tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29075500462194261312024-03-21T16:02:10.402-05:00Coffee TalkLet's sit and talk over a cup of coffee. I would love to share with you the exciting and wonderful things God is teaching me!Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-56263817688524639952019-09-09T21:04:00.002-05:002019-09-09T21:04:25.945-05:00"How do I keep from burning out?" is what she asked...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aL3ltgRHSly4ix5Ct9RUta3aXuKQFJ7nL_K7aD3zkCR10bNlaI-SV7lRwX53KNjLRS9-lsLlzz2h4Jvj7vCFi4-rdIAtbUdJiAm0aCW-USU9elp04AcHHGWleJkuhmPVIXqNr8bbBwTY/s1600/IMG_1533.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aL3ltgRHSly4ix5Ct9RUta3aXuKQFJ7nL_K7aD3zkCR10bNlaI-SV7lRwX53KNjLRS9-lsLlzz2h4Jvj7vCFi4-rdIAtbUdJiAm0aCW-USU9elp04AcHHGWleJkuhmPVIXqNr8bbBwTY/s320/IMG_1533.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
"This morning I woke up overwhelmed, spent, and despairing. To be honest I was tired of everything. Tired of sickness, tired of trying, tired of pretending, tired of relationships and how complicated and messy they seem. I was drowning. I wanted to ugly cry."<br />
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I can't even tell you when I wrote these words because I did not date the journal entry. Yet while reading them they again stirred an ache in my heart.<br />
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People often ask "what's it like to be a missionary?"<br />
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I still remember when a dear college friend came to visit me at the Miami hospital while my husband, my four month old baby, and I were admitted for dengue. She looked at me and told me that she envied my life. I remember how ironic those words seemed at the moment. We had just been med-evaced from Peru. My husband and I had hemorrhaging dengue, my little four month was so dehydrated they needed a sonogram machine to find a vein, and my two year was freaking out because he was given to people he believed were strangers (really his grandparents).<br />
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Don't misunderstand I love the part the Lord has allowed my family and me to play in His redemption story. I really do love living here. I have grown to love the people and I have deep, dear friendships.<br />
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Even so, truth be told, mission life is not as glamorous and adventurous as most try to make it seem.<br />
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I often have to remind myself what "the mission is". <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Missions is about knowing Him and Making Him known.</i></b></span></div>
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Just recently a sweet friend wrote to me asking this question, "How do I keep from burning out?" This is what I wrote back to her. I thought it might encourage someone else out theređ</div>
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<i><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just like you, I struggle (yes, present tense) with the passion I have for Christ, only one candle to burn, being the best helpmeet to my hubby, raising my children to love God passionately, preparing them for whatever part God has for them to play in this great story of redemption, a desire to counsel, to inspire, encourage and equip women to grow in their faith so they can effectively reach others for Christ, open a crisis pregnancy center, finish my master's in counseling, learn to play the cello, etc.. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, therefore I often pray <b>"Teach me to do Your will for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground" Psalm 143:10</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">On those mornings when I am most burdened or overwhelmed I quiet my heart with "<b>Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to You I lift my soul." Psalm 143:8</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have found it imperative to wake up early and quiet my heart to hear His leading. Mornings are great for me but that may not be the best time for you. Just take some time to listen, and cast your burdens and desires on the Lord.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">I agree with the other ladies whom also responded to your question. Remember, different seasons will bring different blessings and challenges. Don't miss the blessings of your present season. I have had to put on hold my master's degree, cello, and medical work because those good things are not the best for this season. Talk to your husband, pray with him, and pour your heart out sharing your desires and challenges. He may be a little overwhelmed (as my husband often is when I do this<span style="display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="đ" class="_1ift _2560 img" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tbf/2/16/1f61c.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" /></span>) bu</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">t this will unite and deepen your relationship. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having a clear vision statement or mission statement helps in knowing what to cut out. Once a month I go over my roles and goals adjusting them to my current situation. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unlike some ministry wives, Buddy expects me to very involved in inspiring, encouraging, and equipping women to grow in their faith so they can effectively reach others for Christ. Therefore, I have had to be creative and flexible in my schedule to be a better helpmeet. I share this because there is no cookie-cutter version of a wife in ministry. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay open to constructive criticism. Listen intently to God's leading through His word, your husband and Titus 2 women.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Know that you are loved, precious and cared for by a God that gave His son for you "how will He not also with Him graciously give you all things" (which includes clarity, wisdom, strength, and grace to do His will)</b></span></i></div>
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If you would speak to any of my past interns you would know that this is a present struggle. I do not live in a state of blissful contentment. It is a battle: dying to self, taking up my cross, and following my loving Savior. He gives joy, peace, and contentment in humble obedience.</div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-14749878324141057332019-09-09T20:22:00.002-05:002019-09-09T20:22:54.711-05:00Making Lard from pork fat. "Real scratch"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgL9x3v8NjfPWVN-Z2uheRpjN_-mVhq8runQkLqiPgRYU2kdtFEmZ1M3OG07j1S5cFo2G8-iXjviQ9VU7Ad_K5tRuM24tlmWQdE8beBVa42gCuOGCNVny2XutRb-_PyyorkQD_Ny0JADE/s1600/IMG_0469.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgL9x3v8NjfPWVN-Z2uheRpjN_-mVhq8runQkLqiPgRYU2kdtFEmZ1M3OG07j1S5cFo2G8-iXjviQ9VU7Ad_K5tRuM24tlmWQdE8beBVa42gCuOGCNVny2XutRb-_PyyorkQD_Ny0JADE/s320/IMG_0469.MOV" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgdXWBKpIg3nUumhAJBeFjjEzGQXgG40ZmUdlMWFsvDehJ2sWItfLlf75hDb5mGglwfG5HCEFN0ejYxVaj1r5H55cyMi6pc0niGLGRbsDKkSYw0bF5pgZCol8PgfwaUtgN7jC0TMu-LeA/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="487" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgdXWBKpIg3nUumhAJBeFjjEzGQXgG40ZmUdlMWFsvDehJ2sWItfLlf75hDb5mGglwfG5HCEFN0ejYxVaj1r5H55cyMi6pc0niGLGRbsDKkSYw0bF5pgZCol8PgfwaUtgN7jC0TMu-LeA/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a more accurate list of oils and fats allowed on the AIP diet.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> use my cast-iron Dutch oven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cut the pork fat into roughly 1-inch squares.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You don't need to add any water. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cook using the lowest heat possible and cover it with a lid. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif;">Higher heat (when you see smoke) will burn the lard very quickly, and it will taste and look burned. (Yep, I know by experienceđ¤Śââď¸)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A7nhpQscHzWVdlwPfZ2Gg9OzTaoZPb97I_y7YDsgmiLpgwfY7vUqx2sr7TdZvhyY6ncH1SE59I047bpKvvUX3XK9KvsmB0cl5wFFrjXG8202LvQZL7qO59e6LbdRbJxigr4eNTHfy7SB/s1600/IMG_0483.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A7nhpQscHzWVdlwPfZ2Gg9OzTaoZPb97I_y7YDsgmiLpgwfY7vUqx2sr7TdZvhyY6ncH1SE59I047bpKvvUX3XK9KvsmB0cl5wFFrjXG8202LvQZL7qO59e6LbdRbJxigr4eNTHfy7SB/s320/IMG_0483.HEIC" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stir often! It will tend to want to stick if the fire is too high.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13D747quQbCA1ifmeFHttaaTGoq628CN9D587dPdHpgUm04yC3SOU-v3-P85aC6ApeCit4sN6nQrwJ-IJaD-A5hY4Ts2X63dsXAl5jkWvzUzmS8x9UMsFdnt9WigwWNlRitYHPRRoh0bN/s1600/IMG_0484.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13D747quQbCA1ifmeFHttaaTGoq628CN9D587dPdHpgUm04yC3SOU-v3-P85aC6ApeCit4sN6nQrwJ-IJaD-A5hY4Ts2X63dsXAl5jkWvzUzmS8x9UMsFdnt9WigwWNlRitYHPRRoh0bN/s320/IMG_0484.HEIC" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: right;">When your fat looks like pork rinds you know your done. I wait for the oil to cool. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I strain it and put it in a jar.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">When itâs done right, the color of the lard will be lightly golden in liquid form and creamy white after it has cooled and solidified. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once the lard is cooled, cover and store it in the refrigerator. Hope that was helpful.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm a city girl learning to live in a third world jungle!</span></span><br />
<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-86832294587395804062019-08-30T15:51:00.000-05:002019-08-30T15:51:54.937-05:00How to make coconut milk from real scratch!Since I live in a small jungle town in southern Peru certain luxuries are a bit difficult to get. My local grocery story recently had coconut milk and I was flabbergasted. But like most items in that grocery store, sometimes they are available and other times it's months before they reappear. I went last week to stock up on coconut milk and they were outđ¤Śââď¸. That's when I took a dear friends advice of making my own<br />
from "real scratch".<br />
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My boys climbed our coconut tree and cut down several coconuts. Thankful I have fresh coconuts growing in my front yard!</div>
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The recipe called for 3 coconuts.</div>
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I used my vitamix to blend the coconut meat with about 2 cups of water. </div>
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I first tried using just a colander but the milk was very pulpy. Therefore, I had to improvise. I used one of my hubby's clean handkerchiefs to squeeze the pulp and get the milk. Great stress reliever đ.<br />
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Thought I would get a little more milk, but quite satisfied. The milk is creamer than what I was able to get at the grocery store. It was definitely work, but I hope it gets easier with practiceđ.</div>
