tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23797857672668837302024-03-06T01:14:33.619-06:00~Grace Visions~Something beautiful out of brokeness...Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-34793069060691591002018-06-16T19:57:00.003-05:002018-06-16T19:57:55.259-05:00H O P EJune 16, 2018<br />
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My 12-year-old granddaughter was over for a visit the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were finishing dinner when I noticed a new
necklace she was wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a shiny
gold key on a long gold colored chain. When I asked her about it, she said she
and her mom had gone to a festival and she bought the necklace there. Then she
showed me the letters stamped into the metal of the key:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>H O P E</div>
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<i>https://www.thegivingkeys.com</i></div>
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She went on to
explain that the necklace was designed to be shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she finds a friend who is struggling and
has lost hope, then she will take the necklace off and offer it as a gift to
the one who needs it, essentially offering them hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Similarly, following Jesus, we Christians know the glorious hope that he has freely given us. We may not wear a key around our necks but we
have the key to hope through our relationship with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has sent us out into the world to share
that gift with others who are struggling and without such hope. </div>
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God open our eyes to those around us who have no hope and give us sensitive hearts to know how to share your love with them. </div>
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<br />Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-63192990496952078862017-08-08T15:21:00.001-05:002018-07-19T18:39:22.786-05:00My heart is so full and happy right now. I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be at this time in my life. And that feels good.<br />
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I think about Haiti and the orphanage in Gonaives every day. Praying for them. Trying to find the part of me that I can bring to them, hoping to bring a part of them home with me. I think Haiti will plant itself in my heart in a way that I can't even imagine now. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. And found out yesterday that there will be many more opportunities to go over the next 3 years so I'm already trying to figure out a way to go back.<br />
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Travel preparations are underway. I'm expecting my passport to arrive any day now. I saw my doctor today and got my first Hep A vaccine, a prescription for malaria meds and something to help me stay calm on the plane. Still need to pick up a decent backpack and a good pair of walking sandals.<br />
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~be happy~Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-69149399929708217952017-08-08T15:21:00.000-05:002018-07-19T18:39:22.795-05:00Haiti Day Four: Church and KalikoSo I'd like to invite you to church with me. We'll be in a large open air concrete building, no air conditioning, no fans, near 100 degree temperatures. You'll be sitting hip to hip on hard wooden benches with no backs and at least one or two kids hanging on you or sitting on your lap. The service will be almost entirely in Creole. Oh... and it will last 3-1/2 hours. Any takers?<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515404495489159330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Apjj0HFoG-nm7gjTyf49-1r6RR7hucZz1Il38G8t5nZkxfAGS8mETtDrecV_3ZCX6sBGIn8IWkQNIiNNBVkJB_yAfjzH7fB2bnrg3LFBMXD9vHcFQWXm3dLqIRJYxwo1LpjMYW34QMWR/s400/IMG_9645.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> That's exactly what we did Sunday morning and guess what? In spite of every thing I've just told you, it was wonderful and one of the high points of this trip. The music and singing were lively. Everyone clapped and lifted their hands and danced. And they were very prayerful. And they wore their Sunday best. And it was packed. And when we let out, there was another group waiting to get in for the second service.<br />
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I wish I had pictures, but I just didn't want to disrupt the service and the worship. These people have a heart and a love for God like nothing I've ever seen. They may be the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, but they are rich in spirit and I admire them for that. </div>
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After church, we left Gonaives and started the long drive back to Port au Prince. We had early morning flights to catch. We drove for nearly 4 hours and stopped at a place called <a href="http://www.kalikobeachclub.com/">Kaliko Beach Club</a>.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515411895218163298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvIPPNBFNpPw2aStx-vPdSygy6V0z-su-etdeDgoOti8hjn_rT0fEFJocwU24Ode59UC3lGgZv3wuYQJ2F7_yPfc-JMce8yIxmz5GotwfP_RnQSb-w3eGGq8nS1QwRb1330yWLek0WsBg/s400/IMG_9712_edited-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
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It was beautiful and on the Caribbean Sea. It was hard to believe we were in the same country of poverty and destruction and garbage everywhere. We walked in the sand, some went swimming, dinner was a wonderful buffet. We had our final bead ceremony on the beach. I caught myself almost feeling guilty. But I think this stay was intentional, to teach us something. Haiti was once called the Pearl of the Caribbean. It was a beautiful, lush, tropical paradise. And there are a few places where you can really get a sense of how beautiful it could be there again with the proper care. Haiti is a country full of contrasts. </div>
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Haiti has been used and used by others until it is now seemingly all used up. It's time to give back. Time to take care of the people there. Time to take care of the children there and raise up a new generation who will love God and will love their country and the people there and who will fight to rebuild and make it what it once was. </div>
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I have been blessed to be a part of this team that went. It was hard. Probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. But in my weakness, God can do great things. And He did. He did a great work in my heart and I know I will never be the same. I thought I was going to Haiti to work and give, but I truly received so much more. We went to love the children, but the love they gave us was immeasurable. Haiti, in spite of the poverty and destruction and trash, is a beautiful, soulful place.<br />
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And God is there.<br />
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I'm certain of it. </div>
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I can't wait to go back. </div>
Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-53840205065013151952017-08-08T15:20:00.000-05:002018-07-19T18:39:48.712-05:00What I Know<div>
