tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16085144167990197872024-02-19T00:29:40.892-07:00Our Journey Through LIFE!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.comBlogger485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-11172804125689704962020-07-02T12:41:00.001-07:002020-08-30T10:12:32.257-07:00Taking the year off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zEtpjH6w6D-gzsEmqKij6iMDaaH3Fh-Pl9IcEBOunuUw7EbLYy1aFcdskMuhYl_E1Bve4yNpUaS2GSJfOIyvU3IvB_dSZnzAdi0oltXzMnIppLOO1tp4APq4dbmlNd2JCPdVdIoe9X0/s2048/CE910836-6DE1-45FA-A061-A758DA5299D4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zEtpjH6w6D-gzsEmqKij6iMDaaH3Fh-Pl9IcEBOunuUw7EbLYy1aFcdskMuhYl_E1Bve4yNpUaS2GSJfOIyvU3IvB_dSZnzAdi0oltXzMnIppLOO1tp4APq4dbmlNd2JCPdVdIoe9X0/s640/CE910836-6DE1-45FA-A061-A758DA5299D4.jpeg" /></a></div><br />I might be a bit late in posting that I am taking the year off.<div><br /></div><div>With the rollercoaster continuing, and with the addition of Covid19, writing of our journey just was not an option. Somewhere during this last year or so, I had a stroke, according to my MRI. My last MRI was taken in 2014 and was consistent with the previous result. The one that was done last September threw us a curveball.</div><div><br /></div><div>Putting words together has been difficult to frustrating, so much that putting them into a post, I was deleting more then I was writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will be doing my 12th Annual Clickin Moms Photo Hunt and you can see them by clicking the Life-365 Days a Year link above, then click on Annual Summer Scavenger Hunt. </div><div><br /></div><div>See ya next year!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-58007742091825998532020-01-10T16:40:00.000-07:002020-01-16T09:06:34.810-07:00Five-Minute-Friday ~ Direction!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello, 2020! </div>
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And hello again, <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2020/01/09/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-direction/" target="_blank">Five-Minute-Friday</a> writers! </div>
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I missed sharing with you!</div>
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Last year, thankfully, ended with some much-needed direction. </div>
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So, where was I, and what direction will 2020 have?</div>
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Since October, we have been on a roller coaster, which is why I haven't been posting. </div>
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That doctor's appointment I had back when I wrote last, ended an eleven-year relationship with my primary doctor. Though devasting, a week later, with the results from all the tests and the Phoenix doctor's orders, I saw a new local doctor, and we created a plan to move forward with.</div>
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When God closes one door, He opens another! We must remain firm in our faith and let His plan take us through the things of this world. The first step was to get control of those panic and anxiety attacks while we navigate the journey ahead. I know that with Him, all will work out for His glory. </div>
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During the weeks ahead, my hope is to pick up where I left off and share how we got through some of those difficult times, to where we are now, and where all these paths will take us. </div>
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2020 is going to be a remarkable year!</div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-75817333771420391772019-10-19T08:42:00.000-07:002019-10-24T20:11:29.595-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Strong<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day nineteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a> is...Strong.</div>
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"<b style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</b>"</div>
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One thing about this our journey of ours, no matter where, no matter what, the one thing that keeps us strong is our faith.</div>
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It has been a very tough week trying to keep my head above all the nonsense thrown at me. </div>
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But I did not break!</div>
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I might have shed some tears out of frustration, but I am not letting them disregard everything I have done to better my world. I am not a cookie-cutter, textbook kind of person. I believe I am a unique human being who didn't bury her head in the sand, or run in the other direction when things got tough. I prayed, and I listened. I heard, and I saw all that God wanted me to so I could move forward.</div>
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When my voice doesn't sound healthy or strong, it doesn't mean I am weak. Wait for me to catch my breath. When the tears begin because I am not being understood, don't expect me to continue talking with you. Can't they see it is difficult? </div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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Unfortunately, that one appointment wiped out any thoughts that caused me not to finish my five-minute-write!</div>
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It's taken a few days to get back on the ground I once walked. One small link in my health team changed, and we might need to omit that which isn't as strong as the others. </div>
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Forward I go, even though I am behind on my 31-Day Challenge, I did get my Five-Minutes completed.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-28419872173057846862019-10-18T08:40:00.000-07:002019-10-18T19:23:50.045-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Active<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day eighteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a> and <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/10/17/day-18-active/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;">Five-Minute-Friday</span></a>...Active.</div>
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It's important to remain active even when you are going through things. </div>
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Doctor appointments come and go, but life continues. Work and school schedules, writing, housework, to even working outside in the yard, are regular things that fill my days. </div>
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In between my appointments this week, the grandson and I had the opportunity to watch the "Big Boy" 4014 leave the station early Wednesday morning. We got there just as the sun rose above the train. We waited as the crew prepared for departure. I couldn't wait to see the steam rise, and the grandson was excited to hear the whistle blow that they were ready to pull out. It would take another 15 minutes before it would leave the station, so we moved to find a place further down the tracks. After it passed us, we took off for the next area it would chug through. Pennies were placed on the train tracks by some of the bystanders, hoping to be flattened by the massive wheels. </div>
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"<b style="color: red;">STOP!</b>"</div>
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We didn't stick around to see if it worked. We wanted to catch up with it again in Dome Valley. In all, we were able to see it a few more times before we turned around and head back to town. </div>
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I'm sure it will be a day he won't ever forget!</div>
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If you're interested in catching it as it continues its journey, here is a <a href="https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;">map and schedule</span></a> of the towns it will be going through next.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-63493786384148699862019-10-17T08:39:00.000-07:002019-10-18T17:57:29.849-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Consistent<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WCnyqDAu1TVIheMG2-mursF1UtUDde728RvLe0-JMdG-9pMxd60BdVZitQs5pY8KXHqS-lNaQG7cg3jL4adHX3zy_sKqzAFv6SLwrK1HMOGxuZMVUc-11BBlo5gOsrdqfkHIYmxjNrE/s1600/Day+17+Consistent.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WCnyqDAu1TVIheMG2-mursF1UtUDde728RvLe0-JMdG-9pMxd60BdVZitQs5pY8KXHqS-lNaQG7cg3jL4adHX3zy_sKqzAFv6SLwrK1HMOGxuZMVUc-11BBlo5gOsrdqfkHIYmxjNrE/s640/Day+17+Consistent.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day twelve of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Consistent.</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"</div>
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Every now and then, a word prompt has been chosen that just happens to be one of my favorite words. It's an important word and not just for a writing tip.</div>
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Having consistency in my life is just as important as in my writing. Reality is I'm not as consistent with my book as I am with other areas of my life. Things run so much smoother when certain things are done a certain way. Throw in a bit of OC, and even an empty spot in the fridge tells me we are out of something. Folding the clothes as they come out of the dryer. Going to bed with a clean sink to making the bed within minutes of waking is just part of it.</div>
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As we continue along our journey ahead, being consistent has always been my saving grace. It creates a wave of peace within me, knowing that all the I's were dotted and the T's crossed. From doctor appointments to packing the RV for a trip, even grocery shopping, being consistent can settle any anxieties that nothing was missed, as well.</div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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Sometimes thing being consistent is out of my control. I can't help but wonder how much it would improve the doctor's office staff that is far from being consistent with proper paper procedures. Waiting till the day before or even the day of an appointment to submit an approval doesn't work. They should already know that! As the patient, it can throw me off-kilter. </div>
