tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84734981845046755652024-03-12T21:46:33.245-05:00The Freedom AdventureSo if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-55311863921792999272017-08-12T15:29:00.002-05:002017-08-12T15:29:36.165-05:00Naomi Evangeline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-40978138958404122582016-06-20T16:00:00.000-05:002016-06-20T16:00:20.521-05:00Seek First<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is a big day for our family, with Mark starting his new job with Sitecore as a Sales Engineer. It was really cool to witness how God provided this job, so I want to share it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Fall, we knew that the time had come for Mark to move beyond our family business that we’ve had for 13 years. After some intense work in shutting down the storefront and moving all inventory to a different warehouse (where it’s now running online-only with the help of our wonderful employee, Elizabeth), Mark planned to take a brief rest, and then hit the ground running in January 2016 to find a new job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right before that, in December 2015, Mark drove our van, filled with young adults and a youth pastor, to the One Thing conference in Kansas City. It was a fabulous time of worship, teachings and fellowship – Mark’s first time to attend One Thing, and definitely something he hopes to do again! While he was there, he felt that the Lord impressed upon him a redirection concerning looking for a job (we didn’t grow up knowing that Jesus is not only alive and well, but He speaks to people!... now we know better - Jesus wasn’t messing around when He said that His sheep hear His voice). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of Mark’s previous plan, he felt that he was to simply focus on Jesus – keeping Him first – and not strive to find a job. Practically speaking, this may seem nuts, but nevertheless, Mark spent his time at the Lord’s feet instead of getting aggressive with a job hunt. We’ve seen the Lord at work in wild and crazy ways in the past, and recognize that His ways are unusual to say the least!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Within days of returning from One Thing, Mark got a call from a great guy that we know in the neighborhood, out of the blue. The man had an opening to fill in several months that he thought would be a fit for Mark’s background. Not only would the position be exciting to Mark - using his high tech background as well as his experience from our family business - but he would office from home. The several month delay was also a good thing, allowing Mark time to work on our family business in specific ways so that it could be maintained in a healthy way. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuw38ZC8DuE/V2hVnIsIzrI/AAAAAAAAA40/T0Hh_MJx-hEUVTsdXhHaF1VDUkecSTBcQCKgB/s1600/seek%2Bfirst%2Bkingdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuw38ZC8DuE/V2hVnIsIzrI/AAAAAAAAA40/T0Hh_MJx-hEUVTsdXhHaF1VDUkecSTBcQCKgB/s320/seek%2Bfirst%2Bkingdom.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’re really thankful that God is intimately involved in our lives, and excited about this new season He’s given us!</span><br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-63704408961237899512014-05-09T14:26:00.000-05:002019-04-18T21:57:44.052-05:00The Feasts of the Lord<i>Here's a pulling together of info on a topic I LOVE!...</i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></u></b></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gen. 1:14</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2c1GMoqboRI/U20t-WMblJI/AAAAAAAAAv0/4-Bozp7nY6k/s1600/scripturescroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2c1GMoqboRI/U20t-WMblJI/AAAAAAAAAv0/4-Bozp7nY6k/s1600/scripturescroll.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">signs</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">= Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oth</i>, which means “signal” (in the sense of appearing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same Hebrew word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oth</i>, is </span></span><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">used for Cain’s “mark” (Genesis 4:15) and for Noah’s “token (meaning the rainbow–Genesis 9:12). </span></div>
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<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">seasons</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> = Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mo’adin</i>, which means “appointed time; appointment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same Hebrew word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mo’adin,</i> is used for “Feasts” in Lev. 23:1-2.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A note on the Biblical calendar:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Lord’s calendar is based not only on the sun (to define years), but also on the moon (to define months).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gregorian (Babylonian) calendar is based on the sun, and the Muslim calendar is based on the moon<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the Feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my Feasts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lev 23:1-2</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feasts</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>= Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mo’adin</i>, which means “appointed time; appointment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same Hebrew word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mo’adin,</i> is used for “seasons” in Gen. 1:14.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">convocations </span></i></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>= Hebrew word </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">miqra</span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, which means “rehearsal; the act of practicing in preparation for an event.</span></span>”</div>
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<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">holy </span></i></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>= Hebrew word </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">qadash</span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, which means “to be set-apart; sanctify.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span> </div>
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<span class="accented"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s a “Rebecca’s translation” summary pertaining to the Feasts of the Lord, using the context above:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="accented"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The lights in the heavens are for signals and for the Lord’s divine appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Feasts are set-apart rehearsals of the Lord’s divine appointments. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="accented"><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Notice that the Lord says these are His appointments, not the Jews’...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“These are My Feasts.” Lev. 23:2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the Jews do celebrate the Feast</span></span><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">s, and the Lord will use the Feasts to unveil Jesus to them, the Feasts are not limited to Jews alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gentile foreigners or sojourners joined in with the Jews to celebrate the Feasts, and we have opportunity to know the Lord more intimately through His appointed times as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider Naomi (a picture of the Jews) and Ruth (a picture of the Gentiles) who married Boaz (a picture of Jesus, our kinsman-Redeemer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruth humbly said, “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan has encouraged division between the Church and the Jews, with many negative ramifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is that we lose out on the beautiful context behind things such as the Feasts, which actually point to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We miss out on practical implications of the Feasts which pertain to Jesus’ second coming!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each Feast points to Jesus and is beautifully fulfilled by Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leviticus 23 lists seven Feasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A side note on “seven…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven is the biblical number for completion and perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Feasts will be completed in the seventh month of the Lord’s calendar by Jesus Himself, with all three fall Feasts being in the seventh month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Jesus has fulfilled the seven Feasts, the Golden Age will begin – an age of completion and perfection. </span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hosea 6:3</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Feasts are celebrated in two distinct seasons corresponding to agricultural seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Israel, there is the time of rain in the spring (former rain) and in the fall (latter rain). As Hosea 6:3 mentions, the Lord has come to us as the former rain already, through his first coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watch expectantly for Him to come unto us as the latter rain through His second coming, fulfilling the fall Feasts perfectly - right on time, as He did with the spring Feasts.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spring Feasts</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread/Feast of the Firstfruits are connected to the barley harvest. These first three Jewish Feasts come in rapid succession and all occur within the span of one week.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "estrangelo edessa"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">P</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">assover</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(14<sup>th</sup> day of the Hebrew month Nisan (March/April)) – Redemption - Jesus’ death</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During the first Passover in Egypt, a lamb was sacrificed for each Jewish home, and its blood was applied to the door post. Homes marked with the blood of the lamb were passed over by the angel of death, sparing the life of the firstborn child of that home. Jesus, our Passover lamb, was crucified on Passover, thus fulfilling this Jewish Feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our sacrificial and substitutionary lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Passover speaks of Jesus’ redemptive work through the stages of the Feast. Just like the Matzah bread in the Feast, Jesus was broken (died), wrapped, and hidden away (buried). Finally, the Matzah is brought back at the third cup of wine (resurrected the third day).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the Passover meal, children have fun looking for the broken piece of Matzah that was wrapped and hidden away. This is known as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“afikomen,”</i> which is a strange word. It doesn’t exist in the Hebrew language, so many rabbis have simply considered it to mean dessert, since it is eaten last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">afikomen </i>does show up in the Greek language – the language of Jesus’ day. It means, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I came.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>Rabbinic tradition holds that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">afikomen</i> now represents the lamb eaten during Passover dinner, and therefore everyone must eat of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; line-height: 115%;">When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the upper room, He broke the bread known as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">afikomen </i>and distributed it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Cor. 11:24. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They would have understood the Messianic claim that He was making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feast of Unleavened Bread</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (begins the day after Passover – 15<sup>th</sup> day of Nisan) – Sanctification - Jesus’ burial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Israelites were to only eat unleavened bread every year during Passover to remember their Exodus from Egyptian bondage. Since the children of Israel left Egypt in haste, they didn’t have time for their bread to rise, so it was made on that very first Passover without leaven, also known as yeast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jewish women would sprinkle leaven (breadcrumbs) throughout the house in every nook and cranny and then, on the first day of the Feast, they would sweep ever speck of leaven into the kitchen, take it outside and burn it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Bible, leaven symbolizes sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the agent that causes fermentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Feast of Unleavened Bread proclaims that Jesus’ physical body would not decay in the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was set apart.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feast of the Firstfruits</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (occurs the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the 16<sup>th</sup> of Nisan) – Jesus’ resurrection<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This Feast focuses on the lifting up of the firstfruits of all crops to God & the resurrection of the Firstfruit of all who will rise again – Jesus – who was the First to have risen from death (Jesus rose on the day of First Fruits). When the barley harvest (the first crop planted in winter) ripens, the first sheaf, referred to as the firstfruits, is cut and presented to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord’s acceptance is His pledge of a full harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This Feast was fulfilled with Jesus’ resurrection, as spoken of in 1<sup> </sup>Corinthians:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Cor. 15:20</span></span></blockquote>