I know that God has created me in such a way that my heart breaks for those in our world who don't have enough to eat, those who live in abject poverty, the oppressed, lost children, those who are marginalized. He has given me a gift of mercy that draws me to the down-and-out people of the world, whether their problems be physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. I'm a caretaker. </div>
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I know that God's heart also breaks for those who are poor, oppressed, fatherless, and widowed. The Bible is full of passages telling us so. He also instructs us to care for those who are considered "less than." </div>
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I know that the country of Haiti is made up of a people who have been oppressed for a very long time. Oppression by other countries as well as their own government. The general population lack the very things needed just to survive, much less so the resources necessary to effect any significant change in their country. When your daily focus is on making sure you and your family have enough to eat or a safe place to sleep, you can't really spend energy considering how to improve your quality of life beyond that. </div>
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I know that my time spent in Haiti was brief, but in that short time there, I fell in love. I don't want to go back so I can show them a better way. I don't only want to give them the things that they need. Is it too bold of me to say that I want to go back because my desire is to change Haiti? As a country? Was David considered "too bold" to go out on his own and slay a giant? Many thought so. But he did it because his heart was focused on serving God in whatever way he was called. I don't seriously presume that I will be the one to slay the giant that lords over Haiti right now, but I can go and hold those children so that they know that in this world, they were loved by someone. I can do my part to ensure they are given an education and perhaps taught a skill so that they will be able to have jobs when they become adults. </div>
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I know that I'm not alone on this. Everyone on the team that went is feeling called to do their part. I know that we have the leadership of the church supporting us. I'm so thankful for that. </div>
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I believe our congregation will be supportive as well and that many will also want to go and do their part. </div>
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I don't know what our ministry in Haiti will look like. I'm not sure where in Haiti we will be serving. I'm not sure how long it will take to get something established there or where the funding will come from or who else we may partner with. I don't even know how long our involvement with Haiti will be. </div>
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But I don't really need to know these things. Yet. God has shown us the next step to take and that's as far as we need to see into the future. We'll be having meetings and conversations with those who accompanied us on the trip, also with those we met along the way. We will probably need to send teams 3 or 4 times over the course of the next year to also catch the vision and do research. My prayer is that this time next year, we'll have a clearer vision of our calling. </div>
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Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-29955553799775214122017-08-08T15:18:00.000-05:002018-07-19T18:40:17.349-05:00Pursuit of Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2inntPGV7OLMC0xhz8U82FKol_e_6Fv9rjW_ND_VOyFKWQy6N0xZswIqbzoerQe7zluoIpN6OyxLQwdL86__g_ukwdnrbOOGFdUzd28zKx9QS0dH4rnSPgSwBkjdfKPgrQfI6jELF3pE/s1600/girl-praying.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464911950832691554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2inntPGV7OLMC0xhz8U82FKol_e_6Fv9rjW_ND_VOyFKWQy6N0xZswIqbzoerQe7zluoIpN6OyxLQwdL86__g_ukwdnrbOOGFdUzd28zKx9QS0dH4rnSPgSwBkjdfKPgrQfI6jELF3pE/s320/girl-praying.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 269px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
A coworker of 15 years has become a dear friend. We have gone through a lot together, always supportive one another. Our lunch dates have been known to last for up to 3 hours and we are always surprised when one of us finally looks at the time. It's been a wonderful friendship.<br />
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But over the past couple of years, things have changed. She has become more and more withdrawn over time. She is busy with life, grandbabies, an elderly mother. My attempts at getting us together are fruitless. She is either too busy to make a commitment or cancels at the last minute.<br />
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After another rejected attempt to connect last week, I began to pout. My feelings were hurt. Why doesn't she value our friendship any longer? I have continued over the past two years to call, email, send cards and the responses I get are polite but very brief and to the point. I long for those long lunches where we shared everything with one another. Why do I even bother to try anymore?<br />
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Then I started thinking about my relationship with God. And how many days I get so busy with life, my responsibilities, my own desires that I don't respond to his promptings, his calls, his attempts to connect with me. How many times have I offered up a quick but polite prayer when what he wanted was to spend that long luxurious time with me. Time when we could get caught up and share everything with one another. I wondered, do his feelings get hurt? Does he get frustrated and just want to give up on having a relationship with me?<br />
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I know that when I am not obedient in heeding his call to prayer, it does indeed grieve his Spirit. But I also know he will never give up on his relationship with me. His love is everlasting, his pursuit of a relationship with me, tireless.<br />
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<em>O Lord, forgive me for not being more responsive to your calls to prayer. I pray that I will be transformed into being the kind of daughter who runs to her Father's arms without hesitation and always with the expectation of precious time of communion with you.</em>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-54711168287178830322017-05-11T14:05:00.000-05:002018-07-19T18:38:52.117-05:00Memorize the MomentsMay 1, 2017<br />
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This day 43 years ago I became a mother for the first time. I can barely stand to think back over the years I've spent growing up with my son. It's frightening how fast it all went and I have loved every step along the way. So many moments I wish I could go back and live again. Not to do over, though I made plenty of mistakes. Just to go back and feel the joy of every moment watching him grow up. I feel the same about the rest of my children: a daughter, then another son, then another daughter. I was so busy worrying about so many things and just trying to keep it all together, I didn't take time to stop and memorize moments.<br />