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<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-91794228429894871782018-02-07T22:11:00.000-05:002018-02-07T22:37:35.581-05:00Yes, I believe you are sovereign...I just sometimes doubt your goodness.<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>âYes, I believe you are sovereign...I just sometimes doubt your goodness.â</i></b></div>
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As I laid in bed wrestling with my emotions and truth, I called out to my heavenly Father in all my confusion expressing to Him that âyes I believe You are sovereign... I just sometimes doubt your goodness.â<br />
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Yesterday, was a typical day. Breakfast at 7:30am. Homeschool and clean up from 8-1pm. Lunch at 1pm. Some down time till 3:15. Then soccer practice for the boys at 3:30. Tari stays with the boys and I go to swimming lessons with Abigail from 4-5pm. Then Abigail and I go back to soccer practice til 6pm.<br />
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Everything was going smoothly. Abigail had a great swimming lesson and was eager to play with Isaiah while Joseph finished his soccer practice. I sat comfortably in my camping chair reading a kindle book while glancing up every so often to check on the kiddos.<br />
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Abigail and Isaiah rushed happily to the monkey bars. Josephâs team was playing a practice game.<br />
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After a few minutes I looked up and saw Abigail fall. She started yelling and coming our way. Tari rushed to her. I came rushing as I saw Tari begin to carry her. And thatâs when my day changed...<br />
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It was very obvious that she broke something in her arm. I was just not sure what or how bad.<br />
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I called Buddy on the way to the hospital. He confirmed that heâll meet me there.<br />
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Abigail was in lots of pain but my sweet girl would hush and still her little fears as I sang to her. Waiting, waiting to know what would come next.<br />
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In my mind the decision was settled. If anything was broken we were going to Cusco or Lima.<br />
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<i>(Several years ago our national co-workerâs little boy broke his radius and ulna near his elbow. The doctors here âfixed itâ. Unfortunately they had set the bones wrong, later he had to undergo surgery at another hospital to fix the problem.)</i><br />
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We arrived at the hospital, and quickly got care in the emergency room.<br />
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But the x-ray was awful because she was in so much pain.<br />
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The doctors were pressuring us to make a decision. Was she going to be admitted as a patient?!<br />
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Buddy does not do well in hospitals. He had to step out for some fresh air.<br />
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The nurse came by to take Abigailâs vitals and carelessly moved her broken arm causing Abigail to shriek.<br />
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A stray cat walked into our examination area. I tried shooing him away. The nurse asked me if I didnât like cats. I said âI donât think this is a place for a stray cat.â She responded â You know, you are in the jungleâ. I was not pleased with that response to say the least.<br />
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Buddy in the mean time called the director of the hospital, who has come to be a friend, to ask for his professional advice of whether to take Abigail to another city. The director wanted to see the x-rays before making a decision.<br />
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I was in the exam room with Abigail and the techs were becoming very impatient. They wanted us to decide "were we staying the night or taking her home?"<br />
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Reasons going through my head of why not to stay:<br />
<ol>
<li>There is currently an outbreak of hemorrhaging dengue. Just in the last month we have had the same amount of deaths as in all of last year. Staying would expose us to the risk of being bitten by infected mosquitos. </li>
<li>It was an extremely hot night and the hospital is not well ventilated.</li>
<li>I was still hoping to go to another city for treatment.</li>
</ol>
Buddy finally returned confirming we were not staying the night.<br />
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The annoyed tech prepared the temporary splint. He then extended her arm causing Abigail to wail in extreme pain. I reminded him that she had not been given pain meds. I asked if he could give her anything for the pain before putting on the splint. He responded âno, because she is not staying the nightâ<br />
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We soon left the hospital with a whimpering little girl.</div>
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<br />
I went home confused, scared, and saddened.<br />
<br />
Several of our doctor friends were writing, trying help us make a decision. So thankful for those dear friends.<br />
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The director called letting us know that in his oppinion it was not a complicated break. He reassured Buddy that the hospital was more than capable of taking care of it.<br />
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My emotions were everywhere, I had my mind made up. We were going somewhere else for better care.<br />
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But God was slowly revealing that those were not His plans.<br />
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Thatâs when the struggle became real.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>âI believe that You are God alone but sometimes I still try to take control cause I get scared when I canât see the end, And all You want from me is to let goâ (lyrics to Still)</i></div>
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I went to bed upset, confused, scared and heartbroken.<br />
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These last few months...ok more like years have been really hard. I feel like God is stretching and slowly killing âmeâ. He has exposed my ugliness in ways that I would not like to repeat.<br />
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Yet, in all the trials the theme has been the same.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>âLoren, do you trust me and do you believe Iâm good?â</i></b></div>
<br />
That was the bottom line!<br />
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I didnât get much sleep last night. I cried, prayed, I threw a tantrum, I cried some more. My sweet sister sent me these lyrics;<br />
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Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound</div>
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That saved a wretch like me</div>
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I once was lost, but now am found</div>
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T'was blind but now I see</div>
</div>
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<i><b>T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear</b></i></div>
<i></i><br />
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<i><i><b>And Grace, my fears relieved</b></i></i></div>
<i>
<b></b></i>
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<i><b><i><b>How precious did that grace appear</b></i></b></i></div>
<i><b>
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<i><b>The hour I first believed</b></i></div>
</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Through many dangers, toils and snares</b></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><b>We have already come.</b></i></i></div>
<i>
<b></b></i>
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<i><b><i><b>T'was grace that brought us safe thus far</b></i></b></i></div>
<i><b>
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<i><b>And grace will lead us home,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>And grace will lead us home</b></i></div>
</b></i></div>
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Amazing grace, Howe Sweet the sound</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That saved a wretch like me</div>
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I once was lost but now am found</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
T'was blind but now I see</div>
</div>
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Was blind, but now I see.</div>
</div>
<br />
The next morning I woke up at peace with staying.<br />
<br />
Ways God showed me His goodness:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It was not a fatal situation. </li>
<li>Pastor Travis Smith called us and lovingly assured us of their prayers and financial support, helping to relieve the weight of making a decision due to finances and reminding me of God's love as a father. </li>
<li>The director of the hospital pulled all kinds of strings to get us his most trusted orthopedic specialist to set the bone and into the surgery ward right away.</li>
<li>I was given special permission to be in the surgery ward with her. I knew most of the staff and they were happy to see me. They were tender and careful with Abigail. </li>
<li>We went in to the hospital today at 11:30am and were home by 3:30pm. </li>
<li>My loving husband stayed with us at the hospital. Setting aside time from his busy schedule to show me that we are important to him.</li>
<li>It's a cool evening. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I bring my praise before my need </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cause there's no fear You've not already seen</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I rest my heart on all Your promises</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cause I have seen and know Your faithfulness</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You're parting waters</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Making a way for me</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You're moving mountains that I don't even see</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You've answered my prayer before I even speak</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>All You need for me to be is Still</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And know that You are God"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<i>(lyrics "Still")</i></div>