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line-height:115%;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"'>Did you know?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The constellation of the Virgin holds a stalk of barley in her right hand. The Lord has displayed the Biblical story in the heavens for us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
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<![endif]></v:textbox> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 93px; margin-left: 7px; margin-top: 703px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 840px; z-index: 251658241;"></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus became the perfect wavesheaf offering that was waved on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He would have ascended to present Himself in the heavenly temple to His Father. When Mary Magdelene wept over the empty tomb and encountered Jesus, He instructed her not to touch Him yet, because He had not yet gone up to His Father (John 20:17). This is because the first barley sheaf could not be touched until it was offered to God. Yet later (Matt. 28:8-10; Luke 24:39) the women clasped His feet and worshiped Him without Jesus giving restriction, and then Thomas touched Him so that he might be convinced of the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. There was no problem with the disciples touching Him because Jesus had already presented Himself as a wave offering before His Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God reaped the best and first of His spiritual harvest in Jesus. What is the importance for us? He is our perfect Firstfruit. According to Romans 11:16, if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is holy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feast of Weeks</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (count seven weeks from Firstfruits, then this Feast is on the next day - Day 50 - Pentecost) Birth of the Church/Rapture Possibility<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Feast of Weeks is called Pentecost in the New Testament, which means 50<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this Feast, two loaves of bread made with fine flour and leaven were brought to the Temple. Fifty days, two loaves and leaven all pointed to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. The two loaves represent the Jew and Gentile, now one in Messiah through the coming of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eph. 2:14-15</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The two loaves have leaven (sin) in them, because believers have not yet been glorified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this age, while Jesus is still in the process of transforming our brokenness, sin is still present in the Church. We are justified through Jesus, yet we still have a long way to go in the process of sanctification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus, our unleavened head, rose on Firstfruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process of the Firstfruits Feast would assume that Jesus ascended, untouched by human hands after His resurrection, to present Himself in the heavenly temple to the Father. After presenting Himself as the wave offering, He then spent 40 days with his disciples, then ascended to remain with the Father until Jesus’ return for His bride. Jesus told the disciples to wait and He would send his Holy Spirit. That happened ten days later, for a total of 50 days after his resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though Pentecost has been fulfilled through the birth of the Church, some scholars wonder if it could be further fulfilled by the Rapture. The seven Feasts are prophetic. The first three, in the Spring, pertain to the First Coming of Jesus, while the last three, in the Fall, pertain to the Second Coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This in-between Feast could very well focus on the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gentiles are symbolized by wheat, which is what is harvested during Pentecost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pentecost is the only Feast of Moses in which <i>leavened</i> bread is allowed, which seems to give it a Gentile flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jews have always celebrated Pentecost by staying up all night, in which they read the entire Book of Ruth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of Ruth is the love story of a Gentile bride and her Kinsman-Redeemer, with rich parallels between the Church and Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pentecost is one of three “solemn” Feasts, along with Passover and Tabernacles - considered holy (set apart).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibly, besides the picture of Jesus’ sacrifice and Jesus’ reign on earth, the other “set apart” Feast may be when He comes for His bride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Talmud and Josephus refer to Pentecost as “Conclusion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible that Pentecost could conclude the fulness of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some scholars view Enoch as a parallel to the Church, as he walked with the Lord, and was raptured before a time of judgment upon the whole earth (the Flood).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rabbinical tradition says that Enoch was not only born on Pentecost (as the Church was born), but that he was also raptured on Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church is one body, as Enoch is one body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is known as a “Type” of the Church by many scholars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pentecost is also known as the “Feast of Harvest,” and harvest wording is used in Scripture, and by Jesus, to refer to His gathering believers to Himself.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt. 3:12</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt. 12:30</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Thess. 2:1</span></span></blockquote>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Fall Feasts<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each major event of Jesus’ first coming occurred on the precise date of the appropriate Jewish Feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It follows that the major events associated with Jesus’ second coming will, likewise, fall on the appropriate Feasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three fall Feasts – Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles –point to second coming events such as wrath for the unsaved, the salvation of Israel, and the establishment of the messianic Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with the Spring Feasts, the Fall Feasts will be fulfilled literally and right on schedule in connection with His second coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Feast of Trumpets</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (first day of Tishri; occurs at the new moon; Rosh Hashanah; also known as the “Wedding of the Messiah”) – Second Coming of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Feast of Trumpets is unique because it is the only one which arrives on the first day of a Hebrew lunar month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it occurs at the new moon, when only a sliver of moon is visible, in ancient days the rabbi assigned witnesses lest clouds obscure the new moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watchfulness was critical for this Feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need for watchfulness and preparedness in connection with the Feast of Trumpets is echoed throughout the New Testament in connection with Jesus’ Second Coming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep in mind that the Second Coming is a separate event than the Rapture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rapture occurs with Jesus in the clouds, gathering His bride to Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Second Coming is when Jesus sets foot in Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Feast of Trumpets is called the “Feast that no man knows the day or hour of” or the “hidden Feast” because of the challenge of not knowing of its arrival until the new moon is seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus said, "no man knows the day or hour," there is strong inference to the Feast of Trumpets to those familiar with the Lord’s appointed times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"of that day or hour no man knows, but my Father only" is an expression used by a groom when asked when his wedding will be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says this because it is his Father that will tell him when his preparations on the bridal chamber are completed and it is time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Some do wonder if the Feast of Trumpets could also be an appointment for the rapture, when Christ comes for his bride, the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be possible for the rapture to occur on this feast, with the Second Coming falling on this feast on a later year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ezek. 46:1 mentions the gate of the inner court that will be opened in the day of the new moon, which points to the Feast of Trumpets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many scholars believe this "open door" can be seen in Matthew 25, Revelation 3 and Revelation 4:1.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Day of Atonement</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (nine days after Trumpets on the 10<sup>th</sup> day of Tishri; Yom Kippur) - Redemption<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are seven “days of awe” between the two-day Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. Some interpret these to picture the seven years of Tribulation. Also, corresponding to seven days, in the Jewish Wedding the groom comes for his bride "like a thief in the night" to take (seize/rapture) her away and into the bridal chamber for the bridal week at his father's house. The bride and groom remain hidden away together in the bridal chamber for seven days.</span><span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to Jewish tradition, three books are opened in heaven on the Feast of Trumpets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is the Book of Life for the righteous. The second is the Book of Life for the unrighteous. The third is the Book of Life for those in-between. If a man is righteous, his name is written in the Book of Life for the righteous at the Feast of Trumpets. If he is unrighteous, his name is written in the Book of Life for the unrighteous and he will not survive the year. If a man is deemed in-between, judgment is delayed from the Feast of Trumpets to the Day of Atonement. During this time, he can repent before the Book is closed and his destiny sealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some believe that at the Feast of Trumpets, God’s wrath will commence on earth, resulting in many being saved before the Book of Life is closed forever. These new believers will enter the messianic Kingdom still in mortal bodies (as distinct from the raptured and glorified Church, who will inhabit New Jerusalem).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feast of Tabernacles</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (15<sup>th</sup> day of Tishri) – Rejoicing; Messianic Kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revelation 21:3</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a seven day Feast that usually occurs in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Observant Jews erect huts or “booths” from bulrushes as a reminder of the temporary housing erected by their forefathers during the Exodus wanderings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Samples of the fall crop are hung in the booth to signify God’s faithfulness and provision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day the High Priests and tens of thousands of worshipers left the Temple Mount, stopped at the Pool of Siloam, and filled a pitcher with water from the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they went back to the Temple Mount by a different route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at the Temple Mount, the High Priest poured the water out of the pitcher onto the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Israel, the rain usually stopped in March and there was no rain for seven months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ceremony was intended to invoke God’s blessing on the nation that he might provide early rains in October and November so that there would be a spring crop and avoid famine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Feast of Tabernacles speaks of the messianic Kingdom – a new beginning without the ravages of the curse of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Righteousness will become a reality on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Feast signifies the day when the Messiah Himself will tabernacle among men and bring in the utopian age of the “Golden Age.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Suggested Resource:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Howard, Kevin, and Marvin Rosenthal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Feasts of the Lord.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nashville, TN:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nelson, 1997.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-2144389737113392162012-10-27T13:38:00.000-05:002012-10-27T13:41:49.478-05:00Our Experience With Samaritan MinistriesWith the birth of Noah, our sixth child, we were able to
experience something we had never experienced before. We received
checks from others around the country to completely pay for our midwife
assisted home birth.
With prior births, we had to pay for the midwife out of pocket
since no insurance plan we have ever had actually covered that. We'd
like to share what we have learned with you and invite you to check it
out for yourself.
