tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76584106495642114452024-03-20T19:22:59.792-07:00Joy In The Journey: My life in another world!Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-11708635939543270852024-02-20T10:49:00.000-08:002024-02-20T10:49:46.503-08:00Talking to the Lord About YOU!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SoN9-ckojuiJRzRWqWU_HfbbUlBz2RG3bCHmJl8H75nHp3oCl2QO4yrzFygG1c9gMndmP-NvBHbywlxmgLFFPmmzdpdN4xFWhYxBeaGtbBBf7S-hiuhjGx8PEIMrqbsjEwwh-fcXco2cMVrrQE-j-TUZOqx3yK1S1Nt777KMt95LYN-dAFqTu_-r0Ek/s285/prayer%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="285" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SoN9-ckojuiJRzRWqWU_HfbbUlBz2RG3bCHmJl8H75nHp3oCl2QO4yrzFygG1c9gMndmP-NvBHbywlxmgLFFPmmzdpdN4xFWhYxBeaGtbBBf7S-hiuhjGx8PEIMrqbsjEwwh-fcXco2cMVrrQE-j-TUZOqx3yK1S1Nt777KMt95LYN-dAFqTu_-r0Ek/w400-h300/prayer%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Talking to the Lord about YOU!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What in the world do you do with all those beautiful Christmas cards and pictures you receive every year? Let's be honest, we can't keep them all every year or we would have boxes in storage of them. But we can't throw them away can we? I mean, people spent money (I know how much because I sent them in the Fall and know how much these beautiful creations cost!). They took the time to type out my address label or if they are like me, they hand addressed all 100 or whatever astronomical number they sent out. Then they spent the money again on that stamp that is also reaching astronomical numbers these days, like everything else. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, what <i>do </i>you do with those cards?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I struggle every year when I start organizing and putting away the Christmas decorations and clutter that always accumulates by oh, mid January. This year I received a brilliant solution to a prayer I never even prayed! Why not keep them with my little gratitude journal and Bible and every morning take the one that is next in the pile and pray for that family? Ta-da! I don't feel guilty for throwing them away and YOU are being prayed for. If you took the time to send us a card this year, just know you are being lifted before the throne of Grace every few weeks or days or how ever many cards I have! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which brings up another thank you I owe to those of you who blessed us with cards and letters. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The method to my madness in sending "We Moved" cards in the Fall was so I didn't miss out on those beautiful cards at Christmas time. There are a select few that sent us Christmas cards every.single.year we lived in Brazil. You know who you are and know what that meant to me because I have told you. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When you live abroad you lose contact with many, many people. It just happens. It's not anyone's fault. It's reality. It was my reality and took time to work through the pain of friendships/contacts lost but in the end it just made me overwhelmingly thankful for those who took the time, cost and energy to keep in contact. My heart overflowed when those cards started arriving and it wasn't any different here in Texas this year. Far away from our family and long time friends, we didn't know what Christmas would look like but our tree was decorated from top to bottom with cards and pictures of people who didn't forget us.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have not forgotten you either and it is a privilege to pray for you. Sometimes I take out your card and cry because I just miss you and your family so much. Usually there is a smile in the midst of those tears because your friendship makes my family and I smile and brings us so much JOY. Sometimes I look at your card and long to see you again because its been so many years since we last met but you still include us in your lives. Thank God for those letters that often accompany the picture so I can actually figure out who is who in those kids who have grown and changed so much and low and behold aren't babies anymore. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And to you sweet, welcoming Texans who have just embraced our family and loved on us at Cornerstone Bible Church, thank YOU for sending us cards too. Know when I see your faces my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for you and your friendship. Thank you for ministering to us in so many, many ways. Ya'll especially make me smile! 😁 </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, if you sent us anything this past Christmas season and want me praying for something specifically, please let me know. We love you and thank God for you and hope you leave us on that card list! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ng0YZfRcKeEs3oxpxPgw7Pmzu1MyXH2N_4tuKnBQ2jWc6fO3kgkq-sAbLl50uIndbLnZFJdcI-S9i0EpFXbH1HOm-Y9Gw8v5VEKqXGG5Ajjw72ShriBSLqTR2yCOV51IHMogzdCUfIXOoaZqCybUgp_1ddzSsURQjoONdBWsJ2VSQNLPRvb788-JVrQ/s4000/IMG_20240212_062447912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ng0YZfRcKeEs3oxpxPgw7Pmzu1MyXH2N_4tuKnBQ2jWc6fO3kgkq-sAbLl50uIndbLnZFJdcI-S9i0EpFXbH1HOm-Y9Gw8v5VEKqXGG5Ajjw72ShriBSLqTR2yCOV51IHMogzdCUfIXOoaZqCybUgp_1ddzSsURQjoONdBWsJ2VSQNLPRvb788-JVrQ/w300-h400/IMG_20240212_062447912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Side note: our tree is still up and lit up and adding so much fun to our somewhat empty living room I just didn't want to put it away this year. We just took off the Christmas decor and hung fun hearts and ta-da, we have a Valentine's tree. Easter is coming but it's still decorated with hearts to remind our little family to love dearly, completely and well AT HOME. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsau1yqTMwGq0wGGnYf4Y9cODtDnBV_FwuSzsDyZJTyyRp8zGuaJCAmx305EnTGObxNOiHEGt4wT8NGJoexb1gWZo9_99QgNA13SGcE5Dc-m4uiJtAcEZMioDNMabqfvCG5l1At4Gz9gm0VJx9gMwd6rjR_CryKELBUQg9AbXeCzhKIIPnBhxXlgg7M8/s4000/IMG_20240212_205714804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsau1yqTMwGq0wGGnYf4Y9cODtDnBV_FwuSzsDyZJTyyRp8zGuaJCAmx305EnTGObxNOiHEGt4wT8NGJoexb1gWZo9_99QgNA13SGcE5Dc-m4uiJtAcEZMioDNMabqfvCG5l1At4Gz9gm0VJx9gMwd6rjR_CryKELBUQg9AbXeCzhKIIPnBhxXlgg7M8/w300-h400/IMG_20240212_205714804.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIyg3But5sqjLMEgaEX9Cq57TP9uqRl5fiPGxo2JMvc7cPp2NomrEGyOL4jDFqiPlnR8rn5_oFzXV947XRB55XIuseE6jZWZA2TyKhDI4E14xjQJA46D99DboYIm5KtQFyVySaGlLBhxwwulZFaHrdqKSJZE_ZTDNOyz1n6k7Tyj5-R8lzANcCL9KLPo/s4000/IMG_20240212_205710830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIyg3But5sqjLMEgaEX9Cq57TP9uqRl5fiPGxo2JMvc7cPp2NomrEGyOL4jDFqiPlnR8rn5_oFzXV947XRB55XIuseE6jZWZA2TyKhDI4E14xjQJA46D99DboYIm5KtQFyVySaGlLBhxwwulZFaHrdqKSJZE_ZTDNOyz1n6k7Tyj5-R8lzANcCL9KLPo/w300-h400/IMG_20240212_205710830.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa0qkjvLFUUm23Ey2OCiLrdaFbJgSFO9pCmuN1UYNHr4SAKujzep9x68u-Faf8ApOS5hbivp9K6t3J0Z4Plh7SetGmbTLFQfGm_bbztftG3kjQsh792yseA3dNJH0xRKavLIygAniNWGjqMuP3D1PmRJ60Qb_aPmrdgb-9UizVKh998PqBB0l0Z3J8Qw/s4000/IMG_20240212_205701660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa0qkjvLFUUm23Ey2OCiLrdaFbJgSFO9pCmuN1UYNHr4SAKujzep9x68u-Faf8ApOS5hbivp9K6t3J0Z4Plh7SetGmbTLFQfGm_bbztftG3kjQsh792yseA3dNJH0xRKavLIygAniNWGjqMuP3D1PmRJ60Qb_aPmrdgb-9UizVKh998PqBB0l0Z3J8Qw/w300-h400/IMG_20240212_205701660.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blessings on your February 20th day!</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jama</span></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-22582244118293376932024-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:002024-02-03T13:14:24.239-08:00Self-Pity: When Life Feels Desperately Unfair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuHyOUnMYF8VILovicT-hNl7aCL2tpd4tJ5dvfmcMNNge2LyKm_qYaU6IzLwOt25HTecPCoWJxTpAC4nnQZIAPH2y9BQARiq3rKj4U11s3VDEkpVRmPr3oxSgd4ZHRaksIzShTRY8Wx_wWn-FTo9j9NhtDKGi7CcAxf1i04U9G3QU0xA73WMHaOHHArw/s474/self%20pity.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="474" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuHyOUnMYF8VILovicT-hNl7aCL2tpd4tJ5dvfmcMNNge2LyKm_qYaU6IzLwOt25HTecPCoWJxTpAC4nnQZIAPH2y9BQARiq3rKj4U11s3VDEkpVRmPr3oxSgd4ZHRaksIzShTRY8Wx_wWn-FTo9j9NhtDKGi7CcAxf1i04U9G3QU0xA73WMHaOHHArw/w400-h266/self%20pity.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>What do you do when you feel that pang of self-pity began to demand attention in your spirit?</p><p>What do you tell yourself when you find the "It's not fair!" phrase coming out of your mouth? Maybe you don't even say it, heaven forbid, but you think it plenty.</p><p>I have been thinking about self-pity since reading this convicting line in my most recent read, The Christian Home, by Paul Shirley. I highly recommend this little book as a side note. It won't take you long to read but will surely prick your spirit a few times if you are anything like me.</p><p>"S<i>elf-pity is really just being mad at God because He didn't let you control your life and keep your idols</i>" (A Tired Family chapter, page 93). </p><p>Let's just say this entire chapter (the subtitle being -"Shepherding your heart through ministry fatigue, especially for Mom") just hit me between the eyes. OH, MY. Any mama (and I believe even fathers) that finds herself/himself just plain ol' tired and bone weary would be encouraged by this author's reminders. </p><p><i>"Maintaining a healthy spiritual life and vibrant family life requires diligent effort on your part-especially for moms who are on the front lines of ministry at home. The numerous responsibilities of life coupled with the extensive needs of your family, create a lot of work in the Christian home. Since we live in a fallen world, you can expect for this to be a struggle, make you tired and tempt you in unique ways. Your carnal desire for comfort will sometimes chafe at the restrictions imposed by the burdens of this ministry, but you must remember that God has imposed these burdens on you for your good and His glory."</i> (page 89).</p><p>My calling is hard. Exhausting. Wearisome. It is an emptying out of myself and my desires and comforts and replaced with Him. His grace. His strength. His selflessness. His joy. That is so radically different than we Christian women (and men) are hearing from the world around us. Let's be honest, or even from many of our Christian brothers and sisters. Magazines, sermons, Facebook, and Christian authors often present the Christian life as a list of to dos that if you do them correctly will get you a nice, smooth, problem free life. And my pitiful self-pitying, weary little heart just falls in line. How grateful I am for men and women of God who are oozing the Holy Spirit and are telling us a different story. They remind us that "in this world we will have tribulation!" How grateful I am for the pure Word of God who brings my mind and heart into right thinking, feeling and choosing when I commit to spending time in it every single day. How rich a reminder to press into Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, for strength and grace to serve selflessly, joyfully and whole-heartedly those He has called me to serve.</p><p>That being said, I had much opportunity to put this into practice this week as we sent my parents off after a sweet, sweet five weeks with them in our home. It was a harder goodbye for me than usual. Not sure why, but Thursday (departure day) found me with almost hourly opportunities to reign in my self-pity and look to Jesus for comfort and JOY. </p><p>We have had guests pretty much since November 7th. It has been wonderful. It has been sweet beyond expression. The hardest part of having guests and visitors for our family is seeing them go. But we have been called to stay. I have once again been called to live a very long distance from my parents and brothers and their families. I don't know why but I know He is good and arranges all things for my good and His glory. So, as I am trying to teach my children and my heart, enjoy every single moment you have because they won't last forever.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy0fQ_FJXD0ljgUIb4Di68BtQ_jkZWWsAo9h2OXINqPemcn6M8Dykqz8ldddcYQCFpObt8ggJLRhNq82qb-63TsPSXxFrLgmKTTDl9vyhBebNewRkQpKfOd1K3HGgbLxBRVZQ5p1tuFYuRFKGl19j7JV-Xo_D5cUtG_4GGn17_-mYpdtTzCgq18RIxTY/s4000/IMG_20240104_182455191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy0fQ_FJXD0ljgUIb4Di68BtQ_jkZWWsAo9h2OXINqPemcn6M8Dykqz8ldddcYQCFpObt8ggJLRhNq82qb-63TsPSXxFrLgmKTTDl9vyhBebNewRkQpKfOd1K3HGgbLxBRVZQ5p1tuFYuRFKGl19j7JV-Xo_D5cUtG_4GGn17_-mYpdtTzCgq18RIxTY/w300-h400/IMG_20240104_182455191.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He said he wanted to have typical Houston fare so here we are at the local "typical." We all tried fried Alligator for the first time. What an adventure!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO-oivrA4XhWHOGHdYBMysFpOWpEELM6srezN-A9wD3n_RuZ00jT76x1PQcIcKJD4K7fge8Hstkc42nJNEd6N5hiyU-aJ-X9Dq4NmaUc6XpvOI_2kTRyGbYCfHicDon6d2LJGe5hLJa7ZCyrUED5JWaEevdM9GhyphenhyphenAedDdDJaw71_Y_X2G50K7_i1ws4s/s4000/IMG_20240112_140932911_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO-oivrA4XhWHOGHdYBMysFpOWpEELM6srezN-A9wD3n_RuZ00jT76x1PQcIcKJD4K7fge8Hstkc42nJNEd6N5hiyU-aJ-X9Dq4NmaUc6XpvOI_2kTRyGbYCfHicDon6d2LJGe5hLJa7ZCyrUED5JWaEevdM9GhyphenhyphenAedDdDJaw71_Y_X2G50K7_i1ws4s/w300-h400/IMG_20240112_140932911_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girl has been on a new health journey this month so she and I make lots of dr. visits to a town 45 minutes away twice a week. The discovery of this three story, brand new, sunny library has made those trips a bit more fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVSXwMqt7Hvqn6Up3H8C0K0GeQZI9B0PUD6xBSW-dmxPTV2UdNT6MXfsRaq_UFYU5lbIdpLAMKt5EpRZ4JllWLN5w2uzyb3-3884drmrIS7vdMR_3GqrF5TWSBtFT1wblCjGJe7yOGxA3KGydN2yd5ugqLLwfi0AMqX9EtSXhgVGMjLxJFs8d3bh1lKI/s4000/IMG_20240113_132400200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVSXwMqt7Hvqn6Up3H8C0K0GeQZI9B0PUD6xBSW-dmxPTV2UdNT6MXfsRaq_UFYU5lbIdpLAMKt5EpRZ4JllWLN5w2uzyb3-3884drmrIS7vdMR_3GqrF5TWSBtFT1wblCjGJe7yOGxA3KGydN2yd5ugqLLwfi0AMqX9EtSXhgVGMjLxJFs8d3bh1lKI/w400-h300/IMG_20240113_132400200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Wall Art at the Sawyer Yards downtown!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedE_gopi0HKOfXqQk182XTLETZ7wG9YaOHBHROI__mjz1Uc_bOckafYTpzqyZUuZdOapVXPczuFN-G1B6JbVEWByqNUwyvVCJuFCeP_vLgqwL2BIo9YlcaSlrMxBjXUBrAVPF86rSmc2F1lZqW1OSEqlREWFitVPfTx8ctaqRLF0pihLhvfCtvnxHxE8/s4000/IMG_20240113_121119170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedE_gopi0HKOfXqQk182XTLETZ7wG9YaOHBHROI__mjz1Uc_bOckafYTpzqyZUuZdOapVXPczuFN-G1B6JbVEWByqNUwyvVCJuFCeP_vLgqwL2BIo9YlcaSlrMxBjXUBrAVPF86rSmc2F1lZqW1OSEqlREWFitVPfTx8ctaqRLF0pihLhvfCtvnxHxE8/w400-h300/IMG_20240113_121119170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to enjoy this cousin three weekends in a row as she was working 4 hours north of us and choose to spend those days with us on the weekends. We kind of hope she "needs" to come back very soon!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Gon3qD8QweadwH-afI74Sc2XWNRI4moR9WYLxewUcnoBCtpwXxON8zucNMWdx7PNZA8FRi2l1J8vm0_nG_qmNCh41c6Uf4BX6THbMnhp3TZZU-bT42svslv3wzDIR9p0aDzxbAn5YsKQez82WiomQMge0EsYKiMgF-BcSTYI1ejadTtOv5wB0ohF28/s4000/IMG_20240113_150547414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Gon3qD8QweadwH-afI74Sc2XWNRI4moR9WYLxewUcnoBCtpwXxON8zucNMWdx7PNZA8FRi2l1J8vm0_nG_qmNCh41c6Uf4BX6THbMnhp3TZZU-bT42svslv3wzDIR9p0aDzxbAn5YsKQez82WiomQMge0EsYKiMgF-BcSTYI1ejadTtOv5wB0ohF28/w300-h400/IMG_20240113_150547414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pKKJUJ3Pk-KNVRod9uqAYdVbCuBjEgqEcKlWuFVQ6BQMi1w_SHd0OjMyRq80icyNnp1aj-0Z5DhJZwBsD8hWRGTvIMijDh4cG_x9SLzGAakq12hdKswB2I8ZEnXPvA_6GeuRZ0Sn7B5AGL7zpZst_g6YPxx3OO6twuxH1-1Zm5pBu0L-JSfJP1osSlw/s2304/IMG_20240113_153106900_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pKKJUJ3Pk-KNVRod9uqAYdVbCuBjEgqEcKlWuFVQ6BQMi1w_SHd0OjMyRq80icyNnp1aj-0Z5DhJZwBsD8hWRGTvIMijDh4cG_x9SLzGAakq12hdKswB2I8ZEnXPvA_6GeuRZ0Sn7B5AGL7zpZst_g6YPxx3OO6twuxH1-1Zm5pBu0L-JSfJP1osSlw/w300-h400/IMG_20240113_153106900_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great cultural experience at Sawyer Yards</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uJD_8fEEXilfuG6b6hZZucWMrrmpYgAYrnnogfg0q0czsF-iHb1_4xGnzrFsXkbZ1lmP05LEUZgi3dp3Kgmjw_NHwz2byrB0JTIxTf15KOeW-k9gnQF3Sm9gTACajfpp_s8pGEkPnDtZH9FxB3hVFjBdY5S4tOW5mnH4RavLycAbvyPz6_JtdkoGf8g/s4000/IMG_20240116_121107265_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uJD_8fEEXilfuG6b6hZZucWMrrmpYgAYrnnogfg0q0czsF-iHb1_4xGnzrFsXkbZ1lmP05LEUZgi3dp3Kgmjw_NHwz2byrB0JTIxTf15KOeW-k9gnQF3Sm9gTACajfpp_s8pGEkPnDtZH9FxB3hVFjBdY5S4tOW5mnH4RavLycAbvyPz6_JtdkoGf8g/w400-h300/IMG_20240116_121107265_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We survived our first southern freeze!!! We are so grateful for a wonderful property manager who took many precautions to protect our outside pipes and educate us on how to avoid busted pipes. We came through wonderfully...our neighbors were not so fortunate. Texas weather is indeed quite fascinating!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINo7ieF-4dBvtXJyAv3ltnj7tTfSRdBqbbVvwGkIxikWZhjCMxtVduVcGpo-F5EU5mKKYuiX1YKN9HYXTUu9-BqoSJN4cg_UgZBjgg4PInk9hzkIJMaHal-TBTYP0okGSzNVEqnVIBsrBsNyzgofLCGhm_J2Mvpi0ktJNOcsbtW78FWPr85WT3ywqhXo/s4000/IMG_20240121_122834667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINo7ieF-4dBvtXJyAv3ltnj7tTfSRdBqbbVvwGkIxikWZhjCMxtVduVcGpo-F5EU5mKKYuiX1YKN9HYXTUu9-BqoSJN4cg_UgZBjgg4PInk9hzkIJMaHal-TBTYP0okGSzNVEqnVIBsrBsNyzgofLCGhm_J2Mvpi0ktJNOcsbtW78FWPr85WT3ywqhXo/w400-h300/IMG_20240121_122834667.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weekend we had visitors from North Carolina (cousin flew home early the morning of this picture), North Dakota and Dallas Fort Worth area. We were so honored they all came and were so gracious about 10 people sharing 2 bathrooms!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKWo5O2ikNHTc42qjdl_eEfyxgB_GQdGcyXiNcITYOvVIGTOM0vzaxmOYH7a7WbGLqlTzRBnaj39UNr_2bsOBlpbkBOzYleZ3pvjNd9LMwkY6wP-4VSWrNGoMiGf0mBMX8Jhs-HZkf8po-bH3Jfwr2XlfghP49drVNkPYyXfQ4per6qALH8UfB38dewE/s2304/IMG_20240124_151115894_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKWo5O2ikNHTc42qjdl_eEfyxgB_GQdGcyXiNcITYOvVIGTOM0vzaxmOYH7a7WbGLqlTzRBnaj39UNr_2bsOBlpbkBOzYleZ3pvjNd9LMwkY6wP-4VSWrNGoMiGf0mBMX8Jhs-HZkf8po-bH3Jfwr2XlfghP49drVNkPYyXfQ4per6qALH8UfB38dewE/w400-h300/IMG_20240124_151115894_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two weeks ago our little man injured his ankle playing football at school and after finding out he would be wearing a boot for two weeks, we comforted ourselves with a McFlurry!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5cgmapcLhuxX3fpcXad1QaL7KrnoIi7EVrTuyUo_Nc2pnWArM3HFnXxfDWL_G1gGy_rONLJAK9LRh6X9zI50CRZpBuFXIR4SxlBq9Fnst4BKPQDezydiLyeItITEe52Dx0-xA3xUR5j0Bcf9XRandDvFeYPsaFlCBQ7io6iPYpkUPCG7JPOnktWdypE/s4000/IMG_20240124_150859987_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5cgmapcLhuxX3fpcXad1QaL7KrnoIi7EVrTuyUo_Nc2pnWArM3HFnXxfDWL_G1gGy_rONLJAK9LRh6X9zI50CRZpBuFXIR4SxlBq9Fnst4BKPQDezydiLyeItITEe52Dx0-xA3xUR5j0Bcf9XRandDvFeYPsaFlCBQ7io6iPYpkUPCG7JPOnktWdypE/w300-h400/IMG_20240124_150859987_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8budpjGvHRPuS-7szc7-yyahnmBZnCFvEY_agmtU7TiQWKM8NLpxnpPyNlAxP1F0fgE5FTYYvY8MNRNISH3kSI8ryLg1LFp6rBFGzOEjnOE2WZ7E1YxK-jDbGRMMlqYn4DQ_1WRqjpps8D9aVUJKpqmvlW54jWUotjgTOglzYrwVVe2oGtk9Svy0r8dQ/s4000/IMG_20240124_135036740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8budpjGvHRPuS-7szc7-yyahnmBZnCFvEY_agmtU7TiQWKM8NLpxnpPyNlAxP1F0fgE5FTYYvY8MNRNISH3kSI8ryLg1LFp6rBFGzOEjnOE2WZ7E1YxK-jDbGRMMlqYn4DQ_1WRqjpps8D9aVUJKpqmvlW54jWUotjgTOglzYrwVVe2oGtk9Svy0r8dQ/w300-h400/IMG_20240124_135036740.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are hopeful for good news this coming Wednesday!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8olFnJDdNuQcjfYbLmaY5EznX6QBsa8df8tVJF-D6JQMTr1McSuTFXdz1GdPRkH098OY6DWBb74pN7Qg4E4ZiG_OE7MWXtE_ZMVLdqZhP6vdZX2g_zmmAzt-isQTUHWLp5kZsFE0VfA2BWkXFZXoFnsbNuAPLbrXA6xquAmlfKHC9O9iVp6N1ZY1Cbk/s4000/IMG_20240127_181541864_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8olFnJDdNuQcjfYbLmaY5EznX6QBsa8df8tVJF-D6JQMTr1McSuTFXdz1GdPRkH098OY6DWBb74pN7Qg4E4ZiG_OE7MWXtE_ZMVLdqZhP6vdZX2g_zmmAzt-isQTUHWLp5kZsFE0VfA2BWkXFZXoFnsbNuAPLbrXA6xquAmlfKHC9O9iVp6N1ZY1Cbk/w400-h300/IMG_20240127_181541864_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents treated us to dinner for a belated birthday gift for this man who we just love and appreciate so much. He works so hard for us and God provides so well for us through his faithful service.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17SKfpZLuZHuuEvpD6U3Cc_9LPBiJv-qzI-ULiuKZFQesYbvDphSnjoXvN8PQUODqx2mWK2yp1_bN8U5BOVA8X7SNxYiOHS9jH7-g1GsLJ7N5mQUUTwf7eVZZYI_YJP-oZpUuB5HUC-Y1h20YMpbuvH2W96zVNcgyGVTQmxI9-U0zjgNV-LsQ-4lXocM/s2304/IMG_20240201_070639130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17SKfpZLuZHuuEvpD6U3Cc_9LPBiJv-qzI-ULiuKZFQesYbvDphSnjoXvN8PQUODqx2mWK2yp1_bN8U5BOVA8X7SNxYiOHS9jH7-g1GsLJ7N5mQUUTwf7eVZZYI_YJP-oZpUuB5HUC-Y1h20YMpbuvH2W96zVNcgyGVTQmxI9-U0zjgNV-LsQ-4lXocM/w400-h300/IMG_20240201_070639130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice never makes perfect when it comes to goodbyes, but "see you later" does hint of sweet joys ahead!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltv38FQbkw67Mu8JXUQldOUvPaHW-wClNiIcxjciOHOdZblRI1pZYGxAohRh-_PmC9-MvNanzEjDKhkJdh14i5GosF1hyphenhyphen5MF9T2IVL29tN5_01sRbgIqBHaeH7xOgbnRUObrgqIAaftaDeuaMRAKyGzKVuYL4ECxir6kNLqjhnDOKSjdZ4m5xWrstsg/s4000/IMG_20240201_070532439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltv38FQbkw67Mu8JXUQldOUvPaHW-wClNiIcxjciOHOdZblRI1pZYGxAohRh-_PmC9-MvNanzEjDKhkJdh14i5GosF1hyphenhyphen5MF9T2IVL29tN5_01sRbgIqBHaeH7xOgbnRUObrgqIAaftaDeuaMRAKyGzKVuYL4ECxir6kNLqjhnDOKSjdZ4m5xWrstsg/w300-h400/IMG_20240201_070532439.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUuaeCt1LnD3mRMSivsA2IyECn_0S7E1sKQBQNaUylNVMNCcqQugwKmhtvzLUYGe4ZV3KPVFdgKCGoEm-nx5QPNQ2vH9n4_k1MTv9_gh8dPTwIToicFETs5lqTXHvtQuh9ZV2X4yraFyVn-faWgUoUcilBPP08Mf6MlUsw70cVMDZKXMr7AQOWPV1MH0/s4000/IMG_20240201_070616653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUuaeCt1LnD3mRMSivsA2IyECn_0S7E1sKQBQNaUylNVMNCcqQugwKmhtvzLUYGe4ZV3KPVFdgKCGoEm-nx5QPNQ2vH9n4_k1MTv9_gh8dPTwIToicFETs5lqTXHvtQuh9ZV2X4yraFyVn-faWgUoUcilBPP08Mf6MlUsw70cVMDZKXMr7AQOWPV1MH0/w300-h400/IMG_20240201_070616653.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64OaIBq9ZCr7Fdb-GF9R9bTytYlLqfxMtD5wtNgA9FzqmBoTaIX0mLRdXlEN6J3PSBnLqbHZNTHNpXs0CRUYTelI_aG6KnUWq1cN8CASXLW0wIJA26WTUYKLtTLlRJ45z5sspAnmKb3T_bqRY6nAtD08BieJg1m_UvpHl3pPsJpaAVj4Xfw0VHdGs1u0/s4000/IMG_20240201_070506426_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64OaIBq9ZCr7Fdb-GF9R9bTytYlLqfxMtD5wtNgA9FzqmBoTaIX0mLRdXlEN6J3PSBnLqbHZNTHNpXs0CRUYTelI_aG6KnUWq1cN8CASXLW0wIJA26WTUYKLtTLlRJ45z5sspAnmKb3T_bqRY6nAtD08BieJg1m_UvpHl3pPsJpaAVj4Xfw0VHdGs1u0/w300-h400/IMG_20240201_070506426_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They come and love on us in so many, many ways and then leave our hearts longing for more time and so so grateful for what we had.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Have a blessed weekend friends! May He find us faithfully serving Him with joy and courage, knowing He is holding us firmly in the palm of His sovereign Hand.<div><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-46726238754858556432023-12-31T15:05:00.000-08:002023-12-31T15:05:13.480-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-qvo8C9HHb_yJKLP7yJHwWeRT9Zbc_8g9x9i8AJalpT79-U5BiMiS5lLLrOB2bQRsJkygCzd1Dw_DJXzuZiPiesbM1nNUFTbFOX6sUOm21pNowJW3nF7D4oxRTs_jcGYXJG-Zzw93yNqRLuZF1RKzUqxnUGQEP8san6tDunmkg7Jwd8x_khrYmWAcGw/s3150/prayer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="3150" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-qvo8C9HHb_yJKLP7yJHwWeRT9Zbc_8g9x9i8AJalpT79-U5BiMiS5lLLrOB2bQRsJkygCzd1Dw_DJXzuZiPiesbM1nNUFTbFOX6sUOm21pNowJW3nF7D4oxRTs_jcGYXJG-Zzw93yNqRLuZF1RKzUqxnUGQEP8san6tDunmkg7Jwd8x_khrYmWAcGw/w400-h266/prayer.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 6-7</i></b></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">2023</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">When God, in His sovereignty, gave me the above passage this time last year as my life verse for 2023, only He knew what it would come to mean to me as my husband, my children and myself passed through some immense change, blessing, trials and joys in 2023. I confess, I am excited to leave 2023 behind. At the same time, it was such a sweet year. I will never forget this past 12 months as I reflect on God's beautiful and sufficient provision for us one day at a time all.year.long.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There were days I quoted Philippians 4:6-7 to myself multiple times a day. As anxiety attacked my heart like never before in my life, I would quote it in desperation, reminding myself and the enemy of my soul that anxiety would not define me but a prayerful heart and a spirit of gratitude would be my portion. And by God's amazing grace, I experienced an underriding sense of peace that could have come only from Above. I am so grateful to my heavenly Father for not only seeing us through the bumps and turns of 2023 but allowing us to flourish and find rest for our souls in spite of some tough experiences.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">February was marked by the realization that our desire and prayers for an opportunity to leave the state of California may be coming true. March saw us accepting a job transfer to the great state of Texas. In April, we said goodbye to our husband and daddy and started a two month separation which is never easy and even more so as we made a huge life transition as a family but separated by almost 2000 miles. In May, the children and I (with the help of family, friends and our church family) packed up the belongings I didn't sell or give away and sent them away in a UPack trailer, cleaned our rental of only 9 months and said goodbye to dozens of family members and dear friends. 2000 miles away Everson and our dear realtor friend faithfully searched for a rental we could afford in a city that is known for having way too few rentals for families. Literally hours before I needed to give an address to our moving company, we found and signed on a 2 year lease. Just in time! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">June found us four headed by car to our new state, one which I had only ever flown through two of it's major airports. Everson flew to California to drive out with us and after one day of travel, he had a horrific health crisis that left him hospitalized for five days in New Mexico and the children and I getting to know Alburquerque, N.M. as we waited for him to stabalize enough to drive the remaining two days to our new city. We moved into our new home on June 20th and began the rather time consuming and sometimes frustrating job of address change notifications, car registrations, bank changes, document updating, etc. We just completed that process with the arrival of Everson's USA passport on Christmas Eve. He is now officially an American passport holder! Wew! Can we say "deep sigh of relief" to finally have <i>that</i> list all checked off?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everson and I both have walked our own health journeys the past six months since moving to Texas. I have written more at length in previous posts. Mine personally has been a somewhat private and very painful journey but again, the passage that God have me one year ago became incredibly vital to me living out the Gospel day in and day out. For modeling Christ-likeness and joy in suffering for my children who watch my every move. For trusting as we have adjusted to one income so I can be home with my children through this time of transition and adjustment. For learning to trust God with absolutely everything in my life: my health, my children, my husband, for funds to pay the bills this month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I told of how God has provided over and over and over again through His people, it would take a book and I would be bawling all over again. God used our church in California, our family and our new church to bless us financially so many times I would have lost count if I had not journaled every single gift. How we prayed for God's provision for a new car and literally 24 hours later we received a substantial gift from a completely unexpected (when is such a gift expected?!) source that humbled us and amazed our children at how God was already providing for a great need (we haven't needed to replace that car yet for which we are so grateful and know when the time comes God will provide the rest needed!). How I was paying bills before the holidays and prayed, thanking God that He knows our needs and desire to provide well for the visitors He was sending us, and how someone at church wanted to bless us anonymously and gave us a ham and grocery gift card through one of our pastors. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I share this cap of our 2023 to encourage your heart and remind you that His word is powerful and is able to transform us from the inside out. When we are able to apply His word and live the gospel in our lives and homes day in and day out, He is so so faithful and able to truly transform us into His image. I have so far to go. How I need Him. How I need His Word. How I want to live authentically and justly and humbly before Him in all things He allows in my life in the year ahead. How utterly dependent I am on Him and His grace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know what the next 12 months hold for our family. God is up to some pretty big things in my husband's health journey so pray for us as you remember us. Please feel free to reach out in private messages if you wish to know more. It all looks big and quite scary from a human perspective but God! We will move forward in faith and prayer and with <i><b>hearts overflowing with thanksgiving!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will end my last post of 2023 with a photo dump! You have been warned! 😄 We have had so many special visitors the last weeks and we have been so blessed by each one. Happy 2024 to each of our readers. We are grateful for each one of you. Incredibly grateful! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvGPZ4T-awx17n43sb6_BkXncNu5uV2UDdlFlUa29eXdF77KL-tcE40TVXZgFveIbvLes9gmbMTkJ7fH55VrcXE46ChyepuiHYTggZUixc8uM_DfiS9D70X_teacFV93MwfjZQsPxd0i8md8rV39_hKEFmtxq1J9PEryoNSS7QyyWjE-H9-sP1hqPeE4/s2304/IMG_20231125_121707188_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvGPZ4T-awx17n43sb6_BkXncNu5uV2UDdlFlUa29eXdF77KL-tcE40TVXZgFveIbvLes9gmbMTkJ7fH55VrcXE46ChyepuiHYTggZUixc8uM_DfiS9D70X_teacFV93MwfjZQsPxd0i8md8rV39_hKEFmtxq1J9PEryoNSS7QyyWjE-H9-sP1hqPeE4/w300-h400/IMG_20231125_121707188_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls morning out with my dear SIL Tati and daughter!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFELz3KHlN2bJu3HuGYnEBD5DF_mSG5GBMhyphenhypheniDveJJw-ttqu5dCYwAL-onHZikNsPFCfNk5j9TiV5RR9eBXBtm20KrHRohwpjvN74oz1Zmf3l9e5VWJe_NlPOBtY6-EAmSOMSRB8jADCZ6_q2-9jKOawLhdOvrPs4Pra-Am2_pCLzCBPGcB48WA57zqQ4/s4000/IMG_20231125_211929979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFELz3KHlN2bJu3HuGYnEBD5DF_mSG5GBMhyphenhypheniDveJJw-ttqu5dCYwAL-onHZikNsPFCfNk5j9TiV5RR9eBXBtm20KrHRohwpjvN74oz1Zmf3l9e5VWJe_NlPOBtY6-EAmSOMSRB8jADCZ6_q2-9jKOawLhdOvrPs4Pra-Am2_pCLzCBPGcB48WA57zqQ4/w400-h300/IMG_20231125_211929979.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and sister in law spent November with us</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-GrDPqARtmioh4uAwDEr0I8YEH52tlDCk72nr_OZSEQUN7q61cd2d-OWV9sBsOQxbx8GRzWQEjCxCfDeefaASdKc5rnqtpJD3HLu-2ydwGWXDx-JhgzJlp3XIDEfCbT7UHv9MUdO716RkI_vf29cVtK2QqMmXk557HbMBrS_51ZFvvdH8AAe9TZyf90/s4000/IMG_20231117_111641624_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-GrDPqARtmioh4uAwDEr0I8YEH52tlDCk72nr_OZSEQUN7q61cd2d-OWV9sBsOQxbx8GRzWQEjCxCfDeefaASdKc5rnqtpJD3HLu-2ydwGWXDx-JhgzJlp3XIDEfCbT7UHv9MUdO716RkI_vf29cVtK2QqMmXk557HbMBrS_51ZFvvdH8AAe9TZyf90/w400-h300/IMG_20231117_111641624_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took many fun outings, one of our favs was NASA space center</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7PXCn_6ex-EBjWycqM017wqlOWEE9HckoYCZkLuxoc_tqtjo78O63Oteo7pCyVzityNnFEpX__vr0WsiW9nA725mMlv7ovgwgRkxb76gAfICJpzIybTqc05UgnBLoHcV4tG53TnLcicP1fCDHa3UIurugnldLV7FusgKVZAv2Zijw9IgDMupohtdJw0/s4000/IMG_20231117_125700560_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7PXCn_6ex-EBjWycqM017wqlOWEE9HckoYCZkLuxoc_tqtjo78O63Oteo7pCyVzityNnFEpX__vr0WsiW9nA725mMlv7ovgwgRkxb76gAfICJpzIybTqc05UgnBLoHcV4tG53TnLcicP1fCDHa3UIurugnldLV7FusgKVZAv2Zijw9IgDMupohtdJw0/w400-h300/IMG_20231117_125700560_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6iIfgIb2j3mJL-qYnotygcpKPOpXma7_Wny6H-9X2MYEJ_Afb6OaYI123kqaqAowuq7Ej_3QoDBznuUho-90qT2IdlBYDSOMzW5e4d_BisEh_60OZ_bn4YqzxzA3_uAyHZEdzsy86d7yFlmCxQUf4G22OxK4T8mF7o001lqvQcWqsB_wLPStQK8_BuU/s4000/IMG_20231117_140234857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6iIfgIb2j3mJL-qYnotygcpKPOpXma7_Wny6H-9X2MYEJ_Afb6OaYI123kqaqAowuq7Ej_3QoDBznuUho-90qT2IdlBYDSOMzW5e4d_BisEh_60OZ_bn4YqzxzA3_uAyHZEdzsy86d7yFlmCxQUf4G22OxK4T8mF7o001lqvQcWqsB_wLPStQK8_BuU/w400-h300/IMG_20231117_140234857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6eBqDGhzhAAWdsU6NzbeZrJASNs4PTbTOiwTHjBm0laS6mhnCc5yBXcb8fgXgt_p0Z23jdK5qaeZcM1WT3zauFAxj_Wv2hcvX2XR_CMSXw-5xNxdqwn9hQ-dVZn74lSAfRNFvQBeoGGBhYqV7u-kQgwisP4JbAaN_oWQuGz0xhT1NeU6MdpFSYO6zhc/s4000/IMG_20231221_162511000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6eBqDGhzhAAWdsU6NzbeZrJASNs4PTbTOiwTHjBm0laS6mhnCc5yBXcb8fgXgt_p0Z23jdK5qaeZcM1WT3zauFAxj_Wv2hcvX2XR_CMSXw-5xNxdqwn9hQ-dVZn74lSAfRNFvQBeoGGBhYqV7u-kQgwisP4JbAaN_oWQuGz0xhT1NeU6MdpFSYO6zhc/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_162511000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The week before Christmas found us receiving very special visitors from Southern California</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPhP1NUEyaKKOJciLtWx36s0kArBkY4vYPNqOITbgoe4MvVMzfqbjiIOWryoXS1jnhrZl1Q8BYlmty-pfO2ha8xoVogJ8MWqqkMIXgo34PXTbWqZX8YQNhDed6vHwKsxwYnC6wTKgRlgQ4HKXwxNFYJ6weUc99JlPd4TGULe4jZg2J1-t-DuU_tTYb-k/s4000/IMG_20231221_131205783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPhP1NUEyaKKOJciLtWx36s0kArBkY4vYPNqOITbgoe4MvVMzfqbjiIOWryoXS1jnhrZl1Q8BYlmty-pfO2ha8xoVogJ8MWqqkMIXgo34PXTbWqZX8YQNhDed6vHwKsxwYnC6wTKgRlgQ4HKXwxNFYJ6weUc99JlPd4TGULe4jZg2J1-t-DuU_tTYb-k/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_131205783.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the Vietnamese culture they brought to our week</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrBcSldc4rpeUsVMxO1A83-jjS1OMNmXzCICemnf8h_ZqnxmtbqZCS_MPpOsYkQrwmoSgRHlAwpKuXu_Fp9_sH4ZHQMJLnpQI0svzufPuaL9Hn0JkOGSAlIUi5mKqoV0oKzNJQc6uNxbeEOGUJIjhbuX7JsiMeN3tVZmh7ODRSvsuxk0-7K1uTiK-EIg/s4000/IMG_20231221_131153778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrBcSldc4rpeUsVMxO1A83-jjS1OMNmXzCICemnf8h_ZqnxmtbqZCS_MPpOsYkQrwmoSgRHlAwpKuXu_Fp9_sH4ZHQMJLnpQI0svzufPuaL9Hn0JkOGSAlIUi5mKqoV0oKzNJQc6uNxbeEOGUJIjhbuX7JsiMeN3tVZmh7ODRSvsuxk0-7K1uTiK-EIg/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_131153778.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkr1wJFAuC9PtJo-mxKu91e1Owwd401Kvq39O4LxR-pw4tnuzFlQoVjHNM2RQRxVI2RnxLfYjgdQ94YN5vvo1JWXEo-7Fjxi8ASgKGEFpHttmYlWIFKCJjYBLRIJIyS33lwY_YlpSTANyxZZ9IS-RjYZtrfnWzStZWYQL72lx88atDnLr2ko8AtupdJI/s2304/IMG_20231221_183004038_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkr1wJFAuC9PtJo-mxKu91e1Owwd401Kvq39O4LxR-pw4tnuzFlQoVjHNM2RQRxVI2RnxLfYjgdQ94YN5vvo1JWXEo-7Fjxi8ASgKGEFpHttmYlWIFKCJjYBLRIJIyS33lwY_YlpSTANyxZZ9IS-RjYZtrfnWzStZWYQL72lx88atDnLr2ko8AtupdJI/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_183004038_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wL5wH9SBZoqccNx4W8EtpvR9Fy6jd0ObZMhxTj_F2Gk3bMXo2wNxfsGB6nTMmQE6HQHJjmgr0_r1ptkjmfjwnbC2jFtLV7znNTwSPnnWPf60tcEnHHEZB2CrWbC-ATVGhelLoEhbpHhJhs9alyUSrq3H2245IaV0C0dRy_lMuHkwB5ll0KLtl9bi150/s4000/IMG_20231221_183744502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wL5wH9SBZoqccNx4W8EtpvR9Fy6jd0ObZMhxTj_F2Gk3bMXo2wNxfsGB6nTMmQE6HQHJjmgr0_r1ptkjmfjwnbC2jFtLV7znNTwSPnnWPf60tcEnHHEZB2CrWbC-ATVGhelLoEhbpHhJhs9alyUSrq3H2245IaV0C0dRy_lMuHkwB5ll0KLtl9bi150/w400-h300/IMG_20231221_183744502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of Natural Science</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-W3IqAizZJz_GuJCdtP8OLyrRIdMbBfCV4DX4fOwcSMf0soJfjq8znxvMn2Pf14j6E3CjFAy0QEbisOgsmNshyphenhyphenfU8EDPHKTXIa7BSTgDSUciTuUoDNP1nYn-DnMA99wvdiyb8wfriqK5ViYLrr5z0yx4M_OnXsExeplRkpKbe6oC_J6tz_J6G71UaIg/s4000/IMG_20231222_124856554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-W3IqAizZJz_GuJCdtP8OLyrRIdMbBfCV4DX4fOwcSMf0soJfjq8znxvMn2Pf14j6E3CjFAy0QEbisOgsmNshyphenhyphenfU8EDPHKTXIa7BSTgDSUciTuUoDNP1nYn-DnMA99wvdiyb8wfriqK5ViYLrr5z0yx4M_OnXsExeplRkpKbe6oC_J6tz_J6G71UaIg/w400-h300/IMG_20231222_124856554.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh we do love us a good Blue Bell ice cream!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSstTcJbTnKW_GgOABMtNXPk6iyIqKubBqJMmTbTq5ud9HmKOtG52Wl0KPFXxjDZEo7KD71R8DJQ07KjtJP7u0tnlC6Tj0NshkD9usK2nAdqaoWS0k4E1SvyvoWJ6zUwejMmkW0tQPRDuIMwkc0JE_qAjKW_bZBsHjmuce0RSkhHUcwGCAZ2Net__5B5I/s4000/IMG_20231222_142217981_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSstTcJbTnKW_GgOABMtNXPk6iyIqKubBqJMmTbTq5ud9HmKOtG52Wl0KPFXxjDZEo7KD71R8DJQ07KjtJP7u0tnlC6Tj0NshkD9usK2nAdqaoWS0k4E1SvyvoWJ6zUwejMmkW0tQPRDuIMwkc0JE_qAjKW_bZBsHjmuce0RSkhHUcwGCAZ2Net__5B5I/w400-h300/IMG_20231222_142217981_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBvFyajtlBwmbyBXr3ta9Z5isPHwdujrixNKjA_qs9hCbwe0Y6hPI4sXOqBndveBQe1fVqzXGyeV-ZEWNgnvfeaVXAipNnqwyoH4wIRC84RVHbjDSdUtnGch5lUhKacdT9tjji-7l88V_hY2mfysjVHps17yn9_Kvf-YWTdnssl_48tR1QFP4iUTxWiw/s4000/IMG_20231223_123538245_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBvFyajtlBwmbyBXr3ta9Z5isPHwdujrixNKjA_qs9hCbwe0Y6hPI4sXOqBndveBQe1fVqzXGyeV-ZEWNgnvfeaVXAipNnqwyoH4wIRC84RVHbjDSdUtnGch5lUhKacdT9tjji-7l88V_hY2mfysjVHps17yn9_Kvf-YWTdnssl_48tR1QFP4iUTxWiw/w400-h300/IMG_20231223_123538245_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j36ghUWJSpmnwUsALengNOwX_Gxft7cfnxgUNP2kXT6L1fUGfCdoCHUKs5gAnToZ4yzp156-MKJiZ9MLLAXigodg1ehY7e33ikPq87wt0w48iUr9xtt66CVai4lR2km5CUvq-CrYN5SHLK6SXSen2MNMqz5834MOpx6l6Le7SlizHSFEuTf5siuDSOg/s2304/IMG_20231227_212701603_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j36ghUWJSpmnwUsALengNOwX_Gxft7cfnxgUNP2kXT6L1fUGfCdoCHUKs5gAnToZ4yzp156-MKJiZ9MLLAXigodg1ehY7e33ikPq87wt0w48iUr9xtt66CVai4lR2km5CUvq-CrYN5SHLK6SXSen2MNMqz5834MOpx6l6Le7SlizHSFEuTf5siuDSOg/w400-h300/IMG_20231227_212701603_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have enjoyed a long and sweet friendship of oh, only about 27 years. I was a 19 year old intern when I met her and she supervised my internship. She has walked many a path with me over the years and I am so grateful for her friendship. It was pure joy to have her and her little family with us for a few days last week.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN2CkaWA5TIVM9DMK2VNjg4h_NfL8jek6zSrkXpcczSdU5nLC66Un6LM4V7_5kfC4uGxzGbPV7x1dlI5npvRc5UjzgWP5lP5L8-BImHhEMhekPXWJecvZL5LpqaMbE6wDkseS_p95I6GdN_DOTHcakK_ySXxxC7lhTYIXk7aRu-0AqGrB7AhzxU643b0/s2304/IMG_20231228_221118326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN2CkaWA5TIVM9DMK2VNjg4h_NfL8jek6zSrkXpcczSdU5nLC66Un6LM4V7_5kfC4uGxzGbPV7x1dlI5npvRc5UjzgWP5lP5L8-BImHhEMhekPXWJecvZL5LpqaMbE6wDkseS_p95I6GdN_DOTHcakK_ySXxxC7lhTYIXk7aRu-0AqGrB7AhzxU643b0/w400-h300/IMG_20231228_221118326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my heart! It is overflowing with JOY!<br />These three special, special people arrived Thursday night after a rather LONG three day trip south.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So far we have enjoyed Brazos Bend State Park (thank you Pastor Abe for that fantastic recommendation!) and saw several alligators and other wild life. We have visited the Houston tunnels (thank you Joel for telling us about those!) and ate great downtown food. All, I might add, in some 75 degree weather. It is absolutely beautiful in our neck of the nation. Can we say yes to warm Christmas weather?!