tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11892652404771276172024-02-18T20:15:31.987-08:00That's Life Kid!These are glimpses into our homeschooling, marriage, parenting, and part time missionary life. Phew! I'm already out of breath. Join us on our journey and have some laughs along the way.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-55074841166193833172014-11-06T05:36:00.001-08:002014-11-06T05:36:55.769-08:00Don't Forget to Look Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ever feel like the cares of the world are sitting on your shoulders? Sometimes you don't even realize it's happening until you are almost physically hunched over. You go along, nose to the grindstone day after day until you realize that you haven't looked up in quite a while. Looking up is one of God's greatest gifts of peace. The biggest stress reliever ever created. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After getting a series of stressful emails demanding answers, I looked up from my busy, stressed out grindstone mentality yesterday and saw my 5 year old sitting right next to me, laughing. I actually had the privilege of watching unconfined joy spill out into the room. And, I had the added benefit of being able to do a momma nuzzle on her soft cheek. Wow! My eyes were opened to see what true riches are and how they are right at my fingertips on a daily basis if I just have the eyes to see them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time of year, God is painting beautiful scenes like this all along your drive. You don't have to look far to see all the natural beauty He made just for you. You just have to look up to notice it. And so I'll say it again, "Look up.". Your peace is right there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 12:1-3</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. he will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:26-29</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please consider partnering with us in bringing curriculum to the children of Guatemala for the 2015 school year. Here is how you can help:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go to our facebook page and click the donate button. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also please pray for our family. Prayers are priceless!</span></span></span></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-41354414363829559072014-10-31T07:46:00.002-07:002014-10-31T07:46:38.456-07:00You Are Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Forget feeling good about yourself, it's becoming increasingly difficult to feel even ok about yourself. Social media is in front of our faces constantly. You might get on FB to check on your distant family, but get hit by pictures of the latest fabulous party. The party that looks 100% prettier than the one you last threw. The party that many of your friends were invited to, but somehow you didn't make the cut. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then you click over to Pinterest to browse. And there, you can see the wedding pictures that were more beautifully & creatively posed than yours, the perfectly staged house that looks nothing like the crumb covered mess you are living in, and the children's crafts that make your child's last craft session look like someone from The Croods family made it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have to fight against comparison stronger than ever before. We have to have God's anchor deep down in our hearts. So that when the strong blast of the waves hit us, we stay pointed up. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that God made you exactly the way you were supposed to be? And you don't need a ton of self help books to make yourself into something else. All you need, is a healthy dose of daily sitting at His feet. Let him tell you that you are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All beautiful, with no flaw in you. Songs of Solomon 4:7</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Body and soul, you are marvelously made. Psalm 139:14 MSG</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written on the palms of His hands. Isaiah 49:16</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Precious and honored in His sight and He loves you. Isaiah 43:4</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so many, many more. Let Him show you how to love the different ways He made you. Spend more time talking to Him about your life than you spend comparing yourself on social media. And learn to embrace the place you find yourself in. This is your now. It's not tomorrow, it's not yesterday. It's now. Give all of your heart to God and then be who you are, love who you are right now. </span><br />
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<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2984856821590066630" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; position: relative; width: 518px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please consider partnering with us in bringing curriculum to the children of Guatemala for the 2015 school year. Here is how you can help:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go to our facebook page and click the donate button. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also please pray for our family. Prayers are priceless!</span></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-82497901518234368962014-10-24T08:12:00.002-07:002014-10-24T08:12:12.569-07:00Your Perfect Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What would your perfect day look like? This question has been popping up over and over in my reading this week. I think I gave up on perfect days a loooong time ago. So when I first saw that question this week, I quickly dismissed it as a silly, unattainable quest. Life knocks us around quite a bit, hopes are dashed and we sort of give up. Eventually, we end up going with the flow, letting life push us downstream. We focus on the rough current. When we finally look up, years are gone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How ironic is it that I can, with conviction, tell a person living in trash that they should grab ahold of the hope that God has for them to get out of that place, but I am too scared to dream bigger for myself? That is weak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are only as strong, successful, and fulfilled to the degree with which we allow God to operate in our lives. If we don't open those places in our hearts and begin to dream with God, those dreams will never happen. It doesn't matter how farfetched and silly those dreams are compared to your current situation. With God, all things are possible to those that believe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, will you do it with me this week? Will you get out your journal and write some dreams down? Let's put some faith action into our lives. Let's dream big dreams with God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some questions to write down and answer about your perfect day/perfect life:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. What do I want to be about today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. What do I want to achieve, create or experience today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. What kind of character do I want to cultivate today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. What do I want to learn, give and grow today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. When challenges come, how would my highest self (God's nature in my) interact with the situation?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Where would I live if I could live anywhere on earth?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. What would my house look like?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8. What time would I wake up?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9. What would I do first thing in the morning?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10. What would I eat for breakfast?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">11. What would I do for the first half of my day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">12. Where would I eat lunch and who would I be with?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">13. What would my friends be like and what would we talk about?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">14. What would my life purpose be?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">15. How many hours would I work?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">16. What would my relationships be like?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">17. What would family time look like?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">18. How would I wind down at the end of the day?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok, you have your work cut out for you. Write these down, and begin to talk to God about them. Go!</span><br />
