tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72696908920118600002024-02-02T12:35:55.503-05:00grace undonethoughts and glimpses into life with four girls & a BillGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-711943099966865482015-08-12T13:54:00.001-04:002015-08-12T13:54:17.790-04:00Even When It Hurts {Praise Song} : Hillsong United<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3Sv_876eqxg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Sv_876eqxg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
take this fainted heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
take these tainted hands</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wash me in Your love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
come like grace again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when my strength is lost</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when I have no song</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when it's hard to find the words</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
louder then I'll sing Your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will only sing Your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
take this mountain weight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
take these ocean tears</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hold me through the trial</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
come like hope again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when the fight seems lost</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when it hurts like hell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when it makes no sense to sing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
louder then I'll sing Your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will only sing Your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my heart burns only for You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are all You are all I want</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my soul waits only for You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I will sing till the morning has come</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord my heart burns only for You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are all You are all I want</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my soul waits only for You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I will sing till the miracle comes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will only sing Your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when the morning comes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when the fight is won</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll praise You</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when my time on earth is done</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
louder then I'll sing your praise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will only sing Your praise</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-52965571618053413942015-08-10T14:53:00.002-04:002015-08-10T16:52:15.581-04:00The Arizona Experience {2015}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Kry3R0OHroX14yLTvwSc5_84hiD7LjeY0CfoFyrtp7CoDU65YhDaj2BVmPvq1EiX-uV-YWjv_vnhwTAdnk8Q5jqmmsJfL6opjbWwe1F2qdRKjAS2g_Qtvnqm5W5aISDzFbhJdIu-lE/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Kry3R0OHroX14yLTvwSc5_84hiD7LjeY0CfoFyrtp7CoDU65YhDaj2BVmPvq1EiX-uV-YWjv_vnhwTAdnk8Q5jqmmsJfL6opjbWwe1F2qdRKjAS2g_Qtvnqm5W5aISDzFbhJdIu-lE/s400/DSC_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to everyone who prayed for us while were in Arizona this summer. It was an amazing trip for our group and for the Navajos we visited. Below is what our family shared with our church about our time there. You can listen to the entire Arizona Experience <a href="http://www.fcministries.com/media.php?pageID=15">here</a> {07/12/15}:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Bill - 00:00, 08:47, 21:14, 47:43, 1:01:52</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Espy - 08:02</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Gianna - 20:14</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Grace - 52:17</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Otis - 58:32</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNSCz899JtmDBCAerLOk-rAN_sngOvtH1jkWM2tI3SU94q8CUX01HUGXGc5zn-mRcMJ-AYxU9N2EvYWS9HCVsnM_soIoNCq0q3Hn9MdNHAD83JONsjBkqGqTrp9WeabEWkvSeL83TORs/s1600/11036450_10153604444160209_2045412512200180308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNSCz899JtmDBCAerLOk-rAN_sngOvtH1jkWM2tI3SU94q8CUX01HUGXGc5zn-mRcMJ-AYxU9N2EvYWS9HCVsnM_soIoNCq0q3Hn9MdNHAD83JONsjBkqGqTrp9WeabEWkvSeL83TORs/s400/11036450_10153604444160209_2045412512200180308_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
ESPY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Good morning.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>My name is Espy Manning, and I’m 11
years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I have been on this trip for 3
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I first would like to thank you for
your love and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>My favorite part of Arizona had to
be the VBS.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Even when I had to switch to K5-1st, it was still amazing.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Now I think that if I didn’t switch,
I wouldn’t have met those wonderful kids in that class.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>What I did not like was when I saw
the kids being rude, and that brings me to what I learned.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I learned a lot about
patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I had to be patient with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my sister. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I had to be patient with the kids.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But more importantly, I had to
patient with God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Now that I’m home, I think God
wants me to do exactly what I did there:<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Love Everyone.</i></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">GIANNA</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">My name is Gianna Manning, and I’m
9 years old.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my first year going to
Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I learned that Navajo kids and
adults don’t have everyting that we have</span></i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">so it’s nice to treat them with
respect and kindness.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite part of the trip was
VBS and playing with the kids.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for all your help and prayers.</span></i><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">GRACE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Good morning, church - my name is Grace, but I'm actually going to be sharing some thoughts from Regan Mosely. We're so thankful that she was able to go on this trip with us even after her recent move to Louisiana. So, from Regan:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I've been going on this trip since I was 12 years old, and
this was by far the hardest year. I had no idea what I was expecting to learn
this time. I feel like God really showed me how selfish I am, and how amazing
he can be. Dropping kids off at a different house every night bc they couldn't
go home to their parents was heartbreaking and eye opening. I have been so
focused on myself lately, and feeling like my world has fallen apart when
really I have it so good. I think I have such a hard life, and then I see
children going through things so much worse. I have an amazing family and
wonderful friends, and I have a God who is always there for me. I want the
Navajos to know this God too, and every year that I go I feel like they are a
little more open. Thank you so much for your prayers & support. I could not
have gone on this trip without your help."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good morning, church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Grace Manning, and this is
my 4<span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span>year going to Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was fortunate enough to go on the short Christmas trip this past December,
and the last summer trip I was a part of was in 2004.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I firmly believe that God wanted me to go on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He answered lots of prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finances were generously given for the
four of us to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone graciously
assumed my work responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loving
friends & family took care of our Isabella & Evangeline while we were
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He provided a way for me to
attend my cousin Joel’s memorial service in Atlanta & Otis’s sister Belinda
kindly picked me up in Phoenix late Friday night and drove me three hours to
the Reservation that same evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also gave me the physical & emotional stamina to be “almost
normal” for the duration of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is good. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently, we are going through a
rough patch in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our close
friends have had to deal with some major life changes, broken relationships,
and unexpected loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our family
has been processing the deaths of two special people whom we love very
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill has shared with you how
he has been dealing with depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In light of these things, my heart has been broken and my faith has been
worn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, being on the Reservation
reminded me of the Truths that I have known in my mind but have had a hard time
believing fully with my heart…</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
*God made us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God knows us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God forgives us, and God is with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*He made each one of us here. He made each one of our Navajo
friends. He made us exactly how he
wanted us to be: no mistakes, no accidents.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*God knows everything about us: the
good, the bad, and the ugly…</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*and, He loves us. He loves me. He loves Bill.
He loves our girls. He
loves our family & our friends.
He loves the beautiful Navajos that we love so very much. He loves them much more than we ever
could. He’s loved us all from
before the beginning & His love is indestructible.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*God forgives us over and over and
over again.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*And, He is always with us. When life is good, He is with us. Where there is loss - where there is
darkness - where there is heartache, He is with us. On the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, He is with us all. </span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">So despite my selfishness &
self-focus, He is still God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still my rock & the only
thing I can count on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I ask all of you to continue to
pray for our Navajo friends: that they would know God & know these truths,
that relationships would continue to deepen & that friendships would
continue to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pray for
our group – that we would remember what it’s like to love fully & freely,
to not be selfish & distracted, to continue despite our mistakes & our
failures, to keep God’s love & purpose as our focus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks again to God & to you,
church, for allowing me to be a part of this experience. Your children are amazing. They are capable young people who
stepped up when necessary and were willing to help out whenever we asked (or
asked again). They are hilarious
& ridiculously fun to be around.
I’m thankful for the example your children are for me & the example
they set for mine. We’ve known
some of them for many, many years, and it’s really been a privilege to watch
them grow. They truly personified
Jesus’s love during this trip: through piggyback rides, Gatorade sips, shared
