tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8423479422960061252024-03-26T06:54:29.551-04:00In Her ShoesBe Thou Exaltedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103918846764532255noreply@blogger.comBlogger1243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-11667653102636355972020-09-23T06:20:00.002-04:002020-09-23T06:21:09.754-04:00Bloom Where You Are Planted<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQbp6f2thZMY42-kEaQY5g9YhCBRd4Yqir2Dr6brNxOQGt8NA-TVEUZ1OKDW1_oM-YfVkmbiYeQ7jotVqCB23_XBokAtqkocjtMoqfHY7x5Ftin8mnPtN_BvO8yDmCkXvyUSr-oz1_ZXs/s2048/Asuke+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQbp6f2thZMY42-kEaQY5g9YhCBRd4Yqir2Dr6brNxOQGt8NA-TVEUZ1OKDW1_oM-YfVkmbiYeQ7jotVqCB23_XBokAtqkocjtMoqfHY7x5Ftin8mnPtN_BvO8yDmCkXvyUSr-oz1_ZXs/s320/Asuke+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Bloom where you are planted,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shine where you are sent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Know that God has used you here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just the way He meant.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Love where you are living,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Serve where it's His will,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Know that God has plans for you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Only He can fill.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Grow where you are going,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Weep when you're in pain,<br />Know that God restores your soul,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Makes you whole again.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Pray when you are breathing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laugh when you exhale,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Know that God is near you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Never will he fail.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">Cherish all the memories,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Make a brand new start,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Know that God has placed you</div><div style="text-align: center;">Forever in our hearts.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>---A Missionary’s Poem</em></p>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-82153545358976823752020-08-18T13:00:00.006-04:002020-08-18T13:00:00.989-04:00Taut Nerves<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mYGc2vzPwoP-bM7-9MI8K-DR3bmyMfC4b2HYJ4NTupBR8CDVfNs9ZhAQd0lgDBys2AoTo3KglwCo5SY5nITDLgWlYLXCK9Tfvh3tnIF3Ns0iDNp5wn9CzT5O-N47VowmNMMGZq1nak5c/s2048/Kyoto_2017_1+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mYGc2vzPwoP-bM7-9MI8K-DR3bmyMfC4b2HYJ4NTupBR8CDVfNs9ZhAQd0lgDBys2AoTo3KglwCo5SY5nITDLgWlYLXCK9Tfvh3tnIF3Ns0iDNp5wn9CzT5O-N47VowmNMMGZq1nak5c/s640/Kyoto_2017_1+copy.jpg" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I think 'taut nerves' is a good description of where most of us are at in this world right now. Some are stuck on their field of service. Some are stuck in their home country and can't return to their field of service. Some of us are dealing with cultural issues in a way we haven't had to before. We are tired of being cooped up and wearing masks and spending time alone and the seemingly never ending bad news...As I was thinking on this, this quote came to my mind. </span></p><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">“The platform of taut nerves is not without its own kind of suffering. It may be He has to allow us to get so desperate that we will be willing to attempt the impossible with Him, before He sends us relaxation. Whatever the reason for His allowing those circumstances it is also a place where His fellowship is found. It is a place where His power will be manifested. And the end of it is that we know Him better. </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">You renew my faith in God</i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> will be the testimony of onlookers.” pg. 134, </span><u style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the Arena</u> <br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>Shadows and shine art Thou, </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>Dear Lord, to me; </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>Pillar of cloud and fire, </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>I follow Thee. </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>What though the way is long, </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>In Thee my heart is strong, </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>Thou art my joy, my song— </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>Praise, praise to Thee. </i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><i>—Amy Carmichael</i></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." </span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">~Psalm 61:2</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-24125807435657351072020-07-28T17:00:00.015-04:002020-07-28T17:00:00.395-04:00Abandon to God<p style="color: #0e0f14; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #0e0f14; font-family: helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDi_yikbC6i7Y-N_Eb-oCTLqfe1dc8F8GCa-RnF8Vztm4SNW92KKqhDcAkx0ZEtagO2oZ4Ixs-5qQe__AMjFTD_w2_zN8E7qZR9kGoADZmxFPZjHOOQJ28L9MsUrso0xWno0Q-d6ZiVDN/s2048/Kyoto_2017_2+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDi_yikbC6i7Y-N_Eb-oCTLqfe1dc8F8GCa-RnF8Vztm4SNW92KKqhDcAkx0ZEtagO2oZ4Ixs-5qQe__AMjFTD_w2_zN8E7qZR9kGoADZmxFPZjHOOQJ28L9MsUrso0xWno0Q-d6ZiVDN/w500-h375/Kyoto_2017_2+copy.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p style="color: #0e0f14; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><font size="5">It seems that a lot of my posts recently have been quotes from books. I love books!! I learn from the words of others. Even a simple sentence in a fiction book can stop me in my tracks and give me cause to think on the words. I even have a collection in my bullet journal where I record quotes that give me pause. <br /><br />One word that keeps coming up in my reading is abandon, specifically abandon to God and His will. This total abandon is something for every Christian to meditate on, not just the missionary. The following quote by Oswald Chambers on Mark 14:6 is one that I had to read and reread. So many times we focus on personal holiness when in reality it is our total abandon that God wants. <br /><br />For context, I have included Mark 14:1-6. This woman exhibits that total abandon.</font><div><font size="5"><br /><i>After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? <b>she hath wrought a good work on me.</b></i><br /><br /><b><i>"Abandon to God is of more value than personal holiness. Personal holiness focuses the eye on our own whiteness...fearful that we will offend Him. Perfect love casts out all that when once we are abandoned to God. We have to get rid of this notion-- 'Am I of any use?' and make up our minds that we are not, and we may be near the truth. It is never a question of being of use but of being of value to God Himself. When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time."</i></b> </font><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Oswald Chambers on </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mark 14:6</span></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">*photo taken in the gardens of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-13882054700144231222020-07-07T07:08:00.001-04:002020-07-07T07:08:31.970-04:00Mc Donald's Hash Browns <div style="text-align: center;">
McDonald's Hash Browns </div>
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To start things off:</div>
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I haven't had a McDonald's hash brown in at least 5 years. </div>
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But, I think these taste pretty amazing, and very similar to the real thing. </div>
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Like I said before, I haven't had one in forever though. </div>
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Either way, these are delicious and super easy to make! I made a recipe while I was cooking dinner tonight! They're super easy, and quick, and since they go in the freezer, it's ok if you forget about them for a couple of weeks. 🤦🏼♀️ </div>
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Combine ingredients in a bowl, and gently mash while mixing. To make sure the hot potatoes (assuming you just boiled them me) don't cook the egg, rinse the potatoes in cold water after you drain them. </div>
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Roll mixture out between two baking sheets on a cookie sheet, or between a bottom sheet of baking paper and top layer of plastic wrap. </div>
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Freeze until solid. Overnight should do the trick. </div>
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Cut hash browns to the desired shape and size. </div>
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Fry in enough oil to come up halfway the hash browns. Flip and remove when golden - about two minutes. Flip only once please! </div>
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Drain. </div>
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Once cooled, fry again for 30 seconds to get an extra crispiness! 😋 </div>
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Enjoy!!! </div>
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For more pictures and videos, follow my Instagram page</div>
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@thirdculturecooking </div>
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Amber Wells </div>
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Papua New Guinea </div>
Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-41134987407775672462020-07-04T01:04:00.000-04:002020-07-08T01:20:41.746-04:00Honoring BMW 2020 Graduates - Free t-shirt giveaway winner!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In our last post regarding our 2020 BMW graduates I mentioned a giveaway for one of our college grads who had to have their graduation ceremonies postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 restrictions. </span></div>
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I promised to send a t-shirt from one of the designs below (of their choosing) to one randomly chosen Senior from our 2020 Grad <a href="https://inhershoesbmw.blogspot.com/2020/05/bmw-honoring-our-2020-graduates.html#.Xv9ALigzbDc" target="_blank">post</a><span id="goog_553684551"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_553684552"></span> whose graduation was canceled/rescheduled/virtual in order to honor this historic moment in their lives!</div>
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Our randomly chosen Senior was...</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations, Aaron! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will be contacting his Mom to find out which style of shirt he would like to receive!<br /><br />Thank you to all of our 2020 Grads who participated in this post! We are praying God continues to lead and guide you in your future plans!</span></div>
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Dee Dee Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17332335737803885152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-25959748716261494822020-07-01T01:00:00.000-04:002020-07-01T01:00:02.620-04:00Discouraged??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I failed to keep my commitment to post in June and for that I am sorry. There are times when it is difficult to find the words to say. Now is one of those times. There is so much going on in the world. From corona virus to quarantines to travel bans to protests and violence, if you watch the news at all it will make your head spin. <br /><br />I know many missionaries are discouraged. Some are stuck on their field of service and had to cancel furloughs and other travel plans. Some are stuck in their home country and cannot return to their field of service. Being confined to your house for weeks and months on end adds its own kind of discouragement. <br /><br />I mentioned <a href="https://2cor5fifteen.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/broken-bones/" target="_blank">on my personal blog</a> recently that my devotional this year is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Morning-Mercies-Gospel-Devotional/dp/1433541386/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E92IP3UCU8LM&dchild=1&keywords=new+morning+mercies+by+paul+david+tripp&qid=1591338096&sprefix=new+morning+mer%2Caps%2C457&sr=8-1">New Morning Mercies</a> by Paul David Tripp. The author had no way of knowing what would be going on in my life the year I chose to read his book. He had no way of knowing what I would be enduring on a daily basis as I read his entry for that day. But God knew. I have no doubt this year was the year God wanted me to read this devotional. The entry for today, July 1st, was so fitting for this time. God is faithful. He knows our need. He plans in advance to meet those needs before we are aware we will have them. I thought I would share the entry here with you. It is my prayer that it will be an encouragement to you. </span><br />
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<br />Does discouragement preach to you a false gospel that causes you to forget that your future has already been written into the pages of God’s book? <br /><br />It is discouraging to face: <br /><br /> your struggle with sin; <br /> the disloyalty of a friend; <br /> the rebellion of your children; <br /> the souring of your marriage; <br /> the division of your church; <br /> the temptations that seem to be all around you; <br /> the injustice that lives in this fallen world; <br /> the pain and worry of physical sickness; <br /> the loss of your job; <br /> the hardship of old age; <br /> or the death of your dreams. <br /><br />Yes, it’s hard to face all of these things. It’s easy to lose your way. It’s tempting to wonder what God is doing, if he cares, and if he hears your prayers. It’s hard to hold on to his promises. It’s hard to stay committed to good spiritual habits. It’s hard not to give in to discouragement and give way to the desire to quit.<br /><br />But in the face of discouragement, there is one thing that you need to remember. It is captured in just a few powerful words from Psalm 139: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them” (v. 16). It is vital to remember, when trouble comes your way and discouragement begins to grip your heart, that every single day of your life was written into God’s book before you lived the very first of them. None of those days and none of the things that you have faced or will face in those days are a surprise to your Lord. He carefully authored the content of every one of those days with his own hand. He controlled every twist and turn of the plot that is your story. He introduced all the characters and determined all of the locations. Nothing will happen to you that he has not written into his book. And he has already determined how your story will end. <br /><br />You see, what discourages you doesn’t surprise him because he authored it all with a glorious combination of wisdom and grace. Nothing is out of his control. Your Savior is sovereign. He knows what is best and will do what is best. This is where rest and courage are to be found when discouragement shakes the resolve of your heart. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>For further study and encouragement: Psalm 135</i></b></div>
<br /><br />Tripp, Paul David. New Morning Mercies . Crossway. Kindle Edition. </span><br />
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*The photo was taken at a flower park in our city in Japan. It is wisteria, but in Japan it is called 'Fuji Flower.'</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-36444224174573725912020-06-09T16:25:00.000-04:002020-06-10T09:37:29.807-04:00Sourdough Bagels 🥯<div style="text-align: center;">
Sourdough Bagels</div>
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Bagels are probably one of the most favorite breakfast foods.</div>
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You can toast them, warm them up, eat them cold, make a sandwich out of them, or chop them up for a breakfast casserole. </div>
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They come in so many delicious flavours, and it's so hard to pick just one or two favorite flavors! </div>
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I recently started making sourdough bagels, and my family instantly begged me to make more. I currently, like at this exact moment, have a double batch in my oven right now! </div>
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Bagels always seem like a daunting task. Reading through the instructions can make bagel making seem like a very complicated ordeal. </div>
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I promise, these are not complicated!<br />
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Combine all the ingredients but the flour in your stand mixer or in a bowl. Gradually add the flour. Knead until you have a smooth dough. It will be very stiff! The first time I made this I thought the recipe was gonna be a fail. But, trust me, the dough has to be stiff. It you have to add more water to incorporate all of the flour, just add it by the teaspoonful. </div>
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Allow dough to rise for 30-60 min. </div>
