD-32ihlsiFMv-lMItGjG75AtwZ/s1600/Flame+Vine+(1).JPG" height="320" width="318" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flame vine on a neighborhood fence</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIR44Irl3-wCUUjMza-xTDzFxUXllzz38d9_bzTqHOmlMF-U8RccnK7zy0zat_88pVqy76wgaLZ_h2mxtxO0TVhlCxdMLy-xfi4-Am4wt680G1qNZOR9dCWbA_ASrpPeZvi0z1vDJhsB8/s1600/Flame+Vine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIR44Irl3-wCUUjMza-xTDzFxUXllzz38d9_bzTqHOmlMF-U8RccnK7zy0zat_88pVqy76wgaLZ_h2mxtxO0TVhlCxdMLy-xfi4-Am4wt680G1qNZOR9dCWbA_ASrpPeZvi0z1vDJhsB8/s1600/Flame+Vine.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been watching for it <br />and saw it on my way to the bank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5VfGbxIRYoHMSEAOnIpsgoDn5uutCyxkGOexQL7FmxeR0RaZ9isVAK17du7A8Lahqj-V7bRumMFIwWLrXcagck0qfJYBNS28-MbFt_7_KT0IsuC1eVaNrOqHF3fKlANj-_Np-oHm0V_k/s1600/Flame+Vine+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5VfGbxIRYoHMSEAOnIpsgoDn5uutCyxkGOexQL7FmxeR0RaZ9isVAK17du7A8Lahqj-V7bRumMFIwWLrXcagck0qfJYBNS28-MbFt_7_KT0IsuC1eVaNrOqHF3fKlANj-_Np-oHm0V_k/s1600/Flame+Vine+(3).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today, in its emerging glory!<br />(See <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/01/flame-vine.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>last year's flame vine photos</b></span></a>, too.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNGHZejFnXF9KqvCY4bJnOZYjYgPAvh9C-a3Si7XTBehPHyrv7d1bzdM-stbA-SUxwHJC1sAiNUihv5uAO3wj3LIXNjU66SIvkc4lr_ueOZLUmgoSedVVmvNSHUzqP3zyJLCSrwOsEQ5o/s1600/Flame+Vine+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNGHZejFnXF9KqvCY4bJnOZYjYgPAvh9C-a3Si7XTBehPHyrv7d1bzdM-stbA-SUxwHJC1sAiNUihv5uAO3wj3LIXNjU66SIvkc4lr_ueOZLUmgoSedVVmvNSHUzqP3zyJLCSrwOsEQ5o/s1600/Flame+Vine+(6).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The curly vines always amuse me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyPBXy3lUqZ8cJnEhyphenhyphenFu6vES5upns7g3L1qPUbdDIGsTEVq6SG4ZsxAqSpEeTQA-FBAFs7UmZUI34Tt-KDw-z2frUpIFq9ynF7nXBrWiP_H6twW6EWLHTq905wppAJdSv_fupMa1iOzlT/s1600/Tree+with+flame+vine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyPBXy3lUqZ8cJnEhyphenhyphenFu6vES5upns7g3L1qPUbdDIGsTEVq6SG4ZsxAqSpEeTQA-FBAFs7UmZUI34Tt-KDw-z2frUpIFq9ynF7nXBrWiP_H6twW6EWLHTq905wppAJdSv_fupMa1iOzlT/s1600/Tree+with+flame+vine.JPG" height="282" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Could it be? Flame vine in a tree?<br />Yes, blocks away, but it's the same kind!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq3foUl6nDBXflBZeMUNHzDOpWk1NdapxxRy06LMuemWrnFvH-getbLCa_7YpjbDp435v6t6FYHdRy3UG0dD-AeM-6XwzwdoIMqG8CNd9qs9ASFw-lhVCPZvF4KG7zTek1uoQbFrf69wp/s1600/Folded+linens+on+bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq3foUl6nDBXflBZeMUNHzDOpWk1NdapxxRy06LMuemWrnFvH-getbLCa_7YpjbDp435v6t6FYHdRy3UG0dD-AeM-6XwzwdoIMqG8CNd9qs9ASFw-lhVCPZvF4KG7zTek1uoQbFrf69wp/s1600/Folded+linens+on+bed.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At home again, fresh folded linens <br />on a fresh made bed (a new habit?)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH0tb_QMU0nP1goZwr6lgsQuxAZUkU3NFJvYHp6ORq58TRoAoCTvRvQJjzxi1Fe82LldZRrKLAMuQF9oxOuXVEDuOl5TroMQV0xs13VdBcTS10d5q1kyb0FqGRSiPDiJMWGeT628jHYlg/s1600/Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH0tb_QMU0nP1goZwr6lgsQuxAZUkU3NFJvYHp6ORq58TRoAoCTvRvQJjzxi1Fe82LldZRrKLAMuQF9oxOuXVEDuOl5TroMQV0xs13VdBcTS10d5q1kyb0FqGRSiPDiJMWGeT628jHYlg/s1600/Books.JPG" height="320" width="314" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alternating housework with lesson planning <br />- then back in the classroom next week!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYveEP1GtP1AiLpkkCrF6L2GmZeImDimeX7BWXgezQUzLqq_G52nq35ZcTyargDp5nfV2t0xIkNev4qWCXr59-NjI2xdSNobiuv3a0kG1th2VdxQw2igH_2-s_489eyJWkcCR8gnrRLP5y/s1600/Sheila.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYveEP1GtP1AiLpkkCrF6L2GmZeImDimeX7BWXgezQUzLqq_G52nq35ZcTyargDp5nfV2t0xIkNev4qWCXr59-NjI2xdSNobiuv3a0kG1th2VdxQw2igH_2-s_489eyJWkcCR8gnrRLP5y/s1600/Sheila.JPG" height="320" width="221" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit with an old friend from faraway</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rithohWx9fejvSj0jOrxtoqzmKetCqPIaxZs35wWsy9o85I5Nmh9uMxqGfeXe1tyPXOZL8b72rCY7hPqhI30A_zDR0tgCLl01givdQyeEWEIIB6C7zV1w7uWC0psbrHwUUX0MkMIQSPK/s1600/Cloud+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rithohWx9fejvSj0jOrxtoqzmKetCqPIaxZs35wWsy9o85I5Nmh9uMxqGfeXe1tyPXOZL8b72rCY7hPqhI30A_zDR0tgCLl01givdQyeEWEIIB6C7zV1w7uWC0psbrHwUUX0MkMIQSPK/s1600/Cloud+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Afternoon clouds = whimsy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVRBhR1k3B7fHg8p5VKppLoFrSNqT_tpOc2NU46y-F_MGbKlzCDxydffm7W6xj66gWY11nV9CmTxdEFaHpgR3qfc_rfjTjDdd7hrBQMzIosaPNCnKX-ybo0Nn0VJYc8Fe2AeQ9quKQg0g/s1600/Cloud+3.JPG" height="220" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clouds always speak to me!<br />(They have a <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Clouds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>whole category on my other blo</b></span>g</a>...)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVRBhR1k3B7fHg8p5VKppLoFrSNqT_tpOc2NU46y-F_MGbKlzCDxydffm7W6xj66gWY11nV9CmTxdEFaHpgR3qfc_rfjTjDdd7hrBQMzIosaPNCnKX-ybo0Nn0VJYc8Fe2AeQ9quKQg0g/s1600/Cloud+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1vOfMhExLuyCU3wYpS1F1KtcNTBTKX_yrD-iqKiBgUvDc9le1Cqgoz4JhBExIMny7Y0i9Io12MRNPEodmlT4BGVC_IWEHQd_rmtuYzQ6HaNoPJzsFzxFt-vx7FVroh6RkoNn4oLJSZ39/s1600/Welcome+flag+with+red+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1vOfMhExLuyCU3wYpS1F1KtcNTBTKX_yrD-iqKiBgUvDc9le1Cqgoz4JhBExIMny7Y0i9Io12MRNPEodmlT4BGVC_IWEHQd_rmtuYzQ6HaNoPJzsFzxFt-vx7FVroh6RkoNn4oLJSZ39/s1600/Welcome+flag+with+red+flowers.JPG" height="320" width="222" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hanging out the WELCOME -<br />a new flag for a new season<br />(but I still need to take down <br />the Christmas wreath from the front door).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBceYUBg743amor-z3H6Aj4EXhFdSVcosOIwac7Avs4V8h83l_euDDZXNSoPv7JvLLkhU7onO987g9lkCmX0EyXF71cAmLttujLRn3EDiGvQTUK3QNe49CTpR1PrUnObcvmBnXXSRDIuZh/s1600/Cinnamon+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBceYUBg743amor-z3H6Aj4EXhFdSVcosOIwac7Avs4V8h83l_euDDZXNSoPv7JvLLkhU7onO987g9lkCmX0EyXF71cAmLttujLRn3EDiGvQTUK3QNe49CTpR1PrUnObcvmBnXXSRDIuZh/s1600/Cinnamon+rolls.JPG" height="320" width="221" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warm cinnamon rolls<br />for an after school snack = happy kids!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdFnf3GzR1POZzEv5iwbNR26xf7evTTT7Dnv98kFNsjCjZU8GxCe15e84utX5VUQbhokM_bk-64FdEdFeF9J3aWNlOCnXY8rURwuhVZ3p-BMTEzKgCXr4X4zUDgZq5v4v112PeNDvh3p_/s1600/Sweater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdFnf3GzR1POZzEv5iwbNR26xf7evTTT7Dnv98kFNsjCjZU8GxCe15e84utX5VUQbhokM_bk-64FdEdFeF9J3aWNlOCnXY8rURwuhVZ3p-BMTEzKgCXr4X4zUDgZq5v4v112PeNDvh3p_/s1600/Sweater.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My "new" sweater, <br />$4 from Salvation Army,<br />nice and cozy!</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"Who dares despise the day</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22933A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> of small things...?"</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Zechariah 4:10 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Yes, I know that's out of the original context,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">but the concept still rings true:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">sometimes the little things in life count the most.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">A quiet day (for the most part), </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">no big thrills, still important.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Thankful!</span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-26" id="en-NIV-28390" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>"Brothers and sisters, </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-26" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>think of what you were when you were called.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28390A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-26" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>Not many of you were wise<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28390B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> by human standards; </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-26" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>not many were influential; </i></span></div>
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<i><span class="text 1Cor-1-26" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">not many were of noble birth.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> </span></i></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" id="en-NIV-28391" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>But God chose<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28391C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> the foolish<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28391D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> things of the world </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>to shame the wise; </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>God chose the weak things of the world </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>to shame the strong." </i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NIV)</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I often link my posts to these blogs:</span></b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><b style="background-color: #ffffe5; line-height: 21px;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; line-height: 21px;"></span></u></span>
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<li style="background-color: white; border: none; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="http://sandraheskaking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still Saturday</span></a></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.deidrariggs.com/category/the-sunday-community/" target="_blank">The Sunday Community</a></span></b></li>
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<img src="http://sandraheskaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SS-08-3.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><img src="http://www.deidrariggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-Sunday-Community-4OR.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px;" /></div>
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-6783082644098838872013-12-27T23:32:00.001-05:002014-05-31T22:43:39.886-04:00"The Freedom to Make Mistakes" (Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rIjSqTJuIat9I7zXCij2h7es0Jho3nYtlowcHY9Ae6qeHIUNTG0ZC3QMilh06i2xjj4n9meRZHkehPKfa912VlKx1SZW8hIpNbA9mMiJlWsugKVIfEEwJzz9WAM2JMmCgithOJbx4r1F/s1600/Grace+Based+Parenting+cover.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rIjSqTJuIat9I7zXCij2h7es0Jho3nYtlowcHY9Ae6qeHIUNTG0ZC3QMilh06i2xjj4n9meRZHkehPKfa912VlKx1SZW8hIpNbA9mMiJlWsugKVIfEEwJzz9WAM2JMmCgithOJbx4r1F/s1600/Grace+Based+Parenting+cover.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear friends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So yeah, it's been well over two years since I started
this<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/search/label/Reflections%20on%20Grace%20Based%20Parenting%20Book"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Reflections on Grace Based Parenting series</b></span></a> </span>based on <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/grace-based-parenting-tim-kimmel/9780849905483/pd/905480?event=AFF&p=1136043&"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tim Kimmel's book</span></a>, and a year and a half since
the last post on it. Now it's finally time to finish up so I can pass along the
book to one of my daughters who is expecting her first baby this spring. I already gave a copy to her older sister, who
has two little boys already. It’s funny
to be well into the grandparenting years while still parenting young ones of my
own at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The final two chapters are “The Freedom to Make
Mistakes” and “Evening Grace.” Trust
me, in 26 years of mothering, I’ve made a boatload of mistakes! So glad for grace to change and move on! Here
are some of the quotes from these chapters which are most helpful to me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Parents who
embrace grace make their homes a safe place for average kids to develop into
extraordinary people. In these types of
homes, weaknesses and inadequacies aren’t a big deal. These families are overseen by shrewd mothers
and fathers who see their children’s fragile features as opportunities for God’s
power to shine through them. They also
know that giving their children a safe place to work through their
vulnerabilities keeps these shortomcings from getting in the way of their true
greatness.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“If anything,
grace should motivate you to a higher holiness.