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<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-15750961305085323002017-11-02T20:12:00.002-05:002017-11-08T17:27:05.272-05:00An opportunity to invest in eternity<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">I have enjoyed having our niece here this fall, and God has definitely done some great things. She will be greatly missed! But I am so thankful the Lord has opened doors for her to go to Bob Jones this spring semester.</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBwL1LaeYjhBR1lqjfFHEI48UGDdUa6suy0z828ENKbBswmbiiNsz_-EBDZlXBZHaOP-5n0PYkDjIwR0AWjr5AFgevEUkqLp35AwFlRvo3ZyzfHkw4H4Cd2ZsnuVz3Qzc3rJ2GOhCkqlh/s1600/22751462_1973358319656036_763870869_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBwL1LaeYjhBR1lqjfFHEI48UGDdUa6suy0z828ENKbBswmbiiNsz_-EBDZlXBZHaOP-5n0PYkDjIwR0AWjr5AFgevEUkqLp35AwFlRvo3ZyzfHkw4H4Cd2ZsnuVz3Qzc3rJ2GOhCkqlh/s320/22751462_1973358319656036_763870869_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><br /></span>
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<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">Therefore, we are looking for a young lady who would like to come for the next 6 months, starting as early as December! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">We are looking for a girl who has the joy of the Lord and a submissive spirit to Him. Whom also enjoys kids. Someone whom is willing </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">to help cook, clean, teach the kids, and basic church secretarial work. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">The experience will stretch you, and the rewards are eternal! Here is a video to give you a sneak peak of the kiddos<a href="https://vimeo.com/241101218">https://vimeo.com/241101218</a></span></span></h2>
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<h3>
<br />I ask you to please pray with me about this. Can't wait to see what God has in stored!</h3>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-90867915193926357792017-05-19T21:29:00.002-05:002017-05-20T05:50:40.640-05:00"Throw away the lumps and enjoy the Sweetness"<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Mom, help! What can I do?" she asked </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was scurrying around, busy with other things, but I paused long enough to suggest, "Pour it through the colander to strain out the lumps, and it will be fine."</div>
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So just as she had often seen me drain water from a pot of boiled pasta, she set the colander in the kitchen sink and poured the lumpy filling through the strainer--right down the drain. I found her standing by the sink with an odd look on her face, staring down into the colander, which held a small heap of still-steaming chocolate lumps and nothing else...I have made my own share of blunders in and out of the kitchen. I have even been known to pour life's sweetness down the drain and save the lumps. ( exert from The Monday Morning Club by Claudia Barba)</div>
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I shared this story with my kids and now on a regular basis when some one at home is focusing on the negatives we remind them to "throw away the lumps and enjoy the sweetness" </div>
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Here's some "sweetness" from this year that has helped me see God's grace.</div>
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Gifts from my precious little ones on Mother's day</div>
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13th year Anniversary to an amazing man</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">A week conference at one of my favorite places with my crazy baby sister. </span></div>
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Holding my precious little nephew "Kodi"</div>
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Having my mother visit for 10 days</div>
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The encouragement of transparency and vulnerability of friendship.</div>
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The power of prayer</div>
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Our house still standing even after rainy season</div>
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An adorable little sister that has convinced her brother to play tea with her</div>
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The faithfulness of a praying, loving father</div>
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Inspiring, encouraging and equipping ladies in Puerto Maldonado to dig deep into God's word. </div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-60067138178417574362016-06-15T18:15:00.000-05:002016-06-15T18:15:13.243-05:00Unless You give me mercy, I know that I will fail<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Have you ever felt like you have been wronged? The pain is awful. The torment even worse. You just think non stop about what âthat personâ did and how wrong it is. You question their integrity, friendship, etcâŚ</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Well, I have for that last several months. Yesterday, I spent most of the day praying, crying, listening to Godâs word begging God for justice, for peace, and for rest.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">God in His gracious mercy showed me that my focus was wrong. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i>I am a very proud person.</i> God has graciously showed me these weeks how often I talk about myself. How puffed up I am about what I do and how I do it. Even in ministry. I can proudly think that I draw people to Him. When in reality it is God that draws people to Himself. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Ministry is hard because it grows you. It teaches you much about your sin. Yet it is super rewarding because it pushes you to your knees and to your Redeemer. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">One of my husbandâs favorite songs to hear each morning is<i> âA Morning Prayerâ</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="s1"></span>Oh Lord you are my Lord. I call to you for help. Unless you give me mercy I know that I will fail.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Lord listen to my prayer. Don't hide yourself from me. I lift my hands to you and with all my heart I sing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You are my <b>strength</b>. You are my <b>shield.</b> I will praise Your name. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You are my <b>savior</b>. You are my <b>shepherd</b>. I will trust ÂĽour name.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh Lord you are my Rock. I come to you for help. Unless you give me mercy I know that I will fail. Lord listen to my prayer. Don't hide yourself from me. I lift my hands to you and with all my heart I sing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You are my <b>strength</b>. You are my <b>shield.</b> I will praise Your name. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You are my <b>savior</b>. You are my <b>shepherd</b>. I will trust ÂĽour name.</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">The truth is that unless God gives me mercy I will fail. It is easy to judge others actions and to overlook our own sin. True freedom comes in focusing in guarding my heart and my walk with Christ. It is not until I see my sin as God sees it that I can be gracious, kind, and extend forgiveness. </span></div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-41972667480259915572015-12-18T15:26:00.001-05:002015-12-18T16:01:22.634-05:00Weekly Wonders<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday-</span></i></b> Decorated for our Christmas program "Volviendo a Cristo en Navidad"</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Thankful for faithful servants that use their gifts for God's glory!</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sunday</span></i></b>- Buddy told the story of Abraham in a narrative way to remind us of God's faithfulness </div>
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in-spite of our faithlessness. </div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monday-</span></b></i> Traveled to Cusco to see a dentist and see baby Adalia...</div>
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Praising God for His protection during Angel's surgery. The surgery lasted 5 hours. It was brutal but even through out it all I saw God's strength. He gave Angel courage and a sound mind. Praise God!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tuesday-</span></i></b> Shopped in Cusco for the kids christmas gifts...</div>
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I didn't realize how much fun it would be to shop for the kids. It was the first time I got to shop for them alone. The Lord kept bringing Matthew 7:11 to mind. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>The icing to our Cusco trip...</b></i></span></div>
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Baby Adalia Slopa Sebastian</div>
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She is growing stronger each day. Yesterday, Emily was able to cuddle her for an hour. </div>
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Today, she nursed her for the first time. I am continually amazed at God's goodness and grace. </div>
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He is the one that holds each breath we take.</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wednesday</span></b></i>- Traveled back from Cusco and went out with the kiddos to invite for the </div>
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Christmas program</div>
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Last week we made a couple hundred cookies to give out with our christmas invitations. We were able to hand out about 100 bags to the hospital personal and about 60 more to our neighbors.<br />
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We went door to door with the kiddos. The boys rode on their bikes making it an adventure in itself. </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thursday</span></i></b>- La Joyita bible study</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Segundo and Buddy talking about Yine translation. So thankful for what God is doing in Segundo's heart.)</span></div>
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We were locked out of our normal meeting place, but the neighbor graciously allowed us to meet at her place. </div>
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Abigail Yoder was visiting us this week. We were glad to have her here. We were blessed to see how God used her to witness to this young man. His name is Dima. He is from Russia. He was polite and had many questions but seemed very closed to the gospel. Please pray for him.<br />
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It was exciting to see that despite the inconvenience of lack of seats we had more than the usual in attendance. </div>
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We had 11 adults and 10 kids. </div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Friday</span></b></i>- We said farewell to Abigail and built a chicken coop</div>
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Abigail and I got to go to Nazareth's school in place of her mommy. </div>
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Since Emily is in Cusco with baby Adalia.</div>
