tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66019578549183103722024-03-13T08:34:27.155-07:00Encouragement is ContagiousLeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-84693925179853071202019-10-14T22:32:00.000-07:002019-10-15T04:58:39.840-07:00What Have You Laid to Rest For Too Long?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Fall Y'all </span></b><br />
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<i>(welcome to our front porch- I love that truck! )</i></div>
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I am not sure<br />
if many read blogs much any longer,</div>
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now with Instagram being the </div>
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"go to" most often. </div>
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(And I do love Instagram)</div>
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But I truly have missed writing and promised myself </div>
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this past weekend that I would write a blog post. It's a way of jump starting myself</div>
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even if no one reads it! </div>
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Keeping<b> <span style="font-size: large;">promises to yourself</span></b> is kind of</div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: large;">important!</span></b></div>
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Since moving three years ago, I kind of dropped out of the writing world</div>
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because I needed the time to get our new home in order. </div>
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Isn't it something how </div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">when we forget to be "intentional" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"></span>about picking something back up, how it can easily become lost?<br />
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(whatever that something might be in your life) </div>
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Life happens to all of us, </div>
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and includes needed times of stepping back,</div>
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resting, rearranging schedules, grief & losses, </div>
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illness, celebrations, new homes, new babies etc.... etc....</div>
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I am so <b><span style="font-size: large;">thankful, that God already knows </span></b>what</div>
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we will go through before it happens.</div>
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He has had our path planned for us, from the beginning.</div>
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And it is always paved and ready waiting for us to travel upon again.</div>
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That is...once we remember it is</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">HE who is truly the one in control </span></div>
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and not us ourselves!</div>
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We can sure get in the way sometimes!! </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> - <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> - <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> - <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> - <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></div>
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<i><b>"He begins to unfold His dreams for us</b></i> </div>
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<i><b></b></i><i><b> and moves those dreams forward</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><b> as we settle into a rhythm of PRAYER."</b></i> </blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">~Mary Beth Marr</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIMFXyAUVLw/XaVU6f-nCsI/AAAAAAAAO6Y/KOPy2fpUO7QIpLzj5_lYx_N4d8WDuLRUACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/scripture%2Bbring%2Bto%2BGod%2Bart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1227" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIMFXyAUVLw/XaVU6f-nCsI/AAAAAAAAO6Y/KOPy2fpUO7QIpLzj5_lYx_N4d8WDuLRUACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/scripture%2Bbring%2Bto%2BGod%2Bart.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>
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How often do we go through a journey alone? </div>
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When all along, GOD is wanting to help us through, if only</div>
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we will ask HIM.</div>
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<i><b> "The Lord your God is with you;</b></i></div>
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<i><b> his power gives you victory.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> The Lord will take delight in you, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>and in his love he will give you new life.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> He will sing and be joyful over you."</b></i></div>
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<i>`Zephaniah 3:17</i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TZzjWF-qQU/XaVH0EoyLPI/AAAAAAAAO6A/WKjicOTjMXsdzyCNDioQ7B8L-wXPuzyEACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Journal%2Bart%2Bblue%2Bflower%2Bbrightened%2Bversion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1233" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TZzjWF-qQU/XaVH0EoyLPI/AAAAAAAAO6A/WKjicOTjMXsdzyCNDioQ7B8L-wXPuzyEACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Journal%2Bart%2Bblue%2Bflower%2Bbrightened%2Bversion.jpg" width="489" /></span></a><br />
<i>( one of my journal creations)</i></div>
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I remember when going through Beth Moore's Bible Study, The Quest, a few years ago<br />
and her saying something like this that I have paraphrased in my own words:</div>
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<i>You know, I bet God loves it when we inquire and ask questions of Him </i></div>
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<i>and search HIS Word for HIS answers. </i></div>
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<i>I imagine HIM</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">C H E E R I N G </span></b>for us </i></div>
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<i>as He jumps up from HIS royalty seat clapping HIS hands </i></div>
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<i>and giving high fives to all the angels when we search and find the answers in HIS WORD!</i> 😃</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> ♥</span> <span style="font-size: large;">I <u>LOVE</u> THAT THOUGHT</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">♥</span><br />
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So my friend, if you<br />
have laid something away to rest<br />
much longer than you planned, I hope<br />
you will ask God to help you to find COURAGE to pick it up again<br />
and let HIM cheer and sing over you with JOY.<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>♪ღ♪</b></span></span><br />
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-39080675384775334472015-07-20T12:08:00.001-07:002015-07-21T21:27:19.978-07:00It's all about the FOCUS<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here it is July of 2015 and I
haven’t blogged since last October! I
started to do so in the beginning of 2015 and never posted it. But this post is still true today for me. I am learning a lot about how quickly I lose
focus….but also about how wonderful focusing is when you make it intentional in
your life. So therefore, I will put away
my pride and share this post which I meant to share with you at the beginning
of the year. Hope it encourages you as well to begin today what you may have put
off in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">****************</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Focus"</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Yes, this is my 2015 word to live out</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>for this year. At first thought about the word focus, it felt a bit tight and constrained to me. But the other day, as I was sitting and talking to God and looking up at the treetops outside, I felt Him whisper into my soul this word.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I had been on my walk and like always when out in nature, I forgot about the hustle and bustle of other things and my heart was bouncing with gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me. I stopped to smell the sweet pine aroma from a small pine branch and then sat down to thank God for the refreshing moments he had just given me. It never fails.. In these moments of thanksgiving, my mind becomes flooded with so many new creative ideas. They were all swirling around in my head. "How will I accomplish these ideas Lord? How can I get them all done? Where and how do I begin? But what if ...and ...and....I don't want to be a dreamer, and a researcher and learner only with no complete action taken like I have done so many times in the past."</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Then I looked up again and quieted my rambling mind and decided to just stop, wait and listen......... </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>wait Lee Ann..listen...listen..</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And He quietly did answer me with a whisper to my soul: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>(<i>I recorded his whispers into my journal)</i></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Focus on Me my child.</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Give each day to me and listen for me to tell you what to do. Do not be concerned about doing it all. When you make it a priority to focus on me, I will take all of those creative thoughts and systematically show and tell you what to do that day. </b></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You can count on ME to be there and to guide your heart, mind, feet and hands each and every day. All you need do is make me your daily FOCUS first. FOCUS on me and my whispers...</b></span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I KNOW you Lee Ann.</b></span><br /> <b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I am your Heavenly Father</b><br /><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> and I LOVE you."</b></span></blockquote>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">A man’s heart plans his way,<o:p></o:p></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">but the Lord directs his steps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></b></em><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 16:9</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gentium; font-size: 22pt;">Peace and amazing
focus</span><span style="font-family: Gentium; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gentium; font-size: 22pt;"> to all of YOU,
my lovely blog friends!</span><span style="font-family: Gentium; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-59334876979929245842014-10-12T19:28:00.006-07:002014-10-12T21:30:13.960-07:00Letting Go by Changing Perspective<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hello my friends!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's been awhile, I know.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Been busy with lots of changes this summer</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and needed to take a little break from blogging.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm hoping I haven't lost all of </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>my blogging buddies.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm hoping you are finding</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> <u>time </u></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to do all of </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">the things</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> that are</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> important</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to you</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and have taken </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">time to </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>enjoy</b></span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">, </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> the in between parts, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>from the busyness of life.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>If you are like me, you have to </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>be intentional </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">in planning</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> to make </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">sure </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>you are balancing the busyness.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>"RELEASE"</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So getting back </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">to what</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> I've been learning</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> about </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">the</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"letting go" </span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">of what holds us</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>back from all God has planned for us.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I tell you what! I had no idea how</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> relevant choosing </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">the</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> word RELEASE</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> as my 2014 word would be.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It seems there are lessons everyday for me </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>as I watch for ways </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to throw off the extra baggage of </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>letting go of things</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> I don't need, but thought</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I NEEDED!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Do you find this to be true for you when </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> trying to be<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>intentional</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>about watching</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> for baggage you are carrying that</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>you really don't need?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is where the kid in me always wants to<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stop.. Stand up and with arms spread wide, begin to sing </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">at the
top of my lungs..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">♫</span><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">..</span></b><b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
LET IT GO… </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">♫</span></b><b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…LET
IT GO…. </span></b><b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(from
the Disney movie, FROZEN)</span></b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: 'Curlz MT'; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Curlz MT'; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0066;">and sing it until I believe it!! </span>☺</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>*¨*</b></span><b><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">❤</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>*¨*</b></span><span style="color: #cc0066; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'd like to share with you about</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>something that happened in my life </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>at the beginning of summer, </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">without giving </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the details. </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">(</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">those are better left unsaid and as my own learning experience</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This way you can relate by making the details</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>fit whatever you are going through. </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnJOKRcKnts/VDsRFBSj3FI/AAAAAAAACCk/lP-pKNDya_o/s1600/No%2Btriumph%2Bwithout%2Bstruggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnJOKRcKnts/VDsRFBSj3FI/AAAAAAAACCk/lP-pKNDya_o/s1600/No%2Btriumph%2Bwithout%2Bstruggle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This thing that happened just kind of</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>rocked my world in the grieving way. I had to </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>make a tough choice that I wasn't expecting.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>At first I thought the choice was about </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>something I could control, so I began</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>figuring it out through my own</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>mindful process....you know the old</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>if I do this, but if I do that, or how can I </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>do this so that the this I want will happen....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>etc.. etc... etc... ha!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But I learned quickly </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">that it </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>wasn't something I could control...so</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> it hurt a lot!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I will be honest, for a day or so, I let the victim </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>mentality be my best friend- feeling sorry for </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>myself.. grieving a loss that felt undeserved.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God then sent me a wise friend, who after </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I told her I was feeling like Daniel in the Bible,</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">having to go into the Lion's Den, she</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">responded..</span><b style="font-size: x-large;">" Now Daniel, walk humbly and with God's peace. Let Him do the heavy lifting. God will sort this all out."</b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> so needed reminded of that!</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> His peace is such sweet peace, no matter</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> what</span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> you are going through.</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> All of a sudden,</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I changed my <b>perspective </b></span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">on everything that was happening. </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of the victim mentality, I realized </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">that</span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>God was orchestrating</b></span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">new plans for me...</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">...I just didn't know what they were yet</span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I was excited about my future!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I was no longer stressed over it all. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I knew without a shadow of a doubt </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">that God</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>was up to something good in my life</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and I could trust HIM </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and give up that control that</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> was </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">making me miserable. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>And you know what?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Within hours (and I'm not exaggerating), </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>those new and exciting things</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> began happening in my life. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>And they are happenings </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that could only have come, because God put them in action.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"<b>The freedom to actually be on an </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>adventure with God becomes strangely</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>possible when you aren't pushing </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>so hard for the package."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Paula Rinehart</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">If I had not </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Released</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> that victim mentality by</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>changing my perspective instead to that of</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"God was Orchestrating" something new</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and wonderful in my life,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> then I could have </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>missed the great plans he was waiting </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to set in place for ME!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I know this was a long post and also overdue!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for bearing with me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I hope it has been an encouragement</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to you, especially if you need to </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Release something you really don't need.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Maybe, like me, all you need to do</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>is to change your Perspective!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: purple; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I waited patiently for the Lord;</span></span></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;">He turned to me and heard my cry.</span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;">He lifted me out of the slimy pit,</span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;">out of the mud and mire;</span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;">he set my feet upon a rock </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: purple; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and gave me a firm place to stand.”</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">Psalm 40:1-2</span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-63304078633532961332014-05-11T19:12:00.001-07:002014-05-13T15:13:13.062-07:00The Bittersweetness of this Day<div style="text-align: center;">
It's bad when you've been so behind</div>
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in putting up new posts on </div>
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your blog that you re-post one</div>
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you've already posted and written before.</div>
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I hope you will forgive me,</div>
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but this post </div>
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is in honor of my mother on Mother's Day.</div>
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And to all of you women who find Mother's Day to </div>
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be sad or bittersweet because you have lost your mother,</div>
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or maybe wished you had known them better or in a different way, etc...</div>
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I want you to know you are not alone. </div>
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I understand and here is a heart hug from me. </div>
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You may also find comfort in this special post that </div>
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Lisa Jo Baker has penned on <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/2014/04/mothers-day-for-the-motherless-mother/">Lysa Terkeurst</a> blog.<br />
(just click on the title link in pink below)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/2014/04/mothers-day-for-the-motherless-mother/"><span style="font-size: large;">Mother's Day for the Motherless Mother</span></a></div>
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It certainly touched me!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">¨`*•¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••.¸¸.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">•¸.•*´¨`*•.¸</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">¸</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••.¸¸.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">•¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calligraffitti;">here is my original post from May 2013</span><br />
<u style="font-family: Calligraffitti; font-size: 24px;"><b>A Beautiful HEART</b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Calligraffitti; font-size: 24px;">(in honor of my mother)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I hope all of you mother's out there have a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>very special Mother's Day tomorrow.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Mother's Day has always been a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>bittersweet day for me in some </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>ways.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I love being a mother</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> to our beautiful inside and out</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>daughters, Jessica and Jaymie, who are </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>now adult mothers themselves.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>What a blessing God bestowed upon me to be given the </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>blessing of </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">being their momma.<span style="color: magenta;">♥</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>They live states away from us now, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>so although I won't </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>get to hug them in person and spend time </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>with them </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>tomorrow, </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.4;">they are forever</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.4;"> a part of my HEART</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm sending them my hugs and kisses.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>My own mother passed away 19 years ago,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> the day after my 39th birthday.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-736rLNrv2TQ/UY5yhaf8oXI/AAAAAAAABYU/1brcH6gwn_0/s1600/Mom+and+Dad+and+me-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a008a7; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-736rLNrv2TQ/UY5yhaf8oXI/AAAAAAAABYU/1brcH6gwn_0/s640/Mom+and+Dad+and+me-3.jpg" height="609" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">-my mother and father holding little ole' me-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>My mother had the most beautiful smile</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> and a kind heart.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>When I was a little bitty girl, she would sing </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>and do little dance moves</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> as </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>she cleaned the house. </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> I do remember how this</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">would</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> make me giggle</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> and would put a smile in my heart.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I knew she loved me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>But in her mid-twenties, she developed a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>mental illness disorder that changed </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>her life in many </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.4;">ways.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I tear up now just thinking about the pain she endured</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.4;">how the illness </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>took her farther away from us.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> Doctors know so much more about this illness now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and how to treat it, </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">much more than </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">they knew back then.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Families had very little knowledge</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> and support on how</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> to live with and help their loved one through</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> this illness at that time. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-Jshi8iLs/UY59STbK9WI/AAAAAAAABYk/QbArD-2Mfgg/s1600/Mom+and+me+age+1+or+23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a008a7; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-Jshi8iLs/UY59STbK9WI/AAAAAAAABYk/QbArD-2Mfgg/s640/Mom+and+me+age+1+or+23-1.jpg" height="624" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">mom and me (1957)</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>On Mother's Day especially, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I always think</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>about the special things I remember about my mom, but</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>also wish I could have known her more </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>on a deeper mother/daughter level</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>that the illness masked from</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>being </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>all it could have been.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I'm so thankful for the time I did have</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>and for the times over the years</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>where the illness mask would</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>come down for a time</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>and her beautiful HEART </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>would always shine through.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>One day I will see her again in heaven</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>as the momma I remember, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>singing </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and dancing as she made me giggle.</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaW65jd52M/UY5-P5WsBRI/AAAAAAAABYw/S_Kk6ZCCl-I/s1600/Siblings-LeeAnn+1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a008a7; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaW65jd52M/UY5-P5WsBRI/AAAAAAAABYw/S_Kk6ZCCl-I/s400/Siblings-LeeAnn+1960.jpg" height="295" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Me, my 2 sisters and brother.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I'm the oldest in the back</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">with the too tight of a curly home permanent</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">my grandma gave me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I don't know your mother story,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>but I do know this....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>whatever it is, be it wonderful, strained</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>or fair...that God can take</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>it, yes...all of it, and teach you good things</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>that will make you a better mother </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">yourself. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> He will use your life experiences,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> ( the good and painful)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i> to </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">make you the person you are, the one</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">you want to be, when</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>you choose to allow him to help you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>I couldn't do it without him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Love and Hugs,</i></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-36358655691216365832014-02-23T19:21:00.000-08:002014-06-02T18:41:42.110-07:00Far Better Things Ahead Than What I Leave Behind<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShC08kz_vlE/U40nk-nUd2I/AAAAAAAAB5M/RPpP2r_i33U/s1600/heart+far+better+things+ahead+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShC08kz_vlE/U40nk-nUd2I/AAAAAAAAB5M/RPpP2r_i33U/s1600/heart+far+better+things+ahead+with+watermark.jpg" height="501" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Well, this 2014 word I've chosen to work on this</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>year, as I told you in my last post, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> is the word </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Release</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I'm hoping as you read my post and</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">future posts that</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">you too will find a cord of hope </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">that will help you release things that</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">might be also holding you back </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">from receiving the best </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">that God has planned for you ahead.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Today I want to start with a biggie</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>myth that has tripped me up with it's lie</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>way too many times.</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Mountains of Christmas'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>The
Myth of the guaranteed right choice!</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Mountains of Christmas'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I like guarantees that I can count on.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I probably drive some sales people crazy</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>with all of the questions I ask when</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm trying to make sure I don't end up with</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>a mistake choice in purchasing something.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm sure you are like that also when it </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>comes to big purchases</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">it's </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>the responsible way to be.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But in this path we take called</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>daily life,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we cannot tie it all up in a pretty bow</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>like we would a purchase.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes things happen that we </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>didn't count on and that disappoint us</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and they totally change our dreams and plans.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then fear can set in</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and cripple us from making </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>new plans and having new dreams.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">:。✿*゚‘゚・✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚’゚・✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚¨゚✎・ ✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚¨゚✎・✿.。</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I've been reading a great book by</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">author </span></span><a href="http://paularinehart.com/better-than-my-dreams/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Paula Rinehart</span></a></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">called "</span><a href="http://paularinehart.com/better-than-my-dreams/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Better Than Your Dreams</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">".</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Here is a passage from her book that really</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>spoke to me:</i></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Hidden behind most of our regrets is the myth of the guaranteed right choice - as though if we'd only done it right, the path would have been smooth. There is a yellow-brick road, we think, and <b>our job from birth</b> is to find it."</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"The search for guarantees can leave you cautious and tentative about nearly everything - always fearful that your next choice will prove (yet again) to be some kind of mistake you regret."</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I want to suggest that it's just these places in your experience where dreams and expectations don't work out - that you are being issued the invitation of your life. <u>Disappointment is, strangely enough, a doorway to the real adventure.</u> It's the point where you start to leave behind most of your notions of how your story should read - and enter your relationship with God as a journey. A true journey, one that's wild and adventurous and not anywhere close to predictable."</span></blockquote>
Paul Rinehart..<br />
