tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739467470523984062024-03-19T07:49:21.031-05:00God in the everydayLiz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-9316768486998699682012-06-06T08:25:00.000-05:002012-06-06T08:25:28.985-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">S</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">ugar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>snap<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pea<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here I was standing in the garden around 5:30 in the morning eating sugar snap peas, pod and all—a real live worship experience. What better way to start off the day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was just me and God in the stillness and the coolness of the early morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was barely light out and I felt God was smiling down at me, almost laughing probably, as I would stuff my mouth full of those delicious green pods full of tender sweet peas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In between mouthfuls of loud pea pod crunching sounds I would look up at Him and grin and say, “Thank you, God. Thank you for these delicious peas. You are a great God to care so much about the little things in our lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even cared enough to let the pea vines twine up around the 5 foot tall cattle panel fencing to make it easy for me to pick the peas. Talk about thinking of everything!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t think I will ever grow any kind of peas but the sugar snap peas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how they would taste cooked because they are so delicious to eat raw, a true taste-treat delight, and I don’t have to go to the trouble of shelling them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sugar snap pea is a cross between the common pea and the snow pea. It has fat peas inside an edible pod. The snow pea part gives it the edible pod because the snow pea’s soft pod doesn’t have the fibrous inner lining of the common pea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This delicious little sugar snap pea is also high in fiber and extremely nutritious as well as sweet and crisp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I’m out worshiping God in the middle of the pea patch at the break of dawn, I think God is also kinda like the sugar snap pea—sweet, giving us our daily nutrition as we follow His ways, and of course always there in a snap when we need His help in troubling situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8 KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “sugar snap delighting” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written June 4, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-75734173573065196612012-05-31T10:36:00.000-05:002012-05-31T10:36:23.874-05:00<br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">T</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 26pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">omato<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tucker</span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 26pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;"></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’d better check those tomato plants and get them tucked back in before they get out of hand.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was a friendly reminder from my husband Jim to do a much-needed chore that has started with our tomato plants now that they are getting bigger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The need for tucking is because they are planted in 5-foot tall tomato cages that Jim made out of concrete reinforcing wire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the tomato plants grow, some of the stray stems start coming through the 6-inch squares openings in the wire. And this is where the tucking comes in. They grow so fast that this is an almost daily tucking until they get to the top of the cage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Luckily though I just have 14 cages to check. I like to experiment with growing mostly heirloom tomatoes and so I try to get just one of a kind to have as many kinds as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A couple of my super favorites are Pineapple and Old German, the Old German dating back to the 1800’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes the Pineapple does have a slight pineapple or tropical fruit flavor. They both have yellow and red striped skin and flesh and are a very large beefsteak tomato sometimes weighing up to two pounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some of my other heirlooms I planted this year include Black Prince, Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Giant Belgium, Green Zebra, German Johnson and Golden Jubilee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now as I get ready to do my “tucking duty” this morning, I’d like to think that I’m also tucking in any bad traits in me like selfishness and lack of self-discipline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the other hand, however, I won’t tuck in good traits like love and concern for others. No, I will let them get completely out of bound with the full run of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ…” (Ephesians 5:2 TLB)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “tomato-tucker” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written May 31, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-46992735533831634432012-05-31T10:32:00.001-05:002012-05-31T10:32:31.638-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m doing what I didn’t want to do—putting hostas in pots and burying them in the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now hostas are one of my favorite shade perennials. In fact, several years ago one of my friends even dubbed me Hosta Mama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love their beautiful foliage and their range in size from six inches to over four feet tall, depending on the variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For years I had always planted my hostas directly in the ground like a person normally would and each year they would get bigger and bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And then over the years I started noticing that some of the hostas were nice and big one year and the next year I could hardly find them or at least they were much smaller in size.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This went on for several years until one year nearly a third of my hostas disappeared over the winter. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As they started coming out of their winter dormancy, I started looking where they had been and discovered a depression (not only in me but also in the ground) and a tunnel where the plant had been or where a portion of the rootstock was left that had been gnawed on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After finally realizing I had a problem and doing some fast and furious research, I discovered that hostas are a favorite food of voles—not moles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Voles look similar to moles but eat only plant material, not insects like moles. Voles are vegetarian and are said to eat their weight in plants every 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So now I am planting my hostas in pots either sunk in the ground or in a decorative planter above ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s a lot more work but since I am a “hostaholic” I guess it’s worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I just thank God, my Heavenly Gardener, that I finally found out what was destroying my hostas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Took me a long time to find out. Glad it hasn’t taken me that long to find out what’s really important in life though—like delighting in God’s love for me every day and trying to give back a little of this love to others and to God too, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should hot perish, but have everlasting life.” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(John 3:16 KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “hosta-loving” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
