tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23982697166523444772024-03-19T17:20:54.353-05:00Palms of His HandsCan a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:15 & 16aDrewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-21425043577789764352013-11-13T09:56:00.002-06:002013-11-13T10:01:46.066-06:00Operation Christmas Child: Pray. Think. Pack. Pray.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NLWH1Kv3KLkGl3v15SsI4dnS6kQEB6jDwitbXEt1jSUJqQDHrOeD1QIdYeSMM42p2Em3ILD1I1dC0h1vsSknaiE3U92IIuONdUOshrjQq28SfbonWhfm21iy6d3FSF7Zpnw8F4u8ldl/s1600/Shoeboxes+1+Skewed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NLWH1Kv3KLkGl3v15SsI4dnS6kQEB6jDwitbXEt1jSUJqQDHrOeD1QIdYeSMM42p2Em3ILD1I1dC0h1vsSknaiE3U92IIuONdUOshrjQq28SfbonWhfm21iy6d3FSF7Zpnw8F4u8ldl/s320/Shoeboxes+1+Skewed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bosnia, 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The very first event of the Jeffcoat Christmas season is nearly upon us: <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/" target="_blank">Operation Christmas Child</a>. You can click on the link for more details about this unique, hands-on ministry that takes the love of God and hope for the future around the world. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OCC is near and dear to my heart. Our family has packed shoeboxes for at least 15 years, and in 2000 we were on the distribution end of this amazing project. In case you are new to this I want to offer some helpful hints about how to pack a quality box.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Pray. Ask God to help you decide what to put in it. Pray for the child who will receive it and all the hands that will carry it across the globe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Think quality. That box you are packing may be the only gift of any kind that child will receive. Since the goal is to share God's love, make sure that is what your box says to the child who opens it. What I mean is this: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't put junk in it. Maybe kids in America can go buy a new Barbie doll if the head comes off theirs, but the recipient of your box probably can't. Buy a quality doll. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do your own children only use Crayola Crayons? Then put Crayola in the box. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Are there certain pencils or pens you hate to use? Don't send them! <i>(And send a pencil sharpener.)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A jump rope is a fun item, but make sure it isn't a piece of junk. <i>(Some aren't worth the thread they are made of.)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pack new items. <i>(Save your old things for the neighborhood garage sale. Most kids can tell the difference between new and used. Don't make these children who have so little and been through so much feel sub-par.)</i> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Including the $7.00 fee to help with shipping I think it takes around $30 to create a quality box. <i>(Here's the fine line: Though I believe in packing quality boxes, I also think it is better to send two boxes costing $30 each to build than one for $60. Send Crayola Crayons but not the Vera Bradley purse.) </i></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Think appropriateness. Samaritan's Purse asks that we don't put liquids, chocolate, breakables, or military related items in our boxes for obvious reasons. But here are some other things to consider: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Girls of every age love jewelry, but remember: not every girl has pierced ears. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is a good chance your box will end up in a Muslim area: Don't put anything in there that has to do with pigs or pork. You want to bless, not offend. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The same goes with that Barbie doll <i>(that didn't come from Dollar Tree)</i>: Maybe a bikini clad doll would be great for your grand-daughter, but it is not appropriate for most of the world. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What about gory, creepy, scary things? Since many children around the world face real "monsters" let's leave them out of the box. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Make sure your items are age appropriate for the box you are making. If a tag says for ages 5 and up, don't put it in a 2 - 4 year old box. <i>(Be careful with candy too. A choking hazard is a choking hazard anywhere in the world.)</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Picture books are always fun, but avoid non-picture books. Remember: Not everyone in the world speaks English.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Think quantity. What I mean is: FILL THE BOX! If you are unable to fill the box you have either get a smaller box or pool your resources. When my family and I handed out boxes over seas I noticed that many of them were half empty. What does that say to a child? Yes, they are happy to have a gift, but shouldn't we bless them with a gift that is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=pressed+down&qs_version=NIV" target="_blank">"pressed down, shaken together and running over"</a>?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Think ahead. Don't wait until October of 2014 to begin on next year's boxes. Shop year round. Stock up on school supplies in August when they are on mega sale. Look for sale items throughout the year. (That way you can get quality for cheap.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Now pack. Here is a list of great shoebox items: (I love the idea of using a $1 plastic shoebox. They are sturdy and can be used for so many things.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nearly every box we pack contains the following items:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Crayons</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">coloring book</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">soap</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">candy </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">toothbrush/paste</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">comb or brush</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pencils and sharpener</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pens</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">gender appropriate bandana</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then we add from there. Other ideas: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stuffed animal or doll</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">colored pencils</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">markers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">notebook</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ball</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jump rope</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">toy cars</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">plastic cup</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">marbles</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Barrel of Monkeys</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">glow in the dark stars</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yo-yo</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">small puzzle</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">small drawstring back pack</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">small purse</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hand/finger puppets</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rubber duckie</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stickers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">slinky</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">small calendar for the coming year with pretty/cool pictures</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">small frisbee</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jacks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">blow-up beach ball or punch ball</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">t-shirt</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">socks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mittens</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">cap</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hat</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">scarf</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hair-bows/ribbons/clips</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">play jewelry</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Solar calculator (for older kids)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">flashlight with extra batteries</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is not an exhaustive list, just one to get you started.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Pray again. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And that's all there is to it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pray. Think. Pack. Pray.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-36979268581932781732013-08-18T07:38:00.000-05:002013-11-13T10:02:39.938-06:00Find Your Wings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVLbuILvoTp36HpNb8MKeMcVMbDLOku-noAaVu2dToj_FxazFv9zH99_2m-t43ofa4WhuQEvoT9dcoc80mMJg3wPyTNlcEplIrfp8m_CR-wK2mqr0ERG4dbPMrxpdVk5CJoqPMKUx5bri/s1600/Wings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVLbuILvoTp36HpNb8MKeMcVMbDLOku-noAaVu2dToj_FxazFv9zH99_2m-t43ofa4WhuQEvoT9dcoc80mMJg3wPyTNlcEplIrfp8m_CR-wK2mqr0ERG4dbPMrxpdVk5CJoqPMKUx5bri/s320/Wings.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Immersion Trip Journey my 18-year-old daughter Candace is on has seemed real to her from the beginning. Sometime in January SHE heard God say, "Go!" SHE has met her team. HER thoughts have been consumed with raising money, what to take, and writing blog posts and support letters. </div>
<br />
I've been in denial.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, I helped extensively with raising money, placing Amazon orders, and proof-reading texts. But the money was for that trip she'd be going on….later. I've placed hundreds of Amazon orders…what's one or two or three more? And all those heart-felt letters and blogs? Well, I've been her homeschool teacher for 18 years; what's one more essay to proof? Honestly, those myriads of details to work out BEFORE her trip have been a mental buffer between me and saying, "Good-bye". </div>
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<br /></div>
However…<br />
<br />
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Yesterday we held our last fund-raiser: a rummage sale at the 5-way in Magee. God has miraculously provided all her money PLUS extra for all those supplies and expenses she'll have over the next 9 months. Yesterday, as we packed up all the left over items and donated them to a charity, it hit me: It's over. ALL the hard work - making and auctioning items, two garage sales, selling T-shirts, craft fairs to sell bracelets, the Gala, the support letters - done. The summit of an unscalable mountain has been reached. The $11,900 has been raised! And while there are a few odds and ends to accomplish before her September 7th launch date, the buffer is eroding quickly. I am face to face with the reality that my baby, my last fledgling, my constant companion for 18 years, is about to fly the nest. I know she will return…for a while…but once those birds fly it's never the same. </div>
<br />
I am excited for her. What an amazing, life-changing opportunity! She and God are going off on their own adventure. And through my falling tears and choking voice I sing to her Mark Harris' song:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Find Your Wings</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold<br />
The plans that heaven has for you<br />
Will all too soon unfold<br />
So many different prayers I'll pray</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">For all that you might do</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">But most of all I'll want to know</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">You're walking in the truth</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">And if I never told you, I want you to know</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">As I watch you grow</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
</span>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">And that faith gives you the courage</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">To dare to do great things</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
I'm here for you whatever this life brings<br />
So let my love give you roots<br />
And help you find your wings</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
May passion be the wind<br />
That leads you through your days<br />
And may conviction keep you strong<br />
Guide you on your way</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
May there be many moments<br />
That make your life so sweet<br />
Oh, but more than memories</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams</div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">And that faith gives you the courage</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
To dare to do great things</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