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Divide into 12, or 6 depending on how large you want these. When I divide them into 12, they are still very big. Not quite as big as store bagels. If I dived the dough into 10 they are pretty much the same size as store bagels. (I haven't had store bagel in a few years.... But my memory thinks 10 is the right size, haha). Roll dough into smooth balls. </div>
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Allow to rest for 10-20 minutes.<br />
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Shape. Punch your thumb through the middle of the center of the dough ball.<br />
Using your hands, gently make the hole bigger and shape the bagel to the desired size. The hole will close up considerably during cooking, so make it bigger than you think you're going to need.<br />
Put the bagels on a floured cookie sheet and cover with plastic.<br />
Allow to rest in the fridge over night. (Up to 24 hours)<br />
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Prepare the water for boiling the bagels, and turn your oven on. As soon as you remove the bagels from the water you're going to want to start baking them.<br />
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Add to the water: 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and sugar.<br />
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Boil the bagels in the boiling water. Flip after one minute, boil another minute. Remove, drain, put on an oiled baking sheet, bake.<br />
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If you want to put toppings on your bagels, do it right after you boil them.<br />
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Everything bagels are pretty good! Just do equal parts of poppy seeds, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and half the amount of salt.<br />
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Bake until the tops of your bagels start to brown.<br />
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Enjoy!!!!<br />
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Amber Wells<br />
Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬<br />
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Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-36250572492813995892020-05-30T05:53:00.003-04:002020-05-30T05:53:47.788-04:00How Great Thou Art - sung by missionaries around the world<div style="text-align: center;">
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Be Thou Exaltedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103918846764532255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-9047057138905240122020-05-28T05:42:00.001-04:002020-05-28T05:42:15.853-04:00Give Account to GodRomans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”<br /><br />Isn’t it interesting how one verse can be used in so many ways? <br /><br />Some people use this as a warning verse to help others choose not to sin. <div>
[said with an imploring look to guide someone into truth] </div>
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“Remember, you’re going to give account to God, so be sure you are really sure this is the right choice.” [followed by prayer and a hug]</div>
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<br />Others use this verse to bully people into doing what they want. <div>
[said with ‘the mom’ look to guide someone into following my will] </div>
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“Remember, you’re going to give account to God, so be sure you are really sure this is the right choice.”</div>
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[followed by the “I’m just saying” shrugged shoulders and pursed lips]<br /><br />I think the most important thing we can do for people whether we agree with their choices or not, is to pray for them to hear clearly from the Lord, and that they would then act accordingly. Not because it’s what we want, but because it is what God wants for all of us. If we cajole people into doing what we think is right for them, how does that show we are trusting God? We won’t answer for other people’s decisions, but they will. <br /><br />Remember what the verse says: “So then every one of us shall give account of HIMSELF to God.” (emphasis added)<br /><br />If you are upset that your pastor has opened your church and you think it’s too soon, remember- they will give account to God.<br /> <br /> If you are upset that your pastor has delayed opening your church, and you’re upset, remember- they will give account to God.<br /><br />If you are badgering them, and talking about them behind their back (and not praying for God to lead them) because they aren’t doing what YOU think is right, remember- YOU will give account to God. <br /><br />Let’s not also forget that the scriptures say this: <br /><br />1 Timothy 2:1-2<br />(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;<br />(2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.<br /><br />Take time today for supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for your pastor and your government. And just see if that might lead you to live a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty. Knowing that I will give account to God, I think that is a great use of my time. <br /></div>
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Pray about things (and people!) more than you talk about them.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-48185659148687114412020-05-27T05:20:00.000-04:002020-05-27T05:20:01.126-04:00Dread Disease<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I have read many books that have been a blessing to me in my journey as a missionary wife. When we were on deputation for Japan, I read a few books by Isobel Kuhn. I think that perhaps she is my favorite missionary author. I gleaned so much from her. During this time of coronavirus and lockdowns, it is natural to have a dread of what might happen should we get the virus. Maybe some are even thinking what it will be like when we meet the Lord. That reminded me of this short passage from </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">In the Arena</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“For the Christian, death is not the dissolution of life but the <i>consummation</i>. . .</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christians often say that the most wonderful thing of all will be to see our Lord face to face. I have pondered that much and feel it is surely worded inadequately. To see the Lord is but a lesser thing to one who has had a close spirit-with-Spirit communion with Him all along. What matter the colour of His eyes or the shape of His face? That is not what makes Him precious. Nothing is so deeply intimate as spirit knit with Spirit, and that we can and should enjoy right now while here on earth. I think what is meant is to be with the Lord <i>with the root of sin gone</i>. To fellowship with Him without the lazy flesh dragging us back, or unwanted thoughts of pride and self constantly staining us. To be finally rid of corruption, to worship and enjoy Him with heart purged into His own purity, <i>that</i> will be an advance over anything that is possible on earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so <i>the platform of a dread disease becomes but a springboard for heaven</i>. We are conformed unto His death. In the pain which is inevitably connected with the descent into the valley of shadows there will be a fellowship, even if not perceived by weakened nature. The power of His resurrection will become known as never before. And the great end, <i>that I may know Him</i>, will be granted.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">~ pp. 191-192, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arena-Isobel-Kuhn-ebook/dp/B006O2U2UQ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=in+the+arena&qid=1590398161&sr=8-5" target="_blank">In the Arena</a></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">by Isobel Kuhn</span></span><br />
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-60271334644048742532020-05-24T09:49:00.001-04:002020-06-05T12:24:40.438-04:00BMW - Honoring our 2020 Graduates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Among our group of amazing missionary women is represented an amazing group of 2020 high school and college graduates whose senior years were all abruptly changed as COVID-19 entered the scene, affecting graduation celebrations across the globe. Some had their graduation completely cancelled while some experienced first-ever, virtual graduations. Unfortunately, some were postponed to a different date which could make it impossible for missionary parents to even attend the ceremonies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We thought a nice way to honor the 2020 graduates represented by the Baptist Women's Missionary Facebook group would be to share their photos and a little information about each one with you, our readers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Autumn Bauer</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents: Patrick and Jen Bauer, serving in Australia</span></div>
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Graduated from homeschool, December 2019. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: Planning to attend PCC in fall 2020</span><br />
Major - Early Childhood Education<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDpOHw0A0V9um0BZhDo7SD1O8M089Di6BYTr7Z3Dj28btiymshsUxgknMsYx2SqKSRt8wqNg3CGysSuceF4X-9WbJYOwjNdfc1KXIv68CUPDSN2G2ehoxi3dVmjwsuYWWV54ek64YVJA/s1600/Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDpOHw0A0V9um0BZhDo7SD1O8M089Di6BYTr7Z3Dj28btiymshsUxgknMsYx2SqKSRt8wqNg3CGysSuceF4X-9WbJYOwjNdfc1KXIv68CUPDSN2G2ehoxi3dVmjwsuYWWV54ek64YVJA/s400/Brown.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Autumn Brown</i></span></div>
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Parents: Joshua and Emily Brown, serving in Ghana, West Africa</div>
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Graduating from LCA Homeschool will be postponed until we can return stateside to her home church, Calvary Baptist of Memphis.</div>
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Future Plans: She plans to stay with her parents for a year and help serve in the ministry while taking some online Bible classes and praying about future college plans.</div>
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She enjoys cooking, art, guitar, animals, traveling and anything outside!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntm1X3aC5PYMCoeFzgAJAKpzbkuh5H3p7YMtxGa1uOHhYg9ArH-MPEVkElaAxR9cdff6h9gj00eVSkYNWS8ISq0j-22EKQ68eD8vvcvjkorEIkiyVwRCkbLJjQzjBYvMlMrmXjdIbadM/s1600/Erin+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntm1X3aC5PYMCoeFzgAJAKpzbkuh5H3p7YMtxGa1uOHhYg9ArH-MPEVkElaAxR9cdff6h9gj00eVSkYNWS8ISq0j-22EKQ68eD8vvcvjkorEIkiyVwRCkbLJjQzjBYvMlMrmXjdIbadM/s320/Erin+Brown.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Erin Brown</i></span><br />
Parents: Kevin and Kristina Brown, serving in Croatia <br />
Graduated from homeschool, May 28, 2020 <br />
Future plans: To take a gap year, return to Croatia, and pray about direction for the future. <br />
She is interested in art, drawing, and character animation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6SAOTFqkEpK0l3KEuBp-xqK4EPKfQCU1mHlYQn1-Wj1sts250xvILtil0lxqccIV6yHZfnHepU6cfv5Qo4e_xDNTtMUS7ga_lgV2o2tZwR6VZX_GlEwh6VlKJ4ovnbAgd_eZvubECH0/s1600/Heidi+Byrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6SAOTFqkEpK0l3KEuBp-xqK4EPKfQCU1mHlYQn1-Wj1sts250xvILtil0lxqccIV6yHZfnHepU6cfv5Qo4e_xDNTtMUS7ga_lgV2o2tZwR6VZX_GlEwh6VlKJ4ovnbAgd_eZvubECH0/s320/Heidi+Byrd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Heidi Byrd</span></i></div>
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Parents: Gary and Tami Byrd serving in the Dominican Republic</div>
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Graduating from Santiago Christian School (Dominican Republic). </div>
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She was very involved in school outreach, soccer, music and drama. </div>
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Graduation has been postponed until December. </div>
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Future plans: To attend Bob Jones University and study Christian Counseling/Leadership</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Konner Cashner</i></span></div>
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Parents: Keith and Kimberly Cashner, serving in England</div>
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Graduated from Lighthouse Christian Academy in February 2020 via the distance learning program.<br />
Future Plans: Include staying in England with his parents, continuing to help in the ministry. </div>
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In June, He’ll receive his level 1 in coaching/personal training, and he’ll join the staff at his local Cross Fit gym.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Héctor Castillo</i></span></div>
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Parent: Cynthia Castillo (Single missionary) serving in Mexico City</div>
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Graduating from National Autonomous Universidad de Mexico (UNAM) Medical School - Mexico City. Graduation Date: May 25, 2020. </div>
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Future Plans - Begins his Surgical Internship July 1. He'll do 1 year of Internship, 1 year of Social Service and then Specialty (Neurosurgeon). <br />From his Mom: Héctor is my adopted child, met him first when he was 9 yrs old and I taught him in Bible Club. I adopted him as a teenager.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jeffrey Christian </i></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(pictured on right)</span><br />
Parents: Jeff and Helen Sue Christian, Belarus<br />
Graduating from LeHigh Valley Baptist Bible Institute, June 28, 2020<br />
Future Plans: He will continue to minister on the field with his parents.<br />
He wants to be a youth pastor.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anna Clark </i></span><br />Parents: Mike and Jeannette Clark serving in Iliamna, Alaska</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduating from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.<br />Future Plans: Anna is getting married this month and will serve with her new husband, Assistant Pastor in Waverly, Iowa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Faith Clark </i></span></div>
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Parents: Mike and Jeannette Clark serving in Iliamna, Alaska</div>
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Graduating from high school.<br />
Future Plans: To take online classes this fall and hopes to attend Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa in the fall 2021.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hosanna Crocket</span></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents: Chris and Suzy Crocket, serving in Râmnicu Vâlcea, România</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">High School senior, graduating from Romanian public school.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduation ceremony was scheduled for May 29, but has been canceled.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: Hosanna has tickets to move back to Australia in August to be near her boyfriend and work, but this will possibly be cancelled as well, as Australia has closed its borders until 2021.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Zachary Daab</i></span></div>
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Parents: Bill and JoAnne Daab - Jordan</div>
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Graduated from BJU with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice. Ceremony was to be in May but has been rescheduled for August. He has been accepted into the masters program and will continue his education in the fall.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><i>Allyson DeMoville</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents: Randy & Kelly DeMoville serving in Dumaguete, Philippines</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduating from Hyles Anderson College with her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with History & Homemaking teaching fields. </span></div>
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Graduation was planned for May 1 and has now been rescheduled to September 6, 2020. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: She will return to take classes as she is dating a young man.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Christian DeMoville </span></i></div>
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Parents: Randy & Kelly DeMoville serving in Dumaguete, Philippines</div>
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Completed homeschool on April 10, 2020 will have graduation (hopefully) in June. </div>
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Future Plans: Will stay on the field and attend his parents' Bible college for a year. </div>
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Then, Lord willing, go on to attend Hyles Anderson College to study Missions.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Iestyn Downey</i></span></div>
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Parents: Ronald & Tennille Downey serving in Wales, UK</div>
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Finishing High school (no graduation ceremonies in Wales)</div>
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Future plans: community college for design & technology in the fall. </div>
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Planning to stay with parents on the field.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Micah Guay</i></span></div>