Grace-based homes aren’t places where family members assume they can say
whatever they want, see whatever they want, hear whatever they want, taste or
drink whatever they want, or touch whatever they want. That’s not grace. That’s someone wanting to live his or her own
life with no regard for what God has said or what He thinks. But when grace is in place, there is clearly
a different attitude toward sin in homes without grace…. People who walk by
faith are far more capable of developing a godly and righteous lifestyle
because they are finding their power for living in their personal relationship
with the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“It’s not that
grace-based homes don’t take their children’s sin seriously. Nor is it that grace-based homes circumvent
consequenceds. It isn’t even that grace-based
homes do nothing to protect their children from attacks and temptations that threaten
them from outside. They do all these
things, but not for the same reasons.
Grace-based homes aren’t trusting in the moral safety of their home or
the spiritual environment they’ve created to empower their children to resist
sin…. Bottom line: Grace-based families realize that their children will
struggle with sin. They consider it an
honor to be used by God to show their children how to find true forgiveness in
Christ. They are not intimidated by the
dialogue that brings the discussion of sin to light. In fact, they are grateful to be able to come
alongside their children with an unconditional love during some of their
toughest hours.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“A grace
response to your children’s sin is to avoid condemnation. You can evaluate their wrong actions, discuss
their negative effects, and even voice the pain and disappointment that you have
experienced as a result of it. But you
don’t want to condemn. Condemnation
corners them and doesn’t offer much hope.
Condemnation attacks their character rather than addresses their
behavior. When you condemn, it causes a
reflex within them to defend themselves.
Often your condemnation oes little more than to make a bad situation far
worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Providing
consequences for sin is a loving form of grace.
It says, “I love you too much to let you continue in this pattern and
grow up to be bad.” Meting out fair and consistent consequences for their
negative actions tells children there is a mature and decent parent overseeing
their lives. Letting them get away with
sin says just the opposite. It tells
them they have an immature parent who is more concerned about their comfort
than with their children’s dignity.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“You have been
singled out to do a favor for God. He is
asking you to be His representative to a small but vital part of the next
generation. He needs someone to be His
voice, His arms, and His heart. He chose you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m glad I read these chapters tonight. They are good reminders for me. A lot has happened in our family since I
started the series. There have been some
really tough circumstances and hard decisions, as well as some positive progress
and sweet memories. Looking back and
looking forward, I know that I need to be more consistently proactive in my mothering to help my kids deal with the complexities of life. I have swung the pendulum from severe to lax,
and need to find my middle rhythm in grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sat down with my five younger kids for about 15
minutes this evening – nothing long and drawn out. I read to them Ephesians
2:1-10 (grace of course!) and then chatted for a little bit about asking God to
help us grow spiritually so that we want to do the right thing from the heart. We also talked about some of the ways we need
to pull it together as a family in the areas of responsibility around the house. I tried to keep our family meeting light and
sweet, and I think I got through to them at least a little bit! We
need to do this more often. I’ll also
give them a detailed list of reasonable expectations about chores, meals, use
of electronics, etc. I’ll tweak it based
on this evening’s discussion and give it to them soon. They did get to choose the days they wanted
to do dishes. A little choice goes a
long way toward cooperation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How about you?
How do you embrace grace in your home? I’d love to see your
comments. If you’re a blogger or you’ve
found something good about parenting on the Internet, feel free to link related
posts!<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">My previous posts in this </span><b><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/search/label/Reflections%20on%20Grace%20Based%20Parenting%20Book"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Reflections on Grace Based Parenting</span></a></b><span style="color: #333333;"> series are:</span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Chapter 1:<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-well-meaning-parenting-falls-short.html"><span style="color: #cc0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"Why
Well-Meaning Parenting Falls Short"</span></a> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Chapter 2: <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/09/truth-behind-grace-from-grace-based.html"><span style="color: #cc0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"The Truth
Behind Grace"</span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Chapter 3: <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/09/secure-love-from-grace-basedparenting.html"><span style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">“A Secure
Love” </span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Chapter 4:<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/09/significant-purpose-from-grace-based.html"><span style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"A
Significant Purpose"</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Chapter 5: </b><span style="color: #aa0033; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/12/strong-hope-from-grace-based-parenting.html"><b><span style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"A Strong
Hope"</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Chapters 6-8: </span></b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #aa0033;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/05/delivery-system-for-grace-and-freedom.html"><span style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">"A Delivery
System for Grace and The Freedom to Be Different and Vulnerable"</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><b style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Chapter 9:</span> <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-freedom-to-be-candid-from-grace.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">“The Freedom to Be Candid”</span></a></span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You might also like these related posts:</span></div>
<ul><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;">
<li><b><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/09/hypothetical-big-words.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Hypothetical</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us</a></span></b></li>
<li style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/08/mothering-by-faith-and-grace.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mothering by Faith and Grace</span></span></a></b></li>
<li style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/03/amazing-grace-for-home-school-moms.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;">Amazing Grace for Home School Moms</a></span></span></b></li>
</b></ul>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Grace, </b><br />
<ul></ul>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Virginia Knowles</b><br />
<ul></ul>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</span></a></b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;"></b></div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-15483134379352254472013-12-15T08:17:00.001-05:002013-12-15T09:26:06.994-05:00The Proper Pressure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWLSy0v4zqQIq9NMNPr-IKr9H8PB2zFRclLRr_hN2G_oGqSyiGU3DoYDCJzyM42VEtkN9MVL7A5TrB_FV7aNlH0m4kwf_-a-duz9XOpwrLgqhqJGwNN4VmsPamatgzT9RWeyuXACo7AQo/s1600/Tire+pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWLSy0v4zqQIq9NMNPr-IKr9H8PB2zFRclLRr_hN2G_oGqSyiGU3DoYDCJzyM42VEtkN9MVL7A5TrB_FV7aNlH0m4kwf_-a-duz9XOpwrLgqhqJGwNN4VmsPamatgzT9RWeyuXACo7AQo/s320/Tire+pump.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend Patty called yesterday. "Do you want some bagels and flat bread? I just got a whole bunch on clearance at the bakery outlet!" Ever thoughtful, this old friend of mine! She's been on Cru ministry staff, along with her husband, for most of her adult life. I've known her for nearly 20 years, and she's always been so full of grace and generosity. I hadn't seen her in a while, but we keep in touch by e-mail and Facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Patty stopped by, and knowing she didn't come <i>just</i> to drop off some bread, I suggested we take a long stroll around my neighborhood and catch up in person. Unfortunately, while we were gone, her tire went flat in my driveway. Completely unruffled, she opened her trunk, pulled out her little electric air pump, and plugged it into the car's lighter. PSSSSH! Little by little the tire regained its roundness. Slow going, but "Slow and steady wins the race!" as the tortoise well knew. I thought that pump was really nifty and told her I'd have to get one since they're only about $25. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we continued to talk, Patty hit the off button and pulled out the pump nozzle. But the tire was still pretty flat! She smiled. She'd had a bright idea that I didn't know about. Yep, that's right. She wanted me to learn how to pump up a tire from start to finish. Not just watch her, but DO it myself! So I did. Check the PSI number on the tire to find the proper air pressure so I wouldn't over-inflate it. Put the nozzle on the tire and flip the clamp lever. Plug it in to the car. Flip the on switch. Watch the dial until it reaches the PSI. Turn it off and take the nozzle off the tire. The whole works. I am now an empowered woman. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patty explained to me that since her husband is very often out of the country on mission trips, she's had to learn to do a lot of things for herself. It keeps her from getting too frazzled. Because we're both philosophical chicks, we started musing about the metaphor of the tire pump and the PSI number. How do we find the proper pressure in our lives? Without air in our tires, we can't roll, but when does the pressure get too much and threaten a blow out? When are we taking on more than we can handle? When do we need to learn to back off and let it go? Or conversely, when do we need <i>more</i> air, more pressure? When do we need to step it up and take charge and make it happen? Good questions! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Patty, this means there are certain ministry settings where she does not thrive. She knows what she can do and what she can't. It means finding emotional support from others when things get a bit much. It means accepting herself for who she is, rather than comparing to others who seem to have it all together. It means being resourceful, and finding ways to do practical things by herself and for herself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my own life, I find myself stressing about things I can't control while overlooking other problems that I should at least try to solve. I have to know when to walk by and when to dig in. I have to set boundaries and form reasonable expectations for myself and others. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I've had to learn to do a lot of things for myself rather than expecting others to do them for me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I visit a Christian counselor. I have a wonderful, supportive church and friends and family who check in on me and pray for me. I read a variety of blogs that help me both think and do things that will improve life at home and at work. I write in my journal or call a friend. I tackle a mess or close a door. I set goals and make a To Do list to motivate myself to action. At age 50, I don't have all the pep I did when I first met Patty, but slow and steady wins the race, right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How about you? How do you find the proper pressure in your life? What is your part to play, and what is not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You might also like to read these related posts: </span><br />
<div>
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/11/gift-from-sea-by-anne-morrow-lindbergh.html" style="color: #aa0033;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh</b></span></a></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/12/beating-holiday-blues-and-stress.html" style="color: #aa0033;">Beating the Holiday Blues and Stress</a></span></span></span></span></u></b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This post may be linked at these blogs:</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://sandraheskaking.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Still Saturday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.deidrariggs.com/category/the-sunday-community/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sunday Community</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.raisinghomemakers.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Raising Homemakers on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Whole-Hearted Home on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/search/label/Wise%20Woman%20Link-Up" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wise Woman Link Up on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://walkingredeemed.org/category/wednesday-link-party/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Walking Redeemed on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<img src="http://sandraheskaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SS-08-3.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><img src="http://www.deidrariggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-Sunday-Community-4OR.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 5px;" /></div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-1623675615050774372013-11-29T19:55:00.001-05:002013-11-29T22:54:56.917-05:00Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh - Selected Quotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's the day after Thanksgiving, and maybe, like me, you're feeling tired and scattered and a wee bit overwhelmed. Or maybe not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been that year of loss and transition for me and sometimes that all scrunches up in one spot. I've been trying to clean house, get out my warmer clothes, run my errands (yes, a teeny bit of Black Friday shopping at the craft store with my younger kids), do paperwork, take a long nap, ride my hormone swings, and still process my emotions about a bazillion different things while surrounded by the daily chaos of lots of kids who do not value solitude as much as I do. So honestly, I am no where near being "in the holiday spirit" at the moment. I was thinking today that I needed to sit quietly and ponder about what I want out of life for myself and my family, especially in this next month of what could become Christmas Craziness. When I pulled in to the driveway after a last minute trip to the post office, I decided to sit for a few moments in the solitude of my van. I found one of my journals wedged down between the seat and my supply box. It's usually one I use just for sermon notes, but at a doctor's appointment last year I jotted down some quotes from a classic book. It's a bit of a scrawl, but I'm amazed I was able to write as legibly as I did, because I had a broken hand at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The book is </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Gift from the Sea</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> written in 1955 by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The gifted author of over 10 books, she </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">had gone through so much transition and loss herself. She was the wife of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, and the mother of five who had suffered the tragic kidnapping and death of her toddler son. In this book, probably her most well-known, she draws lessons from different kinds of sea shells she finds on the beach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From her chapter on the channeled whelk, she writes of living "in grace" with an inner harmony... <i>"For to be a woman is to have interests and duties, raying out in all directions from the central mother-core, like spokes from the hub of a wheel. The pattern of our lives is essentially circular. We must be open to all points of the compass; husband, children, friends, home, community; stretched out, exposed, sensitive like a spider's web to each breeze that blows, to each call that comes. How difficult for us, then, to achieve a balance in the midst of these contradictory tensions, and yet how necessary for the proper functioning of our lives. How much we need, and how arduous of attainment is that steadiness preached in all rules for holy living. How desirable and how distant is the ideal of the contemplative, artist, or saint - the inner inviolable core, the single eye."