tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134799707830101642024-03-13T06:31:00.275-05:00Our Present QuestJanellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-47776022944681661552013-07-31T12:45:00.000-05:002013-07-31T12:45:38.098-05:00SeenEvery once in awhile there is something that shakes me to the core. Something that leaves me reeling, a moment where my eyes are opened and I gain new understand. I had one of those moments this week. I finished reading <a href="http://www.kimberlylsmith.com/">Passport Through Darkness</a>, a gripping story of <a href="http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/">Kimberly</a>'s journey into the war-torn country of Sudan. She eloquently tell the story of not only her mission field, but also how the five years spent in Sudan affected her marriage and her life when she returned home.<br />
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Her experiences are heart-strings pulling and unfathomable to me as I sit in my first world, protected, comfortable home. The stories Kimberly shares are about women banding together sharing what precious little they have, one pair of shoes or a one room hut, in order to survive the slavery and rape that is always lurking in their paths. Children disappear over night because they fall asleep in trees to avoid the hungry animals, but fall out of the trees while asleep and the animals get them anyway. Young girls, pregnant with babies too big for their bodies to deliver, sick with meningitis and young boys standing by the road, bellies swollen with malnutrition become part of her day to day life. My mind cannot even comprehend the situations she writes about in this book. <br />
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Part of her time at home was to raise money for the orphanage she wanted to build in Sudan. A place to protect and educate the children who had no hope for a future on their own. She writes about one experience where she was scheduled to speak at a church for a few weeks in a row to educate the congregation on her mission and also to raise funds. After the first visit with the congregation, a member of the church approached her and asked her not to return to finish her scheduled presentations because the content was too upsetting and to offensive to some people in the church.<br />
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When I read this I was greatly saddened. My heart, as you know, aches for the children who live in poverty. I could not imagine how I would feel or what I would say or do in her position. <br />
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<b>And yet.....</b><br />
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This week while I was scanning my Facebook feed, one of the organizations that Mark and I follow was posting the pictures of the cause they are supporting this week. I saw the first picture and I quickly scrolled on because I didn't want to "see" the picture. <br />
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<b>That is right, I didn't want to "see" the picture. </b><br />
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The picture showed a young child with white worms crawling out of his nose. My response to the picture was exactly the same as the church members that so greatly saddened me.<br />
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I went back to the pictures, the pictures that I didn't want to see and I looked at them. I made sure that I noticed them, that they were seen. <br />
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I am thankful for the people around the world who are making a difference in people's lives. I do not believe that anyone deserves to be treated differently just because of where they live and what is going on in their country. I just hope that as I can respond properly and not cringe at the picture as too horrific just because it it not something that happens near my home. <br />
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I am posting the pictures below. There is no pressure for you to
look at them, this is part of my journey, not necessarily yours. <br />
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<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/">Sevenly </a>is the charity that provided the pictures below. Their mission is to take one cause a week from ending the seven diseases to finding a cure for autism. This weeks cause, END 7 diseases by 2020 can be found <a href="http://www.end7.org/support">here</a>. <br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-54986900006385215602013-07-10T10:33:00.001-05:002013-07-10T10:33:41.763-05:00An Apology To My Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we, again, are attempting to to incorporate some healthy habits into our lifestyle. So easily the quick, processed foods, or the high-sugar sweets slip into our routines. Rather than the special treats that they are intended to be, they become the norm. We are on day three of no sugar, no pop, and no processed foods. Instead we are eating "clean" foods. Foods that our bodies know how to process. I feel better already. Perhaps is it just the thought of better foods for our bodies, but I tend to think that already the clean food is making a difference. <br />
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And this is where I find myself needing to apologize to my children: We are in the
middle of this current journey not because of you, but because of me.
It wasn't that I was not equipped with the tools and the information,
rather, it is just one of my many weaknesses. I am not alone in this
weakness, but you and I both are paying for this. I won't do it
perfectly this time, much like the last, there will be failure. I know that right now it feels like I am forcing you to eat foods you do not like. I am. But it is because I love you and I want the best for you. It does not mean that the treats are gone forever, but my hope is that they will become just that, treats. My
hope is that every time we try, we get a little further and have just a
little more success. You are of age now where you need the tools and so
my job is to step it up and provide those tools for you, and here we
go.<br />
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-49385033837522060422013-06-24T10:58:00.002-05:002013-06-24T10:58:59.621-05:00Monday Morning Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">
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Monday morning. The start of another very busy week, but I am taking a few minutes to reflect on the good and absorb the quiet. The laundry can wait and the to-do list will still be there, always waiting. For a couple of minutes I am going to enjoy the kids, rubbing sleep from their eyes, as they settle in chairs next to me. I want to savor the first hugs of the day and mumbled good mornings as they slowly wake up. I am putting off tasks - perhaps it is procrastinating - but in the mean time, I am soaking up the good around me. <br />
Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-70515766878483345102013-05-02T19:52:00.001-05:002013-05-02T19:53:14.255-05:00Content in the Snow?May second. Time for blue skies, green grass, tulips, and daffodils.<br />
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May second. I look out the window this morning at the absence of color as the newly green grass is covered in a thick, fluffy, white blanket of snow. The sky is a cloudy grey, the world white, even the brown of the tress is mostly covered in almost eight inches of snow.<br />
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The rumors of this storm at the beginning of the week threatened to pull me into a mood as grey as the sky. We had spent the weekend on the deck getting the gardens ready, all of us getting a little red on our cheeks and noses. The windows were open and fresh air was filling the house after a long hard winter. Another storm seemed unbearable.<br />
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I opened the door to our deck to snap the traditional "look at the snow" picture that so many are putting on Facebook today, and I was caught.<br />
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Caught by the beauty.<br />
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Caught by the peace.<br />
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Caught by the quiet.<br />
