tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56154450931980461792024-02-19T11:11:01.466-05:00Take Joy in the JourneyEverything that is my life. The little things that I find in the mundane day to day stuff that bring me joy.Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-72271134056525865022020-10-09T17:00:00.002-04:002020-10-09T17:00:57.324-04:00Jammie Church<p>Over the last year, I have fallen in love with corporate worship.</p><p>For months, we had lazy Sundays of jammie church and coffee.</p><p>Honestly, I wasn't sure I wanted to break that trend when our church announced that it would be opening it's doors again.</p><p>Sundays had become a routine. </p><p>We would watch the sermon and maybe sing a song.</p><p>When I signed up for church the first week that we could attend and I stood with the smaller congregation and listened to the singing of others around me, I sobbed like a baby.</p><p>We are meant to worship together. To do church together.</p><p>Hearing other sing, even with muffled voices thanks to the masks. </p><p>I knew I needed to be there.</p><p>I know I need to be there. With you.</p><p>God has been revealing Himself to me this year. I want more and more of Him. I am thankful for those in my life who are seeking Him, pursuing Him with me. I love the church.</p>Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-71493268004285818062020-09-18T15:09:00.005-04:002020-09-18T15:09:51.739-04:00Just Felt Like Writing<p>Today is one of those days when I want to be creative.</p><p>My list of things that I need to get done is quite long, but I want to... long to do anything with some creativity. I want to paint. It's a new hobby to my blog as it is something I only started a few years ago and I don't think I have ever written about it. Yet I found myself sitting down to write instead. Toying with topics and things to write about. Deciding that I really do not have much to write about, but starting this blog anyway. </p><p>Since the shelter in place, I have taken on making homemade pizza on Friday nights. Since today is Friday, that has been my top priority for the day. Getting the dough made so that we can have pizza for dinner. I enjoy the process for the most part.</p><p>The last two days I have been trying to memorize a verse for my discipleship group. I hate to say this, but I have not tried to memorize Scripture since right after Kaylee was born. I deemed myself terrible at it and stopped trying. Having a little tune to sing while memorizing is a huge help and I am extremely thankful for it. </p><p>The itch to paint is still pulling at me. I think I will try my hand at something small before the dough is done rising. </p><p>Do you have anything new that you started doing thanks to the shelter in place? Or a hobby that you wish you had more time for? Or a trick to memorizing Scripture? </p><p>Happy Friday!</p>Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-1517158922218902662020-08-11T13:33:00.004-04:002020-08-11T13:33:51.204-04:00A Lifelong Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You guys. This book.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>
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I am on my 3rd time of listening to it. Why? Because once wasn't enough. The lessons in this book are overwhelming. Gary Thomas guides you through concepts driven by Scripture. Every time I listen, my heart aches at my own selfishness and forgetfulness. How is it possible that I forget so quickly the things that God has shown me through His word and through this book? </div>
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My marriage is not for my or Adam's glory. Adam is not my husband to please and fill all my needs. We are married to bring glory to God. Adam is God's son and with that the question that rings in my head is "if one of my girls married a man that treated her how I treat Adam (both mentally and out loud), would I be pleased with him? In the same way, is God pleased with how I treat His son?" I am in this marriage to worship and please my Savior by the way I love Adam and meet his needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>How often do I make our marriage about me? </div><div><br /></div><div>I started this particular blog two years ago. This is still a book that I read over and over again two years later. Probably the best marriage book I have ever read. It's not a practical tips book. It is going to give me hints on what to do to make Adam happy. This book gets to the heart of the issue. My personal relationship with my Savior. This relationship effects all other relationships, especially my relationship with Adam. If I am not seeking God and His desires for who I am, then I am seeking to serve myself. It's unfortunately my natural inclination. This book is great at reminding me what is truly important about our marriage and leading me to my Bible to seek God when it comes to this relationship. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book recommendation came from my brother. Thanks Michael.</div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-20080103803740214342020-08-11T13:19:00.006-04:002020-08-11T13:19:46.777-04:00Valuable<p>Being of value has been on my mind a lot lately.</p><p>We try to find our value in so many things. Our looks. Our careers. Our relationships.</p><p>It is one of my deepest struggles. </p><p>I know my value is found in the Lord. But knowing and hiding it in my heart to dwell on are two very different things. </p><p>Recently our pastor was preaching on Isaiah 43. My takeaway had nothing to do with what he was preaching about and everything to do with the passage.</p><p>He has redeemed me. He has summoned me by name. I am His. He is with me through waters, rivers and fire. He is the Lord my God. My Savior. I am precious and honored in His sight. He loves me. He is with me. I have been called, created, formed and made for His glory. </p><p>This passage applies to me through Jesus and I must dwell on it. </p><p>My value is found in Him and Him alone. </p><p>Everything here is so fleeting. Temporary.</p><p>Yet my heart sways and follows the temporary.</p><p>May this be an area that I grow in this year. </p><p>That I would see myself as who I am in Christ more and more each day.</p>Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-57582113920567966212018-09-28T11:13:00.004-04:002018-09-28T11:31:10.646-04:00Nightmare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This morning I woke up to my name being yelled out by one of my girls. Now, let me start by saying that this is not the way to wake me up and my girls know it. If they are barfing, then they can holler. But if they have a bad dream or are scared about something, they are to come in and talk to me. That's the wake up in the middle of the night routine. So, all of that to say, I woke up pretty growly.<br />
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Ferociously, I enter Ella's room grumpily asking her why she is yelling across the house. She immediately responded with crying. (I know, mother of the year over here.) I took a deep breath and calmly asked her why she was yelling for me and why she was crying.<br />
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She then tells me that she had a terrible nightmare; a tornado came through our house and I died.<br />
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Now, the interesting thing about all of this, is that she doesn't know that my mom had a pet scan yesterday to check out a mass they found on a CT scan last week and I had spent the better part of yesterday praying that God would heal the mass and make it disappear or that it would be anything easily remedied and not more cancer. But ultimately, His will be done.<br />
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I looked her in the eyes and I said, "Ella, if that happened, two things would take place that I am certain of. One is that God would bring people to you to love on you and take care of you. People would come and hold you and tell you it will be ok. He will send them and they will be here in every way that you need them. And two I would be in Heaven with Jesus and since you believe in Jesus, I would see you again someday."<br />
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We talked a few more minutes through tears about the joy of eternity and then I went on to say the same things from my perspective.<br />
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"My mom is dying. When she does die, whether soon or ten years from now, I am certain that God will provide for me during my grief and that I will see her again some day. My mom has a personal relationship with God. She knows that Jesus died for her sins and that He rose again. She loves Him and serves Him with every fiber of her being and I am certain that when her time comes she will be in heaven with our Lord and Savior. She will no longer be in pain. She will no longer be suffering. And when that time comes, that will bring my heart joy in the midst of tragedy."<br />
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As I crawled back into my bed and contemplated this timely conversation with Ella, sleep eluded me. All the what if's started to plague my thoughts. I replayed my conversation with Ella and was at peace with what is to come. I prayed for a while and thought about the words to the song "It is Well" by Bethel music until sleep finally came.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-9490251503625219292018-09-28T10:00:00.001-04:002018-09-28T10:00:04.351-04:00Skillet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The other night I had the opportunity to go to a Skillet concert.<br />
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I love Skillet. One of the first songs that I ever listened to by them was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_5xxt_7sQ">Saturn</a>.<br />
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That song came out in October of 1996. I was 13.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure I am 17 here.</td></tr>
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They played mostly new songs at the concert. I would have loved for them to pull out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF_ypx80KoA">this</a> song. (Totally forgot that they had a girl drummer one other time!) Or even better, come up with a mix that included a few oldies. That would have been amazing.<br />
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Their newest album is incredible. A great mix of old sounds and new. Charlotte asks for "Feel It" pretty much every time we are in the car. The name of that song is actually "Invincible", but that's what she calls it. I love sharing my love for Skillet with my girls.</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-52824257632838619432016-09-06T11:31:00.000-04:002016-09-06T11:31:09.484-04:00Labor Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have an annual tradition on Labor Day weekend every year. Adam's extended family does a badminton tournament on the Sunday of Labor Day. There is usually a ton of food.<br />