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<i><b>So blessed to be instruments in the redeemers hand...</b></i></div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-76732111583231038442015-12-02T15:31:00.002-05:002015-12-02T15:31:43.100-05:00In what ways do you feel like a lifeless stump, longing for a tender shoot of hope?The last two days have been exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally. I came home this afternoon after leaving my sweet grieving friend. I sat to refresh my soul and the devotional question of reflection was this:<br />
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<i>In what ways do you feel like a lifeless stump, longing for a tender shoot of hope?</i><br />
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Monday night I received a phone call from my sweet pregnant friend informing me that she was hemorrhaging and was going to try to get to the hospital. Kudos to my brave friend Tracy that drove her. It was especially dangerous because we have had a strike for the past week and half. The strikers have put up all kinds of barricades and even assault those on motorcycles and vehicles.<br />
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Buddy took me on the motorcycle and the drive there was enough to spike up my adrenaline for a while.<br />
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After the doctors finally examined her, she was admitted to the hospital. Emily was pregnant with twins but she was only 26 weeks along. I was allowed to stay by her side while a group of prayer warriors stayed outside with her husband, Segundo.<br />
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Around midnight they informed us that the doctor on call felt that there was no hope for the babies so he induced her. I asked if we could give her a shot that would help develop the babies' lungs. He responded âitâs too lateâŚit would be a waste, they are not going to make it anywayâ. I was quite frustrated but kept calling out for help to the creator of life.<br />
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At 5am we entered the delivery room where I assisted the obstetrician with the birth. We delightfully heard the cry of Adalia at 5:22. She was alive and breathing. Praise the Lord! But she needed help: She was 900 grams and extremely fragile.<br />
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The head nurse of ICU asked for a neonatal incubator. The assisting nurse said âwhy? They are going to die anywayâ. Again flabbergasted by the lack of value for life I called out to my father. The head nurse insisted and the assistant had to comply.<br />
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Minutes passed, all the while Emily was struggling. She was tired and had lost all her strength to push. I had to lightly slap her several times since we were losing her. All the while I continued to call out, begging my Father for strength and wisdom. The doctor asked me to help push. At 5:45 Aaron was born.<br />
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He looked so frail and bruised. I went to his side and spoke to him. I told him to fight, that we loved him, that he had a purpose in life. He grabbed my finger. I will never forget that moment.<br />
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The last 24 hours have been heartbreakingâŚ<br />
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Aaron went to be with His creator at 8:33pm last night. They didnât inform his mother till this morning.<br />
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This morning I went to see Adalia and Emily. <br />
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While visiting Adalia in ICU I was pleased to see that I knew the head nurse for this shift. We started chatting about the situation and she asked âwhy didnât they give them a shot when they were born to help develop their lungs?â I responded that I didnât know about the shot and that no one informed of us of it either. She went to check the medical records. Apparently someone thought that the parents were too poor to afford the shot and the social government doesnât cover it, so âtheyâ didnât say anything.<br />
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I praise the Lord for all the connections he has given me at the hospital but this experience has showed me how little âpowerâ I have over anything.<br />
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My heart ached. I was angry and sad that I could not help. I felt so limited in my knowledge and so incapable. Emily was there while I was talking to the head nurse.<br />
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We hugged each other and she sobbed. Later she told me struggled all morning wondering âif God could heal my babiesâŚâ is all she said. We both understood what she was thinking. I prayed with her and wept with her. I donât know the answer to the question "why didn't he?"<br />
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So as I meditate on the question for yesterdayâŚ<br />
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<i>In what ways do you feel like a lifeless stump, longing for a tender shoot of hope?</i><br />
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This is how...<br />
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Dear Father help my unbelief.Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-32042444382273708602015-11-28T07:20:00.004-05:002015-11-28T07:20:58.617-05:00Now to Him who is able...<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Avenir, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 2px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
There are times in our lives where it is difficult to know the next step. Our sight seems blurred and our feet feel the sharp rocks of the difficult road ahead and fear grips our hearts.</div>
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That is when we âTrustâ knowing that God is writing our story and He is "Faithful"!</div>
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His promises are true. He is good and He is able. Therefore:</div>
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Against all hope in hope I believe,<br />That You Lord are faithful,<br />You're good and You are able.<br />When it seems impossible to me,<br />Your promises are all true,<br />What You said I know You will do.</div>
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And I am sure<br />Your love endures</div>
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I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars<br />I won't be afraid<br />Cause You're holding every part<br />Of this world<br />And my heart trusts You that<br />You won't let me fall<br />I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars</div>
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Against all hope in hope I believe,<br />Your plan for me is perfect<br />And You show me it's all worth it.<br />With eyes of faith You teach me to see,<br />And lighten every dark night,<br />Knowing it will be alright.</div>
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And I am sure<br />That Your love endures, yeah</div>
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I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars<br />I won't be afraid<br />Cause You're holding every part<br />Of this world<br />And my heart trusts You that<br />You won't let me fall<br />I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars<br />You're the Keeper of the stars</div>
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Look up now, O my soul<br />See His greatness and behold, behold!<br />Look up now, O my soul<br />See His wonders and behold, behold!</div>
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I'm giving it all<br />I'm giving it all</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars<br />I won't be afraid<br />Cause You're holding every part<br />Of this world<br />And my heart trusts You that<br />You won't let me fall<br />I'm giving it all<br />To the Keeper of the stars<br />You're the Keeper of the stars<br />The Keeper of the stars (</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">lyrics by Laura Story)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">âNow to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of HIs glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amenâ</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jude 24-25</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp5WftxCwf15PdtIPT7Gg92oCniRmtgTrX3TERkhI-5h-_vR-Cu5kncmiQCMaWg2ha7_dHDJjKez6M2n6YSkG_SEChiwzbXND5K86yLpyGG71PX3RNS0f42PJs08VWBNTP0z774oGz6Z4/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp5WftxCwf15PdtIPT7Gg92oCniRmtgTrX3TERkhI-5h-_vR-Cu5kncmiQCMaWg2ha7_dHDJjKez6M2n6YSkG_SEChiwzbXND5K86yLpyGG71PX3RNS0f42PJs08VWBNTP0z774oGz6Z4/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-71607413218127776142015-11-19T17:17:00.003-05:002015-11-19T17:17:57.775-05:00A thief in my car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"> This morning I woke up earlier than usual and was able to spend some extra time with my Lord. Next, I happily made some pancakes and scrambled eggs.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I had planned to get some </span><span style="text-align: left;">homeschool done, go pay bills, and then shop for extra groceries because of the upcoming strike on Monday. Everything was running smoothly. School was done and we were all on our way to town. On our way in I noticed a missed call. One of our men from church was taken to the emergency room and they needed my help. So Buddy took the kids while I rushed to the emergency room. After about an hour our fellow brother was better and home. I got back to the original plan of paying bills. Buddy went home to prep the generator amongst other things for the upcoming strike.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So it was just the kids and me. </span></div>
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We drove around town paying the lights, internet and all that was left was the water bill. The kids were hot and tired. I promised a treat right after this last bill. I had to circle the block three times before I could get a parking spot right in front of the building. We rushed out of the truck and into the building not locking the doors knowing that it would be a quick stop.</div>
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Coming out of the building I noticed that some one was in the passenger side scavenging through our stuff. </div>
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I rushed to the car and yelled at the man to get out of my car. I immediately began yelling"THIEF POLICE". The man attempted to walk away but I grabbed him and continued to yell "POLICE THIEF!!" The thief grabbed my hand upset that I had pushed him against the car. I yanked back<i> and thought "how far should I go to detain this thief" </i>since there were many spectators but no one was helping and there is a silly law about hurting thieves<i>.</i> The thief tried to cross the street and I continued after him yelling "THIEF POLICE!. </div>
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As I approached him again a man with an open shirt and bullet proof vest came out of no where and grabbed the man putting him in a headlock. He then dragged the man across the street and pinned him to my truck. </div>
