tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16321655597943113752024-03-13T15:59:26.330-04:00Called to GrowRachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-75918533129693061452013-11-09T22:45:00.001-05:002013-11-09T22:46:23.383-05:00Follow<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9041527/?claim=rmacf4vk3tu">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-2693297205255885712012-06-04T21:38:00.000-04:002012-06-04T21:38:38.212-04:00Four Years, A Minute, An Eternity<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't know how four years can seem like yesterday. And then some days it feels like eons ago. I can never quite get my brain around how long exactly my dad has been gone, but the calendar tells me it has been four years today. Four...long...crazy...heartbreaking...lonely...busy...growth filled years. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Most moments in most days pass without any heartache. Many pass now without even thinking about how much I miss Dad. We get up and go about our day, keeping busy and focused on the tasks at hand. Nothing significant most of the time worthy of stirring the memory.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then there are the days when something major happens. A report card came for my First Born's first year of homeschool...as much my report card as his, and he got straight "A's." Yes, this is a moment when the wounded heart rips open when I remember I can't call Dad to share the joy. I know he would be proud of me, and First Born too. </span></span>He never doubted our abilities. <br />
<br />
Small One, diva that she is, is reading like a high school lit prodigy. Dad wouldn't be surprised, he had high expectations of all of us. But when her eyes sparkle as she reads a poem that moves her I feel the ache rear it's ugly head in my chest because I know she will never experience sharing poetry with him as a child. He will never read her <i>I Am Nobody! Who Are You?</i> by Emily Dickenson. She will never hear him read <i>Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening</i> by Robert Frost. I will never be able to tell him how she is gifted with the written word, just like he was.<br />
<br />
I don't know if time will ever make sense to me again really. It isn't that I can't see my children growing and watch the days flipping on the calendar, it is just that time doesn't feel the same any more. I know the wound continues to heal. But I also know that life will never be the same and there will never stop being events that pick at the scab and pull at the scar. I continue to take one day at a time, always missing, always loving Dad...and knowing our time was cut short here on earth, but looking forward to eternity in Heaven.<br />
<br />
I miss you Dad! Happy 4th birthday in Heaven. <br />
<br />
<br />Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-84279206491502219102012-05-30T23:49:00.000-04:002012-05-30T23:49:03.895-04:00Homeschool Year One-In the BAG!As I sit and think about the past nine months I am in awe...in awe of myself, in awe of my children and in awe of having our first year of homeschooling under our belt. I cannot believe we, together, have made it through lessons, assessments, spelling, handwriting, reading, reading and more reading. Math was a breeze for both children, especially Small One; she had her entire year of math completed in January. Yep, January! First Born struggled with time management, his mother did too. But we finished the year, maybe not as strongly as we would have liked, maybe not as early as we would have liked, but we did it. And for that I am grateful to God for the patience, mercy and grace that got us through.<br />
<br />
We are beginning our summer with First Born already off to camp. Small One and I are having a quite week playing with a touch more Language Arts...AND new curriculum is arriving! See, we spent the year in an all in one online schooling program. K12 has an AMAZING curriculum. The lessons are great, the teacher guides are great, the extra assignments are great, the book selections are great, the online teaching is great...so why are we getting new curriculum?<br />
<br />
I have learned so much about us that I'm am not confident the K12 program is the right fit for our family. For the first year it gave me the courage to take the leap into homeschool. Without it my children would have likely been moved to a different public school and I would have totally missed the blessing of my kids. It gave me knowledge and bought me time to really delve into the options available to homeschooling families...and I totally took advantage of this time to figure out what might work better for us.<br />
<br />
My children actually love learning together. So I am gathering programs that would enable me to teach them both the same material and give skill appropriate assignments. Reading together all the outloud books we can find, digging through maps together, creating science projects together, and for the really hard stuff bouncing ideas off of each other until they find a good solution. Yes, this is what I think will be the best fit for my family. It will cut school time in half and significantly help with the time management issues. And it will get my children learning together...which is one of the primary goals of this entire process for us.<br />
<br />
As the books continue to arrive I will continue to pray. I am asking God for guidance because truly what this is most about is Him and what will enable me to help guide my children in their walk with Him. It is a lot to ask I know, but He is a big God and I know He cares so much for them (more than I can even imagine) He will put the light to the path He would have me follow as we walk with Him through the next homeschool year.Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-36735406576006018202012-05-24T21:58:00.000-04:002012-05-24T21:58:27.484-04:00Planner Giveway, Yes please, I want in!I have a new addiction. Well not so much an addiction as a new favorite website. The first thing most of you who know me will immediately think <a href="http://pinterest.com/orianagb90/">Pinterest</a>. Although I love this one and can easily waste a number of hours there each day it is not my new fave.<br />
<br />
My new fave stems from our new (relatively) homeschooling way of life. It is <a href="http://www.homeeducatingfamily.com/index.html">Home Educating Family</a> and I just can't get enough. The reviews about homeschooling products are amazing and useful. The magazine, which available online, comes to my home as scheduled and I love curling up with it for a quiet read. The planners are beautiful too. I ordered one this past year and LOVED it, so I have a new one for '12-'13. They also have an utterly indescribably online homeschool convention...online convention you say? Yep, with speakers and vendor halls and everything. You have to check it out, even if you are not a homeschooling mama or daddy you will find useful information on the site.<br />
<br />
What I am most excited about this week though is the giveaway. Who me, like a giveaway? You betcha! Check out the <a href="http://www.homeschoolconvention.com/blog/weekly-giveaway-may-23-2012/">Weekly Giveaway</a> to see this amazing tool. It is a homeschool parent's dream for scheduling software. It can keep track of dozens of kids, in dozens of grades, with dozens of assignments...and keep your household management schedule on track too. Not only all this, but it is pretty too. I can't wait to get my hands on this product and look forward to reviewing it after using it for a month or two.<br />
<br />
Check them out, enjoy their amazing <a href="http://homeschoolconvention.com/">site</a>, and learn a ton. You won't regret looking into my new addiction.Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-75186705644306720852012-05-24T10:02:00.001-04:002012-05-24T10:03:08.901-04:00Blog...WaitingI love having a blog...not so much being a blogger, but having a blog. I am secure knowing it is always waiting patiently for me, with no expectations, and happy when I return for a visit.<br />
<br />
My first blog post ever was so very true. I WANT to be a blogger, I really, really do. But I find myself distracted so easily, and then life happens, and I get sleepy, and I get busy, and I find myself on my knees asking for strentgh to get through the day... And the blog? It waits patiently for my triumphant return.<br />
<br />
See my blog knows I am constantly thinking about it. It knows I have posts constantly running through my head, chomping at the bit to get posted. My blog is secure in the knowledge that I love it and care deeply for it and I will certainly return, eventually.<br />
<br />
Maybe this summer will be the summer I really become the blogger my blog knows I have locked away inside. I am certain life would be much simpler if some of the ideas came out the fingers and stopped bouncing around in my head. I would love to be one of those goal driven gals that said something like, "This summer I will post a minimum of five writings per week!" But I know myself well enough to know that is definitely not an effective method to inspire me to get the fingers moving. We will see how it goes.<br />
<br />
Again I say, I want to be a blogger, I really do.Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-79889697716565100682012-05-06T17:22:00.002-04:002012-05-06T17:22:38.128-04:00Dear Sixteen Year Old Rachel<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Dear Sixteen Old Rachel, <br /> <br /> Happy Birthday wild child! I know you
had the most amazing day driving to school and getting your license
today, what a blast! French silk pie and all your friends over for a
great party, but hang on to your seat, you have no idea what is in store
for you!<br /> <br /> You are going to have a wild ride. That boy you think is so sweet right now is a dork (you will find this out in 20<span class="text_exposed_show">
years). The next boy you adore will have the brains of a turnip...he is
a super hot turnip, but a turnip none the less. When you are 20 you are
going to think you have found the love of your life...for the fifth
time. He is just a passing fancy, your heart will recover and so will
his. ;) The love of you life when you are 21 will have no problem
sending you 2500 miles to college, you will recover from this one as
well. The first husband will treat you well, but will still not be the
right fit. In fact, the one who will truly capture your heart won't show
up for what seems to you now like a gazillion years. He is going to
give you two amazing babies and love you like you never knew a person
could love. <br /> <br /> You are going to have so much fun! You will get in
to SO much trouble as well...but there is so much more you will get
away with...you are going to think you are invincible. Fast cars won't
kill you, even though you total three of them. The boys won't break your
heart. The cigarettes you think are cool right now really will disgust
you in a number of years and you will quit, so they won't kill you
either. Any other experiments you might have will just season you for
the future. <br /> <br /> You are going to lose your dad way too soon...and
for a time you will be certain you have lost your mother as well. You
will band close to your brother and find comfort in your family and
friends through this dark time. I promise you there is light at the end
of that tunnel. <br /> <br /> The most amazing thing will happen in your
thirties though. You will find out you have had someone by your side
through all of these times. When you walked out of that car that rolled
over and over down that hill, when you drove through Pacific Beach too
toasted to walk let alone drive, when you moved across the country, when
you cheated on a test, when you finished college, when your dad
dies...God will be holding you in the palm of your hand. THE ENTIRE
TIME! I know you don't believe me now, you don't think He even exists,
but He is real and you will be so utterly blown away by his grace and
love when you finally realize how real He is. <br /> <br /> Don't regret a
single thing you do (even when you know better) because all will be
forgiven when the time is right. Have a blast on your journey, know you
are loved, and remember no matter how dark it gets you are never alone.