Written May 24, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-72338853071414736692012-05-31T10:30:00.004-05:002012-05-31T10:30:53.348-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">B</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 26pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">uzzard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>breath<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There he was—a big ole black buzzard sitting on a tree limb about 30 feet from the front room. Jim had just waked from an afternoon nap and looked out the window and saw it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At first we couldn’t figure out what brought a buzzard so close to the house. Started to make us a little nervous. We were pretty sure we were still alive though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then we figured it out when it flew down and started walking around close to a certain plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That certain plant sometimes called a Stink Lily or Dragon Arum was in full bloom and smelled like something dead. In fact, I couldn’t get near it without almost vomiting it smelled so bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Luckily though this nasty smell of dead rotting meat lasts only for a day or two and is used to attract flies and other insects for pollination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I guess the smell is pretty real though when it can even fool a buzzard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even though the smell is so bad, it is a beautiful three-foot tall plant with sturdy snake-skin patterned stalks topped with two huge green antler-like leaves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The gorgeous 18-inch flower has been described as a fleshy purple ruffled vase with an upside-down purple-black carrot in the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hope as I go about my everyday life, my love for Jesus can be seen as the beautiful bloom on this plant, alive and joyous, rather than the dead and stinking smell that just attracts ole buzzards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I can just get rid of that old selfishness that keeps trying to pop up almost every day to trip me up, this ought to help keep the buzzards at bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nothing stinks worse than a self-centered life focused only on my own wants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d rather be like the description in the Bible where it says, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance.” (</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span dir="ltr"></span>2 Corinthians 2:14b TEV</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “hopefully fragrant” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written May 18, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-26104696579991534632012-05-31T10:28:00.000-05:002012-05-31T10:28:58.062-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">S</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">tob<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>poker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All of a sudden I felt an excruciating pain. I looked down at my leg and blood was gushing out of a hole right above my ankle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I thought what is going on. I was in the process of dumping a load of dead dried ornamental grass canes and all I can figure out is one of the hard canes attacked me and poked a hole in my leg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I thought, “No big deal. I got work to do.” So I worked on for another four or more hours. Wrong thought process! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As our son Mark said, “You don’t have a lick of sense in your head!” Around dark I noticed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there was so much pain in my leg when I walked that I finally decided I had better quit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now to my credit I had stopped working long enough to wash the puncture out with hydrogen peroxide. This all happened around 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon May 2. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After I finally came into the house about dark,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim asked me if I wanted to go to the emergency room. I said, “Let me think about it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So after thinking about it and since I had not had a tetanus shot, I thought maybe I had better go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 9:30 that night we headed for the ER, but the pain was so bad that I couldn’t walk into the hospital and I had to be wheeled in in a wheelchair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, I did get a tetanus shot and the wound cleaned out and bandaged, but after a day of pain when I would try to walk I decided to go to the doctor again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After all, it hurt so bad to put my leg in a vertical position that I decided crawling on the floor was a better mode of transportation. But this scared the cats. Christy ran away and wouldn’t eat her food when she saw me and Pickle got real big-eyed and slunk away—and Jim went out and got me a walker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So Friday instead of going to Garden Club, I went to the doctor. The area around the puncture was hard, swollen, red and hot. The doctor could immediately see that the leg was infected and began the proper treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s been a week since this happened and I still have trouble walking but it’s better. I have hobbled around even getting some of my planting done that got interrupted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So what can I learn from this? Maybe that I needed a tetanus shot somewhere down the line since I work outside in the dirt and the manure all the time and this was the only way to knock some sense in my head to get it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And then maybe it’s all right to slow down a little bit—only a little bit though. And most of all that God is good and is my ultimate healer through all the good doctors and other people. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Psalm 86:15 KJV)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “hobbling” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written May 9, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-14982333765637672662012-05-31T10:26:00.000-05:002012-05-31T10:26:03.836-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“When you go out, take Pickle with you. She just sits by the door and cries and cries,” my husband Jim told me last night after I got in from working outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I noticed that after I had gone back out, here she came. I guess Jim let her back out pretty quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She had been outside with me all day, so when I came back in for a few minutes I thought maybe she was ready to stay in and get a little rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Working outside all day is hard work, you know, especially for a cat. And especially since she stays right with me wherever I go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But she is persevering and as long as I am out, I guess she thinks she has to be. Besides she has more fun being outside. She runs and jumps and tries to catch butterflies or whatever is flying around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yesterday I was getting something out of the barn, and she was trying to catch carpenter bees which look like bumble bees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She isn’t discriminating at all—just whatever flies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Watching her always brings a smile to my face, just to see how much she enjoys life. She evidently had never been outside before our son Mark brought her to us from Wayside Waifs in February.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now though once she has gotten a taste of being outside, it’s one big adventure of exploring and enjoying every aspect of this big wide world that has been opened to her. She just can’t seem to get enough of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Putting a spiritual spin on this, I guess it’s kind of like once you get a taste of God, you just can’t get enough of Him either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He opens up a whole wide world for enjoying life. And, for me, it is an everyday thing. It’s in the little things as well as the big things. I see God’s hand everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Psalm 34:8 KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “tasting and enjoying” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written May 2, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-36758920197326846992012-05-31T10:23:00.001-05:002012-05-31T10:23:50.939-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well, back down in the cistern again. I’m glad I don’t have to say that anymore.