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The man was an under cover cop. He asked me to search my car to see what the thief had taken. I searched rapidly but I could not see or think of anything that was missing. By this time a police truck had pulled up. They rammed the man into the vehicle. </div>
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I explained to the cop what had happened. Apparently, the man was not able to take anything. </div>
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The cops took the thief away.</div>
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I and the kids got into my vehicle. The many spectators were still staring at me while my kids were cheering because of my "bravery". My heart was racing and my adrenaline was at its peak. I picked up the phone and called my huddy, explained what happened and then went on to the grocery store. </div>
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Crazy Morning!!</div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-16605398626972654472015-11-03T12:00:00.002-05:002015-11-03T12:00:24.712-05:00Life is full of troubles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Life is full of troubles. I must admit that there are times that I feel that I just want to walk out. I get overwhelmed with sorrow for my sin and those around me. I feel heavy for the brokenness all around. And I begin to choke. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I don't want to face this valley</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I don't want to walk alone</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You say that you'll leave to find me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Well I'm begging You</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i></i></span></div>
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to come</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Don't think I can face this morning</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Heaviness is on my chest</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You say that You'll lift this burden</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Well I''m begging You to bring me rest</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Come and find me in the darkest night of my soul</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In the shadow of the valley</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am dying for You to make me whole</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For You to make me whole</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I can't keep myself from sinking</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>From drowning down in all of this shame</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>My throat is worn out from calling for help</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And I'm praying that You'll remember my name</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I know I can't fight this battle</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Been surrounded on every side</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You say that You will deliver me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Well I am praying that You'll restore my life</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Come and find me in the darkest night of my soul</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In the shadow of the valley</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am dying for You to make me whole</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For You to make me whole</i></span></div>
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<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Answer me out of the goodness of Your love</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In Your mercy, turn to me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I know it's You that I've been running from</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But I'm seeing it's You I need, need</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You're all I need</i></span></div>
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<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>So come and find me in the darkest night of my soul</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In the shadow of the valley</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am dying for You to make me</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Come and find me in the darkest night of my soul</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In the shadow of the valley</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am dying for You to make me whole</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For You to make me whole</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For You to make me whole</i></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i></i></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">
Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-valley-lyrics-ellie-holcomb.html#ixzz3qRpMk5vT" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003399; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">Ellie Holcomb - The Valley Lyrics </a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So I speak to myself truth. I listen to the psalms being read to me. I take a breathe, I pray, I listen, I soak, I believe and I trust.</span></div>
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</span></i></span>Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-58764998399895707932015-11-02T08:08:00.002-05:002015-11-03T14:49:12.905-05:00A little glimpse of life as a missionary wife.I woke up with a hop and a skip in my step excited for a day of worship. I had my morning planned and rolling. Spent some sweet time diving into my Father´s love letter, soaking and meditating on His truths. Then off to get things ready for the kid's Christmas program, the adult christmas program and the Kid's 4 truth presentation.<br />
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I was thankful that there was power and that our persnickety printer was working. It was 6:30 am and all the copies were made and my "mary poppins" bag was packed. I felt really good about my accomplishments thus far. I skipped to the kitchen ready to tackle breakfast and my crockpot lunch.<br />
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There were some rotten mangos in my fruit basket so I picked them up and walked over to our mud room where I usually chuck our rotting fruit over the fence. (A little perk of not having neighbors and living in the jungle).<br />
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When I opened my front door the entire mud room was splattered with blood. It looked like something from a scary movie! There was blood everywhere. At that instance, I panicked a bit.<br />
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What happened? Who did this? Is it an awful, not funny prank?<br />
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Then I remembered, our little dog "Toffee" has had a wound on her ear for the last couple of days. She is feisty, and smart which has kept her alive longer than any of our other dogs. Her personality does not allow us to pet her or heal her when injured. Therefore, I had not doctored her up. Unfortunately the evidence showed that things had gone sour fast.<br />
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I asked Buddy to help me and he went in search for her. There was blood everywhere! Down the steps, on the walls and all over the yard. My hopes of finding her alive were slim.<br />
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Buddy found her! She was alive but bleeding out fast. There was much tension over why she was not cared for earlier and rash, harsh words were exchanged as to whose responsibility it was to care for the pets, overall not helping the situation.<br />
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I rushed to call a vet, and I finally got in touch with one that was willing to see her early on a Sunday morning. While phoning different people for help I quickly whipped up breakfast and then rushed to get her to the vet.<br />
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Toffee was not happy about being held. We wrapped her in a sheet. I ran to the truck but the gate was locked and the gate key was not with the truck keys. Joseph ran down with the right keys and hopped into the front seat to help hold Toffee as I drove. Well, the truck would not start. So I had to pop the hood while Buddy banged on the battery connectors. In the mean time Toffee got loose from Joseph's hold and began trying to find a way to escape, getting blood and chunks of what seemed like flesh all over us and the truck.<br />
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After much struggle we got Toffee to the vet. Getting her out of the car was another bloody adventure.<br />
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Finally I was heading back home to shower, get Abigail ready, and finish preparing lunch. Unfortunately, the truck would not start again!<br />
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I hopped out looking like something scary from Halloween, popped the hood and banged on the battery connectors. Praise the Lord! The truck started.<br />
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I rushed home, showered, got myself and Abigail ready, and made our crockpot lunch. We rushed out the door to get to church early for set-up. Then I went on my routine "bus" route to pick up a dear elderly man from the nursing home and the kids from our old neighborhood.<br />
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When I arrived back at the church building I realized that I had forgotten the wireless speaker to practice the songs for Christmas. After greeting everyone with a holy kiss I began my quest to figure out how to solve this problem, since I do not have an angelic voice and need the music to stay on key.<br />
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I found an outlet in the old Sunday school room (that is falling apart; being consumed by termites, but that's another story), but it had no power. By this time it was starting to sprinkle, worship time was almost over, and the kids would soon be dismissed to their classes. I had to figure out how to wing it with the small speaker from my phone.<br />
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The kids were excited to learn the new christmas songs and the Lord held off the torrential down pour till after the lesson<br />