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On the other end of the spectrum, today is also the 24th anniversary of my mother's death. She died just shy of her 58th birthday. I turned 60 this year and my heart grieves that she never made it to the age I am now. It's like I had guidance from her all the way up until my 58th birthday and now there is a void. And just like with my children, I would give anything to go back and relive the moments with her and cherish those times more. But I was so busy with life, I didn't take time to stop and memorize the moments. <br />
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I love the life I had with my parents. I love that my mom was around to give me advise for as long as she was. I imagine there is always going to be some regret when looking back, but mostly I feel grateful. Grateful for my parents and the typical 1960s family we grew up in. Grateful for my children and the grandchildren they have given me. And really, just grateful for my life. <br />
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<br />Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-36784546588334299282017-04-26T09:05:00.002-05:002017-04-26T09:10:08.816-05:00Different but the SameApril 26, 2017<br />
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As I sit here at dawn drinking my morning coffee with the back door open, I'm listening to the birds singing their good mornings. I'm still enjoying the one who is a new song to me -- three descending minor notes with a little trill at the end -- I believe it is a white-throated sparrow, but I haven't been able to spot her yet. I love waking up this way and as I smile and enjoy the hope of a new day, a lesson comes to mind. <br />
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I am grateful to God the Creator for the great diversity all around us for us to enjoy and learn from. I reflect on all the different kinds of birds there are, each with its own look, its own way of living and nesting, and each with its own song. Yet they are all birds, a part of the same species, a part of the same family and there is something to appreciate in each of them. <br />
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So it should be with humans. We each have our own look, our own way of living, and sing our own songs but still a part of the same human family. But oftentimes, we focus on our differences and when we do that it breeds judgment, competition, jealousy -- all the things that drive us apart. Maybe we need to be more like the birds who live together in this one world, allowing one another to live their own way. We need to look more for what we have in common while learning to appreciate the differences without the judgment, competition and jealousy because "they"don't live the same way as "we" do. We need to be more concerned about how we are living our own lives and not worry so much about how others live theirs. Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-73855191178755257932012-11-02T06:47:00.001-05:002012-11-02T06:50:18.184-05:00Choose Love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMm3ifuIYtb60IBwQbxI04YY2A5mda_tkUFMgC3Jy7Ggo_hJA0fSwn0vOSi5EOjiv2TDH33KIK_qiyWp9QP2_CFG3PJV8sHpl0pSF_OlFe5LxHEF7eip5ancfQ8JeOrr74_mEOQfB6XmD/s1600/Matt+5_44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMm3ifuIYtb60IBwQbxI04YY2A5mda_tkUFMgC3Jy7Ggo_hJA0fSwn0vOSi5EOjiv2TDH33KIK_qiyWp9QP2_CFG3PJV8sHpl0pSF_OlFe5LxHEF7eip5ancfQ8JeOrr74_mEOQfB6XmD/s400/Matt+5_44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.messagebible.com/" target="_blank">The Message</a> says it this way:<br />
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“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. <span class="text Matt-5-48" id="en-MSG-9946"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“In a word, what I’m saying is, <i>Grow up</i>. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:43-48</span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-5-48">When we are hurt, when we are being mistreated what is our typical response? To lash out in anger? And what does that create? Only more anger that you carry that with you long after the encounter has passed. </span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-5-48">Or maybe your response is to withdraw, retreat, walk away putting up the cold steel cage of protection around your heart. It's understandable especially if you are dealing with someone who has hurt you again and again. But what is the result of that? You never get to experience the fullness of love that way because real love is keeping your heart open even when it hurts. Closing off your heart to someone who has hurt you affects your ability to truly love even those who are lovable. </span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48">Looking for a radical way to live our your Christian faith? Choosing to not only love but to show affection and offer words of kindness to someone who is being downright mean to you and rejecting you isn't easy. But loving through the hurt and anger and praying through the human reaction to withdraw and protect yourself is the way of sacrifice. It is putting others above yourself. It is understanding that this person in front of you? The one who is behaving in the most unlovable way you can imagine? This the one who needs your love the most. This is what Jesus calls us to when he says to love your enemies and to pray for those who despitefully use you. Love even when they don't deserve it. And what are the rewards? You get to walk away from that encounter knowing that you represented Jesus in the best possible way and with that comes release and freedom. It releases that person to God and it gives you freedom from the anger and the hardened heart you would otherwise walk away with. It brings peace and leaves the door open for reconciliation and healing in that relationship. </span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48">I had the opportunity to put this into practice recently with someone I had poured my life into over the past few weeks. One day everything was fine with us, there was a lot of love and laughter and affection and gratitude for one another. And the next day there were angry words and criticism and complete rejection for reasons I will never know. My reaction was to be angry. I wanted to not care anymore, to just walk away and let it end. I was completely justified in my feelings! But through the encouragement of my dear Husband, I saw it through and held onto love even to the point of being physically pushed away. It was hard. It hurts to love even in the midst of hurt. But I was able to walk away knowing that I gave it my all, no matter the cost, I loved anyway. I know it was God doing the loving through me because God loves the unlovable even when we can't. All I had to do was to choose to be willing and He did the rest. </span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-5-48">Anyone can love the lovable. Anyone. But being courageous and through the praying, being able to love the one that no one loves - that's the way of the cross. That's the way of Jesus. It is grace.</span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-5-48"> </span>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-26381166611344522442012-10-15T21:35:00.001-05:002012-10-15T21:35:19.852-05:00Growing in Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipMO3Gj9sy2TCxmT_gxuVIyh_5fUHH9B77M9-V6nPeeJxMCS5N1wM-MOJEpOj_DSubxWIqs4HhVigeMO-56drIy_Q3xsZjIDsU7v5VTwILCpNbiT_ClBRu5WVjRjMSNcQDj6Z8l_3c52S/s1600/fall++leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipMO3Gj9sy2TCxmT_gxuVIyh_5fUHH9B77M9-V6nPeeJxMCS5N1wM-MOJEpOj_DSubxWIqs4HhVigeMO-56drIy_Q3xsZjIDsU7v5VTwILCpNbiT_ClBRu5WVjRjMSNcQDj6Z8l_3c52S/s640/fall++leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today was a good day. For one thing, the weather was just gorgeous. A beautiful sunny fall day, it felt good to be outside a bit. We watched as a neighbor had two of her big old trees cut down and enjoyed looking at the pink/orange/red leaves on our own maple trees. <br />
