tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12256042368816546852024-03-13T16:34:52.822-04:00love is our way...kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-27672681876405579192012-01-06T22:18:00.002-05:002012-01-06T22:34:11.142-05:00playing a bigger game...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7a36eNM2dhLGJpQdhQFqdQGzjUnOC8eta0xFCpeMHFSivMIVdWBVK7eGOe5v_BLM_SFj24va64tvhxGY6O-c6lKKi5GJQFD1oosppt5DUrslSwS6wYrDyGE_hm_oNwpoxIn2HnMqN_4/s1600/clemson+football.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7a36eNM2dhLGJpQdhQFqdQGzjUnOC8eta0xFCpeMHFSivMIVdWBVK7eGOe5v_BLM_SFj24va64tvhxGY6O-c6lKKi5GJQFD1oosppt5DUrslSwS6wYrDyGE_hm_oNwpoxIn2HnMqN_4/s640/clemson+football.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I love the game of football. I owe that to my dad. My dad is a man of very few words. Growing up I never heard him say much. But, when he was watching football he had a voice. A loud one. I saw passion and heart in my father during football games. Thus, grew my love for football.<br />
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When I was around 5 or 6 years old, my dad would wake me up early on a crisp fall Saturday morning, dress me in an orange and white cheerleaders outfit, load me into the car that had been appropriately decorated with tiger paw magnets and orange and white flags that hung in the windows, the night before. It would still be dark outside, we would grab a quick breakfast and travel Interstate 85 into Tiger Town. I always knew that we were getting close when I saw the huge tiger paws painted on the roads. I thought that was the coolest thing. Evidently, so did my grandparents, because, I also remember that they got in trouble one year for painting huge tiger paws down their neighborhood street. I guess its okay to have orange paws on the roads in tiger town, but not on a tree lined street in Lyman. Never-the-less, taking a trip to Clemson SC in the fall, climbing the stadium stairs that gives you a beautiful view of the mountains and Tilman Hall, chanting C-L-E-M-S-O-N with a fist roll and pause before the N, swimming in a sea of orange and white always gives me a sense of nostalgia.<br />
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So, Clemson had a great season this year, walking away with 10 wins, an ACC championship, and a trip to the Orange Bowl this past week. Which, by the way, was a major FAIL!!! What I liked best about Clemson football 2011/12 was watching their head coach Dabo Swinney. What a young, vibrant, passionate coach, who is investing in his players and teaching them more than how to play football. I've noticed that Coach Swinney is playing a bigger game. He never lets an opportunity go by that he does not testify to the goodness of God. He shows that he is a man of God's Word and voices it often. He believes in the game he's playing, and it runs deeper than pass plays and total yardage.<br />
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Now, here is the lesson I got from the brutal, devastating loss at the Orange Bowl. 70-33 was the final score, and it was NOT in Clemson's favor. They didn't just loose, they were stomped, embarrassingly. They were bowled over. hammered. kicked in the face. left for dead.<br />
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In a press conference after the game a question was asked of Coach Swinney. "Coach, what do you say to your players in the locker room after a game like that?" Coach Swinney's response was something like, you know, it is what it is, it was devastating. You know, the typical. But, this is the statement that rung out to me. He said, "I told them that I love them." and I thought when I heard that, "you know that's a lot like God."<br />
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Sometimes, I play with ALL heart and passion. I grab the ball and I run with it. I listen and do exactly what I'm suppose to. I'm efficient and effective at making the score. I live with total victory. And, God tells me that He loves me.<br />
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But often, I get sacked back behind the line. I drop the ball. I turn things over to the wrong people. I run the wrong way. I can't seem to stop the worry, fear, lies, and temptations that are rushing at me. I fall far too short of the end zone. And I don't make the goal. Sometimes, I don't just fail, but I fail miserably. Just like Clemson in the Orange Bowl I get stomped embarrassingly. And, God tells me that He loves me. Do you know what is really interesting? It's during my worst failures that I hear His "I LOVE YOU" more clearly. more distinct. louder. It's what causes me to stand back up. get back in the game. play harder. stronger. better.<br />
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In the fall I will climb the steps of death valley again. I will gaze out over the mountains, and turn my head towards that hill, I will cheer loudly (just like my dad), and watch Dabo and his tigers play a bigger game than just football. I will remember that when someone asks God, "What do you tell her after a failure like that?" He will always say, "I tell her that I Love Her."<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">have you ever felt like you failed at something? Did you hear God say, "I Love You</span>" <span style="font-style: italic;">If you did how did it change you?<br />
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</span>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-21872705141197108742012-01-01T22:00:00.001-05:002012-01-01T22:06:35.421-05:00hello monday...<div style="text-align: center;">Hello first week of 2012.. I'm expecting BIG things from you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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hello happy fire... you will be cozy and warm this week.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello colder temperatures... you bring the feeling of winter, but you don't have to stay long.<br />
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hello morning routines, afternoon homework, and bedtime schedules.<br />
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hello 2012 weekly planner.. you will be one of my best friends.<br />
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hello planning work weeks, road trips, healthier habits, and family vacations.<br />
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hello 21 day fast.<br />
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hello clean house.. that feels a bit empty with Christmas packed away for another year.<br />
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hello Andrew enjoying your milkshake.<br />
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hello learning new things.<br />
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hello creativity.<br />
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hello Josephine Ann, I'm coming to see you Friday and I can't wait to hold you.<br />
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hello new year.<br />
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hello new life!<br />
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what are you saying hello to this first Monday of 2012?<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></i></span></div></div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-87823024500453249902011-12-18T22:29:00.001-05:002011-12-18T22:31:16.925-05:00hello monday...<div style="text-align: center;">hello Christmas week...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello regular work hours... I need a good nights sleep.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello kitchy santa clause on my bed...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa3gnuQHL-z9HidMii9qNZqFgXND_MLC-GCNj3jkeGjPyDBvW4xUddHPXSt2iDOdn0ly4eDydJJKoToWMDvjWzcFO0-mK6fa2yq1B2gXAnZ2dA3OxBoAwwoF6IfZgRomxiyKAJ2oRNoU/s1600/kitchy+santa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa3gnuQHL-z9HidMii9qNZqFgXND_MLC-GCNj3jkeGjPyDBvW4xUddHPXSt2iDOdn0ly4eDydJJKoToWMDvjWzcFO0-mK6fa2yq1B2gXAnZ2dA3OxBoAwwoF6IfZgRomxiyKAJ2oRNoU/s640/kitchy+santa.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">hello huge blessings in unexpected places.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello completing 2011 and dreaming of what a new year has in store.<br />
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hello cousins... it was so much fun playing with you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8hl6-GtNcPldyCXym7FzZmCyliMN5HOGVJPyP5ozSbvdXkAjVRimDLfQWvHQbJPen16NGoUX-9vyRw7_LS7eufG8svLqYig3epKtwPIp37wOwUFU9fb5kIIji4OtjD3SVjYRhauGUn8/s1600/cousins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8hl6-GtNcPldyCXym7FzZmCyliMN5HOGVJPyP5ozSbvdXkAjVRimDLfQWvHQbJPen16NGoUX-9vyRw7_LS7eufG8svLqYig3epKtwPIp37wOwUFU9fb5kIIji4OtjD3SVjYRhauGUn8/s640/cousins.png" width="640" /></a></div> hello looking for something new to learn today.<br />
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hello Christmas week... you are full of wonder and anticipation.<br />
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What are you saying hello to this Christmas week Monday?<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Kristin</i></span></span></div></div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-1452988309925827862011-12-14T14:33:00.003-05:002011-12-14T16:35:51.395-05:00sense the season... 2Two Decembers ago I explored the idea of how we use our <a href="http://kristinspehar.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html" style="color: red;">senses</a><span style="color: red;"> </span>during Christmas. I thought hard about how our senses effect our experiences. And, during this season all of our senses seem to be heighten.<br />
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So tell me, what sense does Christmas effect the most for you?<br />
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Is it the smells of the season?<br />
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wood crackling and burning in the fireplace.<br />
the scent of pine, douglas, and fur when you step on a tree lot.<br />
oranges and cinnamon.<br />
warm cookies coming out of the oven.<br />
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Is it the sounds of the season?<br />
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bells ringing outside of shopping centers.<br />
the words "Merry Christmas" being exchanged among strangers.<br />
a marching bands rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." in a small town parade.<br />
a child's squeal and delight in the wonder of it all.<br />
familiar Christmas carols coming through your radio.<br />
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Is it the sights of the season?<br />
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the glow in a child's eyes when they gaze into the lights on a tree.<br />
a creatively decorated gingerbread house.<br />
frosted rooftops early in the morning.<br />
the dancing flame of a scented candle.<br />
stockings hung by the chimney with care<br />
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Is it the feel of the season?<br />
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a stack of warm wishes and season greetings you just retrieved from your mailbox.<br />
the closeness of family around the dinner table.<br />
crisp, cold air that hits your face when you open the door in the morning.<br />
warm pjs snuggled close to you while watching a Christmas classic.<br />
smooth wrapping paper that fits tight around a package of carefully picked treasure. <br />
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Is it the taste of the season?<br />
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homemade pumpkin pie.<br />
warm cocoa smothered in marshmallows.<br />
honey baked ham.<br />
buckeyes (that you steal from your spouse)<br />
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personally, I love to gaze upon and behold the sights. Take pictures in my mind of scenes that will be long remembered. Images that will be told about again and again. Images of my daughter hugging her new doll that was left under the tree, of the church glowing with candle light at midnight on Christmas eve, tables carefully set with goodies made from love, thousands of tiny lights filling the streets of a little town.<br />