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Quickly I closed the door to shut out the cold, ready to get on with my day inside. Easier said than done. Something kept drawing me to the picturesque scene. It wasn't enough to observe the scene from my living room. I just stood in the driveway absorbing the quiet. It was
early, the snow blowers were not yet in use. A chickadee flits from
tree branch to growing and back again. The snow falling in snow globe
fashion. Down the street, a tree branch cracks and falls to the ground.<br />
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I found every reason to be outside today, whether it was shoveling back-breaking heavy snow or shaking snow from tree limbs and branches. I couldn't come inside. The anticipated disgruntled feelings are replaced by a surprising calm and peace.<br />
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Yes, it is May.<br />
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Yes, I am more than ready for the gardens to come out of their slumber. Ready for the colorless landscape to be painted with brilliant colors.<br />
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However, for one more day, I am content.<br />
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I am at peace in the tranquil morning.<br />
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And it is good.<br />
<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-26418717634628711312013-04-08T19:33:00.000-05:002013-04-08T19:33:10.371-05:00Change A Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HcNUczSDhZGvk0X_ibQJXNJAHkRMDiJQsVgSMyWiPf-tQO7oRXeCEqHAGFeLOliIzcOR73nJlOQn49PQBVkr96GyiHWpsA1cv1XGWE1DwcfkfYuCII9LM0_xpQFCgKQf2tlPg14FU-w/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HcNUczSDhZGvk0X_ibQJXNJAHkRMDiJQsVgSMyWiPf-tQO7oRXeCEqHAGFeLOliIzcOR73nJlOQn49PQBVkr96GyiHWpsA1cv1XGWE1DwcfkfYuCII9LM0_xpQFCgKQf2tlPg14FU-w/s640/DSC_0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Nate Dietzman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This year's theme for Compassion Sunday is Change A Life. Change the life of a young person in poverty, and give them the chance to peruse their dreams. <br />
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This weekend we had Compassion Weekend at our church. I know these days are very important for the children still waiting for sponsors. Without someone sharing their stories and their needs, they remain hidden in a corner of the world, struggling with poverty, wondering if anyone cares. I am so excited and praising God for the 15 children who now have sponsors as a result of this weekend! Change A Life. <br />
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Little did I know when we began our partnership with Compassion four
years ago how much my life would change as well. I still remember
scanning each and every picture until "the right ones" were found, then
anxiously awaiting the first letters to arrive. <br />
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Four
years and seven Compassion children later, I am still in awe at how much these
children whom I have come to know through letter and love so dearly are
still changing my life. I see the diligence to learn and love no matter
what the circumstances. I know they lift our family up in prayer and
there are days I feel that prayer and know that it is their prayers that
made the difference. Their stories and their lives help my children to
expand their worldview from our home and our backyard, to the world. <br />
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Sunday morning I woke up a little down, feeling a case of the "end of vacation blahs" setting in. As we headed into church to set up our table and get ready for the morning, the stories that I love to hear began before the service even started. Connections being made, stories told, children receiving sponsors, as with other events, my heart is singing a song of thanksgiving to God. This brings us to another way these children have changed my life. I never would have thought that giving up an evening or a morning to stand behind a table and help children would be something I would enjoy and yet, participating in these events encourages and energizes me. <br />
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A changed life. Theirs and mine.<br />
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-27224854589738933182013-03-12T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-12T06:00:06.981-05:00Fourth and Final?Yesterday we woke up to our fourth snow day of the season. It certainly has been a year for snow days, more than in years past it seems. While waking up to a winter wonderland is beautiful and the idea of a day at home with no school exciting, I find myself hoping that this is the last big storm before spring comes and the gardens can finally wake from their long slumber.<br />
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The longing for spring does not put a damper on the day, however. We have made the most of it. Chores and "to do" lists were finished in record speed because the seven inch thick, white blanket was calling. Snow ball makers were rediscovered from last winter, the deck became a platform for snow dives and jumps, and the kids buried each other in snow. Pix even joined in the fun rather than sulking by the door preferring his warm window seat to observe the snow.<br />
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The push and pull of screen time, reading time, and chores was absent. In its place, laughter and excited barking filled the air as, all in agreement, we were where we needed to be. Enjoying the outdoors, filling our lungs with fresh air, and stretching getting out the cooped up feeling that comes at winter's end.<br />
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-59022974247100098832013-03-11T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-11T06:00:09.290-05:00Adding to the FamilyWe knew it could happen when we took them on as correspondent sponsors. After four years perhaps I began to think it wouldn't happen to us. One of them is graduating next summer, but that is the natural way to lose them, right? We are already seeing it in her letters, the processing of the end of the relationship. She has told us that she is thankful for our support and love as she looks forward to college. I am so happy and excited for her, and yet, I know that we have a short time to have discussions about her friends or her love for the younger children she teaches Sunday school to. <br />
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I was unprepared when the call came informing me that his financial sponsors had ended their sponsorship and we could no longer correspond with him. My heart began to fill with sadness as I asked "Is there nothing we can do?" Our option, to begin financially sponsoring him ourselves. I asked the representative on the phone if I could talk to my husband, and how long we had to decide. <br />
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I love my husband for many reasons. He is a really great guy. One of those many reasons that I love him is his caring and compassionate heart. When I told him of the call and what our choice was, he looked me in the eye and said, "You told them of course, right?" (Isn't he great!) <br />
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I couldn't bear to say good-bye to this young man that we have come to know and love over the past four years. The very first picture we received of him showed a young smiling boy giving a thumbs up. I imagine the spunk and personality this young man has. <br />
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I called Compassion as soon as I could the following Monday to add him to our account. One week later it is official, our Compassion family has grown by one! Maybe a better way to say it is, our little family is saved from shrinking by another one.<br />