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Mama had a good day, too. She was feeling well enough to get out a bit. We had a nice dinner together this evening with lots of conversation and laughter. And tonight we were able to sit down and do some planning for her future. I think she is feeling pretty comfortable with what we came up with. <br />
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We are learning how to communicate with her better. Rather than getting frustrated with her, we need to have some humor. If we need to encourage her to see something in a different way, we are learning that we need to have eye contact and be truthful and direct without being demeaning. <br />
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The other day a friend told me she would be praying for my affection to grow for Mama. I see those prayers being answered daily. I was thinking today about how long it's been since I've had an older person in my life. It's been nearly 20 years since my own mother died and there just hasn't been anyone else. So I'm really starting to enjoy having her here. <br />
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Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-53686504773197514572012-10-14T08:42:00.003-05:002012-10-15T21:40:17.836-05:00Loving the Lost and LonelyOne week ago today we began a new journey. We drove the 1200+ mile round trip to Mississippi and back to bring home Mama, my husband's 72-year-old mother. She has lived most of her life in the same house, in the same small town, yet was terribly, tragically alone. No family. No friends. No one to go out of their way to visit. There are many reasons for her aloneness in a place where her face is familiar to most. She has alienated anyone who has tried to befriend her and has refused our visits for most of the past 4 years, locked away inside a confused, terrifying state of delusion. She has spent her life a revolving door, in and out of relationships, in and out of mental hospitals and in and out of reality. Yet later in life she spent 14 years caring for her own aging mother, devoted to meeting her every need. After Nanny died, things went downhill quickly. The loss of a beloved pet and the death of the only neighbor who kept in touch left her with too many days, hours and minutes to drift into an obsessive, ruminating fog. I don't say these things in a critical way, it is simply the reality of this situation we find ourselves in. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-zX-NuN_GsSSXcf3BtanH2Ng8xWqv1rsRGOAY06MV8n1eqdsvoXx-xj-_m5FoHqCsvfmGQexzJ-Sc_28aXE2OopOF0Y1tv6oFl1XPqHZaISuam5_r36Zyu_xuW-uf5fA_3T52MEQxMe0/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-zX-NuN_GsSSXcf3BtanH2Ng8xWqv1rsRGOAY06MV8n1eqdsvoXx-xj-_m5FoHqCsvfmGQexzJ-Sc_28aXE2OopOF0Y1tv6oFl1XPqHZaISuam5_r36Zyu_xuW-uf5fA_3T52MEQxMe0/s400/064.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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So this morning she sits at the kitchen table, just as she does most days, quietly staring out the back window and doing puzzles. Over the past few days the compulsive talking, the telling and retelling of stories filled with paranoia, anxiety and the list of wrongs perpetrated on her over the past 30+ years has finally quieted down. She is still having sleepless nights but seems more content. <br />
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Being that alone, no matter what the cause, cannot be good for anyone. To see familiar faces in the community that turn away, to spend days on days in a home where there are no other voices, no visitors and only memories of abuse and dysfunction would be an unthinkable way to live the last years of one's life.<br />
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I can't help but wonder how many others there are like her. The rejected ones. The ones who for whatever reason are the undesireable ones. The ones who have been sent to the far reaches of loved ones' minds and forgotten. I only know that there is this one, this mother. And she is here. I want so much to demonstrate the kind of love and devotion shown by Ruth to Naomi, to show the kind of compassion and grace that Jesus did. I am weak - we both are merely human. I know it will be difficult. I know there will be many challenges. But I also know that we are not alone in this. <br />
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Nothing comes into our lives that is not filtered through the hands of a Loving Father. God does not call us to something without giving us what we need to carry it out. So I am keeping my eyes and my heart fixed on him. We are praying the confusing fog will clear and the tortured memories will fade. We are praying that peace will come for all of us. <br />
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~~~</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30294A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> orphans and widows<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30294B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. James 1:27 (The Message)</span></div>
Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-91720259912277244292012-06-23T21:37:00.003-05:002012-07-20T22:39:19.001-05:00Personal SacrificeA friend of mine shared this the other evening and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I wanted to post it here to share and for safekeeping so I can come back and reflect on it again and again.<br />
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in the first centuries<br />
of christianity<br />
the hungry we fed<br />
at a personal sacrifice,<br />
the naked were clothed<br />
at a personal sacrifice,<br />
the homeless were sheltered<br />
at a personal sacrifice.<br />
and because the poor<br />
were fed, clothed and sheltered<br />
at a personal sacrifice,<br />
the pagans used to say<br />
about the christians,<br />
“see how they love each other.”<br />
in our own day<br />
the poor are no longer<br />
fed, clothed and sheltered<br />
at a personal sacrifice<br />
but at the expense of the taxpayers.<br />
and because the poor<br />
are no longer<br />
fed, clothed and sheltered<br />
at a personal sacrifice,<br />
the pagans say about the<br />
christians,<br />
“see how they pass the buck.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- peter maurin</div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-54400248617805170892012-06-20T23:24:00.000-05:002012-10-15T21:42:08.487-05:00Hope Deferred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXocpPdWSGDprv3TvgvqSc3uiKn4e9jt2Gvp_vGTh66BaA2U71pxGxpTsxxojMB-Hk8m6WHEsywCSM_woF2kmDL_teAYCF7LfLTwcKMEeMmlC02hJK1OWf0DOuIwoN0vC8vVNDw7Jg1Prp/s1600/IMG_0863e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXocpPdWSGDprv3TvgvqSc3uiKn4e9jt2Gvp_vGTh66BaA2U71pxGxpTsxxojMB-Hk8m6WHEsywCSM_woF2kmDL_teAYCF7LfLTwcKMEeMmlC02hJK1OWf0DOuIwoN0vC8vVNDw7Jg1Prp/s640/IMG_0863e.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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Hope Deferred - SOLD!</div>
