tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23983698566986675162024-03-19T07:14:20.892-04:00The Health and Happiness BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-57204707357436510962017-12-11T18:55:00.000-05:002017-12-11T19:02:04.144-05:00And The Soul Felt It's Worth<i><span style="color: blue;">I read this wonderful book that was recommended to me this past month and even had a lovely book </span><span style="color: blue;">discussion with a wonderful young friend!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">We had tea while the children played and a nice lunch together!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It was such an enjoyable time! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The wonderful book is titled Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #000085;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27840585-present-over-perfect">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27840585-present-over-perfect</a></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmKYO4IS9Zh-1UzgT4aprx8o96lX415uBaQeG9YGOjtuYVkb88_yc70PxDkghcBv9M6ADVntvtTtA7ofybirrSdqE6C3xSBI4iE64xGUsQ7HH0j5NV-JddMnJRC_UQf9XRre_aTzIBg8/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmKYO4IS9Zh-1UzgT4aprx8o96lX415uBaQeG9YGOjtuYVkb88_yc70PxDkghcBv9M6ADVntvtTtA7ofybirrSdqE6C3xSBI4iE64xGUsQ7HH0j5NV-JddMnJRC_UQf9XRre_aTzIBg8/s320/Capture.PNG" width="216" /></span></a></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">I loved so many things about this book and I highly recommend reading it but my favorite part by far was the chapter titled, The Soul Felt It's Worth based on the Christmas hymn 'O Holy Night!'</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Like the author, I have always loved this beautiful song and sang along with the beautiful lyrics but never fully comprehended the deeper meaning of the words until Shauna pointed them out in the book!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">O Holy Night</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">The stars are brightly shining</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Long lay the world in sin and error pining</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Till he appear'd and the soul felt it's worth.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Till he appear'd and the soul felt it's worth!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">The soul felt it's worth! When Jesus appeared! The soul felt it's worth when He appeared!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Wow! </span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Our worth is in Him alone</i>!</span></span><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Not in anything this world has to offer!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Not in the hustle and bustle of life, or getting it all done or looking Pinterest perfect or striving and driving and doing and building and dieting and exercising and cleaning and shopping and buying more and more and more! Or wearing the latest fashions or trying to fit in with this or that group!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Or whatever it is we're doing!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Ahhhh! The madness can stop right now!!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Because when He appeared our soul felt it's worth!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">We can breathe a sigh of relief with this TRUTH!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">So beautiful and perfect!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">My soul felt it's worth! My soul felt it's worth!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">May the knowledge of this truth set you free this Christmas and all the days ahead!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The soul felt it's worth on that first Christmas long ago!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I wish you a Merry, Beautiful, Blessed Christmas!</span></i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-37929840050646711492017-06-29T09:45:00.002-04:002017-06-29T09:45:25.556-04:0010 Minute Morning Yoga<i><span style="color: blue;">Good morning!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Do you have 10 minutes for a nice way to energize and gently wake up your body?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Here's a nice YouTube video to get you going in a positive direction today!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Have a wonderful day!</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-10198899860664591902017-05-18T16:37:00.001-04:002017-05-18T16:37:37.059-04:00A Mother's Heart<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu8bLP40BLNoAmLkzpVGqEUurDWrY9pHdcYZZCoNDOhC_uJ8CWM4rCQuuhmtr-NrNlgoDH8nXlvacc69yR2Mhpnp0ThZ_ViTNqd6wdvWHo_MHSbsmnYq2KWzuRTtVAKCp1FhsRdOufNQ/s1600/motherandchildatpiano.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu8bLP40BLNoAmLkzpVGqEUurDWrY9pHdcYZZCoNDOhC_uJ8CWM4rCQuuhmtr-NrNlgoDH8nXlvacc69yR2Mhpnp0ThZ_ViTNqd6wdvWHo_MHSbsmnYq2KWzuRTtVAKCp1FhsRdOufNQ/s320/motherandchildatpiano.PNG" width="241" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">I passed a church sign this morning and this is what it said:</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>"A mother's heart is the child's classroom!"</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">I loved it</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">It is SO TRUE!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Think about that and fall in love with Motherhood all over again!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Have a Happy Day!</span></i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-73329142954257711242017-05-03T17:26:00.004-04:002017-05-03T17:40:06.095-04:00Still Singing About My Closet!<i><span style="color: blue;">Yes, I'm still singing about my closet one whole year later!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">If you haven't read this book yet, you'd better get going! </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;">It will change your life for the better!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It will free you up in ways you never thought possible!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">What are you waiting for?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Short read. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">New closet/life in one weekend!</span></i><br />
<i><a href="http://laurakastamo.blogspot.com/2016/04/">Here is the post from last year</a></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1_0DApoHm4JnwMmQ5g5q77V_7BhkHcY7jRNOPL0iDT8wKM7LmKeKvro2W1UabSgOU9MBtWwb8Q-rC81EbHnIMfbcpm81om3PDtrmLTTOWF5HZ7kR2o8_WAQlYIembPNvpfpp6GSjZzE/s1600/20160304_174630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1_0DApoHm4JnwMmQ5g5q77V_7BhkHcY7jRNOPL0iDT8wKM7LmKeKvro2W1UabSgOU9MBtWwb8Q-rC81EbHnIMfbcpm81om3PDtrmLTTOWF5HZ7kR2o8_WAQlYIembPNvpfpp6GSjZzE/s320/20160304_174630.jpg" width="180" /></a><i><br /></i>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Here is my closet today:</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA4B07fGGpLkXp_QAi7URq2XAdrbaGswllOSub84wOpaUv-UcMLmNuCkUS0jz4FmvQAT3in_ViBSzYQNAKPVDocFzN26W68mQY5ReQI6keQ8kXJwVS_aZrCE-BmeqUqwxxL4FReW0hlc/s1600/20170329_094112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA4B07fGGpLkXp_QAi7URq2XAdrbaGswllOSub84wOpaUv-UcMLmNuCkUS0jz4FmvQAT3in_ViBSzYQNAKPVDocFzN26W68mQY5ReQI6keQ8kXJwVS_aZrCE-BmeqUqwxxL4FReW0hlc/s320/20170329_094112.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Easy peasy.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Never messy. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Always stays the same!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Amazing but it works!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You'd be crazy to not try it!</i></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-68228694304214656842017-03-06T19:18:00.000-05:002017-03-06T19:28:29.477-05:00Do You Have an Exercise Plan?<i><span style="color: blue;">How is your exercise plan going?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Are you confused and overwhelmed as to what to do?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I love having a plan for exercise.</span></i><i><span style="color: blue;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">If I don't have a plan, I struggle with getting any exercise done.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>If your exercise plan is non-existence, take a little time to write a plan.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here are a few ideas. It doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>1) Spend a few minutes stretching or practice yoga as soon as you get out of bed each day. There are a ton of free videos on YouTube. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AYKMP6rOE">Beginning yoga</a></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I always do a quick warm up first with jogging in place, jumping jacks, high knees, etc.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Stretching and practicing yoga is a wonderful way to get breath into the body as you slowly stretch your muscles from the strains of the previous day. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>2) Plan on walking each day. Pick a time that works best for you and stick with it.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I force myself to get outside in the afternoon before dinner preparations and afternoon activities.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It feels so good to get out in the fresh air.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>3) Plan a walking/hiking date each week with a friend or loved one. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>4) Meet a friend for a fun fitness class. A lot of fitness studios offer a free one time trial on their classes. It would be fun to pick a different studio each week! Also, the local community education usually has good prices for their weekly fitness classes. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>5) Get a bunch of people to join a sports league-volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball. Or, rent a gym for pick-up games.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>6) Take the kids to a park and ride bikes, play on the playground (amazing workout!), take a hike or go rollerblading.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>7) Get a swim pass at the local pool.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>8) Do 3 sets of as many push-ups, squats or jumping jacks that you can throughout the day. One exercise per day. For example, push-ups on Monday, squats on Tuesday, Jumping jacks on Wednesday. Repeat for Thursday, Friday, Saturday.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>9) Try my current favorite workout! <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/clutch-life-ashley-conrad-24-7-fitness-trainer.html">Clutch 24/7</a>. It is a challenging at-home workout from Bodybuilding.com. It incorporates a nice warm-up and stretching routine every day and an excellent eating plan! </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Okay, so the point is, do whatever exercise you enjoy and put it in your schedule! You know you'll feel so much better if you do! Make a plan right now! It's cheap therapy! </i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-65600066750384447642017-01-24T14:45:00.000-05:002017-01-24T14:45:17.135-05:00God's Pharmacy<i><span style="color: blue;">Our adult son called me last week to say he thought he had strep throat and was wondering if I remembered the name of a natural product we had used years ago to get rid of his sister's strep throat.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I told him the name of the product and </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="color: blue;">gave him a few other things to try as well!</span></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here is the texting that went on after the initial phone call:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>(This was from Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, January 18-20)</i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-58596677771172046432017-01-10T21:02:00.000-05:002017-01-10T21:04:53.149-05:00Do It For The Joy!<i><span style="color: blue;">I came across this simple phrase while skimming through my readings last week and immediately knew it was going to be our go-to phrase for the year!</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Haven't you all heard of the trend of picking a word for the year?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, I guess picking a word for the year is supposed to revolutionize your year for greater purpose and happiness.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I came across this simple phrase and that is what we will go with this year!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_0SHq63ie0lVCLXI5ZKZG4BCrNGkEEkQ_QcYdh0w-1-LjTjFatBf9l7otZw7n30mOnIu_qdM8KMTC6i8CPf2_rduZWWFxokF5ZwhbHiheDGQ4w85g8tTzV88p6ih52FSbHCBgQxp0WU/s1600/20170104_132632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_0SHq63ie0lVCLXI5ZKZG4BCrNGkEEkQ_QcYdh0w-1-LjTjFatBf9l7otZw7n30mOnIu_qdM8KMTC6i8CPf2_rduZWWFxokF5ZwhbHiheDGQ4w85g8tTzV88p6ih52FSbHCBgQxp0WU/s640/20170104_132632.