😁<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F2GJqGpxacyG0V_1su2G0RaGZYktQ8qvHk6Z5pjQUm3hCe__Vf3OPhwMHlDSdXv0dOdzObKGgxXaQODKs5b6ZDC6Wf0XxDn-nLILS-aG_P01mL58-fqoG3vLhCgh48MG-nLY-PnGOfiQ4Hz6Coc6-sZOVfxCVggeGbQMACm7-xFLLPb0ihvh6GJG6gg/s4000/IMG_20231230_154913982_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F2GJqGpxacyG0V_1su2G0RaGZYktQ8qvHk6Z5pjQUm3hCe__Vf3OPhwMHlDSdXv0dOdzObKGgxXaQODKs5b6ZDC6Wf0XxDn-nLILS-aG_P01mL58-fqoG3vLhCgh48MG-nLY-PnGOfiQ4Hz6Coc6-sZOVfxCVggeGbQMACm7-xFLLPb0ihvh6GJG6gg/w400-h300/IMG_20231230_154913982_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxnB2meUkz9L9o1KfwSm3XSAD8pRysTHJg9pWJIQ47le7O2iqzLVMrT6W0LpKEsEDu6YSnFQnOBF1KZyMlO0JzUek-2fxbTvkBKjikZT-jU6TPld2aJeqNuVzl3RrgLTKRBcpVYdhSmaGWgZn0Pc1D5xwHQht2avtewPgDscBa2DUv4myLEoWvkd7SnE/s4000/IMG_20231230_145652278_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxnB2meUkz9L9o1KfwSm3XSAD8pRysTHJg9pWJIQ47le7O2iqzLVMrT6W0LpKEsEDu6YSnFQnOBF1KZyMlO0JzUek-2fxbTvkBKjikZT-jU6TPld2aJeqNuVzl3RrgLTKRBcpVYdhSmaGWgZn0Pc1D5xwHQht2avtewPgDscBa2DUv4myLEoWvkd7SnE/w400-h300/IMG_20231230_145652278_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmADh9yNQh5T0KS39QBKcU_td4qEidT-g97VRQjz0O8lN4jROAIrqs3me9xMZW3WksCw1Cn_TT5c3Jfpp3_AJVfCGCvmWMcHzskp5meD3Lan3MUrUsoOG8bQVtm3HQKOQpEkmv-zNsu9BSy5jq1Gm1ZuAftDnavfje2pUD_qCHZlYmsMW9XYgCoPCY3c/s2304/IMG_20231230_143727193_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmADh9yNQh5T0KS39QBKcU_td4qEidT-g97VRQjz0O8lN4jROAIrqs3me9xMZW3WksCw1Cn_TT5c3Jfpp3_AJVfCGCvmWMcHzskp5meD3Lan3MUrUsoOG8bQVtm3HQKOQpEkmv-zNsu9BSy5jq1Gm1ZuAftDnavfje2pUD_qCHZlYmsMW9XYgCoPCY3c/w400-h300/IMG_20231230_143727193_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwqU0TdoApxLvgYoYEtFqG8qT5t0SXyPaIInsrGmWqvjWbH1D4602xjBL3GqVcSeTRZA2yKKpLhEazCsMO_-eTkgQmvGCqrSlh0ffSDlDbnRbJx5dIiLewsP3YRjsUdRf7H5Cn2wHtGpwJZa2Vqvxj_NLh9K4ltj9GTxOTSnAI2e0xB4nWeB2yHNufYg/s4000/IMG_20231230_145232991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwqU0TdoApxLvgYoYEtFqG8qT5t0SXyPaIInsrGmWqvjWbH1D4602xjBL3GqVcSeTRZA2yKKpLhEazCsMO_-eTkgQmvGCqrSlh0ffSDlDbnRbJx5dIiLewsP3YRjsUdRf7H5Cn2wHtGpwJZa2Vqvxj_NLh9K4ltj9GTxOTSnAI2e0xB4nWeB2yHNufYg/w400-h300/IMG_20231230_145232991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdy-QpHxYYp_9C11OPki6f9DQsR_BYs1fzLXnwFqSGtvEmRRHRw2ULijXDjleKODC1xZmA-nnAdmHZZfBrxwxUIlN6W25NKklSpWvuRLoQJtH3Q6WXthmFlvL8YtJpSt30o6nvtQaEbN0tKmeSI4t5069s2bJjeq7sZd3Uuk6iC3tKF6ZDPnQ-IMzGG8/s4000/IMG_20231229_130401869_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdy-QpHxYYp_9C11OPki6f9DQsR_BYs1fzLXnwFqSGtvEmRRHRw2ULijXDjleKODC1xZmA-nnAdmHZZfBrxwxUIlN6W25NKklSpWvuRLoQJtH3Q6WXthmFlvL8YtJpSt30o6nvtQaEbN0tKmeSI4t5069s2bJjeq7sZd3Uuk6iC3tKF6ZDPnQ-IMzGG8/w400-h300/IMG_20231229_130401869_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfHtF7q4YFcsOe8RJKwLPPfw9H6C0HSVXVWDxg48UTa1vQlEVytck_o-O_vffvLkJMqWnH4VWVTPbL6k4A5G5agHNM2d5nDzZt5s1xaMZdZymAf6jwdBQxeUiC4FQegwTHS9KmQ3cObtYTSEy9X6ih66-Sh_hN_K6GqJVG-CeOw3qOl4Q_Wsad9egXC0/s4000/IMG_20231229_130114665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfHtF7q4YFcsOe8RJKwLPPfw9H6C0HSVXVWDxg48UTa1vQlEVytck_o-O_vffvLkJMqWnH4VWVTPbL6k4A5G5agHNM2d5nDzZt5s1xaMZdZymAf6jwdBQxeUiC4FQegwTHS9KmQ3cObtYTSEy9X6ih66-Sh_hN_K6GqJVG-CeOw3qOl4Q_Wsad9egXC0/w400-h300/IMG_20231229_130114665.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdP4ybQEcR-NRVrFcsdiqdrrN1SP0imRkNL1_gY7k_bhOwMXku9o8qlG5HGZ0-zoY0XeEvn14kpIzaa8BrXUDndYTn7uIxzsRqzm5kKggZ-UpONPbTNHQJk8qV8Bbim_e8BCGRuP4oOOdO7dUO5DqD2V0d2VqxGFd7tmV5762ikxdDJsjIbdMyO2AouA/s4000/IMG_20231229_124524985_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdP4ybQEcR-NRVrFcsdiqdrrN1SP0imRkNL1_gY7k_bhOwMXku9o8qlG5HGZ0-zoY0XeEvn14kpIzaa8BrXUDndYTn7uIxzsRqzm5kKggZ-UpONPbTNHQJk8qV8Bbim_e8BCGRuP4oOOdO7dUO5DqD2V0d2VqxGFd7tmV5762ikxdDJsjIbdMyO2AouA/w300-h400/IMG_20231229_124524985_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ACAB15Hchb4AlF3fGkjAQOlZwE8LRfXX9uubnmPIGqgWJngONTF4rhIwycmj2hlZ2MyRhU9kCQdr96W0-ix5DaAk4CHOwZPviDW1SJsMSBBvmdvRtXxCl8iabOhAEkrVAogUQpBxZrHKPOVMg3v9ovq8SbtFceeL8xheUKDkjw0_fiFhibAq7Gd-d2g/s2304/IMG_20231229_121600169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ACAB15Hchb4AlF3fGkjAQOlZwE8LRfXX9uubnmPIGqgWJngONTF4rhIwycmj2hlZ2MyRhU9kCQdr96W0-ix5DaAk4CHOwZPviDW1SJsMSBBvmdvRtXxCl8iabOhAEkrVAogUQpBxZrHKPOVMg3v9ovq8SbtFceeL8xheUKDkjw0_fiFhibAq7Gd-d2g/w400-h300/IMG_20231229_121600169.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM6MFcaCZEv-W0mIcSh0vR0qW13bnmaOgp7dbmYMlJL9TXMXAY-LhUsqBDIzdwWDZG3g-Q8Ql0EfVLeKw3X2p8qYrFrxiZrmUyzKWhIKMGVHoQcoEbVv5dA3g_ywV9WRKHMFNXtg3A98DX5O9T-2ZURNIKiHzrvcoaBRcWzpHgQZWAw6YHtCO5WvTjrw/s4000/IMG_20231229_121539299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM6MFcaCZEv-W0mIcSh0vR0qW13bnmaOgp7dbmYMlJL9TXMXAY-LhUsqBDIzdwWDZG3g-Q8Ql0EfVLeKw3X2p8qYrFrxiZrmUyzKWhIKMGVHoQcoEbVv5dA3g_ywV9WRKHMFNXtg3A98DX5O9T-2ZURNIKiHzrvcoaBRcWzpHgQZWAw6YHtCO5WvTjrw/w400-h300/IMG_20231229_121539299.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May the Lord bless you and keep you!</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-28467946628868537232023-11-30T21:32:00.000-08:002023-11-30T21:32:09.118-08:00Beauty in Simplicity<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlC6g9Y20OBMfx-s-6NMs9GtY5ycBzX-5XafGH4ZOFjUCIGu09MwteaD_Ba8h_2N-ErrFcVX6xvyZMps6UJBXPmIGhCz5HLgXqA4gC3WaIgIhgb3bsDhpi4LTEp-YEA4EPlnzocofVvpX_FXAyqCxuJ7GS7u-GX0A6G8BMvtwS0Rk_nl9lbB3mtGyBy4/s4000/IMG_20231129_071009660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlC6g9Y20OBMfx-s-6NMs9GtY5ycBzX-5XafGH4ZOFjUCIGu09MwteaD_Ba8h_2N-ErrFcVX6xvyZMps6UJBXPmIGhCz5HLgXqA4gC3WaIgIhgb3bsDhpi4LTEp-YEA4EPlnzocofVvpX_FXAyqCxuJ7GS7u-GX0A6G8BMvtwS0Rk_nl9lbB3mtGyBy4/w300-h400/IMG_20231129_071009660.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHciiQWG7_Mz9DNyXVc4EN9hZym4YseXwUEMz74j02ye4F_o8o0vady-iWHYk9Q8Vh13FWtzNo3V4NoBLL8X65-a91lEwyAlfIo6wloPFki5KhiZNLUSQIZ3JCJPJE0vaejZKCmcDNb14aLNok8Mu1o2T-lVHZrO4lbioLheiLZPP5Lk2A6-JXCZwxBE/s4000/IMG_20231129_070952859_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHciiQWG7_Mz9DNyXVc4EN9hZym4YseXwUEMz74j02ye4F_o8o0vady-iWHYk9Q8Vh13FWtzNo3V4NoBLL8X65-a91lEwyAlfIo6wloPFki5KhiZNLUSQIZ3JCJPJE0vaejZKCmcDNb14aLNok8Mu1o2T-lVHZrO4lbioLheiLZPP5Lk2A6-JXCZwxBE/w400-h300/IMG_20231129_070952859_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah arranges the village every year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliNt_rfFi5BltyP9qE37H-7t_yBen8hucB1x6l6cFEUL7uFPx_dD0sjiLKlEHYWav34vfzipddHkcQUBsFMxGB-yrmW9rTSgmciM7JOyoTvHc2IxF_2Qbk25yI708__yOP48G2nvso1pH2NlY1MAnU8GCk7oycmJe6qpDMJKZBcGO0p-tq6_4fqHtyMY/s4000/IMG_20231129_070926870_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliNt_rfFi5BltyP9qE37H-7t_yBen8hucB1x6l6cFEUL7uFPx_dD0sjiLKlEHYWav34vfzipddHkcQUBsFMxGB-yrmW9rTSgmciM7JOyoTvHc2IxF_2Qbk25yI708__yOP48G2nvso1pH2NlY1MAnU8GCk7oycmJe6qpDMJKZBcGO0p-tq6_4fqHtyMY/w300-h400/IMG_20231129_070926870_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe supervises the ornament hanging</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>As we quickly swing into the "holiday season" and all the assumed busyness that usually brings for most of us, let's stop a moment and think about simplicity.</p><p>"It's the simple things in life" often seems so trite. But is it? What if in this Christmas season, this year, 2023, we just stopped, took a deep, cleansing breath and evaluated what is truly important to us, to our family? What if we said no to the dozens of opportunities to "GO, DO and PERFORM" this year? What if we cut down on that Christmas buying and planned a special family outing for January or even February instead to gift our children with? What if instead of boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations unloaded, arrranged and then reboxed in January, we just decorated a few key things in our home that we just really like and bring us a smile?</p><p>My first 11 years of marriage were spent in a foreign country where the tiny bit of decorating I did for Christmas was more than the average Brazilian woman ever did. Brazilians seem to be decorating more for Christmas in recent years than they used to but when I moved to Brazil, Christmas was not a super big deal. New Years is their thing! </p><p>For many years our children helped me set out a hand full of special Christmas items and decorated the tiniest little fake tree you have ever seen with equally tiny little tree ornaments. It was so tiny we placed it up on a stool covered with a small tablecloth. That was the extent of decor in our tiny 530 square foot apartment. And it was always a special event. My children knew nothing different.</p><p>Then we moved to the United States where decorating takes on a whole new meaning as we observed Christmas celebrations on a whole new level. On top of that we were gifted boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations. Many more decorations than I have surfaces for. FIVE moves later in 4.5 YEARS and our decorations now fit in four tubs. That still feels extravagant to me but I can live with four boxes (+ our tree). I will add here that I have been highly influenced in the last year by an author named Myquillan Smith. If you are interested in learning to make your home a place marked by hospitality and beautiful simplicity, please read her books. They are usually found at the local library. I was so inspired by her insight and advice. She inspired me with the idea of choosing only a few key surfaces/areas of your living area to decorate. </p><p>This week as the children and I carefully decorated the few surfaces we have in our home (we still don't have a lot of furniture due to our most recent move half way across the USA), I was shocked to find myself just a little bit discontent with the "simplicity" of our decorations. It took me off guard because I love simple. I wholeheartedly believe less is indeed more. Better. Maybe it's because our house is a bit bare of a few key pieces of furniture. Maybe because it's our fifth home in five years. Maybe because we live thousands away from family. Maybe...oh, I don't know. Some sinful self-pity and comparison creeping in?</p><p>As we prayed together as a family after devotions that evening, I couldn't keep the tears back. I peeked at the beautiful artificial tree (I never wanted an artificial tree. I am a hard-core fresh tree lover but that is a beautiful story of provision I will share later) and was overwhelmed with gratitude at how incredibly good my heavenly Father is. It doesn't matter how much or little I have in my home, or have to decorate, or people to be with this holiday season. What matters is the Jesus we celebrate and how my heart is in tune with His during this time of celebration. What matters is how at peace my heart is even though the world is so not at peace. What matters is the attitudes I am passing on to my children during this important month. Am I frazzled and running like a crazy woman to "make our Christmas happy"? or am I teaching them the importance of what we are actually commemorating? Concerts, Christmas tree lane, Christmas music, church events and decorations are all wonderful and good things. Let's just not lose our focus in all this. Maybe this year we need to bask in the simple things. Allow simplicity to be the beauty in our home and hearts as we celebrate our Lord's birth!</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Immanuel: God with Us!</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span></span></p><p><span>PS Our Tree Story: last year we were facing possible unemployment right at Christmas time. It was so very hard on our children. We tried to protect them from details of our situation but they are very perceptive. At one point they asked when we were going to go choose our Christmas tree and I had to explain I didn't think we would have one this year. They broke out in wailing stating "how can we have Christmas without a Christmas tree?" You can imagine the conversation that took place after that and they accepted that Christmas would indeed still be Christmas without a tree.</span></p><p><span>A few days later a precious friend texted and asked if we could use a 9 foot artificial tree that was going to Goodwill if we didn't want it. I measured our ceilings and with a heavy heart texted back that a 9 ft tree wouldn't fit in our house. She responded with "what about a 7 foot tree?" Within hours they showed up with the tree, set it up for me and guess what? It is a beautiful artificial tree. I love it! I am now wondering why we would want to have a tree that gets dry and brittle in early January!!! My children and I saw first hand AGAIN how our loving, generous, good, incredibly kind heavenly Father just loves to give us even little desires of our hearts. </span></p><p><span>If things are tight this year and you wonder how you will get through this season, just know this. He sees you. He hears your cries for help. For breakthrough. Maybe for a bonus to come through and enable you to have a little extra for the children. We have been the recipients of so many "unexpected gifts" over the last five years. It would take a book to share them all. He will prove Himself faithful. He will be enough!</span><br /></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-39351012317836433592023-10-09T10:02:00.000-07:002023-10-09T10:02:51.510-07:00In The Waiting...Continued<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSnfImTtZbNKNGBXiZdn2mkFdpCfDRDeY9oXe3LTvnUIJakaomKqj2vTtC8dnXrHdjwoWKHqnsUnw__dthSZvbZMZhqm4-ZJ6i1thmfjgIFCCnAcduiocttF11kLcpa1T2GA6RnW2aefc1WUnyzFWRKrt4B9K6ydY3PAUFX2lcMejd-0AA7I-Z1VY5c0/s1280/Dahlia.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1280" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSnfImTtZbNKNGBXiZdn2mkFdpCfDRDeY9oXe3LTvnUIJakaomKqj2vTtC8dnXrHdjwoWKHqnsUnw__dthSZvbZMZhqm4-ZJ6i1thmfjgIFCCnAcduiocttF11kLcpa1T2GA6RnW2aefc1WUnyzFWRKrt4B9K6ydY3PAUFX2lcMejd-0AA7I-Z1VY5c0/w400-h241/Dahlia.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>In my last post I shared a bit about what I call being in God's waiting room. I would like to finish that thought today. I shared a few practical things I do while I am literally waiting in lines, carpool pick up, on my car at the mechanic (AGAIN) or maybe literally waiting on that doctor to get out of surgery so she can see you...two hours after your appointment time (not that I have experience with that!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Today I want to share some things God has taught me while waiting on those more <i>abstract</i> things in life, those situations that are not measured by our watches. Waiting for that healing you so long for, waiting for God to move in that relationship you ache to see mended. Waiting for that job you desperately need to pay the bills. Waiting to finish the race towards that degree you have worked so hard for. Waiting for Mr. Right or Mrs. Right to enter your life and fulfill your longing for earthly companionship. Waiting for God to move in whatever situation you are seeking His divine intervention for. </div><div><br /></div><div>In my (sadly still unpublished) book about singleness and how God brought my Tall Dark and Handsome into my lifel, I shared in more detail that practical guidance God gave me during many years and months of all kinds of waiting. I will summarize here.</div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Stay Busy</b></u></div><div>Waiting can be a breeding ground for all sorts of bad attitudes, depression, despair and a general laziness "because, after all, what can I do? God hasn't answered my request!" God has challenged me over and over to keep busy. Not that frenzied, try-to-forget-my-currrent-status, insane busyness that keeps us breathless and exhausted and completely unfulfilled as a child of God. What I am talking about is find something edifying and inspirational to your soul. It is a fact that in serving others (even when we don't feel we have an ounce to give), we are the ones that are blessed and encouraged. Find someone in a darker, deeper place than you and love on them in whatever way God shows you to. Attack that pantry, or laundry room or linen closet that bugs you so much you just don't even open the door anymore. Clean that bathroom that hasn't seen a deep cleaning for months. Sign up for a class you have always wanted to take, learn a new form of art, get into a regular walking routine. Read a book series you have always wanted to tackle. Go find an inductive Bible Study. That will keep you busy for a good hour or two a day just trying to keep up!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Do what is in your hand, your power to do today and leave everything outside that realm to your Sovereign God!</div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Journal</b></u></div><div>If you know me at all you know I am a huge promoter of the written word. Journaling can just be so healthy. For your soul now, today and for your memory tomorrow and in a year and in 10 years as you look back and REMEMBER how God has been faithful. How God has answered prayers you forgot you even prayed. We has humans simply FORGET too easiy. So fast. What I am agonzing or begging for today oftentimes in one year seems so trivial. But today it is NOT trivial so journal that. Journal your fears, aspirations, dreams, requests, angsts and yes even beefs with God. He knows them all anyway. Journaling is for <i>us</i>, dear one. Keep those journals and read back through them every few months or years. You will be amazed at how God has worked in you.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Surround yourself with Godly, cheerful, uplifting, Christ followers (aka real, authentic Christians)</u></b></div><div>Not to be too harsh here but not all people, not even all Christians, are healthy for us. Some people are toxic actually. Make sure you find yourself a good, wholesome community that can walk this path with you and pray for you. Maybe you don't share your deepest heart issues with the whole group, but within that group make sure you have someone who knows what is going on with you, what you are waiting on God for and praying you through this time. It is so easy to become a hermit when we feel heartsick in the waiting. When we don't feel we can face people with a smile. Surround yourself with people who encourage you towards right thinking and choosing. Every single major waiting period in my life has also been divinely marked by being in a commmunity or small group of people who God placed there to walk that path with me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another word for this could be accountability. Invite someone (or a few someones) into your inner circle, the place where you can safely share your heart with them. Ask them to hold you accountable during this season and offer them specific ways they can assist you and pray for you. Invite them to ask you the tough questions: practice tough love on you on a regular basis. This can be very scary. It can also be the most liberating experience of your life!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Be Grateful</u></b></div><div>Are you aware how very hard it is to complain and count your blessings at the same time??? Try it! It's kind of a fun experiment. So while you are waiting, develop a HABIT of gratitude and thanksgiving...for EVERYTHING. What you are waiting for, what no longer is, for the hard things today, for the joys you know are up ahead, for the people God has placed in your life. <i>Everything</i>. Thank God, thank His people, thank everyone you run into everyday. Be the most grateful person anyone could ever meet. You will be amazed at how your attitude about everything changes. At least I have and I have a long ways to go to be the most grateful person I've ever met! </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope this has been encouraging and helpful to you if you are in a tough time of waiting. Please feel free to private message me and share what you are waiting for. I would be honored to pray with you as you waiting for God to call your name. </div><div><br /></div><div>My husband and I are in yet another season of asking, seeking and waiting for several answers to prayer (like <i>really</i>? who isn't??). How I pray we will be found faithful: busy, in community, recording for our rememberance how God is answering prayers in His timing and being ever so very grateful!</div><div><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Waiting on Him,</span><br /></div><div><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-85142507545017061792023-09-19T09:19:00.001-07:002023-09-19T09:19:48.030-07:00In God's Waiting Room<p>I have at times in my life felt that all I ever do is sit in God's waiting room. Waiting for Him to move. Waiting for that breakthrough. That provision. That answer to prayer. Waiting for that new job. Waiting for those test results. Waiting for the healing emotionally, physically or spiritually I have asked for in faith. Waiting for payday and that paycheck so desperately needed to pay that pile of bills. </p><p>Waiting for those longed for words: "Jama, it's your turn!"</p><p>I have also felt that most of my adult life has been spent waiting for <i>others. </i>In Brazil, my efficient, rarely procrastinating, "get things done in record order" personality left me constantly waiting on others. Before we had a car, I would wait for hours for whoever said they would come pick me up at a certain time but then would be <i>hours</i> late. I learned to make food that could sit for a long time on the stove and not be completely ruined by the time my guests showed up because Brazilians almost never show up even within the marked hour. We were blessed with very good doctors and professionals in Brazil, but the better reputation they had, the longer you sat and waited for them to see you. I once waited no less than <i>three</i> hours to be seen by my neurologist! </p><p>I have sat by my husband's bedside numerous times in the last 16 years, waiting for a hospital discharge, waiting for the nurse to come and hook up more meds or fluids to his IV., waiting for his oxygen levels to even out so the machine would stop beeping. I sat next to my 3 month old baby's bed in ICU, waiting for his brain bleed to absorb, waiting for the next CT scan to see if he would need surgery, waiting for his tongue laceration to heal enough so he could nurse. I have sat next to my little girl after emergency orthopedic surgery, waiting for her to wake up and find out she would have two pins sticking out of her elbow for several weeks. </p><p>Now I wait for up to 30 minutes every afternoon in the carpool lane to pick up my little man after school.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEM72LblBaj9uKr0H3UWxtVbIz0gbiXo1WtJEbk7cYB65ZUC5LUlouKP-YoXhJAntwDeYn8EZa17X7W00dPDkmLtse8mPM1-_7uMKKXXDu7qjteujDUpCMHnqq4b_0gNtXO8-ch4bw4EdqX0Azhp6A67A5t6ohd5wn5VUtO1hKLAc8FHtEUyh4zhmzUA/s4000/IMG_20230914_140821264_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEM72LblBaj9uKr0H3UWxtVbIz0gbiXo1WtJEbk7cYB65ZUC5LUlouKP-YoXhJAntwDeYn8EZa17X7W00dPDkmLtse8mPM1-_7uMKKXXDu7qjteujDUpCMHnqq4b_0gNtXO8-ch4bw4EdqX0Azhp6A67A5t6ohd5wn5VUtO1hKLAc8FHtEUyh4zhmzUA/w300-h400/IMG_20230914_140821264_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last week this was my view as I waited for my husband to be released from the Urgent Care where he was receiving treatment AGAIN.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-1rKyc3FCmQzfWyMIxWFbG9udyjoTXWFh1rgVpAGSFOuYb0HWolnbMBvvbEGE9hSkhrCvyZehnsoOgbWxrn0Gl-0xdy-UG12Lx4PlsDkUJYLYj-fZ-HqaAE74XUquETJS1-0dhGO7sGhfZSaRXsPZTYgpzSuHRpRh9jCxpYX9bihcSczsfkDleUPraw/s4000/IMG_20230907_155857881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-1rKyc3FCmQzfWyMIxWFbG9udyjoTXWFh1rgVpAGSFOuYb0HWolnbMBvvbEGE9hSkhrCvyZehnsoOgbWxrn0Gl-0xdy-UG12Lx4PlsDkUJYLYj-fZ-HqaAE74XUquETJS1-0dhGO7sGhfZSaRXsPZTYgpzSuHRpRh9jCxpYX9bihcSczsfkDleUPraw/w400-h300/IMG_20230907_155857881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braving the 100 + HUMIDITY to sit at the park and wait while my son stretches his legs a bit after a 7 hour day at school. I also sit and watch while he plays with neighbor boys at the same park across from our house because this mama won't let him be there alone!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As I was waiting for my husband to be released last Thursday, God spoke to me as I sat alone in my car, trying valiently not to chaff at yet <i>another</i> wait. I had so much to do. It was my son's 10th birthday and I had wanted so much for it to be the special day he envisioned. I had places to go and people to see and a dinner to prepare. Not to mention carpool hour was drawing closer and closer and I had quite a jaunt before I would even arrive at the school. </p><p>How would <i>you</i> respond? What do you do in the waiting? What do you do when you feel abandoned by Almighty God? What do you do when that feeling of "Seriously Lord? I don't think I can take one more blessed trial! washes over your spirit? When that waiting room is too full, too crowded, too <b>MUCH</b>??? When the hours/days/months/years drag by with dread that they will never end?</p><p>How would you <i>like</i> to respond?</p><p>I would like to say that practice makes perfect and I am the model "waiter." I would love to be able to report that with so many opportunities over the years (don't even get me started on my life in short term missions before I had a husband and kids!), I am a patient, long suffering, JOYFILLED waiter. That I wait patiently and calmly in spite of the long list of "to dos" at home needing my attention. </p><p>I will say I am grateful for the opportunities to wait. It goes against everything inside me. My personality does not wait well (if we are honest, even the most laid back personalities struggle at times or so they say!). I am a go getter, get it done today if at all possible, procrastination is something close to sin. God, in His sovereign mercy, has literally placed me in a room, a car, a park and quietly, gently called me to wait in Him. Not chaffing, not squirming, not anxious, not with a spirit full of angst. But wait on Him. </p><p>Oswald Chambers, in what is one of my favorite devotionals, "My Upmost for His Highest," said at the end of one of the excerpts: "Waiting in perfect confidence on Him!" That is truly my goal. I am grateful for His mercy and grace and forgiveness when I so miss that mark but what a joy when I am able to truly wait in <i>perfect confidence.</i> </p><p>On a practical level I have learned to combate the angst of waiting by always having a good book in my purse. I don't leave my house without my water bottle, a book and full dressed because you absolutely never know what will happen when you walk outside your home! Sometimes if the need to write overtakes me, I also have my journal. The hours I wait in my car every week have become precious times of making that phone call I have wanted to make for some time but never seem to have five minutes to do so. I have answered innumerable texts while I wait. Written notes to someone on my mind. Caught up on my never ending list of research I want to do. Last week I even wrote my outline for this post while sitting in my car!</p><p>And of course the most blessed pastime while waiting is talking to my God. Our ever present, ever-ready-to-listen Father in heaven who despite how I might feel right now, does love me. He does care. His word promises over and over that He will never, ever leave me nor forsake me. I am not alone in that waiting room of Providence. I am held. I am cared for. I am loved. I am blessed. All my needs are met in Him.</p><p>It is in the waiting that I have a quiet moment to actually hear from Him. I am learning to embrace that. And I can testify to the fact that He has revealed some very sweet things to me when I have been <i>okay</i> with that quiet time, that long line, that long hospital wait, that long line at the bank.</p><p>My prayer for you is that you too will learn to embrace whatever waiting room He has you in today. Google (yes google is good for many things!) or use a concordance to find all the references of waiting, joy in the Lord, keeping your eyes on Jesus, etc. That will keep you busy at least until the doctor calls your name and probably beyond!</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Joyfully waiting,</span><br /></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>Jama</span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-91963230317024259872023-08-23T12:30:00.000-07:002023-08-23T12:30:00.873-07:00Choosing Gratitude<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d4VCLN9cAaTqd7_LxQ0cXzbSNKVm6_i2M98Xzc3_Y8KS2PE9vVrIesB9oK_NwLvysaiUf_q6EgwANe9rkys6d-LDvSFcP01qanvpjq6UCNl6xY2PbXkcgbczXulfAwC8D9tiMm5HsPXy8vPHVxjlgegDgTFrAeCrcV6Dxyv5BYielKrUx5nM2RxuF0M/s1000/Choosing%20Gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="682" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d4VCLN9cAaTqd7_LxQ0cXzbSNKVm6_i2M98Xzc3_Y8KS2PE9vVrIesB9oK_NwLvysaiUf_q6EgwANe9rkys6d-LDvSFcP01qanvpjq6UCNl6xY2PbXkcgbczXulfAwC8D9tiMm5HsPXy8vPHVxjlgegDgTFrAeCrcV6Dxyv5BYielKrUx5nM2RxuF0M/w273-h400/Choosing%20Gratitude.jpg" width="273" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Disclaimer: This is another book recommendation. What can I say? I love to read and enjoy passing on recommendations of good books that encourage me in my walk with Jesus!</i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">We are two weeks into the 2023-2024 schoolyear and there have been many opportunities to practice choosing gratitude...and just as many opportunities for sanctification. Two things stick out to me: 1) everything in life is a choice, especially our attitudes. While I cannot control everything that happens to me, I certainly can choose my response to it. I often remind my children (and thus myself!) that 10% of my day is what will go down and 90% is how I will choose to react to whatever went down! 2) we truly have got to be the most incredibly blessed family on the face of the earth. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I am sure you have went through seasons of your life that you just feel like it is very <b>hard</b> to choose gratitude. To face each day with JOY. To keep smiling when your heart is breaking inside. To get out of bed when your broken, earthly body longs to stay under the covers all day and your heart and spirit can't bear the thought of facing one more day full of the mundane, the pain, the grief, the despair, the violence, the rebellious child, the unfaithful spouse. The list looks different for each of us. We all carry burdens, we all have our own cross to bear. What I am going through is HUGE to me, no surprise to my Father and may look very SMALL indeed to my neighbor. </p><p style="text-align: left;">One of my favorite Old Testament scriptures is from Exodus 3:7, 8a: "A<i>nd the Lord said; 'I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their tastmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians...'" </i>He sees our slavery, our oppression, our pain. I find that so very comforting.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I have mentioned that last year was a long year of many financial challenges for my husband and I. To bring a little humor to the situation I started calling 2022 our year of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" (also borrowed from a book series my daughter has enjoyed!). We had worked so hard all through the covid drama, saved so carefully and had in spite of many challenges saved a nice little nest egg in hopes that someday we would be able to purchase a home. By October, that "nest egg" was gone and for the first time ever in our marriage, we had absolutely no savings to fall back on in the case of an emergency. In October I got my hands on the book pictured above and to save my life, I cannot even remember how I came into the possession of it. Definitely a God thing. God timing. God lessons for Jama to learn in the middle of immense financial disappointment, not to mention other life events taking place.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I read the entire book in a matter of a few hours, weeping my way through its pages. I love practical advice and this book was exactly what I needed at that time of my life. My list of things I wished were different was by that time, much longer than my gratitude list. And I really thought of myself as a grateful person. Oh, the conviction that started working deeply on my soul as I read. God has empowered this author and I do highly suggest reading this little book if you would like practical help in learning to be grateful for EVERYTHING in your life. The 30 day devotional at the end was for me a game changer as Nancy took me to the Word to see how an ungrateful heart and mind is indeed sin.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Day One: It is one thing to thank God IN the hard times. Are you able to thank God FOR the hard thing you face today? I journaled, "I usually can thank You, Lord, for being with me through the valleys and working in me through the trials. I have a much harder time thanking You FOR the situation."</p><p style="text-align: left;">I have intentionally started a journey of thanking God for everything, not just the strength to get through something but actually thank Him for the hard thing, whatever it is. It the hard thing that keeps me on my knees, that proves again I am incapable of living life outside of Him and His grace. It is the hard thing that shows me again what a tendency I have to revert to sin in the pressure instead of pressing into Him. It is the hard thing that proves me in the fire. Truly, it is in the pain that I grow. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I am also so very grateful for my friend, Carol, who became my accountability through this study and lesson. We exchanged almost daily texts as God led me so gently on this journey and used my dear "older woman" to help towards right thinking. I recommend getting someone to read this book with you and be that partner in learning with you. If nothing else to pray for you as you seek living everyday with a grateful heart.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Little could I have known many of the challenges of last year would pale to the challenges of this year but thank God for His sovereignty and His goodness in <b>not</b> showing us the future! How grateful I am for the lessons of this little book as we have had many, many opportunities to choose gratitude the last months. How grateful I am for the reminder to choose gratitude and that anything else would be sin. How sweet to see the results of a truly grateful heart and the grace that follows to go through some tough stuff with peace and joy in my heart because truly, "My Father knows best!"</p><p style="text-align: left;">Our pastor shared a very helpful illustration for me the other day in his sermon on John 6. He had heard that a Christian is like a tube of toothpaste. When we are squeezed, what is oozing out as "pressures" are applied? Is it faith, peace, joy, acceptance, grace? Or am I oozing despair, depression, anger, frustration, resentment, fear?</p><p style="text-align: left;">What are you facing today? How are you choosing to respond? My prayer for myself and for you is that we will truly, sincerely be able to thank God for that HARD THING because in it He will prove Himself in us and through us. He sees your pain. He will respond. Wait on Him and be grateful!</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you need someone to pray you through a particularly hard thing or partner with you in prayer for a hard situation that just doesn't seem to ever go away, please reach out to me privately. I would be honored to pray with you as you walk through your wilderness. God knows I have had quite a bit of practice recently and still am practicing in many ways. Reach out, not because I have it all together but because I need people to walk with me as well! </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Choosing Gratitude Today,</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-49870971071336373952023-08-09T10:44:00.000-07:002023-08-09T10:44:15.467-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The End Of Our Summer: Ready or Not?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA4egF_AhKzKF7GrLzbgSDZTeWi5iLrAmq7o058vQJ18MyclBOAzKsYuii7Oi3WL_3g-4JlmihhV1hnU_8JKy3ZtHfA_P0Ki22J3jZHhPCUheQGAYJu7P0mfhEHQMkayF0w1euc-c40JflawXcJEIJ66O9x7uRxmrTnVohqQ_MAw0lkTbNb7qzUknf1g/s4000/IMG_20230809_070803707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA4egF_AhKzKF7GrLzbgSDZTeWi5iLrAmq7o058vQJ18MyclBOAzKsYuii7Oi3WL_3g-4JlmihhV1hnU_8JKy3ZtHfA_P0Ki22J3jZHhPCUheQGAYJu7P0mfhEHQMkayF0w1euc-c40JflawXcJEIJ66O9x7uRxmrTnVohqQ_MAw0lkTbNb7qzUknf1g/w400-h300/IMG_20230809_070803707.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional First Day of School special breakfast made by Mama</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcFNDXk6IwjefK9o8WTX2nZNiJHEYGf0jyHieuOkkj1gFToM-MEj0mh6K0KuZkOgszr3z1sl9Hw3yZgzGJzQa_0UoFSG1MCC5fnAHloISn-0k6vKUSdEHQFsPtbZ6R4mFEjIAei6nN_0GJR7t-kVtvnN2DcTAQKWTHDZPwcOd-Twi86wTcLbJ4WXfOcI/s4000/IMG_20230809_075014021_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcFNDXk6IwjefK9o8WTX2nZNiJHEYGf0jyHieuOkkj1gFToM-MEj0mh6K0KuZkOgszr3z1sl9Hw3yZgzGJzQa_0UoFSG1MCC5fnAHloISn-0k6vKUSdEHQFsPtbZ6R4mFEjIAei6nN_0GJR7t-kVtvnN2DcTAQKWTHDZPwcOd-Twi86wTcLbJ4WXfOcI/w400-h300/IMG_20230809_075014021_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8th Grade: homeschool--4th Grade: public elementary</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In one way, we were very excited for today. Routine is really what we prefer. We accomplish more. We spend less time in front of the screen. We use the B word less. I grew very weary of the word BORED this summer. It was a tough summer for us all. Daddy has continued to struggle for complete recovery, while mama has spent hours and hours getting our pile of "move paperwork" under control (who knew it was so much work to move states? I have felt that the overwhelming amount of registration, doc changes, address changes, car titles, bank changes, etc etc etc has been way more work than moving countries!). We learned quickly that the summer months in southern Texas are not conducive to outdoor living.at.all so that has been a huge change for our busy 9 year old boy. Our girl is just struggling with the move in general. <p></p><p>We are making friends at church but that takes time as well. We have had the joy of having several families in our home and also visiting a few homes. That has afforded us much sweet fellowship. But we just MISS so many things and people who were our decided comfort zone.</p><p>What a school routine will change is the opportunity to pick up and go see something new on impulse. We have so enjoyed the Houston Museum of Health and Science, The Holocust Museum, the new Spiderman movie and the Big Rivers Water Park, all courtesy of dear friends who sent us "outing money." How grateful we are for people who love us and wanted to bless our children in a very specific way this summer. You know who you are. Thank you again. A million times over.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHEiE_M0Oev87zDaJ1uAeehiuB2mx_Ld9W9e9F1KfJ69w5pFBnae3ADa2GC5xDMXXm6zzBpf4bfwYINo2k-Y1Qlp5ZxppJV2uyuULzlbECFjGbboQw91mN65B__9mlGSJQWXm4yqslmENPsm0hHtfpokgHNqnlp3hpJjYhgoUT7szUYMLBk_mjhvx6nY/s4000/IMG_20230713_145049155_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHEiE_M0Oev87zDaJ1uAeehiuB2mx_Ld9W9e9F1KfJ69w5pFBnae3ADa2GC5xDMXXm6zzBpf4bfwYINo2k-Y1Qlp5ZxppJV2uyuULzlbECFjGbboQw91mN65B__9mlGSJQWXm4yqslmENPsm0hHtfpokgHNqnlp3hpJjYhgoUT7szUYMLBk_mjhvx6nY/w400-h300/IMG_20230713_145049155_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWurHiUzqVcIio5nl7SBAovcZKDwJjkMY5ssNDQ8sAuY18JAxBnp9A1BTq-6m137ysqYABH4rsl7nC9CZTj4zNJh3ryRJW5woHnYf1Iuynuw-olg_O77EmU065R2ctZnrA9egWZMB8Rl1eBxBxz2Tjw3iMCtNxrRfbXq1Fwm2inUV2eQeJDm-lX51dypg/s2304/IMG_20230713_150512630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWurHiUzqVcIio5nl7SBAovcZKDwJjkMY5ssNDQ8sAuY18JAxBnp9A1BTq-6m137ysqYABH4rsl7nC9CZTj4zNJh3ryRJW5woHnYf1Iuynuw-olg_O77EmU065R2ctZnrA9egWZMB8Rl1eBxBxz2Tjw3iMCtNxrRfbXq1Fwm2inUV2eQeJDm-lX51dypg/w400-h300/IMG_20230713_150512630.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study of sheep blood and learning the difference between red and white blood cells. We even got to see real human blood infected with the Sickle Cell trait and how it is different from a health person's blood.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaLNOON_UnvpMfEKy6RMCdUdew8IaGWHcfs7MKQH0S9QaBFZHo50RGG_XOj80xo5n_tQDaJvjnS8xCpoVa-cXg8QuDEu99AzZcxfBjAbO0M0SiuA8-3vpsFZ8BNBvAv_364QvDRyVN0zoeXwkyutrkKxZ-VGqgHeD6DuSrUWx9n4b-e5GAYWdIcyG8sQ/s4000/IMG_20230713_155757246_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaLNOON_UnvpMfEKy6RMCdUdew8IaGWHcfs7MKQH0S9QaBFZHo50RGG_XOj80xo5n_tQDaJvjnS8xCpoVa-cXg8QuDEu99AzZcxfBjAbO0M0SiuA8-3vpsFZ8BNBvAv_364QvDRyVN0zoeXwkyutrkKxZ-VGqgHeD6DuSrUWx9n4b-e5GAYWdIcyG8sQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230713_155757246_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching DNA from wheat germ separate!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g2r2Cm8r5UuDwB7Ke_AmreGX-aQrhi2A5mQqbiWPXMGwW-WEYrb8y_596IM8Np1SOb0UIonz7zLcVQLmQnP0JQ5lLspAcvUHc6X0wqtpGQCmOTHqXcLDz2pFNSvjNRda2fDcWrUF7lwa4JwXj-YjiSOuZNd-hoOTWRdf9Sm_HzjBirsAh-7z8UdWaRk/s4000/IMG_20230729_172009525_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g2r2Cm8r5UuDwB7Ke_AmreGX-aQrhi2A5mQqbiWPXMGwW-WEYrb8y_596IM8Np1SOb0UIonz7zLcVQLmQnP0JQ5lLspAcvUHc6X0wqtpGQCmOTHqXcLDz2pFNSvjNRda2fDcWrUF7lwa4JwXj-YjiSOuZNd-hoOTWRdf9Sm_HzjBirsAh-7z8UdWaRk/w400-h300/IMG_20230729_172009525_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun evening with church friends walking through The Woodlands, Houston's version of San Antonio's River Walk. It was an incredibly HOT evening but such a beautiful part of the city.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsi2iOfeTk-nB1YebQl7J-JnnXyElRr3o6PysfZ_zgQLmeMKj6Prmxu3umOPbstGaeaZ5sfizyppZvx2VLoA6iFzpBRg6PrzwZBpznJazMF9GwZhuM9uD6y54C5-wrpA8hPpbwxUay-0EGUo1dlNmpaQ6fnxgdrLpFvO3-6TIE0svsLkuBAsLODHm2Ik/s4000/IMG_20230729_172345759_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsi2iOfeTk-nB1YebQl7J-JnnXyElRr3o6PysfZ_zgQLmeMKj6Prmxu3umOPbstGaeaZ5sfizyppZvx2VLoA6iFzpBRg6PrzwZBpznJazMF9GwZhuM9uD6y54C5-wrpA8hPpbwxUay-0EGUo1dlNmpaQ6fnxgdrLpFvO3-6TIE0svsLkuBAsLODHm2Ik/w400-h300/IMG_20230729_172345759_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29FuCUGtl_so4pV0J6dc7j5zmueF7dC-ey5vxWTigLcjmfq_SpYem_pt0dZ2wfjb6N5yEGrvFWVq8ZU6OdxhFGeFoJd3by-o4lIVgF47XONahhb_W0ySmEWCeOUjRshAqvt8B1dktURLNg9dMPPk0h9FcTA-IWDpbRm_giw2bwdJtZknEqIQhCeBpDhk/s2304/IMG_20230729_172740067_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29FuCUGtl_so4pV0J6dc7j5zmueF7dC-ey5vxWTigLcjmfq_SpYem_pt0dZ2wfjb6N5yEGrvFWVq8ZU6OdxhFGeFoJd3by-o4lIVgF47XONahhb_W0ySmEWCeOUjRshAqvt8B1dktURLNg9dMPPk0h9FcTA-IWDpbRm_giw2bwdJtZknEqIQhCeBpDhk/w300-h400/IMG_20230729_172740067_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VxbbCGMD7w1c8OWetG-eTMiwjTHMbkz5nBkQeawL5yHQQSGIm-LJwQ1ZB5rqSCpu4E1nGo3yy-WAm1IjojIEUVmJ2Ck5ejww2GCSfLyw4Xi8qHILyCAWQZWpJEFnLI-QprxBdv_WOLRuVRnXdBqqWyWoJPR-WpSka0rYQp9GZb-nuMm-pKE8VuW_y6U/s4000/IMG_20230729_173805212_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VxbbCGMD7w1c8OWetG-eTMiwjTHMbkz5nBkQeawL5yHQQSGIm-LJwQ1ZB5rqSCpu4E1nGo3yy-WAm1IjojIEUVmJ2Ck5ejww2GCSfLyw4Xi8qHILyCAWQZWpJEFnLI-QprxBdv_WOLRuVRnXdBqqWyWoJPR-WpSka0rYQp9GZb-nuMm-pKE8VuW_y6U/w300-h400/IMG_20230729_173805212_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ4Z7jKV5KJY4Jz0gEj_02XfVJx_abOgYkccdfYeXUdwR4dVfinzSgmNzbdjui2H0ntnl1sY-8uv1_MOk7zW3wFc3C09eFz5AaKhoszOcmZqokSXKt8XeMTRgU5kMByI56Ix7PAdNwsdf4I6AIe9gYRpCEusnc0yj4zEzKD_BmpLC4ql7ySDgE3IXHbk/s2304/IMG_20230802_130112666_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ4Z7jKV5KJY4Jz0gEj_02XfVJx_abOgYkccdfYeXUdwR4dVfinzSgmNzbdjui2H0ntnl1sY-8uv1_MOk7zW3wFc3C09eFz5AaKhoszOcmZqokSXKt8XeMTRgU5kMByI56Ix7PAdNwsdf4I6AIe9gYRpCEusnc0yj4zEzKD_BmpLC4ql7ySDgE3IXHbk/w400-h300/IMG_20230802_130112666_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Butterfly Wall at the Holocust Museum-honoring the thousands and thousands of children murdered during World War II.