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<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2984856821590066630" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; position: relative; width: 518px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please consider partnering with us in bringing curriculum to the children of Guatemala for the 2015 school year. Here is how you can help:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go to our facebook page and click the donate button. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also please pray for our family. Prayers are priceless!</span></span></span><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I pulled these questions from two places:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Charged Life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Unstoppable Family</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-89211070886564582322014-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:002014-10-17T08:50:53.102-07:00Do Not Be Afraid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the community built around the dump. They have plenty of opportunities to live in fear. Fear of going hungry, fear of abandonment, fear of dying.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is so much panic and fear being spewed out of the media machine right now. If we aren't worried about an ISIS attack, we are worried about the person next to us coughing. They might have enterovirus or, even worse, ebola. We attended a big football game in Dallas last weekend. It never crossed our minds to avoid that area. We also flew our family to Guatemala three weeks ago. Several people wondered if we had been scared to fly overseas. But focusing on fear was never a part of our trip planning. Is that because we are special or superhuman? Not at all. If we had the time, I could tell you all about my past full of anxiety and worry. I could go on and on about how it has tried to consume me in different seasons of my life. But, God has taught me to reject fear. Fear doesn't change my circumstances. It doesn't help me to control anything at all. All it does is use up my energy and creativity. It also makes me feel bound up and miserable, stealing all the joy from my day. Instead, I get to make a choice:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">John 14:27</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not <i>LET </i>your hearts be troubled and <i>DO NOT BE </i>afraid. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yay!! We get to decide not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid. We can't control what happens to us today. We can't even control whether or not our lungs take a breath or our hearts keep beating. But our Father takes care of all of that and much more. So, if he can keep our lungs working, our hearts beating, the stars placed in the sky, the planets orbiting and much more, then let's choose to rest in His care. And let's choose to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. And that, my friends, is powerful!</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-29848568215900666302014-10-09T12:12:00.003-07:002014-10-09T12:12:24.026-07:00Only God Can Label You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIpSceKwBDHTuRuxnEZmMPCn-zcQPGv6-meKFx2lMG8dER6ERtrXakAQGtIJmb6nmz9pTv1ZrADFRKHERwgsUAlCDCW33kU-F2ojTSzw7X5sqRTRUXoyj4DPvtoe4C5CQeZAMR-vXWZI/s1600/20141004_120004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIpSceKwBDHTuRuxnEZmMPCn-zcQPGv6-meKFx2lMG8dER6ERtrXakAQGtIJmb6nmz9pTv1ZrADFRKHERwgsUAlCDCW33kU-F2ojTSzw7X5sqRTRUXoyj4DPvtoe4C5CQeZAMR-vXWZI/s1600/20141004_120004.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poor Jason. This picture was from his Guatemala trip last week with our friend and board member, Scott. To get to our schools in the mountains, they had to climb aboard a small airplane, which had to land on a tiny strip of gravel covered runway. The police had to be called to move the drunks off the runway so they could land. After a big bounce and sliding sideways, they finally came to a stop. Needless to say, it was pretty stressful!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepCHVFJgL7K1XoMJ8DyIQRLicx1ugz5AOCxDSG7d1zgaqumqGfGatv9_Roy2V96_iaw72XS6XJQhl-3lerhaC6cEQxz9Fw8B7ZsGQXnACdSUnbT7PVC-zGD-7pZtAjVAlBfVyVUL3BjY/s1600/20141004_143542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepCHVFJgL7K1XoMJ8DyIQRLicx1ugz5AOCxDSG7d1zgaqumqGfGatv9_Roy2V96_iaw72XS6XJQhl-3lerhaC6cEQxz9Fw8B7ZsGQXnACdSUnbT7PVC-zGD-7pZtAjVAlBfVyVUL3BjY/s1600/20141004_143542.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The people in this mountain area have been labeled: Rejects. A people taken from their home years ago and dropped off in the middle of a mountainous no-where, left to survive on their own. No wonder they have the highest suicide rate in the entire nation of Guatemala!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So their government has done a pretty good job of selling them their label as rejects. How have people tried to define you? Circumstances and life experiences work to make us feel less than what God intended. But the truth is, each of us is uniquely made by God. How do we keep our hearts and minds focused on the truth of our identity? What is the key that opens the prison door of false, negative labels that attempt to trap us and make us powerless? The key, already in your hands is this:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Colossians 3:1-4</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Set your heart and mind focused on the truth of God's love and let that be the ONLY thing that defines you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Please consider partnering with us in bringing curriculum to the children of Guatemala for the 2015 school year. Here is how you can help:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Go to our facebook page and click the donate button. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Also please pray for our family. Prayers are priceless!</span></span></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-34939784008309268362014-10-03T06:14:00.002-07:002014-10-03T06:14:58.646-07:00Update: Where We're Going<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6sMMfzXJiMjHGgStYG-2h6QUV7lV7QWo5ht_UNdTfiSWEutJxMIx90n3aR7gYxThxM6E8dkPT9YRZVV_NH_rn4q-FWIrsdF8aXlQ8SBAabLaVfXTh4G0U096a4jhkZHwik2xRe2cH7w/s1600/school1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6sMMfzXJiMjHGgStYG-2h6QUV7lV7QWo5ht_UNdTfiSWEutJxMIx90n3aR7gYxThxM6E8dkPT9YRZVV_NH_rn4q-FWIrsdF8aXlQ8SBAabLaVfXTh4G0U096a4jhkZHwik2xRe2cH7w/s1600/school1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Would you want this mural painted on the walls of your child's school? Take a good look at what is happening in the picture. This mural was painted on the entire width of one of the schools we will be in next January. We can't fix the situations these kids are facing, but we can help them find the life-giving power and hope of Jesus. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57u4fvgXsMGziTcKrVH44lE50iW8X4dX5fQ89a3txRbP4NBvom1lWxfRz6svVdWd-cMbt5sEyUFVxibqPip6AsJUKhP-43xRqFuoJurJ4elfx2P7BgkH_AprFnHKHDaU_MuJbrE00QPM/s1600/school3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57u4fvgXsMGziTcKrVH44lE50iW8X4dX5fQ89a3txRbP4NBvom1lWxfRz6svVdWd-cMbt5sEyUFVxibqPip6AsJUKhP-43xRqFuoJurJ4elfx2P7BgkH_AprFnHKHDaU_MuJbrE00QPM/s1600/school3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dirty, broken pavement and barbed wire fences might be what the school kids see every day in the 6 schools we have been gifted for our pilot program. But, once a week, they will be taught to look beyond their circumstances. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to the Inter-American Development Bank, barely 40 percent of Hispanic children graduate from secondary schools. International comparisons show Latin America at the bottom of the education barrel scoring on par with Sub-Sahara Africa.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is the hope we bring: In Bolivia, our curriculum has</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Increased graduation rates by 45%</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reduced dropout rates by 37%</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">High school graduates advancing to any other type of education increased from 10% to 60%!