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And all that happen before noon!Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-19989806383346199702015-10-30T09:58:00.000-05:002015-10-30T09:58:02.071-05:003 gifts on Time: The Joy Dare<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I often do not see time as a gift. I am slightly OCD. I get a </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rush in being organized even with my time, but the pressure to get everything done that I would like creates added stress. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I remember showing a friend of mine "my ideal week" schedule and she told me how just looking at it, stressed her out!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am thankful for this joy dare that causes me to stop and see things as gifts. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> As a homeschool mom of a preschooler and two elementary kids most of my mornings are consumed with teaching, cleaning and cooking all at the same time. I understand this is my season. Unfortunately, I am often deceived that being a mom isn't enough and I miss the gifts of taking time to enjoy this season of <b>giggles, simple tears, big faith, tender kisses and tight hugs.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Lord is showing me to open up my eyes because...</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As I spent hours yesterday washing, folding and putting away laundry I was clouded by the vastness of the job and had to search deep and hard for it's beauty.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> My little girl came up to me and said "Mommy I know what I want to be when I grow up" (she is only 3). I responded "really?" as I picked up her fragile little frame and put her onto my lap. She said "yes, I want to be a mommy when I grow up". </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Those words were medicine to my soul. Even after all my failures, and there are quite a few, she sees what I am doing daily as something admirable. Thank you Lord Jesus for making my broken beautiful. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So this is my life verse and prayer. I want to live carefully and wisely, so that I make the most of every opportunity to show Christ in my life. I don't want to live thoughtlessly but I want to know my Lord so intimately that I understand what pleases Him most, so that He is most glorified. </i></span></div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-48271657420963175002015-10-29T07:22:00.001-05:002015-10-29T07:22:45.287-05:00 3 gifts in Christ: The Joy Dare<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. In Christ I am greatly blessed...</b></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHPqbMUp_G4pm27cPFaUUPUGXW866BHY9818lDhkl7Qu1GkI42A8RTLD9dpBmsodfA7MTsgJviaKLVhWvHSUiVWLOFVrHX3fW3f9Ai0y5Z-h95I21NRrDnv5QIXw2bLmVpYeKGF0UmYfd/s1600/JAMES-1-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHPqbMUp_G4pm27cPFaUUPUGXW866BHY9818lDhkl7Qu1GkI42A8RTLD9dpBmsodfA7MTsgJviaKLVhWvHSUiVWLOFVrHX3fW3f9Ai0y5Z-h95I21NRrDnv5QIXw2bLmVpYeKGF0UmYfd/s320/JAMES-1-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My sleep, my rising up each day, the ability to see, to breathe, to laugh, to cry is a gift given by God through Christ because all things were created through him and for him. In Christ I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. In Christ I am highly favored...</b></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGrxuC4Z_9QvZqsy0nv5VWgtYCuNjUNuzkzy3jUuL4OtRUduJms1-2jazejnxpNvggvN7oC_EpZstTYKfbc-RdLArgyXmZ5s0q_MYbBbLrFCHWMTRZUo40eEYc5d0HF31kpsqltw5KFSb/s1600/ephesian1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGrxuC4Z_9QvZqsy0nv5VWgtYCuNjUNuzkzy3jUuL4OtRUduJms1-2jazejnxpNvggvN7oC_EpZstTYKfbc-RdLArgyXmZ5s0q_MYbBbLrFCHWMTRZUo40eEYc5d0HF31kpsqltw5KFSb/s320/ephesian1-4.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">He chose me with all my stubborn, defiant, rebellious sin. He spared not his own Son so that I can have free access to the holy of holies. I can draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith because I am highly favored in Christ.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><b>3. In Christ I am deeply loved...</b></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC920pgPuwiRxM0Y0N7e4XkmRkZzGXA5E-EPm0__V_0Ea1jnmcvm_Y4D3UIe69GDGedjTvQ7sLe2nwhZOG2nteqx5yjJXAhJHyrIz9QVDBJQr3VsFj7nHtd87ihFhoiG07m5YT3HZFoMfP/s1600/I+have+loved+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC920pgPuwiRxM0Y0N7e4XkmRkZzGXA5E-EPm0__V_0Ea1jnmcvm_Y4D3UIe69GDGedjTvQ7sLe2nwhZOG2nteqx5yjJXAhJHyrIz9QVDBJQr3VsFj7nHtd87ihFhoiG07m5YT3HZFoMfP/s320/I+have+loved+you.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> I love Him because He loved me first. He paid the ultimate price to show me His love...</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">why do I doubt it?</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him . </b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Oswald Chambers</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Here is a link to the song</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZYpjBeM0To">In Christ Alone</a></span></span></div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-19985863104881362552015-10-28T14:39:00.002-05:002015-10-28T14:39:49.720-05:00A gift Humbling, Honoring, Happy: The Joy Dare<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>an honoring gift...</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO4VMWPdSgTAVr_yk7btNktw6aQTltiGXmPLCACrFh7caeDWkfU_TJIsztYeErEPAmeFQfc4TBQIM1deCWM4E_4zIedxGvyG2hoeJvEAJE1MsuWWMdnzXyUr186vDgl1CYp7dBB2CJlpg/s1600/John+12-26+my+father+will+honor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO4VMWPdSgTAVr_yk7btNktw6aQTltiGXmPLCACrFh7caeDWkfU_TJIsztYeErEPAmeFQfc4TBQIM1deCWM4E_4zIedxGvyG2hoeJvEAJE1MsuWWMdnzXyUr186vDgl1CYp7dBB2CJlpg/s320/John+12-26+my+father+will+honor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;">"Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;">The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.6px;"> Oswald Chambers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 21.6px;"><b><i>A humbling gift...</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjh5-AwU59hnl34q8uu8g2AghNa1d9lRAQm2Kf5RxCDdP5HuiZ1q05mFnR5szEeEnv1i51Ts81qks5ntTVchz5Fy4H13JaEt3WDvW7AsdsZbpNh9hkUGfsmYXoFPid2wSLZMSKTx1kEsd/s1600/Clean_House_Close_Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjh5-AwU59hnl34q8uu8g2AghNa1d9lRAQm2Kf5RxCDdP5HuiZ1q05mFnR5szEeEnv1i51Ts81qks5ntTVchz5Fy4H13JaEt3WDvW7AsdsZbpNh9hkUGfsmYXoFPid2wSLZMSKTx1kEsd/s400/Clean_House_Close_Family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;">The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;">The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small; line-height: 21.6px;">Oswald Chambers</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><i><b>A happy gift...</b></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sHsS1tewKHroxbTbyO-HFI_WPvw329U0h7Lo2dr8AqaJmEhYZdz0kaqcszx1TdXAT_Nou02mMZUjMsmwHZz6zdl0R4UdPJXqVLyoDr_nXaSMPFAruJ6K7Qf3EERt-pCnMHCiBU1gCi7W/s1600/P1000656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sHsS1tewKHroxbTbyO-HFI_WPvw329U0h7Lo2dr8AqaJmEhYZdz0kaqcszx1TdXAT_Nou02mMZUjMsmwHZz6zdl0R4UdPJXqVLyoDr_nXaSMPFAruJ6K7Qf3EERt-pCnMHCiBU1gCi7W/s320/P1000656.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> at the creek with the kiddos and friends</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zvens1kTrPki4yBSQYq47cTMwl6SQpG1z9zvtvjdbr3CrKU3U45EkTXqqtWKBP8kBqd6ctvB2nSRTwzJkERLLafMF-Kzc6Y088ISG3nqOnFoVs0kZOYNbnpMLD48czJJgSmaAecRQVGs/s1600/P1000668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zvens1kTrPki4yBSQYq47cTMwl6SQpG1z9zvtvjdbr3CrKU3U45EkTXqqtWKBP8kBqd6ctvB2nSRTwzJkERLLafMF-Kzc6Y088ISG3nqOnFoVs0kZOYNbnpMLD48czJJgSmaAecRQVGs/s320/P1000668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21.6px;"><b>Tell me about your gifts...</b></span></span></i></div>
Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-14574314127687661522015-10-27T05:37:00.000-05:002015-10-27T05:37:17.001-05:003 gifts extravagant: The Joy Dare<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>extravagant:</i></span></div>
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<li class="li1">spending much more than necessary or wise</li>
<li class="li1">excessively high</li>
<li class="li1">exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.</li>
<li class="li1">going beyond what is deserved or justifiable </li>
<li class="li1">obsolete. wandering beyond bounds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>1. I am thankful for the excessively high price Jesus paid on the cross for my sins</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>2. I am thankful that my husband got up early on the only day he allows himself to sleep in to make breakfast and help clean up</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>3. I am thankful that God demands me to forgive exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.</i></b></span></div>
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<b>What are you thankful for?</b></div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-30672339409636773012015-10-26T07:45:00.002-05:002015-10-26T07:52:23.968-05:003 gifts Accomplished and 3 gifts enjoying: The Joy Dare<br />
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When I read the gifts I was to be looking for I was excited to read <b style="font-style: italic;">3 gifts accomplished. </b> I thought to myself..."Oh this one will be easy. I know how to get things done." I began my day with thriving to display my "skills".<br />
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<b><i>Tackling the market in the rain</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Homeschooling on Saturday to get done before Christmas</i></b></div>
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<i><b>(</b>we are on the peruvian school schedule)</i></div>
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<b><i>Cleaning...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Cooking</i></b></div>
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<i>As most of you know, I get a rush in getting tasks done! </i></div>
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But I am so thankful for how my gracious Father is opening up my eyes and changing my perspective.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Busy is a choice, </i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Stress is a choice, </i></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Joy is a choice</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Choose Well</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Ann Voskamp</i></span></div>
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So I decided to focus on my<b><i> 3 gifts enjoying...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Enjoying the gift of imagination...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Enjoying the gift of the Holy Spirit transforming lives...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Enjoying the gift of silly girls and their desire to know God</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There is one hiding under the counter</i></span></div>
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<b><i>Can't wait to hear from you!</i></b>Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-14663637232026986072015-10-24T05:43:00.003-05:002015-10-24T05:43:48.281-05:003 Gifts Begun: The Joy Dare<div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Ok, so yesterday's gifts were a bit more challenging for me as well as the day itself. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here is what I came up with: <u><b>"3 gifts begun"</b></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>#1 His incomprehensible grace in my life ...</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's still working on me</span></i></span></div>
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To make me what I need to be</div>