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Parents: Richard and Kristi Guay, serving in Thailand</div>
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He will graduate from high school in July (homeschool - no exact date set). </div>
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Future plans: To attend Bob Jones University in the fall and major in Mechanical Engineering. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Joy Kotvas</i></span></div>
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Parents: Joe and Lisa Kotvas in Perú</div>
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Graduates from Abeka homeschool high school, finishing up in July. </div>
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Future Plans: She is praying about college plans. </div>
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Peru has not determined when to allow international travel. Possibly it will not open until October. </div>
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She desires to serve God with her life and invest in the lives of young ladies.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Meganne Litson</i></span></div>
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Parents: Matt and Sarah Litson, serving in New Brunswick, Canada</div>
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Possible graduation ceremony in June. </div>
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Future Plans: To attend Vision Baptist College in the fall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP96M4L8Phu_1zwhyphenhyphenDqdFZJTAgcpNOXlWTi2rjWughSSZ6XU-hJ4vaHqQpEHVZuMYmHO9txTJ7vriE1jVcGWm3QLUtj0Lr24D23JjcRQvyt0mTBkJBbJ6ZmFAZ7Plxz5mSGqXh76T8Xc/s1600/Maher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP96M4L8Phu_1zwhyphenhyphenDqdFZJTAgcpNOXlWTi2rjWughSSZ6XU-hJ4vaHqQpEHVZuMYmHO9txTJ7vriE1jVcGWm3QLUtj0Lr24D23JjcRQvyt0mTBkJBbJ6ZmFAZ7Plxz5mSGqXh76T8Xc/s320/Maher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Elisabeth Jane Maher </i></span></div>
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Parents: Richard and Oksana Maher serving in Ukraine. </div>
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Graduated from KCA (high) school in Kiev, Ukraine. </div>
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Future Plans: Elisabeth has a burden to work with abused children and wants to study psychology at Cedarville University in Ohio.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jeremiah Markle</span></i></div>
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Parents: Jeremy and Laura Markle serving in in Puerto Rico</div>
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Graduation was planned for May 23, 2020 (homeschool) from their sending church but was canceled.</div>
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Future Plans: To attend Maranatha Baptist University.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvEXtDQnXw7N9na6ianbzCT2jjfRDIesU5eApT1yb2O77WHI9WrFrRPK0qZwCo6Hrx2GcH9_BABUV3JXknSOK-1iO3uumyGIOV5sXQhijs37jMfyoEi6U00T3gOAmb8q8PqdR_MXCZU/s1600/Alayna+McLean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvEXtDQnXw7N9na6ianbzCT2jjfRDIesU5eApT1yb2O77WHI9WrFrRPK0qZwCo6Hrx2GcH9_BABUV3JXknSOK-1iO3uumyGIOV5sXQhijs37jMfyoEi6U00T3gOAmb8q8PqdR_MXCZU/s1600/Alayna+McLean.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Alayna McLean</i></span></div>
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Parents; Jerry and Krissy currently on deputation for the country of Paraguay </div>
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Will graduate from homeschool on May 28th. </div>
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Future Plans: Attending either West Coast Baptist College or Crown College of the Bible this fall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxWKCGFuVvNx1mB8sdRrwzVvkLoclRp_LrN_sTvrXnyklPBQGSNYcG9tqLwoqeAToVIJ3Vzlu4NXEaipXwFEOyXXyc58q0wm-2yhbF1REj3uYoZ7WDKacJywbTejx5JlQerdBLrEzpss/s1600/Susanna+Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxWKCGFuVvNx1mB8sdRrwzVvkLoclRp_LrN_sTvrXnyklPBQGSNYcG9tqLwoqeAToVIJ3Vzlu4NXEaipXwFEOyXXyc58q0wm-2yhbF1REj3uYoZ7WDKacJywbTejx5JlQerdBLrEzpss/s400/Susanna+Morgan.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susanna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOo28vZk18TCrmp_Z8b0DzqbnMpsy_CFEmPPdcyroUXDeRybsmAJfR7pgSIFeAHCoCEIfArxQ4TDyfDsflp7bAoGnxB341WoHnR05SWZ7pP8_a4Voyg6T5Lg2xsWkK_RseaDfuvNQ2i4/s1600/Susanna+and+Samuel+Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="396" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOo28vZk18TCrmp_Z8b0DzqbnMpsy_CFEmPPdcyroUXDeRybsmAJfR7pgSIFeAHCoCEIfArxQ4TDyfDsflp7bAoGnxB341WoHnR05SWZ7pP8_a4Voyg6T5Lg2xsWkK_RseaDfuvNQ2i4/s400/Susanna+and+Samuel+Morgan.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susanna and Samuel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEHNBFfMd7irYj1xPU8isf3rGvZtMzHTo6Mh_JCLWubBP_HAa03gd9pzxp8rhJSC-bICuj5mH9PJbFiAQ8oa15a6ePrLy-8nsFQ7oTm0rNt55VF2fQa8iJYeC5OaOw4NKFciTRyJWIN4/s1600/Benjamin+Morgan+%2528senior+to+be+in+hs%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEHNBFfMd7irYj1xPU8isf3rGvZtMzHTo6Mh_JCLWubBP_HAa03gd9pzxp8rhJSC-bICuj5mH9PJbFiAQ8oa15a6ePrLy-8nsFQ7oTm0rNt55VF2fQa8iJYeC5OaOw4NKFciTRyJWIN4/s400/Benjamin+Morgan+%2528senior+to+be+in+hs%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjamin</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Susanna, Samuel, and Benjamin Morgan</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents: Jim and Susan Morgan serving in Romania</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Susanna and Samuel graduated from Landmark Baptist College, Haines City, Fl on May 17th.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future plans: Samuel will be going to work as an assistant to a pastor in Georgia. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Susanna will be staying and teaching at Landmark Christian School. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Benjamin will finish his senior year of high school (homeschool) here in Romania in the next month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Daniel Petersen</i></span></div>
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Parents: Mike and Becky Petersen serving in Poland</div>
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Graduated in May from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC in IT/Bible. </div>
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Future Plans: Daniel is working as a contract worker for an IT company in Greenville, </div>
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while waiting on his girlfriend to finish schooling.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Michelle Leann Pridgen</i></span></div>
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Parents: James and Cheryl Pridgen serving in Uganda, Africa</div>
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Graduated from High school in March (in Uganda)</div>
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Future Plans: She plans to attend West Coast Baptist College in the Fall<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Ian Russell </span></i></div>
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Parents: Pat and Jody Russell serving in Africa</div>
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Graduating from West Coast Baptist College - ceremony rescheduled for September 5, 2020</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Stanley Stensaas</i></span></div>
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Parents: Keith and Sally Stensaas, serving in Uganda, Africa</div>
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Graduating from West Coast Baptist College - ceremony rescheduled for September 5, 2020</div>
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Future Plans: To stay at WCBC to get his Masters.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rebekah Sterling</span></i></div>
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Parents: David and Dee Dee Sterling, serving in Russia</div>
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Graduation from Golden State Baptist College was planned for May 13th and has been</div>
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currently rescheduled for June 27th, 2020. </div>
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Major: General Studies - Minor: Media</div>
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Future Plans: Possible position in Texas</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ryan Sterling</i></span></div>
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Parents: David and Dee Dee Sterling, serving in Russia</div>
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Will complete high school (homeschool) June 2020</div>
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Future Plans: To attend Golden State Baptist College in the fall.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessica Sullivant </i></span></div>
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Parents: Mike Jr. And Maureen Sullivant, serving in Thailand</div>
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Jessica finished high school in April. </div>
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Future Plans: She will be returning to Canada later this year and will be taking employment.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jocelyn Telman </span></i></div>
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Parents: Jim & Michelle Telman, serving in Uganda</div>
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Graduation, (homeschool) from an umbrella school, was scheduled for Jun 6,<br />
but has been postponed until further notice.</div>
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Future Plans: She plans to attend Word of Life (Hungary) in the fall. </div>
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The following year she will study Nursing in the States.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Aaron Trask</span></i></div>
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Parents: Gene and Robin Trask, serving in La Moskitia, Honduras<br />
Aaron is graduating from Heritage Academy in Tupelo, MS.<br />
Graduation was to scheduled for May 15, new date has yet to be announced.<br />
Future Plans: Aaron is a preacher and is seeking the Lord's will for where to attend Bible College in the fall.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Levi Trask</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> (far right)</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Parents: Gene and Robin Trask, serving in La Moskitia, Honduras </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduating from Anchor Baptist Bible College, Pisgah Forest, NC. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduation ceremonies were scheduled for May 1, but will most likely be held on June 5. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: Levi feels the Lord would have him stay and be Bro Barton's (pictured in above photo) assistant for the next few years. He also wishes to obtain his pilot's license for a future serving in Missions Aviation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><i>Timothy Waller</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents: Dr. Greg and Linda Waller, Medical Missions around the world</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a degree in Pre-Med. - Virtual graduation May 8th</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: He will be going into research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sarah Winkler</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Parents - Ron and Rachel Winkler, serving in Croatia </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Her parents hope to have a reception in honor of her home school graduation when they are stateside for furlough in August.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Future Plans: She will be attending Heartland Baptist Bible College in the fall to major in music.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Timothy Winkler</i></span></div>
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Parents are Matt and Sheri Winkler, serving in Uganda</div>
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Graduating from Rift Valley Academy on July 15.</div>
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He is finishing online school right now in the States. </div>
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Future Plans: He plans to take a gap year before either going to school or into the military.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Micah Youngblood</i></span></div>
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Parents: David & Tammy Youngblood, serving in Kiana, Alaska</div>
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High school Senior, homeschool with state of Alaska diploma </div>
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He will participate in his home church Christian school graduation scheduled for June 6. </div>
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Earned University of Alaska Scholar & Alaska performance scholarships to University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)</div>
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Future Plans: He has been accepted to UAA, but he is still praying over decisions regarding college in the fall. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Michaiah Youngblood</i></span></div>
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Parents: David & Tammy Youngblood, serving in Kiana, Alaska </div>
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Graduation was to be held on May 2, 2020 (cancelled, nursing pins and diplomas mailed). </div>
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Future Plans: To be a medical missionary. She will continue her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Maybe one of the graduates listed here is a "missionary kid" supported by your church or somehow connected with your family. Why not reach out to them to help congratulate them in their accomplishments? If you would like an address for any of these MKs, please feel free to comment below and we will get that address to you.<br /><br />And...for a surprise ending to this post! I will randomly choose one of the above graduates whose graduation was canceled/rescheduled/virtual and send them a t-shirt honoring this historic moment in their lives! I will post the winner soon! (I will wait a bit before announcing the winner in case we get a few late entries from those who didn't see the post in our BMW group).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! IT WAS A TOUGH YEAR WITH LOTS OF UNEXPECTED TURNS BUT YOU WERE FAITHFUL TO THE FINISH!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND CONTINUE TO LEAD YOU AS YOU SERVE HIM!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>I Thes. 5:24 - "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."</i></span></div>
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Dee Dee Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17332335737803885152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-19354885413854178862020-05-21T05:18:00.000-04:002020-05-21T05:19:01.338-04:00You Don't Know What You've Got 'til It's Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever heard the saying “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”? <br />
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Bonus points if you also sang “…they paved paradise and put up a parking lot" after you read that.<br />
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So, my husband makes our bed every morning.<br />
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And not because it’s a chore I have given him (our marriage doesn’t work like that- I’m not his mom, afterall). Honestly, he just has good habits. He is a blessing! He also takes out the garbage and recycling every week, and he puts away clean dishes sometimes. And he doesn’t throw his clothes on the floor, ever. (Yes, we are happily married. Sorry ladies.) <br />
<br />
Jimmy, you’re good people. <br />
<br />
Back to the topic at hand. <br />
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It is a gift to me that he makes the bed. But most mornings I think nothing of it. It’s just something he does. I only seem to notice it on the rare occasions when he doesn’t make the bed. <br />
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And then I’m annoyed. <br />
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I won’t say never, but I don’t regularly make a point of thanking him for making the bed all those days/weeks/months/years, even though I really am thankful he does it. But I sure do complain in my head on the few days when he doesn’t do it. Because then I have to do it. <br />
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Because who leaves their bed unmade, amiright? (Not judging if you do. But seriously, go make your bed.) <br />
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But that thought made me consider: what else am I taking for granted? Do I do the same thing with God? Do I just assume His blessings are going to continue? Have I ever even stopped to count all the ways He has blessed my life? Do I make it a habit of regularly thanking God for ANYTHING? And I mean really THANKING Him with my words- not just feeling grateful in my heart. <br />
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Because I can feel grateful toward my husband for making the bed, but that doesn’t mean He knows it. He likes to feel appreciated. It is good for me to say it to him. It is a practice in humility, and it trains my heart and mind to look at the blessings in my life. <br />