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reduced teen pregnancy rates, gang participation, violence, reduced drug and alcohol abuse</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Improved grades</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please consider partnering with us in bringing curriculum to the children of Guatemala for the 2015 school year. Here is how you can help:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go to our facebook page and click the donate button. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks">https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Limits-International-Non-Profit/802173646494179?ref=bookmarks</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also please pray for our family. Prayers are priceless!</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-26795955147695530072014-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:002014-09-26T06:02:39.304-07:00Sow Your Seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQnU6hKuf5KeoKID2CZDEz8R-Cp60AV9CeQJ4Hi5xgZglz7vRg6O7gQ8g7ju4cH8kPI412RSH3fWrDVBTc0hO6TNAspQVeHZ_zDg138r7ImEO2aRm3Shp4reOcdb77sGIN7NH78gTDw8/s1600/prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQnU6hKuf5KeoKID2CZDEz8R-Cp60AV9CeQJ4Hi5xgZglz7vRg6O7gQ8g7ju4cH8kPI412RSH3fWrDVBTc0hO6TNAspQVeHZ_zDg138r7ImEO2aRm3Shp4reOcdb77sGIN7NH78gTDw8/s1600/prayer.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.....I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." Teddy Roosevelt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Has anyone else ever noticed the numb complacency that wants to settle over our lives like a heavy blanket? As soon as we sit back and get comfortable, it creeps in. We forget what it felt like to truly come alive. It becomes easier to shut our eyes and our ears to the hurting community all around us. And we let entertainment fill our days and lull us to sleep until we are contained like sleeping giants. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is it that we should be doing? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ephesians 4:7-13 MSG:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people......</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work in the body of Christ.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God has given us ALL gifts, treasures. He took the extravagant treasures back from the enemy and gave them to us. They were woven in to the very fabric of our being at the moment of our creation. These gifts are the seeds we are meant to sow during our short time on earth. They are our potential to change our world, the potential to send ripples of change that will never stop until the end of time. But, the enemy prowls around like a hungry lion, seeking whom he may devour. Looking for potential seeds to gobble up before they are sown. He knows exactly what those gift seeds are worth and he knows their power. After all, he had them in his possession for quite some time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel myself put on the mantle of who I was created to be when I make the choice to use those gifts for God. I offer myself to God for the front lines of the battle for changing lives. When I am hooked up to God's voice and operating in the spiritual gifts he has given me, it is uncomfortable, painful and scary. But it wakes my warrior spirit up and I become fully alive. A fearsome thing for the enemy to behold.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, this is the wake up call. Wake up sleeping giant! Rise up. Sow those seeds! Realize that you (yes YOU!) have the very gifts, placed in you by God, that this world is desperate for. Don't you know who you are?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You are:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The answer to someone's prayer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More than a Conquerer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An Overcomer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Salt and Light</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Firmly Rooted</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Greatly Loved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Full of Power, Love and a Sound Mind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, these things are for you and your family. But they are also for the greater good around you. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, get out there and Change Your World!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-67104928943858477142014-09-12T06:23:00.000-07:002014-09-12T06:23:47.844-07:00Finish the Puzzle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwGLjjg7lrdEFYY38pnwPItG3xCrncyyvOTmJHsQb_LijOWalQBXNppqOY9iwPKkVHwwujjZFPUXh0oRQEFRh9qmQ5nYX8fFmfGFsaBEbBKhe257QHTbZvibCMJt_QJwRCRizKxfi_hk/s1600/guat+kid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwGLjjg7lrdEFYY38pnwPItG3xCrncyyvOTmJHsQb_LijOWalQBXNppqOY9iwPKkVHwwujjZFPUXh0oRQEFRh9qmQ5nYX8fFmfGFsaBEbBKhe257QHTbZvibCMJt_QJwRCRizKxfi_hk/s1600/guat+kid.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever started a 1,000 piece puzzle? It is overwhelming. You dump out all the tiny pieces and your first thought is "this is too much." You almost want to scoop all those itty pieces back into the box, close the lid, and stick it on a shelf in the closet. That's how it feels when we focus on the hurting people around us. Whether we are overseas, or in our own neighborhoods, we bump into too much need. It can be so overwhelming that we just shut down and shut it all out. But, what if you shift your perspective?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead of focusing on helping someone get all 1,000 pieces together (who has time for that?), what if you took time to see what they really need? Perhaps they just lost their lid. You know, the lid with the completed puzzle picture on it? Maybe they just need you to take them to God's Word to remind them of the completed picture. Another might just need you to help them get the edge pieces together-- to give them a starting place. For others, you might have the privilege of putting the final piece in as they take off into God's life for them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I'm saying is, just take it one person at a time. You don't have to be their savior. Jesus already filled that role. You just have to get involved. Getting involved might look like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrenjU0VyslCmWEdWOW7MCB4NknDOFqmSLphI2bYSP7RU8m8F1P8S9w8Q70vipKBl9lOFTYFbAxBZweoXmH3ycMNxSkRQBR2gUIqQ5JeMs41MP1QfldgGNC4Z1DM01xp_53mu5WqGDW7Y/s1600/emily+with+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrenjU0VyslCmWEdWOW7MCB4NknDOFqmSLphI2bYSP7RU8m8F1P8S9w8Q70vipKBl9lOFTYFbAxBZweoXmH3ycMNxSkRQBR2gUIqQ5JeMs41MP1QfldgGNC4Z1DM01xp_53mu5WqGDW7Y/s1600/emily+with+baby.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI_tfaygw7WPFauOv7kBq1MJrMPcoSuvJOXjPJ_m7hiDIL_ZfRQggRxTeRGERO7mzWVvYH0xYoBe2g2ty8gSuYZhqnh1YE_o6QFy-MQx11zBRoJk79EgiW22bzk2f2v0NhEDNHnWZ8Mc/s1600/lindsay+face+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI_tfaygw7WPFauOv7kBq1MJrMPcoSuvJOXjPJ_m7hiDIL_ZfRQggRxTeRGERO7mzWVvYH0xYoBe2g2ty8gSuYZhqnh1YE_o6QFy-MQx11zBRoJk79EgiW22bzk2f2v0NhEDNHnWZ8Mc/s1600/lindsay+face+paint.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnOE2yVjBzof7mfVhuJ2Lx8SY-GKDsYG-TSviE2WDFKKAoHZLKqE7w15YRUYCs1BIiG1SFs0Vfhn_-eAOQVgR6iZPTObsfHIzvbzpi7E24jEpR8uarf11sx2f6K1rWW79hDEey837E2c/s1600/guat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnOE2yVjBzof7mfVhuJ2Lx8SY-GKDsYG-TSviE2WDFKKAoHZLKqE7w15YRUYCs1BIiG1SFs0Vfhn_-eAOQVgR6iZPTObsfHIzvbzpi7E24jEpR8uarf11sx2f6K1rWW79hDEey837E2c/s1600/guat.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It might mean a meal, a hug, an encouraging text reminding them of who they are in Christ, being silly and laughing with them, and on and on. Love takes many forms. Involvement takes many forms. Do what you can. Don't shut it out. </span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-75417786190797015612014-09-02T05:13:00.000-07:002014-09-02T05:13:12.368-07:00Struggles On the Way<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scars and struggles on the way. But with joy our hearts can say. Yes our hearts can say.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvKlMXcXr2TAgMSpkLa8oGTboirp0WXi6TEFcHTjO7RTLPNklmzBJ5dpjFq6Z3zp9m6gxdVHkrQvwW0BBTh5JhpFcqPg1_JC0XYK_7CMxFwlJnbs_AvfOEAbI6O0qcOw0T3Zrl-RqGxY/s1600/never+once.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvKlMXcXr2TAgMSpkLa8oGTboirp0WXi6TEFcHTjO7RTLPNklmzBJ5dpjFq6Z3zp9m6gxdVHkrQvwW0BBTh5JhpFcqPg1_JC0XYK_7CMxFwlJnbs_AvfOEAbI6O0qcOw0T3Zrl-RqGxY/s1600/never+once.