meals, water balloon fights, endless hugs, and on & on.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m proud to call this group our family.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T2a-rgUT284JTa-4iRs-bJW-_Y3NqNNOGQ-sp8ZiuCBcLTbU9pjW6pqyk0d9vuMG2r2DdMmtou9Wd4syobopzuOVgEzAN6PQmLAoAzKNKcSjpfAoPH4x0N1r53pN9iPqCVBmpKb2e10/s1600/11753675_10153604443880209_1480041099622653371_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T2a-rgUT284JTa-4iRs-bJW-_Y3NqNNOGQ-sp8ZiuCBcLTbU9pjW6pqyk0d9vuMG2r2DdMmtou9Wd4syobopzuOVgEzAN6PQmLAoAzKNKcSjpfAoPH4x0N1r53pN9iPqCVBmpKb2e10/s400/11753675_10153604443880209_1480041099622653371_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: normal;">Thanks again for your love & support - we certainly could not have done it without your encouragement & your prayers.</span></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-36164688324255770262015-06-10T23:47:00.002-04:002015-09-09T09:44:55.458-04:00Happiness in a Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVLatbh4-IZDS80aiAdQ7eLfHoo2_jr6lc4WTaAlbbi0DJYz1Ynn90Xhd_Fc3ceRy7KBf7apeVJZMr44wEy0ZantMEwwl8nvqt6ZioNxeRNy-qfVOx1c23LbqjqUjZZhHnCcGpfMFJP4/s1600/1508139_10153503516235209_7705697246069510978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVLatbh4-IZDS80aiAdQ7eLfHoo2_jr6lc4WTaAlbbi0DJYz1Ynn90Xhd_Fc3ceRy7KBf7apeVJZMr44wEy0ZantMEwwl8nvqt6ZioNxeRNy-qfVOx1c23LbqjqUjZZhHnCcGpfMFJP4/s320/1508139_10153503516235209_7705697246069510978_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">At times - life is not pretty, fun, or easy. P</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ain, brokenness, and loss have been flowing in our lives for quite some time now. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Our family & friends have been walking through some hard things lately, and it's wearing on all of us. We are sad, heartbroken, and confused. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the heaviness seems to be almost stifling - there are glimpses of hope to </span>which<span style="font-family: inherit;"> we cling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weary souls make for lonely moments - but I'm thankful for the amazing people who surround us, love us, and encourage us during these times. Coffee is a plus. Thank you to our sweet, sweet community - here & all over the world. Your love, thoughts, and prayers mean more than you know...</span></span></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-41797137739119759452014-06-01T18:55:00.000-04:002014-06-01T19:05:31.735-04:00Follow Me<div style="text-align: center;">
When I was a little girl, I never dreamed that I'd be a mom of four girls myself. Life at most times is crazy and sometimes chaotic. I lose it more often than I'd like even though I'm extremely happy and thankful for my husband and our children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I kind of have this warped perception of time in that it moves in supersonic speed. For example, even though it is only June 1st - I feel like summer is already over. What a weirdo. This also works in reverse. Our oldest daughter is ten years old, and I sincerely feel like it was just last week that I was pregnant with her. It certainly feels like she was born just the other day. What in the world?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because of this strange thing I've got going on, I <i>try</i> to live in the moment - not in the moment of the crazy sense of time that exists only in my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">Our greatest hope for our girls is that they love Jesus and love others. </span>Over the past two weeks - Bill, Espy, and I have been talking about what it means to be baptized & what an awesome, amazing, important, life-changing, heart-giving decision it is. After lots of talks and prayers -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bill baptized Espy this morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was beautiful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">We know that following Him won't make our girls the norm, but it will make them powerful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">We know that loving Him doesn't make life easier, but it will make their lives fuller.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">We know that living for Him won't make sin unavoidable,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">but it will help them experience relentless Love & Grace -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">that they can in turn extend to others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">I'm so excited to walk along this journey with our Esperanza Charisse -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px;">the highs, the lows, and all the in-betweens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.</i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The life I now live in the body, </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I live by faith in the Son of God,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>who loved me and gave himself for me.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">{Galatians 2:20}</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I have come that they may have life,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26492A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> and have it to the full.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">{John 10:10}</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCXkYt1Y-qscCVj3wbG8-ZfnVZtf1G9iv8q70p8U3huNIWHgAvyR15eq5AgkrueBM4ecTEfAWmh4RyL9083fD-To2wgh9NfddB096r2Lms-FzmuODGOZQ8sLO16Ob-qzVAq1sqTiQ_Ms/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-01+at+6.36.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCXkYt1Y-qscCVj3wbG8-ZfnVZtf1G9iv8q70p8U3huNIWHgAvyR15eq5AgkrueBM4ecTEfAWmh4RyL9083fD-To2wgh9NfddB096r2Lms-FzmuODGOZQ8sLO16Ob-qzVAq1sqTiQ_Ms/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-01+at+6.36.30+PM.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Espy's Baptism // 06.01.14</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-14138150198309137772014-04-03T09:40:00.001-04:002014-04-03T10:41:31.461-04:00Hope Spoken<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkhSrk3Sz-PPYIWgwmXYrFxT2CyeZ1G7uivoJ3snYkyn1ArUvw3Japl_mn0mvTHsMRVsk_v9F8GDZ58RC6LZwK8zCrkJ-5OcVtXg-RIh9FbaPMm0Af3X3oxFTObbmLQfMP0X_6CkMZmQ/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkhSrk3Sz-PPYIWgwmXYrFxT2CyeZ1G7uivoJ3snYkyn1ArUvw3Japl_mn0mvTHsMRVsk_v9F8GDZ58RC6LZwK8zCrkJ-5OcVtXg-RIh9FbaPMm0Af3X3oxFTObbmLQfMP0X_6CkMZmQ/s1600/32.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.theandersoncrewblog.com/2014/04/hope-spoken.html">Photo by: Emily Anderson</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over a year ago, I heard about <a href="http://hopespoken.blogspot.com/">this conference</a> on one of my favorite <a href="http://www.thenatos.com/">blogs</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was immediately drawn in after reading <a href="http://hopespoken.blogspot.com/">this</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Hope Spoken is a women's conference where we all can come to know Jesus more, and make Him known in our lives. Our conference will be filled with stories. Stories of Christ in each of our lives, and how we can use these stories for His glory. This is a weekend to rest and feel His love, to lay burdens and hurts down and feel His grace. We want to let women know that they are enough, to encourage women to use their passions, their words, and their creativity for the Lord. We, above all else, want to glorify Jesus' name and share the hope we have in Him.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqtZMQUKzang4EnWtfUjzzwaGL92xwUOQ9j0jl4uWTw2qmwxiiRvKF-CTtD40ouHLRqKRNF58WhdbnmAjL0DG1fz9kwBiPopXQkG97Kre9BsNceR315a_Pudjlubb8Nc3cI-kxkzfv3U/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqtZMQUKzang4EnWtfUjzzwaGL92xwUOQ9j0jl4uWTw2qmwxiiRvKF-CTtD40ouHLRqKRNF58WhdbnmAjL0DG1fz9kwBiPopXQkG97Kre9BsNceR315a_Pudjlubb8Nc3cI-kxkzfv3U/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-0029.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Photo by: <a href="http://www.eatlivemake.com/">Meghan Newsom</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to attend, and I was so excited when my friends Christen & <a href="http://cindywarren.com/blog/">Cindy</a> agreed to go with me. The last time the three of us went on a trip together was in 2002</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">so it had been just a little while.</span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Aside from the stress of getting into an airport</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(does anyone else get hot & suddenly suffer from a slight tummyache</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">when their bags go through security, and you have no shoes on?)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and the awkward dance of getting our own personal selves & our carry-ons from one terminal to another and onto the plane itself, I would consider our travels from Virginia to Texas a success.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christen's Uncle Mike was gracious enough to pick us up at the airport and escort us to</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">lunch & to the hotel where the conference was held.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">{Thank you, Uncle Mike!}</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvmGhzHxuEyJYi11rFiM8RTCBcfkvatLTH3goq7lbqJb7Dgoh0DE_z6e0qgKNq-t4X7BfMOlj5SxXo-AMP_eXqWjFnUFryl5fr4g122M9jakpCke0A2y412QtT67oLXmbK3UiYiUjQik/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-editphotobooth-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvmGhzHxuEyJYi11rFiM8RTCBcfkvatLTH3goq7lbqJb7Dgoh0DE_z6e0qgKNq-t4X7BfMOlj5SxXo-AMP_eXqWjFnUFryl5fr4g122M9jakpCke0A2y412QtT67oLXmbK3UiYiUjQik/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-editphotobooth-0011.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Danielle & Casey & Emily <br />Photo by: <a href="http://www.eatlivemake.com/">Meghan Newsom</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 21px;">Our Hope Spoken hosts were amazing! From the decor to the worship to the treats to the small group leaders to the market to the schedule to the speakers - <a href="http://www.thewiegands.com/">Casey</a>, <a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/">Danielle</a>, and <a href="http://www.theandersoncrewblog.com/">Emily</a> did a phenomenal job. I'm so thankful for their heart and vision for our time in Dallas. I'm even more thankful for their passion and love for Jesus. Their commitment to His plan for our few days together was evident throughout the entire weekend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKxCJeXeq_rI2OIyL2JbfBJj14r72rSVfR3DvRy_bZVmAiI3gTWVb5Lx-XiYYO0xRaiUUBpgUX2ragyUXvBHg-iM65jkBTWzjqDdn33xN_Kjvdx27aaX0VsC-bWPdpt99_4-NGpcxWs4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+9.31.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKxCJeXeq_rI2OIyL2JbfBJj14r72rSVfR3DvRy_bZVmAiI3gTWVb5Lx-XiYYO0xRaiUUBpgUX2ragyUXvBHg-iM65jkBTWzjqDdn33xN_Kjvdx27aaX0VsC-bWPdpt99_4-NGpcxWs4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+9.31.57+PM.png" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 21px;">Honestly, </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">I thought that four days away from my responsibilities at home and at work would be an escape from the anger that I have with God right now because of <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2014/04/maileens-journey-april-2.html">circumstances</a> that I think are unfair. My mind knows:</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>that He is in control</i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>that His plan is beyond my understanding</i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>that He loves each of His children very, very much</i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">However, when life plays out unexpectedly - all those things are harder for my heart to embrace.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 21px;">Just an aside:</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">Can we just remember and celebrate that we did not have to cook one meal, do one load of laundry, or brew one cup of coffee during the entire conference? Also, treats were always on hand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">They </span><i style="line-height: 21px;">truly</i><span style="line-height: 21px;"> took the best care of us.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3hZiFptUtbP4FEPlkg3grPP1s42RAqxC-iZbCJeZFNrPHNyy7vExSO6EB6EW3weshzQrgDg16sE8e05gCWWj_Umt-qC5Rs71mM2RqY_1N3Bi4sMQ_Q9WqZoU-axvtcZVWuhfL5g-IbE/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3hZiFptUtbP4FEPlkg3grPP1s42RAqxC-iZbCJeZFNrPHNyy7vExSO6EB6EW3weshzQrgDg16sE8e05gCWWj_Umt-qC5Rs71mM2RqY_1N3Bi4sMQ_Q9WqZoU-axvtcZVWuhfL5g-IbE/s1600/Hope+Spoken+Photo+Booth-0030.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Photo by: <a href="http://www.eatlivemake.com/">Meghan Newsom</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">There is so much more to share.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 21px;">For now - </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">know that because all of the women </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">{our speakers, our small group</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">leader </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">(the amazing </span><span style="line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://topofthepagewithleslie.blogspot.com/">Leslie Padgett</a>), </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">every lovely girl in my group}</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">were so transparent, honest, and thoughtful with each of their stories - </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">I came away</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;">from this weekend changed by each one. </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">They brought to the table something that God wanted me to hear and experience at this very time in my life, and I will always be thankful for that.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwSHPAyJISNZY2-5jy34ByMgEHPkvM3K1D-wrZz25rHoFGlAxfWIX2cktsGAYmex_GbjZsFTS9xfK8elzgnZyhyphenhyphenfi5y2fVHVwEqevX1lQNBSWwSjOVa1V6mUpzzXUVS2VezfhX3VPpx4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-03+at+7.24.13+AM.png" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><a href="http://instagram.com/themanningfam">love</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-40670786619683005652014-04-02T10:38:00.000-04:002014-04-02T11:11:12.087-04:00Maileen's Journey - April 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yb-gldc8ujnx5mTJN5DD1u2FWNk8Zqu-VxEhwvCblFH3FcM3Pe3ppXQYQELcb7lYbicGTHOZ_HMJb159ic5R2U9hQ407xGqkm6sRbEFfVx9x5NI33z-CvyoGW7IbVS9vlV2BOln1Fog/s1600/228284_10151552656404815_1547703359_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks to all of you for continuing to pray for my amazing cousin, Maileen. I know I often call her amazing, but she truly is. She's been sharing her <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/p/maileens-journey.html">story</a> since the beginning, and I have been changed watching her strength, honesty, and love. Although it has been unimaginably hard for Peter, Maileen, and their children - they have continued to show their faith and trust in God which has been hard for me to wrap my brain around. They have always been such an example to me, and they continue to be as we love them from afar.</div>