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Thank you!</div>
Week two of my painting commitment of doing one large piece per week until September. I think I'm gonna like this! I can feel myself stretching and learning as I go. They say you don't get to your true self as an artist until you've painted 100 paintings. Well I am nowhere near that but I'll definitely be working toward that goal!<br />
<br />Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-24739789892989816532012-06-17T17:09:00.000-05:002012-10-15T21:42:44.579-05:00Abiding in Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHxSWzSyKdpvYyxRA-Q3r6tbGh-wOTAeEUynwtbxZmYnEftx9a9j_iayEu7171lB3WZ8YsTi8lWaP9PSMoTAE1kaKNwASlaRVGsj7u940gQHNF9LqfpEZiyfcfzGO42MysioP_0tsXExz/s1600/IMG_0857e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHxSWzSyKdpvYyxRA-Q3r6tbGh-wOTAeEUynwtbxZmYnEftx9a9j_iayEu7171lB3WZ8YsTi8lWaP9PSMoTAE1kaKNwASlaRVGsj7u940gQHNF9LqfpEZiyfcfzGO42MysioP_0tsXExz/s640/IMG_0857e.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<strong>abiding</strong>(adj.) continuing without change: "an abiding faith."</div>
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enduring, imperishable, unceasing: "an abiding belief"; "imperishable truths"</div>
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My faith is not abiding by the above definition. My faith often takes a beating having to deal with the day to day struggles we all face: relationships, finances, sickness, unfulfilled hopes and dreams. I wrestle with my faith often and I fail often. How about you?<br />
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I'm learning, though, that faith is a two-way street and that God's faith in me <em>is</em> abiding, continuing without change, enduring, imperishable and unceasing. He never gives up on me no matter how bad things get. He is the perfect and faithful Father. <br />
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*****</div>
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So the above painting is the first of many I'll be creating over the next 3 months. That's about 12 weeks that I have to prepare for an art fair that I've applied to participate in in September. I should be notified in the next couple of weeks but I want to be prepared and so I begin. </div>
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This one is listed in my Etsy shop for sale <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/102338399/abiding-in-faith-original-mixed-media" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </div>
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<br />Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-10760960076405429202012-03-19T17:31:00.004-05:002012-10-15T21:44:40.681-05:00Sunshine and Cool Breezes<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz8s3OgeYLCAUrz6I2Y61C0pHG6884fOh7v8e8Un_gfYOT-CmfYkgujKTki5ThmeU1qf-G6TSk-ydce9-KdEEtaLGzkZAhYcF0cOz3i9tmXc7q9u_y8bHZBQutxdm6oDhS7WhSoIOUUSd/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721740083265453202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz8s3OgeYLCAUrz6I2Y61C0pHG6884fOh7v8e8Un_gfYOT-CmfYkgujKTki5ThmeU1qf-G6TSk-ydce9-KdEEtaLGzkZAhYcF0cOz3i9tmXc7q9u_y8bHZBQutxdm6oDhS7WhSoIOUUSd/s640/IMG_0736.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a> Sunshine and cool breezes.</div>
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Some of my favorite things about Spring.</div>
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~love~</div>
Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-71133141607252440452012-03-12T10:00:00.002-05:002012-10-15T21:47:28.204-05:00Morning Pages<img alt="" border="0" height="467" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721750521217283490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdZAONJly8wQvIBZA5xVrxKza_J9CHXFaq3_ddD2wQ1f7r8cuwoYXWftTawFLEyZsmE9vsnCWezHo6jEIhaJ8AhJ7eCnNHCdOjC07m9jY37mSYUsVoaJ6AFh12KZh8hsLPCsEAlQ2KErs/s640/IMG_0713.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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One of my favorite things to do with the warmer weather coming is to sit outside early in the morning with a fresh cup of coffee and my journal. I love watching the beautiful morning light expand itself across my yard. I love listening to the chatter and symphony of birdsong. Alone and quiet with my thoughts.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721752085615354818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4CF6qF1vG-VndFYmuXuQ5Zt5tUm4uaPkmFJFK7UsnIGTin-vUmXx6NPufysyXpUVQjjcGRTQaxbwrKKJ-11soRtkB5pSJPHBY12EpFS2N5M1qcWcDsHNDoRL_hpdcyw9DXHIC0fi_s9H/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="496" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A quiet place of solitude that needs some freshening up for spring. Perhaps a nice basket of flowers and a pillow.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721751418041632770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaVoqCcGAlfRWr8nckkycbZlvAplHz7-1UnUHeFgzb9aCLGnSbWZfip0oziqQAMi3V4N_UedhmLURPK5Nv8liGjMqKL1jNaJZ2kMOQe-mb2kfqnaWjmU2Db87_h09p848IqXR-ssjam0d/s640/IMG_0711.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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Sunlight creeping up through the trees and spilling out over the grass.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721750783053081826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNK0AID_dFwjLVBJC-kfbvz64bVqn2amTsHH5xbBDB-6H_5pSqP-9iLKbFh3aq44YeAzDkPIebqenalMyVf7oNzyIpktjPOKEVUTK5K_b1HY-NuaJMLYeXvortfgrYD2AjjWj-WgMEPWn/s640/IMG_0714.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="424" /><br />
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Pots waiting to be planted and display vibrant colors of gorgeous blooms.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="494" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721752395184275394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9cnWZiK_8xMgi5OScit_UblzWkkxrqOzaH8Z2Q86eClDCDbyy3vF7V_Evl7h88t7AlGlp9wv7QgSfnNBHcF34kqqHdpxnDmzFfqYBiiSjBk1gIG-6taueDHC7IKOiozDimfP5cSY8GPV/s640/IMG_0724.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daydreaming and waiting for Spring...</div>
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Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-72705900258414584682012-03-11T16:11:00.000-05:002012-07-20T22:41:47.383-05:00Feelin a little folksy today...<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VdIhpkEkC4c?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VdIhpkEkC4c?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-48355140836618810462012-02-18T13:40:00.007-06:002012-07-20T22:43:10.447-05:0002.18.2012After spending 4 days laying around the house with the flu I decided I needed to venture out of the house, needed to see daylight again, needed some fresh air. Hubs and I went to an estate sale and then went to Panara for lunch (Fuji apple chicken salad - Yum!). That little outing wore me out. I'm ready for a nap.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710568377909496514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcKGaDqc67VOnVt5qjJlX0v6ppndvgW3NyzYxh3khKywNn8fpiZA4eL9k7YsnXL5HiBhfW2H4jA4qU5akGGuphLBMVu63s8E3_a4lme7RSOhlVCv1x0-X9M84BstGNN5P6q_An6e273we/s400/doll.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />The estate sale was pretty much a bust. Not wanting to leave empty handed I did find this sweet little Matryoshka doll. I've wanted one for a while so couldn't pass it up.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710567903888694098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7NlxPQ8MDv0nnkyxU5XW-dIzl3RmJ-iKM4nIzta8I9tisLBvwXJxXSjLqEcXTuxtY_kOtbhM6kjnhajeJ4IRYcZ7FOpWbhvtz2d6llW-NXJd149K630ffXJXNadtRs23j1CmvVh4U6tY/s400/rings.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div>