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It's been a tough week where we've had to rearrange our time due to their mistakes. It caused me to fall behind on the 31-Day Challenge that I consistently try to achieve each day. </div>
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I'm determined to catch up!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-22066035864403777872019-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:002019-10-18T15:51:32.713-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Avoid<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6moIAzU3zsb4ahzxvSxZTM4bq3H5zCRCVqYjDetw4eb9bGNJXc-jpaJ1dJj-hLyTjWuVigo6iYUUT6P5ezof3_PE47jxpdNUhzEa2BZZ3qiXLIREuZa7kVrOQ-odkuu9-lGTDki6CmY/s1600/Day+16+Avoid.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6moIAzU3zsb4ahzxvSxZTM4bq3H5zCRCVqYjDetw4eb9bGNJXc-jpaJ1dJj-hLyTjWuVigo6iYUUT6P5ezof3_PE47jxpdNUhzEa2BZZ3qiXLIREuZa7kVrOQ-odkuu9-lGTDki6CmY/s640/Day+16+Avoid.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day sixteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Avoid.</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"</div>
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Lately, avoiding the wrong path has been our top priority.</div>
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It's getting tougher and tougher to navigate these detours created by others not doing their jobs. The frustration, anxiety, and panic attacks I experience are overwhelming, all due to the postponements, delays, and rescheduling that continues to interrupt my quality of care.</div>
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People who are not doing their job is getting ridiculous. The excuses are becoming a concern. The wait is daunting. I'm doing everything within my power to avoid traveling down the depression road, that could spiral out of control if I'm not careful. It's already affecting my concentration and creativity.</div>
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My prayers continually include asking for help in any way to keep the light shining within me. </div>
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He is one who always does his job. </div>
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He doesn't avoid anyone or anything.</div>
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He will bring me through this!</div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-34178606716409990002019-10-15T08:37:00.000-07:002019-10-18T15:51:53.889-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Writes Free Challenge ~ Open<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day fifteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Open.</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"</div>
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An open heart...</div>
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An open mind...</div>
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Open my eyes.</div>
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Just open the bible see His words work in your life.</div>
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The doors that may open.</div>
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When we pray, things change. Doors open and possibilities become realities in ways only God can direct. Trust that He knows which doors need to open for our future with Him and through Him. </div>
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Open your heart to the way God has planned...</div>
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As we move forward through this uncharted path we are on, I'm reminded He already knows how it will all work out. Keeping an open mind, keeping my eyes on the open door, is always His plan.</div>
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Not my best five-minutes, but at least I opened my laptop, and typed away.</div>
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"<span style="color: red;"><b>STOP!</b></span>"</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-35161934110838583162019-10-14T08:34:00.000-07:002019-10-18T15:52:13.102-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Voice<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day fourteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Voice.</div>
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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Oh, the voice of a child! </div>
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Such a sweet sound to my heart. Sometimes it's endless words rambling together, excited over what they just learned. Other times, they're singing a song along with the radio, not catching every word, but still on key. It's an incredible journey listening to their vocabulary increase from the two-word sentences they began with to completed sentences describing a topic of interest.</div>
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I wish I could say it's different for God's children who might not be in the most ideal home. So many are still not being acknowledged and are falling into the cracks of a broken system. Taking the time to sit and talk with them about whatever they address might be just what they need. Our words are like seeds, quietly making their way to a questioning heart, where something has the opportunity to grow within them. </div>
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Children are like sponges, and they want to absorb everything they can about the world around them. Unfortunately, that world might not be one with God's presence...</div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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...in it. The words we share with them might be what brings them closer to God, even if not immediately noticed or allowed. Other Christians might come around picking up where you left off. We are not alone in this stewardship or God's calling. We have a responsibility to share His words of love through our stories of how He fixed the broken hearts in ways they wouldn't have known or expected.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-83160365961105413182019-10-13T08:33:00.000-07:002019-10-18T15:52:31.536-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Reach<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day thirteen of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Reach.</div>
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"GO..."</div>
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I think I have reached the point were everything I needed to get down on paper, oh more like written on the laptop, have been put into place and make more sense than they did when I started. I still have my many, many notebooks of the thoughts all jumbled around from page to page that made no sense until the order it eventually has gotten to. I never thought, or maybe I didn't want to consider how long it would take. How haunting it was at times to face those ghosts I had tucked away in boxes, neatly stacked on a closet shelf. </div>
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There is still more work to be done, along with other decisions such as a title and cover, before I am ready to make that call. A call that can reach down and chill me to my bones. I am not afraid of rejection, and that is a possibility, but it's more like what changes will they want me to make? Would they want me to change the title? Will I be able to handle someone else having control of something that is so much a part of me?</div>
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Sometimes I reach that point where...</div>
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"STOP!"</div>
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...I begin telling myself I am in over my head! As often as that word "doubt" appears on my pages, it runs through my mind even more. I believe it might just be here to stay! We'll see. As I see it, doubt has not only hindered me; it has helped me as well. It might just be what helps me reach the place I am heading. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-13197763758261015332019-10-12T08:32:00.000-07:002019-10-13T09:05:22.727-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ First<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day twelve of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...First.</div>
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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Life is full of first...</div>
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First steps.</div>
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The first time you rode a bike.</div>
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First day of school.</div>
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The first time you made it across the monkey bars.</div>
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First boyfriend.</div>
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First concert.</div>
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Dancing to rock and roll for the first time.</div>
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Drove a car for the first time.</div>
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The first time you met the man you would marry.</div>
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The first kiss.</div>
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The first place you lived together.</div>
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Your first fight.</div>
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Your first anniversary.</div>
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Your firstborn.</div>
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Their first smile.</div>
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Their first steps.</div>
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Their first tooth.</div>
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Their first day of school.</div>
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Their first day of college.</div>