<br />
January 28<br />
Maileen:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">...and I just got back from the capital city with the MRI and part of the abdomen results from Friday...God is Good and still very much on our side no matter the results. The tumor in the frontal left lobe is 19.4 mm to 26 mm. The spot operated on in August is now 52 mm x19.9 mmb in the menengies. I have some growth on the bottom of my left lung. I have a tumor now on my right breas</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">t right in the middle I am calculating at 30 mm or so diameter. I will have it checked for sure this week. We are praying for the following:</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Approval for insurance at a decent price, Praise God and activates by Feb 1st.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Raise funds to do all of this and learn ways and do things we can do to raise decent adoption payment and raise support plans.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Have a place to stay for up to 6-12 months within Augusta GA so we can learn the disciplines of how to prepare food and near a really good school for Marissa that can help her well. (Jan 28th.)</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Both children have permission to go with us during treatments and have great people able to invest in Marissa's hearing issues to help her hear better and communicate better. She is struggling in Spanish. And must sharpen her understanding and use of the sounds. (And that the Spanish Teacher understands to write her Spanish update letter so we can get it to the local government within the next couple days.)</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Each of our cells heal from this disease and any other illnesses completely and help others heal too and the finances and materials to do all that.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---That we can also be invested in well to serve our Saviour well to glorify His name and invest in others, too. Lord willing be able to start a place that helps others learn how to help thier bodies and church heal.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">---Please also pray for Peter...he is taking on tons of single parent chores with a 6 year old that doesn't speak well yet and a 8 month old that is just learning to crawl and a wife that cannot help much if at all...thanks. We appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">On February 4th, Peter summarized it best with</span><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOfeZhAFgN8zIvCOskD0FeAauUS1bY7IXilkCD0kPecm_icamnrHwdxiuWQ-tpxKTR19PWsQFqzBlhYZ63iGpRM9o6kYuHGPeE0rk3d9ysmde6pKCiyIe9YJnr11GTry5e0_MdByh3w4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-02+at+10.25.16+AM.png" height="400" width="275" /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">On this World Cancer Day, I am celebrating my dear wife, Maileen, who has battled fervently for 3 years. I love you my Precious Baby. We can do this!!</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">UPDATES FROM PETER</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">February 16</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Well, in English, she's my better half. In Spanish, she's the other half of my orange. So I guess I just left the better half of my orange in Augusta, Georgia. I love you, Maileen</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">.</span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">February 17</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>3 countries, 4 flights, 3 airlines, 5 airports, 4 times through security, 1 long day and 1 tired Dad who is happy to be with his kids again</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">February 27</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have the kids' permission to travel from the Honduran courts. Tomorrow we will go get their Honduran passports. One step closer.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 1</span><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATPaq-HHRQcw4n_gKkkMo21nK62VKoKmv1LebVi81Y-FkKKVTwZK_XZSFLmr3fVnvoYhYCjPbf0WU853epkWaVukS-Y_ba8WiSh509Z6396cqNXVPWMKEScrFPElFdWqcYlbC4IGJHV0/s1600/10001523_10152619542088056_804402620_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We did it, Mommy! We love you!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 13</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The visa appointment for the kids has been moved up to tomorrow at 8am!!! Please pray for a favorable outcome.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 14</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Having a celebratory donut. We got the visas! We're coming to see you on Thursday, Maileen.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 20</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We have arrived (in Georgia)! Thank you all for your prayers.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 25</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Maileen had an MRI this morning. The tumor in the frontal lobe of her brain has grown considerably. Per doctor's orders I'm taking her to the emergency room right now. Thanks for your prayers.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 26</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Maileen update: She is doing better. I.V. steroids are helping reduce the swelling on her brain. Please pray for wisdom. Within the next 24 hourse we have to decide whether or not she should have surgery for the tumors. Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 27</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Maileen will undergo surgery Friday morning at 7:30 EDT. They will remove the tumor from her frontal lobe. I am grateful for all your prayers and humbled by the number of people who are praying.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 28</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maileen's surgery went well. Thank you for your prayers. She has recovered consciousness and was glad that she recognized Marissa and me. I had asked the surgeon to install a software upgrade so that I would appear more handsome to her. It's too early to tell if it worked.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">March 30</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Maileen is healing. She was just moved from the ICU into a regular room. Thank you for your prayers.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
April 1<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maileen is slowly improving. She was discharged from the hospital yesterday. We are glad to have her home, although we are still adjusting to taking care of her. Thank you, again, for all your prayers.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Peter & Maileen are grateful and humbled by your love and thoughtfulness.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I am grateful and humbled by your love and thoughtfulness.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Thank you always for your kind words and your prayers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We appreciate you so much.</span></span><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFMksLtOpgdOmI0_Gx8ZymA9G0Z8Gr2A_3_mrBC8bk2rfB6zwdeWVIQ3WuHqkA2N5611aIvz-uaxh3PZcEcezHS7DYWLVImjT2VdWFgfN77kpO47Kof23VaysY06BhDXHhj3aVvRRvTM/s1600/1654400_10152579078448056_2061430460_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /><br />
<a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/p/maileens-journey.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Back to Maileen's Journey</span></a></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-36686003543076149472013-11-01T10:02:00.000-04:002013-11-01T12:50:24.399-04:00Good In The Chaos<div style="text-align: center;">
The house is a mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The laundry is piling up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I should probably clean these glass doors that have more than a smudge or two on them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our bedroom: atrocious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The floors need a good cleaning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Switching out the girls' seasonal clothes has been going on longer than I'd like to admit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the girls are getting older, they're getting involved more with friends, school, and activities. Bill has been busy with different aspects of work. I oftentimes feel torn between what I need to and what I want to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those of you who know me personally know how much I love my husband. It's kind of ridiculous. Yet this same man that I love completely is the same man who can drive me the most crazy. That's fun. I would say that this season of our lives have been the hardest (even more difficult than having a newborn!) - just even in these last couple of months. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a struggle at the moment to find the time to communicate and spend time with each other. When we're both running on empty, our patience is less than stellar for each other and our girls. At the same time, amazing things are happening with friends and family - and God is working. Bill and I are in a fantastic place to see life stories change, and we're excited to be along for the ride.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead of focusing on all the things that I should or could be doing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
today I will be thankful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life cannot be taken too seriously when your favorite dresses like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKvFxOCaIhBVKS1NL-uxiINMGUcBe-5Jk5F8CnNMcMiKkvguU9sGDeKcoVmUrFpzCHka75zSulhrnoTqgagEukRPXSz2y9g-1xRzeGk_yJdxF58TWzFqyyid2zaq9L9ALk5T4ihGoxio/s1600/DSC_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKvFxOCaIhBVKS1NL-uxiINMGUcBe-5Jk5F8CnNMcMiKkvguU9sGDeKcoVmUrFpzCHka75zSulhrnoTqgagEukRPXSz2y9g-1xRzeGk_yJdxF58TWzFqyyid2zaq9L9ALk5T4ihGoxio/s400/DSC_0860.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And despite the everyday struggles, there are these fantastic little people that forgive their mother's imperfections time and time again:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjBwsCXJ_oLgaew26_QlqGSBbehfX6y01aGe4cP8wDb9xn5PmDefCWNj5tjVJM2WJniy6qHgbDPjGC6v_0kEgXx7ci2Xx3tPpjjvmHWOOdE0IjVjwJ_IEtReJWPqIL5uRxMiMzbtu_-o/s1600/DSC_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjBwsCXJ_oLgaew26_QlqGSBbehfX6y01aGe4cP8wDb9xn5PmDefCWNj5tjVJM2WJniy6qHgbDPjGC6v_0kEgXx7ci2Xx3tPpjjvmHWOOdE0IjVjwJ_IEtReJWPqIL5uRxMiMzbtu_-o/s400/DSC_0853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Despite all of the <i>pull my hair out</i> moments, there is happiness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the midst of the daily chaos, there is good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Through the bickering, there is laughter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am thankful for the Love that carries me day in and day out.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-60594919390525521442013-10-23T22:52:00.001-04:002013-10-23T22:57:21.394-04:005 Things: Hope Spoken Style<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm so very excited about <a href="http://www.hopespoken.org/">Hope Spoken</a> - a women's conference in Dallas, Texas hosted by these lovely ladies (<a href="http://www.thewiegands.com/">Casey</a>, <a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/">Danielle</a>, and <a href="http://www.theandersoncrewblog.com/">Emily</a>). I don't know them personally, but I love their heart and passion for loving Jesus & encouraging other women to do the same. This conference also makes me happy because I just happen to be going with some of my favorite people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wonderfulness all around!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
Tonight, I'm linking up with the Hope Spoken girls - can't wait to make new friends...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>5 things for Hope Spoken:</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>- post your picture so that we can recognize you.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>- introduce yourself!</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<i>- something that you are little timid or nervous about for the weekend</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>- something that you are hoping to take away from Hope Spoken</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>- share something fun/random about yourself</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4to18q1SrxchnIwn3sFutE1WUADgCfxL07dzdfLU48yksLKpTmBUymSyAgryN8lR63MaMUur_eb3PqA2LSmWBPFzrpJhaU5gIiGbTZXAHgDlHY5qAkIpZJDHSMYG9G-_nrKU34LZnF_Y/s1600/1006268_10151873806490209_526299270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4to18q1SrxchnIwn3sFutE1WUADgCfxL07dzdfLU48yksLKpTmBUymSyAgryN8lR63MaMUur_eb3PqA2LSmWBPFzrpJhaU5gIiGbTZXAHgDlHY5qAkIpZJDHSMYG9G-_nrKU34LZnF_Y/s400/1006268_10151873806490209_526299270_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, this is me and the person I like best on the planet. I love this picture because we're at the beach (on vacation), and one of our girls took it at our favorite frozen yogurt place. Everything in the previous sentence makes me smile.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><i>introduce yourself!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 16px;">I'm Grace. I love God, my husband Bill, and our four girls. </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">I love them like crazy even when they drive me crazy. </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">We live in Virginia where the weather is ridiculous. </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">Our life is chaotic, wonderful, hectic, and beautiful all at the same time. I also love coffee - maybe a little bit too much. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<i>something that you are little timid or nervous about for the weekend</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
