tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85401063592340570532024-03-13T02:09:55.226-07:00Live Love GiveA blog about Living, Loving and Giving your life to GodKelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-19914675914871969702015-04-03T16:12:00.006-07:002015-04-03T16:12:50.244-07:00No More Excuses....A fantastic new blog series I just starting following is #LiveFreeThursday over at <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Eller's site</a>. And yes...I know it's Friday. But sometimes I just can't pull it all together! I feel like it was really important to me to post under this topic so here it is. Even if it is a day late....<br />
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Where to start? Well, I guess for years I have struggled with accepting my identity in Christ. That I am fully forgiven, fully loved, fully redeemed without <i>anything</i> on my part except receiving Christ (and this is no little thing either!) is kind of mind blowing. I've grown up with the mindset that I have to do my best, try my hardest and then I can rest. So here I am, trying to fix everything and pull it all together before letting Jesus take the reigns of my life.<br />
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If I were to make a list of my excuses, I'm sure that it would be longer than my arm-and then some. But today I'm naming the ones that are impacting my walk with Jesus. Because, after all, we're called to freedom. And on the day that Jesus died to set us free, I'm declaring that freedom.<br />
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My excuses:<br />
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That I'll truly believe that I'm a child of God when I feel it (which is ridiculous, I know. But this has been more of a sub-conscious excuse I'm starting to realize).<br />
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I'll believe I'm set free when I feel good enough.<br />
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I'll be joyful when my family stops falling apart.<br />
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I'll follow the call of Jesus when it's safe.<br />
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I'll believe I can be a youth leader when I'm more qualified.<br />
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All excuses....The beautiful verse of John 10:10 says that Jesus came to give us life. I already am set free, I already am forgiven,<span style="font-size: large;"> I ALREADY AM a child of God,</span> no matter my feelings or my doubts. Even though my family has it's rough days, there is still love. There is still joy! I am choosing to follow Jesus now, and not when it's safe. That has been an excuse that has been killing me. Jesus is calling us out. Let me follow Him.<br />
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If I listen to these excuses I will never be good enough, smart enough, qualified enough, free enough, safe enough or simply together enough to start living life. And then I will look back at my life and realize that I've had freedom all this time.<br />
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I'm breaking the chains of these excuses. I'm being who God made me to be. May we have the courage to live this out. <br />
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On Good Friday, Christ died so that we may live. He died so that we may be free. As we look to the glorious Resurrection of Easter Morning, I'm praying this freedom is evident in our lives.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 107:14-15, "He has led them from the darkness and deepest gloom, He snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them."</span></b><br />
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Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-46352195645947596722015-01-11T18:29:00.002-08:002015-01-11T18:29:58.083-08:00The adventure of 2015...I watched as the little numbers ticked closer to that moment. That moment when hugging would erupt and we'd ring in the new year with fireworks. The moment when no one is looking ahead or behind and new years resolution haven't been spoken yet. The only perfectly acceptable night where you can stay up until 4:30 in the morning playing such games as spoons or catch phrase and eating a ridiculous amount of snack and sleeping in until the afternoon. It's fine, because we only celebrate this once a year.<br />
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But now the sparkle has faded, the snacks have been eaten, the games put away and the fireworks cleaned up. So what now? It's now in that time between times where everything is still on break and you're waiting for life to begin again that I'm looking ahead. 2015. What will it hold? Who knows where this road will take me. But to sum up some of the things I want to be concentrating on for the new year, I will chronicling it on this handy blog. So here goes:</div>
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I found this idea <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2015/01/2015-the-year-of-no-fear.html" target="_blank">Here on (in)courage</a>, written by Aliza Latta. It really spoke to my soul. I am such a worrier! If there has been one constant emotion in my life it has been fear. It practically defines me. But I'm sick of it. No more. No more fear. I first thought this was a great idea. But could I do it? Really? Never. A year without fear? That's insane. Surely I was setting myself up for failure. But that, my friends, is fear talking at it's finest. Convincing us away from trying, away from who we're meant to be, away from God. Because God is calling me to step out into my identity in Him. I don't know what that will all entail, but I'm so in. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>One Word 2015: Accepted</b></span></div>
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I'm sure many of us are familiar with One Word. In case you're not, you can the info at <a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">One Word</a> or on the <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2014/01/rewriting-resolutions-choosing-one-word.html" target="_blank">(in) courage blog</a> again (in case you haven't noticed, I'm LOVING the community at (in) courage, seriously go check it out!). But my word for 2015 is..........</div>
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Accepted.</div>
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I am choosing this year to live my life accepted by God. For so long I've struggled to find my identity in God and have chosen to look to the world for acceptance. I've struggled with the idea that I'm ALREADY accepted, pre-approved and loved in Christ.I also want to view others in light of the acceptance of Christ. I want to see others how God sees them.<br />
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I don't know what else 2015 will hold, but I'm ready.</div>
Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-47867203583438571512014-12-30T18:36:00.003-08:002014-12-30T18:39:47.940-08:00The things I've learned in 2014It's so hard to believe another year has past. Another year is gone. As we all pause to take a deep breath and give 2104 one last glance, we're standing on the threshold of a new year. So here's a few of the things that I've taken away from this year:<br />
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<b>1. To laugh at life.</b> There were so many events this year that just taught me to enjoy the humor in life. Whether it was in light of our cabin ceiling caving in the same day as the t.v. blew up or spending the ALIVE festival (a Christian camping/band experience) in horrendous thunderstorms and 5 days of mud and flooded tents. God works even in those situations!<br />
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<b>2. I'm beginning to learn to live in light of God's approval. </b>Beginning to learn, trust me! But it's a start! For so long I've lived in fear, constantly striving for approval and perfection. It's been a fight to listen to the voice of God over all the noise, but the journey is so worth it. I'm learning to embrace life along the way.<br />
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<b>3. That everyday life counts. </b>I'm not going to lie, I still struggle with this. I thought that making my life mean something meant mission trips to other countries, or a big job, or getting married. But that isn't always the case. My life counts right now. Teaching preschoolers and my gymnastics team, going to church and school, making mistakes and learning how to stand again, facing my fears and following God. Every day counts. I can live for God's glory right here.</div>
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<b>4. That hope is always there.</b> Hope doesn't always have to be a lighthouse on the shore. Sometimes, it is just a small flickering flame guiding us through the dark. But hope is still there. There are times in life where that darkness seems to overtake, but God has been there showing me that small flame that has taken me through the dark. </div>