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Perhaps you’ve also heard the phrase “What if you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for today?” <br />
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Would you have anything at all? <br />
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(Who are these people that come up with these piercing statements?!?)<br />
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We become a people of entitlement when we are unthankful. We expect things to continue a certain prosperous way because “that’s just the way things are”. But it really isn’t. We aren’t even promised tomorrow. There is no guarantee the blessing you have today will be there tomorrow. And it’s okay. It really is. God certainly knows what He is doing. It always for our good and His glory. It’s not JUST for our good, or to make our lives easier, or better. Everything always comes back to His glory. </div>
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But how often do we mention the glory of God to others? When we aren't mindful that everything He gives us if a gift, we can easily become complainers when something we enjoy stops, or is gone. When we're only left with the basics, and we don't count those as blessings, because they're 'guaranteed'. (But they aren't.)</div>
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I encourage you today to make a list of all the things you are thankful for, and tell God about it. And if they include specific people, tell them too. You just might brighten someone’s day who really needs a boost. The scripture is full of encouragement for us to be thankful. <br />
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Psalm 100 <br />
(1) A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. <br />
(2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. <br />
(3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. <br />
(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. <br />
(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. <br />
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Psalm 107 says four times about various scenarios “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men!” <br />
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See, it isn’t even about what God has DONE, so much as it is about who He IS. First we need to be thankful for His character, and then thank Him for the things He has done. <br />
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When was the last time you thanked God for who He has been in your life? Do a quick search of the word ‘praise’ or ‘thanksgiving’ or ‘worship’ and see if that might help guide your thoughts in what to say to God in thanksgiving for who He is. I’m sure it won’t take long before you are just pouring out praise to our awesome God!! He is certainly worthy. <br />
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Psalm 28:7-8<br />
(7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. <br />
(8) The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.<br />
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Psalm 96<br />
(1) O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. <br />
(2) Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. <br />
(3) Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. <br />
(4) For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. <br />
(5) For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. <br />
(6) Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. <br />
(7) Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. <br />
(8) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. <br />
(9) O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. <br />
(10) Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. <br />
(11) Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. <br />
(12) Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice <br />
(13) Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. <br />
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Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-73674812225006245122020-05-14T18:01:00.001-04:002020-05-14T18:01:23.524-04:00Giving With Nothing to Give<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_itrD3VS6MENArhwnavCmg0Z4B0nkhq2uZ3szABnMzjkZDy6rXf2PHVunVpOhIy6jg8nZHqY0GcjHSPUh4pSs8VDu88inlNdCHRY3Hwat03zgG1Zh48sdXMsF4W110Y-G25b-VCjqX4/s1600/20200514_161615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_itrD3VS6MENArhwnavCmg0Z4B0nkhq2uZ3szABnMzjkZDy6rXf2PHVunVpOhIy6jg8nZHqY0GcjHSPUh4pSs8VDu88inlNdCHRY3Hwat03zgG1Zh48sdXMsF4W110Y-G25b-VCjqX4/s320/20200514_161615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is hard to give something if you don´t have anything. When
I first started college, I was on the “work scholarship” program. That meant
that I slaved for the college for less than minimum wage to get my bill
reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also meant that I never got
paid with actual money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really
bothered me that I could not tithe from my earnings. Since it was a “Christian”
college, I asked them if I could apply ten percent of my earnings to the local
church at the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a no-go.
I had no money to give. Nothing. Nada.<br />
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Hannah, the mom of the amazing prophet Samuel, had nothing. She
found herself in the un-Biblical yet common marriage with multiple
wives. The other wife had children, making her culturally relevant at the time. She tormented Hannah every day. Their shared husband seemed sincere, but he clearly lacked understanding even telling Hannah that he, himself, was better
than having seven sons. Hannah could not even give an
offering to the Lord without her husband giving her something to offer. She was barren and had nothing to her name.<br />
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What did Hannah do? She went to the Lord and begged for a
son. She did not do this with the attitude recorded in James 4:3, “Ye ask, and
receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” No,
when she asked the Lord for a son, it was so that she could give him back to
the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really loved God and
wanted to be able to offer Him something. But she owned nothing.<br />
<br />
When she went to pray, she was misjudged and falsely accused
by the priest of being drunk. Here she was pouring her heart out to the Lord
when the one person who should be the most compassionate showed her the least
amount of understanding. Later he asked God to grant her request, probably
feeling badly about how he had treated her.<br />
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God answered Hannah´s prayer giving her a son. She did what
she had wanted to do all along; she offered the most precious thing that she
owned to the Lord. God later blessed her with five more children. She was no
longer barren having nothing to her name.<br />
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Looking at the beginning of the story, though, Hannah really
did give something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave the Lord
her heart. She wanted something tangible to demonstrate her love for the Lord,
but He was already happy with the love that she was giving Him. Of course, He
answered her request for a son and blessed her afterwards anyway.<br />
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Even after college, there have been times that I have felt
that I had nothing to give. Of course, tithing is a Biblical principle, but it
only works if you get money. I need to remember that the Lord does not count tangible
stuff like we do. He looks at my heart. Is my desire to give something to Him?
If I ask Him for something, is it for selfish reasons? Or am I asking for
something so that I can give it to Him, use it for Him, and be a blessing to
others?<br />
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Hannah is a hero of the faith. Her son Samuel transitioned
God´s people from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. In fact, he anointed
the first two kings himself. Hannah´s gift of her heart, her son, and her
service to the Lord are an inspiration and a comfort.<br />
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<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/AVvXsEjDNXpbX-1HH7vmJ2fcirtVHcBMBuNnAapV2n47bfuKSN1UNFElrzzzZCFHIeQAwYEJYeKCJOfXqFhbUUfrmZcdUVcK9fw1XsryAdxmAr6Bt1AkOD94IBG09ji6KiwxJIJUCZ7yZ_OrEJg/s1600/P+and+V+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNXpbX-1HH7vmJ2fcirtVHcBMBuNnAapV2n47bfuKSN1UNFElrzzzZCFHIeQAwYEJYeKCJOfXqFhbUUfrmZcdUVcK9fw1XsryAdxmAr6Bt1AkOD94IBG09ji6KiwxJIJUCZ7yZ_OrEJg/s320/P+and+V+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Patrick and Vicki Weimer in Iceland since 1999</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Vicki Weimerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10726420038695241029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-4093433891140517312020-05-12T07:56:00.001-04:002020-05-12T07:56:18.338-04:00Sourdough English Muffins <div style="text-align: center;">
Sourdough English Muffins</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGsUdfqE8q6_cn9GwKKHt2eWYRZ_zp02ZUA0be90QxH4fD6VmWnBrqBtkyGbdm_pFNaEkuywnn5m4xupCd1cnPHItjZUFzTCIczODChgJ33X7RldTJiNKV-ni4HybQ3j_xtEVVWqJAXEA/s1600/IMG_20200511_080305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGsUdfqE8q6_cn9GwKKHt2eWYRZ_zp02ZUA0be90QxH4fD6VmWnBrqBtkyGbdm_pFNaEkuywnn5m4xupCd1cnPHItjZUFzTCIczODChgJ33X7RldTJiNKV-ni4HybQ3j_xtEVVWqJAXEA/s320/IMG_20200511_080305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are one of the things that we miss the most while on the field! So, of course, we tried to find a recipe that satisfied our craving! </div>
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Super simple directions, and the ingredients are easy to substitute. Both make this recipe a win for me. Plus, they taste amazing!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68hANbTnN6rlcSIdoQ4fD_792Hjyi8YQs1qHf5IMn6CsnGkovMhcvEKZM-dgUY4u1_NPr6xeRXrWTbsTpSDWvW6pnO3RpaUcR5Wa5A8SuAYF7wR-dBxZFHbmSLRqz3iK49AHgp8USgnpe/s1600/Screenshot_20200512-212509%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1080" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68hANbTnN6rlcSIdoQ4fD_792Hjyi8YQs1qHf5IMn6CsnGkovMhcvEKZM-dgUY4u1_NPr6xeRXrWTbsTpSDWvW6pnO3RpaUcR5Wa5A8SuAYF7wR-dBxZFHbmSLRqz3iK49AHgp8USgnpe/s320/Screenshot_20200512-212509%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dump the ingredients into your stand mixer or bread machine. </div>
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Allow ingredients to come together to a smooth dough. This shouldn't take more than five minutes. </div>
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Put the dough into a large bowl, and put it in the fridge overnight. The dough will almost double in size, so make sure your container is big enough. Cover your bowl with a damp towel so that the top of the dough doesn't dry out. </div>
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The next morning, or 8-10 hours later, roll out the dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Depending on the size you want your muffins, cut out your dough. Dip both sides in corn meal or flour. Let the muffins rise for 30 min to 1 hour. </div>
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Heat a cast iron pan or a skillet and put a little bit of oil on the pan, just to help with the browning. The muffins will rise as they cook. Once the one side is browned, flip the muffins. Once both sides are browned, check the inside, opening with a fork. If done, remove muffins from pan, and continue cooking all of the muffins.</div>
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Enjoy warm and with butter or maybe toasted with butter and jam. </div>
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Amber Wells </div>
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Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬</div>
Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-12397454477757384462020-05-07T10:08:00.002-04:002020-05-13T04:40:25.544-04:00Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission...right? Have you ever heard the phrase: "It's better to ask forgiveness than permission"? Have you ever said it?<br />
<br />
I hope you wouldn't be that rude.<br />
<br />
It is usually said (somewhat) in jest by a person who wouldn’t actually do the thing they're suggesting, even if they really want to, because they know what they want to do is wrong and possibly hurtful.<br />
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However, it shows they are contemplating doing whatever it is anyway, because it is something they really want to do. And they throw out that phrase to a friend, or a group, and will possibly decide how to proceed based on the reaction of others.<br />
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Scenario: <br />
Perpetrator: ”I hate how dark the dining room seems. My landlord has not given me permission to tear down a wall in the rental house, but I really want an open plan living space. Well, better to ask forgiveness than permission, am I right?"<br />
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Friend: [looking at Perpetrator speechless] “Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should call your landlord and discuss it first.” <br />
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[Perpetrator proceeds to knock down wall]<br />
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(Just to clarify- this is the wrong thing to do. Saying something afterward such as: ”By the way- I knocked down that wall between the living and dining rooms. I think you're gonna love how it looks! And sorry it cost more than I expected, but that’s what rent is for amiright?” and then waggle your eyebrows up and down. Even if you are on the phone.)<br />
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People who use this phrase in their actual lives, and not in just Hypothetical World are selfish. Do you disagree?<br />
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Maybe you think that’s an extreme example. Okay, maybe it is. Let’s put it in another light, shall we? <br />
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Your teen is invited to a party on an afternoon they know you need the car to go to work. (Let’s assume you work second shift. Yeah, I’m sorry too. I'll talk to you imaginary boss and get you moved to first shift pronto.)<br />
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Instead of discussing things with you like a rational adult, your teen takes the car without permission, goes to a party you know nothing about, and makes you late for work because they had to drop someone off on the way home. <br />
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When confronted they say something like: “Well, I didn’t want to bother you. I knew you were napping, and if I woke you up, then you wouldn’t have enough sleep to get through your shift. And dad wasn’t here to ask, so I thought I could just go. It was at Sarah’s house- you LOVE Sarah. I planned to be home on time, but Joe needed a ride home. I don't know what you're so worked up about. Sorry.” [And they proceed to roll their eyes and toss the keys on the counter before leaving the room.] <br />
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They haven’t actually said the phrase “Better to ask forgiveness than permission” to your face, but they’re clearly implying it through their actions.<br />
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And they aren’t really sorry, are they? Maybe sorry they got caught. Maybe sorry you’re going to have a serious conversation with them when you get home from work. Most definitely sorry they will lose driving privileges. But not sorry they went ahead without permission, and had fun.<br />
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And that's the big issue I have with this phrase- that the person saying it is being flippant. They are choosing to do what they want because they know if they ask for permission, the answer will be ’NO’. And instead of risking that, they proceed, hoping everything will go well, and they can ‘ask forgiveness’ from the other party.<br />
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And that always ends with them really trying to convince the other party they did nothing wrong. <br />
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You can ask me how I know this to be true, but I’ll just tell you. The ‘Perpetrator’ many times was me. Oh, not in the above scenarios exactly, but in some similar, and definitely in some much more hurtful.<br />
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But if I’ve learned anything since becoming a Christ follower, it’s this: that isn’t how loving relationships work.<br />
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You can’t do whatever you want, Perpetrator, and then expect that the logical result will be that the offended person HAS to forgive or accept your actions in order for life to proceed smoothly. That’s a wrong and selfish expectation. And if you are a follower of Christ, it isn’t biblical, either. <br />
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Asking for forgiveness means that I recognize what I’ve done as wrong, and I am grieved over it. I am in a place where I have been convicted, and humbled, and truly seek to restore relationship and make changes going forward. <br />
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Not sure what that looks like? Go read Psalm 51.<br />
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Let's strike this phrase from our vocabulary, shall we? I have heard it from missionaries, other Christians, friends, and previous co-workers. And it's just not okay.<br />