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LTXdMAc1eerzbrfxUHJhyyYuAHcCakHGp1yI1xyfWBeL_eR7G03zZRIjftexO5cUUV4ZrIx-ZQSgqonIAekdiOpVaVr5J5eJH-D7KzhB-SJCOb9sibX8A9uRPXXMzsdQLh09MVo8KHwbLjF-nl1hFX-al1yNP9PIrO5_v5jOiTZJXG8o47O46YRnIlw/s2304/IMG_20230803_112658700_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LTXdMAc1eerzbrfxUHJhyyYuAHcCakHGp1yI1xyfWBeL_eR7G03zZRIjftexO5cUUV4ZrIx-ZQSgqonIAekdiOpVaVr5J5eJH-D7KzhB-SJCOb9sibX8A9uRPXXMzsdQLh09MVo8KHwbLjF-nl1hFX-al1yNP9PIrO5_v5jOiTZJXG8o47O46YRnIlw/w400-h300/IMG_20230803_112658700_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_6w6i4vlI55_0kilAYkxUvVsPTkt0wD_zGEWINmbxqAUZWMtFc4sM3YIPXwxgvStid6H7Mk8ZLkRK9d0TXhQhQJ0ZUdXV-7dMicTwZGLQNL78gRQHBx_Oy22tmxOilgMxyuRKs5gnFr8x1aqUXA_P7BlQintlIRg6Fnh1RSruaN2jzkMOrnGcUo_mKw/s4000/IMG_20230803_181252959_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_6w6i4vlI55_0kilAYkxUvVsPTkt0wD_zGEWINmbxqAUZWMtFc4sM3YIPXwxgvStid6H7Mk8ZLkRK9d0TXhQhQJ0ZUdXV-7dMicTwZGLQNL78gRQHBx_Oy22tmxOilgMxyuRKs5gnFr8x1aqUXA_P7BlQintlIRg6Fnh1RSruaN2jzkMOrnGcUo_mKw/w300-h400/IMG_20230803_181252959_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>So, this morning I dropped off our son at yet another new school. This is his third school in 4 1/2 years of living in the USA. My mama heart aches over that, but my faith challenges me to just give it to the Lord who can hold his heart and mind so gently and so well. And yes, grace for the moment. He will have two teachers, the subjects divided between them. They both seem like lovely women. He is very excited to make friends with little boys who will presumably live around here close. He thinks it is very cool his school is all one building, has two stories and was just remodeled recently! </p><p>My daughter is sitting at the table next to me. Day One of Homeschooling. It's not quite noon and she is almost done with 4 of her 5 subjects for the day. Her dream come true. </p><p>She has been miserable in public school the last two years. My social butterfly that has always made friends so easily was crying every morning on the way to school, begging me to homeschool her. I told her I didn't feel called <i>in the least</i> to homeschool so she should probably pray for God to change my heart and life's circumstances. She did and He did. Here we are. </p><p>Can I just say here, I LOVE BEING A STAY AT HOME MOM? I have worked out of the home for the last 7+ years and I am absolutely loving being at home full time. I don't know for how long, but for now I am home and I am so so so grateful. I have many friends who work out of the home for a variety of reasons and believe me, I know how to pray for you from first hand experience. The pressures on a working mother are immense. This reprieve has been a tremendous blessing to our family.</p><p>So, in the middle of moving and documents and paperwork up to my ears, I was also researching and meeting with homeschool mamas to look at curriculum. We wanted a child-led based curriculum because I knew any amount of class planning was out for me this summer. We also are on a tight budget so that was a huge consideration. This is day one officially (though Chloe started her math this summer because she "was so bored!") and so far we are absolutely thrilled. She just said, "Mom, this is so cool! They even teach Science from a biblical perspective!" Yes, love. They do. God created Science. It is a beautiful thing to study it from His perspective.</p><p>We went with Master Books Curriculum. The same publisher has published most of Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis material, so I felt very much at peace that it would be a sound biblical view. A meeting with a friend, who is using the same curriculum for her four children, confirmed that this was a good path for our girl. Because of her dream to be a certified midwife, we knew we wanted a very strong math and science base. </p><p>As for affordable, her entire school year was a little over $300.00. They are designed to "open and start", meaning the books come with recommended schedule for 180 days if the child wants to do it in a schoolyear or a 90 day plan if they want to do it in a semester. There is no planning or class prep involved. Will keep you posted on how it works for us...for her. The amount of curriculum out there is overwhelming to put it mildly. We are blessed to have found this one.</p><p>I also want to thank those who have answered so many questions and encouraged me this summer as I waded through these decisions. For my cousin, Kristen, who has so patiently helped me come up with a plan for Chloe's remaining five years of school before college and given me feedback on curriculum and dual enrollment possibilities. For Nikki, who took time from her homeschool day to come to my house, her arms loaded with books, so I could see what they actually looked like and felt like! For Stephanie, who has answered untold lines of questions by text from northern Texas as to what homeschooling looks like in our new state and what she is doing/has done that has worked. For Yvette, Madison and Jessica who answered scores of questions about the curriculum they use and why they use it. They also brought books over for me to hold and look at. For Dana, who shared many things but what I most heard was, "Hey, if one thing doesn't work for you, be easy on yourself and make a switch! That's the beauty of homeschooling!" Many others have chatted with me and encouraged me and offered wise counsel in this new journey.</p><p>Makes me tear up to think of the scores of people God has placed in my life to do life with us, to encourage us and even this week who are praying for us. THANK YOU!!!</p><p>May the joy of the LORD be your strength this week as you walk in the Light!</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span><br /></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span></span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-2700333586187792472023-07-24T19:24:00.000-07:002023-07-24T19:24:13.026-07:00The Writing of Many Books is Endless<p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text Eccl-12-11" id="en-NASB1995-17535" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB1995-17535a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB1995-17535a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%2012:11-13&version=NASB1995#fen-NASB1995-17535a" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span>well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-12-12" id="en-NASB1995-17536" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">But beyond this, my son, be warned: the <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB1995-17536b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB1995-17536b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%2012:11-13&version=NASB1995#fen-NASB1995-17536b" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">The conclusion, when all has been heard,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">is</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">fear God and</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">keep His commandments, because this</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">applies to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">every person." </span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>The Word of God as found in Ecclesiates 12:11-13</i></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJgqgMJzicbX6ijoD1AfpISL4r43P5QLX5jEGeHjtutwmxjXPxOcz9_FJtFAadtGi_BhQo3eQjDNjtgremnKKbnShoTESA1WOB4k1b_evs7IQOx2vh2iyLR9EyA-9tlHcO09331c3aFJCKvP0fTi-pnU-5G-fBSYrBszcyaX4bWT96dVfj-vORb4vgNo/s612/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJgqgMJzicbX6ijoD1AfpISL4r43P5QLX5jEGeHjtutwmxjXPxOcz9_FJtFAadtGi_BhQo3eQjDNjtgremnKKbnShoTESA1WOB4k1b_evs7IQOx2vh2iyLR9EyA-9tlHcO09331c3aFJCKvP0fTi-pnU-5G-fBSYrBszcyaX4bWT96dVfj-vORb4vgNo/w400-h266/books.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;">This may seem like a strange scripture to open this post with but it is a sobering reminder to me personally that there is truly no end to the books and work and people one can read, study or listen to. It can be truly wearisome. Exhausting. That is why I try to be very intentional about what I read and how much time I spend in study and the pursuit of knowledge for the simple sake of knowledge. I have a long ways to go in this area, so this post is mostly for me! </div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;">I am super excited about this post that has been forming in my head for months. Let's see if it materializes like I imagine in my head! </div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;">I am so honored to know personally, or at the very least have met, several published authors. Because we are in the last days and I believe we need to be intentional about everything, I <i>appreciate</i> having books written by people, <i>real</i>, <i>authentic</i> Christians, who have challenged my heart, mind and spirit by their books. That is why I want to share briefly in this post each of these authors and their books so you too, can be blessed as I have been...if you so choose to read the following book suggestions. </div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"> ___________________________________________________________________________________</div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gordon Rumble</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will start with Pastor Gordon Rumble, because I have known him the longest. He is my uncle, married to my mother's sister, Heidi and they have been an integral part of my life since I can remember. There are few people I have more respect for than this man of God who has spent so much of his life studying the End Times, the book of Revelation and the Word of God in general. He is so humble and passionate in sharing his knowledge of the Word of God in creative and dynamic ways. The first book I will post is actually a series of sermons he preached on Revelation. If you live in the city he calls home, or are ever there visiting and have the chance to attend any classes or lectures he may be offering on the End Times, I highly recommend going. Our little family had the privilege of participating in a short, 6 week course with U. Gordon and even my very young children sat quietly and listened and <i>learned</i> so much.</span></div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYZDPKveAStGzUqSNGvAokFh82kUZO9X4u9rexGAmg3RZUGvt0yTj1CE0NV3cXbysFdXoBvPP48fOMpntGCS4dEz1mZEOcFazUfs1FSqUYBYwRWwEgIIQ3joWcLmDklkE9Emz5H8PbC9kTHJViCkIT9se3b_HJqUz5mRN9UXb31tbWb2PLljmpX_-p1o/s499/revelation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="348" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYZDPKveAStGzUqSNGvAokFh82kUZO9X4u9rexGAmg3RZUGvt0yTj1CE0NV3cXbysFdXoBvPP48fOMpntGCS4dEz1mZEOcFazUfs1FSqUYBYwRWwEgIIQ3joWcLmDklkE9Emz5H8PbC9kTHJViCkIT9se3b_HJqUz5mRN9UXb31tbWb2PLljmpX_-p1o/w279-h400/revelation.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Lessons-Last-Lap-Home/dp/1452007225</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dorothy Skiles</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am honored to know Dorothy since my birth as well, as she is my cousin. She wrote a book for children on the End Times and U. Gordon illustrated it. I highly recommend this short but powerful book to use in teaching your children (and maybe even yourself!) about how the End times <i>may</i> play out. Of course we don't know everything for sure, but I think you will enjoy Dorothy's gift of writing and uncle's gift of drawing very much.</span></div><div style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOGp3jFcNTIRJZjhycppopvRKo9q6Cp9RUaaX-rXV-PR8ZtuK0j9kakHHV1u7d8SwfrIHHNLHf3UJK7NS3ukETazdbeS6iM0q9FepkE6lFW3adZqC9r8IGgb4XDYyXZvLOsmChisUY72SdN6dd0JBVfft4o1mQw8cdtZ0lQgbR89v5W7_vez9PTt9oD8/s500/51OMjxSedVS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOGp3jFcNTIRJZjhycppopvRKo9q6Cp9RUaaX-rXV-PR8ZtuK0j9kakHHV1u7d8SwfrIHHNLHf3UJK7NS3ukETazdbeS6iM0q9FepkE6lFW3adZqC9r8IGgb4XDYyXZvLOsmChisUY72SdN6dd0JBVfft4o1mQw8cdtZ0lQgbR89v5W7_vez9PTt9oD8/w320-h400/51OMjxSedVS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://www.amazon.com/Up-Away-Childrens-Book-Revelation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leah Rodriquez DeSalles</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was my honor and joy to work with Leah the two years before I married and moved overseas. Our time together was short but she impacted my life. As petite and small as I am tall and not small, she is a bundle of unending energy and spunk! She is small but mighty and has published an incredible book called "The Greatest Story Ever...Retold." This book was just really special to me. It made Jesus seem so real, so personable, so present. It is the fruit of Leah's imagination (which is quite vivid I might add!) but I just really enjoyed this book on many levels. She also blogs and has challenged my walk with the Lord more than once in the fascinating and authentic way she writes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lBYC_OCPvd05CqZyNO5FjbkUJI97niWN6d3CfktGpRzmPJSNxiEYCv_31bqt0hm2ouh2DEtaAl8q9lXfUWFao_njjbxbB59g-0Lxf-KBSFdYZEOzllkBc6rCuhS62dJU_MEtB3fYj9VbZjYV057lyZPTaU7mbU1OI7uREuKbKUybcb6HhG9Jxrwdccc/s327/71gT1ELDW-L._AC_UY327_FMwebp_QL65_.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lBYC_OCPvd05CqZyNO5FjbkUJI97niWN6d3CfktGpRzmPJSNxiEYCv_31bqt0hm2ouh2DEtaAl8q9lXfUWFao_njjbxbB59g-0Lxf-KBSFdYZEOzllkBc6rCuhS62dJU_MEtB3fYj9VbZjYV057lyZPTaU7mbU1OI7uREuKbKUybcb6HhG9Jxrwdccc/w253-h400/71gT1ELDW-L._AC_UY327_FMwebp_QL65_.webp" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=leah+rodriquez+desalles</td></tr></tbody></table><b><u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amanda Moghadas</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are few people I have met in life more passionate and more on fire for the Lord and His Word than my friend, Amanda. I met her when my little family and I moved from Brazil to California in 2019. She is a quiet, gentle spirited woman who understands what she has been saved from and where she is going. She is truly an evangelist and has been gifted in turning every and any conversation to your need for a Savior and do you know where you are going when you die. She pours out her life, time and resources for those she feels God has called her to minister to. She has penned two books I have personally enjoyed. She does not sell her books on Amazon but if you are interested please reach out to her at <b><u>christalone6john14@yahoo.com</u></b> with requests and or questions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB8N28vJDQ6vwjwV0rHkh_UiEFL78SCAT2Tv34J1-9qZ-gDTLIv5CKT404stvnHBhe2kx62blBDmP46JZYd0W2unBdfgZ90hNsDeGDjAvhKRrV315YNItaxz0g44NXLUTekigqh0vEv9eruhKTAXyLgn40XmIwebxkIh1OkoWevq5wIWMOBwmW-jR3_Y/s2000/IMG-20230724-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB8N28vJDQ6vwjwV0rHkh_UiEFL78SCAT2Tv34J1-9qZ-gDTLIv5CKT404stvnHBhe2kx62blBDmP46JZYd0W2unBdfgZ90hNsDeGDjAvhKRrV315YNItaxz0g44NXLUTekigqh0vEv9eruhKTAXyLgn40XmIwebxkIh1OkoWevq5wIWMOBwmW-jR3_Y/w300-h400/IMG-20230724-WA0009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrFNLf_QBQ895NosAi5Ql5o9oHrD3ICDGAO8vagjNr6Sye6T8e9McKL1bajoKwxlzGnOy57FIkgcFECmOFhamNhCcgnahuYwU3EDC4nIBba3i9ywEArsxwQUtiY0s3ng4KxlIeJA77rBW16HAB5jgwG4WBB-BDuLi-iXxWExBFlZdnpZ14CCHzPhva5A/s2000/IMG-20230724-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrFNLf_QBQ895NosAi5Ql5o9oHrD3ICDGAO8vagjNr6Sye6T8e9McKL1bajoKwxlzGnOy57FIkgcFECmOFhamNhCcgnahuYwU3EDC4nIBba3i9ywEArsxwQUtiY0s3ng4KxlIeJA77rBW16HAB5jgwG4WBB-BDuLi-iXxWExBFlZdnpZ14CCHzPhva5A/w300-h400/IMG-20230724-WA0010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mary Ruth Whitley</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the most recent author I have had the privilege of meeting. It was a brief encounter. She is the mother of one of the brothers in our small group in California and attended small group with her son one evening. She was incredibly modest, but he was glad to inform us she is a published author and we could find her books online at Amazon. I went home and promptly ordered all three. I thoroughly enjoyed all three but will say "The Remnant of Truth Seekers" was my favorite. In keeping with my recent interest in the End Times and being prepared for what may lie ahead, this book helped make it seem all I don't even know the word, <i>imaginable</i>? It is the fruit of the author's imagination of what the end times may look like of course, but for me it was refreshing and truly a worth while read. The final two I will post are non-fiction and are very powerful little books. I used them more like devotionals and also enjoyed them immensely.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG4rls_QpUWqE3h-yMn2utRfX3wjZC6Qt2QQ4sbSOP9B9n5Q0ko1SxE5y_mY1u6fws01MiNhPp98ZBoX89TI35coj_XoF-_jGOE1m0ZcjyPDIq5Wo2LQ398UK3P5pVPHrqN3lAvJ2oLgOvciAdHqYMD3Y8M7bECg5ztoYUwEbfrOoQT_dQ9Tfs2Htado/s346/41AednmDTdS._SY346_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG4rls_QpUWqE3h-yMn2utRfX3wjZC6Qt2QQ4sbSOP9B9n5Q0ko1SxE5y_mY1u6fws01MiNhPp98ZBoX89TI35coj_XoF-_jGOE1m0ZcjyPDIq5Wo2LQ398UK3P5pVPHrqN3lAvJ2oLgOvciAdHqYMD3Y8M7bECg5ztoYUwEbfrOoQT_dQ9Tfs2Htado/w269-h400/41AednmDTdS._SY346_.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRNIqdO0uoi0hgkLTpgH-pdHJ1PDK9TiKUy70pELq1jombELT1_taHJRaRyFFxuZRyemBNPv8E7OcMd0gk2EOnJYhQYNZdF0Mc-2F6DF7fK4FRw-DXsuASGODYVAiYcaSYDYU2DUnYMiYnoGuvJU-O4tF-kPuKL8IIVxz6NcU1s0dNQ9HRb6DeiO-Es/s500/51AY8t-BU6S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRNIqdO0uoi0hgkLTpgH-pdHJ1PDK9TiKUy70pELq1jombELT1_taHJRaRyFFxuZRyemBNPv8E7OcMd0gk2EOnJYhQYNZdF0Mc-2F6DF7fK4FRw-DXsuASGODYVAiYcaSYDYU2DUnYMiYnoGuvJU-O4tF-kPuKL8IIVxz6NcU1s0dNQ9HRb6DeiO-Es/w268-h400/51AY8t-BU6S.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqdl17QiG4bpmjmcE26P_LlHmvVHAETAUfhUqpGxfA_4p0dUCHf-Uq_foVRbIw9KZJBx2BWIzUg4nz9DYH5LTS6boxtWYlfYEBOmxSY_6nhKMjLBqREKfuLsbEaqoBeLVySTKkdI060Uuini2h8RUWtKbKoG3URksayq7KaDk5PlMVo5O84h865CqodQ/s499/51eBtRygXqL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqdl17QiG4bpmjmcE26P_LlHmvVHAETAUfhUqpGxfA_4p0dUCHf-Uq_foVRbIw9KZJBx2BWIzUg4nz9DYH5LTS6boxtWYlfYEBOmxSY_6nhKMjLBqREKfuLsbEaqoBeLVySTKkdI060Uuini2h8RUWtKbKoG3URksayq7KaDk5PlMVo5O84h865CqodQ/w268-h400/51eBtRygXqL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you have enjoyed these book suggestions and if you choose to read any of them, that they will be a blessing and encouragement to your spirit, not wearisome! They have been a great blessing in my life and the authors even more so. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please share if you know other authors personally and would like to recommend their work and writings. I love to read and am always excited to have a new book recommendation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May your week be blessed and full of joy in whatever your hand finds to do for His glory, even your reading material. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-6986406664340346632023-07-17T16:33:00.000-07:002023-07-17T16:33:56.562-07:00Heaven is Not Here<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHC35qvz2tITutE_cEYpT8VXg1RCWMskuYS4WInOtqJAOlPQZ4zet_GxE6dwORlsVQL234XcMO4BLgHvyDY7J8L3xMA02uCMVhn6AMvDYbGyQzHb94PhBNeEhQSBNwm3-TyEWU78eN0dAjF7G1E9zDYMCJwiN1VdEvhJWhx5RA4h5BdjTI-3cEGX4Xtg/s5121/pexels-photo-417045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="5121" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHC35qvz2tITutE_cEYpT8VXg1RCWMskuYS4WInOtqJAOlPQZ4zet_GxE6dwORlsVQL234XcMO4BLgHvyDY7J8L3xMA02uCMVhn6AMvDYbGyQzHb94PhBNeEhQSBNwm3-TyEWU78eN0dAjF7G1E9zDYMCJwiN1VdEvhJWhx5RA4h5BdjTI-3cEGX4Xtg/w400-h178/pexels-photo-417045.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Heaven is not <i>here</i>, its <i>There</i>. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for." </p><p style="text-align: center;">Elisabeth Elliot, <i>Keep A Quiet Heart</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________________________</p><p style="text-align: left;">I chuckle when people comment that our life is so <i>not boring</i>! Somedays I would like a little "boring." When I am just feeling settled and comfortable, oh about every four years or so, God shakes things up and once again, I find myself feeling the <i>pilgrimness</i> of this journey quite keenly. Again.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I hope with practice I am learning to embrace the curves and twists and unexpected stops and goes of this journey here on earth. I haven't always. I try to learn from my mistakes. God's grace always has been and always will be sufficient. I rejoice in that sure knowledge! And I am very grateful for His gentle reminders that this world is indeed NOT our home.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Those of you who know our little family know much of the story from Latin to North America so I won't go into that here. Many of you who have done life with us know we have talked much and prayed even more about leaving the state of California. Those who haven't have seemed surprised we would want to leave. I just comment and say California was not kind to us financially. Most respond, "It hasn't been kind to us either!"</p><p style="text-align: left;">When you start over financially at 41 years of age as husband and I did 4 1/2 years ago, you hold on to location loosely. We both worked incredibly hard straight through Covid and both survived multiple job changes...and kept working. We saved every stipend the government so generously "handed out" during the C years, knowing they would want it back sometime. We watched as others stayed home and went on vacations because "I make more at home than I do working." We purposed to not become bitter but become better and just keep working as the Scriptures command us to do. I will say we saved a nice little nest egg, praying one day we would be able to buy a small home and give our children some earthly stability.</p><p style="text-align: left;">2022 brought such a "series of unfortunate events" (as I have coined them!) that by October of last year, I withdrew the final dollars from our large savings to pay the latest unexpected bill. We left California in May 2023 with absolutely nothing to our name financially but we were not in debt and so we just said again, "Thank you Jesus!" <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">We are a living example of when God wants to move a family of four across the country, He does it and nothing, absolutely NOTHING will stand in His way. When husband was offered a transfer to Texas in late February 2023, he had to tell the company we want very much to make this move, but we have no funds to do so. They offered what we felt at the time was an adequate, if not generous, move budget that would cover the moving costs if we were careful. I started researching moving companies, going through absolutely everything we own with a very hard heart, giving away much of what we owned that was not absolutely necessary for somewhat comfortable living. The moving company world is a scary one. The internet is full of horror stories. I am so grateful that after receiving four quotes, God literally placed one on my mind and I knew that was the one. Contract was in place, house was in boxes, husband started work in Texas on April 17, so we spent two months apart as a family. Deposit from the company was finally made and due to a lack of knowledge on our part about these things, we were horrified to find out that after taxes, we received a little bit over HALF of promised move budget.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We literally cried out to the Lord and begged for wisdom. We never imagined that the few retirement funds we have in Brazil would ever, ever be needed here (you lose so much in exchange and our Brazilian currency is worth so little here) but God in His sovereignty provided a "way out" by giving us a legal and creative way to get funds here without losing in enormous fees. We just stood and watched Him provide. AGAIN.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Because so little for us happens easily, we were not surprised that it was an experience and a half to find a home here in Texas for us. We had been warned it is hard to get a rental because so many people move in and out of the city due to the gas and oil industries and how they move families around every year. We were down to the wire, our move trailer would be leaving California within days and we still did not have a home to send our belongings to. So we had our prayer warriors pray up a storm AGAIN. We wrote a letter to the home owner and offered a 24 month lease and begged for God's mercy. Not one minute too early, nor too late, we had a house and not just any house. It is the biggest and newest one we have lived in yet! We didn't think we needed four bedrooms but a godly sister at church had told me a few weeks before. "Jama, I think you need to rent a four bedroom house. God is going to send you many visitors!" And sure enough, we asked for a 3/2 and God gave us a 4/2 with an enclosed garage! We've never had a garage! (side note: we have already hosted our first house guests and several are scheduled already to come this Fall!). We pray for many, many more visitors.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Every single bill that has come up has had the needed funds to pay off <i>just in time.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">This morning I finally sat down and crunched the numbers for our entire move, including our unexpected little adventure on our road trip here to Texas. I cry a lot these days. When our "3 day turned into 10" trip was over, all the gifts that poured in from all over the world covered our expenses with a difference of 84.00. So, again, when God wants something to happen, nothing can stand in His way! And yes, I sat and wept tears of gratitude and just feeling overwhelmed. AGAIN!</p><p style="text-align: left;">While we love our new home, we have moved to a vastly different climate and environment. Our children thrived in the country life and are struggling with the return to large city living. We arrived just in time for a record breaking heat wave that has left little opportunity to be outdoors at all recently. I don't know if it is because of the heat but our neighbors are never outdoors and the ones we have said hello to haven't seemed too interested in further conversation. We literally feel like we moved to little India, as we are surrounded by Indian families. I wonder if there are language barriers and that might contribute to little conversation. I pray for opportunities and open doors. My children would love to make friends in our neighborhood, but right now we just feel more like outsiders and sojourners.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"This world is not our home, we are just passing through!"<br /></b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;">We are so grateful for the ready made church family God has placed us in. Everson visited our new church in February and when he left the first service, he called me and said he felt like he had just attended our church in Ripon. I knew then that it was the place for us. They all grew to love him in the two months he waited for us to join him and have so warmly welcomed the children and I into their hearts and lives. I have a new name now: Jama, Everson's wife. I like it! But these adjustments and transitions take time. In a huge city, everyone lives very spread out so friends are now 30+ min away if not an hour. We are enjoying our small group that meets every two weeks on Sunday evening and I think that is where our closest relationships will form. God is so good. He has given us all we need for our journey in this season. And yes, even given us constant reminders that we are not <i>There</i>...yet!</p><p style="text-align: left;">May you live with Eternity in view this week. Rejoice with me in the reminder that He is wooing us and luring us to an eternal perspective and <i>anticipation</i> of what is to come! I hope and pray that anticipation is what sets us as His people apart and we cannot wait to share with anyone who will listen.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-41409871212212235522023-07-11T16:35:00.000-07:002023-07-11T16:35:16.157-07:00Jehovah-Jireh: The God Who Provides<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3njpuq7daeVV70GlnKY8UQJgd8ULZORHVbM-ruy2nMHfaWIiUK2UOj6q9hybOy_-S3Rt7c7e2_lnUnhKAn2BeuqNNW7JqQyF8bNIQYrOTgyKq899_eNIIDJ3Azz9N5W8hwZ2_t3JbbrjLAnKkDkdh6pIPBlXvIhBrgpjdVQyi1Se8D4rsPE7zzHuANA/s4000/IMG_20230606_114452490_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3njpuq7daeVV70GlnKY8UQJgd8ULZORHVbM-ruy2nMHfaWIiUK2UOj6q9hybOy_-S3Rt7c7e2_lnUnhKAn2BeuqNNW7JqQyF8bNIQYrOTgyKq899_eNIIDJ3Azz9N5W8hwZ2_t3JbbrjLAnKkDkdh6pIPBlXvIhBrgpjdVQyi1Se8D4rsPE7zzHuANA/w400-h300/IMG_20230606_114452490_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Those of us who walk with God intimately know He provides. We say "He provides" or "He will provide" and sometimes it feels a bit trite. However, there are seasons or events or moments in time that I believe He delights in showing us (me) how detailed, how powerfully, how <i>beautifully</i> He provides for <i>our every single need.</i></p><p>Friday afternoon, two days into my husband's hospitalization in New Mexico, our car started having some concerning signs of power loss. When the children and I arrived at our hotel that evening, the break lights would not turn off even with the car in park and turned off. I confess at this point, I melted down. By God's grace, I had been able to take each new challenge with a calm spirit, if not a smile, but this was simply too much. At the same time I had a rather sarcastic sensation of "of course. makes sense. now car problems!" I called my brother in California. He was out of cell phone range. I called my cousin and he tried walking me through unplugging my car battery so it wouldn't be dead the next morning but I could not even get the car's hood to stay up, let alone screw off the tight screw on the battery. I hung up with Nathan and Holly in tears. </p><p>The night desk receptionist at our hotel was leaving for the evening and she came over and could tell I was in meltdown mode. She simply wrapped her arms around me and asked how she could help. I cried and said, "I don't even know!" I had noticed her reading her Bible the first night we checked in so we had had several conversations and it meant so much to me to simply have her there to give me a hug. My brother called back and after hearing my newest challenges, he said he thought it was time to reach out to long time friends of ours that I haven't talked to in over 20 years (after a lifetime on the mission field, they have made their home in Alburquerque, N.M.) Seth cut off my excuses and said, "Jama, they will support you. I know they will. At least give them a call."</p><p>They aren't on facebook so I reached out to my uncle in Ohio (at some ungodly hour his time I am sure) and he so graciously got their numbers for me. At 9pm I sent a text to Paul and Sarah and within 1 1/2 hours they had a car to me, invite to stay in their home, offer to reach out to their sons who are all in the medical field if I felt like Everson's care wasn't sufficient at his current location, and a promise to talk on Sunday afternoon and formulate a plan regarding the car. I can't even write these words without weeping.</p><p>We go way back. As a teenager and young adult, my family and I made many trips to the mission compound that Paul and Sarah served on for many years to the Navajo nation in New Mexico. At age 16 I spent the summer on that same compound helping another missionary family with a new baby. Paul and Sarah's three boys were all young and we spent many happy hours that summer together. They are kind, generous, godly people who God sent to me when I needed someone I knew. I only asked for recommendation for a mechanic and prayer support. They showed up at 10:30pm, prayed over us and left the children and I feeling so much less alone, loved on and cared about.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK8JPdlmVVEk-O2AF409ITTfpoNxxszNnZjfPDDOOxT1OzgsLNLC9PQGFj6zApGfr785qMV5H8Cd23LOoZYD4893hA33vj_Fpm_h0tr8q4DwSf_xqiQw6Fyg4IjZMVXcLnQ7Aesa0X1jCN3EhxkeI4Age4Ph1OE8YHAOkc89aBQpHlLtYaw2RKAE619w/s2304/IMG_20230612_215326818_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK8JPdlmVVEk-O2AF409ITTfpoNxxszNnZjfPDDOOxT1OzgsLNLC9PQGFj6zApGfr785qMV5H8Cd23LOoZYD4893hA33vj_Fpm_h0tr8q4DwSf_xqiQw6Fyg4IjZMVXcLnQ7Aesa0X1jCN3EhxkeI4Age4Ph1OE8YHAOkc89aBQpHlLtYaw2RKAE619w/w400-h300/IMG_20230612_215326818_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>When Everson was discharged on Monday evening, they showed up again to pick up their car and meet my husband. They sat in our hotel room and visited for awhile before praying over us again and going on their way. They will never, ever know what an immense <i>blessing</i> and <i>difference</i> they made in our lives those two days. I know God has a special blessing for them for blessing us in our time of need.</p><p>I could tell of the multiple venmo deposits, the immense amount of texts and phone calls. Feeling a bit overwhelmed I created a Whatsapp and texi group to try to keep our faithful prayer warriors updated. My brother in law from Brazil called me regularly just to encourage the children and I that everything would be okay. My brother in law in Mozambique sent us funds to cover the car repairs even before he knew how much it would be. Another brother from our California church family sent us funds to cover the car repairs, stating we could use the other funds for something else! Dear friends sent us a generous gift to take the kids to some fun places to run off energy and make some good memories. The list goes on and on and on. The prayers that were offered on our behalf from Africa to Brazil to Canada and all over the USA was humbling beyond description.</p><p>I share this first to say thank you. Thank you for those of you who knew of our trials and afflictions and faithfully prayed and even wept with us. Secondly and most importantly, to say thank you to Jesus, our ever present help in trouble. Every single need was provided for. Not one moment too late and not one moment too early. </p><p>We traveled slowly and surely from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening. God's grace and strength was so sufficient as I had to do all the driving. Everson sat next to me with his oxygen tanks squeezed between his legs in our already way overloaded car. Mile after mile we drove, the children napped and we finished our fun audio books cousins had blessed us with. The drive down through north western Texas, straight through the heart of this immense state, was absolutely beautiful. I was in love before I ever got to our new home.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpvfNRYb8O8dD83uNZuQhgxG0hDuJdu47Eu3C-aMN1JWl_INKCJw_Wi0S7PYv3-rwX_firKjo4eS4iL2dNe8y1tfX0c-nxlTnS548_48tV8k3bio7erz6kd1VL304sxtpEf6g8CDAXRqtjoKqvvpg5xDSOvIZ6H-jYzG8JMsA4LRoHLjnNJ7AXeKCKKg/s2304/IMG_20230612_190020163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpvfNRYb8O8dD83uNZuQhgxG0hDuJdu47Eu3C-aMN1JWl_INKCJw_Wi0S7PYv3-rwX_firKjo4eS4iL2dNe8y1tfX0c-nxlTnS548_48tV8k3bio7erz6kd1VL304sxtpEf6g8CDAXRqtjoKqvvpg5xDSOvIZ6H-jYzG8JMsA4LRoHLjnNJ7AXeKCKKg/w400-h300/IMG_20230612_190020163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way once again. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTBGiaICEyJJx8W8hdOBwhg813hLk6epbV4iXaPPUXcjQ-u-b6E0v-8PVTUJ8q2BxxlST2D70PfTx8aMXT8i9evAoKAjaJxYGxOks1AZS9LHqzURJeSg3Nwr7MACS_8D-N0pEs9s0NPY_dDlleZcRnZbD90GRvEdrrh_ZmvI3RJObdWsWvNLKqgMRk6k/s2304/IMG_20230614_155147874_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTBGiaICEyJJx8W8hdOBwhg813hLk6epbV4iXaPPUXcjQ-u-b6E0v-8PVTUJ8q2BxxlST2D70PfTx8aMXT8i9evAoKAjaJxYGxOks1AZS9LHqzURJeSg3Nwr7MACS_8D-N0pEs9s0NPY_dDlleZcRnZbD90GRvEdrrh_ZmvI3RJObdWsWvNLKqgMRk6k/w400-h300/IMG_20230614_155147874_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7RKnY7tCa13JpCy4o3ft-wkjDLMsVnyohNCbHNRg12aM65Vvp0CCYJLrCsSPklWnlgd3A_87ObigZlV-dWzWw8cdyhbeVyX16-JqeK98ZDPrxtlaqrkYVIrwFRZ46zv2u1vQnBTkGF1-mtUHy3c-Oh5265j5WloXk5EJ1ePXCyY7YbwiKXbiPAqJJE/s4000/IMG_20230618_194020537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7RKnY7tCa13JpCy4o3ft-wkjDLMsVnyohNCbHNRg12aM65Vvp0CCYJLrCsSPklWnlgd3A_87ObigZlV-dWzWw8cdyhbeVyX16-JqeK98ZDPrxtlaqrkYVIrwFRZ46zv2u1vQnBTkGF1-mtUHy3c-Oh5265j5WloXk5EJ1ePXCyY7YbwiKXbiPAqJJE/w400-h300/IMG_20230618_194020537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't take Chloe long to get busy at our host home making treats for us all</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdkb_Po6sXHSQVNJ001Yl2abN-KvBEaYhmfIMDVnjqfwSpMqra5Fjk4a4L9Up5PhjXcF8vduOOr8zMc-RZKMzrgZ8wRmiSdPXRagcC1AIvDWUwlFGLMZseEUjEqIwR-AkFYxLio111WAItIT_YwF7yxhJvBWC2yWU2rChl_oIaUuAqnJuPLNvIG5LZuQ/s4000/IMG_20230620_123948488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdkb_Po6sXHSQVNJ001Yl2abN-KvBEaYhmfIMDVnjqfwSpMqra5Fjk4a4L9Up5PhjXcF8vduOOr8zMc-RZKMzrgZ8wRmiSdPXRagcC1AIvDWUwlFGLMZseEUjEqIwR-AkFYxLio111WAItIT_YwF7yxhJvBWC2yWU2rChl_oIaUuAqnJuPLNvIG5LZuQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230620_123948488.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to wait five days for our trailer to be delivered due to such high demand for the companies deliveries. We were so blessed to be able to live with Everson's host, Carl, while we <i>waited some more</i> for God to move and bring our household so we could live in our new home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxuVX6s2Yzie2Im_-pE5qNsUC04cKIZe3vHEKyZmMl_7K7UxsIS85hILBjsNZxWpu0ldhIYrQNY3yI02gO1i8Orj-xD2sHjRv2ZbQ6AaF9NasYZImfRFff3Bgb0sY_paKT5LuevBraTCzBdVm-pfd6U6pKpMkwzMVAhlYga1bJbwviLcDR0R3ZDzl5ao/s4000/IMG_20230620_184107707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxuVX6s2Yzie2Im_-pE5qNsUC04cKIZe3vHEKyZmMl_7K7UxsIS85hILBjsNZxWpu0ldhIYrQNY3yI02gO1i8Orj-xD2sHjRv2ZbQ6AaF9NasYZImfRFff3Bgb0sY_paKT5LuevBraTCzBdVm-pfd6U6pKpMkwzMVAhlYga1bJbwviLcDR0R3ZDzl5ao/w300-h400/IMG_20230620_184107707.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 11 days living on fast food and restaurants, Chloe said our first night in our new house was not going to be eating out AGAIN. Bless her heart, she found enough food items to make us dinner. Homemade food had never tasted so good!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKjdjuJCpizl9sPtY_KVNhOzqJnvaUf30G8hqk8ietJR_PEImJXq7S3q4NggVBHd5b1-up1LjqllNy9gInqTdYq3eEt-Yd0au4Arw67-gC7u-W26e0OSLhs0oJ7EqSNxoxc-tqhmUQoVzV5FQ8EW-C1tRdpltGmgQEcfbrGgPdfvWIEpg-BKCACnKJRA/s4000/IMG_20230625_183030295_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKjdjuJCpizl9sPtY_KVNhOzqJnvaUf30G8hqk8ietJR_PEImJXq7S3q4NggVBHd5b1-up1LjqllNy9gInqTdYq3eEt-Yd0au4Arw67-gC7u-W26e0OSLhs0oJ7EqSNxoxc-tqhmUQoVzV5FQ8EW-C1tRdpltGmgQEcfbrGgPdfvWIEpg-BKCACnKJRA/w400-h300/IMG_20230625_183030295_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We no sooner arrived than our southern city was hit with a record breaking heat wave. We are so grateful for the community pool we have rights to just a short walk from our home. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk_xKG9f9HErE6pPc1_YxJ3YwvuIR2JPtOsPwy4Dnlcxey32Q-mEUf7BJvBhtrEUFISHvZhM5YA6lVlnl2Kmoq9TyODWa_aIyetppvpqsK7Ku8AYZR_1pEVg7Jqb9YW8GW4VVmFn1PvQntMwfeu4uBI0rCzYFztUbSVsNrJfjmCKKEsFVmOm7fTpgXsM/s4000/IMG_20230704_211008043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk_xKG9f9HErE6pPc1_YxJ3YwvuIR2JPtOsPwy4Dnlcxey32Q-mEUf7BJvBhtrEUFISHvZhM5YA6lVlnl2Kmoq9TyODWa_aIyetppvpqsK7Ku8AYZR_1pEVg7Jqb9YW8GW4VVmFn1PvQntMwfeu4uBI0rCzYFztUbSVsNrJfjmCKKEsFVmOm7fTpgXsM/w400-h300/IMG_20230704_211008043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first 4th of July in Texas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcs-XphH_2o2VGvx31m4S4AAH_K7ULD7mnOqXgaYW8NG69xzspmtjYOdw1LCZFALkM5y_XahFp9CsyQaE8hn6qXevfDB8Z3BsjeZievxoPKjkmHL_27TSxJm0qwy430Tuo1O-ySWfHy0Js8arBFySWHfXMNcuSCsWWyj65zaubUcGPTpmEGs8eny67GQ/s4000/IMG_20230704_211326557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcs-XphH_2o2VGvx31m4S4AAH_K7ULD7mnOqXgaYW8NG69xzspmtjYOdw1LCZFALkM5y_XahFp9CsyQaE8hn6qXevfDB8Z3BsjeZievxoPKjkmHL_27TSxJm0qwy430Tuo1O-ySWfHy0Js8arBFySWHfXMNcuSCsWWyj65zaubUcGPTpmEGs8eny67GQ/w300-h400/IMG_20230704_211326557.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pictures are poor quality but we lit a few fireworks of our own and these larger ones were set off by someone in the park across the road from our home and were so beautiful. We had a perfect place to watch them so even in the disappointment of our 4th not looking like the last four in California, God provided some special moments. He is Jehovah-Jireh: the God Who Provides.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>May you experience His provision in your life this week in a special way and be willing to recognize His provision in all things. The pain, afflictions and trials are just as much a blessing from His hand as the joys, victory and fun blessings. I pray hearing a little bit of our story will encourage and build up your faith in a God who is always present, always good and always providing.