tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34242346758060573882024-02-06T23:58:30.511-06:00Simply Being KariIt's the simple things that make life easier....Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.comBlogger1080125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-59734316302314792292023-01-27T19:47:00.001-06:002023-01-27T19:52:32.641-06:00The Results are In....<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeiJtKGvbbEViS_NMPKziVlBF2sKiQdbKrc6c5noUCdxVnvPmLxw845GyAUKt4H_c5N_M1aR3gr3POL2A0nk8lmsB80Wr2WmtU84N9cxvDOLeJAvu-AVnKnc7BP1Eviyil84OxgNJDouODpot7ZXHb5a9nS6--hy6lgNiqO7Ahod9-SLBej-AhdbsuQ/s2231/pexels-%C5%99aj-vaishnaw-791024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="2231" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeiJtKGvbbEViS_NMPKziVlBF2sKiQdbKrc6c5noUCdxVnvPmLxw845GyAUKt4H_c5N_M1aR3gr3POL2A0nk8lmsB80Wr2WmtU84N9cxvDOLeJAvu-AVnKnc7BP1Eviyil84OxgNJDouODpot7ZXHb5a9nS6--hy6lgNiqO7Ahod9-SLBej-AhdbsuQ/w335-h212/pexels-%C5%99aj-vaishnaw-791024.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br />A few days ago I posted a survey as a means to solve an ongoing debate between my Dear Hubby and I. Voting is now closed. Y'all were the best and your responses were overwhelming....<p></p><p>....ly for my hubby, much to my surprise. He did warn me that I slanted the post to try and garner more votes. Needless to say he was very happy that the majority of y'all thought like he did.</p><p>And even though my "Team Same-Side" came in...ahem...second place (we're still winners), it was so much fun to read your responses. One thing we all agree on is that date nights are the best, whether you sit on the same side or on opposite sides of the table. It's the company, the fellowship, and a few hours without kids. </p><p>I mean I super love my kids but sometimes it's nice for some conversation with someone older than fourteen. Although I have noticed that on most of our dates our conversation centers around our kids. Funny how that works.</p><p>So thank you! Thank you for taking the time to read about our silly debate and leaving a comment of your thoughts.</p><p>Simply,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-59150722474336670052023-01-24T20:25:00.003-06:002023-01-24T20:55:01.852-06:00What Say You...<p>I'm in serious need of some help! Not mental help...more like opinion help. </p><p>My Dear Hubby and I have had this ongoing debate about something and I'm really, REALLY hoping you can help us settle this issue once and for all.</p><p>Now you're probably wondering what in the world I'm talking about.</p><p>Before I present our disagreement, let me explain a little bit about my our personalities. I am a romantic at heart. When we're out on a date, I love to hold my Dear Hubby's hand, have his arm around me...just be close to him. I mean, we are on a date, right?</p><p>My Dear Hubby on the other hand is always mindful that not everyone around us would want to see PDA. Not that he isn't a romantic himself. But he is a guy.</p><p>If you know anything about how we met (via e-mail), courted, (also via e-mail and phone calls), and saw each other a total of ten days in person during the seven months of our courtship, then this question I'm about to ask will totally make sense. We didn't have the opportunity go on lots and lots of dates before we were married. Now date nights are one of my favorite activities to do with my Dear Hubby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWZmJQMJZR3s2kATBRrnLuXUyzGVlox81VDf60KuYcOF2FI487ISpPu6Q4CIyoaxJ-jxUs8Z92oP630wouVzYf3e84R_ey_4RJa-VK5AAlfzdnrHjFm8QG1N68CLFZ58n6liPcT3AbBWzHg4JdBo9vC0HmH0m-KyavoB3TcQUmwiotISysX4uF-O-GA/s2215/Texas%20Trip-Jeff%20and%20Kari_hq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1663" data-original-width="2215" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWZmJQMJZR3s2kATBRrnLuXUyzGVlox81VDf60KuYcOF2FI487ISpPu6Q4CIyoaxJ-jxUs8Z92oP630wouVzYf3e84R_ey_4RJa-VK5AAlfzdnrHjFm8QG1N68CLFZ58n6liPcT3AbBWzHg4JdBo9vC0HmH0m-KyavoB3TcQUmwiotISysX4uF-O-GA/w338-h253/Texas%20Trip-Jeff%20and%20Kari_hq.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><p>Here's where our disagreement comes in: I want to sit on the same side of the booth with him at the restaurant. He wants to see my face without turning his head while we're talking and eating.</p><p>What do you think?</p><p><b>Is it more appropriate to sit across from each other on a date or sit on the same side of the booth?</b></p><p>If we're seated at a table, then I'd totally sit across from him. But when we're given a booth, I think we should sit on the same side. </p><p>He thinks I'm nuts. I think it's romantic.</p><p>Please help us settle this debate once and for all! Simply leave a comment below with what you think is the better seating arrangement when you go on a date with your hubby: across or beside? </p><p>Simply Wondering,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-24184540365085315202022-12-27T20:40:00.000-06:002022-12-27T20:40:25.292-06:00Dandelion Puffs...<p>Dandelions are often viewed as a pesky little weed that continually perpetuates it's annoying self in a small amount of time. They grow and bloom seemingly overnight before going to seed just a few days later. It's next to impossible to catch them before they flower leading to a reputation of being one of the hardest flowers to kill.</p><p>There's something about dandelions that have always fascinated me. When I first started this blog over ten years ago, the picture of a dandelion's seeds floating in the wind not only caught my eye but resonated with me in some way. It became a trademark over the years, just as the title <i>Simply Being Kari</i> represented who I desired to be: just me. Simply Kari.</p><p>You may not know this but I have this unusual ability to take something extremely insignificant and complicate it until I'm so frazzled and frustrated that it's hard to even think straight. My brain is somehow wired to organize, to problem solve, and to critically think...all good things to be sure. But many times I overthink a problem and find myself with no solution at all. I've often wondered if my brain is defective in some way.<br /></p><p>See why dandelions fascinate me? They have such simple lives: root, grow, bloom, spread.</p><p>For Christmas this year my wonderful sister gifted me this dandelion mug...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe_Zjz4TJaN_1hlbakV-lg2o4iASWUFNycpHktjfcAD3mGzifCA1aFI58WDPUexsZyJ5H6gUMfx_imT8HX8sAWrEDZHlrdJUcDOgArnZF4V_xwDGIEoxABFCH7PKnBlU27PIFWyYGMR86RPZSn90pCTYMQTQZaCY7tIDM5H5FlmULHEUG9WcSvtOEVg/s4032/image_50412033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe_Zjz4TJaN_1hlbakV-lg2o4iASWUFNycpHktjfcAD3mGzifCA1aFI58WDPUexsZyJ5H6gUMfx_imT8HX8sAWrEDZHlrdJUcDOgArnZF4V_xwDGIEoxABFCH7PKnBlU27PIFWyYGMR86RPZSn90pCTYMQTQZaCY7tIDM5H5FlmULHEUG9WcSvtOEVg/s320/image_50412033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>...and sparked my curiosity. It probably seems strange. Do I really picture myself like a weed, blooming for just a short time before being torn apart and carried away in the wind? No, this is something else entirely. </p><p>It's more like being transporting back to my childhood, when things were simpler, and life was uncomplicated. I remember running around the yard barefoot in the late summer afternoons, picking these cute little dandelion puffs and watching their seeds easily float away. </p><p>But what is it about the dandelion that draws me? </p><p>Centuries ago dandelions were once loved around the world. They were often used for everything from medicine to cooking. Surprisingly they were found to contain more nutrients than many other vegetables. </p><p>The entire body from bloom to stem is edible, providing a rich course of vitamins C and A, potassium, iron, and other antioxidants. According to the <a href="https://www.flowerglossary.com/dandelions/" target="_blank">Flower Glossary</a>, studies have shown that the roots and leaves can reduce cholestrol and boost the immune system. </p><p>In the yard, dandelions prove to be quite beneficial for the grass. Dandelion roots spread wide to aerate the soil. They then soak up nutrients from the deeper soil before using their extensive underground network to fertilize the rest of the lawn. </p><p>More importantly, this "weed" has come to symbolize survival, healing, and hope: survival because of their durability, their deep root system, and their ability to quickly grow and spread; healing because of their nutritional qualities; and hope because they never give up. </p><p>What incredible lessons can we take away from this?</p><p>Lesson one: Walk with Him. Be grounded. Grow and spread. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colosse, <i>As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Col. 2:6-7) </i></p><p>Lessons two and three: Seek strength through Him. Let Him heal your wounds and nourish your inner man. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, <i>Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ...(Eph. 3:13,16-19a)</i> </p><p>Today I figuratively give a dandelion to you. As we head into a brand new year, may this flower (or weed, however you look at it) remind you to just simply be: be planted in Him, grow in His Word, and bloom for His glory. Be persistant. Be durable. Be resilient. </p><p><i>...Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14)</i></p><p>Simply Learning to Be,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-8712339952443050322022-11-08T05:30:00.000-06:002022-11-08T05:30:00.188-06:00In Everything Give Thanks...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtAMkLxPW63ziLywVE0I4MCgSLWA-9ztWxas7nx8PN2DMgUAmf9J13P6xaXdwYqX1HBB7H3CmNMjB2ysB5v9GwYDwNc51RxCre3LBr5vf4CPgK6DT0TvbxTOCtU-uU4c9shX3_rFXu05jeC2oGvdLpGtLGvzGBzDy2ZLI2eSu3eDGkWH3r_7zIepU4Q/s1181/Black%20and%20Orange%20Watercolor%20Illustrated%20Festive%20Thanksgiving%20Circle%20Sticker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1181" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtAMkLxPW63ziLywVE0I4MCgSLWA-9ztWxas7nx8PN2DMgUAmf9J13P6xaXdwYqX1HBB7H3CmNMjB2ysB5v9GwYDwNc51RxCre3LBr5vf4CPgK6DT0TvbxTOCtU-uU4c9shX3_rFXu05jeC2oGvdLpGtLGvzGBzDy2ZLI2eSu3eDGkWH3r_7zIepU4Q/s320/Black%20and%20Orange%20Watercolor%20Illustrated%20Festive%20Thanksgiving%20Circle%20Sticker.png" width="320" /></a></div>It's been awhile since I've been able to sit and write. October consisted of volleyball games and tournaments, multiple church activities, and revival services. When November 1st rolled around, I felt like I could finally just breathe...and get my laundry done.<div><br /></div><div>Still working on that last one, but it's a never ending process. *sigh*</div><div><br /></div><div>We're celebrating Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks. Since the season of gratitude is upon us, it's not uncommon for us to openly express what we are most thankful for. Most of the time what we're thankful for are all the good things: health, salvation, love, family, provisions. What we usually leave out are the hardships we've faced or what we've endured in our life's journey.