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God's timing is written all over this story, because had we received the call from Compassion even a few months ago, it would have been a much harder decision financially to sponsor him. God knew that and his timing is good, and for that I am thankful. As we pulled out of the garage to go to the <a href="http://presentquest.blogspot.com/2013/03/sixty.html">Tenth Avenue North concert</a>, I asked Mark "What if there is another child that needs a family tonight?" Little did I know it would not be one of the child packets on the table that night that would need us, rather one of our own who needed us most. God is so good.<br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-18412188850618841572013-03-09T19:37:00.001-06:002013-03-09T19:37:35.436-06:00Afternoon at the Ballet<p>An afternoon at a ballet is the perfect way to spend some quality mother/daughter time with some friends. We were able to see Alice in Wonderland. The young people dancing on the stage today were absolutely amazing. I was completely taken with their skills, not only in dancing, but also in their acting and telling a story. The costumes were beautiful from flowers to flamingos, caterpillars to the Cheshire Cat, and aces to Alice. The ages ranged from a toddler to high school and yet, the dancers blended well. Even Addy commented on how well the older and young dancers mixed.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-upu-60SD_hk/UTvj27wsPbI/AAAAAAAAByQ/GAql7Bji55o/s2048/Photo%252520Mar%2525209%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A38%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-upu-60SD_hk/UTvj27wsPbI/AAAAAAAAByQ/GAql7Bji55o/s500/Photo%252520Mar%2525209%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A38%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1362879453128.769" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p> </p>Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-50405121868878495352013-03-03T19:42:00.001-06:002013-03-03T19:42:38.280-06:00Sixty<p> Sixty. It is the biggest number we have seen. Forty-eight. The number of hours that have passed, and still my heart is flying high!</p>
<p>Friday night we were able to help at a Compassion International event where sixty children were fortunate enough to receive sponsors. Now, forty-eight hours later, I am still very excited for these children. No longer will they have to go without food, education, and medical assistance. No longer will <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">their picture on a table, or </span>their name be on a waiting list. </p>
<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Now these children will receive news that they have been chosen to be sponsored. Hopefully, now they will be prayed for, loved, encouraged, and written to. </span><br>
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<p>It was so wonderful to see the lines of people pressing in, trying to get closer to the table. People whose hearts had been touched, people who wanted to make a difference in the life of someone so young. And yet, I know that these children can make a difference in their sponsor's life too. This is why I continue to volunteer at these events. They are life changing for so many people. </p>Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-85427130811394495032013-02-06T05:26:00.000-06:002013-02-06T05:26:50.714-06:00Book Review: The Heavy<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PiqVut91Bitq1tbCA-NzP51CKMuYBzx0vKxjLTGbMLa3eW_uTr81XhTG3adUoC74Qa0rcD_RZCmTyGmlTfJZm1JhY1SKHUnGPjShSp4tW2nitPrFYOZOQJkjfL-eieGnbuhq-531k9w/s1600/o-THE-HEAVY-COVER-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PiqVut91Bitq1tbCA-NzP51CKMuYBzx0vKxjLTGbMLa3eW_uTr81XhTG3adUoC74Qa0rcD_RZCmTyGmlTfJZm1JhY1SKHUnGPjShSp4tW2nitPrFYOZOQJkjfL-eieGnbuhq-531k9w/s400/o-THE-HEAVY-COVER-facebook.jpg" width="267" /></a>In The Heavy, Dara-Lynn Weiss begins the book with her struggles of food, diets, and accepting herself. These words, although her own, mirror so much of my life from the Weight Watchers diet in high school to the way she felt about herself to the weight put on and remaining after having children, I related on many levels. She shares these struggles not because the book is about her, but because it is no surprise to her when one of her children ends up struggling with food. <br />
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While my children are not obese, I sympathized with her struggles to try and maintain a healthy diet for her daughter because I know how hard it is for me as an adult to try and control food intake. As they navigate through meals at restaurants, birthday parties and celebrations, school lunches, and summer camps there are many challenges for one who is wanting to be calorie conscious. Especially a seven year old little girl who does not want to be different from her friends. <br />
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There has been a lot of controversy over whether Dara-Lynn was right to put her daughter on a diet, or whether this was for herself rather than her daughter. Readers are asking if she embarrassed her daughter or was too strict. I did not read the book to judge her way of parenting. Having not walked the road she has walked, I don't know how I would react. I do agree with her that when your child has special needs, whether those be food related, academic related, or something else, as a parent, you want to provide for your child and assist them with those needs. I cannot fault her, and I actually applaud her, for stepping up to the plate and helping her daughter. <br />
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Admittedly, this book covers topics that I feel strongly about. Struggling myself with food issues, it breaks my heart to see young children yolked with the burden of obesity and the diseases that come along with it. I wonder why people are criticizing Dara-Lynn for teaching her daughter how to moderate her food intake which in turn brings down her weight, lowers her cholesterol and BMI. How can we help our children wade through the many food options put in front of them daily if we cannot talk about food, diets, and choices? Is that a responsible choice as parents, especially if our children happen to be prone to carrying weight like Dara-Lynn's? <br />
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Growing up, my parents often talked about a toolbox that we grow up with. From early stages we learn different "tools" to put into our toolbox that will assist and at times guide us in life. Many times I have reached into my toolbox, at times dusting off the tools, as I enter different situations. Considering this toolbox, I think it wrong to not provide the tools of nutrition to children, which is what we deny them if we cannot have the conversations with them about food choices. <br />
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Perhaps the controversy comes around the word "diet." She mentions in her book and in interviews that her definition of diet is a food plan that one is habitually on. Perhaps this makes sense to me, one who is on a Gluten-Free diet, but really we use the word diet when talking about the food consumption of animals as well. "The diet of (animal) consists of (food)." <br />
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As a memoir, this book does an excellent job of showing the courage of a mother to undertake the challenge of helping her daughter to become a healthy weight while preserving her daughter's integrity, self esteem, and their relationship based on the information shared in the book. <br />
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-48895519887390874392013-01-31T20:37:00.000-06:002013-01-31T20:37:30.308-06:00Stepping It Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With pedometer attached, I walked. The goal, to get as many steps in during the month of January as I could. I am fortunate that my job allows me to get up and walk. And walk I did! 167.145 miles or 381,600 steps. I climbed over 500 floors, which I found out is about the altitude that a helicopter flies at. Whew! <br />
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This year the Dan Abrahms Healthy Living Center is giving one habit a month to focus on to improve our healthy living. The focus this month, physical activity. The goal, to increase physical activity in some way. This could be starting a new workout routine, adding a new activity, increasing intensity of workouts, anything that changes and/or adds to what you are already doing. Luckily the focus corresponded with a walking challenge at work. I joined other colleagues in wearing pedometers this month to track how many steps we could take through the entire month of January. <br />