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Images of angels filling the night sky, proclaiming the good news.<br />
Images of a baby wrapped in strips of cloth lying in a manager.<br />
Images of lowly shepherds being invited to take part in the greatest miracle of mankind.<br />
Images of a shining star that leads us and guides us to the savior.<br />
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How does Christmas effect your senses?<br />
Do you see what I see?kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-65190907095839552652011-12-13T20:43:00.000-05:002011-12-13T20:43:54.217-05:00a thought...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0l3G9R6MeZ7blaC2XuE7pIMH31B4C88tdzE1HD6FrRscj-r_neXd5GtTld1GrpnHyCtd8hlZKFv8NxU1oKjxsgFNU4Hnv1XWbKbAHiwc-vWjTbfraqxbmkpuAUmfv00s8aQvQIW1Ews/s1600/lights.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0l3G9R6MeZ7blaC2XuE7pIMH31B4C88tdzE1HD6FrRscj-r_neXd5GtTld1GrpnHyCtd8hlZKFv8NxU1oKjxsgFNU4Hnv1XWbKbAHiwc-vWjTbfraqxbmkpuAUmfv00s8aQvQIW1Ews/s400/lights.png" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">JESUS WAS THE LIGHT ON THE TREE...</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAilbviaNy6u6r9CgFh94eU5JTmlkGzb7nwiUXIb6Q39xRVj3mCHNO5FemPs5Oubkv4SduryjU2kDU0gX5BFF_paLqaIOMZB4iLNx4EMinT0_hPZsp9euiaVtwmO7nIgzrNZRH7AlBJVo/s1600/jesus+the+light+on+the+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAilbviaNy6u6r9CgFh94eU5JTmlkGzb7nwiUXIb6Q39xRVj3mCHNO5FemPs5Oubkv4SduryjU2kDU0gX5BFF_paLqaIOMZB4iLNx4EMinT0_hPZsp9euiaVtwmO7nIgzrNZRH7AlBJVo/s640/jesus+the+light+on+the+tree.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-89846286209542880682011-12-12T06:52:00.000-05:002011-12-12T06:52:12.085-05:00hello monday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifxpDx_Kn0moiDd78wjWbiYUPJs8ax10Mbmk-bODp42gpWV4HLrrWQVV4SpiOvNlvuffAFqrFlYkgeesuBXyK7Pw3zsQ_BD6PBc2Tlfxdv5waO7kixfNwSKRq8YsVxPlvkWePdH2yVS8/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifxpDx_Kn0moiDd78wjWbiYUPJs8ax10Mbmk-bODp42gpWV4HLrrWQVV4SpiOvNlvuffAFqrFlYkgeesuBXyK7Pw3zsQ_BD6PBc2Tlfxdv5waO7kixfNwSKRq8YsVxPlvkWePdH2yVS8/s640/083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">hello being married to my very best friend for 13 years today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello recalling the journey of our marriage today, like we do every Dec 12</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello thanking God for what He has brought us through, and where He is taking us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdEPMnu9FC5-Ntgam2GCMOvhXLGkDTGPsKIPuZv67fnB-w7G1hkjJgjJxYNzjYryTWiFMXcoR1VyuFOOZ8iPku2qTSvfhEK6ZU_bl93mQkT1W_gffdw89wXdgn30hStFSER-LmX2POWo/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdEPMnu9FC5-Ntgam2GCMOvhXLGkDTGPsKIPuZv67fnB-w7G1hkjJgjJxYNzjYryTWiFMXcoR1VyuFOOZ8iPku2qTSvfhEK6ZU_bl93mQkT1W_gffdw89wXdgn30hStFSER-LmX2POWo/s640/081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> hello wrapped packages under the tree... it's a start</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello christmas shopping this week... nothing like the last minute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello stockings to be filled, cards to be mailed, and cookies to be baked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello chilly weather... and warm coats with gloves and toboggans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello monday... i am happy to see you!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-70364165758117223392011-12-11T17:39:00.002-05:002011-12-11T17:54:58.156-05:00christmas spectacular...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Christmas Spectacular<br />
take one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9qbnnw-KXII41MuMMSvebWV_uNrxZogcdOCElio0wcuWV0Zy6rnTz4OzeHeDvnRyahyx21RzKI4v5N5O-ZA9kHNnI36t-VvrB3nkWO8gcNj-uWCj2UGfZbBGyQcufgCcUo-cmABbSTU/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9qbnnw-KXII41MuMMSvebWV_uNrxZogcdOCElio0wcuWV0Zy6rnTz4OzeHeDvnRyahyx21RzKI4v5N5O-ZA9kHNnI36t-VvrB3nkWO8gcNj-uWCj2UGfZbBGyQcufgCcUo-cmABbSTU/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> We piled up in my best friends mini van Friday night and headed to this house, not far away, of Christmas spectacular. It was Christmas craziness. A simple residential house, that breaks out their 1600+ lights, and countless blow ups every year for the community to come and enjoy. The experience came complete with Santa Clause and free hand outs of pop corn. And lets not forget the magical glow in kids eyes and the sounds of excited squeals and statements like, "I'm in love with this place." It was truly something to behold. Cars lined the streets of the neighborhood and people bundled in toboggans and mittens journeyed through the maze of lights and Christmas scenes. I couldn't imagine being their neighbor come Thanksgiving every year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk2-1hUQLBOVNfu1zj-9oCqjlyL9B6EW8p-YuWSkQNfl8gy7qFlgxN-AYlxdmIn3ifv5YYubGu9NvAZdAuC7cJkNTLrCFWCAh-5bRe101rzu5c_05fPTQfkvwHwVRSwmfcaKlQXlf39k/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk2-1hUQLBOVNfu1zj-9oCqjlyL9B6EW8p-YuWSkQNfl8gy7qFlgxN-AYlxdmIn3ifv5YYubGu9NvAZdAuC7cJkNTLrCFWCAh-5bRe101rzu5c_05fPTQfkvwHwVRSwmfcaKlQXlf39k/s640/023.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missy and Gracie entered the wonderland...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUm8sSBsdEdJYr7CcmdQQ_pWe4xVooWOvBZ487rfrzQNhgT91YBV_32_eCHuWADaqySqvCFaoALS3JDLptRE302L2trn2NPK-c0ZWAXzICA5iqLZ2nHsP4R3U8KxV6aVv6A5o3kvvifk/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUm8sSBsdEdJYr7CcmdQQ_pWe4xVooWOvBZ487rfrzQNhgT91YBV_32_eCHuWADaqySqvCFaoALS3JDLptRE302L2trn2NPK-c0ZWAXzICA5iqLZ2nHsP4R3U8KxV6aVv6A5o3kvvifk/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the pool in the back yard, complete with an ark blow up...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd4EOHJKiEq0cBdGiNM7OvK0ARRG29sMPNNQDz0BFTwHEJQSDAZKtlY7i0FsVvuC8jWb9JAIoT05_5dpaLceZdvsfZngiLQ90ch3W_2xxwYmg5BxP4oJZlGryWLdqLNRufVKJ7AhcGRM/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd4EOHJKiEq0cBdGiNM7OvK0ARRG29sMPNNQDz0BFTwHEJQSDAZKtlY7i0FsVvuC8jWb9JAIoT05_5dpaLceZdvsfZngiLQ90ch3W_2xxwYmg5BxP4oJZlGryWLdqLNRufVKJ7AhcGRM/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreKu37lkWSkp1gvQWQlIQ4ESNzbg4RP9geYsFbWURlqMdSsX_CFcNVz_ePC-q25Mxp-JL3AvCc0qL-ZzQ6aVPyNSSrJZaSZo9WYh-B39Hzu0664FQVHjQnM2Z0CNCxOppkNS_FVZzkM/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreKu37lkWSkp1gvQWQlIQ4ESNzbg4RP9geYsFbWURlqMdSsX_CFcNVz_ePC-q25Mxp-JL3AvCc0qL-ZzQ6aVPyNSSrJZaSZo9WYh-B39Hzu0664FQVHjQnM2Z0CNCxOppkNS_FVZzkM/s640/032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmQ-m-eFM3_-hVwXroo0yy9_UYVLAjPiNLUzO5sjsIPY6ttrvkvPqloyLHASoNGFOLnjT1lcctH76tgvWlaBl8nxr1VVzh2BhpLgK9DWLJBMbyfTgllX4Sl6vmIlpPL4SXVzaQmFC44/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmQ-m-eFM3_-hVwXroo0yy9_UYVLAjPiNLUzO5sjsIPY6ttrvkvPqloyLHASoNGFOLnjT1lcctH76tgvWlaBl8nxr1VVzh2BhpLgK9DWLJBMbyfTgllX4Sl6vmIlpPL4SXVzaQmFC44/s640/038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Seriously, this was amazing...<br />
Before our Christmas light adventure, Missy and Gracie came over for a little season celebration, and we decided that this would be a new tradition for all of us. Every year our families will get together for a meal, gifts, a Christmas devotion, and an adventure to see the lights. We discussed how Jesus was the light of the world, and what we could do to shine His light in the world during this season. I cooked a meal and we piled around our little kitchen table, shared stories and jokes. JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT. To me, family and friends scrunched around a table sharing a meal and love is what this season is all about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfD5ulMqo39DA6WMS_CsuWKsKCcB-GrWtq2FCRBOuodGwSyqJe91GKsJkEv8wlyivxr5sssvAckLkj9m2K1lXfX8BGfcihl4Ljcdy70AyLLv8eoJmfJBb_OVL_MnlGHpwzeeHoCDSNI/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfD5ulMqo39DA6WMS_CsuWKsKCcB-GrWtq2FCRBOuodGwSyqJe91GKsJkEv8wlyivxr5sssvAckLkj9m2K1lXfX8BGfcihl4Ljcdy70AyLLv8eoJmfJBb_OVL_MnlGHpwzeeHoCDSNI/s640/017.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxCqtRpnnPkLQNqO9H-XgDDr5qSzU7STC51VvxXLYTOlEPjSCfnAEcbQt3gDgL4fP3WE-3NCnWmYZxoDDpEpnkd3R16hspFoQF02rXJG3nPIGZLubLEWo33LEjQegoqiRBiQBDIY7QWw/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxCqtRpnnPkLQNqO9H-XgDDr5qSzU7STC51VvxXLYTOlEPjSCfnAEcbQt3gDgL4fP3WE-3NCnWmYZxoDDpEpnkd3R16hspFoQF02rXJG3nPIGZLubLEWo33LEjQegoqiRBiQBDIY7QWw/s640/012.JPG" width="640" />I </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzSfAlNvR-tRl9T-me2weHcNGJRVd14e6irqFs2i2xeOBLFAd5mJUXcLcIBs85LBWPi4c9lXn_EkoD7hxaVsOdZ3Q8xZF6WHypplizZAJ0DzBUvx2l23m0Sh1SNs3UegywqNlr8eQxC8/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzSfAlNvR-tRl9T-me2weHcNGJRVd14e6irqFs2i2xeOBLFAd5mJUXcLcIBs85LBWPi4c9lXn_EkoD7hxaVsOdZ3Q8xZF6WHypplizZAJ0DzBUvx2l23m0Sh1SNs3UegywqNlr8eQxC8/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I am learning the importance of tradition. They give us things to look forward to. They help us remember. And they write our stories. I'm thankful for old traditions this Christmas, and for beginning new ones.<br />
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**********<br />
<br />
Christmas Spectacular<br />
take two:<br />
<br />
And then there's the old traditions.<br />
I left work Saturday afternoon and rushed to catch the Reidville Christmas parade. I had to park a little over a mile away, and almost ran through the crowds down the street in the my scrubs and danskos, turning my ankle more then once. The parade had already begun, but I had my camera in hand, ready to snap. I made my way through the crowd, zigzagging from grass to road, trying not to get pelted by the candy that was being slung through the air. I was smiling to myself, as I heard the words "Merry Christmas" repeated again and again. The Reidville Christmas parade has always been a tradition for me, but this year Andrew was marching with his cub scout pack in the parade and I didn't want to miss him. I finally made it to my spot with family, and took a deep breath, because I had not missed pack 29 and I could sit back and enjoy the amusement of the participates.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGC148dIHaJg1G4wUTpsAc3YT7QEfYGDujj9UHmO4YGjMa5zCV3_-VGlQ4imDg3hk8Xjo93_zJbax5ixSi6nGdfcVK186uZYy3I7q5QcSZyWj3D_xVJ4kH4P6araxHrQT6l8qF843GRo/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGC148dIHaJg1G4wUTpsAc3YT7QEfYGDujj9UHmO4YGjMa5zCV3_-VGlQ4imDg3hk8Xjo93_zJbax5ixSi6nGdfcVK186uZYy3I7q5QcSZyWj3D_xVJ4kH4P6araxHrQT6l8qF843GRo/s640/045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEh49Ki9I-6AGnbiP6qkTvUt7NDlu3nw08LVQShiaWhR8UNhBpdmFOjDg0UuP91ZihMo8_0ArWdFi7usAFTP6iu6R3s6SFZbgn3oe7mrPQ0dRW6qJgc9ZzQU3NH9H0_3FxFQMTjDHTTb3IA/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Ki9I-6AGnbiP6qkTvUt7NDlu3nw08LVQShiaWhR8UNhBpdmFOjDg0UuP91ZihMo8_0ArWdFi7usAFTP6iu6R3s6SFZbgn3oe7mrPQ0dRW6qJgc9ZzQU3NH9H0_3FxFQMTjDHTTb3IA/s640/048.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeR7mhnqgxxOLAeS9aGutcIE3VUI-ajMdupn-hOq1QFAir-iF2QIBjJEPDH2H_Q2PfjO9m_xu96j-FAw6kimGXjA6w3Op2szcMsMs3ehBihAy2Pjj2nDxF97rW4nzv438nsmW_te6EtA/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeR7mhnqgxxOLAeS9aGutcIE3VUI-ajMdupn-hOq1QFAir-iF2QIBjJEPDH2H_Q2PfjO9m_xu96j-FAw6kimGXjA6w3Op2szcMsMs3ehBihAy2Pjj2nDxF97rW4nzv438nsmW_te6EtA/s640/054.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes pack 29</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0lmsj0iNCbhfITRKoulaCIJWr215F98M2V6pRy3Zij1sFK0SAIde3BHyXZdln2Vf41XFdmeHcJDXAaQhTWPFM_jUCMvrregibFRZa-3H8Hmsh5wlADcGQtNv7V9VeO39J-JSnCbl5wA/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0lmsj0iNCbhfITRKoulaCIJWr215F98M2V6pRy3Zij1sFK0SAIde3BHyXZdln2Vf41XFdmeHcJDXAaQhTWPFM_jUCMvrregibFRZa-3H8Hmsh5wlADcGQtNv7V9VeO39J-JSnCbl5wA/s640/056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's my little star...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGku7YCYlXxPvzK8amHjbaLdrZxiE-jWNPXRPFD7ROkXK2r1IWdNJxYTpctKmvSN5ZJHCAIUlrWX_R5K9Yh-4WBEsPX6DeYYsBhIHCNt4E6u0PEaPRWGVtC-AZov74X5yTbvjvPCMDHI/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGku7YCYlXxPvzK8amHjbaLdrZxiE-jWNPXRPFD7ROkXK2r1IWdNJxYTpctKmvSN5ZJHCAIUlrWX_R5K9Yh-4WBEsPX6DeYYsBhIHCNt4E6u0PEaPRWGVtC-AZov74X5yTbvjvPCMDHI/s640/060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hillbilly cars were always my favorite...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And of course, No Christmas parade would be complete without the grand finale being the big man himself.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-PFWeNHC4m3meJAXe4jIpp7MxJLJitn8nzZtpUhiC3xEI1aWvLT3kJNyoXA3y9H7vDgRsLCiShl59hh1DCgWSFEcN3Yz0YmpjauRGaVulUYpA88KfJz55Y-lIDgQJ_eTfYnBewpUZvw/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-PFWeNHC4m3meJAXe4jIpp7MxJLJitn8nzZtpUhiC3xEI1aWvLT3kJNyoXA3y9H7vDgRsLCiShl59hh1DCgWSFEcN3Yz0YmpjauRGaVulUYpA88KfJz55Y-lIDgQJ_eTfYnBewpUZvw/s640/063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>*****<br />