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Also picked up these tiny turquoise and silver chevron rings, stamped "Mexico"on the inside. they don't quite fit my fingers but I'm betting I can find a home for them.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710567518909493362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLZ2SAsC5gqpg73gsZUK3sf985nieEXHnlvP7Hrp98RKygDkcPQsD2f-bt9SDY4k8odhRdA0y1Pi0LDqTUuZCY3tRD2ESRH04HrAmy8hYE_p7qGrzguZmcZvqNybW8fqeXbixJSaeJbmt/s400/oilcan.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />Then there was this. I didn't buy it but was tempted. Why am I so drawn to old oil cans? I think because they somehow remind me of my dad putting oil on my bicycle chain with one when I was a little girl. :)<br />
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Nap time for me.Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-47482169279398575562011-12-05T16:55:00.005-06:002012-07-20T22:44:32.208-05:00Still learning...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7ylsJHzg1TO005LsvptqUrw1EJ8TjQYHNWbktfRlN-0E7ozKv7EyWY15ULNI_MiJbjC5cLF5u8KkEiUGYjBdkYcT1OIco6HhybKsABuFJc6V3NKwVfkzp21O0sK7S9nStvvhXAEmCkVz/s1600/Homeless-Man-with-Red-Hair.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693181539176821842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7ylsJHzg1TO005LsvptqUrw1EJ8TjQYHNWbktfRlN-0E7ozKv7EyWY15ULNI_MiJbjC5cLF5u8KkEiUGYjBdkYcT1OIco6HhybKsABuFJc6V3NKwVfkzp21O0sK7S9nStvvhXAEmCkVz/s400/Homeless-Man-with-Red-Hair.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
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There was a very disheveled homeless guy sitting at the entrance to the church last Sunday. Did you see him? He was sitting on the corner of the street at the driveway that goes into the church parking lot, holding a sign that said, "Disabled Veteran. Will work for food." We passed him as we drove in, his hair was red and his eyes a remarkable blue that stood out from the darkly colored, perhaps even a bit dirty clothing he was wearing, a hole in his pants at the knee and I think an old ragged Army jacket.</div>
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I have been an advocate for the homeless. I've volunteered many times at an outreach center, more of a hospitality house in Northeast Kansas City. I've collected supplies, helped serve these folks meals, assisted in finding the appropriate sized clothing for them, have even cleaned showers and toilets so the next person can have a clean bathroom. But seeing this fellow sitting on the drive to the church just struck me as being out of place, something about it was a bit odd and it invoked cynicism in my heart. I believe I even remarked out loud to my husband, "Well that's a convenient place to set up shop on a Sunday morning."</div>
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We walked into our warm church (it was a breezy cold day) and were greeted by friends and church family even more warmly. I made a cup of tea and didn't give the homeless guy another thought as I settled into my seat and waited for the worship team to begin to lead us. Once the music started, I was swept up in all that I had to be grateful for. It was the Thanksgiving season after all. I sang with passion and praise for my Heavenly Father who has blessed me well. </div>
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But then my thoughts took another turn as I stood there clapping along. What about the man outside in the cold? The one who served out country and is now disabled. The one whose cardboard sign did not ask for a handout but for an opportunity to provide for himself and perhaps even a family. Was he any less deserving of God's goodness and provision. I bowed my head and guilt covered my face. I remembered the verse about leaving the altar before presenting your offering if you have anything you are holding against another person. Was I holding this unfortunate soul in judgment for crimes he may not even be guilty of?</div>
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When the music stopped, the children were dismissed and we were directed to greet one another. Instead of the usual good morning, happy Sunday hugs, I headed for the church doors to see if I could find this man to invite him in. But to my shame, he was no longer there. I felt awful.</div>
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I sat back down in my seat as our pastor began to speak. I can't even tell you what the message was that day because my thoughts were elsewhere. I thought about how I might have better responded to the man's plea for assistance. I could have stopped and asked him in, offered him a cup of coffee and a snack. I could have talked to him about his life and his needs and maybe shared those needs with our church who has always been quick to respond generously when a need is made known. It was communion Sunday so before I could go forward to receive my Lord, I needed to ask for forgiveness and I did. "Father forgive me for being so caught up in my own agenda and life that I overlooked this gentleman with the kind face and piercing eyes who maybe needed a touch from you today." I went forward, received and sat back in my seat, head bowed.</div>
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Then something amazing happened. I looked up and there he was. This raggedy, blessed man was standing in line to receive communion. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hallelujah</span>! Someone else in our church had invited him in and apparently the man was a believer! I love my church family and was feeling blessed (and ashamed) to know that where I had failed, someone else had stood in the gap and invited him in. Tears filled my eyes as I determined that I would go speak to him as soon as the service was over. I was convicted that I owed this brother in Christ an apology.</div>
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I stood and turned to walk toward the area at the back where everyone gathers before and after services to visit. I spied him immediately, he was quite tall. He and another member of our congregation were engaged in quite an enjoyable conversation it seemed and their laughter struck me as odd. As I got closer to them it became more and more apparent that they knew one another. I waited for an opportunity to speak and when the time came all I could say was, "It wasn't real, was it?" It was then when he introduced himself to me as "Chris." He is the son and brother of members of our church. The story was that our Youth Minister had set the scene up as a test to the teenagers of the church to see how they would respond. It was a test and I had failed miserably. The truth is that Chris was indeed a Veteran and he indeed was disabled, so his sign conveyed no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mistruths</span>. He thankfully was not homeless but I apologized to him nonetheless.</div>