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<i>It took him just a week to make</i> <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat !important; background-size: initial !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; color: rgb(27, 142, 222) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; max-width: 796px; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static;">the moon</span> <i>and stars</i></div>
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The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars</div>
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How loving and patient He must be</div>
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'Cause He's still workin' on me </div>
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#2 The complexity of deep friendships in progress...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#3 <i>The gift of another year...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Happy Birthday, sister!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>What are your 3 gifts begun? Can't wait to hear from you!</b></i></span></div>
<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-60564362339596387682015-10-23T09:56:00.001-05:002015-10-23T17:49:07.355-05:00"Take the Joy Dare" with me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjVyDOTPYrBLfTp3gXkOPJGdNnITslyn1MoI54qjmCsc97wJxBXKPA1ZOtcCEGxBxA76gxvA0XfCCZtaVTBFJaVSopyrLdMyyWvO5L3g1qCl03FSj83m6XauqQ3D_9mtUvHKxk84gqpk/s1600/being+joyful+isn%2527t+what+makes+you+grateful....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjVyDOTPYrBLfTp3gXkOPJGdNnITslyn1MoI54qjmCsc97wJxBXKPA1ZOtcCEGxBxA76gxvA0XfCCZtaVTBFJaVSopyrLdMyyWvO5L3g1qCl03FSj83m6XauqQ3D_9mtUvHKxk84gqpk/s1600/being+joyful+isn%2527t+what+makes+you+grateful....jpg" /></a></div>
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It isn't November yet, or a new year, but I've decided to start counting. I want you to join me as often as you can. </div>
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What is the "Joy Dare"?</div>
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A long time ago a friend encouraged Ann VosKamp to start counting her blessings. She has written a book about her journey. I am not asking you to read her book but I am asking you to start counting with me. </div>
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If we write out 3 things we are grateful each day by this time next year we will have counted 1000 blessings or "gifts" as she puts it. </div>
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She has so kindly made a calendar with prompts to help us "see" the gifts around us. </div>
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http://www.aholyexperience.com/joy-dares/</div>
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Yesterday, I was to look for the gift of silent, still and strong. Here is what I found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2TBri7_J5iKLb_aHRYrwDlD_-7UY8TaI_OTwPDCkMHaZV_0N05EJHdEIWgQnaTfMgRrIEaveIXKagGFqTS-aqijoRcgx00uy-sDsf4DvdkG4LU5wpxpwcR_EwHhLOwW4myw7IlXghmW7/s1600/IMG_20151022_190414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2TBri7_J5iKLb_aHRYrwDlD_-7UY8TaI_OTwPDCkMHaZV_0N05EJHdEIWgQnaTfMgRrIEaveIXKagGFqTS-aqijoRcgx00uy-sDsf4DvdkG4LU5wpxpwcR_EwHhLOwW4myw7IlXghmW7/s320/IMG_20151022_190414.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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A <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>strong</b></span> man</div>
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that faithfully serves God with all he is and has for God's glory not his own. </div>
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I am very thankful for this man.</div>
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The <b>stillness </b>of my heart as I listen to God's truth through song. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClJB1VqTSsL9vQI0rNc55G1V6LvkZbhue0i-JuqMUW1i4uVtrz7KVvs5KqPbimdETPg3hyphenhyphenestybW-l7yRBxx_KLyBZf8FEESV8zaazVvllAMJhrHfRlnlmqT9ka1NG2nBQNeI3lMsTg1-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-23+at+7.20.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClJB1VqTSsL9vQI0rNc55G1V6LvkZbhue0i-JuqMUW1i4uVtrz7KVvs5KqPbimdETPg3hyphenhyphenestybW-l7yRBxx_KLyBZf8FEESV8zaazVvllAMJhrHfRlnlmqT9ka1NG2nBQNeI3lMsTg1-/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-10-23+at+7.20.45+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The perfect wisdom of our God</div>
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by Getty</div>
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The perfect wisdom of our God</div>
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Revealed in all the universe:</div>
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All things created by His hand</div>
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And held together at His command.</div>
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He knows the mysteries of the seas,</div>
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The secrets of the stars are His;</div>
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He guides the planets on their way</div>
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And turns the earth through another day.</div>
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The matchless wisdom of His ways</div>
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That mark the path of righteousness;</div>
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His word a lamp unto my feet,</div>
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His Spirit teaching and guiding me.</div>
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And O the mystery of the Cross,</div>
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That God should suffer for the lost,</div>
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So that the fool might shame the wise,</div>
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And all the glory might go to Christ!</div>
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O grant me wisdom from above,</div>
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To pray for peace and cling to love,</div>
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And teach me humbly to receive</div>
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The sun and rain of Your sovereignty.</div>
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Each strand of sorrow has a place</div>
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Within this tapestry of grace;</div>
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So through the trials I choose to say:</div>
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"Your perfect will in Your perfect way.</div>
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The <b>silence</b> caused by a cremolada refreshing throats on a hot day.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I look forward to hearing about your gifts!</i></span><br />
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<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-52440024118747530992015-10-20T21:24:00.000-05:002015-10-20T21:24:25.243-05:00Learning to release expectations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my quest for unfading beauty I am learning that the root of joy is gratitude. Being thankful for the smallest gifts my heavenly Father graciously bestows. Unfortunately gratitude is not my default. But my loving Father continually gives me opportunities to open my eyes to the ugliness of my ungrateful heart.<br />
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For example, yesterday we had an amazing day planned of hiking, through one of the 7th new wonders of the world. Sounds pretty amazing! Yet, since I am married to the most frugal man in the world, we took the more economical route. <br />
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I was leery about taking the "national train" but pleasantly surprised. Yes there were some extra people sitting in the aisles and there was no food or extras but it was decent. I kept prepping myself to look for the hidden blessing and to relax and savour the moment. <br />
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Our hotel that night was simple and comfy. A one star hotel. No bells or whistles but clean and sufficient. We got up early in search for some good cheap breakfast. I was hoping for something light but nice. Maybe a little quaint cafĂŠ.<br />
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My money savvy hubby asked a police officer where could we get some cheap breakfast. The kind guard suggested the local market. Let me inform you about "local market restaurants". They are not known for their higiene nor taste. Yes, the food is cheap but their motto is "eat at your own risk" (ok not really but it sure seems like it). I was not pleased at all and truly struggling to be thankful. I kept praying and asking God to protect us and to help me not spoil the rest of the trip. </div>
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I was thankful for the hour hike that followed. I used most of my time praying and meditating on truth in order to respond correctly. It was definitely a battle of my will versus what I knew God's word to say. </div>
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We had a wonderful time exploring the ruins, yet still in my heart I thought âGod I can understand sacrificing on a daily basis for the sake of the gospel but vacation is different, right? When we vacation it's ok to splurge to stay somewhere "nice" and to enjoy a higher standard of dining, right?"</div>
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That evening I reviewed my day and thanked my precious Father for the many blessings He graciously bestows each day. I asked Him to forgive me for wanting more and for being ungrateful.</div>
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This morning we rushed to the airport and to our my surprise, the airlines offered us an extra day in Cusco. They offered to put us up for the night at a four star hotel, pay our meals, pay our transportation, give us vouchers for later flights, as well as pay for the change of flights. I was surprised, excited, and extremely rebuked! </div>
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<b>We took the offer...</b></div>
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<b> to stay in a 350 year old colonial Spanish "casona"!</b></div>
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<b>We ate delicious food...</b></div>
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<b> We did a little more sight seeing</b></div>
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<b> And had an amazing hot shower!</b></div>
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I am continually amazed at His grace and mercy towards me in spite of my sin.</div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-24076876101128269042015-10-02T09:54:00.001-05:002015-10-02T09:54:38.927-05:00Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart...<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.94px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out of a proud heart. Proud people are wrapped up in themselves. If people or circumstances donât please or suit them, they are prone to whine or become resentful.