Take delight in your traditions this year. And while your at it, why don't you create some new ones. <br />
Enjoy this season! Make is SPECTACULAR!<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></i></span>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-30504835138151805822011-12-08T19:05:00.000-05:002011-12-08T19:05:56.456-05:00a thought...<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There was no room for Jesus in the world He created...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><div 0px="" 2px;="" line-height:="" padding-bottom:="" style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/51087776992626540/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="554" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/2392606021671882_FMe8euLj_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div></span><br />
<div style="float: left; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;">Source: <a #76838b;="" 10px;="" color:="" font-size:="" href="http://pinterest.com/sheltuck/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" text-decoration:="" underline;="">Sheldon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"> </span>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-63340884350591397562011-12-08T09:02:00.000-05:002011-12-08T09:02:10.964-05:00lubricating the world...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgGX1mX3IWenWNoH7bzPyc6VEf3VylPAW3_6OZWBF7S6vg127upLC3oidC8q0_2PQEBiqqfIZXkzNk4pcCxHl-40yipZevY86fi7JW_BAp4-hBCNq2eoxw5fjU_3tbKeATWcUO12QBB4/s1600/oil+of+kindness.png" 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/AVvXsEjqgGX1mX3IWenWNoH7bzPyc6VEf3VylPAW3_6OZWBF7S6vg127upLC3oidC8q0_2PQEBiqqfIZXkzNk4pcCxHl-40yipZevY86fi7JW_BAp4-hBCNq2eoxw5fjU_3tbKeATWcUO12QBB4/s320/oil+of+kindness.png" width="204" /></a></div><br />
<i>"As God's chosen people...clothe yourselves with...kindness." </i><br />
<i>colossians 3:12</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i>Going back to work is opening my eyes to the world that I live in. This world stretches far beyond the walls of my cozy little home, where my children are healthy, food stocks my pantry, and clean linens cover our beds. This world goes past my own ability to take a walk around the block, grab a refreshing shower when I want, and sit down for a meal with my family. All of which I am clearly seeing that I take for grated far too often.<br />
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In the past five days I have walked through the doors of the "Paralyzed in the projects", the "elderly who is facing death", the "obese hoarder", and the "wealthy clinically psychotic". Life circumstances I have only seen on TV. And God's voice in my heart says to me, "Take a hard look at bondage. Pray fervently while you work. Wait patiently for My lead. You will have a window of opportunity to do what I called you here for. To Set the Captives Free."<br />
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An encouraging word to the one who can't get out of bed on his own.<br />
An act of kindness to the one who can't control his emotions.<br />
A prayer for the one who is writing the final chapter of his days.<br />
A listening ear to the one who sits all alone everyday buried in his own prison.<br />
A cheerful attitude.<br />
A gentle smile.<br />
A generous laugh.<br />
A genuine interest in their story.<br />
Little by little unlocking the chains of bondage. Lubricating the hard places. <br />
<br />
Not long ago I read a story about a peculiar man who carried a can of oil around with him as he walked through life. When he found squeaky doors, or gates that were hard to open, he would squirt a little oil on there hinges or latches, making it easier for those who came behind him to get through... to enter. He oiled all the difficult places he found. When we stretch beyond the comforts of our own lives, we find that many lives creak painfully, with rusty hardened hearts that are difficult to open. They desperately need the lubrication of the "oil of joy" gentleness, helpfulness, patience. We never know how our little can of oil could soften ones heart and make it ready to receive the grace of Jesus. Ready to be set free.<br />
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<i>Has anyone ever used their oil can on you, that eased up the difficult places in your life? that set you free? I would love to hear about it...</i><br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></span></i><i> </i> kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-38168247002338863102011-12-05T11:58:00.001-05:002011-12-05T13:17:56.665-05:00hello monday...boy, did the weekend deliver. It was one of those times where i knew without doubt that i was exactly where i was suppose to be, doing exactly what i was suppose to be doing. that kind of experience always makes me feel so ALIVE.<br />
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and I am excited to say HELLO to monday and a brand new week...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">hello counting down to christmas...</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">hello mailing christmas cards...not a normal tradition of ours, but we're making a new one.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">hello holiday baking, now that's a tradition..</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">hello planning holiday get togethers..</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">hello anticipating the birth of my first niece... anytime now </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">hello my new favorite christmas ornament... a gift from Gs mom, also a christmas tradition..</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello to a surprise phone call from a dear friend whose family are full time missionaries in africa...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello "21 days of rediscovering christmas" reading plan.. our family is receiving a blessing from you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello first full week of working in the great big world... im counting on a great week...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">hello december... you are the encore of our 2011' story. May you be truly special!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">what are you saying hello to on this first monday of december?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">HAPPY MONDAY</div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-89099318780433450982011-12-04T18:26:00.000-05:002011-12-04T18:26:58.911-05:00discipline...I have always struggled with discipline. I'm not very good at it. I'm more scattered and spontaneous.The idea of routine gives me heartburn. But, I know it's important. Needed. Healthy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaeAG5rWmCwwhQ1M916pVKcqFJlNX0v2gVGwAmH8WmX2VcMHXP3K1SKT5ERTYHidkLZrb6rIXMI8HqgmW6FArxQQ_4yrdLeNX_WtjLciXbyRR05AaAmDveaTphqVSrrFcj3yaJXR9VRk/s1600/discipline.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaeAG5rWmCwwhQ1M916pVKcqFJlNX0v2gVGwAmH8WmX2VcMHXP3K1SKT5ERTYHidkLZrb6rIXMI8HqgmW6FArxQQ_4yrdLeNX_WtjLciXbyRR05AaAmDveaTphqVSrrFcj3yaJXR9VRk/s400/discipline.png" width="400" /></a></div>This past week I went back to work. Outside of the home that is. I've been a stay-at-home-mom for better than a decade and Friday I took a leap of faith (with some fear that wanted to tag along) and ventured into the working world. I need the discipline of punching a time clock, the accountability of answering to a boss, and the working in my life of being a faithful employee. I don't take for granted the years I've had at home with my family. I surely recognize the hard work and dedication of managing a home. I am glad to have made the sacrifice to be at home, often performing the thankless tasks of wiping runny noses, teaching sentence structures and patterns, vacuuming under couch cushions, and washing dirty underwear. But, now I'm called to learn the discipline of work in a whole new way. And as I walked out the door on Friday decked in a pair of scrubs with my nametag hanging around my neck, my husband said to me, "Watch for what God wants to do." And watch I did.<br />
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Friday night I cared for an 86 year old man who is dying of cancer. When I entered his home I immediately noticed that everything was in its place. He laid in his bed, flat on his back in a pair of button up pjs that were as neat as a pen. The night was still and quite in his home and I tried to keep myself busy (and awake) by dust mopping his floors and cleaning his furniture. These task did not give me a huge sense of accomplishment considering there was very little dust on my rags. At 3am. my patient woke to go to the bathroom. I assisted him and patiently waited outside the door. I noticed through the mirror that before returning to bed he carefully combed his hair making sure every strand was in place. I smiled to myself and thought, Wow, here is a man pushing his 90s, dying of cancer, and yet he makes sure that everything around him is accounted for, in its place, as it should be. He is DISCIPLINED. I whispered, "Im watching Lord."<br />
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The morning went right on cue. The coffee started brewing promptly at 6 am. He woke at 630 and has a routine for everything. Bathroom, office, shower, breakfast. He told me before he got out of bed. "I want my coffee black, sitting by my chair in my office on the coffee warmer." And, I prepared it. He sat down in his chair and said, "I will be in here for 30 minutes praying." And for exactly 30 minutes he drank his morning coffee and prayed. Every morning this is what he does. And I'd be willing to bet its been that way for years. Discipline. Faithfulness. And I watched.<br />
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There is a discipline that comes with solitude. A solitude that brings peace to us, even when we are faced with the shadows of death. We should all learn to sit at His feet early in the morning, and go away with Him to the higher places late in the evening. Jesus showed us an example of the discipline of solitude and rest. He made it clear that it was important.<br />
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<i><b>"He went up on a mountainside by himself." Matthew 14:23</b></i><br />
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I read in my devotion this morning these words:<br />
"Oh, how we need to reclaim the lost art of meditation! Oh, how we need "the secret place" as part of our lifestyle." -Streams in the Desert<br />