I'm an extrovert, but I get somewhat shy on the inside about meeting brand new people - random combination, I know. I'm also slightly nervous about leaving our girls for a few days. Their father is completely capable - I'm just slightly Type A and have a hard time relinquishing <i>control</i>.<br />
(Pray for me.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<i>something that you are hoping to take away from Hope Spoken</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
I know it will be an amazing, fun, encouraging time getting to spend grownup time with old friends and making new ones. Even more than that, I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus<br />
and knowing Him more.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<i>share something fun/random about yourself</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
I love to sing even though I can't.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
I'm sorry if you're within range when a good song starts playing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<i>See you in March!</i></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-41542115240118213792013-09-12T13:32:00.002-04:002013-09-12T13:38:50.484-04:00Mom Of The Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8gRfXEq3lXp_IoT9H7FDSk8mPtcskjt_0zE5eWc5Bvd6OXVnilbIeWV3pY5koePBZhKlHv6VsAUDVW1DMjfgcIJbXlODCrT99bsUUIB3Uh7-Z-0HzNK-CBOK9g0J2OL81JuHMdqyRCQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-12+at+1.28.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8gRfXEq3lXp_IoT9H7FDSk8mPtcskjt_0zE5eWc5Bvd6OXVnilbIeWV3pY5koePBZhKlHv6VsAUDVW1DMjfgcIJbXlODCrT99bsUUIB3Uh7-Z-0HzNK-CBOK9g0J2OL81JuHMdqyRCQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-09-12+at+1.28.36+PM.png" width="398" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry, ladies - I just won.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Gianna loves jumping on the trampoline. In fact, all our girls do. Evangeline loves it when everyone sits on the trampoline and watches <i>her</i> "jump" (no simultaneous jumping for Evy), but I'm sure she'll be bouncing like crazy once she gets slightly bigger and more coordinated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two weeks ago, Gianna was stepping down after a trampoline session and missed a step. She landed on her arm and immediately started crying. Gianna doesn't cry easily when she's hurt so we knew the ground probably gave her a good hit. After a few hours of icing her arm and keeping it still, she was back to her old self - outside play, swimming lessons, soccer practices, etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She fell twice at soccer practice one night and started complaining that it hurt again. I thought she was being dramatic. Bill decided to take her to the doctor. Our pediatrician is fantastic. He told Bill that her arm was probably badly sprained or bruised. He didn't think it was likely that it was broken, but he wanted us to see the orthopedic surgeon - just in case.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took Gianna to the specialist that afternoon. As soon as I saw the x-ray, I knew -<br />
but I was hoping deep down I wasn't right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDCkMpsOj6p1IZorzkiUVRf7PuZxO8XsJSFqKm5euHJpS_OlLZUZ_KsRR531bWjv1-5bqgCjzCuqdgeTrGZpd7nj3u5aF7wn55oCYgz1T3kLagg-wlrZMBjWpSc7r0W5p28j1nu_1hDA/s1600/BT-rJ6QIMAAXqbY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDCkMpsOj6p1IZorzkiUVRf7PuZxO8XsJSFqKm5euHJpS_OlLZUZ_KsRR531bWjv1-5bqgCjzCuqdgeTrGZpd7nj3u5aF7wn55oCYgz1T3kLagg-wlrZMBjWpSc7r0W5p28j1nu_1hDA/s400/BT-rJ6QIMAAXqbY.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The doctor was so very sweet and compassionate when he told me that Gianna's arm was in fact broken. I promise I tried to hold back the tears so when we were talking,<br />
and he looked over - he looked so surprised,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What's wrong? She's fine! Don't cry. Here's a tissue.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gianna walked over, climbed in my lap, and rubbed my back - reassuring ME that it was ok that SHE had a broken arm. What in the world?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're so thankful that it's not a <i>bad</i> break and that she doesn't need a cast. She has to wear a sling until she's completely healed. The saddest thing was Gianna's expression when the doctor said no sports. The girl loves her sports.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I apologize, girls:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you were vying for <i>Mother of The Year</i>, I've got it hands down -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the mom who let her daughter run around & play with a broken arm. For two weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
High five.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-63980997037230135722013-09-04T18:50:00.001-04:002013-09-04T18:50:06.972-04:00Not My Most Favorite Day Of The Year<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOMNABB6T2PFWtCMNjkfV0zMkpjn0gwk4Yepec0dLECBy7e3qW8H7IYtShPT1ome-vE6BgfpD_b1dBaGa-xIEL7ATBThLbCrlwnG8BnrEpBY3tnDmNm828VzTjPNmrmfLBVq_YFpMjzI/s1600/DSC_0647.JPG" height="265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>real life</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday marked the big day - when summer officially made its exit. Three of our girls are in elementary school now, and my heart aches even typing that sentence. I'm a soft, emotional pile of gushiness when it comes to these tiny (some not so tiny) beings. I don't think I'll ever be able to shake that quality - even though they continue to grow & change by the minute.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabella woke up first (thankfully after I was dressed & had my first cup of coffee in hand). I would say she was the most excited of the three. First of all - she's a big girl now (apparently you get big girl status when you turn five years old). Secondly, she's in Kindergarten (only big girls allowed in there). And most importantly, she's going to school with her sister Gianna</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>I'm so excited about riding the bus, Mom!</i>).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX8YKksQM1nU7-7RLemj1ZWlpPv9B8pURYBMskdWOFtgbnWjqJhE0AM3wWTzgbxEFPrQ4sFuPM2EPEEB7DCDydBqsEsqH72DjQeliWYIzA_rl4mH5lzQWWQSJZzwE9jTsC0GmCQvi3X0/s1600/DSC_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX8YKksQM1nU7-7RLemj1ZWlpPv9B8pURYBMskdWOFtgbnWjqJhE0AM3wWTzgbxEFPrQ4sFuPM2EPEEB7DCDydBqsEsqH72DjQeliWYIzA_rl4mH5lzQWWQSJZzwE9jTsC0GmCQvi3X0/s1600/DSC_0621.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJdenLuUI_nGE6UjXKWaHk_ezsw6U4S-IGE4wfdyCX-epzxKEsQBPKjEJb6JTvCwahpyMqNh1inNRxh8WIF-9QXb0pclMDD-S0zGln_7B2rBi-XABB07WYUuX8BjMdSZxsmvBju69Pgc/s1600/DSC_0631.jpg" height="400" width="265" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc6TMoVrcBI4wqXOeTQXvIT3sWnVjBcC4dyBriug5Z6cqchZnq7uuK_1BzZa_summrFz4XFeotS9OjQ7k4lubrrZxgE4JUw50GrvEJwglDjWEM3RJ0cngZ_g8mWnUTvPvqZEmoCFkQic/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gianna and Espy followed suit - having breakfast and getting ready for the day. All of them tolerated the photo shoot(s?) I put them through which I'm always thankful for. As mom, I'm official memory keeper of the family so we will be taking pictures every first day of school</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(sorry in advance, girls).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO13GOGWu87neGtZAn-ogubyegRoaug_NNeXxHdqQbGUgnR4iicTgXyWhpHx3v781To6KXChS3uRB_VrfT2-3_QCyPvMoN76y-rZUfk0hVLTDZ6ierls78JiREYtXPqEYeBy8UNe82N8/s1600/DSC_0652.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFx9DwQabnlXVntmErPZvi88cX_R6F0SbJU2XZ9wnrvv3vXu8CMVl7WS7dq1CrVClR_-GegJU3j-6ti3Na8DLw3mq2H_ahQ-OcUV_wpLxs21klG4tu1HYO5pDxxUR3zA0DqejrnD-Skg/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" height="400" width="265" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MnZrL1P82ePgOwcN_eW76EygCZoKNfevMidCywSnnW5DB-pOOpMrHbqVhMZZ9eQnypwG8AlJoCPm2itbmsga3Nlcx1Mbxx8OSYTC5w2KPrSlhVh_rTSc2XqQoiEqPa6wimVYr6CONnI/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauLnNqFhyphenhyphenTp4dJTHd9q2ojqhPBcde8HAixg_0frcxTIsJFTMn9-g5eic5o0ihd8flrKG5UJQW_apAHeuOdLGn3QrJmS2KHY0YkEiiOzlKmLmmU6c70x9Ddcvmn_n8l6QcaqoMVqG5ARI/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A good friend asked if I cry every year. That I do, at some point of the process - even if I will myself not to. Yesterday it was during breakfast. Evangeline was still asleep, but her sisters were eating breakfast & chit chatting about their new teachers, classes, and friends - no bottles, no diapers, no random crying - just three girls having breakfast together. I had to go into the kitchen and have a moment -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a moment to enjoy their sweetness with each other</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a moment to be thankful for their unique selves</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a moment to forever remember them just as they were:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>hair tousled, pajamas wrinkled, and eyes brightened </i><i>with thoughts of a new day</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxpGwu9OypfmzhH45wLMTmjQDHZAQQVBbdp5LHaytkU0fVaAD54BDcDbLNv6kHCSmvowwjCaDksplpIs5VVSVopEddjoxgTESrRqk2lEJZ-QgLnQEWNghMXK8iR76ZtlYqoICXjtU4ds/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG" height="392" width="400" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO2brfisVu4ho8ToP7lsD97RVYJwoS3TFVB47Gx_yUsw7K_8Qg0JhS4WU38iZQnPqbCX3rsZ6UbcrD6sceQrxFbJaYDB8SFD1fwhsBSG_mX5QB_8RnZjnRtu-Vc1Yz6iTB6Pi29PuEz4/s1600/DSC_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO2brfisVu4ho8ToP7lsD97RVYJwoS3TFVB47Gx_yUsw7K_8Qg0JhS4WU38iZQnPqbCX3rsZ6UbcrD6sceQrxFbJaYDB8SFD1fwhsBSG_mX5QB_8RnZjnRtu-Vc1Yz6iTB6Pi29PuEz4/s1600/DSC_0665.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>not a fan of the first day of school</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8cl0soEU2rgpurG3HWcP8n_CMuNFU8_XXeBKqf-NQl2Q_XG5eELTaaytriNzDd-CeSLH6yW6CMYZjMlyduWWcljKu29bO3ai4gUfzhMhyphenhyphenhQZ_8E6bEomu4vkAJBjB-Y6qaE4LSiTIuk/s1600/DSC_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8cl0soEU2rgpurG3HWcP8n_CMuNFU8_XXeBKqf-NQl2Q_XG5eELTaaytriNzDd-CeSLH6yW6CMYZjMlyduWWcljKu29bO3ai4gUfzhMhyphenhyphenhQZ_8E6bEomu4vkAJBjB-Y6qaE4LSiTIuk/s1600/DSC_0649.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-34239053064298929592013-08-19T10:02:00.002-04:002013-08-19T10:04:07.395-04:00Amazingness in a Bowl (A Recipe)<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMpg2PoYDelPXQiv7FRzQxVyw1O7h2IMnmgFxAZ1lt6gCcidfBSqBHG43vK2GnSw2yZ5QbwTECZRry-rI42JQqfDHpSYNz9KNjs75x-Av4vu3GlW8q7L6DtSmBDm1MVE9zxUdq0YNLuU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+10.01.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMpg2PoYDelPXQiv7FRzQxVyw1O7h2IMnmgFxAZ1lt6gCcidfBSqBHG43vK2GnSw2yZ5QbwTECZRry-rI42JQqfDHpSYNz9KNjs75x-Av4vu3GlW8q7L6DtSmBDm1MVE9zxUdq0YNLuU/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+10.01.46+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Our friends had a sweet baby girl last week, and I'm super jealous that my husband has gotten to see her twice already! Since some of our girls aren't feeling 100% - so instead of sharing our germs, Bill brought over this dinner to them yesterday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been craving something light and fresh (and different), and I found this <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/delicious-asian-chicken-salad-with-chow-mein-noodles-300183">recipe</a> online. <a href="http://www.harpersvillehome.com/">Lindsey</a> approved, and I thought it was delicious - not too heavy, just the right amount of sweetness, and filling enough to have as a meal. It was the first time I had made this dressing so I'm thankful it turned out as tasty as it sounded. I had it for dinner last night, and I plan on having it for lunch today:<br />
<br />
<b>ASIAN CHICKEN SALAD</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>adapted from <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/delicious-asian-chicken-salad-with-chow-mein-noodles-300183">food.com</a></i></span><br />
<i>DRESSING</i><br />
<i>2 tablespoons brown sugar</i><br />
<i>2 teaspoons canned mandarin juice</i><br />
<i>2 teaspoons soy sauce</i><br />
<i>4 teaspoons sesame oil</i><br />
<i>1/4 cup vegetable oil</i><br />
<i>3 tablespoons rice vinegar</i><br />
<i>(I triple this recipe.)</i><br />
<i>SALAD</i><br />
<i>romaine lettuce, torn in pièces</i><br />
<i>4 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts (shredded or chopped)</i><br />
<i>2 cups dry chow mein noodles</i><br />
<i>1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds or 1/3 cup chopped peanuts</i><br />
<i>(I like to use these <a href="http://www.almondaccents.com/products/">honey roasted almonds</a> - they're delicious.)</i><br />
<i>canned mandarin oranges (drained, reserve 2 teaspoons juice for the dressing)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Mix all dressing ingredients until well combined - refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.<br />
In a large bowl combine the lettuce with chicken, dry noodles, and almonds/peanuts.<br />
Mix to combine.<br />
Pour on the dressing.<br />
Toss to combine.<br />
Top with mandarine oranges.<br />
Serve immediately.<br />
(I store the lettuce, chicken, mandarin oranges, and dressing in separate containers<br />
in the refrigerator to make assembling single servings easier.)<br />