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And that is not including the dessert table. There is lots of people and lots of fun.</div>
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Adam was in his zone. He loves running events.</div>
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Adam and Ryan won for their 14th time.<br />
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After the tournament is over, we have the Shelton's come and stay the night for lots of gaming and fun. It is a super enjoyable time for everyone, including the kids. This tradition is one of my favorite parts of the fall season.</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-52537428734414560782016-06-02T23:52:00.002-04:002016-06-02T23:52:58.573-04:00Heritage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From my heart to yours, thanks for reading. You are my devoted few that have hung in there over the years. Thanks for stopping by.<div>
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Today I want to talk about heritage. I have been richly blessed in this department. </div>
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A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of visiting my Nanny, which is what we call my Momma's mom. During this visit she shared stories with me about her growing up and even how she and my Granddaddy met. It was such a pleasure to visit with her and find out things about her that I didn't know before going to her house.</div>
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Then, today, I was able to make dinner for my Papa, Grandma, and Uncle Dennis. My Papa and Grandma are my Dad's parents. Again I was struck at how valuable my time with them was. They shared with my their hearts and thoughts on all sorts of topics. Not only that, but they let my kids have their attention. My Grandma played a <a href="http://www.coolstuffinc.com/p/152440">board game</a> with them and my Papa and Uncle Dennis watched them ride bikes. They poured into me and my girls and I didn't want to see our evening come to an end.</div>
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This is a value I want to instill in my kids. That these relationships matter and are important. </div>
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Our stories rest in theirs. </div>
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We are here because of them. </div>
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How much do you know about your grandparents?</div>
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I challenge you. Take time tomorrow, not today since it is almost midnight. Tomorrow. Call your grandparents and just ask them one question about their story. Listen and and truly be a captive audience. I mean focus all of your attention on them. And then tell them you love them. </div>
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You won't regret it.</div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-15661996920410190732016-05-12T13:29:00.000-04:002016-05-12T13:29:18.816-04:00Even When It Hurts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Faith has been on my mind again today.<br />
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My best friend sent me a text that said, "I will keep praying for healing."<br />
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And there it was.<br />
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"Do you believe that I can heal your Momma this side of Heaven?"<br />
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I was just this morning praising God for His being the Healer and the Great Physician.<br />
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I think it comes down to this. I do believe He can heal her. I am just not sure it will be on earth.<br />
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Maybe it is the prepared part of me. The part that likes to know what is coming. The part that cannot mentally or emotionally handle my Momma dying. It's the same reason I needed to know before giving birth that I was having girl after girl. I need time to process. Praise the Lord that in this case, I have time.<br />
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But does my preparedness mean that my faith is inadequate? It's just so complex.<br />
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I struggle with the balance. Believing and trusting. Processing. Still believing. Actively believing.<br />
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The Almighty God be glorified. No matter what.<br />
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Psalm 69</div>
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<span class="text Ps-69-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">1 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Save me, O God,</u></div>
<u><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for the waters<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14937A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14937A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> have come up to my neck.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-2" id="en-NIV-14938" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
I sink in the miry depths,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">where there is no foothold.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I have come into the deep waters;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the floods engulf me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-3" id="en-NIV-14939" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
I am worn out calling for help;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my throat is parched.</span></div>
</span></u><span class="text Ps-69-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
My eyes fail,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">looking for my God.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-4" id="en-NIV-14940" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Those who hate me<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14940F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14940F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> without reason</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">outnumber the hairs of my head;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
many are my enemies without cause,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">those who seek to destroy me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I am forced to restore</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">what I did not steal.</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span class="text Ps-69-5" id="en-NIV-14941" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You, God, know my folly;</div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my guilt is not hidden from you.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-69-6" id="en-NIV-14942" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lord, the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> Almighty,</div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">may those who hope in you</span></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">not be disgraced because of me;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
God of Israel,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">may those who seek you</span></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">not be put to shame because of me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-7" id="en-NIV-14943" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
For I endure scorn<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14943L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14943L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for your sake,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and shame covers my face.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-8" id="en-NIV-14944" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
I am a foreigner to my own family,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a stranger to my own mother’s children;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-9" id="en-NIV-14945" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
for zeal for your house consumes me,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-10" id="en-NIV-14946" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
When I weep and fast,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I must endure scorn;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-11" id="en-NIV-14947" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
when I put on sackcloth,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">people make sport of me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-12" id="en-NIV-14948" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Those who sit at the gate<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14948T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14948T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> mock me,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and I am the song of the drunkards.</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-69-13" id="en-NIV-14949" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>But I pray to you, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</u></div>
<u><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in the time of your favor;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
in your great love,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14949W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14949W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> O God,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">answer me with your sure salvation.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-14" id="en-NIV-14950" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Rescue me from the mire,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">do not let me sink;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
deliver me from those who hate me,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">from the deep waters.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-15" id="en-NIV-14951" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Do not let the floodwaters<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14951Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14951Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> engulf me</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or the depths swallow me up</span></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or the pit close its mouth over me.</span></div>