.book Better Than Your Dreams<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">:。✿*゚‘゚・✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚’゚・✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚¨゚✎・ ✿.。.:* *.:。✿*゚¨゚✎・✿.。</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDSlkeenHPw/Uwq0Ka6xOcI/AAAAAAAAByU/RpkzK8S8GzU/s1600/You+cannot+fathom+what+God+will+do+2012-03-09+009quote+cropped2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDSlkeenHPw/Uwq0Ka6xOcI/AAAAAAAAByU/RpkzK8S8GzU/s1600/You+cannot+fathom+what+God+will+do+2012-03-09+009quote+cropped2.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So this myth,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Mountains of Christmas'; line-height: 23px;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">The Myth of the guaranteed right choice</span></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>is one of those things you and I </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>need to release</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> so we can move forward to</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> better things ahead.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It will probably be a work in progress</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in letting it go completely,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>but God promises</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> freedom, peace and adventure</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>along the way as we do.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I LOVE this song by J.J. Heller...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Listen and be hopeful..</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>oh and sing it at the top of your lungs</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">with me.. </span> (it's one of those kind of songs!!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lhya0ODzOGU" width="459"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hugs,</span><br />
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-60158450769067783972014-02-01T12:51:00.001-08:002014-02-01T12:51:22.414-08:00"Release" and Move On in 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Finally figured out my</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>WORD to live by for 2014.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I didn't really want to use this word.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I continued to ignore the thoughts of it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Just didn't feel like a pretty word..ya know?</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">But this theme kept showing up</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and I realized it really is</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">something I need to pay attention to</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and take care of. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Sail; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Release"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Sail; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">to set free</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>All so I can move on and</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>receive</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> the BEST that God has</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>planned for me.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Are you anything like me and</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in your mind sometimes</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>find that you</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> re-hash and scold yourself </span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>over some past failures or mistakes?</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>(even if they happened years ago)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>(even if to others, they aren't even considered mistakes)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>Do you sometimes play </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>the "woulda, coudla, shoulda" game</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>over and again in your head?</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>If so, I hope you will join me </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>this year on my blog as I </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>share how God is helping me</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">to </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Release</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i> this kind of thinking, </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>and hopefully it will help you </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>also to do the same.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>It will be a work in progress,</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>but I already feel lighter.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>As if a burden</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>has been lifted off of me,</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>since releasing some of this</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>junky-stinkin' thinkin!</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>Friends,</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>I am excited to share this journey</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>with Y♥U....</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>and hope it will be an</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>encouragement in your life also.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>♥</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>"When God created you, he knew exactly</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i>what He was looking for..</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><u><b>YOU</b></u> </i></span></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20px;">are what He came up with."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Brian Houston</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs to you all,</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AvqbJVVlges/Uu1d_XNB1II/AAAAAAAABmY/GUYdOe1h0PE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AvqbJVVlges/Uu1d_XNB1II/AAAAAAAABmY/GUYdOe1h0PE/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-62574716238645500832014-01-05T20:21:00.001-08:002014-01-05T20:42:57.490-08:00My Birthday Snowman Tradition<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are in the middle of a winter storm</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> here in Indiana</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and my employer has cancelled</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> work already for tomorrow.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>They are calling for wind chill temperatures tonight and tomorrow</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> of 30- 40 degrees below zero!!!! </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>brrrrrrrrrrr<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">¨.....</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">`*✲ ´*。.❄¨¯`*✲。</span>So baby its COLD outside..<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">¨¯`*✲ ´*。.❄¨¯`*✲。</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvC6ru9wlmM/UsnNb6y-5YI/AAAAAAAABk0/ouXJdkMtTuk/s1600/Lee+Ann+birthday+yearly+snowman+jan+5+2014+framed+0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvC6ru9wlmM/UsnNb6y-5YI/AAAAAAAABk0/ouXJdkMtTuk/s640/Lee+Ann+birthday+yearly+snowman+jan+5+2014+framed+0052.jpg" height="483" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I went outside this afternoon </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>(while the temperatures were still mild)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to make a snowman.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Actually, 8 years ago, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>on my big five-O birthday,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I decided to build a snowman and to </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>make it a tradition</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>every year to remind myself that I </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>am NEVER TOO OLD to be a kid at heart</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and to continue always putting</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>the all important and spontaneous</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> FUN..FUN..F</i></span>UN</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> in my life.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>“Play
keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is
irreplaceable. </b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Underwood Champion;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Without it, life just </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> taste good”.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">-Lucia Capocchion</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Underwood Champion";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Underwood Champion'; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I think sometimes we have to be intentional</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>about putting fun in our lives.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes we get so busy in this life</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> that we forget </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">to take time out</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and let down and just enjoy for no </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">reason.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I usually find that when I am extra stressed</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> or </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">feeling low on life,</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>it is usually because I have </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>gone way too long</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> without any playtime or fun.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>When I do stop to do something silly or fun,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>then my TO DO list seems so much easier.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>And I usually have more energy too.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>One of my 2014 wishes for you my friends,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>is that you will add extra play</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> and fun in your lives.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>Life can be so serious, with all of the details</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>on our lists that need done</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> or taken care of each day..each </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 23px;">week.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>Maybe together we can keep tabs</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> on one another</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>and encourage each other</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> to make </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 23px;">special time</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 23px;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> for play and fun in our lives.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: 'Crimson Text', Georgia, serif; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Crimson Text, Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Sing to the Lord a new song;</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> play skillfully,</span></b></i></span><i style="line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b> and SHOUT FOR JOY!!!”</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Psalms 33:3</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: 'Crimson Text', Georgia, serif; line-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>NOW why don't you</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 23px;"><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i> go out and build a snowman or </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;"><i>something FUN like that!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i>HUGS,</i></span></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-58201284884759340702013-12-16T12:18:00.000-08:002013-12-16T13:12:51.136-08:00Making Family Memories<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Christmas Time </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>is such</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> a very special time.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I look forward to celebrating <b>Christ's birth</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and making new and wonderful</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>family memories every year.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This past weekend,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> our oldest daughter</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> and family</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>from Pennsylvania, came to stay with us</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and the kiddos did some</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> Christmas Cookie Decorating</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>with grandma (me!)</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHR09PRFhIc/Uq9H48--jJI/AAAAAAAABjY/Kj2cSrqTKC4/s1600/Ella+and+Ezra+cookie+decorating+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHR09PRFhIc/Uq9H48--jJI/AAAAAAAABjY/Kj2cSrqTKC4/s640/Ella+and+Ezra+cookie+decorating+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>They had so much fun getting to decorate them </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in their own artsy ways. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> It made me so happy hearing them</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>tell each other to look at</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> the other's masterpiece cookie designs, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>as they went along.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There is nothing more rewarding then</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>seeing children's faces and eyes</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>light up when they are happy</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> and </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">proud of their own accomplishments!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I thought this process out well</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> before</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> telling the kiddos</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>(ages 4 and 7)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that it was time to come to the kitchen</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to begin the </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">cookie decorating fun.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Before hand, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>(while they were watching a fun Disney movie),</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> I cut out the cookies, baked and iced them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Next I set up a card table in the kitchen</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> with two </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">spots</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> made especially for them and</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>put all of the decorating items in the middle</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>of them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Next I divided up the cookies</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> so they each had the same</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>amount and shapes.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I called them in and said,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"LET THE FUN BEGIN".</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The bath tub was next for each of them! ha ha</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxt4q_azjvY/Uq9TNuWW8wI/AAAAAAAABjo/l-C88iCQ0q4/s1600/Jessica+and+family+dec+2013+at+our+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxt4q_azjvY/Uq9TNuWW8wI/AAAAAAAABjo/l-C88iCQ0q4/s640/Jessica+and+family+dec+2013+at+our+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sunday they were off on their way again</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>back to their home in Pennsylvania.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We could not work it out this year where </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>all of our family could be here together </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>at the same time. So the next best</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>thing is two weekends of fun.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Our youngest daughter, Jaymie and family </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>from Michigan will be</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>coming to stay with us next weekend.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFjdIMw4OkQ/Uq9VErhvCJI/AAAAAAAABj0/4kb65OeqRHM/s1600/Jaymie+ad+family+nov+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFjdIMw4OkQ/Uq9VErhvCJI/AAAAAAAABj0/4kb65OeqRHM/s640/Jaymie+ad+family+nov+2013.jpg" width="550" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are very blessed!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So what fun things do you plan </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to do during this Christmas season?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Would love for you to share</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>by leaving a little comment for me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>May the joy and peace</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>of His special love</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>be real and dear to your heart</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>now and throughout this coming year.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs and Blessings,</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPJrBCmO2P0/Uq9We-lsDBI/AAAAAAAABkA/NBvjrOaRx7A/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPJrBCmO2P0/Uq9We-lsDBI/AAAAAAAABkA/NBvjrOaRx7A/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div>
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1000 Gifts/Thanksgiving List continued.........</div>
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770. the joy of giving</div>
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771. special and precious times with family </div>
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772. McAlister's yummy tea when you are Christmas shopping</div>
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773. my special siblings</div>
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774. counting my blessings instead of disappointments and trials</div>
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775. the joy in a child's eyes when they love something they are doing or given</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25yigaOdu8I/Uq9fgN8B8qI/AAAAAAAABkQ/KZf1rNmZCeI/s1600/ella+with+Saige+her+new+doll+from+us+Dec2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25yigaOdu8I/Uq9fgN8B8qI/AAAAAAAABkQ/KZf1rNmZCeI/s320/ella+with+Saige+her+new+doll+from+us+Dec2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>our granddaughter with her new doll</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>she received for Christmas from us</i></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-62270904839736967862013-11-28T13:57:00.000-08:002013-11-30T19:11:19.443-08:00May Your Blessings Be Many<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3jVUTlrGiM/UpqoorK4thI/AAAAAAAABjE/LUAIq8YKOtc/s1600/Happy+Thanksgiving+pumpkin+patch+with+border+and+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3jVUTlrGiM/UpqoorK4thI/AAAAAAAABjE/LUAIq8YKOtc/s640/Happy+Thanksgiving+pumpkin+patch+with+border+and+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Happy Thanksgiving </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i> to all of my </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>wonderful blogging friends! May your thanksgiving blessings be many!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And may you continue to</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>count them one by one </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>each and every day.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You are on my </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>thanksgiving list.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Your friendship is a </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>beautiful blessing</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to me.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Thank Y♥U</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Hugs!</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_z8Lo-R8e4/Upe369Cb--I/AAAAAAAABic/z4vnDXVlme0/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_z8Lo-R8e4/Upe369Cb--I/AAAAAAAABic/z4vnDXVlme0/s200/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-9013369294000981772013-10-11T13:48:00.001-07:002013-10-12T12:38:06.104-07:00A Gift in the Ordinary<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