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<b>Are you a disciplined person? Do you practice the discipline of solitude and rest? Do you think that it is important?</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></i></span> </b>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-85274873700107005442011-11-28T10:50:00.002-05:002011-12-05T12:12:36.999-05:00hello monday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EiyX5XxON_wCQTNeU-IZa_9U8HLHx1Xh5vJzOlcJL4v35LZpvYqz-JlR_vY1f7Z4iu7bm_LZUY5XhErint7OBUZ3R-_Sq_USgfmFefDO6DA-0QSBRieZJ8ydPemXnuhB5LDXIKUNVl8/s1600/warm+coffee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EiyX5XxON_wCQTNeU-IZa_9U8HLHx1Xh5vJzOlcJL4v35LZpvYqz-JlR_vY1f7Z4iu7bm_LZUY5XhErint7OBUZ3R-_Sq_USgfmFefDO6DA-0QSBRieZJ8ydPemXnuhB5LDXIKUNVl8/s640/warm+coffee.png" width="403" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello warm cup of coffee with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Oh how Ive missed you..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello braces on Madison's top teeth and going into school an hour late.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello dreary rainy day, you make me feel so cozy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello To Do list, grocery list, Christmas shopping list. I can't wait to check you off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RQI3oLmAq54s-YgB5ciJncYTOS9_cTLP6FCXI0YSpOp9KqJtoZmJk7FjsOBsLt4hpLQnWNagTQzK0LfUqR8YmiMrHouJ88obHO3YsurMDwDGNJX34EJ6il81W6UV4dShzFIhUCqhaoA/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RQI3oLmAq54s-YgB5ciJncYTOS9_cTLP6FCXI0YSpOp9KqJtoZmJk7FjsOBsLt4hpLQnWNagTQzK0LfUqR8YmiMrHouJ88obHO3YsurMDwDGNJX34EJ6il81W6UV4dShzFIhUCqhaoA/s640/038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzycjwqWh3J03Hxjywp0octwbET6J-gHcLEan5xNI1bFvmqyFhQRFlLPvyLKfkz4y-8etmQgTbe4_vf77pvBzTC8FNVhvZmq4b5o_kEfvad7Ls8CC2t2RfNRbiFPSezOfG9b7i5b3WM4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzycjwqWh3J03Hxjywp0octwbET6J-gHcLEan5xNI1bFvmqyFhQRFlLPvyLKfkz4y-8etmQgTbe4_vf77pvBzTC8FNVhvZmq4b5o_kEfvad7Ls8CC2t2RfNRbiFPSezOfG9b7i5b3WM4/s640/004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello Santa, you are my most favorite ornament.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello popcorn garland, that took our little family 4 hours to create on Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello fun Christmas mantle. This years theme is "It's a Homemade Christmas."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB_9HfJGBBZgqc8Gkr4u_q4W16z5Paovn0kjdp9vSeZmHIzrcyq1Irtfvg3syXyNkxyFbCJ2gcCZX89VqTEuV0RS_ALVtjCYxVKLXCZ05u8D03ySUeo2_xormWoDbopzN_N49Yetpej4/s1600/gold+sky.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB_9HfJGBBZgqc8Gkr4u_q4W16z5Paovn0kjdp9vSeZmHIzrcyq1Irtfvg3syXyNkxyFbCJ2gcCZX89VqTEuV0RS_ALVtjCYxVKLXCZ05u8D03ySUeo2_xormWoDbopzN_N49Yetpej4/s640/gold+sky.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello golden sky, you sure did deliver this morning with a rainbow to boot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello grocery store, I'm on my way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What are you saying hello to on this fine, wet Monday?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-41407176340059587352011-09-01T11:57:00.000-04:002011-09-01T11:57:38.756-04:00todays forecast...Temperatures today are a balmy 750 degrees. The refining fire is HOT! You can expect a burning away of rotten decay, dirt, mold, and debris. Even though it's a hot one, don't loose heart, put your hope in the treasure it is producing. A transformation front is following behind. Be waiting for a refreshing cool down in the near future.<br />
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What does your forecast look like today?kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-23745571199688389852011-08-01T18:28:00.000-04:002011-08-01T18:28:05.879-04:00i resolved 2...Yesterday I started a list of resolutions from John Edwards that I am attempting to re-write so that I can better understand them. And quickly I am learning, no matter how long of a list of resolutions I make, and no matter how hard I try to keep them, I will always always fall short. I guess that was the whole point of the law. We can't fully keep it. The key is a relationship. And last night after I finished my post God showed me what He meant by relationship first hand. I'll share more on that at later post. But for now I'm going to continue my list. Because, even though I can't keep it perfectly, there is something empowering about mediating on these things. So here is 11 through 20..<br />
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11. <b>Resolved, </b>when I see any problem around me that need to be solved, to quickly go about the works of making it right to the best of my ability.<br />
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12. <b>Resolved, </b>to immediately dispose of any gratification I take in my pride or self seeking nature.<br />
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13. <b>Resolved, </b>to seek out ways to give to others and to help those in need.<br />
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14. <b>Resolved, </b>never to react, or behave, or scheme out of revenge.<br />
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15. <b>Resolved, </b>never to bind myself to anger towards those who are not thinking straight.<br />
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16. <b>Resolved, </b>not to put others down, criticize them, or make them feel shameful.<br />
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17 <b>Resolved, </b>to live in such a way that when I die I have no regrets.<br />
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18. <b>Resolved, </b>to always live with the gospel as my focus. remembering what Jesus means to me and the world he is preparing for me in eternity.<br />
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19 <b>Resolved, </b>never to be anywhere, doing anything, that I would not want to be doing when Jesus comes back for his bride.<br />
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20. <b>Resolved, </b>to eat and drink only things that are good and nutrious for me, never to pollute my body with toxins to the best of my ability.<br />
<br />
And there you go..<br />
<br />
happy monday...<br />
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">kristin</span></span></span></i>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-19966897374236249262011-07-31T22:47:00.006-04:002011-08-01T16:56:53.931-04:00i resolvedToday is Sunday and George had to work this morning, which meant the kids and I drove 40 minutes to church ourselves. The little church plant our family has been attending for a few weeks now is, yes, 40 minutes away. Church has become somewhat of a day trip. But, as each week passes the more I (and the rest of my little family) feel we are being called to this church. So God, would you please make the path straight for our family to take up residence in this community so that we will feel more at home on Sunday mornings, then having to pack for an excursion. Swiftly... Thank you and Amen..<br />
<br />
So enough about that.. That's not really what this post is about anyway. George and the fellow that he works hand in hand with most days had their own little church service this morning. A sort of devotion I guess (it was George's idea) His co-worker is an "ULTRA" Conservative Christian of the Independent Fundamental Baptist roots. George and I find ourselves somewhere in the middle. A good blend of power receiving Charismatic, Jesus believing Southern Baptist, a Non-denominational training up and teaching of biblical application, with some rules, methods and disciplines of our Methodist and Catholic backgrounds thrown into the mix. We tend to just be sinners who know very well that we have been saved by grace. George and I have had many conversations as of late about the strict, legalistic beliefs of his co-worker. These conversations have brought somewhat of an exploration to our own faith. <br />
<br />
When George mentioned this morning that he thought they should have a little church at their break.. you know maybe read some scripture, say some prayers for the company and those who work for it, His co-worker went and printed out these resolutions off the computer, to share at church. George brought them home and I thought they were pretty good. Although, I had to read them several times to grasp what they were saying. So I decided I would write them in my own language and read them for awhile just for good measure.<br />
<br />
There are 70 resolutions of <a href="http://www.battlefocused.org/articles/resolutions-jonathan-edwards/"><span style="color: #93c47d;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">John Edwards</span></span> </a>written in the mid 1700s.<br />
I am going to take 10 a day for a week and rewrite them.<br />
<br />
The Resolutions of John Edwards according to Kristin...<br />
<br />
1. <b>Resolved</b>, that I will do whatever will bring God the most glory, and benefit my well-being every day of my life. I resolve to do what God has called me to and will make sure to encourage and build up others for His kingdom. I will do this no matter what trails I may face in the process.<br />
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2. <b>Resolved, </b>to continually seek out new ways to grow in the knowledge of God and truth. <br />
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3. <b>Resolved, </b>whenever I fall short of the standards God has set before me, I will quickly repent of what is made known to me.<br />
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4. <b>Resolved, </b>never to do anything, whether in my soul or with my body, but what will tend to the glory of God.<br />
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5. <b>Resolved, </b>never to waste time, but to use every moment for the betterment of myself and others to the best of my ability.<br />
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6. <b>Resolved, </b>to live fully alive, fully aware, in the present. Not holding to the past and not worrying about the future.<br />
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7. <b>Resolved, </b>never to do anything that I would not do if I knew I would no longer be living on earth in the next hour.<br />
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8. <b>Resolved, </b>never to believe that I am any better than anyone else. I am fully capable of the wickedest of things. Never think that it is my place to judge others in anyway.<br />
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9 <b>Resolved, </b>to remember often, that I am only here for a short time. My days are numbered. My focus is on the eternal.<br />
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10. <b>Resolved, </b>when I feel pain or self pity, to remember those less fortunate than I, and to pray for those who are not yet secure in a real relationship with God, through His son Jesus. <br />
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The next 10 will come tomorrow.<br />
Blessed Sunday Evening to all...<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">kristin</span></b></i></span></div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-59874960692883672332011-07-22T20:39:00.005-04:002011-07-23T13:09:06.582-04:00where we are going..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>"<i>There is an anatomy for life... Words and images determine the way you think. The way you think will determine how you feel. How you feel will determine your actions. Your actions determines your habits. Habits determine your character. Then your character determines your destination in life." </i><br />
<i>-Creflo Dollar</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
I am not a huge fan of the prosperity gospel. However, I do enjoy a little Creflo Dollar once in awhile. I caught an interview with him a few days ago and jotted the quote above down in my journal. I liked it. It made sense to me, and I can see the truth of it playing out in my life and in my families life during this season. I can also see how the truth of it has played out in my past as well.<br />
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The other morning George and I were sitting on the sofa talking about money. An area in our lives that we are "growing up" in right now, among other things. I stated that, "I can't help how I have choose to spend money in the past, but I can help how I spend it today and for the rest of my life." He responded with, "That's interesting, I woke up this morning being plagued by the past, and I realized I have not been able to get a vision of the future because I've been held down by the past." <br />
<br />
It has been so long since we have dreamed together. I don't even remember the last time I imagined our future and what it would look like. Much of our marriage has been in survival mode. Trying to beat the odds. Fighting one battle after another. Playing characters God never intended for us to play. And frankly we have wasted a whole lot of time. BUT... We can do nothing about where we have been..however, where we are going, is a whole different story.<br />
<br />
Several weeks ago one of George's friends called him up and said he was needing to sale his house and that he really wanted us to take a look at it. I have been praying for weeks that God would move our family to a new place. Give us a fresh start. Free us from the surroundings of our past. Give us a dream, a vision, a hope. I knew right away that we had to go see Dave's house. I didn't have extremely high hopes for it, but none-the-less, it is in an area that would be completely fresh and brand new for our family. It is close to the mountains we love to frolic in, and not far from George's work. So on a Saturday afternoon our family drove 40 mins away to see a possibility. <br />
