tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87952434739222048302024-03-14T00:22:17.700-07:00higher is our heart's desire...Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-8369061850418951832011-02-14T18:00:00.000-08:002011-02-14T18:06:04.365-08:00That smile...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bCiSwKAb2f352KUhFS9EXUw8e2td3HtCcxLBD0uEimOE7dT8XcWeZx2mGtXA4NOmko2xIYClylLgfOMS-O7eStbSBtRYx7a6uCkG3I8mQ_4CUqgfd1lhYHQv-TfIg-clS-6D6y02zRxm/s1600/Mike.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573731181447236178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bCiSwKAb2f352KUhFS9EXUw8e2td3HtCcxLBD0uEimOE7dT8XcWeZx2mGtXA4NOmko2xIYClylLgfOMS-O7eStbSBtRYx7a6uCkG3I8mQ_4CUqgfd1lhYHQv-TfIg-clS-6D6y02zRxm/s400/Mike.jpg" /></a> ...that smile melts me on a daily basis...<br />and he loves me...Oooh, how he loves me...<br />Happy Valentines Day to my sweetheart!<br />02-14-2011<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a><br /></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-90375092967890155292011-02-13T15:11:00.000-08:002011-02-13T16:05:11.360-08:00When<div align="center">So, my daughter is asleep on the couch after a long night of a high fever and trying to fight through the "Sickies" and continue to play today as she wore her dress up clothes and colored Cinderella, made the fairies fly, read her stories, wore her dress-up heels...trying so hard not to be sick. Now, the "Sickies" have won and she's asleep on the couch...so it is my time to watch her sleep, reflect, pray, write...and share.<br /><br />You may recall not long ago, I shared with you an incredible book that I read..."One Thousand Gifts"...that has had such a profound impact on my life...actually on my living. The book, with an emphasis on gratitude, is profoundly rich and on page 44 of her book, the auther, Ann Voskamp quotes from Jean Pierre de Caussade,<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">"When one is thirsty one quenches ones thirst by drinking,<br />not by reading books which treat of this condition."<br /></span></em></strong><br />Angie Smith also reflects on this statement on her blog <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2011/02/one-thousand-gifts-chapter-three.html">Bloom-(in)courage</a> this week.<br /><br />With this insightful statement in mind, I dare say...Okay, my dear friends and walkers-of-this-earth...it is time! It is the definite time...to stop wanting to be what we are not. To be what we so desire...to be what we know God has planted deep within us. To be real...to be deep...to be in the moments of our days...to have gratitude...to experience this life with others around us in pain and joy...to stop reading books about how to quench our thirst...and drink from the well! I don't ever want to be guilty of reading about what I should be, planning to be what I want to be or need to be at a later time...I want to BE!!! And, it is so much MORE...yes, more. There is more...more to be experienced, more to hear, more to know, more to be thankful for...more to express heartfelt gratitude for...more to experience with those closest to us.<br /><br />I will continue to read...Oh, how I love to read..God's Word, other's interpretations of that Word, stories of life...but, then I will write my own in the living.<br /><br /><strong><em>I don't want to read about:</em></strong></div><div align="center">-how to be a friend...<em>I will be a great friend to the awesome friends I already have.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center">-how to be happy<em>...I will live daily in contentment, joy and peace</em>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center">-how to be successful...<em>I will be all God has called me to be in each moment.<br /><br /></em>-how to be a great communicator...<em>I will listen better tomorrow than I did today.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center">-how to be a great mom...<em>I will spend TONS of time with my kids.<br /><br /></em>-how to be a superb wife...<em>I will love my husband more...serve him more.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center">-how to be a good employee...<em>I will work as unto the Lord.<br /><br /></em>-how to study God's Word...<em>I will study it, memorize it, live it.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center">-how to run an effective household...<em>I will do the best I can, and let the rest go.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center">-how to make my dreams come true...<em>I will live gratitude moment by moment and realize that I couldn't dream a life as incredible as God has given me.<br /><br /></em>-how to plan for my future...I will follow God's incredible journey for me<em>...take risks as He leads, be still as He is silent.<br /><br /></em>-how to enjoy my life...<em>I will have joy unspeakable...laugh at tomorrow...have<img class="gl_italic" border="0" alt="Italic" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /> fun!<br /><br /></em>-how to worry less...<em>I will worry less, trust more...<br /></em>and on...and on...and on...and on...<br /><br />So, what are you thoughts...what are you planning to be<br />"...when things are better,"<br />"...when my situation straightens up,"<br />"...when my kids are grown,"<br />"...when I retire,"<br />"...when I have more money or less stress"<br />"...when I graduate"<br />"...when...???"<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-55053058038951292352011-02-05T16:31:00.000-08:002011-02-05T17:19:38.211-08:00Keep calm and...<div align="center"></div><div align="center">I've been gone...too long, you see. It's been a long time since I poured out my heart...shared my blog-best. But, you see...things <em><strong>have</strong></em> been happening...life has been moving, God has been speaking, our family has been through alot. I wanted to share, you see. But, something went wrong...hampered the process...stopped this blogger cold. My laptop crashed (checked out, conked, croaked, expired, flatlined, perished, succombed). Whichever you choose...it left us.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570370977159705554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHKHF00UnCZ18yuIRJLLCx2u_e4mS2on75PlphCFmX42cpe2QfgagIYZ_HZAn-itk9GiJ9NY59YhoBrHJJbMpF-asG2-ARXcCDAGa3EyY_a7hosLecSPN2Y05Idy4P42JiKsSoRO411Gp/s320/computer+crashed.jpg" /> <p align="center">And, there was only one thing left to do...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570370981611093666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAvtir96B8KUsJ12rCqOxMksQLLV4xkz-KJEb_NGnQBQL3UHz-uKmLa_O-tDKFcnedKmVhb4bTksdUWJ6X6c2B1Ygt0mxq2lDI6ncx2LVSE6zFIfrPUiqNUrwp6y5aD1qnvaPBinGwspm/s320/Keep+calm+and+carry+on.jpg" />I will tell you, though, that today, as the day progressed, and it appeared that a new laptop may be in our future, my little heart smiled a quick smile. We are proudly an officially 'techie' family and have been for quite some time. And, I'm ok with that. I think.<br /><br />So, I'm back...and here's a quick low-down...Christmas was awesome (computer went down two weeks prior, so after a few home decor pics, it was downhill from there), snow has about done us in this winter, Isaac continues to participate in gym meets frequently that we travel to (today's was in Gallipolis, OH and he did great!), Abby is gearing up for an exciting ballet/tap/jazz show in the spring (Alice in Wonderland), Jonah is becoming a swimming FOOL at his private lessons at the local college, Mike continues to take classes online at Liberty, we had to replace 6 tires out of 8 recently -one of which ruptured with all 5 of us in the car - and two car batteries all within two weeks - (BAD!), school is going great for the kids, and Abby turned "5 whoppin' years old" in January. It is also very noteworthy that we have been through some very saddening, tough times with some very special friends this past month, and continue to travel difficult roads with them as time moves forward.<br /><br />Now, since I didn't get to do my annual New Years anticipation post...just a quick run-down of what we are looking toward the next few months...Isaac continues to have tumbling meets working toward the state meet this spring, Abby's ballet in June, Jonah's last semester of private swimming lessons, VBS, Children's Bible Camp at Ridgecrest this spring with Mike at the helm, possible horseback riding lessons for Abby, studying the book of Hosea in Sunday School this month, new reads, camping trips...maybe the beach???? My plans...yes. God's plans...maybe not.<br /><br />But, tonight, I'm just settling in with my new laptop after rolling my daughter's hair in her new spongerollers, listening to the Food Network in the background, propping my feet up and getting ready to study my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow.<br /><br />Above all...on my mind...thankful for God's mercies today, thankful for great friends, thankful for my precious family, thankful for another day...thankful for a Savior.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-51479216617568965982011-01-29T13:38:00.001-08:002011-01-29T15:48:17.828-08:00Dare...double dare.<div align="center">I just finished one of the most profound reads of my life. Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching...exhausting at times, refreshing at many others. <em>Exhaustingly refreshing perhaps?</em> Is that possible? This book is not for the faint of heart. </div><div align="center">I dare you. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913">One Thousand Gifts</a>...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 142px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567726884441563682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyWGDvKreZnnJqYR2llnkxd63y6zU5JNFLVJEv2ZL_ZcS35pqDl7t6KUT4zMY5AX9bGtU1itIS4Nik_ncAIoNkF0PoNKGHxHHB_aIQCegnHHjcuya87d3VbPP7gqSQ_4jxTSjYSBVoGVG/s320/One+Thousand+Gifts.jpg" /> It has changed me.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-84793398644497164052010-12-06T17:40:00.000-08:002010-12-06T18:06:26.945-08:00We finally caught that crazy Gingerbread Man!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1V5xFBdm2ffkjX-DCTMymtpz4D9zu26ip12u9TulU90LxquIKnTb0OdtM_2Bb4IJM-PfKWx2p1wVvycMSU92JyGdKzMH9c55qMeBZXrAWrPpbroRgrU6Kk4JcRuv0fBEap5GZ5EQAu7D/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547750433659918178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyTUGeiR_KJQWLdT-8lpX4zT6uoILYt8xiwJYOrR386wOTKzUKm7gOxDiMF2EBMGVV9nq7iC_C0MitkF6qjpyoSQQTcGJHZ9Y9q8Q3VTZ-aGlfM-Jv3QunVckpV4NwfzrOh6oXchp5DpV/s320/IMG_4693.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRLm8Z8BxpWpXyYSJqP97TVYtfjcIxgOQhKUBXh4bli_hQXQSemk0GGe2rdHe3B1hYALr3P2jyTtNRGljwTHx8NBq5mSG22giDIQYVI6hNQvXUAXhMlfUiJFhOHZZsol99trolrRSHfwg/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547750432347077474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRLm8Z8BxpWpXyYSJqP97TVYtfjcIxgOQhKUBXh4bli_hQXQSemk0GGe2rdHe3B1hYALr3P2jyTtNRGljwTHx8NBq5mSG22giDIQYVI6hNQvXUAXhMlfUiJFhOHZZsol99trolrRSHfwg/s320/IMG_4694.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU9aFpt0iGZnuj2lVNtk4UE3UdSP1GB7WSp6ZhYWGImCMAFvznj072BX7sIg8iiW1e9CQZ4Ez4ioJwbqchRIlxkRAFBpO-sCX3kRTKURoTQmv-4wDg2T3GaWw-ovwf6_er1DPGFJnOeN8/s1600/IMG_4695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547750424481396274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU9aFpt0iGZnuj2lVNtk4UE3UdSP1GB7WSp6ZhYWGImCMAFvznj072BX7sIg8iiW1e9CQZ4Ez4ioJwbqchRIlxkRAFBpO-sCX3kRTKURoTQmv-4wDg2T3GaWw-ovwf6_er1DPGFJnOeN8/s320/IMG_4695.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAruAwtMSpIYxqowEAPQ0pGQX-zCQNrDi_AxXRTA-LZRdQ9MPfoZNmitASqB7p-h9EcfvsxqQ8Rjb6g7Eo1rDDnVmopFMvKANclBMSNzsy0Yest26RoXlvUXzejiEeRKeNHVTq5mRoIVIz/s1600/IMG_4696.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547750420914533826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAruAwtMSpIYxqowEAPQ0pGQX-zCQNrDi_AxXRTA-LZRdQ9MPfoZNmitASqB7p-h9EcfvsxqQ8Rjb6g7Eo1rDDnVmopFMvKANclBMSNzsy0Yest26RoXlvUXzejiEeRKeNHVTq5mRoIVIz/s320/IMG_4696.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIryqpujhplIMpmxIIPfprfr97NT7EY2dLU_eidov86Uirtt2fX_CbPlHPL7WCaoZLNKsiltVSFALCqJtP6zW8QlYifr7XaFRqHL-X23pft3eSMXQ5VR0lah5u-OFyHCmhAEU2A0QO397z/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547750417064424770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIryqpujhplIMpmxIIPfprfr97NT7EY2dLU_eidov86Uirtt2fX_CbPlHPL7WCaoZLNKsiltVSFALCqJtP6zW8QlYifr7XaFRqHL-X23pft3eSMXQ5VR0lah5u-OFyHCmhAEU2A0QO397z/s320/IMG_4697.