tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271410502024-03-21T22:31:56.126-07:00Bridget's BabblingsBridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-31542268298955340742011-03-07T20:10:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:46:42.432-08:00The plans HE has ....<div><div style="text-align: center; ">It has been a L~O~N~G 9 months!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">What I "heard" from God ... what I thought to be so clear ... plain...</div><div style="text-align: center; ">you can<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span><a href="http://bridgetsbabblings.blogspot.com/2010/06/conversation.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">see here</span></span></b></a>... for further details!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">In all the "knowing" there was/is still so much UNknown!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I KNEW we were "supposed" to adopt again! GASP! I know!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Understand, I did NOT "want" to... I felt I was "supposed to" there <b>IS</b> a difference!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">And then... <i>don't you just love the </i>"And Then..."</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>WANTED</b></span> to !!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Hallelujah !!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">There has been a heaviness! a NEED to act!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">And "act" I have!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I have searched our adoption agency sight relentlessly!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I have anguished over the darling souls "WAITING" for a family!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I have prayed for specific children and <b>desired </b>(to adopt) a specific child!!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I sought...</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Seeking, in and of it self, is NOT wrong!! Absolutely NOT!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">However I do believe I was getting WAY ahead of myself! AND God!</div><div style="text-align: center; ">(And my man)</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Mark & I have talked! </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Cried! Argued!</div><div style="text-align: center; "> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Agreed! Agreed to disagree....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC9933;">Y'all there are SO many orphans!!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">And SO many Christians ...</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: right; ">we <b>MUST</b> lessen the number of children in orphanages!</div><div style="text-align: right; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: right; ">We <b>MUST</b> !</div><div style="text-align: right; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">My heart breaks to bring them HOME!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU19rDSUSm5SBsKsoxwXu2ybiCbMZCtUatSt0eYYXIC-8B7UKB2lYSgHMwVqr-C-SSBSRNpnJ1DwOdqWJRWIRKSQ4-U5FQSTIjyolD6t50AzF0rN3oQR4Ej3JIkQA9B86JnK6/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU19rDSUSm5SBsKsoxwXu2ybiCbMZCtUatSt0eYYXIC-8B7UKB2lYSgHMwVqr-C-SSBSRNpnJ1DwOdqWJRWIRKSQ4-U5FQSTIjyolD6t50AzF0rN3oQR4Ej3JIkQA9B86JnK6/s400/IMG_0747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581723930871187202" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><br /></span></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">To sisters & brothers ... our family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To food on the table! And KNOWLEDGE of our Sweet Jesus! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few weeks ago I read a sweet friends blog: <a href="http://isntshelovelyshay.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-calling-to-embrace.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Mrs Sharon A's</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></b></span>.... she has gorgeous bio babes and equally gorgeous China Chicks!! And NOW... she and her man are bringing home another precious child...a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">BOY</span></b> !!! You will REALLY want to take a peek !!! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wept!! Joy, YES! Indeed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a precious family!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I also wept , <b>are you ready for this</b>? (notice the color!) </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Ready for my true human Mommy ~wanting~ to~ adopt~ heart to show???</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> I wept because it was not ME! Not me announcing that we were bringing OUR child home!</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was devastated!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Confused!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taken aback!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I went outside (remember I live in in the midwest... it was drizzling! It was cold!) I went to my "Serenity Spot"! I sat in my Adirondack chair curled up in my THICK blanket and CRIED out to God!!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WHY!!???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why can it not be ME? Why am I not bringing another child home?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">God, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am willing</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">!!! (Really Bridget,asks God)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then.... the doubt crept in. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"> Doesn't it always???