tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34548441613042930332024-02-06T23:33:37.982-06:00Mommy LifeSurviving and Thriving During MommyhoodRhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-91674727628185281682012-11-12T14:15:00.002-06:002012-11-13T10:57:21.320-06:00Trusting in Horses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat in the middle of stacks of workbooks - some never opened. Boxes and tubs overflowed with math manipulatives and games - most very well used. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tools of my trade and twenty years of homeschooling had been pulled out of the cabinets and off the shelves. It was time to let go and move on to the next chapter in life. My kids were grown. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But twenty years of homeschooling offer perspective and perspective is a powerful teacher with those who have ears to learn</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everywhere I looked around me I saw - not just stuff - but memories. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first picture book my daughter read, the first chapter book my son read. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The read alouds recalled hours with a little one in my lap, two more children on each side, and another draped across the top of the couch, pressing in to hear my words. Sweet memories!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were reminders of the moments when my youngest students "got" phonics when they sounded out their first words or worked their first addition problems with counting beads. All by themselves!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AAHH! The dissection kit for the biology labs. Who knew that my son would think it was gross but my delicate daughter would love it and go into nursing!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But those were the good days. Homeschooling offered many challenges. You never choose it as the "easy road."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why did I have three different spelling programs and scads of writing and grammar workbook series? Two of my children never seemed to "get" Language Arts. I kept thinking: <i>If I can just pick the right program, it will all click and they will become brilliant students! Voila!!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to laugh over the workbook series on settling arguments between siblings and creating tranquility in the home. Other families always seemed to have it together and looked more loving and peaceful. <i>Perhaps the workbook series would be the missing key to a harmonious home life.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some <b>trust </b>in chariots</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and some <b>in horses</b>,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but we <b>trust in</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the name of the LORD our God.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 20:7</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perspective has taught me a humble truth. I had a missing homeschool ingredient. Tearful talks with other moms over coffee and play-dates were only momentary bandaids. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I trusted in EVERYTHING but the name of the LORD my God. I checked the boxes on the lesson plans and added the credits on the transcripts but it wasn't until I came to the end of my own inventions that I desperately cried out to the the LORD.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottom line: Do the best you know when it comes to choosing curriculum and teaching your children Biblically. Stay in touch with a mom support group. But, first trust in the LORD and pray over everything each day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those children who just couldn't write - are writers now. Those siblings who fought earlier are now very close and God used even the discord to bring them closer to Him and each other. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing is wasted in God's economy. He delights when we bring him our biggest - and smallest - problems. The variety of ways He can show Himself to be mighty in our lives are innumerable if we trust Him <b>first</b> in everything. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-60008200096590989302012-07-16T09:04:00.001-05:002012-07-21T20:05:50.677-05:00No Worries<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJumVidO8nPsf-k82Qat_Oy-tA3fVecKdMV-TLLC4FS8_-W51x8weipCWq0uqGHiGoA8ofl6WeQuBFh_7ru7YaNE11JLWINzMK3LRYp2qeHW4pSqzI28JNpC-DBGr4mwVHsX4FYOr3Hg/s1600/dreamstime_xs_17605706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJumVidO8nPsf-k82Qat_Oy-tA3fVecKdMV-TLLC4FS8_-W51x8weipCWq0uqGHiGoA8ofl6WeQuBFh_7ru7YaNE11JLWINzMK3LRYp2qeHW4pSqzI28JNpC-DBGr4mwVHsX4FYOr3Hg/s200/dreamstime_xs_17605706.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love New York City. My son and I are here for his work for several weeks this summer. At first, our favorite saying was, "We aren't in Kansas anymore." Everywhere we turned we saw something we've never seen in our small town in East Texas. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today as we walked from the subway to the theater, I saw a sign in the middle of the sidewalk reading: </span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CAUTION</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MEN WORKING</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OVERHEAD</span></b></div>
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I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> looked up—nothing. Well, something could fall on my head but I'd be oblivious just like the millions of other NYC pedestrians milling around. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started smiling as I walked and thought </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if we put this sign up?</span></i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NO WORRIES</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GOD WORKING</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OVERHEAD AND</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ON EARTH</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing this—living and working in the city, riding subways, losing my son in the crowds, finding an apartment to rent. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0v78xIp9Lu4EP08_Kt1T3h8floRtCqrXVKe-o2YrK5AePO7DYlTDM5VhOdO8iZw-az_9tN8UE_btYX48gRjzAWJhb1qNUe9MNeJo8rLKzHfMyOjh7uAJzB5yRgP0AyZeqFGvI8a7cuQ/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0v78xIp9Lu4EP08_Kt1T3h8floRtCqrXVKe-o2YrK5AePO7DYlTDM5VhOdO8iZw-az_9tN8UE_btYX48gRjzAWJhb1qNUe9MNeJo8rLKzHfMyOjh7uAJzB5yRgP0AyZeqFGvI8a7cuQ/s200/IMG_3640.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I saw something the first time we stepped into Times Square. You won't find it in the guide books—I tried to find it and it wasn't there. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a statue—a large one—right in the middle of the lights that never go dim or the plaza that never empties. It's a cross on a war memorial. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvPYU-ok2pBVs_T7b5xdIurn0DyrQ2U5O8VzvEhJ9Y3fY6kkf8sUVLt2hwoVjRomZQ-yo_piIe9cJCLwb_5OvFOD_sBz_jMd6QWvkaf8s41eSbxUSgAW492F8Twtkbg9KiNzNkkPl2DM/s1600/IMG_3639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvPYU-ok2pBVs_T7b5xdIurn0DyrQ2U5O8VzvEhJ9Y3fY6kkf8sUVLt2hwoVjRomZQ-yo_piIe9cJCLwb_5OvFOD_sBz_jMd6QWvkaf8s41eSbxUSgAW492F8Twtkbg9KiNzNkkPl2DM/s200/IMG_3639.jpg" width="149" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first I thought, <i>how odd! </i>Now I see it and just remember that in the city that never sleeps there is a God who never slumbers as well. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Indeed, he who watches over Israel</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Ps-121-4" style="position: relative;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">never slumbers or sleeps.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="text Ps-121-4" style="position: relative;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Psalm 121:4</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> No worries, God is on His throne and I don't need to worry. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-67347616914771375032012-07-15T12:31:00.002-05:002012-07-15T12:31:59.338-05:00Legacy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1u-2zIIPuj-xxmxbCJah9QtvKMEHzM3HM0X-wC8AtQUujT9G0bJF3Tdtj88b0Wu0XD5hOd0bdNl1VysnabZRGcQnXNmMJKs_I3_HEaTGo0V5-p3BaiVWkHl23btZhrE0-aL7JvUiR0o/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1u-2zIIPuj-xxmxbCJah9QtvKMEHzM3HM0X-wC8AtQUujT9G0bJF3Tdtj88b0Wu0XD5hOd0bdNl1VysnabZRGcQnXNmMJKs_I3_HEaTGo0V5-p3BaiVWkHl23btZhrE0-aL7JvUiR0o/s200/photo.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knight's Helmet</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wandering around the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has been exhilarating and thought provoking. Everywhere are fabulous ancient artifacts—decorated weapons, funeral pieces and musical instruments. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm with my teenage son so viewing it through his eyes is interesting. We had a funny chat over a lunch about all of the intricately decorated weapons from hundreds of years ago. We tried to picture our present-day GI's with decorated weapons.....didn't work very well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t2WdwbpEbrjA-xcOuz28qU3WjlisIYTYeKQQq_8nmqaRsLGkEp-8VcoVyXJYUrJZzKp-rVjLDrLVrux31KUEG2TGGBrnoo6Ds359GlLlJE-gdmmhlBDkVPjj_rSnNsuQuZHbxvRriIo/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t2WdwbpEbrjA-xcOuz28qU3WjlisIYTYeKQQq_8nmqaRsLGkEp-8VcoVyXJYUrJZzKp-rVjLDrLVrux31KUEG2TGGBrnoo6Ds359GlLlJE-gdmmhlBDkVPjj_rSnNsuQuZHbxvRriIo/s1600/photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highly detailed armory</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Items left from various ancient civilizations are odd—combs, dishes, weapons, jewelry, doors. Some of the pieces are common and every day; others are elaborate and only used on ceremony days. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Legacy. What will last from our civilization in 100's of years? What will last from my family in 100's of years or.......for eternity?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much of the carved art—small and detailed or massive—had to do with funeral ceremonies. The more elaborate it could be made, the better the afterlife of the deceased or the longer they would be remembered. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remembering and celebrating the ancestors was important. Without massive or memorable landmarks, the person's life fades into oblivion. Becomes meaningless. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BN-dgfMrgUGUTs6O17Mup6zI40ExU320sltZastDrSMEEPJ5_YVLeBdfhDLNI9bWE_o17obF4X5a7RJ2QEwuLgQjBPLmQTaCrHvVXAhKA9Pv3K02CZFf4j9dtaDX_WI_zmCAnAie8yc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BN-dgfMrgUGUTs6O17Mup6zI40ExU320sltZastDrSMEEPJ5_YVLeBdfhDLNI9bWE_o17obF4X5a7RJ2QEwuLgQjBPLmQTaCrHvVXAhKA9Pv3K02CZFf4j9dtaDX_WI_zmCAnAie8yc/s200/photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral Art to Memorialize the Dead<br />