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Their first child.</div>
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Our first grandchild.</div>
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The first grandchild graduating from High School. </div>
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I could spend the whole five-minutes creating a list of all the first our forty-four years have experienced. I guess I did! There have been so many memorable first along this journey.</div>
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My mother taught me to praise God first, in everything! Even when I was doing wrong, sometimes the first thing that would come to mind was Him. Thankful, for even when I ignored him, He continued to put me first. </div>
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What an incredible, sometimes crazy, journey of so many first this and then that's!</div>
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Sorry to have taken the easy way out today. We had a surprise visitor distract me and welcomed him. I'm so curious as to what other firsts still await this old gal. As hubby is getting closer to possibly retiring in a few years, the chance of more first is almost inevitable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-12275778572082684002019-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:002019-10-12T18:12:28.152-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Deep<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day eleven of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and</span> Kate's regular link-up, </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/10/10/day-11-deep/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">Five-Minute-Friday</a><span style="background-color: white;"> is...Deep. </span></span></div>
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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As deep as the ocean, and beyond the universe, is the love of God. </div>
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In my early years of abuse, I had no clue that what was happening wasn't right. </div>
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What I had been learning was how much God loves us. Attending a Catholic School where He was present from before the bell rang, while on the playground and after as we walked home. Discipline was strict and firm, as the Bible said it should be. </div>
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Yes, there were a few times I remember a ruler slapping on a desk of a classmate misbehaving. However, I remember God's purpose being more present. Going to mass every Sunday where my father and uncles were ushers, cousins as altar boys, and girls giggling in the pews were the norm. </div>
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Until...it got DEEP!</div>
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Someone spoke up, actions were being questioned. My young ears heard responses not intended for me to hear, but the words were loud. I soon realized what was being unveiled, and that it had happened to me. Not just once but many times over a matter of years. There wasn't a lifeguard station available for me. I had no idea how to speak up...</div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>" </div>
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...When a young girl hears words like disown, send away, she's making it up, over and over, the doubt became drowning at times. Uncertainties that would grow over the years and change my direction. </div>
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If I said anything, a chain of events would unfold that would be considered my fault, not that of his actions, caused me to fall into a dark place that would swallow me up.</div>
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Back on day two, I shared how the <a href="https://sharingourjourneythroughlife.blogspot.com/2019/10/31-days-of-five-minute-free-writes_2.html" target="_blank">Gift</a> I had received in the middle of it, eventually showed me my lifeguard station, I was no longer drowning in the depths of a vast ocean.</div>
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I guess what I am trying to say is, it doesn't matter where you are in your journey through life, He is waiting for you to find your way, and He delights in your arrival! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-46058655374943898252019-10-10T08:16:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:50:00.028-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Scared<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day eleven of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Scared.</div>
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Even the word for today scared me!</div>
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Some words come easy to write about. Some take me back to where my journey with Jesus began, Some take me back to a time I was scared to death. So, of course, it would be challenging to write about it. </div>
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It's scary when something happens, especially as a child, you have no idea how to deal with it or make it go away. I was so young and did what any child would do, sought out comfort. Only the adults she would turn to didn't believe her. They would tell her she didn't know what she was talking about, didn't feel what she had, or seen that the touching wasn't inappropriate. You're over-reacting and not to speak of it again. </div>
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After a few years, actions like that were becoming a usual way of life. Everything began to feel like a lie, even what I was taught about Jesus.</div>
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I began to rebel. </div>
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Everything I had felt during a time I loved worshipping Him as an innocent young child was taken away by the power of Satan. At one point, he even said, "The devil made me do it!" Seriously!</div>
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Instead of feeling God's love like I used to during those years, this devil twisted everything around. And it scared me to know I would never be able to trust my earthly father ever again!</div>
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As long as I can remember, prayers were always being said daily by my mother. While in her bedroom, she would read the Bible and spend time with God. I often wondered what she was saying to Him. </div>
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Until I became a mother, did I truly understand the power of a mother's love? She was protecting us in the only way she knew how. Her faith would someday become my first stepping stone toward the life I have today.</div>
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I realized it scared me more not to have God's love flow through me...</div>
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"<span style="color: red;"><b>STOP!</b></span>"</div>
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...and I remained silent long enough. </div>
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It took years for me to be able to open up about that time. I soon felt the gift of the Holy Spirit I had received as a teen, and it was still inside me, and it began shinning again. </div>
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The journey continues... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-31813451100967563092019-10-09T08:07:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:42:21.352-07:0031-Days of Five-Minutes Free Writes Challenge ~ Join<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/4014/" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">No. 4014 - The Big Boy</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day eleven of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</span></a></span>...Join.<br />
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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Since a little girl, I have been fascinated with trains. My Godfather worked for Southern Pacific for fifty years, maybe more. I remember he would come home very dirty, but I never really asked him about his job back then. At an aunt's house in Vallejo, train tracks ran past her backyard. I remember while visiting the rumbling of the ground as I stood by the fence watching it chug by. </div>
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We took our children to the <a href="https://www.californiarailroad.museum/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">California State Railroad Museum</span></a> in Sacramento when they were young, earning their Junior Engineer Badge. Other train journeys included the <a href="https://www.traintown.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Sonoma Traintown Railroad</span></a>, a few times and then again when our daughter became a parent. Watching our grandchildren experience something our kids had was such a blessing. Hubby and I have also been on the <a href="https://www.winetrain.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Napa Valley Wine Train</span></a> a few times, the most recent being for our 40th Anniversary on the day of our first date forty-three years earlier. Along our journey, I have captured so many trains along the way. Our bucket list even has a few more train adventures that we hope to take as well.</div>
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When I put together our first ever family reunion back in 2005, for my mom's side of the family, some of us met up at the <a href="https://www.wrm.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Western Railway Museum</span></a> in Suisun City, CA. My mom's brother's family shared their memories...</div>
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...of when their dad worked for the rail as well. My aunt had a great time sharing her stories as much as I loved hearing them. I also learned other ancestors were a part of the railways as well. I had no idea, it was like trains were in some of our blood. </div>