Enjoy!</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-87771579517620530582013-08-13T15:26:00.000-04:002013-08-13T15:49:28.869-04:00While We Wait<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYLYWGxzqwwsgk1cS4rOETIRzpGASzrRFQAeiWlWbJg5FrlGvHeUQejJyEaszQ5nkXzhYfEqU2oaXYLMFOE2jDIT5BaS33WMyy7DZmMIgLG-uBxf6NWhZnuDEAnjSgtj37_C9Pi2_vH0/s1600/188796_4672793055_8077_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYLYWGxzqwwsgk1cS4rOETIRzpGASzrRFQAeiWlWbJg5FrlGvHeUQejJyEaszQ5nkXzhYfEqU2oaXYLMFOE2jDIT5BaS33WMyy7DZmMIgLG-uBxf6NWhZnuDEAnjSgtj37_C9Pi2_vH0/s1600/188796_4672793055_8077_n-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maileen & Peter</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are lots of views regarding social media, smartphones, and the like. There are also thoughtful debates on the technology & the medical advances we have available to us in our society - and how we use them. Today, I'm a huge fan - of ALL of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - our family is in Virginia - but our family can also be found in:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Honduras</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Georgia</i><br />
<i>Illinois</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Brussels</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>California</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Washington</i><br />
<i>Canada</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Illinois</i><br />
<div>
<i>North Carolina</i><br />
<i>New Jersey</i><br />
<i>Australia</i></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Philippines</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could go on and on and on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - Maileen had brain surgery in Georgia. Her husband and children are in Honduras. Her family and friends are many, and wherever they are - they are supporting her tremendously.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - I am thankful that my cousin's husband in Honduras can tell us via Facebook that my cousin in Georgia is done with surgery and doing fine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - I am thankful that I can wake up, check my phone, and read an encouraging message from Maileen asking me to rest well so we can face today with <i>joy and praise</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - I am thankful for the ability to text those that I love and to ask them to please pray for my cousin, her surgery, and her recovery.<br />
<br />
Today - I am thankful that I can check my laptop for updates from our family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today - I am thankful for all the talented doctors & staff who will be with Maileen and use all of their medical knowledge and technological abilities to help her rid her body of this nasty disease.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maileen is the older sister Sarah & I never knew we needed, but God sure did.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's the oldest granddaughter of the family, and we all look up to her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's an amazing wife, mother, and friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those who know her (personally and even online) can attest to that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's loud, and she's joyful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's always ready with a smile or a laugh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's honest - sometimes brutally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, she's in love with Jesus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks so much for praying for her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And for all of us.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-61867450982516667282013-08-08T14:02:00.000-04:002013-08-08T18:32:03.178-04:00Maileen's Journey - August 8<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_75qtnZBjNgh5EGbTO5ZOs9B2jyslgXA8GiFU1bL3303-yDm4oAhOMzPiOveUqjNcAgFX15MAiPawjb9A55fglH2gNnPRya757y3kmNtYbLy4xLVBhC12jdVsBrlJWMjlpzAFQsdqWsE/s1600/481750_10151422093770209_2003656572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_75qtnZBjNgh5EGbTO5ZOs9B2jyslgXA8GiFU1bL3303-yDm4oAhOMzPiOveUqjNcAgFX15MAiPawjb9A55fglH2gNnPRya757y3kmNtYbLy4xLVBhC12jdVsBrlJWMjlpzAFQsdqWsE/s1600/481750_10151422093770209_2003656572_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>cousins<br />Dec 2012</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So many thanks to all of you who have been faithfully praying for my cousin Maileen.</div>
Would you mind praying with us again?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
JULY 29</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I am scheduled for brain surgery August 13th to remove the tumor on the lower left lobe...it is active. I am praying for shrinking or diminished tumor(s) and I would rather not go through surgery, to be honest. Our God hears our prayers. If I go through the surgery, pray for Dr.V and his surgical team (rest, clear minds, wise decisions, blessed skills as individuals and as a tea</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">m) and for me (healing and healing well). Due to not having visas for the children, please pray with me for my wonderful husband Peter as he takes care of Marissa and our foster son 'Baby J' (about 3 months old) ---strength, help, love and emotional stability and rest. Thank you for your prayers...we are deeply moved by your involvement in our lives...may our Lord bless you and grant you deep joys and moving peace.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AUGUST 6</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Looks like my body (neck down) is one year cancer clear to the month...Praise God...HE Is FAITHFUL...and Generously Full of MERCY..now to get my head tumor clear too...Praying it will be...Thanks for praying with us these coming months...traveling...praying for Peter </span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">and our kids, doctors' appts. Friday, Monday night (MRI) maybe surgery Tuesday morning...still praying not </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">needing to...it's a lot to ask for shrunken tumors...or even gone...but if surgery than praying for that operation team...it's nice to have God's angels helping us to do God's will.</span></i></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazf9QzPgrQZkfb33uXaS5F0Ca3E91xPwEAa_8sjPjfDBcEK6wdOiiF4K1VNgLyiehU9LA1RgConAfNwI76jqBxvzNfVudSW6KVmmo3pSD81yrmiTrR0fhwOwl-2RsJ3IJnhm2R8GEiAU/s1600/DSC_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazf9QzPgrQZkfb33uXaS5F0Ca3E91xPwEAa_8sjPjfDBcEK6wdOiiF4K1VNgLyiehU9LA1RgConAfNwI76jqBxvzNfVudSW6KVmmo3pSD81yrmiTrR0fhwOwl-2RsJ3IJnhm2R8GEiAU/s1600/DSC_0675.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sol Maileen Joel Lucy<br />Dec 2012</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Maileen is now stateside awaiting possible surgery this coming Tuesday. Thank you for praying for Maileen, for Peter who is home in Honduras with Marissa and Baby J, for my uncle and aunt (Sol & Lucy if you're a detailed person like I am), and for the rest of our family.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We are all thankful for you.</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmFXkVQ3XdsO_sSq54tZptPlqZPlrDKlwGswBXunmVLyHxNAHMa1kN9iktXiDR8MC3qErwXM7y8QMBbCHm8iEDir6J7C14Kw1e7X3vXCBTiuC9YClBXiHz2wVtn3jE7H4QJG53aHe2D0/s1600/399243_10151552584564815_531525068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmFXkVQ3XdsO_sSq54tZptPlqZPlrDKlwGswBXunmVLyHxNAHMa1kN9iktXiDR8MC3qErwXM7y8QMBbCHm8iEDir6J7C14Kw1e7X3vXCBTiuC9YClBXiHz2wVtn3jE7H4QJG53aHe2D0/s1600/399243_10151552584564815_531525068_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maileen Marissa Peter<br />Dec 2012</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-77322083868440840402013-08-01T10:30:00.002-04:002013-08-01T10:42:59.109-04:00My Other Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
I have mentioned before that I'm surrounded by awesome women - it's amazing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of these ladies has a birthday today, and we wish we were there to celebrate with her. Judy is Bill's mom, my other mom, and the girls' NeNe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWPGYndcbtSFJlOYQ9KMoQHptsnjLxzwZsQ3EIq0F2KBFCo1iIkGpZ6rio9j774vXl9YbclyxxT4LwrPD6Cxa1y01_zT69GBYMs1Hs-14nCklq5_oUBe1Un4fzWS8C_QlBG2mOYPEdHk/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWPGYndcbtSFJlOYQ9KMoQHptsnjLxzwZsQ3EIq0F2KBFCo1iIkGpZ6rio9j774vXl9YbclyxxT4LwrPD6Cxa1y01_zT69GBYMs1Hs-14nCklq5_oUBe1Un4fzWS8C_QlBG2mOYPEdHk/s400/DSC_0436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is gorgeous inside and out, and I'm not just saying that. How does one get more and more beautiful as she gets older? I don't know, but she does a great job of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To say that I'm intimidated by her awesomeness is not even the half of it. The first time Bill invited me over to their house for dinner, I was a nervous wreck. I will never forget walking into their living room and seeing her sitting on the couch - beautiful (as always) and as sweet as can be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was (and am) a huge fan of hers (and her son - clearly). She's been nothing but supportive as<br />
Bill & I became friends, dated, got married, and started our family. She's been involved in our girls' lives from the moment they were born - either by supporting us in the delivery room or watching little ones while we went to the hospital. The girls love her like crazy and cherish the time<br />
they get to spend with her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYJa5sWMiTepzl4FCDJQ9gvrPPgNf0uEJZRqMe7k7EQp7sevZH0uRM8rYt3tUrPyeay-teWuf53MvGN6rcZ9uVhy95sYa48Fjx201qSOTz5V722YCEpCYcWnIdrzWFbS0eSeR8RhYijY/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYJa5sWMiTepzl4FCDJQ9gvrPPgNf0uEJZRqMe7k7EQp7sevZH0uRM8rYt3tUrPyeay-teWuf53MvGN6rcZ9uVhy95sYa48Fjx201qSOTz5V722YCEpCYcWnIdrzWFbS0eSeR8RhYijY/s400/DSC_0391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm crazy blessed that all of our parents get along - I know that's a rarity these days. It might even be slightly weird - but it's true. Not only do they get along, but they really love (and like!) each other. It makes my heart full when we're all together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIPo5-_-crl7S-dihN_wy3dgCAqHLAVaE48eCxJMvjonQx2zG8Emle-gKrgivUOoQncfuSv4FDcY3X0vAedKXBnso9BENJZIOWaSYpMaOeUK4kjzDf-blHyNOCfN9Mc108StWpwi1vGU/s1600/DSC_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIPo5-_-crl7S-dihN_wy3dgCAqHLAVaE48eCxJMvjonQx2zG8Emle-gKrgivUOoQncfuSv4FDcY3X0vAedKXBnso9BENJZIOWaSYpMaOeUK4kjzDf-blHyNOCfN9Mc108StWpwi1vGU/s400/DSC_0452.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuy4syjs-mlak8CHxpX4Qh-1-7Bt2NdZiHpHIi-UPeKX71ukDhunRCqfcoiDPbDuIQIxSV7sTzrO5-e7ldbvhDAqp6NL22rQdUCQbR8i34QiqoGrkYiW1OCI9LMKBsN54oZwUF1F4ystk/s1600/DSC_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuy4syjs-mlak8CHxpX4Qh-1-7Bt2NdZiHpHIi-UPeKX71ukDhunRCqfcoiDPbDuIQIxSV7sTzrO5-e7ldbvhDAqp6NL22rQdUCQbR8i34QiqoGrkYiW1OCI9LMKBsN54oZwUF1F4ystk/s400/DSC_0455.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Judy's an incredible cook and as crafty as they come. Not only that, she has a heart of gold - and the love flows for Tommy/PaPa, her children, and <i>all</i> of her grandchildren. If we love you, then Judy loves you. If you've had the pleasure of ever meeting her in person - I know that you've felt welcomed & loved right from the start.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZPP0WWtgcZ61lu2M6CaoY2gdpBSxrnWNF0ZQ2gjg_-isqLNlHGmA8H19wx_79x2eA7iFqmXlpXK82hyphenhyphenOQIPFGJaS86eReMNpx4oRx8wI-NLPZmB4Qbknf6gr0yD1ePI365yzm9kO8aI/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZPP0WWtgcZ61lu2M6CaoY2gdpBSxrnWNF0ZQ2gjg_-isqLNlHGmA8H19wx_79x2eA7iFqmXlpXK82hyphenhyphenOQIPFGJaS86eReMNpx4oRx8wI-NLPZmB4Qbknf6gr0yD1ePI365yzm9kO8aI/s400/DSC_0469.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Happy Birthday - we love you!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<i>Dear Judy,</i><br />
<i>Thank you for being awesome.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for loving God and loving us.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for raising a son who is an amazing friend & husband and a fantastic father to four girls.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for coming to visit us when our </i><i style="text-align: left;">schedule doesn't allow us to visit you & PaPa more.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for cooking and baking for us without complaint - everything is always amazing!</i><br />
<i>Thank you for loving me all the time.</i><br />
<i>I know where your son gets his patient heart.</i><br />
<i>I love you & I hope you have a fantastic birthday - you certainly deserve it.</i><br />
<i>Love you forever - your brown daughter,</i><br />
<i>G</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*For more on how much I love you: <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankful-18.html">one</a>, <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2011/06/chocolate-twinkie-cake.html">two</a>, <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-5.html">three</a>, and <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankful-23.html">four</a>.*</i></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-18778722432011844512013-07-11T08:50:00.001-04:002013-07-11T08:53:33.006-04:00Isabella Talk<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFMMyU6agDD2XS6EJpLL2VOttIdEd0an_bHc8dn8BTa_4u2EX2JxOuw1UnubnfyyYk0i8c-c0kcsNip4rhG3Z1zkReT27j3Kqtnzw2Wj9PTJkd-UHlxlReylTfeHy_3Y2Wrl4WakuhlY/s1600/BOur3S5CAAAQnvo.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's something about the ages of three and four that make discussions awesome and funny most of the time. Or maybe it's just our four-year old's personality? At any rate, please enjoy these fantastic conversations that we've had with our Isabella the last few weeks or so:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>Mom, when are we going to get a new baby?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