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The steps were just part of the journey for physical activity, as I am also trying to incorporate some variety into my workout times. Cardio exercises are my fall back, the ones I do most often. I am working on incorporating some strength exercises into my routine as well. <br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-74967293244345173102013-01-20T17:54:00.000-06:002013-01-20T17:54:25.132-06:00Letters Have ArrivedFor awhile it seemed like the letters were lost. No, I cannot greet the postal carrier at the door each day looking for those special cream colored envelopes, but the urgency to open the mail box each day looking, searching, and yearning for communication, has not disappeared. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55-o3iWA7Wd_7Mz8I9axh98_9AzTkXxwnpbBVTz1PuPpzwGqlHrvALIuFYCGl-LIQubikscst0K2xWS2nQysa80iRxBjUJP1ZTuqCKANqmbQmb0ssyocNu5fVUzpovurqVBE9FZlJCQ/s1600/IMG_1393+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55-o3iWA7Wd_7Mz8I9axh98_9AzTkXxwnpbBVTz1PuPpzwGqlHrvALIuFYCGl-LIQubikscst0K2xWS2nQysa80iRxBjUJP1ZTuqCKANqmbQmb0ssyocNu5fVUzpovurqVBE9FZlJCQ/s400/IMG_1393+copy.jpg" width="322" /></a>The silence seemed so long, and I know with seven children, I get more letters than others, so I try not to complain. For two months not a letter was to be found. Then, all of a sudden, in a matter of eight days, the flood gates have been opened and we had five letters pouring in from our family around the world. <br />
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As I sit down tonight to write letters to them, sending them pictures of the kids sledding, I am thankful for these little lives that have touched mine in such a deep way. One wants to know when we are coming to the Philippines to visit her. We were trying to decide where to go on vacation this summer, but that one may have to wait a year or two! Three have received gifts, thanking us for thinking of them, supporting them, loving them. I think they deserve the thanks as they bring so much love and joy into our home. Our studious one writes about his studies and asks, again, for continued prayers for his studies. <br />
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Today's sermon was about being involved, using your gifts and resources for the kingdom of God. There are still some areas we are trying to figure out as to what that means for each of us in this family, but one thing I do know for sure, this is what we are supposed to be doing. This is where we are being called to serve. To love these young people who are around the world, to pray for them, to support them through letters of encouragement. Hopefully His plans include a visit, but if not, I know that in heaven we will be together. <br />
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As I send off seven letters of love tonight, I am thankful for the gifts and resources that God has given so that we have the opportunity to make an impact in their lives. They have given us so much, I hope that in return, they are gaining as well. Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-87328431203503842212013-01-10T18:32:00.000-06:002013-01-10T18:32:18.969-06:00Man of the YearTime Magazine named President Obama. <br />
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People Magazine claimed it is Channing Tatum (Their claim, he is the sexiest man alive right now.)<br />
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I am sure there are many choices and many votes cast for each of these men, and probably for good reasons. <br />
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However, I have to disagree with with both magazines, at least partially. There is one in my book that rates a little higher in both categories. This man goes above and beyond the call of duty for his role in life. If one were to ask him how high to jump, he would be in the air before asking how high. He puts others before himself every day. He is supportive and encouraging. He loves like no other can. He knows what is needed and is there before the question can even be asked. <br />
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It is probably no surprise to you who my choice for Man of the Year is. He has been my best friend for seventeen years now. He is my husband, and the father of our two wonderful children. <br />
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I was telling the kids this morning as we were all getting shoes on to head out the door that they were so lucky to have such a great dad for Man of the Year. I couldn't help but brag about how I was so fortunate to catch the Man of the Year as a life partner. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ui4Q3Jlw6ds/UO9cyV06miI/AAAAAAAABxQ/VOA1dM1vLCk/s1136/Photo%252520Jan%25252010%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A25%252520PM.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="320" id="blogsy-1357864138895.8684" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ui4Q3Jlw6ds/UO9cyV06miI/AAAAAAAABxQ/VOA1dM1vLCk/s320/Photo%252520Jan%25252010%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A25%252520PM.jpg" width="179" /></a>And he continues to prove why he deserves this title. On my break at work, I receive a text asking me on a date on March 23rd to a meet and greet with <a href="http://presentquest.blogspot.com/2011/10/rejuvenated.html">David Crowder</a>! My husband is so amazing!! I am excited beyond words! <br />
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Last March I had the opportunity to meet one musician who has greatly touched my life. The concert with <a href="http://presentquest.blogspot.com/2012/03/weekend-full-of-joy.html">Shaun Groves</a> was truly a gift, and something I will never forget. Just one year later I am going to a meet and greet with another musician who has had a huge impact in my life.<br />
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What a gift Mark has given me today. <br />
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Time Magazine and People's Magazine, while I respect your choices, I have to disagree with you to some degree as in my opinion, the Man of the Year is living in my house, doing life with me day in and day out. He is my husband. <br />
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-49658752615127900102013-01-03T15:00:00.000-06:002013-01-03T15:00:04.048-06:00Books Read in 2012<b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Top five favorite books read this year (in no particular order): </span></b><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Life of Pi</span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Night Circus </span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eat Pray Love</span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Other Wes Moore</span></i><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The five that made the most impact on my life this year (again, in no particular order): </span><br />
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<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not for Sale </span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gifts of Imperfection</span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Neither Wolf Nor Dog</span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love Does</span> </span></i><br />
<i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love is an Orientation</span></i><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The entire list of books read this year: </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8366892223516216" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Akata Witch -- Nnedi Okorafor </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Life of Pi --Yann Martel </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time -- Mark Haddon </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finding Fish: A memoir -- Antwone Quenton Fisher </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Night Circus -- Erin Morgenstern </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Made to Crave -- Lysa TerKeurst </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kisses from Katie -- Katie Davis </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have A Little Faith -- Mitch Albom </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not For Sale -- David Batstone </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All There Is- Love Stories from Storycorps -- Dave Isay </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fortune’s Magic Farm -- Suzanne Selfors </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Same Kind of Different As Me -- Ron Hall & Denver Moore </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Flight of Gemma Hardy -- Margot Livesey </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A