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I recently learned that the 4014 Big Boy was coming through town. I instantly joined this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/UPSteamClub/?fref=nf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">FaceBook group</span></a> for daily, even hourly reports of its were about. The photos shared have me so excited!</div>
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Next week, I plan to join other enthusiasts as it rolls into town. The <a href="https://www.up.com/heritage/experience-up/index.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Experience The Union Pacific Rail Car</span></a> won't be available, but the opportunity to get some phots will be. </div>
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Wednesday's Grandma Day is going to be a blast. I'm picking the youngest "Grand" up at 7:00 AM to watch it depart. I'm so excited to share this experience with him. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-33926608545535556152019-10-08T08:06:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:42:40.162-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Gather<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon";">The</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon";"> word prompt for day eight of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "Coming Soon"; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Gather.</div>
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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A day I will never forget!</div>
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Cousins who had only met once before, with other children on the beach, came together to dig and gather sand crabs. </div>
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It all began with an adult in our group showing the youngest grand what can be found in the sand along this beachfront. When his cousin arrived, he loved being the older person, showing him what he had learned. For the rest of the day, these two kept digging, getting excited when one became the biggest they had found, or when a shovel full had found multiples. When other kids came over to see what they were so excited about, they shared the knowledge with the new friends. </div>
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Even if for just this day, these six children gathered together, creating memories they will never forget and will more than likely share this day later in life.</div>
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Seeds were planted that will grow as they do, that...</div>
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"For where there are two or three gathered in my name, there I am among them."</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Matthew 18:20)</span></div>
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They had no clue He was with them, not yet, but someday they will.</div>
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For me, as I gazed upon their playing, my heart became so full, and I knew He was among us! </div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-36995997555998433882019-10-07T08:06:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:50:51.521-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Same<div class="" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon";">The</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon";"> word prompt for day seven of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</span></a>...Same.</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: inherit;">"</span><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: inherit;">GO...</b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: inherit;">"</span></div>
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There are times our journeys might appear the same, simply because we have annual trips to the same places. Though the roads might be the same, the route along them might not be. One time the drive north to visit family and friends might include action along the highways, nasty weather, or construction and detours. Then other times, the same roads are clear, the scenery colorful, and the drive can be ever so pleasant. </div>
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Other trips, like to the races, are consistently the same. Same with the doctors that include driving the same way. We usually have the same stops for stops. Yes, it can be boring driving through the desert, where the scenery is almost always the same. Weather can break up the repetitiveness sometimes. Hubby comments ofter how a self-driving car would be nice on those trips. I remind him that taking a nap wouldn't be an option!</div>
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Over the last couple of years, there were adventures to places we hadn't been in a long time, to some we have never been. Regardless, some things do stay the same. Like the hundreds of photos I take, what is packed in our ice-chest, the tunes we listen to, and places we prefer to eat along the way. </div>
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I guess we have just become set in our ways, where the same things are comforting or expected. Next year, we are going outside the same boundaries and taking our first ever cruise. There will be nothing the same about this trip. </div>
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We have never been to Alaska!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMH5S2sDo4qXp-MySqS1lFo7hwutJsFgpKtNzqqCwQf35BkeaOuX7ZB3EnDBTWeY8NNujsa3M8llnzhsk2iBKUduOI2tBli9r-05LKKgVE2l-Wx9uUclcFQhoU0i1CAiQysFQ5P0GH4Q/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-74294271774880702302019-10-06T08:05:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:43:31.787-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Notice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day six of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...NOTICE.</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"</div>
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I tend to notice just about everything! </div>
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I love God's hand in our world. I love it when the sun rises and sunsets. The hummingbirds that fly around my home. The grandchildren that fill my heart. The wildflowers that spread across a field. An old barn in a field. Ocean waves. The rainbows after storms and the ones made by the prisms in my window.</div>
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I love capturing as much of it as I can!</div>
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I also notice our world of today. More and more, it reminds me of the Babylon era. Where kingdoms rose and fell as God had said they would. Only now, those kingdoms are worldwide! The kings then, who lived lavishly upon the works of the people, are now some of the most prominent CEOs of the world today. </div>
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Will their kingdoms fall as well?</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 20px;">Did anyone notice what was happening around them before Babylon fell? Were they blinded by all the bobbles and festivities? </span></div>
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I loved the Bible Study I did a while back with Beth Moore's, Daniel. I walked away, wanting to be a Daniel. </div>
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If there is someone like him today, I wonder what dreams God would be showing our kings for him to solve? Who would he pick to go into the lion's den of today? </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">God is faithful to keep his word, even when it’s a warning! He continues to warn us. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Who is listening</span><span style="background-color: white;">? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Would anyone notice? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">I a</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">m. I would.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">For October, I'm participating in </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6UmPxK6A0wLbtN9dDEICSRT4W4xAv6DPA23DSMLDbwjeNXn3eQmM-5kGYjc-UOLEjYTfMi_SzpZvLo4JtQNohKHwwhs1pwap44xVT-F1sYXo9ceVaP3CXVs7oT97Bz7GmWUWB2YfL0s/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-31046924467481008582019-10-05T08:05:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:46:27.530-07:0031-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day five of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Other<br />
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In other words...</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"<br />
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I love this song!<br />
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I love the beat it creates of my heart.<br />
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I grew up with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Dean Martin, to name a few, filling our house with music. Other artists over the years would join in as my siblings, and I began to acquire our own taste. I might describe my family as dysfunctional for the wrongful things that took place, but we were a functional family in our own way. We had most of the modern conveniences as they began to evolve, like a black and white TV soon that would become colored. In the early 1970s, I would bet my brother-in-law was the first to transform an old dresser into a stereo cabinet. I remember so many days of dancing in the living room to the albums it held. At one time, he had it wired to our outdoor patio area. There was always music while we sunbathed to bar-be-qued!<br />
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However, Fly Me To The Moon will always fill my heart with so many beautiful memories. From the many cousin's weddings where the bride and groom would glide across the floor as it played while the guest joined in creating a movie in my mind. <br />
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During a time, when I was confused with so many other things, music was one of the things I that could fly to the moon by.<br />
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In other words, hold my hand...<br />
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In other words, please be true...<br />
