tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44554888155128439042024-03-16T21:53:50.789-06:00The Fray of My HeartUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-37049135949493386102024-01-07T00:00:00.001-06:002024-01-23T22:27:12.290-06:007 - "The First Prayer Recorded in the Bible" Genesis 13:4<p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Abram called on the name of the Lord. </i>Genesis 13:4 NIV</p><p style="text-align: center;">Abram trusted in the Unknown. Lot chose the earth to be good to him. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-45996073048175630032024-01-06T00:00:00.001-06:002024-01-23T22:12:55.046-06:006 - "Do Not Live to Make a Name for Yourself" Genesis 11:4<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Come, let us build ourselves a city,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>with a tower that reaches to the heavens,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>so that we may make a name for ourselves.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Genesis 11:4 NIV</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Unspoken pressure in our celebrity society exists to make a name for yourself.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-19430734407757310512024-01-05T00:00:00.017-06:002024-01-23T22:22:44.701-06:005 - "Live to Cover Not to Expose" Genesis 9:23<blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>"And Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders, <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></i></b><i><b>and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakednes</b>s. </i>Genesis 9:23<span style="text-align: left;"> NIV</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;">Live to cover not to expose.</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-16972760446041524482024-01-04T00:00:00.005-06:002024-01-23T22:21:42.400-06:004 - “The Lord Shut Me In” Genesis 7:16<blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i> “They went in [the ark] male and female of all flesh</i></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>as God had commanded him;</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-style: italic;">and the Lord shut him in.” </b>Genesis 7:16 NIV</p><p style="text-align: center;">Catalytic. Castrophic Flood over the whole earth. Has the Lord shut us in to make us holy? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i></i></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-32774996633844312492024-01-03T00:00:00.005-06:002024-01-23T22:21:23.863-06:003 - “The Questions of the Bible” Genesis 4:6<p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>“Then the Lord said t Cain,</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?”</i></b> Genesis 4:6</p><p style="text-align: center;">Why is my face going limp? Because I am not where I thought I would be both in story and soul. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Lord have mercy. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-66992042102109154562024-01-02T00:00:00.009-06:002024-01-23T22:21:01.009-06:002 - “God Broods Over Our Lives” Genesis 1:2<p style="text-align: center;"><i><b> “Now the earth was formless and empty,</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>darkness was over the surface of the deep, and </b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>the Sprit of God was hovering over the waters.”</b></i> Genesis 1:2 NIV</p><p style="text-align: center;">A brooding God. A soundless moment. A spoken word and a world painted not for our curiosity but for our very souls to know that He is our Creator. And He still hovers today.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-62739768459217397432024-01-01T00:00:00.039-06:002024-01-23T22:20:30.286-06:001 - “And We Were Born in His Thoughts” Genesis 1:1<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”</b> </i>Genesis 1:1 NIV</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">God moved over a burgeoning darkness and gave Energy to a nascent world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">And, we were born in His Thoughts. </span></div><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-46221990877572810762014-12-31T02:12:00.002-06:002015-01-04T21:29:17.487-06:00So Long 2014! God has been so good to us this year!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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From Genesis to Revelation. Here are the verses that linger with me as we walked through 2014:</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">1. Our year started with the best little Christmas gift ever from dear friends---an unheard of, rare vacation where Bob and I and my four kids/spouses were all snowbound together in a cabin in the Colorado woods. Unbelievable time! I have loved being their momma. Oh! I have more kids. It thrills me being a high school teacher. Seeing God move in the lives of students like Richmond, Adison, Elizabeth, Timothy, Catherine...and the list goes on and on and on and on. My hand is over </span></div>
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my mouth as this year closes its door.</div>
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2. Five years cancer free this year. And the prognosis: you never know, really. My oncologist took me off all of the cancer meds and bade me farewell after 50+ visits. It was a safety net slit open. But, the Anchor of my soul is firm, sure, immovable. Exodus 14:14.<br />
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3. There has been an uncommon Providential way of providing for us this year from friends. Like Elijah who found God in rain and ravens. I Kings 19:13 - Elijah found God in the "low whispers." Elijah was on the shelf. Eating from mouths of birds. And a lonely widow is the handpicked one who blessed him. Learned a tad more to stand up when called from the obscure places and speak and share and write and wonder---even when there are so few wanting to listen, wanting what I have to offer. I wrestle with this.<br />
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4. I hope I learned this year an iota better how to cry from my heart not just all that wailing on my bed. It's a Beautiful God pursuing me when I was unlovely. "I will give her a door of hope." Hosea 2:14-15. Oh, I needed hope this year in the midst of real relationships. And God said: I'll have mercy on "Miss No Mercy." He did. He is.<br />
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5. My love for the church grew immensely this year. I want so much to be on a church staff someday. It's the cry of my heart. I know I am called to the ministry. A firmer conviction grew within me to not heal wounds lightly saying, Peace! Peace! All is good! Jeremiah 6:14. I love the next verse for it speaks conviction to me: "They have no shame over their sins, for they don't even know how to blush." Jeremiah 6:15. I learned a little more about blushing this year over what is not right in me.<br />
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6. "I send my heart up to Thee. All my heart." Elizabeth Barrett Browning. That's what you have to do when the person in your life longest takes your hand for the last time and breathes his last breath on earth. Transferred into the Kingdom, the day he lived for. Surreal. It's over here. And now we hold in our hands a flood of memories. I hope that we become stronger in dependence in our loss. </div>
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7. Reading through the bible this year for the 9th time in a row---and I thought I couldn't do it once. Still think I can't finish it this year. But nothing will stop me. A friend once said to me: “Face the hard questions that life requires you to ask. Gather with other travelers on the narrow road, pilgrims who acknowledge their confusion and feel their fears. Then, together, live those questions in My Presence.”. And that's what my little tiny community of readers has done for me. There's only a handful of us yet we are trying to live this one messy life of ours with courage to more than hang in there but to follow in our confusion and feel our fears.<br />
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8. Reading blogs like yours and Cottrell and Tripp and Buechner and Metaxas and ... I love that you guys don't move to "fix" people or give steps & solutions for life. You offer genuine realness in a webworld that offers to move to fix me. I want to wrestle with words and life. I want to glean from a curious heart that draws me to God. That makes me want to press in and lean on God and find Him in my need. The people I find here hold a present awareness of their own brokenness and that is just beautiful. You understand a little more than most people about the evil that lies within all of us. <br />
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9. Nothing in my life has given me words, given me direction, given me life like one imperfect author I read every year. Deut 32:2. I read him over and over and again this year and it happened all over again! Oh! I'm still a mess but a little more of a glorious mess than ever. I think I am doing well in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, holding fast to a Good God and finding a little deeper rest in Him this 2014. I'm not the same person that I started out this year to be. I give credit to that author who helped me find a little more wider the real Author. Reading books is like having a weighty conversation with a pretend friend. Works for me.<br />
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10. Think I somewhat believed a little more that God is at work in me. Way too much I feel that I am waiting for something to happen. The truth is: it is already happening. Daniel 4:23---God is laying me low that I may know. His Strength in me. For those times this year when things have not changed which has surfaced in all 12 months. <br />
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11. Our son graduated from college. Headed off to grad school. Law School. Changing alma maters. Emptynesters for sure now. Stripped of something. I see God has my back. Strong Hands. Like Steel. The iron rod of the Holy Spirit cause my kids have been in my house for 33 years in a row. No more. <br />
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12. God has given me a little more than last year, an "eye to the Word of God." I cannot explain that one. Luke 5:5. Like the pro fishermen disciples toiling all night long, catching no draught of fish. Yet. They had an eye to the Word spoken by God---spread your nets, spread your case before God. I am floored that This Word has so caught me eye like not before. </div>
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13. Faced some impossible odds this year. God controls my odds. 5 loaves and 2 fish. It's all God had to work with. Luke 9:10. I have known depression that I thought I wouldn't even make it through, where I could not even stand up. My circumstances are somewhat still the same but God is so changing me. </div>
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14. My soul shipwrecked this summer. Right smack dab by the shore. I learned a few feet more that tribulations come and they will pass. Acts 27:39. He is the God of Tight Places. I could see the shore but I shipwrecked in that stupid harbor before making it safe to shore. YET, I still made it to shore. </div>