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<b>5. That I can overcome obstacles that at first looked impossible.</b> I'm an introvert that has a tendency to learn towards fear. But this year I took over the competitive gymnastics program where I work and it has been a trial but it has been such a joy! I finally got my driver's license (I'm 23) because I was terrified of driving, but no more!</div>
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<b>6. That nothing soothes my soul quite like a walk in the woods with my family.</b> We went on quite a few adventures this year, but some of my happiest moments were simply soaking in the beauty of my Creator.</div>
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<b>7. That 2014 has been a journey. </b>There have been dark days but there have been beautiful days as well. God has brought me every step of the way and now I stand at the edge of 2015 ready for the year ahead.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year everyone!</span></b> </div>
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Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-45770287552091063302014-08-08T12:04:00.001-07:002014-08-08T12:04:12.256-07:00Five Minute Friday:Fill...Five Minute Friday! My new favorite prompt of the week is here again. I love being able to be a part of this and the writers who share. Head over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's site</a> to read more about it!<br />
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Fill. Here we go:<br />
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There are times you look back on life, on the moments that it holds, and your heart feels so full that it's to the point of breaking. So much joy, so much pain, love and anger, laughter and tears. There are memories that you would rather forget and then there are the memories that you want to never forget. Either way, they have filled you, filled your heart. Memories serve as beautiful milestones.<br />
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There are times when my heart aches and I wish for times past. These memories shine like stars scattered and glittering across the vast expanse of my life. Some shine so brightly that every detail is a vivid reminder. Others glimmer, but are faded. Details are blurred but the beauty is still there.<br />
These are all memories that our hearts, our hope, hold onto.<br />
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I often wish I had realized what was going on around me, how special that time was, when I experienced it. <b>That I had seen the beauty beneath my fingertips</b>. If going back were possible...<br />
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But perhaps that's what makes those memories shimmer so brightly, the fact that those days have come and gone and we must hold tightly to them before they slip away. Perhaps the reason that we can never appreciate the depth of beauty at the time is because we are growing. We can only see the beauty now because of where we are. We often weep for what is past but there is joy for having experienced it. These are the lights that are scattered throughout our lives, that God uses as guideposts to guide us home.<br />
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Let them fill you.<br />
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-82800139891599973612014-08-01T16:03:00.002-07:002014-08-01T16:03:59.352-07:00Five Minute Friday: BeginFive minute Friday: <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/07/five-minute-friday-my-last-week-hosting-begin/" target="_blank">Begin</a>.<br />
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The beautiful thing about beginnings is that they often come from endings. You cannot begin writing a new page to your story of life without ending one first. You cannot enjoy the beginning of a new day without recognizing the end of yesterday.<br />
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To begin is to start over, to create something new. Sometimes these beginnings are scary and terrifying, but they are often beautiful.<br />
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Today I woke up and spent some time with God. The world has seemed cold lately, with pain everywhere I would look. But God reminded me that in the darkest times, I never left His arms. And with that revelation I can begin again. I can see His new mercies and joys today because today is new. Today is a beginning. Yesterday is gone, and we do not have to live in yesterday.<br />
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We cannot appreciate where we are without realizing where we've been. What has brought us to this new journey.<br />
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And sometimes these new beginnings are moments for us to see the beauty of God in creating something. Sometimes beginnings are just enough to thank God for today that is full of adventure.<br />
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Every adventure has a beginning. Where will it lead?<br />
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What is my beginning going to say today?Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-83864000377067446442014-07-25T16:24:00.002-07:002014-07-25T16:29:31.897-07:00Five Minute Friday: FinishI stumbled across the idea of five minute Friday awhile ago, but this would be the first time I participated. So here goes:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finish</span>. What is the idea that comes to mind? A feeling of rest, of peace. A finish, but also a new beginning.....<br />
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This past month I have wished for a happy ending to many of things that are going on right now. Many things that need a finish. It has left me feeling tired and worn, with the end no where in sight. <b><i>But its here, in this time where we can't see the end and the road seems dark around us: it's a time of beauty and faith</i>.</b> It doesn't always look like that. Most times it just seems like shadows and questions, but there is hidden beauty. There is God working in mysterious ways.<br />
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Psalm 66:8:12, "Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance," (ESV). This is a recording of what God has done in the lives of His people. Yes, they went through trials and burdens and the end seemed nowhere in sight. But they became who they are because of that. They couldn't have gotten to the place of abundance without going through the trials. This is a promise that while things seem their darkest God is there. The Israelites had to go through the desert before they got to the promised land. These are the times that God gently whispers to keep going. It is worth it. Hold on. The finish will be beauty beyond imagining. We need to trust Him. And just keep going.<br />
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You can find more Five Minute Friday posts <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/07/five-minute-friday-finish/" target="_blank">Here!</a><br />
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-23134963906759719632014-07-13T18:18:00.001-07:002014-07-13T18:22:51.523-07:00When the ceiling caves in...There are times in life where it seems you're so storm battered and soul weary that nothing else could possibly happen. When the floods come and the ceiling caves in and suddenly you have nothing else to hold onto. Your hope seems dim and morning seems a long way off. But there is beauty that shines through it all. A light that is only seen if you look hard enough to find it.<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A light that only shines when the ceiling caves in.....<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was our preview of the storm rolling in. </td></tr>
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It was supposed to be a piece of cake, this putting on a new roof. It was supposed to be three, maybe four days of hard works, and then the rest of the time could be spent the way you spend vacations best. Nobody knew what a week at our cabin would end up turning out like:<br />
<br />
It all started when the truck delivering the roofing supplies got stuck and then tore up the dirt-well mud-driveway, making it an impassable mess. After re-graveling the driveway, we thought we were back on track. Which in hindsight, is laughable. With the old roof torn off and plywood being the only thing between our living room and the storms that were rolling in, we quickly did all that we could to make sure it was waterproof. It wasn't until three in the morning and we were woken up to someone yelling, "Buckets! Buckets! Buckets!" that we knew it didn't hold. We gathered buckets, pots and pans and when those weren't enough we emptied coolers and garbage cans to help catch the soon running indoor waterfalls. It wasn't long before the ceiling tiles crumbled and fell through, making the bystanders not sure whether to laugh or cry. The rain finally slowed enough that my family plus our neighbor, all in our pajamas, went to re-tarp the roof at 3 AM.<b> Don't go on a roof at 3 AM. It's not as fun or adventurous as it sounds, I promise.</b> Anyway, roof re-tarped and the rain rolls back in, making it clear the tarp did absolutely nothing. We all fell asleep hoping that was the end of it.<br />