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Flippant isn't a fruit of the Spirit, and has no place in the life of a believer. We need to be a people of integrity. A people who act with thoughtfulness, who seek God prior to acting, and have the best interest of others at heart.<br />
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That's how Jesus shines through us as a light in the world.<br />
<br />
Psalm 15<br />
(1) A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?<br />
(2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.<br />
(3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.<br />
(4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.<br />
(5) He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.<br />
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Galatians 5:13-17<br />
(13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.<br />
(14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.<br />
(15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.<br />
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.<br />
(17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.<br />
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Colossians 4:5-6<br />
(5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.<br />
(6) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.<br />
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1 Corinthians 13:4-6<br />
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,<br />
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;<br />
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-29038209190482688362020-05-03T01:15:00.000-04:002020-05-03T01:24:00.733-04:00Redeeming the Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Redeeming the Time. This was the theme for a ladies conference I attended in March. Little did we know how much we needed this reminder in the coming days. During the conference we had little WiFi, there was some talk of this virus going around the world, but for the most part we all unplugged and enjoyed the time with fellow Christians, time in the Word, and time in God's beautiful Creation. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Redeeming the time, </i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">because the days are evil." </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ephesian 5:16</i></span></div>
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Looking back I can't imagine a more perfect theme for the conference. When we all went home from this lovely weekend away our world as we knew it was different. For many of us this was the last real fellowship we would have for months. Who would ever have thought that the ENTIRE world would go into lockdown. No sports activities, no coffee meet-ups, no dinner at a restaurant, no church. For those that said, "I just wish we had an extra day in the week" or " I just wish I had more time at home, " well, you now have all the time in the world. What are you doing with it? Are you redeeming the time? Are you making the most of it?</div>
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I feel as if God has given us a huge blessing, and I want to make the most of it. Sure there are things to clean and declutter and Netflix to binge watch...but there are other important matters to tend to - our relationship with our family and with God. I wish I could say when all this went down that that was my main focus. Nope, I went into the cleaning and decluttering mode with a bit of Netflix and Facebook (ok, a lot) on the side. Then I had a few days where I just didn't know what to do with myself (quarantine hangover maybe?) and I began to think of our conference and the theme - REDEEM THE TIME. I was not redeeming the time. I was squandering it. I felt incredibly guilty. But no time to waste feeling guilty, I needed to ask for forgiveness and REDEEM THE TIME God had given me. </div>
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I wanted to focus on two areas - my relationship with God and my relationship with my family. It was time to put my phone down and truly redeem the time. Sure there are still dishes to be done, laundry to be washed, folded, and put away, floors to vacuum, stuff to tidy, but more importantly there were/are souls in my home that needed tending. Please know, I have not "arrived," I still have work to do, but I made the first step and am making a conscientious effort to love on my family more and be more intentional with my moments...to ahem, REDEEM THE TIME with my loved ones. I will say I am so enjoying church at home on the lounge with my family. I will probably miss this most when we start our "new"normal. </div>
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The next area I am focusing on is my relationship with God. Yes, a missionary/pastor's wife of many years still needs to work on their relationship with God. This is an area that a Christian never comes to a point where they no longer need to work on it, you don't just arrive and are holy, it's a continual, daily habit we need to work on until the Lord calls us home. My heart's desire that "I may know him" (Philippians 3:10).</div>
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How does this look? How does one work on their relationship with God? Well, the first thing is to study your Bible. Not just read it, but to also study it. Get in there, read, research, study. Get to know God. I recently read a book that has changed the way I read my Bible. It's called, "W<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Women-Word-Study-Bible-Hearts/dp/1433567148/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=women+of+the+word&qid=1588480989&sr=8-1">omen of the Word, How to Study the Bible with both our Hearts and our Minds" by Jen Wilkin</a>. I don't often recommend books because every person is different and what may affect one person in one way will not affect another. But this book truly helped me learn new ways to study the Bible and has inspired me to read and study the Bible more. </div>
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Growing closer to there Lord also requires time spent in prayer. Why is this such a hard area? I've heard many messages and read many articles about prayer. Because of that I'm convinced it's not just me that struggles in this area. It's a struggle for many because it requires time and effort to pray. Sounds silly, right? We're just talking to God, why does that require effort? Because we cannot see Him and because we are not as close to Him as we think we are. It requires dedicated time. Here are a few ways that have helped me stay focused in my prayer time. </div>
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<li>I schedule a time. It's like a date with just God and me. I work hard at not missing this time and also not being late.</li>
<li>I make a list. I have an ongoing prayer list and I have a weekly list. When it's written out I can be more focused.</li>
<li>I remove distractions. I try to find a place where I know I won't be interrupted. This place changes daily. Sometimes it's in my room, sometimes it's in the car on my way to the grocery store. Wherever it is, I remove as many distractions as possible.</li>
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I'm sure you can add to this list, but I wanted to share how God has been working on my heart during this time. Remember, none of this took God by surprise. He knows the beginning, the middle, and the end. He has a plan and purpose. We simply need to trust Him and REDEEM THE TIME.</div>
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Just wanted to share this photo from a recent walk with my kids where we were </div>
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REDEEMING THE TIME.</div>
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Be Thou Exaltedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103918846764532255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-89955016216248157082020-04-30T04:52:00.001-04:002020-05-13T04:40:48.101-04:00Rumble Strip WarningHave you ever driven off the road a little and experienced the lovely rumble strips?<br />
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And then had a heart attack because it sounded like a monster-movie-sized wasp was now in your car, or had possibly picked it up and was shaking it?<br />
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(Asking for a friend.)<br />
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Those rumble strips are there for our safety. If we start to fall asleep, or God forbid, are driving and looking at our phone, we can veer off the road. It's not hard to do at all! It can even happen when you're wide awake and looking at the road the whole time. But that jolt will get you back in the center pretty quickly!<br />
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Sometimes it feels like there's magnets in those strips, drawing the car to that side of the road. Especially if your spouse or travel partner has fallen asleep in the passenger seat, and you're tired of being the only one awake.<br />
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Don't look at me like that.<br />
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I have looked at these strips as an annoyance when someone else was driving and kept veering off the road for some reason known only to the secrets of the universe.</div>
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I have looked at them as life savers when we've been traveling for hours on end and I have blinked a little longer than I expected to while driving.<br />
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I have been completely oblivious to them when I am driving in my lane, and not veering off the road in either direction.<br />
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Did you know your spiritual life also has rumble strips?<br />
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When you veer off the road God has laid out before you, you'll hit some bumps. That's God's way of reminding you to get back on the road. I can't define what those bumps look like, because they are different for every person.<br />
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You might not recognize them at first, because you're 'driving' distracted and allowing something else to claim your attention.<br />
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Rumble is defined as: A continuous, deep, resonant sound.<br />
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If your attention is completely somewhere else, you might be able to ignore that rumble for a while. Maybe your tires are only barely touching the strips, so the rumble isn't that loud yet. But it's there.<br />
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Have you ever had that check in your spirit that perhaps you needed to change something you were doing? Maybe you thought it wasn't that bad, or wasn't hurting anyone, but God gave you a check. He started to rumble to get your attention.<br />
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And maybe you ignored it.<br />
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God will try to get your attention in that first veered-off place as long as there is road under your passenger-side wheels. This may look like someone else recognizing that you're going off the road, and stepping in to lovingly warn you. (Hence the passenger-side tires.)<br />
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And you may find that warning annoying at first, and not see it for what it really is- trying to keep you on the road and in safety.<br />
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However, veer off farther, and the warning seems to disappear. The strips are still there, but now under the center of your car, doing you no good because you've veered a little too far. You may think everything is fine at this point.<br />
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If you're not careful though, you'll wander a little farther, and the rumbling is back, now under the tires of the driver (you) in a last-ditch effort to wake you up before you go completely off the road. At this point you may also be kicking up dust on your passenger side, and flinging stones at the cars behind you.<br />
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So, whatever the reason you're veering, it's affecting other people. And it should most certainly have your attention now, with the rumbling being directly underneath you.<br />
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Keep veering, though, and not only will the rumble stop completely, but you will probably wreck your car. There are loads of thing to hit head-on once you're off the road.<br />
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Don't ignore the rumble.<br />
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Ephesians 4:17-24<br />
(17) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,<br />
(18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:<br />
(19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.<br />
(20) But ye have not so learned Christ;<br />
(21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:<br />
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;<br />
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;<br />
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.<br />
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I need to be thankful for the rumble strips in my life, whatever form they take. I don't want to begrudge them or ignore them. I certainly don't want to end up wrecked in the ditch, hurting people on the way.<br />
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Hebrews 12:9-11<br />
(9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?<br />
(10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.<br />
(11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. <br />
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Thank You, Lord, for always rumbling to wake me up when I get off the road.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-56342251618187343122020-04-29T08:19:00.000-04:002020-04-29T08:19:00.163-04:00The Peace That God Gives<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Troublesome times are here. Headlines every single hour of every single day can scare you death with talk of corona virus, death, political upheaval, tornadoes, storms, and economic collapse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are a multitude of thoughts within me, but I can honestly say that I have peace during this time…not 100% of time. Sometimes when I wake in the middle of the night the “pestilence that walks in darkness” can overwhelm my thoughts. It is then that I must turn my thoughts to the One that has taught me so much about Himself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Japan is in one of the most earthquake-active areas of the world. There is an earthquake somewhere in Japan every day. This was something that was very difficult for me to get used to. When we first arrived, they terrified me. When I was on the subway, I thought, “I wouldn’t want to be here during an earthquake.” When we were in a very long tunnel, I thought, “I wouldn’t want to be here during an earthquake.” When we were on the 3rd or 4th level of a very tall highway, I thought, “I wouldn’t want to be here during an earthquake.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, I was working on verses for my <i><a href="https://inhershoesbmw.blogspot.com/search?q=kim#.XqV3Ci2B3OQ" target="_blank">Knowing God</a></i> study. God spoke to me through verses I was memorizing and I realized that no matter where I was when that earthquake hit, God would know exactly where I was, He would be with me, He would still love me and <b><i>He would still be good.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s those thoughts that give me peace during these turbulent times. The same God Who is with me when the earth shakes, is the same God that is with me when my “world” is shaken. He knows exactly where I am, He is with me, He loves me and He is good!! I pray that the Lord will give you the peace that can only come from Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ~John 14:27</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">~Psalm 46</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">*The photo is taken at a flower park. The wisteria is so beautiful. In Japan, it is called Fuji Flower.</span></div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-54699661518074969842020-04-29T00:55:00.001-04:002020-04-29T00:55:38.693-04:00Sourdough Bread (in a machine) <div style="text-align: center;">
Sourdough Bread</div>
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in a bread machine</div>
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I love sourdough bread, as I'm sure you have figured out. But sometimes I don't have time to make sourdough bread...or I'm told last minute that we need a loaf of bread. </div>
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I decided to figure out a bread machine recipe for sourdough bread. I couldn't figure out how to make the bread golden brown, because my machine only bakes for one hour. I believe if I could bake the bread for maybe 15 minutes more, the top may brown. The texture was amazing! It wasn't dense, and had a nice crumb! The crust was actually crusty, and the inside was soft. I was so happy how it turned out. My brothers loved the bread, so that was a win for me. This bread makes amazing sandwiches and toast. It doesn't crumble when toasted, and doesn't get soggy as soon as you put anything moist on it. </div>
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I cut a loaf in half, and set it in our oven overnight just to see if the loaf would dry out. And it didn't! </div>