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16. I learned about Right-Now Grace this year. Hope I learned a little more true to cleanse myself from what controls me. 2 Cor 7:1, 10. It is right to be disconcerted over what bothers me. May I be more bothered about how I act wrongly in anything that happens. His Right-Now Grace purifies me.</div>
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17. God loaned a little boy to my oldest daughter. Our first grandchild. To watch that unfold was such a #miracle. I mean, prejudices and pride I held hidden didn't seem to matter as a life hung on the balance. Psalm 139 - all our ordained days, will we truly live and let go of what holds us locked up in our hearts. I was able to wrestle with that with some victory. Immense gratitude holding this fresh face of God to me. </div>
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18. Something clicked for me as 365 days waxed and waned. Philemon 1:17 - "Charge that to my account." All the distance people have put between me and them. The hurtful words. The missing actions. The revengeful innuendos. I don't know how, but my God is---a little more than usual---reversing my thinking and making me care more about what I'm doing to them. Just charge what they have done to me to my account.</div>
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19. I am surrounded by some incredibly supportive people. I've seen the 2 John 1:2 Advocate of my soul in someways I've never seen before. If I could sit across from you and tell you how He has cared for me in 2014, it would make you weep with me. Honestly! Maybe all we need is one Advocate and our little broken community of lovers.<br />
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20. Something peaked for me as the pages fold right this New Year's Eve night of 2014. Reading through the Bible this year has changed me---cause it read me. And I can't keep on unless it is right. I know a little more firmer in my soul of an Anchor in the midst of this darkness in which I sit. I'm all right cause He wrote to me in Revelation 21:5: "My little child, I am making all things new." I'll be a little more new tomorrow when I wake up in 2015. <br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New from The Brandons</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-16109301398890442612013-11-06T17:00:00.004-06:002013-11-06T19:08:07.374-06:00Hyde Park's Star-Spangled Banner Waved Over the Land of the Free Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Celebrating Veteran's Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /><br />April 20, 1943. The Submarine USS Grenadier was discovered and attacked by the enemy, the Japanese. Onboard that night was our chapel speaker this past week, Tim McCoy, a Seaman First Class. Losing all power and lighting the submarine sank in 270 feet of water, sinking to the bottom of the sea with a fire burning in the control room. Using boy scout methods and all hands on board, they repaired the damaged submarine enough to raise it to the surface. That's where they were detected by a Japanese ship. His captain ordered all men to scuttle. Abandon the ship! Right into the hands of the Japanese. Taken prisoner onboard the Japanese ship and taken to Penang. Confined to two separate rooms at the Light Street Catholic Convert where the nuns were also held captive. These prisoners would carve their names on the door of the convent. The names are still there today. A memorial. The first 7 days---one spoonful of water total for each seaman. They had to stand at attention for 24 hours for those 7 days. When one would collapse, the other would pick him up and let them rest on their shoulder. Meanwhile the Commanding Officer went through waterboarding for those 7 days. Then enemy's intent: to strip him of any info he would give about America and its operations. Never did any of McCoy's troops divulge any information to the enemy, no matter what!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The torture continued for 4 months. Starvation. Beatings. Splinters driven up their nails. Pencils mashed with sledgehammer force between their knuckles and toes. The only food for four months was one cup of uncooked rice in 120 days. They went from strapping young men to under 100 pounds each. Some died of starvation. One fell into a trance, the pain was so overwhelming---his name was George Snyder. He began hallucinating about food, the good life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">At this point in the chapel talk, McCoy straightened up and with the charm of a gentle giant, he said to us: "Let me give you something to take with you. We all have trouble in our lives. Divorce. Loss. You can fight because of stories like George Snyder. You see, we had to put him in the hospital for losing touch with reality. He was a man of faith in overwhelming pain. Somehow, as I worked as a slave labor, one day it seemed as a blanket had been thrown over me. I knew I had to go to the hospital to see my friend in trouble. I knew he was dying. When I came to him, he was not in this world; but he was not in the next world either. Snyder looked up and said: 'Father, I see Thy Face.' And he slid right into heaven. So, this is my story. When no one can help you, God can. Give it a try. He was there. He is here today. It was my faith in God that got me through this. God carried me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After the four months of torture, McCoy's crew was sent to Yokohama in Japan and they were split up and sent to work as slave laborers working in a steel mill, the world's second largest steel mill and shipyard in the world. This required the work ethic of a workhorse, not men barely 100 pounds. He worked as a slave laborer for a couple more years until the time that the war ended and they were released to come home. McCoy would be stateside a mere 3 days before he would meet the love of his life---his wife. That fractured soul met a helpmeet who adored him and would walk by his side for 59 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now, I may not have all my facts 100% correct but this I know---I was touched in deep places in my heart today. What I loved about this gentleman is that he offered hope to each one of us. Take Courage! </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">At this moment, a chapel full of awestruck teenagers, 75 years younger than this seaman, stood to join their High School Choir and the esteemed Lieutenant Tim McCoy in singing </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The Star-Spangled Banner</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. And that star-spangled banner that stands a few feet from our chapel door, that banner waved over the land of the free and the home of the brave today because of men like Tim McCoy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I spoke with McCoy after Chapel and asked what was the difference in subsequent wars where so many do not embrace the same philosophy of being an overcomer. He shared with me: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free, only to find out you were the prisoner." I always tell myself: FIDO… "Forget it and drive on." No one can help you like God can. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">McCoy remained in the Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign, and retired as Lieutenant after 24 years of active duty. He went back to the submarine, his friend. We celebrate this veteran!</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Beautiful chapel message. His name is carved on the wall of the Convent in Malaysia. His brave story is engraved on a Navy tablet which time will not efface. And His God has engraved His Name Forever on the palm of His Hands. Isaiah 49:16. And McCoy's words have sunk into Hyde Park hearts - Psalm 51:6. Forgive. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I told him, with tears falling down my cheeks. God is the Lifter of your head. Then. And Now! Psalm 3:3. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">God Bless America! God Bless our Veterans!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#VeteransDay</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-71242987429639977572012-11-12T19:33:00.000-06:002012-12-15T18:17:25.912-06:00A Christmas Mission Trip to Peru<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>LOOKING FOR 100 FRIENDS TO INVEST $10. </strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>I PLAN TO TRAVEL TO PERU OVER THE HOLIDAYS </strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>TO SERVE CHILDREN IN LIMA.</strong></em></div>
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Hey, this is Britt on my mom's blog.<br />
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I can hardly believe that I have reached the midway point of my undergraduate work at the University of Texas. My college experience has been awesome. <br />
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This past summer, I worked at Pine Cove Camps for three months as a Senior Counselor. Last January, I went on an international mission trip with Pine Cove to Cochabamba, Bolivia. I have been selected to go again with Pine Cove on a mission trip this coming January 2013 to Lima, Peru to teach leaders at a national camp how to better run their camps and make a difference in the lives of youth. <br />
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Pine Cove has been taking college students on Commission Camping mission work in Latin America for the past seven years. I hope that I am able to raise the money to be a part of this unbelievable opportunity to reach lives for Christ. <br />
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What I am asking of you is to first pray for God’s direction and provision for this trip to Lima, Peru. Secondly, I am asking you to consider helping me financially to be able to participate in this trip. I want to follow God’s call. This last $1,000 has been difficult to raise. If you feel led to give, please make your check out to me and send it to: Britt Brandon, P.O. Box 90814, Austin, TX 78709 or you can directly donate to the PayPal account: <a href="mailto:sixbrandons@sbcglobal.net">sixbrandons@sbcglobal.net</a>. I will forward all of the money on to Pine Cove. All gifts are tax deductible.<br />
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Please know that any support you are able to provide for me to go on this trip will be a blessing. I am hoping to find 100 friends who will dontate $10 as a one-time gift. Every $10 will move me forward to be able to attend this outreach to the people of Peru. Whatever you decide, thank you for your prayers and for your love for the Kingdom. And thanks for reading this.<br />
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Britt Brandon<br />
University of Texas, Junior<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-18959908567611135002012-07-02T22:59:00.000-06:002012-07-02T23:32:54.192-06:00Happy Birthday Baby Britt<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH9MO6bkcQSOHLpb0nC0XjtQifM-B-zA-IX-D10Mpl5yjih2ckl-tqTTs_1vOhhw5WA77N8T_HiN0hB1jJys1GgMo_6NHRN4ll3-BtBTmAGB8T1UzsQS5boomeN4BWB33Dy_wU9c8abBF/s1600/Britt%2527s+Senior+Portfolio+%25230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH9MO6bkcQSOHLpb0nC0XjtQifM-B-zA-IX-D10Mpl5yjih2ckl-tqTTs_1vOhhw5WA77N8T_HiN0hB1jJys1GgMo_6NHRN4ll3-BtBTmAGB8T1UzsQS5boomeN4BWB33Dy_wU9c8abBF/s320/Britt%2527s+Senior+Portfolio+%25230.jpg" vca="true" width="256" /></a>We waited 7 l-o-n-g years for your arrival. </div>