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The roof was the slowest work of progress ever. It was one misfortune after another, leaving us at the end of the week with the new roof still not put on. You would think that was the end of it. But it wasn't<br />
<br />
Our brand new compost toilet overflowed at 2 AM one night. That was fun. And then our TV blew up. No joke, we had the smoke and everything. One minute we're watching Frozen and we're wondering why the room looks as snowy as the TV. Oh, that's why. My brother then decides to run the TV outside without unplugging in. It was a horrible smell.<br />
<br />
This week very well could have been worse. Our house wasn't flooded, it was only a cabin after all. But one thing after another and it just starts to tear you down. Worry clouded my vision, and anxiety stole my joy. I was trying to balance fighting family members, stress levels, financial worries and the horrible mud that had surrounded everything. The ceiling caved in and it was more than literal. I kept praying for things to go right, to find a break somewhere (if you know my family, you understand the reason for this prayer), but that blue sky never came. <b>When the ceiling caved in and things looked its darkest, it's then God is saying "Hold onto Me."</b> The night may look like it will never end. The sun may seem like it will never shine again."But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer." -Sam in the Two Towers.<br />
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If you're going through the shadows, keep going. Maybe it's something you deem as small, like getting a bad grade, fighting with someone you love. Maybe it's something much bigger, like your house flooding, or a loved one getting sick. Know that God cares about each and every storm. He knows what you're going through and He's whispering to hold on. The sun will shine again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is there even when the ceiling caves in.</span>Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-52766788356891358252014-01-24T14:45:00.000-08:002014-01-24T14:45:05.725-08:00Perspective....<div class="MsoNormal">
There's a time when it hits. When the winter days grow long, and the bitter cold seems to seep into every part of life. Frustrations build. When it seems that all there is to life is work and cold. And those aren't very fun things to define life. </div>
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BUT THEN! But then, every once and awhile, the sun breaks through these clouds.
And for a moment, a gloriously brilliant moment, it all makes sense. It’s all
clear. You get a moment where you understand, where you see something more.This happened the other day.</div>
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Every year, I try to do the One Word thing. Instead of a
resolution, you pick a word instead. I wanted my word to be Seek. Because
that’s a cute phrase. A nice, simple word. But one that I needed. I needed to seek out
God and His direction. It seemed a good fit. But I guess there was a word I needed even more: </div>
<h3>
Perspective.</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This word first came to me when I was listening to the audio
book of Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt: “If the location where you’re standing is less than
energizing, check your vision. Don’t abandon your expectations, try to see them
from a different perspective./Maybe it’s our sense of vision
that colors our reality." If you haven't read this book, you should. I'm not finished with it yet, but I have three more chapters and the book is fantastic. </div>
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And then I read a blog post about surrender and all of a sudden I
was forced to take a look at my life. My perspective was completely on myself. What was I keeping from
surrendering to God?</div>
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And then the song, "Empty By Hands" by Tenth Avenue North. The chorus goes: "Empty my hands, fill up my heart. Capture my mind with You. Oh, empty my hands, full up my heart. Capture my mind with You. With You."</div>
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And this made it clear that my perspective has been out of line. My perspective was on my worry instead of giving it to God. Instead of it being on God and having an eternal
perspective. I need to focus on God. When worries cloud my view stop and ask,
what is the eternal perspective? Will this even matter next week? A month from
now? A year from now? Is it bringing me closer to God?</div>
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But as the world does, as soon as you get a beautiful
glimpse of hope and clarity, it tries to make you forget. But I’m holding onto this. I’m
holding on and trying to have a new perspective.</div>
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Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-32351478147318896712013-12-29T13:55:00.000-08:002013-12-29T13:55:20.373-08:00This new year....2014At the time of writing this there are two days left in 2013. Every year around this time I like to look back at the year that has gone by.<b> Because it's so hard to get somewhere new if we don't remember where we've been. </b><br />
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This year has held so much. So much beauty. So many decisions and life events. It's impossible to sum it all up. So maybe just the highlights.<br />
<br />
God has really stretched my faith this year. He's called me out of comfort zones and stepping out is still something that I'm learning to do. My summer at Teen Quest played a huge part in this. It was not only a summer of joy and fun, but of pain and frustration and growing through that. It was a lesson in trust and perspective. And in the end, I got to spend the summer with amazing people worshiping the God I love. And I got to see Him work in so many lives.<br />
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I can't help but think that this year looks much the same as last year. Still going to school. Still coaching. Still working with the youth. But it's not the same. In each area, things are growing, shifting, and I'm not the same person as last year. <b>And what an adventure that has been</b>! I've been able to experience a wonderful relationship with my boyfriend, go on adventures with my family, be in a wedding for the first time, and experience joy in unlikely places.<br />
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When the clock strikes twelve, I will look back at 2013 with a smile. It was a year of learning and growing and seeking God. Yes, it wasn't always a great year, but in the end, that's also the beauty of a new year.<br />
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And I'll look ahead to 2014 with hope. I'm excited for the journeys God will take me on, and the people I get to take them with. I'm looking forward to the joys that are hidden throughout the year, but I also know there may be pain. But I can look forward with hope because God has a promise throughout it all.<br />
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<b>What has this year held for you? What are your expectations of 2014?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Praying that you have a happy and blessed New Year!</b></span><br />
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-6387765941885237272013-12-17T09:47:00.000-08:002013-12-17T09:47:01.194-08:00Remembering....When Christmas isn't all it's supposed to be.<div class="MsoNormal">
When the Christmas season isn't all that you hoped it to be,
when it seems the days grow long and the magic fades, when the joyful carols
seem to be replaced with rushing and business, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>remember</b></span>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Remember that that first Christmas day was the birth of a
hope towards something greater. It was the birth of hope itself. And that hope
was Jesus.</div>
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We all strive for the
perfect Christmas, but when we fall short, and the cold seems to seep into very
your heart, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>remember</b></span>. </div>
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Remember that on the very first Christmas, there was
uncertainty. There was a journey. Not everything went according to human planning, but there was a
star that guided them. That star still guides us today because we know the
Light of the World.</div>
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When your Christmas seems to fall apart and there is
fighting and the food is burnt or the decorations aren't right, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>remember</b></span>. </div>
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We all have these Christmases, even if no one discusses them.