Farewell to Arms -- Ernest Hemingway </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Lost Wife -- Alyson Richman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eat Pray Love-- Elizabeth Gilbert </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mysterious Benedict Society -- Trenton Lee Stewart </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Catching Fire -- Suzanne Collins </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mocking Jay -- Suzanne Collins </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Vintage -- Maxine Linnell </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If I Live to Be 100: Lessons from the Centenarians -- Neenah Ellis </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Best I Can Be: Living With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effects -- Liz Kukp </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Thief Lord -- Cornelia Funke </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Neither Wolf Nor Dog -- Kent Nerburn </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Glass Castle -- Jeannette Walls </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Bluest Eye -- Toni Morrison </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Gifts of Imperfection -- Brene Brown </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Interpreter of Maladies -- Jhumpa Lahiri </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Namesake -- Jhumpa Lahiri </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love Does -- Bob Goff</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Dark Hills Divide -- Patrick Carman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love Is an Orientation -- Andrew Marin </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Orange is the New Black -- Piper Kerman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit -- Jeanette Winterson </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Indescribable -- Louie Giglio, Matt Redman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Grimm Legacy -- Polly Shulman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks -- Rebecca Skloot </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Aleph -- Paulo Coelho </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Great Gatsby -- F. Scott Fitzgerald </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Time Keeper -- Mitch Albom </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Unbroken -- Laura Hillenbrand </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Holes -- Louis Sachar </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Light Between Oceans -- M.L. Stedman </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s Always Personal -- Anne Kreamer </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Escape from the Land of Snows -- Stephan Talty </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Zeina -- Nawal El Saadawi </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My Husband and My Wives: A Gay Man’s Odyssey -- Charles Rowan Beye </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Other Wes Moore -- Wes Moore </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Wednesday Wars -- Gary D. Schmidt </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Out of My Mind -- Sharon M. Draper </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Touching Wonder -- John Blase </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blue Umbrella -- Mike Mason </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcelo in the Real World -- Francisco X. Stork</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It is kind of fun for me to read through this list again as I pull this post together. There are quite a few books in here that bring back good memories and the stories come alive just in reading the titles. I have to admit there was one where I had to ask Mark what the book was about, obviously that one left a big impact on me! Of course there are the few on this list that without the goal, I would never have finished them, so for that reason, I am glad I had the goal in place. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-82778202444231328772013-01-02T16:36:00.000-06:002013-01-02T16:36:04.332-06:00The First Time in 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ppq9ahE5qD0/UOS1PbFiPYI/AAAAAAAABw0/U8TWRWN6eG0/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525202%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525207%25253A10%252520AM.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="200" id="blogsy-1357165889901.515" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ppq9ahE5qD0/UOS1PbFiPYI/AAAAAAAABw0/U8TWRWN6eG0/s200/Photo%252520Jan%2525202%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525207%25253A10%252520AM.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
It has become tradition in our house that on January first, any activity that is done is accompanied by the statement, "This is the first time in (insert year here) that we have (insert activity here)." In sticking with that tradition, today was the first time in 2013 that an alarm was set to wake us up for work an school ending a wonderful eleven day stretch of family time. The morning time was cut back, lunches were packed, back packs loaded, and travel coffee mugs replaced the Fiesta mugs. At the appointed time, all four of us walked out the door for the first time in 2013. <br />
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Our eleven days together as a family were just what we needed to recover from the frantic pace that life brought in December. We are rested, relaxed, and ready to face the world again. I accomplished my goal for 2012 by reading a total of 53 books this past year. It feels good. (For those interested, the list is coming in a following post.) Despite the busy schedules and starting work full-time, I was able to keep on track and get it done. When asked whether I would do it again, I would say yes and no. Yes, because I loved the stories and the different genres I exposed myself to this year. Yes, because reading takes me to different worlds which is a much needed escape at times. Yes, because reading keeps my mind open to new thoughts and ideas. However, I hesitate to put this kind of goal in place right away because upon completing the goal, there was a sigh of relief. Not every open minute has to be spent with a book open now. I have missed blogging, writing, and creating and while I was hoping that perhaps my books would give me more to write about, the deadline of my goal got in the way more than it helped. <br />
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I have bounced a few ideas around about my resolution for 2013, however, I am unsure of what I want to settle on. Perhaps there won't be anything concrete or perhaps something will come to mind. I would like to get back to blogging and getting my thoughts down if for no other reason then having a record of them for me to refer back to. <br />
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With all of that said, for the first time in 2013, I am sitting at my computer writing a blog post, and it feels really good. It is a new beginning, something I needed to have before I could sit down and write again. <br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-21931162689804860882012-11-05T18:40:00.000-06:002012-11-05T18:40:15.151-06:00Book Review: Zeina and The Light Between Oceans<br />
Two book reviews for you this week:<br />
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I was incredibly busy last week and didn't know if I would get my book finished for the week, but I made it today thanks to a quiet lunch hour and sitting in the car reading while the kids were at piano lessons! <br />
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<b>Review of Book # 45</b><br />
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Zeina by Nawal El Saadawi. <br />
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<a href="http://www.saqibooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Zeina-217x333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.saqibooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Zeina-217x333.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="208" /></a>This book was in the stack that I picked up during my wandering through
the library looking for books to read. I was really intrigued by the
back as some of the reviews mentioned that the author is "the leading
spokeswoman on the status of women in the Arab World" and that she "has