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And the music was what began my journey with the love of my life. Forty-four years of making music together. Our dance days weren't like those of Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, but we did have our own groove going on.<br />
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In other words, I Love You!<br />
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"<br />
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For October, I'm participating in <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.<br />
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-71977588552566452102019-10-04T08:04:00.000-07:002019-10-04T12:38:10.553-07:0031 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Listen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM6WCzWQJnRiC1rNCdT2mkEgOgj5VlGNdNz_ikenrpCHP1sHleXop1G2OV9YnDL0cOTgeOl03EvTgrTJcmIf0pLFWPZSmIgbYTL9_nHVjq6WObg97w-Fk8qvVBV82Bu-exYWlny9Je50/s1600/Day+4+Listen.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM6WCzWQJnRiC1rNCdT2mkEgOgj5VlGNdNz_ikenrpCHP1sHleXop1G2OV9YnDL0cOTgeOl03EvTgrTJcmIf0pLFWPZSmIgbYTL9_nHVjq6WObg97w-Fk8qvVBV82Bu-exYWlny9Je50/s640/Day+4+Listen.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The word prompt for day four of the <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a> and Kate's regular link-up, <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/10/03/day-4-listen/" target="_blank">Five-Minute-Friday</a> is...Listen. </div>
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Two for one!</div>
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"<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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I loved this photo from the first moment I took it. A little boy at the races, looking up in awe, unable to hear the noises of the cars on the track. Sometimes, I just click pictures for no reason at all. That was the case of this one. How would I have known that seven years later, it would pop up while looking for a photo to put together with this week's word prompt?<br />
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While at the races, almost everyone wears some kind of ear protection. It's meant to deafen the decimals of the loud cars or block out other loud noises. They don't drown it out completely, but enough.<br />
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Sometimes, I feel like I need to be wearing a headset, helping to block out all the noises around me so I can focus solely on what God is trying to say to me. Try as I might, I really do want to hear the words from the Bible study tapes. I read and read again the words guiding me through the pages of the study, but am I truly listening to those words?<br />
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Why is it so difficult to hear and not really listen?<br />
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Am I just hearing what I want to hear, all the while waiting for the right time to answer or add my two cents?<br />
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There is a BIG difference...<br />
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"<span style="color: red;"><b>STOP!</b></span>"<br />
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...between hearing and listening.<br />
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Hearing is basically a physiological act, while listening involves our ability to figure out the meaning of the words and the silence between them. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-balance/201610/are-you-really-listening-or-just-waiting-talk" target="_blank">Psychology Today</a>) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2d30; font-family: "proxima nova regular" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
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Dutch writer and professor Henri Nouwen once wrote:</div>
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"Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond...The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of <a class="inline-links topic-link" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/spirituality" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(153, 153, 153); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(44, 45, 48) !important; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none !important; word-break: break-word;" title="Psychology Today looks at spiritual">spiritual</a> hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends."</div>
</blockquote>
As I have journeyed through this life, there were many times I just heard what was said and really wasn't listening. When I began Bible study, way back when, I wasn't really listening, I was hearing what I needed to answer whatever question was being asked so I could respond with what hopefully would be the correct answer.<br />
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I have been working on this listening skill more lately, allowing other's stories to be heard while I listen!<br />
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<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-5908120358355472442019-10-03T08:01:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:49:39.513-07:0031 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Problem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day three of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Problem.<br />
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Not a problem!<br />
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span>"<br />
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I love reminding our "Grand's" that with every problem, God has a solution for us. If it's right with God, it will be right for you. I add, "just don't let the solution become another problem."<br />
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Problems can pop up when we least expect them.<br />
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They can appear BIGGER then we think we can handle.<br />
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If we follow His guide, the Bible, the answers can be found amongst the many pages of the Bible. It's the perfect problem-solving book ever written!<br />
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So why do I not practice what I preach?<br />
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It's not for not trying! With all my heart, I believe He has all the answers. I'm the one not applying His solutions. I'm the one doubting my ability. I'm the one giving up or giving in, instead of moving things in the direction He has presented me with.<br />
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Am I so suck in my old ways, I can't imagine that there just might be a better way?<br />
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Allowing Him and others the opportunity to show me what that might be, might just be what the problem needed. Having advocates that have our best interest in mind has been a blessing. Trusting directions, on a journey we use to use travel by the seat of our pants, now allows us the opportunity to enjoy the scenery instead of the construction on the road...<br />
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"<br />
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...ahead. After all, once the construction is complete, when we get to where we are going, adjusting to our surroundings, it all turns out as God had planned and promised.<br />
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For October, I'm participating in <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.<br />
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-1766494211776681612019-10-02T07:58:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:52:38.946-07:0031 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day two</span><span style="background-color: white;"> of the </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999;" target="_blank">31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>...Gift.<br />
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I thought about writing of the many gifts and talents our lives have been abundantly blessed with, but I've decided to share part of my journey that includes how I received the gift of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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It took a bit of time...but He is always patient!<br />
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To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior is one of the most beautiful gifts of all. With it comes...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wisdom. Understanding. Counsel. Fortitude. Knowledge. Piety. Fear of God.</span><br />
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I was raised Catholic, and my early years were filled with love and faith. When I was baptized, the custom was done as infants, so my Godparent stood up for me. They really were the best example of Christianity anyone could ask for. From my First Communion to when the time came for my Confirmation at fourteen, a lot had already happened. I simply went through the motions that were expected of me. I didn't feel any different when the bishop had placed his hand upon my head, praying that I receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or while he made the sign of the cross with chrism oil on my forehead as a sign of strength and a reminder of following Jesus to the cross.<br />
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What was wrong with me?<br />
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Back then, every time I tried to embrace His words, the world around me would show me differently. I began feeling like the Holy Spirit would never flow through me. Why would Jesus save me? I was unworthy. A daughter of the devil. Soon I stopped going to confession, then to church, and by the time I was becoming a young adult, I found myself in the darkest place. It was a time where God was the furthest from my heart...<br />
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"<span style="color: red;">STOP!</span>"<br />