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-74071173459016796252010-12-05T16:14:00.000-08:002010-12-05T16:16:54.800-08:00Christmas 2010<div style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 494px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidget"><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); HEIGHT: 6px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop"></div><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 6px; PADDING-RIGHT: 6px; BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y; HEIGHT: 482px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter"><div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 14px; WIDTH: 105px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 34px; PADDING-TOP: 14px" class="sflyProductPreviewLogo"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 350px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="sflyProductPreviewContainer"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0IZsmrJszaMm/0IZsmrJszaMmcW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1291594370000/0/" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15px; LINE-HEIGHT: 19px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 55px; PADDING-TOP: 15px; BACKGROUND-: 0pxcolor:#f4f4e9;" class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" ><div style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:arial, sans-seris;font-size:15px;color:#333333;" class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" ><span style="font-size:0;">Snowflake Band Black Christmas</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family:arial, sans-seris;font-size:13px;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size:0;">Make a statement with custom <a style="COLOR: #6666cc" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">Christmas cards</a> at Shutterfly.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family:arial, sans-seris;font-size:13px;color:#333333;"><span style="font-size:0;">View the entire <a style="COLOR: #6666cc" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">collection</a> of cards.</span></div></div></div><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); HEIGHT: 6px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom"></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-8061491122859992812010-12-02T17:14:00.000-08:002010-12-02T18:59:11.063-08:00Take your shoes off and come on it!<div align="center">Shew...I've got a cold...it started this morning when I was walking across the parking lot at work...started sneezing, and have sneezed all day. Now, the mild congestion has set in. So, tonight, Abby and I stayed in to rest and relax while Daddy and the boys went to Jonah's swimming lessons and to the area Annual ChristmaSing held at our church (which we hated terribly to miss...it is always so great!) While I was taking cold medicine and resting on the couch snuggled with my tissue box, it was precious to watch Abby playing with her dolls...she will be a great mom someday, I am sure!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546266517864126690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1KMMPN_qJf4IMrVw-rseJ0jhh5tXMpMskVe40Qp5WaAQYbt9XTpVOWt2P3SWxyqVyQk_c5dGXH88IqOMjJhpEQ-3Jpm8jr9XRgHzxhkKNozKpUm83VVI0acLBZUHFiNcdONfGI7dPRb2/s320/IMG_4627.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Looks like she might want a big family...hehehe...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS__LQ7-a3aZAjl-kx4JTs-jACvgeFD8V6c3UD3MctfgIB8kk-UqWwBwD3Fh-S0eEQi2GKf1e7NQpjsknt7vOdz3xL7Bd9O5DcQFWs4HaWscl14MPkpfY46gZvUqi-P5LbPQ3FmyRbiTRv/s1600/IMG_4669.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271719760713890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS__LQ7-a3aZAjl-kx4JTs-jACvgeFD8V6c3UD3MctfgIB8kk-UqWwBwD3Fh-S0eEQi2GKf1e7NQpjsknt7vOdz3xL7Bd9O5DcQFWs4HaWscl14MPkpfY46gZvUqi-P5LbPQ3FmyRbiTRv/s320/IMG_4669.JPG" /></a> Since I wasn't up to doing hard-core projects tonight, I thought I would share a BUNCH of "around the house" photos with you tonight to catch you up to speed. We have been excitedly participating with the Blankets of Love Missions Project being led by the Children's Ministry of our church. So, these are some of the blankets/throws that we have been collecting from others to add. These will be given to local families through our church's Christmas Food Box ministry in a couple of weeks...we are praying over each one, that God will allow our love for them to impact the ones that are wrapped in the blanket. The children in our church are handling each one with tender care as they fold, wrap them in beautiful ribbon and place hand-made cards inside.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqG_5q-88QI7KjgvMEpgkgDu7kj26GO_5fhk77_9ou6hiVzxvlX6BT8VJkzXPBAIx6ZyfLozzLwm5_qH5M_lmdKty-wPdeEDZ6AGhxdeRmVttgtaxQl-I_8lnxtn6xpaqGtpMpFiCy9h/s1600/IMG_4668.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271427506428690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqG_5q-88QI7KjgvMEpgkgDu7kj26GO_5fhk77_9ou6hiVzxvlX6BT8VJkzXPBAIx6ZyfLozzLwm5_qH5M_lmdKty-wPdeEDZ6AGhxdeRmVttgtaxQl-I_8lnxtn6xpaqGtpMpFiCy9h/s320/IMG_4668.JPG" /></a> Moving around the house, the boys got a little carried away when decorating their Christmas tree in their room with Daddy and Papaw recently, so now we have lights strung everywhere! They love it and it is quite festive, I must admit! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW5X37aejZqeAT1fthYIgp1A6hXrtPK3o5WkcTQVMnauj-qE9VyPkLYQGqlv5IXEpQfnLguLoJfllzp4Xt86dasf9mksW8K7U0L_3LogQqQ4BVBbdqFGEREohpHX6JIGEfBzpcqzJ3Syq/s1600/IMG_4667.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271423927594914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW5X37aejZqeAT1fthYIgp1A6hXrtPK3o5WkcTQVMnauj-qE9VyPkLYQGqlv5IXEpQfnLguLoJfllzp4Xt86dasf9mksW8K7U0L_3LogQqQ4BVBbdqFGEREohpHX6JIGEfBzpcqzJ3Syq/s320/IMG_4667.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rKc3BJb8YzxiTipZFmPcZwP7e5hZYbLfSnDwtfyTBVWqd4boPWQnAE9-QYIcmZE_l6et-1YLIIXwA8KfwRonuw_62ZX_k5XpfNb7VpGA2_H7GUsdJb-Yb4FzuSHoj0dvoKCWFfvxeqE_/s1600/IMG_4666.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271418825713826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rKc3BJb8YzxiTipZFmPcZwP7e5hZYbLfSnDwtfyTBVWqd4boPWQnAE9-QYIcmZE_l6et-1YLIIXwA8KfwRonuw_62ZX_k5XpfNb7VpGA2_H7GUsdJb-Yb4FzuSHoj0dvoKCWFfvxeqE_/s320/IMG_4666.JPG" /></a> These are the newest addition to the Bell boys' Christmas ornament collection - Star Wars! They have recently become quite intrigued with the Sci-Fi phenomenon and so, I surprised them with new ornaments from Hallmark this week and they were ecstatic...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG58zhw98RWcXBpjwI4i_kIkFX9ac-6tTX4EOegd4zTpgIAqPhDu73feg_A0cq47pnjXbUg_bAHKn1nAs-6Honm0vTGvNnp6lYbKp3rQyCGGcQ_5GxD1Smy5frqsfMOqD6ElwTAMVw-JO/s1600/IMG_4665.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271411033808786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG58zhw98RWcXBpjwI4i_kIkFX9ac-6tTX4EOegd4zTpgIAqPhDu73feg_A0cq47pnjXbUg_bAHKn1nAs-6Honm0vTGvNnp6lYbKp3rQyCGGcQ_5GxD1Smy5frqsfMOqD6ElwTAMVw-JO/s320/IMG_4665.JPG" /></a>Another Star Wars "guy" - I'd hate to meet him on the holler!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLIpbhO0wdUdm6w8QjI-TYiA_MR0SA1Fra1cUdCFl3_cH6R1QkeTBkyb0hMRtkY_8nqwx5R1Wh8tM6hRfgGfLsYqgB30zHxH02_cK9-15BrDIsdIjNLlfctz5cFjK1pADRdk5SGdMeiXC/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546271409863485266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLIpbhO0wdUdm6w8QjI-TYiA_MR0SA1Fra1cUdCFl3_cH6R1QkeTBkyb0hMRtkY_8nqwx5R1Wh8tM6hRfgGfLsYqgB30zHxH02_cK9-15BrDIsdIjNLlfctz5cFjK1pADRdk5SGdMeiXC/s320/IMG_4663.JPG" /></a> This ornament is on the boys tree - it was their daddy's when he was a youngster...he was also a drummer in the high school band, so that makes it a little more special!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi8CrAaWwKVjjahtI5wR80v0uMidR86o4QlQ4T-auRxzXYigRQ4LCLGPiOWpQTi0EUKtctuOwbimwKJiCTZ9c4UiXykSzAvHwi5zCSV1cu6SEgMPXmOl5K-HR322ldMQNRTsQ3g6Zz7eB/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270854196894146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi8CrAaWwKVjjahtI5wR80v0uMidR86o4QlQ4T-auRxzXYigRQ4LCLGPiOWpQTi0EUKtctuOwbimwKJiCTZ9c4UiXykSzAvHwi5zCSV1cu6SEgMPXmOl5K-HR322ldMQNRTsQ3g6Zz7eB/s320/IMG_4662.JPG" /></a>An old favorite still "hangin" around - Spider Man.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpowN33b1Ng3L0Dk4iZBUv-dPtAeglygNjTYVsUf6dOcD_F505dyuUKJ3O3C0A2JPR5NF-Q0kLrFE9H_fk6d_CQ8ftI_pdKvWFtVn99YWr-qbIoPZaNgNm8cjeh9Y-59-iMCwGsyHKjp7Q/s1600/IMG_4661.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270850176056210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpowN33b1Ng3L0Dk4iZBUv-dPtAeglygNjTYVsUf6dOcD_F505dyuUKJ3O3C0A2JPR5NF-Q0kLrFE9H_fk6d_CQ8ftI_pdKvWFtVn99YWr-qbIoPZaNgNm8cjeh9Y-59-iMCwGsyHKjp7Q/s320/IMG_4661.JPG" /></a> By far, one of the ultimate favies - Lightning McQueen.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rrBHqvryW-6wMj12At6PxFxybEANUAnT8r0Me9wOoVU-HYYUUPrYTo6xNEHVvZXhYt_GW_rI9BYbanHA2meNm08WHeo35wrl7X8wAlJ_si1ZDBYmPpXmgEsFBYbb3SyPS9vd3sML_jTR/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270842495838514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rrBHqvryW-6wMj12At6PxFxybEANUAnT8r0Me9wOoVU-HYYUUPrYTo6xNEHVvZXhYt_GW_rI9BYbanHA2meNm08WHeo35wrl7X8wAlJ_si1ZDBYmPpXmgEsFBYbb3SyPS9vd3sML_jTR/s320/IMG_4660.JPG" /></a> And, without a doubt, the Christ child - front, top and center for all to see! <br />Oh, How I love Jesus, Oh, How I love Jesus...Ooooh, How I love Jesus,<br />Because He first Loved Me!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d8Xia4WU4TofED3Ed8onmhK9PKlT8LS6eIWb-t56OhNy7U0p6TXuxeegMvONNaR7SZ515a_o5B7HQS9LDc6ujf_akNfOAHU8cbFnTXtVl9ORs5DGn0e4JsGy_jQ2GKu8K6pxXE9WZPtU/s1600/IMG_4657.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270834185784658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d8Xia4WU4TofED3Ed8onmhK9PKlT8LS6eIWb-t56OhNy7U0p6TXuxeegMvONNaR7SZ515a_o5B7HQS9LDc6ujf_akNfOAHU8cbFnTXtVl9ORs5DGn0e4JsGy_jQ2GKu8K6pxXE9WZPtU/s320/IMG_4657.JPG" /></a> Abby squealled when I showed her the surprise Princess and the Frog Hallmark ornament I got her...sheer delight from her 4 year old heart.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270109404610178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7UOpX-9sLsaY2Wa_KxoP-Ep19BYCIjN122OjwzTrbDow-OXXNLzc6UujJy-5HML0uDp1sZNvd8TX59vS_SbmjBAHnntsav1hg8mcQqguEOhuG2JB3rd8bom2-WVjvyZzPzoY2ckf0AFP/s320/IMG_4654.JPG" />Abby's homemade Handprint Family ornament...one of my favorites, of course! So special!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3yEQKm-DdRXXYMGy7xQSjOVOshK7UC7HotUyUEvUr13lYRQWftfKv9XK81Fcm8HJMdQYJtIP8wDyO9V_9IfoByC8BR3hVCoY6aEei1LcE_btQRDFfazSAY290_pOuPu0HBuGPMHM_z7V/s1600/IMG_4656.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270832480915666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3yEQKm-DdRXXYMGy7xQSjOVOshK7UC7HotUyUEvUr13lYRQWftfKv9XK81Fcm8HJMdQYJtIP8wDyO9V_9IfoByC8BR3hVCoY6aEei1LcE_btQRDFfazSAY290_pOuPu0HBuGPMHM_z7V/s320/IMG_4656.JPG" /></a>Doesn't every budding ballerina have to have a Barbie ballerina ornament?<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270106350066946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK8V2zafQutkIavy1oMq3KxpqQVTE9N2Z0D-Azp8rTknZ4TLr-EyUeHzxwnzDih5i9cq1q1RrvnWZBxfka3pwhoTR-Fr_ryOn3GYt5f7ghQJ9NsV7Y8tZCTJk-CAGvRuYZGvluBaQRIxq/s320/IMG_4653.JPG" />Abby placed her "Baby Jesus in the Manger" smack dab in the center of the tree!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546269365861128738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEipFdxUl_-FIE4YLlFTVPwTA1mScaq1LN5oQykYQYRAEDwpUqqImPLpJ9LnQjMnRin0ccUQC6lvaYAMfmo6KK8eaFvdSyZnVIHWLgzPbvmOCJ0XRZ3cReW2p50mq30-Hz5n68yi4gcD1/s320/IMG_4651.JPG" />The completed "feather-boa'd, beaded, pink-santa-hatted, ornamented" mess!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn9R6MnQ2S7IhD3Cm7bRwbIotNT3jARrh_6O7FYoptFhiNy7mQADzUUzd6pXkFyWmjB5_0g3vts5zsLlHb8uI9URt7bGeZzPPj3E41shYYGoO7hCYgiTEZpmPgFt8UjDMU7UhA7_vQpxS/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270133660591362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn9R6MnQ2S7IhD3Cm7bRwbIotNT3jARrh_6O7FYoptFhiNy7mQADzUUzd6pXkFyWmjB5_0g3vts5zsLlHb8uI9URt7bGeZzPPj3E41shYYGoO7hCYgiTEZpmPgFt8UjDMU7UhA7_vQpxS/s320/IMG_4659.JPG" /></a> School Picture Ornament of Isaac 9 years old, 4th grade<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ndFXRV72INg7e8miZKZpXkVTMdkVM6Vpy468V-ng4fjd-Dpbt90UiAl5E5ccoJsFVVgHmd5MvQUL9e6boGxjhd62U3JuLYaECQCVSZyaylB3RE7VGkR9Rmw2WBkOEeVP0MCZ5NdJqTAQ/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270132889565570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ndFXRV72INg7e8miZKZpXkVTMdkVM6Vpy468V-ng4fjd-Dpbt90UiAl5E5ccoJsFVVgHmd5MvQUL9e6boGxjhd62U3JuLYaECQCVSZyaylB3RE7VGkR9Rmw2WBkOEeVP0MCZ5NdJqTAQ/s320/IMG_4658.JPG" /></a>School picture ornament of Jonah, 8.5 years old, 3rd grade<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcbF_fnslPt57In1uJ8h67nqHtZl0OYoJXX34qUD-j3u2UdacJJGiDZhX6KfPnOj2lJH4YPHXpcwlK28skWAlyc8lTvfqXbpeAtScPCvDEF_HV3icySVCdiWjFQYvmqCGD6Y-OkxECwuA/s1600/IMG_4655.