ME: <i>A baby in my belly?</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>Yes.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ME: <i>Oh, we're not going to have any more babies in my belly.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>But, why? When I was at Tita and Tito's house, I was watching when they were getting married. Guess what? I saw Gianna in your belly. But how did she get in there?</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ME: <i>God put her there.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>But how did she gonna come out?</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ME: <i>This way.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>Oh! Did you cry?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ME: <i>No, I just pushed really hard.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>You should just bang on the top of your head so she can come out.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ME: <i>You're funny, Isabella.</i></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ISA: <i>I wish I could color the wall.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ME: <i>No, Isabella.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ISA: <i>Why not?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ME: <i>It'll be pretty!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ISA: <i>No, thank you.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
ISA: <i>When's the next baby coming, Mom? I like all these babies.</i></div>
</div>
<br />
ISA: <i>Caillou's mom has boobies.</i><br />
ME: <i>That's because she's a grown-up girl.</i><br />
ISA: <i>Do you have boobies, Mom?</i><br />
ME: <i>Do I?</i><br />
ISA: <i>Yes - that's because you're a girl.</i><br />
ME: <i>You're right, Isabella. Mommy is a girl.</i><br />
<br />
LOLA: <i>Isabella, did you find the ring I bought you?</i><br />
ISA: <i>No! I don't know where it is!</i><br />
LOLA: <i>It's ok. It's just a ring.</i><br />
ISA: <i>But I need it for when I growed up and get married.</i><br />
<br />
ME: <i>Isabella, stop messing with Baby Jonathan.</i><br />
ISA: <i>I</i>...{shrugs shoulders} <i>just love him.</i><br />
<br />
ISA: <i>Mommy, look at me - do I look fascinating?</i><br />
<br />
ME: <i>Are you all done in the bathroom, Isabella?</i><br />
ISA: <i>Yes! Do you smell it?</i><br />
<br />
ISA: <i>I wish you could be a real mom.</i><br />
ME: <i>What do you mean?</i><br />
ISA: <i>Real moms don't spank children.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Just for my girl:</span><br />
<i>Sweet Isabella,</i><br />
<i>You bring sunshine into my day, and you don't even know it. I'm sorry when I get easily frustrated with you, or don't make the time for you that I should. I think you're amazing no matter what. I love you, and I'm so happy God let me be your mom. Never lose how much you love life and how most everything makes you happy & excited. You are my most favorite Isabella ever.</i><br />
<i>Love you forever,</i><br />
<i>Mom</i></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-33934797845970868242013-07-09T10:09:00.000-04:002013-07-09T15:45:35.993-04:00Memory Keeper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNco8vWlIWqAEA75yqYBAq8BoaI4zeAw0B-6antlpnmddOr9A9PTNi74qA2hqjq6bATBSkM7sIFJ7-n8_TzNMmu-MBSkDTc89Hfrmcrl0LBWMUOi2xPnILPQ0wvcmvEz9X4k31pURmppM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-09+at+9.53.09+AM.png" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
One of the main reasons I blog is to remember life for me and our family - at the moment. I so easily forget things from one day to the next, but I want to make sure our girls have something to look back on when they're older. We take a bazillion and one pictures, but I'm not the best at organizing said pictures & getting them into albums (please don't ask me how many years I am behind). </div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
I certainly don't want to hold those memories hostage with my intent</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
to scrapbook so instead, I blog.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I'm old and (more) forgetful, I want the girls to be able to see that their mom used to be young once. I want them to see that their mom was very much in love with their father. I want them to know that their mom just may understand what they're feeling & what they're going through. I want them to realize that their mom tried her best to love God & other people<br />
the way that He continually loves her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When it's hard for our girls to remember, I want them to have a place</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where they can be reminded of:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>how much their dad & I did in fact love them</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(albeit sometimes imperfectly, but it was love nonetheless)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>the meals their mom cooked from time to time (that they sometimes enjoyed!)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>the things they used to say and do</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>what made us laugh</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>and what made us cry</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>the places we went</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>the people we spent time with</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>and the memories we made together</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One day, they will be all grown up and have lives separate from ours (sigh). They may even have children of their own (many many many years from now). When that happens - I hope they, too, will find a way to tuck all of those memories they make into a forever place</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to visit from time to time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSt-6RV6V041RPVeidpBsI6dOCa__vZYRR6ilwSid8DMbLXMH1OE7HHspMIj34i1Ykb7jlAIysajVMlbrpYYCCy5ES6MRMjNvTaXXJ0tRyzXOywKuGncmlIreTIojHyzSoDLqlRWJTLE/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-53162498998664239562013-07-04T11:22:00.002-04:002013-07-04T11:27:15.512-04:00Independence Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy 4th of July -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
have a great day celebrating our country!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioE-MHICSJkiElfE8-U3PGCYWT6jYjun1dc2AkZtW-PhEZNGAwREir2uwUeoY525Tu0A3BjbxbBJWQ7akcEqemkIJSErG5lLekeNsc0uLKhZ3VCa84ZJ-hXZlVfxrWZjPnRouHsGFdz8o/s400/DSC_0218.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKPNlv9Z9oSoX70lYg82qH_1Cqnc6Z329Uwx0wYq1fYq5cSj1gB69SjrOa95Ozk1plG2B0RDq_WF9rXQ92SM9df5yH2T6ToXmLKmUu2H_iCgYdjOigkpUnlbwWPE7DyNyZYiu8D-WjJc/s400/DSC_0230.jpg" width="265" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus-VOJBmJ7LWKZ4CWnnW-Vlwglzt_gBhoRU8dotL1cpSj_H6CSFLoo_Dc73zbfqrd3FH8JwSPTOIhoI_yV7qT7Kiw7ytT7UlqWOfUcFz14SRRdH4Hfc5L-8ldsu-L6BhUPYUEldCBhRk/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgZi7etzfH-cojN0Itk1pU_azdjIFgsTiBk3MWk0vSMcvDPSXUl6eGS1iZRaYNcYs5n9IAAY84q3mvmDPx9uXuRh411fidZcj3kRzQS7NLsB9ONeDJIBjok-kaem_L3jcastJpRFlmeQ/s400/DSC_0234.jpg" width="265" /></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-29109705091371427122013-07-02T10:44:00.001-04:002013-07-02T10:44:41.197-04:00Our Village<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2GWAPyMKYnqVKcqsik1CJnced_sv7JrWpAcCfTm1ULWAfA1VJ0_x4XgjbrYtaEJYIfkeOkjqQZ-OMmLBG4o2emRxOwXslRTw9oO9-YtOnXRgTTiyM2FZKXq3x6wcpwS7WwzuD5xverU/s400/BOLPOs7CYAAIxBJ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They're home!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I couldn't agree more.<br />
<br />
Bill and Espy just got home from their trip to <i><a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2013/06/arizona-2013.html">Arizona</a></i>, and it's been fantastic to have them physically in our home. When you add in all the experiences and stories that they've been sharing with us, it's been one big ball of emotion around here (at least for the wife<br />
and mother of the house).<br />
<br />
I applaud those of you who are both dad and mom for much longer than eleven days. The only reason why Bill and Espy came home to a sane (not completely exhausted) woman and somewhat tidy home is because of the awesome support system we have. It's beyond amazing. All of these things were an encouragement to me (and to Isabella and Evangeline) while they were away,<br />
and this list isn't exhaustive:<br />
<i>texts</i><br />
<i>grass-cutting(s)</i><br />
<i>phone calls</i><br />
<i>gifts</i><br />
<i>messages</i><br />
<i>meals</i><br />
<i>movie nights</i><br />
<i>snacks</i><br />
<i>carpooling</i><br />
<i>conversations</i><br />
<i>coffee!</i><br />
<i>playdates</i><br />
<i>pre/post-bedtime visits</i><br />
<i>prayers</i><br />
<br />
Thank you so much to all of you who were a helping hand, ear, hug, etc. just when we needed it. Thank you for sacrificing your own time to spend time helping us or being with us. Bill and I appreciate it more than you know. I'm thankful and ridiculously blessed by the example of your friendship. Our hope is that we can be same kind of friends to you -<br />
and for you to call us on it if we're not. Not a joke. We love you!<br />
(<i>Special shout out to my parents who were readily available whenever </i><i>we needed a meal,</i><br />
<i>a playdate, a ride - or when Mommy needed a time out.</i>)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoQeWU1eLkCj3J5cSwx16C06m1JvMUuY4y7PTJJgs8adKEPp1onTFaHiQVODrU_eO7g4WMTu9w3LUj0AvNq4qy8f5Lo6VUPPkIqNTCL9GsNKEz24Lx-xQ4Nc1P188p32IN7AlThIxOrQ/s400/BOLPJi8CEAEiqOu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>presents from our Espy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJKxA2ip-N-1HdnJZ-V1wNlrzAIMZ9AsT0cdiYquFcDLFIsMO1g3xlj6C1-RoZ6dbgxrZIwKH0sC50vvvY8lPaxFTCshP0Zjk_Z4nqH_BDdeGLlwZEK2hIrQRJ8R_simfVH3D2mDpcX8/s400/BOLPBlJCEAMgw0Q.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>family dinner</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">John 15:13</span></i></span></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-19281420850128879832013-06-30T23:29:00.000-04:002013-07-01T07:57:16.549-04:00Bye-Bye Google Reader<div style="text-align: center;">
If you happen to use Google Reader to read your favorite blogs -<br />
I'm sure you know it will be no more starting July 1st. Sad times.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've switched all my subscriptions over to <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/"><i>bloglovin'</i></a>. You can follow this one by clicking below<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/5795481" title="Follow grace undone on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=5795481" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or by clicking on the bloglovin' icon in the sidebar to your right.<br />
<br />
<i>Feedly</i> is another option:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cloud.feedly.com/#subscription%2Ffeed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fgraceundone.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault" target="blank"><img alt="follow us in feedly" height="56" id="feedlyFollow" src="http://s3.feedly.com/img/follows/feedly-follow-rectangle-volume-big_2x.png" width="131" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I've also heard that <i><a href="http://theoldreader.com/">The Old Reader</a> </i>is enjoyable:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theoldreader.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR1iC6gQexkeMmzskwW_Y6rcVMXRIB9t8REI6dVPW1UIbP8SMG8c7A6i_mALhHK00l8olgDZ-mkMohyphenhyphenT2ZLJQC6X5-fvdoeMj1E1TEy9rB8jiboYQvAU_39zkQEEztl-roRbyY72quno/s247/Screen+Shot+2013-07-01+at+7.37.06+AM.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you find one that you love.<br />
See ya, Google Reader - it's been real.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-86578324787655785002013-06-29T18:05:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:02:25.586-04:00Saturday in Phoenix<div style="text-align: center;">
More snapshots from this past week:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nlz7iF6DK7fUWy0eqUIb2iXh0BRgHhhhuoUW5Y3Hn-NkeorXuYdq8h1twk8vrDM5ZRhPgNZUAL5RuZ0hINPZWcNCsJ2Ja-zZv3jeUmFUDY7gAM0puIImRubHkBc80LoF-sCCInlOPw4/s400/BN8N1DoCAAI--lc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>softball game in Gap</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs3EmgDlQd8smdHblohJ4E_T09Z4WIqS9xIBDe7TIggFFpXznwQG2h6cH1Yg1fGDe8g7aa6sbj_mCrQ2wgpOJ9Rji_cbXGW8R6oXC1ECBDpWnQ00Jm_-oNjrC-3z7vuq8ire_1PXEE5c/s400/BN8NI6lCEAQv3TQ.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEc8Rpe_9EglBRZdZlDF235VgV9n-2oFQIz0_sCfrg1fKVc6xrqrUMxkOE_A7IO2HewXebkGb_EOHawoF-SYUqdw2Ih7emLLfaqkuLDG7tK73wZtEO4rS0n5U_e72Yhmsov3hbF83Jik/s400/BN8NL2nCMAMz3sh.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeqjWMPmKSXqChfkddu6RvmdY4tt5cAa8hIe0LXvub43yS194f4fEG80kOyBz5Tu20JWIERFCPNRp0jguHlmgmKZlA4b6BxXuMiEc2QdMAh_-aq1er2m3tT0NGmaNMtBGRTCcd0YkYgU/s400/BN8NOSYCYAADxGx.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3Vq7tF4Ps2IjEB01qCURXowXhlPYWgldwn3idJ1zhEQGfc9FfLSt9cZaSrzhYRoXd_zyDxxSj7nFgWyilteABOo3zNKIlhlCd5vBScgmXw0OnGplkQ0eoIFdzYzNVMDspp18MFVuILE/s400/BN8NRJ7CQAAfOCB.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFXaUtsQxPka9HM1lEyIEGeGSXO9G56EtKohnJ5evfT-8I-ro1pirCTZc4b6LKGyKB_pnAtOaoUyC2UlbH0iFjO5IA0kH8_FVlQJKb_E0HnFFyXyjDuThKHkiW59mM0teAFfkymkPuEI/s400/BN8NlT2CUAAKE7h.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx65UOGYYmM6lqMZmli4NpTrZJhs7wlqEWsZZokBJaFB2qSRvAg8EgR5jpYzI53mhkSxFEbUJP3HRZnX2jfrxcwnnEoUa6QhtMuPKGKXzzw91vfvuxdbS_h41gDDuBn9fsYX9MLb0g58Y/s400/BN8OghfCEAEBJcU.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wRKGqAOwALFEvGS9ZYUVQw-e2Rjmu3rr6t3Q394_BMNbNzdyM_0ONbwphuTTrn19snplrOq6zXXtJmVK4in78gzy691m0uvves2-ztQiwaU37HgzjwkVs37D8y6cQ6DUK0IUi4DCNzo/s400/BN8NiyqCAAECJhl.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHZulwI0Oja4QSj-p7PK5-PFoMNd27zayddsorbSzwvogIFR0zdtAcdMbRiJuo-2IflBNehoogAzZSTBPZQaxt8ys1_O6RI2Dc74_RdU3QY2Da4XVSCcBHI2uA2qjqxUY_kNyCAJOTNc/s400/BN8PrdQCAAApshi.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYLy8j0oS25fmhrRizm8EjpvgUZ-qOSDhpLHra-juExSPZX_a1IAtWbDg5dfQwyP1lT0BEI1od0FupSOEsFmzvKYBGfw_x7ybfejHb7NqACrGEy76Wx4vOVgS79Gv_pQVowpDMPzZ_0E/s400/BN8PJSZCYAA_aGG.