tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50724127385425265992024-03-05T14:32:56.170-05:00My Thoughts ExactlyAn assembling of quotes, verses, inspirations, poems, books, author interviews and my thoughts.Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-72571001858600904072016-09-07T15:27:00.001-04:002016-09-07T15:27:49.149-04:00Though My Heart is Torn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DKVQqc7oFc/V9BoVIRfx8I/AAAAAAAABC8/yZ_X3Nf328obbKkI_hnumODtqzZrcPzygCLcB/s1600/Though%2BMy%2BHeart%2Bis%2BTorn%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DKVQqc7oFc/V9BoVIRfx8I/AAAAAAAABC8/yZ_X3Nf328obbKkI_hnumODtqzZrcPzygCLcB/s320/Though%2BMy%2BHeart%2Bis%2BTorn%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I recently finished reading <b>Though My Heart is Torn</b> by <b>Joanne Bischof</b>. This is a wonderful second book in the Cadence of Grace series.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lonnie and Gideon's journey continues, filled with heartache and characters wrestling with whys and regrets. While heartbreaking, this story has its hopeful moments, and is filled with the tenderness and realness that Joanne Bischof is known for. The rugged backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains is beautifully portrayed. I can easily imagine myself there, and the struggles of life in the mountains.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't want to give away the story, so I won't say more. Just know that I highly, highly recommend the entire series (I just started reading book three!) and any books written by Joanne.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can find Joanne's website here: <a href="http://www.joannebischof.com/">http://www.joannebischof.com</a></span></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-71295841223351947602015-05-31T04:05:00.001-04:002015-05-31T04:05:54.693-04:00Go Pro<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtCNeoGSJ4Q/VWq90op7T-I/AAAAAAAABBQ/GoSI9G9w3GQ/s1600/go%2Bpro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtCNeoGSJ4Q/VWq90op7T-I/AAAAAAAABBQ/GoSI9G9w3GQ/s320/go%2Bpro.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished reading <b>Go Pro</b> by <b>Eric Worre</b>. This is a relatively short, easy to understand guide to becoming a network marketing professional. Usually I don't read "help books", but I had to read this for a class. I actually really enjoyed it! So much so that I will read it again and again in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Eric provides so many great, simple tips that <i>really </i>make a difference. It's not a bunch of baloney and it's not crazy difficult. You just have to work hard and probably adjust the way that you've been doing things in your business.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is part of a network marketing (direct selling, home business, multi-level marketing, etc.) company or</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">You can visit Eric Worre's website here: <a href="http://networkmarketingpro.com/">http://networkmarketingpro.com/</a></span> </span></span><br />
<br />Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-86488607053255354182015-05-12T11:19:00.001-04:002015-05-12T11:21:48.355-04:00Five Minute Friday - Meet<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't done this in a long time, and it's not Friday, but I want to write. Last week's prompt was Meet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting up regularly with fellow Christians is a good way to stay encouraged and focused on God. I've definitely noticed that if I'm spending a lot of time with non-Christians, I feel a lot less peaceful, like there's a "disturbance in the force" (Star Wars reference).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I spend time with godly people, I feel a lot more uplifted, more joyous, and more at peace. Christian friends encourage us, pray for us, and hold us accountable, and that's an awesome thing. So we need to keep doing that! We need to keep going to church, Bible study, and other places where Christians can be found. Then, when we go out into the ungodly world, we have that peace and joy within us and we can spread it to the unsaved people we encounter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that includes "meeting" online! Whether in a Facebook group, on a blog, or somewhere else, you can find online Christian community. And you can also spread the joy and peace online in what you say and what you share. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Let us not give up <u>meeting</u> together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. </i>Hebrews 10:25</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">That's it for today. You can find more posts about Meet <a href="http://katemotaung.com/2015/05/07/five-minute-friday-meet-plus-more-retreat-news-a-video/" target="_blank">here</a> (scroll down to see the bloggers who have linked up), and you can find out what Five Minute Friday is and how it got started by clicking the button below. Have a great day!</span></span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-33131892673135473872015-05-11T23:32:00.000-04:002015-05-11T23:32:03.178-04:00The Wife of Noble Character<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9dZpeoc0ts/VVFz8KeT3BI/AAAAAAAABAc/u6ydWwQEBwY/s1600/Proverbs%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9dZpeoc0ts/VVFz8KeT3BI/AAAAAAAABAc/u6ydWwQEBwY/s400/Proverbs%2B31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-26625472631118767292015-02-03T00:04:00.002-05:002015-02-03T00:04:57.317-05:00Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award is an award that recognizes the unique voices of women across the world.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I want to thank <a href="http://redemptiondrawsnear.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Debbie Mitchell</a> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: center;">for nominating me for this Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">Here are the rules:</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">2. Put the Award logo on your blog.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">3. Answer 10 questions you've been sent.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">4. Make up 10 new questions for your nominees to answer.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">Here are the questions I was sent and my answers:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">1. Did you decide to start a blog or were you encouraged to do so? If encouraged, by whom?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I decided on my own, but I had been reading blogs by other women, which made me realize I could make my own. It was so long ago that I'm not sure, but it was most likely to share book reviews.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">2. In 2014, what was your greatest accomplishment?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I think I'd have to say starting my current novel-in-progress. I wrote a good solid start, I really love the characters, I participated in NaNoWriMo with this book, and I even designed the cover.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">3. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">That's a really hard question. I have been working on reading through the Bible but I haven't read all of it yet, plus there are so many verses to choose from! The one I'm thinking of right now is Exodus 23:20. "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared." It really helps me to know that God is protecting me and that if I follow His path, things will work out for good.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">4. If there was a movie written about your life, what would the title of that movie be?