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Immediately it felt right to all of us..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h26xUfHWA4ietKoaRFtRtVEAmUWYE816wlIVlfXTrQ1m0n8g4dJHZKKjslGaBzhbVmT-IgoyC1F6vigWhebhKQ4Ho1kTjX2AHcOAQ1ZGBR4bxKq48xhr-wzJJk2iJseq41EzyKAYvj4/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h26xUfHWA4ietKoaRFtRtVEAmUWYE816wlIVlfXTrQ1m0n8g4dJHZKKjslGaBzhbVmT-IgoyC1F6vigWhebhKQ4Ho1kTjX2AHcOAQ1ZGBR4bxKq48xhr-wzJJk2iJseq41EzyKAYvj4/s640/067.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
It seemed as if we were being invited to enter into a new life together. A life that is refreshing and cleansing.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: red;">"I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs." Isaiah 41:18</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red;"> </span></i><br />
How encouraging this is to me. It seems we have spent a lifetime in the desert. The image of a refreshing pool causes me to take a very deep breath..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWFNuyuyV3O3mH4fVnf6qiXHr6YFVrU4G-wsbs99NyGUI5CQZc8StfqvU6Ba0_bqwoAlljU4hfqSkozV5NOE0rUYt6o1UiR6FEt-gZV32m1BqMOyyTNNzQNFA2JwS0Fgm_nvSZGq868E/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWFNuyuyV3O3mH4fVnf6qiXHr6YFVrU4G-wsbs99NyGUI5CQZc8StfqvU6Ba0_bqwoAlljU4hfqSkozV5NOE0rUYt6o1UiR6FEt-gZV32m1BqMOyyTNNzQNFA2JwS0Fgm_nvSZGq868E/s640/078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKrd1wZZlreR12WTY7XvRorrht2JYxIdClmCQ5XWKplU8lgNdRo3QlOTZBxysf0rSKHasQmGsTux8szLeqxy06yLtQ_3Vb20-YWK0AivJgnv1lFo8-uhbUwj2_x3bbCKJztMpkwesJ2w/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKrd1wZZlreR12WTY7XvRorrht2JYxIdClmCQ5XWKplU8lgNdRo3QlOTZBxysf0rSKHasQmGsTux8szLeqxy06yLtQ_3Vb20-YWK0AivJgnv1lFo8-uhbUwj2_x3bbCKJztMpkwesJ2w/s640/080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Dave showed us the garden.. I like the idea of having a garden. I like the idea of being fruitful. The image of this home producing fruit stirred in me. Dave stood by this garden and explained to us that he dug three feet down and removed all the bad soil, then he replaced it with fresh compost and good soil. I smiled to myself and thought, it seems that's what my life looks like right now. A digging up, a digging deep, a removing of the bad soil, a preparation for the replacement of good soil and planting..<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred , sixty, or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears let him hear." Matthew 13:3</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">The image of fruitfulness, the words of digging deep, has been what I am thinking on. It has been producing a crop of new actions, and I am getting the slightest glimpse of new habits forming..</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8ov5RY6FyqIpiAXMhrYQAcN0jaL04jwXTE7r5D2t_1_skstD1zYQMZw8apAPTnb6pw1KOxm_3Nxh2eJq2EIb5be4FNf5mWhXtCSNUOKoI6e0rmwDiLntigL88xpSq-jrxPbBx9-H8v0/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8ov5RY6FyqIpiAXMhrYQAcN0jaL04jwXTE7r5D2t_1_skstD1zYQMZw8apAPTnb6pw1KOxm_3Nxh2eJq2EIb5be4FNf5mWhXtCSNUOKoI6e0rmwDiLntigL88xpSq-jrxPbBx9-H8v0/s640/064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2upAo7X0wjfzpIptok-HM97i9nD9h8z1DaCniux1q2nG_jto2PBcq0QxMGFxt90JbewXb4xKRzzA2iIWp8D8QQZFlQGdNgbefRDLfNOHv5fgUCOlsZKtF1If7gxwfTypa4N4EPV8QnPU/s1600/New+House+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2upAo7X0wjfzpIptok-HM97i9nD9h8z1DaCniux1q2nG_jto2PBcq0QxMGFxt90JbewXb4xKRzzA2iIWp8D8QQZFlQGdNgbefRDLfNOHv5fgUCOlsZKtF1If7gxwfTypa4N4EPV8QnPU/s640/New+House+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgqBxrkGxTiHg3Tcm3ck0UcfUERXQZold0E1fd8yCBpW8wCDy_pDCiUgOtmu7V-ezyl0_SuP2fCiTk5u7hFXW_XjzWD28KOtzH-yhDuLNhxaXlZGMACja560U5Xx8FINKlMKUrFirWEc/s1600/New+House+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgqBxrkGxTiHg3Tcm3ck0UcfUERXQZold0E1fd8yCBpW8wCDy_pDCiUgOtmu7V-ezyl0_SuP2fCiTk5u7hFXW_XjzWD28KOtzH-yhDuLNhxaXlZGMACja560U5Xx8FINKlMKUrFirWEc/s640/New+House+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugAFwDE2xemr3DXisd3ey-a77bqTCDdty7g1caAqPV-82wQFQkHCI9Yj6uRIqytVUN6yyBmvKPa_6aXgdVaziUgjatVApwOpwgvZzI5f3OQnzN2NMQzLwvfylf78JpyR5VePTY9PhJ9I/s1600/New+House+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugAFwDE2xemr3DXisd3ey-a77bqTCDdty7g1caAqPV-82wQFQkHCI9Yj6uRIqytVUN6yyBmvKPa_6aXgdVaziUgjatVApwOpwgvZzI5f3OQnzN2NMQzLwvfylf78JpyR5VePTY9PhJ9I/s640/New+House+021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9atovPKzso0GSnGmn7kLF4KwcNSmKpIbyESoucM6_FPCLWtdk9wTI0kWLW-RoOSv10MGUVdOnrxv-0NVEoKxSAHr23b5B9pg6-bmInZk-wxBNSe_W-U6Wju7Z8kaP8lSo231yMnSBWY/s1600/New+House+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9atovPKzso0GSnGmn7kLF4KwcNSmKpIbyESoucM6_FPCLWtdk9wTI0kWLW-RoOSv10MGUVdOnrxv-0NVEoKxSAHr23b5B9pg6-bmInZk-wxBNSe_W-U6Wju7Z8kaP8lSo231yMnSBWY/s640/New+House+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
We walked along paths of strawberry plants and blackberry bushes. The kids ran around in a yard perfect for a dog (maybe two) and their excitement was almost tangible. We picked peaches from the peach tree in the front yard and enjoyed their sweetness. I imagined the joys of decorating and fixing up a 1960s brick ranch and making it home. A fruitful home.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness</i></span><i><span style="color: red;">, and self-control.</span></i> <span style="color: red;"><i>Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">So we have a vision. A dream. Although we have some steps to take to get there, and I hope God allows us to find ourselves at the destination of this sweet home, more than that it is what this place represents for us. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">It has been an image and words that have gave us new thoughts. Our thoughts are giving us feelings of hope, encouragement, motivation, desire. These feelings are causing us to act more careful, more faithful, pursuing goals we have long thought were unreachable. These new actions are developing into habits that are forming the characters God DID intend for us to be. And that my friends is going to take us to a new destination. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Where are we going?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">We are going to produce fruit...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">kristin</span></span></i> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-76458705760032065392011-06-16T13:11:00.003-04:002011-07-14T10:01:28.940-04:00and we're off.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So we are well into the race of summer. full steam. I do love these long, carefree, whimsical days. Our summer has also began with a great deal of change. Change can be hard, but when it has purpose and direction, change can mean growth and new life.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">George recently took a job as an electrician at a paper mill. And it has been a big change. It is a job that we have been praying for over a number of months. And the door opened for this job in just the right time. But, it has been a cultural shock for us. I can't call him whenever I'm having one of my mid day melt downs, there is less freedom, and he has to wear these bright yellow safety shirts. I have to laugh to myself (or maybe out loud) when I see him pulling in our driveway in his topless jeep sporting his neon shirt. I just know he can't be missed on the road. He seems satisfied with the job and its new challenges though. So that makes me happy and the new opportunities it will lend to our family makes me smile even bigger. change that I know will bring growth and open doors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Summer always starts off with triple birthdays. My birthday is on the 5th and Madison and my mother-in-laws is on the 7th. So I kind of feel for my husband because he always has his mothers, daughters, and wifes birthday to plan for at the same time. The 3 main women in his life. But... we always start the summer with celebration and that is always a good thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr3wIKmwmLD5i_ggTBp3lUITxuCzW3MZC466PxN0bBY3OoOUqv25-fa1gKaIp9uznTC_LF2ox_qRvOkfJF-1s5SmAXEQQrWXOf68NgorHse_N8smVzfDGOq5WHLL0uW7hIvqRfKwvzvQ/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr3wIKmwmLD5i_ggTBp3lUITxuCzW3MZC466PxN0bBY3OoOUqv25-fa1gKaIp9uznTC_LF2ox_qRvOkfJF-1s5SmAXEQQrWXOf68NgorHse_N8smVzfDGOq5WHLL0uW7hIvqRfKwvzvQ/s640/029.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePSakNU7fXrY4pNLLCcigcHIHkahwuWefugUaOwhwRj5pVSGoDXLajmah65ytBheoz4jqIPeOu1H-RiL7qNyICZrPoZQ2in_14GUoHqE5f8EEwL7q8Q0Rj4hR1exyLC5Zvn4nEnI6ns/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePSakNU7fXrY4pNLLCcigcHIHkahwuWefugUaOwhwRj5pVSGoDXLajmah65ytBheoz4jqIPeOu1H-RiL7qNyICZrPoZQ2in_14GUoHqE5f8EEwL7q8Q0Rj4hR1exyLC5Zvn4nEnI6ns/s640/082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Ive been adding some special touches around the house.. And finding some neat items from my little treasure hunts through my grandfathers garage, hidden away in junk piles left for abandon, and strolling through our local flea market. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYJtwCjD06nogLs9F52lXNoWAZfcFPz1ehONnsmN6b8x7HRemVDtZyku4HQZkwNBvis3miBOJ5_iYnqFbOCwc1lCRIyGsq1h9srzsUmZwvjvXfoFvhkc_TYPQkosvmkxcwIF8IzznVTw/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYJtwCjD06nogLs9F52lXNoWAZfcFPz1ehONnsmN6b8x7HRemVDtZyku4HQZkwNBvis3miBOJ5_iYnqFbOCwc1lCRIyGsq1h9srzsUmZwvjvXfoFvhkc_TYPQkosvmkxcwIF8IzznVTw/s640/109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I made my own summer checklist and posted it up in the kitchen to remind me not to forget to make memories all summer long...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V547VcAVMAV2uP2WrNutsHbmO4uw_xQar8z3BqAs18lXuaNg5WqGYuNJwUHBwbWrC0_bOdpFYBH4W5nzL7DHEuKdYgm7LAIIaCR8RIqDHCrKm9-JyCjvhFwLbsUqkCGk092EFHClV9E/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V547VcAVMAV2uP2WrNutsHbmO4uw_xQar8z3BqAs18lXuaNg5WqGYuNJwUHBwbWrC0_bOdpFYBH4W5nzL7DHEuKdYgm7LAIIaCR8RIqDHCrKm9-JyCjvhFwLbsUqkCGk092EFHClV9E/s640/101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL15qRk2NaoqBfWGaZodTnSTdcw-cuKbiQWTEt1gDEcnGFElsbMBHA10EhPo5FxyyslXun-japv8UGFsN6FSPDuIuxF89ISNPFvs1Izr0xy0LJKha5_a71nMmzHJUPJjbQrZNSc1k9NM/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL15qRk2NaoqBfWGaZodTnSTdcw-cuKbiQWTEt1gDEcnGFElsbMBHA10EhPo5FxyyslXun-japv8UGFsN6FSPDuIuxF89ISNPFvs1Izr0xy0LJKha5_a71nMmzHJUPJjbQrZNSc1k9NM/s640/108.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iK31YZX5XC-ydxbDKsF8sHPprVWcT9o9ExG8VuG5HO-ejXaRyff-th7Xezqp7D3CbTb6hwncCa5isptKYgCV6ofyDjtLZPuOeUIspcJ1zyOiufg2vJ-ZwEhHJpZeWv2TGZXf9kQMoT8/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1225604236881654685<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iK31YZX5XC-ydxbDKsF8sHPprVWcT9o9ExG8VuG5HO-ejXaRyff-th7Xezqp7D3CbTb6hwncCa5isptKYgCV6ofyDjtLZPuOeUIspcJ1zyOiufg2vJ-ZwEhHJpZeWv2TGZXf9kQMoT8/s640/106.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>my blue heaven pattern from the 1950s dish set I found strolling through the flea market. I was so inspired and now I am on a hunt for the dinner plates to match to use as my everyday.<br />
I love this colorful quilt I found buried in a closet at my grandmothers. It is no longer in hiding but now gives my sofa new life.<br />
On the last picture. The globe was Georges when he was a little boy. The vintage movie camera was found buried in George's workshop. It was his friend Bo's, who died as a teenager in a car accident. The vintage piece of luggage was going to goodwill after a church yardsale. I grabbed it for free and now it stores all my sons matchbox cars and looks pretty cool on my bookcase.<br />
The red S on the mantle was found at a craft store for a buck and I wrapped it in red yarn.<br />
I love adding interest around my home, but even more than that, I love the hunt to find these neat pieces.<br />