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Simply combine the ingredients in your machine, and run the basic cycle....or whatever cycle does a knead, a rise and a bake. </div>
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Just remember, normal sourdough, when allowed to rise for at least 8 hours, is lower in gluten. But because this doesn't have that resting period it will not affect the gluten content of the bread. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4QwRhF-WKKeSOM0ZUVfOGNNtNgbGzuegSwMpSF5_iLSkbFmU2GzKdQSKv8lVFEMoYGkZb75ahuc2MZqsSl8OUA723o9Gwnn3EFAwlniWSGaXKFELJw-ua1Vglv3DeNONg8W-Y6Fy1M8y/s1600/Screenshot_20200429-143936%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1080" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4QwRhF-WKKeSOM0ZUVfOGNNtNgbGzuegSwMpSF5_iLSkbFmU2GzKdQSKv8lVFEMoYGkZb75ahuc2MZqsSl8OUA723o9Gwnn3EFAwlniWSGaXKFELJw-ua1Vglv3DeNONg8W-Y6Fy1M8y/s320/Screenshot_20200429-143936%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For extra fluffy bread, you can do 2 teaspoons of yeast. In all honesty, the lightness of the bread is determined on your sourdough starter. </div>
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Amber Wells </div>
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Papua New Guinea </div>
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Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-79362865260694641272020-04-23T05:05:00.000-04:002020-05-13T04:41:02.224-04:00Of Mole Hills and MountainsHave you ever heard the phrase "making a mountain out of a molehill"?<br />
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It's usually said in a dismissive way from one person to another, who thinks the other person is overreacting to a behavior, event, or conversation. <br />
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Many times it is said by the person who has displayed behavior that has been offensive, and when called on it, they say 'Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill". <br />
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But that is not always the case. <br />
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It is sometimes used by a person who thinks another person should respond in the same way they do to a behavior, event, or conversation, and is meant to calm a person down, or cause them to reconsider their reaction to said behavior, event or conversation. <br />
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I may or may not have had this said to me, and/or have used this phrase myself. (Don't you love ambiguity? Or is this plausible deniability?) Same for you, right? <br />
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Believe it or not, this thought was spurred by a growing pile of dishes, and me, while washing them, wondering if mole hills can become mountains on their own. Like, if that thought made any sense at all. (Do your dishes ever multiply when you aren't looking?)<br />
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Mole hills are not a big deal to the person who doesn't have them in their yard. They may have never even seen one before. Hence their quick use of the above phrase.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOm_BtcYFo-aaUmoQJ9osZuHTwvXa7AVU2g0kmsHMz5aXRxKIRD9GHH7JuE5cCCvSYuJS_xTOjGYg4qtnXtmFLAjPUJoNLaNVB96Z7a26vPK8LkuPpOydfPDQLoNd2gPdZwSuD-2bSgQ/s1600/https---blogs-images.forbes.com-trevornace-files-2015-11-mt-everest-sunset-1200x675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOm_BtcYFo-aaUmoQJ9osZuHTwvXa7AVU2g0kmsHMz5aXRxKIRD9GHH7JuE5cCCvSYuJS_xTOjGYg4qtnXtmFLAjPUJoNLaNVB96Z7a26vPK8LkuPpOydfPDQLoNd2gPdZwSuD-2bSgQ/s320/https---blogs-images.forbes.com-trevornace-files-2015-11-mt-everest-sunset-1200x675.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">M</span><span style="text-align: center;">ountains are obvious problems, spiritually speaking. They are enormous, take a long time to get, are hard to navigate if we decide to climb them, are formed from trauma (plates of the earth slamming together), and everyone can see them from miles away. </span></div>
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Mole hills are different though. They aren't high. You may not even know what it is if one pops up in your yard. Your neighbors can probably see it/them, but people on the other side of your house can't. And certainly no one can see it/them from a couple miles away. <br />
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However, mole hills are signs of a deeper issue. (Like literally under the ground.) Mole hills develop over time from a mole (or moles) burrowing and eating all the worms and grubs in an area. <br />
This can result in the plant life dying because the mole has severed the roots while digging. Your yard health will definitely be affected, as the worms that used to aerate the ground are being consumed by the moles. There may also be ridges in your yard that are signs of their tunnels becoming closer to the surface. This happens when they've eaten everything and are looking for more food. And their hills look like little volcanoes everywhere. <br />
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So mole hills are a problem. Definitely. <br />
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Spiritually speaking, this may be underlying issues you have with something from your past. Maybe a person has hurt you, or offended you, and you haven't dealt with it, so that issue becomes like a mole tunneling beneath the surface, affecting other parts of your life, making little volcanoes that erupt all over the place, starving you of the nutrition you so desperately need...<br />
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Mole hills, while different from mountains, are actually quite large. They can be two feet across, and nine inches high! Certainly big enough for someone else to fall into if they aren't paying attention. If you looked at one that size from an aerial view, it would look like a crater. Pretty impressive considering moles themselves are only 5-8" long. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCW6U5Wy2yThlDhFQCCWB-CzgExP5437lnaQh4QLcAAF7bFFjz3MR8ngfIorOPQiX6K7KEx5oPzoXsfloxd32dO7gigXw8WQb6tuVGQbxyrTKt3u68PhCWt3srjSre_jOvuTBiR9tguU/s1600/how_to_get_rid_of_molehills_521937097_768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCW6U5Wy2yThlDhFQCCWB-CzgExP5437lnaQh4QLcAAF7bFFjz3MR8ngfIorOPQiX6K7KEx5oPzoXsfloxd32dO7gigXw8WQb6tuVGQbxyrTKt3u68PhCWt3srjSre_jOvuTBiR9tguU/s320/how_to_get_rid_of_molehills_521937097_768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So what's my point? (I do have one...)</div>
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Don't let underlying issues tunnel their way through your spirit until you are overrun, malnourished, and look like a person playing "Whack a Mole", trying to keep all your issues under control. It will make you frantic, and definitely cause you to look like you're overreacting to someone who can't see your back yard. <br />
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And if you're dealing with someone who has private mole hills, be kind. Don't tell them they're overreacting. Take time to listen, and pray with them. You will surely find there is a whole labyrinth of tunnels beneath the surface. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwoKQLDcTJpz4gsAEuCgGjzqpcS0uF7qqmlIroRiihwmz9h13fctuXhZUDWrloaQhXZ5VLzhVtoufRdHNqfFSqXsu25X__y8sENOGdA_k4uPIyuGS1x8aoqClrGhVSnt6bySx1mawd3E/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="468" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwoKQLDcTJpz4gsAEuCgGjzqpcS0uF7qqmlIroRiihwmz9h13fctuXhZUDWrloaQhXZ5VLzhVtoufRdHNqfFSqXsu25X__y8sENOGdA_k4uPIyuGS1x8aoqClrGhVSnt6bySx1mawd3E/s320/unnamed.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Galatians 6:1-2<br />
(1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.<br />
(2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.<br />
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John 13:34<br />
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.<br />
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Psalm 139:23-24<br />
(23) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:<br />
(24) And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-5597054649640073132020-04-16T16:03:00.001-04:002020-05-13T04:42:53.620-04:00BandagesHave you ever left a bandage on too long and had the process of removing it be more traumatic than the reason you needed it in the first place?<br />
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I recently had this experience. A seam in part of my clothing was making a sore spot on my leg, so I decided to cover that area with a bandage. It worked so well that I forgot about it, even after showering, etc.</div>
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And because the area beneath is was just an irritation and not an actual wound I needed to check on, I really did totally forget I even had it on my leg. It was there unnecessarily for over a week. 😬</div>
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Did you know that when you try to remove a bandage that has been on your skin over a week that you may have to use a sandblaster? Or pressure washer? Or laser?</div>
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It just does not want to come off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHK8e5yeIWNZYPT7HuI9tab85KCiMqw4zTGVAOY9K3vDgW13JSskxtQeF36ihHhgkm2kbcBVGa_FcX29FJV4RZcGpM-QJJwbIN586ji8xV7L4gCNAyvVtSWFxZRniVRAiYAdc-vgF7Lo/s1600/Bandaid+residue.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="860" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHK8e5yeIWNZYPT7HuI9tab85KCiMqw4zTGVAOY9K3vDgW13JSskxtQeF36ihHhgkm2kbcBVGa_FcX29FJV4RZcGpM-QJJwbIN586ji8xV7L4gCNAyvVtSWFxZRniVRAiYAdc-vgF7Lo/s320/Bandaid+residue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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And you have a residue on your skin that looks like you put down superglue, let it dry a little, and then rolled it in lint and dryer fuzz. What is even in that stuff?? It's disturbing.<br />
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And SOOOO hard to remove!!<br />
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Or you experience an unintended waxing of the area, as removing the bandage also removes all the hairs that were growing under the sticky part. It can be quite painful!! Especially if someone you love is encouraging you to just "Hold your breath and rip it off already."</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="493" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRgtuKRgvh7K6Mc21w_bI6xNjohbaQ-5dmhv7d09PPU1DaowJ-o6lnbGKvgUGOO0sFjDQxFma4OQ2fEC62JijqIG2eaSP8JBWr_oEELg8U5Vwjln8Lualsz14xD83_luiUrNAIBkNkHE/s320/getty_rm_photo_of_peeling_bandage.jpg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); color: #0000ee; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;" width="320" /> </div>
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Um, no thanks.<br />
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The worst is when you use a gauze pad that's made of those little strings, and you leave it on too long. Eventually during the healing process, those strings get caught up in the scab, so when you remove the bandage, the scab goes too, and you're left with a bleeding wound. Again.<br />
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Our lives can be the same way.<br />
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Something is irritating. But instead of investigating to see why clothing we've worn literally a thousand times is now causing an irritation, or patiently allowing a callous to develop (which will eventually subside), we throw a bandaid over that area because irritations are somewhat painful.<br />
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And because it now doesn't hurt anymore, we forget about it. The bandage is doing its job, so we leave it. And we leave it on way too long.<br />
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Or perhaps we are really wounded. Maybe we were running and fell in the driveway, getting a serious road rash. We need a bandage to help the healing process, and keep out infection, and keep our fingers off of it, etc. But if we don't check the dressing often enough, the bandage gets pulled into the wound.<br />
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So the thing that was helping us is now hurting us.<br />
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And we might not even know it.<br />
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See, we have to check on our wounds. We have to face them, no matter how painful. No matter how ugly. No matter how much it makes us nervous to lift that bandage and open it up to the air. No matter how scared we are that a scab won't be there, and we'll be faced with the original awful thing that happened to us.<br />
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Because you can't wear a bandage forever.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnVmybeN7vztX8ejesMsuspfNdv3AD0SZelxgUORwOHS1ruXhlFKRZWQrPSDsl_3YpjUwVOtjc8MoZiaqABccjkFArHRJlAtGQLnhMXmK52wWrDqTeC-7iwbPuj4PQ-ksU8uLoC5yoEI/s1600/yexn2smpg5411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnVmybeN7vztX8ejesMsuspfNdv3AD0SZelxgUORwOHS1ruXhlFKRZWQrPSDsl_3YpjUwVOtjc8MoZiaqABccjkFArHRJlAtGQLnhMXmK52wWrDqTeC-7iwbPuj4PQ-ksU8uLoC5yoEI/s320/yexn2smpg5411.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Eventually the skin around your wound will become macerated, and can cause damage to tissue around the wound that wasn't part of the original injury.<br />
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Have you experienced that in your life? You were wounded, and left a 'bandage' on too long, and other areas of your life were unintentionally affected?<br />
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Jesus wants us to walk in wholeness. It's part of His gift of shâlôm. He doesn't want us to number the walking wounded. Yes, we get hurt- it's an unfortunate part of life with other humans. But I don't do myself any favors when I prolong the healing process by refusing to look at my wound and change the bandages.<br />
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Sometimes just getting it out into the open is enough to start the healing process. Voicing it to the Savior is a beautiful place to start. <br />
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Jeremiah 17:14<br />
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.<br />
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Psalm 23:3-4<br />
(3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.<br />
(4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.<br />
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Psalm 34:18-19<br />
(18) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.<br />
(19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.<br />
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Isaiah 53:3-5<br />
(3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.<br />
(4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.<br />
(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.<br />
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Whatever you're going through, Jesus understands. He knows you may be scared. He's ready to walk with you through the healing process, no matter how ugly. No matter how painful. He was wounded for you, so that you might be healed.<br />
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Will you let Jesus help you start the healing process today?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-29812580890461506502020-04-14T06:00:00.000-04:002020-04-21T17:40:54.960-04:00Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls <div style="text-align: center;">
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls</div>
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I love cinnamon rolls, but am honestly too lazy to make them. I know, I’m a terrible person! </div>
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I had been wanting to make sourdough cinnamon rolls for several weeks, and finally decided to make them last night. (Saturday) </div>
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I looked at several recipes online, and they all looked super complicated. I purposely didn’t look at King Arthur Flour, because I wanted to try a recipe from somewhere else. (I don’t know why… ) But after I looked through several recipes, I finally looked at the KAF sourdough cinnamon roll recipe. It was the simplest looking recipe, and I’ve loved every sourdough recipe of theirs that I have tried. I used their ingredient list, but used my own method. </div>
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Combine all of the ingredients except the salt and yeast. In a stand mixer, knead for about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the salt and yeast over the dough, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. (Don’t knead in the salt and yeast yet.) This 20 minute rest is called autolyse (I'm not going to remember that, so I don’t expect you to either… just a piece of random sourdough information that none of us will probably ever use.) After the 20 minutes, knead dough for another 3 minutes. Leave the dough in the mixer bowl, but remove the hook attachment. Let the dough rise for 3-4 hours. During that 3-4 hours, fold the dough 3-4 times. Maybe once every hour….the timing isn’t necessarily important. The folding just insures you’ll have a strong dough that’s elastic. When I made this, I mixed up my dough right after dinner, and did the folding in-between dinner and bedtime. I actually forgot I was making cinnamon rolls until I was almost asleep! I had to wake myself up and go finish the cinnamon rolls. If you’re like me, you may want to set a timer or reminder on your phone to make sure you don’t forget that you were making cinnamon rolls. </div>