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Matt Redman song has been running through my head today. This last week has been a struggle. Ever feel like the enemy has put a nice, big target on your back? Suddenly you are under fire from all sides? We thought we were handling the pressure of family life, work life, and mission work life ok. In fact, I recently had a friend ask me how I was fitting it all in: Skype calls, U.S. non-profit business meetings, Guatemala non-profit business emails, interviews, buying plane tickets, booking hotels, cooking, housework, and homeschooling. I flippantly said that God was just working it all out and we were flying above it all. Then suddenly, this weekend, we are yelling at each other in the car. Fighting about this business issue and that business decision.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So now, we are both offended and in heavy silence mode. But I decide to be the bigger person and offer him a piece of gum from my purse. He likes gum. He asks for it ALL the time. But he sticks his nose in the air and declares that he doesn't want any gum....... until 4 minutes later when he has now decided in his own, good time that he wants me to dig for gum. Well, no sir buddy. You had your chance. I am no longer being the bigger person. I am now in full stubborn toddler mode. Driving 70 mph down the highway, my husband is trying to grab my purse out of my lap for the gum I refuse to give him while I'm holding onto it like an old lady on the subway and strongly considering throwing all the gum out the window and onto the turnpike so he can't ever have any again. Stop laughing. It's not funny to me yet.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess my point is that when you're stepping out in faith, it turns into a painful growing process. I don't know why that should surprise us. It makes sense that to be able to handle big things, we need to have a very strong character. And we know what the Bible says about how to go about getting one of those. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>James 1:3 </b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>because you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 5:3-5 </b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really want perseverance, character, and hope. So, I will continue to trust God as he lets us be squeezed. Because I never know what is in that heart of mine until it is squeezed. And once I see the gunk, it's easy to ask God to wipe it off and build me up in that area. You are faithful, God, you are faithful.</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-91702421427604554102014-08-25T18:03:00.000-07:002014-08-27T16:35:35.698-07:00Your First Rollercoaster<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I remember my oldest's first roller coaster experience. We were at Disney World and she was 4. As we stood in line for Goofy's Barnstormer kiddie coaster, she became fearful. The closer we got, the bigger the drops and loops appeared. By the time it was our turn, she was in full-fledged panic, her arms wrapped tightly around us. We finally took a step to the side and said, "If you will stop fighting this and just get on that ride, I promise you will have the time of your life". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOObWdTrNU8LTv4eH-tDB4V4HTMuisa1jJoPUCyi8v0QWduANGT8NG7BYluFrchwzgV8-wvAYbZY_Z7qGzlREPGXBQrP5m_rbq0S0RQDoCr8z6vU7CVuj6Iri2ddYx6tFTKAj6qpBEdCE/s1600/DSC_4119web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOObWdTrNU8LTv4eH-tDB4V4HTMuisa1jJoPUCyi8v0QWduANGT8NG7BYluFrchwzgV8-wvAYbZY_Z7qGzlREPGXBQrP5m_rbq0S0RQDoCr8z6vU7CVuj6Iri2ddYx6tFTKAj6qpBEdCE/s1600/DSC_4119web.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Looking into our eyes, she let go. As the roller coaster climbed that first drop, she was still apprehensive. She thought she wanted off the ride. But then something happened. As we sailed down and into a loop, she stopped gripping the handrail and put her arms into the air. "Wheeee!" She was having a blast. As soon as the ride ended, she was begging to go again and again and again. In the end, we had to tear her away from Goofy's Barnstormer!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Two years later, my husband's job was telling us to move an hour and 45 minutes from the town we had always lived. We had a 9-month-old, a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old. My grandma had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It didn't make sense to move away from family support, family babysitters and a grandma who needed me to be there for visits. You would have thought I was a 4 year old. I cried, I yelled, I threatened, I bargained with God for days. I listed often all the reasons God was messing up by allowing the move to happen. One night, God spoke quietly to my heart. He said, "Lisa, you are just like your daughter and that kiddie coaster. You are wrapping your arms and legs around your present and refusing to move forward to go on the ride. But if you will trust Me, I promise, it will be the best ride of your life." And with that, I looked into His eyes and I let go. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And He was so right. Four years later and we LOVE where we are: a better house, a great church, wonderful friends and support. We have grown as a couple and as a family. The job is better and the income is great. Why was I fighting so hard to avoid this?? It's easy now to see why He had us move. But I couldn't see it at the time. It felt like blind trust back then. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, people have asked me how we are going to make this Guatemala curriculum work. It doesn't make sense. Are we going to live there? Is my husband quitting his great job? How are we going to raise the $500,000 we need? How can we even consider leaving our comfortable home? What about the girls? And on and on. Believe me, I have had those same questions. But when I start to freak out and my arms and legs want to wrap around my present, I remember my last ride with God. And I look into His eyes again. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Go</span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-77948698046385654942014-08-18T07:12:00.003-07:002014-08-18T07:12:47.453-07:00Warriors and Battlefield Scars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What does a warrior look like? Is it someone who is perfect? Someone who finds life easy, always doing the right thing, always having the right answer? Is it the toughest of the tough? Never been wounded because they're too strong for that?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think that deep in everyone's heart is the desire to be a warrior. To have a life of adventure. To make a difference in the world. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, I'm not going to define what your adventure or you making a difference looks like because there is such a wide range for that. But I do want to talk about a couple of characteristics of warriors.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scars. We all have them. Life knocks us around and no one escapes without some kind of battle scar. The good news is, scars mean a wound has healed. They are proof that we didn't die, we weren't defeated or completely crushed beyond repair. So, what do we do with those scars? Do we pick at them for the rest of our lives? Reliving over and over the pain that we experienced and the injustice of it all? Do we hide them in shame? Do we lie about them? Do we give up and sink into depression because of the way they got there?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jesus has scars. Let that sink in. He wears the deepest scars of any human being. So how does he handle his scars? He shows them to a hurting and broken world. He uses them to build our faith. He uses them to testify to God's power to overcome anything and everything. And warriors do the same. We boldly and unashamedly show our scars to a hurting and broken world. And we use them to build up others' faith. We testify to God's power to bring anyone through the battle, a victorious champion. Stronger than before we went in. We overcome the enemy by the word of our testimony (our scars) and the word of Jesus's testimony (the blood of the lamb).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's it. The big one. Warriors love like no one else. They love while everyone hates. The kind of love that is excruciating. If someone hits them on the cheek, they offer the other cheek. They love when there is nothing given in return. They love the unlovable. If someone asks them to go one mile, they go two. If someone asks for their coat, they give them their clothes as well. It takes a strong warrior to love like that. Jesus said that anyone can love the easy way. But we are called to a deeper kind of God love. The kind of love that makes no sense and changes the world. The kind of love that looks like the picture above. And the kind that looks like this.</span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"I want you to do the death crawl."</strong><br />"What you want me to go to the thirty yard line?"<br /><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"I think you to go to the fifty."</strong><br />"I can do it if no one's on my back."<br /><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"I think you can do it with Jeremy on your back. But I want your best."</strong><br />"Alright." he shrugs.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Ok." "You’re going to give me your best?" </strong></span></div>