<br /> <br /> Be blessed Sixteen Year Old Rachel! I love you, and occasionally miss you, and wish you the ride of your life!<br /> <br /> Love, <br /> Forty Year Old Rachel</span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-90700839941648467852012-03-19T11:40:00.000-04:002012-03-19T11:40:18.104-04:00Exciting Curriculum Program<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm?ref=Review+Referring" target="_blank">homeschool curriculum</a>, for <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/afterschool.html?ref=Review+Referring" target="_blank" title="http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/afterschool.html?ref=Review+Referring
CTRL + Click to follow link">afterschool enrichment</a> and for <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/summer-school.shtml?ref=Review+Referring" target="_blank" title="http://www.time4learning.com/summer-school.shtml?ref=Review+Referring
CTRL + Click to follow link">summer skill sharpening</a>. Find out how to write your own <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum-review.shtml?ref=Review+Referring" target="_blank">curriculum review</a> for Time4Learning.</span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-85512314966618494032010-08-16T14:24:00.000-04:002010-08-16T14:24:30.340-04:00Adjustments<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Change is good, right? Sometimes I wonder. Although usually I receive opportunities for change with open arms I am finding transitions lately to be a bit of a challenge. It isn’t so much that I am set in my ways or enjoy my current routine enough that I do not want to take on anything different, but the changes I am feeling called to make are new territory for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don’t want to have to really evaluate a few things, only a few, I am not good at. But I am certain God has put a path in front of me which will force me to take action in some areas of my life I have been completely ignoring. There are some things I prefer to ignore as long as they do not relate to the health and well being of my family. But I suppose if they are things that God has commanded His people to do I should probably find a way to come up with a little follow-through. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I find so comical about the situation is that none of the things He wants me to do are that difficult. Really the most difficult challenge will be purging some ineffective habits and creating new ones. But the routine I have created is so utterly comfortable…and yet completely unproductive to achieve the goals He has set forth…and I have accepted. Yep, I was asked by one of His agents to do something, knowing it would take some significant changes, I said yes…really, what was I thinking. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So as First Born takes off to third grade and Small One tackles kindergarten I will have my own challenges and adjustments to make. I pray God guides me through this process He has called me to, and I feel His presence every step of the way. </span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-54949726393267813992010-07-27T20:09:00.000-04:002010-07-27T20:09:45.211-04:00Judgmental People<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have determined I do not like judgmental people. You know, the ones who are always looking down their nose at someone and finding fault with nearly everyone they encounter. Their choices, lifestyles, family and work are always better, more fun, healthier and more perfect that those around them. I don’t know what makes people this way. I am certain it is often times caused by an internal feeling of inferiority. Certainly if someone is less </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> you must be good enough, right? Sometimes I think people just don’t know any better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I used to love being one of the judgmental people. I wouldn’t have been called a “Chatty Kathy” but the term “Catty Kathy” would certainly have applied. Not only did I find myself greatly entertained by poking fun but I was one of the “don’t know any betters’.” I thought one of the most fun ways to spend an afternoon was hanging at the mall looking at all the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">what part of that did she think looked good when she checked the mirror this morning</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> people. Oh the sheer joys in finding fault with others poor taste in clothing, or hairstyle, or gait, or who they chose to be with. Snicker, snicker, “what was she THINKING?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then somewhere along the way I came to know better. I realized that finding fault with others isn’t really very funny and never really made me feel any better. It is not nice </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nor</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is it not biblical. I have come a long way from the catty girl I once was, but every now and then a bit of snippiness flits through my brain…but now it never makes it past my lips. See, I try to remember I have a beam in my eye. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So now I find myself in a dilemma. I don’t want to be judgmental nor do I like judgmental people. But by determining I do not like someone for being judgmental am I thereby judging them myself? And if I tell someone I think they are being judgmental am I then putting my own judgment to voice? I don’t know how to sever judgmental people from my life, but I am finding keeping them is more trouble than they are worth. </span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-8787743022020049202010-06-04T12:21:00.002-04:002010-06-04T12:27:54.684-04:00For He Existed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today, the two year anniversary of my father's death and the eve of the spreading of his ashes, I find my brain swirling with memories and stalling with what to do next. I ache with the memories of this day two years ago and I rejoice with the knowledge that dad is pain free.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know what emotions tomorrow will bring...the hike to his final resting place is exhausting in and of itself. There will be people there, probably too many for true peace to surround me. It is a moment I suspect I will want to be in solitude and allow myself time to be introspective. Alas, with fourteen others with me, I know this will be a challenge. If God so chooses I know He will facilitate the peace my heart desires. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I think of tomorrow and reminisce the words of Maya Angelou fill my head...I think I have reached the place of blooming peace. Although sporadic and unhurried the moments do come, and I think God for them, and know my heart is healing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><i></i></b><br />
<b><i><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Great Trees Fall</span></span></i><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maya Angelou</span></strong></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></i> <i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">When great trees fall,<br />
rocks on distant hills shudder,<br />
lions hunker down<br />
in tall grasses,<br />
and even elephants<br />
lumber after safety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">When great trees fall<br />
in forests,<br />
small things recoil into silence,<br />
their senses<br />
eroded beyond fear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">When great souls die,<br />
the air around us becomes<br />
light, rare, sterile.<br />
We breathe, briefly.<br />
Our eyes, briefly,<br />
see with<br />
a hurtful clarity.<br />
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,<br />
examines,<br />
gnaws on kind words<br />
unsaid,<br />
promised walks<br />
never taken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Great souls die and<br />
our reality, bound to<br />
them, takes leave of us.<br />
Our souls,<br />
dependent upon their<br />
nurture,<br />
now shrink, wizened.<br />
Our minds, formed<br />
and informed by their<br />
radiance,<br />
fall away.<br />
We are not so much maddened<br />
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance<br />
of dark, cold<br />
caves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<em><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">And when great souls die,</span></span></span></em><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">after a period peace blooms,</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">slowly and always</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">irregularly. Spaces fill</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">with a kind of</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">soothing electric vibration.</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Our senses, restored, never</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">to be the same, whisper to us.</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">They existed. They existed.</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We can be. Be and be</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">better. For they existed.</span></span></em></span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you Dr. Angelou for knowing my heart. </span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-70553866193825851622010-06-03T09:59:00.000-04:002010-06-03T09:59:44.869-04:00The Grief is Threatening to Swallow Me<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The week has become agonizingly painful…as the time of dispersion slowly creeps closer. I am seeking a diversion, any diversion will do. Today I am going shopping for new bathroom linens, which should distract for a few hours at least. The fighting of the children, although exhausting, brings welcome diversion from the grief threatening to swallow me whole. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Small One is begging to “see Papa” in the canister. I don’t mind so much that she wants to see what the ashes look like; I just can’t bring myself to comfortably open the lid. I am certain I will have no ability to answer the flowing river of questions that would follow. How, what, where, did it hurt, yadda, yadda…yes, it will be a never-ending learning quest for this Small One. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First Born perceives my agony. He is offering tender hugs and making great effort to divert Small One’s incessant antics. Although he does not handle her entirely with grace his patience with her amazes me beyond belief. His awareness of my pain, his ability to read me, reminds me so much of his Papa who is now canistered on the mantle. How did this boy get so much of the man we are preparing to take to his final resting place? Through God’s divine plan First Born has received the best of Papa well blended with the patience and heart of his Papaw creating an amazing gift to parent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don’t know how I will get through the next seventy-two hours. I suppose an organized checklist will get me to the base of the mountain; and then one foot in front of the other will get me to the top. I know my Father in heaven has given me the inner strength to overcome the earthly pain, as He did when Dad died. I found out then if I remember to let go of the grief to His care I will find much more inside than I ever imagined. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For now I will pray for a steady breeze to carry him across the mountain tops, the place where he found his strength and where he belongs.</span></span></span></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-19683175078025714812010-03-24T21:35:00.001-04:002010-03-24T21:37:24.461-04:00Christ's Sacrifice and Euthanasia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The following is a topic I was assigned to write about for a class discussion board. Because it is a topic close to my heart due to personal experience I decided to share it here too. The assignment was to </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Review the Feldman reading this week about euthanasia and assisted suicide as well as the online article on Christ's physical death. Many argue that assisted suicide or euthanasia is justified because it relieves a person from suffering. What are your thoughts about euthanasia, given what Christ did for us?" and the article referenced was </i></span><a href="http://brainshavings.com/on-the-physical-death-of-jesus-christ.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">the physical death of Jesus Christ</span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is such a difficult topic to address, and which does one address first? How do I personally feel about euthanasia and how does that relate to what Christ did for us on the cross?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We will never be able to know the suffering and pain Christ felt during His final twenty-four hours. In my most extreme imaginations I can’t even grasp a hint of the torture He endured…for me, and for you as well. There are no punishment practices today that can compare to the brutal acts against Jesus Christ so we have no real point of reference when thinking of the severity of His experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What we do know is this from Isaiah 53:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.75in;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.75in;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.75in;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christ received the worst possible punishment, set aside for “murders and serial killers” (Hammond, p. 12). Not only was He punished, He was humiliated in front of the multitudes. He took upon Himself all the sins of the world and allowed our human actions to separate Him from the Father, and He went to hell in our place. No greater sacrifice has been, or ever could be, made.</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But part of what He did when He received all the sin of mankind is He received our punishment, sickness and disease, as well. He took “our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” Throughout the bible God tells us that illness is a curse, an evil tool of Satan. Jesus’ wounds gave us the authority to claim healing and be free from pain and disease, suffering and misery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When looking at this scripture, I am torn. I know we should not have to suffer, but we should also be able to claim healing. We all know healing does not always come, for reasons we can never know on earth. But we do know He paid the price and therefore we should not suffer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In light of this fact I feel that euthanasia is an acceptable practice within certain parameters. If a person is terminal, and there is no quality of life, and they are suffering either physical or emotional pain I believe euthanasia is a way to claim God’s freedom from misery that Christ took for us on the cross.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I personally have been present for both the death of my father and my mother-in-law. Although I made the call to have my fathers machines turned off I still would have written the scenario differently. I can tell you in both instances the precise moment I would have chosen for them to be set free of this world. And in both cases that moment came prior to the final breath, the cease of their heartbeat and the liberation from this life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Sidenote: this post gave my husband and I moments of deep conversation and the writing moved me to tears.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Feldman, R. S. (2008).</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Development across the life span</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hammond, L. (2007).</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Healing Doesn't Come Easily</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Minneapolis, MN: Lynne Hammond Ministries.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><sup><sup><span style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">[1]</span></span></span></sup></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Holy Bible : New International Version</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 53:3–5). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.</span></div></div><div><br />
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</div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-43220438684362113992010-03-15T08:17:00.002-04:002010-03-15T08:27:30.337-04:00Options...there always are some.<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Sometimes choices are difficult to make. Sometimes situations are so unpleasant it may feel like there is no obvious solution and certainly not multiple solutions. There are often situations where any course of action will create additional unpleasantness. I do not recall in my lifetime ever being presented with a circumstance which had any less that two possible resolutions. </span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Recently I was having a conversation with an adult about a situation where she vehemently assured me there was “no other option!” Her insistence left me a bit befuddled and wondering why someone would refuse to acknowledge any alternative. Although most of the options were unpleasant for someone, the choice she made was wrought with challenges as well. </span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Although I have not always made the best choices in life I have always recognized that they were available. As a grade-schooler I could have chosen to do my homework neatly and accurately the first time before I went out to play so I wouldn’t have to redo it after dinner and right before bed. In junior high I could have picked a nice boy to have a crush on, instead I chose the rough and tumble boys from the bad part of the neighborhood (they were way more exciting, and my parents did not approve). In high school I could have gone to all my classes and been on time, instead I spent a good bit of time ditching classes, running from the Narc and having a blast doing so. In college I could have begun my papers at the beginning of the semester when I received the syllabus, but opted for waiting until the last minute and staying up all night to produce eight or ten pages of beautifully bullshitted prose (oh yeah, I made up a lot of that stuff and LOVED every one of those passing grades I received). I could have opted not to marry my first husband…yep, that one was a bad choice. I may not have acknowledged it at the time, but I’m pretty sure there was an option to driving home after drinking…many times. I could have abstained form sex until I was married, left abusive relationships, not had my children…in each of the situations there were <strong>always</strong> other options. </span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Now that I am a parent I am presented with completely different situations requiring difficult choices between multiple options. I want to raise strong, smart, capable and independent children…this means I can’t always bail them out, give in to their wants, believe them above no one else. I have to teach them about giving and responsibility. I would love to hand a large sum of cash to my son whose class is in competition with the others to raise money for the Haiti victims, but if I do this what will he learn about personal sacrifice? When he loses points for talking in class I could choose to allow him to blame someone else for drawing him into conversation; which I would love to do because I want my baby to be perfect and sweet and never in trouble. When my precious girl throws a fit because she wants only peanut butter and fluff sandwiches for dinner I would love to say “She won’t eat anything else, there is no other option.” But then what would I be teaching her about life and consequences of her actions? Do I want them to believe that I will always be there to bail them out and rely on no matter what, take up for them even when they are in the wrong, hand them what ever their hearts desire, and take care of all the difficult options they have before them? No, I do not want them to go through life this way. I want them to realize there are always choices to make and sometimes they are not fun...because I may not always be there, and they may not always be right, and sometimes what a person wants is certainly not in their best interest.