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Once the 3-4 hours is up, it’s time to roll the dough out. Roll it out into a rectangle. The dough should be slightly thinner than your pinky. (That’s the magic thickness.) You will need to roll this out on a floured surface. The dough is a stickier dough. </div>
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Spread the butter on your dough, go all the way to the edges. Sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar mixture, but don’t go all the way to the edge. Leave about half an inch all around the edge. Starting on the long side, start rolling the roll. Try to keep it as tight as possible. Once your roll is complete, it’s time to cut. I normally use my fingers to gauge how tall the rolls should be. Three fingers is what we like. Cut the rolls, and lay them in a greased pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and put in the fridge over night. </div>
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In the A.M. remove rolls from fridge, and turn the oven on. Now with our oven it is kinda impossible to control the temp. But the ideal temp would be 350. Bake until the rolls start to brown. </div>
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While the rolls are baking, mix up your icing. Once the rolls are done, spread the icing as soon as you remove from the oven. </div>
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Now it’s time to enjoy! </div>
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Amber Wells </div>
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Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬</div>
Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-24749505798660757512020-04-14T00:37:00.000-04:002020-04-14T00:37:14.059-04:00Her Story Silhouettes {Darlene Deibler Rose / When God "Abandons" You}<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go to <a href="http://www.sharihouse.com/">www.sharihouse.com</a> to read more "Her Story Silhouettes"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Darlene Mae McIntosh was born on May 10, 1917, in Boone,
Iowa. She was saved at the age of nine, and by the age of thirteen, she knew
the Lord had called her into a life of missions work. While receiving training to
work on the mission field, Darlene met veteran missionary, Russell Deibler, who
had already served a 5-year term in the country of Indonesia. On August 18,
1937, shortly after Darlene’s 20th birthday, they were married. The couple had
dreams and plans of opening mission stations in the unreached interior of Dutch
occupied Papua New Guinea. In 1938, Darlene and Russell travelled to Holland
for six months in order to learn the Dutch language and customs. Later that
same year, they sailed to Indonesia, and arrived in Batavia, Java on August 18,
1938, the date of their first wedding anniversary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Darlene was so
excited as her hopes and dreams were coming to fruition. A few days later they
traveled to Macassar where she and her husband were greeted by a small group of
missionaries that they would be partnering with. Darlene’s first lesson in the
native language was the very next morning, and she enjoyed getting to know the
other missionaries on the compound and taking in all the strange and wonderful
things a new country, a new culture, and a new way of life brings. By December, Darlene’s husband and a fellow missionary
made their way to the Wissel Lakes region of Irian Jaya and set up the first
mission post in that area bringing the Gospel to the Kapakau tribe for the
first time. Darlene and the fellow missionary wife were required to stay behind
until it was safe for them to make the long arduous trek into the interior. Darlene
filled her time with language study and service to the church and school that
had already been established at the Macassar station. She translated weekly
Sunday school lessons for the children, supervised several teachers, taught
Bible lessons in the school chapel, and assisted the wives of national workers
with the kindergarten. Darlene found tremendous joy and satisfaction in all her
responsibilities, but she longed for the day she could be reunited with her
husband and, in her own words, “join the long line of intrepid missionary
pioneers who had walked into the unknown to lift up His ensign on the mountains
and lay a claim for the Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Over the next year
or so, she and her husband were separated many months at a time while he was on
expeditions further and further into the interior and worked on building them a
home and setting up the mission station. The separation from Russell and the
news that England and France had declared war on Germany were both cause for
great concern, but Darlene had a strong faith and a close relationship with the
Lord that brought her great strength. Finally, on January 23, 1940, Darlene
started her journey to join her husband. As she was leaving, Dr. Jaffray, a
seasoned missionary and her spiritual mentor said to her, “Remember, Lassie,
for centuries the enemy has held these people in darkness. You will now
experience satanic opposition such as you have never known. Until Russell’s
first trip, no one had ever invaded his territory to challenge him, but don’t
be afraid, for he is a defeated foe, undone by Calvary. Never forget that
greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">From a steamer, to
small ships, to dugout canoes, Darlene was finally reunited with Russell. From
there they had to trudge through the jungle trail, cross single log bridges
covered in moss with deep gorges below, and survive the elements. Finally, as they
were crossing the last summit, Darlene, the first woman to enter this remote
area, got a glimpse of the Baliem Valley of New Guinea. She could see the
people in the valley waving at her. They were as excited to meet her as she was
to meet them. Darlene began to run down the mountainside to them shouting at
the top of her lungs, “I’m home! I’m home!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Russell and
Darlene immediately set about constructing a building that would be used for a school
and church. Darlene and her husband would daily go from home to home witnessing.
Slowly they began reaching the natives with the Gospel one by one, and what a
joy it was to their heart with each one who decided to trust Christ as their
Savior. The future was bright in Darlene’s eyes. She and her husband were
fulfilling God’s call in their lives, and her heart was knit with this place
and this people God had called her to. Little
did she know what lied ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">In the wake of the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Darlene and her missionary friends were
captured by the Japanese military. The men were the first to be taken and sent
to a prison camp. Russell’s parting words to Darlene were, “Remember one thing,
dear: God said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.” Darlene had no
idea that that would be the last time she would speak to her husband or that
she would have to endure horrific things during the next four years before the
war ended and she’d be free again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Eventually the
women and children were also taken to a different prison camp. Life in the POW
camps was dreadful. There was often a meager food supply, and what was given
was not enough to sustain the heavy labor the prisoners were expected to carry
out. Prisoners were brutally beaten for small infractions, and diseases like
dysentery and malaria claimed the lives of many. During Darlene’s imprisonment she
tried her best to be a good soldier for the cause of Christ and strived to be
an encouragement to the other women and children. She established a practice of
reading a portion of God’s Word and praying as a group each night in the
barracks where she lived. This helped to keep her barrack a calm center in the
eye of the military storm that raged around them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">One day Darlene
was called in to Mr. Yamaji’s office. He was the dreaded commander of the
prison camp where she was located. He informed her that her husband had died on
August 29, 1943. In that moment, feeling she had nothing else to lose, Darlene
boldly proclaimed to him, “{Jesus} died for you, Mr. Yamaji, and He puts love
in our hearts – even for those who are our enemies. That’s why I don’t hate
you, Mr. Yamaji. Maybe God brought me to this place and this time to tell you
He loves you.” Her words affected his heart and caused the strict commander to
tear up. He quickly left the room, but from that time on he treated her with
more kindness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Darlene suffered
much during her imprisonment, but nothing compared to the time she was summoned
to the dreaded Kempeitai prison for solitary confinement and intense
interrogation. The Japanese accused her of being an American spy and tried to get
her to confess so they could execute her. She had to bear unspeakable things
and eventually was forced to sign a false confession. Darlene was given her
last meal and was taken to a room where she would be executed. She was
surprised and her heart was comforted when the Lord brought to mind the song lyrics
“I’ll live for Him who died for me!” A few moments later the Lord miraculously delivered
her from death, and she was taken back to the prison camp. She would later find
out that it was Mr. Yamaji who spoke on her behalf and stopped the execution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Seventeen days
after the truce had been signed aboard the battleship USS Missouri on September
2,<sup> </sup>1945, and the war was over, Darlene found herself in a rowboat
that was taking her out to a fly boat that would take her away from her island
of captivity. Leaving the island as a widow of two years already, emaciated
with a weight of just 80 pounds, and lacking even one material possession was a
far cry from how she had arrived at the island eight years prior. Bitterness
washed over her as large and daunting as the sea that surrounded her. In that
moment she told the Lord she would never return to this place that had caused
her so much pain. As she reached the flyboat and started to board it, she heard
the sweet voices of the natives who had come to know the Lord and who had also
shared in the indescribable suffering. They stood on the shoreline waving at
her singing the song “God be with you, till we meet again . . .” Eventually
Darlene would say of that moment, “Their song released the waters of bitterness
that had flooded my soul, and the hurt began to drain from me as my tears
flowed in a steady stream. The healing had begun. I knew then that someday, God
only knew when, I would come back to these my people and my island home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">The next few years
Darlene spent recovering from her ordeal and telling everyone she met of God’s
goodness and preservation. She was determined to return as a single missionary
to the island God had called her to even though many people tried to discourage
her from it. In 1946, some friends introduced Darlene to a Reverend Gerald “Jerry”
Rose who had already been assigned a mission post in the primitive Papua New
Guinea. The two fell in love and were married on April 4, 1948. In early 1949,
Darlene and Jerry returned to the Wissel Lakes, the same area where she and her
first husband had started their ministry. For the next 29 years Darlene and Jerry,
along with their two sons, served together teaching, preaching, building
landing strips, delivering babies, facing headhunters, and leading people to
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 17.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In 1978,
because of the political climate after the Dutch pulled out the country,
Darlene and Jerry moved to the Outback of Australia to begin a new work with the
Aborigines. Over the next 15 years, they were used of God to lead hundreds to
the Lord and were instrumental in starting several indigenous churches. Due to
their failing health, in 1993, they returned to the States. Darlene lived out
her final days the same way she had spent her entire life – sharing the Gospel
with those she came into contact with, encouraging fellow Christians in their
walk with the Lord, and reminding everyone of the Lord’s presence and goodness
to her. Darlene died on February 24, 2004, at the age of 86. She served her
Savior faithfully all her years, and I can just imagine when she saw her Savior
face to face Darlene shouting to Him, “I’m home! I’m home!” She is truly a
woman of whom it could be said,</span> </span><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“</span><b style="font-family: raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #950032;">She hath done what she could</span></b><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">”!</span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; color: #950032; font-family: "cookie"; font-size: 33pt; line-height: 57.2px; padding: 0in;">Her Story/My Story:</span><span style="border: 1pt none; color: #cb2026; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 33pt; line-height: 57.2px; padding: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.2px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">During that
particularly hard trial when Darlene was forced to endure solitary confinement
and interrogation, she felt many things – fear, discomfort, dread, helplessness,
abandonment, anger, love, hope, grace, and even God’s presence. One day she
happened to see a prisoner in the courtyard being snuck a banana through the
perimeter fence while the guard’s back was turned. She had been living off a
diet of maggot-infested rice gruel and the thought of being able to eat bananas
caused her to send up a quick prayer to the Lord to somehow let her have just
one banana. As quick as she was to pray, she was quick to despair that there
was no way God would ever be able to get a banana to her through the prison
walls. Every scenario she came up with seemed impossible. The very next morning
Darlene could hear the guards coming toward her cell. She stood as best she
could and prayed the Lord would help her to make a perfect bow so she wouldn’t
be beaten. When the door opened, she saw Mr. Yamaji’s smiling face. He had come
from the prison camp to check on her. He was disturbed by her appearance and
seemed to speak sharply to the officers. After he left her cell, Darlene
remembered that she had forgotten to bow to the prison officers. She knew they
would be back any minute to punish her. Sure enough she could hear them coming
down the hallway toward her cell, but when they opened the door, instead of
punishing her, they gave her a large bunch of bananas from Mr. Yamaji . . . 92
bananas to be exact. Darlene was reminded yet again that the Lord had not
abandoned her, and that nothing was impossible for Him. After the war when she
was released and was headed home to the States, she made the statement, “I
handed over eight long years of my life into the faithful, wise hands of a
gracious God Who alone could help me to understand the mysteries of deep pain
and suffering.” Every time she told her story of captivity, she would always
say, “I’d do it all again for my Savior.” At the end of her life, Darlene could
look back and see how many lives she was able to reach for the cause of Christ through
the story of her suffering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">I have never had
to suffer physically the way that Darlene did, and I don’t know what it feels
like to lose a husband, but I know the heart pain that comes from going through
a fiery trial where you feel the Lord has abandoned you or at the very least is
silent toward you. </span><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">I recently experienced this
feeling when the Lord brought me to a trial that He is still bringing me
through. For years I’ve wanted children. When it passed the time where I could
have a child of my own, I began to hope that I’d be able to adopt a baby. Seven
years ago, on March 18, 2012, I found out I was approved to adopt a child in
Thailand. I just knew it would only be a matter of weeks before the Lord gave
me my baby girl I had so desperately prayed for. In 2017, after years of
praying and three failed attempts, I came to terms with the situation and
accepted the fact that being a mother to my own child was not in the Lord’s
will for my life. I proceeded to dismantle the nursery that for so many years
had mocked me and caused me to doubt myself and my ability to know the Lord’s
will for my life. I gave everything away except for a couple of things I
couldn’t bear to part with. Having a peace in my heart, I crossed off the words
“a child that will call me mom” that had been listed on my “miracles” prayer list
for over a decade and never prayed again for it. For the past two years I have
been content in that state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">On August 20, 2019, I felt prompted
by the Lord to pray one more time for a child. I did so, although I was
confused about it and thought it was unnecessary since I was fine to not have a
child of my own and had been so for quite some time now. Three days later a woman,
who was due in 4 weeks time, asked me to adopt her baby girl because she was
unable to care for baby. After counselling with many people and discussing all
the legal matters with our Thai lawyer, I decided to step through the doors that
the Lord seemed to be opening. Every time I was sure there was a roadblock, the
Lord seemed to open the door even wider. Everything seemed to work perfectly.