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXQwIVDGNN4lN_D3nWoN-Hdx2otjfzAKnfcBU7QlgibzYOfK1D1WNQBvpQDEWer4wF5heMQI-lFzyhnf2YV_gqYIzs8HlZAZEp8iNaSBBnPsIbMkII9vUhUkh2sO4b0EN0f2SHZUyI98/s400/BN8Po3HCcAA0Jv6.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our group's tentative schedule for today:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*leaders' breakfast</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*continental breakfast & devos</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*mall</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*hotel: swim, slide, sun, nap</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*dinner at Fuddruckers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*debrief in Bill's room</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pray that they would have a good time relaxing & resting before they head home early tomorrow morning. Also, please pray that their conversations tonight would be transparent and authentic. I know our group is looking forward to sharing how God is working in Arizona. What they have learned and experienced there has changed their hearts, and we're excited to see how that will affect their lives & the lives of those around them here in Virginia. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OOo6OxEp4HXRbdh-2pl4Axf9alCLyEQX1XA5OQBSArqCm34QMjvNIOlhhDWxawZbLrZSDq29SgM8VkXBhUOvc0XgJtCMPgSw_AOYxExXGO9XRwGAKvfljzO8ptj-mdwiNPQXThA1z0o/s400/BN8PRPICEAASEDr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See you next year!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-73134534946521385422013-06-28T23:45:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:07:39.571-04:00VBS: Day 5<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Left for Phoenix at 1ish. You will probably be bombarded with all of the jammed up pictures when we get there, and the phone works better. What a day! About fifteen kids slept out with us last night - it was special. Everyone is doing pretty good.</i><br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkktE0jVbY5T1BGTrOvkuJpgnQ7Gz7RH44fU2VNvXicdm3lhpE6lkhEtgZ0rmjua9E-0b_TJIs7YTUuVlg9Tx9VMHqcO3qIMrjDgefH5QwA8WaF_7VgIyJIKp-PADdj12yJ5RMCiO0btA/s400/BN8NqGdCIAEPiRS.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQCGRJ_gjNl0a7AbmadfIVVpJtyVjx6X3lngJTvta-wPDj210yiMJ_dClabNjzb5rs_Pe8zoSguanRDoGUaFgPxf9nEIpB51uBjpgWkJb67mph-0N8rVoI7UgA4YBmfOwzld8Vn8afRU/s400/BN8Pl6TCQAASu0a.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM4t0bsE4DUxIleYpZT7InMnjVjlakbtdla0SNHBtbK8EB27PECeoTHkuL_kmGiLglIgB5_4QYVff4MXrjMXuH_b8pnf_JARtlvSzZgns7w0RBkEHFllYZ8L5RnfvakNuUbFkOhY4JXU/s400/BN8OVbMCcAAwayU.jpg" width="300" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNVkOnUl4iF3aT-x7vLMnCDv7klJwLRPdcypQxZ3_zcuHTOKaU8zh-fLUxIlh8e_G_FwqUF_atomKDhiYHXcqIpnnqTjOh53DtjnpfT3-d8t79pVhPNqalxNKhXbeFSaiuE9KAfW0WhA/s400/BN8OC6OCIAEFhD8.jpg" width="300" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_BEI6TrPSgCWEU0T7gAi2hNzG8MYvL4Ut2OLQg-G3ReKIYWJ3yt0knEgzmwtKeFZv8rT41xFTIVKOZidxuDPs7txub_cqF23Ck1zaGHQRQry4cyrOJXo-XfYQR5dNx6h6Xn6BKC1qt4/s400/BN8OSyCCcAAMg56.jpg" width="300" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6lLVDl9cXo_U7dnU_wNdSV2TrLyfo1_5ldbu9oAH-7g9MXLIMEprrbpoqt2Uv23sa9WoKkspOo57xUemumHKaV-G8yqHYniKKBFr6GvpTDlIG6PUndeWQNl72iwG0BTUXy7GJWGpDlM/s400/BN8OkaxCIAQ18mI.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYKKU-YkGSMLXDnZ1cRqKnr59bDdSGqBqvllCIGQRsQgvlF3ILhyphenhypheniTUhrw74Esqxjmybw9OVjGP2NouEBSmVwxrmZNgzccpi0Tuil5TLQ1Gt7doFOYww1axMvcArXVjPMK57XW-Abrkk/s400/BN8N9xcCEAAcMus.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakaWqG3oZ3jbkn8W3PgccMWll4TEIR-fB0jjnAJC6sesujvRY_6h2_UDgFg6O4OzMafzWDqzx5CY0hIpPQsQIaPOa79tLZQw_vOBfR438pbLcYf6J_Ehc1_nWXpIFQbQn4AlbJZ8x78k/s400/BN8OcHNCAAIkKgz.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcR95UQANPFs_FvGc8rjZJMD0CnsAsO-ZuNAjekYgdfjloShveE8T9U89ktSFkWvMfDTUhFByGEoFZHpnCQ4OK58QM2UVLmoPy-Z_f8thldXDUdh2K-rzg0a4YSAGHDp7bQ19H0JQpU4/s400/BN8OIJ7CUAAJx_v.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3tYoJiZP4B0jaXdSJHcc5742BbQ9dNBgTfI74aCQ16Dd233iEBZrAjzpq0bJ-5JoPcXNOcb0uaPRPsSt1eQTsGJTI8xkA2oHNR0geIjrjbu7fJAoARtKlr-2SIoATK-v8SE55-MJ45A/s400/BN8P752CcAA_poV.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mZZT6FLawcc9icw74hz16sYZG6q9YkH2DTw7LuGBObtdIwfaEhNGRts49dsnS7P-__japVFATITZMniG5nqVLs-xBwxHMPjvG8oycS-MIuHfEuVfpv9CHq9iQ6be3fdRyWduewlVHpw/s400/BN8PbcaCEAES1sl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>on the way to Phoenix</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_5kDpwWhJkBnd6qH7Np5ujWMEDcUicrVnip1ntT8SZ4WA7Sldrf4vtwtcw6sm_WM06YvBvlivW6g1zrdyF2ECxA_TCWNxG1B48BjIwNitzGdpFCJ6sToB14sgYzGyjRjo2Iuln7_ODU/s400/BN8OwenCIAALf8J.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See you next year!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-17906328033342393882013-06-27T23:45:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:08:08.160-04:00VBS: Day 4<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our group is being cautious with the water supply:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIn7lnZGkpsL4-wAIHl1Cy1cjp3zRIzOFLfLB-K8winBZNiMqqJIuqFf77BbEvBTPKYS5G0R8lQp_0DKPIQMmA-I1XfUwFUpyXgxMwnp5iwUBXfuznbYlzbMX3eDBUk1GyqwzXfrZDBE/s400/BN0QURQCQAAik11.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>If toilet stops working do not use. Contact plumber immediately. Thanks.</i></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>They are being very cautious:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Q-q6PG0GmZVC0Tl9vSBwqg_yqBoU6ontMRbEC6x6F0inJd5aXDe1YRPluUgnQNjJhp3o_HlLIivWzgltMXfIUV0MPUhkQQFnqEXY9dVZQIJBtfWIZotqE1kuaWRCHYMfLas5oWOaw8o/s400/BN0QmsPCQAIzsNI.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This is a weak toilet! It works great for #1. If you have to #2, please use other toilet.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>P.S. This much paper works great. It won't clog it up.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This is a must!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>ALL USERS</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Hold handle down until toilet completely flushes. If toilet stops up, do not use. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Contact plumber immediately!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Thanks for your cooperation.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Careful how much paper you use! (Save a tree.)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>If you followed all directions, things should flow smoothly. If things don't flow, plunge as fast as you can. Good luck!</i></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcat-K9Vc8z4ruxHYhAF53sy8lDZiNyRnk8erARW6-2ee_qXuqMQgshwxka3S1YedQcrCZlPR7cguXytuCQpijCCL3lUekQZwG-SY3DK4ldICjcwQ3Vgqf3Xz-sp9ECjj5OzikPrmqC0/s400/BN0PszTCIAA4Wsu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wednesday's Navajo Tacos</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our group had a good morning at VBS followed by lunch and a visit to the jewelry stands and stores. Later on in the afternoon, they were able to have another softball game in Gap. During their free time - they were able to rest, hike, prep for tomorrow's VBS, and spend quality time with their leader like this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxzjlqueqZzxelfHo6IE8PZgpkSJzGeiXc_4JBei8Vp0IxvEJtfqAUKbgOfa54WExUcf-mzZfeRreoiPfO9cexMl5V1qTN0ODlTmN0qqEE-LOK1f8FQoclKIF45ehsvlUc0nLJ2Ow6Yg/s400/BN0O5C2CEAAP28T.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is what your husband does on missions trips.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp_J8kl3qL8pBUmeVC_EyZdOy4CH4UCI_Qo6k5IDcGP4MIViGeuC2o11hzegx-hs2Nb7BppHraWMc45bj1XDTnRS7Aot6UYc0MMTVMFQA3BfV9msqCFFo1vckwzpQN0I9ehgDqXLRHSo/s400/BN0O_wGCMAE7-1I.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's another.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thank you for praying for our group.<br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHzOiUPBNv16UwIXh-kTNNDxAtzwa9fxqf1NOvwH86iG6zCUzlB0sj3LivYO5msST0ynuXchjz4I4bNfbAIfeVCY82sTkJTbzuAcr9Q981KQ3bZ7jp69lFkJwutfbcKLgT8nG-iZ7Kfk/s400/BN0QeeCCUAAteeR.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzS7W1yi1zQWbVefya6Z-M-BoSRmTNOusYAJmepr_Fij-N3FUpWEi__ebs_sLIRbaj_KM97-ZM3tUhxdUeMLGLDldyiTgJHgpC0uu8u1ulvXs26RZAkihweoXAWA3xF24iFDdc2kd_j8/s400/BN0QalTCIAA5IuF.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kota & Stephanie</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7aDH5mfNVCbFW6iYSvZHZv_jnqzHV7O_wPXKBkxtPHdgjeol-pzeBTDWvtQuKjWBYtkKfhrqnMxq6zGU6LYFULCS8xHnB735XH2tGkAsz8vEaq-3BIdVgXrVMQFWNWyinHK37gzSC-4/s400/BN0QjE3CAAEdSW8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Graycen & Rihanna</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They will be spending time with everyone they can spend time with tonight and tomorrow. After VBS - they will have lunch, pack up, and clean the property/buildings before they head to Phoenix. It will be hard for everyone to say their goodbyes. Thank you for praying for their safety. Please pray that each one would remember all the love that was freely given to the Navajos this week, and how that love was so easily returned. Please pray that same love would be shown to each other and to those they encounter as they travel. Please pray for their hearts as they assimilate back into <i>normal</i> life back home in Virginia. Please pray that they would remember all that they saw and experienced on the Reservation. God has His purpose for each one affected by this trip. Bill & I pray that we would all be open to what He has in store next.<br />
<br />
We appreciate your love & support.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS-Ktxnn9aIFavRc9MxKRCvu55Wm3awNgliwQXor3RaIAMNFnJt5ogKvCnWMyGamOcUUNAxel6doRABRhIfw4CAcKbcN4DGk-q9VsjvRjIAxBhp0StcJ7ojYy6K9_yI8Hnn2iLxOaMpA/s400/BN0a9YvCMAA1dE8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lori & Sharon</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-63712384046310577072013-06-26T22:18:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:03:43.012-04:00VBS: Day 3<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8pa7TpAhYvzIBICRXnyUMP5TOHBftrQL0T6XDkABoFMnu1fuHw__foxpOFyHWTqoPwr8_LGWm3rvLor5o8ZfxlMmfGOycfvqkoGh0Tzf_lf_9h9Q8njtHf93brJgMpDIBt_91y0mEpI/s400/BNu1tD-CQAAs5Md.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cdsSM5jkDirZz_6dKUhjVkRCYS9Qm_HqguLefd2qQsty_6uPxBuGqQAeAmVplaTUNxQEC0SeG2WzreUMBj1aah9hV2XvmARO7WjvEWKaLTZxGes1-wlASePygXU6-16m6cAXh3nvMn0/s400/BNu1BO5CMAAzLLy.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5p42oew0pd30cAtahfJBuzdQlgQ1492Zsu0PCeOUFOWceoIQGyFnmB35Ef5vSuU38I_C30okWOtlvJzImrjovsrUm1AyH5Bs_ALxAjb9tTwM94xcugnobAeJjcontJWZsHThCAitkVM/s400/BNu0zyoCEAEmYjJ.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today's schedule on the Reservation looked like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>7:00 - Breakfast and devos</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>8:20 - Pick up kids, VBS prep</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>9:00 - VBS begins</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>11:45 - VBS ends</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>12:00 - Lunch</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>1:00 - Rest, VBS, & free time</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>5:00 - Navajo Tacos</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>7:30 - Worship</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>8:30 - Showers, bed prep, & prayer partners</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>10:00 - Bedtime</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4PiNBgtvWhVmglw_pQyatHxrZ7oaaQHbE-vblNDkI41ODcnUvwivRPIDnhWtZERWNW3xyLylZ5cpVx_iP63SeTwMtzOm6LrUFxxPaeZdsIqbHn6-5aolM9MHmmK9HKwx7bVkfb7ftBA/s400/BNu0-SvCIAA1-KL.jpg" width="298" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is one of my favorite days of the week because our HSBC brothers & sisters come over to the church/house and make amazingly delicious Navajo tacos for our group. I didn't get a picture from today's feast so please enjoy this one from our AZ trip in 2010:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA5oHvAx0Et-A-ANHwA88I7yfyTnQ_hHWezbUnaSofiZO07t3sT-Xb35DsrRFYJlsk8NbuZs5-KvVAH3d4R5xtaN5XQpRKsx-rfdTm63wGAEW3Jwti3NYqGAtOJqGhc5Bb1jp4o-mpHk/s400/38102_452211166531_6005343_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: Matt Gerdin</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also enjoy these fantastic pictures of Espy riding horses:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s8tlPbNewFN-ZB__XjX7UAEGqm0eGncWN2atDi_KRuOp__mfVI5_OprdQunNPs-JZZ0HOn9Ubx7B3-zjoBEtG2_7aajXtGAHqwKjT2Ff8Ii2kruPwrJVO1LF4LoMa4J1i864vmDSV1o/s400/BNu03aSCcAE1TUp.jpg" width="298" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh4SEKz1fAaNkmLOHWLGHpVmkaZtTEa7Gs25dG_2Nxuxx6Twy0nHnDgB-JwFRtYKtCIGpSyBX3XALbxxH9hGUYl_7nDujtpdLBRnIVTAdhl0jFk7T_BgB4OymL7T_7MAJx6ukLfSudT4/s1600/20130626_153441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh4SEKz1fAaNkmLOHWLGHpVmkaZtTEa7Gs25dG_2Nxuxx6Twy0nHnDgB-JwFRtYKtCIGpSyBX3XALbxxH9hGUYl_7nDujtpdLBRnIVTAdhl0jFk7T_BgB4OymL7T_7MAJx6ukLfSudT4/s400/20130626_153441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Couldn't she pass for a Navajo?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8jVLo2AgRge0TNVHA8E703xP-AkulT24kD4LEQ2yPifR8HKFpxGywK3hJ8dwlULZ2t7kpjyTpkb0OhhcwKnhoO_fn-fcyM8BEX6mEPc6_08sQFATlx_jks8BHP4q-fFjWjFNM3eP5yU/s400/20130625_175307.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyG7RV6Qh7YSmQtBhagZEJBgEm0tH15GN5a1_oCgs4xo9I4r55WQll3K2kKbG6Sd_PJtZHu_2WGEh6Fct-UzEdRX3vjt4mrPASyrjktELsA_rwPvyju-X8pf8pxVRteQ_6ssXnorm9zI/s400/BNu06LTCEAAnF3F.jpg" width="298" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now is the time when tiredness is settling in, but the thought of 12pm Friday afternoon is on the horizon. It's a bittersweet feeling to know that it's almost time to leave the<br />
Reservation and go home (when you already feel like you're there). I know they<br />