</span></u></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span class="text Ps-69-16" id="en-NIV-14952" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Answer me, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, out of the goodness of your love;</div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in your great mercy turn to me.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-17" id="en-NIV-14953" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Do not hide your face<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14953AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14953AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> from your servant;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">answer me quickly,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14953AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14953AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for I am in trouble.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-18" id="en-NIV-14954" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">18 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Come near and rescue me;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">deliver<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14954AF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14954AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> me because of my foes.</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-69-19" id="en-NIV-14955" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">19 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know how I am scorned,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14955AG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14955AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> disgraced and shamed;</div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">all my enemies are before you.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-20" id="en-NIV-14956" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">20 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Scorn has broken my heart</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and has left me helpless;</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for comforters,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14956AH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14956AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> but I found none.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-21" id="en-NIV-14957" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">21 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
They put gall in my food</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and gave me vinegar<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14957AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14957AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for my thirst.</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-69-22" id="en-NIV-14958" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">22 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
May the table set before them become a snare;</div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">may it become retribution and<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-14958b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-14958b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2069#fen-NIV-14958b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> a trap.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-23" id="en-NIV-14959" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">23 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and their backs be bent forever.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-24" id="en-NIV-14960" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">24 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Pour out your wrath<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14960AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14960AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> on them;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">let your fierce anger overtake them.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-25" id="en-NIV-14961" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">25 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
May their place be deserted;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">let there be no one to dwell in their tents.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-26" id="en-NIV-14962" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">26 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
For they persecute those you wound</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-26" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and talk about the pain of those you hurt.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-27" id="en-NIV-14963" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
Charge them with crime upon crime;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-27" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">do not let them share in your salvation.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-28" id="en-NIV-14964" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
May they be blotted out of the book of life</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-28" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and not be listed with the righteous.</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-69-29" id="en-NIV-14965" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>But as for me, afflicted and in pain—</u></div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-29" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">may your salvation, God, protect me.</span></u></div>
</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-69-30" id="en-NIV-14966" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>I will praise God’s name in song</u></div>
<u><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-30" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and glorify him<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14966AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14966AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with thanksgiving.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-31" id="en-NIV-14967" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
This will please the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> more than an ox,</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">more than a bull with its horns and hooves.</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-32" id="en-NIV-14968" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
The poor will see and be glad<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14968AZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14968AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>—</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you who seek God, may your hearts live!</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-33" id="en-NIV-14969" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">33 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> hears the needy</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-33" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and does not despise his captive people.</span></div>
</span></u></div>
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<span class="text Ps-69-34" id="en-NIV-14970" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">34 </span></span></div>
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<u>Let heaven and earth praise him,</u></div>
<u><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-34" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the seas and all that move in them,</span></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-69-35" id="en-NIV-14971" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">35 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
for God will save Zion</div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-35" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and rebuild the cities of Judah.</span></div>
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Then people will settle there and possess it;</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Ps-69-36" id="en-NIV-14972" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">36 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the children of his servants will inherit it,</span></div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-69-36" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and those who love his name will dwell there.</span></div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-19453371191374404532016-05-11T14:15:00.000-04:002016-05-12T13:29:35.967-04:00Faith In Turbulent Times<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These past 4 weeks we have been doing a Bible study on faith during turbulent times. I feel as though I learned so much. It felt good to be back in the word, digging into what is meant.<br />
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It feels good to see my faith where it is now. To be going through this stuff with my parents and to truly rely on God. Especially looking back to the last few years. Seeing where I was. Deeply wounded and hurt and out of desperation seeking God and questioning His very existence. To now. Once again feeling loss and heartache with my Momma's diagnosis. Only now, I rely on His existence. The hope He offers me. It doesn't change the anguish that I feel over knowing that my time with my Momma is precious. But this life here is not my eternal home. It's temporary. Praise the Lord.<br />
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This study was such a great reminder to me that God is with me. He was with me back in October and November when we found out the cancer had returned. He is with me even now as I tear up and write this. He is with me in the future when our time together here does end.<br />
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It also reminded me that my eyes should be focused on Jesus. By fixing my eyes on Him I am able to endure and persevere no matter what my circumstances are.<br />
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And faith isn't just believing. It involves action. It's actively believing. It's the inward assurance of what we hope for and the outward action in response to what we do not see. Faith is confidently expecting our Heavenly Father to do what He promised.<br />