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Your best." the coach says more firmly</span></strong><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"I’m going to give you my best." he finally says with true conviction.<br /><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Okay, but I want you to do it blindfolded."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Why?"</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Because I don’t want you giving up when you can go farther." </strong><br /><br />The boy starts out at the one yard line. The coach is standing above him, talking confidently. </span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></strong></span><br />
<div class="img_caption undefined" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 460px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="Facing The Giants" class="caption" src="https://mbfc.memberclicks.net/assets/facing-the-giants-6-1.jpeg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Brock on the one yardlilne with Jeremy on his back" /></strong></span><br />
<div class="img_caption" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brock on the one yard line with Jeremy on his back</strong></span></div>
</div>
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
</strong></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Show me good effort." </strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"A little bit left."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"That a way Brock."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"There you go."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"It’s a good start." </strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"A little bit left." </strong><br /><br />Brock stops and takes a rest.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don't give up on me Brock."</strong><br />"I'm not coach. I'm just resting."</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brock starts back up.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The coaches encouragement grows louder.</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Your very best."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don't quit on me."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"There you go."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don't quit until you've got nothing left."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"That's it."<br />"That's it."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />Brock's pace slows.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><u><b>"It hurts. It hurts. He’s heavy. I’m almost out of strength."<br />The coach drops to his knees and begins to crawl next to him. Now he is screaming his encouragement in his ear and crawling along beside him. </b></u></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="img_caption undefined" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 640px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="coaching giving encouragment" class="caption" src="https://mbfc.memberclicks.net/assets/390627899_640.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dont you quit on me Brock" /></span><br />
<div class="img_caption" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Dont you quit on me Brock</span></div>
</div>
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></strong></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"It burns!" Brock says his struggle growing.<br />Coach screams louder. <strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Let it burn!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"It’s all heart!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"My arms are burning!" He's slowing more now.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"You promised me your best!"</strong><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Your best!"</strong><br />"It’s too hard!"<br /><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"It’s not too hard!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"You give me your best!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don’t quit! No!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Keep Going!"<br />"Don’t Quit!"<br />"Don’t Quit!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Give me more!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Give me your best!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don’t Quit!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Don’t Quit!"<br />"Brock Kelly you don’t quit on me!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"You keep Going!"<br />"Ten more steps!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Ten More!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Ten More!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"I can’t do it!"<br />"You can! Just five more!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Five More!"<br />"Don’t Quit!"</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Two More!"<br />"One More!"</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brock collapses to the ground. The coach falls to the ground in front of him.<br />"I can’t make it to the sixty. I don’t have anymore." Brock whispers his face buried into the turf. The coach removes his blindfold.</span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Look up Brock. You're in the end zone."</strong></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Brock you are the most influential man on this team. If you walk around defeated so will they. You just carried a hundred and forty pound man across the field. And you have been gifted with the ability of leadership. Don’t waste it." </strong></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">At the end of my life, let it be said of me, "She held nothing back, she left nothing on the table, she loved extravagantly.".</span></b></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-40812464070485279172014-08-11T18:38:00.000-07:002014-08-11T18:38:04.569-07:00God Makes Us a Huge Answer to Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, as I mentioned before, we were living out a normal life. A stay at home mom homeschooling her kids. An oil and gas salesman, working long hours. How could we make a dent in the sad reality of Guatemalan people? And as we prayed those prayers, God began to form us into an answer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our pastor here in the states gave us a friend of a friend contact in Guatemala. A pastor of a 12,000 member church in Guatemala City. His daughter agreed to meet with us for coffee in Antigua. We had no idea why we were meeting with her and she even asked us why we were meeting. We could only answer that we were taking baby steps toward anything God put in our path. As we talked, our jaws simultaneously dropped. She (a Guatemalan) had attended college in our home town. She had even tried our church out twice! Now, only God can orchestrate that. Her dad had run for president of Guatemala in the previous elections and had lost. Her family felt like God was leading them to make a big change in their nation. Suddenly a lightbulb went off.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The children. That's how you change a nation. You start teaching the children. You teach them how to take limits off of their thinking. You show them how to take good care of their bodies, their families and their cities. You show them where their choices lead. Either to a good life, or a life of pitfalls. You teach them to reach harder for an education and a stable job, so they can have a stable family.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And so, we partnered with an organization who has a school curriculum that covers all of those things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And just like that, God tipped the domino that made things start moving quickly.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We went back to that family in Guatemala and presented the idea for the curriculum to change their nation. They were as excited as we were! And, in another God-move, it just so happened that a cousin of theirs is the head of education for the entire country. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And so, the dominos are still rolling right along and we... well.... we are trying to roll along with them. It's a huge undertaking. We know nothing about politics. We aren't polished. We are just a simple family, walking out our obedience to the God who gives us all good things. And our God has been so faithful. I feel like our jaws drop about every other day in response to God placing every puzzle piece right where it needs to be.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The government has given us 4 schools with about 3,200 students for the upcoming school year. We will begin our pilot program in January which is our proving ground for the government. And we hope it will take off from there!</span></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-76543725368160230062014-08-04T10:00:00.003-07:002014-08-04T10:00:39.215-07:00God, You're Asking Us To Do What??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSE3C5VGLXfX6fZ1N1D1MHallNCuvoDwnPQuqo2HXBNh-M-nFVI29JnbOQ9TbHekwif_ahI2t5prKI1TFVEldL2Yc89wQUJhJ6FCziBhvGXdelXLlINp3ynneCfkzHT50UrxRrLrT5Dc/s1600/DSC_4096-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSE3C5VGLXfX6fZ1N1D1MHallNCuvoDwnPQuqo2HXBNh-M-nFVI29JnbOQ9TbHekwif_ahI2t5prKI1TFVEldL2Yc89wQUJhJ6FCziBhvGXdelXLlINp3ynneCfkzHT50UrxRrLrT5Dc/s1600/DSC_4096-2.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We are a pretty normal family. I mean, if normal means we can still be kind of weird and like it that way. But, we are like anyone else. We like to take fancy family pictures. Just a side note: Do not attempt three outfit changes for your family for outside pictures. Bicyclers and runners WILL come by at inopportune moments......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We like to have fun.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We love vacations and our creature comforts. It's nice to jump in our cars and go wherever we want, Target being my main destination. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But then, in the midst of normal life, God began pulling us here:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is Guatemala City dump. Over 1,000 people live right around this enormous trash pile. They work there every day and they raise their families in the middle of the smell and sight of a whole city's trash. Their kids grow up believing that this is all they will ever be and the cycle continues. Very few ever get out.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What started for our family as a one time, 8 day mission trip became a passion. As our pastor says, "Once you see it, you own it.". In other words, you can't turn your back on it ever again. A small flame erupts inside your heart and every time you go back, it gets bigger and more intense. God did not create these people so that they could live their lives in a trash heap.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Did I mention that medical waste is also dumped there? That those precious Guatemalan people are walking and digging in the middle of used needles and bandages with every kind of disease on them? Oh, and lest I forget, the national cemetery sits on a hill right above. (where we took this picture) The cemetery has graves for rent. Yes, for rent. And when families stop paying the rent, they dump the bodies over into that same trash heap. Hundreds of buzzards fly around and land on the trash. It is a scene straight out of a horror movie.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I could go on and on. The situation is so overwhelming. How in the world can a salesman, a stay at home mom and three small kids make a dent there???</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This was the prayer we prayed. Let me just tell you that God LOVES those prayers. I fully picture Him on the edge of his throne cushion, (At least I imagine He has a nice, fluffy cushion to sit on.) just waiting for someone to ask Him what they can do. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Matt 9:37</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And so began our journey........ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Next up, God makes us a huge answer to prayer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-19364179038978222922014-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:002014-08-01T07:21:32.704-07:00Time for Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyBUtP1vxqUqSQ_Xvd311rCzegBX3FoxhIRAwwBXXyOHkscpi-TmmScL8W584vtGcLGgUcBX6hQOG74tqq6ybbmYO-n2mZb6zR5taHbZf_GOKo1QfiGk_mYFixyrHyQ4Akke8xVZk8vQ/s1600/IMG_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyBUtP1vxqUqSQ_Xvd311rCzegBX3FoxhIRAwwBXXyOHkscpi-TmmScL8W584vtGcLGgUcBX6hQOG74tqq6ybbmYO-n2mZb6zR5taHbZf_GOKo1QfiGk_mYFixyrHyQ4Akke8xVZk8vQ/s1600/IMG_0835.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">So, I've been away from my blog for a while. Busyness took over. I started homeschooling our three girls. Homeschooling three girls looks a lot like my daughter's hair in the picture above. It's totally crazy. It's fun and rewarding, but it's also flat out crazy. I have been at my pinnacle when my girls compared a painting they saw to a Seurat painting and I hoped everyone around us heard. And I've been at my lowest when my oldest made me a picture of the American flag. Which she made into a triangle. Which she spelled Mrica. Which I hid in my purse so no one would judge.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">But I've missed getting to share from my heart. I've missed purposefully finding those little jewel moments of my day so I could share them here. And so I'm back. I'm not sure how often, but I'm back. And I can't wait to share the HUGE changes that God has made in our lives over this last year. Huge! As in, so big that we are out of our league, out of our comfort zones, in over our heads.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">But, that will have to wait until the next post........ : )</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-51272031509227358092013-01-03T10:54:00.001-08:002013-01-03T10:54:13.905-08:00New Year's Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF-FTt0GHswUHnK4R1E2jfhDCwfk9I7YvpnUB3H4BYLzqToDN9_ADQBl1Zo-Rf5kVv1gg1jSElNEKT62MJZDe0mwtqjNB25CMDvc_CwCOGJmfHKPyOqTM-zF2z8-TbLpWM28AljKDGkQ/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF-FTt0GHswUHnK4R1E2jfhDCwfk9I7YvpnUB3H4BYLzqToDN9_ADQBl1Zo-Rf5kVv1gg1jSElNEKT62MJZDe0mwtqjNB25CMDvc_CwCOGJmfHKPyOqTM-zF2z8-TbLpWM28AljKDGkQ/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: normal;">I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas week and got to spend lots of time with your loved ones. (my favorite part!)</span></span><br />
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: normal;">God has been speaking to my heart again. I was thinking about New Year resolutions, which I never take seriously. (for 2 years running, my only resolution was to grow my hair out, accomplished by strenuous act of not getting it cut off. Ha!) Last year, I turned 33 in December and for the first time had a serious resolution: Since, according to scholars, Jesus lived to be 33, I strove to be more like Jesus. This year, I thought about it and prayed about it, thinking, "What could be better than to attempt to be more like Jesus?" God whispered to my heart, "Be more Lisa." Wow. Talk about blow me to the ground. He spoke to me about this: Imagine a person who totally discovered, cultivated, and embraced all God made them to be. A person who had the courage to fully be that person, not caring what others thought, not wearing a mask. What a fiercely powerful individual that would be. A world changer. God made each of us thoughtfully, carefully, intricately for such a time as this.</span></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: normal;">And think about the verses where God tells us to love him with all that is within us? Now turn that around. You know if He asks that of us, He is already doing it. Meditate on all that is within God. All the love, power, wisdom, energy, creation. All that is within Him focused on you. Pretty healing stuff.</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-91367269220135021762012-04-02T20:07:00.000-07:002012-04-02T20:07:09.813-07:00Balloon Party For Elle BelleSo after last year's somewhat involved birthday parties, I had declared that this year we would be doing simple parties for the girls. Parties involving kitty cat plates and such from Wal-mart. Then Elle requested a balloon party. Great! Easy peasy. I would buy a bunch of helium balloons and call it good. My mistake was casually typing "balloon party" into the search bar on Pinterest. : )<br />