<div><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-65619715030762884702023-07-05T13:58:00.000-07:002023-07-05T13:58:40.229-07:00Texas or Bust<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqOpfBiMsYWmnT5lfCL-MvnvH98En9mKmesp-9YpD0AQAIYzX6Pp73aTcndWVqBhd6TlzGrMznkFZKEZaYg2TsQQHU4ul_Zf-I11Z1SDsVZBw6aZYN2YReW9NCqHJ7AndOC1gvnLpvJzxqcCIxSzIP8D1stRH4U-xo2gp1MWz4bAS76qAqeTbNwP9sHY/s4000/IMG_20230605_122216012_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqOpfBiMsYWmnT5lfCL-MvnvH98En9mKmesp-9YpD0AQAIYzX6Pp73aTcndWVqBhd6TlzGrMznkFZKEZaYg2TsQQHU4ul_Zf-I11Z1SDsVZBw6aZYN2YReW9NCqHJ7AndOC1gvnLpvJzxqcCIxSzIP8D1stRH4U-xo2gp1MWz4bAS76qAqeTbNwP9sHY/w300-h400/IMG_20230605_122216012_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first day of travel to our new home and state!<br />Southern California was HOT!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh7bhXW2YZXlIU1288yxu_ePoaJYj-vMWx8KbertuB5i7xEHovaJWurK8dqbWCgDnvPWHjMefdQ0nPWgrtmMk4VLpJD7xuvjVoPYyJ9No3VNMBREvEyYdwfUH77soviUh4CFrf0YFRw-psRPHGhiwFNeoKbLsapVGve7PA2o7t-SIHwSgB63uCBI6z0E/s4000/IMG_20230605_145703757_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh7bhXW2YZXlIU1288yxu_ePoaJYj-vMWx8KbertuB5i7xEHovaJWurK8dqbWCgDnvPWHjMefdQ0nPWgrtmMk4VLpJD7xuvjVoPYyJ9No3VNMBREvEyYdwfUH77soviUh4CFrf0YFRw-psRPHGhiwFNeoKbLsapVGve7PA2o7t-SIHwSgB63uCBI6z0E/w400-h300/IMG_20230605_145703757_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wondered if this was our truck and how funny it would be if we had just waved at our driver. That was until we saw literally hundreds of U Pack trailers be hauled east out of California!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUis4ty-g0D2I3srkvfEVtejz6M4qZZkxpy3JGmJNoLQIwS3Gl07GG10oCn3VWBr9J-Cz3Hr2ohyjzcLhRTCe9lT33SWK9r2alxv5nqC-irRajb7Hai_PhCZY8BD56qs9r55inGBxrLQPR9d16fCr6Ygs91FjoJzQIXmq9Zda7J0dYPPHsQZL_WyLbO7Y/s4000/IMG_20230605_211005715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUis4ty-g0D2I3srkvfEVtejz6M4qZZkxpy3JGmJNoLQIwS3Gl07GG10oCn3VWBr9J-Cz3Hr2ohyjzcLhRTCe9lT33SWK9r2alxv5nqC-irRajb7Hai_PhCZY8BD56qs9r55inGBxrLQPR9d16fCr6Ygs91FjoJzQIXmq9Zda7J0dYPPHsQZL_WyLbO7Y/w300-h400/IMG_20230605_211005715.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a fun little shop while waiting for our dinner table in Williams, Arizona.<br />Next stop: Grand Canyon!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tdXeDMSQDc1VwlsWYWZuSxa1c_7fiIsW5bPijmIwaKvJhLUHuRjBZh0iTfo99rBaL_MVsI2kzVAfBK9WsyYtOasZvT4OjsJzWLhm9VeLYNvSpPYjlSMW4TfIPxSpMHfNvsLYQo4NmAnpqZAXJtRHNEGqIqnYyCoXrTsu9OaIRT1LBI5YcxI48NUpdzg/s4000/IMG_20230606_111437262_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tdXeDMSQDc1VwlsWYWZuSxa1c_7fiIsW5bPijmIwaKvJhLUHuRjBZh0iTfo99rBaL_MVsI2kzVAfBK9WsyYtOasZvT4OjsJzWLhm9VeLYNvSpPYjlSMW4TfIPxSpMHfNvsLYQo4NmAnpqZAXJtRHNEGqIqnYyCoXrTsu9OaIRT1LBI5YcxI48NUpdzg/w400-h300/IMG_20230606_111437262_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 8)<br />All I could think about at this amazing display of God's creative power was Psalm 8 followed with "WOW."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPEQhty7cgI0p73Vgg9QHv6f_y66iLhUgFybDW813r2Y-lXclq9cfX6aF1Wugqw8IPh6bkS-4qNMLpU8R2S6AUYNQ1t32_tqLsKwIVmp6IMOMbv1DdPIJP7ow9yrsGkc2VWoBxPqqMlrOmh4x8gN4ZmdFZ6EwceD6jwBv5x5IAFCm0ryJ9eMLMZNIfRw/s4000/IMG_20230606_112958188_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPEQhty7cgI0p73Vgg9QHv6f_y66iLhUgFybDW813r2Y-lXclq9cfX6aF1Wugqw8IPh6bkS-4qNMLpU8R2S6AUYNQ1t32_tqLsKwIVmp6IMOMbv1DdPIJP7ow9yrsGkc2VWoBxPqqMlrOmh4x8gN4ZmdFZ6EwceD6jwBv5x5IAFCm0ryJ9eMLMZNIfRw/w300-h400/IMG_20230606_112958188_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOVsKOrWRBge1_amM3RprwQsJH9DGIo60duf0SAFBQDQsyoeVozZgoqNEh2xMr-YKF_HocSPyp8xq8ZvwSDSvxet2isjHUdtG-MzqweUwExWY_R3K06UYSDrrzMSHm5DMhtf4LCnJ1tgKgLDf7wnu02NZVu08lPOARnSljSISZpzsoALF6PS9qWtPsiA/s4000/IMG_20230606_112410938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOVsKOrWRBge1_amM3RprwQsJH9DGIo60duf0SAFBQDQsyoeVozZgoqNEh2xMr-YKF_HocSPyp8xq8ZvwSDSvxet2isjHUdtG-MzqweUwExWY_R3K06UYSDrrzMSHm5DMhtf4LCnJ1tgKgLDf7wnu02NZVu08lPOARnSljSISZpzsoALF6PS9qWtPsiA/w400-h300/IMG_20230606_112410938.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgr7TnVeuEqYrJ_IdlKNc1MR4ExzNrd1jF_N5FzJ6fWbosGEgnr_xQbtzL9mMHgbqtUIM5Cj2rqXK4P7AFk4RGuyM_8T2Lld1IqOr9XcDt_OJxUEhDAfZbuPO4fbqzGNuwL730h9Vh4g-x1lQqx4HxYUmd2GpSyx7IavkXyEEFW_kbnaboO9oPhMFArA/s4000/IMG_20230606_112637391_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgr7TnVeuEqYrJ_IdlKNc1MR4ExzNrd1jF_N5FzJ6fWbosGEgnr_xQbtzL9mMHgbqtUIM5Cj2rqXK4P7AFk4RGuyM_8T2Lld1IqOr9XcDt_OJxUEhDAfZbuPO4fbqzGNuwL730h9Vh4g-x1lQqx4HxYUmd2GpSyx7IavkXyEEFW_kbnaboO9oPhMFArA/w300-h400/IMG_20230606_112637391_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYrWr9cxXEhiEyLBJl-z__c_ltkCUyGvt5l7AZAzAFWL5SeNbylg4vShQSi89ThZ10fOerSMvVbBcGmzhd8fcnetyaM1gyciHtGQx2kyWWQmB-UJqrvs3P4YuWhWU7FxUOSZJPbicpHjwWDvyUw4N_nF_-RTt_2E6b8Bey6prV3N6hPxBVuGXjIJjtU8/s4000/IMG_20230606_113209137_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYrWr9cxXEhiEyLBJl-z__c_ltkCUyGvt5l7AZAzAFWL5SeNbylg4vShQSi89ThZ10fOerSMvVbBcGmzhd8fcnetyaM1gyciHtGQx2kyWWQmB-UJqrvs3P4YuWhWU7FxUOSZJPbicpHjwWDvyUw4N_nF_-RTt_2E6b8Bey6prV3N6hPxBVuGXjIJjtU8/w400-h300/IMG_20230606_113209137_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJmYdT6wzs71_UN380Et1fcWRwe75_KTVTGSb6Md7oaM2vQshjW_XdtBqqvkW0pHwOFKHD053LXHXx-OJhH14yYGRmBN7bPZ-gmYec6lkL_6q6i3A7GY-dYjWzZaX7ddE4tG-rokvnW87_98VadZDSRj1ObVtFAzsjY_wYN6f74BGTLPV-kYJb7Q51oI/s4000/IMG_20230606_121605347_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJmYdT6wzs71_UN380Et1fcWRwe75_KTVTGSb6Md7oaM2vQshjW_XdtBqqvkW0pHwOFKHD053LXHXx-OJhH14yYGRmBN7bPZ-gmYec6lkL_6q6i3A7GY-dYjWzZaX7ddE4tG-rokvnW87_98VadZDSRj1ObVtFAzsjY_wYN6f74BGTLPV-kYJb7Q51oI/w400-h300/IMG_20230606_121605347_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We set out for our new home and the next step in this journey we call life on Monday, June 5, 2023 after telling our California community goodbye with not a few tears. We spent almost exactly four and one half years in California, my home state and hometown in Northern California. They were good years, full of much joy and much hardness but over it all, full of grace and mercy. Our support group loved on us, supported us through many months of unemployment, many tears as we transitioned from Latin to North America life, searched for and found the church community we needed...the list is endless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We miss them dreadfully. My family who loved on us, included us in those special events like weddings, baptisms, Thanksgiving celebrations, 4th of July BBQs, birthdays, swim days and just the sweetness of a call or text "Hey, want to come over for dinner this weekend?" Many, many family nights with the few immediate family members life in our hometown. My brother and sister-in-law loved on us and went out of their way to minister to us in a myriad of ways. When our home had been boxed and trailered out of the state, they invited us to live with them for our final 10 days in California. To finally, but certainly not least, our Christ Community Church family who were in a nutshell, Jesus' hands and feet to us for two beautiful, amazing years. We love you all and words cannot express our gratitude for the servant leadership, the meals, the prayers, the hours logged helping us pack and move not once, but <i>twice</i> in 9 months. The list is endless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> When God calls, it is wise and good to go but that does not negate the pain of goodbyes and separation. We have felt that pain keenly but through this entire process (and maybe one day I will share how God moved in divine ways to get our family to Texas) have had an overwhelming sense of PEACE. Of His gentle spirit whispering, "This is the way, walk in it." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We so enjoyed the Grand Canyon, our one and only planned stop on our <i>planned</i> three day trip to Southern Texas. What we didn't know is that it would be our only uneventful, quiet, pleasant two days of travel and sight-seeing. As the sovereign plan of God would have it, we planned well our trip and HE directed our steps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we loaded up to head out of the Grand Canyon about 1:30pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Everson asked me if I would drive as he wasn't feeling well. He hadn't been feeling well for several weeks, but if you know our family at all, you know with his genetic illness, he often battles days and weeks of truly not feeling great. So I wasn't overly concerned and said, of course, I would be glad to drive. I was exhausted from weeks of packing up our home with husband already in Texas, but my desire to get to our new home would keep me going! We drove almost four hours and as we entered Gallup, New Mexico, I told Everson I needed to stop and we should get a hotel for the night. He didn't feel well at all by dinner time, so the children and I found take out close by and we ate in our hotel room. With our room reeking of Panda Express we all fell into bed weary and ready for some good rest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband woke me at around midnight after a very restless few hours, in which we neither one slept much, with the words I hate to hear and will never grow accustomed to, "Jama, you need to take me to the ER." Only this time, we were in a strange and very small city, I had no idea where the closest ER was, my two children were sound asleep and I was already operating in exhaustion mode. But up we all go and after midnight, I am driving around trying to get him to the hospital as his pain gets worse and worse in what would be come the fastest and deepest Sickle Cell crisis of our marriage yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gallup, New Mexico boasts of exactly two small hospitals. One across the road from the other, one serves all ethnic groups, one serves only the tribal groups that surround the area. As fate would have it, I chose the one that looked like it was open at 1am and it would be the tribal hospital. By 2pm the next day, Wednesday, June 7th, we were informed that even though they hadn't been able to get Everson's oxygen levels up or pain under control, they had to move him out as he isn't Native American. If there wasn't a room available across the road, they would recommend medical airlift to Alburquerque, New Mexico. They are too remote to transport by ambulance and medical airplane flights are their only option. There was no room at the other hospital and we decided against the possible enormous cost of airlifting him two hours away. He asked me to drive him and so the attending doctor gave him as strong and as much of pain meds as he could and off we went. It was the longest and scariest drive of my life. His oxygen levels were frighteningly low but he said he felt okay so keep going. The children slept in complete exhaustion the whole trip and Everson tried to stay awake while I drove, praying the entire way like never before in my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Twenty miles out from the medical center who already had a bed waiting for him, Everson's pain meds wore off. I have always tried to protect my children from seeing their father at his worst in pain crises that mark his life, but there was no way around this one. As his excruciating pain intensified, so did their fear and his cries. I just tried to keep driving calmly through my own tears. We made it and he arrived in very bad shape. I will spare you the details here, but today, looking back, I am grateful of two things: God's amazing calm for me in the middle of the storm and God's protection over my husband's life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the next five days Alburquerque, New Mexico became our home. A very nice, clean and beautiful medical center became my husband's home, while hotels, eating out and trying to pass hours of waiting became the name of the game for the children and I. I am so incredibly grateful for the medical staff at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho. Everson had amazing nurses and doctors. God sent a doctor that was from Houston, where he said he had treated hundreds of SCA patients. He chuckled and said, "We don't see many here of course, because the altitude is higher than Denver!" He finally got the medical care he needed but it would take five very long days to get him to a place he could be discharged and we would continue our journey east and then south. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will include a few pictures here before closing. This entry is so very long already and there is so much more to share. How God provided everything we needed at exactly the moment we needed it on this journey. How God's people came around us, even from hundreds and even thousands of miles away. How I felt wrapped up in His love while so very much alone, far away from those who would have given almost anything to hug me and walk this path with my children and I. How we pray that through it all, He got and is getting and will get the Glory due His name!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVoUY1-Xy_PZB8C99fuZiwAqV31GqvSDLCvj4vH00VhmNmf2uHNsGoAfBXxtpEwDCeNToYCL8xy887o5sg-7PduroTz4I1piStOye7IX4dgTdXzHJ1MaIy3bbWji6vSUqyAQZNqpnpennE1EbZ1knAWBgaZP4rZoID9aaWZ-dqdXb-wUT5VMCFqhUOw/s4000/IMG_20230607_110710985_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVoUY1-Xy_PZB8C99fuZiwAqV31GqvSDLCvj4vH00VhmNmf2uHNsGoAfBXxtpEwDCeNToYCL8xy887o5sg-7PduroTz4I1piStOye7IX4dgTdXzHJ1MaIy3bbWji6vSUqyAQZNqpnpennE1EbZ1knAWBgaZP4rZoID9aaWZ-dqdXb-wUT5VMCFqhUOw/w400-h300/IMG_20230607_110710985_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gallup, NM-thank God we had a box of his precious legos in our super overpacked car! They were a god-send during our days of waiting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LMY4qCqJnLZ_HX5WfdQaiehYK6znzkYrgZU1LiQe_IRF2_U5Sq8x83bDbxs_XdyLdZZqDOYE1AmdNzJSzaDZUHyESr7nu4ghFnDSWDOPuvgqmQAtS4RUofQeznOnPQrpHmVl0JjcKXBzBU7UwERv6EyenN8WeF3mW-KOkGmBpKl3Lxgf2cA6zh3EHrw/s4000/IMG_20230608_102308939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LMY4qCqJnLZ_HX5WfdQaiehYK6znzkYrgZU1LiQe_IRF2_U5Sq8x83bDbxs_XdyLdZZqDOYE1AmdNzJSzaDZUHyESr7nu4ghFnDSWDOPuvgqmQAtS4RUofQeznOnPQrpHmVl0JjcKXBzBU7UwERv6EyenN8WeF3mW-KOkGmBpKl3Lxgf2cA6zh3EHrw/w400-h300/IMG_20230608_102308939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYgA5A1K-8vVP6Mkk73MKpe7W-ZekXaegww2Xmu7SsQWVnRNHLx9YlVwM3uC8jTfvxcqRtP8Il_-K36IhA-bSQC10YgvZM2P6YGtTZXwXXkXoNsQJfpxQ-QhwUyPKV0fsgf5v_FmwLyhZDSYgBtq9JtMiuYNueDDsRIqLe3dObbASNcuWZ17KHLfOcec/s4000/IMG_20230608_100857627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYgA5A1K-8vVP6Mkk73MKpe7W-ZekXaegww2Xmu7SsQWVnRNHLx9YlVwM3uC8jTfvxcqRtP8Il_-K36IhA-bSQC10YgvZM2P6YGtTZXwXXkXoNsQJfpxQ-QhwUyPKV0fsgf5v_FmwLyhZDSYgBtq9JtMiuYNueDDsRIqLe3dObbASNcuWZ17KHLfOcec/w300-h400/IMG_20230608_100857627.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children did incredibly well staying quiet and occupied.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF50RRLvxqVoIXB8AYap9i1RRgdBzoDjUo0poZJpmjaNM9sS9x7gOyv9s-LQTAY6Y3wOJ5EWpIvbJrAoVvLoopdpO2Lz4bPjrSvUSwaAA5_rpT-FLLx9O5SCZAranv8qkT9fXgr8Pk-yzD9pXuJTQQuHGRsA2vZJM7t2mzTxElcRC-ewvIzVjsWOr02U/s4000/IMG_20230608_184553448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF50RRLvxqVoIXB8AYap9i1RRgdBzoDjUo0poZJpmjaNM9sS9x7gOyv9s-LQTAY6Y3wOJ5EWpIvbJrAoVvLoopdpO2Lz4bPjrSvUSwaAA5_rpT-FLLx9O5SCZAranv8qkT9fXgr8Pk-yzD9pXuJTQQuHGRsA2vZJM7t2mzTxElcRC-ewvIzVjsWOr02U/w300-h400/IMG_20230608_184553448.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbeAagpy9_mHMfk3XPTI2wK-6C-901fIBUHoSLov-btBMYGjUucXwfZbK6QrUOGDiMBjbYYjD267_sSoO3ldG_s9kxmygz42T_HMr7S0mPq7SNMoqp4O4QI8GDer6Q4LjGnsY2Bkpr1T8SExb-Rk0zFfIMXSmjBWYn1edxDPpfsp9RDAT0TNEirq5yZc/s2304/IMG_20230608_184704043_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbeAagpy9_mHMfk3XPTI2wK-6C-901fIBUHoSLov-btBMYGjUucXwfZbK6QrUOGDiMBjbYYjD267_sSoO3ldG_s9kxmygz42T_HMr7S0mPq7SNMoqp4O4QI8GDer6Q4LjGnsY2Bkpr1T8SExb-Rk0zFfIMXSmjBWYn1edxDPpfsp9RDAT0TNEirq5yZc/w400-h300/IMG_20230608_184704043_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSiWpoF8_I9qiU9L0zPevlMRJNR9v2ZMIw2J9E_ItqQe4iQS955rKScI2ksruyhS1MDZG-hq9Z1r9HyZJrZ-etC8KWJAls1sGsetHU3C-HiHIh_YxKsfBghwx69WLhwOYFeDuew5duhqUezvrL2O2-TMLRT3wqt9q0mtFF0CaBvsxSPXp7h61VlrhUd0/s2304/IMG_20230610_122802385_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSiWpoF8_I9qiU9L0zPevlMRJNR9v2ZMIw2J9E_ItqQe4iQS955rKScI2ksruyhS1MDZG-hq9Z1r9HyZJrZ-etC8KWJAls1sGsetHU3C-HiHIh_YxKsfBghwx69WLhwOYFeDuew5duhqUezvrL2O2-TMLRT3wqt9q0mtFF0CaBvsxSPXp7h61VlrhUd0/w400-h300/IMG_20230610_122802385_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbTrRenkmubb_52E_d953EWlMaWZOziH4dsaWrQQbvYArUEWZhJx4W6j7Jdtk8xBKLrKIWO_7Vsh7ETrP64ResEF2MrpvgaT-ycnFXdN-0pzYdAK_WRGByFQPNzmA_U0LU19_vWIWmpm8YTozykc5XqWmBeCFE3Sw2f5XVMJvZIX7l7K0T7pLBn2SO8c/s4000/IMG_20230610_122713157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbTrRenkmubb_52E_d953EWlMaWZOziH4dsaWrQQbvYArUEWZhJx4W6j7Jdtk8xBKLrKIWO_7Vsh7ETrP64ResEF2MrpvgaT-ycnFXdN-0pzYdAK_WRGByFQPNzmA_U0LU19_vWIWmpm8YTozykc5XqWmBeCFE3Sw2f5XVMJvZIX7l7K0T7pLBn2SO8c/w300-h400/IMG_20230610_122713157.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T8dUyxV1Hi-N-60X7E7i8agslAkV_MIfe1Z6FKjCkZV1ogi1VAa2ASXKpUZSTsPt_YfQu4gkNTJSi8VmUoDraZySG1-oZbp3LKn8xO89cUsqLJCZ_DYEjtNqXVOp-yBMdB3evIHQHiMapzCPtHcNz41lCeZdWp_VXAZk6KNbkCnbIqXU_msvu-UMLQA/s4000/IMG_20230610_150531343_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T8dUyxV1Hi-N-60X7E7i8agslAkV_MIfe1Z6FKjCkZV1ogi1VAa2ASXKpUZSTsPt_YfQu4gkNTJSi8VmUoDraZySG1-oZbp3LKn8xO89cUsqLJCZ_DYEjtNqXVOp-yBMdB3evIHQHiMapzCPtHcNz41lCeZdWp_VXAZk6KNbkCnbIqXU_msvu-UMLQA/w300-h400/IMG_20230610_150531343_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpOa2Mgt0MaCGTIrsFuS1laNzW6ocQpFDY9WwxPipenxR_Ptcoa7p_mvvHTZTp78rm9YFZMpMWSBR_H5daSnJILGZQqj07wBeyfrYCI0Mjrtew0ecdfwJQNceb85YLnGKQCcqSfthXLuSZp8DznzKLLX-uI8o4uvHTJ3XgyiWgRQxuPt4llc9bjApahk/s4000/IMG_20230611_152140983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpOa2Mgt0MaCGTIrsFuS1laNzW6ocQpFDY9WwxPipenxR_Ptcoa7p_mvvHTZTp78rm9YFZMpMWSBR_H5daSnJILGZQqj07wBeyfrYCI0Mjrtew0ecdfwJQNceb85YLnGKQCcqSfthXLuSZp8DznzKLLX-uI8o4uvHTJ3XgyiWgRQxuPt4llc9bjApahk/w400-h300/IMG_20230611_152140983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear friends from California sent us funds to use for some fun activities for the children while daddy was in the hospital. This was a wonderful 2 hours of exercise.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS2A2a7S5TeR_aVjv0due3itDadvU3vBDv254i8NKK7yQ5piyvqVtGGZguLCWu-p0SYPCogQ5JOGp_pfMHWT2KCwSpsXN2BR801FFdk9TxAP-z_7sL9Jc6p9L8GoQfYFAfyGdq8Hzq5yeRrYGfWbK7oLGE9M3kZ6ImKbkg6HGIolk0vRHmQ5PqAyYyZE/s4000/IMG_20230612_122203514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS2A2a7S5TeR_aVjv0due3itDadvU3vBDv254i8NKK7yQ5piyvqVtGGZguLCWu-p0SYPCogQ5JOGp_pfMHWT2KCwSpsXN2BR801FFdk9TxAP-z_7sL9Jc6p9L8GoQfYFAfyGdq8Hzq5yeRrYGfWbK7oLGE9M3kZ6ImKbkg6HGIolk0vRHmQ5PqAyYyZE/w400-h300/IMG_20230612_122203514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even got a few good naps in. I am so grateful for the hospital rules that allowed us to be with Everson 24/7 if we wanted to be. <br /><br />Have a blessed Wednesday!<br />Jama</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-29753394306216670002023-07-02T14:07:00.000-07:002023-07-02T14:07:42.978-07:00To Christ Draw Near<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1A4P2DXEp6uJO22uI16M4_BpZuU_JtvBtcdeA45CJOTQ8NyOBIm6RbXYHtvxil8IKjzK-i8rIpuPrwwy8KLFkpaljpjTRPxGBFip7uojY01HaSb6O2SL-YDR7RERhNSotPoHyYVpj3RWaRYff_eVuyV04EdzXat-1K44Sd_RWt-kLgMm1nTPq2YO960/s612/istockphoto-1049887484-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1A4P2DXEp6uJO22uI16M4_BpZuU_JtvBtcdeA45CJOTQ8NyOBIm6RbXYHtvxil8IKjzK-i8rIpuPrwwy8KLFkpaljpjTRPxGBFip7uojY01HaSb6O2SL-YDR7RERhNSotPoHyYVpj3RWaRYff_eVuyV04EdzXat-1K44Sd_RWt-kLgMm1nTPq2YO960/s320/istockphoto-1049887484-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Afflicted Saint, To Christ Draw Near</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Songwriter: Constance Dever</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sovereign Grace Worship</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Afflicted saint to Christ draw near,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your Savior's gracious promise hear.</div><div style="text-align: center;">His faithful Word you can believe</div><div style="text-align: center;">That as your days your strength shall be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your faith is weak, your foes are strong,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And if the conflict should be long,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lord will make the tempter flee.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That as your days your strength shall be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, sing with joy afflicted one,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The battle's fierce but the victory's won</div><div style="text-align: center;">God shall supply all that you need,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, as your days your strength shall be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Should persecution rage and flame,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Still trust in your Redeemer's name</div><div style="text-align: center;"> In fiery trials you shall see,</div><div style="text-align: center;">That as your days your strength shall be (so sing)</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">So, sing with joy afflicted one,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>The battle's fierce but the victory's won</div><div>God shall supply all that you need,</div><div>Yes, as your days your strength shall be.</div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">When called to bear your weighty cross,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or deep distress or poverty,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Still as your days your strength shall be.</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">So, sing with joy afflicted one,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>The battle's fierce but the victory's won</div><div>God shall supply all that you need,</div><div>Yes, as your days your strength shall be.</div><div><br /></div><div>_____________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a momentous occasion, this blog entry. It's been two years since I posted on my poor, little, abandoned blog. I have missed it. More than I can describe really, which is funny you say, then why don't you write more? Great question. One I don't have a really intelligent answer for. The responses that come to mind are along the lines of "Time. Don't have enough of it." "Survival: my daily mode setting most of the time, it feels." "My daily tasks: they are just never done." None of which are really very true. I believe to the core of my being that this is true: we find time for things that are truly important to us. And we have all been given 24 hours a day. I wonder how I am using those hours and have determined, AGAIN, that this little blog is important to me on many levels and I believe is to my Lord and for His glory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, I want to thank a very sweet, gentle spirited, beautiful young lady at our home church in California that we just moved away from. Through tears of goodbye a few weeks ago, she so gently rebuked me by saying, "I found your blog quite by accident the other day and I want to know when you are going to start writing again!" I laughed and said something like, "Oh, my poor little forgotten blog. I really do need to get back to writing!" Bottom line, dear Hannah. I have not been able to forget your sweet comments and so here I am. I kept my blog while residing in Brazil all those years because I was sure if no one else read it, my mother sure would. Now I may say I don't know who will read it, but hopefully Hannah will! Here's to my dear friend whose quiet, sweet personality brought much joy to my heart on the Sundays I was able to visit with her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It will take some time to catch my readers up on all that has happened between my last blog in 2021 (remember, those "covid days"??!!) and today. I promise I won't do it all today or even in a few days or weeks. It will be a work in progress. Bear with me beloved. God has been at work in our little family and I want most of all to share some of that journey so HE will get the glory and honor due His holy, right and good Name.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I took the time to write out the hymn above for a reason. We sang it this morning with our new church family in the great "Lone Star State." How it touched my weary little heart and offered a "between the eyes" sort of moment. It is so easy to get caught up in our afflictions, our trials, the hardness of life. This hymn was a beautiful reminder to sing with JOY and keep looking to JESUS, who has already won the victory at the Cross. I saw the child with a pretty bow wrapped around her shiny, bald head whose ready smile is not indicative of the pain and sorrow her young body has seen. I see the four beautiful, Ukrainian sisters sitting in a row right in front of me who have brothers still in war torn cities. They share stories of that dire situation that make my blood run cold and yet how God's protection spans the fear, the uncertainties, the constant physical danger. I look at my precious missionary friend's picture on my refridgerator and remember how broken her heart is because she is not able to go back to her beloved mission field due to war and unrest. I think of my dear friends facing unjust unemployment a few hours north of us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The list goes on. And yet God! He has won the victory and if we are saved, we have all we need today! We can sing with joy. Joy that is not at all dependent on our circumstances. How incredibly glad I am about that!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Lord's day to you all. May this week be about Him and His name being glorified in our afflictions, our trials, our pain and yes, our victories and breakthrough and blessing as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Because He lives,</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-52548814372518687042021-01-10T16:11:00.001-08:002021-01-10T16:11:10.677-08:00Oh Hello 2021!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYweo6W-a0p5OPj7rU0pMry6ViAPYI3tGKw5Q6KYkCgqcP3-xzPeho0wE1fgMOZvSX_xh3-uW4Tah3lNwlX2eY-sXPZCkKKyj4gDI94Pl5xi1KiZWTiXM68kYs8-Q42QHpdXxNs0UShyphenhyphens/s4496/DSC_0148+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYweo6W-a0p5OPj7rU0pMry6ViAPYI3tGKw5Q6KYkCgqcP3-xzPeho0wE1fgMOZvSX_xh3-uW4Tah3lNwlX2eY-sXPZCkKKyj4gDI94Pl5xi1KiZWTiXM68kYs8-Q42QHpdXxNs0UShyphenhyphens/w400-h268/DSC_0148+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlmuIBj1WL0m6ZaVyIfnO_lDsCUuYmaxL1yYE2vEgxOJBmTrKIhC9WtoHzz7QRctzokVGjWtCFbgiwRZnOFd014PWW3NK6ZpeUgNHpj2vpJR4WdlD2_ewTL0fHdpVCMhNm8pGAYDhmUI/s3068/DSC_0144+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2999" data-original-width="3068" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlmuIBj1WL0m6ZaVyIfnO_lDsCUuYmaxL1yYE2vEgxOJBmTrKIhC9WtoHzz7QRctzokVGjWtCFbgiwRZnOFd014PWW3NK6ZpeUgNHpj2vpJR4WdlD2_ewTL0fHdpVCMhNm8pGAYDhmUI/w400-h391/DSC_0144+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY26HnAFplhbvhn8TOmb_POpGXEoVB-2U0Sp5MuL7fdF1BXgFBx5sCS06A8MUWbu5FNz0JIeRgz6lIoJsJxsfwCPUEAdipzp98kVk4gILnP9MGtX6F-fyQDzJC7Cavuj1QAuhKDOy3f5k/s4496/DSC_0141+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY26HnAFplhbvhn8TOmb_POpGXEoVB-2U0Sp5MuL7fdF1BXgFBx5sCS06A8MUWbu5FNz0JIeRgz6lIoJsJxsfwCPUEAdipzp98kVk4gILnP9MGtX6F-fyQDzJC7Cavuj1QAuhKDOy3f5k/w400-h268/DSC_0141+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirDHMKbwfs8qfZijE7nph5hyphenhyphenuzXsN4rTB3M3TRuuS1AIDrFmVR41SSZKMH9Pwq7iXj9-OUplK90kb7hABizT6OCAtn0srYZ9Pl2QXZRXXEqve8AKur9P7eQrDDbRnelPRVebWe-yNP20/s4496/DSC_0140+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirDHMKbwfs8qfZijE7nph5hyphenhyphenuzXsN4rTB3M3TRuuS1AIDrFmVR41SSZKMH9Pwq7iXj9-OUplK90kb7hABizT6OCAtn0srYZ9Pl2QXZRXXEqve8AKur9P7eQrDDbRnelPRVebWe-yNP20/w400-h268/DSC_0140+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTggkDa06877C8jC6aoieKf7rP_MOm86I4_8q9bF7O51REVDUm_ANta7ZND8AL4DLR352l221dnplr2jNgKdxhZ3jgq3AAnsaJxe6QHcVoU63UbLsWbjbTmhqfpNTtcr1tdAzq8J6Ao64/s4496/DSC_0138+%25282%2529+-+Copia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTggkDa06877C8jC6aoieKf7rP_MOm86I4_8q9bF7O51REVDUm_ANta7ZND8AL4DLR352l221dnplr2jNgKdxhZ3jgq3AAnsaJxe6QHcVoU63UbLsWbjbTmhqfpNTtcr1tdAzq8J6Ao64/w400-h268/DSC_0138+%25282%2529+-+Copia.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SXzaBMnPRek4rvPhwUJpP5ogKrvz_SuyMQZMsju5IiTNno-8Pf5eP-Y5FXuF2OPaOBrWsXEWqZ52WUe0G2GJb5bB9I3IAON6uqZj_c_8MD3dhfgBcOOZCYTFwf-jscQKuS9L0AofUwk/s3034/DSC_0116+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="3034" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SXzaBMnPRek4rvPhwUJpP5ogKrvz_SuyMQZMsju5IiTNno-8Pf5eP-Y5FXuF2OPaOBrWsXEWqZ52WUe0G2GJb5bB9I3IAON6uqZj_c_8MD3dhfgBcOOZCYTFwf-jscQKuS9L0AofUwk/w400-h393/DSC_0116+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-NoFbw09RRUFXtx-3eMGd0n04sC5S8JBkC7rONqNNlXs2LfV0ASpyFat4Ff7zc3sKI_7Bn945h88Zh_rPio1EgJiyiZFRqiiq9Fzcd3yuI0WOVVI5Y-0go2X-thi4tLu-BjLDXFRzgE/s3000/DSC_0114+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-NoFbw09RRUFXtx-3eMGd0n04sC5S8JBkC7rONqNNlXs2LfV0ASpyFat4Ff7zc3sKI_7Bn945h88Zh_rPio1EgJiyiZFRqiiq9Fzcd3yuI0WOVVI5Y-0go2X-thi4tLu-BjLDXFRzgE/w329-h400/DSC_0114+%25282%2529.JPG" width="329" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSia97LZOqOWjC-VRA-5X5gDRjdYXR26-JX1ccd88me2v4o2r2y8Qo69kY8-5CMjX1asd3jU3xrp8IBBm3TTod77IMWJm4Joj1nfQ6fOZaEB8zF5rfV5OVtrGYZ9bAPHzEAxwQX3J6lA/s2795/DSC_0112+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="2795" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSia97LZOqOWjC-VRA-5X5gDRjdYXR26-JX1ccd88me2v4o2r2y8Qo69kY8-5CMjX1asd3jU3xrp8IBBm3TTod77IMWJm4Joj1nfQ6fOZaEB8zF5rfV5OVtrGYZ9bAPHzEAxwQX3J6lA/w400-h393/DSC_0112+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2aHEI6aSQyhceNvvD9ySNEtwqioAfd211dzMe0wGIpQri_ppMlQ6EuJJ0LlQf71o-UosIhnigbgCDtRDMwQvQPBNuyhaEc052lUkyg5qyBE9gvoI0j_AxUlxdCa8gqicXEJDwbVsBcw/s3301/DSC_0108+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="3301" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2aHEI6aSQyhceNvvD9ySNEtwqioAfd211dzMe0wGIpQri_ppMlQ6EuJJ0LlQf71o-UosIhnigbgCDtRDMwQvQPBNuyhaEc052lUkyg5qyBE9gvoI0j_AxUlxdCa8gqicXEJDwbVsBcw/w400-h363/DSC_0108+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBORlxhJ0Qt6_VBms_KB1qCfx-GFWFvT8x53aPQWuAYC1UV7ZVspR4DeiEyWNU28LT-kEWiEwEbjq9MXBOqIDdt3oLU6xlQICUg8knBfvoKPX3enIAkoAPiXPtz1zP2MIC2gbvV-hUbI/s4496/DSC_0107+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBORlxhJ0Qt6_VBms_KB1qCfx-GFWFvT8x53aPQWuAYC1UV7ZVspR4DeiEyWNU28LT-kEWiEwEbjq9MXBOqIDdt3oLU6xlQICUg8knBfvoKPX3enIAkoAPiXPtz1zP2MIC2gbvV-hUbI/w400-h268/DSC_0107+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ehjumNRTnaLCsE67BV0t9J7nxcvZKS4cX3jZuKhouLorBFiPujWuNdQRLBdTbo5JYxXZ0iHLWR_Jw2opaeBpMdaFAl3hNlPSgWtVI_vLgw15C53-XFYJnaXA5Kb76zsbuPRuCRajEY/s3477/DSC_0091+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="3477" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ehjumNRTnaLCsE67BV0t9J7nxcvZKS4cX3jZuKhouLorBFiPujWuNdQRLBdTbo5JYxXZ0iHLWR_Jw2opaeBpMdaFAl3hNlPSgWtVI_vLgw15C53-XFYJnaXA5Kb76zsbuPRuCRajEY/w400-h344/DSC_0091+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA4FioYYhxNDMKReTTok-CjiFsxH2W8z58L2EoNJqTgayTfFhECjJUhi-zEoIVAvoIfq48N4ldCfA9a8FQDwhV0IRQv-MIfxNwktxgdydyXygXHMkQGhwQjYCr8W0NbCsv2dkRwhEWZA/s3748/DSC_0079+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3748" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA4FioYYhxNDMKReTTok-CjiFsxH2W8z58L2EoNJqTgayTfFhECjJUhi-zEoIVAvoIfq48N4ldCfA9a8FQDwhV0IRQv-MIfxNwktxgdydyXygXHMkQGhwQjYCr8W0NbCsv2dkRwhEWZA/w400-h303/DSC_0079+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENkg7-VPPqCONc4KyyZmLLmQO9eGHxMPKv9k24kSCVUHjCbv4dO8tn29oQBeMRAWXxn_nh3yrKIjSzM1VUSKZaQTHNPAbJ7WS2OniW0bA4VXld10_wlI08AkPiHXFXDnEvtO72TQx6k/s3000/DSC_0078+%25282%2529+-+Copia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2990" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENkg7-VPPqCONc4KyyZmLLmQO9eGHxMPKv9k24kSCVUHjCbv4dO8tn29oQBeMRAWXxn_nh3yrKIjSzM1VUSKZaQTHNPAbJ7WS2OniW0bA4VXld10_wlI08AkPiHXFXDnEvtO72TQx6k/w399-h400/DSC_0078+%25282%2529+-+Copia.JPG" width="399" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOHFm7pqCmfWb_szYX1gIaY-7mm4xHRAVdo7vpniH9L24Bji8AuAI4HRpjyM1_76GPMxmevNBnqh-DvvQmsXzwLlhdqNq6h6Dqgkkzn5gWzgcH_QdUM0jl_lcaSeuuhkdPaOG2YwVEj8/s4496/DSC_0057+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOHFm7pqCmfWb_szYX1gIaY-7mm4xHRAVdo7vpniH9L24Bji8AuAI4HRpjyM1_76GPMxmevNBnqh-DvvQmsXzwLlhdqNq6h6Dqgkkzn5gWzgcH_QdUM0jl_lcaSeuuhkdPaOG2YwVEj8/w400-h268/DSC_0057+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes3ZqTrij_ao1yTqleBpVrLyH91xSlcxJJ39ZKk_CYPYc8rYiQRwrCj9U0iVqioMmaOeTNvjYURmlvtXXvm3vCh4skFDyWWz67R6QAbL5fQAPSTQmbqpNO7CPwMM_gb6t4I5Tfmm0G2Q/s4090/DSC_0045+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4090" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes3ZqTrij_ao1yTqleBpVrLyH91xSlcxJJ39ZKk_CYPYc8rYiQRwrCj9U0iVqioMmaOeTNvjYURmlvtXXvm3vCh4skFDyWWz67R6QAbL5fQAPSTQmbqpNO7CPwMM_gb6t4I5Tfmm0G2Q/w400-h293/DSC_0045+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_ilnTK1PWKvOYz1KH_zXY6FQ5HLbatH6JKsReit0EmiTfQAp20-u4UwF32SvezWFFOJV4Ors4cYVU31TxKUFTvmkcDk4_QrIX6UkaFATr5D38kqlvgfwixdedtc6rvhCBLKlNp1Yh78/s3833/DSC_0040+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="3833" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_ilnTK1PWKvOYz1KH_zXY6FQ5HLbatH6JKsReit0EmiTfQAp20-u4UwF32SvezWFFOJV4Ors4cYVU31TxKUFTvmkcDk4_QrIX6UkaFATr5D38kqlvgfwixdedtc6rvhCBLKlNp1Yh78/w400-h310/DSC_0040+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXRQBg5gh0UCtV9g32K5uV4-HE39HSDJgJjjJrKx5rEL8n7kHKfomKjbKYlCa0eXUsw9grxR5EO6TwPpnfqfMlveD9jh8pgMJetN1d7BiS5KAxBQnrJAfZWg4pqZVxaoWGzcmnEKQH0Q/s4496/DSC_0029+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXRQBg5gh0UCtV9g32K5uV4-HE39HSDJgJjjJrKx5rEL8n7kHKfomKjbKYlCa0eXUsw9grxR5EO6TwPpnfqfMlveD9jh8pgMJetN1d7BiS5KAxBQnrJAfZWg4pqZVxaoWGzcmnEKQH0Q/w400-h268/DSC_0029+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs3ujzysrKwxXnlMqPq7RsgYs_TBUae7PEQBRQJYmoIsmHnyOi94u-bJeVnlbqkj1ULkai0PgbnIeGFNYnaW5VCUcMym4aOiNR-2WM7D9X-a3bNqFSjcbHgzxeFQedOfM8V95eld5WO0/s4496/DSC_0020+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs3ujzysrKwxXnlMqPq7RsgYs_TBUae7PEQBRQJYmoIsmHnyOi94u-bJeVnlbqkj1ULkai0PgbnIeGFNYnaW5VCUcMym4aOiNR-2WM7D9X-a3bNqFSjcbHgzxeFQedOfM8V95eld5WO0/w400-h268/DSC_0020+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxbwRpDTzcmhptYzWho_XAHDXCXTWRgSOdpbQtDR7zqqP2sIQ-0pI5hVR5FoGLpNKVeLMO5keYuhP1KtSNF1mDGo-5n-XdxO2Hzw7WmnQDC4iIABuvy4a_jNQgM9IFC1F1KO6tTCHdMI/s4496/DSC_0017+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxbwRpDTzcmhptYzWho_XAHDXCXTWRgSOdpbQtDR7zqqP2sIQ-0pI5hVR5FoGLpNKVeLMO5keYuhP1KtSNF1mDGo-5n-XdxO2Hzw7WmnQDC4iIABuvy4a_jNQgM9IFC1F1KO6tTCHdMI/w400-h268/DSC_0017+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmVM38deapcIBiQyvz8lxZSM5BeF7Y92xowb1bC_AABEXtMujwhk2lk6ww6hQV1rYAaQgMq1VcBXk33YY5xCN4Gnlt6aR3LB764KffxUySgRnZl79CGSZyeETsRV-N_xOZ3Xsn3K_gAA/s3663/DSC_0014+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="3663" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmVM38deapcIBiQyvz8lxZSM5BeF7Y92xowb1bC_AABEXtMujwhk2lk6ww6hQV1rYAaQgMq1VcBXk33YY5xCN4Gnlt6aR3LB764KffxUySgRnZl79CGSZyeETsRV-N_xOZ3Xsn3K_gAA/w400-h326/DSC_0014+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLNLERA913pY2b_foGD1CGIX3zON7hvcJpLCkYaCSGS3oYwAWsnu4foFx_DQiwTuHLLavE-Hg6Mr0OMamABgfvyGJfnN9Oad6fFgDslltiycRmpkWP6kZZd_LxpWBFYNSNvSGe4utBTY/s4071/DSC_0012+%25282%2529+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4071" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLNLERA913pY2b_foGD1CGIX3zON7hvcJpLCkYaCSGS3oYwAWsnu4foFx_DQiwTuHLLavE-Hg6Mr0OMamABgfvyGJfnN9Oad6fFgDslltiycRmpkWP6kZZd_LxpWBFYNSNvSGe4utBTY/w400-h294/DSC_0012+%25282%2529+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHtiaD0v8dTsYw7l8NwycFT5jzH9Brx5iw_jGWZfXg_s06chcURqcBUtajadX6QaGH9A15-0Kjh_Qv0WeBL1QgYwsNrDcRDCc08wGbcOXUgLnolsfqmLEeMKei0nHsaH-vKAQALHDUNc/s4496/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHtiaD0v8dTsYw7l8NwycFT5jzH9Brx5iw_jGWZfXg_s06chcURqcBUtajadX6QaGH9A15-0Kjh_Qv0WeBL1QgYwsNrDcRDCc08wGbcOXUgLnolsfqmLEeMKei0nHsaH-vKAQALHDUNc/w400-h268/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nCqn5XhEd_Nv5MyCuoMFQqn13m4Bkf3SynOWzxETIH2muBlEJL-xNPovWamGF1Ry_DjqFiGTwUUvXneG9CQMU1ob6-vXU-aZA1-CISUXw19JZFikDQrAsw58cF974qaqOOGB84u_Z2U/s1581/DSC_0088+-+Copia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="1269" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nCqn5XhEd_Nv5MyCuoMFQqn13m4Bkf3SynOWzxETIH2muBlEJL-xNPovWamGF1Ry_DjqFiGTwUUvXneG9CQMU1ob6-vXU-aZA1-CISUXw19JZFikDQrAsw58cF974qaqOOGB84u_Z2U/w321-h400/DSC_0088+-+Copia.JPG" width="321" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOqrjmPtHcswSGDY40dzwvP8DtQ7P_ZGKoSRt2pLd8YBRi6g126zAihiw5lohUbAnFHkuMs0vUg_bRDHGMvjdPUW3dCjcUX7_a90KLxrhi0UuakiRj2Dze5svIHWz3ox8fUN3nr9lz_8/s4496/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOqrjmPtHcswSGDY40dzwvP8DtQ7P_ZGKoSRt2pLd8YBRi6g126zAihiw5lohUbAnFHkuMs0vUg_bRDHGMvjdPUW3dCjcUX7_a90KLxrhi0UuakiRj2Dze5svIHWz3ox8fUN3nr9lz_8/w400-h268/DSC_0124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqcXu6g9wfNJX5EfYQo1jdb2Q3FCyJU0fTexH9OsgTwwMYotdxMV_ik0eThgpZIFFeOFJVZtdIdC_FmLh6OG5FSmDE1Vbf7fYi4VIqug9Hqq_-WbGA0p9cA3SBxgoB91uXAc4Gp5WZ_w/s4496/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqcXu6g9wfNJX5EfYQo1jdb2Q3FCyJU0fTexH9OsgTwwMYotdxMV_ik0eThgpZIFFeOFJVZtdIdC_FmLh6OG5FSmDE1Vbf7fYi4VIqug9Hqq_-WbGA0p9cA3SBxgoB91uXAc4Gp5WZ_w/w400-h268/DSC_0129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphencicWuCY6uDV4fCEHPWJXBGSffBFPltGcGTyuzg7bOFwXj51UxJh95xBF-xu7UsnRapSRHQC4u9bytrKMUabP5AG_wbLTWxbtUe0roZUuDYk7gKYSvMlGNNOX7Qd6u58pfjmnDr69xs/s4496/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphencicWuCY6uDV4fCEHPWJXBGSffBFPltGcGTyuzg7bOFwXj51UxJh95xBF-xu7UsnRapSRHQC4u9bytrKMUabP5AG_wbLTWxbtUe0roZUuDYk7gKYSvMlGNNOX7Qd6u58pfjmnDr69xs/w400-h268/DSC_0131.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thank you so very much, Melina Prull, for blessing us with these pictures that are so us. Crazy, imperfect, sometimes smiling when we don't feel like it but so in love. We love deeply because HE first loved us.<p></p><p>We spent a couple hours at our Happy Place, Knights Ferry, California. We soaked up the warm sunshine that did not quite take off the chill in the air but lifted our spirits. It's all going to be okay.</p><p>The children go back to Distance Learning tomorrow for three weeks (supposedly!) and mommy's days off over the holidays are over. Daddy is still plugging away at his packaging job. It's going to be okay. </p><p>Our nation is torn apart by violence, unrest, division and heartache but it's going to be okay. </p><p>Jesus has got this. He is still on His throne. He still gets the final say. The victor is already determined.</p><p>IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY!!</p><p>Hello 2021. Bring it on!</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Blessings on your New Year,</span><br /></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Jama</span><br /></span></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-22380016411904542962020-11-15T19:48:00.000-08:002020-11-15T19:48:06.827-08:00Tis The Season!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Pastor said this morning, in a world where there is so much to not be grateful for, we have JESUS, so we have EVERYTHING to be grateful for. Emphasis is mine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I agree. We may have world insanity, irrational laws and "guidelines" that change almost daily, lockdowns, churches still closed, school children NOT in school, low stock in stores, no TP (again) at Costco (ironic smile inserted), a nation divided quite evenly down the middle and so many, many other things/situations we don't like nor did we ask for. BUT. We have Jesus. We can have His peace if we desire it. We truly have all the "spiritual blessings in the heavenlies"and if that is all we have, amen. Heaven is our goal and so it's ok if the craziness here below just leaves us longing for HOME.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is what is on my mind. Running around my head at my awake times in the early morning hours when I can't sleep because well...there is just too much going on in my head!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My children and I are five short days away from our vacation trip. Husband is not going, which is the sad thing about it all. We will see people we love ever so much that we haven't seen for almost 2 years. That is the happy part. The scary part for mommy is traveling in this pandemic, with an extremely SHORT layover going (so pray for us next Saturday if you think of it-we need to make that flight Saturday evening!) and flying into another world, on another continent that is so full of regulations and rules it makes my head spin. But I fully intend to enjoy my first vacation in a year and a half of working full time, mommying full time and supporting my husband through cultural adjustments and unemployment full time. I kind of think I need to sleep for oh, maybe about a week!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here are a few things we have been up to the last few weeks. Life has certainly picked up and it's been GOOD to be back in community, even if somewhat limited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWilsGM7jXD51pYh6_qBxaHNzOzGUZXmtPPRhGLUi7K6PtR-RlPH9ZCEmVrbKIbm1-_jGQxBRRAGhFekO5D0l_WyLFe2oVxxF0qH25rB_yAe6U7hJSAGQi3uVy8ssTv4aTgmbADhjUlrg/s4000/IMG_20200925_155039300_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWilsGM7jXD51pYh6_qBxaHNzOzGUZXmtPPRhGLUi7K6PtR-RlPH9ZCEmVrbKIbm1-_jGQxBRRAGhFekO5D0l_WyLFe2oVxxF0qH25rB_yAe6U7hJSAGQi3uVy8ssTv4aTgmbADhjUlrg/w400-h300/IMG_20200925_155039300_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He came with his mommy the end of September and spent a marvelous afternoon with us. Oh we enjoyed having a baby to love on for several hours!