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John 16:33 is the promise I cling to.<br />
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It says, <span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> In this world you will have trouble.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> But take heart! I have overcome</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26760C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> the world.”</span><br />
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What great encouragement! He has overcome the world.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-31162115116738482172016-03-24T12:52:00.002-04:002016-04-07T04:45:20.806-04:00Healthy Living, Cancer, Scentsy, Grandma, Garages, Birthdays, Sports, Games and Diapers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't know how things are going for you, but life here seems busier than ever.<br />
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The other day I was thinking about how much I miss all of you. Thoughts of what to tell you run through my mind, but making time to sit down and share them has not been an option until today.<br />
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So, get your cup of coffee, find a comfy spot on the couch and let's catch up.<br />
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If you follow me on facebook at all, you may have seen that I recently started selling Scentsy. For those of you that have no clue what Scentsy is, it is a home fragrance line. We have everything from wax warmers to dish soap. In Septemberish of last year I had attended a party and learned of Scentsy. I had been using some plug-ins to make my house smell good for a while and was getting frustrated because the one scent that I liked, I could only find at Kroger occasionally. So, when I found several fragrances from Scentsy, I had to switch! In February, I decided to join the Scentsy team. It's been super fun so far. I have been extremely happy with the products as well as the customer support. <a href="http://kristadaulton.scentsy.us/">Here</a> is my website if you want to check it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OFs9O5ugmXYq6yPaIqQJzbeGcnkjTLR66TKEsPsb7RO_7rA8JDLuxBhICH3xL5Vx9sQpCJzsjEvFZcqOIRw1lO0WGdxyQfUPR_ZHMiK-9O8WC7uMx3tkR-KyO9XQRIvFmHLg99CaOK0/s1600/advertise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OFs9O5ugmXYq6yPaIqQJzbeGcnkjTLR66TKEsPsb7RO_7rA8JDLuxBhICH3xL5Vx9sQpCJzsjEvFZcqOIRw1lO0WGdxyQfUPR_ZHMiK-9O8WC7uMx3tkR-KyO9XQRIvFmHLg99CaOK0/s320/advertise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Join me!</td></tr>
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Through Scentsy, I found my healthy living motivation. Pretty much since August I have struggled once again with eating right and being active. Laziness is definitely a sin issue for me that I know the Lord is constantly chiseling away at. Molding and growing. In January, along with everyone else in the world, I made resolutions to get back at it and have failed miserably off and on since then. At the beginning of March, I received an email about Scentsy's Health Challenge and I knew I had to sign-up to participate. It started this week and I am dying. Haha. The hardest part is drinking 64 ounces of water every day. Before this week, I drank coffee and about 0 ounces of water. Yikes! So with 4 days in, I am feeling more motivated and that is such a great feeling. Onward! Oh and I signed up for my first race of the year which is in June. :)<br />
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Adam's game is officially in game stores. It's be so great to see him light up when sharing his game with others and hearing about people playing it. I still cannot beat him in a two-player game and when I do I will never play two-player again. Ha. You can check out more info <a href="https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/176565/ninja-camp">here</a> if you would like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KI2orE4FEwAMbyS-Apauh0ocYRc7vYE2hA_X0Csv58lgEaYpfdHMOyEy3ZZUF1rQhojTtuYzJG6H2ABMJ_1VB5QreECKw-YUYWEggPna6gQXKbyJ5shuTob0XELvSIg_kH4xVGkXuDY/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KI2orE4FEwAMbyS-Apauh0ocYRc7vYE2hA_X0Csv58lgEaYpfdHMOyEy3ZZUF1rQhojTtuYzJG6H2ABMJ_1VB5QreECKw-YUYWEggPna6gQXKbyJ5shuTob0XELvSIg_kH4xVGkXuDY/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Other things going on here. Adam's sweet grandma has been in rehab so the girls and I have made efforts to see her every other week. It is such a delightful visit. The girls talk her ears off and it's even more so now that Charlotte has joined in.<br />
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Homeschooling has been going well for the most part. Kaylee is reading non-stop and loving it which makes me super excited! We have the occasional melt-down which can make some days hard. Overall though, I would say this year has gone well.<br />
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Kaylee just finished up her first season of basketball. It was awesome to see her make progress and to cheer her team on. I loved it and so did she. I am looking forward to her playing again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her ball goes in here. :)</td></tr>
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Elanor just turned 5. She had a Barbie fashion party. My sister-in-law's, Grace and Kati, helped me give the girls makeovers and then they put dress-up clothes on and walked the runway. It was so cute! I think fun was had by all.<br />
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Charlotte has been spending a lot of her time running around naked lately. She may be ready to be potty trained, but I am not. Mainly because it requires being home for several days in a row and I just don't have that right now. Maybe once co-op is done. I am also not sure if I am ready for her to officially be out of the baby stage. It's hard to say that that phase in my life is done. I'll get there. Until then duct tape is the only way to keep her diaper on at bed time. There has been a time or two that even that didn't work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this look fun?</td></tr>
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My momma has been having a rough go at things. The medications have all been messing with her leaving her weak and making it impossible for her to get around. I know a lot of you have been praying for her. Thank you for that. I get to go visit and help after her next chemo treatment which is this Thursday. Even though it is not a vacation visit of sorts, I am looking forward to being able to hug her and my dad. I hate living states away and not being able to help more often. Adam, friends, and family will have the girls while I am away. Please pray that my girls will be so good for everyone watching them. Thanks to all for helping.<br />
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Our garage. We were finally having one put on. It is so close to being done. It's been hard to park with all the construction going on, but I am excited to be able to park inside again. Especially on rainy days like today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgDIZaR3sg-k3_mnfhE0vFZi4CoRHtxwU5rw4PKFFKTWXrCMXHpc66Mct6xKfZR1MwMQcBAP-riTuwJGtMArcZ4Fg3bMiGIKFZ3knY8gS-H7987Y6OIUkIkjpPqlaA1QJKrw9aW1wmbA/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgDIZaR3sg-k3_mnfhE0vFZi4CoRHtxwU5rw4PKFFKTWXrCMXHpc66Mct6xKfZR1MwMQcBAP-riTuwJGtMArcZ4Fg3bMiGIKFZ3knY8gS-H7987Y6OIUkIkjpPqlaA1QJKrw9aW1wmbA/s320/IMG_5378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning stages.</td></tr>
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Softball for the girls and for Adam starts soon. In the meantime, I am enjoying the brief break from sports.<br />
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That catches you up on things here for the most part. How have you been? Anything new? I am so behind on everyone else's life. So, tell me. How are things? I hope you are doing well.</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-35801826868099226742016-02-25T15:19:00.001-05:002016-02-25T16:07:58.625-05:00Birthdays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Adam was teasing me the other day about my need to make birthdays a big deal. Today as I was making Elanor's birthday invitations that conversation played over in my head.<br />
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I'm sure some of my desire comes from the fact that my birthday comes right after Christmas. I like to pick on my parents about all of my birthday cards being belated ones. My birthday was/is hard to remember. I mean we did just celebrate Jesus so I totally get it. He definitely deserves the bigger bash.<br />
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But I think the bigger deal for me is the reality that life is short. People don't live forever here. During the ho hum day-to-day it is easy to take the people around you for granted. Holidays like Valentine's Day and Father's Day remind us to remember that we care for the people in our lives. Sure Adam tells me he loves me. But on Valentine's Day and our anniversary, he has to really think about it. Why does he love me? What does he love about me? And then he tells me.<br />
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This is why birthdays are extra special to me. As Ella is about to turn 5, I truly think on the things that make her unique and all of the reasons I love her. And so we celebrate. We will have family and a few friends over. We will eat cake and ice cream. She will feel loved and cared about. Truly celebrated on her birthday.<br />
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And for me, well, I will remember. And be grateful for another year under my parenting belt.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-42399716879615759542015-12-29T22:54:00.002-05:002015-12-29T22:54:48.492-05:00Looking Back and Looking Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2015 was a mostly focused year. Moving was not a part of the original plan when the year began and so it was difficult to pack and move and keep up with my resolutions as a whole. As I look ahead to 2016, I am ready to jump back in with fresh hope that I can persevere.<div>
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After reading my resolutions from last year, there aren't really any that I want to change. I think I would like to be healthier both spiritually and physically and simpl continue to work towards those.</div>
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This fall, I enjoyed the Bible Study I was in by Linda Dillow. It was such a good study and challenged me beyond any other study that I have done. It was so practical and helpful. I hope that I can experience this kind of personal growth again this year.</div>