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately I’ve had to eat my words. About a month ago I wrote my article and called it Cistern Serenade. That’s what it sounded like when it started raining and filling our cistern back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I explained in my earlier article, our 5000 gallon cement cistern went dry this winter apparently because of some cracks that had developed over the course of 36 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So after cleaning it out and patching the cracks we were all ready for plenty of water for my plants this summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And thanks to the guttering and a good downpour, in came the rain— but alas out went the rain, slowly but surely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Evidently we had not found all the cracks. So back down in the cistern again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I felt like crying, but I remembered what my mom always said, “Aw, just laugh and go on” and so that’s what I did—maybe a bit hysterically though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I guess I can look at it this way. It’s good exercise for a 74-year old woman getting down in the cistern periodically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only I hope this is the last time. Jim patched the edges around the entire bottom this time instead of just what he thought might be cracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course, while down there, I said a little prayer appealing to the mercy of God that we would get all the cracks this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We thought we had them taken care of the first go round but since we didn’t, I’m reminded of Proverbs 27:1 in the Contemporary English Version that says, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t brag about tomorrow! Each day brings its own surprises.” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And yes this was not a nice surprise, but I’m dealing with it. Life is too short to get stressed—for very long, at least. Ha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “down-in-the-cistern again” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written April 28, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-31931158888520802592012-05-31T10:21:00.000-05:002012-05-31T10:21:14.940-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think I’ve coined a new word—sistertime. I guess it’s kind of like summertime. Reminds me of the 1902 Tin Pan Alley song “In the Good Old Summertime.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s a time in each year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That we always hold dear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good old summertime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those days full of pleasure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We now fondly treasure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the good old summertime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, that describes what it’s like when my two sisters, Lou from Eldon and Katherine from Eugene, and I get together. I would just change summertime to sistertime in the song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now when we get a chance to see our brother Junior who lives at Laurie, it’s even better. But this time we didn’t catch him at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We started off Wednesday after Bible study in Eldon with several of us having lunch at Lou’s and spending the afternoon visiting and laughing and “tall-taling.” And as always we enjoy our 93-year old Aunt Stella who drove over after Bible study to join in on the hilarity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then Thursday we had a rambunctious time along with our cousin Carolyn hitting bling jewelry stores in Jeff City and then on to thrift shops and garage sales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Friday we headed to Camdenton to their 62nd Dogwood Festival to some big church garage sales. You might gather that we like to go to garage sales and thrift shops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, and in Jeff City at a couple of the garage sales, we even got a bonus of a personal tour of their beautifully landscaped yards after commenting on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now in between all this we also squeezed in time to visit three of our relatives in different care centers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except when we were talking and laughing with Cousin Sylvia, another resident came to the door to check on what was going on. I guess we got a little loud with our hilarity and good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway Saturday it was time to head home. As usual I always thank God for our times of being together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Psalm 86:12 KJV)</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “sistertime” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written April 23, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-88250568496504365182012-05-31T10:17:00.000-05:002012-05-31T10:17:31.112-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">W</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 26pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">rite<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, write it down! That’s what I’m going to do from now on. I can’t believe how something can go out of my mind almost immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At Garden Club last Friday I told my friend Kellie something and since we were busy with the meeting, she said to send her an email and remind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, would you believe by the time the meeting was over I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to remind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Laughing to myself, I went ahead and sent her the email and told her what I thought I was supposed to remind her of which turned out to be right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And then yesterday my husband Jim and I were working together assembling something in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>garage and realized we needed to get a certain tool for future use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I told him when we finished and I went into the house I would write it down so we would be sure to remember it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can you believe I’d forgotten it by the time I got in the house. I’m still trying to think what it was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh well, such is life. As my mom always said, “Aw, just laugh and go on.” And I’ll probably think of it later. If not, I guess it wasn’t that important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even though I forget sometimes, I know Someone who never forgets. And He especially never forgets us. He is our Creator and Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One thing though that I will absolutely never forget is that God loves us with a love that will never stop. Never!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As someone once said, “We are continually and always before Him. Forever. Now. Five minutes ago. In three days. When we are awake and when we are asleep. All the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I like the imagery of Isaiah 49:16 from the New Living Translation: </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands …”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s never forgotten servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written April 11, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-86482258129487805822012-04-04T07:52:00.000-05:002012-04-04T07:55:32.699-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">B</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 20pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">lack-eyed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pea<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jim, these are not black-eyed peas. They may be black, but they’re not black-eyed peas.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Jim was getting ready to try a new recipe for some black-eyed peas and so was sorting them for any foreign objects that might have been packed with them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, what he was sorting was black all right, but it was black beans. So when he realized his mistake, he said, “Here put these back in the sack.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I did and handed him a new sack. Only this time the joke was on me. He said, “Liz, these are not black-eyed peas. They may have the word pea in them but they are green split peas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I think we were both tired. We had had a long day. I saw peas on the sack, and not even looking at them, jumped to the conclusion they were black-eyed peas. I guess Jim goes by color and I go by words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway we finally got the right sack and the black-eyed peas are in the process of soaking right now and we both had a good laugh on ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And I think it is important to be able to laugh at ourselves especially in this day of stress and fast-paced living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We need to slow down enough to have some good ole belly laughs every once in a while. Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, I guess it’s better to laugh about them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Events that normally would be annoying can become amusing. Sometimes a little humor is what keeps us sane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As someone said, “We need to get more giggles in each day.” It’s even been proven that laughing is healthful, so I’m sure our heavenly Father is all for a little extra laughing on our part. I know He wants us to be healthful and enjoy life. He has even said, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance—to the full, til it overflows.” (John 10:10 AMP)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s laughing servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Written April 4, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-60937110355950475482012-03-28T08:47:00.000-05:002012-03-28T08:47:03.236-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">P</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 20pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">eanut<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reincarnation</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 20pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could not believe it! I heard the backdoor bang and slam shut. Then I heard it bang again. I thought what is going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew we didn’t have Peanut anymore, our big ole bobcat look-alike cat, who always banged the door when he wanted in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So I went to the backdoor and there was Pickle, our new cat, banging the door to let us know she wanted back in the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was Peanut all over again—the door banger. Back in February, when we had to put Peanut to sleep because of kidney problems, I wrote out a little prayer to God that if we got another cat that He would please pick it out for us—just the right cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, I guess He used our son Mark to do the “picking out.” I really didn’t intend to get another cat since we still had Christy but I had an idea Mark might try to get us a cat. So that’s why I thought I had better do a little praying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgmz0nvmeIIBXA4eXkpwITjvnP2wpSV5whUQXko9J20uXs6Vwro9aSu2rKox9OWZgOWN75CVtErMhgNz0Mk8jQ257bpX7eKiGBYmnxW2ZBs-lt6iz6dhu-UBA5Sb7qGoPI511JsFX0D0/s1600/DSC05956RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgmz0nvmeIIBXA4eXkpwITjvnP2wpSV5whUQXko9J20uXs6Vwro9aSu2rKox9OWZgOWN75CVtErMhgNz0Mk8jQ257bpX7eKiGBYmnxW2ZBs-lt6iz6dhu-UBA5Sb7qGoPI511JsFX0D0/s320/DSC05956RS.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And wouldn’t you know out of all the cats at Wayside Waifs his eye went<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>straight to this pretty tortoiseshell cat named Pickle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And again she is so much like my beloved Peanut was in that she is calm, not flighty, loves the attention of company instead of running and hiding like our Christy does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although Christy and Peanut were inseparable, I had to laugh because they were just the opposite in about every way and it seems that this is carried on in the new cat too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now some people may think God only cares about the big eternal “salvation” things in our lives which He certainly does, but I think He cares about the little things in our lives too—like getting just the right cat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course, some people may think I’m a little weird. But thank you, God, anyway for spoiling me in so many “little” ways. Thank you for Pickle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord, to sing in your honor, O Most High God,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to proclaim your constant love every morning, and your faithfulness every night.” Psalm 92:1-2 GNB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “cat-pleased” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.399pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written March 28, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-52464617039088360882012-03-21T09:37:00.000-05:002012-03-21T09:37:43.175-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">C</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 22pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">istern<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>serenade</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 22pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well, back down in the cistern again.” I’m glad I don’t have to say that anymore though. That’s what I was saying last week as we were down in the cistern cleaning it out and patching cracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our 5000 gallon cement cistern located under the garage went dry this winter apparently because of some cracks that had developed in it over the course of 36 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was originally our only source of water back in 1976 when the house was built but now since we have rural water I have used it only for watering my plants in the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It has been a lifesaver since I have lots of plants and the water you might say is free since it comes from the guttering on the roof when it rains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our friend Ron helped clean the sediment out. He scooped, Jim hauled the bucket of muck up and emptied it, and I held the light so they could see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last Thursday Jim went over the cracks with Drylok Fast Plug to seal the cracks. I did my part by holding the light. I’m a good light holder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now back to the title—cistern serenade. That’s what it was when it started raining this week—a beautiful, melodious serenade as the water trickled down into the cistern once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As of this morning it has around 2000 gallons of water in it. We have a really sophisticated method of measuring the water, a long thin narrow board with pencil markings on it for every 1000 gallons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We lower that into the cistern and wherever the water comes to, it shows how many thousand gallons are in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have always appreciated the value of water, but especially when the cistern goes dry with planting time drawing nigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I appreciate most of all though the “living water” that comes only from Jesus Christ. He says, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me.”</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (John 7:37, 38 TLB) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “thirsty” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written March 21, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-11840285175501854852012-03-14T20:47:00.000-05:002012-03-14T20:47:34.282-05:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">S</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">pook<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>light</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Now it’s not even Halloween but every time here lately when I would go into our family room I would notice one of the floor lamps would be on at a certain time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was by the easy chair where our new cat Pickle always sleeps and I just thought maybe Jim turned it on for her each evening for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t ask him about it but I noticed every time after supper when Jim would go into the study to read his Bible, that’s when the light in the family room would be on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally out of curiosity I asked him if he had been turning that light on for Pickle for some strange reason. He said no that he hadn’t but he had been noticing that it had been on also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, the conclusion we have come to is that since it is a remote-controlled light, it is on the same frequency that Jim’s remote-controlled light in the study is on so when he goes in to turn his light on to read the Bible, it also turns the one on in the family room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am reminded of the 1977 Debby Boone hit song “You Light Up My Life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You light up my life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You give me hope <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> To carry on<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You light up my days<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and fill my nights with song.