They may happen every once in awhile, or they may happen every year. You may
face Christmas with disappointment or discouragement. Sometimes we all need this reminder. Myself included. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Just remember</b></span>.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>What is celebrated on Christmas is so much more than one day
a year</u>. It’s more than the tree, or the decorations, or the presents perfectly
wrapped (or not so perfectly wrapped). <b>It’s about the enduring hope</b>. While we
may feel as though the dark night will never end, there is a hope. </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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There is the
Light of World. Hold on for we can hope
in something greater than one day a year. <b>We can place our hope in the very One
that was born that day to save us all.</b></div>
Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-6431538072837647852013-10-20T13:27:00.001-07:002013-10-24T08:18:08.633-07:00Living with Eyes Wide OpenEvery once in awhile, it happens. The darkness is peeled away as if it is a veil and we get a brief glimpse of pure beauty. That leaves us breathless. That leaves us in awe. We see <b>how it's supposed to be</b>. A moment where you finally get it. For a fleeting moment, it all makes sense. Sometimes these glimpses come through music, or a line in a movie, maybe what another person said. But for me, it most often comes through the pages of a book. I got a brief glimpse of something more, and again, this time it was through the pages of a book. More about brief glimpses of beauty I've found can be seen <a href="http://kelsea-livelovegive.blogspot.com/2012/09/glimpse-of-light.html" target="_blank">Here</a>.<br />
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Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker.<br />
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I'll try to keep all the spoilers out but can't promise anything. I'll try to make my thoughts line up on the page, instead of being jumbled in my head, before (like all brief glimpses) they disappear.<br />
<br />
The key line of this book would be,<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Our greatest challenge in life is remembering who we really are. Life is a cycle of remembering and forgetting. Do you know who you are?"</span><br />
<br />
We let our eyes off of who we are. "But take your eyes off the light and you'll drown in the darkness you see. Darkness, as well as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder." So often we create fears, we create darkness (there is plenty of darkness out there that we don't create however.) because we lose sight of who we are. But what strikes me almost more than that is how content I can be in that blindness.<br />
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Why do we forget? I am a child of God, forgiven, loved and redeemed. But why don't I live in this identity of love and grace? Because I forget. Instead I look to what the world is telling me. The world is trying to make us forget. <b>We need to remember. </b><span style="font-size: large;">Because it's worth everything. It's worth fighting for.</span> They will try to steal our light, our joy, our identities. We need to remember who we are. Because it will change our lives if we do.<br />
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With the law, with the rules, we are constantly trying to fix ourselves, to become better, to become worthy. <b>But it was already taken care of.</b> By Jesus. On the cross. My boyfriend recently said, "Our identity is entirely rooted in what Jesus has done- once for all. No takebacks." If we believed that....we could stop trying to be good enough and finally, really, live. If we believed love, if we believed we could be that love and receive that love....Surrender conquers all.<br />
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"The truth that if we have eyes to see, we can see we are beautiful. We've been put right a long time ago. We've just forgotten that. There is no further need for correction and there's really nothing more to know."<br />
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Let's remember who we are. Let's remember our identity. And live with eyes wide open.<br />
<br />
Deditio.<br />
<br />
<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-9754583899390454752013-08-15T10:46:00.002-07:002015-01-17T21:01:08.933-08:00When you feel overwhelmed by life...This summer has been an absolute whirlwind. So many emotions, so many adventures. It's flown by so fast and yet there are still a few beautiful summer filled moments left. And it's these I have to try to hold onto.<br />
<br />
I now have my second semester's work in my hands. And it terrifies me a little bit. I know college students all over the country are going back, and most have much harder classes than I do. I know this. But it still doesn't make me less nervous. I'm worried about achieving a good grade, and being able to keep up and all that academic jazz. I know you've heard it before. So I'm just throwing it out there.<br />
<br />
Also adding to this crazy summer has been new adventures. It's been great and wonderful. I'm looking forward to just following God and see where He leads.<br />
<br />
This summer I've seen incredible acts of God, experienced beautiful community with people, have had encouragement given to me by so many wonderful people (my family, my co-counselors, my friends...), and now here I stand at the edge of fall.<br />
<br />
With new trials and troubles on the horizon, new adventures in the making, and just the feeling of being overwhelmed by life. It's terrifying, yet beautiful.Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-42486315671694092382013-07-31T19:49:00.002-07:002013-08-05T11:10:48.436-07:00A summer of incredible beautyThis summer was absolutely nothing I expected. At all. I knew I was going to be a counselor at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. I did not know that this would include planning pretty much everything, dealing with crazy (yet awesome) kids 24/7, a shaving cream battle where I would be decked from head to toe in the stuff, some challenges God put before me, and the awesome people it would include.<br />
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There were insane challenges for me and my comfort zone was definitely stretched but <b>I look back at my time now and see only a wonderful summer full of God and His people.</b> I experienced serving in ministry in a number of different ways. This helped me to get to know my strengths and weaknesses better and also gave me a perspective on how I worked with different personalities.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the heart of every struggle I went through, there was a thread of intricate beauty.</span> It was made up of working with a community of believers whose core purpose was to serve others. Every step along the way was someone to encourage, challenge and inspire me.<br />
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There are so many individual stories I could tell, but I'll do that over a few different posts. This is just the first to unravel some of my thoughts and feelings.<br />
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I knew this summer would be different, I knew it would grow my faith, I just didn't know how much. I didn't know how deeply it would set into my heart and take root there. How much I would value our times of worship, our late night runs to McDonalds, our times of devotions and most of all the people I was with.<br />
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And now that I'm home, it challenges the direction I'm going.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But God is good, and I can't wait to see where He leads next!</span><br />
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-24895601631824520472013-06-01T15:08:00.001-07:002013-06-01T15:08:26.789-07:00Fear and who I want to be...I speak at a church tomorrow. If you know me, you know there are a few things I'm completely terrified of and tomorrow happens to include one of them. Speaking in public (by the way, the others include deep water that you can't see the bottom of, spiders, and of course failure because I knew you really wanted to know). <u>Speaking in public terrifies me</u>. My heart pounds, my legs shake, my voice gets all weird sounding. I'm terrified of it, completely horror-stricken. So why did I say yes? I'm still not sure really. While we were in Peru, speaking in front of others came so naturally. Yes, they didn't speak the same language, but some did. But I was okay with it. I think it's because I'm so scared I'll mess up and be judged. And in the meantime, I will let you know if I survive tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Something that has really been on my mind is the kind of person I long to be. I wrote in my journal:<br />