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="color: blue;">If we are struggling with getting things done, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">whatever we need to do, no matter how big or how small,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">how tedious or insignificant, great or magnificent,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">DO IT FOR THE JOY!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I love it!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It totally pulled me out of my Christmas break laziness!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It is our household motto for the year!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I was all inspired to share it with the family so I had the kids do a simple school assignment, though it would be a good assignment for all of us!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Many times already I've had to tell myself to 'do it for the joy' and it spurred me on to finish the task at hand!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Try it!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It really works!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">God bless your New Year!</span></i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-37445605125026143062017-01-03T21:17:00.002-05:002017-01-03T21:20:02.387-05:00A New Year<i><span style="color: blue;">A new year!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Sometimes it's happy.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Sometimes it's not.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Life is full of twists and turns.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Some days are joyful and others are devastating</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">while most days are somewhere in between as if on cruise control.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>How do we hold onto joy in this new year?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Or find it if there is none?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Is there such a thing as being able to thrive in this world with so much </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>sorrow all around us?</i></span><br />
<i style="color: blue;">And what about hope?</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Do we dare hope?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Where is joy, anyway?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: blue;">Does it all come down to resolutions and striving for better this, better that?</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I don't think so.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I don't know about you but I can't seem to muster up anything that great over here.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I wonder, where is the joy I had in days gone past </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>when I was excited about so much?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>What went wrong?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I think it's this cruise control thing.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Just getting by, day by day, without much thought.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And then life throws a few curve balls and, Bam,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>ON THE FLOOR!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Are some days just plain hard to get out of bed?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>For some, I know it's impossible.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I'm so sorry for your sorrow and heartache.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>No matter where life finds us, we CAN find JOY again!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's not going to be easy.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>There will continue to be sorrow.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A new day dawns.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A new day of grace.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A NEW DAY OF GRACE!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>New!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Grace!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Joy!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hope!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Believe!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It is given to us daily!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>New strength.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>New joy.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>New hope.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Give us eyes to see it, Dear Lord!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Wake us from our slumber!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Show us your joy in each new day,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>each new year!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>If sorrows bring us closer to you, Dear Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>may you give us strength to lean on you more in this new year!</i></span><br />
<i style="color: blue;">Thank you from the bottom of our</i><i style="color: blue;"> weary hearts!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD." Psalms 31:24</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>May the Lord bless you and keep you always!</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-49805186853070213232016-11-08T17:55:00.003-05:002016-11-08T17:55:48.308-05:00Election Day and Hymns For Peace in Your Heart<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I am an American.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I will exercise my right to vote.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Election day is today.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">There seems to be so much at stake in America these days.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I am a mother.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">What kind of future awaits our children and generations to come?</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">It can all be downright scary.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Do I need to be afraid?</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I am a child of God.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">God will never leave us nor forsake us.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">He carries us, tucks us under His wings.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">He holds us by the hand!</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">I am not afraid.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">There is no need to fear.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">God is in control of everything!</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done."</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">He has the whole world in His hands!</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>I believe in God, the Father,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>the Son and the Holy Ghost!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>I believe in the promises of God.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>I believe in Emmanuel~God is with us!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>And if God is with us, who can be against us?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>I am not afraid!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Our peace, joy, hope, strength and encouragement for today and everyday </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>is always in the promises of God.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>His Holy and precious word!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>His most precious gift!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Jesus.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>What a friend we have in Jesus.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isaiah 41:13</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>" These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Enjoy listening to these hymns with peace in your heart!</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-21066344014686873922016-10-28T07:30:00.000-04:002016-10-28T07:30:49.639-04:00Once On This Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our little homeschool just finished a wonderful children's book series by Gloria Whelan!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The first book is called Once on this Island and it takes place on Mackinac Island during the War of 1812!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The other books in the series are, Farewell to the Island and Return to the Island.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We met wonderful, interesting characters and learned so much about what life was like for those living on Mackinac Island during the war between Britain and America.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The second book takes the main character all the way to London which gave us a glimpse of a very different way of life than here in the States during that time and then, of course, the last book is back on the island with more adventure involving a fur trading company and the local Indian tribes.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>The little girls were playing Indians all day today in the woods with braids in their hair, beaded necklaces and scarves over their shoulders.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>If I were on the ball I would have taken a picture or two!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Anyway, perhaps you'll check these books out from your local library like we did!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>LOVED THEM!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<a 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imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for once on this Island book by gloria whelan" 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" /></a><br />
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imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Return to the Island book by gloria whelan" border="0" 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imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Farewell To The Island" border="0" height="200" 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width="136" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-52726735538368893672016-10-25T21:27:00.003-04:002016-10-25T21:32:38.326-04:00Poems & Other Scribbles by CoffeeChlo<i><span style="color: blue;">My daughter, Chloe, started a blog featuring her own poetry and some of the music she loves!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">She is the daughter who was born in Australia 20 years ago!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">She loves painting, writing and music</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">which are traits handed down from my mom's side of the family, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">though I tell Chloe that I was constantly singing to her and her siblings when I was expecting her!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">We sang the patriotic songs I learned in grade school:</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>This Land Is Your Land, The Star-Spangled Banner, My Country T'is of Thee, America the Beautiful</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And every children's song that I could think of:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Daisy, Daisy, The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, In The Good Ol' Summertime,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hey Diddle, Diddle and the whole album of a wonderful lullaby cassette that I received as a gift when I was expecting our first child in 1990 featuring songs called The Appalachian Lullaby, Tomorrow We'll Go to the Fair, Look at Teddy, and Raindrops. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We sang all the hymns and church songs, too, that we loved so much: Jesus, Tender Shepherd, Jesus Loves Me, I Am So Glad, Day by Day, When We Walk With The Lord, When He Cometh, Within Thy Wings.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We learned all kinds of Australian children's songs and discovered the singing group, "The Wiggles".</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It was so cute listening to Miss Polly Had A Dolly in an Aussie accent!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And since our oldest, Shane, attended prep grade in Australia, we learned the Australian National Anthem, Australia Fair, and I still catch myself singing it from time to time!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Life was less busy in those days living so far from home without a lot of extra activities. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I would walk in the neighborhood close to the school with the girls while Shane was in school and sing the whole time! No one seemed to be out</i></span><i style="color: blue;"> and about in the neighborhood and the girls loved it.</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We sang all the songs again at bedtime!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Chloe would then grow up to be the one child who actually liked to recite poetry, and the other day she inspired our whole homeschool class with typing out their own writings along with accompanying artwork!