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Health wise, I would love to run at least 3 5k's. They are good goals to keep me focused. I would also like to figure out how to mix in the 21 day fix exercises so that I can also gain muscle in the process.</div>
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As 2016 approaches, what are some of your goals for the year? </div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-10147900517857476292015-12-06T22:39:00.000-05:002015-12-08T15:16:14.527-05:00Craziness and Community<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These last couple of months have been super crazy. It started around the time the buyer's of our home wanted to move the closing date up by a week. That was the same day that I found out my momma's cancer was back. The very next weekend was when the head gasket on our 15 year old van decided to go. When I was co-leading our women's retreat. The weekend after the retreat we moved. A week after we moved in, our heat went out in our (new to us) house and the HSA couldn't get someone out for a couple of days. The next week we replaced our van. And then our heat went out again this past weekend.<br />
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I tell you all of that, not to say "woe is me." Or to have you feel sorry for me. I tell you all of that to give glory to God for the amazing body of believers that He has given us to <strike>walk through</strike> carry us through the craziness.<br />
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When the buyer's moved our closing date up, 3 of my friends came over and helped pack us up. They got more packed that night than I could have done in a week by myself.<br />
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When my momma called with her news, one of my friends called me immediately to check-in to see how I was doing and stayed on the phone with me while I blubbered through the news. What a patient friend. This friend called and checked on me multiple days following that one. My husband left work early to come hold me even when I didn't ask him to. He sat there next to me while I sat in shock avoiding the subject. And later when the emotion overflowed, he held me and let me soak his shirt with my tears. What a man! Other friends have been great at texting, praying, and asking me how things are going. Not minding that my answer isn't "fine." One friend gave me a super cute pillow to hold whenever I need to just sit and cry. It totally matches my bedroom, too. A couple of other friends have hired a photographer to come take pictures of my family when we are all together for Christmas. What an amazing gift! Other family and friends have offered to buy plane tickets or offer points to fly so I can go be with my family. So overwhelmed by their generosity! When I couldn't be with my momma and daddy for the official news, my grandparents spent several days with them to keep them company while my dad waited. And they continue to be available to my parents when they need them.<br />
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When our head gasket blew on our van, we had family step in and offer us their cars until we could research and find a new one after we moved. Totally saw God's hand in this provision.<br />
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When I was at the women's retreat, friends showered me with some yummy treats and also with fun memories. What a great time to get away and shift my focus back on Jesus. When I got home, I was able to enjoy a date with my husband because family had taken the girls for the day.<br />
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When we moved, family watched our girls the whole weekend so that we could move without them underfoot. We had lots of friends come and help us move. Some came even if they were only available for a short bit. And others stayed for the whole day. All of the friends that helped also have families that were spending the day without them. What amazing friends to give up their family time as well as their Saturday to help us. Also, the weekend we moved was a gorgeous weekend. Hoodie weather. (The weekend we were to originally move on ended up being snowy, rainy, and icy all day long. Thanks Lord!) Several friends provided dinner during this week leading up to the move which was wonderful because I was able to have the kitchen packed up. Another friend came and helped me clean the night before the move. And a few friends helped take a few loads over that night before. One family member came and cleaned my new house for several hours on two separate occasions! It was a huge help!<br />
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When our heat went out, friends offered their heater to us if we wanted it. Family gave us fire wood for our fire place.<br />
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When we went to get our van, family watched the older two girls, making our test-drive much easier.<br />
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I am so very thankful to be a part of a community that picks us up when we are absolutely defeated and have nothing left to give. These last few years, God has definitely made it so clear to Adam and I that we need this community that we find in Him. His love overflows from His people.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-7926043950143555072015-11-26T23:43:00.004-05:002015-11-27T15:55:58.773-05:00Processing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago, my momma called to tell me that her cancer had returned. Maybe it wasn't that long ago. But it feels that long.<br />
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Her breast cancer has returned in her liver, her lungs, and her lymph nodes. Metastatic breast cancer. Now there is something you don't want to google.<br />
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Words simply cannot express my heartache.<br />
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My heart aches for my momma. Who is in a lot of pain. And is about to face one the toughest monsters on earth and try to beat it for the rest of her life. (No pressure or anything, mom, but I am rooting for that whole 32 years thing that you were saying about that one lady.)<br />
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My heart aches for my daddy. Who will stand by and hold my momma's hand as she faces the monster. Knowing that his days with the love of his life are numbered.<br />
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My heart aches for my girls. Who will only get a limited amount of time knowing their awesome nana.<br />
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My heart aches for me. Because, really, who am I going to call when I need paint colors? Or to give me advice? Or to just call and talk to about how we both hate talking on the phone?<br />
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The reality is that God could heal my mom. He is the only one who could.<br />
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But even if He chooses not to. I praise Him. Because I know that my momma still has some time. Not enough. But time nonetheless. And I am so thankful for that.<br />
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Guys, my mom is pretty great. Growing up, she would jump on beds with us and make us laugh like no other. Even hide to scare me so that I would stop scaring my brother. (I may or may not have been 17 at this point.What can I say? I still love scaring Michael.) She cooks some of the world's best food. (I mean I am seriously bummed that I didn't get any of her pie today!) She taught me the most important parts of being a mom and a wife. (Especially balancing family life while keeping the house clean.) And how to be a really good friend. (Relationships require give and take.) And I would not be who I am today if it were not for her.<br />
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I love you momma.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-43613072154192857942015-11-26T22:55:00.000-05:002015-11-26T22:55:15.230-05:00Cherished Moment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last night Charlotte couldn't sleep because she was super congested. I went in her room about 4 times over an hour before deciding to hold her on my chest in the recliner and let her sleep on me.<br />
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I hardly got any sleep. But at around 7 she woke up and we moved to the couch. She laid next to me with her chubby fingers and kept stroking my cheek and playing with my hair.<br />
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She's two.<br />
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I am not sure how many more times she will do this. Or how many more times she will sleep on my chest.<br />
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So I cherish these things in my heart. No sleep and all.<br />
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-85041075457233442902015-09-16T15:47:00.001-04:002015-09-16T15:52:51.186-04:00God Used You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently Adam and I shared our stories with our church family. Adam posted our "<a href="http://theologyboardgameslife.blogspot.com/2015/09/faith-story.html">script</a>" over on his blog if you missed it and want to check it out. For the life of me, I could not decide whether I wanted to share about my miscarriage or not. It felt too raw. Even up until the morning of, I was trying to decide. I had written out what I was going to say. It didn't feel like enough. But in light of what we were talking about, it didn't seem right to add more. <br />
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So, maybe this is a better place to put down what I wish I could have said. What I wish could have been summed up in that tiny paragraph.<br />
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This past year has been a complete turn around for me.<br />
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I wrote a couple of very raw posts that never saw the light on facebook. I only made myself vulnerable to those that are my true followers. (Shout out to the 7 of you that I know are reading.) You can find those by searching by the "miscarriage" label if you are super curious. But the point of this post isn't about where I was as much as where I am now and the process that I went through to get here.<br />