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It was a lesson learned, a lesson of humility and a lesson of grace. Humility knowing that even though I profess to be an advocate for those who are struggling, I am not perfect and my casting judgment can still get in the way of serving them and God. Grace in knowing that there will be many other opportunities in my life to get it right.</div>
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Thank you, Father, for this lesson today. </div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-40569940867996883972011-10-13T15:07:00.004-05:002012-07-20T22:45:10.493-05:00Life Interrupted<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXGhCQxZs1FTpz5_A4ZBoIwM3juhuPTixhHbRcPuNXxFLggK0qRCZnlSloDOTRHaCvsfYSljRnU5ICWeHmALFF5m6P9kCOAe79cx3TV5EXkwjohBYq0hi_VLsWZRoX_3ou6MNMEfXS91z/s1600/d6qkbu31sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663073545456623570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXGhCQxZs1FTpz5_A4ZBoIwM3juhuPTixhHbRcPuNXxFLggK0qRCZnlSloDOTRHaCvsfYSljRnU5ICWeHmALFF5m6P9kCOAe79cx3TV5EXkwjohBYq0hi_VLsWZRoX_3ou6MNMEfXS91z/s400/d6qkbu31sm.jpg" style="display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<em>"A life interrupted is an inspired life."</em> Not sure who that particular quote is from but it is interesting.<br />
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Oh, how about this one: "<em>If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."</em> Woody Allen said that.<br />
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That's probably more fitting with what happens in my life. I make plans. God laughs. Not because he doesn't want me to make plans. We should make life plans and goals. The trick is not holding onto those plans so tightly that we miss what God has for us. When we hold on too tightly to having our own way about things, that is when life gets really tough. Kinda like a spoiled child having a temper tantrum. The loving Father says, "My child, this is what is best for you." The Child says, "But I wanna do it MY way!"<br />
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So, I've been wandering around in the wilderness for a while. That place is dark! Full of chaos and drama and sickness! Don't want to go there again, at least not for a long, long while.<br />
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LIFE: There will be interruptions. We are to trust. We are not to rush after the things we have planned for ourselves. We are to keep a quiet heart and attend to the work that has been put before us, whatever the interruption is. Time will be made to attend to our planned work.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">"Be still. And know that I am God."</span>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-84664453293744840052011-06-12T18:45:00.004-05:002011-06-12T18:56:53.017-05:00Shop Update<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617484247832302978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hyphenhyphenqXiGQGn3N_e_z_SXEo8TO03a1ZPYLtq7ssQDqNk27OlqfGobG1Q9fx16M6rAWcudZVFfi6kr3vm77X4b54L7SO1kkwAv22d3DU1g7A4gWNFwIzrsO1jY5639VSkAEyMjnGNjk5D8Aq/s400/IMG_0333_edited-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>I've added several new mixed media pieces to my Etsy shop today. You'll find the link to my shop on the right. These new pieces all have lots of great texture and are sealed in beeswax which is just yummy! <br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are a couple of my favorites:</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617485149477260994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrFf25OnOUYfcwV-FyVpE3Q2mDOj0baXuWYvi0_zRl4zdbMomqdawRFccoR5p48aKfzInIQpASB_zFDJSdQPWuBBkSumu-zVXFtDugBhKQsJM9xnA7fgglRT5_aYE64SSAzAb1iYSMzRs/s400/IMG_0339_edited-1.jpg" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617485164017783554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94AwGeIh1uWYud-7RpAxHZf7GR21DP3j_jGwrzSCnYh6W2Xj7FsoEA7lsGUCClrN1_Hfe8fpNPGzfrz5wghZFSLDewjCNnKDy0YJBzq5TEh4_9zZiYHPZmG0vEl7jw2JtOBY0XAPdJHrQ/s400/IMG_0326_edited-1.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 436px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617485146808532018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC-hAlxNaCBzMhePV24HSGQCxTvwL2ZQOibESHi4DcI6fAra9louBCR3Vgc20TcAc_MATjGM2v1aYqnlRQ1vL2Pfa2wFk-BRR7iJ_YNgpxaZRfgmaq7qXXsThtRUlqIyU6sQX7v1voaOL/s400/IMG_0338_edited-1.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617485159347067218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N-LTfbu-8sQNj5AAW-6en9dVdovGvHb68QozmdPwUjG4D8JkF1JXoO2JnnJ0ePZyOVTuqsZMEnDkIpaldUiAbJY90ZJ3r7-WMCs20O0OmTRcKCau4KLLEQ_4ctNl7xCUJxPowq4WXY9d/s400/IMG_0324_edited-1.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p>Check it out and let me know if you see something you like!</p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-60848191066668007102011-06-04T12:29:00.001-05:002012-07-20T22:42:21.056-05:00BeautifulI need for this to sink deeply into my heart... and stay.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7C2o0jHNRuU" width="425"></iframe>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-16567459860316307662011-05-24T14:22:00.006-05:002011-05-24T14:54:34.371-05:00Abandonment<div align="center">Could I ever give myself with such abandon as this?<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610372833663106434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNJxLxWeOWzf9HbWE6Byz304xxBuAlt7AHR-CeETWMSAbeIWbXL-F2Usz088g1RSqKwHznBvJ8GPxj9P9wSvVD-R3CorUOvGxvODRyV2bdrentlHtA9vYtbz7Zi-od2zIXimnnueiaMsb/s400/02%252520abandon%2525202004.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(mosaic by Daryl Lynne Wood)<br /></span><br /><br />Father, I abandon myself into your hands;<br />do with me what you will.<br />Whatever you may do, I thank you:<br />I am ready for all, I accept all.<br />Let only your will be done in me,<br />and in all Your creatures -<br />I wish no more than this, O Lord.<br /><br />Into your hands I commend my soul;<br />I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,<br />for I love you Lord,<br />and so need to give myself,<br />to surrender myself into your hands,<br />without reserve,<br />and with boundless confidence,<br /><br />For you are my Father. </p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br />prayer of abandonment - charles de foucauld </div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-26836366217422354842011-05-22T13:24:00.004-05:002011-05-22T13:28:45.582-05:00My Prayer<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabRvPPIsoX2jrrGy6vcK6m_uywuHaCiHWeVxqV01faFq0_tDv4fb-X-ULamWfCsW0MzOWLKY06j5NXVDLpQPyPtOoKDMMQ7W2Krcfqp9RNrtAGUFUhjQ75wMS510_SNL8WbL0MxJLrWGI/s1600/golden-rays.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609608334293727666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabRvPPIsoX2jrrGy6vcK6m_uywuHaCiHWeVxqV01faFq0_tDv4fb-X-ULamWfCsW0MzOWLKY06j5NXVDLpQPyPtOoKDMMQ7W2Krcfqp9RNrtAGUFUhjQ75wMS510_SNL8WbL0MxJLrWGI/s400/golden-rays.jpg" /></a><br /><br />More holiness give me,<br />more striving within,<br />more patience in suffering,<br />more sorrow for sin.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">More faith in my Saviour,<br />more sense of His care,<br />more joy in His service,<br />more purpose in prayer.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Philip Bliss<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">~~~</div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-8122198338946970432011-05-19T17:53:00.004-05:002012-07-20T22:47:31.337-05:00Procrastination<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB10IN7w_UVLHtlSO_Pp_P_KchPLUToYX7kPWKDV4f4hHW0m9bqfFo8Pe3gZb6PMe2ka1pQPHfUZ8SnXhOjenJ-A3_0EooWOoiSwM0HsK5CSl06w7_6vOIBW7XxcGxMk5aTwL7ecl-70t/s1600/old_clock.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608571729163972546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB10IN7w_UVLHtlSO_Pp_P_KchPLUToYX7kPWKDV4f4hHW0m9bqfFo8Pe3gZb6PMe2ka1pQPHfUZ8SnXhOjenJ-A3_0EooWOoiSwM0HsK5CSl06w7_6vOIBW7XxcGxMk5aTwL7ecl-70t/s400/old_clock.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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I listened to a podcast online recently about procrastination, a topic I am personally very familiar with. The speaker had a couple of guests on his show that had differing viewpoints of the various causes for procrastination.<br />