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In her chapter on the moon shell, she writes of the need for regular solitude: "<i>The artist knows he must be alone to create; the writer to work out his thoughts; the musician, to compose; the saint, to pray. But women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves: that firm strand which will be the indispensable center of the whole web of human relationships... And woman today is still searching. We are aware of our hunger and needs, but still ignorant of what will satisfy them. With our garnered free time, we are more apt to drain our creative springs than to refill them. With our pitchers, we attempt sometimes to water a field, not a garden. We throw ourselves indiscriminately into committees and causes. Not knowing how to feed the spirit, we try to muffle its demands in distractions... Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day -like writing a poem, or saying a prayer. What matters is that one be for a time inwardly attentive."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://g.christianbook.com/g/product/7/722440.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="722440: A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live" border="0" height="200" src="https://g.christianbook.com/g/product/7/722440.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so I am in my bedroom, behind a locked and re-locked door, trying to find a small wedge of solitude and refill my soul with peace and inspired creative focus. Before I emerge again, I'm going to sit in my soft chair, eat a protein bar, read a chapter of <b><i><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136043&item_no=722440"><span style="color: #990000;">A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Meant to Live</span></a></i></b> by Emily Freeman (which I saw mentioned on so many blogs that I like that I finally drove to the nearest bookstore to get my hands on my own copy), and putter around artfully arranging something or other in a continuation of what I shared last week in </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-day-little-beauty-and-order-in-my.html" style="color: #aa0033;"><b>One Day: A Little Beauty and Order in My Home</b></a>.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #aa0033; font-weight: bold;"> </span>I am feeling a little better now, but I think I'll go to bed early tonight.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is much more in the book, but that is enough for now. You will find another quote from <b><i>Gift from the Sea</i></b> here: </span><span style="color: #aa0033; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/09/clouds-messy-humanity-oysters.html" style="color: #aa0033;">On Clouds, Hands, Oysters and Messy Humanity</a>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If the idea of solitude and quietness and focus intrigues you, you may also like these posts:</span><br />
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<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/08/sanctuary.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sanctuary (Big Words)</span></a></span></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/11/invitation-to-stillness.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Invitation to Stillness</span></a></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/busy-dizzy-and-in-tizzy-christian.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">B</span></a><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/busy-dizzy-and-in-tizzy-christian.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c00000;">usy, Dizzy and In a Tizzy:
Christian Contemplation for Moms and Other Frazzled Folks</span></a> </span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2011/09/wisdom-from-letters-of-direction-by.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wisdom from Letters of
Direction by Abbé de Tourville</span></a></span></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/12/woman-of-beauty.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">A Woman of Beauty</span></a></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/12/beating-holiday-blues-and-stress.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Beating the Holiday Blues and Stress</span></a></span></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/02/sonnet-trinity-18-by-madeleine-lengle.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Sonnet, Trinity 18"
by Madeleine L'Engle, in Honor of My Sister Barb</span></a></span></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Truth
and Grace in the Stories of Our Lives</span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/03/read-reflect-respond-real-3rs-of.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Read, Reflect & Respond
(The Real 3R's of Literature!)</span></a></span></span></u></b></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/04/gems-from-past-for-parents.html"><span style="color: #c00000; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gems from the Past for Parents</span></span></a></span></u></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This post may be linked at these blogs:</span></b><br />
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://sandraheskaking.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Still Saturday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.deidrariggs.com/category/the-sunday-community/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sunday Community</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.raisinghomemakers.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Raising Homemakers on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Whole-Hearted Home on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/search/label/Wise%20Woman%20Link-Up" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Wise Woman Link Up on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://walkingredeemed.org/category/wednesday-link-party/" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Walking Redeemed on Wednesday</span></a></span></b></li>
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<br /><br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-1193538353600453122013-11-19T20:50:00.000-05:002013-11-19T20:50:03.488-05:00One Day: A Little Beauty and Order in My Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been over a month since I posted on either this <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Come, Weary Moms</span></b></a> blog or <a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Virginia's Life, Such As It Is</span></b></a>. The only blog I've kept up with at all is <a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Watch the Shepherd</span></b></a> because of my <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/search/label/Strength%20in%20Hymn" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">weekly hymn series</span></b></a> and an unexpected post on <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/11/vision-forum-and-friends-turn-your-eyes.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">troubling issues in the home schooling movement</span></b></a>, which has had nearly 3,800 pages visits in the last 16 days. Yikes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Frankly, I'm sometimes a very Weary Mom and there's not as much time to write. It's a busy life raising several kids, homemaking, and teaching three days a week in a private Christian school... Well, enough said there. All in all, I think I'm doing pretty well. For the most part, I love what I do, and I do what I love. So it's a good kind of tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday is my "breathing easier day" since my grading and lesson planning are done over the weekend, and I'm off school for the day. Not that I'm sitting around twiddling my thumbs! Usually, Monday is a mix of housework, errands, appointments, and a bit of writing if I'm lucky. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This particular Monday was one for pursuing "a little beauty and order." I'm trying to make my home a haven and keep it that way. I do a little here and a lot there, and sometimes a major breakthrough push, but never quite catch up. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, my kids do help out with the housework, but does it really have to be this difficult to enforce little things like </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> eating in the living room or computer room? And will I ever get the laundry and paperwork and books completely under control? Yeah, I've been purging, purging, purging the clutter. I took out a huge pile of books yesterday to donate to the library book store. However, even with all of the puttering around,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I think I've decided that with six of my kids still living here, I'll just have to hold my breath and wait a decade until they're all grown and gone before I can keep my house consistently clean. :-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, Monday....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After I drove my youngest two to school, I transplanted about two dozen golden poppy seedlings into a patch next to our front walkway. (This is Florida, folks!) When I was a little girl in northern California, I grew poppies and pansies and all manner of other floral lovelies with my sweet mother. One of my ways of honoring and remembering her is gardening. I hope they thrive and that the kids don't step on them. They're so small, they are hard to see! I'll be writing a post on gardening soon, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past weekend, I found two very attractive books on homemaking in the discount bin at the grocery store. I know I could probably have found the same information on-line, and I actually do most of my reading on the web, but sometimes it's nice to have a real book in my hands, all there in one spot. Can I get an amen? I am also inspired by visiting my daughter's apartment and seeing how simple and attractive she's keeping it. (It helps that she just moved in and doesn't have much stuff yet, but she's been shopping IKEA and it all looks lovely so far! She said it seems like she's buying kitchen stuff as if she had 10 kids.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also found another favorite volume, <b><i>Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion</i></b>, that I bought at my fav used bookstore a while back. I didn't get too far into any of them before I had to get up and try out few of the ideas. You know, put it into practice!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd4trwAbRHvkHdRMAlN5CGgXZwC99tOUaWrv4d2qA-rOC-XvKgR174KVUxVzZlTWbEyBK62z47BP0h906ArPEHj_XPYiNvwlfacQQAuMh7N3m0wL_Z7LnO45AdlH9jo8CREqkVpzmDmX7/s1600/3+Mary+Engelbreit+Home+Companion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd4trwAbRHvkHdRMAlN5CGgXZwC99tOUaWrv4d2qA-rOC-XvKgR174KVUxVzZlTWbEyBK62z47BP0h906ArPEHj_XPYiNvwlfacQQAuMh7N3m0wL_Z7LnO45AdlH9jo8CREqkVpzmDmX7/s320/3+Mary+Engelbreit+Home+Companion.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I read about foyers. Fascinating, right? Two of the books had wonderful pictures of entry ways, and some featured wooden benches. I've been wanting to switch things up in my front hallway lately, and I happened to have a beautiful bench buried in the storage room under laundry baskets. Here we go! Socks and shoes underneath, and backpacks off to the side. Sure, I wish I could convince my kids to take them all the way to their bedrooms, but hey, I'm willing to compromise a little <i>if </i>the backpacks actually make it into their designated corner by the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In order to put the bench there, I had to move a tall narrow table from that spot. I knew what I'd do with it, though. I'm always running out of flat space when I'm writing lesson plans and doing my grading. I like to lay out my books and papers, and not perch them on my lap or squeeze them onto my desk with my computer. So, as you can see in the photo below, I placed it perpendicular to my desk as an extra wing. (It's a bit longer than what shows in the photo.) I like! While I was at it, I took the time to reorganize my desk, get rid of a lot of extraneous papers, put my medicines back in the cabinet, and pin up a few new fancies on my bulletin board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also took the time to read through a basket of sympathy and birthday cards that thoughtful family and friends sent in the past few months. So sweet! I came across a few that my mother had sent to me before she passed away. Sigh. I'll treasure them all. I mounted two of the Mary Engelbreit cards on the front of my supply cabinet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the little raised shelf area in the right hand corner of my desk, with containers for hair brushes, pens, pencils and scissors. The little butterfly dish holds sugar-free hard candies. The doily hangs down and camouflages all of the electrical cords (for charging my computer, iPod, and phone) tucked under the shelf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I left the house after lunch to go visit my counselor, who is helping me sort through my life, including strategizing how to more effectively thrive in my duties in and out of the home. (For the record, she says, "Don't ever stop writing! Make time for it!") On the way home, before I picked up kids from school, I stopped into an interior design store, Kim Coe Designs. I didn't buy anything, just enjoyed the beauty as an inspiration to my homemaking efforts. They're all decked out for Christmas, of course! These light-up snowmen in a basket were tempting, but I'll just wait until I get all of my holiday decorations out in two weeks to see what I already have. I do like a little something new each year, but it's not like I <i>need</i> anything right now. Anyway, I'm trying to <i>simplify</i>! (I did buy a pair of Christmas salt and pepper shakers on clearance at Walgreens later!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For dinner, I had a big package of boneless skinless chicken breasts in the fridge. I cut them into smaller pieces, and baked half of them with barbecue sauce and the other half with rotisserie seasoning and red potatoes, adding some crunchy onion topping near the end. Yummy scrumptious! My family appreciates the two flavor options. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The rest of the evening? Shopping, putting away laundry, cleaning up some more, and chatting with my very lively and affectionate kids. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't get everything on my list done yesterday, but as I often say, "Well enough!" Today's another day! (And it was! Today I did a lot of paperwork after I got up, then drove kids to school / bus stop, made lunches for one son and me, taught three classes at school, took two kids to appointments and then went to the science night at their school. The three of us ate fast food (gasp!) and the rest had leftover chicken for dinner. Now I have some grading to do for tomorrow. Another full day, different than yesterday, but just as good!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other related organizing and decorating posts you might enjoy...</span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-blue-bowl-and-thoughts-on-making.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The Blue Bowl" and Thoughts on Making a Home</span></span></span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/01/refresh-and-renew-quilt-and-pansies.html" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Refresh and Renew: Quilt and Pansies</span></span></a></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/04/busy-creative-at-home-grasshoppers-have.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Busy & Creative at Home (with links to organization blogs)</span></span></span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/06/room-redo-1-front-hallway.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Impulsive Decorator's Room Redo #1: The Front Hallway</span></span></span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/06/desk-for-mom-featuring-habitat-for.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Desk for Mom (Featuring Habitat for Humanity)</span></span></span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #c00000; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-space-of-my-own.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;">A Space of My Own (My Desk Again)</a></span></span></span></span></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-christmas-decorating-on-dime.html" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Easy Christmas Decorating on a Dime</span></span></a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