I'm here for you whatever this life brings<br />
So let my love give you roots<br />
And help you find your wings</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky<br />
I'll have tears as you take off<br />
But I'll cheer as you fly</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams<br />
And that faith gives you the courage<br />
To dare to do great things</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
I'm here for you whatever this life brings<br />
So let my love give you roots<br />
And help you find your wings</div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><br />
<table 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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtauuF4ihDDVyapZKbYVBT0Tz_dOuP05kZ8J88ei-RO7qwtTcudcCYE2e5E7pTEhyphenhyphen_Ho6CuHYDXbhHBUjA3omqi0smWn2aSsfi2qkpwTsoIXqBLDCGx3uqYlyL2M7MwdpI9KzEAx75dZVd/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtauuF4ihDDVyapZKbYVBT0Tz_dOuP05kZ8J88ei-RO7qwtTcudcCYE2e5E7pTEhyphenhyphen_Ho6CuHYDXbhHBUjA3omqi0smWn2aSsfi2qkpwTsoIXqBLDCGx3uqYlyL2M7MwdpI9KzEAx75dZVd/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her "wings" look a lot like a backpack. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">(I love you, Candace!) </span>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-54379311777426807332013-07-04T18:47:00.001-05:002013-11-13T10:02:56.367-06:00Dealing with Depression<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Dealing with
Depression<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Encouragement from Psalms)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Author’s note: The following article was birthed from my own experiences
with depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not meant
to take the place of professional counseling or medical attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If depression is preventing you from
undertaking and enjoying normal daily activities, or if you are experiencing
self-destructive thoughts, then you should seek professional help
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be embarrassed
or ashamed to get it. (Are we ashamed to go to a medical doctor when we have
the flu or a broken bone?) Just make sure the help you receive comes from
someone who will offer solid, Biblical answers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~ Jesus Christ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Matthew 11: 28 & 29)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Story<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The circumstances
surrounding my own bout with depression aren’t really important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suffice it to say that I had
experienced one too many life changes that left me feeling overwhelmed and
disoriented. Some days were better than others, and though I was able to
continue with my daily activities, my vision and joy were gone. Tears continually
lingered just below the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was snappy and negative. Everything seemed dark and hopeless. There were
actually some days I thought, “If this is all there is to life, then what’s the
use in going on?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For nearly two
years this cloud of darkness hovered close to me. Too close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read my Bible nearly daily and spent
a lot of time crying out to God in prayer, yet no answers seemed to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every now and then I caught a glimpse
of His light - just enough to keep me going and praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in survival mode when I wanted to
soar like the eagles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During this
time my husband gave me a new Bible for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to start at Genesis and read straight through,
something I hadn’t done in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I finally arrived in Psalms I found all my feelings, darkness, and
concerns poured out in its pages, as if it were written just for me. I read
each one eagerly, careful not to miss a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was falling in love with Psalms; hope was sparked once
again in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began
memorizing promises and claiming them as my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I felt like life was crushing in I would say those
verses over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, yet
miraculously, I began feeling better. I gained new perspective and life, the
world seemed brighter, and I was rediscovering joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It wasn’t
merely the power of positive thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the power of omnipotent God and His mighty Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God
is living and active.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharper than
any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most of the
Psalms were written by King David - the greatest king of Israel - a man after
God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) Yet many times David suffered with depression
and seemingly hopeless situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In despair he cried out to God for relief, and God gave it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Help from
Psalms<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If you are suffering from
depression and/or deep discouragement, if the circumstances of your life weigh
you down, if all seems dark and hopeless, if you want to pray but just don’t
know how, let me direct you to the book of Psalms where you will find prayers,
praises, and promises to claim as your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will use them to illuminate your path. (Psalm
119:105)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some things to
consider and verses to hold on to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Relief from
enemies.</span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalms
contains numerous references to enemies of which David had many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He often cried to God for
intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may think, “I
don’t have any enemies; these verses really don’t apply to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be fooled, we all have a very
real and powerful enemy named Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Ephesians 6:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you
claim those verses referring to deliverance from enemies, know that you are
speaking with power against Satan and all his demons. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” </i>(1
John 3:8) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You, dear children, are from
God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the
one who is in the world.”</i> (I John 4:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are
some “enemy” Psalms to get you started: Psalm 6: 9 & 10, Psalm 18: 16 – 19,
Psalm 25:19 & 20, Psalm 30:1, Psalm 31:15, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 69:18, Psalm
138:7 & 8*, Psalm 143:9 & 12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Power of praise.</span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> You can never underestimate
the power praise has. Satan hates it when we praise the Lord and claim the name
of Jesus. Read these passages and claim the power of praise: </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Chronicles 20:21-22, Psalm 8:2, Psalm 18:1 – 3*, Psalm 32:7
and Psalm 44:5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when you
don’t feel like it (especially when you don’t feel like it) quote a Psalm of
Praise, listen to worshipful music, and begin a “Blessings Journal” (see Psalm
78:3 & 4) where you record the good things God has done for you and prayers
He has answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review it often. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some Psalms of
Praise to get you started: Psalm 8, Psalm 19*, Psalm 33, Psalm 36:5 – 11, Psalm
63:1, Psalm 67, Psalm 71:14 -19, Psalm 84*, Psalm 89:1 – 9, Psalm 93, Psalm 95
– 97, Psalm 100*, Psalm 103: 1-5, Psalm 104, Psalm 112 & 113, Psalm 145
& 146, and Psalm 148 & 150.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pray the Psalms.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask
anything according to his will, he hears us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know
that we have what we asked of him.”</i> (1 John 5:14 & 15)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to pray His will than
to pray His Word?!?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some Psalms to
pray: Psalm 25:4 – 7 (for guidance), Psalm 27 (in times of trouble), Psalm 31:
3 – 5 (for help), Psalm 51* (of repentance), 55:1-3; 16-18 (for help against
dark forces), Psalm 61:1-4 (for help), Psalm 69:13 – 18 (for help), Psalm 69:29
(for protection), Psalm 86 (for help), and Psalm 143:8 – 12* (for guidance and
help). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Claim God’s promises.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
never lies, what He says He will do (1 Corinthians 1:9). “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He
is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” </i>(Psalm 18:30 New Living
Translation)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some promises to
claim:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 9:10, Psalm 16: 7, 8
& 11, Psalm 23*, Psalm 34: 4 – 7, Psalm 40: 1-3 *, Psalm 46:1 – 3, Psalm
55:16 – 18 & 22, Psalm 56: 3 & 4*, Psalm 62: 1 & 2, Psalm 68:19,
Psalm 73: 23 – 26*, Psalm 91* Psalm 94:18 & 19, Psalm 103:10 – 13, Psalm
108:12 – 13, Psalm 118: 5 – 7, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 121, Psalm 139 *, Psalm 141
* 8 & 9, and Psalm 147:3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Concluding Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This extensive, but not
exhaustive, list of Psalms was not meant to overwhelm you, but to guide you
through them if you’ve never been there before, or if you, like me, tend to
become mentally “scattered” when you are under stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t try to read them all in one
sitting or one day or even one week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Start with one or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read
them, think on them, and memorize the ones that particularly speak to you, and
then go on to more verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
essence, camp out in the Psalms and stay a while. (You may even want to start
at the beginning and read straight through.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The enemy doesn’t always
attack when our Bible is handy. Memorizing Scripture is the only way to hide
them in your heart where they are always available and yours forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Jesus quoted Scripture when faced
with temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(See Matthew 4:4,
7, & 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In an attempt to simplify
using Psalms I’ve put them into the above categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them belong in several places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example: Psalm 40 is listed under
“Promise”, but it can easily be used for prayer and praise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">While I recommend beginning
in the Psalms, the entire Bible is filled with prayers, promises, and
praises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use a concordance or go
to <a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.crosswalk.com</span></a> and
search for other verses that will minister to your heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps you read this
article because someone you love is suffering from depression or deep
discouragement. You still have the power of prayer, praise, and promises on
your side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stand in the gap for
your loved one (see Ezekiel 22:30).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pray, claim, and praise on their behalf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Those marked * are some of
my particularly favorite Psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An entire article could be
written on the role diet, exercise, and rest play in maintaining good mental
health, but I will save that for someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In closing, let me leave you
with this prayer from Ephesians 3:16 -19 (NIV):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I pray
that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all
the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fullness of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2005<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-84813720535228581322013-05-07T10:12:00.001-05:002013-11-13T10:03:14.663-06:00Imperfect Children<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Your baby may be at risk for
having Down’s Syndrome,” my doctor said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not sure though, so I will check with a geneticist and get back
with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are a