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...It was supposed to have been one of the most celebratory times, high school graduation was upcoming, and I was still fighting for my independence. Being it was 1975, and Rock-n-Roll was blasting the Bay Area, saying I had some wild times is an understatement! Some were fun, fun, fun in the sun-times, other times brought nightmares and trauma! Even when we went over the cliff that night, tumbling like a rock down the mountainside, surviving something that only God could have had control over the outcome, shook my soul in a way I would never forget! Something changed in me that night.<br />
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Was that the gift of the Holy Spirit shining within me that I thought was not there?<br />
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Had the Holy Spirit really been in me all along?<br />
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Something began working within me. Something was touching my heart, softening it so that one day I would finally come to Him fully. It was the dive into the deep end kind of love, for a Father who accepted my brokenness. Promising me a life I thrived for and dreamed of.<br />
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But first, He was going to bring me through a few more valleys and over some pretty high mountains. What a journey!<br />
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Completing day two of the challenge took me longer than expected. Taking me back to where it all began, used to be difficult until I saw His direction with it.<br />
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For October, I'm participating in <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" target="_blank">Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a>. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.<br />
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-35196343710928466982019-10-01T07:57:00.000-07:002019-10-12T14:55:11.115-07:0031 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Why<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0B9bqnBOsMWJS6tS3CAltAPvOgk8smB6cOhSquEVy9FgB2Z5A2L-W2xdEVIO_p1k9Yidn5r42tGvQCMcHp9EB0VSy6GBqvEgqzOKk_x8LoUMRL9_YijhALvuRralkugWxwsGIIiAHLk/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0B9bqnBOsMWJS6tS3CAltAPvOgk8smB6cOhSquEVy9FgB2Z5A2L-W2xdEVIO_p1k9Yidn5r42tGvQCMcHp9EB0VSy6GBqvEgqzOKk_x8LoUMRL9_YijhALvuRralkugWxwsGIIiAHLk/s640/IMG_5329.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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For October, I am once again participating in <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/31-days-2019-writing-challenge/" target="_blank">Five-Minute-Fridays 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes</a> challenge. <span style="background-color: white;">The word prompt for day one is...Why.</span></div>
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Kate switched up a bit this year, meaning we had to register, which allowed us access to the prompts for the whole month. This allowed time for the building a platform, create a landing page, maybe add a table of contents and new pages to our blogs. Unfortunately, I am not as far along as other writers in this area, and our goals are different as well. Some have already written a book or books, and surely have more knowledge on how to do all these things blogging can include.</div>
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I didn't start my blog over ten years ago to write a book. I had no intention to make money from my blogging. It was something I started back in 2007 when we found ourselves on a journey we had no idea where it was leading. Blogging was just beginning to develop into what it is today. No way did I ever expected to be contacted by a Christian publisher a few years ago asking if I was interested in publishing something. I had no idea how to even begin something like that. Assured there would be people to help me with this new endeavor, and after talking it over with my husband, I started learning what this would entail.</div>
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I am still learning!</div>
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Life seems to throw us some roadblock every now and then, causing me to step back and reorganize. I will continue to create what God has on my heart, feeling the call to share how He guided me through some dark and confusing times, from childhood to growing up into a young adult, becoming a mother, raising children and now a grandmother. It's become a series of many stages of our journey through life.</div>
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Just when it looked like I was on a roll, WHAM, we were hit with yet another detour. Hopefully, by the end of October, we should know just how this new chapter will affect our journey ahead.</div>
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As I read over the prompts for the month, trying to figure out how to put it together, prompts assigned to specific days seem to have become an outline of some kind for this journey ahead...</div>
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"<span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span>"</div>
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Why do I continually challenge myself?</div>
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Why am I always pushing myself to go beyond my comfort zone?</div>
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Why is God guiding me toward a place I am not confident I belong?</div>
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Why did I ever think I could write a book? </div>
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Why?</div>
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Because God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and it's not just a cliche turned into a meme. It is so true! I can remember many times along this journey to where I am now, feeling like I couldn't handle it, but I did! </div>
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Doubt was a shadow, creating shade at times, but it didn't win! </div>
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He's not challenging me, I am challenging myself. He already knows these challenges are part of my path and allow me to end up just where He wanted me all along.</div>
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In reading the Bible, doing Bible Studies, I am not the only one who encountered distractions, setbacks, bumps, or mountains to overcome. Not everyone will write down the challenges they fought or embraced. So when I read the Bible, I am forever thankful that those whose writings made it into the most important book that will ever be written, creating a guide of how we can get through our journey through life with the faith, hope, and love He promises, I'm comforted.</div>
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His plan for us isn't all wrapped up in a pretty package with a bow on top! Through our journey toward eternity, there will be times we won't recognize His plan. We are only human, and we will question the direction we are on. Following His words will allow us a way through it. All we have to do is read His words, apply His teachings, learn from those who walked before us and know His reward, His promise, will be worth all the work we do here, in His name.</div>
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My doubts have always been part of the stepping stones on this journey. I don't see them ending anytime soon because, in a way, they are the way to Him! Writing, even for five minutes, pouring my soul into a few paragraphs, is always for His Glory... </div>
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"<b><span style="color: red;">STOP!</span></b>"</div>
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As you can see, I didn't figure out how to add a page to my menu or do a table of contents. I've done it before, I should know this? Instead, I'll start where I am and see what develops over the month. Maybe some fog will lift off my brain and a switch will turn on the lightbulb. </div>
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<span class="bible-item-title-wrap" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+8%3A14-22&version=NIV" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Jeremiah 8:14-22</a> <a class="bible-item-fullchapter" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+8&version=NIV" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 0.5em; text-decoration-line: none;">[Full Chapter]</a></span></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why</b> are we sitting here? Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there! For the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> our God has doomed us to perish and given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against him. We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror. The snorting of the enemy’s horses is heard from Dan; at the neighing of their stallions the whole land trembles. They have come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who live there. ...</div>
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<a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+14:15&version=NIV" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Acts 14:15</a></div>
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“Friends, <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">why</b> are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.</div>
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“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.</div>
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<a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Matthew%205:11-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Matthew 5:11-12">Matthew 5:11-12</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a class="bcv" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #631e16; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="New International Version">NIV</a></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-63047792137494844092019-09-27T13:44:00.000-07:002019-10-03T11:23:22.041-07:00Five-Minute-Friday ~ Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weeks word...Success.<br />
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Timer set...and "<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO...</b></span>"<br />