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Wow! I really don't know. The Nerdy, Compassionate Writer or something like that. Lol :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">5. Do you make New Year's resolutions? Why or why not?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">No, not really. I don't see a reason to wait until one certain day to make a resolution. Yes, the first day of the year simulates a fresh start, but really, I'd rather just try every day to do the best I can.</span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">6. If you could bring back just one deceased relative for a day, who would it be and why?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Wow. Well, thankfully, I've never lost anyone extremely close to me. I'd say my great-grandmother. She was a wonderful lady, and I feel sad that I don't remember her very well anymore. I know it would make my whole family happy to see her again. Thankfully, I know I will see her, some day, in heaven.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">7. You are a reporter on assignment... Where are you and what's the story about?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I'm in the Galapagos Islands reporting on giant tortoises and tropical penguins!</span></span> And taking lots of pictures :)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">8. If Facebook was suddenly gone, would it upset you? Why or why not?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Yes and no. Ultimately, yes, it would upset me. Sometimes I get sick of having to check my notifications, and the fact that I often end up spending a lot of time when I do log on. BUT, it is extremely helpful with keeping in contact with friends and relatives, and making more friends! I have met a whole group of wonderful women online and we stay connected through Facebook. My business also greatly relies on Facebook to share new products, teach classes, stay connected with my team members, ask questions, etc.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">9. There are so many colors in the rainbow. What is your favorite color and why?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Blue has always been my favorite. There are other colors that I like or used to like, but blue is the one that has stayed constant. I wear blue jeans almost every day. I love the blue sky, clear blue water, blue eyes... It's simply a gorgeous color. And it goes with a lot of other colors!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">10. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself when it comes to productivity? Is there a certain project that you've never completed?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Yikes. That one hits home a bit. I tend to be most productive on the computer. Researching things, sharing information, planning, writing, and more. With other things, I often fall behind. One thing I never finished was a pillow for my brother. I was attempting to make him this awesome Minecraft pillow for Christmas LAST year, we've now gone through two Christmases and two of his birthdays, and I haven't gotten it made. It was way more difficult than I imagined. But I really should try again. I should be able to come up with an easier version, even if it's not as great as I hoped.</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">That was fun! Thanks for the challenging questions, Debbie :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">Okay, I nominate:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://jessiegunderson.com/blog-schmog/" target="_blank">Jessie Gunderson</a>, <a href="https://lmbartelt.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Bartelt</a>, <a href="http://pwnmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Ladette Kerr, </a></span></span></span></span></span></span> <a href="http://heathermauthor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Heather Manning</a>, <a href="http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Casey Herringshaw</a>, <a href="http://poetics-of-life.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tracy Finch</a>, <a href="https://sudryandspecific.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Penner</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">Your questions, ladies:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">1. When did you realize you enjoyed writing?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">2. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">What is your favorite thing to write about? (Life, books, devotions, etc.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">3. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">What's the best book you read in the last year and/or what book are you most looking forward to this year?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">4. If you could go anywhere for a one week vacation, where would you go and why?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">5. Who is your favorite Bible character?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">6. Do you like to go to bed early or are you a night owl? Do you like to sleep in or are you an early riser?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">7. If you could have any job you wanted, what would you choose and why?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">8. What is your favorite color?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">9. What is your all-time favorite movie?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">10. Where do you hope to be (whether geographically, spiritually, career-related, or otherwise) a year from now?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: justify;">Thank you for stopping by my blog :) I hope you enjoyed my answers, and I hope you'll check in at the other blogs soon to see their answers to my questions. </span></span></span></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-53646464168333574442014-10-18T00:59:00.000-04:002014-10-18T00:59:00.425-04:00Five Minute Friday - Long<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The nights are <i>long</i> when I'm here by myself. My husband works until 2 am, and I'm bored, and it's dark, and sometimes I get scared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When he gets home we make dinner, watch a tv show or two, or even go grocery shopping. Yes. At 2:30 in the morning, we go grocery shopping.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We do most of the same things "normal" people do. Just at a much later time. You don't go to bed as soon as your or your spouse gets home from work, do you?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we go to sleep around 4. Or maybe 5. And then we wake up sometime later than most of you. So while the nights are long, the days are <i>short</i>. And that makes the nights seem even longer. Especially now, when it gets dark around 6 pm.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the thing to remember is no matter how long or short our days seem, they are always 24 hours. 24 hours God gave us to live for Him. And I know I fall <i>short</i> of that, a lot.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I'm trying not to waste the time and trying to figure out what He wants me to be doing with it.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How about you? Do you feel like you spend too much time on stuff and things and not enough on the important? How do you know what's important?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every Friday a bunch of bloggers write for five(ish) minutes using a word prompt found on Kate Motaung's blog. Then we link up and read each other's posts. Check it out by clicking the button below. You're welcome to join us!