certified worrier like myself, those words are ominous and heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They nearly pushed me to “Basket Case” status. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I couldn’t quit thinking about
Lonnie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lonnie is my dad’s brother born
with Down’s Syndrome in 1953.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
doctor’s said he wouldn’t live to be 20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Too bad they weren’t around to celebrate his 60<sup>th</sup> birthday
this year.) Lonnie can clothe and feed himself and do simple chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not very verbal, but he’s
aware of what’s going on and was a real joy to my grandmother until the day she
died. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of him I have a soft
spot for children with DS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
couldn’t fathom being the mother of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Waiting for the geneticists’
opinion seemed like an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several of my co-workers wanted to know what I would do if my chances
were higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(What would I
do?!?!?! What do you mean?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I guess they figured I would have an amniocentesis to determine the
chromosomal state of my unborn baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I knew that no matter what: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this child was mine – imperfections and all. (Killing our first
child just wasn’t an option for his dad and me.) After two-weeks of
what-iffing, the verdict came back that I was not at any greater risk than the
next woman my age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I breathed a
sigh of relief.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That was 25 years ago, and I now
have three grown children with the “correct” number of chromosomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, I think about that “what if” a
lot, especially yesterday when a friend found out her newborn baby was born
with that extra-chromosome, and she will forever be the mother of a child with
Down’s Syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
“What if” is now her reality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Experience has changed my perspective
in those 25 years, and I have some things I would like to say to that young
mother:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Your baby is just like any other
with his own undiscovered gifts and potentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No baby comes with guarantees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy the unfolding process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m sure you are experiencing
some grief as preconceived dreams for this child die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality is that very few children fulfill their parents’
dreams for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have
their own plans and tend to go their own way. All children would be better off
if we parents quit trying to create little “me’s” out of them. Truthfully, your
child may spend his life living in the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, what’s wrong with that? None of us are promised
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let him teach you. Carpe
diem!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Might this baby face special
health problems?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But so may any number of non-Down’s
babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is uncertain for
everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will learn and
develop and grow at his own pace…but so does every other child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Be warned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Society may disregard him; his monetary
contributions may not meet cultural standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who can measure the value of unconditional love and
acceptance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you calculate
the worth of inspiration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
with full bank accounts and bulging pockets have left the world a much poorer
place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe he won’t grow up to be a
rocket scientist or brain surgeon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But maybe (and most likely) he will shine light in dark places, soften
harden hearts, bring smiles to joyless faces, and encourage those without hope
to keep on trying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t pretend to know how it
feels to raise a special needs child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I do know quite a bit about raising imperfect children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is quite likely that your little
one with the extra chromosome and those like him are more perfect than the rest
of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, he will always
have the faith of a child – the most valuable thing of all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
(Update--- I shared this with the mother this morning. This was her response:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">These are some exact thoughts I've had in the last week. We have really known since he was born he for sure had it but they still have to do the test to make sure it is downs and that is all that is wrong. So luckily yesterday we knew what was coming. It really does change things from day one of knowing your blessing will have complications in life. You worry more about how society is going to treat them and what kind of life they will have and if you will be able to provide for their special needs. And you worry how it will effect the life of your other child(ren). You definitely have different worries than with a non-downs child.)</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-19048374023688032052013-05-02T09:44:00.001-05:002013-11-13T10:03:31.662-06:00Simple Question (Ha!): What curriculum did you use?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Though I would
never consider myself a homeschooling expert, eighteen years of experience has
taught me a thing or two. I am passionate about HS and love encouraging people
who feel led to walk (sometimes crawl) this road less traveled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">One of the
first questions I am asked is, “What curriculum did you use?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a simple question with a not so
simple answer. I have used MANY different things in my efforts to teach my
three children in ways that fit their learning styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sometimes I was more successful than
others. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:-)</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
here you go:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I began my HS
journey with Abeka simply because their unsolicited catalog mysteriously
appeared in my mailbox the exact day I wanted to pull my First-grader out of
school. I used it for several years mainly because I doubted myself and HS
resources were minimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abeka is
designed for those who like the structure of public school curriculum but want
a Christian perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
get teachers’ guides and handbooks - all the bells and whistles a traditional
schoolteacher would have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For a
price.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child who completes
twelve years of Abeka is more than ready for a college experience. I will say
that I REALLY like the beginning Abeka reading program and their emphasis on
phonics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I kept the flash cards
for my grandchildren or for tutoring because I liked them so well.) I also
enjoyed their history for the early grades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I began feeling overwhelmed by the amount of
material to cover and the expense of the curriculum so I explored other
possibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Math:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I changed
to Saxon Math and used it for my two oldest throughout their homeschooling
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Kyle through 8<sup>th</sup>
grade and Cassie through 12<sup>th</sup>.) Saxon Math moves very quickly from
one concept to another, but some students, like my youngest, need more
reinforcement and practice than it offers. When Candace was in junior high I
used the “Keys to…” collection of booklets. (<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/key-to-algebra-books-1-10/9781559530880/pd/53088?kw=keys%20to%20algebra&event=PPCSRC&p=1020037" target="_blank">Keys to Algebra</a>, Keys to Geometry,
Keys to Fractions, and Keys to decimals.) This is excellent material for a
child struggling in these areas. When Candace was ready to move on to actual
Algebra and Geometry I found the Video Text series. (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><a href="http://www.videotext.com/">www.videotext.com</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">) I LOVED IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
pricey, but VERY worth it in my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You watch an instructor on a video then do the work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is broken down into very
simple steps and there are a lot of practice problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is great for the student who can self-learn
and also for the teacher who needs a refresher. I wish I had found this sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It isn’t a high-tech video, but simple
and more than adequate.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Language Arts:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
used Learning Language Arts Through Literature for several years until I felt my
children needed a bit more grammar instruction. I picked up <u>Easy Grammar
Plus</u> by Wanda Phillips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
simple to use and gives a lot of opportunity for practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also picked up <u>Spelling Power</u>
and used it for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
basically a spelling program for all grade levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only “problem” with it is that it doesn’t have all the
fun spelling activities a lot of curriculums have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is easily overcome with Internet sources that allow you
to create your own worksheets and provide other creative ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked <u>Spelling Power</u> because
it has comprehensive lists for every grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fantastic method for teaching language arts is
note-booking and copy-work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
to address those in a separate paragraph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">History:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> I’ve used Abeka, unit studies, Life Pacs and living books for
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite (one I wish had
been written sooner in my HS career) is Mystery of History.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could definitely be started in Jr.
High.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very straightforward
and interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use a note
booking approach to learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much
different from the Lifepacs, so it all depends on your child’s learning style. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Science:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve used Abeka, my
own material, note-booking and Apologia (<a href="http://www.aplogia.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.aplogia.com</span></a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like that last one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have material from upper elementary through high school.
Like Mystery of History they use a note-booking approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The material is easy to read and
interesting. Great supplements to any science curriculum are the Lyrical
Science CDs and books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Cassie, my
middle child, really took to the songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During her 1.5 year stint in public high school she aced several quizzes
because she remembered the information set to music. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:-)</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Note-booking and copy-work:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is incredibly wonderful for any teacher when her students learn the way she (or
he) does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a very visual learner and I need
to see the information on the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like charts and diagrams and pictures. I teach the way I learn.