from Oceania </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is meaningful in my life? What do I want to last? How would I want to be remembered?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Corinthinians 4:18</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only thing worth remembering about me or passing on to my children are only the unseen, eternal elements. Nothing else really matters. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-63318514502581078432012-05-28T12:24:00.003-05:002012-05-28T16:59:04.626-05:00Waiting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxasO9VJHbBudxfBH1jHTU9xGfjRYgzBrifMo9RNG60JoGG81mx2IsamUv6Vk-2l02Fao5avjp-85e3hCEcJDpIggufEurqJ-KkOMD-avKEHcQD8saCnOYYMhvuI4Z_j4GH2aXLF8AWs/s1600/hourglass+waiting+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxasO9VJHbBudxfBH1jHTU9xGfjRYgzBrifMo9RNG60JoGG81mx2IsamUv6Vk-2l02Fao5avjp-85e3hCEcJDpIggufEurqJ-KkOMD-avKEHcQD8saCnOYYMhvuI4Z_j4GH2aXLF8AWs/s200/hourglass+waiting+blog.jpg" width="133" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting is not something I do easily. When I believe God has directed me down a path but I can't see the end, delays are wearying and faith-stretching.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right now I'm in God's waiting room with three of my kids. All of us are anticipating futures to unfold and goals to be realized.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patience is a quality God requires over and over in the Bible. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">God always has his own timeline and he is always on time. </span>God's people have to continue on a course that he provides without knowing the destination schedule. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a name='more'></a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai were in just that situation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God delivered the entire nation of Israel by sending Moses and his brother Aaron with a message for Pharaoh.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> With miracles galore God's people left Egypt with vast riches, walked through the Red Sea on dry land, and camped at the base of the mountain of God's presence. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaron watched over the Israelites camped at the base of the mountain as Moses went up the mountain to talk to God. All the people had to do was wait. They had: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's promises </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's directions and </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's provisions for their needs. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The people started complaining and doubting. They didn't want to wait. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaron listened to the griping and was persuaded to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>craft </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a new god from the gold they brought from Egypt. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At that <b>same moment</b> that Aaron started designing a new future, God was talking to Moses on top of Mt. Sinai about Aaron and the BIG plans he had for him. He would place Aaron and his sons over all of the people of Israel in the temple as leaders in worship. God planned for Aaron's legacy—his sons would carry out this role forever. They even had cool, jewel-studded clothes specially designed by God to wear. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How often do we give in and craft new plans when we really need to wait. We don't know what God has around the corner as part of his plan. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can only imagine what God must have felt when he finds Aaron not willing to wait but instead taking matters into his own hands. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtV7kgeJqacsuvSains88hoq52OsPjvjDPifAK3yHaA3ft6OeR8fw56lSwaqXq8MzGwGjS9fKGkXfZNphJ0IM68tIyvZTFJRgOKdbGT07kC5UQiDmjzF17A9tohHgiSTEUT_Q2IbCFEY/s1600/lady+hugging+clock++waiating+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtV7kgeJqacsuvSains88hoq52OsPjvjDPifAK3yHaA3ft6OeR8fw56lSwaqXq8MzGwGjS9fKGkXfZNphJ0IM68tIyvZTFJRgOKdbGT07kC5UQiDmjzF17A9tohHgiSTEUT_Q2IbCFEY/s200/lady+hugging+clock++waiating+blog.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to learn to embrace the waiting seasons of my life. I want to teach my children to wait when God says wait and act when he says act. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">W</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">aiting is part of the process of God's best for us</span></span>. God gives the next step and the fulfillment at the right time. He is never late—always on time.</span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-30852297015493688172012-04-23T11:43:00.003-05:002012-04-23T11:43:51.813-05:00Chuck Colson Tribute<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwzReYL_kqmicO_sUFaN_DxWCxOKW1a5TYQF0uHLWMJWd0RUe2wP_O-gSLZXpRWv3HAZsuw-isLWB1NE6LR8Iqrr_fj8sGMYD4CQJSLOTDHXMLNMrwJzvzKqeV_TygiLzCcLXo93bcbA/s1600/206779_10100817328988034_8301581_72545206_5810669_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwzReYL_kqmicO_sUFaN_DxWCxOKW1a5TYQF0uHLWMJWd0RUe2wP_O-gSLZXpRWv3HAZsuw-isLWB1NE6LR8Iqrr_fj8sGMYD4CQJSLOTDHXMLNMrwJzvzKqeV_TygiLzCcLXo93bcbA/s200/206779_10100817328988034_8301581_72545206_5810669_s.jpg" width="133" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As parents of a young family, we feared raising children in such a crazy upside down world. We wondered how we would ever maneuver through the minefields of moral corruption. How could we raise good kids in the midst of so many bad influences?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We sought advice from those wiser and our reading lead us to a book by Chuck Colson, <i>Against the Night, Living in the New Dark Ages</i>. Where we saw a blurry dangerous world outside our front door, entering daily through our television screen, Colson saw clearly. Colson armed us with understanding of the ongoing moral slide in most areas of society—political, educational, financial even in the church. Understanding gave us courage and determination to say, ENOUGH, when it came to our children.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We realized that the goals that government schools had for our children were not our goals—not the goals that we felt God had for the children He had given us. We chose to stand up and counter that tide. We chose a different path for our family. We never looked back although it is harder to swim upstream at times. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysJZBqldimdwx9oNiZoPGPtV81SzX_2v7o8MscBxI3ghOmL6cj0Kkmwy6g7fygPBXbSk1qPCd4Y5sRXwfilHCmrQZhXWqcoX_SVikceWhGb4jYzN0rCJZf3YVi30AtC5npKdQLUzNG74/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysJZBqldimdwx9oNiZoPGPtV81SzX_2v7o8MscBxI3ghOmL6cj0Kkmwy6g7fygPBXbSk1qPCd4Y5sRXwfilHCmrQZhXWqcoX_SVikceWhGb4jYzN0rCJZf3YVi30AtC5npKdQLUzNG74/s320/IMG_0347.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kids have almost all emptied the nest after 27 years of parenting. They turned out as moral, independent thinkers who do not buy the world's moral "anything goes" attitude which grows each year. They understand that this world is God's creation and they were created by Him for a purpose. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, Chuck Colson, for giving us wisdom and courage through your words. This is one family that was drastically changed through your writing and we've never regretted it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blessings,<br />
Rhodema<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-91306279910229637252012-02-16T19:09:00.000-06:002012-02-16T19:09:04.340-06:00Deity in the Ditch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKsyRbyJjblvDSthL-ayY8d-vOguhgbULU60cbPnGh0wwfc7gMZaibYKnJOjVGfP9p2SUYci_BM5v4O-AhXr7Bl6V80ka60UfjdkEVJi7-qPuAzB6iNHlgdoP8Ucpzz0YSwdQEcRcaGg/s1600/5d377ac734866c57153a9f782e1106b6038df171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKsyRbyJjblvDSthL-ayY8d-vOguhgbULU60cbPnGh0wwfc7gMZaibYKnJOjVGfP9p2SUYci_BM5v4O-AhXr7Bl6V80ka60UfjdkEVJi7-qPuAzB6iNHlgdoP8Ucpzz0YSwdQEcRcaGg/s200/5d377ac734866c57153a9f782e1106b6038df171.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">America's oldest building date back just 250 years. As my husband and I travelled across England this summer, the ancient sites were the most impressive. It was common to see structures from the 1400's. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bath, England provided a look at the oldest building, a Roman bathhouse from A.D. 70. At the same time the Christian church was in its beginning stages in the middle east, the goddess Sulis Minerva was worshipped as the source of the healing thermal waters in Bath. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The engineering feats of hot and cold running water, steam baths and heated flooring were marvels for A.D. 70. Interwoven in the daily bathing rituals was the worship of the source of the waters—the goddess Minerva. Her face, masterfully cast in gold could be seen in a nearby temple. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">No explanation was given for the sudden exodus from the town. The rich temple and bathing facilities were abandoned, possibly when the Romans left England for good. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The building was left to ruin and the massive goddess disappeared—until only recently. Sewer workers found the golden goddess face down in one of the underground sewers. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">How glad I am to serve an eternal </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">G</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">od. He isn't thought up by man or crafted by an artist's hands. Worship of the one true God doesn't fall in and out of fashion. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">But the LORD is the true </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">God</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">; </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">he is the living </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">God</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">eternal</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> King.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Jeremiah 10:10</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-39743181601495999972012-02-12T21:35:00.000-06:002012-02-12T21:35:31.462-06:00What Not to Wear<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/AVvXsEicC6W3Mjq3E-Sb1TrpumyDksvzh89vE_uM7GXR4Pvl550VYlLASx91h6KPnY8joYVsClueWW1RYRmeywXkpahz6Eb7vjADyU0ugZHNwIQ32dGIx_xclRC-IaTBrfAnCsvW732-RISHjn4/s1600/T12378540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC6W3Mjq3E-Sb1TrpumyDksvzh89vE_uM7GXR4Pvl550VYlLASx91h6KPnY8joYVsClueWW1RYRmeywXkpahz6Eb7vjADyU0ugZHNwIQ32dGIx_xclRC-IaTBrfAnCsvW732-RISHjn4/s200/T12378540.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a <i>What Not to Wear </i>fan. My daughter and I love to grab a cup of tea and savor the latest recorded episode together</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The show takes place in NYC. The hosts, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, "kidnap" the worst dressed women in America and work with them for a week to transform their appearance—and usually their opinions about themselves. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The women are nominated by well-meaning friends and family. The candidates</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have to take all of their clothes to the studio in NYC and agree to throw out whatever the hosts say goes. But, they get $5,000 to buy a new wardrobe with Stacy and Clinton's rules.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before their clothes are tossed the women on the show are asked to select three of their favorite outfits and step into the 360 mirror to take a good look at themselves. Their faces usually show the dawning realization of the truth of their whacky clothing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From here they get lessons on how to choose clothes that fit and flatter. The women shop with the guidance of Clinton and Stacy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To finish the new look, the women have a makeover with a hair designer and makeup artist. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do I like about it? I think it's the total transformation that takes place within women. They go from grungy, frumpy, or just plain outlandish to polished and sophisticated. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The women on the show are all shapes, sized and ages. They don't all have perfect bodies. Yet, on the show they learn so much about how to dress themselves, fix their hair and put on makeup. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The outcomes are miraculous—not only on the outside appearance but usually within. The women's attitudes towards themselves are part of the transformation as well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Redemption and transformation! I don't mean to over-spiritualize but the show reminds me of what Christ does in my life. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At times he takes me to the 360 mirror and peels my hands from my eyes to see the real me. I see my attitudes and actions that at times are down right ugly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqn4xVQw8DezvcYQljd9AIYzi-2U9pm8Fg85PQROKakcRSUowBkdQVMkVHt2rt0WZX_l_fQKWTCOzKxuzLeqmmwPvDD0upJ_7zPU8Z9P3nL19vizTeUkjtgIYBiyenvH5dTSRDVMjtmY/s1600/butterfly17_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqn4xVQw8DezvcYQljd9AIYzi-2U9pm8Fg85PQROKakcRSUowBkdQVMkVHt2rt0WZX_l_fQKWTCOzKxuzLeqmmwPvDD0upJ_7zPU8Z9P3nL19vizTeUkjtgIYBiyenvH5dTSRDVMjtmY/s200/butterfly17_thumb.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I see a different style to put on when I read His Word and learn the right attitudes. He models the righteous life that I need to follow. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a season of learning to throw off the old and put on the new man in Christ, He spins me around in the style chair and I see the new creature in Christ that I've become.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-24039133644501876402012-01-01T09:07:00.004-06:002012-01-01T09:07:00.255-06:00Happy New Year!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20class=" sflyproductpreviewwidget"="" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"></a><br />
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<div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0; text-align: center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2AbMWrFw4aNHEA&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=118"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/2AbMWrFw4aNG/2AbMWrFw4aNGcW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1323702377000/0/" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" /></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Stationery card</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;"></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-42805512540976325102011-12-13T09:41:00.000-06:002011-12-13T09:41:25.476-06:00Called-- into Question<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHnQMQitXerWHJyquIS9NF5LIF6mwUz_D5DH-yeN6-h6-Ho4qlVlgIB1NY5w6Kr4XQfQfm7gnLbdxUV7b0fbsI6gugctSy9IHIIlSC5waJHy1NA_Od4cyPzjcLkwZyAojqiLpnlgKPVU/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHnQMQitXerWHJyquIS9NF5LIF6mwUz_D5DH-yeN6-h6-Ho4qlVlgIB1NY5w6Kr4XQfQfm7gnLbdxUV7b0fbsI6gugctSy9IHIIlSC5waJHy1NA_Od4cyPzjcLkwZyAojqiLpnlgKPVU/s200/images-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's calling doesn't promise a smooth road. Sometimes we can be smack in the middle of God's will and it leads us into criticism from those closest to us—even from those we respect and admire. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thinking about Mary and Joseph's calling. God had a plan to deliver a savior into the world. It required Mary to lay down her reputation and risk losing her betrothed, Joseph. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A woman found pregnant out of wedlock in those days could be stoned or turned out by her family and left to starve along with her child. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joseph faced two choices when he learned of Mary's pregnancy before they had come together as one. Divorcing Mary was the upright path—the expected decision for one of Joseph's standing in the synagogue. This would prove to the Jewish community that he was not the father of her child. His reputation would remain intact. Proceeding to marry his betrothed was a confession of guilt.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri_CAOqKPeScZpk4HJ2RIxF-vzOIAN8NSrivLjqWBB6ycQPatoG2azQKhh0p6Vp_IshzZp3xqQS26_OAPFrSOG1XASl3FsAXMDLYSYxyu7G6QGYxnylijJHot8n796qTOD1Nt3o7HgvY/s1600/img_1225206558097_671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri_CAOqKPeScZpk4HJ2RIxF-vzOIAN8NSrivLjqWBB6ycQPatoG2azQKhh0p6Vp_IshzZp3xqQS26_OAPFrSOG1XASl3FsAXMDLYSYxyu7G6QGYxnylijJHot8n796qTOD1Nt3o7HgvY/s1600/img_1225206558097_671.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reputation was everything among the Jews. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God knew Mary and Joseph's hearts. He asked them to lay down their reputations and life plans for His greater purpose. He knew they would say, "Yes!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am challenged this season to examine my heart. Will I say "Yes," when He asks me to do hard things? I'm praying that like Mary I will say...</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May it be done to me </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">according to your will.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke 1:38</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-15933818056877780152011-12-03T20:46:00.000-06:002011-11-30T20:49:52.129-06:00Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crafts with children during the Christmas season are some of our family's favorite memories. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Found this link with some great ideas: <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/easy-christmas-decorations-00000000048996/page10.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Real Simple Holiday Decorations.</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let us know how they worked out. Do you have a cyber link to other crafts or ideas you've used. </span><br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-52462375756244471142011-12-01T00:38:00.001-06:002011-12-01T00:38:00.108-06:00Merry Happy Joyful ??????mas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I purchased the colorful bag on a whim. Out Christmas shopping I thought I'd found the perfect bag to cart all of my packages home to family. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got it home and suddenly I realized how funny the bag was:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTemafHJtTyWOGqk0PBXvR0a19ZIqPeoGzfU0q6S3Ud4ni9_ZCividserf9Fje-zDWDEAscO81BrS7Agz-aa6hGOWjBZJx87BY10VTnXiudFllWz7fy6NbG_llpO1DNQdtCWI0uL2F2fs/s1600/391053_10150441025044587_532224586_8686679_266005503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTemafHJtTyWOGqk0PBXvR0a19ZIqPeoGzfU0q6S3Ud4ni9_ZCividserf9Fje-zDWDEAscO81BrS7Agz-aa6hGOWjBZJx87BY10VTnXiudFllWz7fy6NbG_llpO1DNQdtCWI0uL2F2fs/s1600/391053_10150441025044587_532224586_8686679_266005503_n.