</span></span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-68147915498946986402014-09-20T04:51:00.000-04:002014-09-20T04:51:00.841-04:00Food For Thought<span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wolverine and a pinata...</span></b></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-91209829862121480052014-04-11T20:27:00.002-04:002014-04-11T20:31:01.996-04:00Five Minute Friday - Paint<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't done this in a while. I think my last one was in November! Yikes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every Friday Lisa-Jo Baker invites women (men, too, I guess) over to her blog to get a word prompt. Simply start a new blog post and write for five minutes on that topic. It's that simple! Although, it's not always easy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's Five Minute Friday word is Paint.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy painting. It's colorful. It's a fun kind of messy. You can roll it on smooth, create some nice brush strokes, or you can splatter it all over the place like crazy. I prefer that third method.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's amazing how a new coat or color can change so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A white room looks open and clean, but if the paint starts to crack, peel, and get dirty, it doesn't look great. If we put a new coat over top, it will look bright again, but there will be bumps and blemishes. But if you sand the wall first, then put on the new coat, it will look like new again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Say you have a room that's painted dark green. Only those who absolutely love that color are going to feel comfortable there. Otherwise, it feels gloomy, dark, and small. Dark colors can be depressing. But if you change the walls in the exact same room to, say, bright yellow, suddenly you feel happier, and the room looks brighter and more open.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same goes for us. And I'm not just talking about clothing or makeup, although it applies there, too. But ourselves. Our hearts, souls, minds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We start out as perfect little babies, but soon we start sinning, getting hurt, getting dirty, and pretty soon we're not gonna look so great. We can act like everything's okay and try to keep the blemishes inside, but eventually it will show no matter how hard we try. Like putting a new coat of paint over the old one. Or we can just let it take over us. Become depressed and gloomy, like the dark green room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if we go to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness, dig into the Word, and allow the Lord to heal us first, then when we put on that new coat, there's no ugliness underneath to creep through. We'll be like the dark room after it's painted bright yellow.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I had the opportunity to attend a women's conference, and one of the speakers, Sharon Norris Elliott, talked about putting on the armor of God, and how it won't fit right if we put it on over top of the other stuff we're wearing. We've got to remove our bad stuff before putting on our power suit, so that it will fit right and protect us in the way it's supposed to. You can get her book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/power-suit-armor-the-feminine-frame/sharon-elliott/9781596692381/pd/692381?product_redirect=1&Ntt=692381&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read more posts on Paint, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/04/what-to-do-with-the-broken-bits-and-pieces-of-your-story/" target="_blank">here</a>. (Scroll down a bit to read Lisa-Jo's post and then scroll down some more to see the list of other bloggers who participated.) To find out more about Five Minute Friday, how it started, and how you can join in, click the button below.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Five Minute Friday"><img alt="Five Minute Friday" src="http://lisajobaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5minutefriday.jpg" style="border: medium none;" title="Five Minute Friday" /></a></div>
Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-68961158672456071612013-11-23T00:26:00.002-05:002013-11-23T00:32:43.741-05:00Five Minute Friday - Fly<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Five Minute Friday. Get the word prompt from Lisa-Jo Baker's blog, and then just write for five minutes without worrying about it being just right. Today's word is Fly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight. I love it. I understand the desire for it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPCAp9ej6fE/UpAj5YEuVFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/0QJ34DygQ04/s1600/PB130006+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPCAp9ej6fE/UpAj5YEuVFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/0QJ34DygQ04/s400/PB130006+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first time I remember being on a plane was when I was five years old, headed to a family reunion in Illinois. I barely remember it. I know we chewed bubblegum and my little brothers chewed on tootsie rolls to keep our ears from popping. I think it happened anyway.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cbl1XXWcxbY/UpAiz9LGf0I/AAAAAAAAA7c/-LmWvCXfY5M/s1600/20130818_184930+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cbl1XXWcxbY/UpAiz9LGf0I/AAAAAAAAA7c/-LmWvCXfY5M/s400/20130818_184930+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandfather introduced me to the show The A-Team when I was ten. It is still my favorite show. Murdock was and is my favorite character. The crazy pilot.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP_BkGbgpoI/UpAfTqn6YgI/AAAAAAAAA7M/rUAMzHEOzQA/s1600/helicopter+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP_BkGbgpoI/UpAfTqn6YgI/AAAAAAAAA7M/rUAMzHEOzQA/s400/helicopter+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandparents volunteered at a Wycliffe Bible Translators office for many years. And every year we went to their annual family weekend at a local airport. I still look forward to it every year. No matter if I get to fly anywhere else, I have a guaranteed chance to fly once every year at the fair. Some years I take a helicopter ride, some years a small plane. The planes vary. Everything from a six seater to an eleven. And I go all day so I can watch them fly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love driving past our local airport. I don't often get to see anything taking off or landing. But the planes are lined up on the side of the runway. And at night, the lights of the runway are almost magical. The anticipation of flight.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx5l7of3hTo/UpA0GvXZCiI/AAAAAAAAA70/PbFAa6k2rDc/s1600/20130817_133741+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx5l7of3hTo/UpA0GvXZCiI/AAAAAAAAA70/PbFAa6k2rDc/s400/20130817_133741+-+Copy.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to be a pilot, someday. Meanwhile, I can take at least one ride a year, and continue to dream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Leonardo da Vinci said, "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do you like to fly? Do you love it? Besides planes and helicopters, I love roller coasters, and totally want to go skydiving someday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">To read more posts on Fly, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/11/five-minute-friday-fly/" target="_blank">here</a>. To learn more about Five Minute Fridays, click the button below. And have a wonderful weekend!