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So, anyway, here is Chloe's blog!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I hope you enjoy it!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="https://coffeechlo.wordpress.com/">https://coffeechlo.wordpress.com/</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-65083718843428667302016-10-12T17:05:00.000-04:002016-10-12T17:16:02.195-04:00Knit Together In Love<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">It was a beautiful day yesterday sitting on the deck by Lake Walden celebrating my dear friend, Sarah's, birthday!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A wonderful group of ladies took time out of their day to share their love with our treasured friend.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Most of us have been friends since childhood and we laughed about old memories.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We were blessed to have in attendance her mother and mother-in-law who joined in on the fun plus a few young ladies and a handful of children who scurried around us to offer up a delightful mix of youthful energy!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The sun warmed us nicely on this beautiful fall day!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">We sang hymns.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Were angels chiming in?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>It was beautiful.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Everyone wrote a memory of Sarah and then a question for her to answer.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>It was quite fun!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We laughed and reflected and even received a few wonderful lessons on family, faith and the latest rage in household paint colors.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>A few opened up about minor or major struggles.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We listened.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We learned.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We laughed.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We shared.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know what?</span></i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">We loved!</span></i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">We loved being together.</span></i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">We loved being in the fresh air.</span></i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">We loved the fellowship.</span></i><br />
<i style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>This morning is a new day.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We hear of death and sorrow and heartache.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Our hearts are aching for friends who've loved and lost.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We ache over sickness and loss and uncertainty.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>One day our hearts are filled with joy.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>The next heartache and sorrow.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>I am reminded of what is precious in this life.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Love.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>And the relationships we've been blessed with.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>God is reminding me that our relationships are the most important thing we have on this earth!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>The love of our Heavenly Father the most important relationship of all!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>He lovingly calls us to Him, wants us to confide in Him, talk to Him, listen to Him!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>He's our Best Friend!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Our Best Friend Forever!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>He is constantly giving us unexpected gifts of love:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a friend out of nowhere.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a conversation of comfort.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a smile from a stranger.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a quiet moment to hear His voice.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a small child to hug.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~a glorious sunrise.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~the joy of a birthday, a celebration, a birth.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>~the comfort only He can give when our hearts are broken.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Can we find joy in that?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>When our joy is lost, He gives us His!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Let us find the time to love.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>We were created in love~it is part of our identity.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy it!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Celebrate it!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Give it away!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Life is a gift.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Love is a gift.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,"</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Colossians 2:2</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-16672301604369042892016-04-14T15:20:00.000-04:002017-05-03T17:28:14.057-04:00Singing About My Closet!<span style="color: blue;"><i>Has anyone ever wanted a beautiful, streamlined closet?</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Where you can find something nice to wear no matter what kind of day you're having?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I've always dreamed of having a beautiful closet thinking I'll get to it when the kids are all older, when I'm not so busy, etc, etc.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Ahh! Wouldn't it be wonderful to feel HAPPY when you opened your closet?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Thankful, even, and so excited that you felt like SINGING? </span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, let me tell YOU </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I'm SINGING!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My closet is ORGANIZED!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>AND BEAUTIFUL!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>AND I THINK IT'S A MIRACLE!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It IS a MIRACLE!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I'm so EXCITED!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I CAN'T STOP SINGING ABOUT IT!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I told you my New Year's resolution was to have more fun </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>and I AM HAVING A BALL!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have a clean, beautiful and organized closet!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And it has stayed clean, beautiful and organized for over a month already!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Believe me, there is nothing special about me!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have never been the most organized person know matter how hard I try!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I plan on keeping the house neat and then before I know it, POOF! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Back to a mess!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Constant cleaning and maintaining.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You all know what I'm talking about!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So, Here's the SECRET!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A2y6iKoeyAZjY7YEHRYcYR5sOm-iMBh7qNNkSHxYEiqdUSkqrWuIpe4EG15crof2wOUocaYesIsGwNhQFed5cfoPwcmaPYtCKNi4FMfdU7fKmT-EjgKEu6phFou3xN0d4D0Q8rcPDX0/s1600/20160307_131157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A2y6iKoeyAZjY7YEHRYcYR5sOm-iMBh7qNNkSHxYEiqdUSkqrWuIpe4EG15crof2wOUocaYesIsGwNhQFed5cfoPwcmaPYtCKNi4FMfdU7fKmT-EjgKEu6phFou3xN0d4D0Q8rcPDX0/s320/20160307_131157.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">This little book is all the rage, you know.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It really is life-changing!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The author, Marie Kondo, is a tidying expert!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Her philosophy is to gather all your things by likeness, clothing, for example, and deal with it all in one go.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">For example, she has you start with clothing, so I gathered all of my clothing from all around the house from winter coats that were hanging in various closets and in the basement to summer sandals stored in a bucket on a basement shelf~</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">All hats, scarves, shoes and dump them all on your bed or bedroom floor.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Then she advises handling each piece individually and asking yourself if it sparks joy!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I LOVE IT!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">If it doesn't spark joy then OUT it goes!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I got rid of bags and bags of stuff that didn't spark joy:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">shabby looking t shirts, shoes that really weren't that comfortable, hats, scarves and coats I never wore anymore because I had too many and they were just taking up space!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It felt SO GOOD to get rid of stuff I could hardly believe it!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I threw a bunch of shabby things straight in the garbage and bagged up everything else and brought it to the local thrift store.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I figured someone else could find real joy in the things that no longer sparked joy for me!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Another thing that the author suggests is keeping everything you wear in one place!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">So no more storing things in the basement or downstairs closet!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">EVERYTHING I own as far as clothing goes, FITS IN MY CLOSET!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">All my shoes, boots, hats, scarves, purses, workout wear, swimsuits and cover ups, camping shorts and flannel shirt, socks, underwear, hoodies, jackets, fur collared coat, fancy hats, gloves, winter ski pants.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">EVERYTHING!</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Isn't that MAGICAL?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here is my closet!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6ysErClVSfm0NfHlA2ntGIwyWE1HILM9b9ScnsFpqUo-jA1eJoobgxvwO0Y0xp5IhjMa8eozDgX3NuhWM3cmY811pjqdyPwMSRK9g0s1-4pve3qchyutaS2kaujBDiHA4YirGz3RHm0/s1600/20160304_174630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6ysErClVSfm0NfHlA2ntGIwyWE1HILM9b9ScnsFpqUo-jA1eJoobgxvwO0Y0xp5IhjMa8eozDgX3NuhWM3cmY811pjqdyPwMSRK9g0s1-4pve3qchyutaS2kaujBDiHA4YirGz3RHm0/s320/20160304_174630.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">One hanging bar with shelf on top, a set of four wire drawers, and 4 shelves tucked into the side where I keep all of my shoes, purses and a few hats- right side of photo.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Hanging are all the dresses I chose to keep, jackets, shirts, blouses, pants and skirts.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The drawers hold all my pj's, underwear, socks, nylons, tights/leggings, 2 hooded sweatshirts, 2 swimsuits with cover ups, 2 pair shorts, t shirts, tank tops, camis,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> workout clothing, even my painting clothes!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The TRICK in getting all this stuff into the drawers is Marie Kondo's magic folding method!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Basically, you fold everything into a narrow rectangle then fold in thirds. Then she has you file them standing on end rather than stacking on top of each other.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Check it out here: <a href="http://goop.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-kondo-mari-method/">http://goop.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-kondo-mari-method/</a></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO9W8VGTNsbPiEgwOYHcd3CDX0_Tcyf0VAu7qIRGAmx2Jatl2e4WwDwYiJSjNW38b0jRi7mHdR2qNPK6vHMFunzldC3D1FDBndM5geFUH9YIDfPPAQNG7yg9RDfGx0crRz_QR0YNuHsE/s1600/20160304_174749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO9W8VGTNsbPiEgwOYHcd3CDX0_Tcyf0VAu7qIRGAmx2Jatl2e4WwDwYiJSjNW38b0jRi7mHdR2qNPK6vHMFunzldC3D1FDBndM5geFUH9YIDfPPAQNG7yg9RDfGx0crRz_QR0YNuHsE/s320/20160304_174749.