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During the last 2 (almost 3! Wow!) years, I questioned everything I had ever been taught about God. Even His existence. I consider this my darkest time. My most alone time. I wanted very much for God to rescue me and make it all better. I didn't want to grieve. I didn't want to think about it. But that never happened. I was forced to face the fact that my baby was not going to have a breath here on earth and that God was the One that allowed this to happen. I had no desire to seek God out.<br />
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So He sought me. And He used you to do it.<br />
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It started right away.<br />
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I had a friend drop of a special gift and literally hug and cry with me. My birthday was 2 weeks after I lost the baby and several of my closest friends took time off to go away with me to celebrate. One friend brought me meals for my freezer and gave me books that helped her through her time of loss. (Seriously yall, I did not want to get up some days. Those meals were great!) Several friends were willing to let me talk through the most painful times and not once did they try to offer advice or pretend to know what I was going through. Several of you shared your stories with me to encourage me and let me know that I am not alone. One friend sent me a sweet ribbon in memory of my baby. Others have sent cards, texts, and emails to let me know that they haven't forgotten about my sweet baby.<br />
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During this time, I had a very special conversation that I really consider the place that my heart started to let down the wall I had put up with God. I had asked someone special to me how to move forward. I felt so stuck. I wanted to cry and miss my baby, but I also wanted to have joy because of the new life that I was carrying at the time. And was it ok that I wanted to do both? And in the mean time, did God really love me? Me. Specifically. And how. I wanted to feel His love in a tangible way. At the time, I listened and gleaned the wisdom imparted to me. All while sobbing through my sandwich. (This whole conversation took place at lunch at a homeschool convention.) As I look back, I have no doubt that even that conversation was God telling me that He loved me which is ironic since that was one of the things I was asking about.<br />
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Another friend shared with me how she realized that her children are simply on loan to her from God. That He knows how much time that they have on this earth and while she doesn't know how long that is, she surrenders her children to Him. What an amazing testimony?!<br />
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One other way God spoke to me was through music. One of my closest friends had said to me that she thought music was going to bring me healing. I laughed at her at the time. But after that it seemed like I kept finding songs that held how I felt. Here are a few of the ones that helped me through that time.<br />
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The first one was Give Me Faith. I shared about that one <a href="http://kristasjoyinthejourney.blogspot.com/2014/03/little-old-me.html">here</a>.<br />
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Shortly after that I found these two songs by Plumb. I Need You Now and I Want You Here.<br />
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Draw me Nearer by Meredith Andrews<br />
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My favorite one of all of them is What I Know by Tricia because I found it when I really had no doubt that if I hung on to what I know then I would one day feel His presence again.<br />
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God used <b>you guys </b>to draw me back to Him! I thank Him for all of you!<br />
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Today I was in a Bible study where I was reminded of how God wants a relationship with me. He desires a deep intimate relationship with me. And when I sat there and thought about how I wanted that with Him, I realized that my heart had changed. I'm not sure specifically when my heart changed. I definitely see times that I was trying to change. But today I know my heart is in a good place. I no longer feel angry or bitter. Or wounded. But at peace.<br />
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That's not to say I don't grieve my baby. My baby would have turned 2 in August. It makes me sad to think about missed days. Missed firsts. Missed lasts. Boo-boos to kiss. Fingers to count.<br />
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It is to say, though, that God has walked me through the dark valley and I am finally once again walking where I feel Him walking with me and know that He does love me and care for me. And I don't think I would be in this place if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you.</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-63184983478531056262015-09-16T14:07:00.002-04:002015-09-16T15:57:36.601-04:00I LOVE my house<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever lived in a house that just truly felt like home?<br />
fir<br />
I have lived in a lot of places. 25 to be exact. And that only counts 1 of my many dorm rooms.<br />
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Most of the time I would agree that "home is where the heart is", but in my current house I would have to say, "home is where the heart is and also where I reside".<br />
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I love my house. And let me tell you why.<br />
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And while we are at it... let me give you the tour.<br />
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When you enter my house you are welcomed by a big open space. I wasn't thrilled with the stairs being the first thing you see when you walk inside, but after living here for 2 years, I love that it is just wide open.<br />
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The dining room is also right at the entrance. It's large and holds our huge table and there is also space for my dish cabinet for my dishes from my Mema and Pepa. </div>
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One of my favorite "areas" of the house is my kitchen and living room area. Everything about this area makes me want to sit down with some coffee and a book. Maybe even get a fire going. This is the space that I put a lot of time into decorating and choosing colors. My kitchen is amazing to cook and bake in because of the counter space. There is plenty of space for me to spread out and if the girls want to help, it is not too crowded. It will be the most difficult space for me to leave.</div>
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Our old house was really nice for the time we were there, but one of the things I hated about it was how loud it was when the girls were playing. Now they have their own space upstairs and so even though I don't use that space for myself, I love every inch of it. </div>
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My favorite space in the whole house, besides the living area, is my master suite. My room is way too big for just a bedroom so it is also my work-out room and my craft room. And my bathroom has the best acoustics. I have my own sink which may seem silly to some people, but I love having my own sink. And my closet. Ya'll my closet is amazing. Yes. My master suite is my hideaway.</div>
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While the basement is not my favorite space in the house, I have used it on occasion. Adam would live down there if I would let him since it is his space. It's a nice area, I just prefer my living room. </div>
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As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, I hope that I can love my next house as much as I love this one. And that whoever buys my house, loves it as much as I have.</div>
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If only we could move this house to 5 acres.</div>
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Lots of wonderful memories made here.</div>
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<a href="https://mlsmyhome.com/default.asp?f=listing_details&listingid=445849">Here</a> is the link for our listing.</div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-7123719033990754992015-08-05T12:14:00.000-04:002015-08-05T12:14:03.052-04:00Today I Gave Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In May I had planned on doing another round of May Mingle. I even had a few people tell me that they would be happy to do a guest blog for me. The months before and after flew by and I completely spaced it. My friend <a href="http://rapunzalscastle.blogspot.com/">Katherine</a> sent me her blog and when I couldn't open it on my phone, I decided to open it later on the computer. And that didn't happen until today. And honestly after reading her beautifully written blog, I can't help but wonder if the timing is perfect.<br />
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Katherine and I were "forced" friends. Our husbands have been best friends since childhood and so saying that we married into the relationship is a great way to word the start of our friendship. Over the years, Katherine and I have formed our own bond and I consider her one of my closest friends. It's an honor to share this blog that was on her heart.<br />
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Today I Gave Grace</div>
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Any mom knows the problems encountered by trying to teach
their children responsibility. You're
all familiar with the nagging, begging, cajoling, and frustration associated
with homework, chores, and just about anything else child-related. And let's
not forget the shameful times that I've lost my temper with my children.
Mentally raise your hands if you relate to this. Yep, thought so. I know I'm
not the only one!</div>
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This day was another one of those days. It was a Saturday and
I had my list of things to get done. My
two-year-old was busy undoing everything behind me that I had just
accomplished. Silverware was on the floor, clothes were pulled out of the
dresser and strewn on the floor, throw blankets had been pulled out of their
baskets and trampled on, and couch cushions were in disarray. And the books!
Oh, the books everywhere!!! Needless to say that my dishes and laundry chores
were taking much longer to complete. I needed my boys to help and I had fun
things on the list to do with the kids after we were all finished.</div>
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But my two boys, ages 7 and 9, had other ideas. They decided
that it would be much more fun to turn room cleaning into an all day event.