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was challenged this last week by a blog post from <a href="https://lolinministry.com/2022/11/thankful-in-the-bad-times.html" target="_blank">LOL in Ministry</a> about being thankful about the things we often overlook: those pesky, sometimes unbearable, hard times. I for one would not like to have to re-live miscarrying my baby. Those days were filled with overwhelming grief and sadness. I also wouldn't want to go back to the first few days of my youngest's life. Shortly after he was born he was transferred to the NICU where he was being treated for a heart murmur and low oxygen. Those days were dark and exhausting: mentally, physically, and spritually. </div><div><br /></div><div>There have been other times when I didn't even know how to pray, couldn't even formulate words because the pain, the disappointment, the anger, the betrayal were just too great. </div><div><br /></div><div>Reading back through what I've written so far, this post is starting to sound alot like David in Psalm 77: <i>my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed....I am so troubled that I cannot speak...Hath God forgotten to be gracious: hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? </i>When I start to read King David's words I feel depressed and sad. It's hard to be thankful in the bad times. </div><div><br /></div><div>But can I tell you just how much we need them? The Lord in His wonderful love and mercy uses those times to remove dross that <i>there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. (Prov. 25:4) </i>He uses those times to mold us and make us more like Him. Sometimes He needs us to do something greater in His service so He begins to prepare us with lessons on humility, patience, prayer, and even praise. Maybe He needs us to be ready to help another brother or sister in Christ who will struggle through the same trial.</div><div><br /></div><div> Yes, the promise in Romans 8:28 is still very much true: <i>And we know that <u style="font-weight: bold;">All</u> things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>All those bad times...we may not want to relive them, but during this season of thanksgiving, we can certainly be thankful for them. <i>In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thess. 5:18)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Simply Grateful,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-53656220495866713212022-09-19T22:06:00.006-05:002022-09-19T22:08:05.563-05:00Thankful...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nmJbfrawEazszU6m527sm-NSOc8w2JhL7QWXx1nzow6vHrfxx2QkGH6bovewSOfMXuq3LISZxXfLIWdd4nTFk4Q-v6XVIjKeW1A-Ig7_WC3NE5pGQNGo-pUSEeS72QKokqM27m1P3FI-ucbUjziKJVSxOd2xdOMF4dXxZ4lo8HxNVtxQxoCLy3P1sA/s3978/image_50415105.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3978" data-original-width="2573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nmJbfrawEazszU6m527sm-NSOc8w2JhL7QWXx1nzow6vHrfxx2QkGH6bovewSOfMXuq3LISZxXfLIWdd4nTFk4Q-v6XVIjKeW1A-Ig7_WC3NE5pGQNGo-pUSEeS72QKokqM27m1P3FI-ucbUjziKJVSxOd2xdOMF4dXxZ4lo8HxNVtxQxoCLy3P1sA/s320/image_50415105.JPG" width="207" /></a></div>Fall decorations have gone up, the scent of pumpkin spice lingers in the air...and for at least an hour during the day I set my thermostat below seventy just to mimic that cool, crisp, autumn air. Technichally it's not fall but hey, close enough.<p></p><p>So much has happened in the last few weeks that I'm finding it hard to wrap my mind around the fact that September is almost gone. We've had teacher in-service, the start of school, my daughters birthday, volleyball practices/games, and multiple church activities. How fast time flies when you're busy, busy, busy. </p><p>I hate to say it but there are dangers of being too busy. It becomes easier to just go instead of to just be. Life turns complex when it should be simple.</p><p>Oh how I miss simply being...</p><p>So for today I'd like to start a new trend to break up all the craziness of running here and there. Usually the month of November is spent expressing how thankful we are for the abundant blessings around us. Instead of waiting for Thanksgiving to roll around, I'd like take a few moments to share five things that I'm so very grateful for. </p><p><b>#1 -- The Security of my Salvation. </b>I'm still amazed that God would love a sinner like me. When I took Him as my Savior, He not only made me His heir, He also gave me His Word full of sweet and precious promises that I can claim every single day. This allows me to face any trial in life with joy knowing that my sins are forgiven and my home is in Heaven. Even when I feel that I walk alone, my Heavenly Father has promised He will never leave me, nor forsake me. I am His and He is mine.</p><p><b>#2 -- The Love of a Godly Husband</b>. There were times when I believed I was meant to be single for the rest of my life. But in His time, the Lord brought me the most wonderful man in answer to my prayers. Now after almost sixteen years of marriage, I am so thankful I waited for God's perfect will. </p><p><b>#3 -- The Sound of My Children's Voices.</b> I must admit that there are times when the squabbling and the jesting feel more like fingernails on a chalkboard. But hearing their voices <strike>raise the roof</strike> drift around the house is a constant reminder that God answered our prayers. </p><p>Now if we could just conquer teenage attitude and drama I'd be most appreciative. </p><p><b>#4 -- The Power of Answered Prayer.</b> In a way this has already been mentioned. My Dear Hubby and all three of my children were direct answers to prayer. But there have been hundreds of prayers over my lifetime that my Lord has answered. So many that time and space will not permit me to name. Prayers for protection, for healing, for guidance, for provision. There were even times when I didn't even know how to pray or what to say. He knew and answered in the most amazing ways. </p><p> After the seriousness of the first four, I must prepare you for this totally random and frivolous number five...</p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OyOtPqyJeOupDyBOzPlRh-U5YAKzzKmMlKzUFcTMNNyzc3gpDtkYUW60XZBg3Orzv6H6ocnIrhODMad-AGGnGibfLLAu5AU_CBfPhy_JK9nt2_zPodtM7Us-BFm-o8gnvbfC8gTnzjy9t9jRk90fc6AV-lYtcpVNtiUhZaeIooVUk0wK6wh15xGYCw/s2048/image_6487327.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OyOtPqyJeOupDyBOzPlRh-U5YAKzzKmMlKzUFcTMNNyzc3gpDtkYUW60XZBg3Orzv6H6ocnIrhODMad-AGGnGibfLLAu5AU_CBfPhy_JK9nt2_zPodtM7Us-BFm-o8gnvbfC8gTnzjy9t9jRk90fc6AV-lYtcpVNtiUhZaeIooVUk0wK6wh15xGYCw/s320/image_6487327.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b>#5 -- Friday Football Date Nights.</b> For me football is synonymous with fall. There is nothing like spending Friday night with my Dear Hubby talking and laughing over a plate of Mexican food, and then heading to a stadium to watch some high school football. Doesn't have to be a specific school. In fact we don't even know any of the players...on either the team. Whichever side we sit on, that's the side we cheer for. But the time we spent together? Priceless.<p></p><p>Now it's your turn. What are you most thankful for today? Care to share a few in the comments below?</p><p>Why wait for November when we can enjoy a season of grattitude now!</p><p> Simply Thankful,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-81302902176331559432022-08-08T11:24:00.003-05:002022-08-08T11:24:28.004-05:00Teaching...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MZ_LSLuKCy9ncqbi_FOtG8GkyYu-ffbpnqqB5EDbfxYn-SGLwOgy6ubxLjCcREhTmFx_qJ4NJHiQrKpaNbN_NrRFIS8LCEGo4R_LSpS97Y8vyjMFq6zJLZgBri3ZeTnj5qX5lH0Xd7K9qDvcro_LxEllIv64xEgogSnb6o_-9IC9xZezlT0dh8tl5Q/s4032/computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MZ_LSLuKCy9ncqbi_FOtG8GkyYu-ffbpnqqB5EDbfxYn-SGLwOgy6ubxLjCcREhTmFx_qJ4NJHiQrKpaNbN_NrRFIS8LCEGo4R_LSpS97Y8vyjMFq6zJLZgBri3ZeTnj5qX5lH0Xd7K9qDvcro_LxEllIv64xEgogSnb6o_-9IC9xZezlT0dh8tl5Q/w341-h256/computer.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>These last couple of weeks I've been working on finishing a rather large project. The end is in sight and I am so ready to be done! Hopefully in the future I'll be able to share exactly what that was, but for now, I'm sprinting along, the largest part behind me with the finish line up ahead. Almost there!<p></p><p>Thank you so much to all of you who left comments here on the blog and on my facebook post with words of advice to the younger generation. I've compiled the following list from all your comments:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Learn to develop a relationship with the Lord through Bible reading and prayer</li><li>Memorize verse to quote during the ups and down of life</li><li>Pray sincerely and pointedly about everything </li><li>Choose your friends wisely</li><li>Spend time with older women in the church and glean from their experiences</li><li>Build self-confidence in the right kind of skills</li><li>Accept changes in your "plans" with joy</li><li>Be willing to learn and grow no matter your age</li><li>Prepare for singlehood because God may not send you a mate right away</li><li>Enjoy every day life, no wishing it away</li><li>Trust God with every season of your life</li></ul><p></p><p>Comments are still <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080897532125" target="_blank">open HERE</a> if you think of anything else. One of their projects this semester will be to interview a lady in the church about preparations for the future. Hope you don't mind if one of them comes to you.</p><p>As I've been preparing for this class and working on my other project, I spent some time stuyding the passage in Titus two about the aged women teaching the younger women ...<i>to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:4-5)</i> </p><p>However, before the aged women can teach the younger women, they are given commands about their own behavior. <i>The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. (Titus 2:3) </i>After all, how can we expect them to know how to act if we don't model the correct behavior ourselves? Actions do speak louder than words.</p><p>Needless to say, the Lord has continued to convict my heart about my own behavior. I have such a burden to reach out to the younger generation, to help them grow into beautiful, godly young ladies. And you are helping! Thank you so much!</p><p>Simply Being,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-24747322298576322942022-08-01T06:00:00.003-05:002022-08-01T06:00:00.168-05:00Hindsight...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWS2xeVqdtK2o95IVlc83jbRtzgCl73jWagKHcQXDRf2AjiJNcFttgPR2kPiZKeEqmEcL2pTapMhlV5rln5KlQ8tpRWUQVoHeG47PIklaspMxTOunK3RRGSf9Hvx5GyFMneXKxbnBIUoWifPENUezUArPGtY43TEPMmA2P9f3Oxbc5zj9SiXEj26v-w/s3008/DSC_8747_hq.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWS2xeVqdtK2o95IVlc83jbRtzgCl73jWagKHcQXDRf2AjiJNcFttgPR2kPiZKeEqmEcL2pTapMhlV5rln5KlQ8tpRWUQVoHeG47PIklaspMxTOunK3RRGSf9Hvx5GyFMneXKxbnBIUoWifPENUezUArPGtY43TEPMmA2P9f3Oxbc5zj9SiXEj26v-w/s320/DSC_8747_hq.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>My Dear Hubby and I were reminiscing the other day about when we first started writing to each other. We even pulled up the emails and re-read them, laughing at our answers to each others questions. My, how much has changed...how much <i>we</i> have changed. Hard to believe that this October we will celebrate our sixteenth anniversary. It really doesn't seem that long, but looking back, so much has happened in those years. Lots of laughter and love. So many beautiful memories.<p></p><p>I don't think, though, that I'd like to go back to those days. Don't get me wrong: it's fun to remember the giddy feeling of new love, of being first married, of having my babies. I feel like now, age and maturity have helped open my eyes to things that I wish I would have differently in those days. Hindsight truly is 20/20.</p><p>What do you see when you look back at your life? Is there something that you wish you would have been taught when you were a teenager that would have helped prepare you for marriage, for managing a home, or for serving in a ministry?