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">She suggests you use little boxes that you have hanging around the house to hold accessories and as dividers for socks, underwear, etc, as seen in the photo above. </span></i><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I keep extra hats, accessories, and off season clothing in these pretty boxes I bought from TJ Maxx for $8-$10!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I love them!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You can see them in action in the first photo above.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ALxzUkxtTBczMciCt-kEtJMFo1C1taWVF9LpF2oQm_wXRWCYLj8VzLJzGoYe3QfH6CzWITLjC8jBCFCRUFbJiNsLkFaD5nSdO5QbXR_V0u01DoAFqjpq0yIRPsNc2wz2nd0_UzxIpaA/s1600/20160304_172742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ALxzUkxtTBczMciCt-kEtJMFo1C1taWVF9LpF2oQm_wXRWCYLj8VzLJzGoYe3QfH6CzWITLjC8jBCFCRUFbJiNsLkFaD5nSdO5QbXR_V0u01DoAFqjpq0yIRPsNc2wz2nd0_UzxIpaA/s320/20160304_172742.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Here is one box with a few fancy winter accessories that I keep on the shelf!!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b2QDE7B2UubWt7ByU8b3e_lTOrgAvbJZn0aVAl7-FGYsVcbFVQft0Sa21Na6KhTznBEaVBWl2sb1BS1Wl56fw3MSzIU2GOfxXGOfiySd_HA3VjC6hebnIimvcg-H9_fJ5XRZOH1A6Pw/s1600/20160304_171202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b2QDE7B2UubWt7ByU8b3e_lTOrgAvbJZn0aVAl7-FGYsVcbFVQft0Sa21Na6KhTznBEaVBWl2sb1BS1Wl56fw3MSzIU2GOfxXGOfiySd_HA3VjC6hebnIimvcg-H9_fJ5XRZOH1A6Pw/s320/20160304_171202.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Can you see why i'm singing?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>After you tackle your clothing, Marie suggests tidying your books.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And being a homeschooling mom, I LOVE MY BOOKS!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>But somehow she has you happily going through all of your books and asking yourself if each one is still bringing you joy!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I got rid of over 400 BOOKS!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I'M NOT KIDDING!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>PHOTO PROOF!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>These all went to our beloved local public library who were more than happy to receive them!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's going to help fund their summer program!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwX-yjAhDMOCeKIrt3_e7-VbMsqVkEh9NJKlZfXzYqEM13g6qFmf8_VxCeVpENOzkiWWLVsyqQ7Er6DaAJZGdMcFa3cC3xc8f52-8MTl8ZW5as0t_ubIUhRCGnRzySx9Nhr0rcbi-_UYo/s1600/20160316_113329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwX-yjAhDMOCeKIrt3_e7-VbMsqVkEh9NJKlZfXzYqEM13g6qFmf8_VxCeVpENOzkiWWLVsyqQ7Er6DaAJZGdMcFa3cC3xc8f52-8MTl8ZW5as0t_ubIUhRCGnRzySx9Nhr0rcbi-_UYo/s320/20160316_113329.jpg" width="180" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>All of a sudden our home has so much SPACE!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>After implementing Marie Kondo's Life-changing magic to your home, you will find your home is so much bigger than you realized!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You don't need a huge walk in closet, but if you have one. you'll soon be able to use it as a valuable space for so much more!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You don't need more square footage!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You just need to start TIDYING!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Life just got more FUN!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Get the book from your local library and start right away!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Your whole life will change just like mine did!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Pretty soon you will be singing about YOUR closet!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"O sing unto the LORD a new song.." Psalms 96:1</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-30551405086021335132016-03-24T20:22:00.000-04:002016-03-24T20:22:00.300-04:00The Beautiful Garden<i><span style="color: blue;">There is a beautiful garden.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The most beautiful garden in all the world.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The sun never stops shining and love and joy will forever grow.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The tears have been shed, The bloody sweat poured out.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The work is finished.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It is ready for all to enter.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">The price is free.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;">All are welcome into this garden.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">It is a place where all hearts find True Love and Joy!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Forever!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Happiness forever!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Joy forever!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">And it's for YOU!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">All sins have been washed away by the Gardener~</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWr4rzs9drDCo4jk3Lc06jFn_8Nkou57cJ3t6wLGyLbsMmdB_KQWBKsmeUOo7wR4u-qYnJfLvU_aKH3etFi_NNx4kakTdoR9Euid7GG62R3QUpYVHdtTrUJPgJVnijFwYdieGN8vEFL4/s1600/20160324_110612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWr4rzs9drDCo4jk3Lc06jFn_8Nkou57cJ3t6wLGyLbsMmdB_KQWBKsmeUOo7wR4u-qYnJfLvU_aKH3etFi_NNx4kakTdoR9Euid7GG62R3QUpYVHdtTrUJPgJVnijFwYdieGN8vEFL4/s200/20160324_110612.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;">"The hour in Gethsemane I never shall forget,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">When Christ alone the battle fought,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">In grief and bloody sweat.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Gethsemane, Gethsemane, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I must remember thee,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Where God's eternal Son I saw</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">In pray'r on bended knee."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="color: blue;">"When I among the solemn trees,</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In spirit gazed around;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I saw the burden of my sin</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>On him with judgment bound.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Gethsemane, Gethsemane, </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I must remember thee,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Where God's eternal son I saw</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In pray'r on bended knee."</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: blue;">"I saw Him tempted to despair,</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;">By anguish, grief, bent low;</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The depth of pain He suffered there</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>No man can fully know.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Gethsemane, Gethsemane,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I must remember thee,<br />Where God's eternal Son I saw</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In pray'r on bended knee."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"If ever. Lord, my love to Thee</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Should cold and fruitless be,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>O show me in Gethsemane</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Thy suff'ring there for me.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Gethsemane, Gethsemane,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I must remember thee.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Where God's eternal Son I saw</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In pray'r on bended knee."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> Author unknown</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sfOqt27QigNzbfpVdv43_MVR0PXYw0pvLBrQwDi8kb1zNJvjHhSJGrRX4lKdyr12UD5Hh4kRGxIJxSQ_NG24o4HaNWbymrexicvrKsfrQ-dJNImufj7qaa-EeJ3dC4R84KUQ3Hf6w4o/s1600/20160314_123047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sfOqt27QigNzbfpVdv43_MVR0PXYw0pvLBrQwDi8kb1zNJvjHhSJGrRX4lKdyr12UD5Hh4kRGxIJxSQ_NG24o4HaNWbymrexicvrKsfrQ-dJNImufj7qaa-EeJ3dC4R84KUQ3Hf6w4o/s200/20160314_123047.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The story of our Lord's agony in the garden can be found in Luke 23:41-44.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Be happy!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>There is no need to fear! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The agony turns to J</i></span><i style="color: blue;">oy on Easter morning where the angel at the empty tomb proclaims:</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: blue;">"He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." Luke 24:6, 7</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: blue;">Grief turned to JOY!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;">The promise of that Beautiful Garden!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2vD1Khl3xEKZ3ixjXHnr8n_OVK9sBwYFrP4nXAltNvoOAjtQi2vBI8Znosw3qHOjVD8hqGPmUg2HILvE-Apbb8_nO9VhLVxvs61adQoy0cGy7t87lQWPB6jd0ryzYL-NWVeGoiYVxzM/s1600/20160324_110638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2vD1Khl3xEKZ3ixjXHnr8n_OVK9sBwYFrP4nXAltNvoOAjtQi2vBI8Znosw3qHOjVD8hqGPmUg2HILvE-Apbb8_nO9VhLVxvs61adQoy0cGy7t87lQWPB6jd0ryzYL-NWVeGoiYVxzM/s200/20160324_110638.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: blue;">May all H</i><i style="color: blue;">earts be filled with Neverending Love, Joy, Praise and Thanksgiving this Easter!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;">You are all So Loved!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: blue;">*All drawings done by my children</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-28719794052001125522016-02-29T23:10:00.003-05:002016-03-01T10:59:43.654-05:00Today's Workout<i><span style="color: blue;">Do you need a workout idea?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Today I worked on my shoulders with 4 different exercises using my 15# dumbbells.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I warmed up with front, back and side kicks and jumping jacks.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I did 3 sets of 12 repetitions with 10 jumping jacks between reps and then 25 jumping jacks between the different exercises.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>-Overhead shoulder press-12 reps, then 10 jumping jacks; repeat 2 more times, then 25 jumping jacks</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>-Side raises (arms hanging at sides with palm facing in, raise to shoulder height and lower to sides)-12 reps, then 10 jumping jacks; repeat 2 more times, then 25 jumping jacks</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>-Front lateral raise (dumbbells in each hand in front of thighs palms facing in, raise arms alternately up to shoulders in front of you)-12 reps, then 10 jumping jacks; repeat 2 more times, then 25 jumping jacks</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>-Overhead shoulder raise (arms shoulder height out to sides palms facing up, raise arms simultaneously up overhead)-12 reps, then 10 jumping jacks; repeat 2 more times, then 25 jumping jacks.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I struggled with some of these exercises with my 15# weights so do what you can starting with a weight that is comfortable for you-0, 5 or 10# and and repeat this workout on the same day next week if you want to get stronger shoulders. My plan is to do a different body part or combination of body parts each week day, Monday through Friday.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Please work at a pace that is comfortable for you!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>If you have never worked out with weights, try this workout without any weight and work up to adding dumbbells! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It is very important to not do too much too soon but I don't think it's a good idea to not do anything.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Start light and build up your strength.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We need it to run this race that is set before us-I believe we need patience, too, but a strong, healthy body may make it easier!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I then was able to add a 45 minute session of cardio:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>5 minutes on the rebounder (mini-trampoline)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>5 minutes running my basement stairs</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>5 minutes jumping rope</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>REPEAT whole sequence 3 times!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Cool down and stretch out your body!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I know, I had a lot of time to work out today!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's not always that way. but you can break the cardio down to 15 or 30 minutes if you wanted to give it a try or do strength training one day and cardio the next.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>If you don't have a rebounder, just use the jump rope and stairs or pick something else that you can do for 5 minutes-maybe kick boxing moves, crazy dance moves, high knees or stepping or running in place.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Put on some music and work up a sweat!</i></span><br />