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It totally left out the source of the Joy, Peace and Holiday Cheer--</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The true light that gives light to everyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was coming into the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was in the world,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and though the world was made through him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the world did not recognize him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He came to that which was his own,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but his own did not receive him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet to all who did receive him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to those who believed in his name,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he gave the right to become children of God—</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John 1:9-12</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry CHRISTmas!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-83615373657934777842011-11-30T00:35:00.004-06:002011-11-30T01:03:07.802-06:00Operation World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRCRkHV_hMdp8xFTwkJ5qmszoOJWDrrKdnF5qzzs8QGF-77MiQAk4pjJQDo_pADpUkekHMrPaF4jS9vEOGK46kQK9B8kn2uZ6Rfk2bgUKgFYMW8SrGioZbxLtjOB1P2tucTujWSKq35g/s1600/store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRCRkHV_hMdp8xFTwkJ5qmszoOJWDrrKdnF5qzzs8QGF-77MiQAk4pjJQDo_pADpUkekHMrPaF4jS9vEOGK46kQK9B8kn2uZ6Rfk2bgUKgFYMW8SrGioZbxLtjOB1P2tucTujWSKq35g/s200/store.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bringing the world home to my children is a priority. One interactive website that I love is <a href="http://www.operationworld.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Operation World</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span> <br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loaded with pictures, facts and videos it inspires us to pray for others around the world. Information is listed by region and country. You can teach your children to pray specifically as they understand the spiritual climate of each country in the world. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have the opportunity to pray with others using the prayer calendar which highlights a different prayer focus each day. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The effective prayer of a righteous man (or child)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">can accomplish much.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James 5:16 NASB</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-81152734012517822832011-10-28T13:36:00.001-05:002011-10-28T20:02:35.810-05:00A Place to Lay Your Head<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaIH345Cc3T2fI_teX-HgjdQotc_eN3ZZH23qC_aS4Z1yFMOrAk2GBZOsl4JPaivbIjq3zkTCH5AbhFjfsIV0XasZeFVLF6LjVbhML3E9AZdjm6H0Qo2vjDGOnvIm7OFqhyAJT73O5UM/s1600/dreamstime_xs_17576105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaIH345Cc3T2fI_teX-HgjdQotc_eN3ZZH23qC_aS4Z1yFMOrAk2GBZOsl4JPaivbIjq3zkTCH5AbhFjfsIV0XasZeFVLF6LjVbhML3E9AZdjm6H0Qo2vjDGOnvIm7OFqhyAJT73O5UM/s200/dreamstime_xs_17576105.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love laying my head on my pillow every night. Work is done, my kids are all asleep and there are no more phone calls.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like my stuff, my house, my space. I like my creature comforts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever thought about Jesus and <i>stuff? </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever seen a picture of Jesus pulling a rolling suitcase or carrying a backpack? He was a homeless man without a grocery cart. He moved around throughout Israel and depended on the hospitality of others. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He travelled with just the robe on his back and the sandals on his feet. He walked—okay once he rode on a donkey, but that was a special event. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus challenged would-be followers by telling them, "The foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His lack of a physical place to call his own never slowed him or hampered his ministry. It freed him. He didn't need to have a place to feel secure. His security came from the relationship he had with his father.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am challenged by Jesus' words. I am trying to unload stuff. When an opportunity for a mission trip to an uncomfortable location arises, I want to say, YES and not think about the stuff I can't bring with me. I want to teach my kids about the pitfalls of materialism. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to be free like Jesus who did his father's will without pre-conditions. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every night when I lay my head on my pillow I think about what it would be like to have <i>nowhere to lay my head. </i>I thank Jesus for the sacrifice he made while on earth and embrace the challenge such a lifestyle offers me. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-89180693783306265352011-10-17T17:24:00.000-05:002011-10-17T17:24:41.114-05:00Moms of Missionaries<span id="goog_717507605"></span><span id="goog_717507606"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFZlrD4C0Sq6u-ZVRaf5iEpMes5gTpLrKadewHtNYD2m-v5MkeELwnJni_7XI2KpHB3HDSgT3bgkGxSEL3kAkpwDU2fSQXsIPaSW9TtO3HlCIrZqOtpM0ljfpARhyr25rkICjYZuRQxA/s1600/317476_10150368537874587_532224586_8365802_1980085896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFZlrD4C0Sq6u-ZVRaf5iEpMes5gTpLrKadewHtNYD2m-v5MkeELwnJni_7XI2KpHB3HDSgT3bgkGxSEL3kAkpwDU2fSQXsIPaSW9TtO3HlCIrZqOtpM0ljfpARhyr25rkICjYZuRQxA/s200/317476_10150368537874587_532224586_8365802_1980085896_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granddaughter waves to her aunt in SK</td></tr>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hooray for skype! What did missionary families do to keep up with each other before internet?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past weekend we had a daughter and her family visit and we held a skype reunion with another daughter who is teaching in Seoul, SK. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The visiting daughter brought her baby who is our first grandchild. The whole family likes to keep up with each new grandbaby skill. Aunt Kimela in SK is no exception so she spent time talking to her 8-month-old niece. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The baby was fascinated with the screen. She practiced her new waving skill. She kept trying to touch her aunt's face on the computer screen. Aunt Kimela sang "Jesus Loves Me" for her and that made me cry. Precious to watch. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm honored to have kids who are so enthusiastic about missions and international issues but it is tough on my heart. I miss them and know that even more of my kids plan to live overseas in the years to come. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spend a lot of time praying for my children. When I wake sometimes in the middle of the night, my first thought is, "What time is it where my child on the mission field is living? What do I need to pray for?" I assume I've been awakened to pray. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today I am thankful for the gifts of prayer and skype. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-89132127703302813692011-10-11T00:00:00.003-05:002011-10-11T09:49:19.479-05:00Behind, Before and Over Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p0l3fFW9Qz2L61eqV2Guk0juIiHtIOC_5ZudP876S8gfG-nfBeRyBj7-08fzAP3Y6yAUYlSoItW4a1NxWNb8eSMYYyOnInONrvL9TLNStxG2I_fuuM5dgVnN-AEh6vkyo6fsQ8zSk4k/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p0l3fFW9Qz2L61eqV2Guk0juIiHtIOC_5ZudP876S8gfG-nfBeRyBj7-08fzAP3Y6yAUYlSoItW4a1NxWNb8eSMYYyOnInONrvL9TLNStxG2I_fuuM5dgVnN-AEh6vkyo6fsQ8zSk4k/s200/images-3.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was just starting dinner when the phone rang.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Stop what you are doing and come see this!" </span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend lives outside of town in the country. Vergie is the fun mom with the cool house that my kids always want to visit. She has wild peacocks, a garden, and a chicken coop. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The chicks are hatching. You've got to come watch."</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did drop everything. I moved my dinner to the back burners and packed up the kids and drove out to her house. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vergie ushered us over to the chicken coop and told us to listen. The baby chick and the mother were <i>talking </i>to each other. You could hear chirping coming from the egg and then the mother hen would answer. The more the mother hen clucked back, the more the baby pecked it's way out of the egg. Truly a marvel to witness!</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This wasn't the first chick to hatch. My friend stirred the mother hen and she began flapping, revealing several recent hatchlings attached under her wings. They were literally encased in the downy feathers under the mother hen's wings as they grasped tightly with their claws. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The soft warm feather's provided the perfect temperature for the new hatchlings and protected them from intruders like snakes or coyotes. I couldn't help but remember one of my favorite verses. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzK8r4kK66FqFB8rzUy49jLokLufcAMsXEHpwuCN6Mna9wGtK8bQkkBLV6EgwYqeuaTk9l69VKZST9iCLLEVQt4Bkxk5pT2zKu-KJCraWVnJ8t2cpeKkStKM0gi7_4wd8pTAVvHFGGcs/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzK8r4kK66FqFB8rzUy49jLokLufcAMsXEHpwuCN6Mna9wGtK8bQkkBLV6EgwYqeuaTk9l69VKZST9iCLLEVQt4Bkxk5pT2zKu-KJCraWVnJ8t2cpeKkStKM0gi7_4wd8pTAVvHFGGcs/s200/images-2.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He will cover you with His pinions,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and under His wings you will find refuge;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 91:4 ESV</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My children still remember this day. It forever etched in their minds the truth of this verse and what God means when He says He hides us under His wings. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we drove home I told them another story that I'd heard about a barn fire. The farmer walked through the charred ground afterwards surveying the damage. He came upon a mother hen that had died in the blaze. He wondered why the chicken hadn't escaped ahead of the flames. As he pushed it over, he heard chirping and several small hatchlings scattered.