It is once again time to link up</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
with <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-ordinary-3/">Lisa Jo Baker's<span style="color: #a008a7;"> Five Minute Friday </span></a>blog post.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div>
She posts a topic word and only one word. </div>
<div>
You are</div>
<div>
to write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing </div>
<div>
and then post. </div>
<div>
This is good for me because it is helping me</div>
<div>
to get out of my "what do I write for a blog-post" stuck place</div>
<div>
that I've been in lately.</div>
<div>
Today</div>
<div>
the one word is</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ordinary</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6V6J8He-2U/UlhAnKDQJjI/AAAAAAAABg8/429ylYuF3Sc/s1600/Art+Journal+Crown+of+Dignity+cropped+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6V6J8He-2U/UlhAnKDQJjI/AAAAAAAABg8/429ylYuF3Sc/s640/Art+Journal+Crown+of+Dignity+cropped+bottom.jpg" width="473" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">an art journal page I created a few yrs. ago while reading "So Long Insecurity"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Beth Moore....see my <a href="http://encouragement-is-contagious.blogspot.com/2010/10/specially-made-for-you.html">original post</a> with more about the book </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://encouragement-is-contagious.blogspot.com/2010/10/specially-made-for-you.html">here</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">GO......</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> ...............................................................................................................</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So what is ordinary anyway?</i></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That is a difficult question, because most people</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>see themselves as ordinary when they are really so much more. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It is just such a joy for me to find something</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>or someone that others think, or they themselves think are</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>ordinary and prove them wrong!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I love bringing out, through my own view the </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>beautiful and unseen things that others may miss. So often</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>its the most basic and simple things or person who</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>have those hidden extraordinary gifts </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>that the world needs to see.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It brings me such pleasure when I can bring my </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>extraordinary find out in the open and show the</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>world and also encourage someone</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> who has no idea how special he or she really is.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">STOP..................................................................................................................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(my oh my how time flies)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzJiuNHClmA/UlhKitWaCRI/AAAAAAAABhM/rMu3d3R9zpk/s1600/journal+green+birdie+quote+only+showing+2013..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzJiuNHClmA/UlhKitWaCRI/AAAAAAAABhM/rMu3d3R9zpk/s640/journal+green+birdie+quote+only+showing+2013..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am so thankful for those people that I call, my ANGELS in life,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>who have seen in me things that I didn't see and encouraged</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>me to embrace them, let them shine and to no longer hide them.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>How about you? Do you have some angels in your life who </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>encourage you to bring out the extraordinary that has</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>been inside of you all along?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Well, if you don't, and of course I'm no angel, but let </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>me be the first one to tell you how very special</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>you are. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> YOU ARE NOT ORDINARY.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>YOU ARE</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> EXTRAORDINARY!!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I used to think I had to do something enormously</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>great to be called extraordinary. But the truth is, we were</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>created extraordinary from the beginning.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Striving to be extraordinary isn't the key.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We must base our sense of value on what God, our</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>creator says about us.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Eph 2:10</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"You are God's masterpiece."</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;">"Do you realize a masterpiece is not mass-produced?<br />You didn't come off an assembly line. You're not average.<br />You're not ordinary. You've been custom-made.<br />YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND.<br />God created you in His very own image. He looks past all<br />those other things and He looks right at you and says,<br />"There's my masterpiece. That's my son. That's my daughter.<br />That's what brings the most joy to my heart."</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: purple;">~Joel Osteen </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't that just make you feel wonderful?</span><br />
<br />
I hope so!<br />
Keep feeling that way and believe it<br />
always to be true!<br />
Now go be beautiful Y♥U.<br />
<br />
HUGS,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9JSUdw73eo/Ulhje4AIAgI/AAAAAAAABhc/a79_VJ27-EI/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9JSUdw73eo/Ulhje4AIAgI/AAAAAAAABhc/a79_VJ27-EI/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-64172561299057700282013-10-04T10:23:00.001-07:002013-10-04T10:38:16.047-07:00Write it Down Upon Your Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm joining in for the first time in the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-write/"> Five Minute Friday </a>blog posts, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hosted by<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-write/"> Lisa Jo Baker</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She posts a topic word and only one word. You are</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing (oh that is scary) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then post.<br />
Today the one word is<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Write</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtqc-hE3MFo/Uk7Zn_d_mcI/AAAAAAAABf0/HBPyWZ-lOT0/s1600/scripture+and+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtqc-hE3MFo/Uk7Zn_d_mcI/AAAAAAAABf0/HBPyWZ-lOT0/s640/scripture+and+flower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What
would I do <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">without
my sweet pen and paper? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I
love to write....I must write...It's a part of me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> the
person I was created to <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">be
from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
time to journal is a sacred time for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It
has saved my life many times<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by
listening to me ramble on and on about<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the
good times and the heartfelt hurtful times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing
helps me get it all out so I can <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">leave
my troubles on paper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and
enjoy the following wonderful moments <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that
are waiting next.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It
has helped me to LOVE myself more,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">because
later,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> after
reading what I've written, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
am so many times amazed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "that
I wrote that"!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing
has been<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and
will continue to be a "MUST" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">in
my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
helps me to BREATHE in <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">more
of the beautiful things in this life <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that
I've been given.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank
You God<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for
putting the writing heart<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in
my soul. ♥<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">STOP! </span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(has
it been 5 minutes already!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So here is some encouragement quotes I thought</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I would leave with you for today.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;">"Treat yourself to a little adventure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;">Do something that's totally new for you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;">Cheryl Hawkinson</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;">“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 24.3125px;">Ecclesiastes</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: left;"> 9:10 </span></span></div>
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Hope you are having a wonderful week </div>
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and please know that I am </div>
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grateful </div>
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for each of Y♥U.</div>
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Thank you for stopping by to see me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd-2hEcE170/Uk7o7c582KI/AAAAAAAABgM/IxDIpWssCnI/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd-2hEcE170/Uk7o7c582KI/AAAAAAAABgM/IxDIpWssCnI/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fyC4ntaYo0/Uk74YS3prHI/AAAAAAAABgc/wMZGM_o5fZ0/s1600/Journal+Grateful+pink+back+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fyC4ntaYo0/Uk74YS3prHI/AAAAAAAABgc/wMZGM_o5fZ0/s400/Journal+Grateful+pink+back+words.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-85953067543894567212013-09-20T17:40:00.002-07:002013-09-20T17:47:13.482-07:00With Color Comes Changes<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's end of summer, and fall will begin</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in just a few days.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>On a recent walk,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I started off with the </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">intention</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> of </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">looking for ways of seeing </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">God's beautiful nature was changing.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The colors were endless! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Here is a collage of a few photos I captured:</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU8rLyL_P48/UjsvFal9s6I/AAAAAAAABek/jrbILuFeJ5A/s1600/End+of+summer+color+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU8rLyL_P48/UjsvFal9s6I/AAAAAAAABek/jrbILuFeJ5A/s640/End+of+summer+color+2013.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Just like in nature, I have to remind myself </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to be <b>intentional</b> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>about watching for beauty and blessings</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>when change is upon me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's easy to be comfortable and want to stay </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>right where you are, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>when </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you are at peace in that place.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes we stay because we love it there.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>And sometimes we may stay </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in that place </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>because we have settled </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">out of fear. </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A place where</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> there are no new challenges</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> we must face.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But either way of running from change</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> leads to us missing out on</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>all of the beauty </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">God has planned</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> for our lives and our future.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Change brings newness and</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> just like in nature and it's seasons,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we may have to wait for the beauty to show itself sometimes, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>by waiting </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">through </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">some drought </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>or not so sunny of times in our lives first. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">But God's plans for me and you ahead, </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">are so </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>worth</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">the wait </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and time that it takes for change.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: 'Tropicali Script BTN Bamboo';">“There is no panic in Heaven! </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: 'Tropicali Script BTN Bamboo';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God has no problems, <u>only plans</u>.”</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Tropicali Script BTN Bamboo';"><span style="color: purple;">~Corrie ten Boom</span></span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>In my own life right now,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I can see where there are a few areas I have settled in.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mostly because of being afraid</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> of stepping right or left in fear I will </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>make the wrong move. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Also trying to give myself some grace</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>after having a major surgery 9 months ago.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes for change to take place there </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>has to also be a time of rest </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">so we </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>can replenish for the great plans to come.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>How about you? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have you been in this place of settling or</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> afraid of change before?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Wishing you my friends, </i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> a Color filled week.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Hugs,</i><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>♥</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcGNxz5ABSc/UjzZtyn35LI/AAAAAAAABe0/CISGinktHMM/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcGNxz5ABSc/UjzZtyn35LI/AAAAAAAABe0/CISGinktHMM/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div>
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<u>1000 Gifts Thanksgiving List continued:</u></div>
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745. Our wonderful grandchildren</div>
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746. Our granddaughter Ella, mailing me a bracelet she made for me! Beautiful!</div>
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747. Our grandson Ezra, asking Jesus to live in his heart.</div>
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748. A great weekend spent with our family in Michigan and helping them move.</div>
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749. The freedoms we have living in America</div>
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750. The wonderful parents our daughters and son-in-laws are.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAovUnXz6bs/UjzlSFfUo9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/1Suo7gHTV7k/s1600/Papaw+and+Grandma,+Ethan,+Eliza,+Ezra,+Ella+and+Cam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAovUnXz6bs/UjzlSFfUo9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/1Suo7gHTV7k/s640/Papaw+and+Grandma,+Ethan,+Eliza,+Ezra,+Ella+and+Cam.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-70455139622972234182013-07-18T11:53:00.000-07:002013-07-18T12:24:16.169-07:00Hi Beautiful You!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I hope you know what a difference Y♥U </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>make in this world.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There is no one else created just like you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>You are special in every way.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrhUGQcnFyY/Uege6I5jEvI/AAAAAAAABbE/v93OaZjIW_Y/s1600/Journal+sunflower+signature+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrhUGQcnFyY/Uege6I5jEvI/AAAAAAAABbE/v93OaZjIW_Y/s640/Journal+sunflower+signature+1.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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(my newly created art journal covers)</div>
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Psalm 139:1-4 (The Voice Translation)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">" You have explored my</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">heart</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">and
know</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">exactly</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">who I am;</span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-VOICE-15643"> </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">You even know</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">the small details like</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">when I