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is the way I think about Jesus as being my Light. I love life and doing lots of things, but He is the Light or the reason for my whole life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whatever I do, I want to do for Him even pulling weeds or sweeping the floor. He made everything in this world and so I like to think I’m showing Him thanks by helping out in taking care of the things He made—maybe being a small light to Him even or to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I like the way John 1:4 NLT puts it, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “light” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written March 14, 2012</div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-75513136656617581242012-03-07T07:47:00.000-06:002012-03-07T07:56:41.212-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">N</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 24pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>discrimination</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 24pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve always thought “No discrimination” is the best policy, but when it comes to this “flu/cold/whatever” that is going around, I would like to have been discriminated against and not have partaken of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But no, what’s fair for one is fair for all, I guess. Normally I don’t get sick. Famous last words. Did I ever get sick! And it hit me on my blind side without a word of warning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I remember it exactly. It was on a Thursday, February 16. I was working outside in beautiful warm weather getting a lot of spring cleanup done, pulling early pop-up weeds, cutting off dead stuff—just enjoying the day. I felt absolutely great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That evening it hit me, like I said, without warning. Chills, fever, headache, the whole bit. Where did it come from? And how could it be so devastating without at least a little bit of pre-warning symptoms?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, unanswerable questions. Now nearly three weeks later I am finally feeling better but not completely in the clear yet. It is “wicked stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But—there’s always a good side to everything. I lost about five pounds which I was wanting to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had met my weight goal last summer for my birthday in June, but somehow had gained about two to three pounds over throughout the course of the winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, thanks to the “flu thing,” I am now back down to where I wanted to be with a little leeway even for weight fluctuations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now on a spiritual level—and what isn’t on a spiritual level—I’m so glad when it comes to loving people, God shows “no discrimination.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wow! He can even love me. And sometimes that’s going some, I know. And what better reminder than John 3:16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 3:16 KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll take that. And thanks for no discrimination!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “getting well” servant,</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Written March 7, 2012</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.6pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-50645493751176533482012-03-01T11:00:00.001-06:002012-03-01T11:01:16.467-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">N</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 28pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">ow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>its<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pickle</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 28pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew this would happen. I told our son Mark that we were not going to get another cat since Peanut was gone. One cat Christy was enough now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, oh, no when he and Todd came from Minneapolis Saturday for their annual February Christmas visit, they brought in something extra in a pet carrier—a new cat named Pickle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They had this all planned out. They had made contact earlier with Wayside Waifs in Grandview to stop and pick up the cat as they drove through on their way to Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I will have to admit it seems to be a very nice cat. It’s a two-year old tortoiseshell cat. Tortoiseshells are not a specific breed of cat but instead a special coloring that appears in many different breeds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The coat is mottled with patches of orange or cream and chocolate, black, or blue. And because of a special gene tortoiseshells are almost always female.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pickle was already named and according to her history, she had been a “shop” cat. I don’t know what kind of shop she stayed in, but she seems pretty well-adjusted to people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She is a very quiet cat; in fact, she hasn’t meowed yet. Overall, she seems very calm and self-assured. She likes to get up on high places and so far her favorite seems to be the top of the computer desk in the family room. She also likes the top of the piano in amongst family pictures. She’s very agile and doesn’t bother the pictures at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, I did not intend to get another cat and I told our son this but our children sometimes have ideas of their own so I guess that is why we now have Pickle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“...The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Job 1:21 ESV</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And now the Lord has given again. So I thank you, Lord, for your new gift.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “cat-recipient” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Written February 29, 2012</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-19778084371272533482012-02-21T17:41:00.000-06:002012-02-21T17:41:34.325-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">N</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 25pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ordinary<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cat</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 25pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, Peanut was no ordinary cat. This is a hard article for me to write because out of mercy to him we had to have him put to sleep last Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He had severe kidney failure that was shooting poison throughout his whole body. On one of his tests the numbers were supposed to be between 10-30 and his was 143. For extreme kidney failure, there is no chance of recovery, only pain and more pain. So we made the hard but necessary decision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now I have to do my early morning devotions by myself. Peanut always crawled up beside me in the chair and did his part by sleeping until I was finished. If I didn’t start my devotions on time—his time—he would stare at me until I stopped what I was doing and go head for my “devotion chair.