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After last weeks word, any of the challenges we've been through, more times than not, there likely came success of one kind or another.<br />
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Success isn't always measured by the money in the bank or where we live or what we have. God wants us all to be successful not just in our worldly lives, and use whatever gifts we have been given to serve others as faithful stewards of his grace in various forms.<br />
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For me, right now, success can be that I made it through yet another week or day of juggling the many things that were leftovers from the day before, to ones of a new day. It can come from a test that gave answers to the many questions swirling around in my head. It can come from finishing a Bible study I've had a hard time getting through.<br />
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Regardless, if this book that lingers over me is successful or not, learning how to put it all together, writing how God has been a big part of the journey, it has undoubtedly brought a broken soul closer to him. Trusting in his words, time after time, showed precisely that walking by faith does deliver the results he promises when we put him first.<br />
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That is success!<br />
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"<span style="color: red;">STOP!</span>"<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>eeing God's plan and goals for us, <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jeremiah 29:11</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">U</span>nderstand the obstacles along the way, <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jeremiah 6:21</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">C</span>reate a positive mental picture <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jeremiah 31:22</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">C</span>lear your mind of self-doubt <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Matthew 14:13</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>mbrace the challenge <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Acts 20:37</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>tay on track <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Psalm 119</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>how the world you can do this <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Philippians 4:13</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">Don't forget, you can...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px;" /><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click this link to visit </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kate's blog</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/09/26/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-success/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> if you want to read what others have written.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">From there, if you want to join in, you will find the link on how to participate.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week, I know I will!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">See ya' next Friday!</span></div>
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<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-10874659360692210472019-09-20T21:46:00.002-07:002019-10-03T11:23:21.842-07:00Five-Minute-Friday ~ Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">It can be a challenge being in the middle of our story...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Timer set..."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>GO...</i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Each chapter lately seems to have a direction of its own! None of them make sense together, yet each one is a piece to a puzzle that just needs to be brought into alignment with the others. Sometimes it only takes time to figure it all out.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">It's been a bit of a challenge for me, though. Keeping my head up isn't always easy. Depression can creep up unexpectedly. Then out of the blue, a nurse, a receptionist, even the insurance advocate can pull a rabbit out of their hat and clear the path as needed. Sometimes it feels like the wheels are moving really slow. Maybe they're moving slowly for a reason? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">After embracing many challenges over the years, I am not new to how to navigate these journeys. Each one has its own scenery. There were bumps to maybe hills along the way. Some have been like mountains. Yet once we reached the top, the view was remarkable. Sometimes the ride down the other side was just as thrilling and a challenge at the same time! Sometimes there are just as many tight turns that can slow us down. Though each one brought us to a place, a resolve, and in the way God had intended.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then there are the challenges that I choose to participate in like the Annual Clickin Moms Summer Scavenger Hunt and the upcoming 31-Days Writing Challenge. They each have their own ways of challenging me as well. But I enjoy it! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Regardless, all of the challenges had always been faced with a strong faith. Which is why each one was an example of just what prayers can do. What hope can create! How love heals. Patience prevails. Being calm in the storms that bring rainbows afterward...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>STOP!</b></span><span style="color: #333333;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">...are a gift from God. There are so many signs that also allows us to see He's handy work. </span></span></div>
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We just need to open our hearts to see them!</div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">Don't forget, you can...</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click this link to visit </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kate's blog</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 22px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/09/19/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-challenge/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> if you want to read what others have written.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From there, if you want to join in, you will find the link on how to participate.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week, I know I will!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">See ya' next Friday!</span></div>
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<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-20593763580009120762019-09-20T19:56:00.000-07:002019-10-03T12:01:45.000-07:00The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ September<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
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For this month, September 2019...</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-simple-womans-daybook-september.html" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking out my window</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">...</span></span></div>
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...into the cars side mirror, a monsoon that was brewing over our son's area appears to be left behind. </div>
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As we approached the I-10 headed for home, the first alert sounded on my phone...and just moments later another warning of what we were about to drive into appeared above the highway. </div>
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It was surely going to be an exciting drive home! </div>
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Just up the road, it began to rain buckets...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwZl7HIElX96FXcu-IG8Rch5Eh8B8fxPf0oN-YuPm_dViE1BvOw2UWIw5cKg3QCeROFQchJdGNpD4zacaf3_bGpp9H1r82KsYfZltXI0qIdUH4X4kjGc1-2SA-Jz1YeFOJsqeTgqrekk/s1600/IMG_9216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwZl7HIElX96FXcu-IG8Rch5Eh8B8fxPf0oN-YuPm_dViE1BvOw2UWIw5cKg3QCeROFQchJdGNpD4zacaf3_bGpp9H1r82KsYfZltXI0qIdUH4X4kjGc1-2SA-Jz1YeFOJsqeTgqrekk/s640/IMG_9216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not even the windshield wipers could keep up. We stopped shortly after, sat in the car for a bit until it let up so we could run in for some refreshments. As quick as it started, it ended and created a reminder that after any storm, there is a rainbow!</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thinking</span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">...</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">how wonderful it was to spend a week with the Mesa "Grand's." I'd been looking forward to it since they asked for my help.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700;">I am so thankful</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700;">...</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">for the opportunity! I don't get to spend much time with them so I cherish every moment as much as I can. They're really some awesome kids! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things...</span></b></span><span style="color: black;">is photographing some of those moments...</span></span></span></span></div>