take a seat and when I stand up again.</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">Even
when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking.</span></span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-VOICE-15644"> </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">You observe my wanderings and my sleeping,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">my
waking and my dreaming,</span></i></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">and You
know everything I do in more detail</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">than
even I know</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-VOICE-15645"> </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">You know what I’m going to say</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">long
before I say it."</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVPLMTwXOJM/UegnrXCTRQI/AAAAAAAABbU/lFmqWMrqgM8/s1600/journal+lavender+with+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVPLMTwXOJM/UegnrXCTRQI/AAAAAAAABbU/lFmqWMrqgM8/s640/journal+lavender+with+signature.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
Psalm 139:13-14<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">For You shaped me, inside</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">and out</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">You
knitted me together in my mother’s womb</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">long
before I took my first breath</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-VOICE-15655"> </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">unique</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">creation,
filled with wonder and awe.</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-color: white;">You
have approached even the smallest details with excellence;</span></i></span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white;">Your
works are wonderful;</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdJ5wFb-JD0/UegpgVS2ohI/AAAAAAAABbk/dXUI05Eit5c/s1600/journal+green+birdie+with+signature+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdJ5wFb-JD0/UegpgVS2ohI/AAAAAAAABbk/dXUI05Eit5c/s640/journal+green+birdie+with+signature+2013.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes, I think we don't step out</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and use our gifts</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and talents or take one step in the direction of</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>our heart's dream, because of feeling</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we aren't good enough, or don't deserve it etc....</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We were each created so uniquely and special.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Please don't believe the lie, that you</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>don't have something special</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to offer in this world.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Be brave and do at least</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> one thing today that you love.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>...And remember...</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Don't compare yourself to someone else </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and what they do </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and then decide not to share who you are. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>No one else is created just like you and</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> no one else can take your place.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There is only one like you snowflake!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs,</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5xEkg2NskQ/Ueg310Etu9I/AAAAAAAABb0/ebT82eJDnj8/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5xEkg2NskQ/Ueg310Etu9I/AAAAAAAABb0/ebT82eJDnj8/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-88211847948783598952013-05-18T20:24:00.003-07:002013-05-18T20:51:48.202-07:00Finally Inspired Again<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hello everyone! </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> I am so glad this is the season</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> we get to enjoy</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>flowers blooming again.</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69fuGWjTBhE/UZgw6Def7ZI/AAAAAAAABZU/ShRadx5WvA4/s1600/2013+watercolor+blue+flowerpot+2012-05-16+022signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69fuGWjTBhE/UZgw6Def7ZI/AAAAAAAABZU/ShRadx5WvA4/s640/2013+watercolor+blue+flowerpot+2012-05-16+022signature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I recently bought two beautiful and</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> very large ceramic flowerpots at Walmart,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and couldn't wait to get them home so I could</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> fill them</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> with </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>colorful blooms and vines.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I love the colors of blue and fuchsia together. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It is probably my favorite flower potting combination.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This all inspired me to create</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in watercolor last evening and paint</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>some more watercolor flowerpots designs</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>for </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">note card sets</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> to put in my </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/haveadaisy?ref=si_shop"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Etsy</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> shop.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Don't ya love it when you get inspired?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's been a long time coming for me </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I needed to </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">get </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">"artsy inspired" again.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It feels <u>good!</u></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>♥</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
flower that blooms <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">in
adversity is the most rare <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">and
BEAUTIFUL of all.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Walt
Disney Movie - Mulan<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">♥</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHmCYSdtgBI/UZhCKRPlRpI/AAAAAAAABZk/1sn2_-KgeZc/s1600/succulents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHmCYSdtgBI/UZhCKRPlRpI/AAAAAAAABZk/1sn2_-KgeZc/s640/succulents.jpg" width="640" /></a></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm trying my hand at succulents on </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>my kitchen windowsill this year.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We shall see if I can keep them alive!</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I do hope you are all having</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">a </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> wonderful weekend!</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Pleas remember, no matter </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>what </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">you</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> are going through,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and God has a special plan all</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in place for you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Just keep looking up</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and believing.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs from me,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhCy7p7q9ig/UZhExxKmaXI/AAAAAAAABZw/Mqfk2U3hOS4/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhCy7p7q9ig/UZhExxKmaXI/AAAAAAAABZw/Mqfk2U3hOS4/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-50577105831853463362013-05-11T11:26:00.001-07:002013-05-14T08:07:52.846-07:00A Beautiful HEART<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I hope all of you mother's out there have a</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>very special Mother's Day tomorrow.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mother's Day has always been a</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>bittersweet day for me in some </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>ways.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I love being a mother</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to our beautiful inside and out</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>daughters, Jessica and Jaymie, who are </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>now adult mothers themselves.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>What a blessing God bestowed upon me to be given the blessing of </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">being their momma.<span style="color: magenta;">♥</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>They live states away from us now, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>so although I won't </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>get to hug them in person and spend time with them tomorrow, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>they are forever a part of my HEART</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm sending them my hugs and kisses.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>My own mother passed away 19 years ago,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> the day after my 39th birthday.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-736rLNrv2TQ/UY5yhaf8oXI/AAAAAAAABYU/1brcH6gwn_0/s1600/Mom+and+Dad+and+me-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="609" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-736rLNrv2TQ/UY5yhaf8oXI/AAAAAAAABYU/1brcH6gwn_0/s640/Mom+and+Dad+and+me-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">-my mother and father holding little ole' me-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>My mother had the most beautiful smile</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and a kind heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>When I was a little bitty girl, she would sing </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and do little dance moves</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> as </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>she cleaned the house. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> I do remember how this </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">would make me giggle</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and would put a smile in my heart.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I knew she loved me.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But in her mid-twenties, she developed a</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>mental illness disorder that changed her life in many ways.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I tear up now just thinking about the pain she endured and how the illness </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>took her farther away from us.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> Doctors know so much more about this illness now </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and how to treat it, </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">than </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">they knew back then.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Families had very little knowledge</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and support on how</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to live with and help their loved one through</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> this illness at that time. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-Jshi8iLs/UY59STbK9WI/AAAAAAAABYk/QbArD-2Mfgg/s1600/Mom+and+me+age+1+or+23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-Jshi8iLs/UY59STbK9WI/AAAAAAAABYk/QbArD-2Mfgg/s640/Mom+and+me+age+1+or+23-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">mom and me (1957)</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>On Mother's Day especially, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I always think</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>about the special things I remember about my mom, but</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>also wish I could have known her more </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>on a deeper mother/daughter level</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that the illness masked from</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>being </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>all it could have been.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm so thankful for the time I did have</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and for the times over the years</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>where the illness mask would</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>come down for a time</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and her beautiful HEART </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>would always shine through.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>One day I will see her again in heaven</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>as the momma I remember, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>singing </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and dancing as she made me giggle.</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaW65jd52M/UY5-P5WsBRI/AAAAAAAABYw/S_Kk6ZCCl-I/s1600/Siblings-LeeAnn+1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcaW65jd52M/UY5-P5WsBRI/AAAAAAAABYw/S_Kk6ZCCl-I/s400/Siblings-LeeAnn+1960.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Me, my 2 sisters and brother.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm the oldest in the back</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">with the too tight of a curly home permanent</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">my grandma gave me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I don't know your mother story,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>but I do know this....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>whatever it is, be it wonderful, strained</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>or fair...that God can take</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>it, yes...all of it, and teach you good things</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that will make you a better mother </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">yourself. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> He will use your life experiences,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> ( the good and painful)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">make you the person you are, the one</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">you want to be, when</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>you choose to allow him to help you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I couldn't do it without him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Love and Hugs,</i></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1000 Thanksgiving Gifts continued.......</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">688. seeing yellow finches at my new birdie feeder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">689. $10.00 off my new sandals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">690. celebrating 37 years anniversary with my hubby</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">691. wonderful time with our grandchildren recently</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">692. the fragrant smell from our blooming lilac bushes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">693. the special blessing of being Jessica and Jaymie's momma</span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-42017923486687455642013-03-27T17:41:00.002-07:002013-03-31T11:58:23.720-07:00To Be Brave Like We Were As Children<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPRDMV5w6ug/UVI0TVWvuVI/AAAAAAAABX0/eV8lxduq8_Y/s1600/quote+art+by+LAG+2signature+added.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPRDMV5w6ug/UVI0TVWvuVI/AAAAAAAABX0/eV8lxduq8_Y/s640/quote+art+by+LAG+2signature+added.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Isn't this quote so true?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>All I have to do is to think back to when</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I was that dare-devil of a little kiddo, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>who </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>loved</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> new adventures and trying new</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>things without giving it a second thought.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We dreamed and imagined</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and it brought so much joy and </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>hope to our futures.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We knew without a doubt that if</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we could imagine it, then we </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>would surely make it happen one day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">“Your imagination is your preview</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> to life’s coming attraction."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;">~Albert Einstein</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
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<i><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Imagination is the road less taken,</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> but it is the pathway of prayer.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="text-align: start;"> Prayer and </span><strong style="outline: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">imagination<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></i></div>
<span style="text-align: start;">
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> are directly proportional: the more you pray the bigger </span></i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="text-align: start;">your </span><strong style="outline: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">imagination</span></strong><span style="text-align: start;"> becomes because<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> the Holy Spirit super-sizes it
with God-sized dreams.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">Mark Batterson - The Circle Maker</span><b><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Somehow along the way as we are growing up,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we lose some of that bravery that we were created to have. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The kind of bravery it takes to</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> dream and imagine,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>even when others tell you it's </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>not possible. Or maybe you've </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>gone through many trials in your life</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that have really gotten you down</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and now you find yourself</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>believing the</b> <b>lie</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>which tells you that imagining and dreaming </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> is only for children </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">can no longer be for you.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