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Seven years of infertility after having three children in three years. </div>
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I just had to touch your big toe, first thing, to see if you were really real. Oh the joy!</div>
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Endless swim meets...thirteen years worth.<br />
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Exciting AAU basketball games...eight years total.</div>
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Epic moments...like being named a Terry Scholar at UT<br />
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and a Coca-Cola Scholar.</div>
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Our circumstances do not define us.</div>
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Our lives are not centered around our wins and losses.</div>
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Only one Center.</div>
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In just 21 years, you have been through a lot.</div>
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You watched your Madre suffer like none of my other children have.</div>
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We could not be any more proud of how you have embraced the God you love.</div>
Look at how young you were when you moved to Austin.<br />
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Some memories I hold dear was your trip to Thailand</div>
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when you were seventeen.</div>
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You raised all kinds of money to help an orphanage</div>
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where Brooke volunteered.</div>
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Happy 21st Birthday to 6'4" of humility and kindness and love.</div>
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Your siblings adore you!</div>
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And a verse I pray for you all the time ---</div>
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2 Timothy 4:7</div>
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Fight the Good Fight</div>
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Finish Your Course</div>
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Keep Your Faith</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Love You Forever.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Miss You So.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Madre.</em></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-59688270331399484322012-03-25T17:55:00.000-06:002012-03-25T18:45:37.639-06:00Congratulations Brooke & Luke on Your New Life Together <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbCrDbBIdSeQ0OP3DeL4jDRe1n9gEfOb20AubIPlhnb_qhtP6JOUQVEZ_F4EC_CzjkS9o0OcTtd0N8Nl6OocrPA82d7PaR1wsw0s6jG87XHkCcOYV2HGwErjn25mL1b1K1JxIwQlBEyXO/s1600/Brooke+-+Childhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbCrDbBIdSeQ0OP3DeL4jDRe1n9gEfOb20AubIPlhnb_qhtP6JOUQVEZ_F4EC_CzjkS9o0OcTtd0N8Nl6OocrPA82d7PaR1wsw0s6jG87XHkCcOYV2HGwErjn25mL1b1K1JxIwQlBEyXO/s400/Brooke+-+Childhood.jpg" width="290px" /></a></td></tr>
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Brookie Two Shoes is Getting Married.<br />
<br />
No words can convey this Mama's gratitude and love<br />
for this girl of mine. The words just haven't been created yet---not in the dictionary. I love her more than words can wield the matter, as Shakespeare once said.<br />
<br />
Brooke has brought me more joy than<br />
I ever knew possible.<br />
She's been a dream to raise. <br />
From Cabbage Patch dolls <br />
to coloring books galore <br />
to life-long piano play <br />
to 3-legged race back-to-back 7-year Champion <br />
to Mission Trip lover<br />
to Texas Youth & Govt Attorney General<br />
to U.S. Senate Youth Delegate for Texas<br />
to Coca-Cola Scholar<br />
to Valedictorian<br />
to the perfect Aggie<br />
to Former Aggie with a costly ring<br />
to SBC Journeyman in Thailand<br />
to UTA Student Worker<br />
to Connect Children's Minister<br />
and I've missed a whole bunch in-between ... <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOJrAMTHWo1vHU2hd-x5qlzxfsrlRt-3Q1pHTH79daxb1v2GxRR54SSqhXNCX9lZWdGdQQ3MR_4x_zcBkFyV1WNW0BjPntBVS0Dv_A3AKGKQDOf08i8y-1EVTQ587Rl4moY76SfDOLAIk/s1600/Brooke+-+Childhood+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOJrAMTHWo1vHU2hd-x5qlzxfsrlRt-3Q1pHTH79daxb1v2GxRR54SSqhXNCX9lZWdGdQQ3MR_4x_zcBkFyV1WNW0BjPntBVS0Dv_A3AKGKQDOf08i8y-1EVTQ587Rl4moY76SfDOLAIk/s320/Brooke+-+Childhood+001.jpg" width="232px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrett Brookie and Blair ~ Preschoolers Together</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ik96RuZnJV0BEWyx7XR1cs9hhdw9ipLTgEbp9kv3p6kNe3EguBRMm1yFEVfd7qPa9ENDmeYaTm8l5Tk5gRrq4KerKjI6GDjba68P5weaIx61WMeUpUClV7Fv5XW9xe3AewJK2jXhLdw/s1600/Brooke+-+Childhood+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ik96RuZnJV0BEWyx7XR1cs9hhdw9ipLTgEbp9kv3p6kNe3EguBRMm1yFEVfd7qPa9ENDmeYaTm8l5Tk5gRrq4KerKjI6GDjba68P5weaIx61WMeUpUClV7Fv5XW9xe3AewJK2jXhLdw/s320/Brooke+-+Childhood+005.jpg" width="232px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle School Days - You made your own dresses - sounds like Pioneer Days</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC_KSOtUlbFWIlOzgPgWqDES1qhyphenhyphenveCmHllomxheSLnW6ve6z_cEY22iyTpL4h1ECbz9yBueAXrIonybzN-tyKm6jj-G26L-KVJzdOLifDrbA2ttsqDkDfTav5_Nm5dGz07pcL0tZELOv/s1600/Brooke+-+Childhood+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC_KSOtUlbFWIlOzgPgWqDES1qhyphenhyphenveCmHllomxheSLnW6ve6z_cEY22iyTpL4h1ECbz9yBueAXrIonybzN-tyKm6jj-G26L-KVJzdOLifDrbA2ttsqDkDfTav5_Nm5dGz07pcL0tZELOv/s320/Brooke+-+Childhood+004.jpg" width="232px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High School Days ... <br />
and little Britt says: Why did you part my hair in the middle???</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyKpXRao-4un4UpmQ8eZ55OL1dP0ZCLYda3eiHQ4cAjoGwVRY58pcCPDus5NxbR7E3TTcq2tRdc-T7umgFsSCcSVxpxsnyVELrfQxYC9TaRhyphenhyphenTNBYv0XGqYwGVvYdP_p_Nv6rhHbDvfAD/s1600/Brooke+in+College.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="211px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyKpXRao-4un4UpmQ8eZ55OL1dP0ZCLYda3eiHQ4cAjoGwVRY58pcCPDus5NxbR7E3TTcq2tRdc-T7umgFsSCcSVxpxsnyVELrfQxYC9TaRhyphenhyphenTNBYv0XGqYwGVvYdP_p_Nv6rhHbDvfAD/s320/Brooke+in+College.bmp" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIX CHICKS - <br />
The most awesome Roommates that God brought your way.<br />
Life Long Friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZXwDFETdwF5MZuOjc11D7ZQksjnO7aVZZj0j9xi2_i6C6YmGwGdtlhmhjzXKDugMai-BPO5Na9HM6hJyMKRJFKneVhKHgjyy98CxMfLL8iXkjJUDZqzhBNYlbOW4x2e4cH1NAwtdwWZj/s1600/Brooke+in+Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZXwDFETdwF5MZuOjc11D7ZQksjnO7aVZZj0j9xi2_i6C6YmGwGdtlhmhjzXKDugMai-BPO5Na9HM6hJyMKRJFKneVhKHgjyy98CxMfLL8iXkjJUDZqzhBNYlbOW4x2e4cH1NAwtdwWZj/s320/Brooke+in+Wedding.jpg" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 Times a Bridesmaid ... <br />
Now you will walk the aisle to pledge your Love & Loyalty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGfrjRxi7th3O-wxIQqqXZEvN1Z5AMUeIe6BcnNDh3fd1M0wyTddDfUaw0y0-91NQoc0fQChOuaGikWDShrO9DOMi8bwBs_oZl_Op_rEFuBvH97-eWweUHb7yj_70D0UTRj46YX184o4D/s1600/Brooke+in+Arlington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGfrjRxi7th3O-wxIQqqXZEvN1Z5AMUeIe6BcnNDh3fd1M0wyTddDfUaw0y0-91NQoc0fQChOuaGikWDShrO9DOMi8bwBs_oZl_Op_rEFuBvH97-eWweUHb7yj_70D0UTRj46YX184o4D/s320/Brooke+in+Arlington.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your Life at UTA - You loved these girls so much! And they loved you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar_2AqVU6kAmJ7Y6t0jXM7BINBWWCmf_7XIVHoFLSf8LzA_t9geX9y1Hyp-fExrycVyQs7NDdrYgxS5zPgN9EOKbuht3Y3c5eHG90HF3xag05FTofPLzERtdbtJIDUS1_WWAE-w16RAnH/s1600/Brooke+in+Thailand.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar_2AqVU6kAmJ7Y6t0jXM7BINBWWCmf_7XIVHoFLSf8LzA_t9geX9y1Hyp-fExrycVyQs7NDdrYgxS5zPgN9EOKbuht3Y3c5eHG90HF3xag05FTofPLzERtdbtJIDUS1_WWAE-w16RAnH/s1600/Brooke+in+Thailand.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiang-Mai, Thailand where you laid down your life for your friends.<br />
<br />
You were only four when you crawled over the seats of your siblings<br />
in the movie theater watching The Little Mermaid<br />
to reach your daddy's neck and cry out to him:<br />
"I'll never leave you, Daddy.<br />
I'll never get married."<br />
You were only 4.<br />
The time has come.<br />
Go forth to love this man.<br />
And vow your love away forever.<br />
And become one in the God you both adore.<br />
It is your calling ~ it's your turn ~ and it's good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGXjdjnFenHU9omHEm1ON0-He0RCN81HSuwa2UGeIrMLZGuGGgojzYe-N7qBO4-ZuztVy5KTe7_f91uASP5wPs62qpra9FNF3lmc2w0i6dVX5pSy0_neqniQvzXCI1QS0qb9AKF7m8Wmm/s1600/Brooke+in+Hays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGXjdjnFenHU9omHEm1ON0-He0RCN81HSuwa2UGeIrMLZGuGGgojzYe-N7qBO4-ZuztVy5KTe7_f91uASP5wPs62qpra9FNF3lmc2w0i6dVX5pSy0_neqniQvzXCI1QS0qb9AKF7m8Wmm/s320/Brooke+in+Hays.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you met Luke from Kansas in Oklahoma ... and you knew ... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2reCS5VTIJ0tQOCp_W3k3rOCr5xSxtwRFs5piAelZwk7ZOE91mAoFEsZSwHNtUG8kM0VMJaOtxonjl9JHZBKA4wqyvmgyA46q1ytUg8innLQNyx5lSMrhqWzOlijDc2uHXORPkPxKTpr/s1600/Brooke+-+Childhood+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2reCS5VTIJ0tQOCp_W3k3rOCr5xSxtwRFs5piAelZwk7ZOE91mAoFEsZSwHNtUG8kM0VMJaOtxonjl9JHZBKA4wqyvmgyA46q1ytUg8innLQNyx5lSMrhqWzOlijDc2uHXORPkPxKTpr/s320/Brooke+-+Childhood+003.jpg" width="232px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life before Britt<br />
You will always be my little girl<br />
Love You More Than Words Can Tell<br />
<br />
Treat Luke like a king among men, he is.<br />
As you open this new chapter of your life,<br />
May the Beautiful God in you<br />
Grace you with His Power & Presence.<br />
And may the Word He gave you yesterday,<br />
2 Corinthians 5:14<br />
be oh-so-ever true in both of you.<br />
Controlled by the Love of your God!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-53986606914893906422012-01-17T21:00:00.000-06:002012-01-17T21:00:13.308-06:00Britt Returns from Bolivia<span style="font-size: x-large;"> * Thank You from Beautiful Bolivia *</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is Britt. I want to say a huge Thank You</span>
for your awesome support </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> of my trip to Bolivia through your prayers and
financial gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK8Ma3tjDR6YGLyg9oJ2kzg0JBUIK-0GLnt9NSzlpi4ztJfFfgrnzOZfJcgsuFOu6Pt3fTxI1FV2lXIdvfz8cXD1fXJe67DWFA842bz3oeKnu9QO0c0nbgbwcieg4xVQ_spaPMOVtBEPo/s1600/Bolivia+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK8Ma3tjDR6YGLyg9oJ2kzg0JBUIK-0GLnt9NSzlpi4ztJfFfgrnzOZfJcgsuFOu6Pt3fTxI1FV2lXIdvfz8cXD1fXJe67DWFA842bz3oeKnu9QO0c0nbgbwcieg4xVQ_spaPMOVtBEPo/s1600/Bolivia+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so exciting to be a part of
what God is doing in Bolivia. I was a part of a group of 15 Pine Cove staffers
who partnered with Camp Kewiña in Cochabamb</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a within the network of Christian