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...that included baseball practices, as well as his first game of the fall season. Watching a plant cell cake come to life, along with some yummy cake-pops, taking them to and picking them up from school, and a fun experiment. I wish we lived closer so I could do it more often.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">I am creating...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">my own</span> way through this Noom way of eating.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31HFsvfdMtr64xzdWcVN-KwEXNwWZGX1337ZrEi4Z09KcG-mUFgsbNt4SbPvSq3Zvm1mkQY8K-XmixVmIyI3JWNTr2wwNw_R-sZfOUwfoWHpC3i04sK88EOi_4X4I0Sh9YuBcqAfTwtY/s1600/IMG_9168.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1125" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31HFsvfdMtr64xzdWcVN-KwEXNwWZGX1337ZrEi4Z09KcG-mUFgsbNt4SbPvSq3Zvm1mkQY8K-XmixVmIyI3JWNTr2wwNw_R-sZfOUwfoWHpC3i04sK88EOi_4X4I0Sh9YuBcqAfTwtY/s400/IMG_9168.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm slowly seeing results and know that it is a healthier life-changing experience that can possibly take a year to get to where I hope to be. Our grocery bill has been reduced, and counting those calories has become automatic now. My steps are slowly increasing and hopefully, when our cooler weather arrives, evening walks will take the place of my morning walks, which will help as well. I've been waiting patiently for hubby to get his new knee so he will be joining me. I'm still having a hard time with the red foods, but I am a lot better than I was in the beginning. I even got to buy a smaller size in my jeans, YEAH!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">I'm still learning...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">how to crochet again!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzKRv-JETjQsJTMk5C3ENGcVFKIxjHwK8xoN-VjvnziFjM7OgzsfcldrS7Bc-2o4hShI7TPFbfyEHN7z24fj7r5El8CGm4Q8jlm_PL7Nqj3YrF1YZzCBgDmKxhta8qJSUyP79fecCIPY/s1600/IMG_9344.jpeg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzKRv-JETjQsJTMk5C3ENGcVFKIxjHwK8xoN-VjvnziFjM7OgzsfcldrS7Bc-2o4hShI7TPFbfyEHN7z24fj7r5El8CGm4Q8jlm_PL7Nqj3YrF1YZzCBgDmKxhta8qJSUyP79fecCIPY/s640/IMG_9344.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Back in June, I began this <a href="https://sharingourjourneythroughlife.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-simple-womans-daybook-july.html" target="_blank">subscription</a> to crochet an afghan. It's taking me longer to get the squares done as planned, but I continue to push through. I'm having a hard time comprehending some of the directions, but with youtube to the rescue where once my mother would be able to help, I've managed to figure it out. She knew it all though, and at times like this, I wish she was still here!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am wearing...</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">the same blue floral and stripe print sundress I was wearing last month when I wrote my daybook. It really is the softest and comfortable dress, and it's become one of my favorites. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I've been binge-watching...</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Heartland on Netflix. Have you seen it? Why hasn't anyone mentioned this series before? It's been on since 2007! I have 13 seasons to catch up on. It's been the perfect show to keep my energy up and not dwell on things I can't change.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am hoping...</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">all these tests that have been done over the summer will soon give us the answers and direction we've been waiting for. Or maybe not? It sure has been a roller coaster at times, along with figuring out a puzzle without the picture. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the garden...</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">there really isn't much happening. With our high temps, it just doesn't allow me the ability to work it like I use too. In the morning hours, I water what hasn't died. Clear out what has. I have pots waiting for fall planting, which is fast approaching. I just need to get to the nursery for starters. Hopefully, next week, I can manage it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">seem to not apply right now. Limiting my time there is beneficial to my healthy eating. However, I think Hubby has something brewing. Last Christmas, I ended up with a free Insta-Pot that I still haven't taken out of the box. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hubby's been watching these segments on Good Morning America all week and wants to start using it. I am SCARED to death of it! Though I have never experienced any of the mishaps with a regular pressure cooker, I have seen what can happen, and this can do the same thing. If we were a family of five again, I might overcome my fear and consider it. But it is just us now, and we really don't need to cook that much food...Boy did I get an earful! Guess you don't have to be a large family or make a large meal in it! I have a feeling it might just be freed from its box.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Shared Quote...</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">from Beth Moore's series, "Redefined" on TBN.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Anybody tired of your pattern defining your person?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently rejoined her program I had stopped watching about five years ago. In fact, I've been trying to "redefine" just who I am, again, and turned it on not knowing what the series was about!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With each new stage of this journey through life, it seems to include redefining some times, along with accepting, growing, discovering the new me that has risen from the ashes! I have no idea why I resist until the depression grabs hold, and I cry out to Him to reset my heart, but He's always ready for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the many avenues available today to meet up with someone along the path I am on, is always a Godsend. Be it a word prompt, a bible lesson that fits perfectly, a call from someone who didn't know how much I needed to hear their voice, He is working to make sure I don't lose my way, while I keep my head up and my eyes on Him.</span></span><br />
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608514416799019787.post-49358535676337933912019-09-13T16:58:00.000-07:002019-10-03T11:23:21.977-07:00Five-Minute-Friday ~ Start<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week’s writing prompt is: </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdqBsWrs8I9BvS-EoG97oSF9CnaemQgMu0bIxZF3Pmpn29YbVQ9hCb-G-AMbIbuXW6yuv24c7kom362rIwybY16b1ua-sNlJmjJ19Ki6Euqx5TMxpf56ZHbsrUqwuMnG1oS1DThSnyVg/s1600/9-13-2019.png"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdqBsWrs8I9BvS-EoG97oSF9CnaemQgMu0bIxZF3Pmpn29YbVQ9hCb-G-AMbIbuXW6yuv24c7kom362rIwybY16b1ua-sNlJmjJ19Ki6Euqx5TMxpf56ZHbsrUqwuMnG1oS1DThSnyVg/s400/9-13-2019.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here I "<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">GO...</span></b>"</div>
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It never fails, every time I start the timer, all the thoughts I had gathered of what and how to write on the prompt, seem to go right out the window.</div>
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Some times I start thinking I am not a writer added by doubts I will ever be an author.</div>
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When I started blogging back in 2007, I never had the intention to write a book. It was all about our journey through some mountains we were climbing, sharing how life was day to day along the way.</div>
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Then, without realizing it, I began to open up more and more about how I got to where I was, and how God's love and his incredible Son had the most significant impact on putting me on the road I was on and why. </div>
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Since then, I have had so many encourage me to continue writing, create a book, and see-through whatever this is God has started within me. Somewhere along the way, the many distractions that had popped up began to make me feel like there was something else working within me. It's become apparent lately that writing was just the beginning, a way to settle the past, and a stepping stone toward other things as well. </div>
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Still not sure exactly how, or when, but I do feel there is more to uncover along this road He's planned for me...<br />
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"<span style="color: red;">STOP!</span>" </div>
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...I just need to continue to learn how to achieve what he is putting in my heart.<br />
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It's so different from when we were raising our children and starting our business.<br />
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Each writing course I sign up for has helped me so much over the last few years. Implementing those lessons isn't as easy as it was 25 years ago. No matter what, I won't be giving up, nor am I rushing it.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Including God, each day allows me peace that I am on the right track.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXQhqR5Av6MXmuz3pFm3CkZ8EbHEc6Eip_lf6mqHWeuNHMtIcHWZa8Tdoc_7CXjfU8JuDBiyX5RrThg4hOd9o-QdWlPf1L2qJLoWjZGhik1B03j9B1NWc71dkeXginJOmaNOmrfnDHQ4/s1600/Start.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXQhqR5Av6MXmuz3pFm3CkZ8EbHEc6Eip_lf6mqHWeuNHMtIcHWZa8Tdoc_7CXjfU8JuDBiyX5RrThg4hOd9o-QdWlPf1L2qJLoWjZGhik1B03j9B1NWc71dkeXginJOmaNOmrfnDHQ4/s640/Start.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 22px;">Don't forget, you can...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click this link to visit </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/09/05/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-testimony/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kate's blog</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click </span><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/09/12/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-start/" style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">this link</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> if you want to read what others have written.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From there, if you want to join in, you will find the link on how to participate.</span></div>
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Have a great week, I know I will!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">See ya' next Friday!</span></div>
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Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00177803470331591655noreply@blogger.com0