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg_-YfxhySQ024QYwKPmVjDu_32AuPv10cnfd7pkVhyF7MmOhlWOik4BDjrePwHM76lxKQvaVklYdvYezEIpqFzjwgxc_Cl0lHLW5umlrSMpoiyydfi0npikaF5Lg4UFZRFxOnuOD5PI/s4000/IMG_20200925_155139192_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg_-YfxhySQ024QYwKPmVjDu_32AuPv10cnfd7pkVhyF7MmOhlWOik4BDjrePwHM76lxKQvaVklYdvYezEIpqFzjwgxc_Cl0lHLW5umlrSMpoiyydfi0npikaF5Lg4UFZRFxOnuOD5PI/w400-h300/IMG_20200925_155139192_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnX0z7_-bUVneA9mbfdQOjXtn2BoI8KLU_rE1Y-tFL8vGEd9gwCDTLUi7um5apOM7MXwrXnnWZNzL2GtDd1NzrHM3iwQM8cmnyOZP8HMI5R8t-XL0TkdjKbWVPpS323t5Lnzf6OPmJlI/s4000/IMG_20200925_155058414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnX0z7_-bUVneA9mbfdQOjXtn2BoI8KLU_rE1Y-tFL8vGEd9gwCDTLUi7um5apOM7MXwrXnnWZNzL2GtDd1NzrHM3iwQM8cmnyOZP8HMI5R8t-XL0TkdjKbWVPpS323t5Lnzf6OPmJlI/w400-h300/IMG_20200925_155058414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOUiT0aA9bVN-OS4XAz9aVHZavmLjQXm38QQ4nUHdWkHMwnphf3VkuEnQuZLWCtPP-R0ctxOTi69g2kulSwaYZjknGSTokGuigtZXOgEjQM_ywACWvS9fYZz6JRqTc18yXiaULryzV2g/s4000/IMG_20200925_164940734_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOUiT0aA9bVN-OS4XAz9aVHZavmLjQXm38QQ4nUHdWkHMwnphf3VkuEnQuZLWCtPP-R0ctxOTi69g2kulSwaYZjknGSTokGuigtZXOgEjQM_ywACWvS9fYZz6JRqTc18yXiaULryzV2g/w300-h400/IMG_20200925_164940734_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvPXauhB7qtirQRfrsqgxEshAisZkPLmCn9ET7tlg__06uoS19yciHqFlWsQSMRzp8P3A0_AoFPbNhYzYHOuPcLghbrVKD092RLDMVD3iAOyyDoB7lfHCI6JsqP0jWkwV0DZR26CJ7hc/s3264/IMG_20200925_190447781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvPXauhB7qtirQRfrsqgxEshAisZkPLmCn9ET7tlg__06uoS19yciHqFlWsQSMRzp8P3A0_AoFPbNhYzYHOuPcLghbrVKD092RLDMVD3iAOyyDoB7lfHCI6JsqP0jWkwV0DZR26CJ7hc/w300-h400/IMG_20200925_190447781.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFJCCC1AjookpN2mJWVjEZXMj6iJ3rXoDU4LkvZHVW4YTVYk6Pc_wYIzZNdJ5sSezlglWU2izkDamiFaaxDpGYTdCmJCbnRoOp4R0WLU2TIp0ukQc6mL90BN5FoyzuhwoXQjILYAnIwk/s4000/IMG_20200929_070726622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFJCCC1AjookpN2mJWVjEZXMj6iJ3rXoDU4LkvZHVW4YTVYk6Pc_wYIzZNdJ5sSezlglWU2izkDamiFaaxDpGYTdCmJCbnRoOp4R0WLU2TIp0ukQc6mL90BN5FoyzuhwoXQjILYAnIwk/w400-h300/IMG_20200929_070726622.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because I happen to LOVE my centerpiece!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKbbY4OZgrPZ0WJB6_W6jgBIKITU14Dy9iMymL_qP0EWpuffV2qxum__Pm-76Sx-MHWzzG2JnMEFqOUnIav57nmVMuVikvPYsCA0cHyLDk3fB4kZL8Eo3Ka7yUmVx_uCh8fo5DkqlTRs/s4000/IMG_20201006_183354932_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKbbY4OZgrPZ0WJB6_W6jgBIKITU14Dy9iMymL_qP0EWpuffV2qxum__Pm-76Sx-MHWzzG2JnMEFqOUnIav57nmVMuVikvPYsCA0cHyLDk3fB4kZL8Eo3Ka7yUmVx_uCh8fo5DkqlTRs/w300-h400/IMG_20201006_183354932_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a date night with this handsome guy for our 13th wedding anniversary and I loved it. We don't get to eat out much. Like really. It is a treat and a half and thanks to my two sweet co-workers, this evening we dined in style. So fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTULUoCiS-cSGFj22H63xvW2BNkQDali8iFz00RRrWHr5e_S8qwd576-zTbgM2AWz0mVe7TOIH9mrWZjhUr9sQo7PiPwT8vmu71ThmHRyqZrOSJiTWotctw1qkWBDLKzaUcCgPX_IDPbs/s4000/IMG_20201006_183406142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTULUoCiS-cSGFj22H63xvW2BNkQDali8iFz00RRrWHr5e_S8qwd576-zTbgM2AWz0mVe7TOIH9mrWZjhUr9sQo7PiPwT8vmu71ThmHRyqZrOSJiTWotctw1qkWBDLKzaUcCgPX_IDPbs/w400-h300/IMG_20201006_183406142.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGOWwI_UoKHrOJk6eDVb7AIB22rFmjEABl3-2UKFdltI6V7rywzm8CVttEpbok9mFDbJWO3wlVDPAMIdtyRzTs4NzSAKVUmC3V6Hdoasgw_H7CYL20Tpg0uea5tEK5uaEZfSsT5lAjQM/s4000/IMG_20201009_211534104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGOWwI_UoKHrOJk6eDVb7AIB22rFmjEABl3-2UKFdltI6V7rywzm8CVttEpbok9mFDbJWO3wlVDPAMIdtyRzTs4NzSAKVUmC3V6Hdoasgw_H7CYL20Tpg0uea5tEK5uaEZfSsT5lAjQM/w400-h300/IMG_20201009_211534104.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture symbolizes to me all that has been stressful about this year. Simple things like renewing passports is not to be taken for granted and while I have more grey hair because of this particular experience, God's grace has been so evident. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqaQpUx2DONfTGhZzxcaeSIpJ7rHuGTOIXKa6kuUOIkMB92UECQzhc9SsMRF4gnLWowAfuechTsMeqfCwL07xjD1wCY-AAbE3RvOBjOR8ac7x5BCGEGHA2kELVvHD9AcAR1cHDWcyfaY/s4000/IMG_20201017_141453960_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqaQpUx2DONfTGhZzxcaeSIpJ7rHuGTOIXKa6kuUOIkMB92UECQzhc9SsMRF4gnLWowAfuechTsMeqfCwL07xjD1wCY-AAbE3RvOBjOR8ac7x5BCGEGHA2kELVvHD9AcAR1cHDWcyfaY/w400-h300/IMG_20201017_141453960_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea with Mom, A. T, sis in law and the girlies. Obviously the picture we took of everyone wasn't on my camara but it was a fun Saturday afternoon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zbagrKUc_bTIR9Zo_sFalSso5skKGW8VmMzJSau-ZzVnYXg-If3xh4gWj18aVmwSCmgGTJYxJtUQupHIyx8UGF0vv8HK7f7NXVN8zE8Dy0X1-tYbE8Fy3QolAtRG7fTa5ieN6dRfUXE/s3264/IMG_20201017_141607006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zbagrKUc_bTIR9Zo_sFalSso5skKGW8VmMzJSau-ZzVnYXg-If3xh4gWj18aVmwSCmgGTJYxJtUQupHIyx8UGF0vv8HK7f7NXVN8zE8Dy0X1-tYbE8Fy3QolAtRG7fTa5ieN6dRfUXE/w400-h300/IMG_20201017_141607006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuPwySjqK6mhaSWhrKnaz6YNEWN3yd1kqdIYHniP23dq71wlw2YdE_LxItocaRu-1S3ECTq8htnQs0mlfhf4VNjMeWKXWBc2lAmPqX7lpnyKFu_F6r5VUZp_GEzREPr8gYIfk_kImurc/s3264/IMG_20201017_141726863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuPwySjqK6mhaSWhrKnaz6YNEWN3yd1kqdIYHniP23dq71wlw2YdE_LxItocaRu-1S3ECTq8htnQs0mlfhf4VNjMeWKXWBc2lAmPqX7lpnyKFu_F6r5VUZp_GEzREPr8gYIfk_kImurc/w400-h300/IMG_20201017_141726863.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHHgqsvpzhiaDgyOPr1eNAIJ4X4o0IWchyAlZY4OuZKsDPb_bZs_V0KgKLuqe3-O43h47HULrxbUanq5l1yNW06Yl1jkQsbC9NEcOwVzm3UTZXINR1sUHPTYGF2FeDxb8yB_6YUykq0k/s4000/IMG_20201017_141641984_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHHgqsvpzhiaDgyOPr1eNAIJ4X4o0IWchyAlZY4OuZKsDPb_bZs_V0KgKLuqe3-O43h47HULrxbUanq5l1yNW06Yl1jkQsbC9NEcOwVzm3UTZXINR1sUHPTYGF2FeDxb8yB_6YUykq0k/w400-h300/IMG_20201017_141641984_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw86h9hlI9eZJK2ULKWkW0C0q8HHyK8-Mv4fyb9N-MjA4a1iw3vnvbbqzBCgD1GZeoddY1061Cv-qtkFL0PRRRJqUBO1Nzhdwheai9i6ZqmeDbtSPy-AC3hKOpKkgcpdGP-cyiOvG1V0/s3264/IMG_20201024_181041154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw86h9hlI9eZJK2ULKWkW0C0q8HHyK8-Mv4fyb9N-MjA4a1iw3vnvbbqzBCgD1GZeoddY1061Cv-qtkFL0PRRRJqUBO1Nzhdwheai9i6ZqmeDbtSPy-AC3hKOpKkgcpdGP-cyiOvG1V0/w400-h300/IMG_20201024_181041154.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought myself an anniversary gift and decided to take my family along with me! Actually my original plan looked much different but I decided it was high time for us to get away for awhile as a family, so I scheduled a weekend away. Husband had to work unexpectedly that Saturday so we just rearranged things and went a different direction, quite literally. We were in Half Moon Bay for a short 24 hours but it was so good. Good to just be together. Good to enjoy God's amazing creation. We watched the sunset at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, enjoyed good food we didn't have to fix and just sat on the beach for several hours.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RqKls9nSGYtpS8_xBqXMAhdymlfwIm7DHuKsBUCWDqzXGV3W5BSFRzvB7zm18Tzbz54i0FhBCgkoC-iDD7dz-odJiRA12Gf3NGsXoIXggwzVQTb0-_bofA6L-3US2UOOegtAxzfCacw/s3264/IMG_20201024_181231705_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RqKls9nSGYtpS8_xBqXMAhdymlfwIm7DHuKsBUCWDqzXGV3W5BSFRzvB7zm18Tzbz54i0FhBCgkoC-iDD7dz-odJiRA12Gf3NGsXoIXggwzVQTb0-_bofA6L-3US2UOOegtAxzfCacw/w400-h300/IMG_20201024_181231705_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GL-hePmiydcz3uk9GAYRZitIOvijZJGjdd5FHIWGrg25OczpcH11pS3Om5q_-PJ0LqECNvKxMwMvw13gwhGxaMmjukWFqqJSooPfkGThXGVClfvSEhKn1Xmu6sHrH0wU4Fr-I9zlbB4/s3264/IMG_20201024_181204982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GL-hePmiydcz3uk9GAYRZitIOvijZJGjdd5FHIWGrg25OczpcH11pS3Om5q_-PJ0LqECNvKxMwMvw13gwhGxaMmjukWFqqJSooPfkGThXGVClfvSEhKn1Xmu6sHrH0wU4Fr-I9zlbB4/w400-h300/IMG_20201024_181204982.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMqqhRSDBX657RQdV2xhsUuvA2O0g14pgQNaRfTrKCiNSZymlz2WmK8l6730qgnwuuGanPr_XYopvYJoSWb-gjUombrbN7n8mDaAGxsk0ni0zg1UM28jvffQac2LzpOghbSb9xvdrugM/s4000/IMG_20201024_183613469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMqqhRSDBX657RQdV2xhsUuvA2O0g14pgQNaRfTrKCiNSZymlz2WmK8l6730qgnwuuGanPr_XYopvYJoSWb-gjUombrbN7n8mDaAGxsk0ni0zg1UM28jvffQac2LzpOghbSb9xvdrugM/w300-h400/IMG_20201024_183613469.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDbqGJmXflWHBrivyxmnK40uWqrJpx8P0c9Bw8KNN63HRnJXiiX0CLWglQUrTfhIMC1gu_I2_PMLW_b-iHkUnLPAZVz7q2AKoYpaZ6tQLj0CpjJrmyfvjXlFer9tSBuBs-3KJUr9oEfg/s4000/IMG_20201024_181552207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDbqGJmXflWHBrivyxmnK40uWqrJpx8P0c9Bw8KNN63HRnJXiiX0CLWglQUrTfhIMC1gu_I2_PMLW_b-iHkUnLPAZVz7q2AKoYpaZ6tQLj0CpjJrmyfvjXlFer9tSBuBs-3KJUr9oEfg/w400-h300/IMG_20201024_181552207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmlgA0R6g4ye1OULs7S622Ex6X2Df4Rf7jqOMw1iLMxLe_gekcIcBKZB_ZXQbPGsur_5_u9fdePLCBD2gV1uKnXfbDDENeQCd0FXy4YhxefMQ9RCCzDX8waa8yZecALzDJ84FI7tDXVY/s4000/IMG_20201024_184408363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmlgA0R6g4ye1OULs7S622Ex6X2Df4Rf7jqOMw1iLMxLe_gekcIcBKZB_ZXQbPGsur_5_u9fdePLCBD2gV1uKnXfbDDENeQCd0FXy4YhxefMQ9RCCzDX8waa8yZecALzDJ84FI7tDXVY/w400-h300/IMG_20201024_184408363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYGHeEWrtdJglcASqiNQykgg5zuiThLtFMbl9yCh4_7Yxy2CgXP278DCm8YYPUkpcqvGmYohX5IVJWw1WPtN9jH4vquXBLWDtu9VfQrtJkd6py6xQHUVGOFa4DzOl_a2-GKuaCZyzbp8/s4000/IMG_20201025_104034315_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYGHeEWrtdJglcASqiNQykgg5zuiThLtFMbl9yCh4_7Yxy2CgXP278DCm8YYPUkpcqvGmYohX5IVJWw1WPtN9jH4vquXBLWDtu9VfQrtJkd6py6xQHUVGOFa4DzOl_a2-GKuaCZyzbp8/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_104034315_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vyl2TvdREois-rA6EY3Z7y5HwkObtJUfSEiU4Gc4oa5I71jTbZZxAgRSmJAP72q4Wm98GkNwpsqtL1n9OT6jGRs54-8HIkHyae_4oSUn0pJsjvvMFBDDWqoQAiwWRLC1CXiv1nqae8E/s4000/IMG_20201025_104120574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vyl2TvdREois-rA6EY3Z7y5HwkObtJUfSEiU4Gc4oa5I71jTbZZxAgRSmJAP72q4Wm98GkNwpsqtL1n9OT6jGRs54-8HIkHyae_4oSUn0pJsjvvMFBDDWqoQAiwWRLC1CXiv1nqae8E/w300-h400/IMG_20201025_104120574.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwujdltu4yIQySurg6AY7fFaeHJUwHlxEg4fAAqhcT9m3j0Hm3-rCAkwYH3bBXi3lCHhPzzmkNPKiJ7aBLHKN3BBWCYR4KC-AWw-kaw0hcnBBS6WS7AoooHeD1BrrHACqpCzYqBQRtTXU/s4000/IMG_20201025_104221280_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwujdltu4yIQySurg6AY7fFaeHJUwHlxEg4fAAqhcT9m3j0Hm3-rCAkwYH3bBXi3lCHhPzzmkNPKiJ7aBLHKN3BBWCYR4KC-AWw-kaw0hcnBBS6WS7AoooHeD1BrrHACqpCzYqBQRtTXU/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_104221280_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUBfqp1pkKnZOI4pfWJwjQnmHdOou7RkTmq39TtiJqGewvz6eV2sNgwvSkkhkHJgAEV2m7xKEXwyFEJn6UbcwkeH1jSaEbiAT3JeuwZzwbzH3hYkLIDILTKAmcyaBX_eaS57BpSKv2Y8/s3264/IMG_20201025_104249898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUBfqp1pkKnZOI4pfWJwjQnmHdOou7RkTmq39TtiJqGewvz6eV2sNgwvSkkhkHJgAEV2m7xKEXwyFEJn6UbcwkeH1jSaEbiAT3JeuwZzwbzH3hYkLIDILTKAmcyaBX_eaS57BpSKv2Y8/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_104249898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_MkpmjKGwaMCWS2HBB59tUunbz84q7FuLT7-VM5sazMRi9SerShxhHmA24QwgNmwugIsfMXziEqUKfR685C70PGPgEJQemiZ6g0Fauvj9QC65JseoQQzdp-FS9H4cLbxiDQJ0GU76tA/s4000/IMG_20201025_104820990_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_MkpmjKGwaMCWS2HBB59tUunbz84q7FuLT7-VM5sazMRi9SerShxhHmA24QwgNmwugIsfMXziEqUKfR685C70PGPgEJQemiZ6g0Fauvj9QC65JseoQQzdp-FS9H4cLbxiDQJ0GU76tA/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_104820990_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qY1-Jeuk9LNjhyphenhyphen5lWBq9yb_MZjy1lafeIB9SkkFTtMa2a_rs6T7-0rx53p0AFjjKk-beA6M_OB3tQ-DG5QjjXIQSfffrizvIcsj1smdOyamhEIMuNxiD3W91Hfnn9h9jujTUSP2G9d4/s4000/IMG_20201025_121356832_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qY1-Jeuk9LNjhyphenhyphen5lWBq9yb_MZjy1lafeIB9SkkFTtMa2a_rs6T7-0rx53p0AFjjKk-beA6M_OB3tQ-DG5QjjXIQSfffrizvIcsj1smdOyamhEIMuNxiD3W91Hfnn9h9jujTUSP2G9d4/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_121356832_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismEGhtQAgYc39pcQLUuV_Nf0jbDVvkm29awYwWcyZRIxI64s-UQL1UeOj21hKSmQRTNLIb1SPa4_iQVkCLVuM72JZBVbvCO8dM7MZhlHdqSPnsKtb5kXyRDmKVi309huFIzYq5NFfXTk/s4000/IMG_20201025_130635378_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismEGhtQAgYc39pcQLUuV_Nf0jbDVvkm29awYwWcyZRIxI64s-UQL1UeOj21hKSmQRTNLIb1SPa4_iQVkCLVuM72JZBVbvCO8dM7MZhlHdqSPnsKtb5kXyRDmKVi309huFIzYq5NFfXTk/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_130635378_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDgeVT5Eu26hQPRFoiB_969yUlsFZACLrmfXMV_tgUSiPUGOe5SzOKbTPhDtI7Mnghlxp3Xv1rSy42K7yas1J3delbinfAPXDl9a0cywso5bqcimq2okx8OBKYv0Mp8G1t3glB6Uf2Kk/s4000/IMG_20201025_141849095_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDgeVT5Eu26hQPRFoiB_969yUlsFZACLrmfXMV_tgUSiPUGOe5SzOKbTPhDtI7Mnghlxp3Xv1rSy42K7yas1J3delbinfAPXDl9a0cywso5bqcimq2okx8OBKYv0Mp8G1t3glB6Uf2Kk/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_141849095_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVo3ZHz2eTcUTKRzmbgvZtE0i_fFM665mMlALOrIcgb3gdI3RcTvDgkVsLxyyQiaurMpi9yPiJMdz_BPmdZ9AD4uOzZHpLO_bkuyFDVjVUe2ux3Y2w5XvMXKoc2HXhnSUy7IN7t2i7T0/s4000/IMG_20201025_141910529_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVo3ZHz2eTcUTKRzmbgvZtE0i_fFM665mMlALOrIcgb3gdI3RcTvDgkVsLxyyQiaurMpi9yPiJMdz_BPmdZ9AD4uOzZHpLO_bkuyFDVjVUe2ux3Y2w5XvMXKoc2HXhnSUy7IN7t2i7T0/w400-h300/IMG_20201025_141910529_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bi2P5osJyihYfjDzG5eh9OmBdIc12zDNcX-1siZfuiDNUDz-tV0gSvmG2DYQfzowQ170njP1USfPhOYNVsmmiHCGt0MqJ46VGrb4bLPloL3Je4Z6SpXjXfNFLj-5deQJyKyU_OuYypE/s4000/IMG_20201030_193351199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bi2P5osJyihYfjDzG5eh9OmBdIc12zDNcX-1siZfuiDNUDz-tV0gSvmG2DYQfzowQ170njP1USfPhOYNVsmmiHCGt0MqJ46VGrb4bLPloL3Je4Z6SpXjXfNFLj-5deQJyKyU_OuYypE/w400-h300/IMG_20201030_193351199.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My children's first experience carving pumpkins! We were invited to a wonderful Harvest Party at dear friends' home. We sure had a good time but the children and their daddy decided cleaning the pumpkins was not their idea of fun!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWnbX5fqEzPqJ5AU-t-63IWmwXq_ngOtWumlxzPJznwn_k1TZk-pG_kVFs2pHi-s3qdGYaxZg28lU7BM7sqRyzJJt6sR95kk7dywcNvC3G5G2ievYJTqL8n9MkBW2q35FtfkKpwNXbcA/s4000/IMG_20201030_193235824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWnbX5fqEzPqJ5AU-t-63IWmwXq_ngOtWumlxzPJznwn_k1TZk-pG_kVFs2pHi-s3qdGYaxZg28lU7BM7sqRyzJJt6sR95kk7dywcNvC3G5G2ievYJTqL8n9MkBW2q35FtfkKpwNXbcA/w300-h400/IMG_20201030_193235824.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaOUKUdL9-wezn2WnvcS_tJpRyb_yI0rtTle-A2gJ_JFsZBuUCzcEdZ1Virt_K0C6Uca5lIYiuBzMxIyqZF40qO7BXQEyyPMm3BQj4HFrMb6guB1iK_imheny93gDEp0q87xMvpdCEh0/s4000/IMG_20201030_203832326_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaOUKUdL9-wezn2WnvcS_tJpRyb_yI0rtTle-A2gJ_JFsZBuUCzcEdZ1Virt_K0C6Uca5lIYiuBzMxIyqZF40qO7BXQEyyPMm3BQj4HFrMb6guB1iK_imheny93gDEp0q87xMvpdCEh0/w400-h300/IMG_20201030_203832326_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDo8kAX31A2D8jFz3c5kdaLqv901KW5usJ4JxmhFADhsD1p2yJPij6LTBAGOWfYnXUu0l-bhg5emfZ7Ias2Yn5_bkS87D5odepFW5sJZjt42u11vz35sDpVOmtlbxNMmv88JSAZ0aaf0/s4000/IMG_20201103_074441697_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDo8kAX31A2D8jFz3c5kdaLqv901KW5usJ4JxmhFADhsD1p2yJPij6LTBAGOWfYnXUu0l-bhg5emfZ7Ias2Yn5_bkS87D5odepFW5sJZjt42u11vz35sDpVOmtlbxNMmv88JSAZ0aaf0/w300-h400/IMG_20201103_074441697_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then on November 3, the event of the year happened for us! The children went back to school on campus. This Grandma took loving, patient care of them for almost 8 months while mommy and daddy worked. She deserves many jewels in her crown to taking on the challenges of 2020 with a smile and along with the children and mommy, a few tears too. After this year of homeschooling/Distance Learning I kind of feel my mom and I can get through anything!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkybyCcgn1kbWLiXnMbD75jv-qK0wMz-Q_A3rlyCzNYFg9GkcTm8hpnsuFHA5sX9EaYBbt3zBX7vdbdkPwWMY2iFDnHivQ-V-82dzlDqtzweBfAZoc8f2ZinVnBNoJghaToIXPQZFH6k/s4000/IMG_20201103_074404600_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkybyCcgn1kbWLiXnMbD75jv-qK0wMz-Q_A3rlyCzNYFg9GkcTm8hpnsuFHA5sX9EaYBbt3zBX7vdbdkPwWMY2iFDnHivQ-V-82dzlDqtzweBfAZoc8f2ZinVnBNoJghaToIXPQZFH6k/w300-h400/IMG_20201103_074404600_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being back in school has not been all a piece of cake. Sister especially has had a tough time as she learns about cliques and trying to make new friends at a new school with 6 feet distancing and masking regulations. Brother is doing great. They are excited to be back in the classroom but if you think of my girl, pray for her. She would greatly appreciate it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you prepare for and move into this week, may His JOY be your STRENGTH. Do not look to the world or anything in it to bring peace or HOPE. You will be disappointed and angry and scared. Look UP: His grace will be sufficient for one day at a time. That is what I am finding to be true. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May your Thanksgiving month be overflowing with gratitude and blessing and anticipation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be blessed, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jama</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-1459626025055695612020-09-20T15:18:00.000-07:002020-09-20T15:18:01.984-07:00Put Off-Put On<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg6ML_QmX5FPSr2Zecoo-cQvMAWj1PeHPpKBw62Ciy3WfVh20MuZsKzLfpjVyKbYEMN58m9pz-zU5qboh32ENKQNRzXSxrIpOhfiAfB0uOYTQMyo4my2fDn2g09boPqKkAxSce0E5ML8/s4000/IMG_20200906_083415912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg6ML_QmX5FPSr2Zecoo-cQvMAWj1PeHPpKBw62Ciy3WfVh20MuZsKzLfpjVyKbYEMN58m9pz-zU5qboh32ENKQNRzXSxrIpOhfiAfB0uOYTQMyo4my2fDn2g09boPqKkAxSce0E5ML8/w300-h400/IMG_20200906_083415912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Ephesians 6 "Battle Ready"<p></p><p>As Christians if we have ever seen the need to be "battle ready"it is NOW. The last few months (6 to be exact) have shown me like never before that we are in a spiritual battle and it must be dealt with as such if we are ever to see healing for ourselves, our families and our land. Our families are under attack, our health is under attack, our churches are under attack, our nation is under attack. We never could have imagined the dire consequences of deciding we no longer needed GOD in our nation, our schools or our government. As I have observed Christians the last few months, I have been heartbroken to see how very little God I see in us, His people. Social media is full of both sides of a spectrum, with both sides throwing stones and judgements as to what is right, what is healthy, what is safe and how to love our neighbor. </p><p>As I listened to the sermon this morning on Ephesians 6 I was convicted. Am I putting off self and putting on the Spirit? Am I putting off my ideas of comfort and health and putting on the armour of God, ready and willing to engage in the spiritual battle that is on my door step? I have found myself so emotionally and spiritually (not to mention physically) exhausted the last 6 months that I have found myself more often hiding at home and withdrawing emotionally from others (yes, sometimes even from the ones that are the closest to me) than engaging in warfare on the frontlines of the battle. So, yes. I was convicted. And encouraged. And uncomfortable. </p><p>I have struggled with real depression the last months. I have friends who are even in deeper than I. People are scared, some financially ruined while others have only benefited by this years outbreak, some are truly sick with many other issues than Covid, many are struggling intensely with depression, hopelessnes, profound loneliness. Am I willing to get my garb on and get out there and join people in their ugliness, their brokenness, their "dirt"or am I willing to just stay at home, safe with my little family (and God knows the battle is here too!) and play it safe and sound? This is what I am reflecting on this afternoon. </p><p>Once again it's been months since I gave any attention to this little blog. We've had another stint of unemployment for the man, children are still studying at home on the computer, mommy is still working almost full time, I have been working through some health issues which led to some significant weight loss and finally feeling better. I celebrated my 43rd birthday is royal style, followed closely with Little brother's 7th, also celebrated royally. We started back to church on the lawn and have had some good times together as a family in spite of the intense California summer heat, overwhelming smoke from hundreds of fires and Covid disrupting about every area of life. God is good. Even in the pain. In the loss. In the disappointments. He is God and He is GOOD.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWUa8YS2dj_1DBnQZZ0-b0xpM4vwpqQxsH4opfC1NpE-gRVhYFa8f5AHFzrK9ZRpZyHvfE-Tm0A7HGa6GgvZt0Qp0pafU-0kGbEdI11eXRX2G8WcKhwoljFh17dW1muO08wz5JIDT_vQ/s4000/IMG_20200910_194423085_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWUa8YS2dj_1DBnQZZ0-b0xpM4vwpqQxsH4opfC1NpE-gRVhYFa8f5AHFzrK9ZRpZyHvfE-Tm0A7HGa6GgvZt0Qp0pafU-0kGbEdI11eXRX2G8WcKhwoljFh17dW1muO08wz5JIDT_vQ/w400-h300/IMG_20200910_194423085_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Chloe decorating her first cake ever for Noah's 7th birthday. He wanted red, blue and white "because those are super hero colors!"<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaK2NfBCEqH-Q5YJrqNwdakehvS4BwF4ka5FtcUCn_X3sfV4suniGu38VNYMjCF9ENjH7h6154iKdinPO0Gzg1XCoxPKqS-DdL3g0Ky7gVwG9JmBBmmjVZIiIwnnVefeRywi9M3gUchY/s4000/IMG_20200907_093046618_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaK2NfBCEqH-Q5YJrqNwdakehvS4BwF4ka5FtcUCn_X3sfV4suniGu38VNYMjCF9ENjH7h6154iKdinPO0Gzg1XCoxPKqS-DdL3g0Ky7gVwG9JmBBmmjVZIiIwnnVefeRywi9M3gUchY/s320/IMG_20200907_093046618_HDR.jpg" /></a></div>Our new happy place is along the river about 40 minute drive from our house. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdarkw4ufjVW57aC8S5AAR0uF9ftWLQgxNb7Dp6PQAq1dfTJSerU3186NdXSb2oIEpQAV2IVyJM9KxFKSgEZRROa-dahRPNk-B-RyMClGgB54dL9xO5eXuei38JvezEGSv-3YiQVONpY/s4000/IMG_20200901_160849390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdarkw4ufjVW57aC8S5AAR0uF9ftWLQgxNb7Dp6PQAq1dfTJSerU3186NdXSb2oIEpQAV2IVyJM9KxFKSgEZRROa-dahRPNk-B-RyMClGgB54dL9xO5eXuei38JvezEGSv-3YiQVONpY/w400-h300/IMG_20200901_160849390.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDO7iNiFCmvGZbq1NVdBwsSGWvcg6tlvWps_sQBGioVSJsdFIyCVEL0-nCSNidZwLbt1fBli08_2NHQNg-XTSNsR2dmX1PO4k-f035uqCiaYavERNkU-PEFfwjfx8lgYhaQ3IILGTKSQ/s4000/IMG_20200901_160932763_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDO7iNiFCmvGZbq1NVdBwsSGWvcg6tlvWps_sQBGioVSJsdFIyCVEL0-nCSNidZwLbt1fBli08_2NHQNg-XTSNsR2dmX1PO4k-f035uqCiaYavERNkU-PEFfwjfx8lgYhaQ3IILGTKSQ/w300-h400/IMG_20200901_160932763_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Chloe is convinced she will find gold along the river!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEAwHuU3w4IQTvbyChiDMEi7w6Nis18lWPyMXnMAZPHCvMx89GFzNyPa076Ui_lGd3adn-tNVmKxRGh7VeVUZ71lashom2BnucdVrR0JB1rh5YReG43U3Zu-y7wskjBTNvEa4GeQNrLY/s4000/IMG_20200901_155801389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEAwHuU3w4IQTvbyChiDMEi7w6Nis18lWPyMXnMAZPHCvMx89GFzNyPa076Ui_lGd3adn-tNVmKxRGh7VeVUZ71lashom2BnucdVrR0JB1rh5YReG43U3Zu-y7wskjBTNvEa4GeQNrLY/w400-h300/IMG_20200901_155801389.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhTHKheupD9mHMk-YejjWgbRnwW8ku92H9pQ6Xjdmev6FPjcHUr9NF8M81tR-R04qRt781c6tuE1A5BRt9PzwLrP7_Gj58MtGRTp-VKf2zFZ7fw3cAvECH9Yc9QpxukECKdYLe0vjvN8/s4000/IMG_20200816_111127898_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhTHKheupD9mHMk-YejjWgbRnwW8ku92H9pQ6Xjdmev6FPjcHUr9NF8M81tR-R04qRt781c6tuE1A5BRt9PzwLrP7_Gj58MtGRTp-VKf2zFZ7fw3cAvECH9Yc9QpxukECKdYLe0vjvN8/w400-h300/IMG_20200816_111127898_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On some days the children simply invented their own way of keeping cool.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBu-OtzWqimVtgaQdVhJuNrZLqd-XujYhgyYSUaMooVyUcpym0-BTYkUhoab8qorBaOBZBEGvRlB7dXA726Uit3JHj5mCMyslpgwlHMKsZU-Z9ZhaHpnuM2oEsXdLIiUL_EkYhH-JOfA/s4000/IMG_20200810_080222241_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBu-OtzWqimVtgaQdVhJuNrZLqd-XujYhgyYSUaMooVyUcpym0-BTYkUhoab8qorBaOBZBEGvRlB7dXA726Uit3JHj5mCMyslpgwlHMKsZU-Z9ZhaHpnuM2oEsXdLIiUL_EkYhH-JOfA/w300-h400/IMG_20200810_080222241_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>August 10 saw them going back to school. 5th grade and 1st grade, where we come..on the computer! There have been many days of frustration and tears. Some days the disappointment of not being at school is still overwhelming. Mostly we just wallow in His grace, one moment at a time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cgxgf-Ykzwvn1ugAhGjKU2wd_QMXwyO-OevviaxcVz_RxE7e7ce1VbMumPSaYadfZZJyoryYoCSv69MvreoJv3bCnDiCHpwDl-6ehCABJLBX3ySeT3KdxiJpRJvyR0lEWsRh4dyJaG8/s4000/IMG_20200731_213739678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cgxgf-Ykzwvn1ugAhGjKU2wd_QMXwyO-OevviaxcVz_RxE7e7ce1VbMumPSaYadfZZJyoryYoCSv69MvreoJv3bCnDiCHpwDl-6ehCABJLBX3ySeT3KdxiJpRJvyR0lEWsRh4dyJaG8/w400-h300/IMG_20200731_213739678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is significant to me as I have had a grand challenge of instilling a love of reading in my children. This night they both fell asleep with their books. I almost cried it made me so happy!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZYf7iFFwl73Hn5W3ifDD2ytvPuzd7bbTSjL6NWLx9ZaYbX1yd7b50BkTFJP-Vh837nqYdbGSWW2GE_N8XqocaYKBPBeLk4jqwTtt2Xc_enXEa-1-aZ-GxjphAQwTHMLOznl-eD7wA7s/s3264/IMG_20200711_100610848_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZYf7iFFwl73Hn5W3ifDD2ytvPuzd7bbTSjL6NWLx9ZaYbX1yd7b50BkTFJP-Vh837nqYdbGSWW2GE_N8XqocaYKBPBeLk4jqwTtt2Xc_enXEa-1-aZ-GxjphAQwTHMLOznl-eD7wA7s/w400-h300/IMG_20200711_100610848_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We have spent many happy hours riding bikes, swimming or just playing with our two dear cousins this summer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrMJ1r5jTx0pdThu5kTjek9X-VqzVWJa9KEXoOY6aDrL_tZ3E1A1JbQxleFYMaAwX6LQ_E1lgx9IrTIQyJQ38vnDjODFIYYHzWkvTt5f1kpHW0x4SY9tQXn2e-Y2oK285qyl_cfZh1HI/s4000/IMG_20200710_222546836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrMJ1r5jTx0pdThu5kTjek9X-VqzVWJa9KEXoOY6aDrL_tZ3E1A1JbQxleFYMaAwX6LQ_E1lgx9IrTIQyJQ38vnDjODFIYYHzWkvTt5f1kpHW0x4SY9tQXn2e-Y2oK285qyl_cfZh1HI/w300-h400/IMG_20200710_222546836.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>She has blessed me over and over by stopping in with fresh flowers this summer, just because. My table has rarely not had her garden's beauty gracing it for months now. To me, they are not only gorgeous but speak of her love and kindness in my life.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrl_oeJzZBCmkKMa0hhfc0N9nly2o53LapCXZGC62GC8GeYF0B3eSkj1lTB4kNnhJck-_hu4Fze418euZwDsyDm_2yZvR7VJ0ap8vs5-npTNy08FSHmZhRN_hJ-FgcvRa3tgRmENTHzw/s4000/IMG_20200707_183745216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrl_oeJzZBCmkKMa0hhfc0N9nly2o53LapCXZGC62GC8GeYF0B3eSkj1lTB4kNnhJck-_hu4Fze418euZwDsyDm_2yZvR7VJ0ap8vs5-npTNy08FSHmZhRN_hJ-FgcvRa3tgRmENTHzw/w400-h300/IMG_20200707_183745216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And then there is her mother, my aunt, who single-handedly kept us in tomatoes, green beans, watermelons, canteloupe and corn all summer long, never accepting anything in return except "please come back when you run out." Their generosity and love speak volumes and show Jesus to us in such practical, beautiful ways. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlek4XLgVc-4G7X2gyOTLIeXJwyZ2V3xEWOeLk_UQUON1JWn1TzFHSaqVqynfD6Hc8vUTvENGXnraU40wyQ9WBQPSe2OzqCu8c2uOsh1IlSLRJbCaU_1xJlfvOISTxtJNG8lLCjR4tNMM/s4000/IMG_20200621_080233456_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlek4XLgVc-4G7X2gyOTLIeXJwyZ2V3xEWOeLk_UQUON1JWn1TzFHSaqVqynfD6Hc8vUTvENGXnraU40wyQ9WBQPSe2OzqCu8c2uOsh1IlSLRJbCaU_1xJlfvOISTxtJNG8lLCjR4tNMM/w300-h400/IMG_20200621_080233456_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Happy Father's Day to our daddy and husband. We may never know how tough the last 21 months have been for him, but Tuesday, September 22 he will go to work. Not a temp job. Not through a temp agency but with a real company, with benefits, with real hours and hopefully, it will be steady income for our family for the first time since we left Brazil 21 months ago. We are so grateful.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGhQqq6xHwKPlm0EFNAWdK-6yFY-ZlKGrOPq7c6HtR-8mLFdnqEdv99d3aHEyUwhSOVAy_YlIeegeVW2NFf69oM4os_8WUVmjuO5ZbY5khhbCair7-exBf0ah7MKvholRCnPDe44wAkk/s4000/IMG_20200614_160433801_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGhQqq6xHwKPlm0EFNAWdK-6yFY-ZlKGrOPq7c6HtR-8mLFdnqEdv99d3aHEyUwhSOVAy_YlIeegeVW2NFf69oM4os_8WUVmjuO5ZbY5khhbCair7-exBf0ah7MKvholRCnPDe44wAkk/w400-h300/IMG_20200614_160433801_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It is way too much fun to live three houses down from uncle and auntie and the girls. We love when they stop in and this was especially exciting as the children got an unusual ride around the countryside!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1QgQLL0tpii-aZIUA9hLDAajuXwWoOX5xPtaqs4hM-Q3iruMmu_h8z5MbK4UfYwLql47t8IQRV3sxEtLbhjrAANP-KbWGi4Pc1bdaiN4NRdh3k35XP-YG_uVG71e3o8Gr_uGF45xeeU/s4000/IMG_20200529_183517408_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1QgQLL0tpii-aZIUA9hLDAajuXwWoOX5xPtaqs4hM-Q3iruMmu_h8z5MbK4UfYwLql47t8IQRV3sxEtLbhjrAANP-KbWGi4Pc1bdaiN4NRdh3k35XP-YG_uVG71e3o8Gr_uGF45xeeU/w400-h300/IMG_20200529_183517408_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This picture still makes me weepy. Not because I had a thing to do with it but because in the Spring, this Grammy and Auntie stepped up to the plate and schooled these kiddos in tandom form and as HARD as it all was, they finished well. Auntie prepared certificates for them of accomplishment and the girls prepared speeches and Grammy gave a speech of accomplishments and we had a delicious dinner together. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgervWg28DE3LD_P-eNVVB9oTy-YhwpWLOx_ivQmoxtOAtlCYlbl9o7zSOl7Auy9q9YMsdGSx775uy7MEqCOHxQlrpU2hUtYBWob34pN0nfYn73MpkghL1g-b2-Ts7LgZO7Xe42pHZGqj4/s4000/IMG_20200529_183349721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgervWg28DE3LD_P-eNVVB9oTy-YhwpWLOx_ivQmoxtOAtlCYlbl9o7zSOl7Auy9q9YMsdGSx775uy7MEqCOHxQlrpU2hUtYBWob34pN0nfYn73MpkghL1g-b2-Ts7LgZO7Xe42pHZGqj4/w400-h300/IMG_20200529_183349721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqGvf4I2XoojrOJ_03YXYhDT4MHaMK7jGszlum1e8ltXl0cuA5OKqqpv_A0TqUz9GEH4mkf_9vOvwkLXNfDkD42_WUQB8FHlD3EOAsVuZll9NuS8m49KuQFCxhJmhxhOP6HV7fCpvx34/s4000/IMG_20200529_183403828_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqGvf4I2XoojrOJ_03YXYhDT4MHaMK7jGszlum1e8ltXl0cuA5OKqqpv_A0TqUz9GEH4mkf_9vOvwkLXNfDkD42_WUQB8FHlD3EOAsVuZll9NuS8m49KuQFCxhJmhxhOP6HV7fCpvx34/w400-h300/IMG_20200529_183403828_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj1DQCgAkiAg7JvjPKN0C02ZFBboteYEwK8HnhU0EvtqAb_QbTIEGLqH6prTwT_6tFflU7ubLqqvP9_F36D4a3kU5dwDQJhOHCVxnfxNzjzNMnsG0CHEy-9Rxdd6fz1IGbqQDYtnwGyk/s4000/IMG_20200528_202947635_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj1DQCgAkiAg7JvjPKN0C02ZFBboteYEwK8HnhU0EvtqAb_QbTIEGLqH6prTwT_6tFflU7ubLqqvP9_F36D4a3kU5dwDQJhOHCVxnfxNzjzNMnsG0CHEy-9Rxdd6fz1IGbqQDYtnwGyk/w400-h300/IMG_20200528_202947635_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Whatever would we do without G and G B's pool and their willingness to have us there swimming over and over and over? Hours of refreshment, conversation, pool games and more often than not, ice cream treats. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhS4LY5OOb-v_RSsBOvy-rdOva_CbcnPHzBqd8tMfzozN0EXJiLm80UArZ7gFLeEHcqv0z2kyB66-mWi5ozkOMgdDN2B1BSU2QXd3xm8wt7K5A-rUEEPWT3dvGlCUbzH3Qq132DVaVmM8/s4000/IMG_20200522_155610121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhS4LY5OOb-v_RSsBOvy-rdOva_CbcnPHzBqd8tMfzozN0EXJiLm80UArZ7gFLeEHcqv0z2kyB66-mWi5ozkOMgdDN2B1BSU2QXd3xm8wt7K5A-rUEEPWT3dvGlCUbzH3Qq132DVaVmM8/w400-h300/IMG_20200522_155610121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We still pray for miracles and breakthrough. We are waiting on the Lord for several things but we continue to see His grace and mercy covering us, holding us, embracing us, protecting us. When I think of how healthy we four have been through all the challenges of this year, I get wet eyes. My husband is healthier than he has ever been in his life. My children have barely even had common colds or coughs. I get a horrific cough every single winter that lasts weeks but not this year (I would have never been able to work where I do with any cough at all). We have had many months where there wasn't enough salary coming in to even cover our bills but we have not faulted on one single payment. Ever. Our cars are older but just keep running. We are so blessed. </p><p>God's people have continued to bless our socks off with their generosity and if you are reading this and you blessed us at any time during the last 1 1/2 years in any form, THANK YOU. From gifts of veggies, groceries, cards full of cash or a check, notes reminding us you love us and care, inviting us for meals and swim times, inviting us to your small group, sending me texts of "how are you"or "you've been on my mind." Thank you. Only the Lord knows what a tremendous blessing you are in our lives. How I pray we will be as generous and gracious with what God has placed in our hands today.</p><p>Have a blessed week and remember, to put off and put on are ACTION words. "When I have done what He has asked me to do, He will do what I cannot." -pastor K from the sermon this morning.</p><p> Blessings galore, </p><p> Jama</p>Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-49450243170181744202020-05-23T21:55:00.004-07:002020-05-23T22:03:42.833-07:00Beauty of Holiness<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth!...for He is coming!" Psalm 96:9, 13a</b></i></div>
<br />
I have had a few super blue days recently. No particular reason...usually something triggers the dark, heavy cloud of general feeling of sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion, weariness that all is not as it should/could/would be if...I am sure you have been there. I woke up very early one morning and the sensation of discouragement was so real I could not go back to sleep. I picked up my Bible, crying out to the only One I knew could really meet me at that moment. And He gave me Psalm 96. Particularly verse 9. I will share briefly what He showed me in those early morning hours. I am aware I may very well be taking it a bit out of context. This was a personal devotion, not an exegetical exercise.<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>"Oh, worship the LORD!"</i></b><br />
*worship in the pain.<br />
*worship when it's hard, not just when things are easier or brighter.<br />
*attitude of GRATITUDE always.<br />
*worship: verb. adoration. make Him big.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"In the beauty of holiness!"</i></b><br />
*what is more beautiful that a truly holy, pure, whole person?<br />
*holiness: right living. integrity. clean conscience.<br />
*He requires that I pursue a holy life full of integrity<br />
<br />
<i><b>"Tremble before Him."</b></i><br />
*reverence.<br />
*awe of who HE is.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"For He is coming!!!!"</i></b><br />
*wow! I have HOPE because THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS!!!!<br />
*Praise Him for that!<br />
<br />
I would love to say that everything felt just "right" after that. It didn't but I was encouraged to get up and get going because I <i>am</i> so very grateful for His constant love and provision over our lives and He requires me to respond in holiness and that is a beautiful thing. I decided to get up and tell my troubles about my God instead of the other way around!<br />
<br />
And HE IS COMING SOON! Maybe sooner than we think. I think much of what our entire broken, hurting world is experiencing right now is just the beginning of His return and that is so exciting!<br />
<br />