<br />
<br />
About a year ago we decided to finally check out some of the
medical expense sharing organizations we had heard about for a few
years. We were intrigued with the idea of helping others with their
medical bills, and then if we needed help, we could share our needs with
others too. When we looked into the details, we were astonished to
learn that what we were paying for high deductible (like $5K and $10K)
medical insurance was more than we would need to share every month
through most of these plans. We also learned that those who participate
in a medical expense sharing plan are exempted from the "Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act." Encouraged by these discoveries, we
went about researching the various options out there.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.samaritanministries.org/join" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Samaritan Ministries Logo" src="http://www.nurturedfamily.com/images/Samaritan-Ministries-Logo.jpg" /></a>After researching several options we chose to go with <a href="http://samaritanministries.org/">Samaritan Ministries</a>
and it has been a real blessing. As of June 2012, we are one of about
21,000 families sharing medical expenses around the world. Our total
sharing amount is $355 a month (for a family of 8), and we can share any
medical expense (there are some limitations) over $300. This encourages
us to consider what we choose to spend our medical dollars on, while
helping to cover us when we have a larger need.<br />
<br />
Here are some other things we really like about Samaritan Ministries:<br />
<ul>
<li>We send our checks directly to someone who has a need every month</li>
<li>There are no hidden administrative costs - only one check for $175 a year covers all administrative costs </li>
<li>Prayer requests and non-covered needs (like pre-existing conditions, oral surgery, etc) are shared for all to consider</li>
<li>Samaritan Ministries is a non-profit charitable organization</li>
<li>Their staff has been very helpful and servant-minded every time we have interacted with them</li>
</ul>
<i>~ Mark</i><br />
<br />
<b>If you would like to learn more you can <a href="http://samaritanministries.org/join" target="_blank">fill out this very simple form and they will send you a packet of information</a>
about the plan. If you do, there is a spot to mention how you heard
about them. We kindly ask that you mention us in that spot: Mark &
Rebecca Miller.</b>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-26872813751333591142012-10-07T22:20:00.000-05:002014-10-18T23:10:53.138-05:00Noah's Birth Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2AExm3fwNCg/UHI7I0QMyGI/AAAAAAAAApw/eHF_mYyARm4/s1600/2012_10_03+Laboring+1_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2AExm3fwNCg/UHI7I0QMyGI/AAAAAAAAApw/eHF_mYyARm4/s400/2012_10_03+Laboring+1_1000.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2AExm3fwNCg/UHI7I0QMyGI/AAAAAAAAApw/eHF_mYyARm4/s1600/2012_10_03+Laboring+1_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92zS8xqGaj8/UHI7JrqAxlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/hzSoC_V6pdc/s1600/2012_10_03+Laboring+2_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92zS8xqGaj8/UHI7JrqAxlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/hzSoC_V6pdc/s400/2012_10_03+Laboring+2_1000.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAjtJsOjG1I/UHI7KI335yI/AAAAAAAAAqA/WiKgBC4D-QE/s1600/2012_10_03+Laboring+3_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAjtJsOjG1I/UHI7KI335yI/AAAAAAAAAqA/WiKgBC4D-QE/s1600/2012_10_03+Laboring+3_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAjtJsOjG1I/UHI7KI335yI/AAAAAAAAAqA/WiKgBC4D-QE/s400/2012_10_03+Laboring+3_1000.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnWpwXX8t0o/UHI7VjkJX7I/AAAAAAAAAqw/MEwgzJPy2u0/s1600/2012_10_03+Noah+Born_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnWpwXX8t0o/UHI7VjkJX7I/AAAAAAAAAqw/MEwgzJPy2u0/s400/2012_10_03+Noah+Born_1000.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4JR7BUt_Zs/UHI641g0WXI/AAAAAAAAApI/5TA3gAbOFXY/s1600/2012_10_03+Checking+Noah+out+2_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4JR7BUt_Zs/UHI641g0WXI/AAAAAAAAApI/5TA3gAbOFXY/s400/2012_10_03+Checking+Noah+out+2_1000.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slQ-HdpNoSs/UHI663lSCaI/AAAAAAAAApQ/moaYc6rPvJg/s1600/2012_10_03+Checking+Noah+out_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slQ-HdpNoSs/UHI663lSCaI/AAAAAAAAApQ/moaYc6rPvJg/s400/2012_10_03+Checking+Noah+out_1000.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_QpVC0hqYQ/UHI7P6huniI/AAAAAAAAAqY/DPegWRcRc_A/s1600/2012_10_03+Measuring+Noah_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_QpVC0hqYQ/UHI7P6huniI/AAAAAAAAAqY/DPegWRcRc_A/s400/2012_10_03+Measuring+Noah_1000.jpg" height="206" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bOrubPPHh0/UHI7j4gqqJI/AAAAAAAAArI/VJD6jX-NcQk/s1600/2012_10_03+Proud+Ezra+big+brother_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bOrubPPHh0/UHI7j4gqqJI/AAAAAAAAArI/VJD6jX-NcQk/s400/2012_10_03+Proud+Ezra+big+brother_1000.jpg" height="400" width="316" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wn5m64WCxqg/UHI7AXCBv7I/AAAAAAAAApg/8Sprb4q94PM/s1600/2012_10_03+Hava+holding+Noah+1_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wn5m64WCxqg/UHI7AXCBv7I/AAAAAAAAApg/8Sprb4q94PM/s400/2012_10_03+Hava+holding+Noah+1_1000.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eAXAZfWa3Y/UHI7IZgyafI/AAAAAAAAApo/HF_uLfVjoR0/s1600/2012_10_03+Jaden+holding+Noah+2_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eAXAZfWa3Y/UHI7IZgyafI/AAAAAAAAApo/HF_uLfVjoR0/s400/2012_10_03+Jaden+holding+Noah+2_1000.jpg" height="338" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr9W7luLe8c/UHI7jJ5ytLI/AAAAAAAAArA/VDhYYpoaH40/s1600/2012_10_03+Pierce+holding+Noah+2_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr9W7luLe8c/UHI7jJ5ytLI/AAAAAAAAArA/VDhYYpoaH40/s400/2012_10_03+Pierce+holding+Noah+2_1000.jpg" height="400" width="389" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVYa0nK8Tw/UHI7kcK5SNI/AAAAAAAAArQ/D8AaHw0FsXo/s1600/2012_10_03+Rebecca+Ezra+Noah_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVYa0nK8Tw/UHI7kcK5SNI/AAAAAAAAArQ/D8AaHw0FsXo/s1600/2012_10_03+Rebecca+Ezra+Noah_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVYa0nK8Tw/UHI7kcK5SNI/AAAAAAAAArQ/D8AaHw0FsXo/s400/2012_10_03+Rebecca+Ezra+Noah_1000.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwdYCH0gAVM/UHI7PP3KpgI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/PWfQ-jQQHS0/s400/2012_10_03+Lauren+holding+Noah_1000.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="388" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn-XdecsGPA/UHI7OuPi2OI/AAAAAAAAAqI/VxTRfr4xffk/s1600/2012_10_03+Lauren+&+Ezra_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn-XdecsGPA/UHI7OuPi2OI/AAAAAAAAAqI/VxTRfr4xffk/s400/2012_10_03+Lauren+&+Ezra_1000.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Lauren, for taking pictures for us - you have a natural gift!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-37279117890619330802012-10-04T18:29:00.001-05:002012-10-27T13:33:16.942-05:00Naming Noah JohnOn Wednesday, October 3rd at 3:14 PM, our Noah John was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was for Mark to share what his name
would be after he was born, but we had a funny thing happen earlier in the week
that changed that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People kept asking me
what the name would be, and I kept telling them I didn’t know – Mark would
decide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark and I have been joking for
a while that the birth would be like when Elizabeth had Jesus’ cousin and
Zechariah, the father, asked for a writing tablet and wrote his name after his
birth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfiTjCUbg6w/UG4e1rYA_RI/AAAAAAAAAm4/BDTbJoursXc/s1600/2012_10_03+Noah+John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfiTjCUbg6w/UG4e1rYA_RI/AAAAAAAAAm4/BDTbJoursXc/s200/2012_10_03+Noah+John.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Noah, moments after birth</i></td></tr>
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In the past, I'd come up with names, and Mark would let me know if he didn't like something. But he didn't typically come up with ideas for names, so one of the names I'd brainstormed would be what we went with. Based on that pattern, I’d been pondering names for many months. For most of the pregnancy, the
name Levi was at the top of my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
as time went on, I felt in my spirit that he was really Noah, which means “rest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About the time that transition happened, Mark communicated a new kind of leading in choosing our son's name, which was certainly welcome to me. Mark wanted to take some time to figure out
what the name should be. In an email, I forwarded my 'list,' comprised of about a dozen names and
meanings for him to take into consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my favorite middle names
were Shiloh, meaning “tranquil, peaceful” and Jeremiah, meaning “God will set
free.”<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeUmreo10BM/UHH9kHlwjFI/AAAAAAAAAo4/OjDKT5WJIYQ/s1600/2012_10_03+Noah+Born.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeUmreo10BM/UHH9kHlwjFI/AAAAAAAAAo4/OjDKT5WJIYQ/s200/2012_10_03+Noah+Born.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sweet joy and relief!</i></td></tr>
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In general, the birth of our children have been good
experiences, though never easy for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Throughout Noah’s pregnancy, if I started thinking about the birth and
the pain involved, I would simply push the thought away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, about a month before his birth, the Lord
poured out a special peace and expectancy over me that was clearly supernatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When thoughts of birth came up, there was
nothing to push away – there was just peace.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Unbeknownst to me, Mark didn’t want to be influenced by my
list, but rather he just wanted to hear from the Lord what the name should
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When looking over names that had to
do with peace or rest, Mark felt his name was to be Noah..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking up names that had to do
with ‘grace’ – with the idea of resting in the Lord’s grace – Mark felt that the
middle name should be John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve always
tried to avoid common names, however, since our last name is very common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark felt sure that I wouldn’t be happy about
going with ‘John.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sunday, Mark mentioned that he knew what the name
would be, but he wasn’t sure I’d be pleased with the middle name because it is
common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately heard from the
Lord, ‘John.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This name had never been one
we considered in the past, but I did remember reading the meaning of it before
and thinking how great the meaning was. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Monday night after Mark returned home from the church men’s meeting, he
mentioned a friend joking that the baby should be named “Steven Mark” (because
the friend’s name is Steve<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>: )<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joked with Mark and said, “or Mark John.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I knew the name "Mark" was not a consideration in
Mark’s mind, but I was feeling playful and wanted to see his reaction regarding
the middle name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was really taken
aback and asked how I knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept
laughing and couldn’t get over how cool it was that the Lord spoke the same
name to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he shared then that the
first name would be Noah, which I was thrilled with – and I was of course
thrilled with “John” as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it's common,
how could I not be pleased with a name the Lord led Mark to, which is the name of
a disciple Jesus dearly loved, as well as his cousin John the Baptist who lived and died so passionately for him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It occurred to us at the end of our conversation that the name
that Zechariah wrote on his writing tablet was “John!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How neat that our little joking comments
regarding Zechariah actually tied in to this middle name that the Lord gave us
for our sweet new baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we pray that