<br />
"I want to be <b>awestruck by beauty</b>. Swept into an <span style="color: red;">incredible story</span>.<br />
Be able to find <span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>whimsy</b></span> in everyday life.<br />
<u>Be so caught up with Jesus that every part of me is focused on Him</u>.<br />
I want to be<span style="color: magenta;"> passionate for God</span>.<br />
I want to have a passion to <i><span style="color: orange;">love and help other people</span></i>.<br />
I want to believe the very best about a person and to have<b><span style="color: lime;"> hope rule in my heart</span></b>.<br />
I want so desperately to be that person <b><span style="color: red;">in love with Jesus.</span></b><br />
To have my life marked by <i><span style="color: blue;">whimsy</span></i>.<br />
To be an <b><i><span style="color: purple;">optimist</span></i></b>,<b><i> <span style="color: magenta;">hoper</span></i></b> of <span style="color: magenta;">far-flung hopes</span>,<b><i> <span style="color: lime;">dreamer</span></i></b> of<span style="color: lime;"> <b>improbable dreams</b></span>."<br />
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There's a tip of the hat to doctor who in there, extra points if you can find it.<br />
<br />
However, a little more in depth. Swept into an incredible story. When I read Bible passages sometimes I get a glimpse of this story. When I read certain books, I catch it there too. It's this longing, for something more. Something beautiful. <span style="font-size: large;">And it's also a reminder I'm not home yet.</span> But it's a longing and yet a reminder at the same time that there's more than the everyday wear and tear of life. There is real life one day.<br />
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My references to whimsy are from the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff. An ability to look past the mundane and see beauty in life. <b>To smile. To laugh</b>. (By the way everyone should read this book).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>But over everything, I want to have a love and a passion for Jesus that outshines every other part of my life. I want it to seep through everything I do. I want to be on fire</u></span>.<br />
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This is a bit of who I want to be....Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-87025472069515050042013-05-27T18:27:00.001-07:002013-05-27T18:27:23.478-07:00Why I've given up on this blog...This blog has been dead for ohhhh, three months now. Which could be worse. It could, three months isn't that long. But it made me take a step back and examine why I never write in here in the first place.<br />
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I consider my self a writer. <span style="font-size: large;">At the core of who I am, I'm a writer</span>. Not a good one, never been published, no one even reads my writing. So how in the world do I consider myself a writer? Because at the end of the day, <b>writing is what brings me joy.</b> It brings me peace. I turn to pen and ink when I can't figure out life. Writing is a big chunk of my life. So having somewhere where I could present my passion to the world should thrill me, right?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wrong.</span><br />
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It terrifies me. Because I've been writing for other people. The whole two people who may stumble across this blog in it's lifetime. And then I'd worry if my words were okay, if they presented right.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> So I've given up. </span></div>
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From now on, I'm going to write. Simply write. And if no one ever reads it, I'm just fine with that. Because at the end of the day, I have to write. And this is a place to do it.<br />
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<b>This is a new journey. To really write. To explore on this journey.</b> </div>
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-86308487983199430962013-02-15T10:30:00.001-08:002013-02-15T10:35:59.378-08:00The Aim of our Charge is....LoveThere are moments that our hearts break. And this was one of them....<br />
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I was in Peru with a team of young missionaries (through YWAM) for a month. It was my first overseas mission trip and I didn't realize at the time how much it would change my life. <b>But there was one moment in particular that will forever impact my heart and life.</b></div>
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It was at the very beginning of the trip. We went to a nearby open space, a run down basketball court, to practice our drama for the day. As we were practicing, a little boy and a little girl appeared. They shuffled down one of the little alleys that lead to the court, the boy about 5 and the little girl no more than 4. You could tell they were brother and sister. But that wasn't the part that caught us by surprise. The boy lead the girl by one hand and the other hand of the little girl was stretched out to the side, feeling for the wall. <u>The little girl was blind. </u></div>
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They settled down and the boy watched us a for a little, his sister glued to his side. One of our Spanish speaking missionaries went to talk to the kids. The little girl jumped when he spoke, she hadn't known he was there. They talked for bit and eventually the kids left. The little boy shepherding the girl close to him so she wouldn't get hurt by what she could not see.<br />
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As I look back now, the questions flood in. What kind of dreams and hopes does this little girl have? What will her future look like? What will her brother's? What is her family like? What was their story? What were their names?</div>
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To think that so many children around the world are looking for someone to love them.</div>
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1 Timothy 1:5 challenges us: "The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." ESV.</div>
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The aim of charge is love. Our aim is to love others. How are we doing at loving others? </div>
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A really great way to put our love into actions is to sponsor a child. For $38 a month, you can save children from a life of poverty. We can give them dreams for a future. They will be introduced to Jesus and given the blessing to go to school, get checkups and receive encouragement from their sponsors as well as the Christians who work at the Compassion center. </div>
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This is one of the ways that we can put love into action. How are we going to show the world that our aim, as Christians, is to love others?</div>
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This post in a link with other compassion bloggers on which Bible verse inspires you to serve. Visit <a href="http://blog.compassion.com/which-bible-verse-prompts-and-guides-you-to-serve-others/" target="_blank">THIS PAGE</a> to read other amazing blogs about being challenged to serve others.<br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=184079" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-91128762617230040272013-01-05T17:57:00.001-08:002013-01-05T17:57:21.371-08:00One Word 2013- BeingSo for this title I almost write 2012. It's going to take me a bit to remember to write that! Well 2013 is finally here, with all of it's mystery and adventure. I don't know what this year will hold, but what I love about the first few days into a new year provides a rare perspective.<b> You're close enough to look back but far enough to look ahead</b>. As I sat with friends and we asked each other what all happened in 2012, I didn't have some big answer. But after I had time to reflect, how wrong I was...<br />