However, some people are auditory learners and others, like my Candace, learn
by moving (kinesthetically).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
worked with my other two didn’t work with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fourth grade found us both frustrated and struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seemed to hit an educational
brick wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried out to God for
help, and He answered by directing me to Cindy Rushton and
note-booking/copy-work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For much
more information Google “Charlotte Mason”, “Note-booking”, and
“Copy-work”.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The whole idea seemed too good to be true, but I
was desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a
three-ring binder and a box of protector sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let Candace choose a topic that interested her and took it
from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think our first
topic was cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a little
research on cats ranging from lions, tigers, cheetahs, lepers, etc., down to
the house cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I printed out
simple paragraphs and info on each cat and had her read it and copy it word for
word with correct punctuation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’d then find and print a picture of that particular feline, glue it to
her copied page, and put it in a protective sheet in the notebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d include poems we found or wrote
and any other pertinent material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Compiling this notebook (along with a little math and reading aloud) was
our entire curriculum for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spelling improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading
improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Composition
improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grammar Improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Punctuation improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became a believer in this process!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great tool especially in the
early years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just make sure that
the material to copy is age appropriate in length and language and is well
written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This process could be used for any
subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Reading:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read. Let your
children see you reading. Read aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have your child read aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their age doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cassie was reading aloud to me when she was a senior just because we
loved it so much!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do an Internet
search for living books, those are the best kind!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, Cassie was such an avid reader we hardly had to do
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historical fiction was
one of her favorite genres and she learned much more than she did from stuffy
history books!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Several people have asked me about pre-school:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">For
pre-school and even K-2 I would spend a lot of time reading aloud and doing lots
of hands-on activities. Take lots of pictures of what you do and have your
child narrate back to you what happened while you write it down. Add pictures
to the narration and make lots of notebooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting your child’s work in protective sheets and notebooks
lets him or her know the work is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one likes to work hard at something only to have it
thrown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Begin copy-work as
soon as they can form letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forming letters can be the copy-work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I wouldn’t push too hard in these early years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make learning so much fun that they
don’t realize they are learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make an alphabet book with pictures and drawings and items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “C” page could have cotton balls glued on it.)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">You are
fortunate to be homeschooling now. There are a ton of free resources available
for you online. We didn't have Internet when we started, and when we finally
joined the World Wide Web it was nothing like we have now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">If I were
starting over knowing what I know now, I would have taken a much more relaxed
approach than I did. And I would have explored Charlotte Mason's ideas about
education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Recommended Resources:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/420053631380793/?fref=ts"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/420053631380793/?fref=ts</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> This group is led by Ruthie Shepherd the leader
of the Florence-Richland Homeschool group. She posts TONS of free and cheap
resources/links/etc. You should also follow her on Pinterest. ALMOST makes me
wish I had a young one to homeschool again. LOL!<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.Jimmiescollage.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.Jimmiescollage.com</span></a> Jimmie uses the Charlotte
Mason approach and shares a lot of good information and ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">My previous HS posts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.palmsofhishands.blogspot.com/2009/08/advice-for-new-homeschoolers-part-1.html"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.palmsofhishands.blogspot.com/2009/08/advice-for-new-homeschoolers-part-1.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.palmsofhishands.blogspot.com/2009/10/looking-back-on-fourteen-years-of.html"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.palmsofhishands.blogspot.com/2009/10/looking-back-on-fourteen-years-of.html</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.enchantedlearning.com</span></a> - They have a lot of worksheet and
activities!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can use some of
the resources for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membership
is $20 for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(At least the
last time I looked.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually
joined the site twice and found it well worth my money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve said recently
that if I were starting over again in 2013 knowing what I know now, I’d buy an
Ipad if possible and utilize all the incredible educational apps they
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I bought Candace a Kindle Paperwhite
during her senior year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
get hundreds of classics free for it without having to bother with the
library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also gives you word
definitions and Wikipedia entries.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is so much information
out there it can be overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
don’t try! Just like you go to the grocery store, browse the shelves, and buy
only what your family needs, check out all the resources and see what works for
your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every family is
unique and so is every homeschool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is the beauty of this mode of learning/teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Customize and ENJOY!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-17548995803857460902013-04-27T07:11:00.002-05:002013-11-13T10:03:57.643-06:00If I Could Give You Anything<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwHAQQJEphyphenhyphenVkyOi1N1KOi8BiUntJhRE-JsWNmcLZ5RLRQlDN85E4ZjDom1LDdQR5E06tj9Lu6Ps_py2F_xIRMwUYT9uxzho2-hHPKCPslAK4DGW1vI12dg30EbfqyM1cCGQLJeIllKVY/s1600/521985_439064216186042_2111364626_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwHAQQJEphyphenhyphenVkyOi1N1KOi8BiUntJhRE-JsWNmcLZ5RLRQlDN85E4ZjDom1LDdQR5E06tj9Lu6Ps_py2F_xIRMwUYT9uxzho2-hHPKCPslAK4DGW1vI12dg30EbfqyM1cCGQLJeIllKVY/s320/521985_439064216186042_2111364626_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Dear Candace,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s graduation time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what that means:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>family gatherings, mushy cards, caps
and gowns, hugs and kisses… and presents!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Who doesn’t like presents!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A few weeks ago I sat thinking about graduation gifts and what I would
truly like to give you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After much pondering this is what
I came up with: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If I could give you anything…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would give you eyes to see
yourself as God sees you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fully
known, dearly loved, treasured possession, unconditionally accepted, Divinely
equipped, especially chosen, wonderfully made, destined for victory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would give you confidence that
is not shaken by popular opinion, criticism, the latest fad, test scores,
beauty pageants, failures (or successes) bank accounts, number of friends, or
fear of the unknown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would give you strength to
choose the eternal over the temporary, right over wrong, endurance over
quitting, substance over popularity, compassion over judgment, forgiveness over
retaliation, and love over hate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would give you wisdom to always
know what to do in any and every given situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wisdom that sees the big picture – that sees everything in
it’s true light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d give you the
mind of Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would give you love – a love so
powerful and overwhelming that it more than satisfies your deepest emotional
needs with such abundance that it spills over all those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A love that is patient and kind, that
always seeks the best and never fails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d fill you with the love of Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Since these things are beyond my
ability to give I am asking our God (out of His glorious riches) “to strengthen
you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
in your heart through faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love
of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Be on the lookout for them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I love you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mom</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mushy letter is coming. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:-)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-59396972690315234792013-03-31T09:45:00.000-05:002013-03-31T09:45:07.060-05:00I Won't Be Home for Easter
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I spent Easter 2001 in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Raymond </span>was in a completely different
country due to medical issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the fresh
perspective the Lord gave <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not Home for Easter</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
“I
wasn’t home for Easter,” I whined to myself Easter evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that my extended family would be
gathering together at Mom’s that day…without me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Raymond</span> was in Zagreb, Croatia…without me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the churches in America were praising the Lord in
special services…without me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though the kids and I had a nice day I still felt a bit down. I decided to take
a hot bath and feel sorry for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s when I thought I heard the Lord say, “I wasn’t home for Easter <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span>
either.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
What’s that again?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
“I wasn’t home for Easter either.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
My
imagination began to ponder this, and I realized it was true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says that the women went to
the tomb very early in the morning while it was still dark <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span>
and the tomb was empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means
that Jesus re-entered His glorified body just as the day was getting started.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
“I
won’t be home for Easter,” I can hear Jesus saying to the angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve got some unfinished business to
take care of.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
A
gasp of disbelief must have escaped the multitude of the heavenly host as they
cried, “But, but, You just got home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve missed You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have You
forgotten what they did to You down there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
I
don’t know if that conversation did or did not take place the night before
Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theologians disagree on
where Jesus actually was during the time His body was in the tomb, and I’m no
theologian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know He told the
thief they would be together in paradise <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span>
that day, so I’m inclined to think Jesus saw the Father and the heavenly host
at some point that weekend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 33 years of being trapped in a
human body, trudging along dusty roads, getting thirsty, hungry and tired;
three years of dealing with doubters and people who only wanted what they could
get from Him; days of betrayal, denial, and intense suffering- He deserved a
rest, don’t you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is
finished,” He had cried. <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure those golden streets,
worshipping angels, and the presence of His Holy Father were a sight for sore
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was finally home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home in the place where there is no
sickness, no sorrow, no pain, and no death. What possible reason could He have
for going back?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Was
it to teach them how to get along with each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was accomplished by His life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Was
it to pay the price of sin and open the door of heaven?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was accomplished by His death, His
blood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Was
it to show Satan Who was really in control?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe Satan already knew that, why else would the demons
Jesus cast out beg Him not to torture them before their appointed time? <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></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; line-height: 200%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
I can picture Jesus turning toward the
angels and explaining with a tender voice, “I know Who I really am, and you
know who I really am, but my earthly friends are confused right now about
everything and need Me just a little longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter needs to know He’s forgiven. <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother needs to know Bethlehem
wasn’t just a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary
Magdalene needs to know those demons won’t bother her anymore. <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[7]<!--[endif]--></span></span>
Lazarus needs to know that though he will die again, he will live again this
time forever. <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[8]<!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all need to know that the abundant
life I promised begins now <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[9]<!--[endif]--></span></span>;
they don’t have to wait until heaven.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps he paused and with a twinkle in His eye continued, “If you think
Sarah was astounded with Isaac <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[10]<!--[endif]--></span></span>
and Moses amazed with the Red Sea<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[11]<!--[endif]--></span></span>,
just wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be my finest moment
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see the looks
on their faces!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m so glad He didn’t stay Home.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> I realize the
term “Easter” is not accurate here and throughout the rest of this article. I
use it, however, for want of a better term.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:1;&version=31;">John
20:1</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=23&verse=43&version=9&context=verse">Luke
23:43</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=19&verse=30&version=9&context=verse">John
19:30</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:28-34;&version=31;">Matthew
8:28-34</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:74-76;&version=31;">Matthew
26: 74-76</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[7]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=16&verse=8&end_verse=10&version=9&context=context">Mark
16:8-10</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[8]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011:42-44;&version=31;">John
11:42-44</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[9]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=10&verse=9&end_verse=11&version=9&context=context">John
10:9-11</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[10]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2021:1-2;&version=31;">Genesis
21:1-2</a></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2398269716652344477#_ftnref" name="_ftn11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[11]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2014;&version=31;">Exodus
14</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-89108911899001209172013-03-14T07:40:00.000-05:002013-03-14T07:40:43.750-05:00Will it Be Alive Tomorrow?