our Noah John will rest in the Lord – rest in His grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-37727358927360144842012-01-19T12:39:00.000-06:002012-01-19T12:39:02.196-06:00The Gospel Hidden in the Torah<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Currently Mark and I are working our way through a DVD set that we’re borrowing from a friend (thanks, Chris!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Chuck Missler’s “<a href="http://resources.khouse.org/products/dvd25/">Learn the Bible in 24 Hours</a>.<b>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It’s certainly not your typical study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chuck enjoys digging deep and can be pretty technical.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I wanted to share something profound from Genesis 5 that he shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, Genesis 1 – 4 is packed with exciting topics, such as the creation of the world (Chuck delves into scientific topics here that can blow you away).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course after Genesis 5, you get into the flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Genesis 5 is a genealogy that most people skim past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Chuck brought up the fact that Hebrew words all have specific meaning – even these proper names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the names were not translated into their English meanings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you take the ten names listed (Adam through Noah), what do you get?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, Adam means “man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth means “appointed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enosh – “miserable/mortal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kenan – “sorrow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mahalalel – “the Blessed God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jared – “shall come down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enoch – “teaching/commencement.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Methusaleh – “his death shall bring.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lamech – “despairing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah – “comfort/rest.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing comfort.</span></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Right there – hidden in the Jewish Torah – is the Christian gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always amazing to find a fingerprint of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, knowing that the human who penned it could only have been ignorant of the authentication stamp God was putting in His scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the beginning, God had his plan to redeem us - it's part of a beautiful love story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I found this clip if you’d like to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7gcOsMnyCY">listen for yourself</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!</span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-87077207693385177642012-01-10T21:54:00.000-06:002012-01-10T21:54:30.199-06:00A Silent Loss<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Between our second and third sons, in the spring of 2004, we experienced our first miscarriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emotional pain – and the length of that mourning - caught me by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew, through friends, that miscarriage was hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But of course there’s nothing like going through something yourself to truly bring it from your head to your heart.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Once again we find ourselves in a season of hardship, having gone through three miscarriages starting in July 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark and I have had several conversations throughout this time, and we desire to communicate from our heart on this issue that touches so many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing that comes to mind is how miscarriage underscores how precious the gift of children is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain and loss emphasize the fragility of life and help us to experience gratitude.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Another thing I’ve longed to communicate is quite raw, so forgive me if this is awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of my four miscarriages, three have been quite early, so that the physical experience wasn’t very different from a regular cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One occurred a bit later, at 8 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day after the miscarriage began, Mark and I had a date night scheduled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go forward with that, thinking that a night away may be helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out, the miscarriage really ‘kicked in’ and as I sat in the movie theater, I could feel something passing through me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a strange, surreal time as I stood in the bathroom stall afterward, trying to process what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was clueless about the reality of a later miscarriage (and 8 weeks is still quite early), so I was caught off-guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, the ultrasound tech said there was no longer any sac, yet here it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The medical world may simply deem this as ‘tissue’ to be discarded, but my heart told me to gently wrap this little one that we mourned so that we could have a time of memorial together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came out, I was in a numb emotional place and shared with Mark what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cried and hugged me, and we headed home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We were able to place our itty bitty baby in a little box and have a memorial in the backyard as a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each shared the things we mourned about this baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children shared their hearts that they were sad to not get to hold this baby, to not watch this baby grow up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to express the reality that we would meet the baby one day in heaven, and how exciting that would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sweet, healing time that I’m thankful for.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Shortly after that miscarriage, my neighbor experienced a miscarriage at 11 weeks and we spoke on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hadn’t started bleeding yet, and I shared with her my experience to give her an idea of what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was able to avoid the medication often prescribed to ‘hurry things along’ and was able to avoid a D & C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, she shared how glad she was that we got to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was able to pass the baby naturally and was able to see her little one – perfect little nose, ears, mouth – the sweet reality of this person she was carrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She expressed that seeing her baby actually helped to bring closure and was healthy for her emotional healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without expecting what would naturally occur, she may have chosen a different route which would have emotionally separated her from the physical experience and would have left her in a numb emotional place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After speaking with her, I felt anger regarding how miscarriage is dealt with in our society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This silent, painful process is often treated in such a dry, medical manner, so that women are left in an emotionally numb state – unable to walk through the mourning process in a healthy way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I encourage us, especially as women, to share our experiences with one another and to embrace the grieving that is very real regarding losing a child – whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or a child that was born, lived, and then passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignorant words can be spoken, resulting in mothers feeling frustrated and hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A future baby cannot replace the baby that was lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minimizing the reality of a baby (for example, with a very early miscarriage) does not minimize the pain, but rather leaves mothers feeling invalidated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There were a couple of books that were uplifting to me through these miscarriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they are not specifically on miscarriage, they were very timely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is “<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/one-thousand-gifts/ann-voskamp/9780310321910/pd/321910?item_code=WW&netp_id=830957&event=ESRCG&view=details">One Thousand Gifts</a>” by Ann Voskamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This beautifully written<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> book (truly – a piece of art)</span> expresses how to experience joy in life amidst the raw pain that we are sure to walk through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a real life-changer, whether your pain is monumental or whether your pain is regarding the dullness of life – dishes, diapers and all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another wonderful piece of encouragement is “<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/heaven-is-for-real/todd-burpo/9780849946158/pd/946158?item_code=WW&netp_id=793760&event=ESRCG&view=details">Heaven is for Real</a>” by Todd Burpo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This amazing non-fiction captures a four year old’s experience with heaven that occurred when he died during an operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One aspect of it included his meeting his miscarried sister, whom he’d never been told about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shared impossible-to-know details regarding her and many other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that we will meet our miscarried children in heaven, and this book was a beautiful reminder of that fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was healing not only for me as a mother, but also for my two oldest sons who read it.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My hope in sharing our experience is simply that by bringing it to light, it will be an encouragement to some of you who have walked this same journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our culture is often silent and confused regarding miscarriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark pondered this after a conversation with a customer over the register, as tears came to her eyes over her recent miscarriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it helps just to know that you’re not alone in your pain, and that your pain is certainly very real. </span></div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-39102630874274921962011-08-17T14:36:00.000-05:002011-08-17T14:36:33.421-05:00A Knock On the Door<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed writing a post. On those rare occasions that I cannot sleep, I often feel the Lord impressing on me a story to share. Tonight, for some reason, it is an old story that I have wanted to write, but never did find the time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the Fall of 2002, Mark and I lived in San Diego, California with our two young boys (Pierce – 2 ½; Jaden – 6 months). Mark worked as an electrical engineer at Intel, and found himself at an interesting crossroads with his career. When Mark was a bachelor, he put in long hours at work with little consequence. Once we married, however, and especially after we started having children, the expectations grew to be unreasonable. Mark’s work/life balance was painfully off-balance, to the tune of being expected to work 80 hours per week. He began to seek the Lord constantly in prayer regarding the situation, and interestingly, things at work grew to be ridiculously painful. It became clear to Mark that he was to quit. Interesting, considering that his goal prior to this season in life was to work his way up the ladder to become a VP at Intel.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In December 2002, we visited friends of ours in Houston. Knowing that Mark planned to quit in the Spring, they joked that we should move to Houston and purchase a lot in their neighborhood. They recently built a new home on a golf course, and empty lots lined their street. This joke held no temptation for Mark, but I actually found the idea rather appealing. I spoke with him within the next couple of days regarding the many benefits to moving to Houston (cheaper cost of living, living near good friends, support with home schooling, etc.). He was not impressed… at all. But he said that he would pray about it, and he was open to my staying a bit longer in Houston to research building a home on a lot. You could say he was humoring me : )</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Things seemed to fall easily into place regarding the home we would want built in Houston. When Spring arrived, we had one foot invested in building a home on a lot across the street from our good friends. It was a low risk to Mark, because pulling out meant little money lost. He was happy living in our home in a beautiful valley in San Diego. Moving to Houston still held little appeal, but he was faithful in prayer, asking for confirmation. He planned to quit in April, as he felt the Lord was leading him clearly in that area, but he had no idea what was around the corner regarding career. There was no reason – yet – to move.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One Saturday that Spring, Mark lined up a few different realtors to interview them regarding selling our home in San Diego. Once again, he was just speculating – simply doing his research. A heavy, closed door regarding moving to Houston would be a great relief to Mark. But if the Lord knew better, Mark would certainly follow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mind you, our home was not on the market. There was no ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard. Mark was simply talking with three realtors, one interview lined up after another, at our kitchen table. During one of the interviews, the realtor shared with Mark a story about a home in our neighborhood. The home was not for sale, but someone knocked on the door asking to buy it, and the house ended up being sold to them. In the midst of this story, exactly when the lady said the word “knocked,” there was a knock on our door. Not the ringing of a door bell. A <b>knock</b>. Mark got up, answered the door, and was in shock to hear a man expressing interest in seeing our home - to possibly purchase it. Mark motioned to the lady at our kitchen table, to express that he was currently talking with a realtor and would have to get back with him. The man expressed that he, himself, was a realtor. He explained that he had a client that may be interested in our home. And beyond that, he and his wife were interested personally. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After viewing our home, his client was indeed interested, which irritated his wife because she was interested in our home! Short story - a contract was signed within three days for them to purchase our home (wife won, client lost!). No fees, mind you, because he was a realtor and took care of the paperwork himself. Also, Mark asked that the sale of their home not be contingent, which the realtor had no qualms with. Mark was blown away.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With little doubt that he was not only to quit his job, but also to move to Houston, Mark willingly went through the motions to move our family to a hot, humid, flat city with plenty of traffic. Obedient to the promptings God gave us, his nervous stomach didn’t follow suit as easily, and he threw up that first night in our new home in Houston. He laughs about that now, as we’ve been so incredibly blessed by God’s redirection in our lives.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the Fall of 2003, fires tore through San Diego, burning down homes in our old area and altering the beautiful views of that valley that we lived in. Mark pondered the sad timing of that tragedy with awe. Looking back, we also wonder that if we had stayed in San Diego, Mark most likely would have taken another high-tech job (leading to more work/life imbalance) through connections with friends, rather than start the <a href="http://www.nurturedfamily.com/">family business</a> that the Lord led him to in Houston. Not to mention, we couldn’t have afforded to survive financially in San Diego, with its cost of living, running our family business. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Lord works in mysterious ways. We find that the directions He has us take often look ‘crazy’ to the world. But if we follow, we find ourselves on a beautiful path. We’re thankful that He intervened in the details of Mark’s career, which has altered the dynamics of our family dramatically for the better. We marvel at the confirmations He gave us along the way, including that perfectly timed knock on the door.<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Chaparral Pro","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-22815705089900142372011-08-17T14:21:00.000-05:002011-08-17T14:21:36.417-05:00A Long Time Comin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">It's time to finally post some pictures! Here are some snippets since moving last October (can you tell, I can't keep up??)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The boys made a special anniversary dinner for us in February. They created the surprise menu themselves and did a fantastic job. Crawfish etouffee, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">hush puppies, old fashioned baked beans, and poached pears - yum!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VP0nVdetmaw/Tkv9K9-dOmI/AAAAAAAAAiY/SKj9zEmiOl8/s1600/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VP0nVdetmaw/Tkv9K9-dOmI/AAAAAAAAAiY/SKj9zEmiOl8/s320/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%25286%2529.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFeN8pTGfUw/Tkv9WGpexmI/AAAAAAAAAic/nlgUoqaBjb8/s1600/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFeN8pTGfUw/Tkv9WGpexmI/AAAAAAAAAic/nlgUoqaBjb8/s320/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%252810%2529.JPG" width="292" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjDIjPub6Lc/Tkv-BXzET4I/AAAAAAAAAig/HN_YzpPstP0/s1600/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjDIjPub6Lc/Tkv-BXzET4I/AAAAAAAAAig/HN_YzpPstP0/s320/2011_02_14+P%2526J+Make+Anniv+Dinner+%252812%2529.JPG" width="252" /></a><br />
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We were appreciative and look forward to next year's dinner!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lheIQQhqwU/Tkv_8gXlPAI/AAAAAAAAAik/XHETTF3UCVs/s1600/2011_02_15+Pierce%2527s+Baptism+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lheIQQhqwU/Tkv_8gXlPAI/AAAAAAAAAik/XHETTF3UCVs/s320/2011_02_15+Pierce%2527s+Baptism+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pierce decided to make Jesus his Lord in February. He put Christ on in baptism... what a wonderful day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7x9WGaO4tg/TkwGUAFB4KI/AAAAAAAAAjk/SFkD4BWhgQI/s1600/2011_03_08+Pierce+wearing+Ezra+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7x9WGaO4tg/TkwGUAFB4KI/AAAAAAAAAjk/SFkD4BWhgQI/s320/2011_03_08+Pierce+wearing+Ezra+%25281%2529.jpg" width="207" /></a></div> Pierce wears Ezra. He's a great helper, and loves his younger brothers and sister (with plenty of conflict, of course!)...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rjc1S1EtdEs/TkwGuVq_a7I/AAAAAAAAAjo/5FUC-4pJrWY/s1600/2011_03_15+Fishing+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rjc1S1EtdEs/TkwGuVq_a7I/AAAAAAAAAjo/5FUC-4pJrWY/s320/2011_03_15+Fishing+%252810%2529.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fishing with Paw Paw Schell in Baton Rouge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc2It29p1KY/TkwHCllkaII/AAAAAAAAAjs/kTno6CVokAU/s1600/2011_03_28+Bill+%2526+Florence+Visit+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc2It29p1KY/TkwHCllkaII/AAAAAAAAAjs/kTno6CVokAU/s320/2011_03_28+Bill+%2526+Florence+Visit+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqN56ld5uHg/TkwJutVbGjI/AAAAAAAAAkA/nvB0yGLtGlI/s1600/2011_03_28+Bill+%2526+Florence+Visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqN56ld5uHg/TkwJutVbGjI/AAAAAAAAAkA/nvB0yGLtGlI/s320/2011_03_28+Bill+%2526+Florence+Visit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JGgjrDexqM/TkwJwByUVYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qdqyVPHbKlg/s1600/2011_03_28+Ezra+by+the+garden+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JGgjrDexqM/TkwJwByUVYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qdqyVPHbKlg/s320/2011_03_28+Ezra+by+the+garden+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVABJQdndw0/TkwItjkx2RI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ekFb67V0uaE/s1600/2011_03_28+Bill+%2526+Florence+Visit+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OCULt9Zu9Q/TkwJ6RCzKcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Po4RxsfdHJg/s1600/2011_03_28+Working+on+garden+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OCULt9Zu9Q/TkwJ6RCzKcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Po4RxsfdHJg/s320/2011_03_28+Working+on+garden+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNK4sFxJUHk/TkwJ9TuzofI/AAAAAAAAAkM/sRqUsqF481w/s1600/2011_03_28+Working+on+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNK4sFxJUHk/TkwJ9TuzofI/AAAAAAAAAkM/sRqUsqF481w/s320/2011_03_28+Working+on+garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During Maw Maw & Paw Paw Miller's visit, Paw Paw helped us build a fence around the garden to keep deer and other critters out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zer51drqtQ/TkwKSSeqMpI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/oL4Tk8ZpJuw/s1600/2011_03_28+Playing+with+Florence+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zer51drqtQ/TkwKSSeqMpI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/oL4Tk8ZpJuw/s320/2011_03_28+Playing+with+Florence+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh0aUXt4eBQ/TkwKWFeCW-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/tdM4Sp13WzQ/s1600/2011_03_28+Playing+with+Florence+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh0aUXt4eBQ/TkwKWFeCW-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/tdM4Sp13WzQ/s320/2011_03_28+Playing+with+Florence+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was plenty of fun to be had with Maw Maw Miller out on the street!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBexMY88rUI/TkwLdjR3t8I/AAAAAAAAAkg/JMz6nxbOqG0/s1600/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBexMY88rUI/TkwLdjR3t8I/AAAAAAAAAkg/JMz6nxbOqG0/s320/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+13.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CbEh5tJgn6E/TkwL2HDzeqI/AAAAAAAAAko/clUPoEPPoxs/s1600/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CbEh5tJgn6E/TkwL2HDzeqI/AAAAAAAAAko/clUPoEPPoxs/s320/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfvVPaZ9zIc/TkwL2twQOSI/AAAAAAAAAks/UtGavtxI5FI/s1600/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfvVPaZ9zIc/TkwL2twQOSI/AAAAAAAAAks/UtGavtxI5FI/s320/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BVGNSdBLEk/TkwLeHAB8DI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xqqLHpP-in8/s1600/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BVGNSdBLEk/TkwLeHAB8DI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xqqLHpP-in8/s320/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9H-lt6R_8/TkwLDmoYwVI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ij_z9RbyAHk/s1600/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9H-lt6R_8/TkwLDmoYwVI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ij_z9RbyAHk/s320/2011_04+Mission+Tejas+Camping+17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uZZhMp9duk/TkwLF8PL4XI/AAAAAAAAAkc/BUyaiY3-tBc/s1600/2011_04_04+Camping+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uZZhMp9duk/TkwLF8PL4XI/AAAAAAAAAkc/BUyaiY3-tBc/s320/2011_04_04+Camping+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A wonderful time was had camping at Mission Tejas in early April with our dear friends Don & Melissa. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRNNQRI7U5Y/TkwNC9vqTwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/b9aWpCMXNCY/s1600/2011_04_27+Monster+spider.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRNNQRI7U5Y/TkwNC9vqTwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/b9aWpCMXNCY/s320/2011_04_27+Monster+spider.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've found that we don't even need to go camping now to come in contact with very large bugs. Our home on a shady acre is stocked full of creatures! This one greeted me one morning in the den. He was about 5 inches across. Perhaps he is a she, though... that fat body may hold plenty of babies! Eeeek!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGSga0ExUrU/TkwO3-k-nWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Rr2eY6yg_oc/s1600/2011_04_19+Arkansas+trip+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGSga0ExUrU/TkwO3-k-nWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Rr2eY6yg_oc/s320/2011_04_19+Arkansas+trip+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuav0DX5O_s/TkwPbb1gzMI/AAAAAAAAAlU/BA6hyovrxVM/s1600/2011_04_19+Miller+cousins+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuav0DX5O_s/TkwPbb1gzMI/AAAAAAAAAlU/BA6hyovrxVM/s320/2011_04_19+Miller+cousins+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> In April, we also got to visit with Maw Maw & Paw Paw Schell as well as my sister & her family at Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas. While there, we visited Mark's brother and his family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7iC_CLK3HE/TkwQnCSH9pI/AAAAAAAAAlY/sekdSVDEXHY/s1600/2011_07_19+Roadtrip+w+MawMaw+PawPaw+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7iC_CLK3HE/TkwQnCSH9pI/AAAAAAAAAlY/sekdSVDEXHY/s320/2011_07_19+Roadtrip+w+MawMaw+PawPaw+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtGUFwPU-hw/TkwFZveDXoI/AAAAAAAAAjg/HF35QMJB0rg/s1600/2011_07_24+Roadtrip+w+MawMaw+PawPaw+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtGUFwPU-hw/TkwFZveDXoI/AAAAAAAAAjg/HF35QMJB0rg/s320/2011_07_24+Roadtrip+w+MawMaw+PawPaw+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRNNQRI7U5Y/TkwNC9vqTwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/b9aWpCMXNCY/s1600/2011_04_27+Monster+spider.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>In July, Jaden & Elijah went on an RV trip to Estes Park, Colorado with Maw Maw & Paw Paw Schell. The rest of us flew up to join them for the last week. We had a great time!<br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-23116724834166135892010-11-29T23:50:00.001-06:002010-11-29T23:52:54.261-06:00The Cardinal<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I realized I never blogged about the cool ways that the Lord was involved in our move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been such a busy, intense time, but I want to pause and tell the story.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, let’s back up quite a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we moved to Houston in 2003, we moved across the street from good friends of ours, in a golf course subdivision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years later, our friends ended up moving to Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the backyard was small and we weren’t allowed to walk on the golf course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if our trash can was in the wrong spot, we’d get a letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We longed for a home on some land in a country setting, so the children could play outside and dig in the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the years passed without our pursuing it, as we watched the economy slow down and homes sit in our neighborhood with ‘for sale’ signs in the yards.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last November (a year ago), Mark and I were blessed to have some prophetic words spoken over us by an older couple that we’d never met before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They prayed over us and shared four things that they felt the Lord was impressing on them about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all right on – concerning the baby we were expecting, a ministry the Lord had placed on both of our hearts, an upcoming time of confusion, and about our desire to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regarding that, they said, “we’re getting that you’d like to move to a new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not out of state or anything, but a different home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been cautious for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord wants you to know He’ll be in the details.