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546270115340407714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcbF_fnslPt57In1uJ8h67nqHtZl0OYoJXX34qUD-j3u2UdacJJGiDZhX6KfPnOj2lJH4YPHXpcwlK28skWAlyc8lTvfqXbpeAtScPCvDEF_HV3icySVCdiWjFQYvmqCGD6Y-OkxECwuA/s320/IMG_4655.JPG" /></a> Preschool picture ornament - ballet picture, 4 years old.<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dOGrf6S-_qa5Gjg7C-84x9GUSgu2FDIzTFRSXFDG6qncqi0aPzM5N1wOaF2zH42nq2Vq2IZig2SER6Ju2dVPlCd90MfgBxmUbk4eXk6eyeslCbdf_ActIsIXEQhxXe3U1gZW1xV41NjO/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546269357203307682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dOGrf6S-_qa5Gjg7C-84x9GUSgu2FDIzTFRSXFDG6qncqi0aPzM5N1wOaF2zH42nq2Vq2IZig2SER6Ju2dVPlCd90MfgBxmUbk4eXk6eyeslCbdf_ActIsIXEQhxXe3U1gZW1xV41NjO/s320/IMG_4649.JPG" /></a> The antique rockin' chair that was Michael's great-grandmother's...filled with Christmas pillows.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNwLhEOMAHbrVK2PobTbo9HStXqteOgj4r8hhVvXOozXq1cRmb1CfrxfhDprAPNkOcYzDUtdjmqnrr5TfbvlccfOhyphenhyphenkc7WMCuAvAGnhtm4IphcIVaUzj2tZBToji62JAYIxdY22fg4ciP/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546269348030645442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNwLhEOMAHbrVK2PobTbo9HStXqteOgj4r8hhVvXOozXq1cRmb1CfrxfhDprAPNkOcYzDUtdjmqnrr5TfbvlccfOhyphenhyphenkc7WMCuAvAGnhtm4IphcIVaUzj2tZBToji62JAYIxdY22fg4ciP/s320/IMG_4647.JPG" /></a> My new tablecloth...and yes, it comes with a story. I ordered it and the placemats from a local primitive specialty store that I frequent because I just thought they would complement my home so nicely through the holidays. I asked the cost of the placements - very reasonable! And, I was in sort of a hurry. The store owner said, "Do you want to know the cost of the tablecloth before you leave?" [Can you tell where this is going?] I said, "Nah, just go ahead and order it...Just call me when it comes in." Well, she called the house about a week later and Mike happened to be home. He gladly picked it up for me...and when I got home he politely let me know that he really liked the tablecloth and placemats but didn't know they were THAT much!! I won't reveal here how much it was, but...yes...I learned my lesson! ALWAYS ask the price. AND, I love my tablecloth and placemats so much that I plan to use them until the kids go to college:)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GFuKT06n6ic5gW7bWGbBmyFNFSiIEinRd3QP3XXjjxXMV4krgzwQjpuJYX95aJdMbam02kkcgyQ-4aEd3Y6iv0Yga6e0SS3gYxuZidq-NsHMNREavk5YS9TUsA7CROA2jCALyYMIXEnA/s1600/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546269334637404418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GFuKT06n6ic5gW7bWGbBmyFNFSiIEinRd3QP3XXjjxXMV4krgzwQjpuJYX95aJdMbam02kkcgyQ-4aEd3Y6iv0Yga6e0SS3gYxuZidq-NsHMNREavk5YS9TUsA7CROA2jCALyYMIXEnA/s320/IMG_4646.JPG" /></a>Lovely, huh? Matches my primitive decor!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tVv-vm6eEvxlckwuL2Zxj6pk8OvaIAyoa1YDp7UQOMG9ThmkiDe7v30DpYxF4uiyNhcgdscwyxqS2dAgq3zNN5LSzDDj1H3qfHN7ts9FmNCt4mYXPNMECnb5cHoCphbebZmNS7NcNO6z/s1600/IMG_4645.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546269326350236194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tVv-vm6eEvxlckwuL2Zxj6pk8OvaIAyoa1YDp7UQOMG9ThmkiDe7v30DpYxF4uiyNhcgdscwyxqS2dAgq3zNN5LSzDDj1H3qfHN7ts9FmNCt4mYXPNMECnb5cHoCphbebZmNS7NcNO6z/s320/IMG_4645.JPG" /></a>My favorite Christmas photo...look real close and see if you can guess who Santa was!!! I'll never tell, but I think the eyes give it away. The "Guest Santa" agreed very politely to donn the suit as a volunteer at the local nursing home a couple of years ago. The children new immediately it was "the special someone" and it was ALL I could do to keep them from telling everyone there and ruining their SANTA VISIT!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GRe-bqpwddFoXE_QFayyqlnC-HRcYTYlw0GrZXkBz6ldWkA_aA6vHYvidD1F17srrndlqIdrZCIsqLfgaiGz76RjYHgZhOoXaFEvIa2TrPlIbBY9q2_ZXqbt6zlEuCkfNGwiFlkWQiRg/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546268383925481330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GRe-bqpwddFoXE_QFayyqlnC-HRcYTYlw0GrZXkBz6ldWkA_aA6vHYvidD1F17srrndlqIdrZCIsqLfgaiGz76RjYHgZhOoXaFEvIa2TrPlIbBY9q2_ZXqbt6zlEuCkfNGwiFlkWQiRg/s320/IMG_4644.JPG" /></a> Special ornament bought by us to commemorate the HomeGoing of our biological son, Michael Andrew Bell, 1999.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEmJeu6tN3_18qyziH6U_AFamdCvEP_gsi_dwMgCa9PqYDd3X6XJ5Cav57JGVsz5oh7fsdak2H9CtACDXV6vJvGh0_pDexg-L9fhXQNtKO4Q4lB2uvmZsmuAf7RxFxZIs-snTUeJ1dOLg/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546268378517454226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEmJeu6tN3_18qyziH6U_AFamdCvEP_gsi_dwMgCa9PqYDd3X6XJ5Cav57JGVsz5oh7fsdak2H9CtACDXV6vJvGh0_pDexg-L9fhXQNtKO4Q4lB2uvmZsmuAf7RxFxZIs-snTUeJ1dOLg/s320/IMG_4643.JPG" /></a> Special ornament to remind us that our daughter Allison and son Andrew are together with the Lord! What peace and joy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9R90lWfiRHXi9WcvLK16aOYbUsUNKXocIpnz64JUlPHAPGIRyCrx-Pvus-XKCApGez2JgOP2EkwJWl1X83FXyCv22L1sAnSKHxRM7eYKJ8MnI4pvKWMfUqLSriQPgkWKoQ9gVMB8NNm/s1600/IMG_4642.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546268369876552866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9R90lWfiRHXi9WcvLK16aOYbUsUNKXocIpnz64JUlPHAPGIRyCrx-Pvus-XKCApGez2JgOP2EkwJWl1X83FXyCv22L1sAnSKHxRM7eYKJ8MnI4pvKWMfUqLSriQPgkWKoQ9gVMB8NNm/s320/IMG_4642.JPG" /></a> My cute litte primitive gingerbread men.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2BedUR8AQkMW6GH3M4Ov2Ocv1QoWQ2IzntJu27bLlDX2xTs-ay2A8l6LB7SRkZkyfEcaN_9KoKEnmH44cxGGaImfEEP2CwqLit4sO3HIipviUP0gtLqzM1e2zC7nxKmTDhughVXjePJb/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546268367264103282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2BedUR8AQkMW6GH3M4Ov2Ocv1QoWQ2IzntJu27bLlDX2xTs-ay2A8l6LB7SRkZkyfEcaN_9KoKEnmH44cxGGaImfEEP2CwqLit4sO3HIipviUP0gtLqzM1e2zC7nxKmTDhughVXjePJb/s320/IMG_4641.JPG" /></a> I love this whimsical snowman - he makes me smile...wonder if he's related to Pinocchio?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhjV6OxDUItwgWIekgncsm7xsyD7fRr_LEY6bcEu-0lQYGvKbz8miPNSDzPEgSS8-9BOnuFH6bnge2meRYvrpBCQpus3W8wLmyJ4PQ4Cz2l93ZiptBh3ToKSLRkY8IE3yW-VbFS9dV0EZ/s1600/IMG_4640.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546268355563553170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhjV6OxDUItwgWIekgncsm7xsyD7fRr_LEY6bcEu-0lQYGvKbz8miPNSDzPEgSS8-9BOnuFH6bnge2meRYvrpBCQpus3W8wLmyJ4PQ4Cz2l93ZiptBh3ToKSLRkY8IE3yW-VbFS9dV0EZ/s320/IMG_4640.JPG" /></a> My sweet family...(Abby's name is covered by evergreen)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmpF1Qui16TQadIarCqoFKqVGXT3Puocn1VH4r-2zTLCIqLyX6vJDrBRF7SAe5npKEwrL5I_ZGYeK-jcSOMTKFZpI0mWL1LFX8tSUwIvL4qo-Fypmifj_GITWVgVlRq6USgjCUjnIW6AO/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267585985663202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmpF1Qui16TQadIarCqoFKqVGXT3Puocn1VH4r-2zTLCIqLyX6vJDrBRF7SAe5npKEwrL5I_ZGYeK-jcSOMTKFZpI0mWL1LFX8tSUwIvL4qo-Fypmifj_GITWVgVlRq6USgjCUjnIW6AO/s320/IMG_4639.JPG" /></a> A special gift from a friend.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvX1v-hFAP-tqLCvLHe5MX0nxo7ZvO7uptfkVhzmT0dyxQy9ryyk3TLtiBkpyeT_ZtvUv9oJ5ATV0knI9opdPVwNWDfhniEgoXAbtq719JOZl2aqFW0LzA4HlkZQld9WNEe7pKttex7Fl/s1600/IMG_4638.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267574912494482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvX1v-hFAP-tqLCvLHe5MX0nxo7ZvO7uptfkVhzmT0dyxQy9ryyk3TLtiBkpyeT_ZtvUv9oJ5ATV0knI9opdPVwNWDfhniEgoXAbtq719JOZl2aqFW0LzA4HlkZQld9WNEe7pKttex7Fl/s320/IMG_4638.JPG" /></a> Happy Campers...reminds us not to get discouraged, spring is right around the corner!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHL7xnPH-7tLg1c-IW5Q7gmFsWbzSJ80NehyVcSeNWI9vjAfx-Y0uxy4HPqtuN22egfxO_wkPO5Sd0-cRyJYSWvmdEOGgLWh0YVAA-kjQb08lZzbvoRpkDyFfJ2K3_oXXSZ3fpRqGLdQP/s1600/IMG_4637.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267564080907634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHL7xnPH-7tLg1c-IW5Q7gmFsWbzSJ80NehyVcSeNWI9vjAfx-Y0uxy4HPqtuN22egfxO_wkPO5Sd0-cRyJYSWvmdEOGgLWh0YVAA-kjQb08lZzbvoRpkDyFfJ2K3_oXXSZ3fpRqGLdQP/s320/IMG_4637.JPG" /></a> Our First Christmas together, 1997<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9wKbF6eiy_ykxGJ40anCPXUUiqoWq2YCyEBUoRpC1onWv8FDtoNwwuv4X9SkWFnseXNGu8hd8bmEXw8la6uh8_VmL3PW-C0AZelEfu3MA1fLS2kA1WO8r8ehRFgYy4vTBevI-AgZSw7n/s1600/IMG_4633.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267554760529346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9wKbF6eiy_ykxGJ40anCPXUUiqoWq2YCyEBUoRpC1onWv8FDtoNwwuv4X9SkWFnseXNGu8hd8bmEXw8la6uh8_VmL3PW-C0AZelEfu3MA1fLS2kA1WO8r8ehRFgYy4vTBevI-AgZSw7n/s320/IMG_4633.JPG" /></a> The wooden star... we use it to teach our children about the star ... and how it eventually led to the wooden cross, where Jesus would eventually die for our sins...the Birth to Death to Life story of the Saviour...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVi416tIGhVgec3nTKb_iuvStN4KZjGzkCWKwGFE9tj1UVXOz-s-e6zQLVa2jtUhBlGnDKlnAb43i_6CRQ3cROl0Pus_9nsI481n3WDqZtWh90i7A2hJ7oHXUWlOVeMGJLxopKPBorHn8/s1600/IMG_4632.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267539354509138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVi416tIGhVgec3nTKb_iuvStN4KZjGzkCWKwGFE9tj1UVXOz-s-e6zQLVa2jtUhBlGnDKlnAb43i_6CRQ3cROl0Pus_9nsI481n3WDqZtWh90i7A2hJ7oHXUWlOVeMGJLxopKPBorHn8/s320/IMG_4632.JPG" /></a>Primitive fabric candy canes...so sweet<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_yKf7XAgxxc0kUgn7lbH8Yc-V9zQr8a3_pBV9TIBWUX18xnjhgx-NRkMBqbtuPIxclf1LtIJMG0hhyfTTT_uxJ7_avw9W70xGVr_OMfnUUVJFr7tONdfDDZ_ovkMS1t5rAmivD-UTxZz/s1600/IMG_4631.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546266581128105426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_yKf7XAgxxc0kUgn7lbH8Yc-V9zQr8a3_pBV9TIBWUX18xnjhgx-NRkMBqbtuPIxclf1LtIJMG0hhyfTTT_uxJ7_avw9W70xGVr_OMfnUUVJFr7tONdfDDZ_ovkMS1t5rAmivD-UTxZz/s320/IMG_4631.JPG" /></a> Front and center!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_gdwgfRI3x6IshfeKvpC-MpMNPQFir6gg1S_qvESkQLbV2ff_egRdylIBnutwfV0Rvrw6W0g_RLJgoDrBMEhpWWYWST_1_ugfNGVk6npr4-I9lJDftMCXg55DqeU6eSuvOpse-10d5W/s1600/IMG_4630.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546266567478989794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_gdwgfRI3x6IshfeKvpC-MpMNPQFir6gg1S_qvESkQLbV2ff_egRdylIBnutwfV0Rvrw6W0g_RLJgoDrBMEhpWWYWST_1_ugfNGVk6npr4-I9lJDftMCXg55DqeU6eSuvOpse-10d5W/s320/IMG_4630.JPG" /></a>One of my newest ornaments - we bought it during our Christmas DisneyWorld vacation last year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmg3uKy4rmwPnG_QLgJAQlS0xKZvawPl3Lk1ZSZ5iE89RAVJrgSHf9cbmFgjKYcZF2hDTGcSG9UoAPOIWlOU3qtfz2FBFugVbIFMegY_3fqGj8Fa0u5Hn2c8YoN0KOfY_NzhktwVsN9SH/s1600/IMG_4629.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 162px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546266539758700834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmg3uKy4rmwPnG_QLgJAQlS0xKZvawPl3Lk1ZSZ5iE89RAVJrgSHf9cbmFgjKYcZF2hDTGcSG9UoAPOIWlOU3qtfz2FBFugVbIFMegY_3fqGj8Fa0u5Hn2c8YoN0KOfY_NzhktwVsN9SH/s320/IMG_4629.JPG" /></a>So, there's my tree...and if you look real closely, you can see that I even made the homemade rag garland. I love it's coziness and warmth...rustic bells, wooden ornaments, small quilted pillows, barns stars, stockin's and so much more make it suit the Bell family just fine.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv-5Gz-g35Jx0twpzhEWdt3YOReecVzPfWoC2glcl54Ch8YVP_rngwhvmiuzfq9uVo19U2nIJz4UgtG3F7IUn-aVEAmxqV9nY1VF1DNMQBF2wW3m6DEd4Jra84YQPFB5Am3KU9BFTLwCU/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546266530679158818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv-5Gz-g35Jx0twpzhEWdt3YOReecVzPfWoC2glcl54Ch8YVP_rngwhvmiuzfq9uVo19U2nIJz4UgtG3F7IUn-aVEAmxqV9nY1VF1DNMQBF2wW3m6DEd4Jra84YQPFB5Am3KU9BFTLwCU/s320/IMG_4628.JPG" /></a>Thought I'd also share this jewel with you as well...LOVE this little flameless candle...it has a timer on it and it comes on every evening at dusk and goes off after we go to bed. The flicker in the evenings is so fun and we don't have to wonder if the kids are going to get burned by a candle. The ambience is nice and although the technology is nice, it still reflects the ole' warmth that I love when I am home.