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hen had stayed and given her life to protect the chicks that she had covered with her wings. What a picture of what Jesus did for us—He could not save us without dying for us on the cross. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You hem me in, behind and before,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and lay your hand upon me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it is high, I cannot attain it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 139: 5,6 ESV</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May you know His love and protection that is behind, before and over you. </span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-46750690648001022272011-09-09T07:14:00.004-05:002011-09-09T07:42:19.891-05:00Stumbled Upon a Verse<div style="font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When your </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">word</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s came, I ate them; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they were my joy and my heart’s delight, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for I bear your name, LORD </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Almighty.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+15:15-17&version=31"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeremiah 15:15-17</span></span></span></a></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This verse reminds me of how far I've come. As a young mom I was a hand-wringer. I encountered temper tantrums—sometimes my own and not my toddler's. I would hope the money held out until the next paycheck. I had conflicts with girlfriends. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I rarely ran to God's Word. I certainly didn't read it everyday or even every week. I preferred to stew about my problems. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The years, the messes I've had to clean up, the crying at night—mine and not only my children's—have taught me something. Run—don't walk—to God's Word. It has become my delight. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have learned that nothing truly satisfies my worries like a time reading my Bible. I struggle just like everyone else with busyness—how to fit it in. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use a read through the Bible in a year. So far it has been 21 months but I have 20 days left and I'm still reading. When I finish my one year Bible in 21 months I will start all over—even though it will probably be October and not January. Who said we have to wait until January?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have the dramatized version of the gospels recorded on my ipod. I often listen to it as I get dressed in the morning. That's truly putting on the full armor of God along with the mascara!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dramatized Old Testament stories are great in the car with the kids. Just one more way to stay in the Word during a busy season of life. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's Word has become my delight and I can't seem to get enough now. This is one lesson I wish I'd learned much earlier in my MommyLife!</span></span></div></span><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-67786292696291945762011-09-05T11:03:00.002-05:002011-09-05T11:05:55.128-05:00Cry Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgaY7Ut5S3wr0PSvbkwgGeo8jTgTzJzMmQwjhGDh99lvY-gooSZtAaXtjpXvCzjm1-0o8D6RVihY5rmuLQO5FrPsIJS8BbZ1vG_p-kA7IS3e2wb1NqBCIXfxeNde8p-Tb_TfQGU_mUEQ/s1600/croupbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgaY7Ut5S3wr0PSvbkwgGeo8jTgTzJzMmQwjhGDh99lvY-gooSZtAaXtjpXvCzjm1-0o8D6RVihY5rmuLQO5FrPsIJS8BbZ1vG_p-kA7IS3e2wb1NqBCIXfxeNde8p-Tb_TfQGU_mUEQ/s200/croupbaby.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How is your prayer life going?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit, I struggle to <i>fit it in</i> at times.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know God is always near. He delights to hear me turn to Him. I get a little <i>used</i> to the fact that He is always there I can enter His presence boldly at anytime.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My reading in the book of Hosea this morning struck me:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They do not cry out to me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from their hearts...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hosea 7:14a</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The people Hosea spoke to may have looked good on the surface with their offerings at the temple but they kept God at arms length in their hearts and their emotions. I do that way too often. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a front row view this weekend watching my seven-month-old granddaughter. There were lots of smiles and lots of tears. She seemed to go between one to the other at the slightest provocation. She connected from the heart and we all knew what she was feeling at any given moment.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When God talks about the kind of prayer life He wants us to have with Him, He beckons us to <b>cry out</b> to Him from our hearts.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder how often my routine "<i>bless me"</i> prayers connect from the depths of my emotions?</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm determining this week to cry out to God from my heart. It takes time. It takes focus. I'm endeavoring to be a bit of a cry baby before my heavenly Daddy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-33692198869674428682011-07-19T02:11:00.105-05:002011-07-19T02:11:00.482-05:00Guest Author Post: Praying Through Your Adoption by Michele Scott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFz2dxKgZA4ZgPXS2tc5AUj6wt6BiiH5Ij2Oes5-hwFxLcaCbl5e5mC75xlPg707uS6y645G3tSc-xmUN_Qk48PZi-FqhsKTkPtbkpZLI-LgDlnUoAX7sNKIHxGvmm9KHL6H4B78Ab0U/s1600/5256213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFz2dxKgZA4ZgPXS2tc5AUj6wt6BiiH5Ij2Oes5-hwFxLcaCbl5e5mC75xlPg707uS6y645G3tSc-xmUN_Qk48PZi-FqhsKTkPtbkpZLI-LgDlnUoAX7sNKIHxGvmm9KHL6H4B78Ab0U/s1600/5256213.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are blessed to have Michele Scott share her heart on the role of prayer in adoption and how her book, <i>Praying Through Your Adoption</i> came to be. This book is a treasure for those seeking to adopt and those encouraging others going through adoption. I have a copy of the book to give away. Post a comment and I'll select a recipient to receive the book in the mail. It will be a blessing. </span><br />
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFz2dxKgZA4ZgPXS2tc5AUj6wt6BiiH5Ij2Oes5-hwFxLcaCbl5e5mC75xlPg707uS6y645G3tSc-xmUN_Qk48PZi-FqhsKTkPtbkpZLI-LgDlnUoAX7sNKIHxGvmm9KHL6H4B78Ab0U/s1600/5256213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFz2dxKgZA4ZgPXS2tc5AUj6wt6BiiH5Ij2Oes5-hwFxLcaCbl5e5mC75xlPg707uS6y645G3tSc-xmUN_Qk48PZi-FqhsKTkPtbkpZLI-LgDlnUoAX7sNKIHxGvmm9KHL6H4B78Ab0U/s1600/5256213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFz2dxKgZA4ZgPXS2tc5AUj6wt6BiiH5Ij2Oes5-hwFxLcaCbl5e5mC75xlPg707uS6y645G3tSc-xmUN_Qk48PZi-FqhsKTkPtbkpZLI-LgDlnUoAX7sNKIHxGvmm9KHL6H4B78Ab0U/s1600/5256213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Michele, what can you tell us about yourself, your childhood, and the present?</b></div><div class="paragraph editable-text" style="color: #666666; display: block; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">I grew up as an only child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faith was a vital part of our family life, so I believed in God from an early age. About mid-way through college, after heartaches and some poor decisions, I decided to trust Jesus and the plans He has for my life. I graduated, moved to the suburbs, and married my husband, Eric. I worked in the corporate world and Christian ministry before becoming a work-at-home mom through adoption. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span> <span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? </span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />I started writing poems and stories for fun as a child. I even had a poem published in Highlights for Children. Through high school and college I enjoyed researching and writing papers, but I never considered becoming a professional writer until I wrote <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Praying Through Your Adoption</span>. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">What inspired you to write <span style="font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Praying Through Your Adoption</span>?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><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/AVvXsEgXRKaWJjFlnQZM4S2LA5nLHzJRgDEQwygJmLzhwwOp-ijHk8CwpNpGDu_3RplMjWGUKsdfSs5hXFEv5wdrHd-qQZHjH5ZLDVFCFTS3eQN2VIWnCJNn5gxNb89EVI3_K_VI0vdSSuKJFoY/s1600/3059288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRKaWJjFlnQZM4S2LA5nLHzJRgDEQwygJmLzhwwOp-ijHk8CwpNpGDu_3RplMjWGUKsdfSs5hXFEv5wdrHd-qQZHjH5ZLDVFCFTS3eQN2VIWnCJNn5gxNb89EVI3_K_VI0vdSSuKJFoY/s200/3059288.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author: Michele C. Scott</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />I've been talking to God in prayer for as long as I can remember. I turned to prayer during our infertility, and I had planned to pray through a pregnancy if that had been God's plan. While adopting our </div><div class="paragraph editable-text" style="color: #666666; display: block; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">son from Russia, we experienced painful delays and obstacles, such as increased fees and additional paperwork. At a particularly low point in the adoption process, I participated in an online prayer vigil that directed me to pray for very specific aspects of adoption – from government officials to waiting children. I realized the power of prayer specifically in adoption and saw the need to help other families pray through their adoptions as well. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><a name='more'></a><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">How did you come up with the title?