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, that was encouraging to hear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been cautious, so it was nice to have that invitation.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That week, I got online and set up a simple search on a real estate site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many homes came across my email, because I made the search pretty specific - over half an acre, one story (or no bedrooms upstairs), etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In early March, a home came across that looked interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called a real estate agent that friends of ours liked, and set an appointment to see the home that weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night before, I prayed and asked the Lord for a confirmation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that we could love the house, but He could have a different home in mind for us, I wanted His guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t thought about a specific confirmation, but a cardinal came to my mind when I paused in my prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I prayed that while we viewed the home, we would see a cardinal if it was the right home for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t seen a cardinal in two years, and that was when we were out of town on a camping trip. So, that was my fleece (Judges 6).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TPSRIQgZaHI/AAAAAAAAAiA/83oGS7Mlbfk/s1600/cardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TPSRIQgZaHI/AAAAAAAAAiA/83oGS7Mlbfk/s1600/cardinal.jpg" /></a></div><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day, we pulled up to the home and I joked with Mark as I got out of the car “let me know if you see a cardinal…” (I hadn’t mentioned my prayer to him yet).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house was just right as we walked through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, I looked out a back window, and a cardinal flew down and landed on a bird bath in the back yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called my son Pierce over to see it, and Mark as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shared my prayer with them – how exciting to have a confirmation!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We weren’t doing things in the typical order – but we hurriedly did months of house projects, decluttering and cleaning in about a week and put our home up for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that the Lord would be in the details, we figured a sale would be quick and easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We decided it'd be best for me to take the children to </span>my parents’ home in Louisiana for a few weeks, to allow the house to stay in order and sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How funny to think that things would be quick & easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’d really thought about it, we’d have known that things may just be very difficult and slow, because that builds character!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven stressful months followed, with many house showings, while homeschooling five children and having a new baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that seven months, we faced very difficult times with our business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three times stand out in our minds when buying a home looking downright impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By human wisdom, we would have taken the ‘for sale’ sign out of the front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet each time, we watched the Lord clear the obstacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sweet to have a confirmation in order to keep us on the path we were on.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the while, it was amazing that the home we found didn’t sell out from under us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, the owner (who was also a realtor) found that the agency that sets up showings was denying all showings on the home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our realtor joked with her that her clients were really praying about the home, so we had a lot of power on our side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other realtor joked back, “well, tell them to stop praying!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">Eventually we had a reasonable offer from a sweet family that wanted to buy our home, and we were able to close on both homes exactly 7 months after listing our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark & I are still looking at each other in wonder – we can’t believe we’re here – in the ‘cardinal’ house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord truly was in the details, and He used the slow, challenging process to build our faith and teach us more dependence on Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is faithful – always.</span></span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-44399069691793854932010-09-21T15:01:00.001-05:002014-10-18T23:18:20.253-05:00His VoiceI’ve had a little lesson lately on hearing from Him. For the past several years, I’ve longed to hear His voice more. Part of my ‘baggage’ from the past was boxing the Holy Spirit in… for example, He is the seal of salvation, but He doesn’t ‘speak’ to people or work supernaturally as you’d read about in Acts. My experience has knocked that belief right off the shelf, which is refreshing. Of course, there’s still a growth process – a journey that I’m walking through, learning to experience Him more deeply.<br />
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So, a frequent prayer of mine over the years has been to hear from the Lord. There were two events recently that showed me that I am hearing from Him – how encouraging! In late August, a group of ladies came to my house one Thursday night. We spent some time in worship, shared needs and ministered to one another through prayer. For myself, I prayed about my recent struggle with frustration and anger toward the children. The last several months have been so stressful – I’m already in over my head the first year with a new baby. Add to that having our home on the market, business struggles, and other stresses, and WOW! Overload! So, I requested prayers for that, because I don’t like it one bit when I’m raising my voice at my children. I also asked for prayers regarding hearing from the Lord, as that would of course be a comfort during times of stress.<br />
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One lady prayed for me, and while she was praying, I thought – “My grace is sufficient for you… my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then another lady prayed for me, and toward the end, she said that she was getting something for me from the Lord – “My grace is sufficient for you… my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then she said that she was also getting that I’m hearing from the Lord often, but not realizing that it’s Him. <br />
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I just had to laugh! What a fun confirmation. First, it was just what I needed to hear regarding my struggle with my children. I’m hard enough on myself – I don’t need ‘training advice’ or more pressure. I need to know that He’s got me covered with His grace, and His power is made perfect in my weakness – my brokenness. At the same time, He showed me that I am hearing from Him, but I assumed that I was hearing my own thoughts. Knowing that He lives inside of me, that only makes sense. The Holy Spirit is in constant communication with me – His truth is constantly poured over me. I realize that as I grow up in Him, I’ll learn to discern more and more what is coming from Him and what is truly from me. For now, I’m just thankful to know that His words are freely poured out on me, encouraging, guiding and teaching me as I go.<br />
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Just 6 days after this confirmation came another, if you’d like to <a href="http://hestillmoves.blogspot.com/2010/09/hearing-from-him.html">read about it</a>!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-31849035288442879392010-08-18T13:30:00.000-05:002010-08-18T13:30:06.164-05:00Keeping focused dailyWe've been using a book called "Daily Light on the Daily Path" for daily Bible readings as a family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TGwlcg8BYvI/AAAAAAAAAhg/F9heVTq0IEs/s1600/Daily+Light+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TGwlcg8BYvI/AAAAAAAAAhg/F9heVTq0IEs/s1600/Daily+Light+Book.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm really enjoying how it's grouped into morning and evening readings for each day, and how each reading is on a central theme. Here's a taste:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>He who glories, let him glory in the LORD. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>1 Corinthians 1:31</em> </div><br />
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 <br />
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I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. Romans 15:17<br />
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Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Psalm 73:25 My heart rejoices in the LORD;… I rejoice in Your salvation. 1 Samuel 2:1 <br />
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Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. Psalm 115:1Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-52255328491846796192010-06-30T21:07:00.000-05:002010-06-30T21:07:10.148-05:00Still too busy to blog, but here are more pics!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv1ozghKpI/AAAAAAAAAgM/i9bPY5F1T_w/s320/148_4844.JPG" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv1sHmiWYI/AAAAAAAAAgU/KQcJvj18zOM/s1600/148_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv1sHmiWYI/AAAAAAAAAgU/KQcJvj18zOM/s320/148_4843.JPG" /></a><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv1v3xNb4I/AAAAAAAAAgc/-eQtb3OcEGA/s320/148_4846.JPG" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv18FjUdAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/DKSeimYztXo/s1600/148_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv18FjUdAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/DKSeimYztXo/s320/148_4851.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ezra playing by the mirror.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv2IdJpAyI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TPgVXToxmLU/s1600/148_4848_r1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv2IdJpAyI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TPgVXToxmLU/s320/148_4848_r1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Silly Pierce.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv2k0XO2xI/AAAAAAAAAg8/C0VimuBzaFA/s1600/2010_06_27+Hava+Dress+Up+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv2k0XO2xI/AAAAAAAAAg8/C0VimuBzaFA/s400/2010_06_27+Hava+Dress+Up+(4).jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv3HMtUdGI/AAAAAAAAAhM/ApRMOkmJE-A/s1600/2010_06_27+Hava+Dress+Up+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv3HMtUdGI/AAAAAAAAAhM/ApRMOkmJE-A/s320/2010_06_27+Hava+Dress+Up+(5).JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Havilah playing dress up.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv3dIGdSrI/AAAAAAAAAhU/OnAzmNqT5sI/s1600/2010_06_30+Groupon+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TCv3dIGdSrI/AAAAAAAAAhU/OnAzmNqT5sI/s400/2010_06_30+Groupon+Pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Elijah "holding up" the nice gal from Candelari's Pizzeria, for our Groupon photo contest entry.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-10292964505403432832010-06-04T12:48:00.000-05:002010-06-04T12:48:35.217-05:00More Pics!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">June is here - we can't believe our Ezra will be 6 months old on the 11th. It seems like he was just born. We're still plugging away over here with our home on the market. I look forward to when I get to blog about that whole story, when it's said and done!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1v37TDjI/AAAAAAAAAec/0uDeMOr8Gk4/s1600/2010_04_24+Pierce%27s+sign+for+house+showing+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1v37TDjI/AAAAAAAAAec/0uDeMOr8Gk4/s320/2010_04_24+Pierce%27s+sign+for+house+showing+(1).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pierce makes a fancy sign - maybe fresh baked cookies will make them want to buy our house, right??</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1ijJQycI/AAAAAAAAAeM/xRUrdaHP1AU/s1600/2010_04_15+Hava+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1ijJQycI/AAAAAAAAAeM/xRUrdaHP1AU/s320/2010_04_15+Hava+(2).jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Huh??<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1pR2EJZI/AAAAAAAAAeU/9zS636W8Njs/s1600/2010_04_15+Hava+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1pR2EJZI/AAAAAAAAAeU/9zS636W8Njs/s320/2010_04_15+Hava+(3).jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1-YVxhsI/AAAAAAAAAek/SPsyc9Glr9I/s1600/2010_05_02+Hava+Dress+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk1-YVxhsI/AAAAAAAAAek/SPsyc9Glr9I/s320/2010_05_02+Hava+Dress+Up.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Hava enjoys dressing up. Usually she ends up looking like a princess. This time, she got into the boys' closet...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3XOyaxpI/AAAAAAAAAes/4wFJg5f9aRo/s1600/2010_05_10+Water+Play+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3XOyaxpI/AAAAAAAAAes/4wFJg5f9aRo/s320/2010_05_10+Water+Play+(4).