</p><p>I ask because I have an awesome opportunity this next school year to teach the high school girl's Bible class. The lessons for the year will be divided into two categories: spiritual and physical. The first semester we will be learning how to grow spiritually. We'll focus on developing a personal relationship with the Lord, sharing their salvation testimony with others, and learning about others in their class and church. The second semester we will spend on all kinds of etiquette.</p><p>Here's where I need your help: tell me at leat one thing you wish you would have known when you were dating/courting, newly married, or having your first baby. </p><p>Of course you can write as many as you like. I'm not picky. In fact, I'll go first:</p><p>I wish I had known to just chill out. I put way too much pressure on myself about everything that sometimes I missed out on the joy of everything going on around me.</p><p>Ok...that was rather therapeutic. Thanks for listening.</p><p>Now it's your turn! Ready? Go!</p><p>Simply Seeking Advice,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-716400814945870922022-07-25T06:00:00.081-05:002022-07-25T06:00:00.171-05:00Furnish...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkKTXtDG4OcuKaut3IEmA60scu4_jtloqPQoRanokEFx6zmoyBqmLVIXwAhlobdnaGlbHg2hWYOD3y1gb_zEZspDmasTTTGQaDmwqPlSLUcV4ETzeGcNv2JNgFlwkNA-Td7Rm1Vl_bXwAQWi_cCEGeml2Xbki2nP7pFob-NNosomkQfZNfjMGJNVIHA/s5040/pexels-tim-douglas-6210705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="5040" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkKTXtDG4OcuKaut3IEmA60scu4_jtloqPQoRanokEFx6zmoyBqmLVIXwAhlobdnaGlbHg2hWYOD3y1gb_zEZspDmasTTTGQaDmwqPlSLUcV4ETzeGcNv2JNgFlwkNA-Td7Rm1Vl_bXwAQWi_cCEGeml2Xbki2nP7pFob-NNosomkQfZNfjMGJNVIHA/w352-h234/pexels-tim-douglas-6210705.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>My kids came home from camp Friday, so excited about the week they had had, the games they had played, the messages they had heard, the decisions they had made. After dropping their luggage off in their bedrooms, they were content to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen with my dear hubby and I sharing their stories. There was such joy on their faces and eagerness in their voices. <p></p><p>God did some mighty things in their hearts this week. My son came home looking forward to going to Bible college with the hope of joining a singing tour group. My daughter dedicated her life to serving the Lord wherever He may choose. And they're EXCITED about their decisions, which makes me excited for them!</p><p>In the midst of all their chatter, I was reminded of a sermon I had heard recently from Psalm 78, when the children of Israel had mockingly asked the question in verse 19: <i>Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?</i> </p><p>What a silly question to ask! Had they not seen all that God had done from them when He brought them out of Egypt? He had divided the Red Sea and had allowed them to pass through...on dry ground, I might add. He had led them with a cloud by day and a light of fire by night. He had provided streams of water out of rocks so they could have something to drink.</p><p>With all these blessings, one would think the Israelites would have had more faith that God could have provided for them in the wilderness. But no matter what they had seen and had experienced, they continued to sin against God. They tempted Him in their hearts, and they spake against Him. Over and over again, God had proven Himself to them, and yet they continually doubted that He could provide food for them in the midst of the barren wilderness.</p><p>Our world today is figuratively like that barren wilderness. So much uncertainty and turmoil...so much craziness. And yet, in the midst of all this spiriutal wasteland, God is still doing amazing and wonderful things. He's still saving sinners, He's still adding to the church, He's still answering prayer. He's still calling men and women to be laborers in His field. He's still providing for His children. The blessings just keep coming...over, and over, and over again.</p><p>I am both humbled and amazed at the goodness of my Heavenly Father in my life and the life of my children. Psalm 23 takes on a deeper, more personal meaning when I reflect on that fact that He is <i>my</i> Shepherd. He makes <i>me </i>to lie down in green pastures. He leads <i>me </i>beside the still waters and restores my soul. He leads <i>me </i>in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake so that as <i>I</i> walk through the valley of the shadow of death, <i>I</i> will fear no evil for He is with <i>me</i>. His rod and His staff comforts <i>me</i>.<u> He prepares a table before <i>me</i>, in the presence of my enemies</u>. He annoints <i>my head</i> with oil; <i>my cup</i> continually runneth over. <i>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever</i>. </p><p><i>Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?</i> Why, you silly Israelites, God can do more than just furnish a table. He can provide a banquet of tables overflowing with bounty and blessings. Those who come can eat their fill, enjoy the bounty of His provisions, and walk away satisfied and filled. And He can do this, not just in the most desolate of places, but also during the most uncertain of times.</p><p>Simply Feasting,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-28662525420637549082022-07-18T06:00:00.033-05:002022-07-18T06:00:00.164-05:00Counter Clearout...How are we doing this lovely Monday morning? Are you ten items lighter today? So many of you commented on your different methods of cleaning out and having already had to do it for remodeling projects. I envy y'all with that, cleaning out AND getting a room-lift.<div><br /></div><div>I spent the week deep cleaning; and when I say "deep-cleaning," I mean down on my hands and knees scrubbing floors, walls, and baseboards. Some rooms have been vacuumed twice just because. I love the vacuum marks on the floor that by the end of the week when they've disappeared, I'm ready to see them back. </div><div><br /></div><div>So even though this week was spent a bit differently than last week, I still managed to get rid of ten more things to complete the challenge right along with you. Hard to believe that I had anything else left to get rid of but trust me, there totally was.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you ready for something new this week? I have to admit that what I'm about to write may really seem like an impossibility...I was super skeptical when I first tried it. But let me tell you, I am soooo happy I did. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's your mission for this week if you choose to accept it. With the title of "Operation Counter Clearout," you are challenged to leave only five items on your counters in your kitchen. There's no cheating on this one...no leaving five items on one side of the kitchen and five items on the other side. This means a total of FIVE items only, no matter how large of a space your dealing with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOOiAQrE7-o8ksYCz1alRUPb5FaVu-etoW_iMXrb8r95hdKKHpW4uT0oM-PIRyYYP_A1OUPlj_O4uDHXNfYgZGc9cXF4EIfOquM6KLapYRzl3lcQtJl3wDyjzdvP57kX9wLb6JBJm_Z0Pk3DUJ6MHzU5Y_0huRSo3lHNY4d_Zn4TE3TlVBvEOHlQ1Aw/s4032/Kitchen2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOOiAQrE7-o8ksYCz1alRUPb5FaVu-etoW_iMXrb8r95hdKKHpW4uT0oM-PIRyYYP_A1OUPlj_O4uDHXNfYgZGc9cXF4EIfOquM6KLapYRzl3lcQtJl3wDyjzdvP57kX9wLb6JBJm_Z0Pk3DUJ6MHzU5Y_0huRSo3lHNY4d_Zn4TE3TlVBvEOHlQ1Aw/s320/Kitchen2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div>Before you write this off, hear me out. It took me a year to pair down the items on my counters. This meant having to organize my pantry and some of my cabinets so that I would have storage places for the George Foreman, the air fryer, the stand mixer....all those big items. Now I'm down to a cooking utensil crock, our new toaster (an upgrade from a two slicer to a four--way harder to store!), the dish drainer, the paper towel holder, and my household planner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnQBKky7fQVWo71tb0Llhs2pPSEd6ThxG98oIqhZ1Kb-Mp5zRXPOUkBrcPZqMsc4x0MiuTDz-ARaJBCh8kBcdozjfsnI2L3-It1FxNpJrf_YodXC7Rw-IlW9OI9fqEpaEWlGjUi1Bg5Rue4xFZpjcw4SlKG4nnSFUe-PlQHny0pZEL2LHqVLR13cKAA/s4032/Kitchen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnQBKky7fQVWo71tb0Llhs2pPSEd6ThxG98oIqhZ1Kb-Mp5zRXPOUkBrcPZqMsc4x0MiuTDz-ARaJBCh8kBcdozjfsnI2L3-It1FxNpJrf_YodXC7Rw-IlW9OI9fqEpaEWlGjUi1Bg5Rue4xFZpjcw4SlKG4nnSFUe-PlQHny0pZEL2LHqVLR13cKAA/s320/Kitchen1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div>It can be done! It's ok if you're a bit skeptical. Why not start with storing away one or two...maybe three...items this week and see how much more space it creates! I absolutely love the feeling of walking into my kitchen first thing in the morning to get my coffee and it looks soooooo clean!! The rest of the house may look like trash but the kitchen? It's beautiful!</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you up for the challenge? Again, five is the goal, but we need to celebrate those small changes, too! So be sure to come back and leave a comment!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now go out there and be awesome!</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply Simplifying,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-64753565400256698922022-07-11T06:00:00.002-05:002022-07-11T09:03:07.793-05:00Junk...I just want to show you what my life has been like this last week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwW-I5eMfbq-kwFnaNN5eX_xcTp0Jo5EcLCII-90Qc-NNoYZvsj0QELIiXielQFSaKioYwnHdNUqwW9-qm2j75twYZgRtc0asF43ovz19qgFGyzBdmFM_yqQn3yBsZb7cstTsTPUDN8ekfDzQcJpeYAPb6drD86FLov7WDd26eXX27zTfQ47CfwPdrA/s4032/trash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwW-I5eMfbq-kwFnaNN5eX_xcTp0Jo5EcLCII-90Qc-NNoYZvsj0QELIiXielQFSaKioYwnHdNUqwW9-qm2j75twYZgRtc0asF43ovz19qgFGyzBdmFM_yqQn3yBsZb7cstTsTPUDN8ekfDzQcJpeYAPb6drD86FLov7WDd26eXX27zTfQ47CfwPdrA/s320/trash.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By itself it looks like just a picture of my garbage. Even my Dear Hubby was like <i>Why do you have a picture of our garbage on your phone?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me give you a bit of context: this was the pile the day after our garbage had already been picked up. And no, I did not forget to put it out. Normally our weekly haul is less than half of what's pictured here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The garbage men are really going to love me this week, because by the time they come by, there's going to be so. much. more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been one busy mama: cleaning out, getting rid of, throwing away, selling off (not any of my children so don't panic)...taking trips to the thrift store drop off. With everything we've gotten rid of I can safely say our local thrift store has now doubled their inventory. My daughter now wants to know when we're going to Goodwill to do some shopping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Um...we are NOT replacing what we just got rid of.