</h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What does your daily or weekly life rhythm look like? Leave a comment for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-18223903852648687802013-10-06T23:47:00.003-04:002013-10-13T13:58:01.716-04:00Welcome to Autumn 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to decorate for autumn,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">even though here in central Florida </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we don't have </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">many </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">beautiful colored leaves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like my autumn pretties </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">to be up for a full two months</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">before I start <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-christmas-decorating-on-dime.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>decking the halls</b></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-christmas-decorating-on-dime.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">for Christmas</span></a> </b>in early December</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mostly used what I had, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">but added in some new-to-me items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's start with the flowers above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plastic stem of my fake flowers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">looked a little funny in a clear vase,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">so </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I filled the vase with autumn potpourri.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used the leftover potpourri</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in a crystal bowl from my mom's house,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with a candle in the middle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The potpourri was $1 per bag </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">at Dollar General.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like the crystal bowl,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the outdoor flag below</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is also from my mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After she passed away this summer,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I picked out what I wanted to take home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She had all of her off-season</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">garden flags hanging neatly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in her basement storage room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love cardinals just like she did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoDADCR54-8fnOZ2RjorZxnSLoQDnRywMI17Y3YY5EwfLpZCdUohyphenhyphenp7u7-nbN6XH5ErT7cdasyy6o1BnbkQNgjuBHfl936bb-ofTYJ4E8vT_a1wTR2P3A6NfgREdOJRfWx3u0snYlR5b9/s1600/Cardinal+flag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoDADCR54-8fnOZ2RjorZxnSLoQDnRywMI17Y3YY5EwfLpZCdUohyphenhyphenp7u7-nbN6XH5ErT7cdasyy6o1BnbkQNgjuBHfl936bb-ofTYJ4E8vT_a1wTR2P3A6NfgREdOJRfWx3u0snYlR5b9/s320/Cardinal+flag.JPG" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My older daughters </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">made this wall hanging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for my 50th birthday last month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn't it pretty?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Burlap on a frame,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with my initial painted on,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">then bordered in embroidery,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and flourished with silk flowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Very nice!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Rrt9FVaAl8R2yTDneuwnCAvdD7H24jU4bn2PBCFdcVTgAHbSWazH6cDKVVBzVddA-rocVoRRb4vddWTtmr6eINqUdTcq5AMXrQmXfET7Iz9vgkzQrXt-N2PxpSzEsDKxpe1dSXe3hnj/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Rrt9FVaAl8R2yTDneuwnCAvdD7H24jU4bn2PBCFdcVTgAHbSWazH6cDKVVBzVddA-rocVoRRb4vddWTtmr6eINqUdTcq5AMXrQmXfET7Iz9vgkzQrXt-N2PxpSzEsDKxpe1dSXe3hnj/s320/IMG_4996.JPG" width="261" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to things I buy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">thrift is the name of the game here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cornucopia came from </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salvation Army for $1.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDwX8P7Cnevif_iI4T2F2C042Rerkai4CUfwfahkTMqiGDOwfJ0ja6w652A61UnPg-LQdCpJTIDsntWOpjIcwx6KTUWQLK9dUTk9Q4EeUlvV0jwKWYnGazxDXUIJHXR2TJAo9E2SBZqQ5/s1600/Cornucopia+with+pilgrims.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDwX8P7Cnevif_iI4T2F2C042Rerkai4CUfwfahkTMqiGDOwfJ0ja6w652A61UnPg-LQdCpJTIDsntWOpjIcwx6KTUWQLK9dUTk9Q4EeUlvV0jwKWYnGazxDXUIJHXR2TJAo9E2SBZqQ5/s320/Cornucopia+with+pilgrims.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The candle holder below was $3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">at another local thrift store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It came with the two red thingies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and a brown one in the middle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which I replaced with the votive candle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiK9UIrgCEUzsCxPCPb2pSkN-vKedDK5xt2sHUTKeu-wbAinSya-ua35RzVlK4ZiaxCT9fxLaksy_5qBCPjAzM_OdsmCWrWo9WE1ZfTPT7SRqF0sFU4qCxZaHICYV4WNWAPpUfKFgiRql/s1600/Three+candle+holder+with+red+things+on+it.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiK9UIrgCEUzsCxPCPb2pSkN-vKedDK5xt2sHUTKeu-wbAinSya-ua35RzVlK4ZiaxCT9fxLaksy_5qBCPjAzM_OdsmCWrWo9WE1ZfTPT7SRqF0sFU4qCxZaHICYV4WNWAPpUfKFgiRql/s320/Three+candle+holder+with+red+things+on+it.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A bookcase in the dining room </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(which doubles as our library)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">features decorations that </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">camouflage other items</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that I need accessible </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but don't want to see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The white ceramic dish </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">holds facial tissues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stash a supply of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">hair brushes, combs, and such </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">i</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">n the long basket </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">underneath </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">the garland of silk leaves,</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kAfhzQfSCL5UrVCq4QazWElBjpKugmawNV8wohRekD-uu41zjNJ-Jf73oPcRwaMglJjhMtrYarn36az8aBJgUoG4oHucXxalKmUH5PdVpKJk7KVfXgMEyGUdqArk9ueAvX7czI2byIze/s1600/Bookshelf+with+autumn+decorations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kAfhzQfSCL5UrVCq4QazWElBjpKugmawNV8wohRekD-uu41zjNJ-Jf73oPcRwaMglJjhMtrYarn36az8aBJgUoG4oHucXxalKmUH5PdVpKJk7KVfXgMEyGUdqArk9ueAvX7czI2byIze/s320/Bookshelf+with+autumn+decorations.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My son taught me how to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">light candles </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">by first lighting a piece of dry spaghetti,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and then using it to reach where </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">lighter or match can't go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I originally lit the red candle on the right,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">then moved it elsewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leaving it </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">next to books </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">and under a shelf</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">could have started a fire. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Safety first!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally, since it is autumn,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm wearing scarves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one was a birthday gift </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">from my friend Donna.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not too skilled with fashion,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but this method is easy-peasy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fold the scarf in half</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and lay it around your shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take the two loose ends and draw them</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">through the loop on the other side,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">then tighten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D2tfy41IOd97StR-AHgO-aYLzpbsKqnuyBNKxxYrJer8fMu2ZjbZRpdRq1de9KJtlMBzO5m_eBHFyPBk1Onrqmye-ap4tdCK2V4ozP_u6rYLofjqyizYN80jvwCN6YyHNTWcRX1MwVG5/s1600/Mom+and+daughter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D2tfy41IOd97StR-AHgO-aYLzpbsKqnuyBNKxxYrJer8fMu2ZjbZRpdRq1de9KJtlMBzO5m_eBHFyPBk1Onrqmye-ap4tdCK2V4ozP_u6rYLofjqyizYN80jvwCN6YyHNTWcRX1MwVG5/s320/Mom+and+daughter.JPG" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of fashion,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it was also time to buy a new purse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">At Walmart, I debated between two.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plaid one is definitely autumn!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, I decided on the burgundy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">since it will work for the Christmas season, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is something to be said for versatility.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeA2bVEm7qoKl4x2cL5ZoX6EWsxWRfv1Z5qFOR5liEw3lBehBNJTjSSBMTe7CgYgPh0K30eLkEqWgV2QNVY6NjvaEpjZSTkS-cArUU-k3W1zWh5iWp38hpwFm-i3m0Gml1KIuv30LYIo-/s1600/IMG_5119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeA2bVEm7qoKl4x2cL5ZoX6EWsxWRfv1Z5qFOR5liEw3lBehBNJTjSSBMTe7CgYgPh0K30eLkEqWgV2QNVY6NjvaEpjZSTkS-cArUU-k3W1zWh5iWp38hpwFm-i3m0Gml1KIuv30LYIo-/s320/IMG_5119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I actually put out a lot more decorations</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">than you see in this blog post.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are just my "new" items or</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ones I used a different way.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have two </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">more complete autumn posts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #ffffe5; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/easy-autumn-decorating-on-dime.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Easy Autumn Decorating on a Dime</span></a></span></span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #ffffe5; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-pretty-home-and-yummy-food-on.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Autumn: A Pretty Home and Yummy Food on a Budget</span></a></span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #ffffe5; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
</h3>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will also like my new </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/10/autumn-breeze-haiku.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Autumn Breeze Haiku</span></b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And, my other autumn links:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving Inspiration & Hospitality<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankfulness-observe-appreciate-express.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Thankfulness: Observe, Appreciate, Express, Imitate</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/10/give-us-grateful-hearts-for-common.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Give Us Grateful Hearts for Common Graces</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/11/thankfulness.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Thankfulness?</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/our-thanksgiving-indians.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Our Thanksgiving Indians</span></a></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Autumn Foods<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/11/prepping-your-kitchen-to-fix-feast.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Prepping Your Kitchen to Fix a Feast</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/butternut-yellow-squash-casserole.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Butternut-Yellow Squash Casserole</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/pumpkin-streusel-muffins.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Pumpkin Streusel Muffins</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/07/peach-pumpkin-muffins.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Peach Pumpkin Muffins</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-weekend-gratitude-this-time-in.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Bread Pudding</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/11/carrot-cake-with-maple-cream-cheese.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing, Plus Redstone