would all appreciate your prayers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45L6KGbd8gJkIuzGvMnLRRMQRufaBmwjKGc04CvjzI4fy9EVM0w3RER29aZJzrWzWUXHn2ksDoiHM4k9i8N6Ock6qhamjkfL0xIkLo9oiJUoMgpfmdX3NPhQ24V5ZSH_RxTfc5vfkDZ0/s400/BNu4lmJCMAA84pf.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh7gR03H__YuRisGDFggR5A5DprQZ506-J6MvNSRuDHr8A_G24zrJ5iDhJd62S5KapbW7oPz9NfC6Gf-elwAcZsTTFRztZ50gBoShqPPDiUhlk7C62Z6vN_nBK0_t3t5ayPCRNnjCT5g/s400/BNu0sQbCMAA7mWN.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-46222311841450489952013-06-26T06:46:00.001-04:002013-07-01T08:04:16.601-04:00Happy Birthday, Gianna!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dmc6sBjdqJAcvOd9iicBu4d_2HBIeD9ez-VZE0jO1w3Nxae5OR1sKWzbR0UHyyM9TgbPAJSxnmBtj-TJehfb9rPnV76q1YgFEdVcLnxwGVmYM4dNg18DJonBl4NIlqVmJYgovsbtOy0/s400/942712_10151702951820209_2055437754_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sWusorFW-jM7zIWp88oyuwscWPD-VUuRW1AP8Elfqe3JvXF0A9diKC46QcNCGEkU_qUZsta6LTyjuwY6g9DoovEltbCFXc4XC6HyJVXa3y2894cY0kJEpmTl1FDEFhJkA_JD_Z3dqb8/s400/945426_10151716754205209_1060895031_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUcsR12mEAdlVnyhdKWrHeIu5XlR8aSeEWcdguAn9Y4NpIrjhY-esn0frXnHjvyjeZUKeyUPcpSCnJdsB-BOfo07zwKwiA0XPOa1DqRasXB1G_2I1iPkzJZPKFvd5pa3mQ09aETGAd-w/s400/946686_10151778656910209_1055791485_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Dear Gianna,</i><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl! I can't believe you're seven years old today. I want you to know how much I love you and how special I feel because I get to be your mom. I love how God has made you inside and out, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for you this year. You are a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend. I think you're awesome and talented and amazing. I love your stories, and I love our talks. You know that I make mistakes (a lot of them!), but I'm thankful that you always forgive me. Sometimes you may not understand why Daddy and I say or do the things that we do, but we say and do those things because we love you so much. Know that no matter how upset I get, there's nothing you could ever do or say to make me stop loving you. You are my most favorite Gianna. Ever.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your PaPa, NeNe, and James. I can't wait until you, Espy, and Daddy get home so we can all party together.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I love you forever,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mom</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In honor of Gianna Marie turning the big SEVEN today, a post all about her originally posted <a href="http://graceundone.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankful-4.html"><i>here</i></a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I didn't think I could love anyone more than Bill, then along came Espy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I thought for sure there was not enough love for another, and then there was Gianna.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf2EMx1fkOSjeoFTtm9kbUKwpMYG7jMJPPbt71yPM0_rnVC4eLT2MQvXuSO-uY-lyRaL8NdPFEy8aBWiSO0Vz6lNQpiGvTyaaQzvO4Sr9JhmnlZg9-wigTZr-0EKVrcMB-85I7aJ7jBY/s400/20120917_165427.jpg" width="380" /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I can still remember the morning she was born:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bill, PaPa, NeNe, and Regan were in the delivery room with me. It wasn't a long labor (oh, it still </i><i>hurt), and once my water broke - that was all she wrote. After a few pushes - we welcomed Gianna into the world, and our family has not been the same since.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzsrBv2wfRd8zOm25iBpWLBL2fSn_r1AI1b2X8D_r2Jc4Y8rcQJT-__V6hns4_RjpSMl5qyLqKwi4LRu-1w3iQAnGNfX17E9O7r-nYba185uFeUb41Q70EYAD26rabxHUmmCw04UVv_A/s400/261391_10150255895535209_733642_n.jpg" width="400" /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gianna was our easygoing baby. That first night at the hospital, she slept through the night - literally. I was so confused because I don't even think Espy was sleeping through the night yet, and she was two! She hardly ever cried - unless she wanted attention. Or food. Or needed a new diaper.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Lately Gianna has been more dramatic - life is hard at six. She's not the oldest, but she's not the youngest. She looks up to Espy so much and is very good about taking care of her sister, Evangeline. Gianna and Isabella are either the best of friends, or they fight like cats and dogs - it really depends on how the stars are lined up that day.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gianna is much like her dad in the area of</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>food</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(They love salty snacks, biscuits and gravy, or a good sub.)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>humor</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(They both think they're funny. Sometimes they are, sometimes - not so much.)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and fun</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(They love the outdoors and sports).</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>She is our social butterfly. After she gets acclimated to a situation or a person, she'll talk and talk and talk. When she was a toddler, I often worried about what might come out of her mouth while we were out and about. She didn't have a problem telling strangers exactly what she thought.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gianna is passionate about what she believes in and tries VERY hard to stand her ground when she thinks she's in the right. More often than not, this gets her into trouble. I firmly believe if we can train this power for good, she'll be a force to contend with when she's fighting for what she loves.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlSTb8rZ42SVw3l_c2vM2udiriGwVKXqIqN4NgZmoqoXpft_729FPdv9zcMhd40PFIIyl8_SvmtI1O9LFMWVFxVRdAvb2eqsEdgrR687LZ5j3HJsyFx9ZzVfdtc6RTpl76N2UCYH-VHM/s400/270755_10150256258240209_165544_n.jpg" width="266" /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ljtytfX5uTF62nK1DyFHIVkX3xczMIWAJT7cYquYnaABij5wBDQ27w5pt5hyJ2ko0pyI4YaajLIt4PgA2GmHUnfK__YFN2Y8aalh8tEPpRJ_pizZ3svhlawwQNH5RMeA-ZzK24qbDdA/s400/IMG_3333.JPG" width="400" /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-1gN3dGOWIfv0n-QdWuCRFkdJpktJQk_rs5jEdOH3cvxGULWtpdJZaQBh_rFSxTc8Y6Cfb4yDEBA-mw1A-kl82__ZYwD2L5us0lxq3FfG_DnxvqlPLLFadwW0FKXEED-6DRCOJ-bLbw/s400/IMG_1019.JPG" width="400" /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUm8rCXOFob9ZqEpv0SYBBtlIcvmmxqHdkXxFi1wUHW1zctCOVDZHJfmMZPcJHX65Drr5AZbepq9o9O3UOyL0tl4_ZYZtmc5dZXt_OMqfvSrTiFe3e2_CLm88hSt_ZK_Hv7-HM6bZxaA/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpDwpA7vGJw-wcPRUDVWlYZtxhyphenhyphenjIT1w8QvP4tV1VpCHkFyTz1QYKkJjN_fHjTGMGQjgu8zej45r1EyLU3sgH-a4CO2FEbFhgKoPxmfNTXg74ANKLf0zGOql4ePOlvIWjn6wlbzZ78Zo/s400/DSC_0183.jpg" width="265" /></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqxi4aKHTYXTMbwQHqJsw3UdwGFjT2-RO1mhWJN2hQlyZpFRDBtbHClMBe2r330zwI9JYdTVDZMPoFg1gJgPovqahA3m8AEQ3AdC3YzdD9xOdgCiqxnx7XRtVU_Bp3rjp7Veu1NlGc5M/s400/DSC_0121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM28jsl_HDbipP4qg1fbq4MwnengV8zWt5oryHc1AAUdlYGyM6Aa6jHUnXmdMrlnoDFwyslmbM_2Rx6ISCUrgJvupvNVARV7-GamJlbcPhguUqbMU4IWDODCCQENPuYq8a1xOYtZ8YRXk/s400/1009751_10151809825365209_1818178220_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>last day of first grade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269690892011860000.post-12632819197968264472013-06-25T21:12:00.001-04:002013-07-01T08:04:42.225-04:00VBS: Day 2<div style="text-align: center;">
We are so thankful for the running water - they are able to use the shower, sinks,<br />
and toilet (girls only). Thank you for your prayers.<br />
<br />
Our group had a good morning at VBS enjoying lots of one on one time with the kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After VBS, they had lunch in town at Pizza Edge and washed their clothes at the laundromat. They also made a grocery run. It was fantastic to be able to talk to Bill & Espy while they were there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later on in the afternoon, they got to participate in a community 3K Walk / 5K Run called <a href="http://tchealth.org/jmi/"><i>Just Move It</i></a>. This has been a great opportunity for our group to spend time with the Navajos outside of the church/VBS in years past.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you hear this now in the desert?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Woke up to Bill playing "Ghostbuster" on the iPod. Can't get better than that!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWO5z7rUy2QrXWhrfbdyIQy5lqNdD_Bbkuoz22lTE-4pdkoMcrAZ6yWKyS-7uvBvDoQDyU_gBJJHyKKep-UgQZP7Lbv4_HCDP7AYxUXZEBYILR36-8mN2v4mRAbBRcumqVE8K3EBcVd0/s400/BNpVvPBCMAA2H73.jpg" width="300" /><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z73OEm2dQc0X77duJZAD8CKcu-MucpXbLmyHEpNZYEnomjBsQfNloQ_9mY9cofSCvJhOPGn638u_RgpTYV4U9gA56jdRdJptkQm-OgSe2sG6f5Mwklb5vvqHE6_MoL4Cw2CmxW_KHZg/s400/BNpV5SHCQAAqNWy.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDib38bKuI2FEDwz5EOlqLjfnseWuJ8xtm2ZdSd_FkQeWaUNxWMNy_n0Iuy4lfowI8EX9w0uYFmb6Df23qk0E0UxDqIhVYkUJ7swm_-yLUh81537kbiECSGWAQBKUe1bdggx2ZFnJrR0/s400/BNpV9w4CQAApX67.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlnVA4NYphIaR38W3aIbZVSdoHN4_VKxZUr6VfuiydqPKU0Qja4tknunuf25JByS9FKhDIF66vo9sSLETA-n3g7nsyg-lzjf3kiIMqEP3CBdPIgdYBgMO_lrgLPnuqJWIgKpXz9vcqUo/s400/BNpWZ_PCEAEHmzX.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG01iswijediuIFdI7rKeUkF3Hgu_IzO7JCXBDM8nzdR2cSPxs2NZpxf9WQ29XdX0pqcDZlsSKdFpSTjkZTCWmfxVshzxAu8txK8XSDBrMb6PL1d-wvcqZVhXTbrUkp38TkeXZfzB4Cs/s400/BNpV1dYCYAAbx9f.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Pv4eb0l0aCW1F5fTuDpLX_AkvqpflLjgqelZnvAnGl5uprnqHJeco4KDlx-52laSYxSnvs3HZeXlyJlp4nrBupCPLWQ4YJSZECk8xk7adTp9TqQHhhgP0vlN-_bJ6WduN8Cw_qrcKrs/s400/BNpVy3CCQAA6PxQ.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjximmXSZS2XYGKyrlhNd60dUy71ulKCi0-Tocm68U4zejWQ27x4j-KHn8tZVhEicHkrCttSPyCLLbA87y5srRjzWNxqZsK8sWtkqzdgReXVqn7XLaovUxRIrPRV7nMGi2TVrcvEJbEhcI/s400/BNpWd5RCQAAnjso.jpg" width="298" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CNV20gcgxBZDMkDas_N9jM_OQ6XctBjXw9YBjzvd9Yfcymzw_9Wwas4agyzMPOTnJR4q6n0m_4UfFRvKPy4I5XYM0oXh9T0hw53XuFRQLu3Z5F_RTvcYTwDnwpgri8HMEUH1RLuoLPM/s400/BNpeOEACcAALAR0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>if Jay can comfort this little guy,<br />he will be the "baby whisperer"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcAiq934MvzUzHwJdX6pR2kTRIxccFmryZ-ibeAbzTl27n48PfakRl9fQxJHUkBe5ITA2K_kCfdidA1DysJZ3H8sZCaX4c6BDh7JyIlWzMr6Syf9koO0elfuEniBQ1VPv_dSqPpvhda4/s400/BNpXe8mCYAAdaPR.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnOGKjXVL6AVf8t51PXmT74wqjh-EoHAmgjbQGEFleiKJQWAl0sPN5k3faiBPnUW1Y3lrGLlN7jsFqjt2eAi6602jVIl-CP6AqYG36XJVYf2GOsFQvycky6MuV643O2qJq767v5bEOaw/s400/BNpXIp8CYAA43kX.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxpF5FjVJkqfDdTmJUtj_LuUq69ppYL7kLVfZ3UAVD0vsQPgoraPXsHm1eEOZ4FD_LHFRaSWJIH3yRTuyAOanXndvSyZv7HtOCeIsOu8bZqteYG15tv0WSzPjbfylwtj_5ftlwa7Fjdk/s400/BNpWnjeCcAA5ui5.jpg" width="298" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOFdIpaW4G_XWiiONWjd41csd30U1g1RfI26oxDawgOytIOJF4s4xoIZsIQE-Bfo8zJzaQzgzeCn2Z4KAcUzurEMs-KQQh8u98YUfqeE-M-ueoRZMMcdFReE0ohvZr-sKOz3A4amNvaI/s400/BNpXE5KCcAAZFar.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaMqhOvW8jDKnOCgWcydTtFouotCgWvP76g2mYviLmDgdSp7gx27OpEl10PdfYo4jdHyaTILysJMF-QLizDz4MY4gPpAVEB2qbu_NmNRPkULivBLz-pwCqkffNs7wgwT__oBCTuDMA0k/s400/BNpXBSTCQAErCA_.jpg" width="400" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-mTVPKII1U57QDQtFPJ6zIQnyT8oPD8vaPoaAoA6UBRojcUQVijxAupTNmtCCrAkvKRPH3ZAWk7IwsRE4NLV07kqETMdVWDzK2szt1nz5HurGrsWFfT-1aOVLxen411_sX5c3fhsMIU/s400/BNpWk95CAAEfNFi.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyKy368pCUMFu65DTCSRQRmhwI8EPhCSosEGT3RmD9oxd-eBzOueV1GzWWy8KV-yTsWsxCEdC8vxkhkDkhofcPaE73jLfurdx8RCL8wkbLrHI9SWVm3fCbsvpmbv7Y1GEJ7K_eJ70iEs/s400/BNpXnlLCQAA3Vxd.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5hzzkHAfABK1iQrix6onyM0bzlDbBnnAkVylQWoIgLbP3TgwVocl1uN8iZsG3vNyvFtcb2sPsGbAWyBBFjvNZxfxaqWIrwmDTkLEesbtsssJTMOVnNPlW-UXmT6fwiqLWp7OFXoeSTY/s400/BNpXNltCMAUgfL3.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gRegy7SkEWit_zmQXbq5FVCUhWUyL0YRxqKvwqdoVI2qfLJ0hhTtuVMvhIJf3sVKTLgLq2KFdZVqUKKbZNyR309uzJAVH1mAR0cmlIaxztaTcrtDzZRwbw-J3hBo5d-_2Wqyp8vouds/s400/BNpXxPICEAErFkM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The men coming back from a trip to the <br />Valley of the Shadow for a group potty break!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told Lori that if she could snap a picture of Bill & Espy, I'd treat her to a coffee. A few minutes later, I got these from Bill & Abby:</div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPFVGskPCSNrcfXLOzwm0ByWkSBS-9nFWFRUFl2BoA0TkVED1KEakZImi87CArILgk2cld1iOd89Sqy99cJsKKyQbU3LAya5myvv6zmByrniHycodUzNNP4MeUMjAvc7gAiXmq2poxVg/s400/BNpctiiCQAAV31G.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill: <i>That was for free coffee</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqbPF0R-fpUeWGtOd75g7a1HIz9CZ6f6bWwvWYkj-X4k5QsmsPyMCmesxU4CghAnapeZ0FgAwh0cXKmA-9hxSRo1LEaSf3l2ok6P599SSZuZsQituWAp_wMasRgR5Un6GnGhIda8l21Y/s400/BNpXtORCEAAGeoQ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby: <i>Bring my coffee to the airport ;)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNo_ar5azfTCYw26OBCYsB_WkIj0DhU6zhiZYJb_lIcyhLMsjC6oWOaNCaoHRXFKwQU4H0dijWEWUsYJS3aIkbuapi6nwfPeqq7qYbHfkkTxqGXWNAt_xpl-X5-ID53qamJPGv-utxy0/s400/BNpXqsFCYAAqShU.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lori: <i>Success!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZb_68A5TAx7HHjj3FmlVUI7t9a2aeY6qUXyMV3QShxd4MlcvbNAzyyBM_h2ulZ6qI8RZkUPaVv77EWrG26w4L_QzDk4QCAOuFQMYlmXi_DptMGVOUV_aP3nO0lNcr1cKmPGwZwxgaB0/s400/BNpWh45CMAIy2_V.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lori gets coffee AND dinner<br />for sending me a pic of this handsome thing.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for continuing to pray for our group - we appreciate it so much.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15029420519896831300noreply@blogger.com0