</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Things like ... you already are blessed with <b>FIVE</b> children !!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"> I am !!! Thank you LORD!</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Where will the finances come from?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"> From You LORD!</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then... OH! </div><div><br /></div><div>Am I not ready/fit/ qualified/able to parent... another??</div><div><br /></div><div> Hmmm... that thought took control !! </div><div style="text-align: right;">You see I do have a "past" of doubting MY capabilities!! (justifiably so!)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;">For two days I was </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;">UN~done</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;">! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">prayed</span>! I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;">WEPT</span>! I cried out LITERALLY & figuratively!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you know ... God being WHO He is... blessed me so...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My older son who is in college called and asked me to come cook for 300 people for a FUNdraiser for his mission trip !!! That was precious!!! We had a BALL!!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6s8_yVWCNe0wm8zgLN8mzjJ9OXg09JLrwQpiOl3Tp9ustBwcBnMSGuN6CaCylIrKyeiFGvCEuUTHmuY0FzjTmtXvktgPUySFNHAYLsK-RlNUUkUMZ9Ca8-3Mr_lXakeE7tn5/s1600/IMGA0281.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6s8_yVWCNe0wm8zgLN8mzjJ9OXg09JLrwQpiOl3Tp9ustBwcBnMSGuN6CaCylIrKyeiFGvCEuUTHmuY0FzjTmtXvktgPUySFNHAYLsK-RlNUUkUMZ9Ca8-3Mr_lXakeE7tn5/s400/IMGA0281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581703995066577890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">When an adult child "SEEKS his parent's face" or in others terms... wants them around... that is a HUGE buoy to this Mama's heart!</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://4FDC0FD6-ACE0-4F36-B9BE-77BF0DE9010E/3d_book.gif" alt="3d_book.gif" /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Then, my precious daughter, who now has TWO daughters of her own, texted me a picture of her "study area" ( Bible, lesson book,notebook) and titled it: Look Familiar? I texted back : I am so proud of YOU , that You are SEEKING God and sharing with others!! (This is her FIRST time to facilitate a Bible Study !!!!) She wrote back... "Did you not see??? It looks FAMILIAR"...</div></div><div><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm5IalGhdK-eqKBP2KTBRmFJ7cYN-AolHZBwVHJBBKMIdxG1dnV_1ad0hRv14Kxkr4-_wBCj1xJdMQmfPpo3NRf55o0G1xtDhL5GStmrbUl4R-Oju65qbd_6kmMtweO-c1sWl/s1600/IMGA0108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimm5IalGhdK-eqKBP2KTBRmFJ7cYN-AolHZBwVHJBBKMIdxG1dnV_1ad0hRv14Kxkr4-_wBCj1xJdMQmfPpo3NRf55o0G1xtDhL5GStmrbUl4R-Oju65qbd_6kmMtweO-c1sWl/s400/IMGA0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581708495605056786" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Thank you Lord and Samuel and Savannah !!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God used my OLDER two children to REaffirm that I <b>WAS</b> OK as a Mama !! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Had I made monumental mistakes? Sins? YES!! Had He & they forgiven ? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glory, YES!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The same week that I read the blog, I co~hosted an Adoption Open House for a DEAR friend who is fostering to ADOPT ... a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">BOY</span></b>!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>After the celebration I drove a friend home and sat in her driveway and poured out my heart. She listened bless HER heart! I rehashed the last 9 months and the STILL present calling.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I told her how "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">my heart</span>" was in China!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://2D4027F4-44F1-4C5E-9F99-E76DEA7E6256/imgres.jpg" alt="imgres.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"></span>For a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b>Girl</b></span> !!! (of course)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I DO hurt for the children in the USA , <b>Haiti</b> & other countries that are without a family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I DO !!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So... fast forward a week and arrive in my yesterday !! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WELCOME!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had plans to meet my friend Tricia at the gym.... then we were going to drop off paperwork to another friend, Shelley, who just "happens" to be the founder of <a href="http://www.welcomehomehaiti.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Welcome Home Haiti</span></b></span></a>! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They,the men in our Small Group from church, are leaving in a couple weeks to build homes in <b>Haiti</b> !!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So we are at the gym ON the KILLER machine aka the elliptical !! My phone rings, I answer, Sutton is ill ! I must get off this machine (drats!) And go pick him up from school !! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">(PIVOTAL CONVERSATION) </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He and I are chatting on the way home he tells me his friend Ashton had to go home too... I said ,"Oh his name is like your sister's". He looks bewildered. I say you know Savannah Ashton! He said," Wow,I thought I had another sister!!" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I JUMP on that, you betcha!!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ask if he would like another sister? His reply? Sure, I guess... BUT ....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yep, there is a BUT!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"But really I want a brother. A little brother. A dark <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>BROWN</b></span> brother."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Really, "I ask?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then the conversation gets <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">CRAZY</span></b>!!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He tells me he wants the lil guy to "room" with him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course I remind him how "irritating" he thinks the girls are when they come in his room.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He explains that he has "ALL" kinds to toys & blocks & cars &"guys" in his room.... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">REALLY??? This is interesting!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: So, what age were you thinking?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: Oh 5 or 6 or 7</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Hmm, I was thinking 3 or 4 or 5 </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: Ok but NOT 2 or 3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Wow, Sutton, I have NEVER considered a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>BOY</b></span> before!!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: Why not?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: I don't know!! (wheels start turning! Silent questions to God ensue! )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: What would we name him?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: You know it would HAVE to be an "S" name.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: Of course, how about Shalom? (He loves<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb449yJPKFQ"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>LeCrae's music</b></span></span></a>) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Ummmm , I don't think so .... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: It means PEACE Mom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Yes, babe, I know.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sutton: you have any ideas?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: I like Solomon... It too means peace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did we just have that conversation?? Talking about a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">BOY</span></b>????</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I drop Sutton off and head to Shelley's !! I relay our conversation, mine & Sutton's !! She gets goosebumps (she has adopted three times... once from <b>Haiti</b>) !!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She says you should do it!!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I bring up the little fact, you know, of my Hubby! Lack of finances! Yadda! Yadda! Yadda! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She shares about an organizations that "loans" the $$$ interest FREE ... and they are repaid when the "child tax credit" is received the following tax year!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">!!!!????!!!WHAT ????!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I listened! I thought! I came home and researched that company!!! Whoa!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did I tell my Hubby? NO! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to ! Oh how I wanted to! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt a "voice" saying WAIT! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I am! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark will depart for <b>Haiti</b> on March 31st. Returning April 6th! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I KNOW he will come back changed! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After seeing the conditions in <b>Haiti </b>and also knowing his tender heart<b>...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He WILL be forever changed!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gloriously Ruined! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I will wait for The Lord to move! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I thought He was saying... for so long... perhaps He was just preparing <b>my heart</b> to say YES to HIS will... whatever it is... whatever <i><b>IT</b></i> "looks like" NOT mine !!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Boy</span></b> ~ <b>Haiti</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">Girl</span></b> ~ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">China</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">One!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">None!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">B~O~T~H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;"> !???</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Only He knows the plans He has for me! For Mark! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In that I will trust! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He is FORever Faith~FULL !!!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-28840560877624338092011-01-08T12:41:00.000-08:002011-02-23T14:42:12.585-08:00Hard Times! Down on Luck! Homeless!! God Bless ; )<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqr7d-gG8vYqgFmDqDfOiZq7FIj2hgpJzvc8bStUCF4iu3Vaxw0KQDSnsS_x-25CBNCwfHMo91EbdlZNX75_-T0CadhMU4MTpSL9405szVBEDrC-oEivO7L3Syy0gnrMapKxv/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqr7d-gG8vYqgFmDqDfOiZq7FIj2hgpJzvc8bStUCF4iu3Vaxw0KQDSnsS_x-25CBNCwfHMo91EbdlZNX75_-T0CadhMU4MTpSL9405szVBEDrC-oEivO7L3Syy0gnrMapKxv/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577015502842981698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So today I was going to Wal Mart...