I will share a few pictures of some special times together as a family the last few weeks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgN9j3QKHydtpC9LRYSMzzj4EU_D3RsToGxEOHNAr4S8zP0XEnkIt3_Mn3ZYcaHkAPB_nXcSMmrXPVc7MFzb0Oidod1KikdnmpAIh4EKdQsg34rthmy8NppN-Maw5DD3YKxayBvkqRoM/s1600/IMG_20200522_155610121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgN9j3QKHydtpC9LRYSMzzj4EU_D3RsToGxEOHNAr4S8zP0XEnkIt3_Mn3ZYcaHkAPB_nXcSMmrXPVc7MFzb0Oidod1KikdnmpAIh4EKdQsg34rthmy8NppN-Maw5DD3YKxayBvkqRoM/s400/IMG_20200522_155610121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot afternoons in a dear friend's pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtphLPf33plWqgIh3Yv7Xrbe3U3ySSzt2mYMZi3hvIIJOreT30Fvh7ZNXbT6XVuAH10F4eb_7kbfdYYzb8HTuUvzKWovJh53c41OEnqaZIjUhoNVzC4-1HabmyK0IZRQ_45RFUVTinIs/s1600/IMG_20200521_194648002_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtphLPf33plWqgIh3Yv7Xrbe3U3ySSzt2mYMZi3hvIIJOreT30Fvh7ZNXbT6XVuAH10F4eb_7kbfdYYzb8HTuUvzKWovJh53c41OEnqaZIjUhoNVzC4-1HabmyK0IZRQ_45RFUVTinIs/s400/IMG_20200521_194648002_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun, unexpected gift of masks made by the loving hands of a very talented friend of ours in the Sacramento area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-8Ebi-KLr3A64xt-FqhcwcpATOAuz6rcHa9n3hxi8EhffB3tglqp0JM7wUTkGQe3hrccyPMb0B6qC44U-oqKvtaC4jw9W6QuPribM4F-Jgrl7y1gvTSk018_oWmUncUaEXt1NCR1SeY/s1600/IMG_20200521_194247502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-8Ebi-KLr3A64xt-FqhcwcpATOAuz6rcHa9n3hxi8EhffB3tglqp0JM7wUTkGQe3hrccyPMb0B6qC44U-oqKvtaC4jw9W6QuPribM4F-Jgrl7y1gvTSk018_oWmUncUaEXt1NCR1SeY/s400/IMG_20200521_194247502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just in case you can't tell or don't know, those are small, embroidered Brazilian flags!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbbwCRgnoE4b8EjH9_kfRTUJL1nC8PDOZlMzbDT3qkaNdupYPXG1RFwU2lL-gKq3ndcOlEcIhQ8YsJ-7wpbn0Mhm7KnLd3G_OLYpQnnkARzz3SngGojT4cSSEqenGbhuJj0YV0_SlN8A/s1600/IMG_20200520_201451394_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbbwCRgnoE4b8EjH9_kfRTUJL1nC8PDOZlMzbDT3qkaNdupYPXG1RFwU2lL-gKq3ndcOlEcIhQ8YsJ-7wpbn0Mhm7KnLd3G_OLYpQnnkARzz3SngGojT4cSSEqenGbhuJj0YV0_SlN8A/s400/IMG_20200520_201451394_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Noah much prefers to invent and build things than sit and do his schoolwork. Grammie obliged him one morning this week and he and my niece, S, made puppy "Max" a dog house!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswVqsrbH_-Y4-mVbaD3fpBZvmwSwueQ4ZGbB0uDMk5Bn4v75s0T8-SKVrntH1FQvELg4YMXYwA-C8YPejkVBL9lt12p_fyf68pYyfL4FcVGDSYbkxk803l7ZnCXgUcF-LEpHozBDEr54/s1600/IMG_20200519_171821300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswVqsrbH_-Y4-mVbaD3fpBZvmwSwueQ4ZGbB0uDMk5Bn4v75s0T8-SKVrntH1FQvELg4YMXYwA-C8YPejkVBL9lt12p_fyf68pYyfL4FcVGDSYbkxk803l7ZnCXgUcF-LEpHozBDEr54/s400/IMG_20200519_171821300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For those of you with a Brethren background you will know what this is. For those of you who are completely lost, this is my first attempt at Tator Tot Casserole. I told my mom it may be the least nutritious meal you may ever make but it is a glorious dinner to make with a 10 and 6 year old! They thought it was wonderful fun to help make dinner that night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtWV08741BNnjbPUWuceMLGERWE1niQnwhbu4qxb5lShBkORGLSHge7Ss4LN5y5B5DZDRDZX42u1s_GAxjedk_lDRM1G1TYss4sOTgQ1zhpJixrJfGo8Wfy9Hs192E6hh7s0gxZCMIts/s1600/IMG_20200516_075719535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtWV08741BNnjbPUWuceMLGERWE1niQnwhbu4qxb5lShBkORGLSHge7Ss4LN5y5B5DZDRDZX42u1s_GAxjedk_lDRM1G1TYss4sOTgQ1zhpJixrJfGo8Wfy9Hs192E6hh7s0gxZCMIts/s400/IMG_20200516_075719535.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah waiting for Papa to come pick him up for a Saturday morning helping Papa prune and clean up his yard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwNhaWRHNSFnSGCyUdYpzufiiIehfuAP9xiBzzTUxARENyyyOIB9bLwED2VZorioGIc3DxNLpcGOWCmGKCtlCrD6FRA1VC-7Ws5flvmGtYA7SrPOMxYBomfqqaXvzxotfl5poNyRlhmc/s1600/IMG_20200510_170946391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwNhaWRHNSFnSGCyUdYpzufiiIehfuAP9xiBzzTUxARENyyyOIB9bLwED2VZorioGIc3DxNLpcGOWCmGKCtlCrD6FRA1VC-7Ws5flvmGtYA7SrPOMxYBomfqqaXvzxotfl5poNyRlhmc/s400/IMG_20200510_170946391.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful Mother's Day celebration </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJjfwZOM35tqKEyP282tRnnFw_ZSyI9v9pnBxW_AomxgdqEHgDDuyP6VNKYiYLN8wBTud8q_4-rbhZomQgWdzF-SgwwL-aCrbwQAMEDdfLst2hi7hjUsSXlVKPT43jETLa0y6EZYtJ98/s1600/IMG_20200510_170855597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJjfwZOM35tqKEyP282tRnnFw_ZSyI9v9pnBxW_AomxgdqEHgDDuyP6VNKYiYLN8wBTud8q_4-rbhZomQgWdzF-SgwwL-aCrbwQAMEDdfLst2hi7hjUsSXlVKPT43jETLa0y6EZYtJ98/s400/IMG_20200510_170855597.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFs7_gCFdYc0aKf5jrt39wcuylUd5n-iJfyFuP7E9sy2U6S1WEZklDCpGD9OwN1M6ZsG1554-0pveGr7xviLZ_2jnLqtIgPKWYPrWbdPQ1CSHHvXhseUEIgVEL970dAGwFiGbpUnPKoA/s1600/IMG_20200510_165542850_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFs7_gCFdYc0aKf5jrt39wcuylUd5n-iJfyFuP7E9sy2U6S1WEZklDCpGD9OwN1M6ZsG1554-0pveGr7xviLZ_2jnLqtIgPKWYPrWbdPQ1CSHHvXhseUEIgVEL970dAGwFiGbpUnPKoA/s400/IMG_20200510_165542850_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFSsifJqWnRjFpYbans8hpHlobiurQObkpwBChyphenhypheniV3sXulBnT121xdCmBx2vhZY-skrOcqe-mL_5CIP_wfjZU9MJwKbV8QOObkeW-I1NxBVjpM8v-xjXAkB0jEZThKcZQZAt2cEAe91c/s1600/IMG_20200510_165458822_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFSsifJqWnRjFpYbans8hpHlobiurQObkpwBChyphenhypheniV3sXulBnT121xdCmBx2vhZY-skrOcqe-mL_5CIP_wfjZU9MJwKbV8QOObkeW-I1NxBVjpM8v-xjXAkB0jEZThKcZQZAt2cEAe91c/s400/IMG_20200510_165458822_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNAREmYsMwSU-zuA91KgVjc1ww4SmeqbUtD8Rv24jyX8Azu0JlVPj5pvLZenj5j59L9Sr6Eb7smHwo18MLtXhsAKa2KblnyfWNA9QPZBMaESRyW6EgIPN1LRd-e50xasVDTprSAMUWY4/s1600/IMG_20200510_165409883_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNAREmYsMwSU-zuA91KgVjc1ww4SmeqbUtD8Rv24jyX8Azu0JlVPj5pvLZenj5j59L9Sr6Eb7smHwo18MLtXhsAKa2KblnyfWNA9QPZBMaESRyW6EgIPN1LRd-e50xasVDTprSAMUWY4/s400/IMG_20200510_165409883_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZze8tsLs55RCOeduqN74XJ9MTB6tcE4YEgJwrvIz9frJRoNkNf4VYVpiCwBGe3MvCRNDFut1xvNyY9NUUnyESfhjJpm0tQ-32LkQorTycAHdDxZXQ1AV8gKSzDVpGoKRc0PrdBue9Sk/s1600/IMG_20200510_155804165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZze8tsLs55RCOeduqN74XJ9MTB6tcE4YEgJwrvIz9frJRoNkNf4VYVpiCwBGe3MvCRNDFut1xvNyY9NUUnyESfhjJpm0tQ-32LkQorTycAHdDxZXQ1AV8gKSzDVpGoKRc0PrdBue9Sk/s400/IMG_20200510_155804165.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, the luscious, deep-colored, sweet fruits that are appearing in the fruit stands in Central California this time of year are simply put, AMAZING. I never tire of this fruit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gtYiaBtZNfo4DQmhtmFE8zmb9Rvps6vJVdA6skQl7N68Zq0tbIHMIWisvqWxsaYXRuDa_-ymKTFof10v91vegq9pTXAf-RzPincNZXi3ZSk1vXPfKBgSLT9xFXstc6OxO_s-OAZAsnc/s1600/IMG_20200510_154227374_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gtYiaBtZNfo4DQmhtmFE8zmb9Rvps6vJVdA6skQl7N68Zq0tbIHMIWisvqWxsaYXRuDa_-ymKTFof10v91vegq9pTXAf-RzPincNZXi3ZSk1vXPfKBgSLT9xFXstc6OxO_s-OAZAsnc/s400/IMG_20200510_154227374_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little nail and hair time with my girl one Sunday afternoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nu2F73WyERkUm9IdLdaw9FfWvMwge_O5T7OVmE65RodY9THDmX3082hhugj2DftvyLOuBqCacSEJjiFPS8iwGGjqECkj4zxgQxi29ifxBg_RtNdxzjnllGbztuSyFy3AQ7FI55-Db58/s1600/IMG_20200510_110452888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nu2F73WyERkUm9IdLdaw9FfWvMwge_O5T7OVmE65RodY9THDmX3082hhugj2DftvyLOuBqCacSEJjiFPS8iwGGjqECkj4zxgQxi29ifxBg_RtNdxzjnllGbztuSyFy3AQ7FI55-Db58/s400/IMG_20200510_110452888.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqg7SBLn9V1xMPobK8kNP5A1xdZWS9UJGyc1Na481JSwxz9tujyXuXXx13oHqu40cgGosesqT8e7OtT4LAa4peHSkwgWevyCXg05LT_iekK4-ytqjcvAmQPysqmb7oPx0NHAacpvix-Y/s1600/IMG_20200510_070019961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqg7SBLn9V1xMPobK8kNP5A1xdZWS9UJGyc1Na481JSwxz9tujyXuXXx13oHqu40cgGosesqT8e7OtT4LAa4peHSkwgWevyCXg05LT_iekK4-ytqjcvAmQPysqmb7oPx0NHAacpvix-Y/s400/IMG_20200510_070019961.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I woke up to yellow sticky notes everywhere on Mother's Day. This was the first year my children were really INTO celebrating me on Mother's Day. It was so very, very sweet. I will admit, I got teary-eyed more than once!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqv1MnyWDq6JEIElUv3jrvUxQql7ajA62ZRNRGEV1WyiCAXbT37YnE3kMlB_O84k1juqhxpLZCjosiz3wH9UJDaWBL5YmP46afOmK7JsAySxy-4pCRvdJd0YJv1nm9Ii2NzWW8od_tcI/s1600/IMG_20200510_070000691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqv1MnyWDq6JEIElUv3jrvUxQql7ajA62ZRNRGEV1WyiCAXbT37YnE3kMlB_O84k1juqhxpLZCjosiz3wH9UJDaWBL5YmP46afOmK7JsAySxy-4pCRvdJd0YJv1nm9Ii2NzWW8od_tcI/s400/IMG_20200510_070000691.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMjkD1NOUNLpmq5XFvSsuAl2TIlqKz-jaD0gxIIninIqGlM1x153oy8CpHLwNmpkpIMYZOZHESugk8YO7iuI2_RiFyYILk5nY9qW5gepvrXkKy9tgbNAzHLDMdK0UM0dkgMcRLobXPj0/s1600/IMG_20200510_065945684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMjkD1NOUNLpmq5XFvSsuAl2TIlqKz-jaD0gxIIninIqGlM1x153oy8CpHLwNmpkpIMYZOZHESugk8YO7iuI2_RiFyYILk5nY9qW5gepvrXkKy9tgbNAzHLDMdK0UM0dkgMcRLobXPj0/s400/IMG_20200510_065945684.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMvejtTFuRokYq7-k3DE6vbWo7-OiYzw3bnN154tnkZo7KvrbjRXwJMk0zSt_5rzj1AgGKL8X1d05HiN0cSJ_dDoRN-jCrlyZT5c61I2rPd6r6l0-0nuk4LOzK0pu0K1kt1MZgR5Qmo0/s1600/IMG_20200510_065941090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMvejtTFuRokYq7-k3DE6vbWo7-OiYzw3bnN154tnkZo7KvrbjRXwJMk0zSt_5rzj1AgGKL8X1d05HiN0cSJ_dDoRN-jCrlyZT5c61I2rPd6r6l0-0nuk4LOzK0pu0K1kt1MZgR5Qmo0/s400/IMG_20200510_065941090.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV799QYdXyKW1REwrvDWlPmZ5hadeHzfB4A1IdqJuIRLg2lN2dQM3t23U9UwckseXzUD5avJX20KXHVNtagx-rcmn8WBdKbwkpZJ8gA8BJJC4lKfgnDcENEp6RoMmfaSnJ5omkgb1Xog/s1600/IMG_20200507_091716549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV799QYdXyKW1REwrvDWlPmZ5hadeHzfB4A1IdqJuIRLg2lN2dQM3t23U9UwckseXzUD5avJX20KXHVNtagx-rcmn8WBdKbwkpZJ8gA8BJJC4lKfgnDcENEp6RoMmfaSnJ5omkgb1Xog/s400/IMG_20200507_091716549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thursday before Mother's Day this was put on my desk. The children's ministry at church wanted to bless the mothers and did they ever hit it right that day! The coffee was fantastic and the card made me all teary-eyed, AGAIN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AV5wvJnR89_2SgFQZIl5vObIwLxJzkkY8kUmHozOwnq2XimxDyQPprxowurxgiTPG0OezWnhUILOyiJu75bZ5Wg0Ch12hVFnh6beilZLEwsF0Kh8c1T7yMTYbsdUk75E3BcfOUG9hkg/s1600/IMG_20200505_182455704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AV5wvJnR89_2SgFQZIl5vObIwLxJzkkY8kUmHozOwnq2XimxDyQPprxowurxgiTPG0OezWnhUILOyiJu75bZ5Wg0Ch12hVFnh6beilZLEwsF0Kh8c1T7yMTYbsdUk75E3BcfOUG9hkg/s400/IMG_20200505_182455704.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first experience making cold brew. Man, was it ever yummy. I consumed way toooooo much coffee after I made that stuff so it may or may not have been a one time adventure!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmKFys5DXkjDPrPzvWddpiW50hIQC2B1V8FCr1v-EstpvteVP6b0ktu-Wzef2XJw4MbsuJNOXZg7oE_-vPyxHBNY_uvcfFObo0Bwd2cM0Bnhju6_7xDtQwDGPbUTSZBQFX2Xs_cuLiWw/s1600/IMG_20200501_080254212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmKFys5DXkjDPrPzvWddpiW50hIQC2B1V8FCr1v-EstpvteVP6b0ktu-Wzef2XJw4MbsuJNOXZg7oE_-vPyxHBNY_uvcfFObo0Bwd2cM0Bnhju6_7xDtQwDGPbUTSZBQFX2Xs_cuLiWw/s400/IMG_20200501_080254212.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another sweet reminder that I am loved on a particularly needed day. I came to work and found this sweet act of love on my desk from my co-worker. Was it ever yummy and the fact that she got up and made it for me (and she works full time and is a new mommy) just touched me deeply. I want to touch others like that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cg4mUhyETMdXxCRC3oG3NAJ5KiRzut7IjoMlCRO7JFSkQPwLr55F5lM1Q4NgExY1KNRKuREWHfQM4FRxcHo_M1hmjTrh1Xj2UssYDGHMq1vx6M-mpUo0NIBf6kdytOZgib99N42dk6k/s1600/IMG_20200501_073817420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cg4mUhyETMdXxCRC3oG3NAJ5KiRzut7IjoMlCRO7JFSkQPwLr55F5lM1Q4NgExY1KNRKuREWHfQM4FRxcHo_M1hmjTrh1Xj2UssYDGHMq1vx6M-mpUo0NIBf6kdytOZgib99N42dk6k/s400/IMG_20200501_073817420.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot read this little note without crying. She made shorts from jeans for Noah for me and returned them with this tiny card. I will keep it forever. Another reminder at how HE is caring for us, from the smallest detail to the largest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIboBY5HjCxmODFzFUN-y3UMAfvmd85tcaarFxoqNtQCdLbVzHnsjfqZ0-PJpD8iCOXATVgDi9xarXN9YhDswCieYmFQ-6HhsfQD5Oe0_F5wEJA-AJ7U4alIEjREWgdwcoSOVsZ7Qa-0/s1600/IMG_20200429_171455001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIboBY5HjCxmODFzFUN-y3UMAfvmd85tcaarFxoqNtQCdLbVzHnsjfqZ0-PJpD8iCOXATVgDi9xarXN9YhDswCieYmFQ-6HhsfQD5Oe0_F5wEJA-AJ7U4alIEjREWgdwcoSOVsZ7Qa-0/s400/IMG_20200429_171455001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a season when we feel we are the constant recipients of so much of everything, it was pure JOY to be able to make this tiny 5 inch cake for a very dear friend's birthday. He and his wife spent his birthday at home, just the two of them, and we were honored to be asked to make him a chocolate cake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTongJUWOmoAxl-XtrEnluyhG1ibZc-c3NGIKvvPmu_sQFQ35qkSzNPmCNAefpHr_pz7lBvPbntKuiobAzxUJIhTXKTRHaJ8VbJhgfdwdjW8sW0LIW2a9xNQk-0vuEE5S5mqA9iHem1ME/s1600/IMG_20200428_160703105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTongJUWOmoAxl-XtrEnluyhG1ibZc-c3NGIKvvPmu_sQFQ35qkSzNPmCNAefpHr_pz7lBvPbntKuiobAzxUJIhTXKTRHaJ8VbJhgfdwdjW8sW0LIW2a9xNQk-0vuEE5S5mqA9iHem1ME/s400/IMG_20200428_160703105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In spite of my mother and sister-in-law caring for my children day in and day out while I work, my mom wanted to have us all over one afternoon for a Peony Tea (the peonies were blooming and the granddaughters just love grammie's flowers). Another sweet time of stopping in the middle of the craziness and just remembering how blessed we are and how GOOD GOD IS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKdc6-6ydvWiGZi2RhJP92rf2_FcsosuKUnNHsqCSaYODQ9FawU8cfarqNjvSj7m6TEtZGCL79r2HUV6f4zR9vsTsxc2aDIvFYIvXv-D4iPYAhjysJAHkDeMuM-x42pL29DDMb0v9Y8w/s1600/IMG_20200421_195852372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKdc6-6ydvWiGZi2RhJP92rf2_FcsosuKUnNHsqCSaYODQ9FawU8cfarqNjvSj7m6TEtZGCL79r2HUV6f4zR9vsTsxc2aDIvFYIvXv-D4iPYAhjysJAHkDeMuM-x42pL29DDMb0v9Y8w/s400/IMG_20200421_195852372.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has joined his sister in the tooth losing business. Between the two of them, it is almost a weekly event now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_srwW97sZJ0mNKmq5VecT6jv2-U7npGybQyVT8UFP3x5RHZI9BwUxVTH8NN6TWMy6vk8W7cCms5f7j7l7MJ-ZcQKIKLcD19cKxjkddMfWiver9EjoymiKUI5oUEJUoEQeXFSzKXAPnE/s1600/IMG_20200421_195846995_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_srwW97sZJ0mNKmq5VecT6jv2-U7npGybQyVT8UFP3x5RHZI9BwUxVTH8NN6TWMy6vk8W7cCms5f7j7l7MJ-ZcQKIKLcD19cKxjkddMfWiver9EjoymiKUI5oUEJUoEQeXFSzKXAPnE/s400/IMG_20200421_195846995_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvpgy2EyUUnYi6dYhlJWbAs-AXttPwT_UuRfciZCMyU0yciI4RznFHMHIofnz9T_WtloslVjk4ydW53uchrZMoUqVNTfV0DYg0YNgsVTT7lS8R2shEgmUjekId3r5_BfBPMS2cKLoN5M/s1600/IMG_20200421_170122280_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvpgy2EyUUnYi6dYhlJWbAs-AXttPwT_UuRfciZCMyU0yciI4RznFHMHIofnz9T_WtloslVjk4ydW53uchrZMoUqVNTfV0DYg0YNgsVTT7lS8R2shEgmUjekId3r5_BfBPMS2cKLoN5M/s400/IMG_20200421_170122280_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Tart makes them so happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aGSda7vU2YesZ-2eNs7z-nkj5B8E5gsd6ah3gLD5wtZR-kCdXj3O37KJEeECl_HUXPtI8zw0xHEaFEoRJxqLI4AVxLb7r4fduKJAuuuhJT4mRZ4DTvh2_mYc7K8vHEARiujzXJeSg48/s1600/IMG_20200421_170151987_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aGSda7vU2YesZ-2eNs7z-nkj5B8E5gsd6ah3gLD5wtZR-kCdXj3O37KJEeECl_HUXPtI8zw0xHEaFEoRJxqLI4AVxLb7r4fduKJAuuuhJT4mRZ4DTvh2_mYc7K8vHEARiujzXJeSg48/s400/IMG_20200421_170151987_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And crazy! I might add here that Chloe and I have spent some special times in the kitchen the last 2 1/2 months of just being home a lot. It has not been great for our weight watching but she is turning into quite a little cook/baker. I am so glad and sincerely hope one day she will take on the cooking so I can do what I love most and just bake up a storm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmqHqtUBtK_H90yNvTUHZATDrkcBJVJlmCZki8AqLGPMiAqByv0CtrckTr4o-V7DxsQTGVYlsw7tIlRTQvSkaVg9oLGIx36eLYgi37yf-Bq9HPCnkMzFLHA8BP40tE5EjYYdtkPduSxc/s1600/IMG_20200412_145833685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmqHqtUBtK_H90yNvTUHZATDrkcBJVJlmCZki8AqLGPMiAqByv0CtrckTr4o-V7DxsQTGVYlsw7tIlRTQvSkaVg9oLGIx36eLYgi37yf-Bq9HPCnkMzFLHA8BP40tE5EjYYdtkPduSxc/s400/IMG_20200412_145833685.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is Risen! Yes, indeed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WZuDRT4XHLtVxwLnPiNzWvW4Rchbhx3kr4ThfplrVFNvI4ap9HW0PvCNflcN9JYDPBbSTCJT9qhIQ2ScKLcKZYgOiCJamlmp69r3Hp9CBuCsTeRmIj_V-AliTFgRtrvJa9MS4_Ikt-g/s1600/IMG_20200412_120558184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WZuDRT4XHLtVxwLnPiNzWvW4Rchbhx3kr4ThfplrVFNvI4ap9HW0PvCNflcN9JYDPBbSTCJT9qhIQ2ScKLcKZYgOiCJamlmp69r3Hp9CBuCsTeRmIj_V-AliTFgRtrvJa9MS4_Ikt-g/s400/IMG_20200412_120558184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mo6URTVPRVpu3d1eK5Nex30OqRpHhkG33zli41c5Kb-XyrWY8hP2HSNC9ac7W8-XNjlny_JluaJYfVBIdNcTLXTQitoYUZqBrtdZvmZMlbWz5OFS63POtlqEJjDUD-EiPpIHdidTN-s/s1600/IMG_20200410_183700133_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mo6URTVPRVpu3d1eK5Nex30OqRpHhkG33zli41c5Kb-XyrWY8hP2HSNC9ac7W8-XNjlny_JluaJYfVBIdNcTLXTQitoYUZqBrtdZvmZMlbWz5OFS63POtlqEJjDUD-EiPpIHdidTN-s/s400/IMG_20200410_183700133_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRUq-rq8QWtJqkMnVhY8mLrHIdbVItsCuq0Xdqjc-MV1skVjV0AUrZ0UOgW86hdJm-9R4kJnd6URaMfQlPhGTrwMsVh3oqRJMXaD87YZ8V2NnLGAUKVeZk6MQszo6lHivVC9OilBzR2Q/s1600/IMG_20200410_175302397_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRUq-rq8QWtJqkMnVhY8mLrHIdbVItsCuq0Xdqjc-MV1skVjV0AUrZ0UOgW86hdJm-9R4kJnd6URaMfQlPhGTrwMsVh3oqRJMXaD87YZ8V2NnLGAUKVeZk6MQszo6lHivVC9OilBzR2Q/s400/IMG_20200410_175302397_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our church blessed us with Good Friday dinner and a devotion to use in family communion. Another guesture that brought tears to my eyes. We could not spend it together but our church leadership has worked tirelessly to minister to us and reach out in spite of immense challenges of state orders and mandates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw7MLeXmQSJs7_kVgNJTDRyZcnXp4WqnV3TaRyRwoaKZ6GSjTxL6t88_EsPdQ0QWvdhovvp9sVp3P5ffbjLhIuU_2OJeWIiWzizIHIOb3Ve7SAVfYy7b_aSi5OsTdkTgVnUzH04WwGTw/s1600/IMG_20200410_092209071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJw7MLeXmQSJs7_kVgNJTDRyZcnXp4WqnV3TaRyRwoaKZ6GSjTxL6t88_EsPdQ0QWvdhovvp9sVp3P5ffbjLhIuU_2OJeWIiWzizIHIOb3Ve7SAVfYy7b_aSi5OsTdkTgVnUzH04WwGTw/s400/IMG_20200410_092209071.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad invited all the children over on Good Friday (morning) to help him make our traditional communion bread. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoxudOiwnkyNp1isAFzakj6DOf0c6p60qzPEWVo9E2Yl6V4vpthaEYgEubSIL-_rIOiVHa3EGX27_YVTJ7WTSribdSaXo-FfhComwCGAab8UOYpiYQgfL0g8OhUMTA1WHWxdJYBs0GtY/s1600/IMG_20200410_091808371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoxudOiwnkyNp1isAFzakj6DOf0c6p60qzPEWVo9E2Yl6V4vpthaEYgEubSIL-_rIOiVHa3EGX27_YVTJ7WTSribdSaXo-FfhComwCGAab8UOYpiYQgfL0g8OhUMTA1WHWxdJYBs0GtY/s400/IMG_20200410_091808371.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mommies hung around too. After all, we wanted in on the fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCZhJ38kuALP8mi7r_iOeBCGcSdy6E_MBPAHOw3Qk5FNUClFQRq25Y1HRrk4yhV-DOK4fwYgdCQlycEQEKKTZkTJ9HLn9l38SSAVUmZirWWI7HAWBSoB7vlQyfC43xbVmidj6hDTgF_I/s1600/IMG_20200410_091751790_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCZhJ38kuALP8mi7r_iOeBCGcSdy6E_MBPAHOw3Qk5FNUClFQRq25Y1HRrk4yhV-DOK4fwYgdCQlycEQEKKTZkTJ9HLn9l38SSAVUmZirWWI7HAWBSoB7vlQyfC43xbVmidj6hDTgF_I/s400/IMG_20200410_091751790_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK0wMqVYGjcwJXOvp2FR0ZbyJAvni7RJ0BH3yy3ZfXNhhBRv2kjgvOh8eLUM48FJzRElAM4Y97uVE9WMCDGY8aWCqEz28xZ7ILmdZivtREE6XEJy1wjm82a9cdGn6sqtNgNQMdYc3p7U/s1600/IMG_20200410_091857075_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK0wMqVYGjcwJXOvp2FR0ZbyJAvni7RJ0BH3yy3ZfXNhhBRv2kjgvOh8eLUM48FJzRElAM4Y97uVE9WMCDGY8aWCqEz28xZ7ILmdZivtREE6XEJy1wjm82a9cdGn6sqtNgNQMdYc3p7U/s400/IMG_20200410_091857075_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdj_xLhy6ZNrY3M9UL8Pl7JZRdazY267RNUS9xaSeHyUqmYgJtSTvLsGuNMV0X9bzW9ca2XsbbZJ6UP8AJyTFMI-AmBR7QQbxhxF4WYekVAffXhi8ykV3goucPZ_QoQqVA8NXqdlrtKE/s1600/IMG_20200408_215556322_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdj_xLhy6ZNrY3M9UL8Pl7JZRdazY267RNUS9xaSeHyUqmYgJtSTvLsGuNMV0X9bzW9ca2XsbbZJ6UP8AJyTFMI-AmBR7QQbxhxF4WYekVAffXhi8ykV3goucPZ_QoQqVA8NXqdlrtKE/s400/IMG_20200408_215556322_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another way God has provided for us is through the free food for school children program running during the shelter-in-place season. It has truly helped us so much in the grocery budget area. However, the over-abundance of mini apples that come home every day has caused me to use some creativity in how to use SO MANY APPLES! I have made applesauce, fresh apple juice, apple crisp (multiple times) and smoothies until I am not sure I want any more apples ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
May you have a wonderful long weekend with your family and remember, worship in the beauty of holiness! He is worthy! He is coming back. May we all be ready.<br />
<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Jama<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-48349696143487703742020-04-19T20:48:00.002-07:002020-04-19T20:56:11.922-07:00A Tale of Remembrance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SzVA01QZPpFbR4NCBLzm6unslmwVO4EFEJ2OMpqRk_ClN7-ZKUTd4SflxgDcTU3RQQifi8y94QCr6_SLjK4ai1sQCKNLctTwRoBdc3vLE4VynSfLYycyRMBFnAW5rj1LogQhVmdKbHc/s1600/IMG_20200403_174252239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SzVA01QZPpFbR4NCBLzm6unslmwVO4EFEJ2OMpqRk_ClN7-ZKUTd4SflxgDcTU3RQQifi8y94QCr6_SLjK4ai1sQCKNLctTwRoBdc3vLE4VynSfLYycyRMBFnAW5rj1LogQhVmdKbHc/s320/IMG_20200403_174252239.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A few years ago they felt the call to leave all that was familiar and comfortable and somewhat secure.<br />
<div>
For a land that three of the four had never called home.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After months and months of stressful paperwork and interviews and trips they did make,</div>
<div>
They arrived on Christmas Eve in the land of the mother's birth.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For while it was all wonderful and new, especially for the littles one dear.</div>
<div>
Until school started in this strange and new land and then it was many weeks of tears...and of GRACE.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The father spent some 8 hours a day searching and searching and searching for work.</div>
<div>
When the job he wanted did not quite appear, he went to work assisting others so that groceries could be bought.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The father hung doors and the mother cleaned homes. The children went to school and with time they were more happy and content with their new school and routine and teachers so dear.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The month of August brought an office job for the mother. The month of September brought a good job for the man. The month of October saw their dream of a home come true.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After 10 months of living 6 to a house, to a little white house in the country they went. So many and many and many boxes they moved. Everyone in their world wanted to bless them it seemed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It took the woman 6 long weeks to move in. Everything had to have a place and in it's place it was put. If there was no need or simply no room, it was passed on to someone else who needed it more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Body of Christ brought 2 carloads of food. There wasn't enough room to put it away so generous the hearts of these God's tribe. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There were cards that arrived with gift cards and checks and sweet "you're loved and prayed for" all written inside. The family simply cried with gratitude and prayed that God in heaven would bless in return.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The family enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years 2020. Life seemed to be taking on a little routine it seemed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At times it seemed almost hard to remember what life was like before all of this. But always their hearts ached with the misses of the many, many people they left behind in the land of their birth</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
February brought the painful news of yet another needed move. God will provide, He always does, they cried.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then the ugly face of unemployment raised itself once again. And in the middle of this private pain, Corona virus hit their world. The women's hours were cut and the man once again sat at his computer and wept, "Lord not again!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After many stressful weeks of searching for a new home, a tiny, green house seemed to be the place. They moved once again and once again found a home. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The children were sent home to study and with broken hearts left friends and mentors and routine they had come to love. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The mother's heart broke. "Whatever will I do", her heart cried out. "My children are home and I am obviously not." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God raised up a Grandmother and Auntie who love, these children day in and day out giving them lessons and projects and spelling bees too. And the mother went to work with eyes full of tears but a heart full of peace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The cars both need repairs. The computer is so old, they hope it survives just a little bit more. The daughter has outgrown her clothes, I am told.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But the rent is paid for now and the bills all caught up. And the parents pray every day that tomorrow will bring the news. News of a job and healing of the land.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then the woman was given her hours all back, the man found a temporary job but praise the Lord for that!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And the people of God, some of them remain unnamed, gave and gave and gave some more and now the family weeps because God through His tribe has provided once more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today as the woman bent over her iron, she wept with thanksgiving that next week more shirts she would have to clean and mend and iron. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And Lord bless the people who left the gift today, the father and mother truly have no idea who but pray that He will bless each life over and over and over anew. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you should feel helpless and hopeless and sad, please remember this family who has seen over and over in the land of the living how completely gracious and generous and kind God is. And will be forever and ever, Amen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--From a mother's heart--</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-82727256127547278352019-12-25T22:27:00.001-08:002019-12-25T22:27:25.049-08:00Celebration JESUS<br />
<br />
The anticipation has been building for weeks now as Christmas drew closer and closer. Grammie has been making delicious treats for days. We spent a wonderful two days in my parents home just being together...even had a sleepover. Here are a few special memories we made the last few weeks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDeSn-NIAb2b_bN9STILOTRoaILuXG5XYM0TB7snI78s8MSBzhq_UHIPG_IDpnEZmn9wJkCZb1rEvQJslleFNKvy2_QmocoL-1z143WPtk_mZj0W8m9MgzONlTkbPGrcQ9Qez7UVfKVk/s1600/IMG_20191127_200529041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDeSn-NIAb2b_bN9STILOTRoaILuXG5XYM0TB7snI78s8MSBzhq_UHIPG_IDpnEZmn9wJkCZb1rEvQJslleFNKvy2_QmocoL-1z143WPtk_mZj0W8m9MgzONlTkbPGrcQ9Qez7UVfKVk/s400/IMG_20191127_200529041.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for Thanksgiving...my first American thanksgiving in 13 years and my husband and children's first ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-nStnBRr2Fq7SUQCQtC6cRUPzgkLHNiy00UU7gq9XnouYGu12bTJ9DBWdeEq8cc92P5_Bw0Xpz1JzSniCnVZU6GQ6JgvRyWTqfrSFHUU-KezW8f-4-vRzB9sFuTrRNYEkKv5dk0TuqM/s1600/IMG_20191127_200549125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-nStnBRr2Fq7SUQCQtC6cRUPzgkLHNiy00UU7gq9XnouYGu12bTJ9DBWdeEq8cc92P5_Bw0Xpz1JzSniCnVZU6GQ6JgvRyWTqfrSFHUU-KezW8f-4-vRzB9sFuTrRNYEkKv5dk0TuqM/s400/IMG_20191127_200549125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My right hand helper girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm4Pfg5HD-FbVFMchNPSG_WyZlV-hUeyQrzzcSUNEHwqfoSLp8tekKaMH3jkQEbE8G1cff08KmuF330UeKYkKt8lQlduonrMuVMn_KW2OCxZjZVC8jXe-ymCAZr9tjGQYYi898bL8Rjc/s1600/IMG_20191128_103855374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm4Pfg5HD-FbVFMchNPSG_WyZlV-hUeyQrzzcSUNEHwqfoSLp8tekKaMH3jkQEbE8G1cff08KmuF330UeKYkKt8lQlduonrMuVMn_KW2OCxZjZVC8jXe-ymCAZr9tjGQYYi898bL8Rjc/s400/IMG_20191128_103855374.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP397KFBLAZjNVElihj6apFpjvzaeqP5m0S1ocnzlagoru_TS1X9fPD9wWqQlsdXPuGm9hv4HpCu2SXbyZRWRYCrnMa4F8pjnUHRl7KNM4Jj4WfTxpILDzteGzs86qNCvRBD7pggiS4k/s1600/IMG_20191128_125616418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP397KFBLAZjNVElihj6apFpjvzaeqP5m0S1ocnzlagoru_TS1X9fPD9wWqQlsdXPuGm9hv4HpCu2SXbyZRWRYCrnMa4F8pjnUHRl7KNM4Jj4WfTxpILDzteGzs86qNCvRBD7pggiS4k/s400/IMG_20191128_125616418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4L0CQbZlO0D1qdqVG4zt2k-ue-Z2KrtIDCux55Lfunysv5hIpEKZaMoavSWwbheK3jpHQ1nWALIDyadOvOUWgCBWqekxfg0CGJ0Y2UEwnpYnTSSZNiceP9fOgBrU3HjVklNxXGUcpCc/s1600/IMG_20191128_125648701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4L0CQbZlO0D1qdqVG4zt2k-ue-Z2KrtIDCux55Lfunysv5hIpEKZaMoavSWwbheK3jpHQ1nWALIDyadOvOUWgCBWqekxfg0CGJ0Y2UEwnpYnTSSZNiceP9fOgBrU3HjVklNxXGUcpCc/s400/IMG_20191128_125648701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0sEbZkWIltfSJ50KVVONpT_6av-PINPMUkok2uVbyLpHbZayxcRg2KUIPyLzI8iFZ2LiL-Cko5cbbAouwvVxky0AamxGsBb6vJcBzJfjRP7b0ImW-r36EH3VnBatB7J6g7l-FkxaPzI/s1600/IMG_20191128_134222424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0sEbZkWIltfSJ50KVVONpT_6av-PINPMUkok2uVbyLpHbZayxcRg2KUIPyLzI8iFZ2LiL-Cko5cbbAouwvVxky0AamxGsBb6vJcBzJfjRP7b0ImW-r36EH3VnBatB7J6g7l-FkxaPzI/s400/IMG_20191128_134222424.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB4SENq7pIFc_nVXRCmJJ441ghD0DHKxJwWdjwGva2JQpeCUBVuCDbzueLuzCLQJxDDymO7HoGuI1ZJU0wVH_XvGaofB_oO8tq9aTs4ebiYWiN7cLA9KfEfMFAgHfh5uF_s0BUg3WdG0/s1600/IMG_20191203_151438022_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB4SENq7pIFc_nVXRCmJJ441ghD0DHKxJwWdjwGva2JQpeCUBVuCDbzueLuzCLQJxDDymO7HoGuI1ZJU0wVH_XvGaofB_oO8tq9aTs4ebiYWiN7cLA9KfEfMFAgHfh5uF_s0BUg3WdG0/s400/IMG_20191203_151438022_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after Thanksgiving weekend we started planning and talking and looking forward to Christmas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGi5iZHbZO44_9WJFYaASP_2nCobrieTBpOe55p94_ye1AzpyBqyxeLoNftYpmFTyvXezV7mpbA0tX1uuGD2QIC9C3CC7sQFrME3Tznggg-yTZPhOvBQJ9tw60_DRfDvryfDDRfOfPgY/s1600/IMG_20191207_132804489_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGi5iZHbZO44_9WJFYaASP_2nCobrieTBpOe55p94_ye1AzpyBqyxeLoNftYpmFTyvXezV7mpbA0tX1uuGD2QIC9C3CC7sQFrME3Tznggg-yTZPhOvBQJ9tw60_DRfDvryfDDRfOfPgY/s400/IMG_20191207_132804489_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlRLHAwP9EcJdgNkZ1d-MKJGIebZTBqAL6OHBC7ywlDnD38llfSmJhoCnh1HDra8IA2oQe9ltAnsCnjJIYkZwqordyluD62Xlq98p9waPKd61UV3geIN-aYZcUY_AxF5YYo7YnkXcc8I/s1600/IMG_20191212_064540125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlRLHAwP9EcJdgNkZ1d-MKJGIebZTBqAL6OHBC7ywlDnD38llfSmJhoCnh1HDra8IA2oQe9ltAnsCnjJIYkZwqordyluD62Xlq98p9waPKd61UV3geIN-aYZcUY_AxF5YYo7YnkXcc8I/s400/IMG_20191212_064540125.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our perfectly imperfect tree, to coin a friend's description of her tree! We are so thrilled with our first ever real Christmas tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3GnnaZb5_BTYvqMwHrONma-PrV56h0R8eStmHaPGQ8clGyFqXGfVqp9lixZh8vjaTO1lPV4B_2uCvOBJq51A69-XUClErxi1nx_a4Bo3RD9TScaBQzUF6NOB9-VcErrP7reG9wpLbo/s1600/IMG_20191212_064549378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3GnnaZb5_BTYvqMwHrONma-PrV56h0R8eStmHaPGQ8clGyFqXGfVqp9lixZh8vjaTO1lPV4B_2uCvOBJq51A69-XUClErxi1nx_a4Bo3RD9TScaBQzUF6NOB9-VcErrP7reG9wpLbo/s400/IMG_20191212_064549378.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38FHR2PRmIhK_aHtHUpMV3u9aKUiVhB7piJK5mO5WhZKIbyEdfOEWdAp4FxznnGVjHu-r_txcM39VIsvSZiVqEezq-6MVT6GNqSqAU42PeFqleL89mC8OL7JC9OX8yCVOFKsBt6IedUc/s1600/IMG_20191212_183430454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38FHR2PRmIhK_aHtHUpMV3u9aKUiVhB7piJK5mO5WhZKIbyEdfOEWdAp4FxznnGVjHu-r_txcM39VIsvSZiVqEezq-6MVT6GNqSqAU42PeFqleL89mC8OL7JC9OX8yCVOFKsBt6IedUc/s400/IMG_20191212_183430454.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Christmas Light Parade in the little town where I work and we go to church. We were thrilled special friends invited us to share the event with them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPIMpvqmyw_vT-chjK93qcV0iAXTU8tHcmcayxEEkjmtczQ4uug6v_aUFxYSWdjvqKTliMbLJU8GZTnrz8fvz18gDb7gqfxctY3818d6F9pvhFgOV_QW9R7vSYT8OTLD3DMvfhmLgQRk/s1600/IMG_20191212_183504215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPIMpvqmyw_vT-chjK93qcV0iAXTU8tHcmcayxEEkjmtczQ4uug6v_aUFxYSWdjvqKTliMbLJU8GZTnrz8fvz18gDb7gqfxctY3818d6F9pvhFgOV_QW9R7vSYT8OTLD3DMvfhmLgQRk/s400/IMG_20191212_183504215.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0dKtKjuili8WEVOcqUf-9qvtYRqdkeICYqQOHEy4RPorelC2_J1sWoTr0oBUmXx748NwahFg96A9Uw6zAEMH4UtqUEDE6AZOkHOL-fmvdTehX7kReThMnzCuEhi5ZXp1Lwk9qKvQHM0/s1600/IMG_20191215_153020414_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0dKtKjuili8WEVOcqUf-9qvtYRqdkeICYqQOHEy4RPorelC2_J1sWoTr0oBUmXx748NwahFg96A9Uw6zAEMH4UtqUEDE6AZOkHOL-fmvdTehX7kReThMnzCuEhi5ZXp1Lwk9qKvQHM0/s400/IMG_20191215_153020414_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the privilege of watching my Brazilian students receive their American diplomas via Facebook live. Here they are singing the American anthem in honor of the 8 students that graduated with an American diploma last week as well as their Brazilian high school diploma. I confess, there were more than a few proud tears shed as I watched their graduation from 8000 miles away. My heart just about burst with joy at their accomplishments. The messages that came later just made my day. What a privilege to know these special young people and how excited I am to see where God takes them all in life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVvwMB-Cn_1y5rQi9RXap7JDcvMFi2HS-hYEkJ6WCYkUILjLQt7Zaa6Lotmdvrt63jmcf58ww2N1ISWv6KtXOJcw-Esty3xEffgeCJ3V9qpPyrb7m2npPSSn4h0MY46k1Ke61lpxhcP0/s1600/IMG_20191219_084010809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVvwMB-Cn_1y5rQi9RXap7JDcvMFi2HS-hYEkJ6WCYkUILjLQt7Zaa6Lotmdvrt63jmcf58ww2N1ISWv6KtXOJcw-Esty3xEffgeCJ3V9qpPyrb7m2npPSSn4h0MY46k1Ke61lpxhcP0/s400/IMG_20191219_084010809.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah's little choral singing program before Christmas Break.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW4KiaLaqYuPGxvsk9XNmrcudZm9io2bEOjDNtQS_V_xrCInkGHUGo8EfqCc_oUdGQ1B7pgLoq8-jJ9JXqPDLrClXxKzIfH_T9qWUYlW_jAGRAyzE6UYHWNcXtyFlXBVlJkcvXmqzRSQ/s1600/IMG_20191219_085145213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW4KiaLaqYuPGxvsk9XNmrcudZm9io2bEOjDNtQS_V_xrCInkGHUGo8EfqCc_oUdGQ1B7pgLoq8-jJ9JXqPDLrClXxKzIfH_T9qWUYlW_jAGRAyzE6UYHWNcXtyFlXBVlJkcvXmqzRSQ/s400/IMG_20191219_085145213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu_MisFMKkNjhQZGXjxLTAcfSbxQEKCQoA8v-5oAsG-RrCXeUGoBiXdUOUQmslpztojbz731bVoPzcoCq7PGZnlyFdotNaUcYbkB4vOr1Fex-ihoTcKIPTAEkSzmJg-8TVNtlPQ_pkyY/s1600/IMG_20191219_085732976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu_MisFMKkNjhQZGXjxLTAcfSbxQEKCQoA8v-5oAsG-RrCXeUGoBiXdUOUQmslpztojbz731bVoPzcoCq7PGZnlyFdotNaUcYbkB4vOr1Fex-ihoTcKIPTAEkSzmJg-8TVNtlPQ_pkyY/s400/IMG_20191219_085732976.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3vkzojMGYV0dQujyiJwQJEg7NMWamzltezAfcRobd_BS8qSL6E9vm6tk5B_RQ99XpnZdRmKSCRr0h6oXh3_EmAReDJ2Z8PNTO7uRkW3Rp5QtUTlJYojCO1ZCf4Dd4M1lANUORfpkMkc/s1600/IMG_20191219_190655804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3vkzojMGYV0dQujyiJwQJEg7NMWamzltezAfcRobd_BS8qSL6E9vm6tk5B_RQ99XpnZdRmKSCRr0h6oXh3_EmAReDJ2Z8PNTO7uRkW3Rp5QtUTlJYojCO1ZCf4Dd4M1lANUORfpkMkc/s400/IMG_20191219_190655804.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a wonderful evening at my company dinner. Delicious food and super fun table companions. I like my people. A lot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZc9Si8zgK9qXkLgDtE4nVI_BpW6sxc-vHoEoZEuGL4Z6Lekttchhi7VZ48GJtCPP4rP_oNPvveo4Qnn-ltW9NND-9eeEuMYE63jfTOOfgl3mkQTVXqH0zxrRmzUcXNXGdjQlpRmxDbc/s1600/IMG_20191219_190748983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZc9Si8zgK9qXkLgDtE4nVI_BpW6sxc-vHoEoZEuGL4Z6Lekttchhi7VZ48GJtCPP4rP_oNPvveo4Qnn-ltW9NND-9eeEuMYE63jfTOOfgl3mkQTVXqH0zxrRmzUcXNXGdjQlpRmxDbc/s400/IMG_20191219_190748983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B2Zmm00xA1AIN58YbtKbro-hhZmro99cYW1om_zC_6H1G6kmqOoll1fBY4dJ0SI52X5jhaERr6E8A6tZeO15VpwcPKCpxA3kcE90TAW0Mah2sMk8ptiMh8ZcAry6-cZlH8N90g3ITc8/s1600/IMG_20191220_185558939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B2Zmm00xA1AIN58YbtKbro-hhZmro99cYW1om_zC_6H1G6kmqOoll1fBY4dJ0SI52X5jhaERr6E8A6tZeO15VpwcPKCpxA3kcE90TAW0Mah2sMk8ptiMh8ZcAry6-cZlH8N90g3ITc8/s400/IMG_20191220_185558939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Christmas would just not be the same without a walk down Christmas Tree Lane and for me, a walk back to my childhood. My kids were enthralled as it was a completely new experience for them. I will never get too old for Christmas lights. They are just so pretty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1srPXEfvyk_3TTIy9xsCQm5BeDzp1jc5y4F62FeSW_Nnz0NIa44VT7h2r97nn33mUwo-Lwc3uS3THscbNmeB07r7TkU1UOez10CTRAgb18_Iu_Xsc1V4Qufcc2oAzmc0QuVopU-PH16A/s1600/IMG_20191220_191650275_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1srPXEfvyk_3TTIy9xsCQm5BeDzp1jc5y4F62FeSW_Nnz0NIa44VT7h2r97nn33mUwo-Lwc3uS3THscbNmeB07r7TkU1UOez10CTRAgb18_Iu_Xsc1V4Qufcc2oAzmc0QuVopU-PH16A/s400/IMG_20191220_191650275_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW22L3rugq1-5nS4iL8vGqHT6zLK_bKC9NQT1tSbjg9ICLiV4DUrlWqWVB5ou0Es2PRN72H2d6IdrINXdGduyhFM6ZN3oGULrs4V2P0w1TvlLLoJVrjaXBZIiyuMxygCzPXSz32xB10Pk/s1600/IMG_20191221_160134896_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW22L3rugq1-5nS4iL8vGqHT6zLK_bKC9NQT1tSbjg9ICLiV4DUrlWqWVB5ou0Es2PRN72H2d6IdrINXdGduyhFM6ZN3oGULrs4V2P0w1TvlLLoJVrjaXBZIiyuMxygCzPXSz32xB10Pk/s400/IMG_20191221_160134896_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitors from Oregon and North Dakota just add to our joy of the season!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj0PqQB1j4Lr9ZMvfJu0NeBvmak3c_93gk6lHkiS4LML9x6IaD9E2YBJUUoBO1zbPoMEd_avzJGZb6D-ANhIiowESu-BjSnTR3mHmXTcP9eFQ13Yimu8_cVvbRC-xSmBNUOCyqA-e_Kk/s1600/IMG_20191222_073439257_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj0PqQB1j4Lr9ZMvfJu0NeBvmak3c_93gk6lHkiS4LML9x6IaD9E2YBJUUoBO1zbPoMEd_avzJGZb6D-ANhIiowESu-BjSnTR3mHmXTcP9eFQ13Yimu8_cVvbRC-xSmBNUOCyqA-e_Kk/s400/IMG_20191222_073439257_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renicker Family Christmas...children opening their stockings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMAl0gqFLdnpeEvyRmlLup_qKBHiMANof30ljf7Jca32OW8H0ikjWoUim79T2eVhRpjS8YEbMG4r7SDWY6QcyQ76w051L-RY8lw-Gk05UZYvlB5N_XYFcN40hH6OHeYXaaga7Pc1satI/s1600/IMG_20191222_073509900_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMAl0gqFLdnpeEvyRmlLup_qKBHiMANof30ljf7Jca32OW8H0ikjWoUim79T2eVhRpjS8YEbMG4r7SDWY6QcyQ76w051L-RY8lw-Gk05UZYvlB5N_XYFcN40hH6OHeYXaaga7Pc1satI/s400/IMG_20191222_073509900_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niece 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Fh2_jWGH5qNjiS57IQIkWsVBTzmBntWp922k7rskDjFEzdTwNfbXnbgEGDmUDKx2ksAOwtN3bEllG2yms5QLPx-3QJQxUQuD5w52EkvElBRAcMJvS1Q8zPqDi7GDdR7MT1rcwWKB8A/s1600/IMG_20191222_073513551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Fh2_jWGH5qNjiS57IQIkWsVBTzmBntWp922k7rskDjFEzdTwNfbXnbgEGDmUDKx2ksAOwtN3bEllG2yms5QLPx-3QJQxUQuD5w52EkvElBRAcMJvS1Q8zPqDi7GDdR7MT1rcwWKB8A/s400/IMG_20191222_073513551.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niece 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjeaadMrvlHrKQ-D127AN1AArcbjSL9QPA470V4gQPQZKmcMT_bnzas7EaoPPD0Bxe2lDwPZu3ALtJaHPifhgC5FJRhXUFj81uGkZY5oQdKi8S3PPV7z6fVF0xegVi-wk7p-KGIrZO8c/s1600/IMG_20191222_073518628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjeaadMrvlHrKQ-D127AN1AArcbjSL9QPA470V4gQPQZKmcMT_bnzas7EaoPPD0Bxe2lDwPZu3ALtJaHPifhgC5FJRhXUFj81uGkZY5oQdKi8S3PPV7z6fVF0xegVi-wk7p-KGIrZO8c/s400/IMG_20191222_073518628.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ43ddiSEMi_PnlAPU-T4Xt9MG2uJh0adaUUXlghQK1yaZdhKwsG8Ji11x_dLW37Dv3u2Y43K7Hkcs8U85Q5_ebiG15o6L7ekLUcOaAV8ybqxj6qKYp8UzdmBsorMD5mdk53i7NcZESc/s1600/IMG_20191222_073529686_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ43ddiSEMi_PnlAPU-T4Xt9MG2uJh0adaUUXlghQK1yaZdhKwsG8Ji11x_dLW37Dv3u2Y43K7Hkcs8U85Q5_ebiG15o6L7ekLUcOaAV8ybqxj6qKYp8UzdmBsorMD5mdk53i7NcZESc/s400/IMG_20191222_073529686_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UbWsL50Tm54JKXC10pQPA1hk2Xk3QrkrsUApNFm9EjANlYoKyVwSoeiXhsAPxOxPs_5O5F8EruZ2ko-eeErBVd8YnYrXj-EIJVtiwZbutXMDN10dN05Ie0QmsgYVIOht77uudOGJS3s/s1600/IMG_20191222_154444633_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UbWsL50Tm54JKXC10pQPA1hk2Xk3QrkrsUApNFm9EjANlYoKyVwSoeiXhsAPxOxPs_5O5F8EruZ2ko-eeErBVd8YnYrXj-EIJVtiwZbutXMDN10dN05Ie0QmsgYVIOht77uudOGJS3s/s400/IMG_20191222_154444633_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making our traditional communion bread. Grandpa got all the kids involved and the adults just sat and watched and then of course, helped it all up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLyDim-r53a5B7jxLBTvb5TfFp0vOuQoWQezXzmIZMOffR8gX9Qo_ztcJewTVVp1Yks843d2fwsqpZ8y6mspo9TNs172oAatuXqbtoXXE31olwbOmW6Zvmmu0Ge28BUIMkO50gVftjYo/s1600/IMG_20191224_142510132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLyDim-r53a5B7jxLBTvb5TfFp0vOuQoWQezXzmIZMOffR8gX9Qo_ztcJewTVVp1Yks843d2fwsqpZ8y6mspo9TNs172oAatuXqbtoXXE31olwbOmW6Zvmmu0Ge28BUIMkO50gVftjYo/s400/IMG_20191224_142510132.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Noah wanted to give his gift to his sister on his knees! My kids have a flare for the dramatic but it was super cute! He gave her earrings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51UHV-60f916RyW-So0buiJ_ORVAZ0SHYXRfBmOmFKXtV9HgElKpQ99cnQf-nVRJaFeBmf9D7OCQdaOEa5-Q3XjdpTHQb7jKgbN-rGFUTzUMqQQMPL0lOvQrPn8jonlXZ_kcF_3TO2Ws/s1600/IMG_20191224_141604504_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51UHV-60f916RyW-So0buiJ_ORVAZ0SHYXRfBmOmFKXtV9HgElKpQ99cnQf-nVRJaFeBmf9D7OCQdaOEa5-Q3XjdpTHQb7jKgbN-rGFUTzUMqQQMPL0lOvQrPn8jonlXZ_kcF_3TO2Ws/s400/IMG_20191224_141604504_MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSaZEUTMRDzkWL6c6wWlp58kGJMVLyZ9JNiQRD7-uUU4Dcx1a5tfUIpJ91q0SQcduQFY1GaObTr8IUEpUy0Xv9joS-g-bP2b3eSC9UBqtzv1enaeBPx_WfHivkuYTfdYNKE5jlMwFXac/s1600/IMG_20191224_141509421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSaZEUTMRDzkWL6c6wWlp58kGJMVLyZ9JNiQRD7-uUU4Dcx1a5tfUIpJ91q0SQcduQFY1GaObTr8IUEpUy0Xv9joS-g-bP2b3eSC9UBqtzv1enaeBPx_WfHivkuYTfdYNKE5jlMwFXac/s400/IMG_20191224_141509421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I heard something this week on the radio and was struck by its simplicity but significance. I explained that we each would say what we were grateful for this year and then what each one wanted to give to Jesus as a gift this year. It was super sweet to hear what each one was most grateful for and what each one wanted to give to Jesus as her or his gift.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK17PZQ4JcoKjOScdT1hKBwEGDvnkTH3zg7HO2aVwEj9_UkDZ_KG_tKLOQd-k18NSnjCLdN-tLEAiXFqXOjvQAZLEaCsx95T6I1vTxcDUgxLxqzZpCwu0LHv8-KVNoX-6QOHT4HY5XxQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1577297968673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="1080" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK17PZQ4JcoKjOScdT1hKBwEGDvnkTH3zg7HO2aVwEj9_UkDZ_KG_tKLOQd-k18NSnjCLdN-tLEAiXFqXOjvQAZLEaCsx95T6I1vTxcDUgxLxqzZpCwu0LHv8-KVNoX-6QOHT4HY5XxQ/s400/FB_IMG_1577297968673.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candle light service with our special church family last night. We arrived in the United States one year ago yesterday and spent the day reminiscing and just thanking God for this amazing year full of so many joys, breakthroughs, tears, trials and most of all God's overwhelming, ABUNDANT GRACE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwyJ7X1XPISwPfKbPvgMG0TezBnJVAmOJ1Hb1h1tBQBiuNnV9oPVm_C-EYRdXyfuimrHILNKfqSDiarZDX83brG99LZWZdxp4xlnH3ArkxScgJOyBh_ZLWLhP4yvegskbxp5ukeUEDCw/s1600/IMG_20191224_214854097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwyJ7X1XPISwPfKbPvgMG0TezBnJVAmOJ1Hb1h1tBQBiuNnV9oPVm_C-EYRdXyfuimrHILNKfqSDiarZDX83brG99LZWZdxp4xlnH3ArkxScgJOyBh_ZLWLhP4yvegskbxp5ukeUEDCw/s400/IMG_20191224_214854097.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Twas the nigh before Christmas...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoup0E8yG5zme4cnwnMjWahguKlyFenRqVYGpWxGqqpC8cqMOTZu-MitOLIvLmkO2DtICQrzmidu5DU86kh_wYeR1U_raHMZpi0N_QFSKT-kFdzi1I8tVtLSbPvk3onMmE5rLB8vjG7gk/s1600/IMG_20191224_215211074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoup0E8yG5zme4cnwnMjWahguKlyFenRqVYGpWxGqqpC8cqMOTZu-MitOLIvLmkO2DtICQrzmidu5DU86kh_wYeR1U_raHMZpi0N_QFSKT-kFdzi1I8tVtLSbPvk3onMmE5rLB8vjG7gk/s400/IMG_20191224_215211074.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and all through the house...everyone was so tired we went to bed early!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLu4lmr_MrCo94vBMIoXfXRfTlc7uiJdw-8XOkuGP6QwVCw3zLNbjZoNM-Wi2SNdJBBzqyVYb9fa_nmrgPJOnQUKgtsOnrpWaRI_WEtX_KfeyjB7nLuZsoCtmP7IRP-mYbh7ISxOO5aY/s1600/IMG_20191225_131515017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLu4lmr_MrCo94vBMIoXfXRfTlc7uiJdw-8XOkuGP6QwVCw3zLNbjZoNM-Wi2SNdJBBzqyVYb9fa_nmrgPJOnQUKgtsOnrpWaRI_WEtX_KfeyjB7nLuZsoCtmP7IRP-mYbh7ISxOO5aY/s400/IMG_20191225_131515017.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just had to point out that there were more people that understand Portuguese at our table today than not! So so special to spend Christmas day with our Brazilian family (that really are American but spent most of their lives in Brazil as missionary kids and missionaries). God has brought us all back to the States but they live on the other side of the country so our times together are short but incredibly sweet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOShhPLVfF_5LypjOKyAv9PQD7Pmru65NaZXWVHyj4KwKMi0ArgAUxvsAv6R186XYuv5fPGRAsmzegmPjhyykUSSqJVEFej4-xN9VF7wv2gMRTHSALBWudYsGfVpbFAqlMrsd3HKkk504/s1600/IMG_20191225_164844411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOShhPLVfF_5LypjOKyAv9PQD7Pmru65NaZXWVHyj4KwKMi0ArgAUxvsAv6R186XYuv5fPGRAsmzegmPjhyykUSSqJVEFej4-xN9VF7wv2gMRTHSALBWudYsGfVpbFAqlMrsd3HKkk504/s400/IMG_20191225_164844411.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbnkRYP4_d2Y95zXkNgDBvSfH7acxVVJirPby5o10peql_TTXra-0eUZdY6Y0mQzioNn7_eDXChhBIZeRS8xSW7fsAhX0oEurI6fbidft3rA6UZ3jMeiM7_AirMP_M5QxACeDywc2bkc/s1600/IMG_20191225_173550188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbnkRYP4_d2Y95zXkNgDBvSfH7acxVVJirPby5o10peql_TTXra-0eUZdY6Y0mQzioNn7_eDXChhBIZeRS8xSW7fsAhX0oEurI6fbidft3rA6UZ3jMeiM7_AirMP_M5QxACeDywc2bkc/s400/IMG_20191225_173550188.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is a holiday without a ton of good food? Oh my. My sister-in-law and mother out did themselves today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OUR HOUSE<br />