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span> </span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-37392137092451321422013-11-20T19:41:00.000-05:002013-11-21T08:25:48.471-05:00Rural Wednesdays - Foggy Out There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One morning this week I let our dog outside and realized how foggy it was in the distance! I just had to go grab my camera and take some shots :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLvVgKhybWM/Uo4ELL9vQFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/ta6RMPT4-WA/s1600/PB170007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLvVgKhybWM/Uo4ELL9vQFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/ta6RMPT4-WA/s400/PB170007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-72509021972089187322013-11-15T16:50:00.001-05:002013-11-15T16:50:44.392-05:00Five Minute Friday - Tree<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Five Minute Friday! Today's word is Tree.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trees... So beautiful. Some are tall, some wide, some scraggly and small like Charlie Brown's :) They provide oxygen, a place to live for many animals (and even some people!), their wood can be used for so many things, and when the leaves turn colors and fall it's simply gorgeous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite are Christmas trees. Decorated, of course. I don't like them to be gaudy. I like it to be simple and pretty. I love white Christmas trees. (Although they're artificial, obviously.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to see Redwoods someday. I so want to walk or even drive through one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love climbing trees. I always wanted a tree fort, but the only tree we had in our backyard was really small, barely even big enough to climb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogwoods are another one of my favorites. So pretty when they're flowering, and the way the branches reach out in all directions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snow-covered trees are some of the most beautiful things you'll ever see, outside of Heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that's all for today :) Hope you enjoyed my photos. You can check out other posts on Tree <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/11/five-minute-friday-tree" target="_blank">here</a>. And for more info on Five Minute Fridays, click the button below. Have a great weekend!</span></span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-20845251217902893792013-11-14T08:13:00.000-05:002013-11-14T08:15:46.288-05:00Rural Wednesdays - The Wheel Barrow<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey! I'm joining in a great blog link-up I found called Rurality Blog Hop. Every Wednesday you can link up with your photo of rural life. I don't know about you, but I just LOVE photos. I love taking them and I love looking at them. So I was so excited when I found this on Monday and was anxious for Wednesday to get here! Then I went and forgot about it yesterday. Oh well. I am doing it now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Click on the button below to check out other bloggers' rural photos from this week!</span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-37065617613231632632013-10-20T07:33:00.002-04:002013-10-20T07:33:17.718-04:00Five Minute Friday - Laundry<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Doing this one a bit late again.) Five Minute Friday is where Lisa-Jo Baker posts a word prompt on her <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, and a few hundred of us now write for five minutes on that topic. Not thought out ahead of time or gone back over with an editor's eye, just written and posted.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's word was Laundry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started doing my own laundry in my early teens. I got annoyed when what I wanted wasn't clean when I wanted it clean, so my mom said, why don't you do your own? I got my own basket and have been doing laundry ever since.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I knew how, occasionally I'd help my mom with the rest of the family's. Or I'd help my grandmother when we stayed over at her house. But I always did mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'm married and do laundry for two. He actually does his own a lot now. Mainly because his clothes have oil and metal chips and grass stains and dog hair and things that I don't want to get mixed into my own clothes, so I would do separate loads anyway. But it's funny how much bigger his loads of laundry are and how much quicker a basket fills up when it's his clothes instead of mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you look at our towel pile, you can tell they're ours. Blue and green towels with our initials monogrammed on, a wedding gift. A blue striped towel that's his and a pink striped towel that's mine. Beach towels with dolphins or colorful butterflies, and beach towels with skull and crossbones or swords. Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our sheets are a patchwork, mismatched mixture of what we had before we were married and what we've gotten since. Two almost identical red blankets, multiple partial sets of sheets because who knows where the rest of the set went. Pretty pillow shams and blue plaid pillow cases and everything in between.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's a good analogy for marriage. You start with two separate people, two separate piles of laundry. And then you combine them. Some things stay the same and some things become different. You lose some of who you were, not in a bad way, but in a changing way. And you gain some things, too. You keep parts of yourself but other parts change and adapt for the relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like it. It's hard work sometimes (with both laundry and marriage), but it's worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Well, that's it for today. You can check out other posts on Laundry <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-laundry/" target="_blank">here</a>, or click the button below to find out how Five Minute Friday started and how you can join in the writing fun!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span> </span></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-86421299128984647292013-10-11T06:35:00.000-04:002013-10-11T06:35:03.495-04:00Five Minute Friday - Ordinary<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's word is Ordinary. We did this word a lot earlier in the year, and my mind keeps thinking of the same things. You can read that post <a href="http://thoseweremythoughtsexactly.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-minute-friday-ordinary.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So instead of writing my own thoughts, I thought I'd share some quotes and sayings that I think speak to NOT being <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">ordinary</span></i>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're going to be weird, be confident about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they've never had to walk your path.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who <a href="http://thoseweremythoughtsexactly.blogspot.com/2012/07/walks-alone.html" target="_blank">walks alone</a> is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I pretend to be normal. But it gets boring, so I go back to being me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are not willing to look stupid, nothing great is ever going to happen to you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never be content with someone else's definition of you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Well, that's it. For more posts on Ordinary, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-ordinary-3/" target="_blank">here</a>. To learn more about Five Minute Fridays, click the button below. Have a great weekend!