</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">AGAIN</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. My Hubby is ill. Nothing sounds good, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bless his heart</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, EXCEPT Gatorade! Popsicle & Milkshake! I have NONE of those on hand, thus a trip to Wal Mart. Samuel, my oldest man~child, rides with me! ( I </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LOVE</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> time with him!) We chat! Laugh! Listen to music. GOoD times!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"> </span></span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We pull into the parking lot, upon entering is a person holding a sign VERY similar to the one posted above! I comment to Samuel how cold it is and that I need to get cash when I check out to give to them... it is so cold I add! As we are running to the van (it is horrifically cold) I realize I forgot to get cash !! DRATS! However, I remember I have a McDonald's card in my wallet. $10 not much but literally all I had! I pull up close... It is a YOUNG lady. Beautiful face! Not clean , LONG dreads ( I love dread locks! ,I DO !!!) Samuel hands her the card tells her how much is on it and she thanks us and I tell her GOD bless you ! She smiles and we drive off !</span></b></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></i></span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEqc8nUPabhCWYjI4unhDTlwZhqD88AAL7KHBbayB1Rsws4LoAXAuCrK98g9BJtnwYenpkReRJjibWzXxnZnN74Cb-WZbzPTRL7nfVPsQQqYuL8YWDilwQdgyZKPmH2Oid9zX/s400/mcdonalds-master-logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577014578757819842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><p></p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am quiet. Samuel is quiet! Then I say, "Why did I not buy her food while I was in there?" Grrr ! " I am so dense!" I exclaim!!</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I come in and I feel "DREAD" ~full ! I KNOW </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am called to do more!!</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> </span></span></i></b></span></span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This verse resounded....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "If a brother or sister is without food or clothing and in NEED of DAILY food, and if one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed & filled and yet do not give them what is necessary for their body, WHAT USE IS THAT?"</span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the kitchen as we unload the items Mark requested, I look at Samuel, I smiled, he smiled! I said, " grab some bags! " WE pack bags! Fruit... apple, oranges, bananas!! Cheese sticks! Crackers! Nuts! Raisins! Bottles of water! I was disappointed I only had a used jar of peanut butter!! Samuel said," Mom put this in" It was a HUGE jar that I had bought for him to take back to college with him! He says,"Mom, really, she NEEDS it" !! Did I say I LOVE this child???</span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We rustle around. I warm up a bowl of homemade chicken soup. Wrap up a spoon & napkin. Samuel goes to the drawer and grabs more disposable utensils and napkins. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">GOOD call</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bag up Pizza. (Who doesn't like pizza? HOT? Warm? or Cold??? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Granola bars! Bags of chip. Cans that can be popped off.</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Samuel goes into the pantry then heads outside... he comes back in with a gallon sized bag full of dog food!</span></span></b></span></i></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Precious</span></b>!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Did I mention the young lady had a dog with her?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We loaded up and headed back to Wal Mart! Music was playing .... Care to guess the title?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIim2Hvz0sE" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Casting Crowns - "Does Anybody Hear Her?"</span></a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIim2Hvz0sE" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Next tune? Honestly I can NOT remember... it mentioned "lonely" "home" I told Samuel "ABSOLUTELY not a coincidence! A GOD~incident!" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We get closer I am pleading that she is still there. We pass a really old small car near where she was standing... "I bet that is hers" !! As we pull into the parking lot a MAN is now holding the sign... I read it as I turn to park next to the car... "Homeless! Down on luck. With Baby!!" God Bless! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I start crying! </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A baby !</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The young lady was in the backseat with her young baby boy! She rolls down the window. Her face lights up smiling! I beam back at her. I begin telling her what is in the bags. She is overwhelmed with gratitude! When I mention the dog food she was floored!!