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So many CUTE ideas. I was hooked and with Elle helping me design the event, here is what we ended up with:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cannot say enough good things about the woman who designed these invitations! For less than it would cost me to buy generic ones at Target, she worked with me, making changes several times. She even included the envelopes. Her FB site is here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/That-Cute-Design/141701582527759">http://www.facebook.com/pages/That-Cute-Design/141701582527759</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The striped party hats and cute party banner on the front of the table are from Target.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The rainbow jello instructions are on Pinterest. Very, very cute, but VERY time consuming. If you don't mind spending <u>hours</u> keeping track of 20 minute increments of time to pour the next layer, then go for it. : ) I personally won't be making it again. Ever.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The hot air balloon was on Pinterest, but no instructions were given. Just the cute little picture. How hard could it be, right? Hmmm. Let's just say those three little balloons took me more time than any other project for the party. Other than the jello. : ) If you're going to make them, be sure you have a bigger helium balloon and that it is fresh (is that the right description?). The more deflated the balloon gets, the less it is able to hold up even the skinny little strings I used. As for using cute ribbon, no way. The balloon couldn't handle the weight.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The recipe for flavored water is on Pinterest. As are plenty of rainbow colored food ideas.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The cupcakes were simple. Boxed cake mix, lightly frosted with canned frosting. Then, dipped in sprinkles. It took 3 bottles of sprinkles for 36 cupcakes. The plastic balloons were ordered online. My girls loved those plastic balloons. Just don't make the mistake I did and think you're ordering 12 of them, but instead receive 12 BAGS of them with 9 bunches in each bag. We will be decorating all of our food with plastic balloons for the next year.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wy8CXiDEeLnVyAq-oYYBD1N4CXaXLqTUqZyifltfFyP6qs74RNJSqmUbTZWtm25Ud3VuVzyzoxJZ76mreTI5cjq6cgaOvWmk_aWvUFuNdbuHd818xgKIYMugIh2jFdoRDiUPuAd-Av4/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wy8CXiDEeLnVyAq-oYYBD1N4CXaXLqTUqZyifltfFyP6qs74RNJSqmUbTZWtm25Ud3VuVzyzoxJZ76mreTI5cjq6cgaOvWmk_aWvUFuNdbuHd818xgKIYMugIh2jFdoRDiUPuAd-Av4/s640/DSC00176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My wonderful hubby made the giant balloon swag. It really was a show stopper. Here are the instructions: <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2011/05/balloon-banner-diy/">http://www.designmom.com/2011/05/balloon-banner-diy/</a> But don't let the blog instructions fool you. This is another time consuming project. Awesome when it's finished, but I firmly believe that when you start a project, you should know what it will take to finish it. It took Jason 2 hours to make it. He did use an air mattress pump to blow up the balloons, which helped. But, you still have to tie all those balloons and when it came to the sewing part, if the needle so much as grazed a balloon by accident, Pop! So, make sure you have more of each color than you think you need.</div><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-85130160055439395972012-02-08T12:51:00.000-08:002012-02-08T12:51:55.565-08:00Valentines TreeI love mixing patterns and textures! I wanted to do some more Valentine's decorating using things I already had around the house. I had some cute red and white polka dot tissue paper to start with. And I decided to use some newspaper to mix with it. I traced small hearts on each kind of paper and cut them out. I poked a hole towards the top with a pencil and my daughter Emma hung them on tree branches for me. I kind of wish I had cut more newspaper hearts, but I'm not about to "correct" Emma's work. I love how it turned out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjwld8UZISFv2HFrwehpOZ_YpPPGipgv8PR_DR6HgtcJd3ugH4HOzg22NlP4uA2skpGoFiu8aa_E8jYZl1T3Ho3Mhc6Ma3O73nZjVNyoynLwkTZQi6rBAgtFdVAibnTbrQkaLbcNgkmw/s1600/DSC05169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjwld8UZISFv2HFrwehpOZ_YpPPGipgv8PR_DR6HgtcJd3ugH4HOzg22NlP4uA2skpGoFiu8aa_E8jYZl1T3Ho3Mhc6Ma3O73nZjVNyoynLwkTZQi6rBAgtFdVAibnTbrQkaLbcNgkmw/s640/DSC05169.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-7146812077232071782012-02-02T21:15:00.000-08:002012-02-02T21:15:41.646-08:00Valentine's Day WreathI wanted to make a quick, cheap Valentine's wreath for the front door. I already had coffee filters and had been wanting to make a filter wreath, so I combined that with another Pinterest idea and was pretty happy with the result!<br />
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I used this tutorial:<a href="http://www.thenester.com/2010/11/making-a-coffee-filter-wreath-and-tree-and-things-of-that-nature.html">http://www.thenester.com/2010/11/making-a-coffee-filter-wreath-and-tree-and-things-of-that-nature.html</a><br />
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Unfortunately, I didn't have enough coffee filters and my wreath wasn't nearly as full as I had intended it to be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6wrKd8gSlNepb_v6ak7u6c_M_avgcIptoGTbXFUn5wqwjZ6sTy9TS8dtuqK0KR47_NGXOXDa1g8MXV-vkviO5rQYuKDQiLq3kCAXahVVFl_vaCnVmL_foqV-XtCMEhqjbKiskWbzQsk/s1600/DSC05165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6wrKd8gSlNepb_v6ak7u6c_M_avgcIptoGTbXFUn5wqwjZ6sTy9TS8dtuqK0KR47_NGXOXDa1g8MXV-vkviO5rQYuKDQiLq3kCAXahVVFl_vaCnVmL_foqV-XtCMEhqjbKiskWbzQsk/s400/DSC05165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">From the street, it looks fine though! Also if you cross your eyes when looking at it up close, it looks much more full. ; )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The picture frame idea came from this tutorial: <a href="http://daniellebartran.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-decor-things-i-really-want.html">http://daniellebartran.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-decor-things-i-really-want.html</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The best part was, I didn't even have to glitter my heart. Hobby Lobby had them for $1!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was forced to glue polka dot tissue paper around the sides since I ran out of coffee filters, but I thought it turned out pretty cute.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The polka dot flower was just rolled up scrapbook paper. There are tutorials for those flowers everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope this gives you some inspiration for your own Valentine's wreath!</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-89173712103265347972012-01-14T10:51:00.000-08:002012-01-14T10:51:13.876-08:00The Bathroom Situation<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing you never think about when you are young and clueless is the bathroom situation. On any given day, one or more of your bathrooms may look and smell like a truck stop. And YOU have to clean them. And you aren't even making minimum wage. Think it's easier to clean that crud just because you love them? Think again. And just because you have girls doesn't make you exempt when the oldest is deathly afraid of the loud flushing sound (so she doesn't flush) and the younger one isn't always "ahem" careful about her aim & etc. (I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks) I always enter the bathrooms in my house with fear and trembling.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5S3NUdf1iibb3Uuk10uw_-YVqbubSazoiX5N42S97Wn2EaR2QdhUa2M79qybdA-qJHBfsCY-lR8uEXGhwTewXqfktoIeSjVQOQs6cR0RnvyilHWNNeJbwdDxNS-KD85efjBUIHl07-A/s1600/DSC04858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5S3NUdf1iibb3Uuk10uw_-YVqbubSazoiX5N42S97Wn2EaR2QdhUa2M79qybdA-qJHBfsCY-lR8uEXGhwTewXqfktoIeSjVQOQs6cR0RnvyilHWNNeJbwdDxNS-KD85efjBUIHl07-A/s400/DSC04858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-88054739664371530592011-12-22T07:26:00.000-08:002011-12-22T07:26:30.297-08:00Merry Christmas!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Well, we're finally ready for Christmas around here. Gifts are bought, wrapped and under the tree. Santa's cookies have been baked (Santa is coming tonight to our house this year). We've made salt dough ornaments, snow globes and paper gingerbread men. We've had Christmas parties to throw and attend and goodies to bake for neighbors. All this on top of our everyday lives. It's so easy for the real meaning of Christmas to get pushed to the side. Easy to forget about the sacrifice Jesus made to bring us truth, love and hope. Last night at church, we sang Oh Holy Night which is on my top 3 list of Christmas songs along with Silent Night and Mary Did You Know. "A thrill of hope. The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees." Beautiful words that probably don't even begin to touch the night when Christ was born. Praise God for sending His only son for a broken, hard and cruel world. </span><br />