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One guest said it is a character flaw. A weakness of the will. That folks (like me) who procrastinated did so because they opted for instant gratification (say playing online computer games) rather than working on a project (say setting up an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Etsy</span> shop to sell art) even though the project completed would bring much greater rewards.<br />
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Another guest suggested that procrastination was related to perfectionism. Perfectionists often have the attitude that if a thing cannot be done perfectly or if they doubt their ability to perform perfectly, they opt not to do it at all. An all or nothing mentality. Or perhaps it is the perfectionist's fear of failure or performing sub par that keeps them procrastinating.<br />
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Another view from a caller was really interesting to me. This gal suffered from a generalized anxiety disorder and described facing a task or project that she was procrastinating on was like a game of rock, paper, scissors. The anxiety over beginning was great enough to keep her from performing. But when the anxiety over the consequences of NOT doing whatever the task was became greater than the anxiety to begin, then she proceeded full speed ahead and felt she often performed better under that pressure.<br />
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I don't know which of these theories is the "truth." My truth is, I can see myself in all three. And I know procrastination has cost me. It has cost me opportunities, money, accomplishment, and joy.<br />
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Several things have fallen into my lap recently...NOT coincidence I have learned. A conversation with a good friend, a Bible study, a couple of quotes arriving via email over the course of a few days have spoken to me and have encouraged me to begin what has been my heart's desire for the past couple of years.<br />
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On the sidebar you will find a link to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Etsy</span> shop. I've listed several of my art pieces and have several more to list as well as some other vintage/artsy stuff. I'm going to make a commitment to work on this "business" side of art over the next few months and see where it takes me.<br />
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Words of encouragement welcome. ;~)<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">"You must take action now that will move you toward your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life." Les Brown</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">"To speed your success, twice a day form a clear mental picture for two minutes of the one thing you want; and tell yourself it's already yours. Imagine it is." Author unknown</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379785767266883730.post-82340073333195155242011-03-20T13:54:00.013-05:002012-07-20T22:48:29.409-05:00One Thousand GiftsWhat does it mean to be poor?<br />
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Isn't this what you saw in your mind's eye, or something like it?<br />
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Or maybe this?<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586241334199169186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL6q7wJO0VmDOJt7DXBuB5T2olZ3sViBh92p1ZinqK7Zj-UcCrNSnfgLZtvwCS-AmN5rq51JbKN5X49R7XyBctBljIB4WqXg5Sg8r-IMepD2PJyRkDgtG-fUtJIrjPho3OK1JEgK0axYQ/s400/homeless.jpg" style="display: block; height: 271px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Or even this?<br />
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When we think of the poor, we think of those who are without: without homes, without clothing, without food, without money. Without all the material things that most of us have an abundance of and take for granted. </div>
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If you ever have the opportunity, spend some time among them: in Mexico, on the Navajo reservation, in Haiti, in Kansas City or whatever city you live in. You don't have to go far. Reach out. Share a meal. Talk to them. Take the risk. Get to know them. You may go in thinking you have something to give to them. </div>
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But the truth is, they have something extraordinary to give to you.<br />
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They will show you that being "poor" means relying on God for every need, every day. It means to be watchful for God's provision, knowing that everything that comes into your life, every need met, has been delivered from His hands. It means giving thanks for every. small. gift.</div>
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I believe, WE are the poor. Our lives are so busy with work and family, little league and dance class, committee meetings and ministry. We are always in a hurry to get from here to there. We miss so much. We miss every small gift that comes from God's hand. Yet we are not satisfied. We are not content. We think there is never enough. Not enough space, not enough money, not enough stuff, not enough time. WE are the poor.<br />
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So here is my dare to you:<br />
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Begin a list of the things you love, a list of the things you have to be thankful for. Open your eyes and heart to the little gifts from God that are hidden among the deadlines and the dishes. When you see them, write them down. Nothing is too large or frivolous. Nothing is to small and insignificant. Because it all comes from Our Father who loves us and knows how to give good gifts. Begin thanking Him in all things, naming them one by one, until you get to <a href="http://onethousandgifts.com/">One Thousand Gifts</a>.</div>
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It will change you. And when it does, I'd love to hear back from you about your journey into thanksgiving. </div>
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</div>Pearlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00391416919665095931noreply@blogger.com0