The mother was steadfast in her decision, the Lord worked miraculously on the
legal side of things, and I began to prepare to bring a child into my home. As
the days went by and I saw the Lord working mightily on my behalf to bring this
about, my heart thrilled more and more. The baby came a week early on September
16<sup>th</sup>, and the Lord worked it out for me to be able to participate in
every aspect of the birth. I was able to drive the mother to the hospital, hear
the baby’s heartbeat on the monitor while the birth mom labored, help her
through the labor, and be the first to hold the baby. After the birth, the Lord
continued to miraculously open doors for us. God allowed me to secure a private
room for us to use so we didn’t have dozens of eyes watching and wondering why this
foreigner was crying so much over this baby. The birth mom had signed over her
rights of guardianship to me and the social welfare representatives that
visited us in the hospital had awarded me guardianship. I participated in a class
that all the new parents had to take before leaving the hospital, and the Lord
worked it out for me to be able to legally name her. It was a name that had
such special meaning to me that I had chosen so many years ago to give to my
daughter that one day I knew the Lord would give me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">The term “Gotcha Day” is a
familiar term in the realm of adoption and the day that all those praying and
hoping to adopt long for. It is the day that you are finally able to take your
child home. My Gotcha Day was September 19<sup>th</sup> - exactly 2,741 days .
. . or 90 months . . . or 391 ½ weeks since the day I first found out I was
approved to adopt. As I walked out of the hospital that day with my baby girl
in my arms, my heart swelled at God’s goodness to me, His kindness to me, His
care for me. Here out of the blue God had given me the long desire of my heart.
The birth mother and I had an appointment the following week after she
recovered from her labor and surgery for her to sign over her final rights so I
could officially adopt the child. I enjoyed every bit of that first week – the
round the clock feedings, dressing my baby girl up in special outfits,
informing my friends and family, taking her to church and showing her off, checking
on her a thousand times to make sure she was still breathing, finding out she
loved the pacifier and bottles I had chosen for her, cradling her in my arms
and singing her a special song I wrote just for her, and so much more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My joy
quickly turned into a sorrow I have never felt before, and my life turned
upside down when the following week the birth mother reported to the police
that I had stolen her baby. Of course, we had many witnesses including doctors,
nurses, social workers and official documentation that spoke to the contrary,
so I wasn’t in trouble, but because she hadn’t signed her final rights away yet,
I was forced to give my baby girl back. As I stood there with the police
officers, our lawyer, fellow friends and the birth mom, I held my baby girl in
my arms one last time and sang her her special song choking back tears. I
kissed her cheek, breathed her smell in deeply and handed her back to her birth
mom. It is hard to explain, but in that moment, surrounded by all those people,
I never felt so alone, so abandoned, so betrayed, so mistreated, so angry. My
constant prayer for the next 48 hours was two-fold, “Lord, please give me back my
baby girl” and “Lord, please help me to remain faithful and not be overcome
with anger and bitterness.” It has been two weeks exactly since that terrible
afternoon. My baby girl has been away from me longer than she was with me. Each
day I find I can bear it a little more but only through the strength of the
Lord. I don’t yet know why the Lord allowed this to happen to me when I had
previously been so content. I don’t yet have the blessing of looking back in
hindsight, but I know one day I will understand it all, and I will be able to see
God’s goodness and purpose for it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; color: #950032; font-family: "cookie"; font-size: 33pt; line-height: 57.2px; padding: 0in;">Bible Study:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.2px;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; color: black; font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 19pt; line-height: 32.9333px; padding: 0in;">When God "Abandons" You</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Have you ever been there
before? That terrible place where you feel all alone, where comforting words
from friends and loved ones seem to have no effect, where the walls around you
seem dark and there is no light to be seen, and even the Lord seems to have
left you all alone. Sometimes we can feel like we are living in this dark place
even when we know we are in the center of the Lord’s will. In this dark place our
head knows what is right and wants to take the lead, but we often become
overwhelmed by the shoutings of our heart and the feelings that the trial
brings. At dark times like this it is easy for our emotions to unhinge the
truths we normally live by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">During times like this . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe <b>God
is not good</b> even when we know, “<b>The LORD is good, a strong hold in the
day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.</b>” Nahum 1:7</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe <b>we
don’t deserve to have to go through this trial because we love the Lord and have
been faithful to Him</b> even when we know, “<b>Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.</b>” James 1:12<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe <b>the
trial will never end</b> even when we know, “<b>. . . weeping may endure for a
night, but joy cometh in the morning.</b>” Psalm 30:5</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe
that <b>the only way out of the trial is to fight your way out</b> even when we
know, “<b>The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.</b>” Exodus
14:14</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe
that <b>nothing good could come of the trial</b> even when we know, “. . . <b>knowing
that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience,
hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.</b>” Romans 5:3-5</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">it is easy for us to believe
that <b>we are all alone</b> even when we know, “<b>Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me . .
.</b> ” Psalm 23:4a</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">God never abandons His children.
He is always in the dark place in the trial with you. He is ever ready to
comfort you, love you, and guide you out of the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 130%;">Here are four ways to help you
bring the “balance” back between what you believe in the moment and what you
know to be true when you are going through a trial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">1. <b>Strengthen Your
Faith </b>– Pray and ask the Lord to give you a faith that remains. Still your
own voice and listen to His. Search the Scriptures or read good books about
people who also went through fiery trials and find out how they remained
faithful. Pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom. Seek godly counsel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">2. <b>Remind Yourself
of God’s Promises</b> – Search the Scriptures for times the Lord has clearly
spoken to you or showed you a promise. Reclaim these promises. Write the words,
“I still believe” next to the verse. Take time to praise the Lord for His
goodness and mercy toward you. Take time to worship Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">3. <b>Separate
Fact from Fiction</b> – Look at yourself and honestly answer the question, “Is
how I’m responding to this trial based on what I know to be true or what I am
feeling in the moment?” Feelings of injustice, confusion, betrayal, fear and
doubt will never help us to remain faithful in the trial or help to bring us
through it. Take the time to write down things you know to be true about the
Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. </span><b style="font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Act Presently
on Your Future Perspective</b><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> – Remind yourself of other trials where the Lord
has brought you through. Looking at a past trial through the eyes of hindsight
can help you in your present trial. Realize that a trial is just another
opportunity to show great faith.</span><span style="font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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Shari Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10870726621408868664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-77328464123857268452020-04-13T05:35:00.001-04:002020-04-13T05:35:44.506-04:00Missionaries around the World sing It Is Well in 25 different languages<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/76QLJA-h0Nw" width="480"></iframe></div>
Be Thou Exaltedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18103918846764532255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-842347942296006125.post-55646263535296941742020-04-13T02:01:00.003-04:002020-05-05T20:04:14.753-04:00Banana Pancakes 🍌🥞<div style="text-align: center;">
Banana Pancakes </div>
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Any of you ladies live in countries that grow bananas like nobody's business? </div>
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Papua New Guinea is definitely one of those countries. We are brought huge stalks of bananas a couple times a week. We ALWAYS have bananas, and it seems like no matter how many stalks of bananas we have, they're all either green and hard or all ripe. They never ripen evenly so that we just always have a constant flow of bananas....even if we separate the stalks. It's just life, I guess. </div>
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Currently, we have three stalks of yellow bananas. These stalks are huge! They come up to my knees, and the stalk is wider than my body. (I'm a small person ...but that's still a large stalk of bananas.) </div>
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With so many ripe bananas available I decided to try to make some banana pancakes that my brothers actually liked. </div>
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And I succeeded! </div>
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I loved the way the recipe turned out, because it made it so easy to to multiply. One recipe feeds one person. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOCk6BXw0p7tLSRbm3mVMkjrVOUD0hfYzZdqiqrO_zHr-MDca7QvIfArEUSS1eR2nxCVlHcIajoMQ4nxMFpPuNSBB-Z-UxoAQSM8W1Hr-LzUoV68v5Ls8pImwmU77zEtUYDA68GP4whJ2/s1600/Screenshot_20200506-091610%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOCk6BXw0p7tLSRbm3mVMkjrVOUD0hfYzZdqiqrO_zHr-MDca7QvIfArEUSS1eR2nxCVlHcIajoMQ4nxMFpPuNSBB-Z-UxoAQSM8W1Hr-LzUoV68v5Ls8pImwmU77zEtUYDA68GP4whJ2/s320/Screenshot_20200506-091610%257E2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Put bananas in blender, blend till smooth. </div>
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Dump in the rest of the ingredients, and blend till smooth. </div>
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Using a quarter cup, or whatever size you want for you pancakes, scoop the batter onto a hot griddle or skillet. I used oil on my cast iron skillet while making these, but I'm sure butter would work just as well. </div>
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Just like normal pancakes, flip once the bubbles don't fall in on themselves, and the edges are dry. </div>
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These pancakes are made with bananas, which are high in sugar. They will be darker than normal pancakes. Don't panic, they won't taste burnt unless you burn them (which would be very black).</div>
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These pancakes are also more fragile, so quick smooth movements while flipping are essential.<br />
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I did try to take a video while making these... However, my phone shut down, and didn't save the time-lapse. 🤦🏼♀️ </div>
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I will be posting a video of how these cook on my Instagram page @thirdculturecooking sometime soon. </div>
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We like to just put butter on these. They are plenty sweet, and really don't need much. You could sprinkle some cinnamon on them. That is also delicious!<br />
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Amber Wells<br />
Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬</div>
Amber Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831250268286144030noreply@blogger.com0