</span></div><div class="paragraph editable-text" style="color: #666666; display: block; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><b><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /></b>Becoming an adoptive family is a process. First, you make decisions about the type of adoption and the age of the child you wish to pursue. Then you work to become approved, educated, and prepared for welcoming and parenting this new child. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Praying Through Your Adoption</span> shows families how to rely on God and their faith through the entire journey of creating and nurturing their forever family.<br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">What other life experiences shaped you to write this book?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />Wow, many life experiences influenced this book. Our infertility is probably the biggest since the longing and waiting for our son is a large portion of our story. But even getting laid-off right before our adoption, experiencing post-adoption depression, and dealing with special needs made me want to encourage others dealing with similar difficulties. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">What was the hardest part of writing your book?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />Retelling my experience with post-adoption depression was hard. After our difficult time becoming parents, I never imagined I'd feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed as a new mom. As much as I wanted to skip over that chapter in my life and in the book, I felt it was important to paint a realistic picture for prospective adoptive families. Thankfully, other adoptive families were willing to share their real-life joys and challenges in the book as well.<br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">What's one of the most important things people need to know about adoption?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />One of my favorite quotes in the book is from the late Derek Loux, an adoptive father of and an advocate for orphans. He said,<br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />“My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can't even really appreciate or comprehend it.”<br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />Derek's words capture so much. There is loss, and, yes, there are sacrifices – financial and otherwise – in adoption. But the rewards for answering God's call to care for orphans are priceless. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />In writing the book, I had the opportunity to feature around 20 families and their unique adoption stories. No matter the circumstances, I could see the special love that ordinary families experience as forever families. I'm grateful for their transparency and support for this project, and I think the readers will be, too. <br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? </span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />With over 143 million orphans across the globe, I would love to see more families consider adoption. But I deeply respect the person who reads this interview or picks up this book and, for whatever reason, decides adoption is not right for them. I hope they would at least consider providing prayer support and perhaps even financial support to families pursuing adoption.<br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;">Where can readers learn more about you and adoption?</span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" /><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span><br style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;" />I encourage readers to visit <a href="http://www.PrayLoveAdopt.com/" style="color: rgb(48, 99, 126) !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.PrayLoveAdopt.com</a>, a website I created to provide information, encouragement, and prayer support for families in any stage of the adoption journey. Visitors can read an excerpt from Praying Through Your Adoption and order a paperback or e-book copy if they desire. They can also visit my blog, <a href="http://www.MommyForward.com/" style="color: rgb(48, 99, 126) !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.MommyForward.com</a>, and my main website, <a href="http://www.MicheleCScott.com/" style="color: rgb(48, 99, 126) !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.MicheleCScott.com</a> to learn more about me and my other projects.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></div><br />
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<div class="paragraph editable-text" style="display: block; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; position: relative;">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (<a href="http://www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com/" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none;" title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com</span></a>).</em></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-85281147964680614262011-07-17T16:01:00.001-05:002011-07-17T20:42:12.957-05:00Unraveled<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcPGqTYs1RB5_ziNsK6q0WTI-nTOXWdFTm2UoM-Z6W0L_WvLzdC-B502XQiw8cUXh09yZfLcQF5iwWWXpVoogBKnWGKkvY3VkSw5H3JIuzZS2tS19zmS0ugVK-AZIiJuasr55Rbj81uE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcPGqTYs1RB5_ziNsK6q0WTI-nTOXWdFTm2UoM-Z6W0L_WvLzdC-B502XQiw8cUXh09yZfLcQF5iwWWXpVoogBKnWGKkvY3VkSw5H3JIuzZS2tS19zmS0ugVK-AZIiJuasr55Rbj81uE/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have that favorite something that you collect? I rifle through the back rooms of resale and antique shops for needlepoint pillows. Don't ask me why I'm drawn to rugs and pictures and pillows created stitch by time-consuming stitch.</span></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know. I've collected many beautiful treasures over the years. I trade them out with the seasons around my house. I have these works of art with angels, bunnies, collies and flowers on them. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes I sit and ponder all of the time that went into them. I wonder what the woman's life was like as she sat and created the beauty I now enjoy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know the time it took. I used to spend hours making birth announcements or anniversary stitchings to give away. I don't seem to find the time anymore. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whenever I gave stitched items away I hoped nobody would look at the backside. Have you even looked at the back of a needlepoint canvas? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZuSIBfv5PP-kSaiDDEAvM6wxpCZJ_mZ1_d0DjY04v5fyQCRtiWge_W4op7Mvdraoh3PLst5Uivb6GNg7k-5QMPjqsMVw9Q405dQBxg_AsgXGm2VPdA8NH_qXn5XNanh3mjTNfFed8Ds/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZuSIBfv5PP-kSaiDDEAvM6wxpCZJ_mZ1_d0DjY04v5fyQCRtiWge_W4op7Mvdraoh3PLst5Uivb6GNg7k-5QMPjqsMVw9Q405dQBxg_AsgXGm2VPdA8NH_qXn5XNanh3mjTNfFed8Ds/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that mess can be so beautiful on the front. My stitchery usually had bumpy knots, unraveling frayed ends and single threads reaching inches across the backside to make just those last few stitches in the same color. I wanted the front to look just right and "together". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looks kinda like my life feels sometimes—unraveled. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dash about driving my kids, throwing dinner on the table, rewashing the mildewed laundry that I forgot in the washer. Will that plant I neglected revive when I remember to water it? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sit in my chair, the favorite one. I grab up my One Year Bible that I'm having so much fun reading and marking—only it is taking a year, seven months and counting. The Word washes over me and I am still. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My life seems unraveled at times but as I sit silently in His presence I know His heart toward me. I am fully accepted by Him when I come and offer up my mess. I don't have to pretend and hope He doesn't look at the underside with all of the frazzled ends. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, Father, that I don't have to pretend or hide from You. Nothing can separate me from your love...not messiness, not burned meals, not mildewed laundry, extra pounds or wilted plants. I love you, Lord. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: indigo; font-family: 'comic sans ms';"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">THE WEAVER</span></span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></center><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,<br />
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride<br />
forget He sees the upper but I the under side.</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,<br />
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,<br />
as threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.</span></span></div></span><br />