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I ask her her name. Lindsey! Her lil guys? Dakota! She introduces me to her two dogs also !!! Blue & Ramen!! I introduce myself. She tells me thank you many times!! Then shares that they are headed to Florida. Her husband's cousin has a job for him, carpentry... they just need to get there. </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I ask if I can give her a hug? She says YES!! I hug her. I grab her dreads and squeeze! I tell her I will continue to pray for her and her Dakota . She tells me she will pray for me too ! HOw precious is that!!??!! We both tell each other May God Bless You !!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">AND MEAN IT !!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She has her baby,Dakota, wave with her as we drive off ! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I can't stop crying. But I try. I don't want Samuel to feel really uncomfortable!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Please know...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I did not tell this to bring any recognition to</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> myself!! HORRORS! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">What happened today?</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">I feel it was a God ordained moment! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What did I learn??</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">First off, we/I are/am unbelievably <b>BLESSED</b> !!!! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;">Yes, I forgot to buy things for Lindsey... Yet, when I arrived HOME! ( <b>I have a HOME!</b>)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;">I have food! MUCH food! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A pantry packed , a plethora of produce & products! </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;">I have a car! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><b><i>I am warm!</i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;">I know where I will sleep!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"><i><b>I KNOW my children are warm. Safe. Filled.</b></i></span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>I witnessed my son unselfishly serve a stranger!</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;">Oh,how very much I take for granted! Father, please forgive!! I ask that You continually REMIND me that everything I have is from YOU !!! Even my very next breath! Prompt me and lead me! Open my eyes and my heart! And Lord may You be praised! And Your name Glorified!!! You are THE GIVER of all things GOoD !! Thank You Father for allowing me to meet Lindsey! I KNOW You are only a call away from her !!! I take such comfort in YOUR Faith~FULL~ness!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div></div></div>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-14225233057606326072010-11-11T12:57:00.002-08:002010-11-11T12:58:04.123-08:00<center><a href="http://www.nihaoyall.com" target="self"><img alt="Ni Hao Y'all" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/bg22is.png" /></a></center>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-12533010307426961752010-09-26T10:30:00.001-07:002010-09-26T10:30:35.527-07:00<a href="http://theblogfrog.com/user/50254" title="Find Me On BlogFrog!"><img src="http://theblogfrog.com/images/social-icons/frog-greenback.png" alt="Find Me On BlogFrog!" /></a>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-91041500698597132482010-06-02T06:18:00.000-07:002010-06-02T08:15:18.506-07:00A conversation...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); ">Have you ever had one of "those kind" of conversations? The ones that begin with benign bantering? A cacophony of commonality? The drone of daily life? ?? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> I had such a one several weeks ago!! Are you wondering? Querying? As to why this merits a myriad of thought? A post? A blog? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">The reason: a string of sound. Words. A sentence! A declaration!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">A sentence that remains as if on loop. Playing again. And again. And AGAIN.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Let me take you back to "that day" ! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">I was chatting with a friend. Congratulating her on her soon to be "NEW" member of their family. You see this friend has THREE bio children and THREE that are a gift of adoption from Ethiopia. (they have been home just a smidgen less/more than a year from Ethiopia) And oh my mercy if they don't receive a call from.... CHINA. Long story short... they will be adding another daughter to their family...SOON! Wow! Again... congrats sweet friend!!! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> As I was THEN talking about this fabulous, open, loving family with a dear neighbor (she too has adopted) From China & Ethiopia. Not thinking they would adopt again, <b>YET</b>, choosing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#996633;">to </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#996633;">not</span></b> say NO if God presents an opportunity ... I was in awe listening... intrigued by the self</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b>LESS</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">ness! The accepting of God's will. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">As we continued to visit she shared with me about a group of girls in China ALL waiting children... "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC33;"><b>Waiting</b>"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> includes children that are, as the phrase says, <b>WAITING</b> on their forever family! OR perhaps they have what is considered a "Special Need" !! When I first heard this term several years ago it gave me pause. What was a "special need" How severe would it be? Is it curable? Could it be treated? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> As my precious friend/neighbor expounded upon these little ones a world, an ocean away , I was moved by some of the SMALL NEED! One girl waiting needed... are you ready for this ??? She NEEDS.... Glasses!!!!! Seriously? Glasses?? That caught me so off guard! Glasses!! A small YET important item !!! You see... BOTH my girls.... Selah & Shaylee are "special needs" you know what their need is ?? Their EYES!!!! Strabismus.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> I gasped and extolled " Why, I will buy her glasses!!!" ( inwardly thinking how very BIG of me!!! HORRORS!) My precious humble friend laid her hand on my knee and said </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">"But Bridget, She NEEDS a home" !!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">WOE! Whoa!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> Did you see that that?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Did you make the connection??</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">NEED!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> She needs a home!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">I am ashamed to say that I mentally & emotionally "checked out" after that. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Several days passed. I was sharing with Mark about our friends & neighbors and about the "NEED" of that one little girl. Again, I said and drug Mark right along with me declaring " We WILL buy her glasses" ! He agreed! Then.... isn't there always a "then" ??? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> I continued on reiterating the entire conversation and all the details I could recall. When I arrived at the pivotal part of the " But, Bridget she NEEDS a home", he reacted EXACTLY as I did!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Subject closed!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Dead End ! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Life continues on!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">However, as moments became minutes , and minutes hours, and hours days... those words "But,Bridget she needs a home." Reverberated! Resounded! Resonated!! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Internal arguing ensued! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">I prayed! Because ... are you ready for some ugly to show?? I didn't want to even consider adoption... AGAIN! Selfish! I know! True just the same.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">I then turned to His Word. James 1:22... But prove yourselves </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>DOERS</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"> of this world not merely hearers who delude themselves. skip down to vs 25 ..." an effectual <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">DOER</span></b> will be blessed by what he <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">DOES</span></b>." vs 27 ..." in the sight of our God, pure and undefiled religion... take care of the orphans & the widows in their distress </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:LucidaGrande, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Baskerville; font-size: medium; "><span priority="2" dhw="1" class="hw" style="font-size: 24px; "><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">dis</span><span class="hsb"></span><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">tress</span></span><span class="pronGrp"><span pr="US" type="US" class="pr" style="font-family: HiraMinPro-W3; "> |disˈtres|</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Baskerville; font-size: medium; "><span class="MS" style="display: block; "><span class="lbl" style="font-family: LucidaGrande; font-size: 13px; ">• </span><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal; "><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">suffering</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">caused</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">by</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">lack</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">of</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">money</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">or</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">the</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">basic</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">necessities</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">of</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">life</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b></span><span priority="2" class="ex" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="lbl" style="font-weight: normal; ">: </span>the poor were helped in their distress </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Continue on to James chapter 2 ... vs 15~17 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">uppose you see a brother or sister who </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>needs</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"> food or clothing (<b>perhaps even GLASSES & a home</b>)and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>but then you don't give</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"> that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless.</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;font-size:100%;color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;font-size:100%;color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;font-size:100%;color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-style: normal; "><table id="table_bible" class="table_bible" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 16px; "><tbody><tr id="Pro_24_12_652012"><td class="td_bible_verse_heading" valign="top" width="68" align="left" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; white-space: nowrap; font-weight: bold; "><span class="nowrap" style="white-space: nowrap; "><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Pro&c=24&v=12&t=NLT#comm/12" onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 12);" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(50, 67, 149); ">Pro 24:12</a></span></td><td class="td_bible_text" valign="top" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and he sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">he knows you knew!