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<span class="text"></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">" </span></sup></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text">but Jesus called to the people.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="hang-1" style="margin-left: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Let the little children come to Me. Never hinder them!</span></span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Don’t you
realize—the kingdom of God belongs to
those who are like children?</span> </span><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Care Bear Family;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="text"><b><span style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Care Bear Family;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-size: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Care Bear Family;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="text" style="text-indent: -12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Luke 18:</span></span><span class="text" style="text-indent: -12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">16 (The
Voice version)</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">---------~♥♥♥~--------</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Found this following quoted portion from a devotional </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.experienceliquid.com/t-flow_questions_childlike_approach_to_god.aspx?skinid=1">experienceliquid.com </a></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"What does that mean – to become childlike? Think about a toddler
(a child one to three years of age) – they approach authority figures without
pride. They ask questions – lots of question. Small children recognize that
just about everything they need to accomplish will require assistance and they
are resolved to that fact. They accept guidance and even grasp for hands to
help them get where they want to go. They tell the truth, if not with words,
with their eyes and body language. Children want to please and are remorseful
when they make mistakes. Children are openly affectionate and seek comfort when
they are hurt or sad. They seek refuge when they are afraid. They have a sense
of wonder that is not tainted by experience.</span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #606060; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That is who God wants us to be when we come to Him."</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To read more click :</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.experienceliquid.com/t-flow_questions_childlike_approach_to_god.aspx?skinid=1">experienceliquid.com </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">--------~♥♥♥~--------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>It really would be amazing to find</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>out what WE could do in our lives if we</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">would trust again, believe again, dream again,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">go for a new adventure with no fear again,</span> and quit "over thinking it"<span style="font-weight: normal;"> again...... like we did </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>when we were children.....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>It's possible, for all of us you know,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>to be childlike... </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>because God said so!</i></span></span></h6>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>It's what He said we must do.</i></span></span></h6>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>NO more over-thinking it, okay?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Or at least, let's try not over-thinking it all of the time!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>(wink- wink.....from one over-thinker to another)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">I believe we can do it!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> Have a wonderful Easter</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>celebrating His awesome love</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>for you...</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>1000 Gifts List continued.......</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">641. Our age 3 grandson's need to call us just to say he made us a paper airplane.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"> (that childlike sense of wonder that is so special)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">642. Finding a great deal on another vehicle after my husband's wreck..and he is </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"> so excited because he finally has his "manly man truck"!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">643. Cinnamon Fire Jolly Ranchers!! YUM</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">644. An Olive Garden date with my hubby! (he surprised me)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">645. That I can face life chaos with assurance because of my loving BIG GOD </span></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-79142312421871491972013-03-14T19:46:00.002-07:002013-03-14T21:27:32.530-07:00We Cannot Fathom In the Beginning<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Oh my goodness! Where did the </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>past three months go?</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I can't believe it's been that </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>long since I've posted last.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I've been recouping</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>from my knee surgery and </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I'm doing very well now.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Wanted to share with you</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>a quote that spoke to </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>me the other day when I </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>was feeling like I </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>was stuck in some areas of </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>my </i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>life. You know that feeling</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>you get when certain things in your</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>life seem in limbo</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> and </i></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>you feel like it is never</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> going to </i></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>change?</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C72Mqds_a_M/UUJaiQDNRuI/AAAAAAAABW8/VQJUbwYQNG8/s1600/You+cannot+fathom+what+God+will+do+2012-03-09+009quote+cropped2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C72Mqds_a_M/UUJaiQDNRuI/AAAAAAAABW8/VQJUbwYQNG8/s640/You+cannot+fathom+what+God+will+do+2012-03-09+009quote+cropped2.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Somehow </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>after hearing this quote,</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> my stuck place </b></i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>didn't</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> seem so deeply stuck anymore.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>remembering...the best is yet to come!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>If you also are feeling a little stuck </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>here are a few more quotes</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I hope will encourage you .......</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #e41ab9; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
</span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>“You can be absolutely certain<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>that when you feel you are
being most unfairly tested,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>you are being prepared for
great achievement.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">…..~</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Napoleon Hill</span></i></b></span><i><span style="color: #e41ab9; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“The more difficulties one has to encounter,
within and without,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> the more
significant and the higher in <b>inspiration</b> his life will be.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">~ Horace
Bushnell</span><span style="color: #e41ab9; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: purple;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">"</span></span></sup></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue;">Now to Him Who, by the [action of His] power that is at work
within us, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">is able to do super-abundantly, far over </span><i style="text-align: start;">and</i><span style="text-align: start;"> above all
that we dare ask or think,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> infinitely beyond our
highest prayers, desires,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"> thoughts, hopes, or
dreams."</span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Ephesians 3:20 (AMP)</span></span></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Sometimes those stuck places can</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> rule over (me) us and our</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><b>thoughts</b></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><b> and we can forget</b></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> about the other blessings in our lives. </b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> I like how Katherine Hepburn said it in her quote:</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">“ </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I never lose sight of the fact that</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: magenta;">just being is <u>fun</u></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">.</span><span style="color: #111111;">”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>JUST BEING is FUN</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>and we don't have</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> to have everything fixed</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>in our lives at every moment in order to </b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>be grateful and happy.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to hear what is the most fun thing</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">you do when you "just let yourself be" ?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I may have to go to a playground tomorrow so </b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I can "just be" like I used to as a little girl </b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>and do some swinging on a swing.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I'll let you know how it goes.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Care to join me? </b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>♥</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>1000 Gifts - Thankful List continued....</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">622. my husband's guardian angel protecting him</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> during his automobile accident </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">623. special weekend with our daughter-Jaymie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> and family (grandchildren!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">624. seeing the leaves of the soon to be, spring flowers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> popping out of the ground</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">625. being able to walk my nature walks again after</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> knee surgery </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">626. fresh beautiful air to breath outside</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">627. creating again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">628. that it's not about me, but it's about God</span></div>
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<br />LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-2289569768896424492012-12-02T19:29:00.001-08:002012-12-03T17:48:26.130-08:00When We Get Side-Tracked In This Life<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cP1Zi7UwzwU/ULwRBWWdueI/AAAAAAAABVU/wQ3hCzyc1Lk/s1600/snow+scene+cropped+with+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cP1Zi7UwzwU/ULwRBWWdueI/AAAAAAAABVU/wQ3hCzyc1Lk/s640/snow+scene+cropped+with+name.jpg" width="457" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hi my bloggy friends!! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~ I have missed Y♥U ~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Oh my goodness how life's happenings can side-track</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>us sometimes from the things we hold dear.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Getting ready to have knee surgery in a few weeks after </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>going through an injury back in October. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It seems I've </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>been hobbling along since and </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>coming home from work and just crashing on </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>the couch with an ice pack. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anyways, I didn't figure I had much to say </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>that would be very interesting for you to read the past few </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>months...but I miss you and blogging too much</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to give it up. I've decided that even a short post is better</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>than nothing at all.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>With Christmas on it's way,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> I started reminiscing about past Christmas times</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> and found this photo to share with you</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> of my two younger sisters and I all decked out</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> in our look alike jumpers that our grandma made for us. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(photo from 1960's)</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NML2UxLHLZs/ULu_pIm8HcI/AAAAAAAABUs/9Xlaq8RymyM/s1600/me+and+siblings+young+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="595" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NML2UxLHLZs/ULu_pIm8HcI/AAAAAAAABUs/9Xlaq8RymyM/s640/me+and+siblings+young+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>When I think about how wonderful</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> it was to have a grandmother who </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>loved to sew for us and how encouraging </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and wonderful it </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">was </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to wear something so nice, it makes me</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> realize how special it is</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">when we use </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">our encouragement</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> and God given gifts to </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>help others.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> It's such a simple thing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> to give to others using our natural</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>gifts, whatever that gift is in each of us </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>such as</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> encouraging with a written card, or </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>cooking a meal for someone,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> or giving a piece of your art, </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">or singing a song </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to them, etc.... </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I think we sometimes dismiss this idea</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> because we don't </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">think </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>the gift we have,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> could make a difference in the life </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>of someone else.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But it can and it does!!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">“A hug is the perfect gift--one size fits all, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">and nobody minds if you exchange it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">--Ivern Ball</span><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is expressly at those times when we feel needy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">that we will benefit the most from giving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">--Ruth Ross</span><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i>I've been feeling a little needy lately</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i> (a little side-tracked)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i>so I think this week I will focus more </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">on </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">giving</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i>I want to give someone</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i>the awesome feeling I had when I wore </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i> that brand new jumper!!!</i></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;</span></em><i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
<em style="outline: 0px;">I was
thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink;</em><br />
<em>I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;</em><br />
<em>naked, and you clothed Me;</em><br />
<em>I was sick, and you visited Me;</em><br />
<em style="outline: 0px;">I was in
prison, and you came to Me.</em><br />
<em>...Truly I say to you, to the extent that you
did it to one of these brothers of Mine,</em><br />
<em>even the least of them,</em><br />
<em>you did it to Me.’</em></span></i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Gospel of Matthew 25:35-36,40 NAS</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs,</i></span></span></div>
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LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-87284299811379900532012-08-07T13:41:00.000-07:002012-08-07T14:28:45.309-07:00Resting is a Good Thing....Even Nature Does It!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Care Bear Family"; font-size: 28.0pt;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 28pt;">Nature does not hurry,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 28pt;">yet everything is