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And of course there's the mud pie kitchen. What fun this has created for my kids, friends , and of course me. We found some great pieces for it in my grandfathers garage, and it has lended to hours of dramatic and imaginative play. Sure beats sitting inside all summer watching TV and playing video games.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qNSIJCIhGdNpbOptPPaX47DT6DcxbY9APS5U9fBmocNGpgKiIgK-XQUexwvGEfdbCDLI9_EOvv5JUT3ShwXhMRHKdU2Ow5s5WjrBs-MgVV0fIQE2wIYrP2t7_-Vzk24U0FMqs-MR91c/s1600/094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qNSIJCIhGdNpbOptPPaX47DT6DcxbY9APS5U9fBmocNGpgKiIgK-XQUexwvGEfdbCDLI9_EOvv5JUT3ShwXhMRHKdU2Ow5s5WjrBs-MgVV0fIQE2wIYrP2t7_-Vzk24U0FMqs-MR91c/s640/094.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>So we're off... to a new season. with change. celebration. new finds that is giving new life. and creative ideas and play. I do love this long, carefree, whimsical season.<br />
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Happy Thursday!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">kristin</span></span></i></span>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-83931592346303178632011-06-11T11:13:00.002-04:002011-06-11T11:34:01.085-04:00very pinterestingI was getting pretty regular about blogging, and really enjoying it... Then summer vacation came, and everything started to change. It's been a while. So, today I want to share some inspiration I've found to begin this warm, carefree season...<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36915017/" target="_blank"><img 400="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/36915017_xDTOX6HH_c.jpg" width="400 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://victorias-vintage.blogspot.com/2010/04/vintage-photographs.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">victorias-vintage.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/38309545/" target="_blank"><img 676="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/38309545_NJrJ5Hjn_c.jpg" width="450 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/shelving-storage/inexpensive-forwardfacing-bookshelves-domestic-simplicity-135897" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ohdeedoh.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36906271/" target="_blank"><img 554="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/36906271_dIMHsO1E_c.jpg" width="554 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36894650/" target="_blank"><img 554="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/36894650_urWXbMsy_c.jpg" width="554 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70692801/vintage-affair" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36943792/" target="_blank"><img 620="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/36943792_nnI4W1LY_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2011/01/vintage-wall-maps/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">designmom.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
eight ='500'/></div><div 0px="" 2px;="" line-height:="" padding-bottom:="" style="float: left;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36821799/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/36821799_ySBfDzFD_c.jpg" width="500 hng-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/36821799/" target="_blank">Source: </a><a href="http://tanuntipw-vintage.tumblr.com/page/2" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">tanuntipw-vintage.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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1. This is the very BEST kind of mail!<br />
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2. Love these spice racks from Ikea $3.99 re purposed as book shelves. Brilliant!<br />
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3.Ahhh.. Summer Yellow.<br />
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4. I found a vintage camera exactly like this one in my husbands workshop. It had belonged to his friend Bo, who was killed in a car accident when they were teenagers. I cleaned it up and set it on top of 2 antique books in my bedroom. When I look at this display it makes me smile.<br />
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5. I'm going to order a wall map like this one for Andrew's room. So fun and educational.<br />
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6. May I please take a ride on this ferris wheel? So carefree...<br />
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I have been sprucing things up around the house.. And finding some treasure in unexpected places.<br />
More to come..kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-79253262989480955112011-05-26T01:25:00.001-04:002011-05-26T01:34:21.652-04:00mud pie kitchenWhen I was a little girl my most favorite game in all the world to play was "pot and pans". Basically it was creating mud pies and wild onion and grass salads. My friends and I would spend hours and hours on this game. Playing in the summer sun with old pots and pans and spoons we would scrounge up from my grandparents storage room. This fond memory is the inspiration for this post and the reason for my agenda with the kids this afternoon.<br />
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Today and tomorrow are both half days for the kids and then we will officially be summer vacationing. Around 1145 I will be expecting the yellow school bus to stop in front of our home, and I will watch my children climb off (or in Andrews case, spring forward into a field of freedom) waving good bye to friends, lugging books and papers on theirs backs, for the last times this school year. Though that makes me a little teary, I look forward to the days ahead, when I can get to know them a little better. Days when we can share lunch together, go on all kinds of adventures, and I can watch them explore with a new found freedom. <br />
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So after lunch today I will give them a job. We will go exploring for everything we need to build a mud pie kitchen, an outdoor fort, anything that will make for hours and hours of summer creativity outdoors. And we will begin to build. Honestly, I am excited. <br />
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Here's some inspiration I found to help us get started...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1uQrdynF7nmus7_v-un5k6nGvz-sMUqZzyq8T_jTgR9QmLfg_1wj2Ezn8eUevgRmnyqNqbPHPPoQXAcOB2Xq6E8YtfdDvjqp-vU2gWl8NFrIqhcG45j2NotReEZnK12GK9bpXdmICuI/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1uQrdynF7nmus7_v-un5k6nGvz-sMUqZzyq8T_jTgR9QmLfg_1wj2Ezn8eUevgRmnyqNqbPHPPoQXAcOB2Xq6E8YtfdDvjqp-vU2gWl8NFrIqhcG45j2NotReEZnK12GK9bpXdmICuI/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElV2qYlkHskRQywP5v6soQeBFQ9hZ69P7uevgbqr9Ua58yaxCQoTYjpAX5rAzvgRtLCrXWZUZ4ktv8Y8dz1nB69uZvEqxqKR4VXfjVeS78QMfAkrpe7_KUrJvg0trlta1mVN6gkATAsI/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElV2qYlkHskRQywP5v6soQeBFQ9hZ69P7uevgbqr9Ua58yaxCQoTYjpAX5rAzvgRtLCrXWZUZ4ktv8Y8dz1nB69uZvEqxqKR4VXfjVeS78QMfAkrpe7_KUrJvg0trlta1mVN6gkATAsI/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kKcWrMKwsPY4nfGq1pVPdyeXW6QJd_U6Z18m-flcxZqYtVv9SQg3TXFHMHPOVTuBs9uEDUd0_6HGAcdhEpxYXYD1or2rmbOtuWWlu-E09dCx7T2h0ryRCrcWu8zXDunsCvrHI7_M5xI/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kKcWrMKwsPY4nfGq1pVPdyeXW6QJd_U6Z18m-flcxZqYtVv9SQg3TXFHMHPOVTuBs9uEDUd0_6HGAcdhEpxYXYD1or2rmbOtuWWlu-E09dCx7T2h0ryRCrcWu8zXDunsCvrHI7_M5xI/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0i5DbiETQWo_nVhErBq0tRGarl2Uix2TkG991a4lCGk3tBYSiaYr4H9Vtr_QWFYqtsix4g8PpjSMkjMVhWeH3j3p1WGKn5B1R5pVHuqGKFkzPyvgki_nIlQq3v_iMQMezQXJmmyHLrk/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0i5DbiETQWo_nVhErBq0tRGarl2Uix2TkG991a4lCGk3tBYSiaYr4H9Vtr_QWFYqtsix4g8PpjSMkjMVhWeH3j3p1WGKn5B1R5pVHuqGKFkzPyvgki_nIlQq3v_iMQMezQXJmmyHLrk/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I could hardly sleep last night with all the ideas rolling around in my head.<br />
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<b>what favorite childhood game would you love to re-create?</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>kristin</i></span></span></span> </b>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-29665772163968171632011-05-25T06:40:00.002-04:002011-06-10T22:36:08.686-04:00what i wore wednesdayI'm linking up with<a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/"><b><span style="color: red;"> lindsay </span></b></a>over at The Pleated Poppy today for some fashion fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak9cYlofmzH3lNwYHk0I6UEzqWkE4-j-i93SSInuHczIaRraL3x-qVLAgom_-QFbFvNH6x9f5HwcCFj8969aJYjYKa2fIrsGPsPuImHTRVG_Sy2uDSBo3ZfHusGzQmOeQZZxbHv6LCwo/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak9cYlofmzH3lNwYHk0I6UEzqWkE4-j-i93SSInuHczIaRraL3x-qVLAgom_-QFbFvNH6x9f5HwcCFj8969aJYjYKa2fIrsGPsPuImHTRVG_Sy2uDSBo3ZfHusGzQmOeQZZxbHv6LCwo/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>brown cami and lace cami : Kohls<br />
jeans: Express<br />
gold wedge sandals: gift from sister<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdhi4B-eoFaRkkxOF2GWqU6vgcVFPBXdvNvlJsbqHHlFtEt-5QpH5imDKpLc41_TF4ZSUG1BohXKiH2hUVTXq5VsDN_wh-714vRKIW41INQjaSodYMjPxqRUbKAm_G3yhG7hftIHzvQU/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdhi4B-eoFaRkkxOF2GWqU6vgcVFPBXdvNvlJsbqHHlFtEt-5QpH5imDKpLc41_TF4ZSUG1BohXKiH2hUVTXq5VsDN_wh-714vRKIW41INQjaSodYMjPxqRUbKAm_G3yhG7hftIHzvQU/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>shirt: mountain store in Chimney Rock NC<br />
gray cropped pants: Pennys<br />
hiking shoes: Merrell<br />
sherpani shoulder bag: Mast General Store<br />
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Question: I am looking forward to summer vacation with the kids. How would you choose to spend a lazy summer day... laying by the pool, with your favorite music playing and a cold beverage in your hand or lying in a hammock under a shade tree, reading a really good book?<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></span></span></i>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-23436376065990122192011-05-22T23:22:00.001-04:002011-05-23T06:57:11.805-04:00love lifted me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This past Friday I struggled with some hard condemnation. The accuser was whispering in my ears all day long. "Look at what you've done." "You can't escape the shame." "You will never truly be accepted." "You haven't been punished enough." Condemnation, his same old tricks. And then Saturday came, and LOVE LIFTED ME.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigBPoi3tY6uSacjOYL5vvlKvz5I_VGNQb0JnntuLaZTaFZ4sdBqG2UpPMnUGCvj_t3SPXsYZksS3LURhx_n61CXtTmPOatp6uGOk-oXjkLYcFQNXsgZxIQYImsEiLXef2-roWAODgz3w/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigBPoi3tY6uSacjOYL5vvlKvz5I_VGNQb0JnntuLaZTaFZ4sdBqG2UpPMnUGCvj_t3SPXsYZksS3LURhx_n61CXtTmPOatp6uGOk-oXjkLYcFQNXsgZxIQYImsEiLXef2-roWAODgz3w/s640/116.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sweet husband had a surprise for me. He told me to pack for the weekend that we were going on an excursion. Saturday was an amazing day. The kids left for their grandparents and George and I went shopping. SHOPPING. We tried on clothes in the same dressing room, giggling like best friends. He told me to pick two outfits and I did, swooning like it was Christmas morning. Then we drove to Ashville, where we had lunch at the Olive Garden. We ordered a bottle of Red Wine, we only had a glass, but the bottle looked so pretty sitting on our table in the decorative ice bucket.(We had them seal it and took it with us) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then... wait for it, here it comes.. we went to "The Cove" for the night. In my opinion there is no place like "The Cove." It's a little piece of heaven on earth. The presence of the living God dwells beautifully there, and we were staying for the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G5gahNxL4Vo5FoQ-F-CN4CYrTHLEBJr1Miqp0SW62Bj8_nenVPVvdeoHQcDdwak_zf8NFXyi1PIogW0Nq47Nl1A3-0Ikq_w_jtgAPySS9c91VE9B55WmgJxVaiRrxtvAytRh0efkQng/s1600/001+Collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G5gahNxL4Vo5FoQ-F-CN4CYrTHLEBJr1Miqp0SW62Bj8_nenVPVvdeoHQcDdwak_zf8NFXyi1PIogW0Nq47Nl1A3-0Ikq_w_jtgAPySS9c91VE9B55WmgJxVaiRrxtvAytRh0efkQng/s640/001+Collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">George had arranged for an evening at "The Cove" with<u> </u><b><a href="http://shaungroves.com/" style="color: red;">Shaun Groves. </a></b>For George and I, Shaun was our first exposure to a Christian artist and Christian music. He came to the church we were attending nine years ago and played a concert, in the beginning of our faith walk. The lyrics to his songs and the message of his life spoke deeply to the brokenness that we were muddling through at the time. Several weeks later I gave birth to our son, and George brought me Shauns CD, wrapped sweetly in a package, to the hospital. Over the next several years I wore that CD out. I listened to it daily and memorized every song. The music brought deep healing to my hurting soul and many of the songs became my prayer. As I began to speak to women, sharing my testimony of grace and redemption, that CD came with me. The song "Should I Tell Them" became my prelude, my time of worship and praise, my prayer that God would let His light shine through all my dirtiness and sin. The ministry God was doing in Shaun was somehow being weaved into the ministry that He was doing in me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking with You is not without hazards</div>Tripping's this traveler's curse<br />