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</span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-11608993841786037992011-12-20T09:13:00.000-08:002011-12-20T09:13:47.683-08:00Apple Cider BarWe had a church party last night and I was wanting to make a cider bar. Of course, Pinterest helped me pull it off. I wanted to share this idea in case you're looking for the perfect cider set-up for your Christmas get together! I wish I had taken a picture before the party when I had more cups stacked on the counter below the "cup tree" and my pot of cider sitting there. Also, there were more apples stacked on the plate before my girls got into them. : )<br />
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Here is the link for the cups: <a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-la-dolce-vita-party-candy-cup-with-carry-handle">http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-la-dolce-vita-party-candy-cup-with-carry-handle</a><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-10687959322958834702011-12-12T18:26:00.000-08:002011-12-12T18:26:54.907-08:00It's a Pinterest ChristmasThanks to Pinterest, I have gotten extra crafty this year. I think that's a good thing......<br />
I wanted to share some links to the tutorials I found this year.<br />
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These thrift store glass vases were painted with white enamel glass paint. Tutorial here: <a href="http://www.sugarandcharmblog.com/2011/01/easy-and-beautiful-enamel-painted-vases.html">http://www.sugarandcharmblog.com/2011/01/easy-and-beautiful-enamel-painted-vases.html</a><br />
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My iphone camera takes terrible pictures, so I apologize. But these coffee filter trees were so easy. Pin some coffee filters onto foam cones, hot glue some buttons and you're done. I will warn you that the foam cones are not cheap, so bring your 40% off coupon if you're going to buy them. Tutorial here: <a href="http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/12/coffee-filter-christmas-tree.html">http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/12/coffee-filter-christmas-tree.html</a><br />
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I loved the idea of this rustic, Pottery Barn-ish wreath for the front door. Once again, cheap coffee filters play a part in making the cute, ruffly flowers. Tutorial here: <a href="http://www.carlykmyta.com/carly-kmyta/2011/11/make-it-yourself-monday-christmas-wreath.html">http://www.carlykmyta.com/carly-kmyta/2011/11/make-it-yourself-monday-christmas-wreath.html</a><br />
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No, I did not sweep the crud off my front porch before taking this photo. As much as I love to look at all the perfect blog photos out there, I do not often have the time it takes to make a photo session for one blog picture. : ) These JOY pots were very easy because good ole Wally World had the plants in red pots already, so no spray painting there. I just got glued the ribbon and JOY letters (from Hob Lob) on and stuck those babies out there. Easy peasy. Inspiration here: <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/12/joy-trees.html">http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/12/joy-trees.html</a><br />
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This is the worst iphone picture of all. See above comment on my feelings about the subject. Ha! My first picture in this blog has a better photo, although farther away. This is a book page wreath. I love, love, love the way it turned out! However, the blogger with the tutorial stated it took her a little less than an hour to complete it. I call foul. It took me over FOUR HOURS. I may be a bit slower than her, but not that much surely. At least I love it and have let my family know that it will hang on our wall forever and then I have instructed them to put it on my grave when I pass. Tutorial here: <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2011/09/you-made-a-wreath-out-of-what-a-linky-party.html">http://www.thenester.com/2011/09/you-made-a-wreath-out-of-what-a-linky-party.html</a><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-37972860416764243182011-11-14T16:48:00.000-08:002011-11-14T16:48:48.140-08:00Goodnight Moon PartyElise's favorite book is Goodnight Moon. In the weeks before her 2nd birthday, her big sisters quizzed her repeatedly on what kind of party she wanted. They offered Dora, Barbie, Wonder Pets, and any other show or book she has ever liked. She was firm in her decision on Goodnight Moon. : )<br />
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As a book lover, it warmed my heart. As the party planner, maybe not so much. I knew I wasn't going to be buying the party supplies at any store. But, with a LOT of help from my artist sister, we pulled it off pretty easily.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Goodnight Bunny in his bed</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My sister made the 3 Bears Sitting On Chairs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">These popcorn bowls turned out so cute. They looked like little kitchen hats. I took 2 coffee filters and wrapped them around a plastic cup, tied the ribbon on and folded down the edges, then slid the plastic cup out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I made another Dollar Store tiered tray tutorial here: <a href="http://thatslifekids.blogspot.com/2011/05/lets-get-this-party-started.html">http://thatslifekids.blogspot.com/2011/05/lets-get-this-party-started.html</a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My sister made the quiet old lady out of panty hose and a stuffed rabbit. Brilliant! Notice the Cow Jumping Over The Moon picture on the wall that she made also. I copied the kittens onto cardstock and propped them up with clothespins glued to the backs.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The window was made from poster board and the stars and moon were made with white tissue paper.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The birthday girl having her moment. None of my girls like to have the birthday song sung to them. Ha!</div><br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-37267815856100458982011-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:002011-11-08T13:13:33.981-08:00An Afternoon at PhilbrookWe love Philbrook with a capital L. We can easily spend an afternoon there, which is what we did last week. This is where homeschooling is right up my alley. Creative learning outside the classroom. Sigh. It's wonderful. If you haven't been to see their gardens, you really should. The colors are incredible! Here are a few of our pictures.<br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1189265240477127617.post-49575640147144421482011-10-25T11:52:00.000-07:002011-10-25T13:27:17.997-07:00Plastic Tablecloth PetticoatSo, Halloween is around the corner and we were not happy with Elle's pink sailor costume from Target. It was baggy and saggy and not much like the picture on the front of the package. I realized that the girl in the picture must have a petticoat on under the sailor skirt. So, I started pricing petticoats. Not wanting to spend another $20 (at least), I decided it was time to get creative. I researched on the internet and could not find a homemade petticoat that didn't require sewing. Then, it hit me! Remember that tutorial on making ruffled party streamers out of a cheap plastic party tablecloth? Yep. That's right. It also makes a super-cute petticoat! I just cut the tablecloth into the length and width I needed and then used as many layers of tablecloth as I could. I probably got 20 layers out of one tablecloth. I lined them up as evenly as possible and stapled all across the top to hold them together. Then, I took blue duct (duck?) tape and put it across the staples, front and back so they wouldn't be sharp. Then I gently pulled each layer to create ruffles. Tutorial here: <a href="http://cupcakesandcutlery.blogspot.com/2011/02/cutest-ruffled-streamers-from-plastic.html">http://cupcakesandcutlery.blogspot.com/2011/02/cutest-ruffled-streamers-from-plastic.html </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span>I duct taped ribbons onto each side to tie the back together and we were done!<br />
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I think it turned out pretty darn cute!<br />
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</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676825499011595189noreply@blogger.com6