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am so thankful for the almost 13 years that we had Peanut. I didn’t pick him but I think God picked him out for me. As a tiny kitten he came to my mom’s garage in Eldon, scared and hungry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My mom was getting ready to move to my brothers home in Laurie, so now what do I do with this homeless kitten. I asked a neighbor if he would take him, and fortunately for me he said no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So I put little Peanut in a box in the front seat of the car and headed for Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only he didn’t stay little very long. He soon grew to 18 pounds. I called him my bobcat look-alike as he did look just like a bobcat with his short tail and pointed ears and brown coloring. It’s possible he was part bobcat, but we have since found out that there is a breed of cats called pixie-bobs that look like bobcats and weigh 18-22 pounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Peanut didn’t have a mean bone in him. He was so gentle. He would follow me around like a little dog. When I was working outside, he would be right there beside me. And he loved Christy, our other cat. They would always curl up together in a chair or on the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, I thank God that He allowed me to have this marvelous loving cat for the time that He did. God has indeed made some mighty fine creatures to share with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all he has made.” (Psalm 145:9 NRSV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “Peanut-loving” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written February 20, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-10107837087206675652012-02-21T17:39:00.000-06:002012-02-21T17:39:03.389-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">F</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 28pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">inally<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>winter</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 28pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If only for one day—Monday, February 13. It even snowed. It was a luscious day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I got to stay inside all day except for getting out early and taking snow pictures and feeding the birds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although I love working outside, it was good to have a day where I was hemmed in and couldn’t get outside to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have been taking advantage of this unusual winter of warm weather however and have worked outside nearly every day, getting things ready for spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m way ahead on spring weeds like henbit and chickweed that come up early and try to take over before you know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And I already have 108 bags of leaves shredded and spread on my flower beds. Actually if they were unshredded it would translate into 1080 bags since the shredding is on a 10 to 1 ratio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m ready to get my paths between the beds in shape with putting down landscape fabric and then a matting of hay on top to make them “walkable on” wet or dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But even though I have gotten a lot done outside because of the abnormal winter weather, I’ve sort of had a feeling of nervousness and uneasiness overall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although I have certainly enjoyed it, it just doesn’t feel right at this time of the year having this kind of weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m definitely not complaining, but I guess I’m such a creature of habit that it throws me off balance when things aren’t as they usually are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do know one thing though Jesus is the one constant in all of this. He never changes. I can count on Him to love me, and not only me but everyone,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no matter what the weather is—whether winter is hot and summer is cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “weird weather” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written February 15, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-29993394513465002752012-02-21T17:35:00.001-06:002012-02-21T17:35:27.500-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">H</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">eart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gift</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You are a strong person. You WILL be able to stand up under this. You have strength in the Lord and you will make it through this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps one time or another, all of us have had someone give us encouraging words that kept us going or in fact actually kept us from going under.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the circumstances got darker and darker, and we were ready to give up, the only thing keeping us going was the echo of these encouraging words in our heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although she is in heaven now, I can remember years ago my friend Louise Schmidt giving me encouraging words just when I needed them, and usually they were over the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I can still visualize her standing straight as a board and hear her confident and almost authoritative voice saying, “You can too make it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that was the end of the matter. When Louise spoke, I knew that was the truth and I had better heed it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So from experience I know the power of encouraging words. They live on even though the person speaking them might no longer be on this earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since Valentine’s Day is coming up shortly, the idea occurred to me that a great Valentine gift to give someone might be “an encouraging word” gift, a true heart gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s a gift that doesn’t cost money which allows anyone to give it, whether rich or poor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It doesn’t take a lot of time searching through stores, and it gives the one giving it as much joy as the one receiving it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And I guess, best of all, it can be given any time. It doesn’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And to me I have found the Greatest Encourager of all is Jesus. His Book is full of encouraging words. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And He asks all of us to continue this “encouraging word” gift to others because I guess He knows how good it is for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So encourage each other and build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “encouraging” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written February 8, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-25848516457347333952012-02-06T09:13:00.000-06:002012-02-06T09:13:12.452-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>B</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">link<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sync</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And just when I was getting my eyes to blink in sync with its blinking!” laughed my husband Jim about the flickering LED light we just got rid of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was a clip on goose-neck light that we used at the computer desk. We both just loved it, the way it looked, the way it worked—until it started blinking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It had 24 tiny LED bulbs in the head. At first two of them or so started blinking. Then a few more, and then a few more. And then a few more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tried to ignore the blinking and concentrate on what I was doing at the computer. That worked for awhile. Except I could feel myself gradually getting a slow rage inside me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At one point, I wanted to grab that beautiful little light we loved so much and throw it across the room. I couldn’t stand another blink, no matter how much self-control I tried to have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was so pretty though. Perhaps we should have been suspicious however when we bought it as it was in a bin with a whole bunch of others just like it with a much-reduced CLEARANCE price on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, well, we enjoyed it for a little while. We do have it replaced now with one that is working just fine. And I’m beginning to think it’s just as nice, especially since it isn’t blinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have to watch myself that as I go through life I don’t buy into things or ideas that look nice and seem to come with a small price. But later I find out that they can start blinking and mess up my life big time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I find that if I stick with God-centered ideas revolving around love and concern for others rather than thinking only of myself, I’m on solid basis and am operating under a light that never blinks—God’s light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“God is light; and there is no darkness in him at all.” I John 1:5 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “non-blinking” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Written February 1, 2012</span></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-38047418449198069182012-01-25T09:15:00.000-06:002012-02-06T09:20:31.107-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Here, Rusty, I