<br />
On October 15, 2019 we signed a rental agreement and were handed the keys to our first American home. We are so thrilled to have this little house as our home for however long God gives us here. It is a little rental that I used to play in as a child and then came to visit at as an adult. It is one more manifestation of God's abundant blessing over our lives...and how my life feels like it has just come full circle.<br />
<br />
OUR CHURCH<br />
<br />
Our church family is one of our biggest blessings the last year. Our pastor is my childhood friend, one who I was raised with and was my brother's best friend. We worship with families I knew as a kid and teenager. My children have found dear friends in my childhood friends' children. Again, my life has truly come full circle!<br />
<br />
MY JOB<br />
<br />
I wasn't looking for a full time job but God in His divine providence gave me just that and on August 13, I went to work full time for the first time since becoming a mother. It's been a huge adjustment for my children and I. There's been many a tear shed at missed school events and milestones on both the children and I's parts but mostly we are just so grateful for this job that has helped us in so many ways to get where we are today. And yet another example at how my life has come full circle: my office manager is my childhood friend and my boss has been a family friend since I was Chloe's age. Yup, full circle. <br />
<br />
HUSBAND'S JOB<br />
<br />
It was with hearts full to overflowing that my husband went to work full time on September 23, nine months to the day of our departure from Brazil. How we praise God for this job. He's been there 3 months now and we continue to pray that he will be hired directly with the company soon but until that day we are just so grateful he is working in his area of study and experience. How amazing is that?<br />
<br />
As we reflect back on 2019 and all God has done and is doing and will continue to do, we just want to say thank you. Thank you Jesus, for being with us every step of the way. Thank you family, for loving on us through these months and year of immense adjustments and change. Thank you Dad and Mom R for giving us a safe haven, a place of consistency and love for 10 long months as we waited for those prayers of a job to be answered. <br />
<br />
Thank you Church family, for loving on us in so many ways and most of all your fervent, faithful prayers on our behalf (sunday school teachers, small group members, pastor Rex and Alli, administration, women's ministry, you know who you are!). Thank you to our dear friends who have rented this sweet little house to us in our time of need. Thank you friends for the many texts, emails, letters and phone calls reminding us of your love and prayers. Thank you to our new friends, both for Everson and I and for our children, who have just welcomed us into your worlds with such love and grace.<br />
<br />
Thank you for the dear ones who have sent checks at just the right time. Thank you Brazilian family and friends for never leaving us alone and flooding our phones with messages reminding us we are never forgotten and forever in your hearts. Thank you to our bosses and office managers who have taken the time to train us and given us the opportunity to work in an amazing environment. Thank you to my housecleaning clients who gave me work those first several months. Thank you to those who gave furniture and lovely nick nacs that have filled our home with warmth and beauty. The list truly could go on and on and on.<br />
<br />
Only God. Forgive me if I am a little weepy today. It just is sometimes too much to comprehend how wide and deep is His Love for us. As you look ahead to 2020, I hope you do so with HOPE. HOPE that HE is coming again. Not as a baby, but as a triumphant, magnificient, omnipotent KING!<br />
What a day that will be!<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<br />
Jama for the Brazil turned USA bunch<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-80887297381791469322019-07-22T15:47:00.000-07:002019-07-22T15:47:15.367-07:00Summer Days<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/AVvXsEh9ERE1nf8LSVzdpR3qdbfP_FzdAuvxwuKiCqxNq0qlAS43NBU-iFCJwL6UtiyrUtE4Tdg_vZDJHVK5dRetGNQYL416kUx7TVVoZ7N7AChri2N19QXUv9v4_sKCsefACqtT5QJcAcxj8k0/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="243" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ERE1nf8LSVzdpR3qdbfP_FzdAuvxwuKiCqxNq0qlAS43NBU-iFCJwL6UtiyrUtE4Tdg_vZDJHVK5dRetGNQYL416kUx7TVVoZ7N7AChri2N19QXUv9v4_sKCsefACqtT5QJcAcxj8k0/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of google images-7.22.19</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today I am reflecting on the word Kindness. My aunt posted this on her Facebook page this morning and it hit me. Hard.<br />
<br />
KINDNESS: noun-"Loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness."<br />
<br />
Wow. Beautiful. Powerful. Convicting. Deep.<br />
<br />
Why is it so much easier and natural for me to "put people in their place," or "kick them while they are down," or just simply want the last word???<br />
<br />
So my question to Jama today is: what does a little kindness cost? Isn't it worth it if it might change someone's day? All I get deep in my soul is a resounding YES!!!<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
Our Summer Days are flying by. In only a few more days our children start back to school and they are so so excited about that fact. We are so enjoying the summer days but my children just love the routine of school. Strange I know but I am so so grateful for that instead of the alternative.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz2CGNwD73oJLC6TmoI1nPvz0HfjNEoXQktBmjKSKS7SU5cHK-5d-hjAZPjUiKAZoKdo_bkoAfdStr3eVQ7B6LhrnEJKOF_mrZhhwwv7Z1jggUgV5s9bYqhLAu1Q3nN6X9fSWhLuLPq0/s1600/IMG_20190626_130331505_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz2CGNwD73oJLC6TmoI1nPvz0HfjNEoXQktBmjKSKS7SU5cHK-5d-hjAZPjUiKAZoKdo_bkoAfdStr3eVQ7B6LhrnEJKOF_mrZhhwwv7Z1jggUgV5s9bYqhLAu1Q3nN6X9fSWhLuLPq0/s400/IMG_20190626_130331505_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When daddy and papa have a job at Pebble Beach, it is as good excuse as any to go take them lunch and enjoy a few hours on the beach at the same time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7InR_GOzX9TYwgI4YqjKZ0ti3IpxURG7cvRh4Z-1nqI70OxezR3bESkSKUI9vrDsAMI_pWz-LEjLZbAU05I9VcU7ax9y1xLWtr-6Miyudet4It5xIVKXGmPErTPEMVki5mZBW70Ss08o/s1600/IMG_20190626_130524351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7InR_GOzX9TYwgI4YqjKZ0ti3IpxURG7cvRh4Z-1nqI70OxezR3bESkSKUI9vrDsAMI_pWz-LEjLZbAU05I9VcU7ax9y1xLWtr-6Miyudet4It5xIVKXGmPErTPEMVki5mZBW70Ss08o/s400/IMG_20190626_130524351.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7H5PaEdEhUxFgLOz_ywvZZ1KkoJ2HpEWaZRMZGRbDKf_lbkGqvtGEpWSc-pkkKWGJS5epc0H-8pOGRONZ-cnU95lNjJwZcyS5762fOvzdt5JOhy7AEnFkHWlvrcEe3BaMrfc-2tU01k/s1600/IMG_20190626_130627473_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7H5PaEdEhUxFgLOz_ywvZZ1KkoJ2HpEWaZRMZGRbDKf_lbkGqvtGEpWSc-pkkKWGJS5epc0H-8pOGRONZ-cnU95lNjJwZcyS5762fOvzdt5JOhy7AEnFkHWlvrcEe3BaMrfc-2tU01k/s400/IMG_20190626_130627473_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqYkfDk7HAfZaqSnh7hgn7v7RIMJk_3nsI_vEzux-sEkc8B9k5EAzBfmL9uBMTKBGhqBDtIp1VvkrxAJmopmYooZaqs9HodUgasgDWUzRws2O2SVG67G8B71z1LoMeKi4df7nQlcCPHY/s1600/IMG_20190626_145636815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqYkfDk7HAfZaqSnh7hgn7v7RIMJk_3nsI_vEzux-sEkc8B9k5EAzBfmL9uBMTKBGhqBDtIp1VvkrxAJmopmYooZaqs9HodUgasgDWUzRws2O2SVG67G8B71z1LoMeKi4df7nQlcCPHY/s400/IMG_20190626_145636815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmmLBXVkbiMqUymM3_FmuB91mJ5nHVPIOJsvtMoR70VasN-Uy_g-T0l6oF6vqqIE5-W1UFD6l1aQ5F0wL9jPDHxAbVVrGROVkomiLM3X_OKoIigG4nEGCz2940_-c3f6x1j4NxzTM8XI/s1600/IMG_20190626_150431144_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmmLBXVkbiMqUymM3_FmuB91mJ5nHVPIOJsvtMoR70VasN-Uy_g-T0l6oF6vqqIE5-W1UFD6l1aQ5F0wL9jPDHxAbVVrGROVkomiLM3X_OKoIigG4nEGCz2940_-c3f6x1j4NxzTM8XI/s400/IMG_20190626_150431144_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XMaGiRRqQ8Lwrus-oPweCHgGCCoMgVOsZXFI8WpJOi_6JZUDHZDpIEQQhhB8f1p9zZoWmDcW5Eki7DByFuPQ-mQZlPsppYbah7Cf8rTbJ_Lgjb3olMlvhGAO_murBnk43uGbVDdJc_w/s1600/IMG_20190626_170621206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XMaGiRRqQ8Lwrus-oPweCHgGCCoMgVOsZXFI8WpJOi_6JZUDHZDpIEQQhhB8f1p9zZoWmDcW5Eki7DByFuPQ-mQZlPsppYbah7Cf8rTbJ_Lgjb3olMlvhGAO_murBnk43uGbVDdJc_w/s400/IMG_20190626_170621206.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNyi0zW6sld8EUTZtKBB7NCPO98o85wqbJVtcfnFlzDUSO3rfyaelMDkoUIqVk5h304mVq-HLSDpsdVE5nLeZcHZInSg0H5sicxEu7tom6Gu0FM4QyhvJqBp35Q0NggwjtJrKKr5DLGI/s1600/IMG_20190626_193758174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNyi0zW6sld8EUTZtKBB7NCPO98o85wqbJVtcfnFlzDUSO3rfyaelMDkoUIqVk5h304mVq-HLSDpsdVE5nLeZcHZInSg0H5sicxEu7tom6Gu0FM4QyhvJqBp35Q0NggwjtJrKKr5DLGI/s400/IMG_20190626_193758174.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_BNIuH5n1JyVe5ajNFf2iMVkSvz2XmFr3P0nEPYJivJcZXpVJfVrw0hXCpoMKIVsZQgS-Xg8DaG5-apRe5H0OfQ92tSsXAQ3BDRrZT75p9UrsFGK6LTOQ9ccDUKyTMwuMaZYPclNejM/s1600/IMG_20190701_174457730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_BNIuH5n1JyVe5ajNFf2iMVkSvz2XmFr3P0nEPYJivJcZXpVJfVrw0hXCpoMKIVsZQgS-Xg8DaG5-apRe5H0OfQ92tSsXAQ3BDRrZT75p9UrsFGK6LTOQ9ccDUKyTMwuMaZYPclNejM/s400/IMG_20190701_174457730.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time for Miss C to have straight hair!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf-W3jOmQryD9S7n5dXe6jva7AXhEa0OU57ZgpSUGc2L7kIuYFfSV2i8DEpXFbwgRAc5GOMhcA4HraHJFy0T3fKT9EDx3NUpJJWQ78VQETBt_fNhnquPH6bB4A_huMWZVNWoS-dpnUDQ/s1600/IMG_20190704_093359430_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf-W3jOmQryD9S7n5dXe6jva7AXhEa0OU57ZgpSUGc2L7kIuYFfSV2i8DEpXFbwgRAc5GOMhcA4HraHJFy0T3fKT9EDx3NUpJJWQ78VQETBt_fNhnquPH6bB4A_huMWZVNWoS-dpnUDQ/s400/IMG_20190704_093359430_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 4th of July!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieyVQ4kSvB9j9Ub1nbxHdk69aE38_Hj9vcRsrhGZ6Svx9w2kvjjKr_iZAZTRkSpsZ7u-KLiDdstg0yIzHmjugZxVUsuMag73YZsuVdkRgQ1PQ4zaZwUeoIaNYnpIARemHtkBYFZNVYXw/s1600/IMG_20190704_093431749_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieyVQ4kSvB9j9Ub1nbxHdk69aE38_Hj9vcRsrhGZ6Svx9w2kvjjKr_iZAZTRkSpsZ7u-KLiDdstg0yIzHmjugZxVUsuMag73YZsuVdkRgQ1PQ4zaZwUeoIaNYnpIARemHtkBYFZNVYXw/s400/IMG_20190704_093431749_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyW5oqfH0VM1s6OHKvR_X3uLsdH-glXWHHnrn78kGTNHnLp1lo56YSXwKAHBzVRZiZ2IBN3Gjk32pg8dEIytQh39dtlghqxaamTwuh7HmVWnyYg0vNriyng7b9oKoj_pDn8Io95xEFEA/s1600/IMG_20190704_094138345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyW5oqfH0VM1s6OHKvR_X3uLsdH-glXWHHnrn78kGTNHnLp1lo56YSXwKAHBzVRZiZ2IBN3Gjk32pg8dEIytQh39dtlghqxaamTwuh7HmVWnyYg0vNriyng7b9oKoj_pDn8Io95xEFEA/s400/IMG_20190704_094138345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU52rGq6NL7zRTAaMzNl9QzIuqq8PDpIEM0mc9v1FQk89K_x9W9pqX957Mc-zHcBnJuAQ-CwvozYYT2-bGa-vtPTeUq7Fy9kFyPi-WwMUTGjoeu9IuIpMaUgMEz-NSwNS4hzvZul3LTY/s1600/MVIMG_20190704_094942673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU52rGq6NL7zRTAaMzNl9QzIuqq8PDpIEM0mc9v1FQk89K_x9W9pqX957Mc-zHcBnJuAQ-CwvozYYT2-bGa-vtPTeUq7Fy9kFyPi-WwMUTGjoeu9IuIpMaUgMEz-NSwNS4hzvZul3LTY/s400/MVIMG_20190704_094942673.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Parade in my hometown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmBFr935kGxhaavLqCD6t3VoxA_uFIfbKZWotrBCrzH2XiEWicZC1shuz5P8_VVJMPGhGZHlaJCRM_rDIB3RZa_Bra0fTlMtEltgA_mzCG-Pptvc553gmXdfb1WYSC-PYCdKTw5lpb38/s1600/IMG_20190704_112416322_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmBFr935kGxhaavLqCD6t3VoxA_uFIfbKZWotrBCrzH2XiEWicZC1shuz5P8_VVJMPGhGZHlaJCRM_rDIB3RZa_Bra0fTlMtEltgA_mzCG-Pptvc553gmXdfb1WYSC-PYCdKTw5lpb38/s400/IMG_20190704_112416322_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a small town! We ran into lots of friends and family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPr5Es8alJKD48v67PL0v6ZYnYp8_EBspwT4c9SFFg6vOdG-DdnheYMjC5NG98Z-QCExTC_4SA_N7NgVYnHgmVm2oBKm98gSOKJVSwX9ZwMUgvmDYhaVpAbZ-RXTvHE8Fw-O3J37kCkU/s1600/IMG_20190705_150601978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPr5Es8alJKD48v67PL0v6ZYnYp8_EBspwT4c9SFFg6vOdG-DdnheYMjC5NG98Z-QCExTC_4SA_N7NgVYnHgmVm2oBKm98gSOKJVSwX9ZwMUgvmDYhaVpAbZ-RXTvHE8Fw-O3J37kCkU/s400/IMG_20190705_150601978.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of things bring sweet memories...and just lots of "misses" in general.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10cZx6aa1tPRLj8EslTh7ISlqFbPTLoHJhk0y7OF5CC2mtX79IDoaYxw4FYOB0-Etq5RMu6cNjZHiCbtOox3JgkCuao97SwPiXxJ3zUPtoXFJC7b5SNfWKrt2Qupvj3IL1q2pSzPd8VM/s1600/IMG_20190706_130924023_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10cZx6aa1tPRLj8EslTh7ISlqFbPTLoHJhk0y7OF5CC2mtX79IDoaYxw4FYOB0-Etq5RMu6cNjZHiCbtOox3JgkCuao97SwPiXxJ3zUPtoXFJC7b5SNfWKrt2Qupvj3IL1q2pSzPd8VM/s400/IMG_20190706_130924023_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. N is beside himself that his much awaited tree house is becoming a reality! Slowly as the guys work on it when there is time but it will be wonderful when it's done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq_whLvTycmg7TcVm-00FnCOo-a9zbrIXskxVkn7qoC6yJYzSI3FP-bBCOPZjCRX3L3hN5USzCZko59dEFmduSH299ZS5RnEDVS6zaVeVjOTe5TRszYkl2oJDkcvvwSFXlXYGcV27CEU/s1600/IMG_20190712_153146146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq_whLvTycmg7TcVm-00FnCOo-a9zbrIXskxVkn7qoC6yJYzSI3FP-bBCOPZjCRX3L3hN5USzCZko59dEFmduSH299ZS5RnEDVS6zaVeVjOTe5TRszYkl2oJDkcvvwSFXlXYGcV27CEU/s400/IMG_20190712_153146146.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. N has learned to swim this summer! Miss J is a wonderful, patient, loving teacher and an immense God send to us this summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ5h54SEPBAhP0yOwmWJ8L-wNssPKdWehK9I_fm_f7TW5zibEHWMhAW3m1f_egdqJxX34KZYPy001Tj3qok29Zhln_Mlgfsh20-DX0oU3gsfXR1jOdGTKaHlAuJF2Axvs3FjqQhVIiXY/s1600/IMG_20190712_153154626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ5h54SEPBAhP0yOwmWJ8L-wNssPKdWehK9I_fm_f7TW5zibEHWMhAW3m1f_egdqJxX34KZYPy001Tj3qok29Zhln_Mlgfsh20-DX0oU3gsfXR1jOdGTKaHlAuJF2Axvs3FjqQhVIiXY/s400/IMG_20190712_153154626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OhUq-sf9d0NYQHD-2HLDXgLJmQO19kSbi94SCQn8PGWXgkcRTyXJ5RTL6VHJXsYDu46CTIw1u7QyOpP2hifnmc4vDNuy7mw3qTPLrKy-zshumE8ZAKj3SCYC7BJxDPwKRR1Z7btNw5A/s1600/IMG_20190717_192055790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OhUq-sf9d0NYQHD-2HLDXgLJmQO19kSbi94SCQn8PGWXgkcRTyXJ5RTL6VHJXsYDu46CTIw1u7QyOpP2hifnmc4vDNuy7mw3qTPLrKy-zshumE8ZAKj3SCYC7BJxDPwKRR1Z7btNw5A/s400/IMG_20190717_192055790.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy is tired of paying hair cutting fees for this one, so decided last weekend to take matters into his own hands. Literally!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbL1Bjgns6JrQDvNolDTPomrqfn37VN0LqzRZ2_h0_XJD0CDqOheebM1gpAvJHGvb8rTo59tLpskNUavRdNEKm9-ekAUf3snZ-kCXXOIEpCzBLfn8WfxRTKvrXb3AYD9B_xQN9vrzSH4/s1600/IMG_20190717_194813662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbL1Bjgns6JrQDvNolDTPomrqfn37VN0LqzRZ2_h0_XJD0CDqOheebM1gpAvJHGvb8rTo59tLpskNUavRdNEKm9-ekAUf3snZ-kCXXOIEpCzBLfn8WfxRTKvrXb3AYD9B_xQN9vrzSH4/s400/IMG_20190717_194813662.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRsW6_gXOCx92d21RL2GWvBcRoLiy9aNCmCpGg1FRJPjU4a3YM5yq0aH62iea2pxGd6gkO3OeQ8KX0vbCUoIyEKfMnnj9OtCUwKdJm83ir1_t_W6GXEEcCpeLGpdeXMsl25q4PEiaA3w/s1600/IMG_20190717_201635076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRsW6_gXOCx92d21RL2GWvBcRoLiy9aNCmCpGg1FRJPjU4a3YM5yq0aH62iea2pxGd6gkO3OeQ8KX0vbCUoIyEKfMnnj9OtCUwKdJm83ir1_t_W6GXEEcCpeLGpdeXMsl25q4PEiaA3w/s400/IMG_20190717_201635076.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypmfn8Wm1MAdPTugOdGkdbgzOVjtwJ-BdqjBti404xG4VzogHYxovF_Mb7Y9W7lSLoTnFfIwKP82-OIWupf-mBFnwv_v4OP9pAPiPNy1HzCXeGKDhzDroiXadH0j3Sc7OZRn-pFAL03k/s1600/IMG_20190717_201632055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypmfn8Wm1MAdPTugOdGkdbgzOVjtwJ-BdqjBti404xG4VzogHYxovF_Mb7Y9W7lSLoTnFfIwKP82-OIWupf-mBFnwv_v4OP9pAPiPNy1HzCXeGKDhzDroiXadH0j3Sc7OZRn-pFAL03k/s400/IMG_20190717_201632055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that fantastic haircut! I am so proud of my man. He was quite nervous but did a great job for a first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw16mgS7VdutJWZP5Sr5ilXWXEQptMC5XO2rb3-qGU-QlUI5Pz9U5j7ltJGV-5YiUN4jGSyr_xlMrP2-Gu8vdKA3Kqsl5KbAOo09YzfA4UekQSeoi4zVeYOTYnFNn_W2jkTrDIitpSkIk/s1600/IMG_20190718_122223426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw16mgS7VdutJWZP5Sr5ilXWXEQptMC5XO2rb3-qGU-QlUI5Pz9U5j7ltJGV-5YiUN4jGSyr_xlMrP2-Gu8vdKA3Kqsl5KbAOo09YzfA4UekQSeoi4zVeYOTYnFNn_W2jkTrDIitpSkIk/s400/IMG_20190718_122223426.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister-friend reminded me of something so important this past week. Love truly manifests itself in a myriad of ways and how much it can mean to just know someone thought of you and cared enough to bring your favorite flowers from her garden and visit for a bit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQzUOHozosvLf-pB2yviQir9EOXHTRq6H5ltswlMPPWsK_UPlCmswY-ugdigDJtLWTfoj1hRTOqrDaK4vovXjXlixPrWtNMbPvWVgc1FisI3W5L9ACV75LvgiBYzClFEgcHyjDVP0ERc/s1600/IMG_20190718_155553501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQzUOHozosvLf-pB2yviQir9EOXHTRq6H5ltswlMPPWsK_UPlCmswY-ugdigDJtLWTfoj1hRTOqrDaK4vovXjXlixPrWtNMbPvWVgc1FisI3W5L9ACV75LvgiBYzClFEgcHyjDVP0ERc/s400/IMG_20190718_155553501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfMRiXuPl2FWp7cGl0Db3u8FGWPPFFhz7qQf0POLh9ca79RTWfRoq8KpznZ9Tvsb2TSm_gvS1ZaMvf8I3hwXthVqObGxcs1pIoQbJy65Yw4IwDX-LyhrU42YRbIAlbiw8zMQOcCAhO84/s1600/IMG_20190718_151006333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfMRiXuPl2FWp7cGl0Db3u8FGWPPFFhz7qQf0POLh9ca79RTWfRoq8KpznZ9Tvsb2TSm_gvS1ZaMvf8I3hwXthVqObGxcs1pIoQbJy65Yw4IwDX-LyhrU42YRbIAlbiw8zMQOcCAhO84/s400/IMG_20190718_151006333.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6i0YbCBeXWn3Pry5hK3GPexYAXMJQXNc9LNSrGR6Snd1gErL-ZeHXGRANay0bff7QH0EOLpKNovCiq7ZjGbyd7lpekC8ZkA7RkZg-32Pp1bCt470eV8JkjKRxZGjQ63ncow2w-ORDyE/s1600/IMG_20190718_180610121_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6i0YbCBeXWn3Pry5hK3GPexYAXMJQXNc9LNSrGR6Snd1gErL-ZeHXGRANay0bff7QH0EOLpKNovCiq7ZjGbyd7lpekC8ZkA7RkZg-32Pp1bCt470eV8JkjKRxZGjQ63ncow2w-ORDyE/s400/IMG_20190718_180610121_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Days would not be complete without an evening at the country fair, now would it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9IXT88uUveIBdO0cdOEJc5E01xBl8x1tX8ImfhnlP1qNmjzwVBbqE43XjfPm9jTV_Y6gvKyM6_Y9TY5h9x7AJH8la8DHDfc4DyH_9H-kjV8b0jvYK56oeFcYll_rnCGZRlNVTemtAa4/s1600/IMG_20190718_180758980_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9IXT88uUveIBdO0cdOEJc5E01xBl8x1tX8ImfhnlP1qNmjzwVBbqE43XjfPm9jTV_Y6gvKyM6_Y9TY5h9x7AJH8la8DHDfc4DyH_9H-kjV8b0jvYK56oeFcYll_rnCGZRlNVTemtAa4/s400/IMG_20190718_180758980_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HdLvZjDM0xJw5bOsrijLckexAve8S7ufQsWRSY79P0W5HEINQG8_EisABsQR9dY7ZmL_eT-uP4jrGBJ_aiEHhBQMijyQmZJrZNAJNLN57APB8Prru7Ve0au2AlmJ1NlSlNhRNQzchRI/s1600/MVIMG_20190718_181322112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HdLvZjDM0xJw5bOsrijLckexAve8S7ufQsWRSY79P0W5HEINQG8_EisABsQR9dY7ZmL_eT-uP4jrGBJ_aiEHhBQMijyQmZJrZNAJNLN57APB8Prru7Ve0au2AlmJ1NlSlNhRNQzchRI/s400/MVIMG_20190718_181322112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many kiddos to milk a cow???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9O5mBxsh-JTh3N2XOfh0_pp8JBFi_djBpNiiKDfojf_SE5HmA5KL8CLQJXX_f8_Vmu-NJNiU1yAU-42YrQ7z1LMcoZ9YTaXu2SK2pKStRxvZKiLMfGvOoF9SE7iFqg0qqLTGju33YjY/s1600/IMG_20190719_080943520_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9O5mBxsh-JTh3N2XOfh0_pp8JBFi_djBpNiiKDfojf_SE5HmA5KL8CLQJXX_f8_Vmu-NJNiU1yAU-42YrQ7z1LMcoZ9YTaXu2SK2pKStRxvZKiLMfGvOoF9SE7iFqg0qqLTGju33YjY/s400/IMG_20190719_080943520_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had special visitors for breakfast one morning...all the way from Ohio! These are my children's great-great aunt and uncle. I thought that picture worthy, not to mention I love them dearly and was so very glad to see them after so many years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7FtPjEJLWXcpBYOEvTsPd_rbnqy9LDBtsXIr1oGRrLyT7zXqehl8YzeFt48Yx2Oq-S8VeOOlAthgHQSdhHVNIJLOf9fVJd5k2l2STlihH5jm95ahpmtECwubG5jcKxnoqb4PWsQqMyw/s1600/IMG_20190721_174537209_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7FtPjEJLWXcpBYOEvTsPd_rbnqy9LDBtsXIr1oGRrLyT7zXqehl8YzeFt48Yx2Oq-S8VeOOlAthgHQSdhHVNIJLOf9fVJd5k2l2STlihH5jm95ahpmtECwubG5jcKxnoqb4PWsQqMyw/s400/IMG_20190721_174537209_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My children had never experience a pinata and were SO excited to do so last night at my nieces's 5th birthday celebration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ9_qwu8YVlecSJ-7IlFeviNIw771IzVzP77euMKwqsATHhyYzh0z3JPCxgcLuFn3Xfq_grjAztj73Uk3ZOdiJbMtT77hsgIDsPb7HUP_YjhreFTqAmwj_zKOZIbSqMYwdNZRRvSM7LE/s1600/IMG_20190721_174650496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ9_qwu8YVlecSJ-7IlFeviNIw771IzVzP77euMKwqsATHhyYzh0z3JPCxgcLuFn3Xfq_grjAztj73Uk3ZOdiJbMtT77hsgIDsPb7HUP_YjhreFTqAmwj_zKOZIbSqMYwdNZRRvSM7LE/s400/IMG_20190721_174650496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKm37S8Oq7rybIeZh9gDYeiqwbPzeCJAgldOrf5JUNmGj01IJnsP9-yqwtBN7GlaCB3nN0MCQ8nrEdRFm6vw8csAtPUs1UEaSCSkvzzvvQnWU17obOa6q8ElwGzomg2i-bkziRhqGy2c/s1600/IMG_20190721_173929553_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKm37S8Oq7rybIeZh9gDYeiqwbPzeCJAgldOrf5JUNmGj01IJnsP9-yqwtBN7GlaCB3nN0MCQ8nrEdRFm6vw8csAtPUs1UEaSCSkvzzvvQnWU17obOa6q8ElwGzomg2i-bkziRhqGy2c/s400/IMG_20190721_173929553_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday girly girl! Your birthday finally arrived and it was so fun to be here to celebrate with you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So as the summer days pass swiftly, we keep looking UP. We continue to wait for a full time job for my husband. We continue to wait for that income to be able to get our own little place to live. But over it all is God's most bountiful grace and kindness to us. Sharing His strength with us instead of pointing out our weakness. <br />
<br />
May His joy be your strength in whatever you are facing today. Dear ones who have serious, life threatening illnesses, friends who buried their 42 year old daughter, sister and mother last week. Dear ones waiting for test results, caring for a dying father, the list goes on. Truly it is only Jesus who can bring comfort, peace and joy in the midst of our earthly sufferings. And He will. Just let Him!<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Jama<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-23135260628798881962019-06-24T15:05:00.001-07:002019-06-24T15:05:42.161-07:00Rich in Kindness & Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>"He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins</b></i>." Ephesians 1:7 NLT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOyGe3AETA1Aadq957cDP8vRcS67p8PIROjqNLFPZTgjDT0CetbS8IgelFkxaS79bstsccmCAYIW9SmogfCem-dR743-LWkQb2Qr1EuSLK0zjxf_ivVMmTF9V-CVHNN1NJXAU1f6TKNI/s1600/IMG_20190531_140414742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOyGe3AETA1Aadq957cDP8vRcS67p8PIROjqNLFPZTgjDT0CetbS8IgelFkxaS79bstsccmCAYIW9SmogfCem-dR743-LWkQb2Qr1EuSLK0zjxf_ivVMmTF9V-CVHNN1NJXAU1f6TKNI/s400/IMG_20190531_140414742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Valley Fresh Summer Fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy 6 Months to USA Living to Us!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The above verse was at the bottom of my first journal page today. It struck me between the eyes, so to speak. Rich in kindness and grace. Wow! That is my God in a nutshell.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am just completely overwhelmed today by that kindness and grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By His grace we finished the school semester well.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKxtLk-2EYxH0IbCWhnWElhUVmd2PlIxYA0TQA3s_A4dhS0iP-CsZIVrCeLgWk7K2qIIyjpbnLNb6TB5tWR_Y4sMR1FPpFYvQaHdZomo27irYpBNdYbvGwOJsqUWoaUXerUDNOjUgmaE/s1600/IMG_20190524_113154053_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKxtLk-2EYxH0IbCWhnWElhUVmd2PlIxYA0TQA3s_A4dhS0iP-CsZIVrCeLgWk7K2qIIyjpbnLNb6TB5tWR_Y4sMR1FPpFYvQaHdZomo27irYpBNdYbvGwOJsqUWoaUXerUDNOjUgmaE/s400/IMG_20190524_113154053_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwvwqYvkUcoqhFLuX-z5AlaGNXlXRIiCiL-a1VKaYFGbBENpxq2hLgwqsryg4lTWILjc1T0zcyjWQmQfDHhWKdYC5LYIr5rMqBk3N2gVQftgggaFAhJcDM8vA8PoJYJ1SPbuBxEDIoH4/s1600/IMG_20190524_110826506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwvwqYvkUcoqhFLuX-z5AlaGNXlXRIiCiL-a1VKaYFGbBENpxq2hLgwqsryg4lTWILjc1T0zcyjWQmQfDHhWKdYC5LYIr5rMqBk3N2gVQftgggaFAhJcDM8vA8PoJYJ1SPbuBxEDIoH4/s400/IMG_20190524_110826506.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneer Days for Chloe at School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUbNXZjUphCYNUdRzsoLxIUnC161u6bEtCwMKKhato6dy0v-fJMFGwLJQ0WoQgs2dIY2eTt88ZtozovH_8-dKUa1vPVENFENLhcw5fWpdBJcZ7o7wJ_e06ConWK825HJrDgSuo-2ROJs/s1600/IMG_20190509_173838929_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUbNXZjUphCYNUdRzsoLxIUnC161u6bEtCwMKKhato6dy0v-fJMFGwLJQ0WoQgs2dIY2eTt88ZtozovH_8-dKUa1vPVENFENLhcw5fWpdBJcZ7o7wJ_e06ConWK825HJrDgSuo-2ROJs/s400/IMG_20190509_173838929_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah learned to ride a bike this Spring and he and his sister race around my parents cul de sac at frightening speeds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkO3a5OiaZgmR6UGe6PzhUDdpx5ifMerAtNiYPT1V_o_XJ73qx-A0f8eASJvj1yPLiGFfkaYLYtUsT31rItuCGjUmJJ_ccaV4zDEAI-7P4_MLvU4EFTNY0TTOWmqEybHuWGw2doJm9Lw/s1600/IMG_20190508_072303580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkO3a5OiaZgmR6UGe6PzhUDdpx5ifMerAtNiYPT1V_o_XJ73qx-A0f8eASJvj1yPLiGFfkaYLYtUsT31rItuCGjUmJJ_ccaV4zDEAI-7P4_MLvU4EFTNY0TTOWmqEybHuWGw2doJm9Lw/s400/IMG_20190508_072303580.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our darling little pioneer girl! My mother made this apron for her costume.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92aklFmRDmpwk1R5dKBinXLzv822mEX9ZUmAYMStokgC_BUupXL3oN7r2JHxrkjSliIoIoxoZ7aLv_lw8qHZepIZDTAk7HTjw1dCKEHBzjmLyJrbAeXaKF8ATeOu9pBE1IV4ReHfFmWY/s1600/IMG_20190509_152100735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92aklFmRDmpwk1R5dKBinXLzv822mEX9ZUmAYMStokgC_BUupXL3oN7r2JHxrkjSliIoIoxoZ7aLv_lw8qHZepIZDTAk7HTjw1dCKEHBzjmLyJrbAeXaKF8ATeOu9pBE1IV4ReHfFmWY/s400/IMG_20190509_152100735.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a year end ice cream in the parking lot of our favorite grocery store!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqFQh93E7StphKFPv0_ZulMpDvneC0s0db8qZQrcw7gq8Jy5RMESfjH7O5-IEhQnW9WSK5Ak32Q7LLI4C-S3KnLlb8jcHw7918xCQUhyphenhyphenEVmdraJ_VF-IYkvM_keUFEvti6R2qlBM2GDE/s1600/IMG_20190503_082017399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqFQh93E7StphKFPv0_ZulMpDvneC0s0db8qZQrcw7gq8Jy5RMESfjH7O5-IEhQnW9WSK5Ak32Q7LLI4C-S3KnLlb8jcHw7918xCQUhyphenhyphenEVmdraJ_VF-IYkvM_keUFEvti6R2qlBM2GDE/s400/IMG_20190503_082017399.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah receiving his award for 100 books read this semester!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because He is so kind, we have been enjoying all manner of wonderful summer outings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFHBCHXycQrqtmDF9n17_PJYRntNi49VxcIx5gpzUJpc8rX4UyxQaVXFHatxeA8VSYXfLZ1N19zTIr2a5g3AQFYKOOgGwL87gsAyVbj_5QuGI4DJDGn-2PoL1fxbYTbLgIc-1BW61mBQ/s1600/IMG_20190525_110808616_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFHBCHXycQrqtmDF9n17_PJYRntNi49VxcIx5gpzUJpc8rX4UyxQaVXFHatxeA8VSYXfLZ1N19zTIr2a5g3AQFYKOOgGwL87gsAyVbj_5QuGI4DJDGn-2PoL1fxbYTbLgIc-1BW61mBQ/s400/IMG_20190525_110808616_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untold numbers of hours swimming away these HOT summer afternoons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu00tfpsmw2Dv0ShjH8hp8XrlXGY4eV_i7PD7qcq_bX4OpihtmS45Tba4b61_-4WozZvO84x0tcqkmgTF5X_j3hJ6L1fDd0fkhFAZoAHix6otuDpElUETI8927awIIahVUJc01ylBaOt4/s1600/IMG_20190525_154957658_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu00tfpsmw2Dv0ShjH8hp8XrlXGY4eV_i7PD7qcq_bX4OpihtmS45Tba4b61_-4WozZvO84x0tcqkmgTF5X_j3hJ6L1fDd0fkhFAZoAHix6otuDpElUETI8927awIIahVUJc01ylBaOt4/s400/IMG_20190525_154957658_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BBQ with Brazilian friends in Sacramento in May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIZfViJNV3j73dMZOohKCaUjik8bOjYs8P0x1KypNcoE4F7YnNKE3fvDswRmYakfTjtd8OlDOQM4pjBrmlbhtNovmLgR0pUhJNb3nFa1LTjIwne52V2DzQDaK2ZoMRIPt_WAcFMqZjYM/s1600/IMG_20190525_164708793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIZfViJNV3j73dMZOohKCaUjik8bOjYs8P0x1KypNcoE4F7YnNKE3fvDswRmYakfTjtd8OlDOQM4pjBrmlbhtNovmLgR0pUhJNb3nFa1LTjIwne52V2DzQDaK2ZoMRIPt_WAcFMqZjYM/s400/IMG_20190525_164708793.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times with Restoration Ministries friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf1GTO-o92POny_tIAp2a6jcGfm40mloSwpvdJ7ZlVcWBXTtbnvRNMAUfFVcWteL-vIjHEgsFWDhDysDr3Xnr7EkAuwGvWaHcX1MW67k9oa7CquqhKS4kJ4UENf17bojWi7J0ItZzJGk/s1600/IMG_20190525_164843514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf1GTO-o92POny_tIAp2a6jcGfm40mloSwpvdJ7ZlVcWBXTtbnvRNMAUfFVcWteL-vIjHEgsFWDhDysDr3Xnr7EkAuwGvWaHcX1MW67k9oa7CquqhKS4kJ4UENf17bojWi7J0ItZzJGk/s400/IMG_20190525_164843514.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dZRJ7LWaJz3Z5B9G5IYPHff6azdxCIJSPuR2Keiz8-LqOa3QepFxyqF_xoFFrWejSpLFB-TDUKSzPVbGmjCKEglGTmSO49Do9FcZyC9ptn3lxVlisejHk5LHCOGirh1VxW9MQcGnnpo/s1600/IMG_20190525_164733195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dZRJ7LWaJz3Z5B9G5IYPHff6azdxCIJSPuR2Keiz8-LqOa3QepFxyqF_xoFFrWejSpLFB-TDUKSzPVbGmjCKEglGTmSO49Do9FcZyC9ptn3lxVlisejHk5LHCOGirh1VxW9MQcGnnpo/s400/IMG_20190525_164733195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyGz0rsB_-TUHRYJPE6dpgehn7BDLBql2GN_XyRltNXSFGYcUoaVpv3fbb1PaZwJbqycQ8AshVL4mEtvmKcEPbmMMugB_o7XohoYC0JGc9uOd8i80fVJBfSE6uumtuc-nM28VLjt8TGE/s1600/IMG_20190525_170342137_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyGz0rsB_-TUHRYJPE6dpgehn7BDLBql2GN_XyRltNXSFGYcUoaVpv3fbb1PaZwJbqycQ8AshVL4mEtvmKcEPbmMMugB_o7XohoYC0JGc9uOd8i80fVJBfSE6uumtuc-nM28VLjt8TGE/s400/IMG_20190525_170342137_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblOIjJYdpIKRjetkxLQoGZYm4dW_0GWrHQXgh6ooK_0aW3fSUFSCfGMs7aqNVVbk_1Ts4CgXjlrDl8CSE5UAtKGc7ahd6dkgtfhX3QDTzhOGsYRQLrDmKen3dTG7UWkAFP90FJ-MBjN0/s1600/IMG_20190528_153001476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblOIjJYdpIKRjetkxLQoGZYm4dW_0GWrHQXgh6ooK_0aW3fSUFSCfGMs7aqNVVbk_1Ts4CgXjlrDl8CSE5UAtKGc7ahd6dkgtfhX3QDTzhOGsYRQLrDmKen3dTG7UWkAFP90FJ-MBjN0/s400/IMG_20190528_153001476.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah's first taste of Starbucks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxm0fCiGdCKcv2CwyIcG42tp2N3Wj3ZjnGPD1Wyjc8O2xs4FsmpnBCRjkpjhepUi8r5NiFPSDxTA7_0e3UsK0EVs3OVmgape-LWt23e0LNg9K_owI0eXAT9pgfO9IW0XOtuWtmczQIkM/s1600/IMG_20190607_165346290_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxm0fCiGdCKcv2CwyIcG42tp2N3Wj3ZjnGPD1Wyjc8O2xs4FsmpnBCRjkpjhepUi8r5NiFPSDxTA7_0e3UsK0EVs3OVmgape-LWt23e0LNg9K_owI0eXAT9pgfO9IW0XOtuWtmczQIkM/s400/IMG_20190607_165346290_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAxa6_SbN5B8fWN1uo31phWBxF93NSrInoLI0t78Vd7wCL82XPXlCjBz_88Wd_ykklx8sTr1Z2lS3JSG2DtiXeHnskjuWg7Dv4N_braa4P4mMVEXsXeXXYtrcY4IjGLbKlVAs3bar3M/s1600/IMG_20190608_100422267_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAxa6_SbN5B8fWN1uo31phWBxF93NSrInoLI0t78Vd7wCL82XPXlCjBz_88Wd_ykklx8sTr1Z2lS3JSG2DtiXeHnskjuWg7Dv4N_braa4P4mMVEXsXeXXYtrcY4IjGLbKlVAs3bar3M/s400/IMG_20190608_100422267_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our newest fruit stand "jewel" of a find</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkQqux5OOFVZwv9FIwqTD7nBqNvDsLWV8PPPBB-zONLSqPd7SR7fhNIo39TdJY1EIVBm51P5hb-9EOe0jnyRUWmw7VkCXtVECXJPsXPkcNkQn9MqrCeKNmU7s9a9OUpcBn0DqRyOS61Q/s1600/IMG_20190608_205451225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkQqux5OOFVZwv9FIwqTD7nBqNvDsLWV8PPPBB-zONLSqPd7SR7fhNIo39TdJY1EIVBm51P5hb-9EOe0jnyRUWmw7VkCXtVECXJPsXPkcNkQn9MqrCeKNmU7s9a9OUpcBn0DqRyOS61Q/s400/IMG_20190608_205451225.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Grammie's dance recital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhJ2nnFRugKCEWk-gRBQTfcoCn8eqxQjvst0zKVIUvT5u-VUVO2D-NQHgRIYcfhIUuTKMmr5hTkLpIEQhpD1WMMiz3FbzeV61H2b_LRKpMxg1LcxzD5RIMg0ip8dqZgrr1F20Q-F_OM/s1600/IMG_20190608_205510304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhJ2nnFRugKCEWk-gRBQTfcoCn8eqxQjvst0zKVIUvT5u-VUVO2D-NQHgRIYcfhIUuTKMmr5hTkLpIEQhpD1WMMiz3FbzeV61H2b_LRKpMxg1LcxzD5RIMg0ip8dqZgrr1F20Q-F_OM/s400/IMG_20190608_205510304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEfGhYsJUGQA5P_7pJqbwydZIuTaX2sEx9gbvP0KAQGBLFQH8SZ4u1Ibz4jBmmVv7tdTxUzEI6Z2TP1J42Zij8BkYQKwAiIZJQm8_pKjK7FVrWWZCaf32hIILdAFLS7DyGITuoioVOw4/s1600/IMG_20190608_205732777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEfGhYsJUGQA5P_7pJqbwydZIuTaX2sEx9gbvP0KAQGBLFQH8SZ4u1Ibz4jBmmVv7tdTxUzEI6Z2TP1J42Zij8BkYQKwAiIZJQm8_pKjK7FVrWWZCaf32hIILdAFLS7DyGITuoioVOw4/s400/IMG_20190608_205732777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjCg5dW8xAhj7FWp9u74akcOeY6UusrWiuhj4mEUduUDQqWcPsJZW2c1KtEI-UC71SM15UG23GFVECZT4QlRz4X5s4gZyaG-9_NXlTargMAfvoDgFAQ-o3e8qjHAuJX4vrLvGKJ2QFU8/s1600/IMG_20190612_161148607_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjCg5dW8xAhj7FWp9u74akcOeY6UusrWiuhj4mEUduUDQqWcPsJZW2c1KtEI-UC71SM15UG23GFVECZT4QlRz4X5s4gZyaG-9_NXlTargMAfvoDgFAQ-o3e8qjHAuJX4vrLvGKJ2QFU8/s400/IMG_20190612_161148607_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFVhALZQ6qaz2W8DjfXBU-SDyO2yZlOFiyq4mx0tS0KSvHqUAiS1vz0bePqYkI40sl9B7kyov6eAVmLVHDoDEPDuTyKxxURlvd7DlfX0f3Bt0jLPdrFv2kJNg6GLgHC0ZaXkgrrZzFk4/s1600/IMG_20190614_150115527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFVhALZQ6qaz2W8DjfXBU-SDyO2yZlOFiyq4mx0tS0KSvHqUAiS1vz0bePqYkI40sl9B7kyov6eAVmLVHDoDEPDuTyKxxURlvd7DlfX0f3Bt0jLPdrFv2kJNg6GLgHC0ZaXkgrrZzFk4/s400/IMG_20190614_150115527.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYmui_j57u1RXkzDAVoZwnDJAXYRZJhWwy-kALdVcFZv-XK1QGN_sAUe7frTuc2bQt2LbPTr0hl-gtjzqjMefAiYZCQcAoNmt6COMU_NlrGpFp1Nxur5AsuJsf6uJYg_-jk9hAqjbG-w/s1600/IMG_20190614_150152747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYmui_j57u1RXkzDAVoZwnDJAXYRZJhWwy-kALdVcFZv-XK1QGN_sAUe7frTuc2bQt2LbPTr0hl-gtjzqjMefAiYZCQcAoNmt6COMU_NlrGpFp1Nxur5AsuJsf6uJYg_-jk9hAqjbG-w/s400/IMG_20190614_150152747.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Bowling Outing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWff4MEPzUlLD39bp07H_HCYxSSfFKxYSi6b8a3lz1sq-JwE2mEDdbIXin25SrW8cr1r68ajUnIU5Z9-W1ac6Sk5fMNg6-U5JbBRPn7AVGrVWrPi9p2WBpFRsL_uCC_urnYmiXMCovbvg/s1600/IMG_20190614_151231264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWff4MEPzUlLD39bp07H_HCYxSSfFKxYSi6b8a3lz1sq-JwE2mEDdbIXin25SrW8cr1r68ajUnIU5Z9-W1ac6Sk5fMNg6-U5JbBRPn7AVGrVWrPi9p2WBpFRsL_uCC_urnYmiXMCovbvg/s400/IMG_20190614_151231264.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFNlas2o08vf3ZTyYKZUHPtauK-dAMBe6DCwVak6V3vN56bZlDnHnruPas3MvxmAMld2Bwy7uigixUUx0eMVr6DpsTpRAHM998kG3JbJZTat6GIyNux-IWmx6xyzfokUVpBGqIzfboVA/s1600/IMG_20190614_172023108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFNlas2o08vf3ZTyYKZUHPtauK-dAMBe6DCwVak6V3vN56bZlDnHnruPas3MvxmAMld2Bwy7uigixUUx0eMVr6DpsTpRAHM998kG3JbJZTat6GIyNux-IWmx6xyzfokUVpBGqIzfboVA/s400/IMG_20190614_172023108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ3fwStD7T_vtTN2Tf3a8m1wimV56L6aTuVDg4vPxU2GsIyPjJdrJD6wDco89g2uUwprIxZB0dzTgQfaS-XPoabJjX9mNO6gYZEiDpjuFJf163pIiYfeOQq-ykU5cjxTjsjk9zxV2UAM/s1600/IMG_20190614_183525447_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ3fwStD7T_vtTN2Tf3a8m1wimV56L6aTuVDg4vPxU2GsIyPjJdrJD6wDco89g2uUwprIxZB0dzTgQfaS-XPoabJjX9mNO6gYZEiDpjuFJf163pIiYfeOQq-ykU5cjxTjsjk9zxV2UAM/s400/IMG_20190614_183525447_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Uncle's favorite part of the day-only a couple hours were happily spent playing various instruments!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27qtwyQc0d6cBHB6Aiml4MeZZ0UXg8QVcw0eOmoL1u0jZZDWzVujw0kNestOOhfNT8QqHVFIJjNEk_hF-ua1f8x2e_3ksExKAqdiTbuc3PpYMfeSuMuv9T5Td2UXyO8bTOmXblxCIK0c/s1600/IMG_20190615_122606072_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27qtwyQc0d6cBHB6Aiml4MeZZ0UXg8QVcw0eOmoL1u0jZZDWzVujw0kNestOOhfNT8QqHVFIJjNEk_hF-ua1f8x2e_3ksExKAqdiTbuc3PpYMfeSuMuv9T5Td2UXyO8bTOmXblxCIK0c/s400/IMG_20190615_122606072_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half Moon Bay-June 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D0ZfMBg4U4l8MqCTnMtDMr7oK1yJjOaAy94NtjCkfzBgZDZsHDn5PA2KhDdza1z3kUG6ePI-m_KkhxaDEhIuIF6uaL1ydJl6FBhw-yL_pXilF_Q61-XoPXQZtpk8l4rFlXXCsGQUyg8/s1600/IMG_20190615_144753348_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D0ZfMBg4U4l8MqCTnMtDMr7oK1yJjOaAy94NtjCkfzBgZDZsHDn5PA2KhDdza1z3kUG6ePI-m_KkhxaDEhIuIF6uaL1ydJl6FBhw-yL_pXilF_Q61-XoPXQZtpk8l4rFlXXCsGQUyg8/s400/IMG_20190615_144753348_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHyp29ISeMNZOIEWLEYQHzkXXf5VbrNVroAcg4iJB_AC3OquzLNTpBtAFQRKZXOEsG_UxYfWpN1oGO2P3jasNj_2oZFiqi3J0WozwWqenaSWYr0hdbnLl96-VDJwkDk0Dbcyttl76KAM/s1600/IMG_20190615_122930467_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHyp29ISeMNZOIEWLEYQHzkXXf5VbrNVroAcg4iJB_AC3OquzLNTpBtAFQRKZXOEsG_UxYfWpN1oGO2P3jasNj_2oZFiqi3J0WozwWqenaSWYr0hdbnLl96-VDJwkDk0Dbcyttl76KAM/s400/IMG_20190615_122930467_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kv_kwu_4B6fLhrrilFrWmCuRIOvMStnESNGxjptupAZ2rpNKMZUcN2PHpcBdfQMrrafqkCxjpP82UNoU6TIBvHPiBL_g8Bp6v6L_UGbZ64xldhe4zPH5vuiMmXerwgy6fINnD7lXf_U/s1600/IMG_20190615_144938942_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kv_kwu_4B6fLhrrilFrWmCuRIOvMStnESNGxjptupAZ2rpNKMZUcN2PHpcBdfQMrrafqkCxjpP82UNoU6TIBvHPiBL_g8Bp6v6L_UGbZ64xldhe4zPH5vuiMmXerwgy6fINnD7lXf_U/s400/IMG_20190615_144938942_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25ndGnkjKQjBWTx3xUCyT7y8QP0SX4-VO1nJ5NuFg1NOoe-T-Hsp3A2mNmvSeveyIJaR-wVy-q_BiY6vxYDDhXmOOdTYPYCoitxXwEDvKeibOMfvtRi2yUIA3i4WeP2ihkDQD3R_5Nq0/s1600/IMG_20190615_165137465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25ndGnkjKQjBWTx3xUCyT7y8QP0SX4-VO1nJ5NuFg1NOoe-T-Hsp3A2mNmvSeveyIJaR-wVy-q_BiY6vxYDDhXmOOdTYPYCoitxXwEDvKeibOMfvtRi2yUIA3i4WeP2ihkDQD3R_5Nq0/s400/IMG_20190615_165137465.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGITWc3z9LStaRqy3Xw7bVjvmXmCdbwrpS-i0ocJTtyXxU_OrkezkJ_AEmsEMDHkpulvLyCLyMl6kpPewxx4fgwnnhhVoFDRNCM1Pxw5xiiaAlk2PI-BiqOYesTKl5pZwHZBSz7N7HpF8/s1600/MVIMG_20190615_170807001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGITWc3z9LStaRqy3Xw7bVjvmXmCdbwrpS-i0ocJTtyXxU_OrkezkJ_AEmsEMDHkpulvLyCLyMl6kpPewxx4fgwnnhhVoFDRNCM1Pxw5xiiaAlk2PI-BiqOYesTKl5pZwHZBSz7N7HpF8/s400/MVIMG_20190615_170807001.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuq-wTbP_bP38LyO0Bf2lUh8s3wr4A6F17Cq0R_-STb5RRaYPpxFRxU63pzacNrlfzNcGfMh6HvXMlLiUNxNM1Jssp7vry4xLS3XZeysfrJkrJhuaFUkZPOKkzg1NRRQ7ilatewBszzM/s1600/IMG_20190616_085353582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuq-wTbP_bP38LyO0Bf2lUh8s3wr4A6F17Cq0R_-STb5RRaYPpxFRxU63pzacNrlfzNcGfMh6HvXMlLiUNxNM1Jssp7vry4xLS3XZeysfrJkrJhuaFUkZPOKkzg1NRRQ7ilatewBszzM/s400/IMG_20190616_085353582.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgbFK1yHOY2vRtjC7egf97MWYpWWvSS8D3pHuUguvHyY64uUAGLJDF1T5SLhOWwTknlUI2RZFSBKgjNwdrxQWzzKNAcnXmJmMCEdptXmESwbjGojiWUBK1fbJprG8mw_9uYTFI2Mh1Uo/s1600/IMG_20190618_120039805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgbFK1yHOY2vRtjC7egf97MWYpWWvSS8D3pHuUguvHyY64uUAGLJDF1T5SLhOWwTknlUI2RZFSBKgjNwdrxQWzzKNAcnXmJmMCEdptXmESwbjGojiWUBK1fbJprG8mw_9uYTFI2Mh1Uo/s400/IMG_20190618_120039805.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Kids Bowling Program-two free games per day for each child all.summer.long! It is a hoot to watch these little people bowl! The balls are so heavy it is hard for the smallest ones to even hold the thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0drbAstq2Ph26FTQ_a3m0AwqcTMXXzoOTVztvK0yWY77ToEXcQL_Grzxr1nR2Fj0ntSjlhyveMWhyphenhypheniFE7nVnKfVQKVm8XigaDX3b77PP7iDNIl-g-5Ur0u17J6lxpLcslr2pSZMyNQj4/s1600/IMG_20190619_145352909_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0drbAstq2Ph26FTQ_a3m0AwqcTMXXzoOTVztvK0yWY77ToEXcQL_Grzxr1nR2Fj0ntSjlhyveMWhyphenhypheniFE7nVnKfVQKVm8XigaDX3b77PP7iDNIl-g-5Ur0u17J6lxpLcslr2pSZMyNQj4/s400/IMG_20190619_145352909_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends are one of the greatest joys of our new normal. How richly God has blessed us with new and renewed friendships. Here Noah is with his new best friend!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of His grace, we were able to make it through more goodbyes last week</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFTQHCuqC4XETxTbalV1hJlLmbcezTmZKY9I4AoLkefnJYyCd8mbTqPuni850Fm1rToAQ6Ff3m1fr1F4GygGN26B6XTkN_UQB9AJ6oQ1AhCpbN5NNeaPiJLsgjf6g12G5R1YBgcuUDSs/s1600/IMG_20190617_205006619_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFTQHCuqC4XETxTbalV1hJlLmbcezTmZKY9I4AoLkefnJYyCd8mbTqPuni850Fm1rToAQ6Ff3m1fr1F4GygGN26B6XTkN_UQB9AJ6oQ1AhCpbN5NNeaPiJLsgjf6g12G5R1YBgcuUDSs/s400/IMG_20190617_205006619_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sent Tio Binho off last week to return to his world after six months here in California. He helped us move six months ago and it was just fun to know he was only a couple hours way all this time. We hope and pray he will be back soon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMWIT5sGho6_C7_eHkCJNgR-V2AJMkIoaicGL8Sz28vAW05zrU4Ceqp9ojfIi39SZ48jeGAUfwWeY3LtB_olf923p7Hpdg46D4AxtFdMRgMzV_DAjDXlypCDbHlCVJD7qxz5-G6VkoKM/s1600/IMG_20190617_204919269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMWIT5sGho6_C7_eHkCJNgR-V2AJMkIoaicGL8Sz28vAW05zrU4Ceqp9ojfIi39SZ48jeGAUfwWeY3LtB_olf923p7Hpdg46D4AxtFdMRgMzV_DAjDXlypCDbHlCVJD7qxz5-G6VkoKM/s400/IMG_20190617_204919269.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We shed a lot of tears. Noah sobbed, begging to go back to Brazil with Tio. Chloe and I wept our way through preparing gifts for special ones back home. Our children are learning very young the pain of goodbyes and "misses." I hope it is all good preparation for a future only HE can see and will only make them better people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWz6Ysx4TmC3dugtOqjCFc3h9FyhL_FEqKmZegpj4J8PqMbiYt2sgucexYKkmEZV0LJ6fiGBGTA39o6Bv15zi0Byz0GC9o5ajuTd6nXvE19VoukbDaIsJp6cWr7GP1cah4a7ZfobnzEM/s1600/IMG_20190617_191547126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWz6Ysx4TmC3dugtOqjCFc3h9FyhL_FEqKmZegpj4J8PqMbiYt2sgucexYKkmEZV0LJ6fiGBGTA39o6Bv15zi0Byz0GC9o5ajuTd6nXvE19VoukbDaIsJp6cWr7GP1cah4a7ZfobnzEM/s400/IMG_20190617_191547126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how we love and miss him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night two of my cousins and their families blessed us with a welcome to the USA party</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNey-byKFPAlw4EIzJwxkwnqzBt0466DciizHCsIVsyCGkJgd-MsCoy0DWjsTXGs7kS8wmwdEZs2vjjVqkaIgnTGvsTNNBwwBZDzYFynD2qHabTna86M6jJZ3yCanG9gGq9-_U_hxjeyw/s1600/IMG_20190623_201349402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNey-byKFPAlw4EIzJwxkwnqzBt0466DciizHCsIVsyCGkJgd-MsCoy0DWjsTXGs7kS8wmwdEZs2vjjVqkaIgnTGvsTNNBwwBZDzYFynD2qHabTna86M6jJZ3yCanG9gGq9-_U_hxjeyw/s400/IMG_20190623_201349402.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully the fun and "specialness" of the evening was not marked by amount of pictures taken as this is my one and only!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> From the USA decorations to the delicious tri-tip meal to the nearly 100 people who came to spend the evening with us and then on top of that blessed us with cash and gift cards to use to furnish our home someday soon...it was amazing. We were moved to tears and gratitude as husband and I opened the cards late last night. We prayed for each of you who came and thanked God for you. May He meet all your needs in Christ Jesus and may you experience the utter "amazingness" of knowing that HE is truly the one who provides...and how often that provision comes from the most unexpected place. It is humbling. It is good. We pray we will be a blessing to this community as you all have been to us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for coming. Thank you for giving-gifts, friendship, love and most importantly standing with us in prayer during this time of transition and waiting for a full time job for husband.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we celebrate six months here in California. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still no full time job for my husband who just continues to plug away at sending literally hundreds of resumes and applications (he said his excel spreadsheet has hit 400 now), and having untold numbers of interviews. We trust God is able and will open the right door at the right time. It is a tough season and yet we know we have so much, much to be grateful for. Above all, we have salvation and a Hope of eternity with Him. That truly is all we need.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is so rich in kindness and grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May you experience that in a new way today wherever He has you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jama</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-64398710149535918272019-04-24T10:49:00.003-07:002019-04-24T10:49:46.615-07:00Happy 4 Months to Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2r8QyNS8MPB7D1mABrOXshuVmK-YfbdERgjIdRiiv3AraTL4OuKsk4YUIos9b5RUftosZjq0T0Yt0iV6IAi-Gb-1E8xlKOE-SjxNUM9hShfDc2buqX0BKSfUtzi8a_MuvRspAVpMt4M/s1600/IMG-20190421-WA0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2r8QyNS8MPB7D1mABrOXshuVmK-YfbdERgjIdRiiv3AraTL4OuKsk4YUIos9b5RUftosZjq0T0Yt0iV6IAi-Gb-1E8xlKOE-SjxNUM9hShfDc2buqX0BKSfUtzi8a_MuvRspAVpMt4M/s400/IMG-20190421-WA0012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just Praising Him Who Has Brought Us This Far!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNgJGWxb_DhQm82rZhwiFfiaYvWzF8TW_-bMaxgbhDVBvZYaVvG7vp04pzHNPU7yM5sAZBT8voWWRQVhr6xWiNS3yRiR-r6yLfacT_jYtIksn6aUwxBkbU6Xb485KeE5MnT-gk36ysjo/s1600/IMG-20190421-WA0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNgJGWxb_DhQm82rZhwiFfiaYvWzF8TW_-bMaxgbhDVBvZYaVvG7vp04pzHNPU7yM5sAZBT8voWWRQVhr6xWiNS3yRiR-r6yLfacT_jYtIksn6aUwxBkbU6Xb485KeE5MnT-gk36ysjo/s400/IMG-20190421-WA0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Today we celebrate 4 months of being USA residents!<br />