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My youngest has graduated from size ten to size twelve. Switching out all of those clothes is like opening pandora's box. Pull out everything from dresser drawers and the closet only to spend the next two hours cleaning out everything else inside the closet and dresser. Go to the garage to pull out the totes with the next size up, spend the next two hours rearranging all the other totes and picking up all kinds of trash and empty boxes...in the wonderful Alabama heat and humidity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I feel like my house has breathed a sigh of relief with all the junk gone, and I love the decluttered look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So...big plans for this next week. My kids are gearing up for camp and we're into making sure every single room will be completely cleaned before they go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then this mama is gonna' sit back and enjoy a sparkling, clean house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now here's my challenge to you (and I make it easy by giving two options): either find one closet to clean out and reorganize this week OR find ten things to drop off at the thrift store by next Monday. You could even combine the two by getting rid of ten items after you clean out one closet. (I had six 13-gallon garbage bags of close to get rid of!!) If you complete the task, be sure to come back and let me know in the comments below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a sneak peak, I'm already working on a second challenge...something to do with the kitchen counters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until then...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simply Cleaning Out,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-30231923109549391112022-06-27T06:00:00.006-05:002022-06-27T06:00:00.187-05:00Summer...<p> Ahhh...the lazy days of summer. No school, no rush, no place to be. The schedule is lighter and everyone is able to take a breather.</p><p>I found my cat the other day, stretched out on my daughter's bed, soaking up the afternoon sun as it filtered through the blinds in her room. I thought, <i>Wow! This cat knows how to take a nap!</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyozxUWPUBVJSLGHfg-PW6Ux_qlfZnC9uHv48owpzUVCEyY3Vl3n2qnOSfKaGeTG-LClLNUDuU2mWmWhXqq6uM0ad08gxunQEHWDjBhwqrTKjOwuq8Au8iPjZ5tVU1IQrhfIuODxidVr88upBDgeek8IdLGAfcxcsO4n0Df_fASKuA-7OKSqHw1o6oLA/s4032/Kiki1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyozxUWPUBVJSLGHfg-PW6Ux_qlfZnC9uHv48owpzUVCEyY3Vl3n2qnOSfKaGeTG-LClLNUDuU2mWmWhXqq6uM0ad08gxunQEHWDjBhwqrTKjOwuq8Au8iPjZ5tVU1IQrhfIuODxidVr88upBDgeek8IdLGAfcxcsO4n0Df_fASKuA-7OKSqHw1o6oLA/s320/Kiki1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>A second later her head popped up...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo8Zjq-t--KE6bflzi1SgJT_OnXJcg7cUB3n3wcI6RjQaZazheanmDVYbRu-5PFeIDas6Kw2hOmoXb4isMg_5ERy3Z2gxpXMx_iYzS-GZRoYWD2kbTmL1GKqtQe7lZbdG38PteVPtwnWkLyJ5BjCsvMHCUuGZcB8Zs9FpB-E9WmlBWk5AauCOX6UcVA/s4032/Kiki2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo8Zjq-t--KE6bflzi1SgJT_OnXJcg7cUB3n3wcI6RjQaZazheanmDVYbRu-5PFeIDas6Kw2hOmoXb4isMg_5ERy3Z2gxpXMx_iYzS-GZRoYWD2kbTmL1GKqtQe7lZbdG38PteVPtwnWkLyJ5BjCsvMHCUuGZcB8Zs9FpB-E9WmlBWk5AauCOX6UcVA/s320/Kiki2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i>Hey, I heard you takin' my picture.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>So my cat is enjoying being able to freely roam the house while my kids are enjoying being able to sleep in and not doing homework. Hopefully by the time August rolls around they'll be slightly ready to go back.</div><div><br /></div><div>Probably not.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and I have exciting news. My oldest made the cover of Time magazine as the person of the year...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiEmpMRCEX7GMworGTOH8QjBb2Gf2lAgzK1oAyhQevNQo0s0ahBA72X9rVtI1kX6vq9xEvMQJ0A59ZnWj9lb8kkSSuStpAQrsBm6syLNNx24ZBWYeUzYQPAaSKX6rChAWR47kAEF4T5qnJ0k1tWPrn4cnDar_4Ryoxn-wPYjJBXGzsz1qflDd63B2YQ/s5100/Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5100" data-original-width="3300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiEmpMRCEX7GMworGTOH8QjBb2Gf2lAgzK1oAyhQevNQo0s0ahBA72X9rVtI1kX6vq9xEvMQJ0A59ZnWj9lb8kkSSuStpAQrsBm6syLNNx24ZBWYeUzYQPAaSKX6rChAWR47kAEF4T5qnJ0k1tWPrn4cnDar_4Ryoxn-wPYjJBXGzsz1qflDd63B2YQ/s320/Michael.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div>Just kidding. His geeky character for our VBS skit this year is actually the one who made the very fictional cover of Time magazine.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the photo so much I requested a copy to blow up and post everywhere. Like seriously, look...my kid is the Person of the Year! Now excuse me while I go knock him upside the head for ruining the moment by doing something dumb.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for me, I'm enjoying sleeping in, drinking my coffee at my own pace, and reading a book whenever I feel like it. Gotta' love summer!</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply Chillin' Out,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-10462263880552623092022-06-20T06:00:00.003-05:002022-06-20T06:00:00.169-05:00Blooming...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK90omdngHjXmfSJdSZhQLz3I4YBqabjWmb2vG8L3txCY_WCS33nt3c5jzb0pr9-Q1zCvC7v3GgLQlDpvBZjhsuTappw9K4kT-vAlqvfifZa7x_n2zfIndXU1w2uuD-Cl3GYc8wjqEKq5N0EzvIooI03iNIPBsBthLva2KI1Bw34x0NYmBowhqryphvA/s3712/pexels-coralie-bscr-11829519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="3712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK90omdngHjXmfSJdSZhQLz3I4YBqabjWmb2vG8L3txCY_WCS33nt3c5jzb0pr9-Q1zCvC7v3GgLQlDpvBZjhsuTappw9K4kT-vAlqvfifZa7x_n2zfIndXU1w2uuD-Cl3GYc8wjqEKq5N0EzvIooI03iNIPBsBthLva2KI1Bw34x0NYmBowhqryphvA/s320/pexels-coralie-bscr-11829519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You've heard the phrase <i>Bloom where you're planted</i>, right? You can find various definitions of this statement online. One author described this as <i>capitalizing on your talents and gifts regardless of your circumstances and apply them to 'bear fruit" or be productive. </i>This corresponds nicely with a Biblical principle found in John 15:8: <i>Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples</i>. To bear much fruit, we have to do some work: we go, we plant, we water, and wait for God to give the increase.<p></p><p>But <i>Bloom where your planted</i> could also mean that we are simply to be content wherever God has placed us in life and to make the most of the opporunities that come our way. The Apostle Paul practiced this principle when he wrote to the church at Philippi: <i>Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Phil. 4:11)</i></p><p>At our Ladies Missionary Luncheon last week, one of our missionary wives to Spain was asked a question about what she struggled with when transitioning from one country to the next. I found her answer most profound: "When I'm there, I live there. When I'm here, I live here. I just ask for one day when we first arrive, all to myself. After that, I'm all good." </p><p>This struck a chord with me. It's difficult to move away from family and friends...from home. There's the fear of the unknown...of living in a strange new place, of having to learn a new area, sometimes a new language, having to make new friends...simply settling down. Unfortunately what happens is that we focus more on the homesickness, the loneliness, the fear...all these emotions, that our attention is drawn away from our main mission: planting roots and learning to bloom. </p><p>The word <i>bloom</i> is an action verb, implying that you have to be intentional about this. Are you in the center of God's will? Then you have to make a conscious decision to have the right attitude, to reign in those emtions, and get busy in the work of the Lord. </p><p>What great words of wisdom: If you live there, then live there. If you live here, then live here. Bloom where your planted.</p><p>Simply Blooming,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-10924672020035361192022-06-13T06:00:00.207-05:002022-06-13T18:02:59.364-05:00Mentoring...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg2gqdRR-tv54377RCP_FNTwmAg83ERT6G4xjphaT9EaQ6HxC3zeFhCbATOKVuaF8pffQowHUqIy68p8n63DSFO4CLyIbhr-hdZKbIrBw3T8DJtcZDyMtCuF940Z1HCocru4TRQ6MCgP7MFsFTlBl-MMAMWy9TVBGeWJ_hq60UHcDP2OiuBAsEDIMaw/s4032/IMG_1820_original.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg2gqdRR-tv54377RCP_FNTwmAg83ERT6G4xjphaT9EaQ6HxC3zeFhCbATOKVuaF8pffQowHUqIy68p8n63DSFO4CLyIbhr-hdZKbIrBw3T8DJtcZDyMtCuF940Z1HCocru4TRQ6MCgP7MFsFTlBl-MMAMWy9TVBGeWJ_hq60UHcDP2OiuBAsEDIMaw/s320/IMG_1820_original.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Growing up, my life as a preacher's kid was not always easy, especially considering the fact that the our lives were constantly on display. We were taught we were Allison's, meaning we were held to a much higher standard than others. What my Dad preached, we lived...and sometimes it seemed so very, very unfair.<p></p><p>Now don't panic. I'm not here to write about how horrible my life was, or run down the fifty fruitful years of ministry my parents have dedicated their lives to. Yes, there were times of difficulty, but what I remember most is all the wonderful, beautiful blessings my family experienced from living in the very center of God's will. Oh, the prayers we saw answered, the godly people I came in contact with whose lives forever changed my life...I had the awesome privilege of benefitting from the legacy of others!</p><p>Someone once said: <i>One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.</i></p><p>This last weekend our family attended a missionary mentoring held at our church. As I was listening to our veteran missionaries share their call and their surrender to the Lord's will, I found myself looking around at all the teenagers in the room. So much potential, and yet so many obstacles that could deter them from being all that they could be for God. What they truly need now are godly men and women to mentor, to advise or train, to do just what the quote above states: to help navigate a course to their destination.</p><p>I certainly wouldn't be where I am today...married to a preacher, mom to my three "babies" (even if two of them are as tall as me now), member of a loving church, teacher to a great group of teenagers...if it weren't for the love and support of some very influential ladies. Especially when it came to a point in my life where I was prepared to follow my own desires. </p><p>Now none of these desires had anything to do with being a teacher. In fact, being a teacher was the very last thing I wanted to be. My grandmother was a teacher, my Mom was a teacher, my sister was a teacher. In my mind, being a teacher, a missionary, or a secretary were the only options for a Christian young lady in full-time Christian service. But I desired more...so. much. more. Trauma surgeon more.</p><p>Lofty sites, right?</p><p>Can you imagine me a trauma surgeon? At the time, all I could think about was the amount of schooling and years of residency that waited for me.