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Hooray, summer's here in full force! The forecast shows that we'll hit 100F this week.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3fvPvi4I/AAAAAAAAAe0/ekZzLaB0_aE/s1600/2010_05_16+Family+Movie+Night+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3fvPvi4I/AAAAAAAAAe0/ekZzLaB0_aE/s320/2010_05_16+Family+Movie+Night+(2).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Family movie night means white popcorn popped on the stove top and caffeine free Dr. Pepper. Ezra & Hava lounge on the sofa together...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3lnU9VBI/AAAAAAAAAe8/nUUxxZ02IPA/s1600/2010_05_18+Hava+in+play+tent+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk3lnU9VBI/AAAAAAAAAe8/nUUxxZ02IPA/s320/2010_05_18+Hava+in+play+tent+(1).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Peeking through the play tent window</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk4h_TUM4I/AAAAAAAAAfE/9g4kkKze6vE/s1600/2010_05_18+Painting+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk4h_TUM4I/AAAAAAAAAfE/9g4kkKze6vE/s320/2010_05_18+Painting+(1).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Pierce enjoys painting. He's been spending a lot of time drawing with his new set of pencils as well.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk4of8c86I/AAAAAAAAAfM/EwqQc64qATo/s1600/2010_05_18+Painting+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk4of8c86I/AAAAAAAAAfM/EwqQc64qATo/s320/2010_05_18+Painting+(12).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Jaden working on his painting of a rocket.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5Lym02fI/AAAAAAAAAfU/XHJRAt71Z0Q/s1600/2010_05_19+Ezra+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5Lym02fI/AAAAAAAAAfU/XHJRAt71Z0Q/s320/2010_05_19+Ezra+(4).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Ezra doesn't know how to not smile, it seems.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5QIJ9DMI/AAAAAAAAAfc/jImpEacTwb0/s1600/2010_05_19+Ezra+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5QIJ9DMI/AAAAAAAAAfc/jImpEacTwb0/s320/2010_05_19+Ezra+(9).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5TsQ457I/AAAAAAAAAfk/NRDetlDoK70/s1600/2010_05_19+Hava+%26+Jaden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5TsQ457I/AAAAAAAAAfk/NRDetlDoK70/s320/2010_05_19+Hava+%26+Jaden.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Jaden's a wonderful big brother. They all are, really.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5qVye50I/AAAAAAAAAfs/yYpAu1vNsTA/s1600/2010_05_19+Hava+with+doll+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk5qVye50I/AAAAAAAAAfs/yYpAu1vNsTA/s320/2010_05_19+Hava+with+doll+cropped.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6kYpEpLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/nv0H72TChvQ/s1600/2010_05_20+Ezra+underwear+head+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6kYpEpLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/nv0H72TChvQ/s320/2010_05_20+Ezra+underwear+head+(2).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Doing the laundry is more fun when Ezra can sport an underwear hat. We're easily entertained.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6n1E5C6I/AAAAAAAAAf8/L3louLVaTmk/s1600/2010_05_20+Ezra+underwear+head+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6n1E5C6I/AAAAAAAAAf8/L3louLVaTmk/s320/2010_05_20+Ezra+underwear+head+(3).JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6q3nzAGI/AAAAAAAAAgE/zSQkNPo9oA0/s1600/2010_05_22+Hava+sleeping+off+bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/TAk6q3nzAGI/AAAAAAAAAgE/zSQkNPo9oA0/s320/2010_05_22+Hava+sleeping+off+bed.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We're missing the bolts for Hava's new (used) toddler bed. The barriers we put up didn't do the trick. We found her sleeping like this!</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-33626649324850712802010-05-09T19:41:00.000-05:002010-05-09T19:41:29.321-05:00Time's Flying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really haven't kept up, have I? With five kiddos, homeschooling, a family business, trying to sell our home, etc. life has flown by this last five months, without a post! Here are a few pics to fill in the gap:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTvU92KdI/AAAAAAAAAdM/AUubzhV3YxY/s1600/2010_Jan+Ezra+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTvU92KdI/AAAAAAAAAdM/AUubzhV3YxY/s400/2010_Jan+Ezra+(3).JPG" tt="true" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUEmEyoHI/AAAAAAAAAdU/QrQE7WTnsV4/s1600/2010_Jan+Hava+Ponytails+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUEmEyoHI/AAAAAAAAAdU/QrQE7WTnsV4/s400/2010_Jan+Hava+Ponytails+(2).JPG" tt="true" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January 2010 Braids by Elizabeth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUTrL3nmI/AAAAAAAAAdc/Qk4Cl57zZSA/s1600/2009_Dec+(78).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUTrL3nmI/AAAAAAAAAdc/Qk4Cl57zZSA/s320/2009_Dec+(78).JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elizabeth our wonderful helper for a few weeks - come back!!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUl_Grm6I/AAAAAAAAAdk/Vnsghpq7HfY/s1600/2010-02+Ezra+Hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dUl_Grm6I/AAAAAAAAAdk/Vnsghpq7HfY/s400/2010-02+Ezra+Hand.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ezra's hand - pic by Brittney Stanley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dU51w3SvI/AAAAAAAAAds/8JsKFZFfgI4/s1600/2010_01_21+Jaden+Eljiah+Swinging+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dU51w3SvI/AAAAAAAAAds/8JsKFZFfgI4/s400/2010_01_21+Jaden+Eljiah+Swinging+(4).JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elijah & Jaden playing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dR_rYwrgI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Za4n5QFl-tI/s1600/2010_01_25+Slinging+Sleeping+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dR_rYwrgI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Za4n5QFl-tI/s400/2010_01_25+Slinging+Sleeping+(2).JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping in the sling - Jan. 25th, 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTAXytdlI/AAAAAAAAAc8/R95uXtspagM/s1600/2010_01_26+Hava+%26+Ezra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTAXytdlI/AAAAAAAAAc8/R95uXtspagM/s400/2010_01_26+Hava+%26+Ezra.jpg" tt="true" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crazy about Ezra - Jan. 26th, 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTcQRxVlI/AAAAAAAAAdE/iDVXb6J6K3g/s1600/2010_04_22+Ezra+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dTcQRxVlI/AAAAAAAAAdE/iDVXb6J6K3g/s400/2010_04_22+Ezra+(3).JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Growing boy - April 22nd, 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dVW7BwrfI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ehOuVO2kxBU/s1600/2010_04_24+Ezra+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/S-dVW7BwrfI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ehOuVO2kxBU/s400/2010_04_24+Ezra+(3).JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our smiliest baby yet - April 24th, 2010</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-45775231088026406892009-12-12T21:43:00.001-06:002009-12-29T21:53:31.244-06:00Ezra Josiah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ezra Josiah was born on Friday, December 11th at 11:30 PM! This was the easiest birth so far - we're very thankful. He was born at home, in the water, with the assistance of our midwife, <a href="http://christianmidwife.net/">Cathy</a>, her assistant, Amanda, and the loving support of Rebecca's parents and several good friends, who came over and stayed up very late to share our joy.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ezra - one day old.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ezra's proud big sister. Havilah can't get enough of him!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Proud big brother. How fun for Ezra to have THREE big brothers to look up to!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad finally gets a turn to hold Ezra - it's hard, with all the competition!<br />
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-89076034758146074592009-10-29T05:39:00.003-05:002009-10-29T06:00:30.042-05:00Finding CalcuttaI've been enjoying reading "Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service" by Mary Poplin. I found this description on Amazon:<br /><blockquote>Lifelong educator Mary Poplin, after experiencing a newfound awakening to faith, sent a letter to Calcutta asking if she could visit Mother Teresa and volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity. She received a response saying, "You are welcome to share in our works of love for the poorest of the poor." So in the spring of 1996, Poplin spent two months in Calcutta as a volunteer. There she observed Mother Teresa's life of work and service to the poor, participating in the community's commitments to simplicity and mercy. Mother Teresa's unabashedly religious work stands in countercultural contrast to the limitations of our secular age. Poplin's journey gives us an inside glimpse into one of the most influential lives of the twentieth century and the lessons Mother Teresa continues to offer. Upon Poplin's return, she soon discovered that God was calling her to serve the university world with the same kind of holistic service with which Mother Teresa served Calcutta.</blockquote><br />This review by Phyllis Tickle says it well:<br /><blockquote>In this poignant, elegant, humble memoir, Poplin gives us far more than Mother Teresa or even another Mother Teresa story. She gives us instead the Jesus and the Christianity that operated through Mother Teresa. Poplin's experience of finding Calcutta irrevocably changed her soul. It will change yours as well.</blockquote><br /><br />In the chapter "The Missionaries and Miracles," Mary Poplin discusses her experience with a miracle and how in the Western culture, "one is at risk for reporting such things." As she says, miracles are certainly "not a part of the academy" and notes that "even in many religion departments" there have been "alternative explanations for the miracles of Christ." It is interesting, as she notes, that developing nations - unlike Western cultures - see the supernatural, in "revivals, signs and wonders." I'd have to agree with her conclusion that "we have too little faith - Mother [Teresa] called it spiritual poverty. Christ proclaimed to many who were healed, 'Your faith has made you well.'" The result of our Western view of how God operates, for most believers, means that we pray "calmly for ordinary things and fervently when things get really bad" as Charles Kraft (a Western missionary in Nigeria) puts it. In contrast, "the Missionaries of Charity relied on the power of God for everything." This kind of reliance - this stepping out in faith - can only result in experiencing Him.<br /><br />I deeply appreciated this chapter, based on my personal paradigm shift over the last couple of decades. From a believer who considered that God 'doesn't work that way' (like what you read in the New Testament) anymore, to a believer who, by the grace of God, was able to open the door to experiencing Him, my personal experiences confirm what Poplin discusses. In the past, my worldview, self-sufficiency and general lack of faith kept God 'in a box.' After that box broke open, I have since experienced God in many supernatural ways, such as being physically healed of chronic pain after being prayed over, hearing the voice of God, witnessing demons leave a friend (and the radical transformation in his life after) and being ministered to by words and pictures that other believers (strangers to me) shared with me - words that could only come from God, based on His intimate knowledge of me. I can't express how encouraging it is to walk with God in this new way.<br /><br />Why did I not experience the Lord so personally before? This question was one that I used in the past to confirm that God in fact does not operate today the same way He did in the New Testament church. After all, if He did still operate supernaturally, then believers that I knew would be experiencing Him. The stories I'd heard from others - usually 'charismatics' - must be made up! Now I know that to be untrue. Many stories are made up - people are people. But the fact is that many stories are true... God works, even today, and He works in power.<br /><br />So why did I not experience Him before? I liken it to Him being 'a gentleman,' if you will. He's so graciously given us free will and allows us to make our decisions. He knows where we are, respects that, and is not an insecure God who has to 'prove Himself.' In fact, scripture says that "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Heb. 11:6. Also, how would we grow in character if He kept busting in and 'proving Himself' all the time while we never stepped out, taking the risk to have faith?<br /><br />Now that I've experienced Him so richly and cannot for a moment doubt His personal involvement, much less His existence, I consider Him to be incredibly patient, gracious and kind toward us and where 'we're at', rather than questioning His very existence due to 'not seeing Him show up.' I'm thankful for His guiding me gently along the journey to knowing Him more fully, and long to continue down this path. If you've not peeked around this curve, I invite you to do so - the path grows more beautiful with every step.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-8122375461238506092009-08-12T22:44:00.002-05:002009-08-12T22:53:04.503-05:00Hummingbird<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoOMTIZbH1I/AAAAAAAAAao/ESp1lRZAT78/s1600-h/2009_08_12+Hummingbird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369289441055285074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoOMTIZbH1I/AAAAAAAAAao/ESp1lRZAT78/s400/2009_08_12+Hummingbird.jpg" /></a> This little hummingbird (about 1 1/2" tall) sat on a branch for several minutes today outside of our office window.<br /><div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-46645171762110784132009-08-10T21:00:00.000-05:002009-08-17T22:07:55.918-05:00Bathtime!