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will it be alive tomorrow?”
Mylee asked mournfully of the dead <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Siskin/id" target="_blank">pine siskin</a> she discovered in the yard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” I replied sadly, wishing I had found and disposed of it first. “It won’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stood together in silence for a
moment before I suggested we go over to the bird feeder and watch the living
birds. Good plan. Soon she was distracted by trying to sneak up on the multitude
of birds enjoying sunflower seeds, and I didn’t have to explain the
mysteries of life and death t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">o a three-year-old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death is part of life, and dead is dead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That was yesterday
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mylee has since picked
grass for her great-grandmother’s horses, watched Tom and Jerry on TV, taken a
nap, played chase around the house, and gone home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure she’ll be up and running today seeking out new
adventures, distracted by new mysteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Me? Today I’m still thinking
about the query of a three year old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Will it be alive tomorrow?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I could have answered differently, but in this world dead is dead
- the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BUT…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is a world
where “dead” is non-existent, where all is life, where you don’t bury lady bugs
(we did that too), or grieve dead birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A world where hope is a reality and faith becomes sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day I pray Mylee can understand
this truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THAT world collided with THIS world once upon a time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t
you just imagine a Jewish three-year-old mourning near a certain tomb outside
of Jerusalem over 2000 years ago asking, “Will He be alive tomorrow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Though no one knew it at the
time, the answer was a resounding, “YES!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Note: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">Mylee entered our lives when
our daughter Cassie married Mylee’s Uncle Mason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Cassie is keeping and teaching Mylee while her
parents work we have the indescribable joy of seeing the world through her
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What beautiful eyes she has!</span></i></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->
<!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-61424838708950175672012-06-25T08:49:00.005-05:002012-06-25T08:49:56.585-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUhUMVcGca1GFs2TUeVquAvq6VP5UJ84RbG_1eLHXUKF0zxvQVqC-2hkSFfgA2cCjPiSNOOnnhmrgO4Ej0F7UveGX2kcLiVtbcdTMl-tJeoM8_u_f8Bo9nhNi0-LyB4fwsg9PPTglSdZF/s1600/BEACH+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUhUMVcGca1GFs2TUeVquAvq6VP5UJ84RbG_1eLHXUKF0zxvQVqC-2hkSFfgA2cCjPiSNOOnnhmrgO4Ej0F7UveGX2kcLiVtbcdTMl-tJeoM8_u_f8Bo9nhNi0-LyB4fwsg9PPTglSdZF/s320/BEACH+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">The crux and beauty of the Christian experience is that the creator of the universe chose to intersect humanity in the person of Jesus… “Emmanuel: God with us." But when I am at the beach experiencing the vastness of the ocean and sky meld</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ing at the horizon, hearing waves lick the shore and seagulls calling to one another, feeling the sand between my toes and ocean breeze on my face while smelling the salt air that’s when I feel as if I’ve intersected heaven and met God on His turf.</span></span></span></div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-54472468512913768262012-06-16T07:34:00.000-05:002012-06-16T07:43:23.001-05:00Treasures of Darkness<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." ~ Isaiah 45:3 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last night our electricity went out around 6:30 pm. (Fortunately supper had just finished cooking.) The power company called with an automated message stating they knew there was a problem and they were on it. Power should be restored by 9:30. (It didn't come back on until 1:43 AM, but that's beside the point.) Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy the occasional power outage. Admittedly, I miss my air-conditioning (especially in the summer when I'm having hot-flashes), stove, refrigerator, internet, and TV, but "treasures of darkness" can be found if only we look for them:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Peaceful silence. One just doesn't realize how much background noise there is until the power goes out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Spontaneous Family Game Night. Watching reruns of Criminal Minds might have been on the agenda, but since it is no longer an option play a game on the patio and enjoy each other's company. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Star gazing. The Stars are NEVER so bright and beautiful as when the clutter of electric lights is removed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. Breath-taking light shows. Watching a distant thunderstorm at night is an awe-inspiring event when all other light-sources are gone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. Candlelight. Few things are more peaceful and mesmerizing than this. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. Nature's Lullaby. There's tranquility in falling asleep to the symphony composed by crickets and frogs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Power-outages can be viewed as major inconveniences, or they can be seen as opportunities to take a break from our fast-paced, over-stimulated life and just enjoy God's creation and each other.
The former is a curse.
The latter is a treasure.
</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-37889795279774926982012-06-12T08:09:00.001-05:002012-06-12T08:09:48.689-05:00Personality Test - No real surprises<a href="http://drewe.mypersonality.info/">Personality Profile of Drewe Jeffcoat</a>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-49232384119409564942012-02-06T08:35:00.003-06:002012-02-07T06:03:22.469-06:00Evaluations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>786</o:Words> <o:characters>4482</o:Characters> <o:company>zivinice2000</o:Company> <o:lines>37</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>5504</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Super Bowls</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">World Cups</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Singing Competitions</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">ACT and SAT tests</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Yearly Medical Exams</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Beauty Pageants</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Annual Job Reviews</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Band Contests</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">They all have at least one thing in common – they are all forms of evaluations, ways to see how someone (or some group) compares with another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a way to answer, “How am I (or “How are we") doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is my diligent work paying off? Do I need to try harder?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do I measure up?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(I’m sure the Patriots are contemplating that today.) From our one-minute Apgar score to weekly spelling tests to our last mammogram or colonoscopy our lives are spent being evaluated. And we are okay with that. We like to know if we measure up to a certain standard of intelligence, health, beauty, physical prowess, or financial stability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Especially if we DO measure up and excel.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Now, I could use that intro as a segue into a discussion of “Who sets the standards by which we are evaluated?” I shall, however, refrain from that today as something a bit heavier weighs on my mind, and that is The FINAL evaluation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The ONE that REALLY matters. I’m not talking about getting into heaven. (My faith in Jesus guarantees a spot.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am talking about the final verdict on how I did living out my faith <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">before</b> getting to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will I hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant?” Or will I be the one Paul talked about in 1 Corinthians 3:15 who made it as “one escaping through the flames”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More importantly is there a way to know HOW I’m doing BEFORE my last breath?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is there a life scale I can step on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A checklist to keep track of? A chart to consult? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Actually, there is something better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">We have a letter from God telling us what pleases Him. And from that we can form a checklist of sorts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Ready?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">On a scale of 1 – 10, rate yourself in the following areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(1 being “Never” and 10 being “Always”.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->How would you rate your faith? (“1” means you have none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“10” means you have unwaveringly trust God in every aspect of your life.) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">And 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.” ~ Hebrews 11:6</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->How well do you act justly? Love mercy? Walk humbly with God? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">And what <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">do</span>es the LORD require of you? To act <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">justly</span> and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~ Micah 6:8</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">How often do you share your food with the hungry? Provide shelter for the poor wanderer? Clothe the naked? Take care of your family? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” ~ Isaiah 58:6-</i>7</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">How do you rate yourself in caring for orphans and widows? (“1” is rare and “10” is always.) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...” ~ James 1:27 a.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">How readily do you forgive? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">forgive</span> your brother from your heart.” ~ Matthew 18:35</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->How often do you sing and praise the Lord?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>“<span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.” ~ Psalm 69:30-31</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->How often do you share? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” ~ Hebrews 13:16</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">8.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How often do you pray? “<span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” ~ Proverbs 15:8 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-3</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">9.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->How pure are your thoughts? (“1” is not very pure. “10” is having the mind of Christ.) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">pleasing</span> to him.” ~ Proverbs 15:26</span></i><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">10.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></i><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">How often do you show love? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">A</span>bove <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">a</span>ll, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">love</span> each other deeply, because <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">love</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">covers</span> over <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">a</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">multitude</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">of</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">sins</span>.” ~ 1 Peter 4:8</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">There it is, a checklist to see how close we are to hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Further searching would probably uncover some other items that could be added, but I’m pretty sure #10 is the key to everything because: “<span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;">Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ~ Matthew 22:37-40<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0.25in; "><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Well, that is enough to keep me busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At least God didn’t leave us hanging; He did give us a study guide and assurance of His help along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(How often does the creator of a test give you the answer sheet before hand?!?!)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0.25in; "><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Let me leave you with this blessing:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0.25in; "><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi- mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” ~ Hebrews 13:20-21</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:7;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Verdana;font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-26129343654159006802011-09-07T06:28:00.006-05:002011-09-07T07:28:32.214-05:00Book List for Junior High and High SchoolRecently I put out a Facebook call for "Must Reads" for high school students. I was looking for interesting, yet meaningful, reading material for my 11th- grader. Someone turned the tables and asked me what my recommendations were for Jr. High. I'm always up to creating a list so I couldn't pass up this request. :-)<div><br /></div><div>The following isn't necessarily "Jr. High". Every child's reading level is different, and what one might read and comprehend in 7th grade another cannot grasp until 11th. With that in mind, here is a list of wonderful books my children and I have read, sometimes separately and sometimes aloud:</div><div><br /></div><div>I really like historical fiction for my kids. It is a painless and interesting way to learn about history! My favorite set of books for this is the <a href="http://trailblazerbooks.com/Frame-1.html">Trailblazer Series</a> by Dave and Neta Jackson. They are fairly short and the authors tell you up front what part of the story is and isn't true. They make you feel like you know the historical figure. Many of them come with a study guide. Click <a href="http://trailblazerbooks.com/bokshelf.html">here</a> for a list of titles. I learned much more about Martin Luther through <i>Spy for the Night Riders </i> than I did in Bible History in college. (Maybe because it was more interesting.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Other good books in this genre are:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Johnny Tremain</i> by Esther Forbes</div><div><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Diary-Jeb-Abigail-1776-1783/dp/B001P4IA52/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315397285&sr=1-1">The Secret Diary of Jeb and Abigail</a></i> by Jean Fritz</div><div><i>Christy</i> by Catherine Marshall (Which is based on a true story with some creative license.)</div><div><i>The Witch of Blackbird Pond</i> by Elizabeth George Speare</div><div><br /></div><div>I really like<a href="http://www.kingsleypress.com/patricia-st-john.html"> Patricia St. John</a>. Some of her books are Biblical Fiction like <i>Twice Freed</i> (The story of Onesimus) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Patricia-St-John/dp/0802491596/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1315396323&sr=8-9">The Runaway</a>. Her books are a bit slow moving, but very meaningful and decidedly Christian.</div><div><br /></div><div>My oldest daughter and I LOVE <i>Little Women</i> by Louisa May Alcott. (My youngest daughter didn't.) I consider it a must read. It is for a more experienced reader though.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Summer of the Monkeys</i> by Wilson Rawls is a really fun book. My mom told me for years I needed to read it to my kids. The title just didn't sound too interesting so I continued putting it off. What a mistake! It is a great book and fun read-a-loud. (There is a movie. Skip it and read the book instead.)</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/little-professor-Piney-Woods-Professor/dp/B0007DLEC8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315396986&sr=1-1">Little Professor of Piney Woods School</a></i> by Beth Day. This is a must read for those living in Mississippi. Many of us have passed Piney Woods School on highway 49 for years without knowing its very interesting and godly heritage. Great story!</div><div><br /></div><div>Classics we enjoyed include:</div><div><br /></div><div>Heidi by Johanna Spyri</div><div>Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain</div><div><i>The Prince and the Pauper</i> by Mark Twain</div><div><i>In His Steps</i> by Charles Sheldon (This book had a major impact on my life as a teenager.)</div><div><i>Chronicles of Narnia</i> by C.S. Lewis </div><div><i>A Wrinkle in Time</i> by Madeleine L'Engle</div><div><i>The Hiding Place</i> by Corrie Ten Boom (Very intense…high school students)</div><div><i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> by Harper Lee (I recently re-read this. Absolutely one of the best books EVER! Definitely high school level)</div><div><i>The Wizard of Oz</i> by L. Frank Baum (I consider this a "must read" not because it is an oh-so-wonderful book, but because the movie is such a classic and American icon that students ought to read the original story and compare the differences.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Other "Must Reads" though not classics:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>These Strange Ashes</i> by Elisabeth Elliot</div><div><i>Through Gates of Splendor</i> by Elisabeth Elliot</div><div><i>End of the Spear</i> by Steve Saint</div><div><i>The Best Christmas Pageant Ever</i> by Barbara Robinson (This is probably an elementary age book, but I still consider it one of the best Christmas stories out there.)</div><div><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Love-Francine-Rivers/dp/1601420617/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315397773&sr=1-1">Redeeming Love</a></i> by Francine Rivers (High School students only because of the nature of the story. This is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read!)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Harry Potter</i> series by J.K Rowling . I realize they are highly controversial among Christians. I've read or heard all the pros and cons. I wouldn't allow my older two children to read them until they were grown. Then they put up the argument, "How can you condemn something you've never read?" I allowed my oldest daughter to read the first aloud to me and my then 13 year old. What can I say? I was hooked! Right or wrong, they are excellent read-a-louds and very entertaining. If all you've seen is the movies you don't have a good picture of the books. They do get "darker" as they progress, and I would NOT recommend them for pre-teens or younger. But I have to be honest, we really enjoyed them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another great read-a-loud is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Wreck-Unfortunate-Events-Books/dp/0061119067/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315398092&sr=1-1">A Series of Unfortunate Events</a></i> by Lemony Snicket. They are so impossibly tragic you can't take them seriously. I love the author's use of language and way with words. </div><div><br /></div><div>My all time favorite children's book series is<i> Little House on the Prairie</i> by Laura Ingalls Wilder. (There are also spin-off series about her parents and grandparents.) Skip the tv series and read the books.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Arletta+RIchardson&x=0&y=0">Arleta Richardson</a> has a collection of books about Grandma's Attic. They are delightful, humorous, and innocent. They may be difficult to find, but they are worth the effort. These are good for younger kids too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's my list so far. I'm sure new things will pop into my mind throughout the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Reading!</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-91879419731825296212011-05-23T07:14:00.003-05:002011-05-23T07:49:53.902-05:00That First Step<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u2lPKjitfuaSF6SdGmSvWeHWtHqgZ6yQgiwnBimvhB543TnLU6zAN6DaM7cuKucGnpAvF1uIK7Pf5JnEl3ptyHhCAgep5phgxx-S0qBuLVa9lc3IhrMlOyXdTfQs35iH_qoU56TLUmSc/s1600/IMG_4298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u2lPKjitfuaSF6SdGmSvWeHWtHqgZ6yQgiwnBimvhB543TnLU6zAN6DaM7cuKucGnpAvF1uIK7Pf5JnEl3ptyHhCAgep5phgxx-S0qBuLVa9lc3IhrMlOyXdTfQs35iH_qoU56TLUmSc/s320/IMG_4298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609892468484927666" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">"I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry." That was my mantra yesterday as my 23 year old son prepared to leave for his new life-adventure. He just accepted a job in Florida. You'd think that his five years in college would have prepared me for this letting go. He's lived in his own apartment for the last year, and his busy schedule prevented his dad and I from seeing him that often. Still, he was a college student then, only an hour away. Today he is a man; a man leaving for his first "real" job. A man about to live 0ver 500 miles from "home". A man making his own "home". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is not his first adventure into the world. Just over 23 years ago he made his grand entrance - at 5:30 am. A few weeks before his arrival I remember thinking how difficult "letting go" would be. And it was painful, even with an epidural. Not just physically painful, but emotionally as well. He would no longer be a literal part of me. I might not always know exactly where he was or how he was doing. I wouldn't be aware of his every movement. Of course I wouldn't have stopped it for the world. There were exciting adventures to have and new discoveries to make. Many of these we made together. I cheered as he took his first steps and was his biggest fan during baseball season, basket ball season, football season. (You get the picture.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here I am at another "letting go". One an epidural won't even touch. My heart aches, my head aches, and, yes, I cried. (After he left.) Yet, this is not so much different from 23 years ago. He is moving a little farther from the influence and safety of "home" to a place less connected with my own life. Today I remind myself again I wouldn't stop this for the world. He has exciting adventures to have, more discoveries to make, new goals to achieve. And just as I cheered his first step across the floor, I will cheer this first step across the world.</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-38868798897384312362011-04-23T10:22:00.001-05:002011-04-23T10:22:15.351-05:00No WordsWe've exhausted the English language trying to describe Your indescribable mercy, love, and grace. We use words like "awesome", "incredible", "marvelous", "wonderful", "overwhelming" in an attempt to put what You have done for us into words. Our vocabularies just aren't big enough. Our attempts at description are feeble. Our efforts just overuse those few really great words leaving us speechless and inadequate and, I hate to confess, not as in awe of You as we should be. We've heard those descriptions time and again so that they have lost their punch so to speak. Phrases like "Amazing grace how sweet the sound" are no less true, they've just become so easy to say without any emotion at all. What a tragedy! Please, Lord, take these words - they are all we have - and give them meaning again. Refreshen our faith. Give us a glimpse of Your splendor. Waken Your sleeping church from her apathy. Pierce our hearts with the magnitude of Your sacrifice and the power of Your resurrection. May we be truly overwhelmed by Your love for us. <br/> Amen<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-10953677455480572822011-04-07T07:19:00.001-05:002011-04-07T07:22:17.596-05:00My Advocate<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b> <!