come to embody the trials of Arab feminism." <br />
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In my quest to learn about people and cultures that are different from me so that I can better understand where they are coming from in effort to be more compassionate and understanding, I was excited to read this book. As I flipped quickly through the pages, I noticed that there are no chapters and really no breaks in the story. I have never read a novel that is one long continuous story from beginning to end. I found it to be a challenge in that there was never a convenient time to stop reading which left me pausing in the middle of events. The story also changes points of view very quickly and changes from present tense to past tense, reality to fantasy just as quickly which at times proved to be a challenge to read at times. <br />
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Some of the main themes in the book are the suppression of women from the poor on the street to the highly educated, hypocrisy mainly among the men with power and status, and how "God's word" can be bent and used to justify anything that is wanted or desired. All of the male characters in the book viewed women as unclean and low on the social scales but used for pleasure. The women, except for Zeina, are extremely demeaned. This is most likely an exaggeration to make a point, but it seems a little excessive when reading the book. I can't say that this book really moved me and was more of a relief to reach the final page. <br />
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<b>Review of Book # 43</b><br />
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The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman<br />
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1336683021l/13158800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1336683021l/13158800.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="211" /></a>This book caught my eye on the best seller's list. Set on a small island off the coast of Australia, the story is of a light house keeper and his wife. Secluded on the island for months at a time without contact from the main island except for a couple of months every three years, they only have each other to lean on through two miscarriages and a still birth. When a boat washes up on the shores after a storm with a dead man and a baby who is still alive, Isabel views this as a gift from God. Tom, meticulous in his record keeping decides to abide by his wife's wishes and does not record the correct time that the boat comes on the shore. For two years the couple raise little Grace as their own daughter. On their first trip to the mainland after Grace's arrival, the couple discovers the birth mother of Grace who is still grieving her lost husband and daughter. <br />
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I realize that this type of story could only happen in the circumstances where a couple is cut off from all human contact besides supply boats for years at a time. This part of the story took me a little to get over, but the author did an excellent job of describing the tensions between all parties involved from Isabel wanting to keep Grace and seeing nothing wrong with it, to Tom who wants to do the right thing, and every other life connected to Grace. <br />
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I could not put this book down and would highly recommend it. <br />
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What was a book you couldn't put down that you have recently read? <br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-12883042567159639242012-10-29T16:00:00.000-05:002012-11-05T17:55:45.074-06:00Book Review: Escape From the Land of Snows<br />
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I had the rare opportunity where there were no books in my "to read"
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library and walked around just reading the backs
of books and picked up a couple. The following is one of the books selected during that particular visit to the library. </div>
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<b>Review of Book #45</b><br />
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Escape From the Lands of Snows: The Young Dalai Lama's Harrowing Flight to Freedom and the Making of a Spiritual Hero by Stephen Talty<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgZAZhwsyfn0bpHccLTmn9mmzebVksbO9F64hrEuB-6vmWZ9OamsPcMJTpCDtJwinOjjqs4sJ8zk1_meFqf5mM11MxAqzbpdqKDhA0NeRMsAu8BQSB_yZmHsw3Ie06mLjuXYqtX-zbfs/s1600/talty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgZAZhwsyfn0bpHccLTmn9mmzebVksbO9F64hrEuB-6vmWZ9OamsPcMJTpCDtJwinOjjqs4sJ8zk1_meFqf5mM11MxAqzbpdqKDhA0NeRMsAu8BQSB_yZmHsw3Ie06mLjuXYqtX-zbfs/s1600/talty.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="263" /></a>I was so excited when I picked up this book because I am so intrigued by the Dalai Lama and was anxious to learn more about him.<br />
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Perhaps my hopes for this book were misplaced. Rather than a book describing the war, I was anticipating a book about the Dalai Lama himself; hoping to learn about how the Dalai Lama's trip from Tibet to India changed and impacted his life, and perhaps a little more about the Buddhist faith. I was somewhat disappointed to find that the book covered mostly the war between the "rebel" Tibetans and Communist China. A great amount of time is spent on how important the Dalai Lama is to the people of Tibet and the desire they posses to protect him from the Chinese that are invading their city. Jumping between different people involved in the war, the devotion to the Dalai Lama becomes very apparent. The actual story of the Dalai Lama's journey is sparsely scattered among the other people fighting the war. I don't feel that I actually learned much about how the journey impacted the Dalai Lama until the second to last chapter of the book. <br />
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I did learn that a young man, twenty four years of age, who is leading the country has to stand up to Mao Zedong and his desire to spread Communism. Growing up in a completely secluded, protected environment, the Dalai Lama has no idea that people can be evil and trusts anyone who is human. His trip to India shows him that people can be evil, are very poor, and need help. Compassion being something that has run deep in the Dalai Lama from early childhood, he begins to understand humans a little better. He leaves Lhasa a rich man and enters India poor with "poor man's disease" or dysentery. The escape to India allows him to change some of the traditions of Buddhism that he struggled with, for example separating government and religion.<br />
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Overall, I think if I had not had preconceived ideas of this book I would have enjoyed it much more. Although I did learn some things, so it was not a complete waste of time.<br />
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Curious to know what you have been reading? <br />
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<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-7234448389078288702012-10-28T18:24:00.000-05:002012-10-28T18:24:01.280-05:00Halloween WeekendOur weekend full of festivities:<br />
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In costume, we headed to Haunted Hallways. </div>
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We have never been before and had a great time. </div>
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<span id="goog_1567849953"></span><span id="goog_1567849954"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(They made up their own costumes this year; I thought they did a great job!) </span></div>
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<span id="goog_1567849953">After the Haunted Hallways, a snack was in order, </span></div>
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<span id="goog_1567849953"> Today involved pumpkin carving. </span></div>
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We have a theme this year from costumes to pumpkins! </div>
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The kids did a great job picking out their own pumpkins and cleaning/carving by themselves! </div>