</span>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-32829411730377855712010-01-25T17:54:00.002-05:002010-01-25T18:00:53.394-05:00I Love Facebook, but....<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love Facebook, probably too much. Ok, so I am perhaps addicted to Facebook, isn’t admitting there is a problem the first step to recovery? Not only do I like getting a quick catch up on my friends through their status updates, but I really enjoy seeing how people have changed and what kind of spouse they found and what their offspring look like. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The source of my addiction though is my farm…my beloved crops and barns, and cows and chickens, pigs, lambs, elephants, and the trees-I have hundreds of them. I love my farm and wait with eager anticipation for my crops to mature so I can harvest and plant again. I am obsessed with “mastering” each fruit and vegetable and I dedicate at least one visit each day to check on my ribbons. I also love that it is not cutthroat competitive, unlike my sweet Sorority Life and my majorly powerful Mafia. I check these each day too, but with a little less love than my farm. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But lately I have found another part of Facebook I am not sure I love…or even like for that matter. Some of those people, you know the ones from the WAY past, do not necessarily bring good thoughts or feelings with them. That boy you loved for so many years in grade school who never paid any attention to you…well except to tell you that you wore boy’s jeans and they made you act like a tomboy. The class bully who believed the class idiot to justify a fight. Oh and that guy who was such a nerd and you always picked on him…no real reason other than the fact that you could. The girl who loved to tell others she was more popular than everyone...and strangely she was. The boy who got kicked really hard in the groin. You see these faces and wonder “what are they doing now?” For me it is like a moth to a flame, a bee to a flower in bloom; I am drawn in and can’t stop the click. I have to look to see if they have turned out well or if their life has gone to crap (sometimes hoping for the latter). I cannot resist. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the most part I check out job info, schools attended/degrees earned, and photos. I look to see if there is a webpage or a blog listed. If they have links I of course peruse those as well. It is amazing what you can learn about someone without them even knowing you are looking. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But some of these have left me with a pit in my stomach and sorrow in my heart. Have they really changed as much as it appears? Would they ever believe how much I have changed? Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a do-over on that relationship? Wow, now all that mess makes sense…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have found myself wanting see some, and pray for many. I say “want” to pray, but haven’t yet. There are people who want to be prayed for by anyone. But there are people who would likely rather not be prayed for, especially by someone who they were not on speaking terms with the last time they laid eyes on each other. How offended would they be to know that I found out about the cancer, the broken relationship, the weight gain? And is there anything out there that I don't want them to know about me?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In all likelihood I will pray for them, and hope that Facebook leaves better left forgotten memories truly forgotten.</span></span>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-9218321293633129042010-01-01T22:28:00.000-05:002010-01-01T22:29:32.924-05:00Sometimes...be still<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" 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Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes the demons creep in when you aren’t looking, or paying attention and thus you are not wary or on guard. Sometimes the demons hide themselves so skillfully even when you are looking they still manage to get close, and get in…and get hold.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">It is when they get hold that my world begins to slow, and eventually move in reverse taking me back to places I don’t want to go; places that scared me then and horrify me now…places no one can understand. And when I enter those places forward progress is impossible, growth comes to a screeching halt, and sometimes I feel I can’t even put on foot in front of the other. It is in these times I forget where I am supposed to put my trust, even questioning why I ever thought there was such an outlet for all the baggage I am certain I carry alone. The world turns grey and the shadows are in every direction I turn. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have found that my demons were distracted recently though, or quite possibly I found a modicum of sensibility in my disoriented brain, and a few points of their attack were discovered. Funny, the strongholds I created against them still stand; they came from directions I never would have expected, hiding in trusted places I thought were safe…and they left me doubting, questioning, defending and attacking. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">What to do about them now is the question, quite a conundrum, for they have come so close their place of residence cannot be severed from my world. It would be as difficult to remove their host as it would be to remove my own arm. The bloody buggers were smart this time, and have produced a dilemma. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">The beauty of the situation is I know <i style="">I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who <sup value="" href=""#fen-AMP-29454a"" title=""See">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:13&version=AMP#fen-AMP-29454a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup>infuses inner strength into me; I am <sup value="" href=""#fen-AMP-29454b"" title=""See">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:13&version=AMP#fen-AMP-29454b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].Phil 4:13 (Amplified). </i>I know that I know that I know this for He has proven it to me before when life completely took my breath away and left me deflated and lost. All I need to do is release it to Him and hold on to the promises He gave me.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">For the moment I will be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10), and in the stillness I will listen and hear when He speaks to me.</span></p> Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-73881953773599894972009-10-01T13:16:00.001-04:002009-10-01T13:17:47.395-04:00SharathonAs a first time volunteer answering phones at Love 89 Sharathon I am moved to share some thought and insight to the situation and atmosphere in the studio.<br />For the past two and a half days I have spent five hours sitting by the phones and answering calls. When I initially arrived on Tuesday the atmosphere was jovial, excited, and full of energy. Each ring of the phone brought smiles and cheers from both the Love 89 staff and the volunteers. Everyone was filled with hope for the coming days and hours and reaching the operating budget goal.<br />As the days have progressed the volume of calls has decreased and so have the pledges. The situation at the moment has the station funded at barely over 50% of the upcoming year.<br />For me this is a difficult thing to see. Love 89 has made a huge impact on me and my family. The first time I decided to give what inspired me was the sound of silence…knowing if they did not receive the funding they needed that is what I would hear when my dial hit 89.1. At that moment I knew I needed to do my part.<br />Now, years later, I have come to know some of the Love 89 staff on a personal level. My children view the DJ’s as family and beg to attend all the remote events where they will have an opportunity to see them, talk to them, and hug them. My pledge has increased each year in spite of the grim economic climate we currently find ourselves. I KNOW GOD will make the way for me to meet the pledge he has put on our hearts to commit.<br />Now as I sit here in “Telephone Central” looking at a silent phone my heart breaks. I know these people, care about them, and their families. I also care deeply about the call that God has put on their hearts and lives to do His work in this community.<br />This Sharathon is more than a few dollars to hear a few songs on the way to work and get a traffic update. This is people’s livelihoods and callings; God’s calling answered and fulfilled. These families who are willing to change their own lifestyles to answer His call and serve us…the listeners.<br />The people you are hearing on the radio are passionate about their callings, and their listeners. They have heard His call and they serve. And now they sit here trying to express the urgency for funding to keep God’s ministry flowing through our community. What they are not telling you, and what you cannot see, is this is their very livelihood in jeopardy. This call God has placed on them puts the food on their tables and clothes on their backs. Children are loved under their roofs and families are connected and bonded through this amazing family born of this radio station.<br />For me, any gift I may have to work a little harder for, cut something small out of my budget, or even something large is worth the sacrifice to know these people are able to continue their work. Answering His call can sometimes be a difficult thing; they do it graciously, happily, and thoroughly. I for one, choose to step up, make a difference, and do what I can so my friends will be able to continue their work for Him.<br /><br />If you can help, or know someone who can, I encourage you to call 865-934-6089 or visit <a href="http://www.love89.org/">www.love89.org</a>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-38458754298158101302009-09-01T15:32:00.000-04:002009-09-01T15:33:08.703-04:00Too Close For Comfort<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >Today I find myself still somewhat reeling with shock and awe. Although I know our world is filled with wickedness I somehow try to maintain optimism that it will never strike too close to home. I am occasionally caught in unfortunate dilemmas requiring me to step back and reevaluate a circumstance, but this past weekend I found myself touched to the core and am still struggling to make sense of the situation.