</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-69140123429028283662013-10-07T04:27:00.001-04:002013-11-21T10:42:29.876-05:00Five Minute Friday - Write<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, okay, late again. But you know what? This time I have a great excuse! I have been writing... just not here. I've been working on my book :) But, although late, here is this week's Five Minute Friday post.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The word is Write.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The word is Write? Perfect! Instead of writing for five minutes here and now, how about I share a sample of the book I'm working on? Sound good to you? Awesome! Here we go:</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jackson dropped her right hand and walked with her back down the aisle, the crowd congratulating them on the way. At the opening to the clearing, Jackson hesitated and looked at her, and she realized he had no clue where they were going next. She pulled him around a corner and kept going until they were well hidden behind some tall shrubs.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>“What are we doing?”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>“I’m sorry. I just need a minute.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>“Okay.” He let go of her other hand and placed one of his on her back. “Is everything okay?”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>“I… To be honest, I didn’t expect the kiss.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>He smiled. “Haven’t you ever been to a wedding before?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What do you think? Are you intrigued? Or did it at least make you smile? :) I will share more samples in the future. Meanwhile, you can check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sarahjoymcb/montgomery/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> for this book to meet the characters and "visit" some of the settings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">To read more posts on Write, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-write/" target="_blank">here</a>. To find out what Five Minute Friday is all about and how you can join in, click the button below. Thanks for visiting!!</span></span></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-1596723083898006352013-09-20T21:11:00.000-04:002013-09-20T21:11:12.442-04:00Five Minute Friday - She<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every Friday a big group of bloggers "meets" to write for five minutes on the same word prompt. Today's word is She.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is my best friend. I don't know exactly how long we've known each other. A year-ish I think. I met her through her mom who I met through an author we both like, and I've never met ANY of them in person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But she is nevertheless my best friend :) We talk all the time, through Facebook, texting, and Skype. We play Minecraft together. We "know" each other's families and likes and dislikes. We still learn new things about each other often. She is the first person I've ever met who has seen my favorite movie. I seem to remember we both had a purple tooth brush when we met. Lol. How did we even figure that out?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I live in Pennsylvania and she lives in Idaho. Couldn't be MUCH farther without being in another country. She is five years older than me and has a five year old son, who is so cute! But we can both relate to each other on a lot of things, like marriage and finding a home and our favorite things :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And I am so glad she's my friend.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to read more posts on She, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/09/five-minute-friday-she/" target="_blank">here</a>. To find out more about Five Minute Friday, how it works, how it started, and how you can join us, click the button below. Thanks for reading!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-25669126314670769402013-09-16T13:08:00.000-04:002013-09-16T13:15:01.970-04:00$2, 2 Kids, 2 Puzzles, 2 Plane Tickets - Gunderson Adoption<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have seen my <a href="http://thoseweremythoughtsexactly.blogspot.com/2013/02/help-gunderson-family-adopt-two.html" target="_blank">post back in February</a> about my friends the Gundersons who were working on adopting two kids from Ethiopia. And if you're friends with me on Facebook, chances are you've seen a LOT of posts about them over the past year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Well, the great news is, the adoption is final!!</b> Matt Gunderson went to Ethiopia a few weeks ago to appear in the adoption court, and got to meet their kids and spend some time with them. They've received the legal documents verifying the children's new last name. They are so close! But they still need to raise money for the VISAs, passports, and plane tickets.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So right now Jessie and her family are running a contest through her blog. An artist friend of theirs drew and donated two puzzles that look like their two new kids! <b>For $2, you can sponsor a puzzle piece</b> - your name will go on the back and Jessie will add the piece to the puzzle - and the money will help bring their kids home. Jessie will be posting pictures of the puzzles as new pieces are added on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JessieGundersonAuthor" target="_blank">author page on Facebook</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, whether you donate or not, <b>if you share her blog post, you can enter to win one of six books!</b> Check out her blog for more details: <a href="http://jessiegunderson.com/adoption-fundraising-giveaways" target="_blank">http://jessiegunderson.com/adoption-fundraising-giveaways</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Meanwhile, for every person who shares THIS post, I'll donate 50 cents. Just mention in the comments that you shared.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And PLEASE pray for the Gunderson family</b> - Matt, Jessie, their five kids, and their two new kids. Pray for them to raise the rest of the money they need, to keep them safe while traveling to bring their new kids home, and for the kids to settle in well and know how much they are loved, and for all the other changes and adjustments this family will be going through to give two orphans (no longer!) their forever home.</span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-75990974134048973772013-09-15T01:44:00.000-04:002013-09-15T01:44:02.355-04:00Five Minute Friday - Mercy<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing this week's Five Minute Friday a little late, but hey, I'm still doing it. Each week, a bunch of bloggers get together to write for five minutes on the same word prompt, started by Lisa Jo Baker over at her blog The Gypsy Mama. Then we link up, share our posts, and encourage one another. I invite you to join us! It's challenging, fun, and thought-provoking.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's word was Mercy.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f;"><b>GO</b></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to look up mercy to find out exactly what it means. And even the many definitions and sentence usages didn't make it perfectly clear. I don't think it's a word we use or hear often, and when it is used, it's not necessarily the way it was originally intended.