Camping International. This was the 1<sup>st</sup> year for this partnership
for Pine Cove. It was a humbling experience to help teach their native staff
some of the things we do to run a camp well and learn from them how to share
the gospel message </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">in their cultural context.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We actually ran a camp of high school students with the Bolivian
leadership,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOJYxaEbogK6q1GcIvv1AOJX2r4iIZAVfy26lXbmmHL9mDgSfpLx_5BdIcHtl7Rq-pEh5xrL35zmlsjk-bwfgCkjf41qyRjUo4Yh-ipQkiN5QrG1lcRrDDe18CA5fdceANC-e3xM7cWuw/s1600/Bolivia+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOJYxaEbogK6q1GcIvv1AOJX2r4iIZAVfy26lXbmmHL9mDgSfpLx_5BdIcHtl7Rq-pEh5xrL35zmlsjk-bwfgCkjf41qyRjUo4Yh-ipQkiN5QrG1lcRrDDe18CA5fdceANC-e3xM7cWuw/s320/Bolivia+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> incorporating theme nights and all
those things that make Pine Cove what it is---</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> an awesome place to find God and
know Him better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_9zU9oj6GBeJXKHP8g9sZgRKP1PoWhZwPK2QMukFKFwTiEDdC4t_91WQBBzxDhdjIG3f2tdNQxOT8noqWmPYzgmsd_BSSIE7tIK7OfGL_2b9Wg6orCRv6qaXxiNsG1WExrZ443u0loDc/s1600/Bolivia+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_9zU9oj6GBeJXKHP8g9sZgRKP1PoWhZwPK2QMukFKFwTiEDdC4t_91WQBBzxDhdjIG3f2tdNQxOT8noqWmPYzgmsd_BSSIE7tIK7OfGL_2b9Wg6orCRv6qaXxiNsG1WExrZ443u0loDc/s320/Bolivia+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="background: black; border: 1pt black; color: black; font-size: 0pt; layout-grid-mode: line; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-border-alt: none black 0in; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-font-width: 0%; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: black; border: 1pt black; color: black; font-size: 10pt; layout-grid-mode: line; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-border-alt: none black 0in; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-font-width: 0%; padding: 0in;"> </span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned
that God moves despite the cultural barriers. </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> God is working all over the
world, not just America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We share one common goal to know Christ and make Him known. Philippians
3:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTLgW2cTZBYNlM7qnsB2mLHtQEL7YROYdX0ZhY7UxueUBWKBri8pqGBEIQ6jXKDnMJX3lenx9mhpbwuoo5qrhqvJ05D-EzPoiiMHMEwnt5GdfMxB245HnsXHo9ngmevIEcgYAXfHYdR2/s1600/Bolivia+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTLgW2cTZBYNlM7qnsB2mLHtQEL7YROYdX0ZhY7UxueUBWKBri8pqGBEIQ6jXKDnMJX3lenx9mhpbwuoo5qrhqvJ05D-EzPoiiMHMEwnt5GdfMxB245HnsXHo9ngmevIEcgYAXfHYdR2/s320/Bolivia+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrBNMziGzwPzkJtSUFGTGymLivXvq2B34yXHUfkyJLulLVKszmkb0tqEGrBvmIPIc0Sw-NO157NyuRBWzoFfJ8mYJ1cLp_-oed0JwU6-6pqTPysnq-RhJs-EsV_Yzr8VhDbPfKBZ21DwQ/s1600/Bolivia+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrBNMziGzwPzkJtSUFGTGymLivXvq2B34yXHUfkyJLulLVKszmkb0tqEGrBvmIPIc0Sw-NO157NyuRBWzoFfJ8mYJ1cLp_-oed0JwU6-6pqTPysnq-RhJs-EsV_Yzr8VhDbPfKBZ21DwQ/s320/Bolivia+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On our day off, we hiked up a mountain with a crazy steep incline & visited
the Cristo de la Concordia. Look at the amazing view of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 million people in Cochabamba as we gazed
from inside of the huge statue of Christ. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6oRLsI8S8mybSNMq9lrBMOqFdc2SZ77AfxHthnP44MOJ-08mM0c46FnJM1hVRseEGvmlXfcUWmbGbwH-ztyb37XMVJXJDVBsZ-EsYrHOVn5sL0uilkvy7xhc8pFlfTR00QTN2wFFo62I/s1600/Bolivia+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6oRLsI8S8mybSNMq9lrBMOqFdc2SZ77AfxHthnP44MOJ-08mM0c46FnJM1hVRseEGvmlXfcUWmbGbwH-ztyb37XMVJXJDVBsZ-EsYrHOVn5sL0uilkvy7xhc8pFlfTR00QTN2wFFo62I/s320/Bolivia+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytxPCl-_nz3mcSHkSNwQdc9Fckm3las1ok7jSZXXN5OnnMl0WcORGLr-pOkA8tw1PMuRYivynDmvhrfCDV5yyn6kewKyXDSf0eqhqM11rPYkqSPRWUN9PCgtWJS3tdXpddQsCl5wGgD9n/s1600/Bolivia+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytxPCl-_nz3mcSHkSNwQdc9Fckm3las1ok7jSZXXN5OnnMl0WcORGLr-pOkA8tw1PMuRYivynDmvhrfCDV5yyn6kewKyXDSf0eqhqM11rPYkqSPRWUN9PCgtWJS3tdXpddQsCl5wGgD9n/s320/Bolivia+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I made lifelong friends in Bolivia. I’ll serve with these guys this summer as I’ll be a Senior Counselor at Pine Cove Camps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’d <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like to read more about our time in Bolivia, our ministry blog is: <a href="http://towersbolivia.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://towersbolivia.blogspot.com</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Because of you, I could go.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">My sincere gratitude </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">for helping to send me to Bolivia. Britt</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-64790386038885713782011-12-30T22:59:00.002-06:002011-12-31T01:55:36.970-06:00Whisper A Little Prayer for Britt in BoliviaWould you whisper a little prayer for my boy? Britt leaves for Bolivia on Tuesday on a mission trip with the leaders of Pine Cove Camps. It's a beautiful vision PCC is bringing to several places in South America. <br />
<br />
We're on our way to Pine Cove this weekend. What stirs in Britt's heart is such a good thing. He could be spending his Christmas break skiing with his buddies. He wanted to be a part of making a difference in Bolivia.<br />
<br />
We would be so humbled if you joined us in praying for Britt sometime during the next two weeks. Pray God's Protection over my boy. He has finally recovered from a year-long bout with mono. Pray God's Good Hand over the 15 college students and Pine Cove leaders on this trip. May they all be "gripped" by a very Good God. <br />
<br />
And pray that the rest of his money comes in by this Tuesday when he leaves. He still is in need of about $500. Would you like to join in on what God is doing in another country? If God leads you to send $5 or $50, you can send it to Britt by PayPal. So appreciative! Our PayPal account address is: <a href="mailto:sixbrandons@sbcglobal.net">sixbrandons@sbcglobal.net</a>. You may call Britt directly to talk or pray with him about his trip, if you would like ~ 817.915.3349.<br />
<br />
To those of you who gave to Britt to make this dream of his come true, this mom sends a huge note of thanks. This has been a very tight tough year financially for us, coming off of cancer. God has stepped into our midst and provided in our need in ways that just doesn't happen very often in America. Long story. Big God! We are so grateful that Britt has this awesome opportunity.<br />
<br />
There is always a "ram in the thicket" and may we have eyes to see what God is doing in our lives. May He provide for our son and those he will reach, beyond what we can ask.<br />
<br />
A Thousand Thanks for caring about our youngest boy whom God is stirring. Would you say a little prayer for him this day?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-12373565731286108822011-12-27T23:42:00.001-06:002011-12-28T02:38:55.144-06:00Happy Birthday Barrett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9SmWbXJF5yA/TvrSBS6SsiI/AAAAAAAAB30/M1dntk7n3Do/s1600/pg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9SmWbXJF5yA/TvrSBS6SsiI/AAAAAAAAB30/M1dntk7n3Do/s320/pg2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy 30th Birthday Barrett</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've watched you train to become one of the most awesome pro triathletes out there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You've always had an awesome work ethic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have your dad's #1-in-the-country genes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sCNzlXaQzg/TvrFYJgjacI/AAAAAAAAB2w/bFR6q1k2AZo/s1600/3+Kids+on+Swing+on+our+porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sCNzlXaQzg/TvrFYJgjacI/AAAAAAAAB2w/bFR6q1k2AZo/s320/3+Kids+on+Swing+on+our+porch.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your mom remembers most of the past three decades.</div>
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You brought us more joy than I can ever tell.</div>
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Your sisters adored you ... and they still do!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yA6rK1WAWU/TvrFQMYM00I/AAAAAAAAB2o/InTv2Y2ozM0/s1600/Barrett+World+Champs+Switzerland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yA6rK1WAWU/TvrFQMYM00I/AAAAAAAAB2o/InTv2Y2ozM0/s320/Barrett+World+Champs+Switzerland.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DE7lrM6Uc2A/TvrFbishn0I/AAAAAAAAB24/bRdxfXXm87o/s1600/Barrett+1st+Day+of+Kindergarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DE7lrM6Uc2A/TvrFbishn0I/AAAAAAAAB24/bRdxfXXm87o/s320/Barrett+1st+Day+of+Kindergarden.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyIopxjer2A/TvrFEzF4uaI/AAAAAAAAB2g/S5zcVTpsQxQ/s1600/i-KZ7S9Dp-600x399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyIopxjer2A/TvrFEzF4uaI/AAAAAAAAB2g/S5zcVTpsQxQ/s320/i-KZ7S9Dp-600x399.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxLKSGGAW5I/TvrFewq82SI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Y912n7KVJ3A/s1600/Barrett+-+Toddler+on+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxLKSGGAW5I/TvrFewq82SI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Y912n7KVJ3A/s320/Barrett+-+Toddler+on+bike.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whether it's placing 5th in the ITU Team Triathlon World Championships in Switzerland </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or 1st in a 25-mile bike ride when you were four, your family believes in you </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and loves you more than you will ever know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not for what you do, but for who you are.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We may not be able to travel the world to follow you, but you will always be in our hearts. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this mom is right there with you---I'm staying forever there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
praying for you every day of your awesome life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Loving the young man whom you have become!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dWOmSsSeUo/TvrFj-cPMqI/AAAAAAAAB3I/8z8dYyvW86Y/s1600/Barrett+Brooke+Blair+dressed+up+in+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dWOmSsSeUo/TvrFj-cPMqI/AAAAAAAAB3I/8z8dYyvW86Y/s320/Barrett+Brooke+Blair+dressed+up+in+woods.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMvZ0onf3Yg/TvrHmlhS5UI/AAAAAAAAB3o/yujCt4JLC2Y/s1600/Barrett+Last+Day+of+Being+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMvZ0onf3Yg/TvrHmlhS5UI/AAAAAAAAB3o/yujCt4JLC2Y/s320/Barrett+Last+Day+of+Being+29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little Britt came along ten years after you were born. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looks like you are almost passing up the 6' 4" fella.</div>