Cornbread with Maple Butter</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/05/baked-oatmeal-for-crowd-plus-teen.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Baked Oatmeal for a Crowd</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/fresh-cranberries.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Fresh Cranberries!</span></a> and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/serving-cranberry-sauce.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Serving Cranberry Sauce</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/hot-chocolate-for-crowd.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Hot Chocolate for a Crowd</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-wassail.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Holiday Wassail</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/roasted-herbed-vegetables.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Roasted Herbed Vegetables</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/gourmet-with-dana-fall-harvest-quinoa.html"><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fall Harvest Quinoa with Butternut Squash {Vegan Recipe</span><span style="font-size: medium;">}</span></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy the season!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. This time last year I was visiting family in Maryland with my oldest daughter and my two grandsons. That's a true autumn! Take a peek at my pics!</span></span></div>
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<li><u style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/apple-picking-fritters-and-goofy-gourds.html" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">Apple Picking, Fritters, and Goofy Gourds</a></span></b></u></li>
<li><b style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/beauty-and-diversity-on-autumn-sunday.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Beauty and Diversity on an Autumn Sunday</span></a></span></b></li>
<li><u style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/to-grandmothers-house-and-petting-zoo.html" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">To Grandmother's House We Go</a></span></b></u><u style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19px;"><b></b></u></li>
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfQw33KDgCdveMz1MkxRvl5ma4PnEYuZrl_XV6eK1MWZ5JqT-nqjmUE3vGB__fW-d5Ji2jcv9zxZ8TxdABsfYWC1N1RT8GrYPvq5Pyz-wme3FExb_UbhR3b0Cee5EXB77XgLXg-iQnZo/s200/6+Boy+sitting+on+huge+pumpkin.JPG" width="150" /></div>
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<img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVvaiNPdu-h-xKtNXk92g5OFa0v3JMUXm8LCy94UH9Puv8czt2hkUXvwcT-LNnZIaZTRE_A6yP0pvvlhyGRABblDTSg7DVUhHJ72lggnJVQYk4u4FcB-b0S8f_jBfkiqw3x0SsWk5PIo/s320/3+Z+Mary+Mary+and+Virginia+with+pumpkins.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-18636912874309085982013-09-02T23:50:00.000-04:002014-05-31T22:46:01.881-04:00Hypothetical (Big Words)<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear fellow mommies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did you ever have one of Those Shopping Trips?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your kids bicker in the van and then decide to continue their Simmering Spat on into the produce aisle with subtle pinches and scowling looks when your back is turned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You haven't been in the store for five minutes, and they are quietly yet subversively plotting the Overthrow of Your Sanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So you do the only Peaceable Yet Powerful thing you know to do. You leave the bag of peaches in the cart, and walk out with one child by the hand, trusting the others to follow closely behind. They do. They know you mean business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You drive them home and leave them in the care of Another Adult, an older sister, say. It's for their own good. You know that. They don't. You are suddenly the Worst Mommy Ever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then you drive back to Walmart, pick up the bag of peaches, and shop the aisles in peace, trying not to feel Guilty for Enjoying Yourself. You even buy yourself an impromptu present, a fuzzy soft blanket with a big bear on it. You are Mama Bear, after all, wanting the best for your cubs, ready to protect them, yet sometimes feeling a little growly yourself and trying not to roar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You drive home, cranking up the music. You are tired, and not looking forward to Dealing with Cranky Children when you get home. You pray for grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you pull into your driveway, the Most Offending Child comes bounding out to the van, apologizes for being an idiot at the store, and grabs two bags of groceries to bring inside. The Other Offending Child is already fast asleep in bed. You now believe in miracles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So has this ever happened to <i>you</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me neither!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was hypothetical, of course! Hypothetical. Really.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSLfzfX33u0iIz7Y16ii3tmw_w1ihNWEYuOkyYE5mOkomGQlUZ1oF0vFAQhOxweJMIBWaf-HrPCzkT6BB54pAKbTtcA1rT0yLJLifrumGbsX8vG6MvqMtbOSVVC73GIg_A1qcC5txGduJ/s1600/Peaches+in+a+Bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSLfzfX33u0iIz7Y16ii3tmw_w1ihNWEYuOkyYE5mOkomGQlUZ1oF0vFAQhOxweJMIBWaf-HrPCzkT6BB54pAKbTtcA1rT0yLJLifrumGbsX8vG6MvqMtbOSVVC73GIg_A1qcC5txGduJ/s400/Peaches+in+a+Bowl.JPG" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sweet peace and sweet peaches,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUEZxQU3SYc91kiOhQKqsSqbuqcllfO3UbbghtBOeq3Q0ctLgLGnvlS4av2p_yuxJjjXzixmzjegsy-HHLENLfSTOhwqrteDsJhyphenhyphen0bnqozM6Rdz32ofwNdQ57Vr8zAXfSYsK8I3CHo4PT/s1600/Bear+blanket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUEZxQU3SYc91kiOhQKqsSqbuqcllfO3UbbghtBOeq3Q0ctLgLGnvlS4av2p_yuxJjjXzixmzjegsy-HHLENLfSTOhwqrteDsJhyphenhyphen0bnqozM6Rdz32ofwNdQ57Vr8zAXfSYsK8I3CHo4PT/s200/Bear+blanket.JPG" height="200" width="196" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">P.S. #1: The sliced peach photo was edited with Picasa using the Ortonish feature.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">P.S. #2: If you like the idea of gentle parenting, please check out my post, <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us</span></b></a>, which has a lot of links on the topic. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">P.S. #3: This post is the third in my rather random Big Words series, the most recent of which, the sentimental </span><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/09/sacramental-big-words.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sacramental</span></b></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, was only posted a few hours ago. This post will also be linked at these blog parties this week:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-52761007947336815692013-09-02T16:47:00.002-04:002013-09-02T19:28:56.463-04:00Sacramental (Big Words)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZsHtTGNcckgtD-y55NyHFKt5Wo1ivoms6dITVqAr3_FVrO4tkUo99_IbsOZp4izl1l9qww8vLGg0wlhvz_VBJHMBbFBCZ6W6yaguyyJVSxSBAWnqg9_mjiYe6oetu6wR8kcDz47Mn872/s1600/Mary+Quarrier+with+three+children+late+1960s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZsHtTGNcckgtD-y55NyHFKt5Wo1ivoms6dITVqAr3_FVrO4tkUo99_IbsOZp4izl1l9qww8vLGg0wlhvz_VBJHMBbFBCZ6W6yaguyyJVSxSBAWnqg9_mjiYe6oetu6wR8kcDz47Mn872/s400/Mary+Quarrier+with+three+children+late+1960s.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">These tangible memories of my mother</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">are not just <i>sentimental</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To me, they are almost <i>sacramental:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">symbolic of her essence and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">powerfully binding, in a good way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkDq2dGnln3eQaKGozFefdYJEP-4kMfaPid1qGkL3Haw9Xloy1Z-gAn04vCrA3fenbfWVBjYXmgL9EVoTFb6QXY7u6ej30i__z-QDDXQsxIuMLlNt1lhhNQBiGG1lC2hWBdBA4QdWeYd0/s1600/Bookcase+with+memories+of+my+mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkDq2dGnln3eQaKGozFefdYJEP-4kMfaPid1qGkL3Haw9Xloy1Z-gAn04vCrA3fenbfWVBjYXmgL9EVoTFb6QXY7u6ej30i__z-QDDXQsxIuMLlNt1lhhNQBiGG1lC2hWBdBA4QdWeYd0/s400/Bookcase+with+memories+of+my+mother.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It started simply as a place to display the bird figurines I brought home after my mother passed away in July. I cleared the top shelf of one of my bedroom book cases and arranged to my heart's content.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWg3H_nvoL3ppxahMOroQAJ9ZUmYU2FKzmIbPRaupX8TbB_yTLHdlODqWtgqL6D_Bse8qVJCovIvkn_Boo6tKrDU2d72_RvB2ID7RriH_GP4vItZdoMT92fOSaDHFfkX0jmPyOhI243NE/s1600/Nothing+is+More+Wonderful+than+Family+cardinal+plaque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWg3H_nvoL3ppxahMOroQAJ9ZUmYU2FKzmIbPRaupX8TbB_yTLHdlODqWtgqL6D_Bse8qVJCovIvkn_Boo6tKrDU2d72_RvB2ID7RriH_GP4vItZdoMT92fOSaDHFfkX0jmPyOhI243NE/s320/Nothing+is+More+Wonderful+than+Family+cardinal+plaque.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFbNQJAI5bcSLACSEJAswZBDaYv2dMt_1MTOcW18rvELURXxazUOsfN3nEYqnn4I9NJR6t-zLJswtvBwzWlE11LwoQu3YqEZML7tWaOq_Zv6yPxBTDkvd3-QIVsAWYf23AcYiIx_YxUq/s1600/Hummingbird+figurines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFbNQJAI5bcSLACSEJAswZBDaYv2dMt_1MTOcW18rvELURXxazUOsfN3nEYqnn4I9NJR6t-zLJswtvBwzWlE11LwoQu3YqEZML7tWaOq_Zv6yPxBTDkvd3-QIVsAWYf23AcYiIx_YxUq/s200/Hummingbird+figurines.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;">Then the sympathy cards...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1yCLZ1t01pPatomdsbu0YIweacPZb84RbS89JbaKZ49GkG4_kD9Dpf-O5lKJSj47OS3WT4TcOcXTtHKE2_cXe87hJlmcak-la3LubO_CS098txM4ry7Z1izQl4oLAVGMECnXWMcq77bW/s1600/Sympathy+cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1yCLZ1t01pPatomdsbu0YIweacPZb84RbS89JbaKZ49GkG4_kD9Dpf-O5lKJSj47OS3WT4TcOcXTtHKE2_cXe87hJlmcak-la3LubO_CS098txM4ry7Z1izQl4oLAVGMECnXWMcq77bW/s320/Sympathy+cards.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Then blanket made by church members </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">while she was in the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hospital those long weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And her sewing box, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which may also have been</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my Grandma Hess's sewing box.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwtMiEr-cuY7YsL68NdYqpgULjmTYiLtrHlMEcD4M_5qfVvYplRKYeHKgvHU10JvP3Z9-guYw5sClCVNGANwzuLePh1rxLdDhJoEQsMJTImxM3qX6gbF2zkpgjmplK2Pa_OTiIqifaVf2/s1600/Blanket+and+sewing+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwtMiEr-cuY7YsL68NdYqpgULjmTYiLtrHlMEcD4M_5qfVvYplRKYeHKgvHU10JvP3Z9-guYw5sClCVNGANwzuLePh1rxLdDhJoEQsMJTImxM3qX6gbF2zkpgjmplK2Pa_OTiIqifaVf2/s320/Blanket+and+sewing+box.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Next, the vintage books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I only brought several home this time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but I had more from previous trips,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as well as a shelf full of my father's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F0kJLggdkYpObEP4hyphenhyphen-8P6BVpGNK1Hm8K6fHaYKmUTbhZ8ikvIsBwMi7XxvmYuAwMRf0uat5AlyHN18Qawxkip05SeKVygWwHfCtDczEw7oiTKxARCBSlBUk6tuNN-yif1dickO_qtxS/s1600/Vintage+books+by+Emily+Loring,+Gene+Stratton+Porter+and+Grace+Livingston+Hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F0kJLggdkYpObEP4hyphenhyphen-8P6BVpGNK1Hm8K6fHaYKmUTbhZ8ikvIsBwMi7XxvmYuAwMRf0uat5AlyHN18Qawxkip05SeKVygWwHfCtDczEw7oiTKxARCBSlBUk6tuNN-yif1dickO_qtxS/s320/Vintage+books+by+Emily+Loring,+Gene+Stratton+Porter+and+Grace+Livingston+Hill.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Many of the vintage books are inscribed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with the beautifully handwritten names</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">of my grandparents and great-grandparents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I added their photos to the shelves today...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Charles and Mary Graves Hess</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">with two of their children</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc7qCLP3YvfccZK9TJ1-gR9X60Gz1SYdwQrXdI0WxBn4rYcTWzgF2Tquov5w-JM_WbYmIsQQjiAKdFK2QTVG1uca1eHh9juXFcXSpGUBCoc9f2fCcF2hHpc-WjnVxEoafVC-VJ9OVt2Z4/s1600/Charles+and+Mary+Graves+Hess+with+children+vintage+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc7qCLP3YvfccZK9TJ1-gR9X60Gz1SYdwQrXdI0WxBn4rYcTWzgF2Tquov5w-JM_WbYmIsQQjiAKdFK2QTVG1uca1eHh9juXFcXSpGUBCoc9f2fCcF2hHpc-WjnVxEoafVC-VJ9OVt2Z4/s320/Charles+and+Mary+Graves+Hess+with+children+vintage+photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Coray and Olive Ransom</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqPFCtDbPPl3yg0ZbDwnNylTVDgoNQbTWWyYh76AhGYwV3Rn8TTWqmDpgqCJWesJJuNMYocyMf235842zOuvYSqSs-0WhOg03oN2kyQSpP2S4gjMseq0za5ZYpZ9zB6lIjJWhbLo0F5UQ/s1600/Coray+and+Olive+Ransom+1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqPFCtDbPPl3yg0ZbDwnNylTVDgoNQbTWWyYh76AhGYwV3Rn8TTWqmDpgqCJWesJJuNMYocyMf235842zOuvYSqSs-0WhOg03oN2kyQSpP2S4gjMseq0za5ZYpZ9zB6lIjJWhbLo0F5UQ/s320/Coray+and+Olive+Ransom+1904.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My great-grandmother Olive Wrislar Ransom </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and my grandmother Dorothy Ransom Hess</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVq7eDRZVEjA60Ykfkh3C6msKLMYUgB57XGhZHe2jZ26rV-5LE18dNd3ZqaBD46b1w5jPXtc6kOE8kFXe7T5SuaZY82GlzcTBFgjn-ogmEFM4T19ncf_nqQ0hPxxK5MgaFgOMHbo32f8h/s1600/Mother+Olive+and+daughter+Dorothy+Ransom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVq7eDRZVEjA60Ykfkh3C6msKLMYUgB57XGhZHe2jZ26rV-5LE18dNd3ZqaBD46b1w5jPXtc6kOE8kFXe7T5SuaZY82GlzcTBFgjn-ogmEFM4T19ncf_nqQ0hPxxK5MgaFgOMHbo32f8h/s200/Mother+Olive+and+daughter+Dorothy+Ransom.JPG" width="193" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This pocket watch,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">found in the sewing basket,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">is etched with the initials OEW.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That would be Olive's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeilr7TyDW-ahYvWgOXj1bbagr_bHtbWJs8JwfywvNzBcZqPoziicNJNPFpP1GUVDx_kyBhfM4LzUr5Hn_jGSoOc7AAwGxOAb-1l7gpcqBU_rv1VxjfoIiFo651tTxx-x4MuvlGJjMBxE/s1600/Vintage+pocket+watch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeilr7TyDW-ahYvWgOXj1bbagr_bHtbWJs8JwfywvNzBcZqPoziicNJNPFpP1GUVDx_kyBhfM4LzUr5Hn_jGSoOc7AAwGxOAb-1l7gpcqBU_rv1VxjfoIiFo651tTxx-x4MuvlGJjMBxE/s200/Vintage+pocket+watch.JPG" width="158" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DLs_5hgZc-di5UpMpm9NTxMU3AYcxsLQ4u3ujGCXnC79Y6nVsEKIWJKNEu-fJrW421r0bIQHJ3B6cdVv_YGMM2PLM889dAmhoYUe4IQjj_prNtG40XMWkclOI35vGg1mO62B_-czBUUN/s1600/Vintage+pocket+watch+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLTNNxPrguYHaiqe5ImH69s7AbJDN3xyGN0hZWWx74Ybk2UH210nhJcCwp0kMtsQORg4qfOX7D4q6-iAqWNrSLQGYexHVlVvdOrSvEf7QW_AOhB0ji5g8UTvIjz3ar0NDBX0M0Ka2Cld8/s1600/Vintage+pocket+watch+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLTNNxPrguYHaiqe5ImH69s7AbJDN3xyGN0hZWWx74Ybk2UH210nhJcCwp0kMtsQORg4qfOX7D4q6-iAqWNrSLQGYexHVlVvdOrSvEf7QW_AOhB0ji5g8UTvIjz3ar0NDBX0M0Ka2Cld8/s200/Vintage+pocket+watch+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">From Mom's kitchen to mine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the star shaped baking molds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which I've been using,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">this time for blueberry muffins.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg126_OLGkKlU6xKyF56TUxVt02pbx7UvO3q2GwepOJwqqoBd4b-KN1asSS09CzNzHvbm2Br9baWp8l4ImjWHqC3LP0MCtoXsbeNKAHhmQzIuQkQ0zL7BRUH6J66Ad-3DeTYgsanpekbT97/s1600/IMG_4127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg126_OLGkKlU6xKyF56TUxVt02pbx7UvO3q2GwepOJwqqoBd4b-KN1asSS09CzNzHvbm2Br9baWp8l4ImjWHqC3LP0MCtoXsbeNKAHhmQzIuQkQ0zL7BRUH6J66Ad-3DeTYgsanpekbT97/s320/IMG_4127.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> And the mini-heart tins I gave her years ago...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw91X8s07VNjntCD8zEx2Ea1_E5pCxIiLJnDBYFycI1NUN0GvQr11Nu7SPFlAk5zekvU6S8KZfn_ErfH_0RzXJRZgAQMMl5l_Go7PGDhwOXjXQeAago0fc0A8y3d94TuyDCROWMLk0BSd/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw91X8s07VNjntCD8zEx2Ea1_E5pCxIiLJnDBYFycI1NUN0GvQr11Nu7SPFlAk5zekvU6S8KZfn_ErfH_0RzXJRZgAQMMl5l_Go7PGDhwOXjXQeAago0fc0A8y3d94TuyDCROWMLk0BSd/s320/IMG_4126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And finally, in other places around the house,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the s</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">tained glass pieces,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">all gifts from my mother...