A humble person thinks much of God and others and spends little time fixating on himself. He recognizes that anything he has is better than he deserves. He doesnât feel anyone owes him anything. He doesnât feel entitled to have more, or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and treat him well. Heâs grateful for the least little kindness thatâs extended to him, knowing itâs more than he deserves." Nancy Leigh Demoss</span><br />
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I didn't write this, but I love it!</div>
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Silly Kids</div>
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The best burger in town. Sweet date with my hubby.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.94px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-29495950892134198462015-09-29T12:53:00.000-05:002015-09-29T13:41:30.724-05:00 A quest for unfading beautyFor the last 9 months I have been on an intentional quest for unfading beauty. I just had no idea all that it would entail.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 27.4286px;">The phrase a "gentle spirit" from the verse above in the original language is meek.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 27.4286px;"> "A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. </span><strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 27.4286px;">Scripture says for a woman to have that internal heart attitude of meekness or gentleness and a quiet spirit gives her a beauty that is imperishable.</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 27.4286px;"> Itâs a beauty that cannot fade away. Itâs a beauty that you donât have to go through all kinds of cosmetic surgery or makeup routines to preserve. Itâs something that gets sweeter and richer and more beautiful as you age."(<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nancy Leigh Demoss)</span></span></div>
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I want this kind of beauty. But to be honest the journey has been harder and more painful than I had expected.</div>
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I have come to understand that a beautiful woman in God's eyes has a gentle and quiet spirit. But what does that mean? I am latin and come from a single parent home. All my life I have been taught to be <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19.2px; line-height: 27.4286px;">self-assertive, to stand up for my rights, to be demanding, to speak my mind, to have it my way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.94px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is meekness?
It's the quality of spirit and attitude produced by the Holy Spirit , with which one responds to adversity or criticism or emotional injury with the appropriate strength to show love for God and others. Meekness is control of your spirit against irritation." (David Niles)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 27.4286px;">So about 9 months ago I began to get up early in order to do what the doctor prescribed; more time in His word. I read, sang, meditated, memorized, started specific classes on meekness, and completed many devotionals. Yet as I studied, prayed, and examined my life it seemed that the problems increased. I found myself more irritable. Interpersonal problems increased. Some one even described my personality as that of a "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; line-height: 37.2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chihuahua</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 27.4286px;">". </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 27.4286px;">(In that person's defence, I think they meant small but fearless)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 27.4286px;">Even so, I felt hopeless. I continued to cry out. </span></span></span></div>
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<i>"Father, help me please! I cannot produce this change in me. I believe it is your will. Please change my heart, change my tongue, change my emotions, change me!"</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19.2px; line-height: 27.4286px;"> "</span><strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 27.4286px;">God knows exactly what is needed in your life and mine, and God uses those people who offend us, who wound us, who challenge us, who get in our face, who bug us, who annoy us and irritate us. God uses those people, or He wants to, to shape and mold and correct us." (Nancy Leigh Demoss)</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: bree-serif, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 27.4286px;">This morning I spent some time talking and praying with my husband. I love the way he listens and gently leads me to the cross. I have so much to learn from his meek spirit. He read this to me. </span></span></div>
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"Why do you seek to mortify this sin?â Because it troubles you and takes away your peace. Yes, but you have neglected prayer and reading. Neglect of these is just as sinful. Christ bled for these also.</div>
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If you hate sin as sin, you will be watchful against everything that grieves the Spirit. Do you think God will help you in such a hypocritical effort? Do you think he will free you from this so you can commit another sin that grieves him? âNoâ, says God, âIf I free him from this lust, I will not hear from him any more, and he will be content in his failure.â We must not be concerned only with that which troubles us, but with all that troubles God. Godâs work is to have full victory, and universal obedience, not just the sins that trouble our soul."</div>
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âJOHN OWEN, Works, VI: 40-42<br />
(in Richard Rushing. "26 February" in _Voices from the Past_, The Banner of Truth Trust)</div>
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Even my desire to be meek can be prideful. God wants to truly change me. All of me. He won't let me change only the sin that is bothersome to me.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The troubles of my heart they're tearing me </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">apart</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px;">How I need Your saving hand to grant me a new start</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 28.8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="line-height: 28.8px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lonely and afraid, I call upon Your name</span></i></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">I will lift my eyes from this fragile life</span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 28.8px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Save me from my enemies and cover all my shame</span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">And I lift up my soul to you who makes things whole</span></div>
For you will rescue me, you are my prince of peace
Oh, mercy love of old, in you I place my hope
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">Oh, forgive my doubting heart and lead me back to You</span></div>
I place my hope
So guide me in Your truth, be my strong refuge
Help me to believe, Your love is all I need
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">For you will rescue me, you are my prince of peace</span></div>
Even when the storm is strong You will provide for me
I will lift my eyes from this fragile life
And I lift up my soul to you who makes things whole
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">Those whose hope is in Your grace, they will never be ashamed</span></div>
Oh, mercy love of old, in you I place my hope
I place my hope, I place my hope
Even in my darkest place, there's a promise I will claim
I will lift my eyes from this fragile life
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">I place my hope, in you I place my hope</span></div>
You will rescue me, you are my prince of peace
And I lift up my soul to you who makes things whole
Oh, mercy love of old, in you I place my hope
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<span style="line-height: 28.8px;">I place my hope, I place my hope</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Ellie Holcomb)</span></div>
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Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-5023695713818481832015-07-18T16:48:00.001-05:002015-07-18T17:41:24.446-05:00Amazingly Gracious GodOn Thursday night we went to Beki's birthday party. It was a pleasant party with good food and sweet fellowship. After several hours everyone slowly began to leave. A handful of us stayed behind chatting, while the kids that were left were still running around. I was really enjoying how serene it all seemed. All of a sudden I looked over my shoulder and saw a little boy pick up triangular shaped stick of glass and stab Abigail in the eye (Beki and Daniel had just put some glass in one of their doors. I assume it was some scrap that was overlooked in the clean up). It took me a second to react since at first I hoped to be mistaken. Abigail's shrieks and the blood that dripped down her face confirmed what I thought I had seen. Buddy and I quickly rushed to her to see blood continue to fill her eye and run down her cheek. We tried opening her eye hoping to see more clearly what happened but the blood interfered. At that time Buddy and I knew we had to rush her to the hospital. I began yelling for Isaiah and Joseph to get in the van. Shannon jumped in as well, which I was very thankful for later, since she was able to stay in the waiting area with Joseph and Isaiah. As we were rushing to the hospital I began to plead with my Father out loud. I begged him to spare her vision. I asked him to calm my heart and to help me trust that He works all things for our good. The praying soothed Abigail and her cry became just a whimper. We arrived at the hospital and rushed into the emergency room. I was relieved to see that the doctor on call was one I had worked with before. We laid Abigail on a stretcher and the intern doctor on call began to exam her. The bleeding had stopped and even though there was still some blood in her eye it did not seem that her eye was bleeding any more. After a careful examination the only cut that Abigail had was on her eyelid in between her eyelashes. I cannot tell you how blessed I felt at that time. God had graciously protected her eye. There is no explanation but that God is still working miracles. The way the boy stabbed her with the stick should have punctured her eye. Yet, we left the ER in about 15 mins with a little scratch on her eye lid. Abigail felt no more pain and there was no more bleeding. I serve an amazingly gracious God.<br />
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<br />Loren Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09118251670031170652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907550046219426131.post-50369883818586517992015-05-15T11:56:00.001-05:002015-05-15T13:01:03.620-05:00Eleven years agoElven years ago I began the most amazing adventure of my life. <br />
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I married Bernard Joseph Fitzgerald IV. I had no idea of the incredible gift God was giving me. He is patient, kind, meek, strong and extremely good looking. He is a firm but steady leader. He does not get easily irritated or flustered. His love for God and others pushes me to thirst and hunger for God and His word. Every day he faithfully wakes up to commune with God. He is an amazing dad that proactively disciples them. He is intelligent but not cocky. But what I appreciate most is that he deals with me in an understanding way. He listens and cares. He is the best teammate ever. I am so glad God had allowed me to walk through this life with a man like my husband.<br />
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