The price paid for falling is more than my stumble<br />
In a world that is watching and waiting for worst<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I listened when you said to go</div>And I set out in spite of my fears<br />
I brought truth mixed with my imperfections<br />
And the question of what to say when I got here<br />
And now that I'm here<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chorus:</div>Should I tell them that You are<br />
The One who has made me<br />
And saved me to set up a home there inside<br />
Should I tell them that I am<br />
A perfect example of all You can do with a life<br />
What should I say to them, what if I'm failing them?<br />
What should I tell them tonight?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong</div>I'm thankful to be here<br />
With this song to sing and a spotlight on me<br />
But lately I'm wondering if You are mistaken<br />
If You're seeing all of me there is to see<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But on every face I detect</div>These same questions I've posed to you<br />
Like do You speak through the imperfect<br />
Or are we too dirty for Your light to get through<br />
I want You're light to get through<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">'Cause they're thirsty but my cup is empty</div>Come and meet me here in this place<br />
'Cause I'm unashamed, and I'm unprepared<br />
And I'm just plain afraid<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had an incredible dinner followed by a concert last night, with 50 people present. It was sweet, intimate, and personal. And Shaun opened with "Should I Tell Them." Through out the concert Father was saying, "I'm NOT finished with you, there is NO room for condemnation." An act of deep surrender took place in my heart during the evening. "I have given God my sin and my hell, but have I really given Him my life?" Love was lifting me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ4lGIOrBUt0M1M0TObF9N-wpgt7ffI8LT_ZukoKL56ESQ8lE6qpjyaoVtMahnZtwJ8Y91JTeJ1VWY7ONrBGdegNLuJOPZAvVg8Ew0OeResOXscE3G-9uRsJR4n3znhsAuD_aG_yEICc/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ4lGIOrBUt0M1M0TObF9N-wpgt7ffI8LT_ZukoKL56ESQ8lE6qpjyaoVtMahnZtwJ8Y91JTeJ1VWY7ONrBGdegNLuJOPZAvVg8Ew0OeResOXscE3G-9uRsJR4n3znhsAuD_aG_yEICc/s640/060.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I lent my beloved CD to a friend of mine who was going through a hard time of her own, and like many things we lend out, it never returned. So we bought a new one last night and got it signed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EwHNMA-FTjQ39tBy6IP2JikYCdwydDsbAA7712fQb78OJIyKAHm3Ny-RaXvf6P9lU0IGjkK-I6mc7YV12d7-IIU5d1MfC-bZzOZJpAGcPYt8h23WIvbow-EHD-uJwHhLRIMZY6k0t9I/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EwHNMA-FTjQ39tBy6IP2JikYCdwydDsbAA7712fQb78OJIyKAHm3Ny-RaXvf6P9lU0IGjkK-I6mc7YV12d7-IIU5d1MfC-bZzOZJpAGcPYt8h23WIvbow-EHD-uJwHhLRIMZY6k0t9I/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our time together was sweet, full of beauty, redemptive, healing, and filled with LOVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning, after breakfast, George and I took a hike down the mountain to the chapel there at the cove. It was a lovely morning. And we enjoyed each other and the presence of the Lord. We went to worship. We spent some quiet moments in the chapel all by ourselves. I read some scripture... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-- truly righteous and holy." Eph 4:21-24</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">We had some praise and worship time with the help of my phone. and we prayed. What an amazing Sunday at church!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTAJvp92oniCWv-tjEw57CuV8zBo9TjrzMSpWGuc64UlpfoqX0NrnL44rNm3URQArmLItoivMx1bGOLzoeVdYheWq9Mhiy52NjPX-8oj38fpO-w3cFgbQGQ7IrJbRpOpiDWEhIAHPxPQ/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTAJvp92oniCWv-tjEw57CuV8zBo9TjrzMSpWGuc64UlpfoqX0NrnL44rNm3URQArmLItoivMx1bGOLzoeVdYheWq9Mhiy52NjPX-8oj38fpO-w3cFgbQGQ7IrJbRpOpiDWEhIAHPxPQ/s640/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you my sweet husband for an amazing weekend at "The Cove." Thank you for loving me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know the accuser will whisper in my ears again, and I also know that LOVE will lift me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love lifted me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love lifted me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When nothing else could help,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love lifted me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kristin</span></span></i></span></div>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-59614391078097461992011-05-17T10:37:00.000-04:002011-05-17T10:37:44.792-04:00getting inspired and motivated for long lazy summer days..It is very hard for me to believe that the school year is coming to an end and summer is knocking at our doors. I look forward to summer and cringe at it also. It will be so nice not having to rush to get out the doors in the morning and frolick around in the yard at dusk on a Tuesday evening. I look forward to spending days by the pool, reading lots of books, playing made up games with my children, and finding myself in fun little spur of the moment adventures.<br />
<br />
However weeks upon weeks of little structure and routine. Daily playing referee to sibling rivalry, bored kids, and smoldering, humid South Carolina heat that leaves you unable to breath and get outside somedays, is the part that makes me cringe. <br />
<br />
So I went on a little search to help me get motivated to plan our summer vacation. And this is some of the stuff I found.<br />
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<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23672628/" target="_blank"><img 426="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23672628_C4pANDKz_c.jpg" width="360 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://ffffound.com/image/0d935cc13b118a41604435957a59e9d5ab38504b" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ffffound.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
Talk about spur of the moment adventures, this is PERFECT!!<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23644924/" target="_blank"><img 690="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23644924_e2kOueCs_c.jpg" width="553 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/2010/05/the-summer-list.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">megduerksen.typepad.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
GREAT SUMMER CHECKLIST <br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23653079/" target="_blank"><img 275="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23653079_1LbfHiRb_c.jpg" width="320 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2011/05/mom-im-bored-somewhat-simple.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">brassyapple.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
A must for surviving the long days of summer.. <br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23666524/" target="_blank"><img 250="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23666524_t8TRFxGJ_c.jpg" width="250 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Cook/Photo.aspx?photoID=428300" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">allrecipes.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
Very cute idea for celebrating the 4th...<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23674168/" target="_blank"><img 449="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23674168_HPbT7mtB_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
Movie night... YES PLEASE<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23650155/" target="_blank"><img 333="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23650155_BXfphpcX_c.jpg" width="500 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-02-14T10%3A39%3A00Z&max-results=3" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">frommoontomoon.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
Then we can head off to slumber... with the crickets and tree frogs.<br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23650645/" target="_blank"><img 300="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23650645_4kPmgTht_c.jpg" width="400 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/05/airstream-trailer-living.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">completely-coastal.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kristinspehar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kristin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
A Dream Vacation<br />
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<b>now.. i am motivated for summer... how about you?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Kristin</i></span></span></b>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-87125447953570554302011-05-16T13:14:00.005-04:002011-05-16T20:56:04.095-04:00weekly word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA_GYaib8H5UFaoG3DuHeZBHGUVTR4cCvyQlFJp2oP5b-KEht4j1884KfffGvSrIeAnt0-hEIqu6d8uz3WWb3cByCtUaBmRRPeHVwcOGVrJGl6SyjS0OouKsO0u2Q-BeVc492xBuZT9U/s1600/motivation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA_GYaib8H5UFaoG3DuHeZBHGUVTR4cCvyQlFJp2oP5b-KEht4j1884KfffGvSrIeAnt0-hEIqu6d8uz3WWb3cByCtUaBmRRPeHVwcOGVrJGl6SyjS0OouKsO0u2Q-BeVc492xBuZT9U/s400/motivation.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
My focused word this week is <i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">MOTIVATION</span></b></i>... I was all excited about this word being my focus this week, because there are lots of things I need to get motivated for. ie: summer vacation with the kids, getting in shape for summer, Madison's birthday in a few weeks, and seeking freedom from the things that have bound me in my past. <br />
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Then there is the whole, my husband starts a new job next week. And our family will begin a prayerful search for a new church. You know, things I need to find motivation for.<br />
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So... I was stoked about the idea of finding motivation this week and then I woke up with my throat swelling shut. I went to the doctor, and guess what? Yes. I have strep. Not an ideal way to get motivated for my week.<br />
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Instead of spending my afternoon with my small group sharing huge break troughs last week on my quest for freedom and being encouraged by them, I waited at the pharmacy for my antibiotics, and will find my place under the covers in my bed.<br />
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Never-The-Less... I will still focus on Motivation this week.<br />
Where I find it.<br />
What motivates me to succeed.<br />
What it means to be motivated.<br />
And what pure motives are.<br />
<br />
<b>MO-TI-VA-TION</b><br />
<br />
1. The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.<br />
2. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.<br />
3. taking action or moving.<br />
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Right now I don't feel like moving to do anything. but to crawl in my bed.. <br />
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<b>Plan for the Week: </b><br />