</span></b> And he will judge all people according to what they have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">done.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;font-size:100%;color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">Mark and I have texted and not yet spoken in person... I think we are both SCARED!! </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>I know I am !!! I also know <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">THE</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I Am</span></span><i> !! And He WILL give wisdom! Direction! </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i> " She needs a Home"</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>"She needs a home"</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>"She needs a home." </i></span></span></div>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-59621519548781507662009-02-04T14:16:00.000-08:002009-02-04T18:07:35.164-08:00I Just Need a Sandbox!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lgQUlUBRQPZOFJblHe0JyMsv2FI2LOIhSQZ8Mx7oBW8uipLg1I4kdkkc3VIB6Tt3UIT-QreW5CM8SkYrfYOlNmT9IyOARygO0UkAR3D5qekagtAgzwS3rpgZD9-stLL2xIOw/s1600-h/Jesus+Writing+in+the+Sand.jpg"></a><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG4cxLFpjvs4C2ovz13WA9g32Dey8yINLcFvuikzKL7jmhlzj1s2tBQKAxMSJNpU0b066fqlBB_mAMSQHzjmL_xAY54yQ-FzxqqXAdesQLT2GGD19xDmB1e2YePB1mdIjiFDa/s1600-h/Sand+Zen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299071956036762594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG4cxLFpjvs4C2ovz13WA9g32Dey8yINLcFvuikzKL7jmhlzj1s2tBQKAxMSJNpU0b066fqlBB_mAMSQHzjmL_xAY54yQ-FzxqqXAdesQLT2GGD19xDmB1e2YePB1mdIjiFDa/s400/Sand+Zen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Sunday was a day !!</strong> </span></span></em></div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></em><div><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">My family & I went to church ( I really don't even like that term"went to church"... aren't we The Church? ... another topic for another day perhaps!) </span></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>So, at church God had plans to not only meet me there BUT He had in mind a lesson (or two) that I needed to learn, relearn AND implement. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My heart hurt for someone VERY close to me! I was in full on PROTECT mode! (Read: bulldog with lipstick!) I felt my loved one was mistreated! Dealt with MOST unfairly. In fact, I think that BECAUSE it was a "church setting" the affront stung even more. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I wanted an explanation!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I wanted clarification!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I WANTED IT TO HAVE NOT OCCURED!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>During the main assembly I did all I could to sit! I could not sing. I felt to do so would totally NOT honor God. Add to the fact that when I hear singing and I am at all "tender" of heart, I cry!!! So that is what I did! CRY! ALOT!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Afterward we , came home, instead of our usual lunching with friends.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My darling Hubby and I had some HARD heart-to-heart talks! Voices raised! MORE tears shed! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I felt ALONE! My husband & I could NOT agree! I am used to that! BUT, I wanted...no NEEDED to have him understand me,my heart. I didn't care if we disagreed, I just wanted to be understood! I wanted "my side" of things validated.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Fast forward about two hours...</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Hubby & I talked ... I ask to be held, supported. I reiterated that he did NOT have to agree with, just hold me. Support me! (THAT is hard for me to do... to be so vulnerable...YES! even in front of my husband.)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Tears still came but now they were cleansing. I prayed. I quieted myself.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I felt The Spirit bringing Scripture to mind. Such as ... " don't grumble against each other, brothers,or you will be judged..." James 5:7 </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Also, "say only what will edify or uplift the one who hears" paraphrased</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Then, I recalled when Jesus was accused. He was silent.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When He was asked what should be done with/about the woman "caught" in adultery ...</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>He squatted and wrote in the sand!</em><br /></span></div><em></em><p align="right"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299083607048866610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 94px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbvP1xfHINOMaiQUa6GGfMc9a92FekbK1UiCykrfgABMkt6gUXW_jgTIIaCR49jS-FK_k8ZN0OKqVEDlnVOsGkwMM93s_huiqYfxWKOE17RhnkMxGH07Ke4XH4uSfuarZVYU7/s400/Jesus+Writing+in+the+Sand.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="right"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="right"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;">Whoa! and WOE! I GOT IT!!!!!!!!