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The mirror, a college graduation present,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which I rehung today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3BA_SSl0LZBig-ZWUOxY_A9usMng35INOgszv_m-UxhDsk2UYAKbE5O65xNLM6FqWYVy3OfwaeSOk0karhNMaJtRlszzsudZJ4LwKhbLpxEKX2n0jMlY4gVu847TdNOnm0RvAq0Nj-Jc/s1600/Stained+glass+mirror.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3BA_SSl0LZBig-ZWUOxY_A9usMng35INOgszv_m-UxhDsk2UYAKbE5O65xNLM6FqWYVy3OfwaeSOk0karhNMaJtRlszzsudZJ4LwKhbLpxEKX2n0jMlY4gVu847TdNOnm0RvAq0Nj-Jc/s320/Stained+glass+mirror.JPG" width="244" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The rainbow dove, a first anniversary present</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">to match a window in the fellowship hall </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">of the church where we were married</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinluQlO88MhcudJjacEDs5L7I_6J1RlOj8G1PcuVKaUpnx5TO3ypTJhOyNhPfivtcOKTUqI2MyRKUfjqiG4DkspawdVB3-QJ7dGBXP6WDTEvjcjX0TTfnXBfQnDDmsZE_7jC8bQL6Ghaj7/s200/a+Stained+glass+dove+and+rainbow.JPG" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Nativity scene</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe6RV_NEY5VB4UP-AEIw7XrwtpmAl2-6-rGWsP1CmbLosdczxPC5pHkqOUmN_xk87E2d-F13oReA6ONgfPiNeDqwmwrekUNwhp7Fv8D8AslsV3We7Bh-IqZhB6ifBoU3ZO_Xc6gXfULA/s400/Stained+Glass+Nativity.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The camellia and magnolia stained glass</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LovItHCRAt69pgz7n8OlDYFXxhKcy8WRppNzV9vOqDK1WUtr6fEivCYx9sApwg2NpugZQ22tQuc1Vmw8Vr3ZNwwVAYslfdO5tmaBWOOcDycxeQUVPSEtTbXA610b32ge0TJA_9jotCom/s1600/0a+Camellia+stained+glass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #aa0033; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LovItHCRAt69pgz7n8OlDYFXxhKcy8WRppNzV9vOqDK1WUtr6fEivCYx9sApwg2NpugZQ22tQuc1Vmw8Vr3ZNwwVAYslfdO5tmaBWOOcDycxeQUVPSEtTbXA610b32ge0TJA_9jotCom/s200/0a+Camellia+stained+glass.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCa2-tial6Z3LqntxVvczQ4zz6SWeFjOOHDCJzdBTqbTK5CZX4pJOpdN3VABtCi6jc3VgVxYu06m3ChWdZY1KpLLgoSylgTJ_FwAV8PFPtSLzb9ZRyTIqHgOoVddb8Hn0UNoGgJCVV5gzi/s1600/0b+Magnolia+stained+glass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #aa0033; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCa2-tial6Z3LqntxVvczQ4zz6SWeFjOOHDCJzdBTqbTK5CZX4pJOpdN3VABtCi6jc3VgVxYu06m3ChWdZY1KpLLgoSylgTJ_FwAV8PFPtSLzb9ZRyTIqHgOoVddb8Hn0UNoGgJCVV5gzi/s200/0b+Magnolia+stained+glass.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="190" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There is more,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">like her clothes and necklaces I've been wearing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but that is enough to show for now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As the months go by, I will rearrange again,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">put things away from this makeshift shrine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But I will never forget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Her real legacy </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">was her love.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ25jxTGm4fCVeE74SS0IfiDW62G9gthjxMO7wF1bVAQ9IOFmczSVto0qhaGfOu1QXMOsVLiBSkl4ZfmyE5x5Cxwrm69U8BJQu3h3cRpyUxL3O_lIbWdpa_Nn5rh7spgzZpVggSgP9w/s320/1+Mom+and+Grandma.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My mother, Mary Graves Hess Quarrier<br />and my grandmother, Dorothy Ransom Hess,<br />in July 2013</span></td></tr>
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<img height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTdjQGQY4UIYuPfASpppEqxIbXHUMZg2WUHqCpoLO9S0tOquLKc53qWIBVxdCFQm9fcioKGfFB98OmddnlgBSZfsFMPZt4dmsUxt60Sx4MLcK8gflb_Az7uVEFzpGB_90ieZ12zdvaSM/s200/Prayer+shawl+in+hospital.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Tributes to my Mom:</u></b></span></div>
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<li style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/in-memoriam-tribute-to-my-mother-mary.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In Memoriam: A Tribute to My Mother, Mary Quarrier</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-eulogy-is-also-beginning.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A Eulogy is Also a Beginning</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/radiant-nurturer-recent-photos-of-my.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Radiant Nurturer: Recent Photos of My Mother</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/vintage-photos-of-my-mother.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Vintage Photos of My Mother</span></a></li>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Strength in Hymn</u></b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large; line-height: 21px;">(all related to Mom)</b></div>
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<a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-more-night-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">No More Night </span></a></h3>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/his-eye-is-on-sparrow-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">His Eye is on the Sparrow</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/let-there-be-peace-on-earth-strength-in.html" style="line-height: 1.4; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Let There Be Peace on Earth</span></b></span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/be-thou-my-vision-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Be Thou My Vision </span></b></span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-all-faithful-women-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-decoration: none;">For All the Faithful Women</a></span></b></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/sweet-hour-of-prayer-strength-in-hymn.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Sweet Hour of Prayer</b></span></a></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/in-garden-when-caregiver-needs-care.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In the Garden (When the Caregiver Needs Care)</span></a></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This post is the second in my new Big Words series. The first: <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/08/sanctuary.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sanctuary</span></b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-68552034192964545942013-08-25T17:52:00.003-04:002014-05-31T22:46:32.701-04:00Homemaking (An Index to My Blogs)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a whole bunch of posts about homemaking on two of my blogs. I've finally compiled an index of most of them below in several categories, and I have also created a <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/p/homemaking-index.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">page</span></b></a> for them with a link at the top of this blog which I will try to keep updated with future posts. </span><o:p style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There may be other homemaking posts currently on my blogs that I have not added to this index yet. You can probably find them in these category tags: </o:p><a dir="ltr" href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Homemaking" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.666667938232422px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Homemaking at Virginia's Life</b></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><b><a dir="ltr" href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/search/label/Homemaking" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Homemaking at Come Weary Moms</span></a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You might also like my newest post on my main blog: <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/08/twenty-years-ten-kids-one-house.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Twenty Years, Ten Kids, One Hous</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span></a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Homemaking
Inspiration:</span></b></div>
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<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-blue-bowl-and-thoughts-on-making.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">"The Blue Bowl" and Thoughts on Making a Home</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/01/refresh-and-renew-quilt-and-pansies.html" style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Refresh and Renew: Quilt and Pansies</a></span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/01/who-is-proverbs-31-woman-not-me-yet.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman? Not Me Yet!</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/04/busy-creative-at-home-grasshoppers-have.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Busy & Creative at Home (with links to organization blogs)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/05/knowing-that-she-hath-wings.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Knowing That She Hath Wings</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-glorious-dishtowel-redux-and-more.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">"My Glorious Dishtowel" Redux and More</span></a> </span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/06/creativity-and-order-they-arent.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Creativity AND Order (They Aren't Mutually Exclusive!)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/let-our-ordered-lives-confess-beauty-of.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Let Our Ordered Lives Confess the Beauty of Thy Peace...?</span></a></span></span></b></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Room-by-Room in our
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<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/01/kitchen-organization-ideas.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Kitchen Organization Ideas from a Mom of 10</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/03/bathroom-areas-on-budget.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Decorating and Organizing Bathroom Areas on a Budget</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2013/01/welcome-to-our-living-room.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Welcome to Our Living Room</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/06/room-redo-1-front-hallway.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">The Impulsive Decorator's Room Redo #1: The Front Hallway</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/10/turning-angst-into-clean-closet.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Turning Angst into a Clean Closet</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/06/desk-for-mom-featuring-habitat-for.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">A Desk for Mom (Featuring Habitat for Humanity)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-space-of-my-own.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">A Space of My Own (My Desk Again)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/04/not-so-extreme-makeover-front-of-our.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Not-So-Extreme Makeover: The Front of Our House</span></a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Season-by-Season in
our Home:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/easy-autumn-decorating-on-dime.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Easy Autumn Decorating on a Dime</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-pretty-home-and-yummy-food-on.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Autumn: A Pretty Home and Yummy Food on a Budget</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-christmas-decorating-on-dime.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Easy Christmas Decorating on a Dime</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/04/easy-spring-decorating-on-dime.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Easy Spring Decorating on a Dime</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/03/springtime-in-my-front-hallway.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Springtime in My Front Hallway</span></a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<o:p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVXzW31-eX3_pw23RcexuyYh_oCfWX8a3fD-ZuB-ypmnGHhCHxduhuB5l7KwClIfQKG0sEhD9IpLd1Q6QE9LQfcDPKn5CnVnv-KsCd4QNuNYH9wY-IDZYf3L19RhJS-bF4E6iQAErJWH9/s200/Autumn+Flag+2009.JPG" height="200" width="131" /> </o:p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ803RxPJBeJxZ8eNOZS2oFoOhnbFZs6erWRz-qskyo2m5nQSAm72qCSXhJsL567RWbeFHTbSlumvRBUMPz5hzuREOKrJynUYaXfj_UU183RyvlnFvaLqULYcvTQ9iWK_sSDvQOMI5SwTr/s200/aaa+Strawberries+in+bowl.JPG" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Home Organization
Tips:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-steps-to-tidy-home-children.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">First Steps to a Tidy Home / Children & Chores</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/2009/08/bin-there-done-that-or-how-to-keep.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">"Bin Ther</span></a><a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/2009/08/bin-there-done-that-or-how-to-keep.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">e, Done That" (Or How to Keep School Clutter from
Turning You Into a Basketcase)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/11/organizing-first-aid-supplies-medicines.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Organizing First Aid Supplies, Medicines and Supplements</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-moms-trash-is-anothers-treasure.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">One Mom's Trash is Another's Treasure</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/place-for-everything.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">A Place for Everything</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/05/household-organization-clutter-clothes.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Household Organization: Clutter, Clothes Storage and