accomplished.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 28pt;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;">Lao Tzu</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c10h9H1d4s/T_JSHytlPlI/AAAAAAAABS8/UnMoQMuAaOQ/s1600/A+couple+of+geese+at+Quabace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c10h9H1d4s/T_JSHytlPlI/AAAAAAAABS8/UnMoQMuAaOQ/s640/A+couple+of+geese+at+Quabace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think God was trying to get</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">my attention </span></b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when I saw</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> one black and</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> one white </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">goose swimming my way.</span></i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Aren't they pretty?</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>These geese stayed right in front of me the</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> entire hour, as I was </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">writing</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> in my journal recently,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> at the park!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>They played, bobbed for food, and even</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> took a little nap, all the while</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I sat there </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">enjoying </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">the view.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>They so reminded me that it really is okay to<b> rest</b> and</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>to just let yourself <b>BE.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I also was reminded of this when I read my friend </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://ripplespeak.com/2012/08/august-rest/">Jen's</a> <a href="http://ripplespeak.com/2012/08/august-rest/">blog post</a><a href="http://ripplespeak.com/2012/08/august-rest/"> here</a>.</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfZd1-U0G_o/T_JXl-NEY8I/AAAAAAAABTU/zO6VfPl5ps8/s1600/Love+Flower+liquified+_070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfZd1-U0G_o/T_JXl-NEY8I/AAAAAAAABTU/zO6VfPl5ps8/s640/Love+Flower+liquified+_070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(fun with making one of my flower photos look like a painting in photoshop)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Is letting yourself</span> <b><span style="font-size: large;">rest</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>and just </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">BE</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> ever</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>difficult for you? </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We should take a tip from this </i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>8 year old </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">who said:</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3NpRQOFQM/UCFwVro6V0I/AAAAAAAABT4/Qp6-Ky-GXYM/s1600/thumbs_sometimes_you_just_need_to_take_a_nap_and_get_over_it_maura_stuard_age_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3NpRQOFQM/UCFwVro6V0I/AAAAAAAABT4/Qp6-Ky-GXYM/s400/thumbs_sometimes_you_just_need_to_take_a_nap_and_get_over_it_maura_stuard_age_8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">( find this quote stamp at </span><a href="http://inkadinkado.eksuccessbrands.com/dept/Kid+Quotes/Sentiments+and+Sayings.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">inkadinkado</span></a><span style="color: #741b47;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I've been resting a lot this summer</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">because my</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">body</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> and</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> mind </b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>have both needed it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I hope you are giving yourself</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>permission to do the same if you find</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>yourself needing it too.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It really is okay.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: purple;">“Take rest; <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: purple;">a field that has<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: purple;"> rested
gives a bountiful crop. “<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: purple;">….Ovid</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Peace and Hugs to YOU, my friends,</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xMhk16euRE/UCF4MRiNvgI/AAAAAAAABUQ/aQhrqyCMJ7c/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xMhk16euRE/UCF4MRiNvgI/AAAAAAAABUQ/aQhrqyCMJ7c/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1000 Gifts List continued........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">390. RAIN!!!!...after our long drought</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">391. hearing the birdies singing before ever walking outside</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">392. letters from my sweet little 6 yr old pen pal, granddaughter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">393. movie and date night with my hubby</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">394. a mother/daughter fun weekend spent together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">395. nature's example of peace in the midst of change</span></div>
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<br /></div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-12758237776569823112012-06-10T12:47:00.001-07:002012-06-10T14:15:05.807-07:00Can't Really Put My Finger On It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_kRwzk8NW8/T9PVV4eBuNI/AAAAAAAABR0/38qn0IOKzKs/s1600/dream+birdie+journal+bluejpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_kRwzk8NW8/T9PVV4eBuNI/AAAAAAAABR0/38qn0IOKzKs/s640/dream+birdie+journal+bluejpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Another journal cover I just finished creating, made from an old book cover.</div>
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Love using colored tissue paper in the background, to transform the altered book. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I sure have not been a very good blogger as of the past months. Can't really put my finger on the reason why, other than I've been going through a weird life season. Can't even tell you for sure what makes it weird, other than it's filled with little energy, some disappointments, and even my imaginator (yes, I made up that word) is lacking in ideas. Guess I've just needed to take a break to get refreshed again.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> <span style="background-color: cyan;">Have you gone through seasons like this?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;"><i style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">"Friends are those with whom</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i> we feel comfortable enough </i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;">to </span><span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;">think out loud.”</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><i>author unknown</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: VTPortableRemington;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: VTPortableRemington; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I DO KNOW THIS.....</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">It is so important to keep a </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> blessing's list.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I know being thankful is one of the keys to living this life </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">well</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Even when we are in the moment of a trial or pain, it's so important to be able to draw </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">strength</span><span style="font-size: large;"> from a blessing's list. I don't know how many times in the past that I have re-read my old </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">journal entries</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and was reminded of how I pulled through a trial long ago or seen how a written out prayer request had been </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">answered.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: cyan;">Do you keep a journal of some sort?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: cyan;">If not, really it is something </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: cyan;">you can draw strength from later</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: cyan;">when needed.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: cyan;"><br /></i></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StlvstxPWT0/T9UHhiYCxKI/AAAAAAAABSw/Oe1iTePeXJg/s1600/Art+journaling49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StlvstxPWT0/T9UHhiYCxKI/AAAAAAAABSw/Oe1iTePeXJg/s400/Art+journaling49.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3DCXTlgB-pg/T9UFftciUkI/AAAAAAAABSo/r6wG3NrZFwc/s1600/September+pendants+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3DCXTlgB-pg/T9UFftciUkI/AAAAAAAABSo/r6wG3NrZFwc/s640/September+pendants+146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;">“We
can rejoice too, when we run into<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;">problems
and trials,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;">for we
know<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;">that
they help<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;"> us develop endurance.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;">Romans
5:3<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytm7UoE0cmY/T9T_tv587gI/AAAAAAAABSU/u10wNzmRlS0/s1600/DSCN2161posteirized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytm7UoE0cmY/T9T_tv587gI/AAAAAAAABSU/u10wNzmRlS0/s400/DSCN2161posteirized.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is so true:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">"Count your blessings</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">and your problems.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">If your problems</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">out number </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 29px;">your</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;"> blessings, count again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">Chances are the things</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">you take for granted </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"><span style="font-size: 29px;">were not added."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">~author unknown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hugs to Y♥U my friends,</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnHkNKlYH4/T9T6ToiGmNI/AAAAAAAABSI/7PCicqq8PK8/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnHkNKlYH4/T9T6ToiGmNI/AAAAAAAABSI/7PCicqq8PK8/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
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</div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-12229032479637128562012-05-13T18:45:00.000-07:002012-05-22T16:42:23.840-07:00Some Family Sharing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k77J3jvHQG4/T7wkHM66LlI/AAAAAAAABRI/mb7xiMzcxF0/s1600/Ella+and+Ezra+kindergarden+school+program+April+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k77J3jvHQG4/T7wkHM66LlI/AAAAAAAABRI/mb7xiMzcxF0/s640/Ella+and+Ezra+kindergarden+school+program+April+2012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our granddaughter and grandson posing on school stage, after Ella's kindergarten program.. This photo shot reminds me of those "real people" stagings Norman Rockwell would use to create his paintings from. Ella is 6 and Ezra is almost 3 yrs old. Ezra was so proud to get to stand on the school stage with his sister after the event was over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Last month, my husband and I</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">took a quick trip to Pennsylvania and we made it just in time to see our</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>granddaughter, Ella's kindergarten music program.</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> She was given a solo to perform and she did a </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>spectacular</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> job!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">At first, we were not sure we could make the 9 hour trip in time to be there for her early evening event, until over the phone</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> when she asked,</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">"grandma, are you still coming </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">to hear me sing at my program?"</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Once those sweet, begging words met my ear,</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I and papaw </span><span style="font-size: large;">decided that come rain or shine, we would be there.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Her solo was in the song DO RE MI from Sound of Music. We were blown away by how well she sang. Here is the video her daddy recorded of her singing her solo. After her solo, we thought it was cute how she really got into the singing with the arm swinging.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pxF9n2tKLbc?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
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Here is a picture of her and papaw at her surprise </div>
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birthday meal after being picked up at school and taken to Olive Garden. </div>
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(she loves Olive Garden! Good taste for a 6 yr. old )</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gj4lXlEhwbY/T7BeR4Ybd0I/AAAAAAAABO4/xaD58PP3g5A/s1600/Ella+and+Papaw+at+Olive+Garden-her+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gj4lXlEhwbY/T7BeR4Ybd0I/AAAAAAAABO4/xaD58PP3g5A/s640/Ella+and+Papaw+at+Olive+Garden-her+birthday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for letting this grandma boast and share!</div>
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Hugs,</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1000 Gifts List continued...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">321. the anticipation of spending precious time with those you love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">322. the joy of hearing our sweet granddaughter sing </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">323. our grandson's funny, cute and clever personality</span></div>
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<br /></div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-51378944715560681942012-05-08T17:53:00.001-07:002012-05-08T20:50:43.473-07:00Dare Not To Think<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Been thinking too much lately. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have you ever been in that place? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I am trying to change up that part of me that over thinks things, or at least I'm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>trying to be more aware, more intentional about catching myself</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and turning the<b> over-thinker off</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> and starting the <b>action accelerator</b> instead.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://encouragement-is-contagious.blogspot.com/2010/08/sometimes-you-need-little-nudge.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa_LifcNdeQ/T5hMlrHBIHI/AAAAAAAABOE/rNIs6yyWgrw/s640/Art+Journal+pg6-1.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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(this is an art journal page from a post I did last year. <a href="http://encouragement-is-contagious.blogspot.com/2010/08/sometimes-you-need-little-nudge.html"><span style="color: red;">See it here</span></a>)
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I think...I mean I think and think..that maybe over thinking is</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> a way of procrastinating!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: blue;">“Did
you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">…. A. A. Milne</span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Care Bear Family';">(Winnie the Pooh)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Okay, so as a little test this week, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>when I start to feel myself</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>wanting to go into the over-thinking mode, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I am going</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> to allow myself</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> to stay</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> there only 15 minutes. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>We shall see how this turns out for me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'll let you know.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Time is limited,</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>so
I better wake up every morning fresh</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: blue;"> and know that I have just one chance to
live this particular day right,</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> and to string my days together into a life of
action, and purpose."</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lance
Armstrong </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have you dealt with over-thinking things </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and putting off beginning?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>If so, I would love to hear your story</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> and how you deal </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>with it now, or how you have overcome it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Winnie the Pooh and I want to know! (he he)</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>♥</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPCWq5Ka07c/T6m6MAGCZDI/AAAAAAAABOg/cvHECHjD7vM/s1600/signature+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPCWq5Ka07c/T6m6MAGCZDI/AAAAAAAABOg/cvHECHjD7vM/s1600/signature+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>After writing this post, I went over to read <a href="http://esynergy.blogspot.com/2012/05/just-begin-then-finish.html">Bren's</a> blog and saw where</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>she wrote a post about almost the very same subject of the</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> problem with over-thinking and to <span style="font-size: large;">just stop it!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>You can pop over and read it here:</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://esynergy.blogspot.com/2012/05/just-begin-then-finish.html">http://esynergy.blogspot.com/2012/05/just-begin-then-finish.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1000 Gifts continued....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">313. fresh outside air to breathe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">314. the gift of "choosing" to think or not to think</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">315. celebrating 36 years of marriage to my hubby</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">316. for our youngest daughter's engagement to her special guy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">317. beautiful and free flying butterflies..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">318. knowing I can trust the Lord as I wait upon Him to answer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">319. road trips with my hubby</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">320. Winnie the Pooh and the way he says things!</span></div>