<br /><br />Well, thanks for sharing in my holiday home review! I pray that your Christmas celebration is memorable, reflects Christ's birth with reverence and intention and brings a little nostalgia of days gone by!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-1362415939363538092010-11-28T06:45:00.000-08:002010-11-28T11:05:55.234-08:00Twinkle, Twinkle<div align="center">I never will forget that moment...It was early December, 2009, and all three of my children as well as my husband were in the church Christmas play. The boys were playing the roles of Townspeople in Bethlehem, and Abby had been asked by an adult volunteer, and good friend, weeks before to be "The Star." <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544612209089341442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6rbOJSoFNgBio5xGT2ZpBkKrg988BZP8klvgYSBnUo7wZOvJRcg_K0JNfC5LYKrl-TL1JPruVUnNDtO370Bqm4pnMZMQYSfPVcyZYRwzJeGRwKh64WpHywFrqcnp31dFmehkHfggr-3R/s320/Abby+Christmas+Star.jpg" /><em>"But, mommy, I don't want to be 'The Star.' I want to be an angel."<br /></em>I heard my daughter's plea, but I insisted to her that since she was the tiniest and had been asked, that it would be the polite thing to do. She wimpered a little, tried to cry...but, I talked it up enough to get her through those last few rehearsals. The night of the play...she got teary-eyed again with more of the same, "<em>But, mommy, I don't want to be 'The Star.' I want to be an angel." </em>She was truly disapppointed...and my heart was touched. She was heartbroken..and, you have to see, God was working to teach ME ... the one who needed to learn ... through my precious one. And, it has taken me a year to put it all together!<br /><br />You see, this year, Abby IS AN ANGEL in the play!!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544626661177745554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmhVrwfdCZ8OFhBgORQ8WXpIj8Q2Kh8Brn3bZiGb_dciCKNVIO6Yc7m8lmIGezf0SQGm0uQD5ShKfsBnNuBb5EXmq1fMlYwzEa2nCs_gDthtv2jTjNXhgXJkdKaUx6my94VPJuvZf8CbS/s320/hispanic+angel.jpg" /><br />She is the happiest little angel, singing with the multitude. She is by far more blessed and pleased to be one of several singing together, making it happen, being part of a team...sharing fellowship, friendship, worshipping together...it is precious.<br /><br />And, you wonder where the lesson is for mom...I won't go into great detail here...but, for those who know my recent struggles best...I am far better suited to be "singing with the multitudes, pleased to be making happen, being part of a team, sharing fellowship, friendship...being together" and after difficult decisions realize now how precious it is.<br /><br />Now, please don't misunderstand me...Abby and I both understand the role of "The Star..." it shined, it led, it probably sparkled and twinkled...it drew attention...it was a 'VIS' (VERY IMPORTANT STAR). We appreciate it, understand it's value and are so thankful for it!<br /><br />However, Abby..."I don't want to be 'The Star' either!"<br />Thank you for teaching me...and being patient with me as it took me a year to get it right!<br /><br />Can't wait to see you singing with the Angels! I'll be the one smiling from the front - totally getting your joy in being an angel! And, we will be praising Jesus together!<br />(...and pics will follow, I promise!)<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-60435924901880892662010-11-25T05:11:00.000-08:002010-11-25T05:40:30.311-08:00New Leaf<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 194px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543475288114341906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDLksbb7xoIaVm9fcD9X2ti6la4lb1WtO5OEi8sUSMcJoPwB7p6wP9TmHVng8GjVLtkpzYLWXhrqAz0gSUDLOkfT0lqWPJDlZRQCcuAVUaNCjNNIKRhKq4ti58nCh1jErOMBWTGyHKZDH/s320/leaf.jpg" /> <div align="center">Since today is Thanksgiving, it is, <em>in my mind</em>, the perfect day to explain that I have recently "turned over a new leaf"! Life has changed alot for me...and boy, is my cup overflowing with thankfulness. My secular working role has changed significantly after<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">much</span><br />prayer and searching for God's will...and when He aligns His Word with your present circumstances...it all works for GOOD! It is amazing to me that my life could change so significantly so quickly, the quality of my days be so phenomenal, my strength being renewed like the eagles...and the joy...<br /><br /><em><strong>oh, the joy...</strong></em></div><em><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543476354130153170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheObPzBXzsEojDHUVzuFqncCkDn-gA8RjGrl8ApSJEHCHqwgPzEIrcLziSB3J1FpSUnSy6WSkN_mjY9xKx6xmn5co5tiREsJcBOAkQEFKslrHqjvEJdFrdBgk8Sdihnc6mg5KVGN_6S7iz/s320/joy.jpg" /></strong></em> <div></div><div align="center">the peace and JOY...<br />that floods my soul...knowing that I am in the center of God's will, had a great learning experience where I have been, can look back without regret, and move forward with delight is overwhelming. Not many people are blessed to be able to return to their previous working environment with renewed vigor...to see it with brand new eyes...to appreciate it more fully...<br /><br />...but, by His grand design, I have returned. And, my co-workers, who have known me for years, frequently say...<br />"<em>You have been all 'giggles' since you've been back</em>..."</div><br /><div align="center">or </div><br /><div align="center">"<em>You smile ALL the time</em>..."<br /><br />One of them even came in and said, "<em>I feel like I am getting to know you for the first</em> <em>time!" </em>We talked for awhile, and I finally realized what this person meant. My previous role took more from me than I had realized, and I lost a large part of myself and what I had hoped to represent because I had lost sight of my priorities with good intentions, trying to do the enormous job laid before me - which was impossible while trying to be a wife and mother too!<br /><br />So, now my true self is able to shine through. And, I know that the Lord is pleased that I listened and obeyed... and<br /> <em>turned over the leaf!<br /></em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 142px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543481131889969794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6tw6dmHD4g1URFJ-G4tIlb6U5qwe4aj6xOU8PQ5QDN-OzIyISS2pmDirfhFsa6irJTpJ7P9ZuJ3xzItXk831IlAVANo3bQPqWVX93IF-xe8WzJBc1q-LoxHY4WKm9IwALC48TXJ26aE6/s320/leaf+2.jpg" />Happy Thanksgiving, 2010! <br />(and yes, I am smiling and giggling!) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </div></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-36344745678328271192010-10-25T10:02:00.000-07:002010-10-25T10:11:31.699-07:00<div align="center">To check out my new favorite blog...<br /><a href="http://www.tommynelson.com/blog/what-do-christian-bookstores-mean-to-me">click here</a>...<br />check it out today...<br />mark it as a favorite and check it frequently for great blessings!<br /><br />I especially love today's sentiments regarding Christian bookstores-couldn't have said it better myself - so I won't! Great stuff!<br /><em><strong>Enjoy!</strong></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a> </div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-71937289257185413322010-10-03T15:16:00.000-07:002010-10-03T18:12:16.017-07:00*ALERT* Breaking News: God Uses His Word To Comfort A 4 1/2 year Old Little Girl...And Her Mother...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4JL6qV9nTUp7zndN5vrlm1N5xfY1vZE9fJYqzA2OzqGvpAN1efzBiwEgwqvrK8iAIJ7o9YQz95c0FgIH6nbgqY3gesvmCwirtjnPN3C-p4do5pF5VpOWfyBsDyfJ78KAvFmiTdCKvF7J/s1600/Principles+tshirt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523963032877331954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4JL6qV9nTUp7zndN5vrlm1N5xfY1vZE9fJYqzA2OzqGvpAN1efzBiwEgwqvrK8iAIJ7o9YQz95c0FgIH6nbgqY3gesvmCwirtjnPN3C-p4do5pF5VpOWfyBsDyfJ78KAvFmiTdCKvF7J/s320/Principles+tshirt.jpg" /></a> <div align="center">Definition of 'principle'<br />a a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine or assumption;<br />b (1): <strong>a rule or code of conduct</strong>;<br />(2) habitual devotion to right principles;<br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">{emphasis mine}<br /><br /></span></em>I was listening by divine appointment this week, <em>I am sure</em>, to <a href="http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3843443/k.809C/FamilyLife_Today.htm">Family Life Today</a> on the Moody Radio Network as they were interviewing Michael Emlet, author of the the book, "CrossTalk." I was immediately intrigued with his insight into the topic of "What the Bible Is and Isn't" on September 30th.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[I actually encourage you to go to <a href="http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3843443/k.809C/FamilyLife_Today.htm">their website </a>and listen to this and other programs<br />- their programming has been a great help to me as seek to be<br />the wife and mother God would have me be.]<br /></span><br />I have been so excited at the insight the Lord gave me through this program, confirmed through my own personal Bible study this week and then again through interactions with other believers. Mr. Emlet encouraged listeners "...to dig deeper into the Scriptures for wisdom and guidance and to not just see the Bible merely as a book of do's and dont's." (<a href="http://www.fltoday.com/">http://www.fltoday.com/</a>, Sept. 30, 2010). He went on to explain that the Bible is best interpreted not in light of Biblical principles alone, but that these Bible principles should inevitably lead us toward the centrality of the cross, Jesus Christ and our personal relationships with Him.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">WHAAAA!!!</span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523960304689142274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoynghFPLTc9Uj4bGpX9MtCgt-6H7vXKJ0uyv1xeoOjqY0_aF34VozRbjz6e8uLm5VKZvSYOdV5OzzK9GEygb4jH4n7b8wH6zoIi1jlC-DGS5Ugdr77Et2iKHvsLNq-ZRhxPemDyB2XFB/s320/excited.bmp" /> <p align="center">I love, LOVE, <span style="font-size:130%;">LOVE </span><span style="font-size:100%;">this.<br /><br />And, it is so relevant in my life right now. I love how God's Word is so relevant and timely in our lives. You see, at this time in my life...raising young children who face a tough/rough world, being a working wife and mother, being involved in a church of imperfect (of which I am PRIMARY), yet wonderful people, facing difficulty it seems on every hand in my own life and with family and friends, I often turn to Biblical principles to determine my actions - or more often sadly - my REACTIONS - to life.<br /><br />But, let me say, that Now - NOW... I am looking at the Word of God, that I love so much, as SO MUCH MORE. Don't misunderstand me...I have never just looked at it as a book of principles - do's and dont's. But, this was a great "pull-it-all-together-in-my-mind" teaching for me that I needed.<br /><br />Hence...an EXAMPLE from our household:<br />I have been noticing lately that in the life of my 4 1/2 year old daughter, <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523965127866037266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__Q-fC0ZQeBpSjSK7fse-vaHnX5dW0_KL9g9SK5J8rTUln_TMBXzN6ZlErYcdTm4E2Gc6io9LTvHSsSarI36fNvS74obNuZyChtupDXw9tLItd3xga9QJ0ijTQ9n_070XbigeUe7sg-vO/s320/3+years+old.JPG" />...the worries of the world are beginning to crowd in <em>already</em>. How sad...how very sad. She is only 4 1/2, for mercy's sake! But, in her sweet innocence, over the last few weeks, she has begun anticipating her "tomorrow's" in fear and anxiety. And, here go our conversations...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523968392254430162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPGeEiD3ZcdtfWVQeykNmvdX2_VlrdA_qCPnMc6easZGbWvrqpb2FoSfDsu-toq5bLb-eqjDgD8FD1s8ngUoZYWeN3BShrr1PMDJtbSuAYii8Hs2Ql4SOCWZIlOdyxJatZBF-QtYyJqja/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" />"Mommy, what is tomorrow? Then, what is the next day?"<br />"Daddy, where are we going today? Are we staying home today?"<br />"Mommy, what will we do in three days? What will we eat when we get there?"