--StartFragment--> </b></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:6;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">My Advocate<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">April 6, 2011</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve heard it said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” <a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_edn1" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">1</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The truth of the matter is, if one person’s freedoms can be taken, then no one’s freedoms are safe. You may or may not agree with home-education, but if you value the freedom to raise your children as you see fit, and if you value the freedom to serve God as you feel convicted, then you should be concerned when a district Judge steps outside the law to violate someone’s privacy and rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And besides, that’s not really what this article is about. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">On April 2, 2011 all homeschooling families in Mississippi’s 13<sup>th</sup> district received a letter of notification that could very well have been the first step of the proverbial “Slippery Slope” - a slope that might endanger the rights of parents to home-educate their children in Mississippi. I wasn’t particularly concerned for my own “student” who only has to legally be enrolled one more year. <a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_edn2" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">2</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was more upset about the intrusion into my privacy and the threat against this beautiful freedom we enjoy. I was concerned about my future grandchildren’s education and if my children would even have the right to home-educate if they so chose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I saw an injustice in the making - an overstepping of the judicial powers of big government, and I was not a happy camper. My first course of action?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Which always seems to be my default response.)</i> Prompted by fear and indignation I began contacting other home-schooling families to see what they knew. Upon pooling our information it became clear that some counter legal action was needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But what kind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How would you go about that? Who should be contacted? How much would such a thing cost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My anxiety level was on the rise.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Enter Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">For twenty-five years HSLDA has been defending the cause of America’s home-educators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For a nominal yearly fee they stand on guard protecting our rights and advocating on behalf of those who find themselves in legal battles over trampled civil liberties in the area of home-schooling. Always in compliance with State laws in a home-school friendly state I’d never given HSLDA much thought – until now. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Yesterday morning I called HSLDA and joined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By evening I received a kindly phone call from their legal team telling me what they knew about the case and assuring me they had been hard at work on the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All necessary papers had been drawn and filed. All parties involved had been notified of the intent to fight this rights violation. They had everything under control, and there was nothing for me to do but relax and let them handle it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t describe my relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were knowledgeable about what I didn’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They had power where I was powerless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They had contacts where I knew no one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A weight was lifted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Someone in the know was in charge.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">As I breathed one more sigh of relief and gratitude this morning I thought about another Advocate<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_edn3" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">3</span></a> I have. One I should turn to at the first sign of trouble but don’t always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One Who is powerful where I am weak, knowledgeable about all things, and has connections all over the world and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One Who patiently waits to intervene on my behalf if I will just ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He says to me, “I have done all that is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have everything under control. I’ve been working diligently behind the scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You don’t have to do anything except relax and let Me handle it.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">What a relief!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And He paid the fee Himself!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”<a style="mso-endnote-id: edn" href="#_edn4" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">4</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_edn5" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">5</span></a></p> <div style="mso-element:endnote-list"><br /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%"> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_ednref" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">1</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> Attributed to various people including Voltaire and Evelyn Beatrice Hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_ednref" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">2</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> Students may opt to drop out of school at the age of 17 in Mississippi.</span></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_ednref" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">3</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> Job 16:19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_ednref" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">4</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> Matthew 11:28 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn" href="#_ednref" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">5</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"> 1 Peter 5:7</span></p> </div> </div> <!--EndFragment--> </b></span><p></p><div style="mso-element:endnote-list"><div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn"> </div> </div> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-80013743811353718232011-03-10T08:02:00.003-06:002011-03-10T11:59:28.145-06:00What am I giving up for Lent?<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Facebook had numerous mentionings of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Several are actually surrendering Facebook during this 40-day period before Easter; others are sacrificing, well, the list is endless and doesn't really matter. Lent’s about sacrifice, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Giving up something important as an act of worship, a reminder of Christ’s sufferings on our behalf, a clearing of “life-clutter” to create more time to focus on Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think it is a wonderful thing: self-sacrifice in order to grow closer to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And the lists of things to give up, sacrifice, or fast from (however you want to word it) are legion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Facebook, television, secular music, Internet, alcohol, cigarettes, fast food, meat, sweets, soft drinks, new shoes, or anything that robs our time with God or replaces Him in our lives are good choices for the chopping block called Lent.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">But I’ve been wondering….</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">What might please God more?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Giving up shopping trips or giving up grudges?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Forgoing Face Book or forgoing gossip?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Feeling chocolate cravings or feeling an overwhelming burden for the lost?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Leaving the TV. off or leaving our comfort zone to share God’s love with someone out of our social standing, religious convictions, or racial class?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Last year the Christian radio station K-Love gave a 40-day challenge to “do everything without complaining.” (Philippians 2:14)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I opted out of the challenge. It was summer time in Mississippi and I knew, “It is SOOOOO hot!” would come out of my mouth numerous times. Giving up chocolate would have been easier.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">This brings us back to the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What am I relinquishing for Lent this year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I haven’t yet decided. Maybe nothing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Just being honest.) I like what Barbie Bassett said, “As a Christian I am to deny myself daily.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hmmmmm…. 365 days is a lot longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe I should choose sacrificing for Lent instead of daily for the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Is that even an option?) Also, if something has such a grip on me that it is worth giving up for 40 days, should it be in my life at all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These are the questions that plague me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">As I search for answers I’m reminded of two things:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hosea 6:6</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">“If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Hopefully I’ll get it figured out before Easter.</p> <!--EndFragment--><div style="clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-657400471062781232011-02-22T09:12:00.002-06:002011-02-22T09:38:27.940-06:00Why you should….What’s that called again?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVspfIuV-l1Hwv1uJXw4p2oOMmH9KdZ4IytwXgQCwjFZ4O1eKAlzMVHoWGG1VcPmSK3vqzy_mDP7PzEcHR1pKt2XtQKDZGeMnpZoZqeoJhXjjFNpzQ83yClCI1JwGGQFqWhXfaGEN198C/s1600/2-19-11+Cool+Magnolia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVspfIuV-l1Hwv1uJXw4p2oOMmH9KdZ4IytwXgQCwjFZ4O1eKAlzMVHoWGG1VcPmSK3vqzy_mDP7PzEcHR1pKt2XtQKDZGeMnpZoZqeoJhXjjFNpzQ83yClCI1JwGGQFqWhXfaGEN198C/s320/2-19-11+Cool+Magnolia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576536543958266722" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; ">What would happen if you bought a medium size waterproof container, filled it with cheap trinkets, hid it somewhere outside, determined its GPS coordinates, and then posted those coordinates on the Internet? People from all over would come and find it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They would sign their names on the log book you included in the container <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(because you want to know who found it), </i>they would take a trinket from the container and leave something in return, they would later report their find on the internet, and they would go off to find other such hidden containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh, and they would call it Geocaching! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(“Geo” meaning “earth” and “cache” being a collection of things.)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">I wish I could take credit for devising such a clever hide and seek game, but I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can tell you to visit <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">www.geocaching.com</a> to learn all about this high-tech scavenger hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(That’s where you find and post coordinates and log in your finds.)</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am fairly new to the geocaching adventure, but I can tell you it is great fun, educational, and highly addicting!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><o:p> </o:p>You should go geocaching because:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It’s fun!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It’s fairly cheap as far as hobbies go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You probably already have what you need:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Internet access to geocaching.com <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(where you can sign up for a free account)</i>, a GPS, gas in your vehicle, and a sense of adventure. Of course, like any hobby, you can spend lots of money on geocaching too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can invest in special GPS’s and/or smart phone apps, you can pay for a premium membership, you can purchase special trinkets to place in caches and “official” gear, and you can drive all over the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But you don’t have too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Chances are there are hundreds of caches within a day’s drive of where you live.