</p><p>But my Dad, in his godly wisdom, asked for me to go to one year of Bible college...and I agreed, because well, I loved my Dad. Needless to say that one year was life changing. The chapel and church services, the ministries, my classes, always seemed geared toward finding God's will and doing it. </p><p>I made the singing tour group my first year in college and was scheduled to travel during my sophomore year which meant...you guessed it! I'd have to go back at least one more year. That's what I kept telling myself that next year: just one more year and then I can go to med school. Unfortunately this mindset was hard not just on myself, but on my parents as well. One day I'd say, "I'll stay" while the next I was adamant: "I'm done after this year." Oh, the times I spent in an unfinished dorm room, pouring my heart to God, begging Him to let me go do what I wanted to do. </p><p>Yet my Heavenly Father had much better plans for me. Through constant conviction and wise council, I finally surrendered to finish the four years of Bible college, putting an end to my dream of being this awesome trauma surgeon. Even after I graduated and returned home, there were a few dear ladies who helped walk me through my first years of teaching as well as navigate single life.</p><p>Then, when God's time was right, He graciously allowed my Dear Hubby and me to meet. The rest, as they say, is history.</p><p>In March of 2020, when the world seemed to shut down and there was so much uncertainty, I realized something: that was the twenty year anniversary of me totally surrendering to the Lord's plans and not my own. Where would I have been had I chosen to become a doctor? What if I would have gone and done my own thing? How different would my life be twenty years later?</p><p>If it weren't for those who loved me, prayed for me, and mentored me, I shudder to think of all the blessings I would have missed out on. His will was so. much. better.</p><p><i>For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of eveil, to give you and expected end. (Jere. 29:11)</i></p><p>Now it's my turn to be a mentor. To share with other young ladies just what God did in me, the struggles He helped me navigate, the godly people He put in my path to help along the way. All of these were used to bring me to where I am today: in the very center of His will.</p><p>Simply Glorying in Him,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-28368429964308612602022-06-02T13:08:00.001-05:002022-06-02T13:08:29.966-05:00All That Sparkles...<p>If you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080897532125" target="_blank">Facebook</a> (words I thought would never come out of my mouth) then you may have noticed my most recent unboxing video. I am so happy to announce that I was selected to be a brand ambassador for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/626519584366227" target="_blank">The Pearl Lady</a> for the month of June. This means I showcase some fabulous pieces made by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Heather.R.Weaver" target="_blank">Heather Weaver</a>, who, let me tell you, knows about making jewelry!</p><p>Want to see just what fabulousness she makes? Check out this video:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='374' height='311' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx05CqdbPxzHD4AoYheUFq4h8-11AdjUu8uJDXNWcGyWApVvF_8G1Ys3qDndS8AK-SJuCaTVcAQn7sqPE6bZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You have got to go check out her site, <a href="https://thepearllady.us/" target="_blank">The Pearl Lady, HERE</a>. And here's a little something for you. Use <b>Kari10</b> at check-out to receive 10% off your first purchase!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now what are you waiting for!! Go shopping!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simply Fahbulous Dahling,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-19816278651149461162022-05-02T22:05:00.002-05:002022-05-02T22:10:01.518-05:00Trying Something New...<p>What I'm about to share with you may be absolutely shocking. You might want to sit down. </p><p>Oh, you're already sitting? Well brace yourself. I'm just going to go ahead and throw this out there...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvBYo0JfECDUL5loAgk7M6XiZA-PeuT-aP5nrvD0Wb1-7-BaOoXzVnEGl9PC8P25Ow-gOiwf4A2L5M94imlXKjyfrAuo7GXBerOBy78vcjTPW564Dk3YOQDy03l1-QOcO-geMPErdP3qZzMaqn2zkkANpmOOe3Xw1i7VgttPesSI2sJFSgfd-9u_Hag/s4005/Facebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="4005" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvBYo0JfECDUL5loAgk7M6XiZA-PeuT-aP5nrvD0Wb1-7-BaOoXzVnEGl9PC8P25Ow-gOiwf4A2L5M94imlXKjyfrAuo7GXBerOBy78vcjTPW564Dk3YOQDy03l1-QOcO-geMPErdP3qZzMaqn2zkkANpmOOe3Xw1i7VgttPesSI2sJFSgfd-9u_Hag/w378-h272/Facebook.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><p>I am now, officially on Facebook. And before you get all crazy like <i>She's on FACEBOOK?!?!?!, </i>it's only the start of a way to earn a little extra income over the summer by doing some embroidering and vinyl clings. There will not be in any personal posts, family photos, memes...just me and my creations. I love my little world over here on blogspot way too much. Eventually I will have my posts here attached to Facebook there, but baby steps. This is like learning Google classroom all over again, and I'd really like to get it right the first time.</p><p>So if you're curious as to what I mean by embroidering, here you go...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTq7LviFCRlQCm5P0C0QhQyOQEkds6nV0jSCnNvm7LhmN_Avo0US2c4KpNidj3CYflMEG2im-caEhIzfgXkuhWRWT0tf6uRm89m9jkFLpG1mT3b7wsOnsJ3dTAiKcD-wEpkYb8OhhR9Sf3xxzBKBMQJNyDDigYkdszIM_8m_Bgq4F5o-9If7bo3phdg/s1403/Facebook2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTq7LviFCRlQCm5P0C0QhQyOQEkds6nV0jSCnNvm7LhmN_Avo0US2c4KpNidj3CYflMEG2im-caEhIzfgXkuhWRWT0tf6uRm89m9jkFLpG1mT3b7wsOnsJ3dTAiKcD-wEpkYb8OhhR9Sf3xxzBKBMQJNyDDigYkdszIM_8m_Bgq4F5o-9If7bo3phdg/s320/Facebook2.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>During our Ladies Array this past weekend, I attended a fabulous class taught by a dear friend of mine who has become quite the entrepreneur. She graciously shared her tips about starting an at-home business. I would absolutely love to sell some of the things I create...so, this is just the start.</p><p>Hope you'll head on over and check out give me a follow! New creations going up periodically!</p><p>Simply Branching Out,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-3051098020353637072022-04-17T14:28:00.002-05:002022-04-28T08:00:09.922-05:00A Risen Savior...<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGejrz2C8lF8SDfrYwIA5EBiFHdXIXuJ0aIDv1pUGDLjgKLdrmTg2po-6Acrpvjx6K_al17wrtl9aA1ishCHQxlMHSLzp-y7L-Z1AiM1WW_GRKREgSmcb4SwpYHmEINzy5YJJ1D47d1bP2KQ1J-wSghhUSJQK9ZBx6JTErN9ZI800Mf8SMd66fqTlWGg/s900/empty-tomb-gynt-art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="900" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGejrz2C8lF8SDfrYwIA5EBiFHdXIXuJ0aIDv1pUGDLjgKLdrmTg2po-6Acrpvjx6K_al17wrtl9aA1ishCHQxlMHSLzp-y7L-Z1AiM1WW_GRKREgSmcb4SwpYHmEINzy5YJJ1D47d1bP2KQ1J-wSghhUSJQK9ZBx6JTErN9ZI800Mf8SMd66fqTlWGg/w364-h265/empty-tomb-gynt-art.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.</i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Come, see the place where the Lord lay.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>--Matthew 28:6--</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a very Happy Resurrection Sunday...from my family to yours!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Simply Celebrating Our Savior,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-63431080821998134202022-04-04T05:30:00.085-05:002022-04-04T10:50:09.726-05:00All Systems Go...<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLutcpgjo45cwtCqbYxqiDw9fIGl1NbQkeXNfvPE09Vmefk-oKYqdi-EYf_Pjn7orisurLf_hIxwEnEx0dgHaW8cIndlYFuGbOQz4mEBrodq2W-9utoW8Bcs1fHz2GTz52Jla-ImGj7EHj61vjyzkIrnjFD7_gIQbKnCg1tqa8qGkENP-Xp9fwAIA5iA/s3000/pexels-pixabay-2159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="3000" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLutcpgjo45cwtCqbYxqiDw9fIGl1NbQkeXNfvPE09Vmefk-oKYqdi-EYf_Pjn7orisurLf_hIxwEnEx0dgHaW8cIndlYFuGbOQz4mEBrodq2W-9utoW8Bcs1fHz2GTz52Jla-ImGj7EHj61vjyzkIrnjFD7_gIQbKnCg1tqa8qGkENP-Xp9fwAIA5iA/w338-h218/pexels-pixabay-2159.jpg" width="338" /></a></i></div><i>This is shuttle control. We are T minus 10 for lift off...seven...six...five...four...we have main engine start... three, two, one...we have lift off. I repeat, we have lift off!</i><p></p><p>This may sound like the countdown for a space shuttle launch, but it's not. Instead, this is me...every morning, ten seconds before my alarm goes off at 5:45. From the time that buzzer sounds and my feet hit the floor, this momma is off and running. Kids are up by 6:20, breakfast is made and eaten, lunches are packed, and we are headed out the door for school by seven. Homeroom starts at 7:30, lunches taken to the school refrigerator at 7:55, student devotions at 8:00, classes from then until 1:12...with a lunch thrown in there around noon.</p><p>By the time we all head home from school there are chores to do, homework to finish, dinner to make, a few loads of laundry to wash, a workout to fit in, a shower to take, and then...then it's time for everyone to just go. to. bed.</p><p>Bedtime has become my favorite time of the day. There is nothing like snuggling under the covers, surrounded by my favorite pillows, drifting off to dreamworld to the slow rhythmic breathing of My Dear Hubby. It's absolutely lovely.</p><p>And then comes the weekends. Those two days have their own unique schedules, a little more relaxed than during the week. Naps are definitely, definitely penciled in...maybe more like written in permanent ink. We cannot miss a nap! </p><p>Our life is busy with family, ministry, and school, and I absolutely love it. Over the years I've learned different methods and techniques on how to manage my time so that I could be more effective all around; and in a few weeks, I'll be sharing how others can learn to manage their time more effective at our Ladies Array Fellowship.</p><p>This all sounds well and good; but in reality, <i>Houston, we have a problem</i>.</p><p>This past weekend our church hosted a couples conference; and it was during one of the ladies sessions, that the visiting pastor's wife began describing how easy it is for busy wives and moms to turn into what she called <i>operating systems</i>. In fact, when she started describing what it means to be an operating system, I was horrified to realized she was describing <i>ME!</i></p><p>I've become so good at scheduling, making sure everyone is right in line, hair and clothes in place, house straightened, material ready to go, that I've turned <i>myself</i> into an impersonal operating system. </p><p>Now don't get me wrong. Scheduling IS good. Doing work IS good. But many times I become so busy and so routine that I find myself operating on autopilot, without any heart behind it, especially on those days when I just don't feel like it. Over time layers of coldness and harshness build up and creep through into my words and my attitudes when dealing with my hubby and/or my children. After all, O<i>ut of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. (Matt. 12:34)</i></p><p>I realized I don't want to be known as "Mom: the Operating System." I want to be the Mom who...<i>out of the good treasure of </i>{her} <i>heart bringeth for that which is good...(Luke 6:45)</i> That means there has to be a change in my heart. I have got to have one that is soft, pliable, empathetic. Oh, how I desire for the Lord <i>to give </i>me<i> one heart, and ...put a new spirit within </i>me. I want Him to <i>take </i>my <i>stony heart...and give...an heart of flesh. (Ezek. 11:19)</i></p><p>No more cold operating systems here. Just a sinner who has been blessed to be a wife and a mother...</p><p>Simply Seeking a New Heart,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-41080363941892147342022-03-28T05:30:00.039-05:002022-03-29T11:35:56.523-05:00Over Forty...