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">I needed to do NOTHING!!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">I needed to say NOTHING!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">I needed to defend NOTHING!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">So, you can find me... in MY sandbox!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Next time you have an urge to "SAY" ............ come join me !!!</span></p><em><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></em>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-30288361869111904702009-01-23T09:01:00.001-08:002009-01-23T09:12:31.569-08:00An Evening with Libi Faith<a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3QzMC94YW5uYWR1MzMvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9bF82YzY3OTI2YzQ2ZDg0ZmUxYTM5ZGRhNGFlNTFiZTRlMy5qcGc" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/l_6c67926c46d84fe1a39dda4ae51be4e3.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3QzMC94YW5uYWR1MzMvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9bF8zZTJkZWM4ODMwMTM0M2QyOWUwMzNiNmY5MWI0NGI1Ni5qcGc" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/l_3e2dec88301343d29e033b6f91b44b56.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczE1Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3QzMC94YW5uYWR1MzMvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9bF8wNzVmZGViNTVmYjU0YmYwOTk3NDVlNjAzMmRhNTFiNC5qcGc" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/l_075fdeb55fb54bf099745e6032da51b4.jpg" border="0" /></a><center><a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/?action=view&current=Libi001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/th_Libi001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/?action=view&current=Libi007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/th_Libi007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/?action=view&current=Libi006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/th_Libi006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/?action=view&current=Libi003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/th_Libi003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/?action=view&current=Libi002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/xannadu33/th_Libi002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></center>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-72794437386192021412009-01-15T15:08:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:15:23.342-08:00Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking into the future...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking into the future...</strong></span></div> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWD016Z3IDhXBiPD3a-mwMNw_ARnzmY99IEERGW09U0plqLkDHBF_iPdXUMRxjjOB8_r2BDw2mkWwaHnyFrcqLXQzpl1wAYwdbFrNXhgVccWR_wq5nIDUmiZM3O_DGva1C3B0/s1600-h/animated-clock833.gif"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWD016Z3IDhXBiPD3a-mwMNw_ARnzmY99IEERGW09U0plqLkDHBF_iPdXUMRxjjOB8_r2BDw2mkWwaHnyFrcqLXQzpl1wAYwdbFrNXhgVccWR_wq5nIDUmiZM3O_DGva1C3B0/s1600-h/animated-clock833.gif"></a><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#990000;">So, it is already the middle, of the first month, of 2009...</span><span style="color:#990000;">I wonder what this year holds in store? </span></p><p> </p><ul><li>Birthdays</li><li>Drama</li><li>Hurt</li><li>Sickness</li><li>Friends</li><li>The unexpected</li><li>The expected</li><li>Misunderstandings</li><li>Joy</li><li>Sadness</li><li>Housework</li><li>Car pool</li><li>Ball practice</li><li>WORSHIP (personal corporate)</li><li>Learning</li><li>Hope</li><li>Birthdays</li><li>Frustration</li><li>Planning</li><li>Babes from far away lands join their forever families</li><li>Winter</li><li>Spring</li><li>Summer</li><li>Fall</li><li>Visits</li><li>Pain</li><li>Birth</li><li>Death</li><li>Fear</li><li>Abundance</li><li>Grief</li><li>Plenty</li><li>Lack</li><li>Flat tires</li><li>Nice cashiers</li><li>Desperate moments</li><li>Smiles</li><li>Phone calls, texts,pictures</li><li>Apologies</li><li>Sunsets</li><li>Autumn leaves</li><li>Singing</li><li>Giggling</li><li>Music</li><li>Cookouts</li><li>Give KUDOs</li><li>Appointments</li><li>Workouts</li><li>Bible study</li><li>Eating..YUM!</li><li>Reunions</li><li>Vacation</li><li>Graduations</li><li>Read a GREAT book</li><li>Telling a secret</li><li>KEEPING a secret</li><li>Help a friend</li><li>Be helped by a friend</li><li>Give spare change to a (Santa) bell ringer</li><li>Meet a new acquaintance / a new friend</li><li>Promotions</li><li>Demotions</li><li>Move / Relocate</li><li>Tears</li><li>Belly laughs</li><li>gut wrenching sobs</li><li>Learn a new word / phrase /language</li><li>Break a "bad" habit</li><li>Smell the ocean</li><li>Donate to Goodwill</li><li>Watch the clouds</li><li>Hear birds sing</li><li>Feel the wind on your face</li><li>Receive criticism</li><li>Watch flowers bloom</li><li>Ride a roller coaster</li><li>Be NICE to a stranger</li><li>Be nice to FAMILY</li><li>Go to gym (regularly)</li><li>Call grown up children</li><li>WAIT for calls from grown up children</li><li>Celebrate milestones</li><li>Enjoy eating with family & friends</li><li>Donate to or sponsor an orphan</li><li>Get a pedicure</li><li>Sing ...out LOUD</li><li>Dream</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWD016Z3IDhXBiPD3a-mwMNw_ARnzmY99IEERGW09U0plqLkDHBF_iPdXUMRxjjOB8_r2BDw2mkWwaHnyFrcqLXQzpl1wAYwdbFrNXhgVccWR_wq5nIDUmiZM3O_DGva1C3B0/s1600-h/animated-clock833.gif"></a>BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27141050.post-1146163809528361102006-04-27T11:48:00.000-07:002006-04-27T11:50:09.536-07:00Bridgets BabblingsHopefully I can catch up with all my BLOGGING friends and stop being a "lurker!"BridgetdSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03987428351420576143noreply@blogger.com1