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He doesn't remember much of the three of you being at home. </div>
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But as he has entered college last year, he is fast becoming your best buddy. I love my boys!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ0gzjTE664/TvrU_ba0NmI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/lhnIrzI4f8E/s1600/Heisman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ0gzjTE664/TvrU_ba0NmI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/lhnIrzI4f8E/s320/Heisman.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcNgYh83sz0/TvrFpIFHSPI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/_QGv6L5eHK0/s1600/Barrett+collecting+eggs+from+hens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcNgYh83sz0/TvrFpIFHSPI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/_QGv6L5eHK0/s320/Barrett+collecting+eggs+from+hens.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba-G9-0OD4o/TvrSjhdtbLI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Kvz45lmfPHc/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba-G9-0OD4o/TvrSjhdtbLI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Kvz45lmfPHc/s320/Thanksgiving+2010.3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Three Christmas decades ago I checked into a Fort Worth hospital to deliver an overdue baby </div>
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who took 2 MORE DAYS to be born.</div>
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You have always approached life </div>
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with brewing curiosity and boiling charm.</div>
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Whether we were on a Real Farm like above or the Worm Farm we enjoyed or watching tractors</div>
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You have marked us all forever</div>
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beyond my dreams!</div>
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Your family thinks the world of you!</div>
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And now your wife has stepped in </div>
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to love and cherish and she does!</div>
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On Christmas Day when you were asked </div>
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what is beautiful in your life,</div>
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your immediate response was: My Wife!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYfj7Lrq6pg/TvrUDDiEHCI/AAAAAAAAB4M/5AAr6sW8HTo/s1600/Christmas+2010+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYfj7Lrq6pg/TvrUDDiEHCI/AAAAAAAAB4M/5AAr6sW8HTo/s320/Christmas+2010+-+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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You're humble and passionate and tenacious and bright and </div>
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you're on the right path of life.</div>
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Keep on fighting the good fight of faith. I Tim 6:12</div>
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Happy Birthday Son!</div>
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Your Madre Loves You More Than Tongue Can Tell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-41251686368711491642011-06-26T21:51:00.000-06:002011-06-26T21:51:56.729-06:00"The Other Side"I am being swept away by a Beautiful God in Seattle. Something about Him carries us away. It's Him Here! Just ate dinner at a quaint milltown restaurant in this spectacularness no words can describe. Would have to make them up. Mount Rainier sits outside my window.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6btBtdPq5p3gntymZa51KjbMO3R45jzCMfToykQrWduVxic7y9aRUb4vm9IrFT7tyb-GaMga0mN5o33pvzOj8IB6AQB1CwvcURe1ZntWtS8CUyhDLvXa077BsjvLhPuYMuDryw5XMWet/s1600/Mount+Rainier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6btBtdPq5p3gntymZa51KjbMO3R45jzCMfToykQrWduVxic7y9aRUb4vm9IrFT7tyb-GaMga0mN5o33pvzOj8IB6AQB1CwvcURe1ZntWtS8CUyhDLvXa077BsjvLhPuYMuDryw5XMWet/s320/Mount+Rainier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My oldest boy, Barrett, sits across the booth. Bob will leave us in a few minutes to go back to his dad who was hospitalized just yesterday, upon our arrival here---oh my!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sdK-VtqvvfVnGRJIzmt0xV_j2XdH4BXQGMla-IAvkj4SJyqe129ubmP_3Ik1TcYHBMPuNQ-q8zDJkrbPGV-accZ2CV5DKlgCLZaMNqss5uLoB-zjRQmN28hZGzaC9k7yQnXQY4hMbeee/s1600/Barrett+racing+in+Monroe+ITU+Pan+American+Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sdK-VtqvvfVnGRJIzmt0xV_j2XdH4BXQGMla-IAvkj4SJyqe129ubmP_3Ik1TcYHBMPuNQ-q8zDJkrbPGV-accZ2CV5DKlgCLZaMNqss5uLoB-zjRQmN28hZGzaC9k7yQnXQY4hMbeee/s320/Barrett+racing+in+Monroe+ITU+Pan+American+Cup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Barrett competed yesterday in the ITU Pan American Cup in Monroe, Washington. Bob and Terri Crowell and their two boys rolled out the red carpet for him, literally! Bob & I cheered and texted and screamed and jumped up-and-down as Barrett swam two laps, 1.5 km with Mount Rainier in the backdrop. Transition was a stone's throw and we watched all eight who came out of the swim together shimmer through to their bikes in seconds! That was a rare treat to see! Next up, 40 km on the Bike, 8 laps and we loved every one of them! Barrett was in the lead pack with 12 others. Tight like sardines. This mom holding her breath taking pictures furiously, praying wildly. Again, eight of them off the bike to the run, all together. So his swim and bike was just fabulous. The run was oh-so-hard. Hunter pulled ahead to run the 10 km and win it all. Barrett came in 8th. Top Ten made money---that's a very good thing! Good and bad in every race. Never-perfect competitions. Chasing his dreams! Love it! Next stop is the Edmonton World Cup. Only six Americans are invited to compete and Barrett will be one of them. <br />
<br />
Back at the restaurant, the waitress lights up: "Did you see Mount Rainier?" You know, when the locals never tire of the majestic mount, that's something! You see, they don't see it very often. It's there but not visible to them day after monotonous day. No, they rarely see it in this village. So when she peaks through the clouds, the community awakes from their slumbering daily race and cheers.<br />
<br />
Brings to mind a story that George MacDonald told about Jesus' death. "After He had gone out of their sight, and they looked all around and down in the grave and up in the air, and did not see him anywhere---they thought they had lost Him. But, He began to come to them again from The Other Side---from The Inside! The meaning of anything is more than its visible presence." The disciples began to see things that they had never seen before when Jesus was with them. They loved Him so but forgot His Words and cowered when asked if He was their friend. But not in Acts! Just like that missing mountain, they appreciated and abided in Him so much more after His Death. Nothing physical anymore.<br />
<br />
His Spirit is more than a bodily presence. He has given each of us a Gift of the Spirit of God in our inmost being. He gives us This Gift and gives us the ability to enjoy it through His Power. Unbelievable! So, when rest evades me, when hospital visits wear us thin, when peace about our dire circumstances doesn't pass understanding, and if there are no joy bells ringing in my heart, then what has gone amiss??? We have The Gift! He's here but maybe I'm not all there. And those are simply signposts that cause us to take a deep look inside our empty hearts. The Spirit of God is waiting to fill that empty space with Himself, The Gift! He's here in Seattle. He'll be back home with me tomorrow as we wave goodbye to Brooke sending her to Thailand for a bit. Then, welcome Britt home from counseling kids at Pine Cove this summer. Then, pray for Blair who is moving once again due to flooding. There's the update on the Brandon front.<br />
<br />
So grateful to a Good God awakening my own heart in the midst of some suffering! When do you find yourself most awake with Him?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-47026813850246354572011-04-23T22:56:00.001-06:002011-04-23T23:08:41.647-06:0010,800 Days of Being a MomHappy Easter to you and your family! May your Sunday be full of promise and hope. May you leave your Easter service a changed person. <br />
<br />
Empty nests---no bunnies here. Our Easter plans were firm and fun. All eight of us here in ATX. Then, someone threw more than one bunny wrench in the Easter plans and I'm home alone for Easter weekend for the first time E.V.E.R. <br />
<br />
Folding up the apron, sending all the kids off to college and marriage, no one home for such a Holiday, the silence is deafening to me. Brooke said I'm having a double case of emptynesters cause I was a mama for longer than most people have kids at home---like 30 years worth. That's 10,800 days living with children and I loved every single day, or parts thereof! It's been 233 days without children. Look who's counting!<br />
<br />
Brookie said I need to find a hobby like scrapbooking all those pictures I took over the lifetime. Funny how people think you don't have anything to do if you're an emptynester. I have enough to do to last me a lifetime! More goals than I can accomplish---that's not the problema. Teaching full-time. Counseling Courses. Continuing Education Classes. Leading bible studies. Writing. Speaking. Mentoring....On and On. I even went to the Holy Land!<br />
<br />
I've thought a lot about I Samuel 30:6 for this season of my life. "David encouraged himself in the LORD." I've spent my life surrounded by people I deeply loved and they are g.o.n.e. They've moved on to begin their own lives and that's good and right. For me, it's like going from living in the middle of Grand Central Station to an anechoic Silence Chamber (I googled it!). I want someone to shoot me with a paintball gun (really now!). I Want To: Step on a Lego. Clean up spilled messes. Play hot wheels with a little boy. Make faces on sandwiches. Crawl in a kid's bed and pray with them. Throw water balloons off the balcony. Read Daniel in the Lion's Den to my boys. I want to take them on v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n. Can I borrow your kid?<br />
<br />
Manana, I get to celebrate the God I so ADORE and I cannot wait! I trained 8 weeks for tomorrow's service at Austin Stone to offer counseling at the end...so excited to serve! And, Bob will be preaching an Easter sermon! Can't wait to see what God does. Let's Celebrate God this Easter Sunday. Sing together---everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof, Psalm 32:11. <br />
<br />
I walked into the tomb where Jesus was buried in Jerusalem last November and looked right, just like it says in the Bible, and He was not there! The stone was rolled away not to let Him out---He was already gone! He let all humanity in when His Angel rolled away the stone. And, One Day, He's coming again and will split humanity into those who followed Him and those who wouldn't. <br />
<br />