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLXW1l_tJZcP-R9Bzl-Ug7aWLDrbw6mv24bBpixoelOIQL55HjH6wQIiJqTarazR_qTZK5D6YsIz2gI3z5Uq-pRUSmjT_FWgvYcBwkuI2wO2zYWT-eHKRU7R5dCGhqt5UzMCaHM7NNa0YsKqEQXY5nFQ5btJkpnZzLVqNKuq1xiiJM2EgOirFKHVkmg/s3539/Blogging%20Day%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="3539" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLXW1l_tJZcP-R9Bzl-Ug7aWLDrbw6mv24bBpixoelOIQL55HjH6wQIiJqTarazR_qTZK5D6YsIz2gI3z5Uq-pRUSmjT_FWgvYcBwkuI2wO2zYWT-eHKRU7R5dCGhqt5UzMCaHM7NNa0YsKqEQXY5nFQ5btJkpnZzLVqNKuq1xiiJM2EgOirFKHVkmg/w342-h277/Blogging%20Day%20pic.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>It's tough getting old. The body slows down, the hair turns gray, the skin starts to wrinkle. Sometimes these changes are a tough pill to swallow.<p></p><p>Tuesday my daughter and I went to have our eyes checked and to order new glasses. As you can imagine, everything went well for my daughter. After all, she has the advantage of youth...not to sound bitter or anything. But when it was my turn for the chair...well, everything went down hill from there. Big words like <i>presbyopia </i>and <i>progressive lenses</i> were bantered around (mostly by the doctor) to help with things like reading. </p><p>Unfortunately I had opened my big mouth at the start of the appointment and admitted that I was having a wee bit of trouble focusing on my books when I was teaching. You know--the trombone motion until you get it just the right distance? Yeah....</p><p><i>So your eyesite begins declining at forty...</i></p><p>Precious words every aging woman wants to hear.</p><p>You might be surprised to know that wasn't the first time that day those very same words were spoken to me. Just two hours earlier I had watched the reflection of my beloved hair dresser as her mouth formed the words...<i>begins declining at forty</i>...in the mirror in front of me. </p><p>Grant it, she was trying to do her best to help calm me down after I discovered my hair was frayed and dried out to the point of being brittle. She even went so far as to have me come to her shop right away to see her, patting me on the shoulder, and telling me to take a deep breath, everything would be ok. Then she proceeded to put her hands on my hair and with a horrified expression, exclaimed: IS THIS POST-COVID HAIR?!?!?</p><p>I knew I was right to panic.</p><p>No, it wasn't post-covid hair. Already been there and suffered that: an unusal amount of hair loss shortly after being sick. Oh, it's a very real thing, let me tell you.</p><p>She then went on to tell me that <i>women over forty</i> (Ugh! Those words again) should not shampoo their hair everyday. It strips the hair of natural oils and causes it to dry out. Oh, and I should definitely start taking powdered collagen.</p><p><i>Now what did we learn today?</i> My hair dresser said as she unsnapped the cape from around my neck.</p><p><i>Hmmm....what did I learn?</i></p><p>Only one lesson I can think: It's tough getting old.</p><p>Simply Geriatric,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-46864650200016040292022-03-21T05:30:00.016-05:002022-03-21T05:30:00.177-05:00Blank...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYlh1LyiyHzWAQb3a8r6u2OR5wkrDISxLgBwwbokAw7OTcO7jDSCoOD0z7A-FcRPUcxKSeqJfBRscSoI7gTy5QXHADQq-WKzyMDqjQ6TC2J77ITetgZdHu1MnpgeRysRDFvgQJJ2657JFSTpcXgQyHlCivHmKzg-SSnKWWhfwN39YHRBHWfPqwYQ0QvQ=s5472" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYlh1LyiyHzWAQb3a8r6u2OR5wkrDISxLgBwwbokAw7OTcO7jDSCoOD0z7A-FcRPUcxKSeqJfBRscSoI7gTy5QXHADQq-WKzyMDqjQ6TC2J77ITetgZdHu1MnpgeRysRDFvgQJJ2657JFSTpcXgQyHlCivHmKzg-SSnKWWhfwN39YHRBHWfPqwYQ0QvQ=w345-h230" width="345" /></a></div>I absolutely love to write. And if I'm not writing, I'm reading. And sometimes when I'm reading, I'm re-writing what I'm reading, almost like my brain is always in editing mode. <p></p><p>As the country descends into the madness that is college basketball, my students, including my own children, are encountering their own kind of madness: feverishly putting the final touches on their research papers. Research papers they've spent the last two months writing. I refuse to edit any of my student's papers. Instead they must find two other adults that will take on the challenge of making heads or tales of their topic. After all, I'm going to be reading their final drafts for a grade. I'd hate to ruin a good paper by having to do a bunch of editing.</p><p>Remember, I edit as I read...unless whatever I'm reading is THAT good. Then I sit back, enjoy the cadence of the words, letting them flow over me, surround me, carry me away on some grand, imaginative adventure.</p><p>Unless I'm reading things like my children's rought drafts.</p><p>I felt sorry for both my kids when I handed their papers back to them, completely covered in red ink.</p><p><i>Move this here.</i></p><p><i>A better way to say this is....</i></p><p><i>Isn't this the third time you've stated this?</i></p><p><i>"Stuff" is not a scientific word.</i></p><p><i>Please don't use "cool" in your paper.</i></p><p>I may never get asked to edit another paper again. Yay me!</p><p>But as much as I love writing, I've found it extremely difficult to do these last few months. For my weekly posts here I usually start writing an idea on Thursday, finish up on Saturday, and then edit Sunday before it posts on Monday. It's a process; and for me, it's rather therapeutic. But the older I get the more I find my words fail me when I need them the most. </p><p>No, really. It's a miracle that I can stand in front of a classroom nine months out of each year and expound on things like thermodynamics and the mathematical laws that govern all motion in the universe, and know that my students will understanding exactly what I'm saying. Speech and debate are my favorite to teach, and I absolutely <i>love</i> being the first to demonstrate just how persuasive words can be: both written and spoken.</p><p>Step away from academics, however, toss in some emotions just for the fun of it and I am an absolute mess. The same words that were once so persuasive in the classroom have become a jumbled mess in my brain and simply won't translate to my mouth. In most cases, both my mouth and my brain will switch to one mode: sarcasm...and very few people truly appreciate the art of sarcasm during a serious conversation.</p><p>Trust me. I know.</p><p>There have been many times over the last few months when I've opened a new post expecting the most amazing words to materialize on my screen...and then after about ten minutes of looking at a blinking cursor, I close my laptop, irritated that I just couldn't say what I wanted to say. </p><p>There's nothing. Both my mind and my screen are completely and utterly blank.</p><p>It's not that I've forgotten about all y'all out there. In fact, I'm on spring break this week. We should totally curl up with a cup of coffee and chit chat about all that's happened while I've been away. I find I'm in need of a friend...or is it a good therapist? Maybe both? I'll let you decide.</p><p>My prayer is that this writer's block will dissipate and the words I once found so soothing, will return and offer me their comfort. And with their return, I will once again find my voice. Until then, stick around...re-read some old posts. Drop me a line about how you're doing. I'm still here even if my words aren't.</p><p>Simply Seeking Words,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-1863845198935868112022-01-10T05:00:00.017-06:002022-01-10T05:00:00.178-06:00Noise...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP_2Cn4MNKmF5gY7lj-zEEsejRxelgRSoKVnodCeHmRnCnYnxlnDJ8PHKZjpc9UYB9dooq79FdpG6HKZpKrXaYcovalqZfmmJ_FVAa4OKhpGvMmx2qGns2bXp-dpaZntxQjW7qSwFTOiJ-PKLPPE6MQE5wFAXUM66fnVyoGPSgBY1-65J7VcaWsehvSQ=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP_2Cn4MNKmF5gY7lj-zEEsejRxelgRSoKVnodCeHmRnCnYnxlnDJ8PHKZjpc9UYB9dooq79FdpG6HKZpKrXaYcovalqZfmmJ_FVAa4OKhpGvMmx2qGns2bXp-dpaZntxQjW7qSwFTOiJ-PKLPPE6MQE5wFAXUM66fnVyoGPSgBY1-65J7VcaWsehvSQ=w350-h233" width="350" /></a></div><br />Noise can be a good thing or a bad thing...encouraging or depressing...calming or overwhelming.<p></p><p>When my kids were little, I use to look forward to bedtime every night and the lovely quiet that followed. I used to crave it: the quietness of nothing. No noise, no chattering, no bickering, no questions, no <i>why?</i>, no <i>Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!</i> In that solitude I could finally let my mind just be.</p><p>Now my kiddos are older and the noise has turned into something else entirely. When my two teenagers went to camp this past summer, I was all geared up to get so much done while they were gone. But by the second day, the quiet, which I usually found so comforting, was starting to bother me. </p><p>My Dear Hubby found me one day just studying the family photos and reminiscing about when the kids were younger. During this time, the quiet made me sad. It seems the lack of noise was just a reminder that our life would be that quiet in just a few short years: the two oldest would be off at college and the other one would be busy with basketball and youth activities and functions.</p><p>No noise reminded me just how fast life was passing by...and I didn't like it. Not one single bit.</p><p>I've realized in the last few years that the busyness of life causes alot of noise in my life. The constant go, go, go of church, ministries, school, house work, sports, and youth, can sometimes overwhelm my mind causing me to feel frustrated, anxious, and irritated. This then leads me to believe that even my own emotions can add overwhelming noise in my life.</p><p>It's during times of trials and hardships, maybe even unexpected situations, when I'm just not sure what I'm suppose to do, or what I'm suppose to say, or how I'm suppose to handle something, that I feel myself drowning in just loud, obnoxious <i>noise...</i>figuratively speaking, of course.</p><p>This is where I've found myself these past few months: inundated with thoughts and emotions in my own personal life. What I desperately needed was to take a huge, giant step back and look at things rather simply. To take out a fresh sheet of paper and write a very basic schedule and checklist for myself. Because, let's face it, there are just some things that have to be done no matter what. </p><p>But it even went a step further. It also meant wrestling my mind back under control. To stop worrying about things that I could not control. To set aside the feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness, and sadness that I found myself bombarded with as things seemed to fall apart around me.</p><p>Instead, I needed to remember that <i>whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8)</i></p><p>Once again I am reminded of Elijah, on the run from Jezebel, and hiding out in a cave. The Lord came to speak with him in his hideout; and when He (the Lord) passed by, there was a <i>great and strong wind</i>. So strong that it broke the rocks and the mountains into pieces. Then there was an earthquake, and then a fire. All of this produced such terrifying sounds I'm sure. But it was after all of this noise, when everything was quiet, that there came a still small voice. (<i>I Kings 19:1-12</i>)</p><p>The application for me is clear: You can't hear the still small voice of the Lord when your life is inundated with noise. </p><p>I've learned much about myself over the last few months, the journey I've had to take to get where I am today. I'm sure that in a few months I'll need to stop and once again take a good, long look at my life. By then it may be time to pull out another fresh sheet of paper and start simplifying where life has become complicated.