<i style="color: blue;">Take a well deserved hot shower and enjoy the day with more energy!</i><br />
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Drink lots of water and enjoy a healthy day of eating-scrambled eggs or egg whites, carmelized onions, leftover peas all fried up in skillet with a little coconut oil for breakfast, grilled chicken breast with sauteed veggies, a dash or two or three, of hot sauce and maybe a little or BIG side salad for lunch! And a yummy dinner!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Have a healthy, happy day!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>"..Let us run with patience the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"I can do all things through Christ which srengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-36521491270423137412016-02-18T14:36:00.000-05:002016-02-18T14:36:22.014-05:00Finding True Love<i><span style="color: blue;">It wasn't that many years ago that I found true love.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I was a little ball of despair huddled into the corner of the bathroom pleading to God to help me.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I was an emotional wreck! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I wonder if being 44 years old and pregnant had anything to do with it-I don't know, but there I was-a complete basket case-feeling hopeless!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I am not making light of this. It was true! I really felt hopeless even though I had a beautiful life.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I thought I was going to die in that corner.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">No one could help me.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Oh, I wanted so badly for my loved ones to come in and save me.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Surely my darling husband would. After all, he would know my needs more than anyone.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">In my mind it would have been so easy for him to swoop in and give me all the things I felt I needed from him. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Shouldn't he know exactly what I need to be comforted, to get me through this needy time in my life?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Or what about family and friends?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Where is everyone when you truly need them?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Honestly, do I have to DIE in this corner?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Couldn't my loved ones see how to help me, h</span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">ow to love me like I needed them to?</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I prayed my little heart out! Surely God would intercede for me and let my loved ones know how to truly help me!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SHOW THESE PEOPLE HOW TO LOVE ME!!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I heard a soft voice deep within me.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"It's Me.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It's Me. There is no one who can love you like I can.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Come to Me, My darling child."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It struck me right in my heart and soul!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In my mind, I formed ideals of how I should be loved by the people in my life.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My husband would be my knight in shining armor, coming in with full armor and a sword, swooping me up in his arms and carrying me to love and safety.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My family and friends would come to my aid just at the right time.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>What was I thinking?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The little girl in me couldn't let go of the romantic notion of being so loved that surely everyone would know when to do the swooping and saving!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And I was CRUSHED when it didn't happen!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Voice of my TRUE LOVE came to me that day.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It was and is my Saving Grace!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Jesus is my True Love!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I no longer look at people to be my saving grace. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>How could anyone on this Earth be my savior?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Could I be someone's savior-always doing the right thing?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Of course not! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>This simple revelation has completely change my life.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I no longer put expectations on my loved ones.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am so faulty myself, how can I expect others to perform to my expectations.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I have so many people in my life that love me so dearly.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I don't doubt their love.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And I love so deeply, too, those that God put into my life.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>But my Truest, most Perfect Love is my True Savior.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My Jesus.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I sobbed and accepted again His love into my heart that day (I have known it my whole life but still thought others could do the true swooping, saving and chivalry-type of love!) and immediately felt true healing.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am loved!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am LOVED!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And so are you! So deeply-to the core-everlasting-perfectly LOVED!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>There is no greater love than that of our True Savior!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"...I have loved thee with an everlasting love.." Jeremiah 31:3</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Please know how much you are truly loved!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-43152892710715806542016-02-05T17:26:00.001-05:002016-02-05T17:47:33.910-05:00Sweet and Spicy<i><span style="color: blue;">That's it!</span></i><br />
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">My pants were starting to feel tight-straining at the buttons!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Too many sweets over the holiday season!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">And in a large family-immediate, extended and church family-</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">there are a LOT of occasions to have sweets!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">I was putting my foot down!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Or to be more precise, my dessert fork!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">I refuse to use age, hormones or any other excuse as a reason to buy bigger clothes!</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I need to take charge of the situation!</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Time to pull out the SECRET WEAPONS!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">First of all, in my last post I mentioned that I am seeing a functional medicine doctor who ordered blood tests, etc.~That has been wonderful for leveling out crazy hormones, pointing out food sensitivities, allergens, etc.</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It doesn't, however, magically get my pants from being too tight so out come the </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPONS!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPON #1: </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b> Morning protein shake</b> that keeps me full for hours! I am NEVER hungry until lunch!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My favorite recipe:</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>*1 cup coffee (opt.)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>*1 cup coconut milk</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>* 1/2 cup water (or more if not using coffee)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>* 1-2 teaspoons ground flaxseed</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>*1 serving protein powder-I use vanilla Vega Protein and Greens (Costco sells it!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>* 1 teaspoon of xylitol (opt.) </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>* 1 heaping teaspoon of 100% pure cocoa (opt.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>*ice (opt.)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I put it all in a shaker cup and shake it up good!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>I LOVE IT and look forward to it every day!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I will also drink it without the coffee and cocoa for an evening snack if I feel like a need something.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It really is a treat!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>No need for sugary, fatty desserts!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPON #2: (Super easy!-Gotta try it!)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Sweet and Spicy tea from Good Earth</b>! </i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>http://www.goodearth.com/</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>It comes in decaffeinated herbal or herbal with black tea.</i></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXrL2hQQSQ1H5cTY-cxtcFmyM1rroXtLReQGAgkGEWUX8tELTGH3qn_h_DOEfIDLAf3F6eSy2Qnc-Gk8zpmQ_xglM42cLJ9lKehxBAm9z9x2l3H1fp7VwYRY7nMmE16OtpgzHu0zDUPk/s1600/20160205_145914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXrL2hQQSQ1H5cTY-cxtcFmyM1rroXtLReQGAgkGEWUX8tELTGH3qn_h_DOEfIDLAf3F6eSy2Qnc-Gk8zpmQ_xglM42cLJ9lKehxBAm9z9x2l3H1fp7VwYRY7nMmE16OtpgzHu0zDUPk/s200/20160205_145914.jpg" width="112" /></a><span style="color: blue;"><i>It's a wonderful substitution for dessert as there is cinnamon, orange, peppermint, ginger, lemongrass, chamomile in the ingredient list.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I take it with me wherever I go and drink some in the evening if I do not want to have a sugary dessert!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It completely takes any cravings away!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Love it!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The ladies at the church coffee table have been trying it and loving it!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I always have an extra teabag for you if you ever want to give it a try!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I gave some to my dear friend, Sarah, for her birthday and she said</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>it SAVED her life!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Ha Ha! I chuckled at that!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Never underestimate the power of a teabag, I guess!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Celestial Seasonings also has a very similar tea that I love:<b> Cinnamon Apple Spice</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPON #3:</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Drink a lot of water! </b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPON #4:</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Refuse to eat fake food!</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>SECRET WEAPON #5:</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Move a little extra every day!</b> You know, as in EXERCISE!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Even if it's 5 minutes! </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>These are the<b> secret weapons</b> that I am currently using and sure enough my clothes are starting to fit better!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And doesn't that make life more fun!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Sometimes we just have to pull out a <b>few weapons and charge forward</b>!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Try one or try all and see if any of them work for you!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So there you have it!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And I know a few of you were wondering if this was going to be a 'spicy' Valentine's post!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>But, no!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Maybe another day!</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-11295216832750022072016-01-31T22:27:00.000-05:002016-01-31T22:27:35.312-05:00Having More Fun in 2016<i><span style="color: blue;">So here I am.