<br />"Daddy, is tomorrow Sunday? Will I go to Sunday School? Will you pick me up? Then what?"<br /><br />She has already begun to "worry about tomorrow...". And, in typical 'Christian mother' fashion - <strong>previously</strong> I may have told her ..."So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." (NIV, Matt 6:34) I have tried to teach my children - not "just because I said so," but "because this is what the Word of God says." And, I still do...she and I have been memorizing this verse together this week and studying it.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>BUT,</em></strong> and don't miss this...<strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">But</span></em></strong>, now I directly help her correlate this "principle" to her relationship with Jesus Christ...that He loves her SOOO much, that he went to the cross to die for her...that He can and will take care of tomorrow...so that she can enjoy today!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523965892304728674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEvPbtJxiiVGEN2aYtkgZaGALlZqmQHrl0jkElJGLqud1NHLYoF2NCLsiXuqv-zh9CCNgzz7ciXjhEMUgJKOy6CTURFlMSdjxNtb6J-ltVkYgL5uZ_Ve8ymKCxwhAAqwbwk2xnJmBxqIc/s320/IMG_2557.JPG" /><br />And...isn't it amazing that when I can not comfort my child...<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#cc6600;">God uses His Word to comfort a 4 1/2 year old little girl...<br />and her mother?</span></span></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523966219567419122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4VIEpJrBRBdwQZufWWyrefCOiteP57J81FPeQT7XtD0vL4IcK-cNkIoMNOujFwRKiUXJvpdT28ZCAHkBZT8nA_KIjW7uH0p1yU3VXxVMCOyYNjbqkDD1gdGEC23rQ0idQPa_kwJDtYpo/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" /> </p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-55419082181446925012010-09-26T17:06:00.000-07:002010-10-02T19:18:21.739-07:005 things<div align="center"><em><strong></strong></em><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><strong>5 Things on my mind...<br /></strong></em></span><br /></div>1.) I chose to work today ... a Sunday ... so I could be with my sister and her family tomorrow. My nephew is having major surgery tomorrow... and I know I made the right decision to work - on a typically non-working day - when the Lord blesses everything I lay my hand to, I see Him working all around me, I am able to remain extremely focused and see things come together that otherwise and previously have not, time flies and I have peace. Now, I can totally focus on my family...the most important thing right now...Lord, heal him quickly if it be your will ... and bless my sister's socks off.<br /><br />2) I love fall...I love falling leaves, pumpkins, anything orange, scarecrows, corn stalkes, hay bales, sweatshirt weather, homemade vegetable soup, fall decorations, apple cider, did I mention ... I love fall.<br /><br />3) I had the MOST DELIGHTFUL Saturday...yesterday. At mid-afternoon, my family and I decided to drive to a new area of Kentucky we had never visited before. And, yes...it has a story. Two weeks ago, during the Beth Moore Simulcast I attended, I had the privilige of sitting behind some delightful women. As I worshipped, I happened to notice with my "typically-feminine" keen observation skills that each of the 6 women in front of me had a similar quilted Bible covers, just in different colors/patterns. I suppose you could say that all of a sudden I had "Bible Cover Envy". I just adored their little Bible Covers...they were primitive looking - old-timey...just my style. I inquired about them...and they got so tickled. One lady spoke up and said she owned a store in another community about an hour away that sold primitive home decor and gifts and she had gotten them all one to bring to the simulcast together...WELL - NOW - THAT WAS A GOD ORDAINED APPOINTMENT! We shared some sweet conversation and I took her address/phone #. Needless to say, the first lazy Saturday we had and we were bound for shopping. And, yes...I came home with a Bible Cover...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521385446931382914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIVpURS9cDz0NVCOFn3ZCeAY5E-PwWNmjAqBvQU2Fm5sn0LcumYd2SQ_6KclxwuoB8le6wkyVfbEsNZjNGv9ZdW5cc5I_lkaRfZDtiWkTZBsT83Pv5FxM2i8vFsu-7AKNFr5EbYpQxs7y/s320/IMG_4275.JPG" />...and some primitive curtains, home decor, and more...probably not your thing...but, TOTALLY mine! And, we had the MOST fun driving there and back on the little two lane road- counting little country churches - over 20, looking at old farm houses, teaching the children about old country ways...it was a fun, great day!<br /><br />4) Our internet was off for two nights...and I had a hard time. Wow...we use it alot.<br /><br />5) The more I cannot control, the more I am ok with that.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/309/EA0AE54C971A58F564134D58A8D3A5F1.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 34px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523635716271629170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGNsMkBy_jcX5ug7638nGhw_Nond7TQiRrmfROTBj8IoyWolaO7rrEukoPqG2GS4XPCJHypbe0hy4kaDCkwjLuEyW1PSopdjPKUwAbGBHRMuxWzXbdfsCQB_LcRtacwICXhy6UV9sJ9cn/s320/post+divider+image.png" /></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-79788066435461825982010-08-21T15:40:00.001-07:002010-08-21T18:31:05.281-07:00Over- or Under- Stretched?<div align="center">I have often wondered if I was the ONLY girl in the whole world who owned a STRETCH ARMSTRONG. I wanted one from the time I saw it on the commercial on t.v. as a child. I thought it was a fascinating concept...a man who looked farely normal...somewhat muscular, but could be stretched in all directions. He could be pulled, contorted...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36bnaJ6Fu1KAnCtBA9WcFgUCt2f_krI1aZI1T-TyhcjV7AV5NI2AMCCo0PM_KyscWo6fK_zM6179eh4jfvzkgAtbi5ieCvUnlV85lBghJUp0ySJhuNOseeR_GKDaNtWlPCtbFKh0fIPXN/s1600/stretch+1.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507997242234840498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36bnaJ6Fu1KAnCtBA9WcFgUCt2f_krI1aZI1T-TyhcjV7AV5NI2AMCCo0PM_KyscWo6fK_zM6179eh4jfvzkgAtbi5ieCvUnlV85lBghJUp0ySJhuNOseeR_GKDaNtWlPCtbFKh0fIPXN/s320/stretch+1.bmp" /></a> ...until he looked like this...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgnNhJJflaX0uargIiQ-o9sC5vt8phbUNQLnAjk4xTN8NJS7vtFBhxQuzruApmtlPy4os7n3bNyn4CXMRd3v2gUy1EmCqhcDIClt3rMxX4qzdbJcQps3cDNP0UMFSDLvlm2Wqo5KCUHon/s1600/stretch+2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507997054636987314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgnNhJJflaX0uargIiQ-o9sC5vt8phbUNQLnAjk4xTN8NJS7vtFBhxQuzruApmtlPy4os7n3bNyn4CXMRd3v2gUy1EmCqhcDIClt3rMxX4qzdbJcQps3cDNP0UMFSDLvlm2Wqo5KCUHon/s320/stretch+2.bmp" /></a> ...and I would pull, twist, turn, writhe...to stretch him as far as he would go! I even thought that at some point, he would never be able to bounce back. But...he always did. He <em><strong>always </strong></em>eventually returned to his original, natural state of "normal." He would look like he originally did...the stretching did not "appear" to have damaged to him in any way.<br /><br />ONE DAY...[don't you love it when a story changes??]...yes, one day, I was in our basement playing with STRETCH. I had pulled, stretched...laughed and played. When I was finished, I layed him down on the concrete floor and ran off to something else that had grabbed my attention. When I returned at a later time to STRETCH, he hadn't completely returned back to his normal state. I was devestated. I showed my mom and she said that over time, because he had been stretched SO much, it had worn him out and he couldn't take the stretching anymore. His outer protective layer had cracked...he began leaking...and the inward parts came pouring out like a flood. STRETCH could no longer be used for his intended purpose.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Analogy anyone?<br /></span></em>Feeling a little stretched?<br />A fair warning from my dear friend, STRETCH ARMSTRONG...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">You may think you are invincible. You may think you have it all under control.</div><div align="center">You may be under the false impression that you can do it all alone...be stretched in too many directions and continue to do it all well.<br /><br />Well, my sister, my brother...my friend.<br />Don't wait until you crack like this old walkway...leading to unknown destinations, with unsure footing...unbalanced, uneven...broken.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508002773144700514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhqkBslpHdvBBfDBkedpU7hHNP8FNQfdAlgt8j8PN1z5Gjf2BvSbPeZzUdqqJ8HTEPPMFepBGWZZavLEjiXN0-E102bPzK7Il7xk97MzvA-FTnNL9qYitpfFipt2vqp6PvPLD6rCEaOc7/s320/sidewalk.jpg" /></div><div align="center">...and the most meaningful parts of who you are lost to who you could have been. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508006924387017362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO5luVeXEDY-xlfRq9O6ahq2RSg0GaDJyeRxTILUcYdy6BmMoPQzgRfnxal-kVKFd8qmXFfAjjpEnuczpNaz1oFNbuDE_rup1RHzozat8hWIth-YwebQYbD2O0WQxJxkbzWZmwDH9azMj/s320/landscape.jpg" /> <p align="center">Now, doesn't this walkway look much more balanced, peaceful, calm [looks like a great place to read, for those avid readers like me]...leading to rest, peace, joy, and a water source?<br /><br />I am <strong>full-out</strong> focused at this particular time in my life on <em>un-stretching</em> myself...not living as the world would have me live - stretched in a zillion directions - but as Christ would have me live...resting in His arms, feeding on His Word, enjoying His peace, experiencing and sharing His joy...drinking from the Living Water every day.<br /><br /><em>And mostly, taking everyone I can with me to this place...</em></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-66150395843787830712010-07-28T16:54:00.000-07:002010-07-28T17:30:39.931-07:00Storm-Chaser<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKQN04tbuKdcXjO8n7iRlMD9BZz2LL4JfzNNbJiWoqnAJx6BMs9sV3KZsib_V_gh0nHAQ9O54sDBF_esDVd0X4-VCFHe3oEaiM5j6012gCTJCOpxZH2yt-YA9MbxGZFFvYQs0TL5np79R/s1600/storm.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 137px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499118475026352498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKQN04tbuKdcXjO8n7iRlMD9BZz2LL4JfzNNbJiWoqnAJx6BMs9sV3KZsib_V_gh0nHAQ9O54sDBF_esDVd0X4-VCFHe3oEaiM5j6012gCTJCOpxZH2yt-YA9MbxGZFFvYQs0TL5np79R/s320/storm.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">It is just incredible to me that I can see time passing so quickly and I am heart searching so much more...nothing has crossed my path the last few months without an impact. Is it my age causing this? Am I more contemplative than before? Am I more aware of God's presence and movement in my life than before - it seems so much more vivid right now. And I am glad.<br /><br />I love rain...actually, I enjoy a good rolling thunderstorm now and then. Anybody feelin' it? In my region of the world, the rain has been falling alot lately. And, as the thunder rolls, I listen for God to say "I'm with you." He has been so apparent in quite a few storms...<br /><br />A few weeks ago, my precious 4 year old daughter had a bad fall from a piece of playground equipment onto her head...as she lay unconscious on the ground...I screamed for my mother to ''call 911" as I cried for Jesus...Can you guess who showed up first? He was with me in the storm. He stilled the raging storm in me, helped me calm my child when she regained consciousness and walked me through whatever was to come. Our Abby was healed and God is faithful in my storms.<br /><br />The past few months have brought challenge after huge challenge in my striving to be a <strong>working</strong> wife and mother. I laid awake at night - often on rainy nights, listening to the thunder roll - praying and listening, seeking Godly counsel. I waited on the Lord...waited...waited...waited. I continue to wait on Him...and I will continue to wait as He delivers me daily from the storms that I fight to be all that He desires me to be.<br /><br />I love my family so much and I have watched my sister walk through her own storms bravely this summer - being away from her amazing family for 4 weeks, one week at a time to work her way through school courageously - all for HER family. I prayed her through her storm ... she made it through...He is ever faithful in the storms.