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<span id="goog_1567849953"> </span><span id="goog_1567849954"></span>Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-38441125994615481822012-10-21T19:46:00.001-05:002012-10-21T19:46:24.679-05:00My New Year's Resolution in October<br>
<p> I am two weeks ahead of schedule. Considering the year that it has been and the changes to my schedule that I had not anticipated, I was so pleased to log my 44th book yesterday. At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for myself to read 52 books this year. A book a week. I knew it was an aggressive goal but it was something I wanted to try. I got the idea when my college roommate posted on Facebook that she had read 80 books in 2011. I knew that was unrealistic for me, but I wanted a challenge. </p>
On top of the challenge in how many books to read, I wanted to challenge myself to expand beyond my favorite and preferred genre. This year I have read biographies/memoirs, self-help/self-esteem, culture awareness, best selling fiction, and classics that I have not read before and otherwise might not ever read. <br/><br/>There have been so many books that have touched me in different ways that I always wanted to write about and I never got around to doing so. I don't know if I will go back and write about each of them, but moving forward I would like to. I am not an expert review writer, but I would like to share them with you. At the end of the year, I will post my entire list of books read this year. <br/><br/>Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-24727703410674307362012-10-14T16:07:00.000-05:002012-10-14T16:07:01.287-05:00Unplanned and Much NeededIt is weekends like this that cannot be planned, rather, it just happens. Without any planning, we had a weekend full of everything that the four of us needed. There was time to read books, listen to music with headphones, play on the computer, art projects, and movies. While most of the weekend was spent in pajamas, we did take time to go to the block party downtown, and the kids found some amazing pizza with real cheese! <br />
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We found some great finds on a trip to Target.<br />
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<br />
I spent a good portion of the weekend standing next to Mark in the kitchen making food for the week. While this may not sound that exciting, it is a time when we connect. We both love to find new recipes and create new meals and dishes. This isn't usually time for deep or life changing conversations; it is a time that we bond and we can get on the same page as each other again. I value this time, especially as busy as we have been lately. <br />
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<br />
This weekend turned out a couple of great dishes:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Fried Rice</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(Quick, Easy, and gives me a gluten-free option </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for Chinese when I am really craving it!) </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Louisiana Red Beans and Rice</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(One of Mark's favorites) </div>
<br />
<br />
Sunday afternoon is here. Rather than the feelings of dread about the upcoming week, I feel relaxed and rested. We have had a productive weekend that has been both quiet, and full of laughter. Of course it helps that we also have a short three day week ahead of us followed by a four day weekend! <br />
<br />
Have a great week! Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-81671056502064104962012-10-02T17:31:00.002-05:002012-10-02T17:31:28.417-05:00Dear MarthaSunday night while we are getting
everything ready and organized for the week, Mark is wiping the dining
room table off and says more to himself than to anyone really, "I wonder
why there is a white mark on the table by Addy's spot."<br />
<br />
In
the middle of packing lunches, I don't think much of it until, mid
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, my breath catches, my heart sinks, I
remember that my darling Addy was taking her fingernail polish off at
the table earlier this evening. Yep. You know the rest of the
story. My dark stained dining room table has a nice white streak in
it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I had consulted with my mom, she agreed, the was probably not much I could do about the table. Out of desperation, I went to the internet Monday night typed in my search and came up with results of refinishing the table, sanding and painting, and the worst, "Nothing can be done."<br />
<br />
But wait..... one last message on a message board gave me hope:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">mix mayo and ashes (fireplace or cigarette)
and let sit for 15 minutes, then buff in. you can also spread mayo on
it and then sprinkle ashes on top, and buff in. can repeat. sometimes
it will make it go away, sometimes it makes it drastically less
noticeable. its something about the fat content in it? some people add a
little olive oil to the mix and leave it on for an hour before wiping
off.</span></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Hope this helps.</span></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Martha</span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">Desperate times call for desperate measures. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">I went out to Mark's grill pulled some ashes from the bottom, grabbed my bottle of Mayo with Olive Oil and began mixing. Nothing to loose right? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQgEtenh-dnGW6XRxoR6jk5HhR5YsCP8Rdsh4o5t2kG__j5AUGjQXkotxwOmAW_UT9Np1aTDMQ7G0imhDeBN7fv7TEWtDy0059eN2ye_O6Vwc3oD13_axCiCPzbJh1gRB26-Hi5aXBts/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQgEtenh-dnGW6XRxoR6jk5HhR5YsCP8Rdsh4o5t2kG__j5AUGjQXkotxwOmAW_UT9Np1aTDMQ7G0imhDeBN7fv7TEWtDy0059eN2ye_O6Vwc3oD13_axCiCPzbJh1gRB26-Hi5aXBts/s400/a.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">The first application was 20 minutes with some improvement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">The second application was 30 minutes with quite a bit of improvement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">The third application was 15 minutes (I was tired and ready for bed) with more improvement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: normal;">Dear Martha, you have saved my table and my sanity. Thank you for this weird but helpful advice! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-26065986896009664842012-09-30T14:17:00.000-05:002012-09-30T14:17:20.070-05:00Vacuumed StairsI vacuumed my stairs yesterday. I know this probably does not seem like blog worthy material, but for me it is a big deal. It was the first time in the month since school has started that I have had both the time and the energy to even contemplate attacking this project. For some reason, the stairs being vacuumed is a big deal to me. The house can be picked up and the bathrooms cleaned, but if I see that my stairs are dirty, it really bothers me. Don't ask me why. It is not like I look at the stairs of other houses that I walk into, actually, I never even think about it, but for some reason, mine are a constant reminder to me about my home. But I digress. <br />
<br />
September has been an intense month, new schedules, new jobs, new classes, and new teachers. Nothing, it seems, is the same. The evenings are now filled not only with homework, piano lessons, rock drums, percussion lessons, and soon dance lessons, but also the many things I used to get done during the day time when I was home. I am not complaining as I know there are many families who do this same routine, it is just very different for our family. It has taken a lot of getting used to, but we are getting there. <br />
<br />
Amid the busyness and chaotic schedules, there has been so much that has been good. Both of the kids are doing well with their new schedules, E at middle school, and Addy with the before school care. Both are making new friends and challenging themselves in school, with music, reading, and math. And both are exceeding my expectations. What more can I ask for? I am able to be home when the kids are home for the most part and help them with homework, something that I didn't have the opportunity to do before. <br />
<br />