Something which they had perfected through much practice. Somehow putting away a basket of laundry that
I had already sorted and folded was akin to slave labor. Emptying the garbage
can? Impossible without somehow spreading half of the trash all over the
kitchen. That I had just swept and mopped. I kept hearing the sounds of
harmonicas, toys, and other noises that distinctly indicated cleaning was not
happening at anything resembling speed. Multiple check-ups on the boys to
redirect, refocus, and attempt to motivate seemed fruitless. Finally after
taking away several toys and privileges the boys found the motivation to
complete their chores. I was beyond worn out and honestly wanted nothing more
than to send them to bed. Some peace and quiet sounded like heaven! And surely
the boys needed to contemplate their actions to learn from them. With my
patience worn thin, my mother's heart was not sympathetic at this point.</div>
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Until my precious 9 year-old reminded me of something. At
long last, with their room done, my children came to me to make their
report. My oldest asked somewhat sadly,
“Mom, we probably don't deserve to play video games, do we?” And this is
extremely hard for me. Beyond hard. I'm a justice person. I see things in black
and white, right and wrong. I see the need for people to learn consequences of
their actions. I'm all about teachable moments. Not kidding when I say that one
of my fears is that my kids will grow up being irresponsible! So it comes
without much guesswork that I didn't want to reward my children for the actions
of the day.</div>
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But then I saw the correlation to my own life. How many times
have we been given things by our loving heavenly Father that we don't deserve?
How many times have we worn his patience by disobeying, and needing constant direction?
How often has God had to remind me to stay on task, to trust him, to complete
what we've been working on? But he still gives us grace, the gifts that we
don't deserve. So I gathered my boys into my arms (something that's getting
progressively harder as they insist on growing taller), and asked them if they
knew what grace is. If they knew that God loves them unconditionally. We had a
conversation about the amazing love of an awesome God. That love doesn't excuse
disobedience and sometimes consequences cannot be negated. But that doesn't
diminish the love. That day my heart was
softened and taught a lesson. And I got the privilege of passing on the
blessing to my children. The timer was set and we played games together before
tackling the next project on the list together.
My children do need to keep working on responsibility and work ethic. I
need to learn consistency and patience. And we all need to learn more about the
grace of God.</div>
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Today, I gave grace.
Something our Father always gives.</div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-72876245451468360012015-04-26T21:45:00.000-04:002015-04-26T21:45:49.638-04:00How It All Began<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When Adam introduced himself to me at school, I thought he was handsome, but little did I know he would one day be my husband. <div>
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Adam invited some friends and me to visit him my first summer at school. On the way out to Indiana I got super nervous about seeing him, but didn't really understand why because I wasn't even sure that I liked him more than a friend.</div>
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Over the course of my visit, Adam talked with me and asked me to pray about dating him. I had made the decision to be single all summer so that I could spend some time focused on myself and my relationship with God and I appreciated that he respected that decision.<div>
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Over the next few months, I worked through my own self insecurities and struggles while praying constantly about Adam. </div>
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When school started back up in the fall Adam came to me with a necklace that he had made. This necklace was made of 3 cords and he explained that if we worked together with God that we could handle anything. He gave me the necklace and told me that if and when I wanted to date him I could simply wear the necklace and then he would know that I was ready. </div>
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On September 2nd, after Adam's basketball practice was over, I put on the necklace. My best friend Meggan almost broke my neck when she helped me yank off my other necklace and put his necklace on.</div>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-58763186578207519742015-04-22T15:56:00.000-04:002015-04-22T16:19:32.037-04:00Exercise Is Not My Thing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When people say that I should find something I enjoy and do it when referring to exercise, I simply smile and nod.<br />
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I enjoy sleep. And unfortunately that doesn't count as exercise.<br />
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Not many of the things I enjoy doing would count as exercise.<br />
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So if I waited until I found something that I liked there is a chance that I never find anything that would count as exercise.<br />
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That is one of the reasons I chose to run. It's quick. Mindless. Focused. And burns calories.<br />
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For me, I had to just choose something.<br />
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Because in order to be healthy, I need to be active. And being active means doing more than sleeping.<br />
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Sunday, I ran my 1st 5k of the year. The Graffiti 5k. My bestie Annie and I found a pretty good deal on groupon and grabbed it while we could. My Dad decided to join us as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVI1rYsTIpnT1QT8MkC-Oc9RiTbhjyGlj-W4w19YIjN3nfkngCdi0xw1wEW143YT3LD6v9HrtGCXKwBSmfvFNVcZjNq7tPYM5Y_j-dbEHb5566bre_U_pETPRtkKxFhGXEsmbRY2hCWU/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVI1rYsTIpnT1QT8MkC-Oc9RiTbhjyGlj-W4w19YIjN3nfkngCdi0xw1wEW143YT3LD6v9HrtGCXKwBSmfvFNVcZjNq7tPYM5Y_j-dbEHb5566bre_U_pETPRtkKxFhGXEsmbRY2hCWU/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have to say how proud I am of my Dad. He made time to train for this race and like me has never been a runner nor enjoyed running. He lost 20 pounds during the training! He pushed himself the whole race even when he was super parched. He finished strong. I know I said it a thousand times, but Dad I am so very proud of you and I cannot wait to hear which race you sign up for next.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORVq1H1QcoP6wzcDc9_IIUO_233oQZr3i14Zybffy4vIwJeu_hiI_SodPa1OXIgr5Du2kF6BN_jTLK0xCV00KWNN1rUuuIzh_sG1vfE3TDlftf6qXINahKwivAnJLbzbaZde-XdS8Hi4/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORVq1H1QcoP6wzcDc9_IIUO_233oQZr3i14Zybffy4vIwJeu_hiI_SodPa1OXIgr5Du2kF6BN_jTLK0xCV00KWNN1rUuuIzh_sG1vfE3TDlftf6qXINahKwivAnJLbzbaZde-XdS8Hi4/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">My bestie Annie also impressed me. She is about 18 weeks pregnant and still ran. That first trimester is so exhausting and yet she stuck with her decision to run and kept up the whole time. Proud of you too, Annie!</span></div>
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This race was super fun and charged with energy. There was not a moment that I was bored or dying and wishing for the end. Other than needing more water stations during the race, I have no complaints. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I enjoyed myself. It was such a fun time. If you are thinking of trying out running for yourself, I highly recommend a color run as your first race.<br />
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With all of that being said, instead of waiting to find something you enjoy, I say "Get up and do something!" You may not enjoy it. You may hate every moment of it. But your body needs it. Your body wants it. Get up off of the couch. Don't waste another second. You won't regret it. Get up and do something!</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-79721009771992640382015-04-15T16:41:00.000-04:002015-04-15T16:41:04.992-04:00Don't Say The "D" Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
10 years ago around this time Adam and I were finishing up our premarital counseling in preparation for our quickly approaching wedding.<br />
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So for the next 10 weeks, I am going to be sharing about the last 10 years.<br />
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Today I want to share about one of the most important pieces of marital advice we received. Our pastor and his wife that did our premarital counseling were great. They did their best to share not only from their own experience, but also share from the Bible and what God says about marriage.<br />
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What was this great piece of advice?<br />
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Don't say the "D" word.<br />
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Divorce.<br />
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When you fight.<br />
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When you are angry.<br />
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When you are hurt.<br />