<br />
We are so grateful for the GOD who has brought us this far and provided much needed documents in fine time (Green Card, 2 driver's license and SS Card), a car and insurance and a wonderful school for our children.<br />
<br />
We are so grateful for the PEOPLE who have loved on us, invited us for outings and meals, provided a place to live (thanks Mom and Dad!), blessed us financially, provided odd jobs, welcomed us at the 10 or 11 churches we have visited, blessed us with a shop full of donated items in preparation for our new home (that we trust we will have someday soon!), for those who have traveled across states to come see us and for those who have so fervently lifted us before the Throne of Grace, there are no words to adequately thank you. Just know we pray for each of you and truly "thank our God upon every remembrance of you!" (Phil 1:3).<br />
<br />
As we celebrated EASTER last weekend, I was reminded that indeed His resurrection changes EVERYTHING for us, for me today. Truly because HE LIVES, I can face today and tomorrow and whatever comes into my life in the days ahead. However fast our prayers get answered for a job or two...or not. Whenever we have our own home...or not. However soon we find a home church to call our spiritual family...or not. He is good. He has blessed us beyond measure. He's got not only the whole world in His hands, He has us too!!! <br />
<br />
Happy Spring! Happy rejoicing that He is alive and well and still on His Throne!<br />
<br />
Overwhelmed by gratitude,<br />
JamaJamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-87364146285418650302019-04-04T12:01:00.001-07:002019-04-04T12:01:10.613-07:00Do Not Give Way to Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><b>"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight...and do not give way to fear." I Peter 3:3a, 4 and 6c</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Home Church:</u></b><br />
We have visited over 10 churches since arriving in our new homeland just a little over 3 months ago. We have heard many good sermons. Met many good people. Reconnected with old friends of mine (I think I must know people in about every single church in this city!). We have prayed and sought God's face as to a new home church. I will confess not a one of them "felt like home." We continue to wait on God's leading on this one. It.is.tough. Really tough. On us all. Our little children do not understand why we can't just choose one and be done with it. If it were only so easy!<br />
<br />
Last week's sermon was SO convicting it hurt. I had the overwhelming desire to squirm in my seat for over an hour. God convicted me that I was indeed giving into fear. Many fears. On many different levels. So this week is all about SHUTTING UP and BEING QUIET before HIM. Neither of which I am very good at. At all. <br />
<br />
So I could write an entire blog about the above mentioned sermon but God used it to speak so directly and firmly and lovingly to me that my journal is about three pages long during that hour. Suffice to say, I have not always handled the challenges of this new season with grace and patience and GENTLENESS. <br />
<br />
Please pray for us as we seek to find our place, our community, our "family" to get involved with and serve and live life with. <br />
<br />
<b><u>What we have been up to the last weeks in pictures:</u></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhI7eGrv4FTrvBsQFPk30rPgh65kKn5iumUSikyH6L9hLrVvPWRD9jGDb0_QEoCCkXk_zkA7WGQXOBDQ34SG_GjnB1hyphenhyphenwrRRJZKAUbPouI0tTH-S_r1gUS6Yz6gK3NUHtSUy6Ny7-h0/s1600/IMG_20190208_172040383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhI7eGrv4FTrvBsQFPk30rPgh65kKn5iumUSikyH6L9hLrVvPWRD9jGDb0_QEoCCkXk_zkA7WGQXOBDQ34SG_GjnB1hyphenhyphenwrRRJZKAUbPouI0tTH-S_r1gUS6Yz6gK3NUHtSUy6Ny7-h0/s400/IMG_20190208_172040383.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many hours of fun and goofiness with cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0FyLw2dP3XxL8GHfr9FyqiadadCNFjDM1IaCIiAfdLaNaI176NPCRChw-gQkvolTE-cy3m-BS3b8S_esjpdH8cnVKD73mOd7VlD3LkyfrdXYwsMgj9Or3xFNNbeAQaee3nPRLZGUzdA/s1600/IMG_20190209_090344701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0FyLw2dP3XxL8GHfr9FyqiadadCNFjDM1IaCIiAfdLaNaI176NPCRChw-gQkvolTE-cy3m-BS3b8S_esjpdH8cnVKD73mOd7VlD3LkyfrdXYwsMgj9Or3xFNNbeAQaee3nPRLZGUzdA/s400/IMG_20190209_090344701.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just LOVING early mornings and evenings with Papa and Grammie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J2Gan-YBOqJ7s0ARx0_FjE_a8gEm6f5xnmnLs1cj_I9Bbtc07JAD-ghIyA9zdHZQ6A3RjDubLCirBXb5Xeg1lr_KaYNm7JD3az87MiUbq5sG5ltXSrHGIcLz2wtIzNyU5NGvCw3b33g/s1600/MVIMG_20190214_103254921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J2Gan-YBOqJ7s0ARx0_FjE_a8gEm6f5xnmnLs1cj_I9Bbtc07JAD-ghIyA9zdHZQ6A3RjDubLCirBXb5Xeg1lr_KaYNm7JD3az87MiUbq5sG5ltXSrHGIcLz2wtIzNyU5NGvCw3b33g/s400/MVIMG_20190214_103254921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special morning with my dear cousin, Paula. She helped me learn to save money on groceries. I have never taken care of a family here in the States so feel I have to learn prices/quantities and money saving tips all over again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv9rvuw5IUT5M4Tf5iiGc-nYvHhyphenhyphenTff2RQXA-_Tu75AM5DQizCgq2SDJOeYifQoBkhzNdLE81gqGtafyUL4zaLU-g8rFVTqpYNEB6rSeL67PCxnjtmUF1GsRbmv4ZB9o-G26bBhHmQoI/s1600/IMG_20190214_181739127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv9rvuw5IUT5M4Tf5iiGc-nYvHhyphenhyphenTff2RQXA-_Tu75AM5DQizCgq2SDJOeYifQoBkhzNdLE81gqGtafyUL4zaLU-g8rFVTqpYNEB6rSeL67PCxnjtmUF1GsRbmv4ZB9o-G26bBhHmQoI/s400/IMG_20190214_181739127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hours and hours of doing homework. I am so proud of my girl. She is still doing 2-3 hours of homework a day and has become quite a sport about it...most of the time. The adjustments have been challenging and the learning curve HIGH for us both but its happening. I keep telling her it won't be new forever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FAcemIiIDbY8bL0mpxE0-qlLtLm0yzPwaMD8z5l58a1K7d4m0jgJYbe6Uzn8lX3qlUAZWI2JNUmIFfmOeLHQElubpJuO1cTe3Hnx_TkQbHJnAE3xNTSNcE7qyoeTr8nUZQoA6iAjV3Y/s1600/IMG_20190214_195021063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FAcemIiIDbY8bL0mpxE0-qlLtLm0yzPwaMD8z5l58a1K7d4m0jgJYbe6Uzn8lX3qlUAZWI2JNUmIFfmOeLHQElubpJuO1cTe3Hnx_TkQbHJnAE3xNTSNcE7qyoeTr8nUZQoA6iAjV3Y/s400/IMG_20190214_195021063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Dinner with very special people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK4h-pD4278girbq8rVRt2xvBq_UlEO88Zqt2wnV0Fk1dl0WsQz5V57e-bAjij8xI62zncYG9eoeXq-X5ZtGfJn-DPtaoKV_kVBwtSnmHGBUEpJoVDt4FQ5aBOpVXIBfVYdpwp9BRuJU/s1600/IMG_20190218_085832666_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK4h-pD4278girbq8rVRt2xvBq_UlEO88Zqt2wnV0Fk1dl0WsQz5V57e-bAjij8xI62zncYG9eoeXq-X5ZtGfJn-DPtaoKV_kVBwtSnmHGBUEpJoVDt4FQ5aBOpVXIBfVYdpwp9BRuJU/s400/IMG_20190218_085832666_BURST001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For 11 marvelous days in February we enjoyed more N.D. visitors, this time three precious little people who we just loved loving on! This day I made cupcakes while taking care of five kids! It was um...busy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBWfEwtFaKhmkQfCP-CQi6Edkixs-lFlZH-a1i7aDC9uw0T6XNfYxU9G4a4s5DdgnULrBJ8x2kGC54RASNhOUFtdw8EwRkdlo4QTiOZRO-YL-uGJQGvDB2oE2-FV7xDic2W_Rp2SeUTI/s1600/IMG_20190218_135542662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBWfEwtFaKhmkQfCP-CQi6Edkixs-lFlZH-a1i7aDC9uw0T6XNfYxU9G4a4s5DdgnULrBJ8x2kGC54RASNhOUFtdw8EwRkdlo4QTiOZRO-YL-uGJQGvDB2oE2-FV7xDic2W_Rp2SeUTI/s400/IMG_20190218_135542662.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the fruits of our labor: our cousins Valentine's Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskdB386StHqDRhrV6Ohyphenhyphen2kkTZ0xcU6PWUvuVnzmGm0ElP8M8NEvEjSuQaGgq7Wc9MZ60ygl0fwK5z8ZVRZBhVsTuSuJf1UIsB4PlvMrORlRHVPZBnQwXowBoo6hAGUOmaJR7IX2D5bA4/s1600/IMG_20190218_140541828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskdB386StHqDRhrV6Ohyphenhyphen2kkTZ0xcU6PWUvuVnzmGm0ElP8M8NEvEjSuQaGgq7Wc9MZ60ygl0fwK5z8ZVRZBhVsTuSuJf1UIsB4PlvMrORlRHVPZBnQwXowBoo6hAGUOmaJR7IX2D5bA4/s400/IMG_20190218_140541828.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was most happy to have the support of two more adults that day!! Oh, it was so fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXbYeV1i_zMK2uPsAA5K8jWlathDGVswas6QGawm_sllXS8ErSiE76B49VDV2nn5nwD2slbwF4ew_t5WmCPYQkik0pwgsUOTirTaXRiPrTMpY6pmI2nMIh-eJ1reZZvidkAt58Xf4v8/s1600/IMG_20190218_140607022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXbYeV1i_zMK2uPsAA5K8jWlathDGVswas6QGawm_sllXS8ErSiE76B49VDV2nn5nwD2slbwF4ew_t5WmCPYQkik0pwgsUOTirTaXRiPrTMpY6pmI2nMIh-eJ1reZZvidkAt58Xf4v8/s400/IMG_20190218_140607022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjLrqmdCf9H98TY-DkFxL_FfCfWcnBCvd6SIllcRp9tgr614kZ4oDzYym7wA1O9T9awll9JurfQw1X3zbgfhYNnE7YssyRA1kzb__3-RhrmaL5ovzss5lLhj1hjCzIUlTTmPWEaiWUY/s1600/IMG_20190222_142512278_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjLrqmdCf9H98TY-DkFxL_FfCfWcnBCvd6SIllcRp9tgr614kZ4oDzYym7wA1O9T9awll9JurfQw1X3zbgfhYNnE7YssyRA1kzb__3-RhrmaL5ovzss5lLhj1hjCzIUlTTmPWEaiWUY/s400/IMG_20190222_142512278_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little guy's dream came true: shooting with Uncle S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_WATvPR8KG4Bc7DYFaVEm3-tx5Msxjom4bOrRSSQVjCEhujCXZzehOp1d3fiR1539iynfNMJvqlvsXrnyekHoGIldLcMUNNWdXLEzWKuNo9yDVQinDKYkv295fKe_kIuPGLlC7opQ7w/s1600/IMG_20190222_142521600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_WATvPR8KG4Bc7DYFaVEm3-tx5Msxjom4bOrRSSQVjCEhujCXZzehOp1d3fiR1539iynfNMJvqlvsXrnyekHoGIldLcMUNNWdXLEzWKuNo9yDVQinDKYkv295fKe_kIuPGLlC7opQ7w/s400/IMG_20190222_142521600.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-gp9fxTCiy1jHlwcJnHlTWA37z0hFSdh1GBkFF9pn9sHfeFJXrnC317QTLSy0VHW3DPVTiJMt_mqYvGqBXknLcMpNgHxO1sgaEwog3IpG_WO2PSkeNv6lRq-WyNEX-F5PLcui11PgIw/s1600/IMG_20190222_142503537_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-gp9fxTCiy1jHlwcJnHlTWA37z0hFSdh1GBkFF9pn9sHfeFJXrnC317QTLSy0VHW3DPVTiJMt_mqYvGqBXknLcMpNgHxO1sgaEwog3IpG_WO2PSkeNv6lRq-WyNEX-F5PLcui11PgIw/s400/IMG_20190222_142503537_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are just too precious. Little S is a copy of his daddy and my parents only other grandSON. We so enjoyed him. I had never met him so it filled my auntie heart to overflowing that he liked me!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31ETIyJFcyZV0ubbBGBGa-dESVootW2Vnp4tdZQMIBr2ntCec8wi_GghOcJM683Mt2WRQ3qfGjTeKlXx5rSDQ89gV5fs6pGOgTsJoglwFIUAMQXy90PwcfvAyioQwla_U_4ek9e047tc/s1600/IMG_20190223_132642261_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31ETIyJFcyZV0ubbBGBGa-dESVootW2Vnp4tdZQMIBr2ntCec8wi_GghOcJM683Mt2WRQ3qfGjTeKlXx5rSDQ89gV5fs6pGOgTsJoglwFIUAMQXy90PwcfvAyioQwla_U_4ek9e047tc/s400/IMG_20190223_132642261_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almond Blossom Festival Parade-The cousins (minus little S guy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtflWpknsAG7BVzrR-91xz_JI6hrOkrCEdg1GQPaU9_UOzsFTRp18HjEmbJJZ1AZfXgVceKWc4IiaC4pHYPIWd__bJYFSAv4PzUDSu-YhGQ3iAm6zE8SguVtFB4xrFkrXzjGpjLsGgZBw/s1600/IMG_20190224_194705416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtflWpknsAG7BVzrR-91xz_JI6hrOkrCEdg1GQPaU9_UOzsFTRp18HjEmbJJZ1AZfXgVceKWc4IiaC4pHYPIWd__bJYFSAv4PzUDSu-YhGQ3iAm6zE8SguVtFB4xrFkrXzjGpjLsGgZBw/s400/IMG_20190224_194705416.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWuD40tFnsZErLMv-ttpodFlWbbDKOgERbMicdvMZflG95KZ2pTPJ6BwgPeMpdVxHPCYSx1d6_cabTM7XuHXeYDk0Lf8r6qLZt2zfnAgqG0AlNOEpP_-C_JaW5wQ7eDOKEBNqGXGF3_I/s1600/MVIMG_20190303_203601458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWuD40tFnsZErLMv-ttpodFlWbbDKOgERbMicdvMZflG95KZ2pTPJ6BwgPeMpdVxHPCYSx1d6_cabTM7XuHXeYDk0Lf8r6qLZt2zfnAgqG0AlNOEpP_-C_JaW5wQ7eDOKEBNqGXGF3_I/s400/MVIMG_20190303_203601458.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Reading Day and Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqXAiXENQ0qzNNXh6e7Si9uJthyphenhyphen5k2ZxS3PdUg6-VojfbgcPaalCurY1Qrz3pxSQ6HmgNlvvQetOZ9cwtio22KU3kQK7iV9uFHCXtu3ZBkALAgFJ48e1iq_-5WJKUOfcY6S76_jdxRC0/s1600/IMG_20190316_191035967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqXAiXENQ0qzNNXh6e7Si9uJthyphenhyphen5k2ZxS3PdUg6-VojfbgcPaalCurY1Qrz3pxSQ6HmgNlvvQetOZ9cwtio22KU3kQK7iV9uFHCXtu3ZBkALAgFJ48e1iq_-5WJKUOfcY6S76_jdxRC0/s400/IMG_20190316_191035967.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Missy's 9th birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXHXlUSqxvtZZX_rGdcKIFnO4oasnR-riuLIDYJt5EUjxFw_KmqVmVl4n5pNhCky_IFWhqMg4P60GkDfdG-ucscYMPyJj7dx0NSBkm7CFQCu9Jeb1jdaVkTO0geRkgFZXL4cG8LoMc6s/s1600/IMG_20190317_104336799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXHXlUSqxvtZZX_rGdcKIFnO4oasnR-riuLIDYJt5EUjxFw_KmqVmVl4n5pNhCky_IFWhqMg4P60GkDfdG-ucscYMPyJj7dx0NSBkm7CFQCu9Jeb1jdaVkTO0geRkgFZXL4cG8LoMc6s/s400/IMG_20190317_104336799.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was overwhelmed with JOY when this precious friend sent a message one evening and said she would be driving through our city the next evening on her way south. We attended Prairie Bible College together as teenagers/young adults and had not been together for nearly 20 years. I was so excited I could hardly sit still for 24 hours. God is just so GOOD and I realized again how HE delights in delighting our hearts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvBLF1jiwjEF6Jtks1knkt6VFYDdJeQ2iWRWrBifCLNG6m9ee4kocKJZI2sXTNpIRp4rylQWt1lOOe2t5ZG7dHkBpfrBoeSwWQguhlAtToKCS11pFHrEasg4HtMK3bZVeNR33yGkBflY/s1600/IMG_20190317_104314077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvBLF1jiwjEF6Jtks1knkt6VFYDdJeQ2iWRWrBifCLNG6m9ee4kocKJZI2sXTNpIRp4rylQWt1lOOe2t5ZG7dHkBpfrBoeSwWQguhlAtToKCS11pFHrEasg4HtMK3bZVeNR33yGkBflY/s400/IMG_20190317_104314077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our families together for the first time ever: we had our babies at around the same time and our kiddos got along so well and mine were truly heartbroken they only stayed a few hours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGemWYKTGdqjMS6y6-0gQGoEWI_R9IwurG0JG0rZhCW7ycIQyqgRuSuc_rm3t-pcu_WVT4kXsh7SsrLooZkZMa7GPE0f_J85_BeqokWHt-AuA2QtfBqHZBN-TLZJoCgkoJualveCtLO_E/s1600/IMG_20190317_103853707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGemWYKTGdqjMS6y6-0gQGoEWI_R9IwurG0JG0rZhCW7ycIQyqgRuSuc_rm3t-pcu_WVT4kXsh7SsrLooZkZMa7GPE0f_J85_BeqokWHt-AuA2QtfBqHZBN-TLZJoCgkoJualveCtLO_E/s400/IMG_20190317_103853707.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkBsL0DhzYaO2X3Og_PRMKie16Nb4p8jvQy7vbGTKxxblViODFeEagn3enxTwOZf4oeT3TdVF0Q_whdeWs5v41YZz_saEDhJjO-hJB2udE7DqtM_F5eQsFC50gWszQ8QuWkWFvPRq_kE/s1600/IMG_20190326_092331079_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkBsL0DhzYaO2X3Og_PRMKie16Nb4p8jvQy7vbGTKxxblViODFeEagn3enxTwOZf4oeT3TdVF0Q_whdeWs5v41YZz_saEDhJjO-hJB2udE7DqtM_F5eQsFC50gWszQ8QuWkWFvPRq_kE/s400/IMG_20190326_092331079_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day at the Snow during Spring break last week. Chloe and Noah were so excited to see and feel snow for the first time ever in their lives! This is my sister-in-law, Renee and niece, Haley, with Chloe girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMuwB4iEauFQ8VW7QmnsDMB7d_23YA3KRYyl9X_L1baTavQSMspsujGezbHAips5X0XTqC1bekoJNc8Xe2IEOKraEku-LX0OsGc99UMsx8zwTF525U8dnITPyZ1FWT687X_ANdhEEKC0/s1600/IMG_20190326_144838912_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMuwB4iEauFQ8VW7QmnsDMB7d_23YA3KRYyl9X_L1baTavQSMspsujGezbHAips5X0XTqC1bekoJNc8Xe2IEOKraEku-LX0OsGc99UMsx8zwTF525U8dnITPyZ1FWT687X_ANdhEEKC0/s400/IMG_20190326_144838912_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids spent HOURS playing outside while my SIL and I sat and watched them through the windows...sure enjoyed the sweet conversation, my book and hot tea all day long!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvYgKTi9wqR5oG3M2hNT2hxkFFXpsM-suXL4w1d1gkvJ0KzJaersX94m_VJ2l4AVfsyTXiSCQvncIcoNVy7GWJJasAQtcuUknMzuWPAO1hZCz0XiISHbgd8rnGRKjiAnoI-LeLpS5HLM/s1600/IMG_20190326_150823419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvYgKTi9wqR5oG3M2hNT2hxkFFXpsM-suXL4w1d1gkvJ0KzJaersX94m_VJ2l4AVfsyTXiSCQvncIcoNVy7GWJJasAQtcuUknMzuWPAO1hZCz0XiISHbgd8rnGRKjiAnoI-LeLpS5HLM/s400/IMG_20190326_150823419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2dCDrFxop3Iu4sU5cLkN5dUdgTyU3djnM_b0vRFmfhGOERQCLcsFYkdm-qLuZgwK6QS02gVvCx66CQZ9F-h59Y3LZZE1BhYLTQ4oLcb_CKv2JeCwUO_Ne7MGv2KTSigwR46nMg0o1o/s1600/IMG_20190326_150827272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2dCDrFxop3Iu4sU5cLkN5dUdgTyU3djnM_b0vRFmfhGOERQCLcsFYkdm-qLuZgwK6QS02gVvCx66CQZ9F-h59Y3LZZE1BhYLTQ4oLcb_CKv2JeCwUO_Ne7MGv2KTSigwR46nMg0o1o/s400/IMG_20190326_150827272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6I3COeHiXU1wvrbklxhyzIFjezMHxEgvErE6QZ4ogVRhONOyNmeMyqj9HkahroUyH8zVWZNp3s0gHA3u3ORhPPpTmEEga6kKDF2COit61YwTkKQsXAbnxeV7uT9-h4dXske5lOP9CJwM/s1600/IMG_20190326_153207038_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6I3COeHiXU1wvrbklxhyzIFjezMHxEgvErE6QZ4ogVRhONOyNmeMyqj9HkahroUyH8zVWZNp3s0gHA3u3ORhPPpTmEEga6kKDF2COit61YwTkKQsXAbnxeV7uT9-h4dXske5lOP9CJwM/s400/IMG_20190326_153207038_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRrYF6i3OOi4M_hdVr1KDCRJdZ9AYno1OWFzCn1XBBFA9MYbMy5VkZslW-YIJojr0OQSUTIrYvydBN3epph6F3oDMO_XDNVkhonG_eMlxAhSe-LbqucHg9CNrKCtqt9xizH8FTtVmP3w/s1600/IMG_20190326_155236128_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRrYF6i3OOi4M_hdVr1KDCRJdZ9AYno1OWFzCn1XBBFA9MYbMy5VkZslW-YIJojr0OQSUTIrYvydBN3epph6F3oDMO_XDNVkhonG_eMlxAhSe-LbqucHg9CNrKCtqt9xizH8FTtVmP3w/s400/IMG_20190326_155236128_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe's dream when she finally "met the snow" was to build a snowman!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>Jobs:</u></b><br />
My husband and I continue to look for jobs, though he is way more dedicated to this process than I am. I am cleaning a few houses, which is such a blessing as I fit it around my children's school hours. He on the other hand, is at the computer about 8 hours a day if he is not doing odd jobs for various people or interviewing for a possible position. He is currently in SEVEN selection processes and praying everyday that "today will be <i>the</i> day." <br />
<br />
This is the third stint of unemployment in our 11 years of marriage and it is one area of life where practice does NOT make perfect. Please continue to lift our need of a job to the Father of all perfect and wonderful gifts.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Home:</u></b><br />
We currently live in two small bedrooms in my parents home. They have been so gracious the last three months and have given up so much to not only give us a lovely home to live in during this adjustment period, but have made us feel so welcome and loved on. <br />
<br />
Living in two bedrooms has shown me once again how little stuff we actually need to live well. Of course we could not do this forever and we use their appliances and kitchen but it is a good lesson anyway. I find myself checking out homes to buy and rent everywhere, however, as my heart starts to long for a little place to call our own. Not because we aren't doing just fine but well, for one, I wonder if my parents home will survive my busy, bouncing, running children and it is good to have one's own little place, especially when your children are so BUSY and LOUD!!!<br />
<br />
Please don't forget to pray with us for a miracle of a home. It looks HUGE right now and possibly impossible but we serve a mighty big God, so we wait and pray and TRUST. I will NOT give way to fear!<br />
<br />
Have a blessed week, dear Readers. Thank you for supporting us unwaveringly in prayer and love. We are most grateful. <br />
<br />
Because He Lives,<br />
Jama<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-37598089898938971062019-02-08T16:57:00.000-08:002019-02-08T16:57:04.756-08:00Joy...In The Same Journey, New DirectionThe name of my blog is joy in the journey for a reason. It is my heart's desire. To always find joy in the journey. No matter how hard, how painful, how uncertain, how scary, how NEW...to always find the joy in every part of the journey God has us on.<br />
<br />
Almost 7 weeks ago our little family embarked on a new direction of the same journey of joy. It was a two year process of documentation, prayers, untold numbers of tears of frustration, more documentation, thousands of Reais/dollars and many more prayers. Our prayer warriors held us up many times when we could not go without encouragement...some sign that God was indeed in this. Immigration is no fun, let me tell you, but we made it. When we walked off the plane on Christmas Eve and into my parents warm hugs, all I could do was weep. With joy, with relief. Overwhelmed. Weary. Happy. So many emotions rolled up in the overriding one of excitement.<br />
<br />
I spent Christmas with my family for the first time in 11 years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl93zinBtkQzwmkQFDH4jE811g2cPuzowM_J86Iaq3tGOZRupfeyuiysPh3V8c4-EjDorViqarOuB8XAN-YYkKHDZh_JxNr7q0pbPdd8SJBnZwqdQ4_N79ahl_q2O7a5Kjt5xeg2qABp4/s1600/IMG-20181228-WA0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl93zinBtkQzwmkQFDH4jE811g2cPuzowM_J86Iaq3tGOZRupfeyuiysPh3V8c4-EjDorViqarOuB8XAN-YYkKHDZh_JxNr7q0pbPdd8SJBnZwqdQ4_N79ahl_q2O7a5Kjt5xeg2qABp4/s400/IMG-20181228-WA0042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first grocery shopping trip of many. We were happy as larks to find many fun things at this latin market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgZqPd2hfrdEBhyphenhyphenZXEAW0AgF7W7HH4OggCjk8LNgwsNeHEaMgGXlRQI7uxTyfW0YXtqMma0upaVCjo4lM3OM87hcYrLhLHOQg7X1-Pj1Dwar7IX6H5aOFcfp5j34WIlyjc2M3ZFnW148/s1600/IMG-20181228-WA0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgZqPd2hfrdEBhyphenhyphenZXEAW0AgF7W7HH4OggCjk8LNgwsNeHEaMgGXlRQI7uxTyfW0YXtqMma0upaVCjo4lM3OM87hcYrLhLHOQg7X1-Pj1Dwar7IX6H5aOFcfp5j34WIlyjc2M3ZFnW148/s400/IMG-20181228-WA0040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untold hours of playing and doing crafts with cousins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM-t-LyaDIqMX2iA6Q1usM52mEAPIFE_EiRjUFS0gQa_jNJLDhAXWqA8bMloyKV6WQZH6r1nlcBHf_C30M0AEwxW_tvYWMYCzwi7TMb52J3isj4919wSHvQNQ55B1vdzLsbGWH6C3Hsk/s1600/IMG_20181229_092603348_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM-t-LyaDIqMX2iA6Q1usM52mEAPIFE_EiRjUFS0gQa_jNJLDhAXWqA8bMloyKV6WQZH6r1nlcBHf_C30M0AEwxW_tvYWMYCzwi7TMb52J3isj4919wSHvQNQ55B1vdzLsbGWH6C3Hsk/s400/IMG_20181229_092603348_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating a ton..even licking the plate if need be!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFbu5sy_bTxzppM9bQ0G8pemu7xTSzlmH6Pzm1XYcg3UirLOzV0LywSMP_Hn5neRMhwTm64lvS_mrbkabXHyYNk3K7MqLXLRt5k6B_y9ywP2kch2DQSSvmxPS7E-d6WEm772EX-3U6_w/s1600/IMG_20181230_074451596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFbu5sy_bTxzppM9bQ0G8pemu7xTSzlmH6Pzm1XYcg3UirLOzV0LywSMP_Hn5neRMhwTm64lvS_mrbkabXHyYNk3K7MqLXLRt5k6B_y9ywP2kch2DQSSvmxPS7E-d6WEm772EX-3U6_w/s400/IMG_20181230_074451596.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freezing mornings in the hot tub with Papa and Grammie...well the little man has. Most of us don't have the courage it takes at 0 degrees Celcius!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-SFApHIBJK-xw8VLKn2sk41uqj8cmdMec02gTWUtWP0775RaRVF_PnX1DVvAuoTE0X9jeD2as-J6n1UTcUJCrRzYYsEbd2kwLclVwgxuxA3NT38e9KsZ5dGcueJ9po7HzzFfJQNYgho/s1600/IMG_20190101_225124017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-SFApHIBJK-xw8VLKn2sk41uqj8cmdMec02gTWUtWP0775RaRVF_PnX1DVvAuoTE0X9jeD2as-J6n1UTcUJCrRzYYsEbd2kwLclVwgxuxA3NT38e9KsZ5dGcueJ9po7HzzFfJQNYgho/s400/IMG_20190101_225124017.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59ONHfgkz0regcqaBYaW4Hhowep68AmvEs7i7iMQoSZ6_-4R4dRHcvzGI2wCt_8TNQpfjGLDfUEEHNxIlEcdK9ndGWoZXmM0ZH6m_m5lVg4ykH6TphFWrULwctH3aPhfgEKpMtlYer0/s1600/IMG_20190105_190136681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx59ONHfgkz0regcqaBYaW4Hhowep68AmvEs7i7iMQoSZ6_-4R4dRHcvzGI2wCt_8TNQpfjGLDfUEEHNxIlEcdK9ndGWoZXmM0ZH6m_m5lVg4ykH6TphFWrULwctH3aPhfgEKpMtlYer0/s400/IMG_20190105_190136681.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApA6KyHXgtpOUiX0xWVLx0AkKHmEpwlvRC4OsSS4O6wnhPx-Q1pAgtGa2ThBVg2oqOvPhj2K-7s3ibrZrJBty69DDMU3tsrkBCJVkAHdSNkVB5Rtd9res96r2U902c4uP86bDPtVIzNs/s1600/MVIMG_20190105_190042746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApA6KyHXgtpOUiX0xWVLx0AkKHmEpwlvRC4OsSS4O6wnhPx-Q1pAgtGa2ThBVg2oqOvPhj2K-7s3ibrZrJBty69DDMU3tsrkBCJVkAHdSNkVB5Rtd9res96r2U902c4uP86bDPtVIzNs/s400/MVIMG_20190105_190042746.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZQwvbzB0bJ2AGDjTGErq8DPAV9vqTWY50-doGEBLwblVx8EKd5DySzN87uxslMXzeIu__l09X2pd2J85bnf94PCAApdKKm0Zy5CtpFwnD9mOtk4heq-fGHRqbvkkRCo82F3usefwt30/s1600/IMG_20190110_101316147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZQwvbzB0bJ2AGDjTGErq8DPAV9vqTWY50-doGEBLwblVx8EKd5DySzN87uxslMXzeIu__l09X2pd2J85bnf94PCAApdKKm0Zy5CtpFwnD9mOtk4heq-fGHRqbvkkRCo82F3usefwt30/s400/IMG_20190110_101316147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The children started mid-school year at our little neighborhood school on January 15th<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5lCRyB7vIWxgZDV1kopsqVSURNHKkjOPvZBKjPvH0HSmlnlhQgHr1l6jY_VHS132TsGHLM7K0r6kiMZstiIxMckOsNnobEuztB-0K3TS9TK7LF_7gi1mG2tj7Ll2ygMqJnWJ-aFKTcQ/s1600/IMG_20190115_063924515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5lCRyB7vIWxgZDV1kopsqVSURNHKkjOPvZBKjPvH0HSmlnlhQgHr1l6jY_VHS132TsGHLM7K0r6kiMZstiIxMckOsNnobEuztB-0K3TS9TK7LF_7gi1mG2tj7Ll2ygMqJnWJ-aFKTcQ/s400/IMG_20190115_063924515.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their "yeah we are off to school!" breakfast. They had asked every.single.day for two weeks if that was the morning they could go to school. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-C65LlP6PvfEvhdBhx10iU85g5yrUHb_rE2NvzEZqvdc9i9lRUOmzs4-8E6ONF08pmNLPBZ-aijK3VUFGWEYTp172_rOcOnRcuvmGybGqhOzC1-5WaoYkc7YzAcfBmYH0xg35MI26WM/s1600/IMG_20190115_073411769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-C65LlP6PvfEvhdBhx10iU85g5yrUHb_rE2NvzEZqvdc9i9lRUOmzs4-8E6ONF08pmNLPBZ-aijK3VUFGWEYTp172_rOcOnRcuvmGybGqhOzC1-5WaoYkc7YzAcfBmYH0xg35MI26WM/s400/IMG_20190115_073411769.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Special visitors...some from near...my little brother from far away!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MjLjdShSch18CeboKAGTwgQ-MIO1VA205p_Ub41Z14B-R4E02Q6AfsktKi7NJZGkrRlYc5LTu5SeHLag6D4Ixqdpw5A9z88Ka4H4kv4yGJsc-oAfkf2XeOtYePcVpD15z7T-cokEVJU/s1600/MVIMG_20190120_212146009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MjLjdShSch18CeboKAGTwgQ-MIO1VA205p_Ub41Z14B-R4E02Q6AfsktKi7NJZGkrRlYc5LTu5SeHLag6D4Ixqdpw5A9z88Ka4H4kv4yGJsc-oAfkf2XeOtYePcVpD15z7T-cokEVJU/s400/MVIMG_20190120_212146009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ1u_nsr_dx4IcmOpBKmZTU4PJOhyb-AyhQu8OeVHsMNcFVcsKus-sB0XIlGtlpnnO3svIWvCDaQkrUvtdyNy8Sjqp7B4_-hLISITEQ_G2LjlNsqbfHkGmVBlE7d3nEtxdduTAfd7AVg/s1600/IMG_20190123_124733814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ1u_nsr_dx4IcmOpBKmZTU4PJOhyb-AyhQu8OeVHsMNcFVcsKus-sB0XIlGtlpnnO3svIWvCDaQkrUvtdyNy8Sjqp7B4_-hLISITEQ_G2LjlNsqbfHkGmVBlE7d3nEtxdduTAfd7AVg/s400/IMG_20190123_124733814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCrTqjFjl4wUzoQrIL8vnQVUdTTCde_uQgyILdAzu5wxow1rOhL-Uijmnh4rLJFVhSHnXoz2RkjWxRO2aCiO6KJ7OhCMMENkFMmJkwxBqd6MNdP37AHOEs_ahSf5-w7fWmUWC_-3kcXc/s1600/IMG_20190126_103420169_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCrTqjFjl4wUzoQrIL8vnQVUdTTCde_uQgyILdAzu5wxow1rOhL-Uijmnh4rLJFVhSHnXoz2RkjWxRO2aCiO6KJ7OhCMMENkFMmJkwxBqd6MNdP37AHOEs_ahSf5-w7fWmUWC_-3kcXc/s400/IMG_20190126_103420169_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping Papa organize nails and screws one Saturday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudVUuAJyxQqRLgHcYgvBO2eWSNoUzzbE-qCoytxsbKVeimP-pp5-a465xTPThyDq-Z0UDbFevOZecZAHVWiFh0HgUj5GuRwYDJMLPgJ0eX_8NeyNtahMoi0rJtxPhVcU56ZXeUPmLwrQ/s1600/IMG_20190129_161148364_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudVUuAJyxQqRLgHcYgvBO2eWSNoUzzbE-qCoytxsbKVeimP-pp5-a465xTPThyDq-Z0UDbFevOZecZAHVWiFh0HgUj5GuRwYDJMLPgJ0eX_8NeyNtahMoi0rJtxPhVcU56ZXeUPmLwrQ/s400/IMG_20190129_161148364_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the cold, clear, sunny afternoons at the Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0ki0y8ERFhc_Zraj9IFzX3NfUDB8UB2UtPq9Tk38Mj417OQ7tYECTbYDf7L5XMTUP4rsC1w6mHq64oq2EemsarCALVsf3w9vPhiolT7UkFn9c-odnM7ijZLqNMwDcdsuk2v5-ryw3Q/s1600/IMG_20190129_150035004_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0ki0y8ERFhc_Zraj9IFzX3NfUDB8UB2UtPq9Tk38Mj417OQ7tYECTbYDf7L5XMTUP4rsC1w6mHq64oq2EemsarCALVsf3w9vPhiolT7UkFn9c-odnM7ijZLqNMwDcdsuk2v5-ryw3Q/s400/IMG_20190129_150035004_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. California winters. They are wonderful! Homework outside one afternoon it was so warm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qSf0FkRVf55rOz0JZPjRisYKBZo-JZOL1BpFdVZnNWwHG0mGEIssp34FCLZb_QD1ZG6Frv0CGripqbbJRryuh9GWnVYyHrVNnFG2Svw614hNMDwy6zHbzWOpA49Bh-Nrv-BMZ1Td3TY/s1600/IMG_20190130_084626513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qSf0FkRVf55rOz0JZPjRisYKBZo-JZOL1BpFdVZnNWwHG0mGEIssp34FCLZb_QD1ZG6Frv0CGripqbbJRryuh9GWnVYyHrVNnFG2Svw614hNMDwy6zHbzWOpA49Bh-Nrv-BMZ1Td3TY/s400/IMG_20190130_084626513.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to babysit these little jewels one morning. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSH__RmrIwLo5dEIoj1HBkXP2Q6zkThHX9_K6ZIrqMK_d_PMm5jqfTyld_FNTg9603yKiDMLLABxtIP3X_gY918RPutor8cGxQ9por_Sf4h9Rfc5SnEWhkMd4HgvSgCe9GK7CDecmcGc/s1600/IMG_20190130_084544983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSH__RmrIwLo5dEIoj1HBkXP2Q6zkThHX9_K6ZIrqMK_d_PMm5jqfTyld_FNTg9603yKiDMLLABxtIP3X_gY918RPutor8cGxQ9por_Sf4h9Rfc5SnEWhkMd4HgvSgCe9GK7CDecmcGc/s400/IMG_20190130_084544983.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Isa...she arrived on my birthday making me one happy "auntie"!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UIPJFt8_4PvlX5EiA6q9od7l3oPc994w9Z401wFqNJZxrzQbRiiEVWXPa4k7e117qlEtlaRaY_N2HviEkhMXru5Za1QOAHib0Atfyu7MzyjjfAH2deIg1DXQCGVNtvAV4oKuKfcOCM4/s1600/IMG_20190202_084942514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UIPJFt8_4PvlX5EiA6q9od7l3oPc994w9Z401wFqNJZxrzQbRiiEVWXPa4k7e117qlEtlaRaY_N2HviEkhMXru5Za1QOAHib0Atfyu7MzyjjfAH2deIg1DXQCGVNtvAV4oKuKfcOCM4/s400/IMG_20190202_084942514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so special to have my JP here for two weeks. The morning we said goodbye was tough but we do live a bit closer now so that is exciting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO71owwDvMivS831NSHv5Xexv9_NF02jmYmtcOGua9hakoeAzgDSHeVhtZnm-8viXVCrI7MRjnkPEKsZu_FtVmJJr58tLHZUqsRrxxfq0JttJhom_Phchl3W_S7DR61SgQjx8Vv0LK98/s1600/IMG_20190202_084814895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO71owwDvMivS831NSHv5Xexv9_NF02jmYmtcOGua9hakoeAzgDSHeVhtZnm-8viXVCrI7MRjnkPEKsZu_FtVmJJr58tLHZUqsRrxxfq0JttJhom_Phchl3W_S7DR61SgQjx8Vv0LK98/s400/IMG_20190202_084814895.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36RTqqHK35cu_2MjP1jFN7yLf1f7HHbAYcfjZX3qOZckUrakRboyiKsb7r5P-T_UJl18yAsIcnMBp2VEGg9wshCPUVfGLt7ni_6jp8xdvYKOVByE611kT46bpYqQIBj2x63I1x6HVcT4/s1600/IMG_20190202_085042552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36RTqqHK35cu_2MjP1jFN7yLf1f7HHbAYcfjZX3qOZckUrakRboyiKsb7r5P-T_UJl18yAsIcnMBp2VEGg9wshCPUVfGLt7ni_6jp8xdvYKOVByE611kT46bpYqQIBj2x63I1x6HVcT4/s400/IMG_20190202_085042552.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
A special evening with cousins last night eating Paella. Wow. Amazing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4OmeONJdLzgodnE6qGx4iEjXoZyrcd-O2hBDOtr5BdIF1g0Shu8k48wySlRrEoG6pSx8QdCfWlWKLW7jOpkhkpw5sCwHybpImotA7fpvvEEBH29mMk0mCX8aHrkt-aKN7fWL6Dah-ms/s1600/IMG_20190207_182619859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4OmeONJdLzgodnE6qGx4iEjXoZyrcd-O2hBDOtr5BdIF1g0Shu8k48wySlRrEoG6pSx8QdCfWlWKLW7jOpkhkpw5sCwHybpImotA7fpvvEEBH29mMk0mCX8aHrkt-aKN7fWL6Dah-ms/s400/IMG_20190207_182619859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNAEJIdBDOZPPkUJKtU2DmU05V1xAeCzMe5NAiUhfysrsYCicv0GVWFDx8_LQ1AegqV0nJugLtk50VfhXp4LAV7yRPNbxqBzliw2SXoVpRAzqi8dvFgwAlevd6bdICdZLspkyAeX1j44/s1600/IMG_20190207_180101251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNAEJIdBDOZPPkUJKtU2DmU05V1xAeCzMe5NAiUhfysrsYCicv0GVWFDx8_LQ1AegqV0nJugLtk50VfhXp4LAV7yRPNbxqBzliw2SXoVpRAzqi8dvFgwAlevd6bdICdZLspkyAeX1j44/s400/IMG_20190207_180101251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
May you find Joy in your journey with Jesus and all He has for your weekend.<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Jama<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658410649564211445.post-67837226508179188522019-02-06T17:15:00.003-08:002019-02-06T17:31:49.118-08:00You Know You've Lived Overseas a Long Time When...<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/AVvXsEhlDDNv9Q1qqJVHlpGXnm8E1nFEFvNKcdudEn13b5ugyh9Z1zGb4zfu-8cmVaHEFAWB4z77YI_QaSNGtDK-Jmhu00VBMBCovCMtQ1ueS3Wdc03zG9kKvdV7tQv-WXNxea3gzDV-jyH4whc/s1600/IMG_20181224_230611734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDDNv9Q1qqJVHlpGXnm8E1nFEFvNKcdudEn13b5ugyh9Z1zGb4zfu-8cmVaHEFAWB4z77YI_QaSNGtDK-Jmhu00VBMBCovCMtQ1ueS3Wdc03zG9kKvdV7tQv-WXNxea3gzDV-jyH4whc/s400/IMG_20181224_230611734.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us arriving on Christmas Eve...super weary but super happy to finally be here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know you've lived overseas a long time when...<br />
<br />
1. You're not sure how to greet people: a quick hug, a long hug, stiff handshake or...nothing at all?<br />
<br />
2. When someone comments their house is small and you marvel because yours would have fit inside...4 times.<br />
<br />
3. You visit an American church and feel slight anxiety over the "greet time."<br />
<br />
4. You feel a little overwhelmed by the size and options in American grocery stores...okay let's be honest here. SUPER overwhelmed!<br />
<br />
5. You don't recognize people you've known all your life and wonder how in the world they got so much older...and inwardly chuckle when they sometimes don't know you (is it possible I got much older too?!)<br />
<br />
6. All you really dream of for breakfast is cold cereal of almost any variety and good ol' ice cream every.stinkin'.night before bed.<br />
<br />
7. Even after a month of driving automatic cars, you do that involuntary twitch thing with left food/right hand because for an instant you forgot your car ISN'T manual.<br />
<br />
8. It's just a wee bit strange how ON TIME people really do show up...and leave.<br />
<br />
9. You are just a little shocked at the amount of junk food the family in the line ahead of you is purchasing. And I thought MY diet needed immediate improvment.<br />
<br />
10. You're amazed (and not a little pleased) you can eat out with your husband for under US$30.00.<br />
<br />
11. You seriously can't get over how incredibly FAST that crazy washer and dryer clean AND DRY your clothes. Now how CLEAN they actually are when you fold them...with so little effort.<br />
<br />
12. You unashamedly want to wander up and down EVERY aisle in TARGET....every.blessed.day!<br />
<br />
13. You feel most comfortable at the tiny Latino market in your tiny town or at your children's school where you hear more Spanish being spoken than English and your fair skinned children are the...get this, the MINORITY. :)<br />
<br />
Yes. Sigh. I've been gone a long time. In many instances I feel a little bit like a fish out of water. A friend gently reminded me to give it time, it can take two years to feel like a place is Home.<br />
<br />
But what if that place used to be HOME? And yet doesn't quite feel like Home anymore?<br />
<br />
And then I remember how God was with me during the 30 years in the USA and was with me during the 11 years in BRAZIL. He will surely be with me however long I am once again in the USA.<br />
<br />
Oh and if I should count the ways God has blessed our little family the last 6 weeks, it would be another lengthy post. I will share soon. Suffice to say, we are very much alive and well and blessed!<br />
<br />
Joy in Him,<br />
Jama (Zephaniah 3:17)<br />
<br />Jamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01181499702367352762noreply@blogger.com1