I have the opportunity to work with some exceptional young people. I had no idea I would be able to work with these young lives in the way that I am. I am able to assist in language classes by reading books, math class by helping with math problems, and assessing skills for the work force in the work based learning classes. I am realizing what Mark hoped would be true, I am learning to love my new job. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbqv7Q6GoBep3jC5pbhQiBHN9tcA4aR6nPrtBVo3iVbu_grflWXmbxeju3F0R2SpxewD7CNxiBKSlH0QXRP049Yfdtu1zQJdmsWiKtMLAK-jYf67-J0PFM97a9ZPBGVaX0cH9XkfD9WI/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbqv7Q6GoBep3jC5pbhQiBHN9tcA4aR6nPrtBVo3iVbu_grflWXmbxeju3F0R2SpxewD7CNxiBKSlH0QXRP049Yfdtu1zQJdmsWiKtMLAK-jYf67-J0PFM97a9ZPBGVaX0cH9XkfD9WI/s400/IMG_4068.jpg" width="400" /></a>Another gift, the sunrise. It is not that I am getting up any earlier, but rather than I happen to be driving to work while God is painting some absolutely breath taking sunrises. As my car heads East, I have a full view of the colorful hues that begin each day. One morning the clouds looked as if they were lined in liquid gold, set against a yellow, orange, and blue background. Of course, a picture cannot capture the stunning scene. It is a moment each day when I connect with God, giving him thanks for the blessings and asking him to walk beside me through the day. And he does not fail. <br />
<br />
After the intense month of adjusting to the new way of life, yesterday I took time to wake up without an alarm, enjoy a cup of coffee with the love of my life while my puppy snoozed on my lap. Then I vacuumed my stairs because I had time and energy to, and that felt good. It felt good to do something "normal" or at least what I felt was "normal" from life before chaos. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow brings a new month and a hope that by the time we end that month, I will feel a little more of "normal" return to life. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-86740628545110374852012-09-24T06:00:00.000-05:002012-09-24T06:00:11.234-05:00Happy Birthday AddyMy dear Addy, today as we celebrate you and everything you bring to our family on your birthday. You have a great sense of humor which keeps us all laughing. Even on some of the toughest days, your sense of humor can shine through and bring a smile to our faces. You especially know how to make your brother laugh, it brings me so much joy to hear you both enjoying each other. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwstiQzTVMgSy9NB7eWCWAGBcpEs2LkT3MVKcDPNVY3uIyiXZjPGUosAFDGxD2pKXYPQyO_SfHm6lXrARDlNv6GNbS12YP0sctf0P7z0pqXqVb_3v-LFs7GMkRg6aTlxyqj9Vt7MokdAU/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwstiQzTVMgSy9NB7eWCWAGBcpEs2LkT3MVKcDPNVY3uIyiXZjPGUosAFDGxD2pKXYPQyO_SfHm6lXrARDlNv6GNbS12YP0sctf0P7z0pqXqVb_3v-LFs7GMkRg6aTlxyqj9Vt7MokdAU/s400/IMG_3491.JPG" width="400" /></a>Creativity is so natural for you. From the day you first picked up a crayon, you have been one that creates. Whether it is a picture, a card, or a sculpture, our house is full of your "touch" of creativity. I enjoy seeing the world from your point of view through your creativity, it opens up my mind and my world. <br />
<br />
You have a positive outlook on life. Many days, the smile that is on your face when you wake up is still so apparent at night when you go to bed. You live life to the fullest, enjoying what each day brings, and finding the best that can be found in each day. You don't let much get you down, often reminding me how to find the fun in each day. <br />
<br />
From the moment that you were placed in my arms, I knew God had given our family a gift. He gave us a wonderful life to complete our family, someone who bring us so much joy and love. I enjoy the relationship that we have and look forward to many years of friendship as you continue to become the wonderful young lady that God has intended you to be. Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-45267401361971730462012-09-14T06:00:00.000-05:002012-09-14T06:00:02.287-05:00UnscriptedHe has seen the movie many times and knows it by heart, where I have only seen it once. He quotes the lines right along with the actors, not missing a cue. <br />
<br />
The actress asks, "Do you believe me?" The actor on the movie is silent, but he turns to me looking me in the eye and says, " I do believe you." <br />
<br />
The actress asks, "Do you trust me?" The actor again is silent, but he turns to me looking me in the eye and says, " I do trust you." <br />
<br />
And I know deep in my heart that even on the hardest of days, I am going to hang on to these words because these words were not prompted or scripted. They were words that he chose to say to express his feelings and they will get us through. <br />
<br />Janellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213479970783010164.post-80831545203785242512012-09-10T19:54:00.000-05:002012-09-10T19:54:51.727-05:00A Letter To GodDear God,<br />
<br />
There isn't a day that goes by that these children aren't on my mind. In the quiet moments when I am sitting, I wonder what they are doing at that same exact moment. I think about them in the morning when I am getting ready for the day, and I hope and pray that they will feel your love as they begin their day. They are one of the last thoughts on my mind at night during our conversations, as I pray for your protection over them. When I am outside enjoying your glorious creation, so many times I wish they could be standing next to me sharing the same view. <br />
<br />
I can't tell you how much these children mean to me. They have brought so much joy and love into my life. I had no idea when Mark brought up sponsorship in February of 2009 how much I would fall in love with these young lives. I was scared when we first began sponsoring these children because I didn't want to begin something that we couldn't keep up or commit to for the entire time they needed us. I was completely unsure what to expect, but I took a step of faith, and began sponsoring our first two children. I couldn't wait to write them a letter, to send them some information about our family, and to learn about them. <br />
<br />
I still remember the first letter we received, and the joy that just completely filled my soul when the letter was in my mailbox, I literally jumped for joy. I could not wait to learn about this new little girl that we had sponsored. And that is where the story begins. A story of building a relationship. A relationship that is built on love, prayers, and letters. <br />
<br />
I wondered how much I would come to love these children that we sponsor. I wondered what impact if any that our family would have on their lives or them on mine. Because of them, our children understand that the world is really not that big. My children know that the children growing up around the world play games, draw pictures, sing songs, and love you just the same as they do. They understand that our world is bigger than just our home, our street, our city, our state, and our country. I value that our children understand that when it seems like others seem to have more than we do, that you have truly blessed our family in abundance. These are lessons that they have learned from our children around the world. <br />
<br />
These children have changed my life in so many ways. I know that their prayers that they close each letter with are heard and answered by you. I have seen results of that in my life. I love sharing bible verses and bible stories with them, just like I do with my own children. I get excited about the stories of passed exams, promotions into the next grades or levels, and about their hobbies and interests. It never ceases to amaze me how love grows. There is always enough love to give, and there is always more love to share. <br />
<br />
I have to admit, I wondered how long the excitement about the sponsorships would last. I wondered when the letter writing would become a task, and when the fact that these children are many miles away would affect the relationship, but again, you have amazed me. Nearly three and a half years later, and with seven children between sponsor and correspondent children, I am still so very excited to write letters and communicate with them. I still think of them constantly and pray for them daily. <br />
<br />
Thank you God, for this journey we are on with these precious lives around the world that are connected to our family because of you. You have brought each special person into our lives, and each one is very much a blessing. <br />
<br />
JanelleJanellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147577537582626694noreply@blogger.com0