Chores</span></a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Laundry:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/organizing-and-laundering-your-linens.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Organizing and Laundering Your Linens</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2011/02/mt-washmore-laundry-for-large-family.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Mt. Washmore (Laundry for a Large Family)</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2010/04/doing-wash-grandmothers-receet.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">Doing the Wash: Grandmother’s “Receet”</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-you-wonder-what-i-do-all-day.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">And You Wonder What I Do All Day?</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-glorious-dishtowel-redux-and-more.html"><span style="color: #c00000;">"My Glorious Dishtowel" Redux and More</span></a> </span></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p>I have a whole page of links about food and grocery shopping! It's not always completely current, but you can find it here: <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/p/food.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Food</b></span></a>. You can also see entire blog posts with the tag of Food at </o:p><a dir="ltr" href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Food%20Glorious%20Food" style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; line-height: 16.666667938232422px; text-decoration: none;"><b>Food Glorious Food at Virginia's Life</b></a> and <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/search/label/Food" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Food at Come Weary Moms</b></span></a>.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click away, my friends, and welcome to my home!</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span></o:p></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-32909474743254024222013-08-13T22:15:00.001-04:002013-08-17T22:31:18.908-04:00Sanctuary (Big Words)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbMBuyQwwSN1xTeksYVkpkVSVdYuJC-7WUOeentabwUUpfb1LH9mmaQV763ODQP0yr4fR6nlMuaZjXI6nuNKHU5RIEI7OEBXq5RMUHZdheRyX4MFgNFnt8AO8zRHAG4Gs2Ub51a_Z9ggl/s1600/Psalms+Journal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbMBuyQwwSN1xTeksYVkpkVSVdYuJC-7WUOeentabwUUpfb1LH9mmaQV763ODQP0yr4fR6nlMuaZjXI6nuNKHU5RIEI7OEBXq5RMUHZdheRyX4MFgNFnt8AO8zRHAG4Gs2Ub51a_Z9ggl/s320/Psalms+Journal.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The circumstances of my life can be so troubling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The outward look is not always promising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What counts is the inward reality, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the inner focus and perspective and gaze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It will not happen if I do not purposefully cultivate it --</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">tend to it, water it, nurture it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here the joy, pleasure and delight are revealed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is the sanctuary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is not necessarily a place, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but a space I carve out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for myself to be in God's presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a space in my heart and in my time ~ ~ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a pause, an embrace, a calm rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can carry it with me back into the fray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sanctuary is awareness of God's presence...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">sacred</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> set apart</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> serene</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> sacramental</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> simple</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> shalom</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> shield</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> salvation</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> safety.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of my daughters gave me this Psalms journal for my birthday two years ago. It has short passages from Psalms with room on the facing page to write my own reflections. I started using it during a particularly frazzled season of life. Then I stopped. I picked it up the other day and was struck by a verse with the word<i> sanctuary</i> in the day's passages: </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Lift up your hands </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>in the sanctuary </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and bless the Lord."</i> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 134:2</span> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Sanctuary</i> is what I wrote about, and that's what you see in this blog post. It's another frazzled season of life with the kids starting school and me starting a new teaching job, and lots of other stuff going on, not all of it pleasant. (Like grieving the loss of my mother.) I need <i>sanctuary</i>. And that means investing the time that I don't think I have, with the God who turns a meager pile loaves and fishes into an abundant feast. I come weary and leave refreshed. I think I'll go back and read something I wrote a while back: <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/busy-dizzy-and-in-tizzy-christian.html">Busy, Dizzy and In a Tizzy: Christian Contemplation for Moms and Other Frazzled Folks</a></span><span style="color: black;">. </span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You may also like the more recent entries in my <a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/search/label/Strength%20in%20Hymn" target="_blank">Strength in Hymn</a> series: </span><br />
<ul class="posts">
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/his-eye-is-on-sparrow-strength-in-hymn.html">His Eye is on the Sparrow</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/let-there-be-peace-on-earth-strength-in.html">Let There Be Peace on Earth</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/be-thou-my-vision-strength-in-hymn.html">Be Thou My Vision</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/sweet-hour-of-prayer-strength-in-hymn.html">Sweet Hour of Prayer</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-all-faithful-women-strength-in-hymn.html">For All the Faithful Women</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/guide-me-o-thou-great-jehovah-strength.html">Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/love-divine-all-loves-excelling.html">Love Divine, All Loves Excelling</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is the first post in my new <a href="http://comewearymoms.blogspot.com/search/label/Big%20Words" target="_blank">Big Words</a> series! More on that later...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b> </b></span></span>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-65693480978166917552013-07-16T09:42:00.001-04:002013-07-17T07:50:44.566-04:00You Have Loved Us First (Prayers by Søren Kierkegaard)<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"You Have Loved Us First" </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">(Prayers by Søren Kierkegaard)
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Father in heaven! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You have loved us first; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">help us never forget that you are love </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">so that this sure conviction </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">might triumph in our hearts </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">over seduction of the world, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">over the disquiet of the soul, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">over anxiety for the future, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">over the fright of the past, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">over distress of the moment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But grant also that this conviction </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">might discipline our soul </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">so that our hearts might remain </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">faithful and sincere, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">in the love which we bear </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to all those whom you have </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">commanded us to love as we love ourselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I found
this in on my iPod today in a rather random place in my notepad. I'm
not sure where I saw it originally last year, but it speaks to me this morning
right where I am. There is so much going on in our lives, it is easy to
fret. I need to find that calm conviction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is another Kierkegaard prayer that I found... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You have loved us first, O God, alas! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We speak of it in terms of history </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">as if You loved us first but a single time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">rather than that without ceasing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You have loved us first many times </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and everyday and our whole life through. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When we wake up in the morning </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and turn our soul toward You – </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You were there first – You have loved us first; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">if I rise at dawn and at that same second </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">turn my soul toward You in prayer, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You are there ahead of me, You have loved me first.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When I withdraw from the distractions of the day </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and turn my soul toward You, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You are there first and thus forever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And we speak ungratefully as if </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Fan Heiti Std B","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You have loved us first only once. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8iLzMt2JrukYcJQ-cMNtnbG7jVhN003D-gKzyHaoBp1jYdIOxbabzQurEo6KqBXqgtqr1oyXSRraewDqFIo7vGI2BQTe2OOfzt9f3JyPuXWXIiICGQ-nN1zWQHdVymn6z0b_V8DcH6QS/s1600/Pink+zinnia+black+butterfly.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8iLzMt2JrukYcJQ-cMNtnbG7jVhN003D-gKzyHaoBp1jYdIOxbabzQurEo6KqBXqgtqr1oyXSRraewDqFIo7vGI2BQTe2OOfzt9f3JyPuXWXIiICGQ-nN1zWQHdVymn6z0b_V8DcH6QS/s320/Pink+zinnia+black+butterfly.JPG" width="297" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The other day while traveling in North Carolina <b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/home-again-home-again-jiggety-jig.html" target="_blank">on our way home from vacation</a></b>, I purchased the book <i><b>A Brief Guide to Ideas</b></i>
by William Raeper and Linda Edwards. As a mom trying to be a good
example to her kids, I believe in stretching my brain and learning new
things, and I figured that a taste of philosophy from a Christian
perspective might do me some good. I'm glad to see there is a chapter
on Kierkegaard, a Danish Christian philosopher who believed in
experiencing God by faith and continually choosing to renew that trust.
I know I wouldn't agree with much of what he wrote discounting the
value of reason. Yet I am touched by his childlike faith expressed in
these prayers, especially in light of the fact that his own childhood in
a pietist home is described as "isolated and unhappy" and "deeply
affected by the guilt and religious gloom of his father." (See how
American naturalist John Muir responded to the same kind of upbringing: <b><a href="http://www.thatmom.com/2013/06/05/the-fruits-of-harsh-parenting/" target="_blank">The Fruits of Harsh Parenting</a></b>.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I
want my children to experience joy and liberty in their faith in Jesus,
rather than rigid duty and a sense of spiritual failure. I want them
to be who God uniquely created them to be. I want us all to be in a
close relationship with God. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can't choose faith for my children, but I can model it as I "<i>withdraw from the distractions of the day</i>" and overcome "<i>the disquiet of the soul</i>."</span> That is a challenge for me. I need God's help, the reminders of his love that I find in Kierkegaard's prayers. <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Grant that conviction might discipline our soul"</i> so that I, too, can be faithful, sincere and loving - as God is and wants me to be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What about you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">P.S.
The zinnia and butterfly photos in this post were also taken on our way
home, the same afternoon as I bought the philosophy book. You can see
more of my botanical photos from </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/sarah-p-duke-gardens-in-north-carolina.html" target="_blank">Sarah P. Duke Gardens in North Carolina</a></b></span>.</span></div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-38835374772029779252013-07-10T09:43:00.001-04:002013-07-10T09:43:14.853-04:00Our Road Trip and a Little Care Giving<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-vlPmv50Mg3SpzJgdICsqqdGngI8ofR4k2cIE1B0OWNLZHBVPX8H79F5RZBFKvAjpHGFwGe1neWlEOyh-xBcXrvHcm6ONY82k_DWztWXhTFELwX4WQ2tXrgV_ZjPoivHBlxZqrSKIyro/s1600/Flowers+at+hospital.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-vlPmv50Mg3SpzJgdICsqqdGngI8ofR4k2cIE1B0OWNLZHBVPX8H79F5RZBFKvAjpHGFwGe1neWlEOyh-xBcXrvHcm6ONY82k_DWztWXhTFELwX4WQ2tXrgV_ZjPoivHBlxZqrSKIyro/s320/Flowers+at+hospital.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you read this <a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Come, Weary Moms</span></b></a> blog but not my others, you might wonder where I've been. The answer?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Traveling north!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUfkpyQJjt89Rv1Q29CNSEtTukZjacCp9xW-l5j8svYO7F7FlLjVGqgpG8Lj7b2lf6CKwUkb-mMP0o-WMrQ_sSthSx9b4b0lmyMP6CX8xVL4MfqkyubzGu_ngTIJPBse5V3u4Ozc1q18/s1600/01+Family+at+Luray+Caverns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUfkpyQJjt89Rv1Q29CNSEtTukZjacCp9xW-l5j8svYO7F7FlLjVGqgpG8Lj7b2lf6CKwUkb-mMP0o-WMrQ_sSthSx9b4b0lmyMP6CX8xVL4MfqkyubzGu_ngTIJPBse5V3u4Ozc1q18/s320/01+Family+at+Luray+Caverns.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been on an extended roa</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">d trip with my six younger kids, ages 7 to 18. We left Florida in June 24, took three days to travel seeing sights along the way, and have been staying at my parents' home in Maryland ever since. My 18 year old daughter is flying home today, but the rest of us are leaving in our mini-van Friday morning, stopping at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Manassas National Battlefield</span></b></a> (Civil War) on our way out of the D.C. area. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By the time we get home this Sunday, we'll have been gone for three whole weeks. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLVOWX0_Y_ljWU5EG95JyCsK70r8Z6P-fsn97a6JYmCT1J9SW2WJkzEcUrUL0luPzfDxsQO4IzNMaH0t-HHC4BRmoJodjv7p36bFP0H_-jbIuaTsdNTCJT_ewyVvXNeN7dpD67SN04R8/s1600/9+Virginia+and+Jean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLVOWX0_Y_ljWU5EG95JyCsK70r8Z6P-fsn97a6JYmCT1J9SW2WJkzEcUrUL0luPzfDxsQO4IzNMaH0t-HHC4BRmoJodjv7p36bFP0H_-jbIuaTsdNTCJT_ewyVvXNeN7dpD67SN04R8/s200/9+Virginia+and+Jean.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm really glad that my cousin Jean lent us her GPS when we stopped to see her in </span><b style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-throne-of-god-above-strength-in.html" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Chapel Hill</a></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> on the way up. It's been a huge help getting around town on our frequent forays. We'll give it back to her on the way back down! I always look forward to seeing her and her sister Marge. They have been so kind to us. This trip, they loaded us up with road trip snacks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nyway, even though I haven't written here on this blog, I have posted a photographic series on </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Traveling%20North" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Traveling North</span></b></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Here are the links so far:</span><br />
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</b><b style="line-height: 18px;"><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS4Urq17eilemjT8rMQwl9fnyo_XcqmrBGbgpgbDH7JLfhyphenhyphennBiCEcOPzJCY6nLZYebh29sJjGRqLbBi6Ivdu9Dqn1afOk9x6ffeiVkGxDDrKmozuc4upWfYl9ssNAGHbpN9SJO5bgOVQ/s1600/US+Capitol+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS4Urq17eilemjT8rMQwl9fnyo_XcqmrBGbgpgbDH7JLfhyphenhyphennBiCEcOPzJCY6nLZYebh29sJjGRqLbBi6Ivdu9Dqn1afOk9x6ffeiVkGxDDrKmozuc4upWfYl9ssNAGHbpN9SJO5bgOVQ/s200/US+Capitol+(1).JPG" width="200" /></a>
<li><b style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/06/ft-pulaski-traveling-north-photo-series.html" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Ft. Pulaski</a></span></b></li>