</p><p>Maybe you can join me.</p><p>Simply Simplifying,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-48294818933713565972022-01-03T05:00:00.017-06:002022-01-03T05:00:00.166-06:00Motivation...<p>Are you needing a little push this morning? After all, it is the very first Monday of a brand new year...it's also the first day back to school from Christmas break for me. And let me just say, after a week with spring-like temperatures, in the middle of winter, over Christmas and New Years no less, we're looking at below freezing temps, ice, and snow on our drive in.</p><p>Uh, no thanks. At least now I'll actually be able to wear my new winter coat My Dear Hubby gave me for Christmas.</p><p>I know these last few weeks I've been absent from writing. I've been learning how to quiet the excess "noise" in my life. December is always a busy month for me at school with big projects, getting through material for finals; and this year I needed to have a cyst removed from the right side of my mouth. That meant a week of looking a little like the bride of Frankenstein (ok, maybe it wasn't that bad) while telling people not to make me laugh. </p><p>You can guess how well that worked. They all personally made it there mission to get me to smile...and it hurt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIl6isG1pr1iz7s67Vwaz5wfTNxuheRklclVNvmama_VyiUhAIhDeoObFLSDSFmf_dNrvZfHilcPLhLe_blZ9o9eVEv72mEIYZN6q8rR_zMu8ICM4Kywj7W7PYkhmL44mQKfHtTQdIR-VrfNtMXnej95ayxoKh_WRGDJl_oBpRLvmXUWdHX1UyAQp5yQ=s4069" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="4069" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIl6isG1pr1iz7s67Vwaz5wfTNxuheRklclVNvmama_VyiUhAIhDeoObFLSDSFmf_dNrvZfHilcPLhLe_blZ9o9eVEv72mEIYZN6q8rR_zMu8ICM4Kywj7W7PYkhmL44mQKfHtTQdIR-VrfNtMXnej95ayxoKh_WRGDJl_oBpRLvmXUWdHX1UyAQp5yQ=w430-h288" width="430" /></a></div><p></p><p>But now we're at the start of a brand new year. Made any resolutions? Have any key words as a theme for this year?</p><p>My Dear Hubby has decided on the word <i>reasonable</i> as his key word...and I have to say I might actually have to use it for my life as well. <i>Reasonable </i>in the way I think, <i>reasonable </i>in my emotions, <i>reasonable </i>in my behavior, <i>reasonable </i>in my speaking...<i>Now I beseech ye therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, <u>which is your reasonable service</u> (Rom. 12:1).</i></p><p>So on this very first Monday of this brand new year of 2022 here are some words of motivation...from the wrapper of my Hall's cough drops (they're truly inspirational):</p><p><i>March forward!</i></p><p><i>Nothing you can't handle!</i></p><p><i>Let's hear your battle cry!</i></p><p><i>Be resilient!</i></p><p><i>Conquer today!</i></p><p><i>Ellicit a few wows today! </i>(Now this one could really go either way: <i>Wow</i> as in "that was amazing" or <i>Wow</i> and in "that was an epic fail")</p><p><i>Seize the day!</i></p><p><i>Push on!</i></p><p><i>Turn "can do" into "can did"!</i></p><p>...and my favorite:</p><p><i>Impress yourself today!</i></p><p>That one should be easy. I'm always impressed with myself when I'm able to get up, get ready, and get out the door on time with my three kiddos...all before I've had coffee. </p><p>Here's to 2022...now go out and be <i>Awesome!</i></p><p>Simply Cheering You On,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-39045698678673691242021-11-03T06:00:00.001-05:002021-11-03T06:00:00.158-05:00Perspective...<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VknnlBMCXOAU5RA8QwjLCXykxTtwD07aP6SrfNAz_Rs2xmqBTv8Z3NacanWm7KUn4WAyxevp8iyY6KKFZEbbU3zcB_-DRvkzwKEOqY47LwKbJgJETgTQq8LNf9RQCScT9esZes5oJzNi/s2048/pexels-monstera-5634667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VknnlBMCXOAU5RA8QwjLCXykxTtwD07aP6SrfNAz_Rs2xmqBTv8Z3NacanWm7KUn4WAyxevp8iyY6KKFZEbbU3zcB_-DRvkzwKEOqY47LwKbJgJETgTQq8LNf9RQCScT9esZes5oJzNi/s320/pexels-monstera-5634667.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>Sometimes when I'm reading (something I like to do alot), a particular phrase will grab my attention and I find myself mulling over the meaning. A few weeks ago I was reading a new release from a favorite fictional author when I came across this little gem:<div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Time gives us all the gift of perspective</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this particular story, an old man is reminiscing about his life: both his successes and his failures...the times he regretted his actions or his behavior. Looking back, he wished he could go back and do things differently. Instead he was left with nothing but regrets...and a different perspective than the one from his youth.</div><div><br /></div><div>As one poet wrote: <i>Regret is a bitter pill to swallow with its jagged edges of consequence and unchanging finality.</i><br /><p></p><p>It made me wonder then: Is this why the Lord instructed the aged women to be <i>teachers of good things</i>? Good things like being sober (emotional or silly), loving their husband and children, being discreet (showing self-restraint in speech and behavior), being chaste (pure), being obedient...<i>that the word of God be not blasphemed?</i> <i>(Titus 2:3-5)</i></p><p>Does time really give older women the gift of perspective?</p><p>I really believe it does. If I think back to those by-gone days of my twenties and thirties (let's just skip over those awkward teen years, shall we?), I could point out times where, if I were to face those situations again, time would have given me a different perspective on the whole situation. In turn, my responses would be completely different than they were back then. How nice it would be to live without regrets. </p><p>No wonder it's important that the aged women are to be teachers of good things. If we could help just one young lady avoid a folly of youth, how much better her life will be! But then that means that we ourselves must <i>be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers...</i>there are always qualifications for those desiring to be effective teachers.</p><p>So for me, I'm....</p><p>Simply Seeking Perspective,</p></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-45093903996089743162021-10-26T19:46:00.002-05:002021-10-26T21:42:53.251-05:00Weary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeeYRDhvstXgP1I5_YX4Q4gulwBeFLFS7wG2IpNLIbhSm6v4jf7PMTjMKlUzgjfYK_mmscS06OYpjZ2BIn7auOYDFGvT95HuYxjcj6DDEN3zsfZuZArbJc_AypY0nXg4cnfcsl0dXQBI6/s2048/School+Pic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeeYRDhvstXgP1I5_YX4Q4gulwBeFLFS7wG2IpNLIbhSm6v4jf7PMTjMKlUzgjfYK_mmscS06OYpjZ2BIn7auOYDFGvT95HuYxjcj6DDEN3zsfZuZArbJc_AypY0nXg4cnfcsl0dXQBI6/w281-h374/School+Pic.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p>Why is it that being a parent is so hard?</p><p>I used to think that if we trained them well when they were younger, that one day, when they became teenagers, it would all pay off. Things would go so much smoother because there would be no hang-ups or hiccups. We had already put in so much work.</p><p>Then one day I woke up from my dreaming to find that not only did my oldest two grow physically, their problems grew right along with them.</p><p>A dear friend recently likened this to leveling up in a video game. As you level up, the game gets more intense, the work harder. </p><p>Unfortunately, life isn't a game, and we only have one shot to get this right. There will be no starting over from the checkpoint or respawning at the beginning of the level. No, we have to get this right the. very. first. time.</p><p>No pressure.</p><p>I guess this gives new meaning to <i>and be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal. 6:9) </i>If there is one thing I can definitely say, it's so very easy to get weary.</p><p>You'd think by now I'd be a pro dealing with teenagers. After all, teaching them in a classroom has been my heart for the last fifteen years. Sure there are days where I have to pull a student aside to give them the motivational speech of <i>I believe you can do so much more than what you're giving me right now.</i></p><p>In fact I recently found myself sitting down in the desk next to one student, and beginning my <i>Please stay after class</i> speech with the admission that being an adult is way harder than being a teenager. I think she was a little suprised by my honesty; and I have to say, I really hadn't planned on saying that.</p><p>What I wanted her to understand is that the skills and habits I was working to form in her character now, were all in preparation for what she was about to face once she became an adult. Sometimes having to sit through correction from me was painful and just no fun. Yet it was always with her best interest in mind...with the goal for her to be successful wherever the Lord led her. That meant I expected so much more than just some flimsy excuse that was basically just a way to cover up for poor time management.</p><p>Know what? It's the same challenge I face as a parent. If I want my children to be used of the Lord as an adult, I don't have the luxury of coddling them or excusing bad behavior now. How does it help them to know when I don't agree with someone in authority over them? What will they learn from that? I've found that this only breeds rebellion and more behavioral problems.</p><p>Does that mean that I always agree with how others treat my children? Absolutely not. I'm going to be honest here and admit that there have been times I'd have liked to unleash my inner Mamma-Bear. I want to roar out my displeasure in defense of my child. But again, how does that help them grow up godly? Maybe the Lord sent that situation into their life to teach them an important lesson. Do I really want to be the one who hinders my Heavenly Father from working in their life?</p><p>No, my job is to teach them to humble themselves, to learn from those who the Lord puts over them, to get along with others, to be the best that they can be for the Lord...no matter their age and no matter their situation. They need to cultivate these good habits now while they're young. If not, they will turn out to be whiners and complainers, never taking responsibility for their own actions, and living with the mantra that <i>life just isn't fair</i>. </p><p>But all of this training spells T-I-M-E...and it's so very, very important we take extra careful time now if we're going to raise champions for Christ.</p><p>So here I go...gearing up to get back into the fight. The lives of my children hang in the balance and I've simply got to be successful.</p><p>...<i>and be not weary...</i></p><p>Simply Carrying On,</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-83246373101474306982021-10-20T06:00:00.003-05:002021-10-20T07:24:52.879-05:00Celebrating...<p> Today my dear hubby and I celebrate our fifteen year wedding anniversary...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBkH918Nsig85uYs-InZY8QtpV81ncbUMPy5abT44Ot8WEytIOn3-qBrxwg8_Be81QgEv9Co5oi5kaWwsYsIxpACYUD-jQhZSFD_B85NndGqDwnkvjEX6suuuuBh_Mfxvzxp9V6s8nFbX/s1082/JeffandKari1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="720" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBkH918Nsig85uYs-InZY8QtpV81ncbUMPy5abT44Ot8WEytIOn3-qBrxwg8_Be81QgEv9Co5oi5kaWwsYsIxpACYUD-jQhZSFD_B85NndGqDwnkvjEX6suuuuBh_Mfxvzxp9V6s8nFbX/w235-h353/JeffandKari1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>My, it seems like only yesterday while at the same time so long ago. I told my kids that and they gave me that look of "Mom, you're crazy."