<div align="center" style="color: indigo; font-family: 'comic sans ms';"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)</span></span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-70941041995257693252011-07-02T15:20:00.005-05:002011-07-02T18:52:24.985-05:00Hound of Heaven?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiqcqBJzzdoYQqcCl0HnnUvd-gg42sqgW5wkIHlO5n409kuZmM0HjnM9SNrAcAKgQEPVQTLtLfmL918oXR2oO0X0jh7FPkFUe5bOLdOZep-SkNUJNPJK0JwLbRi3m1Un7_SjCi8i6QmQ/s1600/BERTIESHERLOCKHATMODEL_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiqcqBJzzdoYQqcCl0HnnUvd-gg42sqgW5wkIHlO5n409kuZmM0HjnM9SNrAcAKgQEPVQTLtLfmL918oXR2oO0X0jh7FPkFUe5bOLdOZep-SkNUJNPJK0JwLbRi3m1Un7_SjCi8i6QmQ/s200/BERTIESHERLOCKHATMODEL_1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God has been referred to as the Hound of Heaven in a poem by English poet, Francis Thompson. That phrase made the poet famous. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The name </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hound of Heaven </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is odd and frightening at first. It makes me think of the mysterious creature on the moors of England in Conan Doyle's Sherlock tale, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Spooky!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a better story of a hound—one from my own home. We had an amazing sheltie early in our marriage that showed</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">me the power of the dog's ability to track and find that which is lost. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dogs have a tough time moving to a new home. They are territorial and they get downright confused with the new smells and the new area to protect. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our sheltie was trying his best to do his dog-thing when we moved across the country. We drove into our new hometown late in the evening but our furniture had not arrived. Instead of moving into our new house, we stayed at a friend's home. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We tied our dog to a long line outdoors for the evening. Two days later we put him in the car and drove 7 blocks to our new home. Double confusion set in. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the new home, he had an entire new backyard to explore and make his own. Day three in the new home, the gate to our backyard was left open and he disappeared. I panicked.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Would we be able to find our pet in this new town? Surely he couldn't find his way home on his own. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I called the home of our friends where we had stayed for two nights. My daughter had spent the night with their daughter and I suggested they walk in the neighborhood and look for our lost pet.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No need! When my friend walked back to her daughter's bedroom she heard barking from outside the window. Not only had our dog found his way seven blocks to their home BUT he also found the window of the room where my daughter was staying. He ran in circles outside barking to get her attention. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finding this hound was indeed heavenly. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The poet Francis Thompson never meant anything scary by describing God as the Hound of Heaven. He only referred to God's steadfast pursuit of His own children when they stray from His presence. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the woman who searches for the lost coin and the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to seek out that one lost sheep. He searches for His own and doesn't quit until they are back in His arms. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are feeling lost or distant from God, I know He is pursuing you. He is relentless and steadfast in His desire to have you in His arms again. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-9667986989481715492011-06-21T09:08:00.003-05:002011-06-21T09:12:15.289-05:00A Future and a Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaxqUWsqsUtk3SXSq0bPU6jZVUCPUmtrv1BEbWFhahLjZluAlkMz3W_5gGXcipv45PlhSjayr6mDP-4vdCOUM2Pve1WPBknbzYvvHR0hbmGyZKG7kZ17jl1l8xhqyca161xK0XTxNv7Y/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaxqUWsqsUtk3SXSq0bPU6jZVUCPUmtrv1BEbWFhahLjZluAlkMz3W_5gGXcipv45PlhSjayr6mDP-4vdCOUM2Pve1WPBknbzYvvHR0hbmGyZKG7kZ17jl1l8xhqyca161xK0XTxNv7Y/s200/IMG_0363.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"> </span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter’s high school graduation fell on the very day a pastor proclaimed in a national campaign the world was going to end: May 21, 2011.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “At least by 6:00 p.m. I will already be a graduate and the whole family will be together at the restaurant,” my daughter pointed out.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were still at the table after the bill was tallied and the dessert plates polished off—well after the deadline for the world’s time clock to stop.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visit </span><a href="http://heartofthematteronline.com/2011/06/a-future-and-a-hope/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Heart of the Matter {Online}</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to see the conclusion to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Future and a Hope, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my latest contribution to their parenting blog. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-9418466144466371292011-05-08T23:23:00.004-05:002011-05-08T23:29:40.596-05:00Happy Mother's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLTjV6DkFc-SdFohly1-v6wHX8UasmDE6-f7PvNarCL20Uqic-FWNXkcv0jrF1yQve4b_JY9uY4L3SB7DE0uD9vSYk_2mgNro2iUigCyF1aOdiQj__4o9X2WCY1FdTJWGNfsPttgxysI/s1600/206779_10100817328988034_8301581_72545206_5810669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLTjV6DkFc-SdFohly1-v6wHX8UasmDE6-f7PvNarCL20Uqic-FWNXkcv0jrF1yQve4b_JY9uY4L3SB7DE0uD9vSYk_2mgNro2iUigCyF1aOdiQj__4o9X2WCY1FdTJWGNfsPttgxysI/s200/206779_10100817328988034_8301581_72545206_5810669_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother's Day was particularly special today for me. I attended the baby dedication of my first granddaughter. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I admit that I cried. </span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thankful that my daughter and son-in-law are raising my granddaughter in the faith. I have heard them read the Bible together aloud as one of them rocks her to sleep on a shoulder. They haver her special music list on the iPhone with songs full of scripture and praise.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">I have no greater joy</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">than to hear </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">that my children </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">are walking in the Truth</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">3 John 1:4</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also cried thinking of all of the praying grandmother's on all sides down through the generations. Some are still praying for this celebrated little one and others are before the throne in Heaven. How overjoyed they must be to see their legacy of faith. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qzFVlCIWMPPQv9iLfoGzNFfpEq-ogDNWlJGjt6S0wLjFHhdgJZusvBxUyKij3tSsn9vP90Rs3lPHvTrtq4GUECFtwRtUNbZVCgiAPynSvcydEjwIWWypBl8HGGnZmQpXBIUbuGY1CHY/s1600/girl+with+a+doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qzFVlCIWMPPQv9iLfoGzNFfpEq-ogDNWlJGjt6S0wLjFHhdgJZusvBxUyKij3tSsn9vP90Rs3lPHvTrtq4GUECFtwRtUNbZVCgiAPynSvcydEjwIWWypBl8HGGnZmQpXBIUbuGY1CHY/s1600/girl+with+a+doll.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I once wrote about my daughter in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://herdingworms.blogspot.com/2009/10/for-my-mommy-told-me-so.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">For My Mommy Told Me So</span></a>. </span>The little girl who rocked her doll baby 23 years ago is now rocking my granddaughter and telling her that Jesus loves her. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Mother's Day!</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-53437485796561400832011-04-26T11:47:00.001-05:002011-04-26T11:48:22.611-05:00Little Schoolhouse on Highway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLLdtKsOqtC7dNF5A7zcwo5jykMWP58send3hyMPfRKMyJHjzkirULULa8_GzPMN85o7r5LY8VbWv-sMLbGMaVUV90rWMgDNp3gFgLOZ2InSFd0ILAnqx4szh-bsSGrjrQG2QhQzHZlc/s1600/map_screen_tomtom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLLdtKsOqtC7dNF5A7zcwo5jykMWP58send3hyMPfRKMyJHjzkirULULa8_GzPMN85o7r5LY8VbWv-sMLbGMaVUV90rWMgDNp3gFgLOZ2InSFd0ILAnqx4szh-bsSGrjrQG2QhQzHZlc/s200/map_screen_tomtom_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you dreading a long family car trip with kids this summer? Take heart. It can be one of your best experiences. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out my latest post, "Little Schoolhouse on the Highway," at <a href="http://heartofthematteronline.com/little-schoolhouse-on-the-highway">Heart of the Matter Online</a> for tips for traveling with kids and enjoying it.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-13152957037724537722011-04-22T22:20:00.000-05:002011-04-22T22:33:26.662-05:00Behold, the Lamb of God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY7XHTFfRdbPJAdL8KJ4NKLMHi0LMMdX7RdYIplKokV3UjTgyLPz64EScel6pJn6WBg0JX6ps8DcSqNbVQZ8Mb86C_jK0ZOXub52fxiBLfTg9KGcYT4MBqAIjrjFmvgVxcwnB4_CY-To/s1600/Jesus_On_Cross.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239832629219890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY7XHTFfRdbPJAdL8KJ4NKLMHi0LMMdX7RdYIplKokV3UjTgyLPz64EScel6pJn6WBg0JX6ps8DcSqNbVQZ8Mb86C_jK0ZOXub52fxiBLfTg9KGcYT4MBqAIjrjFmvgVxcwnB4_CY-To/s320/Jesus_On_Cross.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 203px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 272px;" /></a>Jesus hung on the cross suspended between heaven and earth. He cried out, "Abba, Father, why have you forsaken me!" God was not silent or still.<br />
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He sent a great darkness to cover the whole land. At that very moment of Christ's death, earthquakes rocked Jerusalem and the dividing veil was split between God's Most Holy Place in the temple and the people that came to worship.<br />
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I often wonder what it must have been like in the temple that day.....<br />
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Simeon looked out the door of the temple sanctuary. In all of his twelve years, he had never seen a dark night sky at noontime. Pigeons, doves and lambs stirred uneasily in the surrounding colonnades around the priests' court. Lightning flashed in the distance. The rumble of thunder could be felt as well as heard.<br />
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"Come away from the door. We have work to do. What happens out there is not our concern," Simeon's father said.<br />
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Simeon was of the tribe of Levi. His father and uncles served in the temple and Simeon often helped. On this holy week of Passover it seemed everyone in Jerusalem needed them. The visitors from surrounding villages and towns thronged the streets bringing their offerings to the temple. As the hour for the daily sacrifice of the lamb approached, many more people would fill the courtyard.<br />