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It’s cross-generational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love it, my 16-year-old daughter loves it, and my 69-year-old father loves it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because it is an ageless activity it creates great opportunities to bring families together.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It gives you something to do on those beautiful days when you want to be outdoors but you don’t own a boat or a membership to the country club.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It is educational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, it isn’t ALWAYS educational, but many caches are hidden in or around historical areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of our best “finds” wasn’t the actual cache <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(which was too small to contain anything except a log to sign)</i>, but the nearby church that was built in the mid-1800’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were able to go inside and sit in the slave balcony on the original benches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That had a profound affect on my 16-year-old and sparked some great discussion. Also, some variations of the geocache are non-traditional ones which aren’t containers, but places including geological treasures and historical sites. Because of this…</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>You never really know what you will find or where you will end up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That makes it quite adventurous!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>It creates great memory-making opportunities… like going caching with good friends along the bank of the Mississippi River. Or when you and your daughter give up the search for a cache deep in the woods but your dad refuses to give up and you think he is truly lost because you can’t hear him any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(He does make his way out only to trip over a fallen tree and land flat on his back. He’s ok though.)</i> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">8.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>You get to see some beautiful places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you like photography then this is the hobby for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like I said, you never know what you will find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be that previously mentioned old church, or a beautiful sunset, or a most unusual magnolia tree, or gravestones marked CSA <i>(Confederate States of America)</i>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">9.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>I’ll let you fill in #9!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p>If you decide to accept my challenge and sign a log sheet that has already been signed by Jeffcoat5….that’s me!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p> </o:p>Happy Caching!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-26745458748993944252011-02-18T18:58:00.001-06:002011-02-18T19:01:14.897-06:00Race UpdateJust wanted to let readers know that Kyle ran his 1/2 marathon in 2 hours 25 minutes! He was well pleased and so was I. He is already making plans for a couple more 1/2 marathons and a full one! Upon reading my previous post he commented,"That was sweet, Mom, but I'm really not eating better." I said he might increase his time if he did. <br/> <br/> Hmmmm....I feel another inspirational thought coming. :-D <br/> <br/> Thanks for all the well wishes.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-87411449778151010922011-02-13T06:24:00.001-06:002011-02-13T06:35:49.392-06:00At the Finish Line<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My son is in New Orleans today running his first ½ marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m impressed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the son who loves chocolate chip cookies for supper and hates vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the boy who hid his spaghetti under a bookcase when he was five and always has a little milk with his chocolate. Yet for months he’s been working out and training for this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even watching what he eats. (To some extent) I have no doubt he can do it, and I’m cheering him on all the way…from home. I want to be at the end of his 13.1-mile journey through the French Quarter to greet him at the finish line and applaud this accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want to tell him how proud I am of his hard work, determination, and resolve to keep going. But I won’t be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Obligations beyond my control prevent me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I said this was my son’s first ½ marathon, but it isn’t his first race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When he was younger he decided to run the race of faith set before him by Christ, a race I myself started years before he was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It too requires hard work, determination, and resolve to keep on keeping on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are distractions, detractors, and detours on this path. Some places are smooth and scenic, and others contain rough, ugly terrain. And unlike a ½ marathon, we don’t really know how far it is to the end. We just have to keep our eyes on Jesus and run with perseverance the race set before us. Two things are certain, I know he can do it, and I will be at this finish line to welcome my son and applaud his accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">This is the most important race of our lives. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">I love you, Kyle! See you there!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana">Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></i>© Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat 2011</p> <!--EndFragment-->Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-19174486426281233462011-02-11T13:35:00.001-06:002011-02-11T13:35:06.354-06:00testI just loaded a blogger app and wanted to see if it really works.:-D<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-59057772373497736782011-01-21T10:40:00.002-06:002011-01-21T10:46:11.126-06:00A Mother's Heart Blessed by Her Daughter's....God has been doing some amazing things in my daughter's life. I want to share it... (She'll be 16 this month!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://iamonlyonebutiamone.blogspot.com/2011/01/and-who-is-responsible-for-this.html">http://iamonlyonebutiamone.blogspot.com/2011/01/and-who-is-responsible-for-this.html</a>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-6731509655683791012010-12-28T10:24:00.000-06:002010-12-28T10:25:43.726-06:00Making MemoriesOn January 2, 2010 I didn’t jot down a bunch of New Year’s resolutions in my journal; I wrote a list of goals for the year. Looking back at that list I see I accomplished some (like reading more) and fell short on others (like losing ten more pounds). One goal that will be on every year’s list is making memories with my family. Good memories bind us together giving our relationships depth and meaning. They are places of refuge during troubled times and warm us through like hot chocolate on a cold winter day. Blessed is the family with a treasure chest full of loving memories. <br /><br />Some of the most memorable moments come unexpectedly like a spontaneous snowball fight. (Or water balloons depending on the season.) However, the calendar pages fly quickly and I do believe we need to make intentional memory making opportunities. They can be as simple and inexpensive or elaborate and as pricey as you want or can afford. Traditions are also great memory makers. I have a friend who makes green pancakes every St. Patrick’s Day. Something simple, yet a memory her children will always think of every March 17th.<br /><br />Here are some things we did this year:<br />· Played in the snow (In Mississippi snow in itself is a memory maker.)<br />· Had our own Super Bowl party and watched our team win.<br />· Had movie dates with my daughters<br />· Shopping with my mom and youngest daughter to find fabric for daughter’s curtains Mom would make<br />· Sing with daughters in church (Well, sing with oldest; sing while youngest does ASL)<br />· Cooked new recipes<br />· Read books together<br />· Helped daughters pick out dresses for their first formal<br />· Did ministry projects together<br />· Went to extra-curricular activities (Cassie’s first play, Kyle’s intramural basketball game, and Candace’s clogging performances.)<br />· Went on nature walks<br />· Played basketball together (Kyle won…I am NOT a basketball player.)<br />· Got taken on a birthday adventure to New Orleans by my hubby and girls<br />· Watched a caterpillar grow and turn into a butterfly<br />· Made lots of candles together (Candace is earning $$ for a mission trip.)<br />· Participated in my first flea market to help sell those candles<br />· Had a water balloon sneak attack on Husband (with girls’ help)<br />· Painted Vacation Bible School scenery and learned VBS songs with youngest daughter<br />· Picked blueberries and butterbeans with grandparents (Not in the same day.)<br />· Discovered the joys of geocaching with friends and with my dad (Lots of good memories with this!)<br />· Played laser tag with whole family<br />· Made a time capsule with whole family<br />· Watched for shooting stars<br />· Made egg custard pie with my grandmother then ate it<br />· Went to the Riverpark in Tunica with friends<br />· Went to the water park as a family<br /><br />And took lots of pictures! In this digital age taking pictures is not very expensive. It isn’t even that costly to have them developed because you only buy the ones you know are good. Put these in an album however fancy (or not), and look back over them.<br /><br />What memories did you make in 2010? <br />What ideas do you have for making them in 2011?Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-37803698342702106072010-11-14T07:41:00.002-06:002010-11-14T21:02:29.507-06:00Thy Kingdom Come?I cheated. The new series I started teaching in Sunday School isn’t new at all. It’s an old series based on the Lord’s Prayer I used with another class several years ago. Simple, easy, and not too controversial. Seemed a perfect choice, I mean, who doesn’t want to know how to pray as Jesus did? But…<br /><br />After a closer look and an encounter with a blog on human trafficking I now wonder who really wants to pray as Jesus did.<br /><br />Originally my take on “Thy Kingdom Come” was one of submission…submission to God’s authority based on the submission of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) Today I’m looking at it from a whole new perspective….<br /><br />“Thy Kingdom Come” isn’t just our submitting to God’s authority; it is inviting Him into our world and our lives. Do we really want to? Sure, we want our loved ones healed, safe, sober, and out of jail. We may even want God’s help in making wise decisions, finding the best parking spot, or providing our needs. But do we REALLY want God’s will? Do we REALLY want His kingdom to come?<br /><br />What if His will and His kingdom requires leaving our comfort zone? (It probably will.)<br />What if it means giving of our time, energy, and money until it hurts? (It usually does.)<br />What if it means giving up our desire to be healed, be safe, or be comfortable? (It’s a real possibility.)<br /><br />You see, as much as God loves us, His highest goal is not our happiness nor prosperity. His highest goal is our rescue from hell and hell’s influence; not only ours, but that of the world. (Because as bad as it is, Satan’s abode is worse.)<br /><br />When we pray “Thy Kingdom Come” we’re really saying, “Lord, use me to bring the world to You…whatever it takes.” I guess it is a prayer of submission after all. That’s what Jesus did, and it took Him to Calvary.<br /><br />Are we REALLY ready to pray that?Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398269716652344477.post-25881130122598645872010-11-12T07:24:00.000-06:002010-11-12T07:24:09.721-06:00This War Inside Me#commentsHeartwrenching! But don't turn away for God's sake and the sake of His children.<br /><br /><a href="http://shannonmorgan.theworldrace.org/?filename=this-war-inside-me&bookmark=true#comments">This War Inside Me#comments</a>Drewe Llynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00916909818444432655noreply@blogger.com0