<div><br /></div><div>Seriously, I remember all the wedding planning...I may have planned things a little too well. Decorations, people, music, food....the timing of everything. And then, just like that, it was over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Much has happened in those fifteen years: babies, losses, moves, career changes, challenges...and yet, I wouldn't change a day of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, maybe the few times we didn't get along; but even then, those times were needed for growth and correction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nLsltfIWndeVQxiuHdEqv8XWGNJEZMmI6L_W47_5Vyp2dUCM0r-C8oauqr06BkpEbsqQ5y9Y6un_sHJPNnYSazz-il9mV0mLaKFCpy8Brxwmt5tWoRdoY4GNYsTiJ1yduwfmuybDIE11/s2048/JeffandKari2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="2048" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nLsltfIWndeVQxiuHdEqv8XWGNJEZMmI6L_W47_5Vyp2dUCM0r-C8oauqr06BkpEbsqQ5y9Y6un_sHJPNnYSazz-il9mV0mLaKFCpy8Brxwmt5tWoRdoY4GNYsTiJ1yduwfmuybDIE11/w331-h323/JeffandKari2.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div>I love this man and am so very greatful that the Lord brought our paths together. That was a miracle in and of itself: both in our late twenties, both still single, both praying for God to bring us mates. And our Heavenly Father, in His love and mercy, took two people, living almost eight hundred miles apart, and allowed them to meet via email with an opening line (from me, by the way): <i>I saw that it was your birthday and just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Poetic and a wee bit forward, what can I say. Let me just add that my sister made me write it.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here's to celebrations and to fifteen, no, fifty more years with the love of my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply Celebrating,</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3424234675806057388.post-12625179156240788222021-10-11T06:00:00.001-05:002021-10-11T06:00:00.203-05:00Belonging...<p><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjkOxQMsySC9vHGEghq6ymynXbaxn8voDL5fy4NTR6MKm-xxr6zZIOWc3qAueZZQZStV_guF4KTSzWD7BT_rBs0_A-6jUgIjuLXj-HGmYys7VanymI6mwgka6TsUrv9-8M5_jVRq6OOiE/s2048/oreo+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjkOxQMsySC9vHGEghq6ymynXbaxn8voDL5fy4NTR6MKm-xxr6zZIOWc3qAueZZQZStV_guF4KTSzWD7BT_rBs0_A-6jUgIjuLXj-HGmYys7VanymI6mwgka6TsUrv9-8M5_jVRq6OOiE/w253-h338/oreo+pic.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Welcome to Monday morning. The devotional this week comes from the illustriuous author and my sister, Kathy Ashley. Wondering why the pic is of her cute dog, Oreo? Keep on reading for your thought for the week!</i></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meandering
the streets, he found himself looking for food and shelter. Life had so
confused this poor boy; he had been born to a pack of pups, had been
guarded by his mother, and then thrown into a vehicle and carted away to be
left on the street in town to scrounge for food.
Where did home go? What happened to all that he had been
so accustomed to? Supposedly he was now “free” to roam wherever his heart
desires took him, but this freedom was frightening! There were none
of the usual smells, sweet comforts of mother and other pups, or familiar
surroundings. What was to happen to him?</span></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Night merged into day; days
merged into weeks. Scared in soul and emaciated in body now his
being seemed. He yearned to no longer have to search for any edible
morsel, to hide from any interaction, to be safe from storm and fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One afternoon, joyful
laughter and soothing tones of conversation began to fill the air. A mother
with her three children were walking down the same street on which he had taken
refuge. The mother called calmy to him. Oh, how he so desperately wanted
to approach! But, what if this was another trick that would only throw him back
out into an uncertain freedom with no security? The mother and her
children kneeled down and once again beckoned him to come. He was slowly
drawn to the comfort of their pleas. As they walked back to their house, they
continuously invited him to follow. The urge was too compelling to
refuse; the curiosity was too overwhelming; he heeded the call.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the garage he was met
with the most wonderful smell – hotdog. He was famished; his poor
stomach craved for it; his mouth salivated for the taste of it.
The insistent need for food was so great that his teeth hardly even
chewed the pieces; he practically swallowed them whole. It was a
good thing that the mother broke them into small morsels. One, two, three, four
– what? Five entire hotdogs?! He had never felt so full and
so satisfied as he did in that moment. He honestly could not take another
bite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The provisions for him did
not end there. The mother found an old towel and an old pillow
from which she made a bed. The children decided on the exact place for
which to place the bed to protect him from wind, rain, and lightning. He
loved the security and comfort that this new place afforded him. He almost felt
like he could – belong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, his nature kept
prompting him to run, to escape, to flee. Why? Mistrust had permeated his
first year of life; it would hardly be disregarded so quickly. After all, was
there someone out there that would genuinely care for him? The only human
interaction he had experienced had taught him that they were not worthy to be
trusted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With tender tones and sweet
caresses, the feelings of mistrust, desperation, and fear began to subside.
Perhaps there actually was a real-life paradise that a poor pup could live and
be free to enjoy. Was this what having a home, a feeling of belonging
actually means? The first trial came a few days later, though, when one of the
children approached to put a collar on his neck. That was a new feeling for
him! Was this the symbol of belonging to a family? Or was it a noose that
would cinch tighter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then a click he heard as
the garage gate opened to the street. “Want to go walking?” were new words for
him. Back out onto the street where he had scavenged and scurried was where he
found himself walking in collar and leash. The desire to run and get
a whiff of all the smells overcame him and propelled his body back and
forth across the way. If only he could go fast enough to inventory
all the odors that there seemed to be. As he ran in one direction, this cord,
this rope, this leash seemed to hold him back. Harder he pulled and stronger
he jerked trying to accomplish this overpowering desire to run wild once
again. Just one more time he could be free to go as he pleased, never
considering the future consequences of that “freedom.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Time and patience finally
won the heart of this deserted pup. He began to learn that the
security and provision of belonging actually gave him the freedom to be
content and happy. He could play with new toys provided for him, and he
had a family that loved, cared, and doted on him. There was food every day
in a dish designated for only him; there were treats and extra meat scraps left
just for him. In fact, he now resided inside the grand house with those very
humans. Each night he could crawl into a human size bed and curl up in
the cushioned comforter next to a warm body. Such contentment
to not have just every need met, but also have every desire
fulfilled. Now, when the words “Want to go walking?” are spoken, he
joyfully, exuberantly runs to the door and sticks his neck out to be put into
the collar and leash so he can enjoy a walk full of smells and curiosity.</span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKanfV9K8g5RtDnzhHcgUC1HnOhq75mqEcdGO_dYwpD5zskMGIYPMxg_wmSSDsqt2nh0q86WQ3tQexYVNRX0DKU7DMNGj-k7uHiroMvNd6CfNiNQEf60nepBVwUbVi7fj741GHC6qV-PT/s2048/Oreo+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKanfV9K8g5RtDnzhHcgUC1HnOhq75mqEcdGO_dYwpD5zskMGIYPMxg_wmSSDsqt2nh0q86WQ3tQexYVNRX0DKU7DMNGj-k7uHiroMvNd6CfNiNQEf60nepBVwUbVi7fj741GHC6qV-PT/s320/Oreo+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That illusion
of freedom to wander the streets alone began to lose its luster; it was a
fool’s gold shine after all. True belonging brought an inner peace and
tranquility that no solidarity freedom could ever afford. For a dog, this
is what it actually means to be tame, to be domesticated, to
be civilized.Any dog (or cat, for that matter) that does not accept the
warm love and care of a human has been designated another name, feral.
“Freedom” to do as is pleased is feral and is not true freedom at all.</span></span><p></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">So, why
do we as humans think that to be “free to do as we wish” is true freedom?
It is not! It only leads to fear, insecurity, and danger. John put it so
aptly in I John 2:15-17, </span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>Love not the world, neither the
things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but
is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever</i></span><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">That fear
that accompanies the false freedom leaves a disquiet within the soul; the only
peace and calm comes from a loving Heavenly Father who gently and lovingly
chides us with His mercy, goodness, and provision. James
1:13-17 says, </span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>Let no man say when he is tempted, I
am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is
drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it
bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. </i></span><span class="s5" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i><u>Do not err, my beloved brethren</u></i></span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning…. (vs. 25) But whoso looketh into the </i></span><span class="s6" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><b><i>perfect law of liberty</i></b></span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>,
and continueththerein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his deed</i></span><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">That
collar and leash that seemed like a restraint is actually His leading and
guiding in our lives. His sovereign control knows what is best. Matthew
11:30 says, </span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>For my yoke is easy, and my burden light</i></span><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">.
When He says, “Want to go walking?” with Him? Yes!</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">True
freedom, true liberty, as a believer is the ability and desire to please the
One who saved her and be content in the provisions that He has given
her. Was it not Christ who said, </span><span class="s4" style="text-indent: 27pt;"><i>My sheep hear my
voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand</i></span><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">.
John 10:27-28. That, my friend is security, peace, and
contentment. “Now I Belong to Jesus!”</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 27pt;">Simply Stated,</span></span></p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12127124911665128892noreply@blogger.com0