<br /><br />I don’t think murder ever really makes sense. Sometimes, maybe, as retribution for horrendous acts against a child, I can get my brain around what would drive a person to this heinous act. But as an act of spite, or vengeance against another adult for a breakup, or a horrible divorce, adultery, theft; I just don’t get it. Even as I type I am sitting in an attorneys office as moral support to a friend who is in divorce mediation. Although I have been angry at her soon to be ex-spouse, and I know she has been too, I can’t imagine a reason to actually kill him. He is, after all, the father of her children and no matter how ugly they might be/have been to each other he doesn’t deserve physical punishment.<br /><br />So this past weekend when I learned of a murder/suicide in Knoxville I was a bit surprised. We do have hardcore violence occasionally here, but it is rare I hear about it. I don’t read the paper regularly and tend to forgo the nightly news for children’s activities and family time. So the simple fact that I am aware of this incident makes it remarkable in my mind.<br /><br />A vibrant young woman, who was a single mother, was shot and killed outside her home last Friday after returning from dropping her child off at school. The shooter then turned the gun on himself and took his own life. The two had a history, some of it publicized in the news media, spanning a number of years. Although I cannot speak to the validity of the reports the relationship had supposedly been tumultuous and terminated at some point.<br /><br />This woman happened to be the mother of one of First Born’s friends, peers, and classmate. My brain reels to grasp what would push someone to this point. To kill the mother of a young child, leaving her world turned upside down, to me would require some sort of delirium, or insanity beyond my comprehension. The act in and of itself so violent it turns my stomach, and the thought of this child leaves me unable to breathe, suffocating in my sorrow for her.<br /><br />There are many things I feel shouldn’t ever have to happen in a persons life. No one should have to explain to their second grader that their friend’s mother has been killed. And certainly no one should ever have to tell a second grade girl her mother is forever gone, torn from her life, by some undeserved act of violence. This incident, unfortunately, is not one I was able to keep at arms length.<br /><br />Heavenly Father, <br /><br />I pray for this extended family, that they have the strength and sanity to guide this child through the excruciating days ahead. I pray they have the gifts of guidance to steer her as she navigates her life without her mother. I pray for this child, that someday she receives the peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing she is safe in Your hand and that in spite of the immediate pain, all things work to some greater good (although at this point, any reason completely escapes me). I pray she is surrounded by loving hearts, caring hands, and all the warmth You can provide.<br /><br />In Jesus sweet, sweet name.<br />Amen</span>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-23764927723506846692009-08-26T09:33:00.012-04:002009-08-26T10:12:30.787-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Brookgreen Gardens Monuments & Moments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t3ABZP3z3orcvUoUTs7NSv4qND_cNeKEmlCrWUa8krNK9HfXoUO0kVzfLEPcP46hkhomN98xDelbJHhj4npuXOv6kw32s34zsQSsCL6EIL6AySV0AoyjlPALxuq-mLZs4i244zTBDro/s1600-h/DSC00781.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t3ABZP3z3orcvUoUTs7NSv4qND_cNeKEmlCrWUa8krNK9HfXoUO0kVzfLEPcP46hkhomN98xDelbJHhj4npuXOv6kw32s34zsQSsCL6EIL6AySV0AoyjlPALxuq-mLZs4i244zTBDro/s400/DSC00781.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374275033313756130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23e_xryOa3VLHmRBPVCruOD5QJaRwFvq5m2tFxB_u8FV0oHiB7t0r3ks-8K-JO1B10okQNSnjjvNoqvwdhJhIX90X_ojrHoPdBeNKaaMsvGgwXQWt297ybPIReUCDW3ec6CEEtTyTQxA/s1600-h/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rnogEgvr698iuBrPYi2mlDlOaxTkiE0WpKv3GW9kOfNBbwSfu79OqxDtWastAT7zBk43lL0RRjLWcK5GzWTfm7SaVYEWg37DmRKkIjbXRK8A2SP9sW6rnbyFSpheGQOYBdYeEQlUefI/s400/DSC00750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374266622076327570" border="0" /></a>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-4684500429830460892009-08-24T14:30:00.000-04:002009-08-24T14:33:41.125-04:00Life Expected<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I was a girl I often thought of how my life would be when I grew up. I probably thought about this more than most little girls because I knew I would one day be able to escape a really messed up home with really messed up values. The picture I painted for myself always had a nice house, a handsome husband (always an Air Force pilot since I spent ten years of my life at living at the Air Force Academy), and a couple of kids. There were rarely any details of the house and the people in the family were faceless, but they were safe and consistent and usually sober. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />When I actually had the opportunity to leave home for college I picked a school 2500 miles away from my parents. I knew their visits would be less frequent than at a school close, and fewer visits meant fewer confrontations. The problem was I was a pretty messed up young lady who made some very bad choices. To say I was reckless would be an understatement…I lived on the wild side, and thrived on adrenaline and risk taking. Most brilliant decisions were accompanied by a Crown and Coke or a Moose Head which made decisions all the more brilliant. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />I got married in college to a pretty nice guy. He wasn’t the love of my life, but he was fun and handsome and we could put away equal amounts of beer in any given night. We spent a couple of years having fun then a little over a year being miserable and finally parted ways. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />After this the recklessness ensued again. I loved being single and wild and partying and sleeping late. I didn’t have to answer to anyone and really liked it that way. This wild single life would be short lived because I met my Hero on a blind date and began our life together…faithless, unmarried, and both carrying an exhausting amount of baggage. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Fast forward ten year, skipping a whole lot of details, we are filled with love for our Lord, passionate for each other, and blessed with two beautiful, healthy children. We have our dream home, and paid for cars, and a church we love. Needless to say, life is GOOD!</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />After the conference I went to this weekend I really thought about what I had wanted out of life. What I have received is SO much better than I ever could have dreamed. I am truly amazed at how good God has been to me; protecting me from myself when I cared so little I almost died, salvaging a relationship with the father of my children, giving me the strength to handle all the things Satan has thrown against me. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />I am so thankful I didn’t get the life I expected, the husband I imagined, the way I thought it was going to be. I am blessed beyond belief, and wouldn’t have it any other way. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Heavenly Father, </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for not giving me the life I expected. Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on me and my family. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I pray today for all my friends to find the blessings in their life which are so much better than they expected. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In Jesus sweet, sweet name, </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Amen</span></span>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-2500196406612583692009-08-23T15:09:00.002-04:002009-08-23T15:13:24.967-04:00Well Fed<div style="text-align: justify;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sometimes I am totally amazed at the sheer volume of awesomeness God can pack into a short women’s conference. This weekend is no exception and my cup runneth over and my appetite is satiated. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Friday night I got to pick up my friend Lynn and head off to Sevier Heights Baptist Church for the <a href="http://www.freshgroundedfaith.com/">Fresh Grounded Faith Conference</a>. I was super excited for the fellowship time with Lynn and equally excited for the speakers who were at the conference. The anticipation was great as we arrived seeing all the women from east Tennessee arriving knowing God had great things in store for us. From the moment we walked in I knew He was there to meet me, and feed me, and love me in this place. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I received so many meaningful and profound nuggets Friday and Saturday I find it challenging to truly give them each the time and thought they deserve. I expect as I take the time to meditate over the lessons I learned, pray over the meaning He wants me to pull from the experience, and grow in spirit through this conference I will find I have a lot of things to write about. But for now I will bask in His glory, receive His love and rest.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mathew 11: 28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT2Mi5-2y1h5a5X-bhOvvloj2oZDP4J7zGA_7RbtNTRrZDfrwm7-ZQr54ieVuTcuO5EsQMkJKrWYeNHjomoNNRM9im3oMBCZGUWsXqWwbfvZ2zFyHEQUDsCAETpcSsiKUOBFP8Net128/s1600-h/DSC00987.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT2Mi5-2y1h5a5X-bhOvvloj2oZDP4J7zGA_7RbtNTRrZDfrwm7-ZQr54ieVuTcuO5EsQMkJKrWYeNHjomoNNRM9im3oMBCZGUWsXqWwbfvZ2zFyHEQUDsCAETpcSsiKUOBFP8Net128/s400/DSC00987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373238913321076594" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Lynn and I before praise and worship began. Isn't she cute!