So, I'm back to I Samuel 30:6. This week has been so difficult and I was so looking forward to Easter with my family. Didn't happen. So how do you encourage yourself in the LORD when life sends you into a frenzy, a funk? This text says that David took it all patiently and exercised faith in his God. How do you do that? Maybe, I'm asking the wrong question. It's not about "doing." Not about figuring it out. David leaned hard on God's Power and Providence, whatever it is God IS providing for you. He fell forward on God's faithfulness cause He won't ever walk away from us even though people have walked away from me. David remembered God's Grace and God's Goodness. What comes to my mind this very moment about His Goodness to me? Think on that. <br />
<br />
David never lost hope that God would appear for him in some way or another and work it out. Is my hope in God or in solutions? Am I willing to live with problems unsolved, unconquered? "David strengthened himself in the Word of His LORD." What Word is God speaking to me? Okay God, I'm setting my hope on your Grace, I Peter 1:13. Believing you for Isaiah 43:19. BEHOLD. I will do something "new" for emptynesters. David was brought low before he was raised up to the throne. I'm pretty low, Dear God, but, I'm taking my encouragement from Your Word!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-25956764693472754842011-04-01T23:57:00.140-06:002011-04-02T02:03:40.153-06:00WON! COME!Two years ago to this very day, frightful words freighted out of an unknown visiting doctor's mouth. A train wrecked in my heart, and I dropped to the feet of my husband and sobbed on his wing-tipped shoes, and I faced my own mortality. A grim diagnosis of cancer, metastasized. A flagrant miss on my last mammogram. Unnoticed by the radiologist. So noticed by a Good God, not a Grandfather God, but a very Good God Who is always out for doing us good, no matter what. Jeremiah 33:20---I mean, when was the Last Time that the Sun didn't set or dawn at the right time? When is the Last Time God refused to be good to me and to you? My life so wants to tell of the Goodness of God!<br />
<br />
Two years down the road and my hand is over my mouth in awe. I used to have a lot more words, loads of loquacious complaint yet worship and grimace yet gratitude. But this anniversary, I'm all silenced. You see, my circumstances have esoterically gone*haywire*awry*languor*imbroglio* <br />
<br />
Struggling for petrichor---the smell of the earth after rain. Psalm 27:13-14<br />
Struggling for panacea---the solution to at least one of the problems we face. 2 Chron 20:12<br />
Struggling for peace---not offense, blessed are you when you are Not.Offended.by.God. Luke 7:22<br />
Struggling for my place in this worn world---advancing Good News that Christ can be formed in you and you and you. Gal 4:19<br />
<br />
Fast Forward to Revelations...<br />
Peruse and Peer and Peek into Eternity---what do we hear there? Rev. 19: 6-8 Hallelujah! Rejoice and Be Glad. Give Him Glory! For the Wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready! So how are we doing making ourselves ready? <br />
<br />
If we call Him LORD, we'll be doing the right things. But if I make my aim: Great marriage, successful ministry, awesome kids, fulfilling friendships...wait! That's not what is being proclaimed in Eternity. What is being proclaimed in Revelations 19 is twofold: Won! Come!<br />
1. The Final Victory has already been WON! Christ Jesus accomplished His Plan and reigns forever!<br />
2. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb has COME! We have been invited to the Wedding, in truth, you are the Bride. You stand scarlet no more. Your sins are gone. You stand before your Groom, pure and holy as He! <br />
<br />
We are not singing a song that we've done it! That our children turned out great! Or, here's our successful ministries planted in Your Name! Or even, my marriage was awesome! Look what I did with my life! No. No. We are singing His Praises from way-down-deep gratitude for lives lived in His Presence, by His Power that changed us and made us who we are walking down the aisle. <br />
<br />
And with my hand over my mouth, I kneel this night to close this hard cancer anniversary in surrender to a very Good God. With Reticence and Rest, I come to find Strength and Power to move out in Life and Love, not counting my way-too-many sorrows, but counting on the opportunities to bring others with me. I hear His Words that He has spoken to me and they are for you too. Deut 32:47. No idle words, they are our very life! Whatever is not of the Attitude of my Christ, Phil 3:15, reveal where I've forgotten, where I've failed, where I faint. Let me be more "taken" with Your Love than with my failures. With Your Hand of Grace on our Shoulders, and by Your Unbelievable Power, we will change it and truly live. Not in our own Energy, but in yours, Col 1:29, the Energy of Christ so powerfully at work in you and me.<br />
<br />
Blessed are those not.offended.in.God. Luke 7:22.<br />
In the corridors of truth, may I not miss the Mystery, a liminal place between two threshholds of time. Today and Eternity. We will throw all this sempiternal stuff down before the God-Who-Sees-All. Gen. 21:19. Lay down the doings this day. There's a Larger Story than just my little life of securing steady work and leaving legacies and growing gardens and fighting foes and creating children and daring to dream. Doesn't mean we ever stop doing good. Just says that in Eternity, we will be singing His Praises not our own, no matter what!<br />
<br />
Ann Voskamp, <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">http://www.aholyexperience.com/</a> writes on her blog about the She Speaks Conference in North Carolina. Ann is offering a random scholarship for one Judges 6:12 mighty warrior like Gideon who was scared stiff in his story but so wanting to serve. Oh, may our Good God use us to birth stories of service and grace. I am in the pains of childbirth that Christ be formed in me and in you! Gal. 4:19.<br />
<br />
These women, <a href="http://shespeaksconference.com/">http://shespeaksconference.com/</a>, are conduits of composing this Psalm 45:1 kind of offer for writers, speakers, and ministry leaders. We all only have this moment, this life to leave a legacy, make a mark, reach out with redemptive rhetoric. If you've held tightly any thoughts of writing and speaking and ministering in leadership, then check out Lysa TerKeurst's blog <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/">http://lysaterkeurst.com/</a> and meet an amazing woman who is a "minister of the Word" (Luke 1:2). Titus 1:1 says that we are all servants of the Word of God for the faith of His People and the Knowledge of the Truth that leads to changed lives---that Christ be formed in many mighty warriors!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-73932343896746604422011-03-19T23:13:00.111-06:002011-03-20T22:21:42.162-06:00She Speaks ... Proverbs 31:25Amazing Awesome Awestruck Austin Spring Break!!! <br />
So why am I crying?<br />
<br />
Just delivered my mono-sick college boy to his home under the Supermoon,<br />
brought Britt back to Jester Dorm at the<strike> March-Madness winning</strike> University of Texas.<br />
Total privilege to be Britt's Mama & "Minister of the Word" like Dr. Luke says in Luke 1:2,<br />
"Minister" - it's a medical term meaning serving under a physician, The Great Physician!<br />
Britt is my caboose and my freighted soul has folded my apron once again this week. <br />
Why is this so hard to say goodbye this time?<br />
<br />
Loved every spring break second of serving Britt who is oh-so-sick since November, and <br />
Loved serving 99 college students my daughter Brooke brought down from UTA for a missions trip<br />
to serve our city's children and homeless and underserved. <br />
Helped cook 60 pounds of chicken and 110 pounds of beef and 10 pounds of brownies and 15 pounds of peach cobbler and ... <br />
the loquacious calories and 99 liminal lives I loved have moved on. <br />
What stirs so heavy my weighted wonderful looming lunar life?<br />
<br />
~I long to finish well~<br />
God has orchestrated a transition for us. It is so God!<br />
We're between jobs, between insurance, between a place to live,<br />
between friends, between churches, NO LONGER in between cancer...<br />
"Detaching me from Dependence on anything that brings me joy other than Him," 66 Love Letters<br />
Bob lost his church job and we cannot wait to find another ministry to serve!<br />
But we wait on God, Psalm 27:13-14, not on any man.<br />
And I ask myself, is there anything I want more than the Love of my Christ?<br />
<br />
For the past three decades in a row, I've had a myriad of children tugging at my skirt and heart.<br />
The moon is rising in my heart, raising four and many more to know Him and live alive!<br />
Speaking and writing, though sporadic, overwhelmed me with such joy <br />
while mothering and ministering and I'd love to go back to speaking again.<br />
I loved every esoteric exigent ineffable chapter we just closed <br />
and it's bothering me that's there are no re-runs. <br />
O God, help me face this new opportunity to love my husband,<br />
love my world with fearless courage (Phil 1:9 Moffat).<br />
So what is the Beautiful God I so adore stirring inside of me?<br />
<br />
This I know...<br />
It's not what happens to us along the way<br />
but what happens inside of us that matters for Eternity.<br />
And it's a Beautiful God that is so stirring up Hope and Confidence in all the messes I've made.<br />
C.S. Lewis once said: "No man knows how bad he is until he has tried very hard to be good."<br />
I'm seeing more of the sin that resides in me, Rom 7:18, that I never ever dared dream was there,<br />
and at the same time, seeing oh-so-much-more hope within that I never dreamed I could live in! <br />
And I worship! And it's my fears that cause me to worship The Messiah of My Dreams.<br />
And I want! To walk alongside others and offer hope and courage and dreams. <br />
And I wonder! Do I really hate my sin more than my suffering? <br />
<br />
So, that's why I'm entering this opportunity to win a Cecil Murphy Scholarship to attend the <em>She Speaks Conference</em> this summer. Renee Swope is the kind conduit of composing this Psalm 45:1 kind of offer: <a href="http://www.reneeswope.blogspot.com/">http://www.reneeswope.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<em>She Speaks, </em>click <a href="http://shespeaksconference.com/">http://shespeaksconference.com/</a>, is a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity for writers, speakers, and ministry leaders. <br />
Editors and industry professionals are close-up and personally available with advice and direction. If God is stirring words and wit and wisdom in your heart, this conference is the place to be in July. We all only have this moment, this life to leave a legacy, make a mark, reach out with redemptive rhetoric. If you've held tightly any thoughts of writing and speaking and ministering in leadership, then check out Lysa TerKeurst's blog <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/">http://lysaterkeurst.com/</a> and meet an amazing woman who is a "minister of the Word" (Luke 1:2).<br />
Titus 1:1 says that we are all servants of the Word of God for the faith of His People and the Knowledge of the Truth that leads to changed lives! Mine and yours! I so want to finish well!<br />
<br />
So what are these tears for? <br />
When is the Last Time the ordained moon didn't rise? Psalm 8:3<br />
When is the Last Time He refused to be good to you and to me? Jeremiah 33:20<br />
My God is about to do something new. Isaiah 43:19<br />