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-F7X_0sEhY/UjU_hrcM90I/AAAAAAAAAn4/cVUzBychqVE/s1600/unclejesse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-F7X_0sEhY/UjU_hrcM90I/AAAAAAAAAn4/cVUzBychqVE/s320/unclejesse.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I went to the Bible. (I know, I should always go there first!) And I found some verses which really helped me to understand better the true meaning of mercy.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Deut-13-17" id="en-NIV-5290">Then the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will turn from his fierce anger, will show you <b>mercy</b>, and will have compassion on you. (Deuteronomy 13:17)</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Deut-13-17" id="en-NIV-5290"></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Deut-13-17" id="en-NIV-5290"></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Kgs-8-50" id="en-NIV-9036">And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them <b>mercy</b>; (1 Kings 8:50)</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Kgs-8-50" id="en-NIV-9036"></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Neh-9-31" id="en-NIV-12543">But in your great <b>mercy</b> you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and <b>merciful </b>God. (Nehemiah 9:31)</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-6-2" id="en-NIV-13988">Have <b>mercy</b> on me, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, for I am faint;</span><span class="indent-1"> <span class="text Ps-6-2">heal me, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, for my bones are in agony. (Psalm 6:2)</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-6-2"><br />
</span></span></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-6-9" id="en-NIV-13995">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has heard my cry for <b>mercy</b>;</span><span class="indent-1"> <span class="text Ps-6-9">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> accepts my prayer. (Psalm 6:9)</span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-9-13" id="en-NIV-14035"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, see how my enemies persecute me!</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-9-13">Have <b>mercy</b> and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-9-14">in the gates of Daughter Zion,</span></span><span class="indent-1"> <span class="text Ps-9-14">and there rejoice in your salvation.</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-9-14"></span></span> (Psalm 9:13-14)</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won't pretend, I still don't know absolutely what all of these mean. I need to read the entire story. Context helps a great deal! But what I do know is that God cares for us, He forgives us when we don't deserve it, He protects us from evil, He heals us, He gives us little blessings to help us through rough times. <b>His mercy endures forever! </b>(Check out Psalm 136 KJV for a whole list of ways God's mercy endures for His people!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's all for this week. I hope you learned something new. I know I did! You can read more posts on Mercy <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/09/five-minute-friday-mercy/" target="_blank">here</a>, or click on the link below for more info on Five Minute Friday.</span></span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-16544267025355387242013-09-11T23:09:00.000-04:002015-05-12T10:15:22.864-04:00Remembering What We Have<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many things have been reminding me today how good we have it. Yeah, life is hard. A lot of us are low on money, looking for a better place to live, and suffering from health problems. People want to tell us what to do and judge our decisions and beliefs. Christians in the United States are finally seeing some persecution and we don't like it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But a lawsuit for refusing to take photos at a same-sex wedding or bad press and boycotts because a company's leader talked about his beliefs is nothing compared to what we're hearing about in other countries right now. Christians are being forced out of their homes, tortured, and even killed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is also September 11th. I know we all remember what happened twelve years ago. So many innocent people lost their lives that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend and her family have been working for the past year to adopt a brother and sister from Ethiopia. These kids don't have a family, and they don't have the luxuries that we do in America. And the sacrifices that Jessie and her family have made to be able to adopt these kids is so inspiring and humbling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've just been thinking about all of these things and realizing how lucky I am to have a brand new tooth brush, a bed that, while not always comfortable, is mine, nice clothes and books to read and good shoes, a family, a church, and a safe place to live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post may not be the most eloquent or well-ordered, or maybe you disagree with something I said, but it doesn't matter. The point is that we need to remember everything that we <u>do</u> have and praise God for it every day. And pray for those we see hurting more than us.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you, Lord!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him. (Romans 15:13)</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will surely forget your trouble. (Job 11:16)</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a long hard ride</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got a ways to go</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I won't lose hope </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is still the place</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That we all call home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Dierks Bentley</span></div>
Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-62099910792674236982013-08-30T18:32:00.006-04:002016-09-07T15:06:09.125-04:00Be Still My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vniq78mpVt0/UiEa5YOTrmI/AAAAAAAAAmU/LUODB5npCLA/s1600/be+still+my+soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vniq78mpVt0/UiEa5YOTrmI/AAAAAAAAAmU/LUODB5npCLA/s320/be+still+my+soul.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday I finished reading <b>Be Still My Soul</b> by <b>Joanne Bischof</b>. Keeping up with my record from Sunday, I read this book in just over 24 hours :) It was so good!! I was actually surprised with how much I liked it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gideon walks Lonnie home one night and she lets him kiss her. Big mistake. Her father saw it happen and forces them to get married! What?! Lonnie moves in with Gideon and his entire family. His parents have enough mouths to feed as it is. So Gideon decides they're going to set off on their own. Lonnie is made to leave the only place she's ever known, to live with a ladies' man who doesn't want her around. And that's where it gets interesting. As if that whole beginning part weren't enough!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While not an action, a comedy, or even a "romance" like we'd usually think of, I couldn't put this story down. Filled with heartache and trials of life in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this book tugged at my emotions and made me feel like I knew the characters.