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As I look back over the pages of this year, I feel like it was a "<u><i>behind the scenes year"</i></u>. I did so much learning and growing. I feel that this year was absolutely essential to who I am today. I didn't really think about it like that until now. But I'm not the same person I was last year. <span style="color: red;">Subtle changes, little things, but they all add up into something bigger</span>. All of the lessons that I've learned, while definitely not being east or fun, are lessons that I can take into this new year. I thought that nothing happened this year but it wasn't farther from the truth.<br />
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Something else I wanted to write about here was about <b>One Word</b>. If you've never heard about it, you can read a little more about it <a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Instead of resolutions, you pick one word you want to work on. After a lot of prayer and thought, mine was.....<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Being</b></span>.<br />
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A little different I know. But it has a story. After a mission trip that was stateside and hearing a message on Mary and Martha. I wrote in my Bible "<span style="font-size: large;">Being vs. Doing</span>." While I was paging through my Bible, I stopped and and thought that was it. Being.<br />
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Jesus came by to stop at Mary and Martha's house. They were friends. And Jesus was in the living room, talking. Mary, now she was at the feet of Jesus, hanging on His every word. Soaking it in. Simply being in the presence of her Savior. But her sister Martha was busy in the kitchen. Perhaps she was cleaning, preparing food, keeping bus trying to make sure everything was perfect for Jesus. She was so busy doing instead of being. (I wonder if Martha was the older sister?)....And finally, getting frustrated like any sister would, she out to Jesus and says, "Don't you care? I'm in doing all this work and she's out here sitting by your feet! Tell her to come help me!" I can see Jesus looking at her tenderly and saying her name, "Martha, Martha. You're worried about so much but there is only one thing that really matters. Mary has chosen what is better, and it can't be taken away from her."<br />
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Ahhh, well. If I'm honest with myself, really honest, I'm more like Martha. Okay, who am I kidding, I would SO be Martha.<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Running around, making sure everything is perfect, so busy about doing that I miss the opportunity to BE</span></b>. (The whole story can be found in Luke 10:38-42).<br />
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So that's my word. I want to concentrate on Being. And letting that be who I am, instead of be so worried about doing.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">What is your One Word?</i></span></div>
Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-65973708582242554782012-12-28T10:04:00.000-08:002012-12-28T10:05:37.663-08:00What has been on my heart for the New YearHello everybody! I'm hoping that you had a a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to this New Year that is fast approaching!<br />
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But there something I wanted to bring up in a blog post.<br />
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In the beginning of November we went to a Matthew West concert. It was fantastic. Seriously, he was amazing. But as cool as Matthew West is, this post is not about him. It's about a little girl that I had the privilege of meeting that night (true, it wasn't face to face but still...).<br />
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<b>Meet Ryhzel:</b><br />
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<b>She is 6 years old and from the Philippines!</b> Isn't she adorable?<br />
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I've always, always wanted to sponsor a child. But with different reasons, or should I say excuses, worried about the money, should I really do it? is it really for me? I held off. But finally, at the this concert, I gave in!<br />
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And I'm so incredibly happy that I did. I've only had my sponsored child for a little over a month now, but it has been filled with joy. I received a letter, written by little Ryhzel's mother, and it just brought a smile to my face. Praying everyday for this little girl has truly been a highlight of my day.<br />
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So I encourage you now, if you've EVER thought of sponsoring a child, don't wait. The joy and blessings you will receive from writing to your sponsored child and praying for them and hearing back from them will change your life. There are so many children waiting for a loving sponsor. If it's the money you're worried about, I totally understand. I was there too. But God provides. Pray about it. Think about it. The money that goes to these kids really does help and it brings them an opportunity to learn and to grow. You can pick your country, birthday, and gender of the child you want to sponsor. You get to see their pictures and read their stories. It is truly an incredible program. If you have any questions, the people at Compassion are fantastic at answering them. And although I've only been sponsoring for a short time, I would love to talk about it or tell you about the experience so far.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will you bring hope and love to a child in this New Year?</span><br />
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<b>All you have to do is check out the Compassion website <a href="http://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I pray that this New Year is one filled with joy and hope and the beginning of new adventures!</i></span>Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-75296710153130968532012-12-22T18:19:00.001-08:002012-12-22T18:21:24.443-08:00Why we all love 'A Christmas Carol' and Second Chances.....<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"><br />I haven't found an exact number but after 59, I gave up. That's how many </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"A Christmas Carol"</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> movies or shows have been filmed. It seems like everyone has done an adaption from the Muppets, to the Flinstones, or some have even filmed it under a new name (example Scrooged). </span><u style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">But my all time favorite would be "A Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol</u><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">". Ah, yes, it does bring back memories. Tiny Tim has never been so cute....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />But it got me thinking....<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What is it about this tale that has so many others trying to duplicate it?</span> The theme has been done time and time again, but we keep turning back to it. Why?<br /><br />My answer is simply <span style="font-size: medium;">the message</span>. We want a story of second chances. Of hope. That maybe someone can change their life around. But the climax is when the ghost of Christmas Present appears and Scrooge eventually falls to his lonely grave, usually with the lines, "I've changed!" ringing in the background. And then it happens: Scrooge awakes on Christmas Day to find he's been given a second chance. To set things right and save himself and others from a grim future. It leaves us with those warm, fuzzy feeling that all is right with the world.<br /><br />It sounds a lot to me like the story of Salvation....Jesus came with a story of second chances. That's what He came to give us. We look over our own "ghosts"; our past of which we might not be so proud of or we look back at with regret. Our present, where we are completely lost without Jesus. And our future, with without Jesus and saving us from our own selfish decisions, might not look a whole different than Scrooge's. But at the end of the day, we look back and cry, "I've changed! I've changed!" And Jesus wakes up our hearts and gives us that second chance. Because we all like Scrooge better at the end of the movie rather than the beginning....<br /><br />So if you watch "A Christmas Carol", I want you to think about it. Why is it that we like this movie? Because something about it resonates within our hearts <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and there's something beautiful about second chances. </span><br /><br />What are your thoughts, why do you think there are so many adaptions? What is your favorite Christmas Carol?</span></div>
Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-29328780246014409812012-12-02T16:33:00.000-08:002012-12-02T16:35:24.329-08:00Trapped in a prison with no walls (and the way out)<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know something? <span style="font-size: large;">God is awesome.</span> Really. Sometimes He just shows you a brief glimpse of what we need, that brief glimpse that there is more. And it keeps us going.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I recently read the book "Sanctuary" by Ted Dekker. No, this isn't a review but if you're looking for one, I suggest going and buying it. It's THAT good. If any of you are Dekker fans out there, you know this guys is brilliant. And this is another tale that goes to show that.<br /> The thing about Ted Dekker books is that even when you guess at the ending, it turns out to be beautiful and heart wrenching. It uncovers truth with such stark clarity, cold and beautiful and intense that you're taken aback and when you close the cover you feel as though you've been on a journey. Because, well, you have been. A lot for a book. I know...and yet, I feel as if you love books you might know what I'm talking about. It's a peek into something....something greater. But really now, I'll just write about the book:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To explain what happens in this book would require a lot of background, a lot of the plot of the story. And I don't want to give anything away. This is a sequel to "Priest's Graveyard". It is about Danny and Renee, two who are madly in love but are separated by Danny's prison sentence (which you can find out why in the book). After Danny is newly transferred to another prison, him and Renee are both plunged into a game with deadly consequences. It's a book of intrigue and mystery, pulling you along until you are flipping through the pages with no plan to stop.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the truth that I took away from this book is<b> that we all have our own prisons</b>. They may not be made with concrete or steel, but they are prisons just the same. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "In truth we all exist in our own sanctuaries- but I don't mean cathedrals or prisons. I'm talking about our hearts and our minds, which imprison us in anxiety, fear, insecurity, anger and other forms of misery. The walls and bars that keep most in a state on constant suffering are thoughts and emotions, not concrete and steel. It's a disease. Insanity. Most are afflicted but it, regardless of which side of the law they find themselves on or where they lay their heads at night. To be free of this is to be free indeed." Page 400.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What prisons are we living in without even realizing it? Mine would have to be the prison of fear. It keeps me trapped in doubts and worries and the enemy delights to see me trapped in it. What can we do? We cannot redeem ourselves for what a futile effort that will prove. So what do we do? Yet- But YET- there is a Savior that banishes all fear, breaking through every door and chain to save us.<b><u> </u>And then, when the pathway stands clear to freedom, He does not force it upon us but rather He waits for us to take His hand. It's our choice</b>.<br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colossians 1:13-24, "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and has transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sons." ESV</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These prisons hold no power over us. Because we have a Savior who has come to pull us from the darkness. To Save us.</span></span>Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-3153574480284181812012-10-30T10:44:00.000-07:002012-10-30T10:48:14.840-07:00Taking that first step<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">I've been debating for a long time on a decision. A big decision. One that could change my future. Yet even though I want to say yes to this step toward a better future, something holds me back. So what is it?</span><br />
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Fear.</span></b><br /><span class="text Josh-3-16" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Sometimes God is calling us to take that first step into the water before He shows us the rest of the way. We have to take that first step in faith. Stepping into the water, trusting that God is going to make that waters dry up to save us. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">That much-hated little word. Thief of dreams and hopes. Holding you in paralyzing indecision for fear of making the wrong choice. Yes, that fear.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">As I sit here contemplating the pros and cons, so many thoughts going through my head. I've prayed about it. Again and again and again. And then I read this:</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Josh-3-13" id="en-NIV-5907"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </sup><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">Joshua 3:13-16, "</sup>And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>—the Lord of all the earth<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5907A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5907B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> will be cut off<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5907C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and stand up in a heap. </span><span class="text Josh-3-14" id="en-NIV-5908">So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5908E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>went ahead<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5908F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> of them.</span><span class="text Josh-3-15" id="en-NIV-5909"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Now the Jordan<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5909G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> is at flood stage<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5909H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> all during harvest.<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5909I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,</span><span class="text Josh-3-16" id="en-NIV-5910"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </sup>the water from upstream stopped flowing.<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> It piled up in a heap<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> to the Sea of the Arabah<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> (that is, the Dead Sea<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>) was completely cut off.<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5910P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> So the people crossed over opposite Jericho."</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Joshua was leading the people of Israel out of Egypt (after Moses died) and they came to the river Jordan. They had to get across. It was the season where the Jordan was overflowing, water spilling from it's banks. And an overflowing river can be scary. Yet God told Joshua that as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, the water would dry up. These people had heard about what God did for their fathers and mothers in parting the Red Sea. But would He do it for them? They were probably fearful. But they did it. They faced their fear. And as soon as their feet touched the water, it dried up. </span></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">This really spoke to me. </span><br />
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><b>Sometimes God is calling us to take that first step into the water before He shows us the rest of the way. We have to take that first step in faith. Stepping into the water, trusting that God is going to make that waters dry up to save us. </b></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">I have a little bit of work on having that kind of faith. But I'll try. With my decision of taking my education farther and all that that includes, I will look to God as I take the first step.</span></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Josh-3-16" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">What step do you need to take?</u></b></span></div>
Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-895333056270531912012-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:002012-10-27T20:28:00.896-07:00When Faith Collides with FearLast year around this time I was returning from the biggest adventure of my life. 6 months in two different U.S. cities, and 3 locations in Lima, Peru. I returned a changed person.<br />
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Now as I examine my life, it seems as if I'm slipping back into my old ways. During my dts, those 6 months were crammed with so many things that I feared. Sharing my testimony in front of a room full of people that I desperately wanted to accept me, boarding a plane for the first time, eating weird foods, understanding none of the language besides "Hola!" Oh and "Gringa", and sharing the Gospel in front of people. I thought I had banished fear. I thought I had finally eluded his deadly grip.<br />
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But I haven't. Fear is an old friend. We've known each other a long time. And it seems like the fear is even more paralyzing this time around. Maybe I have more decisions to make, or maybe not. One thing I know, I've tried to step out of this fear. God knows I've tried. But it seems at every step I take fear assails me, ambushing me. Fear has become comfortable.<br />
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Mostly fear of being rejected. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future. Fear of never being good enough and always being second best.<br />
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But I can't go on like this. <b><u>Faith is colliding with my fear</u></b>. So what am I to do?<br />
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I'm trying to make the next couple of blog posts about fear. Overcoming fear. Getting behind the reason it has such a hold on our lives.<br />
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Because often the scariest step is the first one.<br />
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<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-29366578917269661512012-09-28T19:42:00.003-07:002012-09-28T19:42:53.060-07:00Truthfully honest in searching for God...I've never sat down to write a blog without having an outline in mind. I've always had it all figured out, exactly what I want to say, exactly how I want the outcome to look like.<br />
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Not today.<br />
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This is spur of the moment, deciding-on-a-whim-type-thing. Which I don't do. EVER. If you know me, then you'll know I'm planned. But sometimes, those plans fail. And what do you do then?<br />
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I'm 21 and life is nothing like I ever thought it would be. I guess that's one of the main things I've learned: nothing is ever like you plan for. I guess it keeps life from getting boring.<br />
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And there are times, when dark storm clouds cover the horizon and it's nothing like what you planned for. Nobody ever plans for problems to come up, they never plan for worry to set in, and they never plan to have to resort to plan B. Annnnd that's where I'm at now.<br />
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Before this, everything always seemed to fall into place. My faith seemed to keep me grounded. And now, I'm struggling in putting those pieces together. My faith is something I have to work for. But at the same time, fighting for my faith made me realize that I WANT to search for God. I WANT to seek Him.<br />
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There's so much I'm facing that I'm unsure about. But I know that I'm not going to stop searching. I'm not going to stop seeking. I just have to work at it harder now. But I'm trying. I'm going to fight for joy.<br />
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<i>Are you a planner or have you ever had to go with plan B? What are you fighting for today?</i>Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-33188986227974357362012-09-09T20:47:00.001-07:002012-09-09T20:48:40.759-07:00Glimpse of Light<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I feel as if life is in a fog.</h4>
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A grey mist that swirls about everything we know, everything we do. It distracts us from our real purpose, it distracts us from God. It distracts us from really living the life we were made to live.</div>
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This grey fog is filled up with our busy days, stretching and pulling at us. The grey is the lies we've believed, who we've made ourselves to be.The perfect image that we compare ourselves too.<br />
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<u> This fog is deadly.</u><br />
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<b> But there's something about it that can be even deadlier.</b><br />
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The fogs wraps around who we're made God out to be. It shadows God in lies and ideas and assumptions. It injects lofty religion and loftier rules. It takes away the beauty, power, glory and mystery of God and replaces them with a boring, mundane god that knows nothing about our dreams and nothing about who we are.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there are times when a ray of sunlight cuts through the fog, the beam shines onto our soul and awakens and warms our hearts.</span><br />
It resurrects the mystery, the beauty of God once more by banishing this fog. It's as if God is whispering, "I'm here. Behind those ideas and lies you've made me out to be. Let me show you who I really am. I'm here." God is trying to break through this fog that holds us captive by showing us the light.<br />
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These beautiful, sunlit moments shatter the fog and break into our lives. We're often caught unawares and such pure beauty cuts to our souls. It's something we feel, something deep, mysterious, as if you've just stumbled upon the truth. For that's what it is: Truth. It resonates in your heart and makes you say, "Yes, this, THIS is what I was made for. THIS is the God I know."<br />
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These moments are beautiful: In DTS when I read and truly believed that I was a conqueror in Christ and it had me jumping for joy. The first time I heard 'The Way' by Jeremy Camp and knew my soul was made to cry out to Jesus! The first time I read Zephaniah 3:17 and realized God's love is so much greater. When I cried listening to Gandalf describe those white shores because I knew someday I would stand on those white shores with my Savior. When a blog post about grace takes my breath away.<br />
You know what I'm talking about. Moments when you finally understand. When you finally see.<br />
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These things make us feel, and for a time, illuminate our life and dispel the fog around us.<br />
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<br /> It's for these moments, those beautiful, glorious moments; that we are alive.</h3>
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Let us fight against this fog, for this is a very real fight. But by these small glimpses of light we shall see everything. </div>
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<i>1 Corinthians 13:12, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" The Message</span></span></i>Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540106359234057053.post-82222811217231399762012-08-21T20:25:00.001-07:002012-08-21T20:26:06.738-07:00New Perspective....This week Carmi's thematic challenge at <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Written Inc.</a> is 'From Behind'. I didn't realize what a challenge it was until I looked through my photos! But there were a few:<br />
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My puppy watching from the river bank.</div>
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My brother and mom: You have to love mother-son moments like these. </div>
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We don't realize how special they are. </div>
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And to cap it off from behind: A little fun! </div>
<br />Kelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14132362391928641293noreply@blogger.com12