</span></i><div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">All safe and sound.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Feeling I should write again.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">So here I am.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">January is almost over and my one New Year's resolution is to have more fun!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">I thought that was a good one.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Why not, right?</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Everyday things can be more fun with the right attitude!</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So I've been working on my attitude.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It really helped that I am seeing a functional medicine doctor that ordered blood testing.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Not that I had a bad attitude.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It just seemed like a good time to get everything checked out.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I'm taking supplements specifically for what my body needs!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And honestly, my attitude really is better!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am so thankful!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Everything is so much more fun!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Even washing clothes and doing dishes!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I think God has been working on me, though, in that area and I'm learning to be more thankful for everything and more willing to serve in these little ways that we all do~ you know, the little things we do everyday but don't appreciate or grumbling because no one seems to know how much work we do or how hard things are, etc.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It really is easy to get weighed down with everything when the attitude is poor!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Sheesh! </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So, this year I resolve to have more fun!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The supplements definitely are helping but I am also learning to say yes to God!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Trusting, listening, getting to know His love for me through His precious word!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Learning to really appreciate the gifts He has given me!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>He has set the perfect example in giving us His perfect Son~</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Jesus, who came to serve.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I am learning to serve more cheerfully!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And it really has made life more fun!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Wishing you all a fun 2016!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-19877741016593149762015-05-31T23:53:00.001-04:002015-06-01T00:10:13.450-04:00A Poem for Mom's Birthday<span style="color: blue;"><i>Songs For My Mother: Her Hands</i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>by Anna Hempstead Branch</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My mother's hands are cool and fair,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>They can do anything.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Delicate memories hide them there</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Like flowers in the spring.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>When I was small and could not sleep,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>She used to come to me,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And with my cheek upon </i></span><i style="color: blue;">her hand</i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>How sure my rest would be.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>For everything she ever touched</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Of beautiful or fine,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Their memories living in her hands</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Would warm that sleep of mine.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Her hands remembered how they played</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>One time in meadow streams,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And all the flickering song and shade<br />Of water took my dreams.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Swift through her haunted fingers pass</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Memories of garden things;</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I dipped my face in flowers and grass</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And sounds of hidden wings.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>One time she touched the cloud that kissed</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Brown pastures bleak and far;</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I leaned my cheek into a mist</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And thought I was a star.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>All this was very long ago</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And I am grown;but yet</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The hand that lured my slumber so</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I never can forget.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>For still when drowsiness comes on</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It seems so soft and cool,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Shaped happily beneath my cheek,</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hollow and beautiful.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Happy birthday, Mom!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I love you so much and am so thankful God gave me You!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I know how much you love poems and I can find so many beautiful ones that I know you'd love but remember that time when your neighbor cut down the tree in his front yard and you were so mad that you sent him the Tree poem anonymously!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>That was so funny!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And what about you trying to get Dad interested in all the poetry stuff and he just doesn't get it! You can't figure out how anyone on this earth couldn't appreciate poetry! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Ha, ha! At least I can sympathize with you a little bit! I am so glad you introduced poetry to me all those years ago! It's just another gift to enjoy!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Maybe you can write a poem for your birthday-maybe about your little trip to Saugatuck!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Again, remember how much you are loved!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Trees</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>by Joyce Kilmer</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I think that I shall never see</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A poem lovely as a tree.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Against the earth's sweet-flowing breast;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A tree that looks at God all day.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And lifts her leafy arms to pray;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A tree that may in summer wear</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>A nest of robins in her hair;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Upon whose bosom snow has lain;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Who intimately lives with rain.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Poems are made by fools like me,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>But only God can make a tree.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-10174770174483729642015-04-02T13:21:00.000-04:002015-04-02T13:22:07.632-04:00An Easter Wish<i><span style="color: blue;">I know it's been awhile since I've written. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">For a while I thought maybe it's already been written somewhere else.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Do I have anything worth sharing that hasn't already been said?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Deep in my heart I feel a tug to continue writing on this bit of space.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Maybe some tiny word will bring a bit of light to someone's heart!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Maybe.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">I am willing, though slow I am. (tiny sigh)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;">But my heart feels happy!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Easter is here!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">Such a beautiful story God has written with the blood of His precious Son!</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our little home school had each child read aloud an Easter poem.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Michael Hague's Family Easter Treasury is a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations and wonderful stories and poems of Easter.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Here are a few we read:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>An Easter Wish</b></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">Anonymous</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">May the glad dawn</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">of Easter morn</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">Bring joy to thee.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">May the calm eve</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">Of Easter leave</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">A peace divine with thee.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">May Easter night</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: blue;">On thine heart write,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">O Christ, I live for thee</span>.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Easter's Coming</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Aileen Fisher</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Through the sunshine,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>through the shadow,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>down the hillside, </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>down the meadow.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>little streams</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>run bright and merry,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>bursting with the news</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>they carry,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>singing, shouting,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>laughing, humming,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>"Easter's coming,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Easter's coming!"</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>The Gospel According to St. Matthew 28:1-6:</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;"> In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>May your hearts be filled with hope and happiness this Easter!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-74050408115619609592014-07-04T08:07:00.000-04:002014-07-04T08:07:33.900-04:00Happy Birthday, America!<span style="color: blue;"><i>America, the Beautiful</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>O beautiful for spacious skies</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>For amber waves of grain,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>For purple mountain majesties</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Above the fruited plain!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>America! America! God shed His grace on thee,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And crown thy good with brotherhood</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>From sea to shining sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>O beautiful for heroes proved</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In liberating strife,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Who more than self their country loved</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And mercy more than life!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>America! America! May God thy gold refine,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Till all success be nobleness,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And ev'ry gain divine.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>O beautiful for patriot dream</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>That sees, beyond the years,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Thine alabaster cities gleam-</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Undimmed by human tears!