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be Still My Soul was Joanne Bischof's first book, and also the first in the Cadence of Grace series. I am really looking forward to reading book two, Though My Heart is Torn, and book three, My Hope is Found, coming mid-October!</span></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-81377602760901353162013-08-24T03:56:00.000-04:002013-08-24T03:56:00.151-04:00Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNEpuUfhXI/Uhe_4rpx9nI/AAAAAAAAAkU/NyKd2NDk0c0/s1600/2012-12-29+11.25.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNEpuUfhXI/Uhe_4rpx9nI/AAAAAAAAAkU/NyKd2NDk0c0/s200/2012-12-29+11.25.03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got this idea from my best friend, <a href="http://debradawn777.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Debra Dawn</a> :) She posted some beautiful images of the different <a href="http://debradawn777.blogspot.com/2013/08/seasons.html" target="_blank">seasons</a> and asked what her readers' favorites are. I am curious to know yours! Do you prefer fall, winter, spring, or summer? Or maybe you can't choose just one favorite.</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7RYKTBMSCQ/UhfBFSTeS9I/AAAAAAAAAkc/EnVj0xaqRuk/s1600/DSCN4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7RYKTBMSCQ/UhfBFSTeS9I/AAAAAAAAAkc/EnVj0xaqRuk/s200/DSCN4769.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPET5Hfexjs/UhfCI_duTRI/AAAAAAAAAkk/ailkHuK2bBg/s1600/20130819_165426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPET5Hfexjs/UhfCI_duTRI/AAAAAAAAAkk/ailkHuK2bBg/s320/20130819_165426.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsoukhey1-A/UhfC-BvjSuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/L2ccyXuDWqw/s1600/DSCN5013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsoukhey1-A/UhfC-BvjSuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/L2ccyXuDWqw/s200/DSCN5013.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told Debra that while I do have some things I like about each one, they also each have a downside. Here they are, in my opinion:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h30AUfWy8c/UhfGdJw4BzI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8lYvqku7ym0/s1600/pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h30AUfWy8c/UhfGdJw4BzI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8lYvqku7ym0/s200/pumpkins.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8u1inWeLEk/UhfGc8avQZI/AAAAAAAAAls/6yl2hE5xiN4/s1600/jumping+in+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8u1inWeLEk/UhfGc8avQZI/AAAAAAAAAls/6yl2hE5xiN4/s320/jumping+in+leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d">Downside to spring: rain, bees.<br />Downside to summer: hot.<br />Downside to winter: cold, getting a cold.<br />Downside to fall: it ends too soon.</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUQKD4T4Eyg/UhfCvyQStdI/AAAAAAAAAk0/YuHQ3kWCeik/s1600/2012-08-21+09.39.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUQKD4T4Eyg/UhfCvyQStdI/AAAAAAAAAk0/YuHQ3kWCeik/s200/2012-08-21+09.39.03.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oufY0nS6W-w/UhfDegQRqmI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/AZsaiYpMEfM/s1600/DSCN4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oufY0nS6W-w/UhfDegQRqmI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/AZsaiYpMEfM/s320/DSCN4543.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d">As
you probably figured out, fall is my favorite :D</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6Q9rcG0kp4/UhfDXFf7dKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2f-HEQ_jkM0/s1600/20130622_154251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6Q9rcG0kp4/UhfDXFf7dKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2f-HEQ_jkM0/s320/20130622_154251.jpg" width="177" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Msy8O2v-EEE/UhfHCDlsv1I/AAAAAAAAAl0/vWAKONdRW1E/s1600/2013-04-27+17.39.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Msy8O2v-EEE/UhfHCDlsv1I/AAAAAAAAAl0/vWAKONdRW1E/s200/2013-04-27+17.39.54.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StELAzM4rgg/UhfGc2UkZ_I/AAAAAAAAAlc/SYblQzHnh0M/s1600/hay+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StELAzM4rgg/UhfGc2UkZ_I/AAAAAAAAAlc/SYblQzHnh0M/s320/hay+ride.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d">Tell me yours and let
me know why, and what do you like/not like about the other seasons?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="bc_0_8b+seedXvyKD" kind="d"> </span></span>Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-81618557276467346502013-08-23T15:48:00.000-04:002013-08-23T15:48:02.563-04:00Five Minute Friday - Last<span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Fridays, a bunch of us take a word prompt from Lisa-Jo Baker and write for five minutes on that topic. We don't worry about whether it's perfect, or what people will think of us for "speaking" what's on our minds. We just write.</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's word is Last.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Last time I did this..."<b> </b>"This is the last time I do this for you!" "I don't want to go last!" "Save that for last." "I didn't think it would last this long..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last can mean a lot of different things. It can be good or bad. There are things I won't put last, like God, my family, and my friends. There are things best saved for last, like dessert, or good news.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do know that God wants us to think of last differently than the world does. The world thinks that because we aren't trying to become celebrities or have a bunch of sexual relationships or become super rich that we are coming in last. Often it seems that the world thinks we should put ourselves first and God and others last. That's not how I want to do it, though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stellar Kart's song Finish Last sums it up well:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am running in this race and I am pressing onwards towards the finish line</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have promised me a better life far beyond this world</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Far beyond this place and time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to finish last, last in the world's eyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what I do, I will be first in Your eyes </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's it for today. Check out other bloggers' thoughts on Last <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-last" target="_blank">here</a>. To find out more about Five Minute Friday and how you can join in, click the button below. Won't you join us? :)</span></span></span></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-60176702180665857162013-08-17T02:33:00.000-04:002013-08-17T02:36:57.030-04:00Five Minute Friday - Small<span style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker and her rapidly growing group of fellow bloggers who like to write for five minutes every Friday without worrying about it being just right. No backtracking, no editing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's word is Small.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GO</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've heard tons of people say it - standing beside the ocean makes you feel small. Makes you realize God's power and enormity and the size of the earth and how you are to the world as those little tiny grains of sand you are currently standing on. It may be a bit cliche, but it's totally true.