<br /><br />I saw my own personal storm come this summer - even though the weather man may try to predict a storm...it seems we don't want to believe one is coming until we see the dark clouds come ourselves, huh? Well, my personal storm came in the area of a health difficulty that was beyond my control...nothing related to poor health habits or choice...just chance. The only option was surgery...then waiting to see if...if...the storm was going to keep blowing or settle down. Thankfully, this storm has calmed for now. My God is faithful and good. And, he uses my storms to teach me...I want to be teachable.<br /><br />Now, I watch others I love go through storms, hurricanes<em>...yes, even tsunami's</em>. I watch the weather reports - 'the predictions.' But, I have learned with time that science and history does not always know everything! And, I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that my God can calm a storm with a word,<br /><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Peace, be still!"</span></strong></em><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499118824696701666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ez-DvfC0-2tm-O3vosBjufC_siaQULqJ0hyphenhyphenh1Z_8n7PqFylUVQL0S71VtgTZCkNsgTeh4PC46dEq2E_WoJLw_I6fdGfj_xWCxsBuj8_RVDbcdzmYvTEIBxVEzfI0_4aYtINqr7VyVJ10/s320/calm+ocean.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-22886515326173474102010-05-01T13:37:00.000-07:002010-05-01T14:08:13.729-07:00Making and Playing<div align="center"> One of our great family members bought this toy for Abby for Christmas and I put it up in the closet for a great rainy day activity. Recently, we had that rainy day and this was the perfect thing - a Build-A-Bear Make-And-Play Bear. It was a delightful project and Abby was just purely smitten with it. But, more than the bear, we enjoyed the time together - about 2 hours, just the two of us...Making and Playing.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466404878153370658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61ndEWseWRTmHgxOwdPrx1blmYskI0cSZE2iIdHRDF9m17Ixq2EGddbbXLuwPJovQcIk5yxB4A9YxmU6TA7Lwjv6QuTyZSPpVFXMuXvv7FguYw7S7ei_OZcUcBE7OOpInRgKwcsMXq8Dd/s320/IMG_3536.JPG" />As soon as I presented the idea to Abby and got the box down from the top shelf of the closet, she ran to the living room and dumped all the supplies out on the floor. <br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466404872020176018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM9xeQ3Hn7xy-SCpDRs_MAAPHYXQT5Ue0_GabMOuhhREODhtNWTwUPVsJ_WKntO0vlwEO0uEnKNustFqWvuC2r6wIjLLQJ_YQxzCDI1zYDDcFQ6vsnZV-4O5DK27RnuthH98WZ-CCFJwa/s320/IMG_3537.JPG" />"Are we really going to sew that bear all by ourselves, mommy? That'll be great!"<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466405152732419954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF-WLgWylqBt8bloE0CcCB_IFZVkPa-lh75f3R48Wm93LKbkMx5DkSAhOgDlnw3VRwjlYpJYGrp78O00DcTKP6TRgwwfrp0Q3m5DvXfMZ8iAfepQ4aucrfsj3p6v2CrCt37Ag0XGABm1S/s320/IMG_3535.JPG" />She stayed with the activity entirely until it was completed...and sometimes, it became pretty tedious. She and I worked together very hard for about 2 hours, sewing, sewing and more sewing. We then had to stuff her, decorate her clothing with paint and iron-ons, and dress her. Whew...what a job!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466405156553971490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7fHVSsoHijDiQQ6ojRwXAhcaBj2Q8T1noH_bSvKqF8ukYZpx6Eeub8UYm2kSdMzYLSN5Cw-jo6WWv3_D1vqcsHkB9PL23eqE03pzi6vgEJscIJWvkDYJYSvm_UI8qcWkwAKP1QEp5xzP/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" /> We took our time so she could learn how to do it, and she really enjoyed the independence and the craftiness of it all.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXnVh59X0miYSC_Arx0oQ2f7nYPxLb9P_uH3x1xCFc5ypM8G0G_poec9B8zxJj9pqif3sv3fMn4wggPFL6TZLYJLXeTCirMuOcIlWuUK4QZQ4lS09G6NkaRznboJnswzntk2WPkzeoZeD/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466404861940163026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXnVh59X0miYSC_Arx0oQ2f7nYPxLb9P_uH3x1xCFc5ypM8G0G_poec9B8zxJj9pqif3sv3fMn4wggPFL6TZLYJLXeTCirMuOcIlWuUK4QZQ4lS09G6NkaRznboJnswzntk2WPkzeoZeD/s320/IMG_3538.JPG" /></a> The large plastic needle was just the right size for her tiny hands. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWC7P1GZgxT5-LK3mU1m7-jjXdgQyhYyR-8vGf1N_eFKa9htRbE30ZsMKkkm7Rkvr0Ea6ibm0Z9aPt5N5O9G0Kekw9N7c40TRRQM11S7rprhaLaOOCiJ9O9mywatWg2uSfqvmbIou7Uag/s1600/IMG_3539.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466404853861476018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWC7P1GZgxT5-LK3mU1m7-jjXdgQyhYyR-8vGf1N_eFKa9htRbE30ZsMKkkm7Rkvr0Ea6ibm0Z9aPt5N5O9G0Kekw9N7c40TRRQM11S7rprhaLaOOCiJ9O9mywatWg2uSfqvmbIou7Uag/s320/IMG_3539.JPG" /></a> Abby was so ecstatically proud of our accomplishment! <br />What a great day with great memories with an amazing daughter!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqUVWT5YcJDQwOzpKsCS3OOWVKS-uDsLMTVhOaqyDaH4HmD7eS3l_HmmqSsCZZNTnvUD-edTTy3hz8GOj8wtJ-RmUx7pb5L_0qwLL-INJD2Koz6pO8nnpzmEj_bIS1kj-iUetTyhQ_9wm/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466404841433522770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqUVWT5YcJDQwOzpKsCS3OOWVKS-uDsLMTVhOaqyDaH4HmD7eS3l_HmmqSsCZZNTnvUD-edTTy3hz8GOj8wtJ-RmUx7pb5L_0qwLL-INJD2Koz6pO8nnpzmEj_bIS1kj-iUetTyhQ_9wm/s320/IMG_3540.JPG" /></a> Teddy turned out pretty cute too, huh?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-80560189577064846512010-04-20T17:17:00.000-07:002010-04-20T17:51:22.271-07:00THE DEEP END<div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;">Alot of the time, the Lord uses me to teach my children. Right now, He is using my children to teach me...to lead me.<br /><br />After Isaac began gymnastics, Jonah said, "...but mom, what can I do?" So, the discussions began. It was dead of winter...but all he could think of was that he wanted to learn to swim better. We began working and working to find him some instruction and was so blessed to find someone at a local college campus who took a personal interest in him and decided to teach him one-on-one every week.<br /><br />He has made tremendous progress and now is able to swim the full distance across the pool without stopping - breathing well, coming up for air...we're so proud!<br /><br />Next, he had to tackle...<strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">THE DEEP END</span></em></strong>!<br /><br />For two weeks in a row, we prayed, talked about it, encouraged him, cheered him on ... did everything we knew to do to help him overcome his fear - but he continued to have just a tremendous fear of swimming in the water that was over his head. He began thinking about the bottom - the area he couldn't see or touch - and would panic. Although the water or his skill level hadn't changed - his mind had!<br /><br />BUT - this week - this week...things changed to the glory of God! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;">As soon as we arrived, Jonah went straight to the five foot waters (which is a foot above his head). He got in confidently and swam beautifully. Mike and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders. After a few minutes, I said, "Well, Jonah, where did that come from?"<br /><br />Believe it or not, my 8 year old son looked me in the eyes and said,<br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>"FEAR'S NOT GOING TO RULE MY LIFE!"</strong></span><br /><br /></span>I said, "Huh?" And, he yelled it again,<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">"Mommy, FEAR'S NOT GOING TO RULE MY LIFE!"<br /></span><br /></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;color:#00cccc;">Michael and I looked at one another in shock - did he really say that? Where did that come from? And I asked him..."Jonah, where did you hear that? Who told you that?" He just casually said, <span style="color:#33cc00;"><br /></span><span style="color:#33cc00;">"Nobody mom, God just put it in my heart."<br /><br /></span>After I regained my thoughts and processed what had just happened, I said, "Jonah, what happened to the Jonah that was here last week - the one that was afraid, cried and wouldn't let go of the wall?"</span></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="font-size:100%;">His reply: <span style="color:#33cc00;">"He got swallowed by the whale, mom!"</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#99ffff;"><strong><em>hehehehehe...</em></strong></span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XjCl9t1ihpZ7xFO4KTER7JZ1OzYiFwx0FrJSoHWFw4aIfxpX2utJhJCcmVGMwfWvSyq46l3_P05RzCJCViq-ZSTd9-n7lq1A8fkz6UkIUYpeWUsky9_OEZI-zzuXE32AkuRzvDxdEqvd/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462379393888849554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XjCl9t1ihpZ7xFO4KTER7JZ1OzYiFwx0FrJSoHWFw4aIfxpX2utJhJCcmVGMwfWvSyq46l3_P05RzCJCViq-ZSTd9-n7lq1A8fkz6UkIUYpeWUsky9_OEZI-zzuXE32AkuRzvDxdEqvd/s320/IMG_3727.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#00cccc;"> Jonah loves to float in the water...</span></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt0GMlWAt-H3NxaFtEFJPjSMR9vgLia9tccYyACF9wlnVwwhBiStYLMUdEwZFyW5JlzymUIwcGj0YJrfXY9ZFDuiBwXjOMqzVmA0B-BSHbPCwnWhqwaH52MuzE3_VhQAU6_LWCZ6K1EuW/s1600/IMG_3724.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462379387605487298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt0GMlWAt-H3NxaFtEFJPjSMR9vgLia9tccYyACF9wlnVwwhBiStYLMUdEwZFyW5JlzymUIwcGj0YJrfXY9ZFDuiBwXjOMqzVmA0B-BSHbPCwnWhqwaH52MuzE3_VhQAU6_LWCZ6K1EuW/s320/IMG_3724.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#00cccc;"> He swims whereever he wants now.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IzNfR_KIQQQHmqpohrq5omLRQyEUyP5FjQGnPb3CbkgujoKBK0a2elxYgUdpLqHLsvcrn_POLl3tgixP0l6ZzLfP3ce2L_-9Ha6oEt4SMJ19H_KtUtf_y6I-GiubCTS_FWHuSQcpczNG/s1600/IMG_3725.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462378991871587378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IzNfR_KIQQQHmqpohrq5omLRQyEUyP5FjQGnPb3CbkgujoKBK0a2elxYgUdpLqHLsvcrn_POLl3tgixP0l6ZzLfP3ce2L_-9Ha6oEt4SMJ19H_KtUtf_y6I-GiubCTS_FWHuSQcpczNG/s320/IMG_3725.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#00cccc;"> Practicing his breathing and kicking...he works so hard.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCgBrvyJF1UkGgo5BVUna1Dtd-hgyrqZrytRBpjIadMIfml_b_imW5NLvzGFkYQ4KGkqafEphKbVLiyDYrgRZxeX9SaMbdVlNiSn1NNhCyGC6MhggtV0VcrW7p181WmwHJRqNvFXBvA6B/s1600/IMG_3723.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462378986818122306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCgBrvyJF1UkGgo5BVUna1Dtd-hgyrqZrytRBpjIadMIfml_b_imW5NLvzGFkYQ4KGkqafEphKbVLiyDYrgRZxeX9SaMbdVlNiSn1NNhCyGC6MhggtV0VcrW7p181WmwHJRqNvFXBvA6B/s320/IMG_3723.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#00cccc;">What a handsome doll baby!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF9MKrWttkGSf7RDtiOTcTc_zoC1KSMsX6vHgU9g7hHMX9tErBHPQwzS9569SAjiTnV_pRmk1akt_lzHRM833vl63-CUcjlCaNBR__e6sz5sXH6_ZjE1fHPvCnKbPvuc9okJfkwyRfRs4/s1600/IMG_3722.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462378979056503730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF9MKrWttkGSf7RDtiOTcTc_zoC1KSMsX6vHgU9g7hHMX9tErBHPQwzS9569SAjiTnV_pRmk1akt_lzHRM833vl63-CUcjlCaNBR__e6sz5sXH6_ZjE1fHPvCnKbPvuc9okJfkwyRfRs4/s320/IMG_3722.JPG" /></a> <div><span style="color:#00cccc;">Lord, teach me to have courage when I can't see or touch the bottom!</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p></div><br /></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-7178457794277707942010-04-18T16:56:00.000-07:002010-04-19T04:22:00.378-07:00But It's My Dream.<div align="center">"But, it's my dream, mom." Wow! I never expected to hear those words from an 8 year old boy. It was a week night and he asked me to sit on the couch. Usually, it is the reverse...I am asking one of MY children to it on the couch...so I can get their attention, help them focus on what I am about to tell them...so I can look them in the eye and have them hear something from my heart to theirs. But, that night...he needed mine.<br /><br />You see, since the boys were small, we had allowed...even encouraged them...as they pursued athletic interests - they dabbled in a small, local basketball league for two seasons, they played Little League baseball last season (and did exceptionally well, I might add!) But, this year was going to be different, I could see. My children were developing their own thoughts and ideas...their own dreams.