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>America! America! God shed His grace on thee,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>And crown thy good with brotherhood</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>From sea to shining sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> -Katherine Lee Bates</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>their dependence upon the overruling power of</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>God and to recognize the sublime truth announced</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>that those nations only are blessed whose God is</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>the Lord.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> -Abraham Lincoln</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>liberties; write its precepts on your heart and</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>practice them in your lives. To the influence of this </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Book we are indebted for the progress made, and</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>to this we must look as our guide in the future.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> -Ulysses S. Grant</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>same time.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> -Thomas Jefferson</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My Country, 'Tis of Thee</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My country, 'tis of Thee,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Sweet land of liberty</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Of thee I sing;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Land where my fathers died,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Land of the pilgrim's pride,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>From every mountain side</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Let freedom ring.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our fathers' God to Thee,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Author of liberty,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>To Thee we sing;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Long may our land be bright</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>With freedom's holy light;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Protect us by Thy might,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Great God our King.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> -Samuel Francis Smith</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>God bless America!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>In God we trust!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>May freedom ring!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>God bless you all!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Happy Birthday, America!</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-30892300345647323462014-05-31T08:21:00.002-04:002014-05-31T08:21:51.684-04:00Today's Journal Entry and Letter to God<i><span style="color: blue;">May 31, 2014-Mom's 70th birthday!</span></i><div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Daily devotion from Devotional Daily: </span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">Peace by Sarah Young-from Jesus Calling </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">2 Thessalonians 3;16, Job 22:2 </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">(I get a devotional sent to my inbox from Devotional Daily and today's entry was from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling book- I read it and following our my own thoughts.)</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">My thoughts and letter to God:</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Transform my mind so I think with Your perspective, Lord!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Dear Lord, I don't want my mind to be filled with my own scheming thoughts. Fill me with your thoughts! I want you to control my thinking today! You are my Hope and My Salvation, overflowing with great plans for my day! I invite you into my body, mind and soul! Fill all who live here and all who touch our lives with your Holy Presence and Peace!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for this beautiful day!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for joy!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for Mom and bless her birthday today with Your loving gifts!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">How great thou art! May our hearts be full of praise for You all this day!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Amen, In Jesus Name!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Notes to myself:</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Look for todays gifts-they abound!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Enjoy God's food, enjoy the people gracing my life!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Enjoy God's Presence!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">O Happy Day!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-81436712487719565132013-11-11T22:34:00.000-05:002013-11-11T22:34:47.134-05:00Broken Chairs <em><span style="color: blue;">I'm sighing.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">It seems like every other day I find something broken around this house.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">A broken toy, basket, dish.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">A broken vintage chair.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">No one seems to know how any of these things broke.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">It's a mystery!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I cried about the chair.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I'm sighing.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Aren't we supposed to take care of the things God gave us?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I'm wondering if we have too many 'things' and we just don't care anymore.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">What's the big deal?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Just get a new one!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I think we DO have too many things and you all know how I am trying to simplify by having less stuff.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">After I found the broken chair, I threatened to get rid of EVERYTHING!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">All the 'extras'.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Why have anything if we won't take care of it.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">It just doesn't make sense.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Oh, and I know some darling little children who are probably eagerly awaiting the Christmas gift RECIEVING season.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">We can't even take care of the things we do have!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Sighing, sighing.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">But today is Veteran's Day!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I had the kids attention at the breakfast table.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Listen, children, about those who gave so much to defend our country and fight for freedom.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Your own Grandpa and Uncle.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">And countless others I could name.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">And what about the ultimate sacrifice of forever freedom in Heaven someday.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Jesus didn't even have a home to call His own and we can't even be thankful for the chair we get to lounge on every day!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">We are making an attitude change.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">When I cried about the chair it was more for our attitudes and how we are so flippant sometimes with the things God has entrusted us with than just the hole in the chair.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">We have been given so much that I wonder if we even realize just HOW MUCH!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">We are taking too much for granted.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I want a thankful heart and a desire to take the focus off of ME and onto others.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">And I want to truly be thankful for ALL THINGS.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I don't want to be crying over broken chairs.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">So today we started 51 Days of Giving!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">51 days from today, Veteran's Day, until the end of the year we will focus on giving, not getting.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Giving, because we are given so much.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Giving, because we truly want to be thankful.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">We went to the library and found books and VeggieTale's DVD's about giving and one book, of course, about Veteran's Day.</span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg4rvBsNDcEGdu5_75d5rv_Yo5TiwozwtpPH-6KGZbsj5rA9YSUju4ScocXD0YjSj3GTvIRLsvl9YxlXNutwKf8eJcU7udDnU4MCvgdiT2AMFJErUZFD-qzaRfMo-cljwIiKSGlRyBk8/s1600/WP_20131111_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg4rvBsNDcEGdu5_75d5rv_Yo5TiwozwtpPH-6KGZbsj5rA9YSUju4ScocXD0YjSj3GTvIRLsvl9YxlXNutwKf8eJcU7udDnU4MCvgdiT2AMFJErUZFD-qzaRfMo-cljwIiKSGlRyBk8/s320/WP_20131111_004.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: blue;">This giving thing is going to be fun!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I think it's the perfect antidote for my broken chair!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">The kids and I brainstormed for ways to give (and there's no need to stop after 51 days!)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">1) Give thanks to God-give Him our hearts.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">2) Use kind words. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">3) Call a veteran to give thanks. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">4) Tell someone about Jesus.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">5) Make bookmarks and leave them in the library.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">6) Leave coupons in the grocery store.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">7) Invite someone new over for a meal or dessert.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">8) Visit someone new.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">9) Rake a neighbors leaves or shovel their sidewalk.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">10) Send someone a 'thinking of you' card.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">11) Decorate lunch bags for Meals on Wheels recipients.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">12) Visit a nursing home to pass out treats and sing songs.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">13) Bring treats to the fire and police stations.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">14) Leave a kind note for the postal carrier.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">15) Fill shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">16) Donate to Toys for Tot's.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">17) Pick a name off the Giving Tree at the local library and buy a gift for a recipient in need.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">18) Give a favorite book to someone you know who'll enjoy it.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">19) Make a special craft with a special child.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">20) Call an old friend.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">21) Give a dollar to a child for no reason</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">22) Give hugs and kisses.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">23) Send an encouraging note to a minister or teacher.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Maybe you will want to join us in our giving quest. Just start where you are and</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">please feel free to share any ideas you have for the encouragement of all of us to give during this beautiful thankful season!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-11193261502054960512013-10-15T18:01:00.000-04:002013-10-15T18:08:13.632-04:00My Super Simple Health & Fitness Plan<em><span style="color: blue;">I am trying to not be so preoccupied with health and fitness.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I do not want it to take precedent over more important things like spending time on building relationships, especially with God and those He gave us to love.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I still think it is so important, though, to try to keep our bodies as a temple, feeding it good, God-given food, drinking pure water and keeping it in good shape so we can enjoy the life God gave us and to perhaps even be a helper in His plans.