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooazI3HVbI/AAAAAAAAAbI/oePqwvUonyU/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(14).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371134971447039410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooazI3HVbI/AAAAAAAAAbI/oePqwvUonyU/s400/2009_08_10+(14).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooayrgfGxI/AAAAAAAAAbA/PoX_NNQka20/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(12).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371134963567500050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooayrgfGxI/AAAAAAAAAbA/PoX_NNQka20/s400/2009_08_10+(12).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooayC5TMcI/AAAAAAAAAa4/TBwzIy1aR6M/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(10).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371134952665723330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooayC5TMcI/AAAAAAAAAa4/TBwzIy1aR6M/s400/2009_08_10+(10).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooaxpW3mxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/72VMoiJwdSA/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(8).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 357px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371134945810422546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SooaxpW3mxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/72VMoiJwdSA/s400/2009_08_10+(8).JPG" /></a> </div></div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-85391789943053879632009-08-10T20:45:00.001-05:002009-08-17T22:10:26.495-05:00Posing for the Camera<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobXUI-cVI/AAAAAAAAAbg/945kZf7rw4Q/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(7).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371135592950034770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobXUI-cVI/AAAAAAAAAbg/945kZf7rw4Q/s400/2009_08_10+(7).JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobWms4smI/AAAAAAAAAbY/vNcrLTDKRhU/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(6).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371135580752622178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobWms4smI/AAAAAAAAAbY/vNcrLTDKRhU/s400/2009_08_10+(6).JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobWTgH6AI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/WWuIHn1eB9c/s1600-h/2009_08_10+(4).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 346px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371135575598819330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SoobWTgH6AI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/WWuIHn1eB9c/s400/2009_08_10+(4).JPG" /></a> </div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-28715184049714202952009-08-09T11:58:00.005-05:002009-08-10T15:38:52.713-05:00Fabulous Salsas & the Perfect French Omelet<strong>Fire-Roasted Tomato <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chipotle</span> Salsa</strong><br /><br />¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. virgin olive oil<br />½ onion, peeled and chopped<br />2 pounds Roma tomatoes, blackened<br />4 tsp. finely minced roasted garlic<br />½ cup minced fresh cilantro leaves<br />4-6 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">chipotle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">chiles</span> en <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">adobo</span>, chopped<br />¼ cup red wine vinegar<br />1 tsp. salt<br />1 tsp. sugar<br /><br />1. To blacken the tomatoes, remove the stems and place on a rack under a broiler until the skins blister, crack, and blacken. Do not over-blacken, or a bitter taste will result.<br />2. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">sauté</span> pan over medium heat until lightly smoking, add the onion, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">sauté</span> until caramelized, about 10 minutes.<br />3. Transfer the onion, half the blackened tomatoes, and garlic to a food processor or blender, and pulse until finely chopped but not pureed.<br />4. Add the cilantro and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">chipotle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">chiles</span>, and pulse again to mix.<br />5. Peel, seed, and chop the remaining pound of tomatoes, and fold in together with the remaining ¼ cup olive oil, vinegar, salt, and sugar.<br /><br /><strong>To Roast Garlic:</strong><br />1. Cut the top off of one head of garlic, so garlic cloves are barely exposed.<br />2. Place in a small baking container, with cut edges facing up.<br />3. Pour 1/2 inch of water in the baking dish.<br />4. Drizzle olive oil over the cut open garlic.<br />5. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.<br />6. Use any extra cloves to spread over French bread with some butter!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tomatillo</span>-Avocado Salsa</strong><br /><br />1 pound <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatillos</span>, husked, rinsed, and roughly chopped<br />1 or 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and roughly chopped<br />1 or 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">serrano</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">chiles</span>, with seeds (depending on desired spice level)<br />¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves<br />2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice<br />1 tsp. salt<br /><br />Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">purée</span> until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.<br /><br />Delicious breakfast idea - Serve as a garnish with a cheddar cheese omelet, with black beans and sour cream on the side.<br /><br /><br /><strong>The Perfect French Omelet</strong><br /><br />2 eggs<br />1 Tbsp water<br />Dash pepper<br />1 Tbsp butter<br /><ul><li>In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, water, salt and pepper. Using a fork, beat til combined but not frothy. In an 8- or 10-inch skillet with flared sides, heat butter on medium. Lift and tilt pan to coat sides.</li><li>Add egg mixture to skillet; cook over medium heat. As eggs set, run a spatula around the edge of the skillet, lifting eggs and letting the uncooked portion flow underneath. Be careful not to 'mix' the eggs in the skillet, or they will become scrambled eggs. When the eggs are set but still shiny, remove from heat. Fold unfilled omelet in half.</li></ul><p>To prepare a cheese omelet, omit the salt. For filling, sprinkle 1/4 cup cheddar, Swiss, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monterey</span> Jack across center of omelet. Fold sides over. Top with additional shredded cheese.</p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-54894354037784615042009-08-09T11:39:00.002-05:002009-08-09T11:45:59.463-05:00Best Ever Banana CakeOddly enough, a good food memory I have was from a school cafeteria. I remember the delicious, moist banana cake with cream cheese icing. I've been trying different recipes, looking for just the right one. I think I've found it - this was delicious!<br /><br />3 ripe bananas<br />3 Tbsp sour cream<br />2 teaspoons lemon juice<br />3 cups flour<br />1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />3/4 cup butter, softened<br />2 1/8 cups sugar<br />3 large eggs<br />2 teaspoons vanilla<br />1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, plus enough milk to make 1 1/2 cups total. Stir and let stand 5 minutes before using.)<br /><br /><strong>Frosting:</strong><br />6 Tbsp butter, softened<br />6 oz cream cheese, softened<br />3/4 teaspoon vanilla<br />2 2/3 cups powdered sugar<br /><br /><strong>Garnish:</strong><br />chopped walnuts<br /><ul><li>Preheat oven to 275° (yes, that low!). </li><li>Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. </li><li>In blender, mix bananas with sour cream. Add lemon juice and blend a bit more; set aside. </li><li>In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. </li><li>In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy. </li><li>Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla. </li><li>Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. </li><li>Stir in banana mixture. </li><li>Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (may take 15-30 minutes longer, depending on your oven). </li><li>Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist. </li><li>For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth. </li><li>Beat in 3/4 teaspoon vanilla. </li><li>Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth. </li><li>Spread on cooled cake. </li><li>Sprinkle chopped walnuts over top of the frosting, if desired. </li></ul>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-15544132982014949972009-08-07T11:40:00.001-05:002009-08-07T11:45:04.549-05:00Fun Ride for Hava<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SnxZI4cD2AI/AAAAAAAAAZg/r9F_LS_q_AM/s1600-h/2009_08_07+Fun+ride+for+Hava+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367262865042692098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SnxZI4cD2AI/AAAAAAAAAZg/r9F_LS_q_AM/s400/2009_08_07+Fun+ride+for+Hava+2.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SnxZIeVPh_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/pbMAQ2lZ1DY/s1600-h/2009_08_07+Fun+ride+for+Hava+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367262858034776050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vnat_dxb3R4/SnxZIeVPh_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/pbMAQ2lZ1DY/s400/2009_08_07+Fun+ride+for+Hava+1.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3b5vvGovrFBuSbRB2nqFdnuKsR2mFGp5Wl7hM_3_ETkEIPD5CEmD141SW6bM6zRXd52nw0BeAuMw2O2nAYA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473498184504675565.post-87985542001080892912009-08-04T08:52:00.003-05:002009-08-04T08:56:41.794-05:00Tim Tebow Leaving Reporters SpeechlessThursday July 30, 2009<br /><a name="1"></a><br /><a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09073001.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Florida Quarterback <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> Leaves Reporters Speechless: "Yes I am" Saving Myself for Marriage</span></a><br />Also says he is grateful that his mother's story has helped women choose not to have an abortion<br /><br />By John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jalsevac</span><br /><br />Last week Florida Gators Quarterback Tim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow's</span> photo may have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, the same magazine that is best known for its annual "swimsuit issue," but the contrast between the two cover stories couldn't have been more glaring.<br /><br />At 21 years of age and graced with boyish good looks, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> is one of the most talked about rising stars of the NCAA; but the football superstar literally left reporters speechless last week when he answered a question during a press conference about whether or not he is "saving himself" for marriage.<br /><br />"Yes I am," said <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> briefly, who then indicated he was ready for the next question. However, in the video of the press conference, a reporter is heard stumbling over his words in the background as he tries to ask a follow-up question. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> then laughs, obviously reacting to the reactions of the reporters in the room.<br /><br />"I think y'all were stunned by that," he says. "Y'all can't even ask a question. Wow. I mean, I was ready for that question. I don't think y'all were."<br /><br />It wasn't the only controversial remark that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> made that day. In response to another question about whether or not people may be tired of the volume of coverage devoted to the young football star, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span>, a devout Christian, said that the level of exposure he receives is a mixed blessing. However, he said, he looks at the positive side that, thanks to his fame, he has been able to share his Christian faith with so many people.<br /><br />In addition, the football star told the reporters that he believes that the publicity given to his mother's story has helped other women choose not to abort their unborn children. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow's</span> mother, who serves as a Christian missionary together with her husband, was pressured to abort <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> following a life-threatening infection she suffered while pregnant with him. Doctors pressured her to abort her son to save her own life, but she ultimately resisted the pressure and both mother and child survived the birth.<br /><br />"There has been a lot of people that have been encouraged not to have an abortion because they heard the story of my mom, or they have been encouraged because they have heard me give my faith on TV or in a report or something," said <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span>.<br /><br />"You know what, although there has been a backlash, oh, well. You know what, I'll deal with it if I have to. It's not a big deal to me because of the kids and people that have been encouraged by the stories we have tried to tell and by the life that I've tried to live."<br /><br />Growing up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> would often help his parents with their Christian mission work in the Philippines. He was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">homeschooled</span> by his mother, who instilled in her children strong Christian values.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tebow</span> was the first home-schooled athlete to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy. "That's really cool," he said at the time. "A lot of times people have this stereotype of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">homeschoolers</span> as not very athletic - it's like, go win a spelling bee or something like that - it's an honor for me to be the first one to do that."Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232712371795659631noreply@blogger.com