<li><b style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-beach-at-tybee-island-traveling.html" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tybee Island</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/historic-savannah-traveling-north.html"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Historic Savannah</span></b></a></li>
<li><b style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-throne-of-god-above-strength-in.html" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chapel Hill</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/luray-caverns-traveling-north.html"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luray Caverns</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/national-zoo-traveling-north.html"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">National Zoo</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/visiting-great-grandmother-traveling.html"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visiting Great Grandmother</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/swimming-in-patapsco-river-traveling.html"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Swimming in the Patapsco River</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/water-balloon-fight-and-lacrosse-game.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Water Balloon Fight and Lacrosse Game</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-fourth-of-july-and-smithsonian-in-dc.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Fourth of July and Smithsonian in D.C.</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/celebrations-of-birthdays-and.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Celebrations of Birthdays and Recovering </b></span></a></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ25jxTGm4fCVeE74SS0IfiDW62G9gthjxMO7wF1bVAQ9IOFmczSVto0qhaGfOu1QXMOsVLiBSkl4ZfmyE5x5Cxwrm69U8BJQu3h3cRpyUxL3O_lIbWdpa_Nn5rh7spgzZpVggSgP9w/s320/1+Mom+and+Grandma.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mom and her mom,<br />who hadn't seen each other in over a month.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had been wanting to drive to Maryland this year already, but then my mom called and said that since she was having two surgeries this year and couldn't make it to Florida, she and Dad would pitch in for gas and hotels so we could come up. What we didn't know then is that three weeks after her back surgery, she wouldn't even be home yet. She's been bouncing back and forth from hospital to rehab because of severe complications, including a MERSA infection on the steel rod in her spine. So part of our time has been spent visiting her! I'm glad we could be here to help cheer her up and relieve my sister from non-stop care giving. We have also visited my 98 year old grandmother in her nursing home and taken her to see my mom in rehab. As of yesterday, Mom is back in the hospital again. I took the flower picture at the top of this post near the hospital chapel yesterday. More flower pictures from when I flew up to Maryland by myself last month: </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.727272033691406px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-bouquet-for-my-mommy.html" style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.727272033691406px; text-decoration: none;">A Bouquet for My Mommy</a>.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzihQJVPpJp7MuKxF2_7sLpEKfuRzX1x5RrprhtqKbVy4rC9JhhWQi_UiYrU5H_g0PZf2Nqo2VGT678Kx4uiwR2oHSWtQNjl26nTq4ncLPyUoUHsqh1JFJgMO4xs1YW1DiLVS4868P_aU_/s1600/Kitchen+reorganizing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzihQJVPpJp7MuKxF2_7sLpEKfuRzX1x5RrprhtqKbVy4rC9JhhWQi_UiYrU5H_g0PZf2Nqo2VGT678Kx4uiwR2oHSWtQNjl26nTq4ncLPyUoUHsqh1JFJgMO4xs1YW1DiLVS4868P_aU_/s200/Kitchen+reorganizing.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the practical things I did is clean out the refrigerator and reorganize the kitchen. I know Mom is going to be limited in bending over, lifting, twisting, etc. So I tried to put things where she could easily reach them, or where my sister or a hired home helper could easily find them. I even labeled cupboards and drawers. I tossed out old food and put other opened food (like nuts and crackers and cereal) in Tupperware and Rubbermaid. I put all the mugs in the same cupboard as the coffee and tea. I moved less used appliances -- like the meat slicer that my late grandfather used until he died a few years ago -- from prime spaces to less accessible places. I bought some <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-glorious-dishtowel-redux-and-more.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">fresh dish towels</span></b></a>. That sort of thing. It took me several hours, but I had a blast! Occasionally, I would look out the kitchen window and see a deer grazing in the yard. Beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We did have a few mishaps on our trip -- a parking ticket, smoke coming out of the van, stitches in the emergency room, a lost child in a big place, a really bad rash that required a doctor visit, a few broken dishes, and what else? I'm trying to be the Chill Mom and take things in stride. Handing out quart</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ers (for good behavior) and chocolate (just because!) in the van sure helps keep kids happy, as does a lap top, a pile of DVDs, and a collection of iPods. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrOp1JXEIofHMPvsze0znfUJeqcX2H0dRyJEVira5rWvIOGBCjfsTsoyKZem3XZC_7Qsquc7oRRsZ68eZJYhP3tjohdld60g3ippDqQhwTdNATg6SHlQfKAdXB2tecx1ucv6i_hlmdwcv/s1600/Blessed+are+the+gentle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrOp1JXEIofHMPvsze0znfUJeqcX2H0dRyJEVira5rWvIOGBCjfsTsoyKZem3XZC_7Qsquc7oRRsZ68eZJYhP3tjohdld60g3ippDqQhwTdNATg6SHlQfKAdXB2tecx1ucv6i_hlmdwcv/s200/Blessed+are+the+gentle.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also taped a decorative coaster to my dash board that says "Blessed are the gentle." When I start stressing out while driving, I just reach up an pat it as a reminder. I bought the same one for my mom for her hospital room as a "gentle" reminder for the nurses. Most of them have been perfectly lovely.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgFZuPd-TBLlg5MU-c-QaiQtSgplOzSAeWgf7uNamTqTXQIQCSyA5RfHskiyS8DZLdhIGuc8_Y5STwZxJF-tHCxIbabPJvSClBlFvKJyKHZz5GCQ7JUkOoxX7VVtXqbtDRmgGifg5c1cq/s1600/My+grandsons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgFZuPd-TBLlg5MU-c-QaiQtSgplOzSAeWgf7uNamTqTXQIQCSyA5RfHskiyS8DZLdhIGuc8_Y5STwZxJF-tHCxIbabPJvSClBlFvKJyKHZz5GCQ7JUkOoxX7VVtXqbtDRmgGifg5c1cq/s200/My+grandsons.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much as I have enjoyed our travels, I'm looking forward to getting home and spending some time with my husband, four oldest daughters, and two adorable grandsons. My fourth daughter is leaving for a semester in Australia and New Zealand later this month, and my second daughter and her husband just arrived home from a mission trip to Bolivia this past week. We've got a lot of appointments coming up, too, including an interview for a part-time teaching job in a home/private hybrid school.</span><br />
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</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While I've been gone, I have also added two new posts to my </span><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/search/label/Strength%20in%20Hymn" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Strength in Hymn</span></b></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> series at </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Watch the Shepherd</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></b></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-throne-of-god-above-strength-in.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Before the Throne of God Above </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/love-divine-all-loves-excelling.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Divine, All Loves Excelling </span></a></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nZYBidOUIAQpfaNlZqftK2M8aohGFGamLCkC7Pxc-Vi0ufQKUL276G6ST7tJp_ruTVVbUv_YTHGJPIGaS5FIKqkn6G8A-8L0QwGwrjOVLFkEOiFPy1iD2AyTbmWWrXJRTLxHf3I0eOc/s1600/1+Flowers+in+Chapel+Hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nZYBidOUIAQpfaNlZqftK2M8aohGFGamLCkC7Pxc-Vi0ufQKUL276G6ST7tJp_ruTVVbUv_YTHGJPIGaS5FIKqkn6G8A-8L0QwGwrjOVLFkEOiFPy1iD2AyTbmWWrXJRTLxHf3I0eOc/s200/1+Flowers+in+Chapel+Hill.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Older posts in that series:</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/in-garden-when-caregiver-needs-care.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>In the Garden (When the Caregiver Needs Care)</b></span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html" style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.4;">Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us</a><span style="line-height: 1.4;"><b style="color: #cc0000;"> </b>(moms needing tender care to lead children)</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html" style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>As a Tree Beside the Water </b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/fairest-lord-jesus-strength-in-hymn.html" style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Fairest Lord Jesus</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/05/let-beauty-of-jesus-be-seen-in-me-hymn.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me </b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-dare-not-trust-sweetest-frame.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I Dare Not Trust the Sweetest Frame? </b></span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</span></b></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 20px;">Linking here next Wednesday:</span></span><br />
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<li style="border: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.adornedfromabove.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Adorned from Above</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.raisinghomemakers.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Raising Homemakers</span></a></span></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/" style="color: #335d6e;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Whole-Hearted Home</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/search/label/Wise%20Woman%20Link-Up" style="color: #335d6e;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Wise Woman Link Up</span></a></span></b></li>
<li style="border: none; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://walkingredeemed.org/category/wednesday-link-party/" style="color: #335d6e;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Walking Redeemed</span></a></span></b></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5264296742588705308.post-91683789386305748112013-06-14T16:35:00.000-04:002013-06-14T16:35:28.476-04:00New Posts and Series on Watch the Shepherd<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl2UQLSPH8t5JpMptJa7Px1Gp-Q6FH26jbQvmDvd-ahwZhkWUNNlFdXMiOX2JaIE08hxMdeij5Tyuk9FB1AQ9Jkymndzj9pwjTlulO0MX0A25iu3QZnpDTBspXaW0jSURUdxdqEnHyZ4/s1600/Coming+down+the+yellow+swirly+slide+Phelps+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl2UQLSPH8t5JpMptJa7Px1Gp-Q6FH26jbQvmDvd-ahwZhkWUNNlFdXMiOX2JaIE08hxMdeij5Tyuk9FB1AQ9Jkymndzj9pwjTlulO0MX0A25iu3QZnpDTBspXaW0jSURUdxdqEnHyZ4/s200/Coming+down+the+yellow+swirly+slide+Phelps+Park.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've got a new post over on my <a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Watch the Shepherd</b></span></a> blog called </span><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us-strength.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (Strength in Hymn)</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span> </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I waffled over whether to post it here (since it is about gentle mothering) or there (since it fits with my new <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/search/label/Strength%20in%20Hymn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Strength in Hymn</b></span></a> series). <i>There</i> won out, but I decided to link <i>here</i> anyway. Be sure to check out the long list of links on articles about gentle parenting, some by me and some by Karen Campbell, Sally Clarkson and others.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj5NekSBIvdyN4SMLgdhMiSif53L2kEkObTfcjeLl9z404UzUUZux2TFz4ijcUv8zvlOmOrwPx9hhZgIkxQGQpEBZxmt7DJVgjM3nryDHJ0hD9vP2FomKWSiNXDXxpZZB4FoZkxlFzOY/s1600/Magnolia+pod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj5NekSBIvdyN4SMLgdhMiSif53L2kEkObTfcjeLl9z404UzUUZux2TFz4ijcUv8zvlOmOrwPx9hhZgIkxQGQpEBZxmt7DJVgjM3nryDHJ0hD9vP2FomKWSiNXDXxpZZB4FoZkxlFzOY/s200/Magnolia+pod.JPG" width="156" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The new series is about old hymns, with photographs and encouragement for those who might be struggling with the faith, especially those wounded by other Christians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have also added an e-mail subscription link to the sidebar of <a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Watch the Shepherd</b></span></a>. Check it out!</span><br />
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<a href="http://g.christianbook.com/g/ebooks/covers/w185/6/69333_w185.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Divine Conspiracy -
By: Dallas Willard
" border="0" src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/ebooks/covers/w185/6/69333_w185.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometime soon, I am going to start another series which will be reflections on the book <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/the-divine-conspiracy-dallas-willard/9780060693336/pd/69333?event=AFF&p=1136043&" target="_blank">The Divine Conspiracy</a> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">by eminent Christian author Dallas Willard, who passed away last month. My friend <a href="http://garythomas.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Gary Thomas</span></b></a> told me over a y</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ear ago that I should read something by Dallas Willard to give me joy. Thanks for the recommendation, Gary, and good call! Here is the book blurb from CBD:</span><br />
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<td valign="top"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>In The Divine Conspiracy, Willard gracefully weaves biblical teaching, popular culture, science, scholarship, and spiritual practice into a tour de force that shows the necessity of profound changes in how we view our lives and faith. </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Willard refutes "fire escape" mentality by exploring the true nature of the teachings of Jesus, who intended that His followers become His disciples, and taught that we have access now to the life we are only too eager to relegate to the hereafter. The author calls us into a more authentic faith and offers a practical plan by which we can become Christ-like. He encourages faith by embracing the true meaning of Christian discipleship.</i></td>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm only two chapters in so far, and already blessed! Why don't you join me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you haven't taken a peek at my other blogs lately, they are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/">www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com</a> - my main blog with a wide variety!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/">www.StartWellHomeSchool.blogspot.com</a> - preschool and elementary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.continuewellhomeschool.blogspot.com/">www.ContinueWellHomeSchool.blogspot.com</a> - middle school</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.finishwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/">www.FinishWellHomeSchool.blogspot.com</a> - high school and beyond</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/">www.WatchTheShepherd.blogspot.com</a> - theology and advocating for the vulnerable</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.comewearymoms.blogspot.com/"><b>www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com</b></a></span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0