<br /></p> Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-42121951451590955652009-08-21T08:36:00.007-04:002009-08-21T08:48:43.617-04:00Friday Find<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Since it’s Friday, and I like Fridays and fun things and finding fun things, I wanted to share one of my most recent “finds.” I frequently check out advertisers links on blogs, especially ones on the blogs I like and especially the advertisers who are other bloggers. This particular product caught my eye as I was hopping through blogs last week. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/store/Default.asp">Out of the Box</a> is one of the coolest finds I have run across lately. I love self pampering, trying new products, and value. I found all three of these with <a href="http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/store/Default.asp">Out of the Box</a>.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvWtKz-ECulwmRD-5uPJr4-UKYOof4TnIXRvpHIZWCd47PBE35rCU8sVt85Zg6d3iI1LLS90bvdprAXByFGGiK8xyeogEnbCWcah6jhH6uvd6-IcR8ZzGK6ZNBbR4PEZ4lI_Q4h2OLy4/s1600-h/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvWtKz-ECulwmRD-5uPJr4-UKYOof4TnIXRvpHIZWCd47PBE35rCU8sVt85Zg6d3iI1LLS90bvdprAXByFGGiK8xyeogEnbCWcah6jhH6uvd6-IcR8ZzGK6ZNBbR4PEZ4lI_Q4h2OLy4/s400/IMG_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372395650674262690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />The concept is simple. Businesses send their sample product to Michelle. Michelle takes all the samples and certificates from the businesses and puts them in an adorable box. I buy the box and eagerly wait to see what fabulous goodies are to be found inside. </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr6Omh4MycMy1s2NB0EbsFv3pqd7l905PpbxqB8sWgcN0UMh1s2V_0uG8E0bBbndeppDCDJ-bEsCkCw4fOK8Q59J3T9dAwyGHx4bEYqt3e4EWdx76NW1R8c8xT0Eu8k-9yIWzRoVdJ3Y/s1600-h/IMG_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr6Omh4MycMy1s2NB0EbsFv3pqd7l905PpbxqB8sWgcN0UMh1s2V_0uG8E0bBbndeppDCDJ-bEsCkCw4fOK8Q59J3T9dAwyGHx4bEYqt3e4EWdx76NW1R8c8xT0Eu8k-9yIWzRoVdJ3Y/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372396336107106514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The box I received last week has some AWESOME stuff inside. There are numerous decadent full-size soaps; my favorite are the ones that look and smell exactly like the Circus Peanuts candy I enjoyed at my Papaw’s house as a child (and the things to enjoy there were few). YUMMY! Ant the cutest Rainbow Bright magnet, yep that brought back sweet memories too. The scented candles too are awesome, and yes I mean candles as in multiple. Lovely artistic greeting cards and sweetly scented lotions, fun things for a relaxing bath and a gorgeous artsy pin all brought a smile to my face as I delved into the box. It was SO much fun to receive and open. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmTSmSHzAn6C4lMjYTdhuuYnSR82SGJuqt3sR-2olluLHcjqP_9okVHSodV4JTXd8vWrBQI4OhR0Jh1r20Mb7Dj5o99-dnGCW8EiLYHrb172ywGlM2NO1d060ngVX8juZTHJTr8S53Jw/s1600-h/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmTSmSHzAn6C4lMjYTdhuuYnSR82SGJuqt3sR-2olluLHcjqP_9okVHSodV4JTXd8vWrBQI4OhR0Jh1r20Mb7Dj5o99-dnGCW8EiLYHrb172ywGlM2NO1d060ngVX8juZTHJTr8S53Jw/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372396561065237522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />All of the treasures found in this box, if acquired individually would require stops at endless websites, retyping addresses and probably paying for multiple shipping (even on samples) would likely cost $40-$60. The value of the samples themselves, especially the full size ones, is extraordinary. The total cost of this Friday Find is a mere $22 including shipping! That, my friends, is a steal. This is so much more fun that a trip to the mall for “shopping therapy” when I am blue, and doesn’t leave me with a credit card bill at the end of the month either.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />I suspect I will find myself anxiously awaiting the availability of ne</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">xt month’s box weeks before it becomes available. I am also certain I will purchase these boxes in the future as gifts, and if I am unwilling to give a whole box as a gift the items would be awesome additions to gift baskets, stocking stuffers or just thoughtful pick-me-ups for friends. </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Are there any drawbacks to <a href="http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/store/Default.asp">Out of the Box</a> you may ask? Yes, two. One is that there are enough products I know I will not have the supply exhausted in one month. And two, if I purchase a box as a gift for a friend it is unlikely I will be able to gift it without peeking inside first. </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">Michelle has a simple to maneuver website where you can find listings of all the contributors and any coupons they may be offering. She acknowledges orders very quickly and my box was shipped within 24 hours of my purchase. </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I love this Friday Find and hope you all do too!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZVwIli9DXyAtxu_cn2CYZntimk9rpVrWygU367p4jVjAX1fT78XYXuOSA1wizhm3yVAcU4j6xWLdT-ZJ5pRSGXhhQwFnovG3BwAJLMLECx5wq_I_ajHj7Vt6ljGmceZk_nOoULMQ-Yk/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZVwIli9DXyAtxu_cn2CYZntimk9rpVrWygU367p4jVjAX1fT78XYXuOSA1wizhm3yVAcU4j6xWLdT-ZJ5pRSGXhhQwFnovG3BwAJLMLECx5wq_I_ajHj7Vt6ljGmceZk_nOoULMQ-Yk/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372396809168687778" border="0" 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table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Trust is such a small word with huge meaning, if you really think about it. Every time we share something about ourselves it takes an act of trust. I put my phone number in the church directory because I trust it will not be misused. When I meet new people I share about my family and where I live and things I enjoy doing. I trust people generally, and since I always try to see the glass as half full I rarely suspect things I share will be used against me or cause me harm. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">But there are definitely levels of trust. I probably wouldn’t trust</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> everyone I call friend with my house for a week, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t trust them to get the mail. I have teenage babysitters who I trust for an evening with keeping our children, but would never have them do an overnight. I have some friends who earning trust is about as easy as pulling teeth with tweezers. That’s okay for them, and I am thrilled to have earned the trust of them. I have other friends like myself who trust first, and then only pull back if they expe</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rien</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ce something negative. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Today I got to enjoy a very high level of trust by one of my dear friends. I was entrusted to care for her most prized possession, the thing she experienced more pain and suffering to get, and she is likely willing to kill to protect. I am excited and honored to experience trust like this today. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Do you know what I was entrusted with? </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHZ1WJP6puu78k0W3gwnHWqcf_Mhdd9HnMZWrEGBcgRAapUnhpXhgBRK9mNknmXMr2QyjJ6lP5cg6Xa_pR4LxoOCwpzCxkyA_C0fUeHTyzprNc2W0PUS3cslY26dHo8p1bbZFOrxO6Pw/s1600-h/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHZ1WJP6puu78k0W3gwnHWqcf_Mhdd9HnMZWrEGBcgRAapUnhpXhgBRK9mNknmXMr2QyjJ6lP5cg6Xa_pR4LxoOCwpzCxkyA_C0fUeHTyzprNc2W0PUS3cslY26dHo8p1bbZFOrxO6Pw/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372091090701250802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RS0qSBZXeHhYXLEyIxzzXzuRyk2RFJSVQbCI6DcOGM8lzYLl901_pvKRv-C8rrK0De5ULoBuq_0K6Rk5-dosKUGdjygvc5jXz9vhI-DWLVWilB49VDAOd3XbFLLSbK8TmJ6Kf08j9QU/s1600-h/IMG_0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RS0qSBZXeHhYXLEyIxzzXzuRyk2RFJSVQbCI6DcOGM8lzYLl901_pvKRv-C8rrK0De5ULoBuq_0K6Rk5-dosKUGdjygvc5jXz9vhI-DWLVWilB49VDAOd3XbFLLSbK8TmJ6Kf08j9QU/s400/IMG_0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372090759948128066" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes, a day with a precious three month old, especially for a mom who will never have one again, is an absolute blessing, and I appreciate that I am entrusted with a task such as this.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76q_piQoS4HZ741URLTdfWYgpJu4bY97e0tAyk7oRU64ZkGVraPWNXnO9Puut6nelyUaCgQgIMvpjFz8JfmE5pO8JXSK4vozqSBCf0Kj9DdxeVfVCQyo9bPlqe0qt15qkVSdzLsiMhss/s1600-h/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76q_piQoS4HZ741URLTdfWYgpJu4bY97e0tAyk7oRU64ZkGVraPWNXnO9Puut6nelyUaCgQgIMvpjFz8JfmE5pO8JXSK4vozqSBCf0Kj9DdxeVfVCQyo9bPlqe0qt15qkVSdzLsiMhss/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372091967048123538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdq3I9obyTtfzJyTkqdO-QzFfF3UQ35oyjYpvW7UnsEG_pGwJGKFpCM5a2uycsj8eMzotNaxKugCeqSSqF-t4CKMsLhwO2nb2qfBRpbQXs8isD3yqpNwLiXj74003ttE6EXgf8Wb1qQg/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdq3I9obyTtfzJyTkqdO-QzFfF3UQ35oyjYpvW7UnsEG_pGwJGKFpCM5a2uycsj8eMzotNaxKugCeqSSqF-t4CKMsLhwO2nb2qfBRpbQXs8isD3yqpNwLiXj74003ttE6EXgf8Wb1qQg/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372092385764194962" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p>And in case my ability faltered Lola was "On Watch" the entire time!
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxUz2z2tugySHZCw3-V81wees_9fc_gGXa-szUpvYpmVDvv69Azr7yinSrTAQFGEAk5bQYEdOT9bYmJjkAvlwWjsuqclNlroqlFf20iHEX95kXOrLX4JJyPP4ve5wRfE00jO5HhSHSv8/s1600-h/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxUz2z2tugySHZCw3-V81wees_9fc_gGXa-szUpvYpmVDvv69Azr7yinSrTAQFGEAk5bQYEdOT9bYmJjkAvlwWjsuqclNlroqlFf20iHEX95kXOrLX4JJyPP4ve5wRfE00jO5HhSHSv8/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372092796183006978" border="0" /></a>
<br />Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-10576462037191342902009-08-19T19:10:00.000-04:002009-08-19T20:34:04.855-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Brookgreen Gardens Moments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2zlFTn0JRs1uNtNgkxXaVM1K4YjB4P4yQiuPubkaKjYBMfHqgE-NqC6pxeAOhhHS3W4QDjmy8TNR2eb-lafkZNr-bXmvGMpQ2fnncDIO29eBUIavM75j-BsN2Ie2_qpPrRHRHvPlGo/s1600-h/DSC00777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2zlFTn0JRs1uNtNgkxXaVM1K4YjB4P4yQiuPubkaKjYBMfHqgE-NqC6pxeAOhhHS3W4QDjmy8TNR2eb-lafkZNr-bXmvGMpQ2fnncDIO29eBUIavM75j-BsN2Ie2_qpPrRHRHvPlGo/s320/DSC00777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371836753079587826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFri8aNWc_sIDSPDZ69wl7GU4Rpek_dAsGMLCN-YxTcrusTI7Qy-TlZ4txzF69M_5qdSGajNB_Sg3BbkVt1Pf39QSZ1wNPGO7f5GTa7R9GJz4Jlj5VgUPBhqPZkA2b5aukUdunhr13Ro/s1600-h/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkdYu1_Ly183MryZSb358MP68KwxGAq-ciXl_BWqm86bmVTtj4VBbVNmXLNfG1Ak2JfCYz1N3BI01OWXLLo48DxUHL8skKwA5r7NjwEPaWi9Paok7-gvTIHWcdAQgYdD03oN7bp1UUBU/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371832768853316082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These are two of the four readings which were read at Dad's memorial service. He would have loved these gardens.<br /></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-56210589579167199152009-08-18T12:29:00.000-04:002009-08-18T12:30:21.969-04:00Tuesday Thinking<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBurnett%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> 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<style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Today I am thinking about things…lots of them. The volume of thoughts is probably in direct correlation to the level of silence in my house. IT IS COMPLETELY QUIET! And I am loving it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Currently bantering about in my head is what to do as a stay at home mom when the kids go back to school, which they both did yesterday. Obviously (I think), I should probably work on the list I had for summer projects but didn’t quite get done…or started for that matter. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">What I am really spending the most time thinking about is how to most effectively manage my time. What will I be doing each day while I’m home, and what I will do on the days I am not at home? I foresee a high need for time flexibility in my future. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am planning on substitute teaching for the school system. Since this can be a feast or famine job I know I need to plan for days of out of the home and days in the home, not knowing which will be more frequent. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Both schools have encouraged joining the PTA/PTL, which I will probably do…since the main purpose of leaving the rat race was to do mom stuff. The next question is how active do I want to be as a Classroom Mother…not sure yet on this one. I love both schools and want to spend time in both, but I’m not sure about this specific commitment. I do love, love, love the Learning Expeditions with the elementary school and will participate in as many of those as I can. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what do I do at home…I’m thinking of creating my own chart for the minimum daily requirements for days spent out of the house and a separate list of things to do during days in the house. Knowing myself as well as I do I am certain nothing will get done if it is not on a list to be checked off (yeah, I’m that girl). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So as I go through this next week I will be prioritizing…laundry, exercise, ebaying, dog walking (vs. letting them play outside all day), scanning, sorting, purging, de-cluttering, shopping, pedicure-ing, reading, cooking, playing, praying, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Stay tuned for an update as to what is vital to our daily well being as well as which things can continue to be pushed on down the to do list. </p> Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1632165559794311375.post-76101458693312029672009-08-17T10:41:00.000-04:002009-08-17T11:03:04.137-04:00Back to School<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Somehow I was not expecting them both to be ready to head out the door at 6:30 am. Bless their excited little hearts!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c7698aEFGgFCJto4O8djsOHCLSuUbybN0PyKC3kynGC7CpPjq9t0ABcp-6sf1la2HKWymRIdpjCl1s64JlisLm1jDoqKihmH6Cbp6Ka9qAcrkm4Q8wOdwwhfZinH0lZZ2WljayBMSlg/s1600-h/IMG_0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c7698aEFGgFCJto4O8djsOHCLSuUbybN0PyKC3kynGC7CpPjq9t0ABcp-6sf1la2HKWymRIdpjCl1s64JlisLm1jDoqKihmH6Cbp6Ka9qAcrkm4Q8wOdwwhfZinH0lZZ2WljayBMSlg/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370943242968074450" border="0" /></a>She couldn't get out of the car fast enough. "Mommy there are other cars already here!!" Sparkle (Fluffy sleep friend) was thrilled to be out of the backpack before going in the school.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4bmmQxjKrI9x1hZD0AJbz0vXioyIfr2v1OQvCA3PzNhmbtPw6h8zB4hyphenhyphenqhrVJHWl-ZqOB-OUKHe7gS2UpO5nfztgGY5OL1mk3Y7-RZ5BwHu-QmZsqgTVkb0gEZchCPGEPvaDHpE9eCE/s1600-h/IMG_0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4bmmQxjKrI9x1hZD0AJbz0vXioyIfr2v1OQvCA3PzNhmbtPw6h8zB4hyphenhyphenqhrVJHWl-ZqOB-OUKHe7gS2UpO5nfztgGY5OL1mk3Y7-RZ5BwHu-QmZsqgTVkb0gEZchCPGEPvaDHpE9eCE/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370943456211137250" border="0" /></a>What an awesome way to enter your new Pre-K...through the fairy door. Standing still was not part of her plan for the morning.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d_UOh3pm_CZc_HGET__o7t_FBmHLABOOGjrIyxeLC8hJ85YaArmLKfbPZ3W_kyZPS6sHndmm64oDheL6S_DFVxIaWiffjCK-9OQAjTWgnlycBEdg0Y3sHZK9qlRNp1mt8W8mMQvN1Qg/s1600-h/IMG_0073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d_UOh3pm_CZc_HGET__o7t_FBmHLABOOGjrIyxeLC8hJ85YaArmLKfbPZ3W_kyZPS6sHndmm64oDheL6S_DFVxIaWiffjCK-9OQAjTWgnlycBEdg0Y3sHZK9qlRNp1mt8W8mMQvN1Qg/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370943629349067666" border="0" /></a>Straight to the kitchen with this little girl...I suppose she will take after my Hero. She hardly took the time to tell a brokenhearted mama goodbye.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVIgqm_Zvksk3UttDQFBvv7MgP6eMIov513pdOoK47w1G0gDPRYsOZqn639z7C69XoDvgXvaDz6-LSa4wAQPRoHFmm2Vu9QRPsY5V3cLaao2Q5QMSTkGP1uehM9p3EEpnxNyVZafGtwI/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVIgqm_Zvksk3UttDQFBvv7MgP6eMIov513pdOoK47w1G0gDPRYsOZqn639z7C69XoDvgXvaDz6-LSa4wAQPRoHFmm2Vu9QRPsY5V3cLaao2Q5QMSTkGP1uehM9p3EEpnxNyVZafGtwI/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370944066111145522" border="0" /></a>Wow! Does he look handsome or what?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wBad4XC-zOkSC7giXVAl1ORNfAeEC68skCAK9Rfp_cEm9BzF_KwFb9G1TtXqxVjqlT4Py_Xi2Cj_mWQ22GvN4kPg01EzjDlIiFlXvgcc6xny92jd7PLJn8oozTAqWF5wvfszeXUaTB8/s1600-h/IMG_0076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wBad4XC-zOkSC7giXVAl1ORNfAeEC68skCAK9Rfp_cEm9BzF_KwFb9G1TtXqxVjqlT4Py_Xi2Cj_mWQ22GvN4kPg01EzjDlIiFlXvgcc6xny92jd7PLJn8oozTAqWF5wvfszeXUaTB8/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370944692565662114" border="0" /></a>I mean, not like I am biased or anything, but I do think he cleans up really well...what you can't see is some of Hero's cologne First Born needed for the first day of second grade.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OvnQW_Nm7l6PfP6GtZ2nSB_2X9LnE0e5mBMcfEUQauLDBEa5eh1LWw3bmTyjjt8Kyz7hemxek_Dz_shYk_16_IwsNIYkxBvXE5xZnDF03gPKJAXt1Ecaub2sw8iW-WGG7hx1eXXwdI0/s1600-h/IMG_0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OvnQW_Nm7l6PfP6GtZ2nSB_2X9LnE0e5mBMcfEUQauLDBEa5eh1LWw3bmTyjjt8Kyz7hemxek_Dz_shYk_16_IwsNIYkxBvXE5xZnDF03gPKJAXt1Ecaub2sw8iW-WGG7hx1eXXwdI0/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370944864834853506" border="0" /></a>Please don't go all independent on me!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tau8mEl9dbFOXG8Mr5iaqFhLUEfFESHnrCQhkdEkJeRYynvJIopznhyphenhyphensisSVj3ddKR914ZIHzj6NgdgV-v1VUTlCu3JqmTDLXYK-4FkrTNtdQpPlgNpAM9HKV8SCElns_0Bhd94XaLU/s1600-h/IMG_0080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tau8mEl9dbFOXG8Mr5iaqFhLUEfFESHnrCQhkdEkJeRYynvJIopznhyphenhyphensisSVj3ddKR914ZIHzj6NgdgV-v1VUTlCu3JqmTDLXYK-4FkrTNtdQpPlgNpAM9HKV8SCElns_0Bhd94XaLU/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370945360684505506" border="0" /></a><br />The Posse...I can see the energy bubbling forth already!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEAlb1AsPht_hR6Qe6yW2mgF2Thebt-SX1dywNQG4XccB63jPgGiAtO7tyOofvcLITrPsWVdwRQjsMNnAA3am2QCUM8sN_OMLxWARapxLSknzkcH0C9vuNyWi1igqOBButZjK_UcFb4/s1600-h/IMG_0082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEAlb1AsPht_hR6Qe6yW2mgF2Thebt-SX1dywNQG4XccB63jPgGiAtO7tyOofvcLITrPsWVdwRQjsMNnAA3am2QCUM8sN_OMLxWARapxLSknzkcH0C9vuNyWi1igqOBButZjK_UcFb4/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370945787301287378" border="0" /></a><br />Bless these babies as they go forth for their 0910 school year!<br /></div>Rachel @ Called to Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355632622505120480noreply@blogger.com2