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Simeon loved the festival days. Today would be almost perfect if it had not been for Jesus. Simeon heard him preach often around the temple. He liked Jesus' words. He liked Jesus. He made Simeon think about God in a new way--as a person--a loving father. In Simeon's family, God was a business, an endless list of chores and sacrifices.<br />
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<em>Why did they have to arrest him? Why did they choose to crucify him?<br />
</em><br />
"He was a trouble-maker," Simeon's uncle said.<br />
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Simeon's father nodded, "It is best for the people. He stirred fights between the people and Rome."<br />
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Simeon glanced up toward the Hill of Golgotha before turning back inside the temple sanctuary. He could not see the hilltop through the darkness but he had heard about crucifixions before. <em>Jesus did not deserve that kind of end. </em><br />
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Simeon took his place at the doorway between the open Priests' court where the lamb would be sacrificed and the sanctuary where the oil lamp glowed and sweet incense burned continually before the Most Holy Place. His job was to make sure the incense continued to burn. The aromatic offering must not falter on this day of all days. He watched the priests and worshippers gather in the outer court around the massive altar.<br />
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The law prescribed the exact hour for the lamb's throat to be cut for the sins of the people each day. It was at this very moment that Simeon heard thunder rumble closer. His hair stood on end and the air grew tense. He looked about the courtyard. Men looked uneasy as they glanced to the open sky.<br />
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Simeon looked over his shoulder through the doorway to the inner sanctuary. The smaller altar table with the candles and show bread stood in their place. The rich brocade of the veil protecting the people from the Most Holy Place hung just as it should.<br />
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As long as he had been coming to the temple with his father, Simeon had been warned not to enter the Most Holy Place. He knew the story of Aaron's sons who were struck dead by God when they disregarded the Ark of God's presence.<br />
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His father had entered the Holy of Holies once, when it was his turn by lot. A priest entered only once a year as prescribed by the law of Moses. "One day, son, it will be your turn. Until then do not go near the entrance."<br />
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Simeon always hid his eyes when he witnessed the priest enter behind the veil each year. He did not want to risk even a glimpse beyond for fear of instant death.<br />
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The bleating of the young lamb drew Simeon's attention back to the Priest's courtyard. His uncles led the spotless one-year-old lamb up the ramp to the raised altar table in the center of the yard as onlookers gathered to watch. His father stood ready with the knife. Another uncle held the brass bowl to collect the lamb's blood. Simeon, himself, had prepared the hyssop branch to be used in sprinkling the blood on the altar. They must make the sacrifice at exactly the third hour as prescribed by the Law.<br />
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Lightning increased as flashes from the open sky overhead created hideous shapes on the walls of the courtyard. The thunder grew nearer and rumbled louder until it seemed to come from beneath their feet.<br />
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Simeon ran from the courtyard into the sanctuary when he realized that it wasn't thunder but the ground actually groaning. The floor rolled slowly at first then faster until it heaved. Simeon tried to secure the incense bowl and candles on the altar but was thrown to the ground. He huddled under the altar table until the floor stilled.<br />
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Cries filled the air as thick dust hung everywhere. The lamb that was to be sacrificed bleated as it scurried around the courtyard looking for a way of escape.<br />
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Simeon raised his head. Before he could look away he saw the veil to the holy of holies--torn--from the top down. Simeon looked straight into the forbidden inner sanctuary. The only light in the room glowed from within the Holy of Holies. The candles from the outer sanctuary lay snuffed out and scattered about the floor.<br />
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Simeon arose. Drawn to the glow within the Most Holy Place, he no longer felt terror. He peered within for the first time and lived. <em>Was that an audible voice he heard or did it come from his own heart?<br />
</em><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h68ELNwt2oH9O-lGsfMQIMFfRdaa1G_wrWw7E4tYpNNI9npLZhsYJjPE0BiLbTybyCXj7Xjg5s9zsR6VgKpQo3pn8j1dM3B1MoMe8KUM3zJMDGUxUopHdyjXj0cpXG4UD82oiqnmU-Y/s1600/images+(3).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455377214566785122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h68ELNwt2oH9O-lGsfMQIMFfRdaa1G_wrWw7E4tYpNNI9npLZhsYJjPE0BiLbTybyCXj7Xjg5s9zsR6VgKpQo3pn8j1dM3B1MoMe8KUM3zJMDGUxUopHdyjXj0cpXG4UD82oiqnmU-Y/s320/images+(3).jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 92px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 137px;" /></a><br />
"For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed<strong>.</strong>"<br />
1Corinthians 5:7<br />
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"We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" Hebrews 10:10<br />
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Have a blessed Easter weekend as you draw near to Jesus and celebrate His life given for us. Join <a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Sunday</a> for more Easter refreshment.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3454844161304293033.post-17879813210726566462011-04-17T23:18:00.000-05:002011-04-17T23:18:03.992-05:00Gods of Play-Doh and Glitter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b2xppaiFvr-jfMC5C4rXr5308Z0aaQIsiqdCk6XH_WD71vGhPILf56U1vkC6PA8dja9wzdiNySIO66h0f91iAMOjzDvEdI0OJhaWPQLKpsR_Rm1Wr8EQjpHIr7_ks2HwFKaj1J_JT48/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b2xppaiFvr-jfMC5C4rXr5308Z0aaQIsiqdCk6XH_WD71vGhPILf56U1vkC6PA8dja9wzdiNySIO66h0f91iAMOjzDvEdI0OJhaWPQLKpsR_Rm1Wr8EQjpHIr7_ks2HwFKaj1J_JT48/s200/images-5.jpeg" width="193" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Would you ever consider getting out your kids' play-doh and fashioning your own god? You could top it off with glitter to add shine. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It sounds crazy but the Old Testament prophets talked about this constantly. Israelites who had been taught about the One true God would go out and cut down a tree and carve an idol. They would overlay plain wood with gold and silver then bow down and ask it for things. </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEJn_vA48vo/TYyNWovDgI/AAAAAAAAApM/DbjSXLEUir8/s1600/images-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlNROwoHnpE81uSF4ta3CVk4-lXmMKVys9Y9A1y0mZ6iVt41RoWwqyEL6jkBswjw66PgwTexr89f1VzHvkpJKEdRYpLGMRMc9S-vuc3z0uiwHUPO3-1IhOOjGLZZ_NVIDMXRIkL-LkSg/s200/images-8.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They attempted to breathe life into powerless wood carved into the likeness of a god they created from their own desires. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although men turned and bowed down to his idol, the statue had no strength to move or breath of life. Yet, the man creator continually cry out to their own handiwork in vain.</span><br />
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</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What good is an idol carved by man,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or a cast image that deceives you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How foolish to trust in your own creation—</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a god that can't even talk!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Wake up and save us!'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To speechless stone images you say,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Rise up and teach us!'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can an idol tell you what to do?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They may be overlaid with gold and silver,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but they are lifeless inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Habakkuk 2:18-19 New Living Translation</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do I have idols, Lord? </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Idols take many forms. They are defined as "manmade, false, and a replacement for the one true God".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've heard one definition of <i>idol</i>: anything or anyone that you regard as more important than God.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do I have idols, Lord?</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What vies for my time and devotion each day? Who do I turn to first when I hurt? Whose opinion do I value most? Where does my money go? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYVOxKE6ULYT0JmFw9W4sztVGRyH-pR60Q-ujanYcJ3zZ0Q4LyhcRb25qMJJcXa6GxrBdD8DJPQgzlnwj4r2SIhydOci6T2HcBMaoVEBRWAnM4h-vNlOrCMEgwkzNdhKmpCNk1LO99O8/s1600/images-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYVOxKE6ULYT0JmFw9W4sztVGRyH-pR60Q-ujanYcJ3zZ0Q4LyhcRb25qMJJcXa6GxrBdD8DJPQgzlnwj4r2SIhydOci6T2HcBMaoVEBRWAnM4h-vNlOrCMEgwkzNdhKmpCNk1LO99O8/s200/images-6.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Oh, Lord, you are the creator—not me. Create in me a clean heart, renew a loyal spirit within me. May I be completely yours, worshipping you alone. Amen</i></span></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/49/115527CBC884266FBCA465F7F0B921B5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Rhodema A. Cargillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857388936910287412noreply@blogger.com1