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1. Prayerfully seek what are the motives of my heart and focus on bringing them inline with God's plan for me.<br />
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2. Make a plan (write it out) for summer vacation, and how I will invest in my children during those weeks. <br />
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3. write out ideas for Madison's birthday.<br />
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4. Make a list of churches our family would like to visit, and pray over it as a family.<br />
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5. Take my penicillin, drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest... And Feel Better!!<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>"Not for our sake, God, no, not for our sake, but for your name's sake, show your glory." Ps 115:1</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="color: black;">Father, let all my motivation for whatever I do be for your glory, and nothing else.</span> </i></span><br />
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<b>how do you get motivated?</b>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-38763809790538779952011-05-15T19:19:00.002-04:002011-05-15T19:37:32.093-04:00sermon sunday {discovering the well that satisfies}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V_z1FqQOCtYjg6EzinAm4jmacMCXvaH5KZm1EpSvWMXA5SUYZbsNHZCf0Ln5GAMH5tCtt58SckjvI8NAvTvv39hSnFMxuciQRhyphenhyphenWf6FvSwvk0f27pukjzQIrhT3sxHE4ajQ8lP4xRHQ/s1600/well.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V_z1FqQOCtYjg6EzinAm4jmacMCXvaH5KZm1EpSvWMXA5SUYZbsNHZCf0Ln5GAMH5tCtt58SckjvI8NAvTvv39hSnFMxuciQRhyphenhyphenWf6FvSwvk0f27pukjzQIrhT3sxHE4ajQ8lP4xRHQ/s400/well.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Story: <br />
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<i>One day Jesus was passing through a Samaritan village when He stopped at an old well to rest. He was worn out and thirsty from the hot, dusty, desert travel. A woman approached the well, as she had many times before, carrying her water pot. She was coming to draw water to quench her continual thirst. Jesus in His physical thirst, asked her for a drink. This shocked the woman. Jesus was a Jew, she was a Samaritan, Jesus was a man, she was a woman. She was a woman known to live a lifestyle of sin. Jesus asking something of this woman was an unfitting scene, but Jesus crosses all barriers to share Himself with us, no matter race, social position, or sin in our lives. </i><br />
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<i>She asked why HE was asking HER for water, and Jesus responds, </i><i>"<b> If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh living water." </b> </i><br />
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<i>This confused the woman even more, and she questioned, "Where's your bucket? Do you know how deep this well is? Where do you plan on getting this 'living water'?" She did not understand that Jesus was talking about a different kind of water. She was skeptical. Doubtful. Questioning Jesus' words. </i><br />
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<i>Jesus, pointing to the well, went on to explain to her, <b>"</b></i><i><b>Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks of the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." </b> </i><br />
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<i>The woman got super excited, pleading for Jesus to give her this wonderful water he was talking of. So that she would never have to come draw water from the well again. She still did not understand. She was interested in Jesus' message because she thought that it would make her life easier. </i><br />
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<i>Before Jesus handed her the water that would forever quench her thirst he said, </i><i><b>"Go call your husband and then come back." </b>Now.... Jesus was touching the thirst of her soul that needed to be forever filled. The thirst that only He had the water to quench. </i><br />
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<i>The woman turned her head, and mumbled, "I have no husband." </i><i><b> </b></i><br />
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<i><b>"That's right." </b>Jesus said, <b>"You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband.." </b></i><br />
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<i><b> </b>The woman replied, "Oh so you're a prophet." and she quickly changed the subject. She had become uncomfortable with the conversation, Jesus had exposed her deepest need and it hit too close to home. After they had talked awhile about theological issues she finally admitted that she was unsure about everything but that she knew the Messiah was coming and when He did she would know the whole story. </i><br />
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<i><b>"I am he," </b>said Jesus. </i><i><b>"You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." </b> </i><br />
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<i>I believe the women finally realized who she was talking to, she had finally understood what kind of water He was speaking of. Her experience with The Messiah caused her to drink deeply from the right well, the only well that will ever fully satisfy, for the first time in her life. The woman left her water pot, and ran back to the village, telling everyone who she had met and what he had done for her.</i><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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How many times I've made my way to that well, carrying my broken water pot. How many times I have let down my bucket into the deep hole full of dirty, garbage infested waters.. How often I have drank deeply from my cup of lustful desires, envious thoughts, selfish pride, trying to quench the unbearable thirst of my soul. So many years I have drank from a well that will never ever satisfy.I have spent so much time, energy and focus on bad habits and sinful behaviors and it has always left me empty and hurting. For just a small amount of time I would fill full and satisfied, but very soon I would begin to struggle with shame, guilt, loneliness, hurt, or rejection. Always pressing me to go back for more. This is the nature of addiction. Becoming dependent on drawing from a well that is filled with death and destruction. A well that NEVER quenches. Leaving us in a pattern of returning again and again.<br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;">"<b><i>Death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man." Proverbs 27:20</i></b></div><br />
I can read the story above and easily replace the women with the name Kristin. I can imagine myself sitting at that well with Jesus. learning of what He has to offer me. Discovering the right well. Understanding that I no longer have to dip into this sinful cesspool to try and quench my thirst, only to make me sick and wanting. I can see Jesus dealing with my habitual destruction and addictions. Pouring into me living water. Water that truly will satisfy. <b><i> </i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><i><b>"My people have committed a compound sin: they've walked out on me, the fountain of fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns- cisterns that leak, cisterns that hold no water at all." Jeremiah 2:13</b></i></div><br />
The women at the well left her water pot behind and went to tell others about who she had encountered and how it had changed her life. This gives me hope and encouragement. Hope that I will reach a point in my life where my mind is always fixed on my savior because I have encountered Him in a life changing way. Hope that I will live a life of true freedom, never to struggle with habitual sin and addiction again, because I have learned to leave those things behind. I will be traveling to a new well. I no longer will need my broken water pot, it won't do me any good. I have discovered the well that satisfies...<br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
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<b>do you know of this well? do you know the person who gives living water? have you experienced it? do you drink deeply from it? has your life been changed because of this discovery? if so, will you tell me about it?</b>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225604236881654685.post-8878815099619375192011-05-12T08:11:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:25:41.641-04:00the treasure of worthI STRUGGLE<br />
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I'M ADDICTED<br />
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I'M PLAGUED BY SHAME<br />
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DEFEAT HUNTS ME<br />
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AND OFTEN CATCHES ME<br />
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SOMETIMES I DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS WRONG<br />
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LOTS OF TIMES<br />
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SOMETIMES I GIVE INTO THOSE DESIRES<br />
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THEN I FEEL GUILTY<br />
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WORTHLESS<br />
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I WANT TO QUIT<br />
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I'm just keeping it real today, and placing some treasure I gathered up last night into my jar.<br />
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My husband and I had a very difficult but freeing conversation last night. And I found some treasure in it. I told him that I can't pretend anymore that I'm not struggling. That I don't battle daily with self addiction, sexual addiction, emotional addiction. I told him that I still feel drawn to the things that have broken our marriage so deeply and it constantly keeps me in a place of guilt. I told him that I don't hate my addiction, my sin, but that it appeals me, and that bothers me. I told him that I'm tired, and that I want to quit.<br />
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He moved close to me and said, "I know you want out." He was talking about our marriage. I have thought that maybe ending our marriage would free me from all my guilt. Since I can't seem to stop wanting what is wrong. But, my answer surprised me. "NO, I don't want out of our marriage." I entered into a place during our conversation last night where I realized, I want out of this addiction, not out of our marriage. I want to quit the addiction, so that I can have the marriage. <br />
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I felt for once that I was being REAL with him. We both sat together and reflected on the very beginning of our relationship, over 14 years ago. Where the pattern of this addiction and behavior (sexual immorality, pornography, lust) was already very evident.<br />
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AND HERE'S THE TREASURE: Three months into our relationship I wanted to quit. Because that's what I did.. I QUIT. And, others in my past, quit on me. But George, he refused to quit when things were bad. He said these words to me last night...<br />
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"I knew you were worth it." {Treasure going in the jar}<br />
I looked down at my lap, and tears started to fall. He continued, "I would still choose all the pain and suffering, if it means I have you." My head was still bowed and he said, "Look me in the eyes, YOU ARE WORTH IT."<br />
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Doesn't God's whole story scream, "You are worth it!"<br />
When Christ died, didn't Father know in His heart we were worth it?<br />
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I am worth it to God.<br />
I am worth it to my husband<br />
My marriage is a treasure of great worth.<br />
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<i>"TRUTH IS, EVERYONE IS GOING TO HURT YOU; YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONES WORTH SUFFERING FOR." -BOB MARLEY</i><br />
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<b>what is it you struggle with? is there something that draws you even when you know its wrong? do you want to quit? do you know you're worth it?</b><i> </i>kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572535866290821999noreply@blogger.com3