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<br /></div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-88174338414091098732012-04-18T21:08:00.003-07:002012-04-18T21:41:31.573-07:00Number One Secret For Beauty<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nNZT25WKww/T4siDlFfN3I/AAAAAAAABNM/SGeTgXDEcCs/s1600/DSCN1808small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nNZT25WKww/T4siDlFfN3I/AAAAAAAABNM/SGeTgXDEcCs/s640/DSCN1808small.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>(enjoying my nature find after my walk...so had to tip toe through the tulips..he he) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I get older, even with the aches, pains and wrinkles that come </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">with the aging process, I am more persuaded that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the the best beauty secret of all</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">is this special ingredient:</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A JOYFUL SPIRIT</b></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have found that you cannot just decide</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to be joyful...because it must</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">come from deep inside of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">a <b>GRATEFUL</b> and <b>Contented </b>HEART.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And I know it doesn't mean that you are happy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">all of the time. It's much deeper than that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I've known some wonderful people </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">who have gone or are going</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">through some major trials, and yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">their joyful spirit is the first thing you notice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's contagious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For me, I believe that gratefulness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">comes when taking the <b>time</b> to recognize, remember </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and give thanks to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">my</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> loving Heavenly Father, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">who gave it all for me and who </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">continues to love and take </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">care of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(in spite of all of my failures)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">even </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">when </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I don't understand why in the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have to go through this pain and trial</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">of a particular moment in time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And believe me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> sometimes it takes me </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">some</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> extra days to be grateful during those times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes, I have to shed many tears of pain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and cry out the word "WHY" before</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I can lay it to rest in the Lord's hands, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">for at least today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then tomorrow I may have to give it back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and rest it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">in HIS hands again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(grinning as I realize God's unconditional love never gives up on us)</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">“It is His joy that remains in us</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> that makes</em></span><em style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> our joy full.”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span><strong style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">~ A. B. Simpson</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He is always faithful to deliver on his promises.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He never leaves us to go through our trials alone.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyrmnDpxW9c/T4-Urep1l5I/AAAAAAAABN0/7uPbFL_w6JA/s1600/ADSCN1767smaller+with+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyrmnDpxW9c/T4-Urep1l5I/AAAAAAAABN0/7uPbFL_w6JA/s640/ADSCN1767smaller+with+sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He even sends </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>new</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> life,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> like in these pretty spring </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">flowers to</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">remind us that everything must go through</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">it's seasons of shedding the old, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the agony of the long</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">winter waiting with no blooms in site, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">before the new</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">growth that is buried can come out with the freedom of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> glorious and joyful beauty!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jw8JZM91oaI/T4-WkDMU-9I/AAAAAAAABN8/sKDrqPfpJKs/s1600/DSCN1891small+and+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jw8JZM91oaI/T4-WkDMU-9I/AAAAAAAABN8/sKDrqPfpJKs/s640/DSCN1891small+and+sig.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I love it, when in the middle of a woodsy area</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> you find a pop of flowery color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's as if God himself planted it in this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">exact and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>surprising</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> little spot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">so that it would stand out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and bring a blessing to a person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">he knows will need encouragement for the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">He</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> plants </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>us</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHsYDsYFzmM/T4BbDIru8NI/AAAAAAAABNE/B-r36E6NMt0/s1600/pink+tulip+photo+from+feb+2011smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHsYDsYFzmM/T4BbDIru8NI/AAAAAAAABNE/B-r36E6NMt0/s640/pink+tulip+photo+from+feb+2011smaller.jpg" width="490" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We will be on our way to Pennsylvania</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> in the morning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to have fun taking care </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">of our 2 sweet grandchildren, while </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">their mommy and daddy are at a retreat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">....then while there,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> we will also be celebrating</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> our granddaughter's 6 year birthday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I cannot believe she is this old already)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I will certainly be taking pictures and coming </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">back to share them with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I know this for sure.....I am</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">so thankful for each of you. Truly, your</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">friendship helps grow the joy inside </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">of my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">~thank y</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">u...thank y</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">u...thank y</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">♥</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">u~</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">you are so beautiful to me!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiEYmZ8XtYY/T4-PNyNCMGI/AAAAAAAABNk/yr4kMxPSE6A/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiEYmZ8XtYY/T4-PNyNCMGI/AAAAAAAABNk/yr4kMxPSE6A/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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</div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-13647514003512068602012-03-30T14:52:00.006-07:002012-03-30T20:54:24.865-07:00When Loveliness Becomes More Beautiful<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfuoBN8fL6c/T2Z_IF5kjAI/AAAAAAAABM0/6A1ZbExy8h0/s1600/DSCN1565smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfuoBN8fL6c/T2Z_IF5kjAI/AAAAAAAABM0/6A1ZbExy8h0/s640/DSCN1565smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: inherit;">A pen and ink flower I created</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> with some charcoal pencil for shading, then painted the background </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">with acrylics.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (onto 5"x5" inch gallery wrapped canvas)</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hi everyone! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Well I managed to get another post up</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> before</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>the end of March!! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> My only excuse for being so slow</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> is that life has it's</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>seasons and the season I've been </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>going through over the past few months, has me</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>slowed down in many areas. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(some health issues, some life changes)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thankfully, seasons are just seasons, and they have a beginning,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> an end and a purpose.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: purple;">“There is a time for everything,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: purple;">and a season for every<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: purple;">activity under heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: purple;">(Ecclesiastes 3:1)</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Because the</span><b> <span style="font-size: x-large;">spring</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> season </span></i></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>comes right after the long </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">winter, </i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> it's</span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> loveliness</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> seems even more beautiful than </span></i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">at any other time.</i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I think we need winter seasons in our lives</i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> so we will be </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">more</span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>passionate</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">grateful </span></b></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">for the new </span></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>parts of life that will be coming</i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> our way in the future. </i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="body"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;">“Expect to have hope rekindled.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="body"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"> Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="body"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"> The dry seasons in life do not last.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="body"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: 'Care Bear Family'; font-size: 18pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"> The spring rains will come again.</span>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="body"><b><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;">…Sarah Ban Breathnach</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="body"><b><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="body"><b style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span> <br />
</b><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x91Dry3LxzY/T2Z4-XESUwI/AAAAAAAABMs/wE2g3Bz08Ew/s1600/DSCN1573name2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x91Dry3LxzY/T2Z4-XESUwI/AAAAAAAABMs/wE2g3Bz08Ew/s640/DSCN1573name2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I created these flower canvases for 2 of my</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ya Ya girlfriends who were having birthdays.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided not to paint the flower but to leave them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> just as is. I like this look.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, I created these the night before I gave them away</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and was pressed for time to get these little gifts finished.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This way one can<span style="font-size: large;"> imagine</span> whatever </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">color they wish for the flower on any given day</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Here are a few things I've learned when going</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>through a dry season:</i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>♥ resting is needed and a good thing-give yourself permission with no guilt allowed</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>♥getting your mind off self by doing something for someone else, is always such good therapy</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>♥HOPE is always on the horizon, because God keeps his promises.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So to you my friend, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm sending a flower your way</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">for you to paint whatever color</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">your heart desires today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">May it help whatever season you find yourself in,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">to become beautiful..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">♥ </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnygYguwy7g/T3Zvefc9YgI/AAAAAAAABM8/7wNIHru0I0Y/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnygYguwy7g/T3Zvefc9YgI/AAAAAAAABM8/7wNIHru0I0Y/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1000 Gifts List continued....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">306. the anticipation of giving a friend something you've made for them</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">307. not having to understand everything</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">308. planning last minute road trips with my hubby</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">309. the shedding of the old to make room for the new</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">310. SUNSHINE and birdies singing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">311. grandchildren...grandchildren...grandchildren...and hugs and kisses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">312. getting control back in my life over the sugar monster! YAY!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6601957854918310372.post-68374938455791371602012-03-04T20:12:00.001-08:002012-03-04T20:16:12.581-08:00Mug Paintings All Finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here is a quickie post! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wanted to show you my three</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> finished </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">mug paintings.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">.</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Will be putting them on the kitchen wall with some black </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">and white <b>polka dotted</b> plates.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am really pleased with the way they turned out.</span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvvVMto9z7s/T1Q1NFSWxiI/AAAAAAAABL8/TamfT7nGCbY/s1600/mug+1name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvvVMto9z7s/T1Q1NFSWxiI/AAAAAAAABL8/TamfT7nGCbY/s640/mug+1name.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think I need to give this set of three a cute name.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Have any ideas? </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Would love your input.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What is your first thought when you see </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">these mugs?</span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrIx5uxQSlc/T1Q12H9pznI/AAAAAAAABME/LFZk8R06Apo/s1600/mug+2name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrIx5uxQSlc/T1Q12H9pznI/AAAAAAAABME/LFZk8R06Apo/s640/mug+2name.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I've already had someone ask </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">if these paintings were for sale or if</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I would paint more for others.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Well of course!!!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I just may be painting more for my etsy shop.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.haveadaisy.com/">www.haveadaisy.com</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> And I'm thinking about creating</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">some printed note cards from them. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFyBa73DfFM/T1Q0O26V8_I/AAAAAAAABL0/TEJUwsVqUDk/s1600/mug+3name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFyBa73DfFM/T1Q0O26V8_I/AAAAAAAABL0/TEJUwsVqUDk/s640/mug+3name.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">They were really so much fun to create.</span></i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I hope you will have time this week</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to sit down with your favorite drink in</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">a mug and enjoy it's goodness!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Oh and light a candle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and put on some music and enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K76_kcfdnMg/T1Q7GDufXeI/AAAAAAAABMM/I3Z6jPUnBfM/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K76_kcfdnMg/T1Q7GDufXeI/AAAAAAAABMM/I3Z6jPUnBfM/s1600/Lee+Ann+Signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1000 Gifts List continued......</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">277. date night with hubby and a fantastic new yummy place to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">278. the good feeling finishing a project brings</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">279. Writers who inspire me to become</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">280. Artful Blogging Magazine (so inspiring)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">281. Jesus my Shepherd never takes His eyes off of me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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</i></span></div>LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11115472068334541489noreply@blogger.com15