<br /><br />Isaac asked me to sit ... to hear his request ... a request I had heard casually many times, but hadn't actually listened to or taken seriously for some reason. Did I think it was a whim, did he really know what he was asking to do, was it possible that I had a prejudice that I didn't want to deal with?<br /><br />He said plainly, "Mom, I want to take gymanstics. It's my dream. Can I? I think I can do good."<br /><br />Of course, I immediately said, "Let me talk to dad and we'll see what we can do." I did my research and within the week had him in the local Tumbling class. After the first class, the coach came to me and said, "...you were right, mom. He's got talent. I think he can be competitive in a year or less." Wow!<br /><br />Now, after 3 months, two standing backhand springs independently, 10 backhand springs consecutively (being spotted of course), trampoline work and much, much more, he continues to work hard to see his dream become reality. He never walks anywhere now...he flips, flops and tumbles.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxFGUZSOZjrd9C43uXRSKDHe8lfSEJGKrgL3t1xSl-Er7n2l74PsNfvWfDvBWzrSIe8RYiSJldeJL6KAacyXGekn0kV6yQoCew8Ram5P5yCbg_BK6BD32z6bCksskfZDTxi1HnvCgVfUD/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461631580196318706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxFGUZSOZjrd9C43uXRSKDHe8lfSEJGKrgL3t1xSl-Er7n2l74PsNfvWfDvBWzrSIe8RYiSJldeJL6KAacyXGekn0kV6yQoCew8Ram5P5yCbg_BK6BD32z6bCksskfZDTxi1HnvCgVfUD/s320/IMG_3714.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>He enjoys it so much that his teachers have to remind him to quit smiling and "get focused"!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74mcN8KBjUV6bjPc01JSlPv2KqifNSea_ix-fH6jrqvYgsuYlcH0L93bUYVIjm-pG5Q7nDSivNIN-ObnBk3I-jtklP4Fv8x8yaq576Urf3gj0kDHeapBIcI4t3ceKNSFu30WfDXz1O3Wm/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461631577289450370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74mcN8KBjUV6bjPc01JSlPv2KqifNSea_ix-fH6jrqvYgsuYlcH0L93bUYVIjm-pG5Q7nDSivNIN-ObnBk3I-jtklP4Fv8x8yaq576Urf3gj0kDHeapBIcI4t3ceKNSFu30WfDXz1O3Wm/s320/IMG_3698.JPG" /></a> His natural agility is so fun to watch!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_zyIJoWrF6vQbyvleJKW5FeN8k_EOVU2fO2jKDChK4H6BM4NsBnT73fBAZai-AbrtABIR1mpAHdqpZQXVeTf39tHavBsK5qww0CQyYdU9wQZOuq7YukIgpl8wdzdpm5KSpdAXU0LOyhQ/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461631566793461250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_zyIJoWrF6vQbyvleJKW5FeN8k_EOVU2fO2jKDChK4H6BM4NsBnT73fBAZai-AbrtABIR1mpAHdqpZQXVeTf39tHavBsK5qww0CQyYdU9wQZOuq7YukIgpl8wdzdpm5KSpdAXU0LOyhQ/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" /></a> He's making great gains and we are so glad that we are following his dream.<br />Is there anything your children are telling you that you haven't heard lately?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-83530428719843696182010-04-08T18:22:00.000-07:002010-04-08T18:35:48.351-07:00Resurrection Sunday...just amazing.<div align="center"> I am so very sincerely thankful to be a child of the resurrected King! And, for some reason, this particular Resurrection Sunday morning, I was particularly excited...I felt a stirring in my spirit...His Spirit calling me to worship as never before. His power was on display as I hadn't experienced it in a long time...more than likely my issue...definitely not God's! It was a revival for my soul, an awakening of my mind, a drawing of my heart...a uniting of the body of Christ. And, I wouldn't have missed it for anything at all. <br /><br />Following our church celebration, we continued the celebration with our families...and here are a few pictures to help us remember - it is good to remember.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943344180305602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgaS-31h7IqnU2Ct-5xcEO6gnOo1RuqYKyLF4fWOsd94zTkdO-2_1_D4b9nSUHp6lVg-yB2Prg3ptX9eyhat_q1oenPC8dXbZDpLezudcv2WjytC3mcyHIz_1twuDAUSyW5ISGWBRCKa7/s320/IMG_3575.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943349720390034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTXn8xoUALr4JdUjO5S7h409gYJBIaoQ7jjVWsxkVv6e2wvmpDkNbmCwnqKOVw7UJIIexuGNjs2GUY9ix2eBpYlIh-KYQcoNJL0m5AUCd8w-63bKdfDGcM3ryXX8LhtJHXzcO2BUFishV/s320/IMG_3601.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943360604238562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAdtc7EOY4qzXu9rys0GmpjukQFsr0kQPL5J7Vkdn-biKqr45H5wAK-DOx1kh8-1earW3mDUnzGnkQYh2Jaz2kIU2O-4eGZT9a15-ZU3iM-s8WlVERxL1J0rdeM1vYkTQ9gq5qmD02XRI/s320/IMG_3604.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943364015992418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyRai5sOX0tyxZZ3HKqpf4FOthZnkFVHf7pmwfRIGKIsIyPSeEii61QuUaR4r1OdsyEftBigvy5-EovSK4FBunEhkaKgHfX-0hEhLSBnRR1OhdWr6mZZK4G0aeEEtSqIvhO5KEWZYGD0b/s320/IMG_3605.JPG" /> <div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943374024352098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKczk25wkiqrqsrEIzcJNM-5BjyJp88tgvpm368SmOvBgfb6_IPeGa-zyFMiAnBikpuH6w7QsCkxo7rqF7eR8L_aTwwBgpGTyXPZCcYAVz8sZUaKjZfh8NlI3Qr8rZDNpsJU6It1YS8iX3/s320/IMG_3623.JPG" /> It's not about us...its ALL about Jesus.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-8922529160430737282010-03-28T15:10:00.000-07:002010-03-28T15:38:19.577-07:00A Girl, A Dream...Come True!<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453811668399298754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMWk1XIc3Jzlcx6rlGpWB7Ib9UjEusA90nAZwlogN_nA9nAD8GVYijnrpfiSYNqV01AghVn2VBswh6atHwRQvBcTNR8oYkamVfmlLEUjMb4t4ooMzOFy4GXLuUCTZ6QZkJt-emsoySlV_/s320/IMG_3542.JPG" /> ...I dreamed of having an electronic reading device...advanced technology that only an AVID reader could fully appreciate. Technology that allow me to have a complete bookstore at my disposal 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Technology that would allow me to read, be read to, would mark my pages automatically, store thousands of books, be lightweight and thin, and easier to read than any book I had previously held in my hands.<br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453811687950521954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe2Ljy9vhvdYoKj1NoKXuM6XaogjcQd19n2GWs0ZUB-zNjo8_Lrf_a-AJp5Fq9882ZGcxWzqxOnQ1ySRSSOZXfzl4HKzUpdl7L-VPQrYmgeFsUpvfgy809TlSJvw6ID_7it9_kiLMlxvF/s320/IMG_3544.JPG" />Then, just in time for my birthday, the UPS man showed up on my doorstep. (No wonder my husband wouldn't take us out for supper on Friday night...he knew something was up!) The Amazon box came right on time.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453811700027226450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRd7aTOOm-1FNAX5MoxVztCpcfqJSbVRlyhS-hiLmaMBSpfm2mOZyXuVK44coQ7t0Ym8EZoj3J_EFqUd4CovWzW6RP-y4dwIK4YU-fUuMuHwsqKq4F9rLWdk2J5FPlmzXh1_eqqL5vT1w/s320/IMG_3545.JPG" />And...yes, I recognized the box I had seen on Amazon's website as I had looked and dreamed many times before...the "Once Upon A Time..." on the end had given it away! Was my dream about to come true? Was I really going to be able to carry my own personal library everywhere I went?<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453811704965609074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndkbcyFZ8WeoWmdJbj2iYWJw1dzFg5q2zAJ27-LMFd0xVG_uLL67yvXsqN8117EOFfyyMtB7JJFI_RdbFgbNGBEEKSCv_z3aAgJyTHJ-qONa_REj8MmtoBcXUlDFwi7DiKAa2YHkfExUO/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" />Whaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!<br />A KINDLE DX!!!!!!!!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453812007251501250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnEuTDwKiK70f2ZgWQ7OkFkAZSKZ2Hm6orscVPf1DGPbaw4tbuQZitRX9uIo4UCAiOWk_MhOdYmZmWYYpc-DMjmZSWNrj_dbyiSCx7G8Hb10x3hCgz3rSI8WBhqJ-wjOX4TIPKcQHLcNQ/s320/IMG_3550.JPG" />It was amazing to see and hold! I was so excited! Within minutes I was able to download 27 books to MY Kindle!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453812011968715266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTNAvf5nS7FVlstM3p4WmPrbR4rKFgWQVnF2dOGN1ubpmp_65hWL4IMyhvBFDN0xc1You9MZ8isVhx_XfPWfMfMwewzn6-eEG7L8TPfHVh3WJ2WAURNTOgiloAi0rZJI4LVHCuFLvzGP2/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" />(Of course, I already had been perusing the Kindle Store and had signed up to receive Kindle updates to my Twitter account months before...so there wasn't much left to do but get busy!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGBSpr7teqHYi4HBUau1MfhC8TPuGjTd4ieaRltN-8krAyJWUCAXujuVyKbKuSnfPKWPasDQJwCI_AnazR3UhZkHC8yXQ9OnY6YE7FcCY5-YEM2SPJEmMDQMjEjO7SdF0iYS4v7zo9yLS/s1600/IMG_3547.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453812022699751842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGBSpr7teqHYi4HBUau1MfhC8TPuGjTd4ieaRltN-8krAyJWUCAXujuVyKbKuSnfPKWPasDQJwCI_AnazR3UhZkHC8yXQ9OnY6YE7FcCY5-YEM2SPJEmMDQMjEjO7SdF0iYS4v7zo9yLS/s320/IMG_3547.JPG" /></a> How do I thank my husband, Michael, enough for caring so much? He knew the dream! Hehehe...what fun! Now, all I want to do is read! </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-21181847777392261872010-03-22T17:44:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:02:40.725-07:00Like a Fish.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa7ozmXvBXIMcXkjaKyA1z5brHLCTQTru2Nc4k8JVmnrJ7hv85Ubqzvpo-zgZknuiPULHQgAB4RjR8_evynu2XbF30iH3NZwKwLt4XCizqo3meYreH8POqyQgsllGMv8UdZ-iHHgTBPWy/s1600-h/fish+out+of+water.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451627721302378530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa7ozmXvBXIMcXkjaKyA1z5brHLCTQTru2Nc4k8JVmnrJ7hv85Ubqzvpo-zgZknuiPULHQgAB4RjR8_evynu2XbF30iH3NZwKwLt4XCizqo3meYreH8POqyQgsllGMv8UdZ-iHHgTBPWy/s320/fish+out+of+water.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Since I got back from a recent work trip two weeks ago, I have felt like a <em>fish out of water</em>... flipping and flopping around, trying to survive...trying to plug into the lifesource...feeling like I was on the shore, close to the water, but just couldn't get in. I've been <strong>off-kilter</strong>! And, I am not really sure why. I have gone from a week of exhaustion to a week of sickness, two sick children, stress, fatigue, unusually difficult and unexpected circumstances as well as emotional and spiritual challenges that have shaken me to the core. Wow! Does it sound like I am being a drama princess here, or what? But, it's so true! I have had to make some tough decisions during this time and still be everything to everyone...a tough place to be. Rather than being able to give in to sickness and just get well, I have had to be on my toes, manage alot, keep others at their best, be on my game, and keep it together. Hard stuff.<br /><br />Have I passed the test? Well, I give myself a big fat "F" for week 1;<br />but week 2, my grade's coming up! <br />I think I'm at least floatin' again...<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-75884332535615378632010-03-07T15:46:00.000-08:002010-03-07T16:11:05.613-08:00HOWEVER!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvATPBAfNkp5xbyFdZqaPocGVgWtL4Sq04uShSDQaj6zybY6o7j99lR5RTS2B0q1LDqIwMT0lxa21ciKdO5rrSj6IVYGF1dNefTloHvNnQYxPrDM26QY1OxOf_WTTaX3xBbzptHrroRPne/s1600-h/off+day.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446043224136076786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvATPBAfNkp5xbyFdZqaPocGVgWtL4Sq04uShSDQaj6zybY6o7j99lR5RTS2B0q1LDqIwMT0lxa21ciKdO5rrSj6IVYGF1dNefTloHvNnQYxPrDM26QY1OxOf_WTTaX3xBbzptHrroRPne/s320/off+day.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><br />Since I got back on Friday evening from Atlanta from a week-long business trip, I thought the best way to reflect how I have felt - or more accurately - the kind of weekend I have had, is with the above self-portrait. You see, I had a great learning experience there...but, boy...am I exhausted. I couldn't wait to get home, put on my comfy clothes and wind down! And, that's exactly what I have been doing. With the exception of attending a baby shower and church, my days have been filled with my hair being twisted up on my head, reading, relaxing, napping and playing with my children. And, there's just something about being out of your routine for a week that puts things WAY out-of-sync. I am wondering when my 'in-sync' will be back????<br /><br />On the flip side, some things really came together for me this week. It is so great when you get that moment of <strong>"A-ha!"