Would you pray that I find Him in these present sufferings. Romans 8:18<br />
I so miss my kids under the dine of every shining moon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-21065272534702353352011-03-14T12:55:00.001-06:002011-03-14T13:10:37.621-06:0099 Spring Break Students + Britt = 100They say "no news is good news." Who is they? My oncologist has not called with the results of my latest scans. Waiting...<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I sit at Seton Hospital waiting for my youngest boy to be X-rayed for pneumonia, again. He's had it since Christmas. Why can't a strapping young boy fight off walking pneumonia? Mono.<br />
<br />
From the swamped hospital waiting room, I swipe my own doctor's office for results. There's James on the end of the line: "Mrs. Brandon (who is holding her breath), Everything looks normal. Markers are stable." Breathe out. And I believe it's quite all right with the God I so adore to hold my breath for a second or two to see what's next. <br />
<br />
For my joy, my rest comes not from cancer-free news or job-of-the-decade news or even a job.<br />
Isaiah 30:15 "In Returnings and Rest, <br />
In Quietness and Confidence, my Strength is in You. <br />
It is good news that my cancer remains within a normal range. My tumor markers won't go down to zero because of metastasis. But these are just numbers, mere information, and I wait on a very Good God, no matter what. Test results are not our hope and joy, only He is.<br />
<br />
Britt's home for Spring Break, sleeping the week away, trying to recuperate...we'll see what the doctor says. And we'll keep on praying for good health. In the waiting room...<br />
<br />
Brooke and her BSU staff are here in A-town all week. She brought 99 students. 99 UT college students!!!!! From the other A-town. Here to serve our city! Britt & I helped serve roast & potatoes last night and then the worship---touched my soul deeply!!! Here are kids who are truly waiting on God. <br />
<br />
This emptynester is like off the charts in spring-break-week-off excitement having two of mine own HOME. I miss my kids more than I can ever say. Three straight decades of children tugging on my skirt and heart and not a day off! They say it will get better...hmmm. On my way to go help cook dinner for the 99. You know I am ecstatic! <br />
<br />
Isaiah 30:18 - The LORD longs to be compassionate on every one of us. Britt asleep. Tsunamis ravaging oh so many. The tsunami photos are horrificly chilling to see a city obliterated in a city minute. Praying God's Compassion on all.<br />
<br />
We wait, not on any test results, not on any man. We wait on a very Good God Whose Eyes run back and forth the whole earth to show Himself strong, 2 Chron 16:9. To me and to you! Will our lives cause His Eyes to stop? Please stop here in ATX as we cook, dear LORD.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-83869626845232103902011-02-22T23:56:00.002-06:002011-02-23T00:24:30.823-06:00Happy Birthday Baby Blair<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsU1BfFDNFoFOOKGXs6TmmitP73r0L3UsnOMcj7mQENJXMWcIqPQzutEDkCK6vPRaWTMlYzr9tdaqG9HP5j9GcTt0-KAPQ1xgGWsjmGjBhtyqpcD9sOqJ5aIX30r6_mNlBMRjOK0SrOKr/s1600/Blair%2527s+Slide+Show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsU1BfFDNFoFOOKGXs6TmmitP73r0L3UsnOMcj7mQENJXMWcIqPQzutEDkCK6vPRaWTMlYzr9tdaqG9HP5j9GcTt0-KAPQ1xgGWsjmGjBhtyqpcD9sOqJ5aIX30r6_mNlBMRjOK0SrOKr/s200/Blair%2527s+Slide+Show.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>It's The Day You Were Born...<br />
I remember it like it way just yesterday...<br />
Another baby girl and this mama couldn't contain her Joy...<br />
<br />
I laid lifeless on the gurney after giving birth...<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lost two-thirds of the volume of my body's blood for you...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The blood of a stranger kept me safe in place to live to mother you...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It has been unspeakable joy to walk this life with you...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
A Little Girl so Curious ~</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mommy, what do the Catholics believe? What do the Methodists believe? What do the Mormons believe? What do we believe? </div></div><br />
A Young Girl so Compassionate ~<br />
Can we help my friend who is losing his way tripping in his darkness without his mommy's help---for she's with You. Can I sit with my friend who is making really bad choices and needs someone to believe in him? Can we give our money away? Can we talk to every single person we see? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzihWBhHM5vGK-lRajG0jdugKAmsY-xdpjoCmWXFTXLk-J3lfUR8NEzstRHVgnp0NT2LeIl_SNWlGr8JHBNwmoREbATUcBS5wkss15nHW6WiKEU9mr_mUDabg0wvUgWkRdNV0Za_QEJ3d/s1600/Blair+in+AFrica.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzihWBhHM5vGK-lRajG0jdugKAmsY-xdpjoCmWXFTXLk-J3lfUR8NEzstRHVgnp0NT2LeIl_SNWlGr8JHBNwmoREbATUcBS5wkss15nHW6WiKEU9mr_mUDabg0wvUgWkRdNV0Za_QEJ3d/s200/Blair+in+AFrica.bmp" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A Becoming Woman so Committed ~</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Can I make a difference in my world? Can I choose to see from an Eternal perspective? Can I keep these African babies close to my heart? What about making a life on Capitol Hill that dents into policies? Can I serve constituents and communities and charities and care about things like human trafficking?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL164lA3_41CvIVGQf0OuYaRKWJnz8Yr5PNS5jeEQ80vSpkrARLf0706T2u3jJYetX_FkWnoKcBC1yS0gQYy20uG8tv5DNouM2t4lbMGGmLtN2Cd8N0KJciMsbsuL36LvcOcRMuxvLExQ_/s1600/Blair+Wedding+Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL164lA3_41CvIVGQf0OuYaRKWJnz8Yr5PNS5jeEQ80vSpkrARLf0706T2u3jJYetX_FkWnoKcBC1yS0gQYy20uG8tv5DNouM2t4lbMGGmLtN2Cd8N0KJciMsbsuL36LvcOcRMuxvLExQ_/s200/Blair+Wedding+Day+2.jpg" width="133" /></a>A Beautiful Married Woman so Chosen ~</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Will you let me give my heart to the one I love? Will you walk with me through thick and thin? Will I find Spousal Love from the God I so adore? Will you always be with me?</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueNDrQd04Bgc2N7jT6kTPwJznN5iiqZ3SbsiFQUQ33yIWBoYC4yTpuS8R8FD3yLNejX-zEbmVfRc1ULSotp7nyR1uVmHLwQJxKISD2vfJCYkjy7LlrzRpn8acXga9MyVUPutI1NE8C2dp/s1600/31396_812120372197_9600559_44127386_2756201_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueNDrQd04Bgc2N7jT6kTPwJznN5iiqZ3SbsiFQUQ33yIWBoYC4yTpuS8R8FD3yLNejX-zEbmVfRc1ULSotp7nyR1uVmHLwQJxKISD2vfJCYkjy7LlrzRpn8acXga9MyVUPutI1NE8C2dp/s200/31396_812120372197_9600559_44127386_2756201_s.jpg" width="200" /></a>Blair, I've never loved you more. Never thought I could experience what I have with a girl like you. You're so beautiful to me. "No good thing will He withhold from you for you walk uprightly." Grace and Glory! Thank you for the best 26 years of my little life. You've made this mama fulfilled, happy, loved! Happy Birthday Baby Blair. Yes, you will always be my baby girl. You may live under another roof, another's love, but I will love you forever. And every night, I kneel in my empty nest house and whisper a prayer to the God we Worship and Adore for Iron Rod Strength for you as you find your Rest in Him Alone. Psalm 62:1. And may you hear Him say Two Things for Baby Blair: I am so Strong in your life. And I am so Loving to you. Psalm 62:11. His Strength, His Love, Always! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqF77gZpodBgT2nZOpJKyJfi9akfeL4NxT5rQ8kDncWu2JSvnl_SWkJXb30s40wBXF5hvjPk0EixzMS9EzONI2YlHkM1r_HavFTM5B7yNAldtzVjwlF20V64hyOOG1exeqGI_cAzLebeN/s1600/Christmas+2010+-+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqF77gZpodBgT2nZOpJKyJfi9akfeL4NxT5rQ8kDncWu2JSvnl_SWkJXb30s40wBXF5hvjPk0EixzMS9EzONI2YlHkM1r_HavFTM5B7yNAldtzVjwlF20V64hyOOG1exeqGI_cAzLebeN/s200/Christmas+2010+-+9.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSiGCOjbXvrkxT5kYKm1fNOdWFRU4DRatGQLD2t9VFLY3ASp-RL5Zqf4vqsceLri3R9Ba-btWjh0RZpEVhsD3addsQClV6ZfzcoyaUCPTiqtLhSmJAhDyDhauXT3z6O-_fihProkG-K_2/s1600/Christmas+2010+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSiGCOjbXvrkxT5kYKm1fNOdWFRU4DRatGQLD2t9VFLY3ASp-RL5Zqf4vqsceLri3R9Ba-btWjh0RZpEVhsD3addsQClV6ZfzcoyaUCPTiqtLhSmJAhDyDhauXT3z6O-_fihProkG-K_2/s200/Christmas+2010+-+5.jpg" width="200" /></a>Happy Birthday My Love ! <br />
<br />
Your Family Loves You <br />
More Than Tongue Can Tell</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
All My Love on your Birthday, Mommy</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Isaiah 50:4 is for you this year.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-48610107623570410122011-02-12T20:20:00.004-06:002011-02-15T23:50:03.474-06:00Farewell Fort Worth<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHXUuxqTfhP11QnWo6dTegx7V8Vvgxb1tKpdbjFYDs_qdh8iBImf6IF4AVVDR3-hJTx1hZ476NwSycWlv2X56QE4NDs0EaX4vRX7fyWCZADhEGyNazOGpOTt5-CCTFg9CIHIFddyC67eK/s1600/Blogging+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHXUuxqTfhP11QnWo6dTegx7V8Vvgxb1tKpdbjFYDs_qdh8iBImf6IF4AVVDR3-hJTx1hZ476NwSycWlv2X56QE4NDs0EaX4vRX7fyWCZADhEGyNazOGpOTt5-CCTFg9CIHIFddyC67eK/s1600/Blogging+Friends.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Farewell Fort Worth, I'm leaving Beth Moore's taping at Life Today. Leaving once again my hometown of 31 years where God has spoken to me over the past three decades. Humbled. Oswald Chambers wrote: "What is needed today is not a new gospel, but live men and women who can restate the Gospel of the Son of God in terms that will reach the heart of our problems." Just sat watching 3 live people, Beth and James and Betty, speak about the Kingdom of God and touch deep places and problems in my own heart for such good, for such a time. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xSXjDsl21LZhuWuL08PpNcz70edhoJEDZ2zdw7Rsb_0_O4D8gj8aHAbSW2-0VUQwU7P8PHsoO1MRzK29SmhSLYGq9_yDGLBjescouLAbuf8WcEGvNwtsT_DjOrAYgYcb1yY9TN99YMym/s1600/Blogging+Friends+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xSXjDsl21LZhuWuL08PpNcz70edhoJEDZ2zdw7Rsb_0_O4D8gj8aHAbSW2-0VUQwU7P8PHsoO1MRzK29SmhSLYGq9_yDGLBjescouLAbuf8WcEGvNwtsT_DjOrAYgYcb1yY9TN99YMym/s200/Blogging+Friends+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Farewell Fort Worth, headed back to my new home, Austin, where God has called us. We will stay there til our God moves us on. We are in the midst of transition, Bob and I both are looking for full-time jobs. Waiting on a very Good God. Didn't expect to be at this place in our lives at this age but we are both "Living in His Presence in the Present"---that's a James quote. And WE know Romans 8:28. Beth and James talked about the Kingdom at hand and it so stirred my heart. Beth shared Matthew 13:15 about how callous hearts don't understand the mystery...and how the Greek word meant: understanding the puzzle pieces causes me to see something. And, I think I saw something that moment that I didn't see before. I know I did. Beth spoke of preaching the Kingdom and healing the sick and my God is so healing me. Standing up to His invitation. And James ended last night saying: "Don't look for ministry, release ministry." The Kingdom is within you and me, a very present reality.