have something for you—horseradish root, ginger root, and some garlic cloves. I told you yesterday at Tai Chi I would bring some to church this morning in case you wanted to make some fire cider this week. I forgot the cayenne pepper though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, I had never heard of fire cider before, but Jim, my husband, found this recipe for fire cider on the Herbal Remedies site after seeing it mentioned in the Old Farmers Almanac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One person from Herbal Remedies said no kitchen should be without fire cider. Some use it as an all-natural, organic herbal remedy for cold and flu and as an over-all tonic, taking about a half tablespoon a day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is supposed to loosen congestion, increase circulation, and aid digestion. It can be rubbed into sore muscles and aching joints as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I read that it can also be used in place of vinegar in most recipes and is especially good as a salad dressing when mixed with olive oil or mayonnaise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a little salt and pepper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The recipe Jim used had apple cider vinegar, horseradish root, ginger root, onion, garlic, and cayenne pepper. It needs to steep for two to eight weeks and then be strained into a clean jar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The recipe said drink it straight or diluted in a bit of water or tomato juice. I thought it was interesting that it suggested starting out with a teaspoon or so to test your tolerance level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Looking at this from a spiritual aspect which I am in the habit of doing with about everything, I’m glad I don’t have to test my tolerance level for Jesus by starting out small with my devotion to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I know that He certainly doesn’t with me. He has given me His full love from the very beginning, even before I was born as He does with everyone. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16 NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “on fire” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.699pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written January 25, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-63224412571462030582012-01-18T11:33:00.000-06:002012-01-18T15:29:32.065-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">L</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">ost<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>verse</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s probably a small thing, but was I ever glad to see it. At my Beth Moore study last Tuesday I had put my Proverb To Live By Today (MPTLBT) in my Beth Moore book before I left home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wanted to share the verse for the day with the others. When I went to get it out of the book, I couldn’t find it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked through all the other stuff I had brought—my prayer notebook, my Bible, my black bag, my purse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally Sue asked me, “What are you looking for?” I told her, “My verse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the study was over, and I got back home, I looked again one more time through everything. I still couldn’t find it so I decided I was not going to worry. I would just get out another strip of paper and write my verses over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For a little background on this, I like to read the book of Proverbs over each month. Since there are 31 chapters I read a chapter each day to correspond to the day of the month. Then I pick out one verse to try to live by for that particular day and write it down on a strip of paper that I cut to hold 16 verses, 8 on each side. I either put the verses in my pocket or up on the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kitchen window sill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now back to the story. As I was sitting quietly the next morning reading my Bible, all of a sudden I thought I will look in the car and see if I dropped it there. I looked in the back. Nothing. And then I looked in the front and there it was—on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was jubilant, not only at finding it but in solving the mystery. I know God gave me the idea to look in the car. He cares about even the little things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I find that God can give answers not only to the little things but most importantly to the big things like the meaning of life. I have come to the conclusion that without God life has no meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance—to the full, till it overflows.” (John 10:10 AMP)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s jubilant servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written January 18, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-40730938557539573372012-01-18T11:29:00.002-06:002012-01-19T08:12:55.756-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">C</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 36pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>starer</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He stands and stares at me. It’s only 5 o’clock in the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was going to vacuum the floor before I had my quiet time with God because I wanted to be sure and get the vacuuming done before something unexpected came up and prevented it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I even turned the family room light on in preparation for vacuuming, but there stood Peanut (our bobcat-look alike cat) in the middle of the floor as if to say, “Aren’t you going in the other room and read and pray?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNeg6e2uj1BVcbdBRAgQMaxK6bZASMc6fIdmc34wBvxhh8roY0my6PXDeUpk2qLIEOiKQrOropcmfD-z48wfFufr7U9f96k6euAuy5vhqxC2Y0NlPtHBYFoQ8CnNSbPANQe4v8trqW5o/s1600/DSC05498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNeg6e2uj1BVcbdBRAgQMaxK6bZASMc6fIdmc34wBvxhh8roY0my6PXDeUpk2qLIEOiKQrOropcmfD-z48wfFufr7U9f96k6euAuy5vhqxC2Y0NlPtHBYFoQ8CnNSbPANQe4v8trqW5o/s320/DSC05498.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course, his part is to crawl up beside me and go to sleep in the chair while I do my devotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He’s like clockwork. He knows the routine and he doesn’t want to vary it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes in life it helps to have someone to be accountable to. I never thought for me it would be a cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At times God can be very creative in helping me do the right thing. He uses whatever He knows will be the most effective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I think He had a plan in mind when He dropped Peanut into my life twelve years ago as a little kitten that wandered into my mom’s garage in Eldon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And He knows that my first priority should be to give the first part of the day to Him so He can steer me in the right direction for the rest of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So when I see Peanut sitting and staring at me first thing in the morning, I know what that means and I say, “Thank you God for keeping me on track. Thank you that You love me enough to care.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each morning I pick out a proverb to try to live by for the day ( I call it MPTLBT). The one I picked out this morning is Proverbs 10:17 from the Amplified Bible. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He who heeds instruction and correction is </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-eudc-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">not only himself</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-eudc-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in the way of life, but is a way of life for others…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By the way, I did get my floor vacuumed later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “cat-directed” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written January 11, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-84692447490175149292012-01-18T11:23:00.001-06:002012-01-18T15:28:58.155-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">59</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 28pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 30pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>degrees</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 30pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, 59 degrees around 5 p.m. on the last day of the year, December 31.