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When you are at your wit's end.<br />
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When you are joking around.<br />
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Don't say it.<br />
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When I decided to marry Adam, I decided to marry him for as long as I live. I told him so. In front of about 200 of our closest family and friends. This commitment that I made to him and with him was also a commitment that I made to God. A covenant.<br />
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Our marriage is not perfect.<br />
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We fight. And things get heated.<br />
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We get on each other's nerves. And disagree.<br />
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But "divorce" has never been a part of our vocabulary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJjHkrdKyn-FQhZblcyqV5OEmS87YjoWa1mShE_t4LI-rCnoD9f9AKEzsvdzkGnWbpm1B_6CcuYZvJfMhalvA1QxnS2LO9zEn38VSGOYqOSCRvNrfjuR8wZOTevIZ72vi2v7j2NEQ72Q/s1600/getpicture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJjHkrdKyn-FQhZblcyqV5OEmS87YjoWa1mShE_t4LI-rCnoD9f9AKEzsvdzkGnWbpm1B_6CcuYZvJfMhalvA1QxnS2LO9zEn38VSGOYqOSCRvNrfjuR8wZOTevIZ72vi2v7j2NEQ72Q/s1600/getpicture3.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 1st Anniversary</td></tr>
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Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-88350557332433238052015-04-02T15:51:00.000-04:002015-04-02T15:51:30.051-04:0021 Day Fix<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For the last 21 days, I did the 21 day fix and it was awesome. The program is based on the concept that it takes 21 days to form a habit, giving you 21 days to form good habits.<br />
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It is by far the best program I have ever done. <br />
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Since the healthier eating was going to be something I knew I would struggle with, I decided to get the challenge pack through beachbody that included Shakeology. Shakeology is their meal replacement shakes. I got the chocolate and really liked it. I added spinach to it and it helped me get some veggies in for the day and it really didn't change the flavor at all.<br />
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The workouts were amazing. I love the 20ish seconds between workouts to get water and I love that Autumn is so encouraging and pushes you to do more. She is constantly saying "you can do anything for 60 seconds" and she is so right. The workouts were difficult and I was constantly sore and sweaty which are both great things in my opinion.<br />
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The eating plan was so easy to follow and while I missed my sweets at first, I really didn't struggle with cravings at all. I did cheat a little in that I had 1 tablespoon of creamer in my coffee everyday in spite of them saying not to. I skipped the nuts and seeds too. Since my goal wasn't to torture myself, but to change my bad habits and make a better eating lifestyle for myself, I kept my creamer and skipped the seeds/nuts.<br />
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My results were pretty great in my opinion. I went down two pant sizes in the short amount of time. I lost 7 inches overall and 5 pounds.<br />
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After some debate, I decided not to post my before and after picture here. However, if you are interested in knowing more about the program and would like to see the picture, send me a message on facebook and maybe I will send it to you.<br />
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I loved every aspect of this and I will be doing this again in a couple of weeks. My first 5k for the year is coming up and I need to train for that, but once that is behind me, I will start doing this again because it definitely brings results.</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-1414574828169311962015-03-13T07:41:00.000-04:002015-03-13T07:41:06.233-04:00Where are you at?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Good morning readers! I hope you guys are having a fabulous Friday.<br />
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Just thought I would check-in with ya'll to see how you all are doing with your own resolutions for the year and let you know where I am at with mine.<br />
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My first goal was to work-out 4-6 times a week and I am so happy to say that I have done this every week! Some weeks have been super busy so squeezing in 4 work-outs was a major stretch, but it definitely has gotten easier. Losing weight has been a slow process, but that is because I am gaining muscle in the process. Even so, I have lost 6.4 pounds since Jan 4 which is the day before I started my work-out goal. Since January I have lost 7 inches in my waist alone so I know I am making better progress than the scale wants me to think.<br />
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Thinking patterns are so hard to change. Honestly, I have spent some time praying for Adam and the girls, but could still use a ton of improvement in this area. I haven't been working near as hard on this as I would like. So, this goal needs to take a higher priority in my life for sure.<br />
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As far as the daily life goes, keeping the house picked up comes in phases depending on our busy schedule. I have done alright. The toys are always picked up before I sit down to relax at night. The dishes and kitchen floor have been the bigger struggle. It simply depends on the day and how exhausted I am. I am not giving up though! In January I went to extreme efforts to stay in budget and I went over by $4 because I had bought some snacks at Target that I forgot I had bought and since Target is not my usual grocery spot, I didn't even think about that receipt having groceries on it when I was calculating how much I had left in Jan. In February I stayed in budget, but it was a shorter month. March is in full swing. Not sure how the month is going to go. Especially since I am trying super hard to eat better foods and that can get pricey.<br />
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Overall, still finding the balance in all of these things.<br />
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How are you guys doing? The year isn't over! So, if you have found that your goals are already a thing of the past, you can dust them off and start again today! You can do it!</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615445093198046179.post-11457802915638638602015-01-22T19:58:00.000-05:002015-01-22T20:14:53.452-05:00New Year's Resolutions and What Not<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, new years has come and gone.<br />
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But I still have a ton of resolutions for this year. When I look at my list, it is much more than my usual 3 items, but I am not overwhelmed by it.<br />
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This year I am also taking on a word. My friend Annie does this every year and this year the word "balance" kept coming to me when I thought of my resolutions. I need balance in so many areas of my life. Those areas are where I have my resolutions as well.<br />
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First, is health. I want to eat well and feed my family nutritious foods, but also enjoy food that may not be nutritious. I want balance in not going to one extreme or the other. My personal goal is to lose 15-25 pounds by my anniversary in June. Adam and I have been married for 10 years this year and I want to look my best when we celebrate. I also want to work-out between 4-6 times a week all year. Now that I have 1 5K behind me, I want to continue to run. My first 5K of the year will also be my first 5K with my parents. After a lot of conversation and convincing, they have agreed to do this run with me and I am extremely excited to have them join me. My resolution is to run 2+ 5K's this year. Ultimately, I want to finish the year feeling good in my skin.<br />
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Next, is my spiritual walk. My thoughts tend to be "glass half-empty", pessimistic, and negative towards others around me. I want my thoughts to be more focused on God and that of Philippians 4:8. This one leads to my next goal of praying for Adam and the girls on a regular basis. I also want to find more joy in my children and to laugh and have more fun with my family. These things are important to my spiritual walk because God has blessed me with this little family and since He is the giver of joy, I know I need to look to Him for this.<br />
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Lastly, is daily living. This last year I struggled to stay in budget. I hope to stay within budget on groceries for 9 out of 12 months this year. Something else that seemed to get away from me was my house. I want to keep up with it better, making time for quick clean-up every night and quick deep clean once a week so it stays clean overall.<br />
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What are some of your resolutions and goals for 2015? Do you have a word for the year? 2015 is going to be a good year. Looking forward to sharing it with all of you!</div>
Kristahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16328741349525024321noreply@blogger.com0