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Farewell Fort Worth, I'm "Trusting Truth not Feelings" as Beth shared this morning. When Beth turned to Psalm 57:1-2, I knew that God had me in mind when He breathed those words of David in a cave fleeing from Saul: Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me." You see, I am hidden in a cave waiting for a Wonder of a Beautiful God to stop by. He has. He is. He will. I Cor 2:7 "His Secret Purpose framed from the very beginnning is to bring us to our full glory." And the next verse He wrote in 2:9 says: No eye has seen. No ear has heard. All that my Friend, the King has prepared for me, for you, because I love Him in this cave...and I trust Him in this cave... and I'm on my way out of this cave...and I'll keep on believing He is a Good God, no matter what. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Farewell Fort Worth, I hold your stories in my heart. I'm forever changed because of the Mighty God I met here who goes with me. Beth ended with Hebrews 10:35-3 "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. I'm coming home Austin more convinced that through the "sifting of God's Good Hand, He has purposes of fulfillment" in what He is doing in my life and in yours! Hello Austin! The Kingdom of God is at hand here...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOc-tskUGKhjdRfRodkB1YN3F7YYLs2XAVwof4VyjW53W5ybsq1hOkj5e16892-6H5yNdCjo2W113jaxtjaJfaX2FxFkQ9ybw_45IGDkU926tHq3KInYx5dGU5yd9-kHDOLNB598OPAAm/s1600/Blogging+Friends+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOc-tskUGKhjdRfRodkB1YN3F7YYLs2XAVwof4VyjW53W5ybsq1hOkj5e16892-6H5yNdCjo2W113jaxtjaJfaX2FxFkQ9ybw_45IGDkU926tHq3KInYx5dGU5yd9-kHDOLNB598OPAAm/s200/Blogging+Friends+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">PS - So privileged to meet five siestas for the first time: Donna and Holllie R. and Melinda and Tiffany and Janelle. What a thrill to see Holly Smith for the first time in two years. What God has created through blogging friendships is beyond blogging words. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-15654832312983743562011-02-02T11:15:00.002-06:002011-02-02T11:42:58.005-06:00The Messiah of My DreamsNovice winds blow armaggedon hard in ATX, it's 18 degrees. <br />
It is a season of no words for me yet holding Hope as I wait to thaw out of a tight place.<br />
<br />
Night terrors washed over my Sunday sweet sleep. <br />
I couldn't stop the tumultuous thoughts.<br />
Just sweat it through and wait to thaw. <br />
You see <strong>HE is the God-of-My-Tight-Places</strong> ~ Psalm 46:10.<br />
<br />
And The Living Letters of my friends Annette & Holly & Deborah<br />
bid me bloom forth like Lazarus in Spring ~ unwrapped, unearthed, undone ~ 2 Cor 3:3<br />
<br />
Blogging Friends like Ann Voskamp give me Hope <br />
She let me borrow her God Who never failed to send Spring.<br />
I hang on to the Present Grace for<br />
<strong>When was the Last Time the Sun didn't dawn or set at the right time? </strong><br />
<strong>When is the Last Time God refused to be good to me, to you?</strong> ~ Jeremiah 33:20<br />
<br />
<strong>The Messiah of My Dreams sends forth His Word</strong> through new friends in a Voskamp camp and old friends gathered at Rock Lake Ranch and He melts my heart like snow in spring and heals me and I don't know how I'm any different this moment than I was a day ago. <br />
But I am. ~ Psalm 107:20; 147:18<br />
<br />
Frozen pain and Fresh problems remain. Always will. <br />
<strong>The Present Grace is Who Stirs in me as I read you while the Living Word reads me.</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-8365087093434407932010-12-24T12:45:00.000-06:002010-12-24T12:45:32.016-06:00Christmas Eve 2010 "The Unfolding Grace of God"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Merry Christmas from Bethlehem. As I sit in the renowned town square of the Little Town of Bethlehem, I reflect back on this past year of challenges in Austin that we will long remember. 2010 ranks as one of those exigent years, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because a very good God showed up. We found grace in our desert. Beautiful Wild Grace! We met a God Who was out looking for us in the desert – Jeremiah 31:2. We faced serious health issues, unexpected unemployment, and mounting financial pressures. 2 Cor 4:16-18 (The Message) reads my heart: “We aren’t giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His Unfolding Grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the Lavish Celebration prepared for us.” “The Morning Star is visible when the darkness is deepest” - 66 Love Letters. There’s far more here than meets the eye. And it’s all because of the baby born in Bethlehem---a God Who has so invaded our lives and brought immense peace and rest in the midst of confusion and chaos.<br />
<br />
It was a year of “letting go” of people and decades. Bob had the immense honor of marrying our oldest son, Barrett, to the lovely Lauren Bailey of San Mateo, California on a cold sun-kissed Sunday in Austin. We recovered slightly and then Bob married our youngest daughter, Blair, to the honorable Patrick Walsh of Atlanta, Georgia on a rainy but stunning Dallas day. A few weeks later, we sent our youngest, Britt, off to college at the University of Texas with much gratitude for a full ride. Brooke is at the other University of Texas in Arlington serving on their BSU staff. We have had children at home tugging on our skirts and hearts for the past three decades in a row. No more. Bob and I miss them so!<br />
<br />
The real battle of this decade was not fighting for good health or landing in financial peace or finding the fulfilling ministry or job with benefits. No, the real battle is what is going on inside of me as I face life, face my loss. I jogged this morning along the Sea of Galilee thinking about the disciples frantic in the middle of a raging storm while Jesus slept through it. 2010 was a liminal place for me where God was speaking to my fears, even this very day, just as He awoke in the boat to speak to the disciples’ fears 2,000 years ago. I am on the 66 Love Letters Tour in Israel---an unbelievable gift from a dear friend. The message Larry spoke here was: “Groan inwardly. Wait eagerly. Romans 8:23. Demand nothing. And He will sustain you with joy based on hope. The degree to which I can love means my hope has nothing to do with how others treat me.”<br />
<br />
Phil 3:12 says: We are all not yet what we long to be. We are waiting and watching with you, dear friends, in Hope for a very Good God to show up this Christmas and New Year – Lamentations 3:21-23.” God has been good to us to this very day and will keep on doing us good for all our days of 2011 - Jeremiah 32:40. I’m longing with you to love well this coming year. I long to finish well! I long for many to find the peace that only our God can give! My prayer for each of you in 2011 is found in Philippians 1:9-11 – We pray that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but love well. May we see our lives from His perspective. “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Socrates<br />
<br />
We are very grateful to have had the privilege of knowing you. We decided not to send out Christmas cards this year---for the first time in three decades. We did want you to know that God has used you in our lives to stir our faith. Because of the Baby born in Bethlehem, we are standing with you in the Wide Open Spaces of God’s Grace - Romans 5:2. May His Unfolding Grace be multiplied in you in 2011. There is so much more here than meets the eye. “The hopes and fears of all the years, oh come to us This Night!”<br />
<br />
We’d love to see you in 2011. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Written by Bev for The Brandons<br />
Bob, Bev, Barrett, Lauren, Brooke, Blair, Patrick, and Britt - sixbrandons@gmail.com<br />
P.O. Box 90814, Austin TX 78709 * Bob’s Cell 512.541.5772 * Bev’s Cell 817.915.6769Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-45877823252119523382010-12-11T20:18:00.002-06:002010-12-11T20:26:48.205-06:00"Simply Irresistible"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfKeFF7ajrSizfUpxwucG8L6VzCApVZLkgMt0kX3RUN23_j50goOQmJp9_KcH5y9KC83nAQ-jKpXuCKTggEa-EaQClAMnAKeL09HNaKjzyK2spo94FJq8vOokrtHHpCB-LjLK3Y-_xbS1/s1600/Heisman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfKeFF7ajrSizfUpxwucG8L6VzCApVZLkgMt0kX3RUN23_j50goOQmJp9_KcH5y9KC83nAQ-jKpXuCKTggEa-EaQClAMnAKeL09HNaKjzyK2spo94FJq8vOokrtHHpCB-LjLK3Y-_xbS1/s320/Heisman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My two boys are at the Heisman in New York, compliments of Wendy's. Britt finished his first semester of college and they left Thursday. It's weird not having children at home anymore after three decades. Britt comes home on Monday from New York and I just cannot wait. They are all coming next week for Christmas and the 8 of us will be together here in Austin for Christmas week. My prayer is out of Phil 1:9-11 (The Message) that this Christmas we not only love much, but that we love well. <br />
<br />
We don't have extra money this Christmas to spend cause of just going through cancer. And I have to throw in that the latest health update couldn't be any better. Cancer bills did deplete our savings and we had to go to creative means with being in job transitions as well. God knew. No surprise there. God has so blessed us with earthly blessings unimaginable but they are "second things" as C. S. Lewis calls it. It's the spiritual blessings, those "first things," that have me on my face before a very Good God this Christmas!<br />
<br />
I write to say that a Beautiful God showed up for me in Bethlehem 2000 years ago and He was back there again last week. God so took me by surprise in Israel. HE so stirred up some things in my heart. I've never been more attracted to the possibility of becoming a more meaningfully mature Christian. More than ever! I'm more spiritually ALIVE than ever! Paschal wrote: "The Gospel to me is simply irresistible." It is. More so than ever. I wonder why? Chalmers said: "It's the expulsive power of a New Affection."<br />
<br />
In 66 Love Letters, the author writes that the joy Christ offers grows in the soil of emptines and brokenness. That's where I've been. "In My Spirit's Hands, your felt emptiness will become a consuming thirst to know Christ. Your agonizing brokenness over the ongoing corruption in your soul will transform into overwhelming gratitude for My Son's forgiveness. It is empty and broken people, who at the same time are thirsty and grateful, who discover the power to live in ways they never thought possible." That's it. I couldn't put it in better words what God has been doing in my life these past couple of years. Empty. Broken. But God is allowing me to wrestle with Him over the sin in my soul that is transforming me. Overwhelmed in gratitude for His Forgiveness.<br />
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God is helping me to see what is clearly wrong in me more than what is wrong in those closest to me or what is wrong in the churches I am familiar with---no, it's what is wrong in me. And He has been so gracious to help me experience the Power to face what's wrong in my own heart and discover His Power, Resurrection Power, to grasp how long and wide and deep and high is His LOVE for me. Eph 3:17-19. I have a long way to go. And it's His Kindness that is leading me to repent. Romans 2:4. I love Him so! He is deeply encouraging me, way down deep, in the midst of some unsettling circumstances.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4