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">So, here is my plan:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">1) I get up early so I can <strong>'hem' my day in prayer and read a little scripture (t</strong>his is the number one thing that has helped me with my day!) while sipping on warm <strong>lemon water</strong>. This takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on how early I get up. (I unload the dishwasher while my water heats up.)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">2) I then put on my tennis shoes and start the laundry and immediately start <strong>exercising</strong> while the laundry is going.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I workout anywhere from <strong>20-45 minutes</strong> depending on how much time I have. I do not stress about it at all. Whatever works is<strong> good enough</strong> but I never NOT do it. I exercise <strong>every day</strong>, but I make it <strong>easy</strong> by doing it <strong>early in the morning</strong> right in my own home in between household activities, which is usually when it is still dark outside, before kids get up.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Here is my workout schedule:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Monday, Wednesday, Friday</strong>:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Total body workout-alternating strength moves with cardio</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">My current workout, though you can make up your own, alternating strength with cardio.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Jump rope 100-200 rotations</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">push-ups </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">jump rope 100 rotations</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">assisted pull ups</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">jump rope 100 rotations</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">bicep curls</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">run stairs 5 flights</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">triceps dips</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">jump rope 100 rotations</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">kettle bell swings</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">REPEAT 2-3 times depending on how much time I have.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">End with 200 jump rope rotations, cool down, stretch</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>You could just do jumping jacks alternating between push-ups, squats and tricep dips.</strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>SO SIMPLE! NO EXCUSES!</strong></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:</strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">cardio and abs or glutes </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">5 minutes jumping rope</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">5 minutes running stairs</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>alternating</strong> <strong>for 20-30 minutes</strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">5-10 minutes abs or glutes exercises</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">cool down and stretch</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Again, SO SIMPLE</strong> but very effective!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Sunday: </strong>15 minutes of yoga and maybe a leisure walk with hubby. Nothing serious. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">3) I drink a <strong>protein shake</strong> with ground flaxseed added mixed with water after every workout. I use All-natural Body Logix protein powder 'decadent chocolate' found at Meijer.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">4) <strong>Shower time:</strong> I <strong>dry skin brush</strong> before every shower using a natural bristle skin brush found at health stores, using long firm strokes starting from feet and brushing upwards towards the heart.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I take a shower using <strong>baking soda water </strong>(1 tablespoon per cup of water pre-mixed in a water bottle) for my face, body and hair; rinse, and then I use <strong>apple cider vinegar water</strong> (1/4 cup per 1 cup of water pre-mixed in water bottle) for hair conditioner and face toner; rinse.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I keep a large bag of baking soda and 1 gallon apple cider vinegar under my bathroom sink for refills.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Honestly, my skin and hair is <strong>SO soft</strong>!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">And, really, it is just so <strong>simple, and cheap</strong>, too!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I towel dry and use <strong>coconut oil</strong> on my face, neck and entire body.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Now I'm <strong>glowing! </strong>Yes, I keep a jar of coconut oil under my sink!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Teenage daughters and hubby are saying how great my skin looks and it is <strong>super cheap</strong> and no yucky ingredients!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Super simple!</strong></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">5) After my shower, I get to <strong>dress in something other than workout clothes</strong> now that my early morning exercise and shower is done!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Yay! I was tired of always being in workout clothes! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">It's done for the day and now I can enjoy my other tasks without worrying about it!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Plus, I feel great and perfectly ready now to start the rest of my day with that out of the way!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">6) I focus on drinking at least <strong>3 quarts of water</strong> each day and getting <strong>veggies</strong> in at every meal.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Breakfast</strong> is usually 2 whole eggs with sautéed onions and some other veggie. Love it! I sprinkle a little Braggs liquid aminos on my eggs which is a lighter version of soy sauce!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I am currently eating a large veggie <strong>salad every day</strong> for lunch with homemade olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing and protein-chicken, salmon, hardboiled eggs. Sometimes I add nuts and seeds and olives.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">For dinner, I usually have some kind of meat, venison, chicken, salmon with vegetables and a salad with healthy fats like olives and homemade dressing.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I keep <strong>almonds</strong> in my purse in case I need a snack when I am out, sometimes <strong>dark chocolate</strong> is added!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I eat fresh veggies for snacks, also; cucumbers, radishes, broccoli.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I <strong>limit</strong> <strong>my dairy, fruit, grains, starchy carbs and sugar</strong>, though I do not cut them out completely.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I just feel so much more <strong>energetic</strong> when I limit these foods. Usually I limit them to <strong>2 servings</strong> total per day.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I do eat dessert here and there but try to just have a taste instead of a whole piece if I feel I have eaten <strong>way too much of the limited foods</strong> during the week. Otherwise, I do eat the whole piece!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">If things have gotten <strong>out of hand</strong> with the eating, (which they do), I <strong>cut out</strong> all limited foods for a few days.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">This is <strong>KEY</strong> to keeping me in my skinny jeans, plus, I feel so much better and <strong>energetic</strong>!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">7) I try to get outside for <strong>fresh air and sunshine</strong> every day and get to <strong>bed at a decent hour</strong>.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">I hope this schedule of mine encourages you to have your own little schedule no matter where life finds you.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398369856698667516.post-35266435147255000122013-10-07T22:48:00.000-04:002013-10-08T08:02:57.449-04:00Bless the Lord, O My Soul!<em><span style="color: blue;">My heart gets troubled by many things.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">The child who gets left out.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">The child with constant headaches.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">A messy house.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Not enough time in one day.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">A never ending pile of laundry.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Worry for the college kids.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Sorrow over others grief,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Am I helping others enough?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Do my loved ones know I care?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Am I too busy with busy stuff and not spending enough time with 'needful' things?</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">I am learning to give up my little worries with the simple act of praising God.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Oh, and it is helping me let go of worrying.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">I was fuming the other week at church, (of all places) when one of my children and a friend were obviously bypassed by the other kids of the same age.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">They had the nerve to walk right past and sit at a different table even though there was plenty of room at that table!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Every single one. Probably about 10 others!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">As I was saying, I was SO mad!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">What little brats!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I could feel myself heating up.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">OK, so I thought, I'm in church, singing these beautiful songs and yet, here I am, fuming at these kids.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Give it to God, I'm saying to myself. Or was it God saying it to me?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Find praise for Him!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Oh, Dear Lord, I praise your Holy Name. You are So Good. How great Thou art!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Immediately, my heart calmed down.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">This child that I worried about fitting in is precious to God. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Everything doesn't have to be picture perfect in a worldly sense.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">"I love this child. This child is so special to me" is what I heard when I decided to give God praise during that somewhat stressful time for this mother!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I felt a little sheepish then, of course, when I thought of how I automatically labeled those kids as brats. I mean, after all, they are precious to God, too! And some other mother's special child.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Though my heart just ached for this child of mine-a quieter child and not very outgoing, though friendly. Of course, I want my children to be accepted by their peers and they probably are, but that night it just didn't look right to me.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">As I was giving praise to God, I realized that I was making a way bigger deal out of the situation than was needed.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Another friend came over and it ended being the three of them while the other10 squished around another table.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Praise the Lord! He gives everyone a friend! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">God is Good!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you, God, for these dishes I get to wash and the food you provide.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for this laundry and all our beautiful warm clothes.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for providing health providers for this child with headaches.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for a husband who fixes the washing machine and provides so adequately for our family.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for a home that I can lovingly clean and share with my family and others.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for providing us with a wonderful church family and people who love us.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for taking care of all our needs.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for loving me when I am unlovely.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;" Psalm 103:1-4</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: blue;">Amazing Grace, is all I can say!</span></em><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445738575624237095noreply@blogger.com0