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What a heyday I had outside! I started out early in the morning raking and shredding leaves. After working for just a little while though I soon shed my coat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This last day of the year fell on a Saturday and since I didn’t even have to go in town for anything, I worked all day long outside and loved every minute of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One completely unbroken day of complete bliss. It’s not often I get to stay home all day—and especially on a perfect day weatherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In between raking and shredding leaves and reforming my flower beds and paths I also started making war on henbit and chickweed that had already popped through where the mulch had grown thin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This time last year I was still fighting these two persistent weeds in April but because of this gift of early good weather in December I’m way ahead of the game this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Miss Henbit and Miss Chickweed will be smothered with mulch and won’t have a chance to get started and outwit me this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spiritually speaking though to me this nice day the last day of the year summarizes the whole year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m not saying everything that happened during the year was good but what I am saying is that God is good and He helps me and every other person who calls on Him to get through whatever hard thing we are going through at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not only do I look at that nice day the last day of the year as a summary of the whole past year, but also as an indicator of this new year of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s what I hear the Lord saying, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Jeremiah 29:11 TNIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s hopeful servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written January 6, 2012</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-40858110830463640142012-01-18T11:00:00.000-06:002012-01-18T15:28:02.486-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">M</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 20pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">idnight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cleaning</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 20pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I got up at 12:01 a.m. worked til 3 a.m. cleaning out the hall closet. I worked yesterday and today organizing my magazines and papers for several years. Jim built the second bookcase in the basement. I’m in the mood to clean up and keep “paper” under control. I’m going to open my mail each day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/1/91 2:59 p.m. 40 degrees 104</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-eudc-font-family: "Times New Roman";">½</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow! What a goal. I’m going to open my mail each day. A great New Year’s resolution!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had to laugh when I happened to read this note I had written in my Daily Walk Bible on New Year’s day back in 1991.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the 20 years since then I have progressed though because I am opening my mail each day—that is, when I pick it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For a few years now we have had a post office box instead of a rural mailbox so that means we pick it up when we are in town and it isn’t every day that we go in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, well, the sticks on the path in trying to lead an organized life. I find it a fight trying to keep cabinets and closets cleaned out and the “paper trail” under control and not to junk up the basement when I need a place to put something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And then there’s the outside keeping the garage clean and the barn clean and the flower beds mulched and stray weeds out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But one thing I have found through the years in trying to get organized, the most important thing is to get my self organized spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do know where my Bible is and it is a very important part of my day. If I spend time in it each day the other parts of my life seem more organized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In fact, there is a Proverb from the Living Bible translation that gives me hope: </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Reverence for the Lord adds hours to each day...”</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Proverbs 10:27)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I take time to still my mind and sit at the Lord’s feet, I know He will help me figure out my priorities—how to organize my day even!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s “organized” servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Written December 29, 2011</div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273946747052398406.post-26312566452419057522012-01-17T10:09:00.000-06:002012-01-18T15:27:12.219-06:00<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 72pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">M</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Camberic; font-size: 28pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Camberic; mso-default-font-family: Camberic; mso-greek-font-family: Camberic; mso-latin-font-family: Camberic; mso-latinext-font-family: Camberic;">erry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>heart</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 28pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t ever put a frown on your face.” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These were words from my 98-year old cousin Sylvia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On my way home from my sisters visit earlier this month I stopped by to see cousin Sylvia at Lee House in Eldon.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We chatted for a few minutes and in the course of the conversation Sylvia shared these words of wisdom with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I thought it was pretty significant that in her many years of living this is one thing she had really found important and wanted me to remember too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And in thinking it over, I realize what good advice it actually is because it is talking about our inner attitude. How we feel inside is reflected on our face whether we like it or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As Proverbs 15:13 TGB says, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I enter the new year of 2012, I’m going to try to remember Sylvia’s words and put them into action using the advice of James 1:22 KJV, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“... be ye doers of the word and not hearers only…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And besides I have read that 35 to 50 per cent of all ill are sick because they are basically unhappy. So I guess the question is </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are you happy enough to live long?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Medical research confirms that positive chemicals take place in our brain when we laugh or smile producing endorphins which are the body’s pain killers and help the entire muscular system to relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I like what my friend Jerry Long gave me several months ago. It is a bookmark that says, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How can we possibly forget to laugh, when it feels so good and cures so much?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That philosophy along with </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t ever put a frown on your face” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ought to be a sure-fire way to start the new year off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And as I understand it, God wants us to enjoy life. He created laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is a slow death to be gloomy all the time.” (Proverbs 17:22 GNT)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s laughing servant,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liz Ray</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11.5pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Written December 22, 2011</span></div>
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<br /></div>Liz Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787539711260760717noreply@blogger.com0