</strong> that you know is going to make a difference in how you do things. But, how do I sustain that? How do I keep that going? At work, at home, at church, and in my personal life? <br /><br />I believe that I must continually be learning...seeking wisdom. <br />I know that I must be living my life with vision...knowing that things can be different.</div><div align="center">I see that it is the little things that clearly make the big things count...integrity, caring, work ethic.</div><div align="center">I confirm that I can't do it alone...through Christ who strengthen's me.</div><div align="center">I admit...that sometimes I don't know which direction to turn...even when I seek His voice.</div><div align="center">I don't doubt that I will make mistakes...lots of them...and its ok. I'm ok.</div><div align="center">I dream...alot. I get scared...sometimes. <br /><br />I get tired.<br />That bothers me.<br /></div><div align="center">HOWEVER!</div><div align="center">(Don't you love that...)</div><div align="center">However...I will!<br /> I will do what God has called me to do. It is completely and utterly doable. <br />I will have to step out of my comfort zone to do it sometimes...but we will</div><div align="center">get 'er done!<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-7214460875328166262010-02-15T17:36:00.000-08:002010-02-15T18:10:09.885-08:00Bell Family Winter Games<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PTSKblL4sEXT-tlp_WvpM3T2RfNryXROuWH-G_38u80SLBazIqB_SqnRX4e9NdrQELG8LQa2QgQ_QrjIafSyaTrqoUG2kk5Ryr1ut3X0HwyEpVl4-KsmNwtdA9EGbVtMLlSWlqgkB0I/s1600-h/Olympics.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 87px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438657186115887106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PTSKblL4sEXT-tlp_WvpM3T2RfNryXROuWH-G_38u80SLBazIqB_SqnRX4e9NdrQELG8LQa2QgQ_QrjIafSyaTrqoUG2kk5Ryr1ut3X0HwyEpVl4-KsmNwtdA9EGbVtMLlSWlqgkB0I/s320/Olympics.jpg" /></a> <div align="center">We've been enjoying watching the Olympics as a family, cheering on the USA, watching the gifts and talents of the many athletes and teaching the children about the various sports and countries. Tonight, Abby said, "Mommy when Daddy takes Isaac and Jonah to the Olympics, can me and you stay home? I think my toes-ies would get cold there. We'll just watch them on t.v., okay?" I think she truly believes that HER brothers will be in the Olympics someday! She thinks they can do anything! And, WOW...<em>her daddy</em>...well...that's on a whole 'nutha level! If her brothers can be in the Olympics, her Daddy must be IN CHARGE of the Olympics! She just adores them - and I love that!<br /><br />I think she has the idea that her brothers are going to be Olympic champions because Jonah is preparing to begin private swimming lessons at the local private college and Isaac is in gymnastics now at the local power tumbling center. Abby is so proud of them...and so are we! Hopefully, in the next few weeks, there will be plenty of pictures to follow. </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">By the way, Abigail will be performing as a butterfly in her dance Troupe's spring ballet performance of Cinderella. She is so excited! She will also have tap and jazz performances there as well. So, she is also quite the little busy bee as well.<br /><br />My children are beginning to blossom into little individuals - little people with their own interests, desires, emerging gifts and talents. They are wanting to try new things, stretch their wings, try to fly...I want to see them go fo the Gold! But, no matter the result...I just hope they run the race set before them with perseverance.</div><div></div><div> </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-27427493438823236212010-01-31T06:11:00.000-08:002010-01-31T06:28:18.830-08:00Leaving Their Mark<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Before Mike and I were blessed with our 3 children, we used to sit in our perfectly clean home together and say things like, "I just wish there were toys EVERYWHERE" or "if God would just give us children, we would never complain about the mess...it would be such a blessing."<br /><br />Well, eight years later...three incredible children later...I got my mess...everywhere! And, I realize that it is so temporary. It won't last forever. It can be cleaned. We clean up the toys everyday...then, they play and play some more. They love each other. They are so creative. They don't just make messes...they love to play. And, I love to play with them and watch them play together...learning how to love one another, share, interact, work out disagreements, improve their social skills, develop their talents...it's so fun.</div><div align="center"><br />One day, I'll miss this terribly...I know that for sure!<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908633245070402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9W6zR6ov6SRhnFqFkMoGXDz3Wc5nqp3tjg4hpR25DSz7pHGMTHvQ9Ssfad-XZIM-lmFukB9NmViAgg5aPtsQZRfhlb_u8xCXAOksWK_dmb8cOZlRVHWPPhOFPhxLBkDbgbBQaIg4wjxXW/s320/IMG_3532.JPG" /> <div align="left"></div><p align="center">It is not unusual to find little "pods"of toys lying around that have been played with and are now "taking a rest."</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908625084481474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmFRtkrKF3i8aRAuTxiTuaT81GYLt9AOisNJQSNz6lOB6UBUjlvZlytBgQMybb-pb3zx3tr5YSccow3Z1rgJ24Wh_DJqbfvWzYk2h0hJpvZkYHfDQyFjlONbgw0wEzUkFZZ4tVCQ0I1v2/s320/IMG_3531.JPG" /> <p align="center">During this recent snow storm, the boys (and Abby too!) have re-discovered their Lightening McQueen toys. I love when they re-find toys they haven't played with in a long time and start playing with them like they are brand new again. (Jonah keeps his Pluto he bought at Disney World recently close by all the time, too.)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908621883586338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWJo4EO-lkPFs5VeCLqufJxfRIYr11kAZAVyPw-Zm9eZcrvDdCx7YaaKj1MsCxgct6q4sr1GnPrnJA6C5FRsiD7iK2rtIrJJprbnluVSYpypBQg8iSfLHpFIeAvsa7UcRjow58HX7NAZo/s320/IMG_3530.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Isaac draws ALL the time! Everyday...he draws! He loves art!<br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908616646561698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgGyBsv2keARmnV27CxXEhSDWkE6XgInIuc3DwH_vR4tfyA0TUG2m_Yw7jPPnIgyUYLTx7_Lgknqhi5psbxfupa2ujC9d2AzmuyXBYxzFl5C6wDKN05QvZSnzVtRQ-NbQVDKjr90dXzRS/s320/IMG_3529.JPG" />First things this morning, Abby said, "Mommy, you be the mommy horse and I'll be the baby horse!" Yesterday, we played fairies, princesses and lots more. She sleeps with the pound puppy that is behind her right arm every night. (and yes...she dressed herself in this gorgous pajama ensemble-hehe).<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-7905810426701466292010-01-23T17:56:00.000-08:002010-01-23T18:19:19.951-08:00Bigger Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhJetxTP9qEWbGQUFH6PuUr0aO0PktCD1esjXThlNPLQEIAuotyOJMRUxKzXWian2pxi0Vj5Sgf4rExEZ-Kamb0q7VI2vzLDMuIG22vIa7j1MS-oIeYP45FTmljcMT1HV7H6nSv64OWlR/s1600-h/Large+print+bible.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 116px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430124982405246530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhJetxTP9qEWbGQUFH6PuUr0aO0PktCD1esjXThlNPLQEIAuotyOJMRUxKzXWian2pxi0Vj5Sgf4rExEZ-Kamb0q7VI2vzLDMuIG22vIa7j1MS-oIeYP45FTmljcMT1HV7H6nSv64OWlR/s320/Large+print+bible.jpg" /></a><br /><div>About three months ago, I was sitting in my Sunday School class and noticed - much to my own shock - that I was having difficulty seeing my small print Bible. I had NO TROUBLE at all seeing my neighbor's Bible at the same table that was <strong>Large</strong> <strong>PRINT </strong>beside me though. What had changed? Had my eyes changed quickly or had it been gradual? Why was I squinting to see - why was everything more blurred than usual? Not sure really. I even found myself holding my Bible really close to my eyes to read and have had more trouble seeing distance as well lately. Interestingly, the next weekend, we found ourselves at a LifeWay Christian Bookstore and I located a Large Print NIV Bible and purchased it for myself. Aaaahhh...so much less strain on the almost 38 year old eyes. And, yes...for those of you who may wonder, I am planning on making an appointment with the eye doctor. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>However, this little event has caused me to think alot about how I "see" God's Word. Do I -do we - ever see it as some little words on a little page...written to be read when it's convenient, written to be drawn close to when I want to - to read what only we want to see at the time?<br /><br />No - the Words are much bigger than that! They are life. They are to be obeyed - lived out, studied, examined, memorized, discussed, taught...they are Bigger Words than we most often allow them to be. We must not obey them when it is convenient - choosing only to read the ones that make us feel good. We must read them ALL; see them ALL; obey them ALL;<br /><br />Therefore, my life will not make sense to the world. I will do things that are contrary to the flow - swim against the current - sometimes even do things that don't "feel" right to <em>me</em>. But, I will do them none-the-less...it's called obedience! Maybe the feelings will follow - maybe they won't - doesn't matter, really. I <strong>choose</strong> to live by the Bigger Words. His Words.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></p>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795243473922204830.post-19609626997995610782010-01-18T17:52:00.000-08:002010-01-18T18:34:25.522-08:00Expanding<div align="center">I often think of a component of Christian <em>growth and maturity</em> as our ability to see God's Word in an ever-expanding context. As a young Christian years ago, I would read God's Word and often not understand...but I could keep reading and eventually find something, somewhere that I could comprehend and relate to. It might have just been phrase or a <span style="font-size:78%;color:#009900;">small</span> verse...and I would hang on to it...memorize it. And, with the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom, as time passes, I am excited to learn more <span style="font-size:130%;">and</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">more</span> about the context that I am reading, how it is relevant, and how I can apply it to <strong><span style="color:#ffff99;">MY</span></strong> life!<br /><br />Now to share one example from today...I've been reading and studying I Thessalonians...Paul, Silas and Timothy's letter to the church in Thessalonica. Just reading the ending chapter (chapter 5), I gain so much instruction about how to live - sort of like "logisitics" of the Christian life. But, by expanding my thought processes and looking at the contexts of Paul's life, his history of persecuting Christians, his journeys, his own sufferings for the cause of Christ...and SO MUCH MORE...it just brings this passage to LIFE!<br /><br />And, at this particular time in my own life...it's relevance just overwhelms me!!! And, this is what I love about digging into God's Word...loving the Word of God. As you allow it to work in you, it speaks right to the heart of your personal life and circumstances. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>-I Thessalonians 5: 14-26<br /></strong>14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.<br />15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.<br />16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.<br />19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.<br />23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.<br />25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.<br />26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 116px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428273152986818114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuLJaFIS65k0xlmWcLZM5y2ilKzmkce0Gou5Zcfqq0PsrfyLa98qfLdpP6UOXtk_NmUWSUFOWw2y8LtkaixYoX_onc7YS2sscEqpVK6wYd9H8Cf6XB2D8BTMypVakKXFSYaMC32pZ6gKf/s320/hands+1.jpg" />Tough calls sometimes...for me...maybe for you. I am a work in progress. I am working on being all Christ would have me be. I am going to do my best to live by His Word - I hope others will join me. It's all for the sake of the call! We can do it for Christ's sake...not our own.<br />May HE, and HE alone, be glorified!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/123/BE02EC66E9C7E753235C2B66FE69DE81.png" /></a></div>Melisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566063261876753090noreply@blogger.com1