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdbsS20w6q4/Ug8BsJNCUpI/AAAAAAAAAiY/7he3jVNwuP8/s1600/20130622_154453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdbsS20w6q4/Ug8BsJNCUpI/AAAAAAAAAiY/7he3jVNwuP8/s400/20130622_154453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other things make me feel this way. Not small as in insignificant, just small as in God is so awesome and big and it makes me even more ecstatic to know that He cares about me even while He's got ALL these other people to care for, too!!<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking at a huge field of flowers, standing in a crowd of people, flying over farms and cars that look so tiny from way up there. Great big pine trees, let alone redwoods (which I'd love to see someday!), the northern lights, big ships... So many things can make you feel small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet, God really does care for you. He cares for him and her and you and them and everyone. Don't forget that :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read more bloggers' thoughts on Small, click <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-small" target="_blank">here</a>. To find out what Five Minute Friday is all about, how it got started, and how you can play with us, click the button below!</span></span><br />
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-4358646497698727702013-08-15T02:30:00.004-04:002013-08-15T02:46:31.182-04:00It Happened At The Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LphEtRGMisk/Ugx0nv0xaeI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9KXmI5EuBGA/s1600/it+happened+at+the+fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LphEtRGMisk/Ugx0nv0xaeI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9KXmI5EuBGA/s320/it+happened+at+the+fair.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SO excited to tell you about this one :)</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Deeanne Gist</b> is one of my most favorite authors, and this one was my favorite of hers so far! <b>It Happened at the Fair</b> took me by surprise. Even reading the back of the book, I had no clue what I was in for. I totally fell in love with the two main characters. They're so real and funny and have real-life problems that I could absolutely relate to. Cullen is a farmer whose real talents lie elsewhere. Della is a teacher for deaf children. They meet at the Chicago World's Fair. And I don't want to give away any more than that!! You need to read it! :)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTieHPs0GiM/Ugx0wo8VY-I/AAAAAAAAAiI/29j1-1TWHFg/s1600/fair+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTieHPs0GiM/Ugx0wo8VY-I/AAAAAAAAAiI/29j1-1TWHFg/s200/fair+play.jpg" width="130" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really really looking forward to Deeanne's next novel, Fair Play. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">You can find Deeanne on her <a href="http://www.deeannegist.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deesfriends" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</span> </span></span></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5072412738542526599.post-49319326762737040322013-07-26T15:59:00.001-04:002013-07-26T16:01:37.294-04:00Five Minute Friday - Broken<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Five Minute Friday, where everything is made up and the points don't matter! Well, okay, so that was the intro to Whose Line Is It Anyway. But the idea still works! Just write for five minutes without worrying about if it's just right.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's word is Broken.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel broken. I really do. I make the same mistakes over again and wonder what's wrong with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do I ALWAYS spend too much money?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because I like the <i>idea </i>of things, how they work, what they're for, how pretty they are. Even when I'm trying my very hardest to only get what I absolutely actually need and will use... I get too much. Ask me how many things I've bought and then returned the next day or the next week. I couldn't tell ya. Way too many. Thank God we CAN often return things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do I feel perfectly fine one day, thinking I can climb a mountain or do any job well, and then the next day I have one of the horrible stomach aches and can barely even stand up long enough to take a shower or warm up some food in the microwave?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gotten these aches basically my whole life. The earliest one I <i>remember </i>was at seven years old. Docs can't figure it out, just shoving medicine at me and then saying, if that doesn't work, come back in two weeks and we'll try a different one. It's not my fault. But it sure does make me feel broken. And it certainly makes me feel terrible when I can't keep a job, can't bring in income, can't help by even doing the dishes and other things around the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do I get so overly excited about things that I put so much time, money, and effort into and eventually fall farther back down because of it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why can't I take cautious steps, figuring out what I CAN and SHOULD do before trying to do everything and then crashing and burning? I go all out with whatever home business I'm trying, buying business cards and signs and all kinds of products and supplies, without even knowing if I'll be any good at it or if anything will come of it. I sign up for this and that and make appointments here and there, then I get overwhelmed by all the things I have to do and places that I have to be and I end up missing everything or being so exhausted that I make myself sick and despise the things which I was previously so excited about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah. I feel broken. I have no clue what to do about it, other than take it to God and ask Him to fix me or use me anyway.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17 NIV</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17" id="en-MSG-6341">Going through the motions doesn’t please you,</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">a flawless performance is nothing to you.</span></span> <span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">I learned God-worship </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">when my pride was shattered.</span></span> <span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">Heart-shattered lives ready for love</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. Psalm 51:16-17 The Message</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">To be unbroken, what would that be?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">If words that were spoken had not shattered me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">If I was unbroken, I'd never know</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">the beauty of hope and how far grace will go.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">- Unbroken by ZOEgirl lyrics</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-16-Ps-51-17">Thanks for reading. I'm sure you figured out that that took me more than five minutes to write. Today, we're linking up on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisajobaker/posts/10151602293902897" target="_blank">Lisa-Jo Baker's Facebook page</a>, so click on over and read other posts on Broken. Plus, you can go to her blog to find out more about what Five Minute Friday is and how you can be a part of it! Just click on the button below.</span></span></span></span></div>
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Sarah McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.com13